Abstract: A method of producing a polyoxalate resin including polycondensing a dialkyl oxalate represented by formula (2): wherein R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, with a saturated aliphatic diol represented by formula (3): HO-A-OH, wherein A represents a divalent saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, in which polycondensation reaction product, the molar amount of the dialkyl oxalate [M1] and the molar amount of the saturated aliphatic diol [M2] satisfy relationship (I): 0.5?[M2]/[M1]<1 while controlling the total content of water in the starting reaction mixture to 2,000 ppm or less.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane useful for elastomers, elastic fibers and artificial leathers contains a polyaddition product of a diisocyanate and a chain extender with a liquid polyethercarbonate diol which is a reaction product of a carbonate compound with a polyether diol having structural units (a) (—(CH2)6—O—) and at least one member of structural units (b) (—(CH2)2—O) and (c) (—CH2CH(CH3)—O—), and in which the units (b) are present in an average number (n) of moles of 0 to 5 per mole of the units (a), the units (c) are present in an average number (m) of moles of 0 to 5 per mole of the units (a), and the total average number (n+m) of moles of the units (b) and (c) is more than 1 but not more than 5, per mole of the units (a).

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane useful for elastomers, elastic fibers and artificial leathers contains a polyaddition product of a diisocyanate and a chain extender with a liquid polyethercarbonate diol which is a reaction product of a carbonate compound with a polyether diol having structural units (a) (—(CH2)6—O—) and at least one member of structural units (b) (—(CH2)2—O) and (c) (—CH2CH(CH3)—O—), and in which the units (b) are present in an average number (n) of moles of 0 to 5 per mole of the units (a), the units (c) are present in an average number (m) of moles of 0 to 5 per mole of the units (a), and the total average number (n+m) of moles of the units (b) and (c) is more than 1 but not more than 5, per mole of the units (a).

Abstract: A compact water level regulator which may be used with a water catcher and/or with a planter. A case includes side and upper surfaces of the case form an airtight chamber having an open bottom, a filling port plug, an air vent hole, and an air inlet in a side bottom. A first float is installed on the upper surface of the case and includes a ventilation plug. The ventilation plug releases and shuts the air vent hole as the first float raises and falls by the buoyancy thereof in response to the level of water outside the case. A second float is installed inside the case and includes a water filling port plug. The water filling port plug shuts the water filling port by buoyancy thereof in response to the water level inside the case. When water level falls enough to open the air inlet to the atmosphere, the second float falls thereby disengaging the water filling port plug and opening the water filling port.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane useful for elastomers, elastic fibers and artificial leathers contains a polyaddition product of a diisocyanate and a chain extender with a liquid polyethercarbonate diol which is a reaction product of a carbonate compound with a polyether diol having structural units (a) (—(CH2)6—O—) and at least one member of structural units (b) (—(CH2)2—O) and (c) (—CH2CH(CH3)—O—), and in which the units (b) are present in an average number (n) of moles of 0 to 5 per mole of the units (a), the units (c) are present in an average number (m) of moles of 0 to 5 per mole of the units (a), and the total average number (n+m) of moles of the units (b) and (c) is more than 1 but not more than 5, per mole of the units (a).

Abstract: A biodegradable polyoxalate resin having a high melt-formability by the formula: X?O-A-O—CO—CO?nY in which A=C3-C12 divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group, X=H; R—OCOCO— or OHC— group, Y=—OR, —OAOH or —OAOCHO when X=H—, or —OR or —OAOCHO when X=R—OCOCO— or OHC—, R=C1-C4 alkyl, and is usable in a resinous composition with a poly(lactic acid) resin.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane useful for elastomers, elastic fibers and artificial leathers contains a polyaddition product of a diisocyanate and a chain extender with a liquid polyethercarbonate diol which is a reaction product of a carbonate compound with a polyether diol having structural units (a) (—(CH2)6—O—) and at least one member of structural units (b) (—(CH2)2—O) and (c) (—CH2CH(CH3)—O—), and in which the units (b) are present in an average number (n) of moles of 0 to 5 per mole of the units (a), the units (c) are present in an average number (m) of moles of 0 to 5 per mole of the units (a), and the total average number (n+m) of moles of the units (b) and (c) is more than 1 but not more than 5, per mole of the units (a).

