Abstract: The present invention provides a kit for detecting and quantifying human cytochrome P450 molecular species, comprising one or more oligonucleotide probes each hybridizable with a specific region of the gene encoding a human cytochrome P450 species, for example, the 616 to 641 region of the CYP1A1 gene, and one or more specific primer pairs; and a method of detecting and quantifying one or more human cytochrome P450 molecular species using the kit.

Abstract: Free machining steel for use in machine structures capable of stably and reliably providing excellent machinability (chip disposability and tool life) and mechanical characteristics (transverse direction toughness) comparable, in a Pb free state, with existent Pb-added steels the machining steel being manufactured so as to contain 0.0005 to 0.02 mass % of Mg and provide a distribution index F1 for the sulfide particles defined by the following equation (1) of 0.4 to 0.65 or a distribution index for the sulfide particles defined by the following equation (2) of 1 to 2.5: F1=X1/(A/n)½  (1), or F2=&sgr;F/X2  (2) as described in the specification.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a high-strength high-carbon steel wire which, owing to its high strength as well as good ductility, is excellent in resistance to strain aging embrittlement and longitudinal cracking.

Abstract: A wire rod for drawing which is superior in drawability as well as twisting characteristics, and a method for producing the wire rod.

Abstract: Free machining steel for use in machine structures capable of stably and reliably providing excellent machinability (chip disposability and tool life) and mechanical characteristics (transverse direction toughness) comparable, in a Pb free state, with existent Pb-added steels the machining steel being manufactured so as to contain 0.0005 to 0.02 mass % of Mg and provide a distribution index F1 for the sulfide particles defined by the following equation (1) of 0.4 to 0.65 or a distribution index for the sulfide particles defined by the following equation (2) of 1 to 2.

Abstract: A machine structure steel superior in chip disposability and mechanical properties which contains sulfide-type inclusions such that those particles of sulfide-type inclusions with major axes not shorter than 5 &mgr;m have an average aspect ratio not larger than 5.2 and which also contains coarse particles of sulfide-type inclusions such that the following relation is satisfied.

Abstract: A method for compacting powders for powder metallurgy comprises packing powders for powder metallurgy formulated with a lubricant in a compacting die applied with a lubricant on inner wall surfaces thereof, and subjecting the powders to warm or hot compaction. The powders contain the lubricant in an amount up to 0.2 wt %, non-inclusive of 0%, based on the total of the powders and the lubricant.

Abstract: A method for compacting powders for powder metallurgy comprises packing powders for powder metallurgy formulated with a lubricant in a compacting die applied with a lubricant on inner wall surfaces thereof, and subjecting the powders to warm or hot compaction. The powders contain the lubricant in an amount up to 0.2 wt %, non-inclusive of 0%, based on the total of the powders and the lubricant.

Abstract: A color toner comprises a binder resin, a coloring agent, a release agent and a charge controlling agent, wherein the release agent dispersed in the binder resin has an average particle diameter of from about 0.1 to about 2 &mgr;m and wherein a fixed color toner image, which is developed and fixed using the toner, has a Haze factor less than about 20% when the image has an image density of 1.5. The color toner produces images having good image qualities such as good color reproducibility.

Abstract: A color toner comprises a binder resin, a coloring agent, a release agent and a charge controlling agent, wherein the release agent dispersed in the binder resin has an average particle diameter of from about 0.1 to about 2 .mu.m and wherein a fixed color toner image, which is developed and fixed using the toner, has a Haze factor less than about 20% when the image has an image density of 1.5. The color toner produces images having good image qualities such as good color reproducibility.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulverizing solid particles including an impact-type pulverizing device, a mechanical-type pulverizing device and a piping system connected to the pulverizing devices such that the solid particles may be selectively pulverized in the impact-type pulverizing device and in the mechanical-type pulverizing device successively in this or reverse order.

Abstract: A yellow toner for full-color electrophotography is made of yellow toner particles, each toner particle containing a binder resin and C.I. Pigment Yellow 62 and/or C.I. Pigment Yellow 168 as a yellow coloring agent. The above-mentioned yellow toner is used in combination with a carrier to prepare a two-component yellow developer.

