Abstract: An alumina- or magnesia-reducing process in which a greenhouse gas or substance harmful to the human body is not emitted, which can achieve improved energy efficiency in comparison with the Hall-Heroult or Pidgeon methods. The process includes: introducing an alumina or magnesia powder with a carrier gas to the upstream side of a throat provided on a reducing unit; pressure-transferring the powder and carrier gas to the throat by an operative gas introduced to the upstream side of the throat; irradiating the throat with a laser beam to convert the alumina or magnesia into a plasma state and dissociate the alumina or magnesia thermally; jetting the thermally dissociated product through a nozzle provided on the downstream side of the throat at a supersonic speed to form a frozen flow; and isolating aluminum or magnesium. Hydrogen may be added to the operative gas to accelerate the reduction of alumina or magnesia.

Abstract: A method to provide renewable energy by utilizing aluminum, which is easy to store and stably suppliable, as a fuel without harming the environment or human body. Aluminum powder and oxygen are introduced into a combustion chamber and subjected to stationary combustion. The stationary combustion of aluminum is conducted by controlling either or both amounts of aluminum powder and oxygen introduced into the chamber. The amount of the aluminum powder is controlled by the amount of aluminum powder sucked into a jet stream of a carrier gas that introduces the powder into the combustion chamber, or by the amount of an impurity to be mixed with the powder. The amount of oxygen is controlled by the mixing ratio of oxygen to a diluent gas introduced simultaneously. The alumina from the combustion is recovered, reduced to aluminum, and recycled as a fuel.

Abstract: An alumina- or magnesia-reducing process in which a greenhouse gas or substance harmful to the human body is not emitted, which can achieve improved energy efficiency in comparison with the Hall-Heroult or Pidgeon methods. The process includes: introducing an alumina or magnesia powder with a carrier gas to the upstream side of a throat provided on a reducing unit; pressure-transferring the powder and carrier gas to the throat by an operative gas introduced to the upstream side of the throat; irradiating the throat with a laser beam to convert the alumina or magnesia into a plasma state and dissociate the alumina or magnesia thermally; jetting the thermally dissociated product through a nozzle provided on the downstream side of the throat at a supersonic speed to form a frozen flow; and isolating aluminum or magnesium. Hydrogen may be added to the operative gas to accelerate the reduction of alumina or magnesia.

Abstract: This invention provides a process and apparatus for producing a carbonaceous film such as a DLC film using a solid raw material without the need to supply a high energy radiation such as a laser beam. The process comprises providing a solid organic material as a raw material, applying a discharge energy to the material to form plasma, and depositing the plasma onto a base material to form a carbonaceous film. This process is preferably carried out by using a film production apparatus (1) comprising discharge means (10). The discharge means (10) comprises a pair of electrodes (a raw material holder) (12, 14) for holding a raw material (50) and voltage applying means (20) for applying voltage across the electrodes.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method for treating a motor neuron disease, comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having serotonin receptor antagonist activity or its pharmacologically acceptable salt or their solvate optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a mammal for which the treatment of said disease is indicated.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method for treating a motor neuron disease, comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having serotonin receptor antagonist activity or its pharmacologically acceptable salt or their solvate optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a mammal for which the treatment of said disease is indicated.

Abstract: A valve driving device reduces the volume of the pressure chamber and decreases the energy supplied during driving to open the main valve. As a result of this initial energy, the main valve is lifted by inertial motion. When the main valve is opened (lifted), a first actuating valve is opened, and high-pressure actuating fluid is supplied to the pressure chamber. When in this process the pressure in the pressure chamber falls below the pressure of a low-pressure chamber, a second actuating valve opens independently, and low-pressure actuating fluid is introduced into the pressure chamber. By this means negative pressure in the pressure chamber can be prevented, and the main valve can be held in a lift position equivalent to the initial energy. When the main valve is to be closed, an actuator forcibly opens the second actuating valve.

