Abstract: When calculating a system matrix (detection probability), adjustment is made by fitting a point spread function (PSF) expressed by a Gauss function to a profile of count values of radiation with respect to a distance from a point source which emits radiation of the same type as the positron-emitting drug, and a distance range of the above PSF is adjusted for each layer in a depth direction of gamma-ray detectors indicating an incident direction in which the radiation strikes. By calculating the system matrix (detection probability) after adjusting the distance range of the function for each layer, improvement can be made in image quality of a reconstructed image.

Abstract: MS1 and MS2 measurements of fractionated samples are performed. Based on the identification results and the S/N ratios of the MS1 peaks, an identification probability estimation model showing a relationship between the cumulative number of MS1 peaks and the number of MS1 peaks successfully identified through the MS2 measurements and identifications performed in ascending order of S/N ratio is created. S/N ratios of the MS1 peaks obtained by MS1 measurements are determined, and probabilities of substances in a target sample are estimated from S/N ratios using the aforementioned model. Optimization of precursor-ion selection and data-accumulation number is defined as the problem of maximizing the sum of identification probabilities of MS1 peaks selected for MS2 measurement, and formulated as an objective function using 0-1 variables. This function is solved as a 0-1 integer programming problem under preset conditions.

Abstract: A steel sheet shape control method includes, (A) setting a target correction shape of the steel sheet at a position of an electromagnet to a curved shape, (B) measuring a steel sheet shape when electromagnetic correction is performed, (C) calculating the steel sheet shape in a nozzle position based on the steel sheet shape, (D) repeating (B) and (C) by resetting the target correction shape to a curved shape having a smaller amount of warp, (E) when the amount of warp of the steel sheet shape at the position of the nozzle is less than the upper limit value, (F) calculating vibration of the steel sheet at the position of the nozzle, and (G) adjusting a control gain of the electromagnet until amplitude of vibration is less than a second upper limit value when the amplitude of the vibration is equal to or more than the second upper limit value.

Abstract: A pallet changer includes: a machining-side linear guide rail 25 provided on a machining table 8 and extending in a Y-axis direction perpendicular to an X-axis direction (predetermined direction); preparation-side linear guide rails 26, 27 provided on workpiece preparation parts 9, 10 respectively, extending in the Y-axis direction, and coaxial with the machining-side linear guide rail 25; and linear guides 28 provided on respective pallets P1, P2 and slidably engageable with the machining-side and preparation-side linear guide rails 25 to 27, wherein, in changing the machining-side pallet P1 on the machining table 8 and the standby-side pallet P2 on the workpiece preparation part 10, the machining-side pallet P1 and the standby-side pallet P2 are moved in the Y-axis direction.

Abstract: When calculating a system matrix (detection probability), adjustment is made by fitting a point spread function (PSF) expressed by a Gauss function to a profile of count values of radiation with respect to a distance from a point source which emits radiation of the same type as the positron-emitting drug, and a distance range of the above PSF is adjusted for each layer in a depth direction of gamma-ray detectors indicating an incident direction in which the radiation strikes. By calculating the system matrix (detection probability) after adjusting the distance range of the function for each layer, improvement can be made in image quality of a reconstructed image.

Abstract: In a positron CT device of this invention, a cross range calculation section determines a cross range of a coincidence LOR as a virtual line that connects two detectors for performing coincidence and a pixel, and a system matrix calculating section determines a system matrix by calculating elements in the system matrix within the cross range upon calculating of the system matrix. Thereafter, a reconstruction section creates a distribution image of positrons as an image based on the system matrix. Consequently, improvement in speed of image reconstruction may be realized.

Abstract: An identification probability estimation model, which shows the relationship between the S/N ratios of MS1 peaks and the cumulative number of the peaks in the case where MS2 measurements and identifications is performed in descending order of S/N ratio, is created beforehand from the S/N ratios of MS1 peaks as well as the results of MS1 or MS2 measurements and identifications (success or failure) performed for a number of fractionated samples obtained from a predetermined sample. Based on an evaluated value of the identification probability and that of the identification probability increment, an order of priority of MS2 measurements for a plurality of MS1 peaks is determined, and an MS2 measurement sequence which gives the maximal expectation value of the number of substances to be identified under a limitation on the number of MS2 measurements or other factors is determined.

Abstract: A radiation detecting apparatus of this invention includes an arithmetic processing device which carries out arithmetic processes for drawing boundaries based on peaks of signal strengths and separating respective positions by the boundaries, and for determining, by using spatial periodicity of the peaks, the number of peaks having failed to be separated, with a plurality of peaks connecting to each other. If the separation fails with a plurality of peaks connecting to each other, the number of peaks in error is determined using spatial periodicity of the peaks. Thus, by using spatial periodicity of the peaks, the number of peaks in error can be determined and boundaries can be set easily. As a result, incident positions can also be discriminated easily, and detecting positions of radiation can be determined easily.

Abstract: Even when areas delimited by delimiting points are not appropriate and area division has failed, success or failure of area division in such areas can easily be determined by applying a map determination condition in the map determining step (step S50). And since the areas delimited by the delimiting points are changed and the map determining step (step S50), including also steps S22 and S23 and steps S30 and S40, is repeated until the map determination condition is satisfied, the areas satisfying the map determination condition are determined appropriate and the area division in such areas can be carried out accurately. Even when there is distortion, a two-dimensional position map can be corrected accurately.

