Abstract: A UV-A, UV-B discriminating sensor provided with a photochromic compound or photochromic composition as the sensor portion, the photochromic compound or photochromic composition coloring under exposure to UV of wavelength greater than or equal to 280 nm or less than or equal to 400 nm, and wherein at least a portion of the photochromic layer is covered with a layer containing a pigment which absorbs UV of wavelength less than 320 nm, or with a layer containing a pigment which absorbs UV of a wave length greater than or equal to 320 nm but less than or equal to or equal to 400 nm.

Abstract: A laser magnetic immunoassay (LMIA) technique is presented which combines the high detection sensitivity of the radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique with the simplicity of particle agglutination (PA) technique. The LMIA technique dispenses with the separation step of bound and free species (B/F separation), yet provides detectivity of the order of picogram of viral species per milliliter of analyte solution. The procedure includes of the steps of: preparing a superparamagnetic-labeled body of antigen or antibody; subjecting a specimen sample and the magnetic-labeled body to a specific immunoreaction to produce a reacted body; subjecting the reacted body containing both bound and free species to a spot magnetic field gradient; irradiating the spot with a laser beam; measuring the intensity of the outgoing light from the spot; and making a quantitative determination of the virus according to the time difference in the outgoing light signals generated by bound and free species.

Abstract: An in-situ laser magnetic immunoassay ("LMIA") method which eliminates the step of B/F separation generally required in the labeling method of immunoassays. The laser magnetic immunoassay permits a quantitative determination of a target immunological substance, for example, an antigen, an antibody, lymphocytes, viruses, tumorous cells and infections cells, in an analyte solution containing both bound and free species. A transitory increase in the magnetophoretic scattering of laser beam is observed when the analyte solution contains magnetic-labeled, bound target analyte, while no such increase is observed in a control test solution, containing only the relevant reagents. A magnetophoretic LMIA apparatus is provided which includes a magnetic gradient generating device which forms an integral part of the in-situ LMIA.

Abstract: Magnetic recording member having a magnetic storage layer covered by composite overlaying layers including an intermediate layer and a lubricant layer. The thin intermediate layer is formed by coating an aminosilane or epoxysilane compound directly or indirectly over the magnetic layer. The lubricant layer is formed over the intermediate layer by coating a lubricant made of a fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer having a terminal carboxyl or sulfonic acid group. The lubricant layer is chemically coupled with the intermediate layer by reacting the terminal carboxy or sulfonic acid group with the aminosilane or epoxysilane compound of the lubricant layer at room temperature or by heating, whereby the lubricant layer is stabilized to suppress deterioration of the lubricant layer and to suppress the reduction in lubricating property due to dispersion.

Abstract: A protective packaging method of protecting the spliced portion of optical fibers, comprising the steps of providing a protective packaging assembly having a heat-shrinkable tube capable of shrinking in the radial direction thereof, an extended form of hot-melt adhesive disposed on the inner side of the heat-shrinkable tube, and an electrical resistance heating element so disposed on the inner side of the heat-shrinkable tube and extendedly in the axial direction of the heat-shrinkable tube as to be capable of heating both the heat-shrinkable tube and the extended form of hot-melt adhesive, and a space provided in the heat-shrinkable tube for allowing the passage of the optical fiber; placing the protective packaging assembly around the splice portion of the optical fiber which has been passed through the space; and supplying electric current through the electrical resistance heating element to heat-melt the hot-melt adhesive and to heat-shrink the heat-shrinkable tube for forming a reinforced unit including