Abstract: The present invention provides the amino acid sequence and base sequence of a Pseudonocardia thermophila-derived nitrile hydratase, provides further a method for changing its amino acid sequence and base sequence without substantially changing the functions of said nitrile hydratase, and nitrile hydratases having a base sequence and an amino acid sequence as changed on the basis of said method, and provides furthermore a recombinant plasmid having the gene of said nitrile hydratase, a transformant containing said recombinant plasmid, a method of using said transformant for producing said enzyme, and a method of using said transformant for producing the corresponding amide compound from a nitrile compound.

Abstract: An FSK signal receiver includes an amplifier which amplifies a first FSK signal at an adjustable gain. A frequency converter converts an output signal from the amplifier into a second FSK signal having a frequency lower than a frequency of the first FSK signal. A demodulator demodulates the second FSK signal into a baseband signal. A bit-state detector detects a bit state from the baseband signal in response to a threshold. A calculator calculates a number of times of occurrence of a fact that the baseband signal moves across the threshold during a given time. The gain of the amplifier is adjusted in response to the number of times which is calculated by the calculator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deducing physical quantities such as positions, sizes and orientations of bioelectric current sources. Minute magnetic fields formed by the bioelectric current sources in a region under examination of an examinee are measured with a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged adjacent the region under examination. A plurality of lattice points are set in the region under examination. Physical quantities of the current sources are derived by solving a relational expression of unknown current sources at the lattice points and field data provided by the magnetic sensors, with a condition added thereto to minimize a norm of a vector having the current source at each of the lattice points. The lattice points are moved toward a lattice point having a large current value among the current sources computed. Checking is made whether a minimum distance among the lattice points having been moved is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A digital signal processor (DSP) comprises a condition flag register directly accessible by the control microcomputer. Referring to a condition flag of the condition flag register every sampling period of the DSP, the DSP can change the content of a process every sampling period in accordance with the set status of the condition flag. The DSP sets the condition flag in the condition flag register at the beginning of a sampling period of the DSP by a set instruction, and resets the condition flag at the end of a sampling period by a reset instruction. The DSP may be modified to automatically reset the condition flag at the end of the sampling period in which the condition flag has been set.

Abstract: A head-position controlling device includes a head moving mechanism for causing a head to move with respect to a recording track on a recording medium; a detecting circuit for detecting an amplitude of a reproduced signal which is reproduced from the recording track on the recording medium by the head; and a controlling circuit for controlling the head moving mechanism on the basis of an output of the detecting circuit. If so that if the amplitude of the reproduced signal is greater than a predetermined level, the head is made to move in units of a first moving amount to detect a position where the amplitude of the reproduced signal is a maximum, and if the amplitude of the reproduced signal is less than the predetermined level, the head is made to move in units of a second moving amount greater than the first moving amount. If the amplitude of the reproduced signal becomes greater than the predetermined level, the moving amount of the head is switched to the first moving amount.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator has a stack composed of electromechanical elements, and an inactive element intervening in the stack to divide it into two sections. In a wire-dot printing head using the actuator, the stack sections are successively energized to increase a forward stroke of a printing wire for a high speed printing. In another aspect, an electromechanical actuator used in a wire-dot printer has a spring for regulating and braking a rearward stroke of a printing wire or a stopper such that the wire can be prevented from being moved back beyond an initial position. Alternatively, a stopper is incorporated to forcibly stop the wire at the initial position during the rearward stroke thereof. In yet another aspect, an electromechanical actuator has a stack composed of electromechanical elements, and the stack is supported by a block through a leaf spring securely joined therebetween to prevent generation of large stress in the stack.

Abstract: A multiple step valve opening control system, particularly for an EGR control valve unit, having a plurality of valve lifts. The system comprises a valve member for opening a fluid passage in multiple steps, a first piston slidably housed in a housing, a second cylinder substantially coaxial with the first piston, a second piston fitted in the second cylinder and coupled to the valve member, and a first piston stroke regulating member which is moved selectively to a first position for regulating an allowable displacement of the first piston to a first predetermined extent (l.sub.1) or to a second position for regulating the allowable displacement of the first piston to the first predetermined first extent (l.sub.1) plus a third predetermined extent (l.sub.3). By changing the position of the first piston displacement regulating member, the valve member is opened by various valve lifts.

Abstract: An absorbent pad comprising a pad proper adapted to present a boat-shape under the contraction of elastic members contained in respective side flaps, front and rear ends of said pad proper being connected to front and rear ends of an annular elastic waist band by respective pairs of elastic suspending straps.

Abstract: A positive electrode material for use in lithium batteries contains a compound represented by the chemical formula Li.sub.x Fe.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3 (0<x.ltoreq.2). This positive electrode material is made from low cost material which is available in abundant quantities. Moreover a lithium battery using this material has a large discharge energy and long cycle life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deducing physical quantities such as positions, sizes and orientations of bioelectric current sources. Minute magnetic fields formed by the bioelectric current sources in a region under examination of an examinee are measured with a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged adjacent the region under examination. A plurality of lattice points are set in the region under examination. Physical quantities of the current sources are derived by solving a relational expression of unknown current sources at the lattice points and field data provided by the magnetic sensors, with a condition added thereto to minimize a norm of a vector having the current source at each of the lattice points. The lattice points are moved toward a lattice point having a large current value among the current sources computed. Checking is made whether a minimum distance among the lattice points having been moved is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent method is provided for the analysis of a target. A peroxidase is first bound as a labelling substance to the target by using a target specific binding reagent. The target so labelled is isolated and then reacted with luminol, hydrogen peroxide and an enhancer in an aqueous solvent. The luminescence of light is detected and measured. The aqueous solvent contains at least one protein selected from the group consisting of skim milk and egg albumin. Preferably, the aqueous solvent also contains a non-ionic surfactant such as a polyoxyethylene ether and/or a sugar alcohol such as mannitol.

