Abstract: The ion activity-measuring device of the present invention is provided with a hydrophobic bridge of which portion contacting with a liquid reservoir is hydrophilic. The hydrophobic bridge is made of, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of polyester, nylon, polypropylene, rayon and polyethylene, and is produced by treating a portion contacting with the liquid reservoir with a spreading accelerator. The spreading accelerator is at least one selected from the group consisting of a surfactant and a hydrophilic polymer. There is also provided a method for producing the above ion activity-measuring device, comprising embedding nonwoven fabric in the cover plate to bond the nonwoven fabric to the cover plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reagent composition for measurement of ionic strength of liquid samples (especially for measurement of specific gravity of urine), which contains at least one phosphoric diester, at least one pH buffering agent, and at least one pH indicator. The present invention also provides a test tool containing the reagent composition which may be a test strip made by impregnation, coating, or printing of the composition. The reagent composition and the test tool are convenient and less susceptible to pH and temperature of the samples, measurement timing, etc. The compounds shown by the following general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 in the formula (1) represent straight or branched alkyl groups containing 4-20 carbon atoms, phenyl groups which may be substituted, benzyl groups which may be substituted, or groups containing polyalkylene glycol chains, are preferable as a phosphoric diester.

Abstract: An ink composition for thermal transfer using a basic dye, or a cationic dye, is disclosed. The ink composition for thermal transfer contains the basic dye and an organic high polymer, with the basic dye being dissolved or dispersed into the organic high polymer with a solubilizing agent compatible with both the basic dye and the organic high polymer. The solubilizing agent is an amphipathic compound, preferably, having an HLB value of 7 or greater. By forming an ink layer containing the ink composition for thermal transfer on a base, an ink ribbon for thermal transfer is formed. A thermal transfer target sheet having a receptor layer containing an interlayer compound substituted by an ion exchangeable with the basic dye and a binder resin is used. The ion exchangeable with the basic dye is exemplified by an organic ion, such as an organic onium ion.

Abstract: A cyan dye of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 represents halogen; X.sup.2 represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, alkylcarbonylamino or perfluoroalkyl; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent alkyl, phenyl, perfluoroalkyl, halogen-substituted alkyl, or halogen-substituted phenyl or alkyl-substituted phenyl; R.sub.3 represents alkyl; R.sup.4 represents alkyl, alkoxy or perfluoroalkyl; and n is an integer of 1 or more. A thermal transfer sheet comprising a substrate and an ink layer, the ink layer comprising a cyan dye of the formula described above, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit of this invention includes an oscillation circuit formed on a semiconductor substrate, a frequency dividing circuit formed on the semiconductor substrate, for dividing a frequency of an oscillation output from the oscillation circuit, clocked inverters for selectively permitting one of an original oscillation frequency signal of the oscillation circuit and outputs of the frequency dividing circuit to pass therethrough, an output circuit for outputting a signal selected by the cocked inverters, and a frequency dividing circuit controlling NAND circuit for interrupting the operation of the frequency dividing circuit while the original oscillation frequency signal of the oscillation circuit is being output from the output circuit.