Abstract: A process for separating an optically active substanbce comprising the steps of:(a) effecting a transesterification reaction between an ester of a linear or branched aliphatic racemic alcohol and an alcohol in an organic solvent containing an enzyme suspended therein; and(b) separating an optically active compound from the resultant reaction mixture.

Abstract: An alkoxylation catalyst for causing an alkylene oxide to react with an organic compound having one or more active hydrogen, comprising magnesium oxide modified by the addition of at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of Al.sup.3+, Ga.sup.3+, In.sup.3+, Tl.sup.3+, Co.sup.3+, Sc.sup.3+, La.sup.3+, and Mn.sup.2+. In the presence of the catalyst, an addition polymerization reaction between the alkylene oxide and the organic compound having one or more active hydrogen such as an alcohol or phenol can be performed with only small amounts of unreacted material and byproducts, and the alkylene oxide adduct having a very narrow alkylene oxide adduct distribution can be obtained.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the growth of cancers susceptible to treatment with .alpha.-carotene, which comprises: administering an effective cancer cell growth inhibiting amount of .alpha.-carotene to a manmal having said cancer cells.

Abstract: A water-soluble acylated chitosan having a degree of acylation of 35 to 65% is prepared by dissolving a water-insoluble chitosan in the form of a random copolymer having a degree of deacetylation of at least 70% in an aqueous acid solution, diluting the solution with water or a water-miscible solvent such as methanol, and adding an acylation agent such as acetic anhydride to the diluted solution. The acylated chitosan is obtained in high yields within a few hours at about room temperature.

Abstract: An etchant containing 1-hydroxy-ethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid is useful in etching Ba--Cu--O and Ca--Cu--O high-temperature superconductors.

Abstract: A method of producing bioactive ceramics containing apatite crystal useful for artificial tooth roots or artificial bones, which comprises the steps of(i) reacting (A) at least one type of silicic acid ester such as tetramethoxysilane or tetraethoxysilane; (B) at least one type of phosphorus compound represented by general formula (II), (III), or (V): ##STR1## (where each of R.sub.5 to R.sub.9 is hydrogen, an alkyl group, with 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a phenyl radical, or an aralkyl group with 7 to 10 carbon atoms in which at least one of R.sub.10 to R.sub.12 is hydrogen, and m: 0 type 10); and (C) at least one water soluble calcium salt, the reaction being carried out in the presence of water at at pH of not higher than 8 to prepare a gel; and(ii) sintering the resulting gel to obtain the bioactive ceramics containing not less than 5 wt% of apatite and not more than 2wt% of Na compound as NA.sub.2 O.

Abstract: A hair-growing agent which exhibits a strong hair-growing effect. The hair-growing agent according to the present invention contains as an effective ingredient an aliphatic carboxylic acid having an odd number of carbon atoms or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A container used for selling powders such as a washing powder and the like comprises a main body for filling the powders therein and a lid member for covering an upper opening of the main body. A band member is disposed through a score at a peripheral edge of the lid member except at a part of the peripheral edge thereof and has a peeling-off projection formed at its end. A picking-up projection is disposed at a wall of the lid member just above a space where no band member is defined. Each of these projections has a rectangular shape and has opposite surfaces. The surfaces of the peeling-off and picking-up projection are at approximately right angles to each other. These projections serve to protect one another from impacts or shocks exerted on one another. As the result, these projections are prevented them from deformation. Therefore, the container gives confidence that it can be opened by the impacts or the shocks exerted thereon at ease.

Abstract: A hair conditioning composition comprising a guanidine derivative having an amide group in its molecule or a salt thereof as an active ingredient is effective to render damaged hair soft and moist.

Abstract: An electroconductive resin composition comprising (i) 100 parts by weight of thermoplastic resins and/or thermosetting resins and (ii) 15 to 150 parts by weight of (a) carbon black having a DPB oil absorption amount of 400 ml/100 g or more and (b) expanded graphite having an average particle size of 40 .mu.m or more, wherein the expanded graphite content is 40 to 90% by weight of the total amount of the carbon black and the expanded graphite.

Abstract: A process for producing a granular detergent composition having a high bulk density comprising the steps of:(i) kneading detergent ingredients to form a kneaded solid detergent mixture;(ii) disintegrating the solid detergent mixture; and(iii) coating the disintegrated granular detergent composition with water-insoluble finely divided powder particles having an average primary particle diameter of 10 .mu.m or less.

