Abstract: A multiple-voice instructing unit (17) instructs pitch deforming ratio and mixing ratio to a multiple-voice synthesis unit (16). The multiple voice synthesis unit (16) generates a standard voice signal by means of waveform superimposition based on voice element data read from a voice element database (15) and prosodic information from a voice element selecting unit (14), expands/contracts the time base of the above standard voice signal based on the prosodic information and instruction information from the multiple-voice instructing unit (17) to change a voice pitch, and mixes the standard voice signal with an expansion/contraction voice signal for outputting via an output terminal (18). Accordingly, a concurrent vocalization by multiple speakers based on the same text can be implemented without the need of time-division, parallel text analyzing and prosody generating and of adding pitch converting as post-processing.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin composition for an electrical/electronic contact part according to the present invention includes a thermoplastic resin and a polyol, wherein the polyol is contained in a range of 0.2 to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin. Alternatively, a thermoplastic resin composition for an electrical/electronic contact part according to the present invention includes: a thermoplastic resin; a halogenated aromatic compound which is contained in a range of 1 to 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin; and a double salt represented by at least one of (X2O)n.Sb2O5 and (YO)n.Sb2O5, where X represents a monovalent alkaline metal element, and Y represents a divalent alkaline earth metal element, and n represents a ratio of X2O or YO to Sb2O5 exceeding 0.7, the double salt having an adsorbed water elimination rate of not more than 50 min.

Abstract: A net auction management method that can induce a bidder to make a bid early for a commodity put up for net auction. Bid requests which specify bid prices for a commodity registered in advance are accepted via a network. After an auction period ends, one of the bid requests which specified the highest bid price before the end of the auction period is determined as a bid established as a successful bid. Then a successful bid price is determined by gradually dropping the bid price specified by the bid established as a successful bid according to time which elapsed after acceptance of the bid established as a successful bid and before the ending of the auction period.

Abstract: A polymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomer, for example, 1,3-butadiene, having a desired molecular weight and distribution thereof is produced, with a high stability, by preparing a solution of hydrogen in an inert organic solvent for the monomer in which a vapor-liquid phase equilibrium of hydrogen is attained, and then by addition-polymerizing the monomer in the hydrogen-dissolved inert organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst preferably including a metallocene complex of transition metal compound, an inert compound of a non-coordination anionic compound with a cationic compound, an organic metal (aluminum) compound and, optionally, water.

Abstract: A disk time-sharing apparatus is constructed by a disk apparatus having disk drives, an input/output request unit for issuing an input/output request to the disk apparatus, and an input/output scheduling unit. The input/output scheduling unit forms input/output groups obtained by grouping inputs/output sources to/from the disk apparatus, defines a ratio of time during which each input/output group uses the disk apparatus, and decides quanta (allocating time) &tgr;1 to &tgr;3 during which each input/output group can use the disk apparatus continuously on the basis of the defined time ratio. When input/output requests are received to the disk apparatus from a plurality of input/output groups, a time-sharing for using the disk apparatus by switching the allocating time &tgr;1 to &tgr;3 sequentially among the competing input/output groups is performed.

Abstract: A sale device is connected to the terminals of a purchaser and a seller, respectively, via a network. The sale device comprises a work information acquisition unit, an information provision unit, a payment confirmation unit and a purchase information acquisition unit. The work information acquisition unit receives sale consignment per units of rights of a literary work from a seller via a network. The purchase information acquisition unit sells a literary work to a purchaser per units of rights via the network and the unit obtains information about the purchaser at the time of purchase. When the payment conformation unit confirms the payment of a purchase price, the information provision unit provides the information about a purchaser via the network. Any person can read this provided information via the network.

Abstract: The invention provides a spread which contains phospholipids, has a 60% or less than 60% by weight oil phase, and exhibits an increase in conductivity at 36° C. to 0.2 mS/cm or more than 0.2 mS/cm in 300 seconds, and as such, forms a stable emulsion to produce a highly stable product, and when ingested, melts well and rapidly demulsifies to yield a sufficiently satisfying flavor.

Abstract: In preparation of a salt-containing low-fat spread with no more than 40 wt. % fat content, it is possible to provide a salt-containing low-fat spread which melt well in the mouth and the emulsification of which is swiftly broken, thereby releasing a preferable flavor once placed in the mouth and yet causing no problems in manufacturing, by selecting and combining emulsifiers so that a specific demulsification property with an electric conductivity rise of at least 0.1 mS/cm within 300 seconds at approximately 36.degree. C.

Abstract: A polyester resin comprising a polyester resin chip (A) and a polyester resin fine particle (B) which has the same composition as the (A) and which passes through a 10.5 mesh screen in a proportion of 0.1-300 ppm, wherein a cyclic trimer increases in a proportion of not more than 0.30 wt % upon melting at a temperature of 290.degree. C. for 60 minutes; a polyester resin characterized in that a cyclic trimer increases in a proportion of not more than 0.30 wt % upon melting at a temperature of 290.degree. C. for 60 minutes, and the contents of Na, Ca, Mg and/or Si in the polyeser resin is 0.001-5 ppm and the total of these contents is not more than 10 ppm; and production methods thereof.

