Abstract: Flow of mercury from a liquid-heavy-metal inflow port toward an inner forward end of a container body is rectified by a plurality of incoming-passage guide vanes in a liquid-heavy-metal incoming passage. Flow of the mercury from the forward end of the container body toward a liquid-heavy-metal outflow port is rectified by a plurality of return-passage guide vanes in a liquid-heavy-metal return passage. As a result, occurrence of stagnation and/or recirculation flows of the mercury in the container body is suppressed and a steady and highly uniform stream of the mercury is formed throughout in the container body. The container body is covered with a container outer shell to prevent any leakage of the mercury to outside due to a damage of the container body.

Abstract: Sodium alginate which is an oceanic natural resource is exposed, either in aqueous solution or in a dry state, to a radiation so that it is decomposed to a lower-molecular weight polysaccharide, which is processed into a dilute aqueous solution that is either used as a hydroponic solution or foliar spraying so as to promote their growth.

Abstract: For bonding pure beryllium to a copper alloy, a functionally gradient beryllium-copper material comprising a single layer or multiple layers having a thickness of 0.3-3.0 mm and containing at least 50 atomic % of Cu is inserted between the pure beryllium and the copper alloy to prevent bonding strength from degrading in the bonding process or during operation of a nuclear fusion reactor, by effectively mitigating formation of brittle intermetallic compounds and generation of thermal stress at the bonding interface.

Abstract: A catalyst for the oxidative condensation of a lower aliphatic hydrocarbon ncluding a carrier of a solid, oxide superacid, and at least one transition metal compound and at least one alkali metal compound supported on the carrier. By contacting a lower aliphatic hydrocarbon with oxygen in the presence of the above catalyst, a hydrocarbon with an increased carbon number can be obtained.

Abstract: A process for converting nitrogen dioxide into nitrogen monoxide which comprises bringing a gas containing nitrogen dioxide into contact at a temperature ranging from 50.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. with a carbide of a metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, titanium, tantalum, silicon and boron or a composite carbide of such metals, thereby reducing nitrogen dioxide contained in the gas to nitrogen monoxide.

Abstract: An oil adsorbent comprising natural fibers the surface of which is coated with a water-repellent paraffin layer which is in turn coated with an elastic rubber layer. The adsorbent is manufactured by treating the surface of the natural fibers with a paraffin emulsion, drying the fibers to form a water repellent paraffin layer thereon, treating the product with a latex, and then curing the latex to form an elastic rubber layer on the paraffin layer. The oil adsorbent has such advantages that it floats on the surface of water stably for a long period of time retaining its original form, that the contained paraffin is not back extracted by adsorbed oil and that it does not cause any trouble on burning.