Abstract: For the purpose of changing the geometry of and spacing between loop coils incorporated into an RF coil without moving the RF coil, loops 200-220 having a geometry optimized for a square sum method employing a phased array, and second small loops 202-222 having a geometry optimized for a sensitivity encoding method are switched by switching elements 24-54 and 25-55 for an open/close operation using a diode 330, and at the same time, first decoupling means 230 and 231 and second decoupling means 240 and 241 are switched. Thus, an operator is not required to replace the RF coil positioned on a cradle, and the loops 200-220 for the square sum method employing a phased array and the second small loops for the sensitivity encoding method can be switched by electronic switching and can be used as RF coils.

Abstract: A strip joining apparatus is provided wherein a time which a line is stopped is shortened, a number of installation spaces is decreased and precise notching may be performed.

Abstract: A strip joining apparatus is provided wherein a time which a line is stopped is shortened, a number of installation spaces is decreased and precise notching may be performed.

Abstract: An abutting end portions of the strips are heated from below to a temperature range where annealing effects are obtained by means of a movable heating apparatus which performs high-frequency induction heating and a laser beam (or arc or electron beam) is irradiated from above, at the same speed as that of the movable heating apparatus, to laser beam weld (or arc or electron beam weld) the abutting end portions.

Abstract: In a method for producing an oxide which comprises cultivating a strain of microorganism of the genus Gluconobacter, the genus Acetobacter, the genus_Pseudogluconobacter, the genus Pseudomonas, the genus_Corynebacterium, or the genus Erwinia to oxidize a substrate in a culture medium, an assimilable carbon source other than the substrate is admixed in the medium.

Abstract: A gas floating-transporting apparatus transports a material to be treated along a predetermined direction in a thermal space so as to thermally treat the material to be treated. The apparatus includes a gas floating mechanism and a transporting mechanism. The gas floating mechanism includes a gas ejection device which expels the gas toward a portion of the material to be treated on which a floating force is acted so as to float the material to be treated, and a gas supply device which supplies the gas to the gas ejection means. The transporting mechanism includes an abutting member which abuts a trailing end of the floated material to be treated and moves along the predetermined direction, and which pushes the material to be treated by the movement thereof, whereby the floated material to be treated is moved along the predetermined direction.

Abstract: In order to provide a receive coil comprising a plurality of coils that make no coupling, and a magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus employing such a receive coil, when a receive coil is formed by disposing a plurality of loops of conductor 424 having series capacitors 422, a low input-impedance amplifier 426 is provided with its input circuit connected in parallel to both ends of the capacitor 422 via an inductor 428 to achieve decoupling between the loops by a high impedance caused by parallel resonance of an LC circuit.

Abstract: A novel L-sorbose dehydrogenase (SDH) and a novel L-sorbosone dehydrogenase both derived from Gluconobacter oxydans T-100, a DNA which encodes the SDH and/or SNDH, an expression vector which contains the DNA, a host cell transformed by the expression vector and a process for producing the SDH and/or SNDH, which comprises culturing the host cell in a medium and recovering the SDH and/or SNDH from the resulting culture. The SDH and SNDH of the present invention are useful enzymes having preferable properties for the production of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid, as well as L-ascorbic acid. According to the production method of the present invention, the SDH and SNDH having such preferable properties can be produced in large amounts by genetic engineering.

Abstract: A welding quality decision apparatus having a high precision and a welding machine provided with the apparatus are provided. The welding quality decision apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a temperature detection apparatus for detecting a surface temperature of a member to be welded at a welding point after welding, a decision apparatus for comparing a temperature detection value detected thereby with a comparative reference value, and a control apparatus for controlling a welding machine on the basis of the decision result. Also, the welding machine according to the present invention is provided with above-described welding quality decision apparatus.

Abstract: A suit-type cosmetic air massage device for providing air pressuring massage upon a human whole body. To provide air pressuring massage, suit-shaped parts are made to cover a human whole body, and can be separated into an upper suit-shaped part and a lower suit-shaped part. And plural air bags are symmetrically installed within the left and right side from the position corresponding to the hand region to the position corresponding to the shoulder regions of the upper suit-shaped part, and from the position corresponding to the feet parts to the waist part of the lower suit-shaped part. These air bags are divided into the first, second, third and fourth group, and each air bag in each group can be supplied with air simultaneously or independently in order from connecting with the intake/exhaust instrument by an intaking/exhausting hose.

Abstract: An expression vector containing both a DNA encoding an L-sorbose dehydrogenase and a DNA encoding an L-sorbosone dehydrogenase; a transformant having an ability to produce 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (hereinafter 2KLGA) at high yields from D-sorbitol, which is prepared by transforming, with said expression vector, a microorganism capable of producing L-sorbose at high yields from D-sorbitol, which has no or low 2KLGA-decomposing activity or a host microorganism having, in addition to the above-mentioned properties, no or low L-idonic acid-producing activity; and a process for producing 2KLGA, which comprises culturing said transformant in a medium containing D-sorbitol. According to the present invention, 2KLGA useful for the production of L-ascorbic acid can be produced with ease and in larger amounts by a single operation of culture.