Abstract: A substrate for an electrophotographic photoconductor having an anodic oxidation film on the surface is subjected to two-step sealing treatment in which the substrate is sealing treated with nickel fluoride as a sealing agent, and then with nickel acetate as a sealing agent. Therefore, an electrophotographic photoconductor using the substrate for an electrophotographic photoconductor is small in charge potential difference between the first turn and the second turn and after, and does not generate a fogged image defect or the like even without preliminary charging before printing.

Abstract: The concentration of a hydrocarbon gas in a gas discharged from a drain port is detected by a break-through gas concentration sensor provided in a discharge pipe connected to the drain port. The entire amount of the hydrocarbon gas discharged from the drain port as a result of breaking-through of an adsorbent layer is collected by a break-through gas collecting means, and the entire amount of the hydrocarbon gas collected by the break-through gas collecting means is detected. Thus, in measuring the adsorbing ability of a canister, the concentration of the hydrocarbon discharged from the canister by the breaking-through can be detected with the passage of time and in a stable manner, whereby a measurement value of an excellent accuracy can be provided by a single measurement.

Abstract: In a process for producing syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene by suspension polymerization wherein a mixture composed of 1,3-butadiene, a cobalt compound, and an organometallic compound or metal hydride containing a metal of group I, II or III of the periodic table is contacted with an initiator selected from the group consisting of carbon disulfide, phenyl isothiocyanate and xanthogenic compounds in an aqueous medium, the improvement comprising, after the preparation of the mixture, adding thereto an anti gelling agent selected from the group consisting of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acid esters, nitriles, sulfoxides, amides and phosphoric acid esters, whereby the formation of a rubber-like gelation product in the mixture is inhibited.

Abstract: 2-4-Dichloro-3-alkyl-6-nitrophenols which are useful as intermediate of cyan couplers in color photography are prepared by sulfonating 4-chloro-3-alkyl-phenols to obtain 5-chloro-4-alkylhydroxybenzenesulfonic acids, chlorinating the acids in an aqueous phase to obtain 3,5-dichloro-4-alkyl-2-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acids and nitrating the sulfonic acids.

Abstract: An X-ray detector of semiconductor type in which reflected electrons emitted from a sample are diverted to another direction by the action of a magnetic field provided across a passage for X-rays from a sample to an X-ray detecting element of semiconductor type, and an absorbent for absorbing reflected electrons is arranged ahead of the magnetic field in the path of the diverted reflected electrons, so as to prevent the reflected electrons from being incident on the X-ray detecting element, thereby improving the S/N ratio of the detecting element.

Abstract: A normally liquid stabilizer for rubber or urethane resin, obtained by reacting hydroquinone with a mixture of aromatic amines of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, independently of each other, are hydrogen or C.sub.1-18 alkyl, said aromatic amine mixture containing 7-26 weight % of p-ethylaniline and 8-40 weight % of 2,4-xylidine.

Abstract: The earth pressure in the underground working area is effectively alleviated by injecting high-pressure liquid into a weak ground stratum underlying the ore bed being excavated thereby to enlarge the stress envelope formed around the working face. The liquid injection hole is formed as by drill means to extend from the working face or a neighboring gateway through an intermediate layer into the weak stratum preferably at a point outside of the stress envelope initially formed.

Abstract: Butadiene polymers containing 70% or more of 1,2-structure and a relatively low melting point are produced by polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in the presence of a catalyst which has been prepared by admixing (A) an organic solvent solution containing 1,3-butadiene, a cobalt compound and an organoaluminium compound; (B) an amide compound of the formula (2) or (3): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are respectively an H atom, aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of 1 to 7 carbon atoms or aromatic hydrocarbon radical of 6 or 7 carbon atoms, R.sub.3 is H or an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and n is 2 to 5, and; (C) carbon disulfide.

Abstract: An amusement device for looping yarn onto a flexible plastic framework consisting of a housing provided with a platform and a rotatably mounted handle, an advancing mechanism for sequentially gripping the frame and moving same forwardly along the platform, a needle operable in conjunction with a cam-like mechanism for rotating and reciprocating the needle in a predetermined sequence to progressively loop yarn along rows of filaments within the frame, a mechanical interface for operating both the feed mechanism and the needle in response to rotation of the handle, and a guide mechanism for moving the frame along the platform to permit knitting along a different row of filaments of the frame.

Abstract: A doll which is at least partially articulated having a leg and a rod extending through said leg for use in transmitting motion to at least one articulated part of the doll can be mounted on a base through the use of cooperating parts on the base and the leg. Such cooperating parts hold the leg so that the doll can either be rotated about an axis or held in a fixed position. With the doll the rod is rotatably mounted in the leg and is connected by a coupling structure to a drive structure which is located on the base. An adjustment structure is provided on the base for controlling the operation of the cooperating parts so that the doll can either be rotated about an axis as indicated or can be held in a fixed position. In both of these positions the drive means can be utilized to rotate the rod. When the rod is rotated as the leg is held against rotation at least one articulated part of the doll is moved.

Abstract: A process for the production of an octyltin chloride of the formula,(n-C.sub.8 H.sub.17).sub.m SnCl.sub.4.sub.-mWherein m is an integer of 1 to 3, which comprises reacting n-octyl chloride with metallic tin in an organic solvent in the presence of (1) either a mixture of a phosphorus compound with an amine, or a phosphorus compound having a nitrogen atom in the molecule, and (2) at least one of bromine, a bromine compound, iodine and an iodine compound. The octyltin chlorides are useful for the production of stabilizers for polyvinyl chloride.