Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus for diagnosis generates a closed curve which precisely reproduces the shape of the indwelled stent and the shape of the inner wall of the biological tissue at the indwelling position of the stent. The optical imaging apparatus analyzes intensity change in transmission direction of the light from the transmission and reception unit for every one of the respective line data; based on the result of the analysis detects pixel data expressing the stent position in the transmission direction; labels each pixel data expressing the detected stent position; eliminates, within the respective labeling groups applied with the same labels, labeling groups in each of which the number of pixel data in the circumferential direction is a predetermined value or less; calculates center position for each labeling group not eliminated; and generates a stent closed-curve using the center position of each labeling group.

Abstract: A database restructuring apparatus which is capable of migrating a database without depending on a method of managing the database and without interrupting practical online services. Copying section copies data from a current database to a switching destination database. When data update access to the current database by current database access section occurs during copy processing by the copying section, data updating section determines whether or not data to be accessed has been copied. If the data has not been copied yet, the data updating section performs data update processing on the current database, whereas if the data has already been copied, the data updating section performs data update processing on both the current database and the switching destination database. After completion of the copy processing, switching section switches the distribution destination of an online electronic message to switching destination database access section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing a metal body which can turn a metal structure of the metal body into a finer grain structure thus obtaining the high strength and the high ductility. In a method or an apparatus for processing a metal body which turns the metal structure of the metal body into the finer grain structure by forming a low deformation resistance region where the deformation resistance is locally lowered in the metal body and by deforming the low deformation resistance region by shearing, using a non-low deformation resistance region forming means which forms a non-low deformation resistance region by increasing the deformation resistance which is lowered in the low deformation resistance region, the non-low deformation resistance region is formed along the low deformation resistance region.

Abstract: An oxide superconducting tape comprised of a substrate on which a GdBa2Cu3O7-? (?=0 to 1) superconductor layer is formed, characterized in that, inside of said superconductor layer, columnar or rod-shaped BaZrO3 crystals are dispersed such that they are inclined from c-axis of the superconducting crystals and that BaZrO3 crystals adjacent in longitudinal directions are in a skew position.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus generates a cross-sectional image in the longitudinal direction inside a body cavity (e.g., blood vessel) by using an interference signal. The apparatus includes an obtaining unit for obtaining line data, and a judgment unit for judging whether or not the optical probe unit operates in a normal state based on existence or non-existence of intensity change in at least a portion of signals within the obtained line date, based on existence or non-existence of change of position in the depth direction in which the portion of signals appear, or based on change quantity per unit time with respect to the position in the depth direction in which the portion in the depth direction of signals appear.

Abstract: A supplementary support structure, which supports the body of a robot (1), comprises a contact component (7) which is disposed in a part near a joint (2c) on the distal end, having a hand (3) disposed thereon, of an arm (2) of the robot (1) so as to come into contact with a surface on which the robot (1) is supported, such as a floor surface, and a member which lies between the part having the contact component (7) disposed therein and the proximal end of the arm (2). Thus, the supplementary support structure can avoid an increase in the weight of the hand resulting from the support structure, thus eliminate an extra load on a driving system for the hand or the arm, and thus achieve the simplification and size reduction of the driving system. Moreover, the support structure can increase the degree of freedom of the shape or functional design of the hand and thus improve the functioning of the robot.

Abstract: A voice recognition control system capable of realizing control of entire voice-recognizable electronic devices through voice recognition. This control system includes a voice input unit for inputting an operator's voice, a voice recognition unit and a controller constituting a control means which recognizes the operator's voice obtained from the voice input unit and controls input/output of an MD player having a voice recognition table where the operator's voice is stored in advance as an expected value. When an unregistered MD player has been connected first, the voice recognition unit registers the voice recognition table provided from the MD player. And upon input of the operator's voice by the voice input unit, the control means compares the operator's voice with the preregistered voice recognition table, and then the controller controls the input/output of the MD player in accordance with the result of comparing the operator's voice with the voice recognition table.

Abstract: A method of working metal in which the microstructure of metal body is rendered fine to thereby enhance the strength, ductility or homogeneity thereof; a metal body obtained by the metal working method; and a metal-containing ceramic body obtained by the metal working method. In this metal working method, the deformation resistance of metal body or metal-containing ceramic body (hereinafter referred to simply as “metal body”) is lowered locally to thereby form low deformation resistance regions in the metal body, and shear deformation of the low deformation resistance regions is effected so as to fine the microstructure of metal body. In particular, the metal body is formed in unidirectionally drawn configuration so as to produce low deformation resistance regions crossing the metal body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a button manufacturing device that is lightweight and robust, and that can be operated even at an unstable location and in a small space. A button manufacturing device comprises a base, a slide platform disposed on the base for reciprocating movement, first and second lower dies provided on both sides of the slide platform in the reciprocating directions, a press screw shaft capable of moving in the axial direction by screwing into a female screw section provided on a beam fixed to the upper part of struts, fixed on the base, an upper die provided on a lower end of the press screw shaft for joining to the first lower die or the second lower die, and an operating handle provided on an upper part of the press screw shaft.

Abstract: A method of working metal in which the microstructure of metal body is rendered fine to thereby enhance the strength, ductility or homogeneity thereof; a metal body obtained by the metal working method; and a metal-containing ceramic body obtained by the metal working method. In this metal working method, the deformation resistance of metal body or metal-containing ceramic body (hereinafter referred to simply as “metal body”) is lowered locally to thereby form low deformation resistance regions in the metal body, and shear deformation of the low deformation resistance regions is effected so as to fine the microstructure of metal body. In particular, the metal body is formed in unidirectionally drawn configuration so as to produce low deformation resistance regions crossing the metal body.

