Abstract: A semiconductor strain sensor includes a base, a peripheral section, a central section and a flexible beam. The peripheral section is bent to the base. Bonding strain is generated at a bonding portion between the base and the peripheral section. The central section extends from the peripheral section. The flexible beam extends from the central section and includes a strain detecting element. The strain detecting element changes its electric characteristic when strain is applied thereto. A thickness of the flexible beam is thinner than that of the central section. The bonding strain is transmitted from the bonding portion to the strain detecting element through a transmission path. The transmission path is bent. The bonding strain is attenuated because it is dispersed at a bending portion of the transmission path. The sensor accurately detects the strain to be detected without a bad influence of the bonding strain.

Abstract: In a device for fixing a toner image on a sheet in an image forming apparatus, a pair of pulling rollers is disposed downstream of a heating roller in the direction to convey the sheet and is rotated at a peripheral speed higher than that of the heating roller.

Abstract: (3S, 5S)-(-)-2,6-dimethyl-3,5-heptanediol expressed by the following formula: ##STR1## and (3R, 5R)-(+)-2,6-dimethyl-3,5-heptanediol expressed by the following formula: ##STR2## are disclosed, which are useful as reagents for asymmetric synthesis such as chiral auxiliary and chiral synthon.

Abstract: This invention discloses a developing apparatus wherein a brush of a developing agent is formed on a developing sleeve by a magnetic field of a permanent magnet disposed inside the developing sleeve, and at least the developing sleeve is rotated while the brush is kept in contact with a photosensitive body, thereby developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive body. In this apparatus, an agitating member having magnetic ring portions which abut against the developing sleeve and an agitating portion for agitating the developing agent is pivotally disposed in a developing vessel to be parallel to the developing sleeve, and a rotation detecting unit for outputting a signal corresponding to a rotational speed of the agitating member and a residual amount detecting unit for detecting a residual amount of the developing agent in the developing vessel in accordance with an output from the rotation detecting unit are provided.