Abstract: The polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) porous film of the invention is characterized in that the film is formed from a PTFE resin molding powder obtained by suspension polymerization and has a porosity of 40 to 80%, and removal ratio of uniform particle having a 0.2 .mu.m diameter of less than 99% or bubble point of not less than 3 kg/cm.sup.2. This PTFE porous film is obtained by a process of compression-molding a PTFE resin molding powder to prepare a preform, sintering the preform at a temperature not lower than its melting point, processing the preform into films, then laminating at least two of the obtained films, fusing the films to unite them, and subjecting the obtained film to uniaxial or biaxial stretching at a temperature not higher than the melting point of PTFE. If desired, the finally obtained film may be subjected to heat setting. In the PTFE porous film of the invention, pores are nearly round and the diameters of the pores are almost uniform.

Abstract: Since sulfonamide derivatives of the present invention show strong inhibitory activity against cysteine protease such as calpain papain, cathepsin B, cathepsin H, cathepsin L, they can be used as remedies for muscular dystrophy, cataract, myocardial infarction, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophia, osteoporosis, hypercalcemia or the like.

Abstract: A non-specific reaction suppressor for immunoassays having the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, Y, X, and R.sub.3 are defined in the specification.

Abstract: Disclosed is a toner for flash fixation which comprises: (i) a resin containing (a) a low molecular weight compound having the peak of molecular weight in 3,000 to 60,000 by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and (b) a high molecular weight compound having the peak or shoulder of molecular weight in 80,000 to 1,000,000 by GPC, with the weight ratio of the low molecular weight to the high molecular weight compound in the range of 97 to 60/3 to 40 and (ii) a coloring material or a toner for flash fixation which comprises (i) a resin containing (a) a low molecular weight compound having the peak of molecular weight (Lp) in 3,000 to 60,000 by GPC, (b) a middle molecular weight compound having the peak of molecular weight (Mp) in 5,000 to 100,000 by GPC and (c) a high molecular weight compound having the peak of molecular weight (Hp) in 80,000 to 1,000,000 by GPC, with the condition of Lp<Mp<Hp and (ii) a coloring material, and a method for fixing a toner by flash fixation using these.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there are provided hepatic parenchymal cell growth factor obtained by recombinant DNA technology, a gene coding for the factor, an expression vector capable of expressing the gene, a cell, in particular animal cell, transformed with the expression vector, and a process for producing the hepatic parenchymal cell growth factor.

Abstract: An acrylic fiber has 99.9 to 85 mol % of acrylonitrile units, and 0.1 to 15 mol % of N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide units, wherein the latter unit may be modified. The fiber is excellent, e.g., in dyeing property and hygroscopicity, and can be readily converted into a functional fiber.

Abstract: A recording liquid excellent in print quality, light resistance, and water resistance which is characterized in that it contains an aqueous medium and at least one dye selected from the dyes represented by general formulae [I] to [V]: ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represents H, CH.sub.3, or OCH.sub.3 ; R.sub.3 represents H, Cl,CH.sub.3, or OCH.sub.3 ; R.sub.4 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, a tolyl group, or an anisyl group; R.sub.5 represents H, a phenyl group which may be substituted with a COOM group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms which is substituted with a COOM group; R.sub.6 represents H or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms which is substituted with a COOM group; X represents SO.sub.3 M or COOM; Y represents --CO-- or --SO.sub.

Abstract: A gene encoding a protease derived from human serum and having an activity to convert single-chain hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) into active two-chain HGF and a method of producing the protease by the use of said gene are provided. A method of producing a precursor protein of said protease is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for preparing a water-soluble polymer comprising subjecting an N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide alone or a mixture of the N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide and other water-soluble vinyl compound(s) copolymerizable therewith to suspension polymerization, and adding hydroxylamine followed by acidic hydrolysis. A water-soluble can be polymerized efficiently without forming gel.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns pyrimidine derivatives represented by the following general formulas [I] and [I'] and having antiviral activity, particularly antiretroviral activity such as anti-HIV activity: ##STR1## and pharmaceutical compositions having antiviral activity and comprising the above-described derivative(s) as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A mixed crystal ratio difference is introduced in a gallium arsenide phosphide mixed crystal layer having a desired constant mixed crystal ratio, thereby reducing the amount of stress remaining within the resulting epitaxial wafer. This is less likely or unlikely to crack, and so can be well used for LED fabrication.

Abstract: There is provided an orally administrable cholesterol lowering agent which is obtained by coating with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose plain tablets containing an anion exchange resin as an active component and containing 14-20% by weight of water and not more than 2% by weight of silicon dioxide based on the weight of the anion exchange resin. The orally administrable cholesterol lowering agent is obtained by coating the above mentioned tablets with an aqueous solution of 10-30 cSt of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. In addition to being characterized by easiness of swallowing, the orally administrable cholesterol lowering agent of the present invention is superior in compressing shapability, stability in a moistening environment, and fluidity.