Abstract: A Xonotlite-reinforced organic polymer composition obtained by mixing (A) an organic polymer and (B) fibrous Xonotlite, in which the fibrous Xonotlite (1) satisfies conditions (a), (b), and (c):(a) 0.1 .mu.m.ltoreq.D.ltoreq.0.4 .mu.m(b) 1 .mu.m.ltoreq.L <5 .mu.m(c) 10.ltoreq.L/D .ltoreq.15wherein D and L represent an average fiber diameter and an average fiber length, respectively, of fibrous Xonotlite (B);(2) has a BET specific surface area of not less than 21 m.sup.2 /g as measured by nitrogen adsorption; (3) has had its surface treated with a surface active agent and/or a coupling agent; and (4) has been formed into granules. The composition exhibits improved mechanical characteristics and improved balance between heat resistance and impact resistance.

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: A novel chondromodulin-II protein having a molecular weight of about 16,000 dalton on SDS-PAGE, capable of stimulating the growth of chondrocytes with or without fibroblast growth factor and promoting the differential potency of said cells, and a pharmaceutical composition containing said protein as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A terminal-modified imide oligomer composition, comprising(A) 100 parts by weight of a terminal-modified imide oligomer obtained by a reaction in a solvent of a biphenyltetracarboxylic acid compound with an aromatic diamine compound and a monoamine compound containing a carbon-carbon triple bond, and having an unsaturated terminal group at the terminal of the oligomer and an imide bond in the oligomer, and having a logarithmic viscosity number at 30.degree. C., as determined at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as a solvent, of from 0.1 to 1 and;(B) 5 to 180 parts by weight of an unsaturated imide compound obtained by a reaction in a solvent of a substituent-containing nadic anhydride with a monoamine compound having a carbon-carbon triple bond in an equimolar ratio, and having an unsaturated terminal group at the terminal thereof and an imide bond therein.

Abstract: A composition of terminal-modified imide oligomers is disclosed. The composition comprises a flexible terminal-modified imide oligomer (A) and a rigid terminal-modified imide oligomer (B). The flexible terminal-modified imide oligomer (A) is selected from specific oligomers (I) and (II). The rigid terminal-modified imide oligomer (B) is selected from specific oligomers (III) and (IV). The oligomer (I) is formed from biphenyltetracarboxylic acid or its derivative, an aromatic diamine compound (a) and an unsaturated monoamine compound or an unsaturated carboxylic acid or its derivative. The oligomer (II) is formed from biphenyltetracarboxylic acid or its derivative and an unsaturated monoamine compound. The oligomer (III) is formed from biphenyltetracarboxylic acid or its derivative, an aromatic diamine compound (b) and an unsaturated monoamine compound or an unsaturated carboxylic acid or its derivative.

Abstract: This invention provides a hybrid yarn obtained by combining the filaments of a carbon fiber and a specific inorganic fiber composed substantially of elements Si, Ti or Zr, C and O having a ratio of tensile modulus of the inorganic fiber to tensile modulus of the carbon fiber in the range of from 0.6 to 1.4. Further, this invention provides a unidirectional prepreg obtained by unidirectionally arranging the hybrid yarn prepared from a carbon fiber and a specific inorganic fiber and impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and provides a laminated material obtained by laminating the prepregs.

Abstract: A terminal-modified aromatic imide oligomer composition having an improved curing performance and useful for cured polyimide articles having excellent mechanical properties and heat-resistance, comprising 100 parts by weight of a terminal-modified aromatic imide oligomer consisting of a reaction product of a biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride with an aromatic diamine and an acetylenically unsaturated monoamine compound, having acetylenically unsaturated terminal groups and exhibiting a logarithmic viscosity number of 0.1 to 1.0 at 30.degree. C.; and 1 to 20 parts by weight of an unsaturated imide compound consisting of a reaction product of a biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride with an acetylenically unsaturated monoamine compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is an interleaf-containing, fiber-reinforced epoxy resin prepreg, which comprises a fiber-reinforced epoxy resin matrix and an interleaf composed of a polyimide film subjected to a corona discharge treatment and/or a matting treatment.This prepreg is suitable for the production of a composite material which is excellent in mechanical strength characteristics such as interlaminar shear strength and flexural breaking strength and having a high toughness.