Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus that enables a more effective reduction in a load imposed on a user, with the use of force applied to the user in relation to a tangible object. The information processing apparatus includes a control unit configured to estimate, on the basis of a state of a user, a first amount that is predicted by the user with regard to force applied to the user in relation to a tangible object, and control presentation of information to the user on the basis of the first amount and a second amount that is preliminarily registered with regard to the force.

Abstract: Provided is a dipole ring magnetic field generator capable of generating a substantially unidirectional magnetic field in the internal space of a ring without using permanent magnet pieces having fan-shaped or trapezoidal sections, and as a result, a smaller skew angle therein is achieved. The sections of the permanent magnet pieces are shaped to be rectangular, and a plurality of the rectangular permanent magnet pieces are circularly placed at predetermined positions. Each of first, second, third and fourth permanent magnet units, which are main permanent magnet units, comprises five or more permanent magnet pieces. The first and third permanent magnet units, as well as the second and fourth permanent magnet units, are positioned oppositely from each other with respect to a central axis of the magnetic field generator and have hollow shapes or E-shapes facing against each other in a section perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: Provided is a dipole ring magnetic field generator capable of generating a substantially unidirectional magnetic field in the internal space of a ring without using permanent magnet pieces having fan-shaped or trapezoidal sections, and as a result, a smaller skew angle therein is achieved. The sections of the permanent magnet pieces are shaped to be rectangular, and a plurality of the rectangular permanent magnet pieces are circularly placed at predetermined positions. Each of first, second, third and fourth permanent magnet units, which are main permanent magnet units, comprises five or more permanent magnet pieces. The first and third permanent magnet units, as well as the second and fourth permanent magnet units, are positioned oppositely from each other with respect to a central axis of the magnetic field generator and have hollow shapes or E-shapes facing against each other in a section perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a component from a liquid is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges disposed within a tank, the cartridges being mounted on a support member rotatable about a first axis, and each cartridge being rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis. The cartridges include a plurality of holes on an outer periphery thereof, and contain a supply of a granular ion exchange material capable of separating a desired component from the liquid. Means are provided for transferring liquid to be separated into the tank, and to discharge treated liquid from the cartridges to a location outside the tank.

Abstract: A method for demarcating a reticulocyte particle group from a red blood cell particle group in a one-dimensional frequency distribution assumes a normal distribution on one side of the distribution. Various positions Xs.sub.1, Xs.sub.2, . . . , Xs.sub.n, which respectively indicate frequencies that are p.sub.1, p.sub.2, . . . p.sub.n percent (where n is an integer of 3 or greater) of a peak frequency of the distribution, on the normal side of the distribution, are determined. An average value and standard deviation of the normal distribution is determined from these values. A threshold value is next obtained from the average value and standard deviation, the threshold value being used to separate the reticulocyte group from the red blood cell group. The average value and standard deviation may be obtained using a least square method or by computing the mean of several average values and standard deviations.

Abstract: One particle group in a sample undergoing measurement is demarcated from another particle group in the sample by drawing a discriminant on a plot of a two-dimensional distribution of the particles. To draw the discriminant, the two-dimensional distribution is divided into a grid pattern of a plurality of areas arranged in a number of columns, the number of particles contained in each area is determined, and an area containing the smallest number of particles is selected from a plurality of areas in a specific column. Next, in a column neighboring the specific column, an area containing the smallest number of particles is selected from those areas adjacent the area selected in the specific column. This operation for the neighboring column is thenceforth successively repeated for all subsequent columns to select the area containing the smallest number of particles in each column.