Abstract: A class D amplification device that prevents beats caused by switching operations of a switching power supply and a class D amplifier from causing noise within a voice band, enables easy control over power supply operations, and offers low power loss is provided. The amplification device includes a unit that generates a reference clock, a switching power supply that operates at a first frequency at which the frequency of the reference clock is divided, and a triangular wave generation unit that operates at a second frequency higher than the first frequency at which the frequency of the reference clock is divided. The amplification device further includes a class D amplifier that performs a switching operation with a pulse whose width has been modulated according to the input signal.

Abstract: A joint structure includes a splice plate and a gusset plate, which can prevent out-of-plane buckling of the gusset plate without the necessity of welding a stiffening rib plate thereon. The joint structure includes a gusset plate and at least one splice plate connected to the gusset plate. Each of the splice plates is constructed from section steel having a non-rectangular cross-section. The joint structure can be used in a building during assembly of the building or for reinforcement of the building.

Abstract: A method of controlling communication in a communication system includes a plurality of communication devices and a controller that transmits multi-channel data to the plurality of communication devices, executed in a communication device group to which power is supplied without passing through the controller, the method comprising the steps of determining a master communication device in the communication device group that sends the multi-channel data received wirelessly from the controller to other communication device included in the communication device group, according to wireless connection conditions between the controller and each communication device included in the communication device group, and sending, by the master via a wired connection, the multi-channel data received wirelessly from the controller to the other communication device included in the communication device group.

Abstract: A water drinking container for animals is provided with which the temperature of water placed therein can be suppressed over a long period of time, especially during a period of high air temperature, to make water readily drinkable for a dog or other animal to weak from heat and make it easy for the animal to weather the heat by adequate hydration, the water drinking container being simple in arrangement, being available inexpensively, and including: a water container, having an upwardly-open, water containing recess; a cold reserving material, contained in a bag or a plastic case; and a cold reserving material container, holding the cold reserving material in a state of contact with a bottom rear surface of the water containing recess of the water container.

Abstract: [Subject] A thermal spraying nozzle device capable of accurately forming a uniform and compact metal laminate, as well as a thermal spraying system using the thermal spraying nozzle device, are to be provided.

Abstract: A column-and-beam join structure comprises connecting the column and beam with a pair of split tees. At least one split tee has a web with a portion of the web having a reduced cross-sectional area. The web with the reduced cross-sectional area is located between a flange of the beam and a buckling restraint. The buckling restraint is connected to the flange of the beam with bolts. The sides of the bolts are in the proximity to the side surface of the portion of the web of the split tee having the reduced cross-sectional area. Annular members may be arranged surrounding portions of the bolts that are in proximity to the side surface of the portion of the web having the reduced cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A balloon catheter which is good in cross ability and is also good in gripping property so as not to cause slipping during kissing technique includes a tubular body having a balloon 3provided in a distal section 12 of a shaft 1, the shaft 1 being flexible in the distal section 12 and stiff on its proximal side, whereby gripping property and cross ability are adjusted with good balance. Specifically, the gripping property is adjusted to 3.2 N to 6.0 N, and the cross ability is adjusted so that its initial value is not higher than 0.65 N and its middle value is 0.40 N.

Abstract: A balloon cover 1 for contracting a once expanded balloon 4 in a balloon catheter which is provided with a compressible cover 2 as an inner tube to receive the balloon 4 and with an outer sheath 3 as an outer tube to receive the compressible cover 2, wherein an inner diameter of the compressible cover 2 has a diameter such that the expanded balloon 4 is contracted therein to make a smaller profile, and an inner diameter of the outer sheath 3 is smaller than an outer diameter of said compressible cover 2, and wherein the balloon cover 1 comprises a primary reducing function that the cover 2 receives the once expanded balloon 4 therein, and a secondary reducing function that the outer sheath 3 receives the compressible cover 2 therein and decreases the diameter of the compressible cover 2 including balloon 4 therein.

Abstract: A beam joining apparatus for joining a flange 2 of a beam 1 to a flange 6 mounted on a pillar 5 includes a splice plate 9 fastened to the flanges 6, 2 of the pillar 5 and the beam 1 and having a central plastic region 11, and an anti-buckling member 13 mounted independently of the splice plate 9, on the splice plate 9, for preventing the buckling of the plastic region 11.

Abstract: A balloon catheter which is good in cross ability and is also good in gripping property so as not to cause slipping during kissing technique includes a tubular body having a balloon 3 provided in a distal section 12 of a shaft 1, the shaft 1 being flexible in the distal section 12 and stiff on its proximal side, whereby gripping property and cross ability are adjusted with good balance. Specifically, the gripping property is adjusted to 3.2 N to 6.0 N, and the cross ability is adjusted so that its initial value is not higher than 0.65 N and its middle value is 0.40 N.

