Abstract: An electron beam irradiation system has a pumping block at an end of a microscope column of electron optics. The system has the rotary stage, the microscope column for directing an electron beam at the target on the rotary stage, the pumping block for evacuating air in the gap between the column and the target, a moving mechanism for sliding the rotary stage between a working position and a mounting position, and a cover member. In the working position, the target is opposite to the column. The cover member is brought into intimate contact with the rotary stage or target to prevent vacuum deterioration when the rotary stage moves from the working position to the mounting position.

Abstract: A method for predicting potential mine roof failures which generally includes the steps of identifying influence factors that affect mine roof instability, quantifying each influence factor, multiplying each influence factor by a numeric weight factor to obtain a weighed influence factor for each influence factor and calculating a mine roof instability rating based on the weighted influence factors. Supplemental support may be recommended in areas where the mine roof instability rating shows increased risk of mine roof failure.

Abstract: A transporting and escapement device includes an internal guide member extending along the conveying path and extending through an aperture in each conveyed article. The guide member will serve to guide the article along the conveying path. The guide member is supported by at least one escapement assembly. Each escapement assembly includes at least two independently operated guide member engaging supports which can selectively engage the guide member at spaced locations along the guide member. At least one support of at least one escapement assembly will be engaged with the guide member at any given time.

Abstract: A high-purity rare earth metal oxide material powder of purity of 99.9% or over, of which Al content is 5-100 wtppm in metal weight and Si content is 10 wtppm or under in metal weight, and a binder are used to prepare a molding body of which molding density is 58% or over of the theoretical density. The binder is eliminated by thermal treatment, and then the molding body is sintered in an atmosphere of hydrogen or a rare gas or a mixture of them or in a vacuum at a temperature being not lower than 1450° C. and not higher than 1700° C. for 0.5 hour or over to prepare A transparent sintered rare earth metal oxide body represented by a general formula R2O3 (R being at least one element of a group comprising Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu).

Abstract: A method of detecting the distribution of values of a physical property such as the dopant concentration of a semiconductor without being adversely affected by stray capacitance is offered. A scanning probe microscope capable of implementing this method is also offered. The method starts with applying an AC voltage of angular frequency &ohgr; between a probe and a sample from a fixed oscillator. The output from the oscillator is supplied to a piezoelectric device that drives the cantilever. The cantilever produces a deflection signal corresponding to forces corresponding to interactions between the probe and sample. A signal regarding the amplitude is extracted from the deflection signal. This signal is fed back to a means for controlling the distance between the probe and sample and supplied to a display device. As a result, an image of the surface topography of the sample is obtained.

Abstract: A device for affixing objects to products moving in a row, which device includes a holder for a stock of the objects and with an affixing device that includes a carrier for removing an object from the holder and moving the object. The affixing device is capable of rotary movement about an axis of rotation. The object is affixed to the moving product during the rotary movement of the affixing device. The affixing device can be driven intermittently between rotation and standstill. During the standstill of the affixing device, the carrier can remove the object from the holder. Preferably, more than one carrier is provided, with the carriers each provided with a suction nozzle.

Abstract: A fiber-optical connector system, including a fiber-optical connector and a coupling into which the connector can be inserted to establish an optical connection. The connector has a housing that extends along an axis and into which an optical fiber is arranged with the axis projecting with one end from the face of the housing. Means exist to cover the end of the optical fiber and protect the end of the optical fiber from any effects from the exterior when the connector is not inserted and to release the end of the optical fiber projecting from the housing when the connector is inserted in the coupling. A protection device for the connector system may be derived by configuring the cover means with a first cover element that protects the end of the optical fiber in the axial direction.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes front wheels (2), a pair of right and left rear drive wheels (3), a body frame (1), a mower unit (4) supported by the body frame (1) forwardly of the rear drive wheels (3), a grass catcher 32 attached to a rear end of the body frame (1), an engine (7) mounted on the body frame (1), a left change speed device for changing speed of drive from the engine (7), and transmitting the drive to a left axle (3a) of the left rear wheel, a right change speed device for changing speed of drive from the engine (7), and transmitting the drive to a right axle (3a) of the right rear wheel, and a grass collecting duct 31 connected at one end thereof to the mower unit and at the other end to the grass catcher 32. The left change speed device (15, 17) is disposed in a left region of the body frame to extend upward from the left axle (3a). The right change speed device (15, 17) is disposed in a right region of the body frame to extend upward from the left axle (3a).

