Abstract: Imageable elements that contain silicate-coated polymer particles in the imageable layer, stacks of these elements, and methods for forming images using these elements are disclosed. The elements do not stick to each other when stacked without interleaving paper, and only one imageable element is lifted at a time when the imageable elements are handled by automatic processing equipment. Blanket piling is not observed when silicate-coated particles are present in the imageable layer.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic emulsion comprising grains, wherein 70% or more of the total projected area of the grains is occupied by silver halide grains each meeting requirements (a) to (d) below (a) the grain is composed of a tabular silver halide host grain having two mutually parallel main planes and aspect ratio of 2 or more, and a silver halide protrusion portion epitaxially junctioned on the surface of the host grain; (b) the silver bromide contents of both the host grain and the protrusion portion are 70 mol % or more; (c) the percentage of the silver amount in the protrusion is 12% or less of the silver amount in the host grain; and (d) the grain has a shallow electron-trapping zone.

Abstract: A treatment agent for elastic polyurethane fibers comprising a dispersion in which a higher fatty acid magnesium salt is colloidally dispersed in a silicone mixture consisting of a silicone oil with a viscosity of 5×10−6−50×10−6 m2/S at 25° C. as a dispersion medium and a dispersant mainly comprising a modified silicone at a ratio by weight of the dispersion medium/the dispersant=100/0.5-100/4.5, wherein the amount of the higher fatty acid magnesium salt is 1 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the silicone oil.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imageable composition, which includes an acid curable composition, an acid generator, an infrared absorber, optionally a colorant, such as, a colorant dye or colorant pigment, wherein at least one of the infrared absorber and the colorant has a counter anion derived from a non-volatile acid, and further optionally, a strong acid. The present invention further provides an imageable element, which includes a substrate and an imageable composition according to the present invention coated on a surface of the substrate. Also provided is method of producing an imaged element according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a negative-working photosensitive composition which can widen the preheat latitude upon exposure without increasing ablation, and a negative-working photosensitive lithographic printing plate. The negative-working photosensitive composition comprises (a) an alkali-soluble resin, (b) a compound capable of being crosslinked by an acid, (c) a compound capable of generating an acid by heat, (d) a photothermal converting agent, and (e) a sulfone compound represented by the following general formula (I).

Abstract: A silver halide photographic emulsion comprising grains, wherein 70% or more of the total projected area of the grains is occupied by silver halide grains each meeting requirements (a) to (d) below

Abstract: A semiconductor device is fabricated first by thermocompression-bonding a silicon oxide film onto a plurality of conductive films under vacuum using a film having the silicon oxide film formed thereon and then by separating the base film from the silicon oxide film. During the separation, the base film, being composed of a fluorine-containing resin, has smaller surface energy than a silicon oxide film and thus is easy to separate, leaving the silicon oxide film on the conductive films. As a result, the silicon oxide film is adhered on the conductive films so as to cover the conductive films, and an air gap is hence provided between the conductive films. Thus, a highly reliable semiconductor device capable of high-speed-operation is provided by controlling parasitic capacitances between interconnections arranged accurately and adequately adjacent to each other so that recent needs for further miniaturization and higher integration of semiconductor elements can be met.

Abstract: A resin coupling connected to a resin fuel hose is provided. An O-ring is fitted in the inner cylindrical wall of the pipe inserting section of a coupling body. The electrical resistance of the coupling body meets 106 to 1010 &OHgr;·cm in volume resistivity, or 106 to 1010 &OHgr; in surface resistivity.

