Abstract: This invention relates to: a molding material comprising a bundle of continuous reinforcing fibers (A), a polyarylene sulfide prepolymer (B) comprising at least 50% by weight of cyclic polyarylene sulfide and having the weight average molecular weight of less than 10,000 or polyarylene sulfide (B?) having the weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or greater and the degree of dispersion of 2.

Abstract: An audio visual system includes an input unit for receiving data containing video data and audio data and dividing the data into the audio data and the video data, a video decoder for decoding the video data divided by the input unit, an audio decoder for decoding the audio data divided by the input unit, and an output unit for superimposing and outputting the video data decoded by the video decoder and the audio data decoded by the audio decoder. The video decoder or audio decoder has a plurality of data output paths and sets delay times for each of the output paths to synchronize the decoded video data with the decoded audio data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disinfectant which is safe, has few adverse side-effects, can be ingested together with a food or beverage by adding the disinfectant to the food or beverage, shows a bactericidal effect in the oral cavity, and has no problem even when ingested on a daily basis over a long period. Also disclosed is a food additive comprising the disinfectant. Specifically, disclosed is an oral disinfectant for the disinfection of an oral bacterium, which comprises lactoperoxidase, glucose oxidase, glucose and a pH-adjusting component.

Abstract: A polyarylene sulfide h as a narrow molecular weight distribution and a high molecular weight and high purity which is industrially useful, wherein the polyarylene sulfide has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or more, and weight loss when heated, ?Wr=(W1?W2)/W1×100?0.18(%) (wherein ?Wr is weight loss ratio (%), W1 is sample weight when arrived at 100° C. and W2 is sample weight when arrived at 330° C.). Its production method includes a polyarylene sulfide prepolymer which contains a cyclic polyarylene sulfide at least 50 wt % or more, and of which weight average molecular weight is less than 10,000 is heated to be converted to a high polymer of which weight average molecular weight is 10,000 or more.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus for a front passenger's seat includes a case that includes a front storage area that has an airbag mounting plane and a rear storage area. A bottom wall of the rear storage area is located at a lower level than the airbag mounting plane of the front storage area. The airbag has a generally square conical contour whose top is disposed at the front end and includes proximate the front end a gas inlet port. The airbag is secured to the mounting plane of the case by the periphery of the gas inlet port. A lower folded-up portion that is formed by folding up a lower inflatable portion of the airbag is stored in the rear storage area of the case. The airbag apparatus further includes proximate left and right edges of an opening of the case in the rear storage area means for restraining emergence of the lower folded-up portion of the airbag from the opening of the case in an early stage of airbag deployment by holding down left and right end regions of the lower folded-up portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safe biodegradable and bioabsorbable polymer having an extremely low metal catalyst content, while retaining the properties desired for a medical implant or the like; and a process for producing the same. The present invention further provides a method for reducing the content of a metal catalyst in a biodegradable and absorbable polymer that can be applied on an industrial scale. A method for producing a biodegradable and bioabsorbable polymer having a metal catalyst content of less than 1 ppm in terms of a metal comprising the steps of (1) copolymerizing lactide and ?-caprolactone at a molar ratio ranging from 40/60 to 60/40 in the presence of the metal catalyst to produce a copolymer; and (2) washing the copolymer with a mixed solvent comprising acetic acid and isopropanol at a volume ratio ranging from 25/75 to 45/55 at less than 40° C., and drying the copolymer. 13.

Abstract: The airbag apparatus includes a case for housing and holding an airbag and an inflator. The case includes a vent opening for releasing inflation gas filled inside the airbag and a lid operated by an actuator for closing and opening the vent opening. The lid is pivotally supported at a periphery of the vent opening for rotation about its rotary shaft disposed across the vent opening, and includes an outward-opening area adapted to rotate outward of the case and an inward-opening area adapted to rotate inward of the case, with a border of the outward-opening area and inward-opening area disposed on the rotary shaft. A sliding element is connected to the actuator for holding the lid to keep the vent opening closed when the actuator is inactive and for sliding movement to release the lid and open the vent opening upon operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A process for producing lactoperoxidase, including: a step (1) for bringing one or more milk materials into contact with a cation exchanger having weakly acidic groups as ion exchange groups to thereby effect adsorption treatment; a step (2) for washing the cation exchanger after the adsorption treatment; a step (3) for bringing the cation exchanger after the washing into contact with a leaching solvent to thereby obtain a leaching solution having lactoperoxidase eluted into the leaching solvent; a step (4) for concentrating the leaching solution through an ultrafiltration membrane to thereby effect precipitation in the concentrated leaching solution; and a step (5) for obtaining a lactoperoxidase solution by removing the precipitation from the concentrated leaching solution.