Abstract: A valve driving device reduces the volume of the pressure chamber and decreases the energy supplied during driving to open the main valve. As a result of this initial energy, the main valve is lifted by inertial motion. When the main valve is opened (lifted), a first actuating valve is opened, and high-pressure actuating fluid is supplied to the pressure chamber. When in this process the pressure in the pressure chamber falls below the pressure of a low-pressure chamber, a second actuating valve opens independently, and low-pressure actuating fluid is introduced into the pressure chamber. By this means negative pressure in the pressure chamber can be prevented, and the main valve can be held in a lift position equivalent to the initial energy. When the main valve is to be closed, an actuator forcibly opens the second actuating valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and to the proteins, peptides, and derivatives produced therefrom. In various embodiments of the invention, the nucleic acid sequences, proteins, and peptides of the invention may be used in the treatment of a variety of neurological diseases and disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. In a specific embodiment of the invention, CNTF may be used to support the growth of spinal cord neurons, thereby providing a method of treating spinal cord damage caused by trauma infarction, infection, nutritional deficiency or toxic agents. The present invention also relates to a novel method for producing substantilly pure CNTF. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising effective amounts of CNTF gene products which may be used in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of neurologial diseases and disorders.

Abstract: An adaptive crosshatch signal generator includes a frequency detector for detecting a horizontal scanning frequency, a square calculator supplied with the detected output of the frequency detector, and a variable pulse width multivibrator controlled to have an output pulse width substantially in inverse proportion to the squared output. Longitudinal lines of a crosshatch signal are formed by the output pulses of the multivibrator. The crosshatch signal has a longitudinal line width which is always substantially equivalent to the distance between adjacent scanning lines and is generated by using a simplified configuration irrespective of input signal format.

Abstract: A convergence correction circuit according to the present invention has a phased locked loop including a programmable counter. The programmable counter has programmable count start and end points. The output of the programmable counter is supplied to a memory storing convergence distortion correcting data therein. As the horizontal screen size is increased, a value closer to the lower limit 0 of the start point as compared with that taken when the horizontal size is small is set as the count start point of the programmable counter, and a value closer to the upper limit (2.sup.7 -1) of the end point as compared with that taken when the horizontal size is small is set as the count end point. In accordance with the horizontal screen size, the count start and end points of the programmable counter are changed. Correct convergence correction is performed even if the horizontal screen size is changed.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide is defined by the below shown formula and is useful as an analgesic. ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl or lower alkenyl group, A represents a D-amino acid, Gly or Sar provided that when the D-amino acid is D-Cys, it is bonded with L-Cys or D-Cys in position 5 through a S--S bond to effect intramolecular ring closure, B represents L-Phe or D-Phe in which the benzene ring may be substituted or an .alpha.-N-alkyl derivative thereof, C represents an L-amino acid, D-Cys or an .alpha.-N-alkyl derivative thereof, D and E each represent an L- or D-basic amino acid or an .alpha.-N-alkyl derivative thereof, F represents a group of the formula --OR.sup.3 (in which R.sup.3 is H or a lower alkyl group), a group of the formula: ##STR2## (in which R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and each represents H or a lower alkyl group), a group of the formula: --G--OR.sup.

Abstract: A novel peptide having the primary structure: N-Me-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg-Arg-D.Ile-Arg-Pro-Lys-D.Leu-Lys-Trp-NH.sub.2 (in which D.Ile and D.Leu represent a D-Ile and a D-Leu residue respectively, other abbreviations of amino acids represent each an L-amino acid residue and Me represents a methyl group), which exhibits a remarkable analgesic effect when administered peripherally. A process for the preparation thereof by a solid phase method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vertical deflection output circuitry for a television receiver wherein two transistors are connected in single ended and push-pull relation, and the output junction point of the two transistors is connected, to a D.C. power source for supplying a higher voltage than that of a power source for the vertical deflection output circuitry, through a switch which is turned off during the vertical scan period and turned on during the vertical retrace period.