Abstract: A phase retarder film comprising a layer of polyvinyl alcohol or a derivative thereof and a water-swellable layered inorganic compound, wherein the in-plane retardation value is smaller than the retardation value in the thickness direction, sometimes causes durability failures, that is, the layer is peeled off from a transparent resin substrate in high temperature and high humidity environment. Therefore, the present invention provides a phase retarder film which is superior in durability.With respect to a phase retarder film comprising at least one layer containing at least one organic clay compound which can be dispersed in an organic solvent, wherein the in-plane retardation value is smaller than the retardation value in the thickness direction, the durability is remarkably improved.

Abstract: A probiotic composition is disclosed which is particularly useful for inclusion in food products to enhance their nutritional value. The composition comprises one or more probiotic microorganisms such as Bifidobacterium and a carrier to transport the microorganisms to the large bowel or other regions of the gastrointestinal tract. The carrier is a modified or unmodified resistant starch, particularly a high amylose starch, which acts as a growth or maintenance medium for microorganisms in the large bowel or other regions of the gastrointestinal tact.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a field effect transistor including forming a gate electrode on an electrically insulating substrate; forming an electrically insulating film on the substrate covering the gate electrode; forming source and drain electrodes on the electrically insulating film on opposite sides of the gate electrode; forming a semiconducting film of a .pi.-conjugated polymer on the source and drain electrodes and on the electrically insulating film between the source and drain electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for formation of fat crystals by standing, which has a container, distribution pipes and crystallization trays arranged in parallel, the container being divided into plural compartments with vertical partitions each upper part of which has an opening to permit a fat-and-oil feedstock to be fed into each compartment, the compartments communicating with each other at a certain height from the bottom of the container so that the fat-and-oil feedstock can be uniformly fed into respective compartments, and the distribution pipes being connected to the bottoms of respective compartments so that the fat-and-oil feedstock to be fed therein can be distributed to the crystallization trays, respectively.

Abstract: An ionization smoke detector comprising: an inner electrode; an intermediate electrode having an electrode body and an electrode piece extending from the electrode body, facing the inner electrode and connected to a field effect transistor; an outer electrode provided in an opposite side to the inner electrode with respect to the intermediate electrode; and an insulating supporter for supporting the intermediate electrodes to face the inner electrode.

Abstract: An ice-making machine includes a housing having a brine solution inlet to receive brine solution from which ice is to be made and having an ice-brine slurry outlet to permit the egress of an ice-brine slurry from the housing. A heat exchanger within the housing has a heat exchange surface. The heat exchanger further includes a refrigerant inlet, a refrigerant outlet and at least one refrigerant circuit interconnecting the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet to permit a flow of refrigerant through the heat exchanger to extract heat from the brine solution contacting the heat exchange surface. The at least one refrigerant circuit is constituted by refrigerant passages integrally formed in a body portion of the housing. A blade assembly within the housing carries a plurality of blades each of which is in contact with the heat exchange surface.

Abstract: A process of improving the oxidation of carbonaceous products derived from the combustion of fuel and improving combustion of a fuel is described. The process comprises adding to the fuel before combustion thereof a composition comprising at least an organo-metallic complex of a Group I or Group II metal characterized in that the concentration of the complex in the fuel before combustion is 30 ppm or less.

Abstract: The present invention preferably includes a balloon catheter for use with a guidewire. The catheter has a body with a balloon located thereon, preferably at the distal end. A lumen within the catheter body communicates with the interior of the balloon which can be inflated by known methods with saline solution. A series of sleeve members of predetermined lengths and sizes are coupled to and positioned along the length of the catheter body. One or more of the sleeve members can span the length of the balloon. Each sleeve member has a passageway and both an exit and entry port so that the guidewire can pass therethrough. Instead of a balloon, the catheter can include a device member that forms a chamber which can store medicine until discharged at the desired site within the blood vessel. Apertures or pores on the catheter body allow for the perfusion of blood or the delivery of medicine to the site of the blood vessel. A method of operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plasma arc utilizing apparatus includes a power supply unit disposed in a housing. The power supply unit converts an AC voltage to a DC voltage, which is applied to load for generating an arc therein. A compressor is disposed in the same housing for supplying the load with compressed gas that is to be ionized by the arc. The compressor has a leg by which the compressor is secured to the housing. The leg is embedded in an elastic material secured in the housing.

