Disclosed herein is a fluorescent compound represented by the following general formula and having fluorescence characteristics that vary in the presence of a subject substance,

##STR00001##

wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represent a carboxyl group, or a substituent containing a carboxyl group, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, or a substituent containing a carboxyl group.

A condensed cyclic compound represented by Formula 1:

Ar.sub.1-(L.sub.1).sub.m1-Ar.sub.2Formula 1 wherein, in Formula 1, Ar.sub.1, Ar.sub.2, L.sub.1, and ml are the same as described in the specification.

Disclosed herein is a fluorescent compound represented by the following general formula and having fluorescence characteristics that vary in the presence of a subject substance, ##STR00001##
wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represent a carboxyl group, or a substituent containing a carboxyl group, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, or a substituent containing a carboxyl group.

A series of carbohydrate-dye conjugates, as well as a method for detection of pathogenic or other organisms (e.g., bacteria) using the same are provided. The carbohydrate-dye conjugate can be enzymatically incorporated into live and active (viable) bacteria of interest for facile detection of said bacteria. The conjugate incorporation is achieved by utilizing one or more of the enzymes that are endogenous to the bacteria of interest, which can incorporate the conjugate via the conjugate's carbohydrate. A detectable signal is produced by the conjugate's dye only upon incorporation into the bacteria of interest, due to the changes in the dye's local environment upon incorporation. The conjugate may be metabolically incorporated into the fatty outer membrane of a bacterial cell wall, which provides a distinctly hydrophobic environment for the conjugate's dye, causing it to produce a detectable signal.

A series of carbohydrate-dye conjugates, as well as a method for detection of pathogenic or other organisms (e.g., bacteria) using the same are provided. The carbohydrate-dye conjugate can be enzymatically incorporated into live and active (viable) bacteria of interest for facile detection of said bacteria. The conjugate incorporation is achieved by utilizing one or more of the enzymes that are endogenous to the bacteria of interest, which can incorporate the conjugate via the conjugate's carbohydrate. A detectable signal is produced by the conjugate's dye only upon incorporation into the bacteria of interest, due to the changes in the dye's local environment upon incorporation. The conjugate may be metabolically incorporated into the fatty outer membrane of a bacterial cell wall, which provides a distinctly hydrophobic environment for the conjugate's dye, causing it to produce a detectable signal.

The present application discloses stilbene derivative compounds and phenylbenzofuran compositions, useful in the manufacture of dye-sensitized solar cells and other similar technology.

A compound represented by Formula (1) or a tautomer thereof; a composition; a laminate; an optical film; an image forming material; and a method for producing a compound or tautomer thereof [R.sup.1 to R.sup.4: a hydrogen atom or the like, R.sup.20: a group represented by Formula (2) or the like, A: an aromatic hydrocarbon group or the like, B: a cationic aromatic hydrocarbon group or the like, *: a bonding position, with the proviso that a compound corresponding to [a], a compound corresponding to [b], and tautomers thereof are excluded. [a] A: a group represented by Formula (P), R.sup.20: a hydrogen atom, *: a bonding position, R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are the same, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 are the same. [b] A: a group represented by Formula (P), R.sup.20: a group represented by Formula (2), *: a bonding position, B: a group represented by Formula (Q), R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are the same, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 are the same.].

##STR00001##

A stereo viewing device comprises a first lens comprising a first lens filter, and a second lens comprising a second lens filter. The first lens filter comprises a first set of light absorbing dyes that define a first set of rejection bands. The first set of light absorbing dyes comprises at least a first polymethine dye. The second lens filter comprises a second set of light absorbing dyes that define a second set of rejection bands different from the first set of rejection bands. The second set of light absorbing dyes comprises at least a second polymethine dye.

A stereo viewing device comprises a first lens comprising a first lens filter, and a second lens comprising a second lens filter. The first lens filter comprises a first set of light absorbing dyes that define a first set of rejection bands. The first set of light absorbing dyes comprises at least a first polymethine dye. The second lens filter comprises a second set of light absorbing dyes that define a second set of rejection bands different from the first set of rejection bands. The second set of light absorbing dyes comprises at least a second polymethine dye.

The present invention relates to novel methine dyes, methods for the preparation thereof and use thereof for dyeing plastics, especially polyamides, so as to obtain yellow colorings with improved light fastness and improved thermostability.