Abstract: Bacillus thuringiensis serovar japonensis strain Buibui (FERM BP-3465) belonging to Bacillus thuringiensis serovar japonensis and capable of producing insecticidal toxin proteins to kill coleopterous larvae, and an insecticide containing, as an effective ingredient, the toxin proteins produced are disclosed.

Abstract: In a fuel cell comprising a pair of gas-diffusion electrodes provided with a porous catalyst layer and an acidic electrolyte layer held by the pair of gas-diffusion electrodes, a cathode which constitutes itself one of the pair of gas-diffusion electrodes comprises a heat-resistant and acid-resistant carrier particles and a noble metal catalysts carried on the carrier particles, the surface of the carrier particles and the catalysts being coated with a proton-conductive thin film exhibiting the ability to dissolve and diffuse oxygen and offering resistance to heat and acids or at least the surface of the noble metal catalysts being coated with a thin film which is a polymer network retaining a proton-conductive substance capable of dissolving and diffusing oxygen and resisting heat and acids therein.

Abstract: A surface-coated steel sheet having improved corrosion resistance and suitable for use as automobile inner and outer panels comprises a steel sheet having on at least one surface thereof a composite coating which comprises the following layers (a) to (d) from the bottom to the top of the coating:(a) a first zinc alloy plating layer with a coating weight of 10-100 g/m.sup.2 which contains at least one of Ni and Co in an amount satisfying the following inequality:0.05.ltoreq.(5.times.Co)+Ni.ltoreq.10 (in weight percent),(b) a second zinc alloy plating layer with a coating weight of 0.05-10 g/m.sup.2 which contains at least one of Ni and Co in an amount satisfying the following inequality:10<(5.times.Co)+Ni.ltoreq.40 (in weight percent),(c) a chromate film layer with a coating weight of 20-300 mg/m.sup.2 as Cr, and(d) an organic coating layer with a thickness of 0.2-5 .mu.m.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a one-sided electroplated steel sheet by electroplating of a steel sheet in an acidic bath, an adsorption film-forming organic inhibitor is added to either (a) the electroplating solution or (b) a pickling solution used prior to electroplating and/or rinse water used for rinsing the pickled sheet in a concentration of at least 1 ppm, or it is added to (c) both the plating solution and the pickling solution and/or rinse water in a concentration of at least 0.1 ppm. The steel sheet is then passed through the inhibitor-containing solution, thereby providing a one-sided electroplated steel sheet having improved appearance and adaptability to phosphating on the unplated side.

Abstract: A Zn-Ni alloy electroplated steel sheet exhibiting improved corrosion resistance as well as improved adhesion upon impact and resistance to powdering and a manufacturing process therefor are disclosed. The electroplated steel sheet comprises a steel sheet; a thin Zn-Ni alloy electroplated underlayer on at least one side of the steel sheet in which microcracks having a width of 0.01-0.5 .mu.m and covering 10-60% of the surface area of the electrolplated layer are randomly oriented; and a Zn-Ni alloy electroplated toplayer. The underlayer is prepared by dipping the initially electroplated sheet into an acidic solution containing 20 g/l or more of Ni.sup.2+ and 20 g/l or more of Zn.sup.2+ with a ratio of Ni.sup.2+ /Zn.sup.2+ of 1.0.about.4.0 at a bath temperature of 40.about.70.degree. C. for a period of time (T, seconds) of (5.about.20) .times.W (W: weight of electroplated layer in g/m.sup.2) without applying an electric current to form an Ni-rich pretreated underlayer.

Abstract: A Pb alloy insoluble anode and continuous electroplating of zinc using the same are disclosed, in which the Pb alloy consists essentially of 0.5-13 weight % of In or 0.5-13 weight % of In and 0.5-10 weight % of Ag and a balance of Pb with incidental impurities in which the amount of Sn is restricted to not more than 0.005% is used as an insoluble anode, and plating is carried out with a current density of at least 50 A/dm.sup.2 and a plating solution flow velocity of at least 0.6 m/sec.

Abstract: Improved toughness of forging is obtained without quenching and tempering by controlling the steel composition to: 0.05% to less than 0.15% C.; 0.10-1.00% Si; 0.50-3.00% Mn; 1.60-4.20% Mn+Cr; 0.010-0.030% Ti; 0.005-0.0030% B; 0.01-0.05% Al; and 0.0060% or less of N.

Abstract: A surface-coated steel strip having improved corrosion resistance as well as a good surface appearance is disclosed. The steel strip comprises a zinc alloy layer plated on the steel strip, and a passive-state layer 0.005 to 1.0 .mu.m thick which is applied on top of the plated zinc layer. A chromate film and/or an organic resin layer may be applied thereon.

Abstract: There is disclosed a composite membrane and an air electrode for use in hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells, metal-air cells and oxygen sensors. The composite membrane includes a porous membrane having micropores with a thin layer affixed thereto. The thin layer having metallic oxide in a carbon matrix, so that oxygen gas is able to permeate therethrough, but water vapor in air is not allowed to permeate therethrough.

Abstract: There is disclosed an oxygen gas permselective membrane comprising a film of a water-containable or wettable metallic oxide.The oxygen gas permselective membrane according to this invention, though being very thin, does not allow water vapor and carbon dioxide gas in air to permeate therethrough and has a great function for allowing oxygen gas to selectively permeate therethrough.

Abstract: An air electrode to be used for carrying out electrochemical reduction of an oxygen gas, which comprises an electrode body composed of a porous body and a fluorine-containing solvent incorporated therein. The air electrode is suitable for use in a hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell, a metal/air cell or an oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A free cutting graphitic steel comprising:Si: from more than 1.5 to 2.3%Mn: 0.1 to 0.7%S: not more than 0.015%One or both Al and Ti: 0.015 to 0.1% in totalRare earth: 0.01 to 0.2% andSpheroidized graphite: 0.20 to 0.90% with the balance being iron and unavoidable impurities,Said spheroidized graphite being distributed at a ratio of more than particles 50/mm.sup.2.