Abstract: Disclosed is a polypropylene composition comprising (A) polypropylene and (B) a specific propylene-1-butene random copolymer in a specific amount ratio. The propylene-1-butene random copolymer (B) is characterized in that: (1) the copolymer contains 50 to 95% by mol of constituent units from propylene and 50 to 5% by mol of constituent units from 1-butene, (2) the intrinsic viscosity, as measured in decahydronaphthalene at 135.degree. C., is in the range of 0.1 to 12 dl/g, (3) the molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn), as determined measured by GPC, is not more than 3, and (4) the parameter B value indicating randomness of the copolymerized monomer sequence distribution is in the range of 1.0 to 1.5. Also disclosed is a polypropylene composite film comprising (I) a crystalline polypropylene layer and (II) a layer formed from the polypropylene composition, which is laminated on at least one surface of the crystalline polypropylene layer (I).

Abstract: A pattern inspection apparatus for inspecting an abnormality in a pattern of a plurality of straight lines which are arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction includes a data acquisition means for acquiring, by photoelectric conversion, first and second image data of the straight lines on first and second lines which pass first and second points at different positions along the straight lines, respectively, and are perpendicular to the straight lines, and a data processing means for detecting the abnormality in the straight lines on the basis of a difference between the first and second image data. The pattern is a pattern of, e.g., inner leads of a TAB tape. When density changes of the first and second image data at a position x along the first and second lines can be approximated by sin.sup.2 x, the data processing means can detect the abnormality by using a relationship established between a phase difference and a density difference between the two changes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lead-free tin-silver-based soldering alloy which has a low melting point equal to alloy H without containing harmful lead, expensive In or the like, and has excellent mechanical characteristics, that is, a tensile strength, an elongation value and heat fatigue characteristic as compared with alloy H, and thus, is applicable to soldering work at a low temperature and can make products which have a high reliability and long useful life or durability. The lead-free tin-silver-based soldering alloy consists essentially of Ag: 2 to 4% by weight, Zn: 0.5 to 2% by weight, Bi: 2 to 6% by weight, and the balance being substantially Sn.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy for use in castings, comprising 0.0005-0.01 weight % of Fe, 0.0005-0.01 weight % of Si, 2.5-6.5 weight % of Cu, 0.10-0.50 weight % of Mg, 0.001-0.40 weight % of Mn, 0.10-0.50 weight % of Ti, 0.20-1.2 weight % of Ag, 0.002-0.01 weight % of B, no more than 0.01 weight % of any other individual component aside from Al, and the balance Al. The aluminum alloy is thereby designed to provide improved toughness without detracting from tensile strength, proof stress, and hardness.

Abstract: A salt useful as an active species in an organic reaction and represented by the following chemical formula (1): ##STR1## wherein n stands for an integer of from 1 to 8, Z.sup.n- represents an n-valent anion of an active hydrogen compound, a, b, c and d each stands for a positive integer, and Rs represent the same or different hydrocarbon groups. In addition, a simple and efficient process is provided for producing a poly(alkylene oxide) by polymerizing an alkylene oxide compound in the presence of the salt represented by the chemical formula (1).

Abstract: A method of treating polyolefin comprises (i) a ligand-decomposition step of contacting polyolefin, which is obtained by the use of a transition metal compound containing ligands having cyclopentadienyl skeleton, with a ligand decomposer, such as water, oxygen, alcohol, alkylene oxide or peroxide, to decompose the ligands contained in the polyolefin, and (ii) a ligand-removal step of heating the polyolefin contacted with the ligand decomposer to remove the decomposed ligands from the polyolefin. According to this method, the residual ligands having cyclopentadienyl skeleton, which are contained in the polyolefin produced by the use of a transition metal compound containing ligands having cyclopentadienyl skeleton, are decomposed and removed from the polyolefin, whereby polyolefin diminished in odor development in the molding process can be obtained.

Abstract: A low birefringent organic optical component prepared from a resin consisting essentially of one or more repetitive structural units selected from the group consisting of structures represented by general formula (1); ##STR1## wherein A is either of the groups below. ##STR2## The organic optical component can exhibit excellent transparency, heat resistance and mechanical strength as well as a low birefringence. Also provided is a novel aromatic polyamide with a low permitivity and excellent transparency, processability and thermal stability, besides excellent heat resistance inherent in an aromatic polyamide.

Abstract: An outer open handle assembly for a vehicle door comprises a handle base secured to a door outer panel by means of a first fastener, an outer opening handle rotatably attached to the handle base, a cylindrical attaching portion integrally formed with a rear surface of the handle base, a door key cylinder inserted into the attaching portion, and a U-shaped retainer having a first leg part, a second leg part, a U-shaped engaging part. The attaching portion has a first slit, and the key cylinder has a second slit. The handle base has a supporting portion to which a tip end of the first leg part is rotatably attached by a second fastener, and a boss part with which the first fastener is engaged. The engaging part is engaged with the first and second slits to secure the key cylinder to the attaching portion when the retainer is rotated about the second fastener as a center. A tip end of the second leg part is supported on the first and second slits.

