Abstract: The invention provides a resin composition for a fiber reinforced composite which can be used to produce a prepreg excellent in tackiness, drapability and windability around a mandrel, and also provides a prepreg in which reinforcing fibers are impregnated with a resin composition, and a fiber reinforced composite obtained from them. The resin composition includes a thermosetting resin and a thermoplastic resin with a weight average molecular weight of 200,000 to 5,000,000.

Abstract: Grain-oriented silicon steel sheet with Bi as an auxiliary inhibitor and a forsterite coating film having a Cr spinel oxide subscale of FeCr2O4 or FexMn1−xCr2O4 (0.6≦x≦1), made from a steel slab containing 0.005-0.20 wt % of Bi and 0.1-1.0 wt % of Cr.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing integrated circuits uses a silicon nitride spacer for etching self-aligned vias. The method is accomplished by (1) providing a first inter-level dielectric layer having metal lines formed on it; (2) depositing a silicon nitride layer over the metal lines and the first inter-level dielectric layer; (3) depositing a second inter-level dielectric layer on the silicon nitride layer; (4) depositing a photoresist on that second inter-level dielectric layer; (5) patterning vias on that second inter-level dielectric layer; (6) non-selectively oxide etching the second inter-level dielectric layer and the silicon nitride layer to form the vias; and (7) selectively nitride-to-oxide etching the silicon nitride layer to remove the silicon nitride layer surrounding the metal lines, where the etching stops at the first inter-level dielectric layer. This forms an access window.

Abstract: A non-destructive method of measuring physical characteristics of a medium, such as uncemented sediment, sandstone, or limestone. A pseudo-random code is generated and is used to generate a pseudo-random acoustic signal. This signal is transmitted into the medium to be measured through the use of a transducer, such as a piezoelectric element, and is received by a plurality of hydrophones. The received signal is then processed to obtain an image of its velocity and attenuation. A universal geoacoustic model of the medium for a given set of measured data is determined, and the model is solved to obtain a pair of permeability-porosity results for the medium. The one of this pair of permeability-porosity results which is correctly indicative of the physical characteristics of the medium is then determined.

Abstract: A melt spinning pack, including a pack case, a spinneret having many spinning holes positioned at the bottom of the case, a pack cap having a polymer introducing hole at the center positioned at the top of the case, and a flow arranging plate having many flow arranging holes with restricted portions reduced in cross sectional area compared to the inlets of the holes positioned between the spinneret and the pack cap, satisfying the requirement that the contraction percentage R be 50% or less, respectively contained in the case.

Abstract: A start-up circuit for supplying current to an analog circuit. The start-up circuit comprises a capacitor connected to a current mirror. A power-up signal input to the start-up circuit causes the capacitor to discharge to the current mirror thereby causing the current mirror to provide a current to the analog circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing polarized high-pressure vapor-phase helium-3, particularly for NMR imaging. The apparatus comprises a means for injecting helium-3 or a mixture of isotopes into an optical pumping cell (2), a means for liquefying the polarized gas from the optical pumping cell (2) and a tank (4) for storing the polarized liquid-phase helium-3, characterized in that the storage tank (4) is cooled to a temperature that may be set between a storage temperature Ta and an evaporation temperature Te, and communicates alternately with the optical pumping cell (2) and a high-pressure helium-3 gas discharge duct.

Abstract: Methods and adhesive labels useful in marking products or documents by applying these to substrates. A mark such as a barcode, photograph or characters are formed directly on the substrate and the adhesive label is applied over it. The adhesive label includes a concealing film layer which is transparent to a first wavelength outside the visible region, a diffractive optical mark with a transparent reflective layer and an adhesive layer. The first wavelength may be infrared allowing the underlying mark to be read by an IR laser. The adhesive labels are formed as to allow them to be continuously separated from a temporary detachment layer, thereby exposing the adhesive layer, and affixed to the document.

Abstract: Method of making a grain oriented electromagnetic steel sheet having excellent magnetic properties, by a series of steps ranging from hot rolling to final finishing annealing for a silicon steel slab containing from about 0.001 to 0.07 wt % bismuth, wherein the average cooling rate for about five seconds measured immediately after the end of hot rolling is controlled within a range of from about 30 to 120° C./second; the value of the ratio PH2O/PH2 of the atmosphere for the soaking step in decarburization annealing is adjusted within a range of from about 0.45 to 0.70; and a treatment is provided for inhibiting decomposition of the surface inhibitor during final finishing annealing.

