Abstract: To allow a DC voltage to be obtained as an output signal for higher versatility. A sensor unit 400 has three electrodes: a transmission electrode 401, a reception electrode 402 and a shielding electrode 403. The shielding electrode 403 shields the transmission electrode 401 and the reception electrode 402 from each other in terms of high-frequency and is constantly earthed. A high-frequency voltage is applied to the transmission electrode 401 from a high-frequency oscillation circuit 410. A high-frequency voltage depending upon the magnitude of the electrostatic capacity between the electrodes 401 and 4023 is outputted from the reception electrode 402. The high-frequency voltage outputted from the reception electrode 402 is converted into a DC voltage by a detection circuit 420. The presence or absence or the amount of a substance is determined based on the magnitude of the DC voltage produced in the detection circuit 420.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device comprising, a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the pair of substrates, and at least one alignment film formed on a surface thereof confronting the liquid crystal layer, an optical property of the liquid crystal display device is improved by providing a moderate elasticity to the alignment film. In one of the liquid crystal display devices, the alignment film indicates a modulus of elasticity of not less than 2 GPa (2×109N/m2) being measured with a measurement error of ±GPa at temperature of 55° C., including a fluctuation of ±5° C. According to this property of the alignment film, sticking images appearing in and deteriorating the display quality of the liquid crystal display device are drastically suppressed.

Abstract: A device for washing a user with a washing liquid, including a longitudinally extending, open topped vessel having a mat member for supporting the user lying thereon. The mat member is provided with a multiplicity of openings for permitting the washing liquid to pass therethrough. A cover member defining an open space is rotatably secured to the vessel and is displaceable between an open position and a closed position where the cover member engages with the vessel such that the body of the user lying on the mat member is accommodated within the open space of the cover member. The cover member has a front opening such that, when the cover member is in the closed position, the neck of the user lying on the mat member is loosely fitted in the front opening with the head of the user being projected from the cover member. Upper and lower liquid injection nozzles are disposed above and below the mat member for injecting the washing liquid toward the user lying on the mat member.

Abstract: A device for washing the crotch region of a patient, including an air chargeable, double-walled soft cover bag capable of forming a washing chamber for accommodating the crotch region of the patient when air is charged into a space between the double walls. A washing liquid injection nozzle is secured within the washing chamber to wash the crotch region. A discharge port is provided in the cover bag to withdraw the washing liquid from the washing chamber. Similar device includes a T-shaped flexible diaper having a looped soft ridge provided on an inside surface thereof. The ridge is contacted with the skin of the patient to define therebetween a washing chamber in which a washing liquid nozzle and air nozzle is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a leather-like sheet which comprises a fibrous base material (A), a concealing layer (B), an easily dyeable layer (C) each on the fibrous base material (A) in this order, an image (D) formed on the easily dyeable layer (C) which image has resolution of at least 4 dots/mm and is depicted by an ink-jet system, and a transparent or translucent protective layer (E) on the image; a process for producing the leather-like sheet; and a leather-like sheet for use in depicting an image by an ink-jet system which leather-like sheet comprises a concealing layer (B) and an easily dyeable layer (C) in turn on a fibrous base material (A). The above leather-like sheet has a vivid, precise, fine, abrasion-resistant and high color-fastness image which is depicted by an ink-jet system. Moreover, the above process enables the production of the high-quality leather-like sheet in high productivity without any troublesome procedure or much labor.

Abstract: A device for washing a user sitting in or reclining on a wheelchair including an open-bottomed, double-walled housing defining a washing chamber therein and having a top wall opposite the open bottom, opposing side walls, a front wall and a rear opening opposite the front wall. A door is provided for opening and closing the rear opening and a plurality of nozzles are secured to an interior wall of the housing member for injecting warm water toward the user sitting in or reclining on the wheelchair positioned in said washing chamber. The head of the user is located outside the washing chamber.

Abstract: A device for washing a user sitting in or reclining on a wheelchair including an open-bottomed, double-walled housing defining a washing chamber therein and having a top wall opposite the open bottom, opposing side walls, a front wall and a rear opening opposite the front wall. A door is provided for opening and closing the rear opening and a plurality of nozzles are secured to an interior wall of the housing member for injecting warm water toward the user sitting in or reclining on the wheelchair positioned in said washing chamber. The head of the user is located outside the washing chamber.

Abstract: A device for washing a user sitting in or reclining on a stretcher including an open-bottomed, double-walled housing defining a washing chamber therein and having a top wall opposite the open bottom, opposing side walls, a front wall and a rear opening opposite the front wall. A door is provided for opening and closing the rear opening and a plurality of nozzles are secured to an interior wall of the housing member for injecting warm water toward the user sitting in or reclining on the stretcher positioned in said washing chamber. The head of the user is located outside the washing chamber.