Abstract: A radiation detecting apparatus of this invention includes an arithmetic processing device which has a first adding step for adding signal strengths in one portion of a two-dimensional position map, draws respective boundaries based on results of addition in the first adding step, and corrects the two-dimensional position map based on signal strengths enclosed by these boundaries. The signal strengths of one portion of the two-dimensional position map, and not all the areas of the two-dimensional position map, are added. As a result, incident positions can be discriminated efficiently, and radiation detecting positions can be determined efficiently.

Abstract: A PET apparatus and a processing method according in this invention carry out arithmetic processes in parallel, in steps S4 (forward projection) and S5 (back projection), for every LOR, on list data (created from event data obtained by detecting gamma rays), and can therefore be applied to other arithmetic mechanisms and have versatility. Since parallel processing is carried out on the list data and the parallel processing is carried out in each of steps S4 (forward projection) and S5 (back projection), a competition for memory can be prevented to realize an improvement in speed. As a result, high versatility and an improvement in speed of the calculations can be attained.

Abstract: A pallet changer includes: a machining-side linear guide rail 25 provided on a machining table 8 and extending in a Y-axis direction perpendicular to an X-axis direction (predetermined direction); preparation-side linear guide rails 26, 27 provided on workpiece preparation parts 9, 10 respectively, extending in the Y-axis direction, and coaxial with the machining-side linear guide rail 25; and linear guides 28 provided on respective pallets P1, P2 and slidably engageable with the machining-side and preparation-side linear guide rails 25 to 27, wherein, in changing the machining-side pallet P1 on the machining table 8 and the standby-side pallet P2 on the workpiece preparation part 10, the machining-side pallet P1 and the standby-side pallet P2 are moved in the Y-axis direction.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for differentiating mammalian bone marrow cells or cord blood-derived cells into myocardial precursor cells and/or myocardial cells by culturing said bone marrow cells or cord blood-derived cells with cells isolated from mammalian fat tissues or a culture supernatant thereof.

Abstract: A radiation detecting apparatus of this invention includes an arithmetic processing device which has a first adding step for adding signal strengths in one portion of a two-dimensional position map, draws respective boundaries based on results of addition in the first adding step, and corrects the two-dimensional position map based on signal strengths enclosed by these boundaries. The signal strengths of one portion of the two-dimensional position map, and not all the areas of the two-dimensional position map, are added. As a result, incident positions can be discriminated efficiently, and radiation detecting positions can be determined efficiently.

Abstract: A radiation detecting apparatus of this invention includes an arithmetic processing device which carries out arithmetic processes for drawing boundaries based on peaks of signal strengths and separating respective positions by the boundaries, and for determining, by using spatial periodicity of the peaks, the number of peaks having failed to be separated, with a plurality of peaks connecting to each other. If the separation fails with a plurality of peaks connecting to each other, the number of peaks in error is determined using spatial periodicity of the peaks. Thus, by using spatial periodicity of the peaks, the number of peaks in error can be determined and boundaries can be set easily. As a result, incident positions can also be discriminated easily, and detecting positions of radiation can be determined easily.

Abstract: In a positron CT device of this invention, a cross range calculation section determines a cross range of a coincidence LOR as a virtual line that connects two detectors for performing coincidence and a pixel, and a system matrix calculating section determines a system matrix by calculating elements in the system matrix within the cross range upon calculating of the system matrix. Thereafter, a reconstruction section creates a distribution image of positrons as an image based on the system matrix. Consequently, improvement in speed of image reconstruction may be realized.

Abstract: A universal head changes the orientation of a tool freely and machines a workpiece with the tool in the changed orientation. The universal head comprises a universal head body, for swiveling movement, including a swinging unit and an attachment detachably mounted on the swinging unit with a rotating tool removably mounted on the attachment. The universal head has, and simultaneously offers, the advantages of both a universal head, which allows the tool to change its orientation freely for machining a workpiece, and an attachment which allows the tool to be brought closely to the workpiece for machining the workpiece. The universal head does not require a process of installing itself on and removing itself from a universal head support.

Abstract: A structure of a spectrum spreading communication device which solves the problem with the conventional spectrum spreading communication using Barker codes, etc., and limits the rise of the side-lobe of a correctional signal independently of the order of information codes by use of a code sequence having a code length of at least 14. The spectrum spreading communication device uses a pseudo-noise code having code length of at least 14 and a self-correlation side-lobe of not greater than 3 as a pseudo-noise code of a direct spreading communication device which uses the pseudo-noise codes whose polarities are inverted so as to deal with also digital information. Thus, even when the pseudo-noise code length is 14 or more, the side-lobe of the correction coefficient can be restricted. Accordingly, the error rate of the spectrum spreading communication device is reduced and the processing gain is improved.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for differentiating mammalian bone marrow cells or cord blood-derived cells into myocardial precursor cells and/or myocardial cells by culturing said bone marrow cells or cord blood-derived cells with cells isolated from mammalian fat tissues or a culture supernatant thereof.

Abstract: Substances are provided that are capable of modulating angiogenesis mediated by Lmo2 or a functionally related polypeptide, which substance binds to Lmo2 and/or a functionally related polypeptide, or alters the expression of Lmo2 or a functionally related polypeptide in a cell. Assay methods are provided for identifying such substances.