Abstract: A motorization system for a merchandise cart having at least two wheels including a direct current electric power storage unit; a power supply controller connected to the power storage unit; and two electric motors connected in series and connected to the controller, with each of the motors being operatively associated with one of the wheels and each motor having a nominal operating voltage equal to half the nominal output voltage of the power storage unit.

Abstract: A container assembly is provided including a cover and a container. The cover and container components are adapted to resist deformation resulting otherwise from forces encountered during handling and storage. Accordingly, the resulting container assembly can withstand side impact, stacking and internal pressure.

Abstract: Ultra-low iron grain-oriented silicon steel sheet which is made by forming a ceramic tensile coating including at least inner and outer portions of a nitride and/or a carbide, the outer portion having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is lower than that of the inner portion, and wherein the outermost portion has an insulating property.

Abstract: A food heating and cooling device including a tray, at least one main dish plate in the tray, at least one secondary dish plate in the tray, a cover associated with the tray for maintaining the food hot or cold, an inducer for heating, reheating or maintaining heat and powered by an electronic generator circuit which induces currents in an armature located on or under the plates, a thermoelectric exchanger for maintaining the food cold or cool by extracting residual heat from the plates and compensates for thermal insulation leaks from the tray and cover, and rechargeable batteries connected to the inducer and the thermoelectric exchanger.

Abstract: A method for the treatment or prevention of chronic diarrhea caused by protozoa, especially microsporidia and cryptosporidia, in a patient is disclosed which method comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of a berberine alkaloid. The administration of the berberine alkaloid may be in combination with one or more antiprotozoal agents other than berberine.

Abstract: Terminal-modified imide oligomers with an inherent viscosity of 0.05-1 obtained by reacting 2,3,3′,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, an aromatic diamine compound and 4-(2-phenylethynyl)phthalic anhydride, and their cured products. There are provided highly practical terminal-modified imide oligomers and their cured products, which cured products have satisfactory heat resistance and mechanical properties.

Abstract: Crimped yarns that comprise a conjugate multifilament yarn having unique surface texture, dry touch, and stretchability; woven/knitted products comprising said crimped yarn; and production methods of crimped yarn as a conjugate multifilament yarn comprising polyester polymer components and has (a) number of crimps (CA): 2.5 crests/cm≦CA≦10 crests/cm, (b) number of developed crimps (CB): 8 crests/cm≦CB≦30 crests/cm, (c) shrinkage stress (TS): 0.0882≦TS (cN/dtex)≦0.221, (d) apparent shrinkage percentage (SC): 40%≦SC≦80%, and (e) shrinkage percentage of fiber in boiling water (SW): 2%≦SW≦8%, and produced by subjecting a crimp-forming conjugate multifilament yarn to relaxation-heat treatment.

Abstract: A method for screening large cell populations for isolation of mutants that express a target activity. The products of the screening method are disclosed. Various activities, including enzymatic activities can be selected.

Abstract: A 50% duty-cycle divided-down clock with selectable divisor rates. A simple architecture comprised of two n-bit counters, a state machine, 2 toggle flip-flops, and two 2-to-1 muxes is used to allow an input clock signal to be divided down by any divisor rate up to 2n.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis membrane element is provided that can treat a raw liquid throughout a wide raw liquid pressure range from a low pressure to a high pressure, comprising a reverse osmosis membrane, a permeated liquid passage conduit provided on one surface of the reverse osmosis membrane, and arranged to face it, and a water permeable fabric provided between the reverse osmosis membrane and the permeated liquid passage conduit; it is preferable that the water permeable fabric has an average surface roughness of 2-2 &mgr;m, that is has a pure water permeation coefficient of 0.5-5.0 m3/(m2.MPa.min) and that it is a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: The sensor measures diffusion of a fluorescent marker in cavities. The sensor has a Mach-Zehnder micro-interferometer having a reference arm and a measurement arm. The reference arm has a deposit of a sensitive layer whose refractive index is modified when the sensitive layer is in contact with the fluorescent marker. In one embodiment, the micro-interferometer has a diode laser configured to generate a source beam, a substrate of silicon micro-machined with two Y junctions, where a first Y junction is configured to divide the source beam into a measurement beam along the measurement arm and a reference beam along the reference arm, a piezo-electric transducer configured to shift the frequency of the reference beam in phase by an acoustic modulation, wherein a second Y junction combines the measurement bean and the shifted reference beam to generate a combined beam; and a photo-detector configured to detect the combined beam.