Abstract: There are provided an elasticity measuring method of measuring an elastic constant of elasticity of an elastic body, for example, an elastic rubber, an organism or a living body, etc., which is soft and rather incompressible, by means of measuring an internal strain using energy such as ultrasounds, an X-ray, and magnetism, where the elastic constant includes, for example, typically shear modulus, Young's modulus, etc.; and an elasticity measuring apparatus adapted to practice such an elasticity measuring method. According to such method and apparatus, the elastic constant distribution within the subject is detected only through measuring the strain distribution within the subject, without measuring the stress distribution.

Abstract: A process for producing L-alanine, which comprises culturing in a medium a microorganism belonging to the genus Arthrobacter which has L-alanine dehydrogenase activity, but little or no alanine racemase activity, and which is capable of producing L-alanine; allowing L-alanine to accumulate in the culture; and recovering L-alanine from the culture.

Abstract: In manufacturing a foamed plastics of a saturated polyester resin, in which a saturated polyester resin is melted in an extruder, a foaming agent is injected under pressure into the molten saturated polyester resin at an intermediate portion of a barrel of the extruder, and the molten saturated polyester resin containing the foaming agent is extruded from a die to manufacture the foamed plastics of the saturated polyester resin, a polydimethylsiloxane having a boiling point, which is lower by at least 50.degree. C. than the melting point of the saturated polyester resin to be foamed, at the atmospheric pressure is used as a foaming agent.

Abstract: A jointing device, which permits quick connection and disconnection of a corrugated flexible conduit, comprises a joint body having a cylindrical connector section for receiving the conduit, the connector section being formed with receive holes arranged circumferentially thereof, and a clasp axially slidably mounted on the joint body. The clasp has an outer cylinder axially slidably fitted on the connector section and covering the receive holes formed in the connector section, an inner cylinder slidably fitted into the connector section for receiving the conduit, and locking members connected at their respective fixed ends with the inner cylinder. The outer and inner cylinders are connected with each other. The locking members each have a free end portion thereof formed with a claw engageable with and disengageable from the conduit. The free end portion of each locking member is received in a corresponding receive hole when the free end portion is pushed radially outward by the corrugated flexible conduit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing (R)-malic acid comprising contacting, in a reaction medium, maleic acid with (A) a microbial maleate hydratase capable of hydrating maleic acid to form (R)-malic acid or (B) a microorganism containing the maleate hydratase, microbial maleate hydratase and a method for producing same. In accordance with the present invention (R)-malic acid with high optical purity is supplied efficiently and economically.

Abstract: Ultrasound diagnostic equipment for diagnosing a region of interest of an organ by using a scattering coefficient and an attenuation slope comprises a scattering power calculation unit for calculating a scattering spectrum of the region of interest, a cumulative attenuation slope calculation unit for calculating a cumulative attenuation slope of the intervening tissue between a body surface and a position of blood close to the region of interest by using a scattering coefficient of blood which is previously known, and a scattering coefficient calculation unit for calculating a scattering coefficient of the region of interest by using the calculated cumulative attenuation slope of the intervening tissue between body surface and the blood close to the region of interest.

Abstract: A flame retardant comprising a mixture of 10 to 90% by weight of powder A and 90 to 10% by weight of powder B of magnesium hydroxide, the powder A containing 40 to 70% by weight of a powdered double salt of magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate and 60 to 30% by weight of powdered basic magnesium carbonate; and a flame-retardant resin composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin and 30 to 300 parts by weight of the flame retardant. Preferably, the double salt is huntite, and the basic magnesium carbonate consists essentially of hydromagnesite. It is preferred to treat the flame retardant, in the form of a powder mixture, with a surface treatment agent. The flame-retardant resin composition is adapted for use as a sheath or insulation for an electric wire or cable, a fire-arresting material, or a wall material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing carnitine comprising contacting, in a reaction medium, carnitinenitrile with (A) a nitrilase capable of hydrolyzing carnitinenitrile to form carnitine or (B) a microorganism containing said nitrilase.

Abstract: The present invention provides fastener elements for use in a slide fastener in which, regardless of the quality of material, a metallic coating layer having an excellent adhesiveness and 0.001 to 1.0 .mu.m in thickness is simply and easily formed on the surface of a fastener element member so that the surface thereof gives out the luster of metal. The surface of the metallic coating layer may further be formed at least thereon with a finishing coat layer. In the present invention, there is further provided a slide fastener having a light weight and flexibility in which such a fastener element member as being made synthetic resin having the luster of metal on the surface thereof.

Abstract: A system for controlling the folded or erected rearview mirror position selectively by turning reversible motors (23,24) incorporated in the rearview mirrors by operating an operation switch (22) in the cabin of a motor vehicle, includes a door lock controller (10) locking the doors of the motor vehicle by an outer door lock switch (13,14) or inner door lock switch (15,16), a controller (20) for controlling the folded rearview mirrors, and switches (25,26,27,28) for detecting the folded or erected rearview mirror position mounted in the rearview mirror turning parts, in which an electrically foldable rearview mirror system is interlocked with the door lock controller (10) for controlling the folded rearview mirrors including a driving circuit (31,32) changing over the reversible motors between regular and reverse rotations, and a micro computer (30) controlling the driving circuit by processing the inputs from said switches.

