Abstract: A feeding device includes a set plate, a feeding unit, a fan, a heater, a control unit and a temperature and humidity sensor. When the control unit receives a feeding start command, if the sheet to be fed by the feeding unit is coated paper, the control unit performs condition determination processing to determine whether an internal environment satisfies a predetermined condition. When the control unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit starts driving of the fan and the heater, and then starts the feeding of the sheet. When the feeding of the sheet is completed, the control unit stops the driving of the heater and continues the driving of the fan regardless of whether the internal environment satisfies the predetermined condition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a retinal tissue by (1) subjecting pluripotent stem cells to floating culture in a serum-free medium containing a substance inhibiting the Wnt signal pathway to form an aggregate of pluripotent stem cells, (2) subjecting the aggregate to floating culture in a serum-free medium containing a basement membrane preparation, and then (3) subjecting the aggregate to floating culture in a serumcontaining medium. The invention also provides a method for producing an optic-cup-like structure, a method for producing a retinal pigment epithelium, and a method for producing a retinal layer-specific neural cell.

Abstract: A mixing valve 1 includes: a housing 2 with a valve chamber 6 formed therein; and a rotor 4 rotatably inserted into the valve chamber 6, the housing 2 includes, in a first peripheral wall 12, a first inlet port 14 opening at a first opening 20 to the valve chamber 6 and a second inlet port 16 opening at a second opening 22 to the valve chamber 6, a first fluid F1 flowing into the first inlet port 14, a second fluid F2 flowing into the second inlet port 16, the rotor 4 includes, in a second peripheral wall 28, a first inflow pipe 30 and a second inflow pipe 32, and a housing 2 includes, in the first peripheral wall 12, a discharge port 18 discharging the first fluid F1 and/or the second fluid F2 flowing into the valve chamber 6 without passing through the first inflow pipe 30 and/or the second inflow pipe 32 of the rotor 4, respectively, as a discharge fluid DF to the outside of the housing 2, and includes an outlet port 26 communicating with a mixing flow path 24.

Abstract: A measurement method including: acquiring an image of an overlay mark formed by overlaying a first pattern in which a line-and-space is repeatedly formed at a first pitch P1 in a predetermined direction in a layer on a substrate and a second pattern in which a line-and-space is repeatedly formed at a second pitch P2 different from the first pitch P1 in the predetermined direction in another layer different from the layer; extracting a luminance signal of the overlay mark in the predetermined direction from the acquired image of the overlay mark; and determining an absolute position of at least one of the first pattern and the second pattern in the predetermined direction from the extracted luminance signal.

Abstract: A transfer member is supported by a movable unit. A blocking member is movable between a blocking position at which an access path to a first terminal is blocked and an opening position at which the access path is opened. A second terminal is supported by the movable unit. Following movement of the movable unit, a latch mechanism latches the blocking member at the blocking position when the movable unit is located at a separated position and unlatches the blocking member when the movable unit moves from the separated position to a standard position. When the movable unit moves from the separated position to the standard position, the second terminal moves to a position at which the second terminal comes into contact with the first terminal through the access path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body frame; a process unit which is removably fitted in a first direction; a pressing member which presses the process unit in a second direction; and a restriction member which restricts the displacement of the process unit. The process unit includes a restriction plate which protrudes downward from the unit frame. The restriction member includes a pair of sandwiching surfaces which sandwich the restriction plate in the second direction. The process unit is fitted and is pressed by the pressing member such that the restriction plate abuts against the sandwiching surface to restrict the displacement of the process unit.

Abstract: A sheet storage device includes a regulation cursor and a hold mechanism. The hold mechanism includes a guide shaft, and a stopper having a guide hole in which the guide shaft is inserted, and being capable of reciprocating with the regulation cursor. When the stopper is inclined to one side, movement of the regulation cursor is restricted. When the stopper is raised to the other side, movement of the regulation cursor is enabled. The stopper has a contact part that contacts the regulation cursor, so as to restrict the stopper from inclining to the other side, when the regulation cursor is enabled to move.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method of a retinal cell or retinal tissue, including the following steps: (1) a first step of culturing mammalian pluripotent stem cells in the absence of a feeder cell for a period not exceeding 30 days in a medium comprising 1) a factor for maintaining an undifferentiated state and 2) an MEK inhibitor, (2) a second step of culturing the cells obtained in the first step in suspension to form a cell aggregate, and (3) a third step of culturing the aggregate obtained in the second step in suspension in the presence of a BMP signal transduction pathway activating substance to obtain an aggregate containing retinal cells or a retinal tissue.

