Abstract: In the method and apparatus for continuous roasting of food materials according to the present invention, a food material is mixed up by blades (9f) provided on a paddle plate (9d) via an elastic material (9f1) in a tubular cylinder (1) with open ends. Thus the blades (9f1) come in contact, at least once, with all faces of the inner wall of the tubular cylinder (1) while the screw shaft makes one rotation. As a result, roasting can be completed in a favorable manner.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to improve reliability to a dust or the like of a magnetic disk device. The magnetic disk device of the present invention comprises a magnetic disk 10, a levitation type magnetic head slider 12 and a controller 14 for controlling an operation of the magnetic head slider 12 and the controller 14. The controller 14 moves the magnetic head slider 12 to a CSS (Contact Start Stop) region of the magnetic disk 10 at a predetermined time interval and performs a CSS operation at least once.

Abstract: An image recording medium is disclosed which comprising: an acid generating agent capable of generating an acid by the action of heat or an acid, which is represented by the following formula (1); and a compound of causing variation in the absorption region of from 360 to 900 nm by the intramolecular or intermolecular reaction triggered by the action of an acid: W1OP  (1) wherein W1 represents a residue of an acid represented by W1OH, and P represents an acid-sensitive substituent capable of splitting off at a temperature of 150° C. or less due to catalysis by W1OH.

Abstract: Drive signal generating means generates a drive signal including a plural number of drive pulses during one period. Print data generating means generates print data to input one or a plural number of the drive pulses to each pressure generating element during one print period. The pressure generating means expands and contracts in accordance with the drive pulses input thereto, to thereby cause the ejection of an ink droplet or droplets.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus has a torque sensor which, if the torsion of a torsion bar is within a predetermined angle, linearly outputs a detection signal converted by a first conversion ratio with respect to the torsion, and if the torsion has exceeded the predetermined angle and is within a limit angle, the torsion sensor outputs a detection signal converted by a second conversion ratio which is lower than the first conversion ratio. Further, if the detection signal has exceeded an upper threshold or dropped below a lower threshold, which thresholds being set outside the range of the detection signal outputted from the torsion sensor in its normal state in which the torsion of the torsion bar is within the limit angle, a determination is made that an abnormality has occurred in the torsion sensor.

Abstract: A metal film with high melting point containing such nitrogen as titanium nitride is disposed on the interface between an amorphous carbon fluoride film and a metal. A structure is obtained from the function of a nitrogen-containing metal film with high melting point which prevents fluorine dispersion, to prevent such problems as the reaction of a metal and fluorine at heating process and the following falling or swelling of the metal film can be solved. In addition, the heating process possible to introduce in the manufacturing steps allow to complete the LSI making process of a practical multilayer wiring structure on the basis of a low dielectric constant of amorphous carbon.

Abstract: Sputtering method and apparatus for forming a coating on both sides of a flat substrate or on the entire surface of a bulky substrate without involving rotation of the substrate. At least one pair of sputtering cathodes each having a target attached thereto are arranged in a film-forming chamber capable of controlling a vacuum atmosphere with their target sides facing each other, and a substrate is disposed in front of the targets. A voltage is applied to the sputtering cathodes in such a manner that the polarity alternates between the sputtering cathodes making the pair to induce a glow discharge between the sputtering cathodes. The target on each sputtering cathode is thereby sputtered and deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: A distributed feedback semiconductor laser (DFB laser) in which light feedback is performed by using a diffraction grating, and in which influence of external feedback noises can be decreased to suppress fluctuation of an optical output. The DFB laser comprises a diffraction grating structure portion which constitutes a resonator and which is divided into a plurality of regions along the longitudinal direction of the resonator, and one or more phase shift portions each disposed between adjacent regions of the diffraction grating structure portion, wherein total phase shift obtained by all of the phase shift portions has a quantity corresponding to &lgr;/n, where &lgr; is an oscillation wavelength, and n is an integer larger than 4 (n>4). The total phase shift may have a quantity corresponding to a value within a range between &lgr;/5 and &lgr;/8.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device; which contains, in a memory cell, a memory transistor having a floating gate that is set over a tunnel insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, and a control gate that is set over an interlayer insulating film on this floating gate; and a select transistor having a select gate that is set over a gate insulating film on the semiconductor substrate; wherein the thickness of the gate insulating film in the above-mentioned select transistor is less than the thickness of the tunnel insulating film in the above-mentioned memory transistor. The present invention can provide a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device capable to operate at a high speed with a good stability.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory apparatus including a current detecting circuit, an input signal generating circuit, a reference current detecting circuit, a reference input signal generating circuit and a differential amplifier circuit. The current detecting circuit detects a current flowing through a memory cell to output a detecting signal from an output section of the current detecting circuit. The input signal generating circuit generates a first differential input signal by amplifying the detecting signal to output from an output section of the input signal generating circuit. The reference current detecting circuit detects a current flowing through a reference cell to output a reference detecting signal from an output section of the reference current detecting circuit. The reference input signal generating circuit generates a second differential input signal by amplifying the reference detecting signal to output from an output section of the reference input signal generating circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel potassium channel protein expressed exclusively in the brain, a DNA molecule having a sequence encoding this protein, a vector containing the DNA molecule, a host cell containing this vector, and a method for obtaining the potassium channel protein, wherein mRNA is extracted from human cells or tissue capable of producing the potassium channel protein of the present invention. Then, use is made of two primers between which the channel protein mRNA or a part of the mRNA region is located by using the thus extracted mRNA as a template. By carrying out a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, the channel protein cDNA or a part thereof can be obtained. Thereafter, the channel protein can be produced by integrating the thus obtained novel potassium channel cDNA or a part of the same into an appropriate expression vector and then effecting its expression in a host cell.

