Abstract: An image synthesis device includes a real image acquisition unit configured to acquire a real image, a post-substitution object image acquisition unit configured to acquire a post-substitution object image that is substituted for a pre-substitution object image included in the real image and synthesized with the real image, a masking object image region detection unit configured to detect a region of a masking object image that masks the pre-substitution object image in the real image, a masked portion cut-out unit configured to cut out a portion corresponding to the region of the masking object image from the post-substitution object image, and a synthesis execution unit configured to perform the synthesis of the post-substitution object image which the portion corresponding to the region of the masking object image has been cut out from the real image.

Abstract: A heat treatment method according to the present invention includes a preliminary-state-generating step of heat-treating an alloy that undergoes multiple-step transformation with temperature by bringing the alloy in contact with a contact-type heating element for 0.01 sec or more and 3.0 sec or less, the contact-type heating element being adjusted to a particular temperature within a preliminary-state-generating temperature region determined on the basis of a first temperature related to a particular first transformation of the alloy and a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, related to a particular second transformation of the alloy so as to generate a preliminary state in the alloy.

Abstract: An alkali metal-sulfur-based secondary battery, in which coulombic efficiency is improved by suppressing a side reaction during charge, and a reduction in discharge capacity by repetition of charge and discharge is suppressed and which has a long battery life and an improved input/output density, includes a positive electrode or a negative electrode containing a sulfur-based electrode active material; an electrolyte solution containing an ether compound such as THF and glyme and a solvent such as a fluorine-based solvent, wherein at least a part of the ether compound and the alkali metal salt forms a complex; and a counter electrode.

Abstract: Each of ECUs counts the number of messages transmitted for each of CAN IDs. A transmission node that has transmitted a main message produces an MAC from a data field and the CAN ID in the main message and a counter value corresponding to the CAN ID, and transmits the MAC as an MAC message. A reception node that has received the main message produces an MAC from the data field and the CAN ID contained in the main message and the counter value corresponding to the CAN ID, and determines whether the MAC matches the MAC contained in the MAC message. By so doing, verification whether the main message is valid or not can be made. According to this configuration, message authentication by the MAC can be made without changing a CAN protocol.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing agent comprising a metallocene and a dispersion medium, the metallocene being dispersed in the dispersion medium.

Abstract: A gas detector (10) includes a cell internal space (130) into which a target gas is supplied, the target gas exhibiting an absorption peak in an absorption spectrum; a light source (410) configured to generate light having at least a wavelength belonging to the absorption peak; and a photodetector (420) configured to detect the light that has emitted from the light source (410) and has propagated through the cell internal space (130). The gas detector (10) further includes a conductive thin film (220) in which a plurality of optical apertures (222) are regularly arranged such that a transmission peak in a transmission spectrum is superimposed over the absorption peak in the absorption spectrum along a wavelength axis. The conductive thin film (220) is provided on an optical path extending from the light source (410) to the photodetector (420), and is provided so as to be contactable with the target gas within the cell internal space (130).

Abstract: Training system including: a training machine including: a Magnet Rheological fluid (MR-fluid) load generating unit generating a load to be exerted on the trainee, by using an MR-fluid having a variable viscosity depending on a magnetic field strength; mechanical arrangements; a displacement detection sensor; a power-assisting motor; a storage unit configure to store MR-fluid load characteristic information on a relationship between a current through the MR-fluid load generating unit and the load generated by the MR-fluid load generating unit; and chain and sprocket arrangements.

Abstract: A voltage boost converter includes: a main voltage boost portion that has a first switch and a first coil, and that raises output voltage of a direct-current power source by using counter electromotive force of the coil caused by the switch performing a switching action on the coil; and a subsidiary voltage boost portion which has a capacitor that adjusts potential difference between two poles of the switch by amount of electricity stored, and which reduces switching loss of the switch by adjusting the amount of electricity in the capacitor during the switching action, and which has a second switch and a second coil. The second coil is formed by winding a wire around at least a portion of a core formed of a magnetic body. The core is provided with a gap formed of a non-magnetic body. A core region formed of a magnetic body is adjacent to the gap.

Abstract: An alkali metal-sulfur-based secondary battery, in which coulombic efficiency is improved by suppressing a side reaction during charge, and a reduction in discharge capacity by repetition of charge and discharge is suppressed and which has a long battery life and an improved input/output density, includes a positive electrode or a negative electrode containing a sulfur-based electrode active material; an electrolyte solution containing an ether compound such as THF and glyme and a solvent such as a fluorine-based solvent, wherein at least a part of the ether compound and the alkali metal salt forms a complex; and a counter electrode.

Abstract: A training system for training of part of a trainee's body includes a training machine, a control device controlling the training machine, and a display unit displaying a game screen. The training machine imposes a load on the trainee, with an MR-fluid load generating unit using MR fluid, which has viscosity varying with a magnetic field strength. The load is calculated on the basis of a target load and a relationship between the current in the MR-fluid load generating unit and the load generated by the MR-fluid load generating unit. The control device produces the game screen in correspondence with the trainee's training motion detected by a displacement detection sensor, and makes the display unit display the game screen, while controlling the load in the training machine.

