Abstract: A variable optical attenuator VOA and a gain-clamped semiconductor optical amplifier GC-SOA are combined as an optical preamplifier. The variable optical attenuator is controlled so that a desired optical power is sent to the gain-clamped semiconductor optical amplifier or so that a desired optical power is sent to a photoelectric conversion stage. A optical power monitor is provided to compare a monitored value with a target value, and a variable optical attenuator control circuit controls the variable optical attenuator so that the deviation from the target value approximates 0.

Abstract: First, second, third and fourth inverters are serially connected to form an inverter chain. The first inverter receives a clock input. A first current source is connected to the power supply side of the first inverter. A second current source is connected to the ground side of the third inverter. If the duty ratio of a clock output is lower than a desired value, the magnitude of an electric current in the first current source is decreased such that the falling timing of the clock output is delayed. If the duty ratio of the clock output is higher than a desired value, the magnitude of an electric current in the second current source is decreased such that the rising timing of the clock output is delayed. With such an arrangement, the margins of the setup time and hold time between the clock and data are readily secured.

Abstract: A signal line driving circuit includes an output section outN (where N is a natural number) for supplying an image-forming signal for red, green or blue to a sub-pixel of a display section, a voltage supply line SN connected to the output section outN, and a shorting line for electrically shorting output sections of the same color with each other during a predetermined period. By shorting output sections of the same color with each other, the charge stored in a panel-side load can be effectively redistributed to another panel-side load, thereby realizing a power conserving effect.

Abstract: A 4-aryl-4-substituted pyrazolidine-3,5-dione derivative represented by the formula (1) is useful as an effective component of a miticide, insecticide or herbicide wherein R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or R1 and R2, when taken together, represent saturated or unsaturated bivalent hydrocarbon group having 3 or 4 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or halogen atom, X is alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, haloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or halogen atom, Y is halogen atom or nitro group, and n is an integer of 0 to 3.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a 1,2,4-triazole derivative which in a small amount exhibits high herbicidal activity against weeds in paddy fields, lawns or farmlands, the derivative being without injury to rice, turf grasses and crops. The 1,2,4-triazole derivative is represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and independently represent hydrogen or methyl, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are the same or different and independently represent halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, lower haloalkoxy or cyano, R.sup.5 represents methyl or ethyl and X represents oxygen or sulfur.

Abstract: A controller with a buffer is provided between a main memory and an external storage. This controller supplies a given request for access to the external storage and issues a preload request for a retrieval extent of the next access request by the time when data associated with this first access request is completely transferred to the buffer memory or to the main memory. Moreover, the controller stores the preloaded data in the buffer and, for the next access request, it transfers the data stored in the buffer to the main memory. Therefore, even when the host side (CPU) is processing, the access to the external storage can be made simultaneously, thus the response time and the operating ratio of the computer system being improved.

Abstract: An electrostatic charge emitting apparatus includes a discharging member having an electrode member, an electrically conductive elastic rubber member having fine conductive particles contained therein and an insulating layer having a number of apertures therein and being formed on the conductive elastic rubber member; and the electrode member is connected to an electric power source and a surface of the insulating layer is urged against a member to be charged or de-charged: and the member to be charged or de-charged is charged or de-charged by discharge in the apertures of the insulating layer generated by emitting electrostatic charge toward the member at a lower threshold voltage and thus the generation of ozone gas can be decreased.