Abstract: Vacuum process chambers are increased or decreased in number when the kind or order of processes is changed, and the shape and size of the transfer chamber are changed with the increase or decrease of the number of the vacuum process chambers, without entailing any change in a load-lock chamber and a transfer arm. The transfer arm has a minimum radius of rotation such that the arm can rotate in a transfer chamber of a minimum size corresponding to a minimum number of vacuum process chambers and a maximum arm reach such that the arm can deliver an object to-be-treated between each vacuum process chamber and a transfer chamber of a maximum size corresponding to a maximum number of vacuum process chambers. Thus, even though the number of the vacuum process chambers are increased or decreased with the change of the processes, it is necessary only that the shape and size of the transfer chamber be changed, and the other components, such as the load-lock chamber, transfer arm, etc.

Abstract: The EGR gas flow is established based on the difference between an assumed value and a control target value of non-air components partial pressure calculated from target control values such as engine torque and at the same time the intake air flow passing through a throttle valve is established based on the difference between an assumed value and a control target value of air components partial pressure and based on the air components within EGR gas. Further, based on thus established EGR gas flow and the intake manifold pressure, the operating amount of an EGR actuator is calculated and based on thus established air flow passing through the throttle valve, the operating amount of an throttle actuator is obtained. Further, based on an estimated value of air components partial pressure, a final basic fuel injection amount is determined.

Abstract: This invention is for a surgical method for modifying the curvature of the cornea. The method involves making a semicircular lamellar cut on the cornea to form a superficial layer which remains connected to the cornea in a superior zone so as to form a flap. The superficial is raised to expose the underlying surfaces which are subjected to the desired ablation. The superficial layer is then replaced over the underlying surface so as to adhere. By forming a flap with the connecting hinge region in a superior zone, the flap which is raised during the operation and then replaced will be smoothed over the remaining part of the cornea under the effects of the blinking movement of the eyelid and by gravity. This encourages the distension and centering of the superficial layer and enhances the effects of the ablative treatment. The method of the invention also provides greater ease and convenience to the surgeon performing the method.

Abstract: Synthesis of an amino-disaccharide, amino-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof, characterized in that a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, an oligosaccharide, a glycoside or a derivative thereof, in the presence of a glycosidase as catalyst, is reacted with an amino-deoxy-saccharide or a derivative thereof, and that the amino-saccharide is isolated from the product mixture directly or after chemical/enzymatic modification.

Abstract: A flat antenna array includes a screen plate, a conductive aperture plate which overlies the screen plate, and a dielectric sheet which is located between the aperture plate and the screen plate. Apertures in the screen plate define the locations of waveguides. A network of conductors is carried on the dielectric sheet. The conductors include stimulating elements which are aligned with the apertures. Each stimulating element includes first and second probes which have axes which cross each other and constitute a probe pair. A plurality of reflective elements are located above the dielectric sheet at locations which correspond to the apertures. A first output circuit connects together the first probes, a second output circuit connects together the second probes.

Abstract: A composite actuating device is provided for use on an electronic device, such as an electronic notepad or an electronic dictionary machine. The composite actuating device of the invention includes a casing, a cover adapted to be reclosably hinged to the casing and having a locking structure provided in one end thereof, and a power switch mounted in the casing, a button which can trigger the power switch when operated; and a latching device which is capable of locking the cover in closed position on the casing when engaged with the locking structure on the cover, the latching device being linked to the button such that the latching device is disengaged from the locking structure on the cover when the button is operated to trigger the power switch. This allows the actions of unlocking the cover and switching on the power of the electronic device to be simultaneously achieved simply by operating one button by the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thrombolytic agent capable of being orally administered, said agent comprising 6-amidino-2-naphthyl 4-?(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-2-yl)amino!benzoate or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.

Abstract: A recycle document feeder according to the present invention includes a cover (251) covering a document discharge portion (30). The cover (251) is openably supported by a pivot shaft (256) between a pair of frames (255). A feed-back path (32) for guiding a document original onto a document placing plate is defined by a pair of guide members (257, 258) provided in an opposed relation. The upper guide member (258) is attached to the interior face of the cover (251). A switch claw (253) for switching the document traveling direction is attached to the pivot shaft (256) which supports the cover (251). Thus, there is no need for additionally providing a shaft for supporting the switch claw (253), thereby simplifying the construction of the document discharge portion (30).

Abstract: Provides an economical method for manufacturing high-value added crystalline maltitol and crystalline mixture solid containing this by means of a process wherein a syrup with a maltose content of 40 to 75% by weight in the solid component is subjected to catalytic hydrogenation, the sugar alcohol syrup is then subjected to chromatographic separation to produce a maltitol-containing syrup fraction with a high maltitol content in the solid component, and the maltitol-containing syrup fraction is then subjected to chromatographic separation.

Abstract: A heat-pipe type solar collector includes a heat absorber portion adapted to absorb solar energy to evaporate a working fluid in heat tube elements; and a heat release portion communicating with the heat absorber portion and having a body of a semi-annular or annular cross-section. In the daytime, the vaporized working fluid exchanges heat with objects adjacent to the heat release portion. At night when temperature drops, the working fluid flows to the heat absorber portion to allow the body of the heat release portion to generate a vacuum for heat insulating purposes, thereby maintaining the temperature in the water reservoir.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an optical system, an image forming section and a paper conveying section provided in its main body. The main body includes a first portion containing the optical system and a second portion containing the image forming section and the paper conveying section below the first portion. A paper discharging section opening toward the front is provided between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion is shifted by a predetermined amount backward with the position where it is lined up to a second portion as a basis. It is easy to visually confirm whether or not there is a paper sheet in the paper discharging section below the first portion.