Abstract: In order to grow a GaAs.sub.1-x P.sub.x fixed-composition layer of excellent quality, which has a predetermined composition x, over a GaAs or GaP single crystal substrate, a varied-composition layer is formed between the substrate and the fixed-composition layer. The varied-composition layer comprises at least two varied-composition layer portions and at least one fixed-composition layer portion with a predetermined thickness that is formed between the varied-composition layer portions, whereby dislocations caused by lattice mismatch with the GaP substrate are settled in the varied-composition layer portions and recovered in the fixed-composition layer portion between the varied-composition layer portions, thereby minimizing the dislocations, and thus making it possible to obtain a GaAs.sub.1-x P.sub.x layer of excellent crystal quality, which has a predetermined composition x.

Abstract: Peptide derivatives of the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein AAA is deletion or Ser, BBB is deletion or Glu, CCC is deletion, Ile, Phe, Leu, cyclohexylalanine, D-alle or Lys substituted at the .epsilon.-position by C.sub.6 --C.sub.18 alkylcarbonyl group, DDD is Gly or Gln, EEE is Leu, Nle or Phe, FFF is Met, Leu or Nle, GGG is Ala, Ser Leu, Asn, Asp or Gln, HHH is Leu, Glu or Lys, III is His, Lys or Arg, JJJ is His, Lys or Arg, Xaa is Ala modified at the carboxy terminal with an amino group, provided that CCC and DDD may independently be modified at the amino terminal by C.sub.2 --C.sub.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of dimerizing lower olefins which comprises dimerizing a lower olefins in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst used comprises a nickel compound, an organic aluminum compound, and a phosphite compound having the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are phenyl groups optionally substituted by substituents and may be different from each other, at least two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 have a hydrocarbon group as a substituent in the ortho position; A is a divalent aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic hydrocarbon group which optionally has a substituent; and n is 0 or 1. The present invention is also directed a method of producing alcohol by means of hydroformylating and hydrogenating the newly formed olefins obtained through the said dimerization method of the lower olefins.

Abstract: A method for recovering a component from gas that is produced by a coke oven battery. The total amount of gas that will be produced by the coke oven battery is predicted by determining a quantity of coal charged, and determining variations of a production rate of the gas. Therefore, a prediction value of gas to be produced is made based on the quantity of coal and the determined variations. An error is determined between the actually-measured value of gas and a prediction value. The prediction value for that and other times is corrected. Based on this prediction value, gas recovery conditions for the coke oven gas are controlled.

Abstract: A novel chondromodulin-I protein having a molecular weight of about 26,000 dalton on SDS-PAGE and capable of stimulating the growth of chondrocytes with or without FGF and promoting the differential potency of said cells, a DNA encoding said protein, expression vector containing said DNA, a transformant capable of producing recombinant chondromodulin-I protein, a process for producing chondromodulin-I protein by culturing said transformant and a pharmaceutical composition containing chondromodulin-I protein as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Carboxamide derivatives of the following general formula (I): ##STR1## (wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl group or both taken together C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylene group,R.sup.3 is hydrogen atom, dialkylamino group, etc.,R.sup.4 is hydrogen atom, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group,R.sup.5 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group,m, n, q are an integer from 0-3,p is 0, 1,A ring is ##STR2## B ring is 5 or 6 membered nitrogen containing aromatic ring, are provided, which are useful as medicinals for treating hyperlipemia or atherosclerosis.

Abstract: A multi-layer plastic fuel tank comprising (A) a gas barrier layer having on at least one side thereof (B) an adhesive layer and further thereon (C) a high-density polyethylene layer, the gas barrier layer (A) comprising a resin having gas barrier properties, the adhesive layer (B) comprising a resin having adhesiveness to both of the gas barrier layer (A) and the high-density polyethylene layer (C), the high-density polyethylene layer (C) comprising high-density polyethylene having an intrinsic viscosity of from 2 to 6 dl/g, a density of from 0.940 to 0.970 g/cm.sup.2, and a zero shear viscosity of from 2.0.times.10.sup.7 to 1.0.times.10.sup.8 poise at 190.degree. C.

Abstract: The .beta.-oxo-.beta.-benzenepropanethioamide derivative of the present invention has potassium channel opening action and is useful for treatment of hypertension, asthma, hypersensitive colon syndrome, and enteritis through pharmacological actions including blood vessel dilation, bronchial tract dilation, relaxation of gastrointestinal tract smooth muscle, and the like. The present invention also includes a pharmaceutical composition containing, as the active ingredient, the compound of the present invention and a method for producing the same.