Abstract: A vinyl chloride-based plastisol which contains a) powder of a vinyl chloride polymer obtainable by spray drying an aqueous dispersion of a vinyl chloride polymer, the dispersion containing a polyhydric alcohol in an amount of 0.3 to 5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride polymer, and b) a plasticizer in an amount of 30 to 300 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride polymer, gives a molded article having a good matte finishing effect.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus employs a liquid crystal display and a fluorescent lamp for backlighting the screen of the liquid crystal display. A lighting circuit for supplying alternating current lighting power to the fluorescent lamp receives input power from either a commercial alternating current power source or from a direct current battery. The level of the lighting power supplied to the fluorescent lamp is determined based upon a determination of whether the input power is being supplied from the commercial power source or from the battery.

Abstract: A process for the production of a thermoplastic copolymer having excellent heat distortion resistance is disclosed. The process includes heat-treating a raw copolymer comprising a vinyl monomer unit including methacrylic and/or acrylic acid units in the presence of a specific ring-closing promoter selected from basic compounds, whereby the methacrylic and/or acrylic acid unit is converted into six-membered cyclic anhydride unit. The copolymer has excellent heat distortion resistance, transparency, mechanical properties and processability, and can produce a formed product without splash on the surface. The copolymer is useful for the production of various parts, such as automobile parts, electrical parts, industrial parts, and miscellaneous goods.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of a methacrylic polymer having excellent heat resistance, which comprises radical-polymerizing a monomer or monomer mixture consisting of 80 to 100% by weight of methyl methacrylate and 0 to 20% by weight of a copolymerizable vinyl monomer in the presence of a polymerization initiator and one or more of specific chain transfer agents selected from the group consisting of(A) 2-mercaptoethyl alkanecarboxylate of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl having 4 to 12 carbon atoms,(B) alkyl 3-mercaptopropionate of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R is an alkyl having 4 to 18 atoms. The methacrylic resin prepared by this invention has excellent heat resistance and can give formed products having excellent heat resistance (high heat distortion temperature) without increase of monomer content processing thereof.