Abstract: In a welding electrode protecting machine, welding electrodes are protected against a surface treating agent on strips to be welded by applying a proper amount of electrode protecting agent onto surfaces of welding electrodes prior to or during welding operation.

Abstract: A nonlinear device of the present invention includes: a first electrode and a second electrode at least partially opposing each other; and a nonlinear resistant layer made of a material mainly containing zinc sulfide, formed so as to be in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is made of an electrode material satisfying a relationship .DELTA.G.sub.M -.DELTA.G.sub.Zn >0, where .DELTA.G.sub.M is standard free energy of a generation reaction of a sulfide of the electrode material and .DELTA.G.sub.Zn is standard free energy of a generation reaction of a sulfide of zinc.

Abstract: A novel L-sorbose dehydrogenase (SDH) and a novel L-sorbosone dehydrogenase (SNDH) both derived from Gluconobacter oxydans T-100, a DNA which encodes the SDH and/or SNDH, an expression vector which contains the DNA, a host cell transformed by the expression vector and a process for producing the SDH and/or SNDH, which comprises culturing the host cell in a medium and recovering the SDH and/or SNDH from the resulting culture. The SDH and SNDH of the present invention are useful enzymes having preferable properties for the production of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid, as well as L-ascorbic acid. According to the production method of the present invention, the SDH and SNDH having such preferable properties can be produced in large amounts by genetic engineering.

Abstract: An expression vector containing both a DNA encoding an L-sorbose dehydrogenase and a DNA encoding an L-sorbosone dehydrogenase; a transformant having an ability to produce 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (hereinafter 2KLGA) at high yields from D-sorbitol, which is prepared by transforming, with said expression vector, a microorganism capable of producing L-sorbose at high yields from D-sorbitol, which has no or low 2KLGA-decomposing activity or a host microorganism having, in addition to the above-mentioned properties, no or low L-idonic acid-producing activity; and a process for producing 2KLGA, which comprises culturing said transformant in a medium containing D-sorbitol. According to the present invention, 2KLGA useful for the production of L-ascorbic acid can be produced with ease and in larger amounts by a single operation of culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nonlinear optical composites for optical devices such as optical switches and to a method for producing the composites. The composites, comprising optically transparent substances exhibiting linear optical response and metal containing particles dispersed therein, utilize the nonlinear optical effect associated with the surface plasma resonance of a metal.

Abstract: A plasma display panel includes a light-transmittable first substrate, a plurality of first electrodes provided in correspondence with pixels on the first substrate and partition walls provided on the first substrate so that each of the partition walls surrounds at least a part of one of the first electrodes. A Fluorescent layer is formed at a portion surrounded by the partition wall where the first electrode is located in such a manner that the first electrode surrounded by the partition wall is exposed by curing and baking a fluorescent ink having a photo-setting resin and an illuminant as its main ingredients. A light-transmittable second substrate is arranged in contact with the partition wall oppositely to the first substrate, and light-transmittable or opaque second electrodes are arranged on the second substrate oppositely to the first electrodes.

Abstract: A novel L-sorbose dehydrogenase (SDH) and a novel L-sorbosone dehydrogenase both derived from Gluconobacter oxydans T-100, a DNA which encodes the SDH and/or SNDH, an expression vector which contains the DNA, a host cell transformed by the expression vector and a process for producing the SDH and/or SNDH, which comprises culturing the host cell in a medium and recovering the SDH and/or SNDH from the resulting culture. The SDH and SNDH of the present invention are useful enzymes having preferable properties for the production of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid, as well as L-ascorbic acid. According to the production method of the present invention, the SDH and SNDH having such preferable properties can be produced in large amounts by genetic engineering.

Abstract: A flash welding machine is capable of cutting ends of a pair of preceding and following weld members 1, 2 by means of a shear device 26, 27 and then flash welding them with each other. The flash welding machine can coat an appropriate amount of combustible fluid on the cut end surfaces of the weld members 1, 2. When a first end sensor 31 and a second end sensor 31 sense widthwise leading ends of the weld members 1, 2, a first and a second nozzle 35, 36 start coating the combustible fluid on the cut end surfaces of the weld members 1, 2 from the widthwise leading ends of the weld meets 1, 2. The nozzles 35, 36 stop coating when either one of the sensors 31, 33 senses a widthwise trailing end of one of the weld members 1, 2. Thus, it becomes possible to coat the combustible fluid on the cut ends of the weld members 1, 2 over an area extending from the widthwise leading end to the widthwise trailing end thereof.

Abstract: The dynamic quantity sensor includes an electrically insulating substance layer and at least one pair of electrodes contacting the electrically insulating substance layer, wherein a plurality of conductive particles are dispersed in the electrically insulating substance layer so that a tunnel current flows when a voltage is applied between the at least one pair of electrodes, and a dynamic quantity relating to a distance between the conductive particles is detected based on the tunnel current.