Abstract: An interleukin-6 suppressive agent comprising lactoperoxidase as an active ingredient is used as a pharmaceutical preparation or the like for prevention and/or therapy of a disease caused by production of interleukin-6, such as thrombocytosis, myeloma, Castleman syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, or influenza-virus infectious disease.

Abstract: The airbag apparatus includes a case for housing and holding an airbag and an inflator. The case includes a vent opening for releasing inflation gas filled inside the airbag and a lid operated by an actuator for closing and opening the vent opening. The lid is pivotally supported at a periphery of the vent opening for rotation about its rotary shaft disposed across the vent opening, and includes an outward-opening area adapted to rotate outward of the case and an inward-opening area adapted to rotate inward of the case, with a border of the outward-opening area and inward-opening area disposed on the rotary shaft. A sliding element is connected to the actuator for holding the lid to keep the vent opening closed when the actuator is inactive and for sliding movement to release the lid and open the vent opening upon operation of the actuator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polyarylene sulfide oxide of which crystallization degree is 10% or higher by wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurement and a heat of fusion is 15 J/g or less by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurements, and a production method of the same. There is provided a polyarylene sulfide oxide that excels in heat resistance, chemical resistance and moisture absorption resistance, and a production method of the same.

Abstract: An interleukin-6 suppressive agent comprising lactoperoxidase as an active ingredient is used as a pharmaceutical preparation or the like for prevention and/or therapy of a disease caused by production of interleukin-6, such as thrombocytosis, myeloma, Castleman syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, or influenza-virus infectious disease.

Abstract: A flame-retardant resin composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a rubber-reinforced polystyrene resin, from 0.1 to 20 parts by weight of an epoxy-modified phenolic resin, and from 1 to 30 parts by weight of an aromatic phosphate has good flame retardancy and good lightfastness, still having good mechanical characteristics intrinsic to the thermoplastic resin therein.

Abstract: When a user steps on a footswitch, high-frequency output power is delivered. A control circuit included in a diathermic power supply calculates the impedance ZSn that is offered by a living tissue immediately after delivery of high-frequency output power is started during the n-th delivery period. The control circuit also calculates the impedance ZEn that is offered thereby immediately before delivery of high-frequency output power is discontinued with elapse of predetermined time. The control circuit then discontinues delivery of high-frequency output power for the predetermined time, and calculates a difference ?Zn between the impedances. When the difference meets a predetermined condition that implies coagulation or when the number of times of delivery reaches a predetermined value, the control circuit discontinues delivery of high-frequency output power.

Abstract: An instrument for high-frequency treatment is provided which includes a first jaw having, on a first holding surface thereof, an active electrode provided with a substantially flat portion and a protruded portion, and a second jaw having an opposing electrode formed on a second holding surface opposed to the first holding surface. The opposing electrode includes a portion opposed to the protruded portion of the active electrode, and the opposing portion has a shape different from that of the protruded portion of the active electrode. The instrument also includes an operation member for opening and closing the first jaw and the second jaw.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial dura mater which comprises an amorphous or low crystallinity polymer as a constituent component and which prevents the cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

Abstract: An interleukin-6 suppressive agent comprising lactoperoxidase as an active ingredient is used as a pharmaceutical preparation or the like for prevention and/or therapy of a disease caused by production of interleukin-6, such as thrombocytosis, myeloma, Castleman syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, or influenza-virus infectious disease.

Abstract: Endoscopes comprise image pickup elements for picking up images and transmission circuits and the like for transmitting the picked up images with radio waves of different frequencies. In addition, bar codes to code the frequencies used for transmission are provided to the respective endoscopes, the bar code provided to the endoscope used in endoscope inspection is read on a receiver side, and a reception frequency of a station selection unit is set to the read frequency, so that a signal obtained by a desired endoscope can be easily received and imaged even in case a plurality of endoscopes are used.

Abstract: When a user steps on a footswitch, high-frequency output power is delivered. A control circuit included in a diathermic power supply calculates the impedance ZSn that is offered by a living tissue immediately after delivery of high-frequency output power is started during the n-th delivery period. The control circuit also calculates the impedance ZEn that is offered thereby immediately before delivery of high-frequency output power is discontinued with elapse of predetermined time. The control circuit then discontinues delivery of high-frequency output power for the predetermined time, and calculates a difference ?Zn between the impedances. When the difference meets a predetermined condition that implies coagulation or when the number of times of delivery reaches a predetermined value, the control circuit discontinues delivery of high-frequency output power.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial dura mater characterized by comprising at least a sheet of a biodegradable and bioabsorbable synthetic polymer and having a storage modulus at ordinary temperature of from 1×107 to 5×108 (Pa); and a process for producing an artificial dura mater characterized by dissolving a lactide/?-caprolactone copolymer (in a molar ratio ranging from 40/60 to 60/40) in a solvent, filtering the resultant solution and casting the same followed by air drying.