Abstract: A training apparatus 1000 using a method of decoding nerve activity includes: a brain activity detecting device 108 for detecting brain activity at a prescribed area within a brain of a subject; and an output device 130 for presenting neurofeedback information (presentation information) to the subject. A processing device 102 decodes a pattern of cranial nerve activity, generates a reward value based on a degree of similarity of the decoded pattern with respect to a target activation pattern obtained in advance for the event as the object of training, and generates presentation information corresponding to the reward value.

Abstract: To provide a method for lighting a backlight of a capacitive touch switch module in which driving of the backlight hardly affects sensitivity of a touch switch. An electrical noise generated when a LED backlight 6 is driven is suppressed by at least one of (1) setting timings of turning on and/or turning off of pulse waveforms for light emitting diode backlights in a pulse modulation system not to be the same but to be different from each other, and (2) lengthening a time necessary for at least one of rising and falling of the pulse waveform in the pulse modulation system.

Abstract: Provided is a method of analyzing brain activities for realizing a biomarker for neurological/mental disorder, based on brain function imaging. From measured data of resting-state functional connectivity MRI of a healthy group and a patient group, correlation matrix (80) of degree of brain activities among prescribed brain regions is derived for each subject. Feature extraction is executed by regularized canonical correlation analysis (82) on the correlation matrix (80) and attributes of the subject including a disease/healthy label of the subject. Based on the result of regularized canonical correlation analysis, by discriminant analysis (86) through sparse logistic regression, a discriminator (88) is generated.

Abstract: To provide a method for lighting a backlight of a capacitive touch switch module in which driving of the backlight hardly affects sensitivity of a touch switch. An electrical noise generated when a LED backlight 6 is driven is suppressed by at least one of (1) setting timings of turning on and/or turning off of pulse waveforms for light emitting diode backlights in a pulse modulation system not to be the same but to be different from each other, and (2) lengthening a time necessary for at least one of rising and falling of the pulse waveform in the pulse modulation system.

Abstract: Provided is a method of analyzing brain activities for realizing a biomarker for neurological/mental disorder, based on brain function imaging. From measured data of resting-state functional connectivity MRI of a healthy group and a patient group, correlation matrix (80) of degree of brain activities among prescribed brain regions is derived for each subject. Feature extraction is executed by regularized canonical correlation analysis (82) on the correlation matrix (80) and attributes of the subject including a disease/healthy label of the subject. Based on the result of regularized canonical correlation analysis, by discriminant analysis (86) through sparse logistic regression, a discriminator (88) is generated.

Abstract: Provided is a brain activity training apparatus for training to cause a change in correlation of connectivity among brain regions, utilizing measured correlations of connections among brains regions as feedback information. From measured data of resting-state functional connectivity MRI of a healthy group and a patient group (S102), correlation matrix of degree of brain activities among prescribed brain regions is derived for each subject. Feature extraction is executed (S104) by regularized canonical correlation analysis on the correlation matrix and attributes of the subject including a disease/healthy label of the subject. Based on the result of regularized canonical correlation analysis, by discriminant analysis through sparse logistic regression, a discriminator is generated (S108). The brain activity training apparatus feeds back a reward value to the subject based on the result of discriminator on the data of functional connectivity MRI of the subject.

Abstract: Provided is a method of analyzing brain activities for realizing a biomarker for neurological/mental disorder, based on brain function imaging. From measured data of resting-state functional connectivity MRI of a healthy group and a patient group, correlation matrix (80) of degree of brain activities among prescribed brain regions is derived for each subject. Feature extraction is executed by regularized canonical correlation analysis (82) on the correlation matrix (80) and attributes of the subject including a disease/healthy label of the subject. Based on the result of regularized canonical correlation analysis, by discriminant analysis (86) through sparse logistic regression, a discriminator (88) is generated.

Abstract: A training apparatus 1000 using a method of decoding nerve activity includes: a brain activity detecting device 108 for detecting brain activity at a prescribed area within a brain of a subject; and an output device 130 for presenting neurofeedback information (presentation information) to the subject. A processing device 102 decodes a pattern of cranial nerve activity, generates a reward value based on a degree of similarity of the decoded pattern with respect to a target activation pattern obtained in advance for the event as the object of training, and generates presentation information corresponding to the reward value.