Abstract: A feeding device includes a set plate, a feeding unit, a fan, a heater, a control unit and a temperature and humidity sensor. When the control unit receives a feeding start command, if the sheet to be fed by the feeding unit is coated paper, the control unit performs condition determination processing to determine whether an internal environment satisfies a predetermined condition. When the control unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit starts driving of the fan and the heater, and then starts the feeding of the sheet. When the feeding of the sheet is completed, the control unit stops the driving of the heater and continues the driving of the fan regardless of whether the internal environment satisfies the predetermined condition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a retinal pigment epithelial cell by (1) maintaining and/or expanding human pluripotent stem cells comprising culturing the human pluripotent stem cells in the absence of a feeder cell in a medium comprising a factor for maintaining an undifferentiated state, (2) a first step for culturing the maintained and/or expanded human pluripotent stem cells in a medium comprising a MEK inhibitor in the absence of feeder cells for a period of not less than 2 days and not more than 30 days, wherein the culture condition in the first step is a condition sufficient for inducing gene expression of at least one eye field transcription factor, and (3) a second step for culturing the cells obtained in the first step in the presence of a Nodal signal transduction pathway inhibitor and/or a Wnt signal transduction pathway inhibitor to form a retinal pigment epithelial cell.

Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a substrate, a frame body, a light-emitting element, a wavelength converter, and a light reflecting portion. The light-emitting element includes a semiconductor light-emitting layer on a support substrate. The wavelength converter is disposed on an upper surface of the light-emitting element. The light reflecting portion covers side surfaces of the light-emitting element and the wavelength converter and is formed of a translucent resin containing light reflective particulate fillers. The light reflecting portion includes a first region extending along an upper surface of the light reflecting portion, a second region that is disposed under the first region and has a content rate of the particulate fillers lower than a content rate of the first region, and a third region that is disposed under the second region and has a content rate of the particulate fillers lower than the content rate of the second region.

Abstract: A mixing valve 1 includes: a housing 2 with a valve chamber 6 formed therein; and a rotor 4 rotatably inserted into the valve chamber 6, the housing 2 includes, in a first peripheral wall 12, a first inlet port 14 opening at a first opening 20 to the valve chamber 6 and a second inlet port 16 opening at a second opening 22 to the valve chamber 6, a first fluid F1 flowing into the first inlet port 14, a second fluid F2 flowing into the second inlet port 16, the rotor 4 includes, in a second peripheral wall 28, a first inflow pipe 30 and a second inflow pipe 32, and a housing 2 includes, in the first peripheral wall 12, a discharge port 18 discharging the first fluid F1 and/or the second fluid F2 flowing into the valve chamber 6 without passing through the first inflow pipe 30 and/or the second inflow pipe 32 of the rotor 4, respectively, as a discharge fluid DF to the outside of the housing 2, and includes an outlet port 26 communicating with a mixing flow path 24.

Abstract: A sheet-metal structure includes a pair of first sheet-metal members, a second sheet-metal member, and a positioning mechanism. The second sheet-metal member has a flat main body portion and a pair of bent portions formed by substantially perpendicularly bending opposite end parts of the main body portion. The positioning mechanism has a swaged portion projecting inward from the inner surface of the first sheet-metal plate, an opening portion extending from the bent portion to the main body portion, and a restriction portion formed at the main body portion side end of the opening portion. The distance from the bent portion to the restriction portion is smaller than the projection height of the swaged portion. With the swaged portion in contact with the restriction portion, fixing together the first sheet-metal member and the bent portion at a fixing position away from the restriction portion across a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body frame; a process unit which is removably fitted in a first direction; a pressing member which presses the process unit in a second direction; and a restriction member which restricts the displacement of the process unit. The process unit includes a restriction plate which protrudes downward from the unit frame. The restriction member includes a pair of sandwiching surfaces which sandwich the restriction plate in the second direction. The process unit is fitted and is pressed by the pressing member such that the restriction plate abuts against the sandwiching surface to restrict the displacement of the process unit.

