Abstract: Disclosed are a photo-semiconductive electrode that has a high light-to-electricity conversion efficiency and excellent stability and can be prepared economically and easily, and a photo-electric cell using the photo-semiconductive electrode. The photo-electric cell comprises a photo-semiconductive electrode having an electroconductive base and a light-to-electricity conversion layer formed thereon, and a counter electrode, such that the photo-semiconductive electrode and the counter electrode contact an electrolyte, wherein the light-to-electricity conversion layer holds an organic pigment. In the photo-electric cell, the photo-semiconductive electrode and the counter electrode are used integrally and disposed so that these electrodes contact the electrolyte. The organic pigment suited for use in the layer is selected from the group consisting of: phthalocyanine pigment such as titanyl phthalocyanine, chlorogallium phthalocyanine and hydroxygallium phthalocyanine; and naphthalocyanine pigments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-linear optical material having an excellent non-linear optical effect which is insusceptible to modification of a cuprous halide incorporated therein. The present invention also provides a process which enables the preparation of such a non-linear optical material at a low temperature by means of a simple apparatus. The non-linear optical material of the present invention exhibits a nonlinear response to incident light and comprises a particulate cuprous halide dispersed in a matrix, said particulate cuprous halide having been separated out with the reaction of a functional group contained in a matrix-forming substance having a functional group, wherein said matrix contains a compound for inhibiting the modification of said cuprous halide.

Abstract: The photo-semiconducting electrode of the present invention comprises a semiconducting substrate, a chemically adsorbed film formed thereon composed of at least one compound selected from the compounds represented by the formulas: formulas (I) R.sup.1 M.sup.1 Y.sub.1.sub.3, (II) R.sup.1 R.sup.2 M.sup.1 Y.sup.1.sub.2, (III) R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 M.sup.1 Y.sup.1 and (IV) R.sup.1 --SH, respectively, and a dye which is fixed to the surface of the chemically adsorbed film and has a functional group capable of reacting with a halogen atom. Because of this, the photo-semiconductor electrode of the present invention is capable of efficiently absorbing solar light and performing energy conversion and superior in photoelectric conversion efficiency, stability and durability. In addition, it can be easily produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonlinear optical element having a sufficient thickness that can be used as a thin film insusceptible to crack and a process for the preparation thereof. A novel nonlinear optical element which gives a nonlinear response to incident light is provided, comprising finely divided grains of a semiconductor or metal, which grains have been separated out with the reaction of a functional group in a matrix-forming substance containing said functional group, dispersed in a matrix. A process for the preparation of a nonlinear optical element which gives a nonlinear response to incident light is also provided, which comprises mixing a solution of a matrix-forming substance containing a functional group with a metal, a semiconductor or a precursor thereof to form a uniform solution, and then allowing said functional group to undergo reaction to form a matrix while allowing finely divided grains of said metal or semiconductor to be separated out in said matrix.

Abstract: A data encoding system for encoding input color pixel data and outputting encoded data. The data encoding system includes a reference pixel generating device which outputs reference pixel data corresponding to the input color pixel data to be encoded; a predictor having a color order table which sets the color ranks of color codes for every reference pixel pattern, reads and outputs the color rank of the corresponding color code from the color order table on the basis of the color pixel data to be encoded and its reference pixel data; and an entropy encoding device which converts the color ranking data into encoded data and outputs the encoded data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymeric composite material in which metal sulfide microparticles having optical characteristics are uniformly dispersed and suspended in a high polymer material at high concentration. The polymeric composite material comprises metal sulfide microparticles formed by a reaction of a functional group in a matrix forming material having the functional group, the metal sulfide microparticles being dispersed in a matrix. It is desirable that the matrix includes a compound having the structure represented by formulae (1) to (5).