Abstract: In a solid-state laser apparatus, an optical resonator 7a is formed into a stable resonator by combing a solid-state laser medium 3a, a thermal lens F1 generated in the solid-state laser medium 3a, a wavelength-converting device 17, a thermal lens F2 generated in the wavelength-converting device 17, a reflecting mirror 4a and a harmonic mirror 19.

Abstract: A metal fiber of titanium or titanium alloy has given equivalent area diameter and specific surface area and is produced by a bundle drawing method wherein mild steel is used as a material for covering layer and outer housing and a composite wire is subjected to a heat treatment at a given temperature.

Abstract: An optical fiber-fixing structure of a ferrule is provided. The ferrule is fitted on an optical fiber having a conductor exposed from a sheath by an end processing, so that the ferrule is bonded and fixed to the optical fiber. The ferrule includes a larger inner-diameter and a smaller inner-diameter receiving portion for respectively receiving the sheath and the conductor, and the receiving portions extend continuously through the ferrule from one end to the other end. Grooves and protuberances are formed at the larger inner-diameter receiving portion. The protuberances provide a reduced inner diameter, being defined by distal ends of the protuberances, which is smaller than that of the sheath of the optical fiber, so that the sheath is provisionally fixed relative to the receiving portion in a press-fitted condition.

Abstract: A magnetic detector having high productivity is provided by producing a connector and a base as separate units, electrically interconnecting them, forming a cut-out portion in a press-in portion of the base, and injecting a thermosetting resin adhesive into a whole case. The case also has a recess portion that prevents excess injected resin from leaking to the outside of the case. The structure of the base also allows for easier injection of resin and simplified connection of the magnetic resistance element to the base.

Abstract: An air-communicated opening (8a) of an ink cartridge (8) connected to an ink jet recording head (7) is sealed to apply negative pressure from the suction device (11) to the recording head (7) through a capping unit (10). Ink is forcibly discharged from the recording head (7) until the internal pressure of the ink cartridge (8) is brought into a condition of equilibrium with the sucking pressure of the suction device (11). Thus, air bubbles are discharged to the outside by force of the flow of ink. Then, the pressure of the ink in the ink cartridge (8) is reduced to the sucking pressure to raise the degree of deaeration of the ink.

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus comprising a switching power module (1) for conducting power conversion in a switching manner, a plurality of smoothing capacitors (6A) for smoothing a direct-current power supply output to be applied to the switching power module (1), and a switching power module connecting wiring board (19) for establishing connection of the smoothing capacitor (6A) to the switching power module (1). A ceramic capacitor is used as the smoothing capacitors (6A). The smoothing capacitors (6A), a smoothing capacitor case (23) accommodating the ceramic capacitors and the switching power module connection wiring board (19) are integrated structurally with each other to construct a smoothing capacitor assembly (24). This smoothing capacitor assembly (24) is connected to the switching power module (1).

Abstract: The hardness of the outer peripheral surface of a small-diameter portion 47 and one side surface of a collar portion 52, which respectively rub against a belleville spring 39a, is set at HRc45 or higher, thereby enhancing the wear resistance of these surfaces. On the other hand, the hardness of a fastening tubular portion 51 is set at HRc3O or lower, thereby making it difficult for the fastening tubular portion 51 to be damaged or cracked when it is fastened.