Abstract: An image inspection apparatus obtains a threshold value indicating an allowable range of offset differences between an output target inspection image and a pre-provided inspection image, and determines whether to inspect a read image obtained by reading an output target image formed on a recording sheet having a pre-provided image, using the threshold value.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus, inspection system, inspection method, and inspection control program stored in a recording medium, each of which sets a reference point in a master image and a read image read from a printed image, which is to be used for detecting the positional shift between the read image and the master image, based on determination whether a pattern previously added to the printed image for detecting the positional shift is available or can be used to effectively detect the positional shift.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus obtains a correction parameter for correcting the positional shift between a previously read image and a master image, and corrects one of a currently read image or a master image using the correction parameter for the previously read image, before comparing between the currently read image and the master image to detect the positional shift in the currently read image.

Abstract: There is provided a method for culturing vascular smooth muscle cells while maintaining their normal function, and a culture device and regenerative medical material for the same. The method takes advantage of vascular smooth muscle cell recognition of elastin as an extracellular matrix. The invention provides a method for culturing vascular smooth muscle cells on elastin, a culture device having elastin anchored on the cell-growing surface, a culture device wherein the cell-growing surface is composed of an elastin molded article, and medical materials obtained by culturing vascular smooth muscle cells using such culture devices.

Abstract: An image test apparatus includes a color-image-data acquiring unit that acquires color image data being data of an image to be formed with a color material; a master-image-data generating unit that converts the color image data depending on transparent image data being data of an image to be formed with a transparent color material, thereby generating master image data; and an image testing unit that tests, using the master image data, a test image data which is generated by optically reading a print image from a printed matter on which the print image based on the color image data and the transparent image data has been printed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quality improver for a deep-fried food, characterized in that the quality improver comprises a polysaccharide powder having an average particle size of 20 ?m or less; a frying powder and a frying food comprising the quality improver; and a deep-fried food prepared by cooking using the quality improver or the frying powder.

Abstract: There is provided a method for culturing vascular smooth muscle cells while maintaining their normal function, and a culture device and regenerative medical material for the same. The method takes advantage of vascular smooth muscle cell recognition of elastin as an extracellular matrix. The invention provides a method for culturing vascular smooth muscle cells on elastin, a culture device having elastin anchored on the cell-growing surface, a culture device wherein the cell-growing surface is composed of an elastin molded article, and medical materials obtained by culturing vascular smooth muscle cells using such culture devices.

Abstract: There is provided an elastin molded article having flexibility, a biological absorption property and tear strength which is practically suturable by using a fiber structure comprising aliphatic polyester fibers having an average fiber diameter of 0.05 to 50 ?m as a supporting base material. The elastin molded article is useful as a raw material for a tube or artificial blood vessel to be implanted in a body that has a biological absorption property and has tear strength and flexibility which allow the tube or artificial blood vessel to endure suture at the time of operation or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quality improver for a deep-fried food, characterized in that the quality improver comprises a polysaccharide powder having an average particle size of 20 ?m or less; a frying powder and a frying food comprising the quality improver; and a deep-fried food prepared by cooking using the quality improver or the frying powder.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention are an anti-coagulant comprising a polysaccharide having a structural unit in which an abundance ratio of glucose, glucuronic acid and rhamnose is 2:1:1 mole, preferably a polysaccharide having a structural unit represented by Formula (1) and more preferably a compound obtained by partially sulfating a hydroxyl group of gellan and an anti-thrombus agent or a blood contact face-treating agent for medical equipment comprising this anti-coagulant.

Abstract: A MODEM 1 has a one-chip single DSP 2, and the single DSP 2 executes a controller task (CT) and a data-pump task (DP). In the CT, a plurality of sub-tasks are continuously executed in the round robin mode in the CT task processing part 3. During the execution of the CT task, when the DP task is required to be started by an interrupt generated by an external event, the parameters for restarting the CT task that is being executed are stored in the task switching part 5, and then the task is switched from the CT task to the DP task according to the parameters for restarting the data-pump task, which are previously stored. Then, after the process of the switched DP task is finished, the parameters for restarting the DP task are stored and the task is, switched from the DP task to the CT task according to the parameters for restarting the CT task.

Abstract: The invention relates to crosslinked elastin, a water-soluble crosslinking agent to be used for crosslinking, molded elastin articles, medical instruments and regeneration tissues using the crosslinked elastin, and a surgical therapy method and regeneration treatment wherein the medical instruments are employed. There is provided a biocompatible functional material having elasticity suitable for transplantation into the body without causing detachment of cell adhesion proteins.