Abstract: A compound represented by general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, each presents an ethyl group and R.sub.3 represents an alkoxy group having (1) to (7) carbon atoms which may be substituted by one or more substituents selected from a hydroxyl group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkoxy group having (1) to (4) carbon atoms, an amino group and an acylamino group with the proviso that R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are not a methyl group simultaneously, is disclosed.The compound according to the present invention is useful as a pharmaceutical.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonlinear optical element having a sufficient thickness that can be used as a thin film insusceptible to crack and a process for the preparation thereof. A novel nonlinear optical element which gives a nonlinear response to incident light is provided, comprising finely divided grains of a semiconductor or metal, which grains have been separated out with the reaction of a functional group in a matrix-forming substance containing said functional group, dispersed in a matrix. A process for the preparation of a nonlinear optical element which gives a nonlinear response to incident light is also provided, which comprises mixing a solution of a matrix-forming substance containing a functional group with a metal, a semiconductor or a precursor thereof to form a uniform solution, and then allowing said functional group to undergo reaction to form a matrix while allowing finely divided grains of said metal or semiconductor to be separated out in said matrix.

Abstract: A data encoding system for encoding input color pixel data and outputting encoded data. The data encoding system includes a reference pixel generating device which outputs reference pixel data corresponding to the input color pixel data to be encoded; a predictor having a color order table which sets the color ranks of color codes for every reference pixel pattern, reads and outputs the color rank of the corresponding color code from the color order table on the basis of the color pixel data to be encoded and its reference pixel data; and an entropy encoding device which converts the color ranking data into encoded data and outputs the encoded data.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a conductive substrate having provided thereon a photoconductive layer is disclosed, said photoconductive layer containing a high polymeric compound comprising a repeating unit comprised of a tetracarboxylic acid anhydride skeleton and a divalent organic group skeleton having an aromatic nucleus, said two skeletons being bonded via a nitrogen atom. Said high polymeric compound is formed by co-deposition of a tetracarboxylic acid anhydride compound and an aromatic diamine compound. The photoreceptor exhibits high sensitivity, high durability, and excellent image quality retention even when used repeatedly or in a high humidity environment.

Abstract: Tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-4-spiro-3'-pyrrolidine derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or nitro, and R.sup.3 is hydrogen, halogen or alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, processes for preparation thereof, and pharmaceutical composition containing the same. Said compounds and their salts show excellent aldose reductase inhibitory activity and are useful for the prevention and treatment of diabetic complications.

Abstract: A novel electrophotographic photoreceptor is disclosed, comprising an undercoating layer provided on an electrically conductive substrate having thereon a light-sensitive layer, wherein the undercoating layer is obtained by coating a solution of a composition comprising zirconium and silicon or a solution of a mixture of a zirconium acetyl acetonate compound and a silane coupling agent, the silicon content in the composition comprising zirconium and silicon is in the range of 5 to 35 mol % based on the total amount of zirconium and silicon, and the hardened undercoating layer obtained from the zirconium acetyl acetonate compound and silane coupling agent is a layer having a hardening degree of 1.2 or less.

Abstract: Method for producing a gas separation membrane comprising a microporous support having provided thereon a non-porous coating layer. The method comprises melt extruding a thermoplastic crystalline polymer under particular melt-extrusion conditions to form a precursor in the form of a hollow fiber or flat film, coating the precursor as a support with a coating substance composed of a natural or synthetic substance capable of forming a polymeric layer which does not form pinholes upon subsequent drawing after solidification to form a coating layer on the surface of the support, and solidifying the coating layer. The support is annealed either before or after the cooling process, and this is followed by cold drawing and heat setting the support to form the gas separation membrane.

Abstract: A heterogeneous membrane of a thermoplastic crystalline polymer composed of a microporous layer and a nonporous layer and having excellent properties, for example as a diaphragm for separating a gaseous mixture; and a process for production thereof. The heterogeneous membrane is in the form of, for example, a flat film or a tubular film (preferably a hollow fiber). The microporous layer contains pores with a diameter of 0.01 to 50 microns, whereas the nonporous layer does not substantially contain pores having a diameter of at least 30 .ANG. and has a thickness of 0.01 to 1 micron. The heterogeneous membrane is characterized by having at least 3 times as high an apparent oxygen permeability coefficient P(O.sub.2) at 25.degree. C. as a nonporous homogeneous membrane of the same material and an oxygen-nitrogen separation coefficient .alpha. (O.sub.2 /N.sub.2) at 25.degree. C., i.e. the ratio of the apparent oxygen permeability coefficient P(O.sub.2) to the apparent nitrogen permeability coefficient P(N.sub.