Abstract: A steel wire is composed mainly of fine pearlite and/or coarse pearlite, where the lamellar cementite in the pearlite is amorphous or amorphous-like. Alternatively, the wire may be composed mainly of bainite, where the cementite in the bainite is amorphous or amorphous-like. To manufacture the steel wire, a starting steel product is subjected repeatedly to patenting and cold drawing, and then subjected to final drawing at a true strain of 2.0 or above while cooling. The steel wire is higher in strength and toughness than wire whose lamellar cementite consists of nano crystals. The steel wire does not suffer any delamination when subjected to torsion.

Abstract: A color toner includes a binder resin composition comprising a binder resin A with a softening point in the range of 85.degree. to 110.degree. C., and a binder resin B with a softening point in the range of 115.degree. to 135.degree. C., with the binder resin A and the binder resin B being compatible with each other; a coloring agent; and a wax with a melting point in the range of 65.degree. to 90.degree. C., which is not compatible with the binder resin composition and dispersed in the binder resin composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spring steel with excellent performance, characterized in that the spring steel is produced by making a spring steel contain an appropriate amount of at least one or more of Ti, Nb, Zr, Ta, and Hf, thereby generating fine inclusions including carbide, nitride, sulfides and/or their complex compounds, to make the inclusions exert the effect of trapping diffusive hydrogen whereby the resistance to hydrogen embrittlement is enhanced, wherein the size and number of the coarse inclusions are regulated, thereby suppressing the decrease of the fatigue life. The spring steel can provide a valve spring or a suspension spring or the like, with enhanced strength and higher stress resistance, together with improved resistance to hydrogen embrittlement and fatigue.

Abstract: A thermosensitive recording material comprising a support, an intermediate layer including a foamed portion with minute voids on the support, and a thermosensitive coloring layer formed on the intermediate layer is disclosed, which is particularly improved in such a manner that the voidage of the upper portion of the intermediate layer close to the thermosensitive coloring layer is smaller than the voidage of the lower portion of the intermediate layer close to the support, or the voidage of the intermediate layer is increased from the upper portion thereof towards the lower portion thereof.

Abstract: A thermosensitive recording material which comprises a support, an intermediate layer including a foamed portion with minute voids, having a smoothness of 2,000 seconds or more in terms of Bekk's smoothness, and a thermosensitive coloring layer, successively formed on the support, and which layers show the compression strain of 20% or more when a pressure of 0.55 kg/cm.sup.2 is applied in accordance with the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) P-8118. This thermosensitive recording material shows the compression strain of 5% or more as a whole when a pressure of 0.55 kg/cm.sup.2 is applied in accordance with the JIS P-8118.

Abstract: A thermosensitive recording material which comprises a support, an intermediate layer including a foamed portion with minute voids, having a smoothness of 2,000 seconds or more in terms of Bekk's smoothness, and a thermosensitive coloring layer, successively formed on the support, and which layers show the compression strain of 20% or more when a pressure of 0.55 kg/cm.sup.2 is applied in accordance with the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) P-8118. This thermosensitive recording material shows the compression strain of 5% or more as a whole when a pressure of 0.55 kg/cm.sup.2 is applied in accordance with the JIS P-8118.

Abstract: A thermosensitive recording material is disclosed, which comprises (a) a support material; (b) a first thermosensitive coloring layer which comprises a first colorless or light-colored leuco dye having formula (I), ##STR1## and a first color developer having formula (II) capable of inducing color formation in said first leuco dye upon application of heat thereto; ##STR2## (c) a second thermosensitive coloring layer which comprises at least a second leuco dye having formula (III), ##STR3## the first and second thermosensitive coloring layers being formed on the support.

Abstract: A thermosensitive recording material comprising a support, an intermediate layer including a foamed portion with minute voids on the support, and a thermosensitive coloring layer formed on the intermediate layer is disclosed, which is particularly improved in such a manner that the voidage of the upper portion of the intermediate layer close to the thermosensitive coloring layer is smaller than the voidage of the lower portion of the intermediate layer close to the support, or the voidage of the intermediate layer is increased from the upper portion thereof towards the lower portion thereof.