Abstract: A conduit for molten glass, a molten glass degassing method and a sub-atmospheric apparatus are provided, which are able to produce homogenous and good quality glass at low cost. A conduit for molten glass 20, which is capable of flowing molten glass 21 in a horizontal direction, and to which vertical pipes 22 are connectable, is disposed in a substantially horizontal direction. The conduit for molten glass 20 can increase the area of a free surface 26 of the molten glass by setting a width W at a larger value than a height H in cross-section and having an outline in cross-section comprising a convex curve. When the conduit for molten glass 20 thus configured is used as a sub-atmospheric apparatus 10, it is possible to degas the molten glass effectively. Additionally, it is possible to have a sufficient strength since the convex curve forming the cross-section is elliptical. Further, it is possible to reduce costs by decreasing the amount of metal required for forming the cross-section.

Abstract: For example, if multiple pieces of information arrive at and/or are generated in a vehicle at the same time, MMS optimizes selection of information to be communicated, selection of information communicating means, selection of information communication style and selection of various parameters such as communication timing, according to priority order given integrally to the multiple pieces of information, so as to communicate the multiple pieces of information to a vehicle driver effectively. Further, it communicates information effectively using appropriate resources corresponding to a parameter selected by this optimization.

Abstract: Specific phenylalanine derivatives and analogues thereof have an antagonistic activity to ?4 integrin. They are used as therapeutic agents for various diseases concerning ?4 integrin.

Abstract: An auxiliary equipment bracket is formed into a substantially U-shaped configuration having a pair of stays which face each other with a support portion of an engine main body and a supported portion of auxiliary equipment being interposed therebetween and a connecting body which connects the two stays together, and formed in each of the respective stays are a first bolt passing hole for allowing a tightening bolt to pass through the support portion between the respective stays and a second bolt passing hole for allowing a tightening bolt to pass through the supported portion between the respective stays.

Abstract: A light alloy wheel for a vehicle comprising a disc portion comprising a hub portion and a design portion and a rim portion, the design portion having as-die-cast spoke portions having a taper angle of less than 5.0°. This wheel can be produced by using a casting apparatus comprising a die assembly comprising at least a stationary lower die and a movable upper die, a movable platen to which the upper die is fixed, a first cylinder and at least three synchronous second cylinders mounted onto a frame of the apparatus for moving the movable platen; driving the first cylinder to slowly reduce the clamping force of the lower die and the upper die; synchronously driving the second cylinders to elevate the movable platen in parallel from a position at which the lower die and the upper die are clamped to a position at which the wheel would not impinge on the lower die even if the movable platen were slanted; and then further elevating the movable platen by the first cylinder.

Abstract: First and second predetermined charging voltages are applied between the movable and fixed electrodes of a capacitive type of sensor to measure first and second capacitances between the movable and fixed electrodes, respectively. The first and second electrostatic capacitances are compared to obtain a characteristic of the sensor from a result of comparison. In measuring the first and second capacitances, first and second charging voltages are generated of which magnitudes are determined in accordance with the first and second capacitances, respectively. Equalization is made between the first output voltage when the first charging voltage is applied between the movable and fixed electrodes in a predetermined normal condition of the movable electrode and the second output voltage outputted when the second charging voltage is applied between the movable and fixed electrodes in the predetermined normal condition.

Abstract: The continuous process for removing mercury comprises a step of continuously feeding a mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon to an ionization zone where the elementary mercury is ionized; and a step of continuously feeding the liquid hydrocarbon containing the ionized mercury to a sulfur compound-treatment zone where the ionized mercury is converted to a solid mercury compound. The semi-continuous process for removing mercury comprises a step of continuously feeding a mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon to an ionization column where the elementary mercury is ionized; and a step of feeding the liquid hydrocarbon containing the ionized mercury to a sulfur compound-treatment tank where the ionized mercury is converted to a solid mercury compound in batch manner. With the above processes, the mercury is removed from the liquid hydrocarbon with ease in a continuous or semi-continuous manner at around ordinary temperature under around ordinary pressure.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor device includes a switch (S1) for selecting a first or second driving signal mutually opposite in phase applied to driving electrodes (D1, D2) to oscillate a weight part (8) in a first direction. An adding circuit (29) adjusts the amplitude of the driving signal selected and add s it to a monitor signal reflecting the oscillating state of the weight part (8). A noise signal component appearing in the output signal of the adding circuit (29) is adjusted to a minimum and the output signal is supplied as a feedback signal to a self-oscillating circuit (27) for reducing the noise signal influence on the oscillating drive of the weight part.

Abstract: In a capacitive sensor apparatus, a capacitive sensor includes a plurality of physical-quantity-detection capacitors each having a movable electrode and a fixed electrode. A conversion device operates for converting an output signal of the capacitive sensor into an apparatus output signal. Each of the physical-quantity-detection capacitors is selectively connected and disconnected to and from the conversion device. A determination is made as to whether or not each of the physical-quantity-detection capacitors fails in response to the sensor output signal. When it is determined that a first one of the physical-quantity-detection capacitors fails, the first one is disconnected from the conversion device and a second one of the physical-quantity-detection capacitors is connected to the conversion device.

Abstract: A process for removing mercury of the present invention is characterized in that an ionic mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon placed in a container equipped with a circulating means is effectively contacted with a sulfur compound represented by the general formula (I):

Abstract: An auxiliary equipment bracket is formed into a substantially U-shaped configuration having a pair of stays which face each other with a support portion of an engine main body and a supported portion of auxiliary equipment being interposed therebetween and a connecting body which connects the two stays together, and formed in each of the respective stays are a first bolt passing hole for allowing a tightening bolt to pass through the support portion between the respective stays and a second bolt passing hole for allowing a tightening bolt to pass through the supported portion between the respective stays.

