Abstract: A starter having intermediate gear includes a clutch, a pinion, an intermediate gear and a link member. The pinion has a boss portion formed with a pair of pinion flanges. The intermediate gear has a boss portion formed with a pair of intermediate gear flanges. The upper end side of the link member is engaged with a groove between the pair of pinion flanges, being in contact with the pinion flanges. The lower end side of the link member is engaged with a groove between the pair of intermediate gear flanges, being in contact with the intermediate gear flanges. Thus, unlike the conventional art, no influence is caused by the axial dimensional variations and position of the clutch. As a result, the axial rattling of the Intermediate gear can be suppressed, and no substantial design change is necessary to cope with the positional change of the clutch.

Abstract: Methods for screening for potential modulators of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) are provided based on detecting cellular ATP levels. Also provided are compositions useful in treating diseases or conditions dependent on mTOR signaling, including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, restinosis and transplant rejection.

Abstract: An anisotropically electroconductive connecting material, which is disposed between a connection terminal on a first substrate and a connection terminal on a second substrate and joins the substrates together by thermocompression bonding while maintaining electroconductive connection therebetween, includes electroconductive particles dispersed in an insulating adhesive, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the electroconductive particles at the compression bonding temperature is 200% or less of the modulus of elasticity of the first substrate at the compression bonding temperature.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition apparatus for depositing a thin film of highly dielectric materials for giga-capacity memory devices can reliably clean reaction products formed within the deposition chamber without sacrificing the production efficiency. The apparatus comprises a hermetic deposition chamber containing a substrate holding section for supporting a substrate, and a gas supply head disposed opposite to the substrate holding section for directing a gaseous feed material onto the substrate. There are provided a trapping member supporting device for supporting a trapping member so as to be opposite to a target cleaning area inside the deposition chamber, and a plasma generation device for generating a plasma between the target cleaning area and the trapping member supported by the trapping member supporting device.

Abstract: An anisotropically electroconductive connecting material, which is disposed between a connection terminal on a first substrate and a connection terminal on a second substrate and joins the substrates together by thermocompression bonding while maintaining electroconductive connection therebetween, includes electroconductive particles dispersed in an insulating adhesive, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the electroconductive particles at the compression bonding temperature is 200% or less of the modulus of elasticity of the first substrate at the compression bonding temperature.

Abstract: A reactant gas ejector head enables a process gas mixture of a uniform concentration and composition to be delivered to the surface of a substrate in a stable and uniform thermodynamic state by preventing premature reactions to occur along the gas delivery route. The reactant gas ejector head comprises an ejection head body having a back plate and a nozzle plate for defining a gas mixing space therebetween. The nozzle plate has numerous gas ejection nozzles. A gas supply pipe is communicated with the ejection head body through a center region of the back plate so as to separately introduce at least two types of gaseous substances into the mixing space. Gas distribution passages are formed between the back plate and the nozzle plate in such a way as to guide the at least two types of gaseous substances from the gas supply pipe to be directed separately towards peripheral regions of the gas mixing space.

Abstract: A fast atomic beam (FAB) source is capable of generating fast atomic beams having characteristics of a high beam density, precise directionality, and a wide range of controlled out put energy levels. The FAB source includes a discharge tube, an inductively coupled plasma generator for generating gas plasma in the discharge tube from gas introduced therein, positive and negative electrodes for accelerating ions to control the beam for a variety of energy levels. The negative electrode has a beam control opening for generating a FAB, wherein directionability, neutralization factor, and other FAB characteristics are controlled.

Abstract: The invention is directed to preventing meltdown of conductive metal electrodes 5, 5 used to supply current to a heater 104 of a crucible 103. A single crystal pulling apparatus comprises: the heater 104 which encircles the crucible 103, and the pair of electrodes 5, 5, respectively threaded to a pair of graphite intermediate electrodes 6 of the heater 104, and a voltage source 9 for supplying power to the pair of electrodes 5, 5. A switch 11 switches the power on and off. A watthour meter 10a, continuously measures the current flowing through the heater 104. Investigation by the present inventors showed that in the case of a crack 8 in a lower portion of the intermediate electrode 6, minute fluctuations occurred in the measured value of the current, arising from an electric discharge phenomena in the crack 8 prior to meltdown of the electrodes 5, 5.

Abstract: A pressure measuring apparatus comprising a seal diaphragm that separates a fluid to be measured from a pressure transmitting medium that transmits a pressure variation of the fluid to be measured to a pressure detecting section. In such an apparatus, a non-electrically conductive film is coated on a surface of the seal diaphragm which is on the side of the fluid to be measured. As a result of the above construction, the pressure can be measured accurately over a long period of time while preventing hydrogen from passing through the seal diaphragm surely and protecting the seal diaphragm.

Abstract: In the present invention a signal is caused to fall on the molten liquid surface of single crystal raw material which was put into a crucible, the position of the molten liquid surface is measured by detecting the reflected signal coming from the molten liquid surface and the crucible is lifted according to the discrepancy to the set value.

Abstract: A pressure measuring apparatus comprising a seal diaphragm that separates a fluid to be measured from a pressure transmitting medium that transmits a pressure variation of the fluid to be measured to a pressure detecting section. In such an apparatus, a non-electrically conductive film is coated on a surface of the seal diaphragm which is on the side of the fluid to be measured. As a result of the above construction, the pressure can be measured accurately over a long period of time while preventing hydrogen from passing through the seal diaphragm surely and protecting the seal diaphragm.

Abstract: A suspended membrane structure, comprising:a plurality of suspending members arranged substantially parallel or substantially radial fashion;a membrane downward hung by a plurality of wire members (or hanging members) from a plurality of points on each suspending member; anda plurality of bracing cables each provided on the membrane in the same direction with that of said suspending member at each middle position between said suspending members, and capable of imparting a tensile force to said membrane.