Abstract: A natural language processing apparatus is provided with: a dialog processing unit which, every time an analyzable unit of a part of a natural language sentence is inputted, performs analysis processing with respect to the input unit in each of a plurality of analysis processing units in an incremental and parallel manner; and an output unit which obtains an output, such as a dialog response sentence, based on an analysis result from each analysis processing unit in the dialog processing unit. Each of processing units prepared in the dialog processing unit acquires an immediately preceding or an earlier past analysis result from the processing unit, and an immediately preceding or an earlier past analysis results from the other processing units, and obtains one or a limited number of analysis results while making an estimation with reference to the acquired analysis results.

Abstract: A natural language processing apparatus is provided with: a dialog processing unit which, every time an analyzable unit of a part of a natural language sentence is inputted, performs analysis processing with respect to the input unit in each of a plurality of analysis processing units in an incremental and parallel manner; and an output unit which obtains an output, such as a dialog response sentence, based on an analysis result from each analysis processing unit in the dialog processing unit. Each of processing units prepared in the dialog processing unit acquires an immediately preceding or an earlier past analysis result from the processing unit, and an immediately preceding or an earlier past analysis results from the other processing units, and obtains one or a limited number of analysis results while making an estimation with reference to the acquired analysis results.

Abstract: An individual-characteristic prediction system obtains three-dimensional information from brain images of a subject. Further, the individual-characteristic prediction system detects characteristic values of each part of the cerebrum of the subject, and compares the detected characteristic values with stored information prepared in advance to thereby search out stored information having characteristic values similar to the detected characteristic values. Further, the individual-characteristic prediction system predicts abilities or qualities of the subject based on information about abilities or qualities of a brain having the searched out characteristic values.

Abstract: An individual-characteristic prediction system obtains three-dimensional information from brain images of a subject. Further, the individual-characteristic prediction system detects characteristic values of each part of the cerebrum of the subject, and compares the detected characteristic values with stored information prepared in advance to thereby search out stored information having characteristic values similar to the detected characteristic values. Further, the individual-characteristic prediction system predicts abilities or qualities of the subject based on information about abilities or qualities of a brain having the searched out characteristic values.

Abstract: A CVD apparatus comprising an optical unit detecting the mass of contaminants adhering to an inner surface of a CVD reactor by irradiating an inner surface of the reactor with light having monochromaticity through an optical window provided on an inner wall of the reactor and receiving its reflected light is provided.

Abstract: A CVD apparatus comprising an optical unit detecting the mass of contaminants adhering to an inner surface of a CVD reactor by irradiating an inner surface of the reactor with light having monochromaticity through an optical window provided on an inner wall of the reactor and receiving its reflected light is provided.

Abstract: A heating unit includes a pair of heating bodies for heating a band film conveyed along a predetermined film feeding path defined by a film guide. An embossing unit includes a punch and a die for forming a predetermined raised pattern on a heated surface of the band film. A shifting mechanism locates the heating unit and the embossing unit closely by a first distance during a thermal processing of the band film and separates at least one of the heating unit and the band film far away from the other by a second distance larger than the first distance when the thermal processing is interrupted or stopped.