Abstract: To provide a method of producing a polyether polyol having less coloration with good selectivity and high efficiency by dehydrocondensing a polyol. In producing a polyether polyol by dehydrocondensation reaction of a polyol, a solid acid catalyst satisfying at least one of the following requirements (1) to (3) is used: (1) Acid function H0 measured by Hammett's indicator adsorption method is larger than ?3; (2) In Temperature-Programmed Desorption (TPD) analysis of ammonia, desorption amount of ammonia in a region of from 100 to 350° C. is 60% or more of the entire ammonia desorption amount (a region of from 25 to 700° C.); and (3) In thermogravimetry (TG), desorption amount of water is 3% by weight or more of a reference weight in a region of from 32 to 250° C.

Abstract: The present invention achieves a disc recording and reproducing apparatus capable of using an inexpensive disc by loosening the tolerance of track offset of each layer of a multilayer optical disc, and capable of ensuring the reliability of the disc by relieving external forces exerted on the disc at the loading or unloading of the disc. A disc holder that rotates while holding a multilayer optical disc is configured of a non-moving part fixed to a rotating shaft, and a moving part. Actuators are used to drive the moving part having the optical disc fixed thereto relative to the non-moving part, thereby correcting the offset of a recording layer with respect to the rotating shaft.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of purification of 1,3-propanediol which gives less colored polytrimethylene ether glycol. The invention relates to a method of producing 1,3-propanediol which includes subjecting crude 1,3-propanediol having a purity of 95% by weight or greater to a heat treatment in the presence of a base, followed by distillation to give a distillate of purified 1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: The promoter of the human p27Kip1 gene is provided. The promoter region is useful to screen a compound that regulates the promoter of the human p27Kip1 gene or regulates the activity of the promoter. It enables the gene therapy utilizing the promoter.

Abstract: The promoter of the human p27Kip1 gene is provided. The promoter region is useful to screen a compound that regulates the promoter of the human p27Kip1 gene or regulates the activity of the promoter. It enables the gene therapy utilizing the promoter.

Abstract: The promoter of the human p27Kip1 gene is provided. The promoter region is useful to screen a compound that regulates the promoter of the human p27Kip1 gene or regulates the activity of the promoter. It enables the gene therapy utilizing the promoter.

Abstract: A method for producing a cycloolefin, which comprises partially hydrogenating a monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in the presence of water and a ruthenium catalyst supported on silica modified by zirconium oxide.

Abstract: A method for producing an aldehyde, which comprises hydrogenating a carboxylic acid or its alkyl ester with molecular hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, wherein (1) chromium oxide of high purity having a specific surface area of at least 10 m.sup.2 /g and a total content of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium of not more than 0.4 wt %, is used as the catalyst, and (2) the hydrogenation reaction is conducted while maintaining the carboxylic acid or its alkyl ester at a concentration of not more than 10 vol %.