Abstract: Disclosed is an optical compensatory sheet which comprises a layer in the condition of a mono-domain of discotic nematic phase or a monoaxial columnar phase. Further, a process for preparation of the optical compensatory sheet and a liquid crystal display provided with the optical compensatory sheet are disclosed.

Abstract: A thin film comprising a discotic compound having diacetylene groups at the side chain moiety thereof, and a compound represented by formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group or an aryl group.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet is basically composed of a transparent support and an optically anisotropic layer provided thereon. The optically anisotropic layer is a layer of polymer having discotic units formed by copolymerization of a compound having at least two functional groups such as isocyanato, isothiocyanato or oxiranyl and a compound having at least two nucleophilic groups, at least one of the compounds being a discotic compound; or polymerization of a discotic compound having at least one functional group and at least one nucleophilic group. A process for the preparation of the optical compensatory sheet, a liquid crystal display and a color liquid crystal display having the optical compensatory sheet are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid crystal display provided with an optical compensatory sheet comprising an optically anisotropic layer which has negative birefringence and comprises a polymer having a discotic structure in its molecule, and an optical compensatory sheet which comprises a transparent support, an orientation layer provided thereon and the optically anisotropic layer provided on the orientation layer. Further, a process for preparation of the optical compensatory sheet and a liquid crystal composition which is useful as material for preparing the optical compensatory sheet are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical compensation sheet for improving the visual characteristics of a liquid crystal display device is disclosed with a liquid crystal display device using such a sheet. The optical compensation sheet contains at least one photopolymerization substance that is sterically or structurally isomerized by light, and has negative uniaxiality, with the optic axis of the sheet intersecting the surface of the sheet. Application of this optical compensation sheet to a TN liquid crystal display device allows it the visual angle property to be improved, thereby providing a high definition liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical compensatory sheet comprising a transparent support and an optically anisotropic layer provided thereon and having an optic axis inclined at 20 to 34 degrees from the normal of the sheet, wherein the optically anisotropic layer is formed from a discotic compound capable of forming a discotic nematic phase and an organic compound which has compatibility with the discotic compound and is capable of lowering a transition temperature of the discotic nematic phase by at least 10.degree. C. Further, a liquid crystal display provided with the optical compensatory sheet is disclosed.

Abstract: A protective cowling and air silencing device for the power head of a watercraft propulsion unit. The cowling is provided with an atmospheric air inlet opening, and a duct is provided internally in the cowling for assisting in water separation by directing the inlet air downwardly toward a drain opening. The engine is provided with charge formers that have an air silencing device that is provided with at least one resonating chamber on the side of the charge former and which communicates with a delivery passage of the device through a tuning neck for silencing purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a silver halide photographic material and forming an image using the same, containing a hydrazine derivative in the emulsion layer(s) or in other hydrophilic colloid layer(s). At least one silver halide emulsion comprises silver halide grains containing (a) from 1.times.10.sup.-8 to 1.times.10.sup.-6 mol, per mol of silver, of an iridium compound, and (b) from 1.times.10.sup.-8 to 1.times.10.sup.-6 mol, per mol of silver, of a rhodium compound or from 1.times.10.sup.-9 to 1.times.10.sup.-5 mol, per mol of silver, of a rhenium compound, ruthenium compound or osmium compound, and having a silver chloride content of 50 mol % or more, the emulsion having been color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye of the following general formulae (1), (2) or (3): ##STR1## The material may be processed with a stable developer to give a hard image having few "black peppers".

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material which has a specific photographic sensitivity of 320 or more, and which comprises a support layer and silver halide emulsion layers formed thereon. The material has a film thickness of 22 .mu.m or less, measured from the light-sensitive layer closest to the support layer up to the surface of the material facing away from the support layer. At least one of the silver halide emulsion layers contains a spectral sensitizer represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## In the formula, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl groups, at least one of which at least one carbon atom bonds together with at least three atoms other than hydrogen atoms, X is an anion, p is 0 or 1, k is 0, 1 or 2, L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 are a methyne group or a substituted methyne group, Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are groups of atoms numerous enough to form a 5- or 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel silver halide photographic material comprising a support having thereon (a) a layer containing at least one methine compound represented by the following general formula (I) and (b) a layer containing at least one methine compound represented by the following general formula (II), (III), (IV) or (V): ##STR1## wherein the variables in the formulas are defined in the detailed description. In a preferred embodiment, the silver halide photographic material comprises at least one methine compound represented by general formula (I) and at least one methine compound represented by general formula (II) or (V) in the same layer.

