Abstract: Provided are hair processing agents capable of permanent waving hair even at a neutral to weakly acidic pH range that causes less irritation to the skin, and hair processing agents in which an unpleasant odor is masked. Hair processing agents contain at least one compound represented by the formula (2). Hair processing agents contain a compound of the formula (2) and at least one compound (ii) selected from thioglycolic acid, thiolactic acid, cysteine, acetylcysteine, cysteamine, acylcysteamine, salts thereof and ester derivatives thereof. Hair processing agents contain a compound of the formula (2), a surfactant and water, and are emulsified. Hair processing agents contain a compound of the formula (2) and a specific perfume.

Abstract: An agent for permanent hair processing is disclosed that can shape the hair even in a neutral to slightly acidic pH region. The agent contains one or more compounds represented by the following formula (1) and/or formula (2): wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkoxyalkyl group having a total of 3 to 15 carbon atoms, and the alkylene portion of R2 may contain an ether bond(s); wherein R3 is an alkoxyalkyl group having a total of 3 to 15 carbon atoms, and the alkylene portion of R3 may contain an ether bond(s).

Abstract: The invention provides a slimming skin external preparation and a cosmetic that contain a carnitine derivative having excellent skin affinity and percutaneous absorption properties and capable of enhancing the fat metabolism, and that can treat, reduce or prevent the obesity by functioning as a lipolytic agent to enhance the fat metabolism of general or local subcutaneous fat tissues. The slimming skin external preparation contains a particular carnitine derivative and preferably other slimming and skin-care ingredients.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to produce a 5-alkyl-oxazolidin-2,4-dione by an industrially advantageous method. The invention relates to novel process for producing a high-purity 5-alkyl-oxazolidin-2,4-dione comprising the steps of reacting a 2-hydroxycarboxylic acid amide with a carbonic acid ester in the presence of a metal alcoholate, thereby completing the reaction in one step, and then isolating the reaction product by a neutralization crystallization method.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to produce a 5-alkyl-oxazolidin-2,4-dione by an industrially advantageous method. The invention relates to novel process for producing a high-purity 5-alkyl-oxazolidin-2,4-dione comprising the steps of reacting a 2-hydroxycarboxylic acid amide with a carbonic acid ester in the presence of a metal alcoholate, thereby completing the reaction in one step, and then isolating the reaction product by a neutralization crystallization method.

Abstract: (1) Methods for producing isochromanone compounds from o-xylene compounds as starting compounds through &agr;-halogeno-o-xylene derivatives, &agr;-cyano-o-xylene derivatives, and &agr;-halogeno-&agr;′-cyano-o-xylene derivatives, and (2) methods for producing isochromanone compounds from o-xylene compounds as starting compounds through &agr;,&agr;′-dihalogeno-o-xylene derivatives, &agr;,&agr;′-dihydroxy-o-xylene derivatives, &agr;-halogeno-&agr;′-hydroxy-o-xylene derivatives and &agr;-cyano-&agr;′-hydroxy-o-xylene derivatives, and methods for producing these intermediate compounds.

Abstract: The invention makes it possible to drive a halftone image device and achieve high halftone reproduction by allowing at least one of the leading and trailing edges of a pulse width-modulated signal applied to a recording head, or forming amplitude- and width-modulated pulses, respectively, as driving pulses for placing one dot under halftone control, and changing pulse width modulation in a stepwise manner, using the pulse width of the amplitude-modulated pulse as a unit pulse width.

Abstract: The invention makes it possible to drive a halftone image device and achieve high halftone reproduction by allowing at least one of the leading and trailing edges of a pulse width-modulated signal applied to a recording head, or forming amplitude- and width-modulated pulses, respectively, as driving pulses for placing one dot under halftone control, and changing a pulse width change of pulse width modulation in a stepwise manner, using the pulse width of the amplitude-modulated pulse as a unit pulse width.

Abstract: A combination of a semiconductor region essentially consisting of Al.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As (0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1), an insulating film formed on the surface of the semiconductor region and essentially consisting of GaAs.sub.x P.sub.y O.sub.z (w, y, z>0), and a passivation film formed on the insulating film and made of an insulating material different from the insulating film. The laminated insulating film has an extremely low leakage current. An excellent MISFET can be realized by forming a gate electrode on the surface of the laminated insulating film.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for mixing or dispersing particles with use of gradient force produced by a contact type electric field curtain. The particles are mixed or dispersed by permitting them to be put in a dielectric container and pass through the action area of the electric field curtain.

Abstract: Data can be recorded onto an optical card (102; 200; 601; 800) on which a plurality of tracks are parallelly arranged and can be reproduced therefrom. The optical card is supported by card supporting means (101; 501). This card supporting means is reciprocated in a first direction by card drive means (109; 511). An optical head (103; 503; 603) is provided above the optical card to selectively provide access to tracks by a light beam. This optical head is reciprocated in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by head drive means (108; 507). The reciprocating motion of the card supporting means is accelerated and decelerated when the optical head scans on guide sections (G) provided on both the sides of the optical card. Error correcting codes are added to data recorded onto the optical card. Thus, error correction is made by an error correction circuit (136). Motors of respective drive means are enclosed with vibration proof metal (321, 323) and vibration proof rubber (322).

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for mixing or dispersing particles using a gradient force produced by a contact type electric field curtain. The particles are mixed or dispersed by permitting them to be put in a dielectric container and passing them through the area of influence of the electric field curtain.

Abstract: A particle charging device for use in a two-stage type of electric dust collecting apparatus, including opposite electrodes disposed at such positions that an intermittent ion generating zone is established between the opposite electrodes and ion generating electrodes, and that uneven, non-uniform electric fields are established between said opposite electrodes and transfer electrodes; a dust containing gas is ionized in the intermittent ion generating zone, and upon transferring the ions by means of the uneven electric field, said ions are brought in contact with a flow of particles in said dust containing gas to thereby charge said particles.

Abstract: An improved dust collecting apparatus is described, in a first section of which are disposed a plurality of linear discharge electrodes and a plurality of planar dust collecting electrodes in an opposed relationship to each other within a casing that has an inlet port for introducing a dust-containing gas formed at one end and that has an outlet port for discharging a dust-free gas formed at the other end, so that the dust in the dust-containing gas may be charged and also collected in said first section. Downstream of said first section of the apparatus are aligned a plurality of rod-shaped driver electrodes spaced apart from each other along a plane transverse of a gas flow, and on the side surfaces of said driver electrodes are provided lengthwise channels having their openings directed to the outlet port side.