Abstract: In a method for producing an optical fiber ribbon, a plurality of coated optical fibers is fed out so that the plurality of coated optical fibers are arranged in a plane in a concentrator. A ribbon matrix composed of ultraviolet-curing resin is applied onto the plurality of coated optical fibers in a coater. Ultraviolet rays is radiated to cure the ribbon matrix. The plurality of coated optical fibers are arranged at intervals in a plane in the concentrator.

Abstract: A furnace and method for drawing an optical fiber is provided. The furnace included a furnace core chamber in which a preform is inserted into the chamber through the upper end thereof and a drawn optical fiber is pulled out of the chamber through an opening positioned at the lower end thereof. The furnace also includes a gas-supply means for introducing an inert gas into the furnace core chamber to thus establish an inert gas atmosphere within the chamber, and a heater for heating the preform so that the lower part of the preform is molten and drawn into the optical fiber, which is positioned around the outer periphery of the furnace core chamber. The furnace further includes an inner furnace core tube, which is positioned within the furnace core chamber and which has a cylindrical part whose lower part is communicated to the opening of the furnace core chamber and a funnel-like part which is positioned on the upper end of the cylindrical part.

Abstract: In an apparatus for suspending from a quartz rotary shaft, a glass article to be heat treated in a heating furnace so as to support the glass article, a slot is provided for receiving a cylindrical projection formed at an upper end of the glass article, the slot has an elliptical cross section and is formed at a lower end of the rotary shaft. A pin hole for securing the glass article to the rotary shaft, which is formed on the rotary shaft along a minor axis of the slot; wherein a clearance between a peripheral surface of the slot and that of the cylindrical projection along the minor axis of the slot is set to not more than 0.2 mm, while a clearance between the peripheral surface of the slot and that of the cylindrical projection along a major axis of the slot is set to not less than 0.4 mm. An apparatus for supporting a glass article including first and second dummy rods and a coupling member is also provided.

Abstract: A surface of an optical fiber is coated by a method for coating a surface of an optical fiber with carbon comprising steps of introducing an optical fiber in a reaction chamber in the same direction as the flow of a coating raw material comprising carbon, hydrogen and halogen atoms and depositing on the surface of the optical fiber a carbon layer formed from the raw material by chemical vapor deposition, whereby the coated optical fiber has improved initial tensile strength and absorbs less hydrogen.

Abstract: A coated optical fiber of the invention is constructed by coating an energy beam curable resin onto the outer periphery of a wiredrawn optical fiber and curing the resin by radiating an energy beam to the resin to thereby provide a coating layer on the optical fiber. The temperature of peak mechanical loss tangent, Tan .delta., of the energy beam curable resin prior to curing is 25.degree. C. or lower.

Abstract: An optical fiber resin coating device having a nipple and a die which each have gradually tapering holes through which the optical fiber is drawn. The die and the nipple have adjacent parallel flat surfaces which are spaced to created a gap through which resin is supplied by pressuring to be applied to the optical fiber. The gap between the die and the nipple and the tapered holes within the die and the nipple are all designed to produce a resin coating which is even and contains no air bubbles, especially at high optical fiber drawing rates.

Abstract: A surface of an optical fiber is coated by a method for coating a surface of an optical fiber with carbon comprising steps of introducing an optical fiber in a reaction chamber containing a coating raw material comprising carbon, hydrogen and halogen atoms and depositing on the surface of the optical fiber a carbon layer formed from the raw material by chemical vapor deposition, whereby the coated optical fiber has improved initial tensile strength and absorbs less hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of sludges such as sewage sludges, night soils, water supply sludges, sludged deposition in bottoms of rivers, lakes, harbors and seas and industrial waste water sludges. According to this method, a fiber in an amount of 0.05 to 20% by weight based on solids in a sludge to be treated and an inorganic coagulant or polymeric coagulant are added to the sludge to coagulate the sludge, and water is removed from the coagulated sludge to obtain a filter cake having a low water content.

Abstract: Polysaccharide RBS substance is obtained from rice bran by extraction it with hot water. RBS substance is utilized for antitumor agent.

Abstract: A polysaccharide RBS substance having the ultraviolet absorption spectrum depicted in FIG. 1 and the infrared absorption spectrum depicited in FIG. 2 is obtained from rice bran by extraction with hot water. These substances have been tested for anti-tumor activity against Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor and against Ehrlich ascites tumor and were determined to have anti-tumor activity against these tested tumors.

Abstract: When a bituminous emulsion is added to a water-containing sludge, the sludge is instantaneously separated into an aqueous layer and a solid layer. But, heavy metals other poisonous pollutants cannot be removed from the separated aqueous layer. In contrast, when a sulfur compound or colloidal sulfur is added to such sludge in combination with a bituminous emulsion, heavy metals and other poisonous pollutants are converted to water-insoluble or hardly soluble sulfur compounds and they are readily removed from the separated water layer. When an inorganic coagulant or organic polymeric coagulant is added in combination, the coagulating and solidifying effects can be further increased. Moreover, the heavy metals and other pollutants fixed in the solid layer are hardly dissolved out and therefore, the separated solid cakes can be used for reclaiming or as water shielding walls.