Abstract: There is provided a method of evaluating quantitatively surface properties such as cleanness and quality of the surface of a work that has been evaluated in the past by visual appearance inspection. A determined pattern 14 is made from plural concentric circles arranged at a center of an object lens in a taking picture device 12. A front edge of a probe is in contact with the surface of a work by the probe 10 that is provided at a middle portion of a cylindrical case 11 in a vertical direction so that the surface of the work and the determined pattern face each other. The determined pattern is illuminated by light of a light source so that a reflected image of the determined pattern is projected onto the surface of the work. A picture of the reflected image is taken by the taking picture device. The resulted image data includes standard deviation of brightness distribution of the resulted image data positioned on radius lines extending in all directions to outside from a center of the ring pattern image.

Abstract: In a filament power supply circuit of a vacuum fluorescent display, an integration circuit is connected to a signal input terminal which receives a pulse signal having a magnitude corresponding to a DC power supply voltage. A comparison circuit compares an output voltage from the integration circuit with a reference voltage, and outputs a result. A first filament cathode connection terminal is connected to one terminal of the filament cathode of a vacuum fluorescent display and applies the DC power supply voltage to the one terminal. A second filament cathode connection terminal is connected to the other terminal of the filament cathode to ground the other terminal via a capacitive element. A three-terminal element includes first, second, and third terminals. The first terminal is connected to the first filament cathode connection terminal. The second terminal is grounded.

Abstract: There is provided a method of evaluating quantitatively surface properties such as cleanness and quality of the surface of a work that has been evaluated in the past by visual appearance inspection. A determined pattern 14 is made from plural concentric circles arranged at a center of an object lens in a taking picture device 12. A front edge of a probe is in contact with the surface of a work by the probe 10 that is provided at a middle portion of a cylindrical case 11 in a vertical direction so that the surface of the work and the determined pattern face each other. The determined pattern is illuminated by light of a light source so that a reflected image of the determined pattern is projected onto the surface of the work. A picture of the reflected image is taken by the taking picture device. The resulted image data includes standard deviation of brightness distribution of the resulted image data positioned on radius lines extending in all directions to outside from a center of the ring pattern image.

Abstract: In a filament power supply circuit of a vacuum fluorescent display, an integration circuit is connected to a signal input terminal which receives a pulse signal having a magnitude corresponding to a DC power supply voltage. A comparison circuit compares an output voltage from the integration circuit with a reference voltage, and outputs a result. A first filament cathode connection terminal is connected to one terminal of the filament cathode of a vacuum fluorescent display and applies the DC power supply voltage to the one terminal. A second filament cathode connection terminal is connected to the other terminal of the filament cathode to ground the other terminal via a capacitive element. A three-terminal element includes first, second, and third terminals. The first terminal is connected to the first filament cathode connection terminal. The second terminal is grounded.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for a vacuum fluorescent display includes a boosting coil, input terminal, switching transistor, PWM control circuit, boosting circuit, first filament terminal, and second filament terminal. The boosting coil is provided in a current path to generate an induced voltage in accordance with a change in current flowing therein. The input terminal receives a DC voltage to be applied to one terminal of the boosting coil. The switching transistor is provided between the other terminal of the boosting coil and a ground line. The PWM control circuit periodically turns on/off the switching transistor. The boosting circuit generates a boosted voltage on the basis of an induced voltage generated at the other terminal of the boosting coil when the switching transistor is switched from ON to OFF. The first terminal is connected to the node between the other terminal of the boosting coil and the switching transistor.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for a vacuum fluorescent display includes a boosting coil, input terminal, switching transistor, PWM control circuit, boosting circuit, first filament terminal, and second filament terminal. The boosting coil is provided in a current path to generate an induced voltage in accordance with a change in current flowing therein. The input terminal receives a DC voltage to be applied to one terminal of the boosting coil. The switching transistor is provided between the other terminal of the boosting coil and a ground line. The PWM control circuit periodically turns on/off the switching transistor. The boosting circuit generates a boosted voltage on the basis of an induced voltage generated at the other terminal of the boosting coil when the switching transistor is switched from ON to OFF. The first terminal is connected to the node between the other terminal of the boosting coil and the switching transistor.

Abstract: A blood purification membrane having a membrane thickness of 10 to 35 .mu.m, an inner diameter of 100 to 300 .mu.m, a porosity of 50 to 85%, a water permeability (ultrafiltration rate) at 37.degree. C. of not less than 20 ml/m.sup.2 .multidot.Hr.multidot.mmHg and a sieving coefficient of albumin of not more than 0.01, a substantially homogeneous interior structure, and a smooth surface structure. A process for producing the membrane and a module are also provided.