Abstract: In a capacitive sensor apparatus, a capacitive sensor includes a plurality of physical-quantity-detection capacitors each having a movable electrode and a fixed electrode. A conversion device operates for converting an output signal of the capacitive sensor into an apparatus output signal. Each of the physical-quantity-detection capacitors is selectively connected and disconnected to and from the conversion device. A determination is made as to whether or not each of the physical-quantity-detection capacitors fails in response to the sensor output signal. When it is determined that first one of the physical-quantity-detection capacitors fails, the first one is disconnected from the conversion device and second one of the physical-quantity-detection capacitors is connected to the conversion device.

Abstract: First and second predetermined charging voltages are applied between the movable and fixed electrodes of a capacitive type of sensor to measure first and second capacitances between the movable and fixed electrodes, respectively. The first and second electrostatic capacitances are compared to obtain a characteristic of the sensor from a result of comparison. In measuring the first and second capacitances, first and second charging voltages are generated of which magnitudes are determined in accordance with the first and second capacitances, respectively. Equalization is made between the first output voltage when the first charging voltage is applied between the movable and fixed electrodes in a predetermined normal condition of the movable electrode and the second output voltage outputted when the second charging voltage is applied between the movable and fixed electrodes in the predetermined normal condition.

Abstract: The continuous process for removing mercury comprises a step of continuously feeding a mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon to an ionization zone where the elementary mercury is ionized; and a step of continuously feeding the liquid hydrocarbon containing the ionized mercury to a sulfur compound-treatment zone where the ionized mercury is converted to a solid mercury compound. The semi-continuous process for removing mercury comprises a step of continuously feeding a mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon to an ionization column where the elementary mercury is ionized; and a step of feeding the liquid hydrocarbon containing the ionized mercury to a sulfur compound-treatment tank where the ionized mercury is converted to a solid mercury compound in batch manner. With the above processes, the mercury is removed from the liquid hydrocarbon with ease in a continuous or semi-continuous manner at around ordinary temperature under around ordinary pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inexpensive and simple method for producing a starting material for polycarbonate resin and for producing polycarbonate resin. In the method for producing a starting material for polycarbonate resin production through interfacial polymerization, (I) a molten bisphenol compound is mixed and dissolved in an aqueous alkali solution at 20 to 80° C., or (II) it is, without being solidified, directly mixed with water to be in liquid at a temperature not higher than the melting point of the bisphenol compound, and then dissolved in an aqueous alkali solution.

Abstract: A light alloy wheel for a vehicle comprising a disc portion comprising a hub portion and a design portion and a rim portion, the design portion having as-die-cast spoke portions having a taper angle of less than 5.0°. This wheel can be produced by using a casting apparatus comprising a die assembly comprising at least a stationary lower die and a movable upper die, a movable platen to which the upper die is fixed, a first cylinder and at least three synchronous second cylinders mounted onto a frame of the apparatus for moving the movable platen; driving the first cylinder to slowly reduce the clamping force of the lower die and the upper die; synchronously driving the second cylinders to elevate the movable platen in parallel from a position at which the lower die and the upper die are clamped to a position at which the wheel would not impinge on the lower die even if the movable platen were slanted; and then further elevating the movable platen by the first cylinder.

Abstract: A refrigerating cycle apparatus is used in an air-conditioning system of an automotive vehicle, which is capable of operating in a hot gas bypass heating mode. Here, the discharge side of a compressor is directly connected through a hot gas bypass conduit to the inlet side of an evaporator. The evaporator acts as a radiator, heated by gas refrigerant. The compressor is stopped during operation of the apparatus in this heating mode when a physical quantity representing the high-side pressure at the compressor discharge side rises above a set value. The compressor is restarted when a physical quantity representing a heating capacity (for example the high-side pressure) falls below a set value which indicates that there is no heating capacity in the stopped state of the compressor. As a result, the heating capacity obtained through hot gas bypass can be controlled well without frequent stopping and restarting of the compressor.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner that inhibits re-evaporation of condensed water on the surface of an evaporator that might fog the inner surface of the vehicle windshield during operation of a hot gas heating cycle heating mode. It is possible to switch operation of a cooling mode by an ordinary refrigerating cycle by opening the inlet side of a condenser and closing the inlet side of a hot gas bypass passage. It is also possible to switch the operation of the heating mode by closing the inlet side of the condenser and opening the inlet side of the hot gas bypass passage. When it is determined during operation of the heating mode that the windshield will fog, operation of the air conditioning compressor is interrupted by the air conditioning control unit so that the temperature of an evaporator reaches no more than a predetermined value.

Abstract: New compounds of general formulae (III), (IV) and (V).

Abstract: In a refrigerant cycle system, a refrigerant discharge side of a compressor is directly connected to a refrigerant inlet side of an evaporator through a hot-gas bypass passage so that the evaporator is used as a radiator during a heating mode due to the hot-gas bypass. A physical amount of refrigerant, such as a high-pressure side refrigerant pressure, flowing through the hot-gas bypass passage is detected. When the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure is decreased to a value corresponding to a refrigerant shortage area, a refrigerant shortage is determined and the compressor is stopped by a control unit. Thus, during the heating mode due to the hot-gas bypass, when a refrigerant leakage is caused in the refrigerant cycle system, the compressor is accurately protected.