Abstract: A method of working metal in which the microstructure of metal body is rendered fine to thereby enhance the strength, ductility or homogeneity thereof; a metal body obtained by the metal working method; and a metal-containing ceramic body obtained by the metal working method. In this metal working method, the deformation resistance of metal body or metal-containing ceramic body (hereinafter referred to simply as “metal body”) is lowered locally to thereby form low deformation resistance regions in the metal body, and shear deformation of the low deformation resistance regions is effected so as to fine the microstructure of metal body. In particular, the metal body is formed in unidirectionally drawn configuration so as to produce low deformation resistance regions crossing the metal body.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive double-coated sheet comprising a substrate, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (A) formed on one side of the substrate and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (B) formed on the other side of the substrate, wherein at least the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (A) is formed with a pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising a butyl rubber as base material, and after the pressure-sensitive adhesive double-coated sheet is allowed to stand at 60° C. for five days while being placed between a moisture vapor-permeable waterproof sheet attached to the adhesive layer (A) and an aluminum plate attached to the adhesive layer (B), an expansion coefficient of the moisture vapor-permeable waterproof sheet is 0.5% or less. The pressure-sensitive adhesive double-coated sheet can allow the moisture vapor-permeable waterproof sheet to less expand over time when attached between the moisture vapor-permeable waterproof sheet and the adherend in a waterproof airtight structure of a construction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing a metal body which can turn a metal structure of the metal body into a finer grain structure thus obtaining the high strength and the high ductility. In a method or an apparatus for processing a metal body which turns the metal structure of the metal body into the finer grain structure by forming a low deformation resistance region where the deformation resistance is locally lowered in the metal body and by deforming the low deformation resistance region by shearing, using a non-low deformation resistance region forming means which forms a non-low deformation resistance region by increasing the deformation resistance which is lowered in the low deformation resistance region, the non-low deformation resistance region is formed along the low deformation resistance region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing a metal body which can turn a metal structure of the metal body into a finer grain structure thus obtaining the high strength and the high ductility. In a method or an apparatus for processing a metal body which turns the metal structure of the metal body into the finer grain structure by forming a low deformation resistance region where the deformation resistance is locally lowered in the metal body and by deforming the low deformation resistance region by shearing, using a non-low deformation resistance region forming means which forms a non-low deformation resistance region by increasing the deformation resistance which is lowered in the low deformation resistance region, the non-low deformation resistance region is formed along the low deformation resistance region.

Abstract: A button making device capable of simply exchanging a first pressed mold, a second pressed mold, and a pressing mold so as to produce buttons of different sizes; a polygonal button whose front surface plate is dome-wise curved and has its shape fixed; and such a button making device, are provided. The button making device has a sliding platform, two pressed molds, a fixed member, a pressing shaft, a pressing mold, and an operation mechanism. The pressed molds are provided on an attachment member which is removably attached to the sliding platform. The pressing mold is removably attached to a lower end of the pressing shaft using magnetic force. The present invention can be used for a button making device which can easily form a metal button by press processing which can be used as an accessory adhered to clothes or the like by a pin or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal molding method, a metal molding machine and a metal molded body, wherein using a mold in which a molding space having a predetermined shape and a metal body lead-in space which is communicated with the molding space are formed, a metal body which is inserted into the metal body lead-in space is fed into the molding space by applying a predetermined pressure thus forming a molded product having a predetermined shape. Particularly, the metal body is deformed by shearing when the metal body is fed to the molding space from the metal body lead-in space thus turning the metal structure of the metal body into the finer grain structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a carbon nanotube composite which manufactures the carbon nanotube composite by integrally bonding a mixed powdery body which is formed by mixing a metal powdery body and carbon nanotubes. A mixed powdery body is pressurized in the uniaxial direction using the first mold and the second mold, and a strain stress is applied to the pressurized mixed powdery body in a non-heated state which applies no heat to the mixed powdery body from outside. The strain stress may be a stress generated by a rotational strain which is imparted to the mixed powdery body by rotating at least one mold of the first mold and the second mold with respect to another mold.

Abstract: A method of working metal in which the microstructure of metal body is rendered fine to thereby enhance the strength, ductility or homogeneity thereof; a metal body obtained by the metal working method; and a metal-containing ceramic body obtained by the metal working method. In this metal working method, the deformation resistance of metal body or metal-containing ceramic body (hereinafter referred to simply as “metal body”) is lowered locally to thereby form low deformation resistance regions in the metal body, and shear deformation of the low deformation resistance regions is effected so as to fine the microstructure of metal body. In particular, the metal body is formed in unidirectionally drawn configuration so as to produce low deformation resistance regions crossing the metal body.

Abstract: A method of working metal in which the microstructure of metal body is rendered fine to thereby enhance the strength, ductility or homogeneity thereof; a metal body obtained by the metal working method; and a metal-containing ceramic body obtained by the metal working method. In this metal working method, the deformation resistance of metal body or metal-containing ceramic body (hereinafter referred to simply as “metal body”) is lowered locally to thereby form low deformation resistance regions in the metal body, and shear deformation of the low deformation resistance regions is effected so as to fine the microstructure of metal body. In particular, the metal body is formed in unidirectionally drawn configuration so as to produce low deformation resistance regions crossing the metal body.

Abstract: A database restructuring apparatus which is capable of migrating a database without depending on a method of managing the database and without interrupting practical online services. Copying section copies data from a current database to a switching destination database. When data update access to the current database by current database access section occurs during copy processing by the copying section, data updating section determines whether or not data to be accessed has been copied. If the data has not been copied yet, the data updating section performs data update processing on the current database, whereas if the data has already been copied, the data updating section performs data update processing on both the current database and the switching destination database. After completion of the copy processing, switching section switches the distribution destination of an online electronic message to switching destination database access section.