Abstract: A propylene-ethylene random copolymer prepared by copolymerizing propylene with ethylene in the substantial absence of a liquid medium with a catalyst system comprising:(A) a solid catalyst component containing magnesium, titanium, a halogen and a first electron donor as an essential component,(B) an organoaluminum compound and(C) a second electron donor compound, wherein an ethylene content (E) of the copolymer is from 3.5 to 7.0% by weight, and wherein a content of a xylene-soluble portion at 20.degree. C. (D) of the copolymer satisfies the relationship D.ltoreq.E+2.0 (% by weight). Films of the copolymer have an excellent appearance (little bleed whitening) and an excellent balance between low-temperature heat-sealing property and rigidity.

Abstract: A method and structure for packaging an integrated circuit with an encapsulant to be readily peeled away from a degating region is disclosed. By applying an additional processing operation before a solder mask is coated over the substrate or during a process for forming the solder mask, an adhesion between the solder mask and the encapsulant is altered to become weaker than the adhesion between the solder mask and the substrate so that the excess encapsulant can be easily peeled away from the degating region without damaging the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel electrode for high-temperature solid electrolyte fuel cells and a process for manufacture of the electrode. The fuel electrode of the invention is a porous element composed of a high-melting metal, such as ruthenium, osmium, rhodium or iridium, or an alloy containing the metal. The process for manufacture of the fuel electrode comprises coating an electrode material with a solution or dispersion of the high-melting metal and/or its chloride, sintering the same and finally reducing the product.

Abstract: An AC voltage applied among power input supply terminals is rectified by a rectifier, and the rectified voltage is adapted to be reduced in a voltage-reducing converter with a switch connected in parallel with it. A switching circuit connect smoothing capacitors in series or parallel to the voltage-reducing converter. Inverters are connected in parallel with the respective smoothing capacitors. The output voltages of the inverters are voltage-transformed by transformers. The transformed voltages from the transformers are converted to DC voltages by converters. A control unit renders the voltage-reducing converter operative and causes the switching circuit to connect the smoothing capacitors in series when a third AC voltage is applied among the power supply input terminals.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a cinnamic acid ester comprises condensing a benzaldehyde with an acetic acid ester in the presence of a base. The reaction mixture is then treated, without adding an additional solvent or after adding an additional solvent, with an acid to convert a 3-alkoxy-3-phenylpropionic acid ester in the reaction mixture into a corresponding cinnamic acid ester. This procedure allows cinnamic acid ester derivatives of high-purity to be obtained in good yield.

Abstract: A voltage controlled ring oscillator has a current control circuit and an odd number of inverter circuits. Each inverter circuit has a current charge preventing circuit connected between a ground voltage and a connection node located between a current source transistor and a complementary transistor circuit and a current discharge preventing circuit connected between a high voltage power source and a connection node located between a current source transistor and a complementary transistor circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photocatalytic glass pane including (a) a glass substrate having (1) major surfaces that are substantially parallel with and opposed to each other and (2) an edge surface that connects the major surfaces together; (b) a photocatalytic film formed on at least one of the major surfaces of the glass substrate; and (c) a light source for exciting the photocatalytic film. A light from the light source enters the glass substrate from its edge surface and then is reflected totally within the glass pane. Another photocatalytic glass pane of the invention is substantially the same as the above, except that the light enters the glass substrate from its peripheral surface. It is optional to form a prism on the peripheral surface. Alternatively, the peripheral surface may be inclined such that the glass substrate is tapered at a position of the peripheral surface. With this, the light is totally reflected within the another glass pane, too.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is Y or Y--C.sub.1-6 alkyl, where Y is carboxy, tetrazolyl, --SO.sub.2 H, --SO.sub.3 H, --OSO.sub.3 H, --CONHOH, or --P(OH)OR', --PO(OH)OR', --OP(OH)OR' or --OPO(OH)OR' where R' is hydrogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl or optionally substituted phenyl-C.sub.1-6 alkyl,and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, X and Z are as defined in the specification, possess affinity for metabotropic glutamate receptors and are useful in the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system.

Abstract: A thickener for products for topical application such as personal care products for application to the skin or hair, or topically administrable pharmaceutical preparations, comprises a water-in-oil emulsion containing polymeric material, at least 98% of which polymeric material is soluble in the aqueous phase. The polymeric material comprises units derived from (a) acrylamide, (b) 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulphonic acid (AMPS) and (c) a polyfunctional monomer, present in an amount of from 0.12 to 2 milliequivalents per mol of total monomer units. At least some of the AMPS units are in the form of a neutral salt such that the aqueous phase of the water in oil emulsion has a pH of at least 5.5.