Abstract: A headlight assembly for a working vehicle includes a body (16) having a front frame (19), and side frames (20) bent and extending rearward from opposite ends of the front frame, and light source units mounted in a pair of right and left openings (21) formed in the body. The body (16) is an integral unit formed of resin. The light source units include a pair of right and left main bulbs for forward illumination, and reflector units for forwardly reflecting light from the main bulbs. A cover member (18) is provided for covering at least a large part of the body. The cover member (18) includes a pair of right and left lens regions opposed to light radiating planes of the reflector units (32), respectively, a front wall region (33) interconnecting the these lens regions, and side wall regions (34) bent and extending rearward from lateral ends of the lens regions, respectively.

Abstract: Chemical compounds, being the alkyl sulfate of sulfated saccharides, particularly, dextrin, and cyclodextrin, and pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds. The compounds of the invention provide antiviral activity, particularly in the treatment and prevention of sexually-transmitted diseases. Methods of treating viral infection and preventing viral transmission include administration include administration of the compounds of the invention orally, topically, subcutaneously, by muscular injection, by intraperitoneal injection and by intravenous injection.

Abstract: A latent catalyst particularly useful in epoxy molding compositions for use in electronic packaging materials is provided. The latent catalyst is in the form of a curative represented by a combination of an inorganic-based carrier having an activated surface and a catalyst compound including a moiety capable of accelerating curing of the epoxy resin, such as the reaction product of silica and 1,8-diazobicyclo(5.4.0)undecene-7 (DBU). The activated surface of the inorganic-based carrier includes reactive surface groups capable of bonding to the moiety through a hydrogen bond, and also includes a high surface area porous surface, such that the catalyst compound is sorbed on the activated surface. The invention further provides epoxy compositions including the curative with an epoxy resin and a curing agent for the epoxy resin, which compositions are particularly useful as molding powders for semiconductors with prolonged shelf life stability.

Abstract: A digital multi-point electronic load weigh system is used with a railcar truck control unit to provide a digital all electrical/electronic system, which will perform the brake load weigh function for an electro-pneumatic brake system. The digital multi-point electronic load weigh system is primarily to be used with a distributed electronic control system using neuron style communication/control microprocessors. However, the digital multi-point electronic load weigh system can also be integrated with existing electro-pneumatic brake control components.

Abstract: Mixtures of triazine derivatives free from polyalkylene oxide Mixtures of triazine derivatives free from polyalkylene oxide are produced from 20 to 70 percent by weight of triazine derivatives with hydroxyalkyl amino groups and 80 to 30 percent by weight of triazine derivatives with bis(hydroxyalkyl) imino groups by catalytic reaction of alkylpropylene oxides with triazine derivatives at a melamine derivative/alkylpropylene oxide molar ratio of 1:1.5 to 1:10 in the presence of metal alkyls, metal hydrides, metal alcoholates and/or metal alkylamides as catalysts. The triazine derivative/hydroxy group mixtures free from polyalkylene oxide are particularly suited for producing plastic materials, flame retardants, additives, pharmaceuticals, textile auxiliaries, and paints or finishes.

Abstract: Polymers are prepared from A) 60 to 95 percent by weight of a mixture including A1) 20 to 70 percent by weight of hydroxyalkyl amino triazines and A2) 30 to 80 percent by weight of bis(hydroxyalkyl) amino triazines B) 5 to 40 percent by weight of polyfunctional compounds selected from one or more of B1) polyisocyanates and/or oligomeric polyesters or polyethers with isocyanate end groups, B2) aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, esters, chlorides or anhydrides, or aromatic polybasic acids, esters, chlorides or anhydrides, B3) aliphatic or aromatic diglycidal compounds or triglycidyl compounds, and, optionally, C) 1 to 20 percent by weight of aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic dihydroxy compounds, polyalkylene glycols and aliphatic aldehydes.

Abstract: A method for controlling the acceleration of a turbo-generator previous to self-sustaining speed.

Abstract: A new and distinct Globularia arabica Jaub. et Sp. plant with long stems and dark blue flowers suitable for use as a potted plant.