Abstract: A column-and-beam join structure comprises connecting the column and beam with a pair of split tees. At least one split tee has a web with a portion of the web having a reduced cross-sectional area. The web with the reduced cross-sectional area is located between a flange of the beam and a buckling restraint. The buckling restraint is connected to the flange of the beam with bolts. The sides of the bolts are in the proximity to the side surface of the portion of the web of the split tee having the reduced cross-sectional area. Annular members may be arranged surrounding portions of the bolts that are in proximity to the side surface of the portion of the web having the reduced cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A joint structure includes a splice plate and a gusset plate, which can prevent out-of-plane buckling of the gusset plate without the necessity of welding a stiffening rib plate thereon. The joint structure includes a gusset plate and at least one splice plate connected to the gusset plate. Each of the splice plates is constructed from section steel having a non-rectangular cross-section. The joint structure can be used in a building during assembly of the building or for reinforcement of the building.

Abstract: The present invention provides a column-and-beam join structure which absorbs energy caused by a large earthquake or the like by split tees surely yielding at a prescribed value, does not cause other members to fracture, and thus makes it possible to replace only the split tees which have become unusable, and, more specifically, a column-and-beam join structure constructed by attaching and connecting, using bolts 9, the ends 8a of both the upper and lower flanges 8 of a steel beam (H-shaped steel beam) 7 between the webs 6 of a pair of upper and lower split tees 4 the flanges 5 of which are connected to a steel column 1 using bolts 3. The upper limit of the yield stress of the steel material used for the split tees 4 is defined to be not more than twice the lower limit thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a column-and-beam join structure which absorbs energy caused by a large earthquake or the like by split tees surely yielding at a prescribed value, does not cause other members to fracture, and thus makes it possible to replace only the split tees which have become unusable, and, more specifically, a column-and-beam join structure constructed by attaching and connecting, using bolts 9, the ends 8a of both the upper and lower flanges 8 of a steel beam (H-shaped steel beam) 7 between the webs 6 of a pair of upper and lower split tees 4 the flanges 5 of which are connected to a steel column 1 using bolts 3. The upper limit of the yield stress of the steel material used for the split tees 4 is defined to be not more than twice the lower limit thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a column-and-beam join structure which absorbs energy caused by a large earthquake or the like by split tees surely yielding at a prescribed value, does not cause other members to fracture, and thus makes it possible to replace only the split tees which have become unusable, and, more specifically, a column-and-beam join structure constructed by attaching and connecting, using bolts 9, the ends 8a of both the upper and lower flanges 8 of a steel beam (H-shaped steel beam) 7 between the webs 6 of a pair of upper and lower split tees 4 the flanges 5 of which are connected to a steel column 1 using bolts 3. The upper limit of the yield stress of the steel material used for the split tees 4 is defined to be not more than twice the lower limit thereof.

Abstract: A silicon substrate is prepared by furnishing a silicon substrate (10) having a step (11) of at least 5 &mgr;m high on one surface, forming by high pressure heat oxidation an oxide film (12) which is thinner than the step, and removing the oxide film on the higher surface region until the silicon surface is exposed in the higher surface region while leaving the oxide film on the lower surface region. Because of excellent electrical properties, minimized warpage, a substantially constant oxygen concentration, and a definitely ascertainable oxide-silicon boundary, the silicon substrate is suitable for use in optical waveguide devices.

Abstract: An Al—Mg based alloy sheet product in which the crystallographic texture exhibits a ratio of the volume fraction of grains in the S orientation {123}<634> to the volume fraction of grains in the CUBE orientation {100}<001> (S/Cube) being 1 or more, and is comprised of grains with a volume fraction of about 10% or less in the GOSS orientation {110}<001>, wherein the grain size is in a range of about 20 to 100 &mgr;m demonstrates good formability.

Abstract: In reproducing a recording medium having a main data area for recording main data, an auxiliary data area for recording auxiliary data such as image data and text data corresponding to the main data, a first control area for controlling the main data area, and a second control area for controlling the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data is reproduced in a predetermined timed relation with the main data based on synchronization information recorded in the second control area.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus which includes an image formation unit for performing image formation by developing a latent image formed on an image support body in a printing job with use of a development unit and by transferring the developed image onto a fed recording medium, a collection unit for collecting a residual development agent on the image support body into the development unit, a detection unit for detecting a density of the image formed on the image support body, and a control unit for causing the collection unit to perform the residual development agent collection operation, according to the number of image formation of which image density detected by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined image density is provided.

Abstract: By careful control of composition and processing, Al—Mg based alloy sheets with preferred grain sizes and crystallographic textures that result in good press formability are disclosed. The Al—Mg alloy preferably contains 2-6 wt % Mg, and at least 0.03 wt % of at least one element selected from Fe, Mn, Cr, Zr, and Cu. The crystallographic texture is comprised of grains with a volume fraction in a range of about 30-50% in the CUBE orientation {100}<001>, and a volume fraction in a range of about 10 to 20% in the BRASS orientation {110}<112>, wherein the grain size is within a range of about 50 to 100 &mgr;m.