Abstract: A novel liquid crystal display device is disclosed. The device comprises two polarizer films, a liquid crystal cell disposed between these two polarizer films wherein liquid-crystalline molecules are oriented substantially normal to the substrates under non-operative state in the absence of applied external electric field; at least one layer of a first optically-anisotropic layer having an optically positive refractive anisotropy having Re falling within a range from 40 to 150 nm at visible light; and at least one layer of a second optically-anisotropic layer having an optically negative refractive anisotropy, and having Re of 10 nm or less and Rth falling within a range from 60 to 250 nm at visible light.

Abstract: Gamma rays obtained from radioisotope administered to an examinee are detected by a gamma ray information-detecting unit so that a first tomographic image obtained therefrom is formed on a CRT. Further, a second tomographic image of the examinee detected by using an ultrasonic wave information-detecting unit juxtaposed with respect to the gamma ray information-detecting unit is formed while making the second tomographic image overlap on the first tomographic image. Thus, it is possible to obtain a tomographic image in which relative positional relationship of tissue is clear.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ferritic stainless steel welding wire which allows prevention of wire breaking, fine refining of crystal grains, and increased cracking resistance. A wire rod used essentially consists of, in mass %, 0.03% or less of C, 3% or less of B, 3% or less of Mn, 2% or less of Ni, 11 to 20% of Zr, 3% or less of Mo, 1% or less of Co, 2% or less of Cu, 0.02 to 2.0% of Al, 0.2 to 1.0% of Ti, 0.02% or less of O, 0.04% or less of N, at least one of Nb and Ta, the mass % thereof being eight times the total mass % of the C and N to 1.0 mass %, and the balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities. When the number of crystals per square mm (mm2) of a cross section of the wire rod is defined as m, a grain number of the crystal expressed by an exponent (G) in an expression of m=8×2G is set to 3 to 10 by the heat treatment.

Abstract: A retarder comprising a substrate, a first optically anisotropic layer formed of a composition comprising a rod-like liquid-crystal compound substantially generating a phase difference of ? at 550 nm, and a second optically anisotropic layer formed of a composition comprising a rod-like liquid-crystal compound substantially generating a phase difference of ?/2 at 550 nm is disclosed. At least either one of the rod-like liquid-crystal compounds is denoted by Formula (I) Q1-L1-A1-L3-M-L4-A2-L2-Q2: where Q1 and Q2 denote polymerizable groups; L1 to L4 denote single bonds or divalent linking groups provided that at least either of L3 and L4 represents —O—CO—O—; A1 and A2 denote C2-20 spacer groups and M denotes a mesogen group; and an in-plane slow axis of the second layer and an in-plane slow axis of the first layer cross substantially at 60 degrees.

Abstract: A radiation source distribution image of an examinee is formed by driving X direction movement motors to move a radiation information-detecting unit in the X direction, and detecting radiation from the examinee on a stretcher placed between guide rails by using a collimator and a line sensor which constitute a detection unit.

Abstract: To provide an optical film which exhibits excellent retardation values both in the film plane and along the direction perpendicular to the film plane and shows little change in retardation values depending on environmental factors such as humidity, a liquid crystal display showing little change in viewing angle characteristics due to an environmental (humidity) change, and a polarizing plate to be used in the liquid crystal display, the cellulose acylate contains a cellulose acylate which is a mixed fatty acid ester of a cellulose and satisfies formulae specified in the specification, and a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display using this cellulose acylate film.

Abstract: A refined SiC single crystal that includes a small number of defects is provided as follows. At a first growth step, a first seed crystal is formed from a crude SiC single crystal, and a first grown crystal is formed on a first growth surface, which is a plane having an inclination of 20 degrees or smaller from a {1-100} plane or an inclination of 20 degrees or smaller from a {11-20} plane. At an intermediate growth step, an n growth crystal is formed on an n growth surface, which is a plane having an inclination of 45 to 90 degrees from an (n?1) growth surface and an inclination of 60 to 90 degrees from a {0001} plane. At a final growth step, a final SiC single crystal is formed on a final growth surface, which has an inclination of 20 degrees or smaller from a {0001} plane.

Abstract: After the position of a collimator with respect to a gamma camera depending on the position of a detection plane in an examinee, gamma rays radiated from the examinee are detected by a scintillation detector via a collimator and a scintillator, and a signal from the scintillation detector is processed by a signal processing circuit and then transferred to an image reconstructing unit, which reconstructs a three-dimensional image of the radiation source in the examinee and displays the three-dimensional image on a display unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material comprising silver halide containing a metal complex having a cyanide ligand in a silver halide emulsion layer and comprising a hydrazine compound having an onium group in the molecule, and a method of developing the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material with a developer having a pH of 9.0-11.0. The silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention can provide high sensitivity, high processing stability and high contrast images.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material having layers containing a swellable inorganic stratifying compound on both sides of a support and having at least one silver halide emulsion layer on at least one of the layers. There is provided a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material showing good dimensional stability.