Abstract: A device for washing the crotch region of a patient, including a base, a nozzle secured on the base for ejecting a washing liquid, a lower cushioning member provided on the base and having an opening so that the washing liquid ejected from the nozzle passes through the opening. A cover having an upper cushioning member provided with a recess portion is detachably mounted over the base with the lower cushioning member being in pressure contact with the upper cushioning member such that a washing chamber is defined by the recess, the opening and the base. The lower and upper cushioning members are shaped for supporting the femoral and lumbar regions of the patient therebetween such that the pubic region and the anal region of the patient are positioned in the washing chamber and are washed with the washing liquid ejected from the nozzle. A discharge port is provided in the base for discharging the used washing liquid from the washing chamber.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided with a stack of a plurality of semiconductor elements each having a bump deposited on each of surface electrodes, and a plurality of leads disposed closely adjacent to the stacked semiconductor elements, the leads being bonded to the bumps respectively thereby structurally integrally assembling the plural semiconductor elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to optically active compounds represented by the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3, ##STR2## and M are defined as in the specification, methods and intermediates for their preparation, liquid crystal compositions comprising at least one optically active compound of formula I and their use in electrooptical display, switching and modulation devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to optically active compounds represented by the general formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3, and M are defined as in the specification, methods and intermediates for their preparation, liquid crystal compositions comprising at least one optically active compound of formula I and their use in electrooptical display, switching and modulation devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to optically active compounds represented by the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3, ##STR2## and M are defined as in the specification, methods and intermediates for their preparation, liquid crystal compositions comprising at least one optically active compound of formula I and their use in electrooptical display, switching and modulation devices.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprising: a liquid crystal display element formed by holding, between two substrates at least one of which has a light-permeable electrode, a liquid crystal layer in which liquid crystal molecules of a nematic liquid crystal having positive dielectric anisotropy and containing an optically active substance has a helical axis perpendicular to the substrates between the substrates and are helically oriented, and the liquid crystal molecules between the substrates have a twist angle of 180 to 270 degrees, and a phase plate formed by stacking water surface development films of an organic polymer with changing the orientation axes thereof at a constant angle, wherein the contrast ratio, a ratio between brightness in white display and brightness in black display, is remarkably excellent over that of a device obtained by stacking plastic films, and the transmissivity, a quotient of background brightness and light source brightness, is equivalent to that of a conventional double laye

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device characterized in comprising a set of substrates facing each other at least one of which is transparent, transparent electrodes provided respectively to each facing plane of the substrates, a light absorbing layer held between the transparent electrodes, and an electric power source for applying electric field to the light absorbing layer, and that the light absorbing layer is composed of two layers, each of the layers has dichroism, average light absorbing axis of the each layers without electric field is approximately parallel to the substrate plane and crossing each other almost orthogonally, and the average light absorbing axis of the each layers changes the axis direction by applying of electric field. In accordance with the present invention, the liquid crystal display device having eye-tireless bright display, long life time, and electric power saving character is realized.

Abstract: There are disclosed an optically active compound represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3, and M are defined as in the detailed explanation, and *-marked carbon atoms are each an asymmetric carbon atom; a liquid crystal composition comprising at least one optically active compound of said general formula and a liquid crystal optical modulator using the composition thereof.

Abstract: The polarizer of the present invention is composed of mediums having different refractive indices, by which ordinary light in incidented light is wholly reflected at a boundary between laminated medium I and medium II and extraordinary light is transmitted through the medium II. The medium II is so arranged as to be almost 45.degree. to the light axis, and thickness of the medium II is selected as a value with which the medium II works as a half wave length plate to the transmitting light. The polarizer, which has high transparency by reduction of absorption and is able to make most of incident light be similarly polarized light, is obtained. A polarizer for and apparatus for bright liquid crystal display, which is able to be enlarged to a large size display without light absorption, can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses dichiral compounds represented by the general formula ##STR1## (R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3, M and n have the same definitions as in the description portion of the specification), intermediates for preparation of said compounds, liquid crystal compositions comprising said compounds, and liquid crystal optical modulators using said compositions.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display cell, wherein orientation films are made of an organic polymer such as polyimide, polyamide, liquid crystal polymer having one or more mesogen groups in a main chain or side chain and produced by spreading an organic polymer solution on a water surface, is excellent in memory properties and contrast and generates no static electricity, no short circuit between electrodes and no breaking of electrodes.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display element comprising a pair of substrates, a pair of electrodes provided on the respective substrates, at least one of which is transparent and a liquid crystal layer disposed between said substrates, the liquid crystal layer comprising a nematic liquid crystal, which exhibits a positive dielectric constant anisotropy and contains an optically active substance, the liquid crystal moleccule orientation direction in the liquid crystal layer is twisted in the range of 200.degree. to 250.degree. from the one substrate surface toward the other substrate surface so as to form a helical structure therein. A polyimide orientation film is provided between the electrodes and the liquid crystal layer. The polyimide orientation film is one made of a polyimide prepared by reacting a diamine compound having a long-chain hydrocarbon group or a diamine compound having a trifluoromethyl group with a tetracarboxylic dianhydride and causes a pretilt angle of at least 3.degree.