Abstract: A resin coupling connected to a resin fuel hose is provided. An O-ring is fitted in the inner cylindrical wall of the pipe inserting section of a coupling body. The electrical resistance of the coupling body meets 106 to 1010 &OHgr;•cm in volume resistivity, or 106 to 1010 &OHgr;in surface resistivity.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is fabricated first by thermocompression-bonding a silicon oxide film onto a plurality of conductive films under vacuum using a film having the silicon oxide film formed thereon and then by separating the base film from the silicon oxide film. During the separation, the base film, being composed of a fluorine-containing resin, has smaller surface energy than a silicon oxide film and thus is easy to separate, leaving the silicon oxide film on the conductive films. As a result, the silicon oxide film is adhered on the conductive films so as to cover the conductive films, and an air gap is hence provided between the conductive films. Thus, a highly reliable semiconductor device capable of high-speed operation is provided by controlling parasitic capacitances between interconnections arranged accurately and adequately adjacent to each other so that recent needs for further miniaturization and higher integration of semiconductor elements can be met.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is fabricated first by thermocompression-bonding a silicon oxide film onto a plurality of conductive films under vacuum using a film having the silicon oxide film formed thereon and then by separating the base film from the silicon oxide film. During the separation, the base film, being composed of a fluorine-containing resin, has smaller surface energy than a silicon oxide film and thus is easy to separate, leaving the silicon oxide film on the conductive films. As a result, the silicon oxide film is adhered on the conductive films so as to cover the conductive films, and an air gap is hence provided between the conductive films. Thus, a highly reliable semiconductor device capable of high-speed operation is provided by controlling parasitic capacitances between interconnections arranged accurately and adequately adjacent to each other so that recent needs for further miniaturization and higher integration of semiconductor elements can be met.

Abstract: A connector includes a body and a clip for fitting on the body. The body has a hose connecting portion and a pipe receiving portion. The pipe receiving portion is adapted to receive a pipe therein and includes a clip fitting part. The clip fitting part has an engaging hole for engagement with an engaging claw formed on the clip. The engaging claw moves from a protruded position for preventing removal of the pipe to a withdrawn position for permitting removal of the pipe from the pipe receiving portion as the operator forces the clip to be enlarged. An enlargement restraining device is provided that is operable to restrain the enlargement of the clip within a predetermined range, so that the clip can reliably resiliently return to the protruded position when the clip is released after the pipe has been removed from the pipe receiving portion.

Abstract: A treatment agent for elastic polyurethane fibers comprising a dispersion in which a higher fatty acid magnesium salt is colloidally dispersed in a silicone mixture consisting of a silicone oil with a viscosity of 5×10−6−50×10−6 m2/S at 25° C. as a dispersion medium and a dispersant mainly comprising a modified silicone at a ratio by weight of the dispersion medium/the dispersant=100/0.5−100/4.5, wherein the amount of the higher fatty acid magnesium salt is 1 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the silicone oil.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a composite material made of a rubber and a clay mineral dispersed uniformly therein. The method proceeds exchanging inorganic ions of the clay mineral with organic onium ions to organize the clay mineral; mixing the organized clay mineral and a process oil and/or a plasticizer; and mixing the rubber material with the mixture of the organized clay mineral and the process oil and/or the plasticizer. Process oil and/or plasticizer are intercalated into the organized clay mineral. As a result, the interlayer distance of the clay mineral is enlarged. The most favorable mode of the present invention is for a barrier material against water, gas and the like and for a rubber material required for an improved mechanical property.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material have at least one silver halide emulsion layer on a support, wherein at least one of the silver halide emulsion layers comprises an emulsion subjected to chemical sensitization with a selenium compound and spectral sensitization with at least one type of a methine compound represented by Formula (I) below: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents --(CH.sub.2).sub.r --CONHSO.sub.2 --R.sub.3, --(CH.sub.2).sub.s --SO.sub.2 NHCO--R.sup.4, --(CH.sub.2).sub.t --CONHCO--R.sup.5, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.u --SO.sub.2 NHSO.sub.2 --R.sup.6 ; R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6 each represent an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or an amino group; R.sup.2 has the same meaning as R.sup.1 or represents an alkyl group; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 each represent a nonmetal atom group required to form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring; each of L.sub.1, L.sub.2, and L.sub.3 represents a methine group; X.sub.