Abstract: A sheet storage device includes a regulation cursor and a hold mechanism. The hold mechanism includes a guide shaft, and a stopper having a guide hole in which the guide shaft is inserted, and being capable of reciprocating with the regulation cursor. When the stopper is inclined to one side, movement of the regulation cursor is restricted. When the stopper is raised to the other side, movement of the regulation cursor is enabled. The stopper has a contact part that contacts the regulation cursor, so as to restrict the stopper from inclining to the other side, when the regulation cursor is enabled to move.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet storage apparatus including: an apparatus body; a sheet storage section; a top cover; a sheet feeding section; a restricting cursor; a blowing device; a sheet holding-down member; and a moving mechanism. The sheet storage section includes a sheet supply port, and a sheet stacking portion. The top cover is pivotable to an opening position and to a closing position. The blowing device includes a fan and a vent. The sheet holding-down member includes a restricting piece. The moving mechanism is coupled to the sheet holding-down member, moves the sheet holding-down member to a restricting position by coming into contact with the top cover under a state in which the top cover has come to the closing position, and moves the sheet holding-down member to a retracted position by separating from the top cover when the top cover is moved to the opening position.

Abstract: A sheet feeding cassette includes a main body, a lift plate, a pair of side cursors, and an auxiliary lift plate. The main body is configured to accommodate a sheet fed out in a predetermined sheet feeding direction. The lift plate is provided in the main body in a liftable manner, and has a sheet placement surface on which the sheet is placed. The pair of side cursors is configured to be moved in a width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction and to come into contact with side edges of the sheet placed on the lift plate to align the sheet. The auxiliary lift plate is detachably attached to a notch portion which is formed in the lift plate so as to allow a moving of the side cursors.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet storage apparatus including: an apparatus body; a sheet storage section; a top cover; a sheet feeding section; a restricting cursor; a blowing device; a sheet holding-down member; and a moving mechanism. The sheet storage section includes a sheet supply port, and a sheet stacking portion. The top cover is pivotable to an opening position and to a closing position. The blowing device includes a fan and a vent. The sheet holding-down member includes a restricting piece. The moving mechanism is coupled to the sheet holding-down member, moves the sheet holding-down member to a restricting position by coming into contact with the top cover under a state in which the top cover has come to the closing position, and moves the sheet holding-down member to a retracted position by separating from the top cover when the top cover is moved to the opening position.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a retinal pigment epithelial cell by (1) maintaining and/or expanding human pluripotent stem cells comprising culturing the human pluripotent stem cells in the absence of a feeder cell in a medium comprising a factor for maintaining an undifferentiated state, (2) a first step for culturing the maintained and/or expanded human pluripotent stem cells in a medium comprising a MEK inhibitor in the absence of feeder cells for a period of not less than 2 days and not more than 30 days, wherein the culture condition in the first step is a condition sufficient for inducing gene expression of at least one eye field transcription factor, and (3) a second step for culturing the cells obtained in the first step in the presence of a Nodal signal transduction pathway inhibitor and/or a Wnt signal transduction pathway inhibitor to form a retinal pigment epithelial cell.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a main drive unit, a sub drive unit, and a control unit. The main drive unit includes a main drive rotary electric machine. The sub drive unit includes a sub drive rotary electric machine. The control unit includes a driving force distribution ratio setting unit configured to set a driving force distribution ratio between the main driving force and the sub driving force and is configured to control the outputs of the main drive unit and the sub drive unit so that the main driving force and the sub driving force have the driving force distribution ratio set by the driving force distribution ratio setting unit. The driving force distribution ratio setting unit is configured to set the driving force distribution ratio to minimize electric power loss of the vehicle based on a vehicle speed of the vehicle and a required driving force of the vehicle.