Abstract: A toner is provided with which the image formed by the use of an image-forming apparatus for electrophotography may keep a good and uniform image density for a long period of time from the initial stage of image formation. The toner contains a toner base particle containing at least a colorant and a binder resin, silica having an average particle size of 40 nm or larger and 200 nm or smaller, and an aluminum oxide-silicon dioxide mixed oxide having an average particle size of 5 nm or larger and 25 nm or smaller. The silica and the aluminum oxide-silicon dioxide mixed oxide are externally added to the toner base particle.

Abstract: A driving force transmitting apparatus includes a clutch mechanism for bringing a pilot clutch to a frictionally engaged condition, and a cam mechanism for bringing a main clutch for transmitting driving force to a frictionally engaged condition during operation of the clutch mechanism. The cam mechanism includes a pilot cam member, a main cam member, a stopper member, and a biasing means for biasing the stopper member in a rotational direction for respectively engaging the pilot cam member and the main cam member to the stopper member. A position of the pilot cam member, the main cam member, and the stopper member is determined depending on a relationship between a biasing force to the stopper member by the biasing means and a torque to the pilot cam member.

Abstract: A slip casting mold includes a water absorption layer having self water absorption capability and substantial water resistance. With the water saturation percentage of the water absorption layer being controlled, a slurry layer is deposited in the slip casting mold mainly under capillary attractive forces of the slip casting mold. The water absorption layer comprises an open porous body which is manufactured by stirring a mixture of an epoxy compound having at least one epoxy ring in one molecule, a hardener for reacting with the epoxy compound to harden the epoxy compound, a filler for developing self water absorption capability and mold releasability, and water into an O/W-type emulsion slurry, and casting the emulsion slurry into a mold impermeable to water, hardening the emulsion slurry in the mold while containing water.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an ink tank; and an ink supplying path for supplying the ink from the ink tank to a print head, wherein the ink supplying path therein includes a filter, which generates negative pressure when the ink is supplied, the negative pressure being smaller than ink absorbing pressure of a nozzle of the print head. Further, the ink tank therein includes, for example, a porous ink absorbing body for retaining ink.

Abstract: This invention provides a modified yeast two-hybrid system in order to identify NO-dependent protein-protein interactions. Bait proteins implicated in apoptotic signaling pathways were used to identify NO-dependent interactions. The physiological relevance of these interactions is demonstrated by their occurrence and dependence on endogenous NO in mammalian cells, and by the functional interrelatedness of bait and prey.

Abstract: A driving force transmitting apparatus includes a clutch mechanism for bringing a pilot clutch to a frictionally engaged condition, and a cam mechanism for bringing a main clutch for transmitting driving force to a frictionally engaged condition during operation of the clutch mechanism. The cam mechanism includes a pilot cam member, a main cam member, a stopper member, and a biasing means for biasing the stopper member in a rotational direction for respectively engaging the pilot cam member and the main cam member to the stopper member. A position of the pilot cam member, the main cam member, and the stopper member is determined depending on a relationship between a biasing force to the stopper member by the biasing means and a torque to the pilot cam member.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there provided a wet-type compacting method of powder using a solvent, wherein homogeneity of a compact is kept while generating no problem during each process and excellent plasticity and/or strength are applied to the compact, and if a sintering process follows a compacting process, sintering characteristics are improved.

Abstract: A secondary air supply system for an engine of a motorcycle is provided with a secondary air valve composed of integrated reed valve and air-cut valve and the exhaust pipes are connected to exhaust ports formed to the engine. The secondary air valve is arranged at a substantially a central portion on a front side of the engine, below the exhaust ports and in a space between the exhaust pipes and the engine, and secondary air pipes extending from the secondary air valve are connected to secondary air ports formed to an upper portion of the exhaust ports.

Abstract: Ceramics with a glaze applied to the surface of ceramic blank, the bending strength of which ceramic blank is 100 Mpa or higher or the firing shrinkage rate is 7% or higher and the porosity is 7.5% or higher.

Abstract: A method of slip casting using a casting mold provided with a water-absorbent layer that has a self-water-absorbent ability, substantially has a water resistance, and is controlled in the saturated water content thereof, the slip casting being conducted by employing mainly a capillary sucking force as the driving force of the water-absorbent layer of cast formation. An open-cell porous body usable as the water-absorbent layer is produced by agitating a mixture comprising a compound having at least one epoxy ring in its molecule, a curing agent which cures the epoxy compound by reaction, a filler developing for a self-water-absorbent ability and a mold release property, and water to prepare an O/W emulsion slurry and curing the slurry, as such in a hydrous state.

