Abstract: A process for the racemization of optically active 4-phenylbutanoic acid esters which comprises treating optically active 4-phenylbutanoic acid esters of the general formula (1) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydroxy group, a hydroxy group protected by vinyl ester, or a lower acyloxy group and R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group with a base selected from the group consisting of alkali metal alcoholates, alkali metal hydrides, and alkali metal amides is provided.

Abstract: A charge pump comprises a charge-up circuit connected to a voltage source, and a clock generator. A pull-up circuit is formed by an enhancement mode MOSFET and a time constant circuit. The MOSFET has its drain coupled to the charge-up circuit and its source connected to the output terminal of the charge pump. The clock generator produces first and second clock pulse sequences, with the duration of the first clock pulse sequence being greater than the pulse duration of the second clock pulse sequence. The time constant circuit has two capacitors and a resistor connected therebetween to respond to the first and second clock pulse sequences by successively applying voltages to the drain and gate of the MOSFET. The charge-up circuit is formed by a depletion mode or an enhancement mode MOSFET which is responsive to one or more clock pulse sequences with pulses preceding those of the first and second clock sequences.

Abstract: A method for automatically tightening a tapped member such as a nut is disclosed. A socket of an open end air wrench mounted on a nut tightening robot is coupled with the tapped member. The robot rotates the socket in a first direction, i.e., a tightening direction, to a first relatively small torque, and subsequently rotates the socket in a second direction opposite to the first direction to a predetermined position, i.e., a central receptive position after the socket being disengaged from the tapped member. A rotary encoder is provided to generate pulses in response to the rotation of the socket in the second rotational direction. An angle of rotation of this rotation of the socket in the second direction is detected by counting the number of pulses generated by the encoder. In response to the detected angle of rotation a torque wrench is coupled with the tapped member and the robot rotates the torque wrench in the tightening direction to a second relatively great torque.

Abstract: A pulse compressor for solitons includes a continuous dispersive non-linear propagation structure so constructed so that the wavefront of an individual soliton pulse is steepened. In addition, the pulse compressor has a continuously reduced time constant on a spatial, as opposed to a temporal basis. Various structures of the pulse compressor are described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed having a channelless gate array. A plurality of standard cells are formed on a gate array chip such that one of the standard cells is formed relative to the adjacent standard cell with a bipolar transistor and resistor shared, as a BiCMOS logic gate, by the mutually adjacent standard cells at one end.

Abstract: Polymers of 1,4-pentadiene having an Mw/Mn of 1.05 to 1.4 are produced by polymerizing 1,4-pentadiene in the presence of catalyst comprising a vanadium chelate compound and an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: A clock spring is used in a steering system for automobile cars and comprises a stationary member and a movable member provided rotatably relative to the stationary member, both of which are electrically connected to each other by using cables. The cables are received in the receiving portions formed by the stationary member and the movable member, and a spacer having an opening is rotatably provided between the stationary member and the movable member. The cables are wound in one of the cable receiving portions, the remaining portions of the cables being passed through the opening and wound in the other receiving portion in the reverse direction. Guide members are rotatably supported in the opening so that the cables are respectively wound on the free ends of the guide members to form half loops.

Abstract: A thin film transistor driven image sensor. The image sensor has a plurality of photodiodes. Each photodiode is connected to a storage load capacitor through a thin film transistor switching element. The photodiodes are arranged into a plurality of blocks. Each block is read out sequentially in response to a read pulse which activates the thin film transistor switching elements in the block. The storage capacitors are arranged in such a matter that the distance traveled by an electric charge between a photodiode and the associated storage capacitor is constant for each photodiode and the associated storage capacitor.

