Abstract: A controller reads out image data of an area frame that a user has drawn on an original and accurately extracts the area frame by removing noise from the read-out image data to divide image data of an area outside the area frame and image data of an area inside the area frame into separate stencils, according to a separation program. It is therefore possible to execute a separation process desired by the user without increasing costs and man-hours and with easy operations not making the user feel troublesome.

Abstract: The back-and-forth length and right-to-left width of the head of a helmet wearer are input to a computer and data-processed, so that the type of a helmet size that matches the helmet wearer and its matching data are selected and displayed on a computer window or the like. A helmet of a size that matches the helmet wearer can be obtained easily together with its matching data. Even when a helmet wearer having a head shape different from an average human head shape is to wear a helmet, the helmet can be matched to the head of the helmet wearer substantially optimally by only performing comparatively simple size adjusting operation in accordance with the matching data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus corrects degradation of an image of a pair of spread pages of a bound book placed on a document table. The image processing apparatus includes a height obtaining unit which obtains a plurality of heights, above the document table, of a plurality of points of the pair of spread pages, based on a contour of the pair of spread pages which appears in the image, and an image correcting unit which corrects the degradation of the image based on the plurality of heights obtained by the height obtaining unit. The degradation may be unevenness of lightness, deformation, a blur, or the like.

Abstract: The back-and-forth length and right-to-left width of the head of a helmet wearer are input to a computer and data-processed, so that the type of a helmet size that matches the helmet wearer and its matching data are selected and displayed on a computer window or the like. A helmet of a size that matches the helmet wearer can be obtained easily together with its matching data. Even when a helmet wearer having a head shape different from an average human head shape is to wear a helmet, the helmet can be matched to the head of the helmet wearer substantially optimally by only performing comparatively simple size adjusting operation in accordance with the matching data.

Abstract: A melt of a hydrogen storage alloy having an arbitrary composition is cooled gradually at a cooling rate of 5° C./min or less and solidified, alternatively an alloy having an arbitrary composition, after heating to a temperature equal to or more than a melting point thereof, is cooled gradually at a cooling rate of 5° C./min or less and solidified, and thereby a homogeneous alloy reduced in the segregation, precipitates or inclusions is obtained. An effective hydrogen storage amount, the plateau property and the durability more excellent than ever can be obtained.

Abstract: In an image processing system, whether relevant pixels in the character image information obtained by reading an original on which characters have been recorded are object pixels to be subjected to enhancement processing is determined. The relevant pixel is determined to be an object pixel when the density of the relevant pixel is not lower than a first threshold value higher than the density of the background of the border of the original and not higher than the density of a thinnest line in lines which form the characters and is not higher than a second threshold value not lower than the density of a thinnest line in lines which form the characters and the relevant pixel is determined to be a thin line pixel forming a part of a thin line image.

Abstract: Disclosed are cDNAs and DNAs encoding high-affinity melatonin 1a and 1b receptors and the recombinant polypeptides expressed from such cDNAs. The recombinant receptor polypeptides, receptor fragments and analogs expressed on the surface of cells are used in methods of screening candidate compounds for their ability to act as agonists or antagonists to the effects of interaction between melatonin and high-affinity melatonin receptor. Agonists are used as therapeutics to reentrain endogenous melatonin rhythms as a means of treating circadian rhythm disorders in humans and control reproductive cycles in seasonally breeding animals. Antagonists are used as therapeutics to control the initiation or timing of puberty in humans. Antibodies specific for a high-affinity melatonin receptor (or receptor fragment or analog) and their use as a therapeutic are also disclosed.

Abstract: A double superheterodyne receiver has a frontend stage for receiving an RF signal, a first phase-locked loop (PLL) local oscillator circuit for generating a first local oscillator signal, a first mixer for mixing the RF signal with the first local oscillator signal to produce a first IF signal, a second PLL local oscillator circuit for generating a second local oscillator signal, a second mixer for mixing the first IF signal with the second local oscillator signal to produce a second IF signal, a detector for detecting information carried on the second IF signal and control circuitry for controlling the dividing ratios of programmable frequency dividers respectively included in the first and second PLL local oscillator circuits. To tune the receiver to a desired RF frequency, the control circuitry, which can include a micro-computer, selects the dividing ratio N.sub.1 of the first PLL local oscillator circuit and the dividing ratio N.sub.