Abstract: In order to provide a multilayer electronic component which can reduce arrangement pitches for external electrodes, via holes filled up with conductive materials are provided in a mother laminate, which is obtained by stacking a plurality of insulating sheets with interposition of conductor films, in positions parted by cutting. The conductive materials define external electrodes of individual multilayer electronic components which are obtained by cutting the mother laminate. No specific step is required for forming the external electrodes, and characteristics of each multilayer electronic component can be efficiently measured in the state of the mother laminate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multilayer electronic component having one major surface which can be completely used as a mounting surface for another electronic component to form a composite component includes the steps of forming a groove in the mother laminate along a cutting line, forming external electrodes on side surfaces of the groove and then dividing the mother laminate along the cutting line to divide the groove thereby forming a plurality of multilayer electronic components that are independent of each other. The method of forming the electronic components allows for measuring electrical characteristics of the individual multilayer electronic components while the components are still part of the mother laminate.

Abstract: In order to provide a multilayer electronic component which can reduce arrangement pitches for external electrodes, via holes filled up with conductive materials are provided in a mother laminate, which is obtained by stacking a plurality of insulating sheets with interposition of conductor films, in positions parted by cutting. The conductive materials define external electrodes of individual multilayer electronic components which are obtained by cutting the mother laminate. No specific step is required for forming the external electrodes, and characteristics of each multilayer electronic component can be efficiently measured in the state of the mother laminate.

Abstract: A disk unit control apparatus (DKC) comprises a cache memory provided between a CPU and an external memory (DKU) storing the information exchanged with the CPU, the cache memory holding temporarily copies of the information stored in the DKU. A request from the CPU for access to the information stored in the DKU is met as far as possible by use of the information held in the cache memory. First transfer routes of information between the CPU and the cache memory is greater in number than second transfer routes of information between the cache memory and the DKU. This makes it possible that even when direct accesses to the DKU in the same number as the second transfer routes occur in each of the first transfer route, accesses to the cache memory which may arise from other CPUs are capable of being effected through the remaining ones of the first transfer routes.

Abstract: A disk unit control apparatus (DKC) comprises a cache memory provided between a CPU and an external memory (DKU) storing the information exchanged with the CPU, the cache memory holding temporarily copies of the information stored in the DKU. A request from the CPU for access to the information stored in the DKU is met as far as possible by use of the information held in the cache memory. First transfer routes of information between the CPU and the cache memory is greater in number than second transfer routes of information between the cache memory and the DKU. This makes it possible that even when direct accesses to the DKU in the same number as the second transfer routes occur in each of the first transfer route, acesses to the cache memory which may arise from other CPUs are capable of being effected through the remaining ones of the first transfer routes.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for plasma separation which is designed so that during the process of separating blood into plasma and corpuscular components by means of plasma separation membranes, if the rate of plasma permeation through the membranes is decreased so that the trans-membrane pressure differential exceeds a predetermined value, the number of revolutions of a plasma pump is adjusted downward to permit restoration of a trans-membrane pressure differential lower than the predetermined value. The rate of plasma discharge is gradually decreased according to the varying permeability of the membranes to plasma, whereby a most effective performance of the membranes can be assured. The apparatus and method can be employed in practicing various blood treatment methods wherein blood is separated into plasma and corpuscular fractions to remove the plasma containing pathogenic factors or to remove the pathogenic factors from the plasma.

Abstract: A magnetic head which comprises a pair of head chips each composed of a pair of plate-like magnetic cores superposed on and joined to each other with a spacer interposed therebetween and having a gap at the junction, a pair of base plates joined to the pair of head chips individually and positioned on opposite sides of and in parallel to a plane containing the gaps, each of the magnetic core having at one end thereof a head with a small width substantially equal to the width of tacks and an end portion of increased width opposite to the head, a shield member interposed between the head chips at the head portions, a stud portion provided on at least one of the pair of magnetic cores and projecting toward the other core, and a coil provided around the stud portion. A process for producing such magnetic heads wherein the pair of magnetic cores are positioned close to each other, and the gaps are accurately positioned on the same plane.

Abstract: A magnetic head which comprises a pair of head chips each composed of a pair of plate-like magnetic cores superposed on and joined to each other with a spacer interposed therebetween and having a gap at the junction, a pair of base plates joined to the pair of head chips individually and positioned on opposite sides of and in parallel to a plane containing the gaps, each of the magnetic core having at one end thereof a head with a small width substantially equal to the width of tracks and an end portion of increased width opposite to the head, a shield member interposed between the head chips at the head portions, a stud portion provided on at least one of the pair of magnetic cores and projecting toward the other core, and a coil provided around the stud portion. A process is also disclosed for producing such magnetic heads wherein the pair of magnetic cores are positioned close to each other, and the gaps are accurately positioned on the same plane.

Abstract: An ion activity monitoring device is disclosed, having a semi-conductor device including an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor, for detecting the activity of ions in a liquid medium of interest, and a temperature sensor, for detecting the temperature of the liquid medium of interest, a constant current circuit for supplying a drain current of a particular value to the transistor, and a processing circuit for calculating the concentration of the ions in the liquid medium of interest. The drain current is of a value satisfying the relationship of .vertline.Id/.beta..vertline..ltoreq.0.10 volt.sup.2, wherein Id represents the drain current and .beta. represents the channel characteristic value of the ion-sensitive field-effect transistor. A method for operating the transistor is also disclosed.