Abstract: In a gas sensor element, an alkali metal ion conductor is provided with a detection electrode comprising an alkali metal carbonate in dissociation equilibrium with CO2 gas on one side thereof and a solid standard electrode on the other side thereof. The alkali metal carbonate is bonded to the alkali metal ion conductor via a bonding agent comprising an alkaline earth metal carbonate which is capable of forming an eutectic low-melting composition with the alkali metal carbonate.

Abstract: Poly(3-hydroxybutanoic acid) having a number average molecular weight of not less than 500,000 is oriented at a draw ratio of 2-fold or more to reproducibly obtain a film made of poly(3-hydroxybutanoic acid) having biodegradability and biocompatibility as well as sufficient strength and flexibility (for example, tensile strength of not less than 30 MPa and elongation to break of not less than 15%).

Abstract: The present invention; is a method of producing .beta.-cyclodextrin at a higher efficiency from a raw material other than starch, comprising making a malto-oligosaccharide with 2 to 10 glucoses co-exist with cyclodextrin glucanotransferase in a solution containing an organic solvent which can precipitate 50% or more of .beta.-cyclodextrin when an excessive amount of the solvent is added to the solution of the .beta.-cyclodextrin and effecting the reaction at a lower temperature than 40.degree. C.

Abstract: Chitin-containing material is heat-treated in organic solvent or in the solvent with water, and then .beta.-1, 4 glycoside decomposing enzyme is added for decomposing the chitin-containing material by enzyme reaction. Or, chitin-containing material is ultrasonicated in organic solvent or in the solvent with water, and then chitin-containing material is decomposed by enzyme reaction of .beta.-1, 4 glycoside decomposing enzyme. Further, chitin-containing material is exposed in the solution containing urea and/or surfactant, and then chitin-containing material is let co-exist with .beta.-1, 4 glycoside decomposing enzyme under the presence or non-presence of urea and/or surfactant for decomposing chitin-containing material. Or, at the time of exposing chitin-containing material in the solution containing urea and/or surfactant, the solution is heated and the .beta.-1, 4 glycoside decomposing enzyme is added for decomposing chitin-containing material.

Abstract: In a plunger-operated hydraulic pump, a cylinder has an ejection port extending from its upper end portion with an ejection valve provided at the ejection port. A piston and a plunger fitted in the cylinder are urged towards an eccentric cam by a first return spring and a second return spring which is stronger than the first return spring, respectively. The cylinder has a suction port in its lower end portion in such a manner that it is not closed by the plunger, so that the suction valve is opened by the downward stroke of the plunger, and during suction, the inflow resistance of the suction valve is minimized. Further, in the hydraulic pump, a plurality of cylinders are arranged at equal angular intervals so that the vibrations due to the reciprocations of the plungers are canceled by one another, thereby greatly suppressing the vibration of the cylinder block.