Abstract: An assay employing two antibodies. A microporous carrier supports a plurality of layers, in which conjugates form between test antigens and antibodies. Quantitative results are obtained from an immobilized antibody within an indicating substrate.

Abstract: A process for producing a stretched molded article of a conjugated polymer, hich comprises subjecting a polymer precursor having a repeating unit represented by the general formula (I) ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 is a group which forms a C--C conjugated system together with a vinylene group which is formed upon the dehydrogenation of the >CH--Ch.sub.2 -- group; and R.sub.2 is a group which is to be eliminated from the alpha-position carbon of the >CH--CH.sub.2 -- group simultaneously with the elimination of one of the hydrogen atoms bonding to the beta-position carbon of the >CH--Ch.sub.2 -- group) to stretching in the swelling state and then subjecting the stretched precursor polymer to elimination of the R.sub.2 group, and a conductive composition of the stretched molded article of the conjugated polymer, comprising the comjugated polymer and a dopant as essential components.

Abstract: Bis(methylenedioxy)biphenyl compounds represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a phenyl group, and R' is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, are disclosed. These compounds are useful as therapeutic agents for liver diseases.

Abstract: A water purifier continuously circulates water under treatment between heating and purification apparatus. The purified water is selectively dispensed either directly into a vessel for food preparation or other uses requiring purified water, or into a beverage maker wherein a liquid distribution apparatus is utilized to uniformly distribute the liquid, for example, into a basket containing ground coffee for producing hot coffee through a percolation technique. The combined water purifier and beverage maker reduces the utensils needed for the above-mentioned functions and reduces the amount of space required for such utensils.

Abstract: A high-strength low-ductility material is formed by a method which comprises treating a bulk or powder of the material thereby converting coarse grains thereof into hyperfine grains capable of manifesting superplasticity when the strain rate is higher than 5.times.10.sup.-3 s.sup.-1, enclosing the treated material with a metallic insulating member, heating the material to a temperature for manifestation of superplasticity, and forging the material by the use of a die in a state heated to a temperature beyond which the die yields to heat.

Abstract: A laser power and energy meter has a target surface provided with at least one pin hole for passing a small portion of the laser beam impinging thereon and further has a light detector positioned in the path of the laser light passing through the pin hole. The target surface is moved horizontally and vertically to cause the laser beam to scan the target surface and the center of the laser beam is aligned with the center of the target surface.

Abstract: A multi-stage centrifugal pump mainly used for oil extraction, which incls two essential components, namely, a rotational impeller comprising several blades and a stationary diffuser. The shapes of blades and flow passages are designed by using three-dimensional flow theory. The configuration is characterized by the impeller length and the diffuser length being almost equal, with the moving blade being provided with an extension at the trailing edge, smaller wrap angle of the stationary diffuser blade, shorter single-stage and smaller outside diameter, and so forth.

Abstract: An X-ray CT scanner comprises a plurality of X-ray generators which are arranged radially on a circle concentric with an object for measurement and each consists of a cathode electrode, an anode electrode constituting a target and a grid between the cathode and anode electrodes. For X-ray tomography, X-rays are projected onto the objects from the circle concentric therewith by sequentially temporarily removing a bias voltage applied to the grids of the respective X-ray generators for suppressing an electron beam directed from the cathode electrode to the anode electrode of each X-ray generator.

Abstract: A microwave plasma generator for producing an axisymmetric plasma, having a waveguide apparatus, means for introducing a microwave source into the waveguide apparatus, and means for generating a circular axisymmetric microwave field from the microwave source. There are means for tuning the field to match the impedance of a plasma load. Further included is a vacuum chamber for containing a gas to be ionized to form the plasma, means for introducing this gas into the vacuum chamber, and means for coupling the microwave field to the vacuum chamber to form the plasma.

Abstract: An easy method and apparatus to eliminate casting defects from composite materials of hypereutectic Al-Si alloys and improve their properties. The product composite materials with primary silicon crystals of several microns have fine homogeneous microstructures and mechanical properties comparable to similar materials produced by the conventional powder metallurgy technology. Highly wear-resistant composite materials, in which the hypereutectic Al-Si alloy and strengthening material are homogeneously mixed, can be obtained with ease. The hypereutectic Al-Si alloy and strengthening material are homogeneously mixed by stirring blades rotated at low speed. The obtained molten composite alloy rotated at high speed about a horizontal shaft in a heat-resistant vessel. The rotor rotating and stirring at high speed spatters the molten composite alloy material to break up the crystallizing out primary silicon crystals.

Abstract: Periodic components of a data signal are generated from a periodic original signal in a manner to cause the periodic components to represent not only the data but also information about characteristics of the original signal; subsequently both the data and the information about the original signal characteristics are derived from the periodic components. The periodic components of a data signal are generated at frequencies within a frequency band and in a manner such that the components precisely define a fixed frequency outside the spectral band.