Abstract: Polyimide layers having special properties are formed on the bottom surface of a metallic body for a metal-based semiconductor circuit substrate with a polyimide layer as an insulator. There are four lamination methods: (a) a method in which a layer of thermoplastic polyimide resin (1) and a layer of non-thermoplastic polyimide resin are laminated on the bottom surface of the metallic body one over another in this order, (b) a method in which a layer of thermoplastic polyimide resin (1), a layer of non-thermoplastic polyimide resin and a layer of thermoplastic polyimide resin (2) are laminated on the bottom surface of a metallic body one over another in this order, (c) a method in which a layer of non-thermoplastic polyimide resin is laminated on the bottom surface of a metallic body and (d) a method in which a layer of thermoplastic polyimide resin (2) is laminated on the bottom surface of a metallic body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a noncentrifugal sugar composition. The process comprises the following steps: cane juice is filtered; a pH of the juice is adjusted to 5.0-6.0; sucrose or liquid sucrose or both is added to adjust a purity of the mixture to a range of 87.0 to 95.1% by weight; the mixture is heated and evaporated; and then the mixture is cooled to solidify with a strong shearing force being applied to obtain granules.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch device comprises a longitudinal open link having an upper end connected to an open lever and a lower end connected to a lock lever. The open link is displaced into a locked position when it moves toward an exterior side of a latch body and is not overlapped with a raised portion of the latch body. A self-canceling lever is attached to the latch body by a first shaft and has a first arm connected to an ratchet pin and a second arm extending toward the open link. The second arm restores the open link to an unlocked position by when a ratchet is rotated by a contact with a latch. The first shaft is located on an exterior side of the ratchet pin. The second arm is overlapped with the open link when the open link is in the locked position.

Abstract: An aqueous emulsion of fluorine-containing polymer according to the present invention contains an emulsion stabilizer represented by the formula:R--Ph--O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --SO.sub.3 M(Ph is a phenyl radical; R is an alkyl radical having 8-12 carbon atoms; n is a number of 1-6; and M is Na, K or NH.sub.4). The resulting emulsion has excellent mechanical stabilities and thermal stabilities as well as decreased possibility of causing ground water contamination.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a propylene polymer composition capable of producing heat molded products having excellent balance between rigidity and impact resistance and to provide heat molded products produced from the composition, such as films and pipes. The propylene polymer composition comprises 10 to 90% by weight of a propylene polymer (A) and 90 to 10% by weight of a propylene polymer (B). The propylene polymer (A) has MFR.sub.A (measured at 230.degree. C. under a load of 2.16 kg) of 0.001 to 8 g/10 min, Tm (measured by a differential scanning calorimeter) of 95 to 145.degree. C. and a density (d.sub.A) of 885 to 905 kg/M.sup.3, and in this polymer, the content of constituent units derived from an .alpha.-olefin of 4 to 20 carbon atoms is in the range of 1.5 to 11% by mol. The propylene polymer (B) has MFR.sub.B (measured at 230.degree. C. under a load of 2.16 kg) of 0.1 to 600 g/10 min, Tm (measured by a differential scanning calorimeter) of 145 to 170.degree. C., a density (d.sub.

Abstract: A cross-linked polymer containing, in its molecule, recurring units represented by the following formula (1), and having biodegradability and high water-absorbency: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a pendant group having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of acidic groups and salts thereof, a glycino group and salts thereof, cationic groups and betaine groups; X.sub.1 is NH, NR.sub.1 ', R.sub.1 ' being an alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group, O or S; and n.sub.1 is 1 or 2.

Abstract: A reflecting film has at least a transparent polymer film and a thin silver layer applied on the transparent polymer film to reflect light entered from a side of the transparent polymer film. The reflecting film retains a reflectance of at least 90% to visible light even after the reflector is exposed for 300 hours at a reflecting film temperature of 100.degree. C. and an exposure intensity of 500 mW/cm.sup.2 to artificial sunlight from which light of 390 nm and shorter in wavelength has been eliminated. For fabricating the reflecting film, a surface of the transparent polymer film is preferably treated with a metal-containing plasma, then the thin-silver layer is deposited on the treated surface. A reflector making use of the reflecting film is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pattern inspection apparatus includes a device for acquiring image data of a target inspection pattern, and an image processing unit for extracting a defect in the target inspection pattern on the basis of the image data and image data of a reference pattern.

Abstract: A device for holding a vehicle sliding door at full-open position comprises a striker fixed to a vehicle body and a latch rotatably mounted on the sliding door. The latch has a U-shaped groove for engaging with the striker when the sliding door is fully opened. The latch is displaceable between a first position in which the U-shaped groove is disengaged with the striker and second position in which the U-shaped groove is engaged with the striker. A resilient member is disposed at a location between the latch and the sliding door for holding the latch in either one of the first position and the second position by resilient force thereof. The resilient member is always in contact with the latch directly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the screening of a wound-healing agent, which comprises determining a substance to be active as a wound-healing agent on the basis of potentiation or modification of biological activities of a growth and/or differentiation factor, a growth hormone or a cytokine. This invention also provides a wound-healing method, which comprises as an active ingredient a compound of the following formula (1) or formula (2) found to be active by the screening method.

Abstract: The novel acrylic ester, allyl ether and allyl carbonate of the present invention are characterized by having the structures represented by the following general formulae (I) to (IV): The above acrylic ester, allyl ether and allyl carbonate are used as a starting monomer which forms a polymer matrix for use in a polymeric solid electrolyte. The novel polymer of the present invention comprises structural units derived from at least one compound selected from a group of the compounds represented by the above general formulae (I) to (IV). The polymeric solid electrolyte comprising the above novel polymer as a polymer matrix exhibits high ionic conductivity and is chemically stable.

Abstract: A process for producing a cycloolefin random copolymer, which comprises(1) copolymerizing (a) ethylene or both ethylene and an alpha-olefin having at least 3 carbon atoms with (b) a cycloolefin such as octahydronaphthalenes and bicyclo[2,2,1]hept-2-ene in the presence of (c) a catalyst formed from a soluble vanadium compound and an organoaluminum compound at least one of which has halogen, in (d) a liquid phase composed of a hydrocarbon medium to form a solution of a cycloolefin random copolymer, and(2) contacting the resulting copolymer solution with (e) an adsorbent containing a metal cation.