Abstract: Provided is a beta-type zeolite which has a high catalytic activity and is not easily deactivated. The beta-type zeolite of the invention has a substantially octahedral shape, has a Si/Al ratio of 5 or more, and is a proton-type zeolite. The Si/Al ratio is preferably 40 or more. This beta-type zeolite is preferably obtained by transforming a raw material beta-type zeolite synthesized without using a structure directing agent into an ammonium-type zeolite through ion exchange, then, exposing the beta-type zeolite to water vapor, and subjecting the exposed beta-type zeolite to an acid treatment.

Abstract: The multi-core fiber of the present invention uses a multi-core fiber configuration, compatible with the “coupled” operation mode in which coupling between cores is positively utilized, to carry out mode division multiplexing transmission via a multi-core fiber that contains multiple single-mode cores in one optical fiber. The multi-core fiber of the present invention uses a configuration in which mode multiplexing transmission is carried out using a multi-core fiber that contains multiple single-mode cores in one optical fiber, wherein multiple cores are strongly coupled intentionally to form a coupled multi-core fiber that makes the coupled modes correspond, one to one, to the transmission channels.

Abstract: An approximation processing method for approximating a point group using a curve or a surface defined by control points includes a step of forming an approximated curve (surface) using control points that retain features of a shape; a first calculation step of calculating a closest point closest to each of the data points on the approximated curve (surface); a second calculation step of calculating an error vector that joins the closest point, obtained in the first calculation step, to the data point; and a third calculation step of calculating a corrected control point by moving each of the control points based on the error vector obtained by the second calculation step. The step of forming an approximated curve (surface) and the first to third calculation steps are repeated to make the approximated curve (surface) respectively approximate the curve (surface) of an object configured by the data points.

Abstract: A multi-core fiber for accommodating multiple single mode cores in one optical fiber is provided with multiple types of non-identical cores having different propagation constants. Each of the multiple types of non-identical cores includes a core part and a cladding part covering an outer periphery of the core part. The cladding part has a double cladding structure including a first cladding for surrounding an outer periphery of the core part and a second cladding on the outer side of the first cladding. In the multiple types of non-identical cores, an optical electromagnetic profile in the core part and the first cladding is confined within a range of the core part and the first cladding, restricting a leakage thereof to the second cladding, and the propagation constant of each non-identical core is made different using the refractive index of the first cladding as a parameter.

Abstract: In a multicore fiber in which multiple single mode cores are stored in one optical fiber, the multicore fiber has a lattice-point arrangement in which multiple lattice points are periodically arranged two-dimensionally with translational symmetry and rotational symmetry or one of translational symmetry and rotational symmetry and, in that lattice-point arrangement, multiple cores are arranged with the lattice points of the lattice-point arrangement as reference positions. By giving different perturbations to the propagation constants of the cores, the propagation constants of the cores are each varied from the original propagation constants. Because of the variation in the propagation constants, the core-to-core coupling amount, which is dependent on the varied propagation constants, fall below a predetermined setting amount.

Abstract: A magnetic heating and cooling device is provided that comprises a heat exchanger that includes a magnetic body having a magnetocaloric effect; a magnetic field applying and removing unit that selectively applies to or removes from the magnetic body a magnetic field; and a liquid refrigerant moving unit that reciprocates a liquid refrigerant from one end to the other end, or from the other end to the one end, of the heat exchanger to exchange heat with the magnetic body inside the heat exchanger. The magnetic body is constituted by a plurality of flat magnetic members. At least one flat magnetic member has at least one slit that opens in the direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the liquid refrigerant, and the open end of each slit forms a corner to increase heat exchange efficiency.

Abstract: In the production equipment for a precipitation hardened alloy strip, a solution treatment unit includes a heating chamber provided to heat the material alloy strip having a precipitation hardening alloy composition to a temperature of not lower than a recrystallization temperature but not higher than a melting point, a cooling chamber located adjacent to the heating chamber, and a pair of cooling rolls incorporated in the cooling chamber to hold therebetween and cool down the material alloy strip heated in the heating chamber. This production equipment can quench the material alloy strip to form a solid solution supersaturated with precipitation hardening elements and thereby forming a precipitation hardened alloy strip having a good shape and a favorable surface condition.

Abstract: Provided is an oxygen reduction catalyst having a high oxygen reduction performance. An oxygen reduction catalyst according to the present embodiment includes a transition metal oxide to which an oxygen defect is introduced, and a layer that is provided on the transition metal oxide and that contains an electron conductive substance. A method for producing an oxygen reduction catalyst according to the present embodiment includes heating a transition metal carbonitride as a starting material in an oxygen-containing mixed gas. In addition, a method for producing an oxygen reduction catalyst according to the present embodiment includes heating a transition-metal phthalocyanine and a carbon fiber powder as starting materials in an oxygen-containing mixed gas.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline compound has excellent liquid crystal properties, particularly high phase transition temperature. Diamantane compounds are represented by the general formula (I): (I) wherein A and B are each a six-membered, saturated or unsaturated, carbo- or hetero-cycle, and these cycles may have substituents, which substituents may be united to form a ring; and R1 and R2 are each a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and part of the carbon atoms of the hydrocarbon group may be replaced by heteroatoms or heteroatom-containing groups, while part of the hydrogen atoms thereof may be replaced by halogen atoms or heteroatom-containing groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-hop wireless communication systems that easily realize a highly-efficient and highly reliable bi-directional wireless relay transmission by using MIMO network coding.