Abstract: A relative displacement control apparatus provides both coarse and extremely fine precise control over displacements between a sample and a detecting probe as required, e.g. in operations of optical instruments, analyzing instruments and scanning tunneling microscopes. This precise fine displacement is produced through a double-lever-action which is created substantially by means of an arm assembly preferably with a piezoelectric drive for precise displacement control, a support pivotally holding the arm assembly, a rigid arm fixed solidly atop the support and a pointed stop or "foot" fixed in the proximity of the free end of the rigid arm.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for producing a photographic image of an X-ray pattern, including the following steps: converting the X-ray pattern to a first pattern of light; exposing a photographic film to said first pattern of light; detecting the light at elemental regions of the first pattern; generating a second pattern of light in a pattern which depends on the detected light; and exposing the photographic film to the second pattern of light. The disclosed invention provides improvement on the standard radiographic method in the following ways: (1) The recorded film contrast in low X-ray exposure regions that ordinarily would have been recorded in under-exposed regions of the film's characteristic curve will be increased significantly. (2) The overall range of light transmission that must be viewed by the radiologist will be decreased without sacrificing diagnostic information.

Abstract: A method of operating a continuous ink jet printing system which includes a nozzle arranged to be vibrated by a piezoelectric oscillator. The nozzle, in use, passes a stream of ink past a charging electrode. The continuity of charge detection is sensed by a charge detector disposed immediately downstream of the charging electrode. The amplitude of the stimulation voltage applied to the piezoelectric oscillator is set sufficiently low such that the level of charge detected by the charge detector is below a threshold value. The amplitude of the stimulation voltage is then increased in discrete steps until the charge detector detects intermittent and proper droplet charging. The amplitude of the stimulation voltage is then further increased from its level at the end of the second step by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Macromolecular monoclonal antibody compositions are provided which are capable of selectively forming stable bonds to cells having a predetermined concentration of at least one surface antigen, such concentration being greater in such cells than in other cells in the cell population, wherein the composition comprises a substrate and a plurality of monoclonal antibodies specific to said surface antigen or antigens, which antibodies are covalently bonded to the substrate.

Abstract: A phase modulation type fiber optic gyroscope having a greatly improved output stability without a large increase in the number of basic components of the gyroscope system. In accordance with the invention, the d.c. component of the output of a light detecting element which provides the two circulating beams is sensed and employed to control the output of the light-emitting element so as to be constant.

Abstract: A pulsed gas laser having two spaced optical resonators each associated with a pair of high voltage electrodes. The first and second pairs of electrodes are positioned within a common plasma chamber including means for circulating a laser gas successively between the two pairs of electrodes. A common heat exchanger removes the heat energy from the two regions of plasma excitation. A high voltage pulse generator connected to the electrodes includes timing means for delaying the application of high voltage pulses to the second pair of electrodes, the delay being either (a) less than the time required for an acoustic shock wave to travel through the lasing gas from the first to the second pair of electrodes or (b) longer than the time required for the shock wave created by the discharge of the first pair of electrodes to die out. Each optical resonator is provided with an adjustable mirror arranged to reflect laser pulses to and from a mirror grating.

Abstract: A new process step for purifying water from a small amount, particularly a last trace amount, of organic impurities included in total organic carbon (TOC) content is incorporated into known processes for the preparation of ultra pure water comprising one or more previous filtration steps and a series of purification steps known per se. The new step comprises irradiating the water to be treated with a light in the presence of a photocatalyst comprising an inorganic semiconductor selected from TiO.sub.2, SrTiO.sub.3 and CdS in fine particulate form and a noble metal and/or an oxide thereof selected from Pt, Pd, Ru, RuO.sub.2 and Rh deposited on said semiconductor particles for a period of time sufficient to oxidatively decompose the organic impurities, resulting in a decrease in TOC content of the water to a level lower than the minimum detection level of TOC detectors, typically <0.05 mg C/l or <0.01 mg C/l depending upon the sensitivity of particular detectors available up to date.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an InSb device that uses an anodic oxide layer as a structural element, utilizing a voltage-controlled mechanism to control the thickness of the anodic oxide layer formation, and in which the anodization time under an anodization limiting voltage is not less than 10 seconds and not more than 20 minutes.

Abstract: Acetylene can be polymerized into a polyacetylene by a solid-state polymerization reaction when it is compressed into a solid under a high pressure of, for example, 1 GPa or higher. The polyacetylene product is obtained in a bulky transparent form in contrast to conventional polyacetylenes in a fibrous form prepared by utilizing a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, and free from impurities because neither catalyst nor solvent is used in the reaction.