Abstract: In a computer system, when an expansion unit is connected to a computer main body by an interface card, power supply control and I/O port selection are performed at the start of the computer system. In the power supply control, when an expansion power supply of the expansion unit is turned on, a first voltage is supplied to a main power supply of the computer main body. When the main power supply is turned on, main voltages are supplied to computer main body elements from the main power supply in response to the main voltage, and a second voltage is supplied to the expansion power supply through the interface. In response to the second voltage, expansion voltages is supplied to expansion unit elements, and an interface voltage is supplied to the interface. After the power supply control is completed, the I/O port selection is performed. The port addresses of the I/O ports in the computer main body are compared with the port addresses of the I/O ports in the expansion unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deducing physical quantities such as positions, sizes and orientations of bioelectric current sources. Minute magnetic fields formed by the bioelectric current sources in a region under examination of an examinee are measured with a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged adjacent the region under examination. A plurality of lattice points are set in the region under examination. Physical quantities of the current sources are derived by solving a relational expression of unknown current sources at the lattice points and field data provided by the magnetic sensors, with a condition added thereto to minimize a norm of a vector having the current source at each of the lattice points. The lattice points are moved toward a lattice point having a large current value among the current sources computed. Checking is made whether a minimum distance among the lattice points having been moved is below a predetermimed value.

Abstract: A shared memory system and an arbitrating method and system. When the processing is distributed over a plurality of CPUs (e.g., CPUA and CPUB) and if it is desired that a shared memory is used to transfer data between the CPUs, a clock CKG indicating the CPUA access timing clock is generated. A gate signal G indicating the access right to the shared memory is generated in synchronism with the clock CKG. When either of the CPUs requests the access to the shared memory, it makes the corresponding chip select signal CSA.sup.- or CSB.sup.- L-level. The access right is always directed to the CPUA and switched to the CPUB in response to the access demand from the CPUB. After one access has completed, the CPUB makes CSB.sup.- H-level. Thus, the access right is switched to the CPUA. After one access has terminated, the CPUA makes CSA.sup.- H-level. If the CPUB requests the access at this time, the access right is switched to the CPUB.

Abstract: A resistive paste comprising (a) a solid content comprising (al) a resistive material having a composition of Nb.sub.x La.sub.1-x B.sub.6-4x, wherein x is from 0.1 to 0.9 mol, and (a2) non-reducing glass frit, (b) from 1 to 10% by weight, based on the solid content, of TiO.sub.2 as a first additive, (c) from 1 to 10% by weight, based on the solid content, of at least one second additive selected from the group consisting of Co.sub.3 O.sub.4, CoO, and Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, and (d) an organic vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided a leakage barrier 10 made of a soft elastic material longitudinally extending on either side of a crotch-contacting section 9 on its inner surface, a top surface 12 of the leakage barrier 10 having a plurality of longitudinally alternate crests 13 and troughs 14 each extending longitudinally of the leakage barrier 10.

Abstract: A seat lift mechanism in an automotive vehicle incorporates a swivel base mounted on a stationary base secured to a compartment floor of the vehicle for rotation about a vertical axis so as to be moved between a forward-facing position where the front side of the swivel base is oriented to the front of the vehicle, and a sideways position where the front side of the swivel base is opposed to a side door opening of the vehicle. A frame is supported on the swivel base for rotation therewith and a lift rack provided thereon with a passenger seat is mounted on the frame. The lift rack is connected to the frame by means of a link mechanism in such a manner that when the swivel base is retained in the sideways position, the lift rack and seat are movable from a first position on the frame to a second position close to the ground where the seating surface of the seat is maintained at an inclined angle.

Abstract: Sludge which is supplied from an untreated sludge tank 3 and diluting water from a diluting water supply facility 14 is charged into a continuous kneading mixer 12 for diluting the sludge to make the specific weight of the sludge 1.15 to 1.35. The diluted sludge is supplied to a dehydrating machine 25 in accordance with the capacity of the used dehydrating machine 25. The diluted sludge is firstly added with an inorganic flocculating agent G and is mixed in a first blender 24A and is then added with a high molecular flocculating agent G2 and is mixed in a second blender 24B. Thereafter, the sludge is supplied to a belt press dehydrating machine 25 in which it is subjected to a dehydrating treatment.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent pad comprising a pad member adapted to present a boat-shape under the contractile force of elastic members contained in side flaps, and an elastic support member; longitudinally opposite of the pad member are connected to front and rear sides of the support member by end flaps each comprising top-and backsheets of the pad member and divided in a pair of end flap halves by a slit so as to function as a suspending strap; and the end flap halves are set apart in a V-shape with the slit therebetween as the support member is stretched and contribute to suspend the pad member with high stability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deducing physical quantities such as positions, sizes and orientations of bioelectric current sources. Minute magnetic fields formed by the bioelectric current sources in a region under examination of an examinee are measured with a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged adjacent the region under examination. A plurality of lattice points are set in the region under examination. Physical quantities of the current sources are derived by solving a relational expression of unknown current sources at the lattice points and field data provided by the magnetic sensors, with a condition added thereto to minimize a norm of a vector having the current source at each of the lattice points. The lattice points are moved toward a lattice point having a large current value among the current sources computed. Checking is made whether a minimum distance among the lattice points having been moved is below a predetermined value.