Abstract: A polymer membrane for delivering a drug is provided. The membrane is capable of regulating the delivery of the drug and comprises (A) a porous hydrophobic polymer membrane having a pore diameter of not larger than 3 .mu.m and a porosity of 10 to 90% which is immobilized with (B) a specific liquid crystal-forming compound having a gel/liquid crystal transition temperature in the range of 25.degree. to 45.degree. C.

Abstract: A self-hardenable material comprising a calcium phosphate having an atomic ratio of Ca/P of 1.4 to 1.6, a difficultly water-soluble inorganic fluoride, an organic or inorganic acid and water is provided. For example, when the hardenable material is frilled in the form of slurry or paste in a necessary part in vivo or in the dental cavity, it hardens within a short time to form a stable apatite type product.

Abstract: A hair cosmetic composition comprising:(A) 0.05% to 10% by weight of at least one quaternary ammonium salt having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkenyl having 14 to 20 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is an alkyl or alkenyl having 14 to 20 carbon atoms, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently methyl, ethyl, a polyoxyethylene having an average polymerization degree of 1 to 5, or a polyoxypropylene having an average polymerization degree of 1 to 5, and X.sup.- is an anion, and having an iodine value of 35 to 100; and(B) 0.05% to 10% by weight of a phosphate having the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.5 is a linear alkyl having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, a hydroxyalkyl having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, an alkenyl having 2 to 22 carbon atoms, an alkylphenyl having 7 to 22 carbon atoms, or glyceryl, R.sub.6 is hydrogen or methyl, R.sub.7 is hydrogen, an alkali metal, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl-substituted ammonium, or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 hydroxyalkyl-substituted ammonium, R.sub.8 is a group having the formula ##STR3## or R.

Abstract: A softener composition comprises a mixture of (A) a mono(long-chain) quaternary ammonium salt such as monotallowalkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, (B) a di(long-chain) quaternary ammonium salt such as ditallowalkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and (C) a tri(long-chain) quaternary ammonium salt such as tritallowalkyl monomethyl ammonium chloride), the weight ratio of the components (A):(B):(C) falling within the range of from 2 to 30: 96 to 50: 2 to 20, and iodine value of the mixture being in the range of 35 to 100; and (D) a polyoxyethylene adducted nonionic surfactant such as polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether (P=40). The softener composition improves the softness of natural fibers without impairing the water absorption properties thereof. It also improves the softness of chemical fibers and gives them excellent antistatic property.

Abstract: An ultra-fine particulated polymer latex having an average particle size of 100 nm or less, a crosslinked structure and a glass transition temperature lower than a value calculated by a weight fraction method.

Abstract: A bleaching composition comprises:(A) hydrogen peroxide and/or a hydrogen peroxide addition compound such as a percarbonate; and(B) at least one activator which is a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound in which a halogen atom is substituted for the hydrogen atom of the secondary amino group or a non-heterocyclic N-halo-hindered amine compound, the hydrolysis constant of the activator being within the range of 1.times.10.sup.-10 to 5.times.10.sup.-6 (at 25.degree. C.). Examples of the activator include 1-chloro-piperidine, 1-chloro-2-methyl-piperidine, 1-chloro-isonipecotic acid, 1-chloro- -hexamethyleneimine and 1-chloro-.epsilon.-caprolactam. The bleaching-detergent composition may also contain the components (A) and (B) together with a surfactant. These compositions exhibit an excellent effect concerning bleaching at low temperature, but hardly affect the colors of colored and patterned clothes.

Abstract: A method for sulfonating olefins comprising the steps of mixing (A) internal olefins having 8 to 22 carbon atoms with (B) alpha-olefins having an average carbon atom number, larger by 3 to 7 than that of the internal olefins (A) in a weight ratio of (A)/(B)=95/5 to 5/95, and sulfonating the resultant mixture with a sulfonating agent. Thus, internal olefins can be sulfonated at a high conversion.

Abstract: A dental adhesive composition containing a compound having the formula (I): ##STR1##

Abstract: An oral composition comprising (i) at least one phosphate selected from the group consisting of linear polyphosphates of the formula (I):M.sub.n+2 P.sub.n O.sub.3n+l (I)wherein M represents Na or K and N .gtoreq.2, and cyclic polyphosphates of the formula (II):(M'PO.sub.3).sub.m (II)wherein M' represents Na or K and m.gtoreq.3 and (iii) l-menthol, anethol, or the mixture thereof in an aqueous medium. This oral composition has an excellent antibacterial effect and prevents the development of calculus and periodontal diseases.