Abstract: A retarder comprising a substrate having a longitudinal direction and a first and second optically anisotropic layers respectively formed of a composition comprising a rod-like liquid-crystalline compound, in which the rod-like molecules are aligned homogeneously. The first layer substantially generates a phase difference of &pgr; at 550 nm, and the second layer substantially generates a phase difference of &pgr;/2 at 550 nm. An in-plane slow axis of the first layer and the longitudinal direction cross substantially at +30 degrees, an in-plane slow axis of the second layer and the longitudinal direction cross substantially at −30 degrees, and the slow axis of the second layer and the slow axis of the first layer cross substantially at 60 degrees. A circular polarizer comprising the retarder and a linear polarizer film having a transparent axis inclined at 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flux-contained welding wire is provided wherein a conductive core wire can be disposed without any complicate manufacturing steps performed on a metal outer layer. Flux is filled inside of the metal outer layer. The conductive core wire is disposed nearly in the center of the flux without being supported by the metal outer layer. The flux contains 20-80 weight % of metal powder. A weight % of the weight of the flux to the weight of the welding wire per unit length is set in a range of 6.5-30 weight %. The weight % of the weight of the conductive core wire to the weight of the welding wire per unit length is set in a range of 1.5-15 weight %.

Abstract: Disclosed are a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material comprising silver halide containing a metal complex having a cyanide ligand in a silver halide emulsion layer and comprising a hydrazine compound having an onium group in the molecule, and a method of developing the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material with a developer having a pH of 9.0-11.0. The silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention can provide high sensitivity, high processing stability and high contrast images.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material having layers containing a swellable inorganic stratifying compound on both sides of a support and having at least one silver halide emulsion layer on at least one of the layers. There is provided a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material showing good dimensional stability.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical scanning stage. The optical scanning stage comprises a specimen holder that holds the specimen, a main scanning guide that guides the specimen holder along a main scanning axis, a sub-scanning stage that supports the specimen holder through the main scanning guide, and a main scanning driving mechanism that scans the specimen along the main scanning axis. The main scanning driving mechanism comprises a motor having a rotation shaft that rotates in one direction, and a movement conversion mechanism that converts a one-directional rotary motion of the rotation shaft of the motor to a linear reciprocation.

Abstract: A radiation source distribution image of an examinee is formed by driving X direction movement motors to move a radiation information-detecting unit in the X direction, and detecting radiation from the examinee on a stretcher placed between guide rails by using a collimator and a line sensor which constitute a detection unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photothermographic material having one or more image-forming layer and one or more layers on the outermost image-forming layer, wherein at least one of the layers on the outermost image-forming layer is a non-photosensitive layer having a thickness of 2.8-8 &mgr;m and at least one layer prepared by applying a coating solution containing 30 weight % or more of an organic solvent is formed between the support and the non-photosensitive layer. The photothermographic material shows little fluctuation of image line width and little generation of density unevenness and can form an image of high contrast and high maximum density with heat development under a highly humid environment.

Abstract: A photothermographic material includes on a support a non-photosensitive sliver salt, a photosensitive sliver halide, a nucleation agent, and a binder, and a layer containing specific compounds is formed on an outer side of the image forming layer. Thus, there are obtained such images optimal for photomechanical processes as having a high Dmax (maximum density), a low fog, a good coated surface condition, and less surface defects such as repellency, coating lines or the like.

Abstract: A refined SiC single crystal that includes a small number of defects is provided as follows. At a first growth step, a first seed crystal is formed from a crude SiC single crystal, and a first grown crystal is formed on a first growth surface, which is a plane having an inclination of 20 degrees or smaller from a {1-100} plane or an inclination of 20 degrees or smaller from a {11-20} plane. At an intermediate growth step, an n growth crystal is formed on an n growth surface, which is a plane having an inclination of 45 to 90 degrees from an (n−1) growth surface and an inclination of 60 to 90 degrees from a {0001} plane. At a final growth step, a final SiC single crystal is formed on a final growth surface, which has an inclination of 20 degrees or smaller from a {0001} plane.

Abstract: A heat sink element in the form of a coil with a high thermal conductivity is formed. One end of the heat sink element is directly connected to a circuit element connection conductor under a high potential in a high-frequency circuit mounted on an electronic circuit substrate, and the other end thereof is directly secured to a metal case having the electronic circuit substrate contained therein. As a result, the heat sink element serves as a heat channel transferring the heat generated due to the temperature increase in the circuit element connection conductor to the metal case by means of thermal conductivity.