Abstract: A novel silver halide photographic material comprising at least one methine compound represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents --(CH.sub.2).sub.r --CONHSO.sub.2 --R.sup.3, --(CH.sub.2).sub.s --SO.sub.2 NHCO--R.sup.4, --(CH.sub.2).sub.t --CONHCO--R.sup.5 or --(CH.sub.2).sub.u --SO.sub.2 NHSO.sub.2 --R.sup.6 in which R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 each represents an alkyl group, alkoxy group or amino group, r, s, t and u each represents an integer 1 to 5; and R.sup.2 represents has the same meaning as R.sup.1 or represents an alkyl group; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 each represents a nonmetallic atom group required to form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic group; p and q each represents an integer 0 or 1; L.sub.1, L.sub.2 and L.sub.3 each represents a methine group; m represents an integer 0 to 2; X represents an anion; and k represents an integer required to adjust the charge in the molecule to 0.

Abstract: A high polymer which is a precursor capable of forming a hydrogen bond at a temperature of 40.degree. C. or more and a high polymer capable of forming a hydrogen bond, and a nonlinear optical material comprising a thin polymer film containing the high polymer and a method for forming the nonlinear optical material are disclosed. The thin polymer film containing the high polymer may be oriented in the electric field at a low temperature to give a nonlinear optical material.

Abstract: Two embodiments of cold starting and cold running enrichment devices for internal combustion engines, each of which provide an amount of fuel through a first circuit under the control of a first control valve during cold cranking for cold starting enrichment and a second fuel circuit having a second control valve for supplying fuel to the engine for cold running enrichment. In this way, adequate amounts of fuel are supplied under all circumstances.

Abstract: Disclosed is a silver halide photographic material comprising at least one compound (merocyanine dye) represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein Z represents nonmetal atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring; X represents non-metal atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered acidic nucleus; R.sup.2 represents --(CH.sub.2).sub.r --CONHSO.sub.2 --R.sup.3, --(CH.sub.2).sub.s --SO.sub.2 NHCO--R.sup.4, --(CH.sub.2).sub.t --CONHCO--R.sup.5 or --(CH.sub.2).sub.u --SO.sub.2 NHSO.sub.2 --R.sup.6 ; R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 each represent an alkyl group, an alkoxy group or an amino group; r, s, t and u each represent an integer from 1 to 5; R.sup.1 has the same meaning as R.sup.2 or represents an alkyl group substituted by a sulfo or carboxyl group; p represents 0 or 1; L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 each represent a methine group; and n represents 0, 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: A control system for the ignition system of an internal combustion engine for providing faster idle speed when the engine is at a low temperature by advancing the spark timing. A first temperature sensor which senses actual temperature is mounted in the engine ignition control circuit which is, in turn, mounted in proximity to the engine so as to approximate its temperature. A on/off temperature switch is mounted directly in the engine so as to sense when engine temperature is above a predetermined value. The system is operative to provide ignition control by the actual engine temperature unless the second on/off switch is turned on to indicate that the engine temperature has not returned ambient temperature after a running period. If the engine temperature switch is on, normal ignition timing is employed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel silver halide photographic material is provided comprising a support having thereon (a) a layer containing at least one methine compound represented by the following general formula (I) and (b) a layer containing at least one methine compound represented by the following general formula (II), (III), (IV) or (V): ##STR1## wherein the variables in the formulas are defined in the detailed description. In a preferred embodiment, the silver halide photographic material comprises at least one methine compound represented by general formula (I) and at least one methine compound represented by general formula (II) or (V) in the same layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-linear optical material represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein X represents a methyl group or a hydrogen atom, with the proviso that when X is a methyl group, A represents a nitrogen atom, Y represents a methyl group and B represents a nitrogen atom; and when X is a hydrogen atom , A represents C--COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5, Y represents a hydrogen atom and B represents C--CH.sub.3.In one embodiment, the non-linear optical material is represented by the following formula (I): ##STR2## In another embodiment, the non-linear optical material is represented by the following formula (II): ##STR3## Also disclosed is an orthorhomic molecular crystal having a space group of Pna2.sub.1 and constituted by molecules represented by the above formula (I).

Abstract: A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material comprising a support having thereon at least one light emulsion layer containing (A) at least one of the methine compounds represented by the following formula (I) and (B) at least one of the methine compounds represented by the following formula (II) or (III): ##STR1## wherein Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, L.sub.1 -L.sub.8, p, q, k.sub.1 -k.sub.3, n.sub.1 -n.sub.3 and X.sub.1 -X .sub.3 are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic material is descloosed, comprising a support having thereon at least one silver halide emulsion layer, wherein the silver halide emulsion layer contains at least 1.times.10.sup.-4 mol of a compound represented by formula (I) per mol of silver halide and from 1.times.10.sup.-3 to 1.times.10.sup.-1 mol of compound represented by formula (II) per mol of the compound of formula (I) and the iodine content of the silver halide emulsion is 1 mol % or less: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2, Z.sub.3, Z.sub.4, X.sup..crclbar. and n are defined in the specification. The photographic material is highly sensitive, can be processed rapidly, and does not fatigue the developer, yet it contains only a small percentage of iodine, if any. The photographic material is useful in photographic films including X-ray films.

Abstract: 3,5-Dimethyl-1-(4-nitrophenyl) pyrazole having at least one deuterium atom and a non-linear optical material comprising the same is described herein.