Abstract: A fluorine-containing optically active compound represented by the formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a saturated or unsaturated C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 alkyl group or a saturated or unsaturated C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 alkoxyalkyl group; A.sup.1, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 independently represent one of the following groups: ##STR2## provided that, when A.sup.1 is a condensed ring group, a sum of p and q is 0 or 1 and A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 are both monocyclic groups, or when A.sup.1 is a monocyclic group, a sum of p and q is 1 or 2 with the proviso that when the sum of p and q is 2, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 are both monocyclic groups; X is --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH-- or --C.tbd.C--; W is a fluorine atom or a hydrogen atom; n is an integer of 1 to 10; m, p and q are each 0 or 1; u and w are each an integer of 0 to 3; and * indicates an asymmetric carbon atom, which is useful as a component of a liquid crystal mixture.

Abstract: A liquid crystal mixture containing (a) at least one compound of a compound of the formula (1): ##STR1## in which R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl group, etc.; X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3, X.sub.4, Y.sub.1, Y.sub.2, Y.sub.3 and Y.sub.4 represent, independently each other, CH, CF or N; A is a hydrogen atom, a 4-R.sub.1 -(cycloalkyl) group, etc. in which R.sub. is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl group, etc. and p is 0 or 1; and Z is --C.tbd.C-- or a single bond, and (b) at least one compound of the formula (4): ##STR2## wherein rings C, D, E and F represent, independently each other, 1,4-phenylene, etc. which may be substituted by 1, 2 or 3 fluorine atoms; R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl group, etc.; R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a fluoromethyl group, etc.; Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2 and Z.sub.3 represent, independently each other, --COO--, --OCO--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 O--, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkylene group, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkenylene group, etc.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process of producing a 2-cyano-4-oxo-4H-benzopyran compound of the general formula (2): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxy, nitro or a group of the RCONH wherein R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-substituted (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20) alkyl, phenyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20)alkoxyphenyl or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20) alkoxyphenyl. This production process is characterized in that a carboxamide of the general formula (1): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each as defined above, is reacted with a dehydrating agent in the presence of a pyridine compound of the general formula (4): ##STR3## wherein A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 are independently hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl.

Abstract: A diphenylacetylene compound of the formula [1]: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl group, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkenyl group or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.16 alkoxyalkyl group; X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.3, X.sup.4, Y.sup.1, Y.sup.2, Y.sup.3 and Y.sup.4 are independently from each other a --CH-- group, a --CF-- group or a nitrogen atom;A is a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a trifluoromethyl group, a trifluoromethoxy group, a cyano group, a 4-R.sup.1 -(cycloalkyl) group, 4-R.sup.1 -(cycloalkenyl) group or a R.sup.1 --(O).sub.m group in which R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl group, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkenyl group or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkynyl group; and m is 0 or 1, which has an excellent anisotropy of refractive index and a low viscosity and is useful as a component of a liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A 1-bromoalkylbenzene derivative is prepared by reacting a phenylalkene derivative with hydrogen bromide in the presence of a non-polar solvent. The phenylalkene derivative is prepared by reacting an alkenyl halide with metal magnesium to form a Grignard reagent, and then reacting the Grignard reagent with a benzyl halide derivative. An allyl Grignard reagent is prepared by reacting continuously an allyl halide derivative with metal magnesium in an organic solvent, in which the allyl halide derivative and metal magnesium are continuously added to the reaction system and the allyl Grignard reagent formed is continuously removed from the reaction system. The processes provide the intended compounds in high yields, high selectivities and high purities.

Abstract: A damper device for a motor includes a worm wheel meshingly engaged with a worm on a motor shaft. The worm wheel has a tubular flange in which a plurality of recesses are formed. A rotatable torque transmission disk is connected to an output shaft for rotation therewith. The torque transmission disk has a plurality of radial protrusions formed on an outer periphery thereof. A resilient damper/coupling member is interposed between the worm wheel and the torque transmission disk so as to transmit a torque of the motor to the output shaft. The protrusions of the torque transmission disk are loosely fitted respectively in the recesses in the flange of the worm wheel. With this construction, when a large load is applied to the output shaft, the protrusions are abutted respectively against the edges of the recesses, thereby preventing an undue deformation or twisting of the damper/coupling member.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for controlling steering force in a power steering apparatus having an electromagnetic control valve according to road and driving conditions. The device includes a car speed sensor, a steering angle sensor, first arithmetic means, second arithmetic means, correcting means, control current arithmetic means and controlling means. The first arithmetic means computes a driving condition index by using car speed information. The second arithmetic means computes a road condition index by using steering angle signals. The correcting means converts the driving condition index into a correction driving condition index which takes any one of several stepwise-varied values. The control current arithmetic means computes an output control current value applied to electromagnetic control valve by the controlling means. The device further includes means for detecting lateral acceleration utilized for controlling the steering force.

Abstract: A steering characteristic controller for a power steering system of the type that an actuator operable in response to an electric current thereto varies the characteristic of a assisting power generated by a power steering gear. The controller includes a signal converter responsive to a signal from a vehicle speed sensor for converting the vehicle speed signal into a voltage signal corresponding thereto and a drive circuit connected to the actuator for driving the same in response to the voltage signal from the signal converter. The controller further includes a gain adjuster, which varies the output gain of the voltage signal from the signal converter in correspondence to the magnitude of a signal from a vehicle load sensor.

Abstract: A data input unit has a monitor display unit with a display screen and a manual input device such as a keyboard. Plural transaction items for at least one transaction type are displayed selectively on one portion of the display screen. A second portion of the screen provides for display of manually entered data corresponding to each item. When data which corresponds to a predetermined item displayed on the screen of the monitor display unit is supplied as an input by said manual input devices, said input data is displayed initially in a prearranged common display area comprising a third portion of the screen of the monitor display unit. After an operator confirms the accuracy of the displayed data, and actuation of an item select key causes the data displayed on the common display area to be transferred and displayed on the second portion of the screen in a position directly relating that data to its corresponding transaction item.

Abstract: A steel box-column for steel structures comprises a pair of steel channel members each having beam-column connecting diaphragms set inside thereof at respective positions whereat flanges of beams are welded to the exterior of the channel members. The flanges and the web of each steel channel member are welded to three sides of each of the connection diaphragms. A pair of the steel channel members are welded to each other at ends of their flanges facing each other.