Abstract: A method for preparing high strength and high thermal shock-resistant china for ceramic whiteware which comprises the steps of molding a china-forming raw material which mainly comprises a natural ore material capable of forming corundum through firing or a material obtained by calcining the natural ore material to form corundum, a natural ore material capable of forming mullite through firing or a material obtained by calcining the natural ore material to form mullite, a clayey material and a flux such as feldspar, nepheline or dolomite; and then firing the molded china-forming raw material. The method permits the production of cheaper china for ceramic whiteware having high strength and excellent thermal shock resistance as compared with those prepared by the conventional techniques.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system of an automatic transmission during a shift operation wherein a control pressure is controlled to selectively engage and release a plurality of frictional elements to establish a desirable shift stage comprising inertia phase detecting device for detecting a starting point of an inertia phase of the shift operation from one shift stage to another, and control pressure reducing device for gradually reducing the control pressure introduced to a frictional element to be engaged after the inertia phase is detected. The torque shock in the shift operation can be effectively reduced.

Abstract: An automobile automatic transmission shift control system causes a specific gear shift by locking a first frictional element and unlocking a second frictional element simultaneously. The system delays a commencement of the unlocking of the second frictional element relative to a commencement of the locking of the first frictional element during the specific gear shift while a down control of engine torque is not conducted or when an engine output torque is large.

Abstract: A mold for pressure-cast-molding a ceramic article having a filter material made of an open-cell porous material. The open-cell porous material is prepared by stirring a mixture of a resin material, a microballoon, a curing agent and water to provide an emulsion slurry, casting the slurry in a water-impermeable mold and curing the slurry in the water-containing state. The portions occupied by the water during the preparation of the porous material mainly form open pores.

Abstract: A ceramic article such as a sanitary pottery ware is produced by slip casting using a porous composite mold. A green ceramic body of a part such as a trap of sanitary ware is separately formed in advance by, for example, slip casting. The green ceramic body is placed in the mold cavity of the porous composite mold. Then, a slip as the material of the main part of the sanitary ware is supplied into the mold cavity to form deposit integral with the green ceramic body, whereby an integral sanitary ware is obtained by slip casting.

Abstract: A control system for a torque converter includes a lockup clutch provided in the converter for connecting input and output shafts of the torque converter directly. The lockup clutch includes an engaging chamber and a releasing chamber. The control system further includes a lockup shift valve for selectively switching communication between a fluid line, having a predetermined pressure, and the engaging chamber and communication between the fluid line and the releasing chamber. A lockup control valve is provided for controlling a pressure difference between fluid pressures in the engaging chamber and the releasing chamber and a control valve is provided for controlling the lockup clutch so that it engages completely. A first on-off solenoid valve controls the lockup shift valve, a duty solenoid valve controls the lockup control valve, and a second on-off solenoid valve controls the control valve.

Abstract: An automobile automatic transmission shift control system, for causing a specific gear shift by unlocking a first frictional element with a simultaneously with locking a second frictional element, discharges locking pressure from the first frictional element in such a way that the locking pressure is throttled after it has dropped below a specified level of pressure.

Abstract: An improved exhaust emission control device is disposed in a motor bicycle of the type in which a muffler body, containing a catalyst for exhaust emission control, is connected to an exhaust pipe extending from the exhaust port of the associated engine, and the exhaust pipe is inserted into the muffler body through the front section thereof and extends through the inner space of the muffler body to the rear section thereof. The exhaust pipe is turned back in U-shape at the rear section to the front section of the inner space of the muffler body and the catalyst, supported by a partition wall which is disposed in the muffler body, is positioned in the vicinity of the opening of the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A vitreous china comprises, as principal components, 25 to 70% by weight of a glass phase and 75 to 30% by weight of a crystalline phase, the glass phase comprising, as principal chemical components, 4 to 12% by weight of K.sub.2 O+Na.sub.2 O, 50 to 75% by weight of SiO.sub.2 and 17 to 40% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 while the total amount of the glass phase is defined to be 100% by weight, and the crystalline phase comprising, as principal mineral components, 10 to 60% by weight of .alpha.-alumina, 0 to 20% by weight of quartz and 2 to 20% by weight of mullite while the total amount of the vitreous china is defined to be 100% by weight. The vitreous china and the method for preparing the same may permit the marked improvement of the mechanical strength of the vitreous china. The mechanical strength may be improved without adversely affecting other physical properties (such as high temperature deformation, resistance to thermal shock and firing temperature).

Abstract: A powder molding is manufactured from various powdery materials including an inorganic material, an organic material, a metallic material, etc., according to a wet forming process. A powdery material and a solvent are mixed into a mixture so that the mixture exhibits a dilatant flow. The mixture is molded into a molding of desired shape, and then the molding is dried.