Abstract: A sealed container obtained by forming into a container a sheet comprising (A) a polymer of three-component system of bisphenol A, diphenyl carbonate and 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid, (B) polypropylene and (C) ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer or polyamide obtained by the polycondensation reaction of m-xylylenediamine with adipic acid so that these (A), (B) and (C) are in order of (A)-(B)-(C)-(B) with (A) as an innermost layer of the container and sealing the container by a lid having gas barrier properties. This container is excellent in preservability and sealability and does not spoil the flavor of various foods which are contained therein.

Abstract: A hydrogen canister fuel cell battery including a base having at least one hydrogen distribution channel communicating with a hydrogen canister for passage of hydrogen to a fuel cell on the base. An air supply is disposed in front of the fuel cell for sending air into the fuel cell, so that oxygen and hydrogen may react electrochemically in the fuel cell to generate electricity. The present invention also provides an arrangement that utilizes fuel cells to have a larger area of contact with the ambient air so as to eliminate use of fans and starting power devices and thus achieve a compact hydrogen canister fuel cell battery for use in products such as notebook computers and cellular phones.

Abstract: A catalyst for purifying the exhaust gases from diesel engines. The catalyst contains a zeolite mixture of several zeolites with different moduli and platinum group metals as well as further metal oxides from the group aluminum silicate, aluminum oxide and titanium oxide, wherein the aluminum silicate has a ratio by weight of silicon dioxide to aluminum oxide of 0.005 to 1 and the platinum group metals are deposited on only the further metal oxides.

Abstract: An ultrasound flow velocity and Doppler angle measurement method and system is provided for measuring the velocity and direction of a flow, such as the blood flow in a human body, in a non-contact manner through ultrasound means. In practical applications, this ultrasound flow velocity measurement method and system can be utilized, for example, in the field of physiological diagnosis for blood-flow velocity measurement to determine whether the patient suffers from blood vessel disorders, such as embolism and aneurysm. Precise measurement can be achieved through the use of just one set of ultrasound transducer in the system configuration; therefore, this ultrasound flow velocity measurement method and system is simpler in system configuration and more cost-effective to use than the prior art. Experimentation shows that the estimation has a standard deviation of less than 4.5.degree. for Doppler angle range from 45.degree. to 80.degree.. Therefore, the measurement results are trustworthy to use.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning internal surfaces of water closets ("WCs") and similar fixtures includes a container to be placed near the fixture to be cleaned. A brush is stored in a lower section of the container, and it is removed from the container to clean the WC. A water supply system in an upper section of the container includes water conduits and a flexible tube which is retractably mounted on a rolling up device. Water flows from the flexible tube through the brush handle to an impeller which rotates the brush, and the water sprays the bristles to keep the brush clean and to prevent the formation of deposits on the bristles. When the brush is inside the container, a cleaning rod protrudes into the bristles, and the brush is rotated to clean its bristles further.

Abstract: A device for sealing a lance (12) in an opening in a container under pressure, in particular a shaft furnace, is described. The device comprises a first casing (46) with an end wall on the shaft furnace side and on the environment side, which are each provided axially with an opening for a lance (12), and a sealing element (14), which is arranged in the first casing (46). The sealing element (14) comprises at least one packing (50) and at least one axially movable annular piston (52), which are arranged coaxially with an axis (24) of the device, the packing (50) being arranged between the piston (52) and one of the end walls of the first casing (46) in the actuating direction of the piston (52). The packing (50) is pressed axially against one of the end walls of the casing (46) by actuation of the piston (52), the packing (50) extending radially and being laid around the lance (12) to form a seal.

Abstract: By a motion vector correction circuit 313, a motion vector minimizing the sum of a value of the quadratic error function having a motion vector as a variable and the motion vector changing amount in neighboring blocks is determined, and it is linearly interpolated by a motion vector interpolation circuit 314 to obtain a motion vector in a pixel unit, and a motion compensated picture is generated, and a differential picture of the current frame and this motion compensated picture is divided into sub-bands by a video transform circuit 304, and only the information in the region of the larger differential signal energy is coded.

Abstract: A method of removing the skin casing from a sausage by slitting the sausage (2) in its one end region comprises the steps that a flap of the skin casing is gripped by a gripper (15) in the immediate proximity of the slit. The gripped flap is displaced in relation to the sausage (2) in a direction transversely of the longitudinal direction of the sausage, preferably approximately tangential. The gripper and the sausage undergo a relative displacement in the longitudinal direction of the sausage. The sausage will, at least during a part of the removal operation of the skin casing, be caused to rotate approximately about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A durable oil well pump having fitted ceramic cylinders. Two metal retainers are fitted at two ends of the ceramic liner barrels. A cement or adhesive, which is resistant to pressure and temperature is placed in the annular clearance among the liner barrels, the retainers and an outer tube. There are multiple segmented plunger skirt and ceramic barrels to be fitted around a plunger inner tube. The valve seat outer ring is shrunk on to the ceramic inner ring. The valve ball is also made of ceramic. This pump has resistance to corrosion, temperature and magnetic fields. This pump can prevent liner barrel displacement, increase the period between repair, improve oil production, and reduce the cost of production.