Abstract: An AC generator structure allows the assembly of a stator thereof to be easily automatized for rationalization of the manufacturing process, while ensuring suppression of heat generation and providing an enhanced cooling function during operation. The stator includes a core and a winding assembly having stator windings. A rotor is enclosed by the core. A rectifier device rectifies an AC power taken out from the winding assembly. In the stator, outgoing conductors form output conductor end portions and connecting conductor end portions, which are substantially parallel to the core's center axis. The connecting conductor end portions are connected to a connecting member distinct from the rectifier device and disposed offset laterally from the stator's center axis. The stator windings are interconnected in a predetermined connection pattern through the connecting member. The output conductor end portions, through which the AC power is taken out, are connected to the rectifier device.

Abstract: A vehicle-onboard AC generator of a structure which allows the assembling of a stator of the AC generator to be easily automatized for rationalization of AC generator manufacturing process while ensuring suppression of heat generation as well as enhanced cooling function during operation of the generator. A stator (8) is constituted by a stator core (15) and a stator winding assembly including a plurality of stator windings (16). A rotor (7) is disposed, being enclosed by the stator core (15). A rectifier device (12) is provided for rectifying an AC power taken out from the stator winding assembly (16). In the stator (8), a plurality of outgoing conductors forming output conductor end portions (a1; a2, b1; b2 and c1; c2) and connecting conductor end portions (Na1, Na2, Nb1, Nb2, Nc1 and Nc2), respectively, are brought out substantially in parallel with a center axis of the stator core (15).

Abstract: A vehicle alternator capable of promptly discharging water coming into the interior thereof from a water discharge hole. The vehicle alternator includes a rear bracket which supports a rotary shaft driven by an engine at the rear end thereof, has a plurality of vent holes disposed thereto and is mounted so that the main surface of the rear bracket faces in a vertical direction and the rear bracket includes a water discharge hole bored in a wall surface facing to the ground and a pair of guide portions continuously extending from the opening of the water discharge hole toward the ground in confrontation with each other.

Abstract: The cylinder lock according to the present invention comprises a latch 19 movably disposed between the joint position connecting the key cylinder 16 and a driver 18 and the release position disengaging the key cylinder 16 and a driver 18; and a clutch 20 for transferring the latch 19 to the release position when a sleeve 13 rotates relatively to a housing 11 with an improper key. When a proper key is inserted into the key cylinder 16, it can be rotated without rotation of the sleeve 13 so that the driver 18 can be rotated to the locked or unlocked position through the latch 19 which drivingly connects the key cylinder 16 and the driver 18. When an improper key is inserted into the key cylinder 16 and rotated, the sleeve 13 is rotated with the key cylinder 16 through tumblers 17 so that radial movement of the clutch 20 disengages the latch 19 and driver 18, thereby preventing unauthorized unlocking of the cylinder lock 10 without rotation of the driver 18.

Abstract: A cylinder shaft projects from a key cylinder along the center line of a sleeve, and first and second case shafts project from a case. A spring is coiled on the first case shaft, and the cylinder shaft is placed between the first and second case shafts. The cylinder shaft and the second case shaft are placed between both legs of the spring. When the key cylinder is rotated with respect to the sleeve by the proper key being inserted in the key cylinder, the spring imparts returning force to the cylinder shaft that is making an arcuate movement in a circular-arc groove formed in the case.

Abstract: A fire sensing system, a process for sensing a fire and an environment monitor are disclosed. The system includes infrared sensors with sensing wavelength bands sensing an infrared radiation from an infrared source. One of the sensing wavelength bands is a CO.sub.2 -molecular resonance radiation wavelength band. The system determines whether a disastrous fire occurs or not on the basis of outputs of the sensors and a change in a ratio of the outputs. The process computes the temperature of the infrared source from a ratio of outputs of infrared sensors with at least two sensing wavelength bands of an infrared radiation from a monitored area, produces the intensity of infrared radiation of either of the bands from the computed temperature and computes a heating area from the intensity and the output of a corresponding infrared sensor. The process determines the progress of a fire.

Abstract: A four wheel drive motor vehicle is equipped with a change-over unit for selecting a four wheel drive mode or a two wheel drive mode, a road surface condition sensing sonar system, and an actuator for actuating the change-over unit to change the drive system to the four wheel drive mode when the road surface condition sensing system determines that the road surface is slippery. The road surface condition sensing means has ultrasonic transmitter and receiver, and a control unit such as a microcomputer for determining whether the intensity of waves reflected from the road surface is equal to or lower than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aerial transport system which comprises an aerial track having therealong a pair of electric current-carrying cables in a parallel relationship with respect to one another and with respect to the track, and self-propelled carriages. Each carriage has an electric current collector to collect electric power from the current-carrying cables and to supply the power to an electrical driving mechanism mounted thereon for driving wheels engaging with the track. The current-carrying cables are separated at longitudinal given intervals so as to define respectively independent electric power supply zones. The transport system further includes a system for controlling electric power supply for the vehicle or carriage including a mechanism for detecting a vehicle or carriage position in the track provided in each power supply zone.