Abstract: An automatic transmission with an engine rpm sensor fault detector includes a starter switch (18); a clutch (6) for transmitting an output of an engine (8); a clutch control unit for controlling engagement of the clutch; a transmission (1); an engine rpm sensor (9); a an input shaft sensor (5a); a gear position sensor (40a) for detecting a gear position of the transmission; a control unit (4) for controlling the clutch control unit based on outputs of the respective detectors and enables the starter switch to operate when the transmission is in a neutral position. The control unit includes a starter switch detector (40b) for determining whether the starter switch is on and a fault determination unit (40c) for determining whether the first detector is faulty.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for processing an image signal, comprising a clock for generating a periodical clock signal, a pattern signal generator for generating 2N (where N is a positive integer) pattern signals, each of the pattern signals having a constant wave-form, a wave length of 2N times longer than that of the periodical clock signal and a phase difference 360/2N relative to another one of the pattern signals, a comparator for comparing the pattern signals with the image signal and for generating 2N of comparison signals, and a composition generator for combining said 2N comparison signals and for generating a pulse-duration modulated signal from the combined 2N comparison signals.

Abstract: An anti-skid controlling apparatus which establishes the time allocation for the pressure decreasing time and decreased pressure holding time, as well as the time allocation for the pressure increasing time and increased pressure holding time, in accordance with the correlation between wheel acceleration and wheel lock level. The brake fluid pressure in the wheel cylinder is increased, held constant or decreased as needed. This makes it possible to establish optimal time allocation settings allowing for the pressure increasing and decreasing characteristics of the pressure controlling device. In turn, brake fluid pressure control is kept optimally provided independent of various factors that would affect the brake fluid pressure in the wheel cylinder. Thus the apparatus is suitable for use on board diverse kinds of vehicle with diverse characteristics.

Abstract: An audio signal data processing system comprises an input device sequentially supplying incoming audio signal data, a data memory control device writing and reading-out the audio signal data into and from a data memory, a delay memory control device sequentially reading-out the audio signal data from the data memory and storing the data into a delay memory and sequentially reading-out the audio signal data from the delay memory and writing the data into the data memory, an arithmetic device multiplying predetermined coefficient data by the audio signal data having been read-out by the delay memory control device and written into the data memory and summing up results of the multiplication.

Abstract: A device for exterminating pests having a cylinder filled with carbon dioxide in which (a) pesticide(s) is(are) dissolved, piping coupled to the cylinder, and a plurality of capillary nozzles affixed to the piping, and a method of exterminating pests employed this device. The capillary nozzles are designed such that, considering adjacent capillary nozzles, the ratio of the nozzle exit area of the capillary nozzle close to the cylinder to the nozzle exit area of the capillary nozzle remote from the cylinder is set between 1:1.3 and 1:1.8. As a result, numerous independent enclosed spaces can be sprayed with little labor and in a short time by means of a small number of devices.

Abstract: A ghost cancelling system which distinguishes whether ghosts have been substantially cancelled from a video signal for finding an equilibrium condition. The system calculates a specified value which depends on the noise signal contained in the video signal. The tap coefficients which are equal or greater than the specified value are then detected, and the system corrects only those tap coefficients after the equilibrium condition exists.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling a vehicle speed to a desired cruise speed includes an inhibit switch connected in parallel to a line between a power supply and a main self hold power supply switch (self-hold type) of an automatic cruise controlling system. When the vehicle speed is below a predetermined value, the inhibit switch is open so that the automatic cruise speed controlling system cannot receive power via the main, switch. Thus, wasteful comsumption of power is reduced.

Abstract: A new diphenyl-methane derivative is useful to inhibit agglomeration of blood and is defined by the formula, including a diphenylethylene derivative and a benzophenone oxime ether derivative. ##STR1## in which R1 and R2 each are hydrogen, hydroxyl or a lower alkoxy, U is .dbd.CXY or .dbd.N--O--W,X is hydrogen, cyano or --COR6, R6 being hydroxyl or an amino, Y is --R10--COOR3, R3 being hydrogen or a lower alkoxy, R10 being an alkylene having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, straight or branched, --CO--NR4R5, R4 and R5 each being hydrogen, a lower alkyl or a lower arylalkyl, --CH2--NHSO2--C6H5 or --C(R8).dbd.NR7, R7 being a lower alkoxy or an aryl, R8 is --VR9, V being oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen, R9 being an alkyl or an aryl,W is --CH2--CO--CH2--COOR13, R13 being hydrogen or a lower alkyl, --CH2--C(.dbd.