Abstract: This invention relates to amide derivatives represented by the following formula (1), amide derivative synthesis intermediates represented by the following formula (2), (3) or (4), and external skin care preparations, cosmetic hair care formulations and bath medicines containing the amide derivatives (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.1a are, for example, tetradecyl or hexadecyl, R.sup.2 is, for example, tridecyl or pentadecyl, R.sup.3 is, for example, ethylene or trimethylene, R.sup.3a is, for example, trimethylene, and R.sup.4, R.sup.4a and R.sup.4b are, for example, methoxy or ethoxy. When added to external skin care preparations, bath medicines and cosmetic hair care formulations, the amide derivatives (1) exhibit advantageous effects such as skin-roughness preventing/curing effects and hair touch-feeling improving effects.

Abstract: A guanidine derivative represented by formula (1), (2), (3) or its acid addition salt and a production process thereof ##STR1## wherein each of A and B is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 alkylene, D is a single bond, --CO-- or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkylene, E is H, a lower alkyl or the like, m is 1 to 6, n is 0 to 6 and R.sup.1 is H, a lower alkyl or the like, l is 1 to 10 and G is H, --OH or the like and a skin cosmetic containing the same. It can exert excellent keratin layer softening effect continuously for a long period of time.

Abstract: A composition for external skin care comprising an amine derivative represented by the following formula (1), ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a linear, branched, or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 4-40 carbon atoms, and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6 are individually a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1-10 carbon atoms, which may be substituted or unsubstituted by 1 or more hydroxy groups; or an acid addition salt thereof, in an amount from 0.0001 to less than 0.1% by weight; and a method of curing wrinkles and keratinization of the skin characterized by applying said amine derivative or its salt to the skin.

Abstract: A composition for external skin care comprising an amine derivative represented by the following formula (1), ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a linear, branched, or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 4-40 carbon atoms, and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are individually a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1-10 carbon atoms, which may be substituted or unsubstituted by 1 or more hydroxy groups; or an acid addition salt thereof, in an amount from 0.0001 to less than 0.1% by weight; and a method of curing wrinkles and keratinization of the skin characterized by applying said amine derivative or its salt to the skin.

Abstract: The permanent magnet which is excellent in moldability, capable of maintaining the dimensional stability and magnetic properties during manufacturing steps, and having good dimensional stability at high temperature, water proofness, oil resistance and solvent resistance, can be constituted by a shaped substance containing, as major ingredients, rare-earth magnet powder and, as binder materials which has been cured and the process for producing the same.

Abstract: An ignition plug of extended durability which reduces crack formation in noble metal layer on the center electrode and the ground electrode by joining a noblemental layer consisting of 85 to 70% by weight of Pt and 15 to 30% by weight of Ir to the spark discharge portion of the center electrode and also another noble metal layer consisting of 90 to 70% by weight of Pt and 10 to 30% by weight of Ni to the spark discharge portion of the ground electrode.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine comprises (a) an insulator surrounding a central electrode and (b) a housing having a grounded electrode and disposed on the periphery of the insulator. A taper-nose portion of the insulator, which is designed to be exposed to unburnt carbon in combustion gases of a combustion chamber, is modified to facilitate carbon removal from the taper-nose portion and to maintain excellent electrical insulation. The modification comprises a coating of a mixture of vanadium oxide and zirconium oxide in the form of a porous layer or a sponge-like porous layer having an irregularly-shaped structure with pores; it is fixed to the exposed surface of the taper-nose portion to improve the self-cleaning ability of the spark plug without decreasing the degree of electrical insulation provided by the insulator.

Abstract: A spark plug, wherein a central electrode is electrically insulated from an uter electrically-conductive casing (ground to an internal combustion engine when in use) by an insulator sealed in the casing, separating the central electrode from the casing and having a taper-nose portion which is designed to be exposed to unburnt carbon in combustion gases of a combustion chamber, is modified to facilitate carbon removal from the taper-nose portion. Discrete isolated particles or isolated aggregates of particles of vanadium oxide are adhered over the exposed surface of the taper-nose portion to improve the self-cleaning ability of the spark plug without decreasing the degree of electrical insulation provided by the insulator. The particles of vanadium oxide are formed from a suspension which is applied to the surface of the taper-nose portion of the spark plug. The resulting coating is then dried in situ.

Abstract: A method for producing refractories which comprises the steps: continuously feeding as a raw material a heavy oil having a boiling point higher than 150.degree. C. obtained by thermal cracking or steam cracking of petroleum hydrocarbons in a first state stirring vessel maintained at a pressure of higher than 2 Kg/cm.sup.2 G and a temperature within the range of from 300.degree. to 360.degree. C.; maintaining said raw material oil at an average residence time of longer than 15 minutes; continuously withdrawing a first stage treated oil from said first stage stirring vessel; supplying said first stage treated oil in a second stage stirring vessel maintained at a temperature within the range of from 370.degree. to 450.degree. C.

Abstract: An amorphous refractory composition comprising a petroleum-derived binder prepared by feeding a fraction boiling at not lower than 150.degree. C. obtained by thermal or steam cracking of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons, into a first-step agitating vessel where the fraction is heat treated under specific conditions, feeding the thus heat treated fraction into a second-step agitating vessel where it is heat treated under specific conditions and then removing the light fraction from the further heat treated fraction thereby to obtain the petroleum-derived binder.