Abstract: A dyeing apparatus for dyeing or otherwise treating an elongate fabric material includes a cylindrical vessel and a beam mounted concentrically therein and removable therefrom the beam having a plurality of chambers isolated one from another and a dye frame unit rotatably mounted on a driven shaft extending axially through the beam, a first motor rotating the driven shaft and a second motor operatively associated with a mechanism for moving the driven shaft axially toward and away from the first motor, and away from the driven shaft to adjust the overall diameter of the dye frame unit on which the fabric material is wound.

Abstract: An electrically driving system for the outer rearview mirror erects or folds the mirror body by the operation switch for rotating the incorporated motor normally or reversively. The system comprises a momentary operation switch, normal and reverse relays and limit switches for disconnecting self-holding circuits of the relays and motors from a power source independently of one another by detecting erected and folded states of the mirror. When the normal or reverse relay is rendered operative by the momentary operation switch, the incorporated motors are driven to cause rotation of a plurality of the mirrors. The mirrors are stopped independently with disconnection of motor circuit caused by the action of the limit switches when they reach to the erected or folded state.

Abstract: The multi-position electrical switch includes a printed circuit (PC) board arranged in a casing and supporting an array of stationary contacts encircling a light emitting element fixed on the PC board. A resilient rubber sheet covers the PC board and supports an array of movable contacts arranged opposite the stationary contacts. A control knob having a central opening rests on the rubber sheet in the region of the movable contacts. The bottom of the knob is formed with a tubular projection communicating with the central opening of the knob and extending to the level of an opening in the rubber sheet around the light emitting element.

Abstract: An electrically driving system for the rearview mirrors, wherein the incorporated motors are rotated normally or reversibly in response to the operation of a operational switch, thereby erecting or folding the mirror bodies. The system comprises a momentary operational switch, a relay circuit, a group of limit switches for cutting off the relay circuit and motor circuit respectively by detecting erected and folded positions of the mirror bodies, and a circuit for judging a folded state. When the operational switch is pushed, any folded mirror is detected within delay time of the circuit for judging a folded state. And only when both of the left and right mirror bodies are in the fold positions, the erecting relay is actuated to rotate the motors in the erecting direction.

Abstract: A multiple electrical switch comprising a casing, a control knob supported on the top edge of the casing for tiltable movement in four directions, a retainer horizontally mounted within the casing and a conversion knob tiltably supported by the retainer and having an upper portion projecting through the central aperture of the control knob. Upper and lower base plates are disposed on respective opposite sides of the retainer, with each of the upper and lower base plates defining a printed circuit board and having a plurality of fixed connecting contacts. The switch further comprise an insulating elastic sheet having a central portion for covering the upper portion of the conversion knob and opposite side peripheral portions for covering respective top surfaces of the upper base plate and each portion including a swell including a movable connecting contact corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of fixed connecting contacts of the upper base plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing carnitine comprising contacting, in a reaction medium, carnitinamide with (A) an amidase capable of hydrolyzing carnitinamide to form carnitine or (B) a microorganism containing said amidase, carnitinamide hydrolase and a method for producing same.

Abstract: A process for producing a methylol urea solution which comprises carrying out addition reaction between urea and formaldehyde in the presence of water and an alkali, wherein said alkali is a polyphosphoric acid salt; and a process for producing a slow-releasing nitrogenous fertilizer which comprises subjecting the resulting methylol urea solution to dehydration condensation and drying the resulting condensate are disclosed. The methylol urea solution undergoes no substantial pH variation with time either during or after the addition reaction, and the fertilizer obtained therefrom is excellent in slow-releasing properties.

Abstract: A control system for a foldable outside rearview mirror comprises an electric motor having an electric motor circuit, an operation switch, trigger element connected with the operation switch for outputting a trigger pulse in response to actuation of the operation switch, timer element connected with the trigger element for outputting a pulse of a predetermined pulse width to drive the electric motor only for a set time upon receipt of the trigger pulse from the trigger element, polarity changing element having a pair of outputs of high and low level and formed for reversely switching the electric motor by inverting the pair of the outputs upon receipt of the trigger pulse from the trigger element, and switching element for switching a voltage applied to the electric motor to react or fold a rearview mirror upon receipt of the output of the polarity changing element.

Abstract: A low-liquor-ratio dyeing apparatus comprising a perforated cylindrical beam rotatably supported within a horizontal vessel for supporting on its periphery materials to be dyed, a liquid flow circulation system for forcing dying liquid through the materials radially outwardly of the beam, a sprinkler chamber mounted on the ceiling of the vessel for spraying the liquid over the upper portion of the beam, the ceiling of the vessel, and inner side walls of the vessel, and a liquid supply bypass pipe branched from the supply side of the circulation system and connected to the sprinkler chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating textile materials has an impeller or vane wheel which is disposed in a flow passageway communicating with a circulatory pump and with the interior of a perforated cylindrical beam and which is connected to a shaft of the beam.