Abstract: Provided is a drive assist apparatus visually notifying a driver of information regarding a gradient of a road. A drive assist apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is to acquire gradient information of a road in which gradient illusion is estimated to occur in a driver of a vehicle. The processing circuitry is to perform control on an irradiation apparatus provided to the vehicle so that the irradiation apparatus projects a gradient recognition pattern on a target object or on a projection surface provided in front of a driver seat of the vehicle to display the gradient recognition pattern in overlapped fashion with the target object. The target object is located in front of the vehicle and extends along the road. The gradient recognition pattern includes at least one graphic based on the gradient information of the road and disposed along the extension direction of the target object.

Abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells are pluripotent cells capable of differentiating into myocardial and vascular endothelial cells. The present invention demonstrates that the mesenchymal stem cell sheet have therapeutic potential for a severely damaged heart due to its pluripotency and in situ self-renewal capability. Mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue were cultured to prepare a mesenchymal stem cell sheet. Four weeks after induction of myocardial infarction in rats, the mesenchymal stem cell sheet was transplanted to the heart. The mesenchymal stem cell sheet were readily engrafted to the surface of the scarred myocardium, grew gradually in situ, and formed a thick layer (approximately 600 ?m) in 4 weeks. The grown transplanted mesenchymal tissue contained newly formed blood vessels, myocardial cells, and undifferentiated mesenchymal cells.

Abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells are pluripotent cells capable of differentiating into myocardial and vascular endothelial cells. The present invention demonstrates that the mesenchymal stem cell sheet have therapeutic potential for a severely damaged heart due to its pluripotency and in situ self-renewal capability. Mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue were cultured to prepare a mesenchymal stem cell sheet. Four weeks after induction of myocardial infarction in rats, the mesenchymal stem cell sheet was transplanted to the heart. The mesenchymal stem cell sheet were readily engrafted to the surface of the scarred myocardium, grew gradually in situ, and formed a thick layer (approximately 600 ?m) in 4 weeks. The grown transplanted mesenchymal tissue contained newly formed blood vessels, myocardial cells, and undifferentiated mesenchymal cells.

Abstract: A connector for an optical fiber in which an optical fiber and an optical conversion element are detachably coupled together, and optical fibers are mutually coupled together. The connector comprises a holding member composed of a front tube for holding the optical fiber and a rear tube for holding an optical fiber cable, the rear tube being formed with a slit in an axial direction thereof, the rear tube portion having a fixed tube fitted thereover to press the rear tube. The rear tube is formed with notches which intersect the slits, corner portions formed in the notches and the optical fiber cable are positioned in the intersecting relation, the corner portions being pressed against and brought into contact with the optical fiber cable by the pressing force of the fixed tube.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector in which an optical fiber and an optical conversion element are detachably coupled together, and optical fibers are mutually coupled together. The connector comprises a holding member composed of a front tube portion for holding the optical fiber and a rear tube portion for holding an optical fiber cable, the rear tube portion being formed with a slit in an axial direction thereof, the rear tube also having a fixed tube fitted thereover to press the rear tube portion. The rear tube portion is formed with more than on notches which intersect the slit, and engaging surfaces formed in the notches are brought into engagement with ends of the fixed tube.

Abstract: A gap between end surfaces of optical converters provided at the ends of optical guide paths of optical fibers is maintained with a high accuracy and thereby optical coupling efficiency of such optical converters can be improved with an optical fiber connector comprising a plug engaging member at the end of optical guide path and a plug which is removably engaged with said plug engaging member having the structure that a spacer is provided between both surfaces of said optical guide path ends, an optical guide path hole is formed to said spacer and a constant gap is formed both end surfaces of optical converters provided at the surface of said optical guide path ends through said optical guide path hole.

Abstract: A remote control device comprises a control input unit, a transmission unit, a receiving unit, a reply unit and a command control circuit. The control input unit outputs a control signal. The transmission unit stores the control signal in a first memory circuit and transmits a light signal based on the control signal. A main device controlled by the remote control unit receives in a first receiver circuit and stores in a second memory circuit the signal from the transmission unit. The main device has a reply signal unit for transmitting a return signal based on the signal from the receiving unit to a second receiver circuit of the remote control device. The command control circuit compares the signal received by the second receiver circuit and the signal stored in the first memory circuit. When these compared signals are in agreement, the command control circuit outputs to the transmission unit a signal based on the signal stored in the second memory circuit thereby to cause the operating device to operate.

Abstract: The gap between end surfaces of optical converters provided at the ends of optical guide paths of optical fibers is maintained constant with a high accuracy and thereby optical coupling efficiency of such optical converters is stabilized with the structure of an optical fiber connector that both optical guide ends of optical guide path ends collide with each other, a recessed part is formed at least to the one surface of the optical guide ends and a constant gap is formed between the end surfaces of optical converters provided at the optical guide path ends.

Abstract: An optical connector composed of a plug lock member provided on the end of a light guide pass and a plug attachable to/detachable from the plug lock member, which is characterized by a lock member provided on either the plug lock member or plug to be pressed onto a member to be held, a push member movable in the direction intersecting the attaching/detaching direction of the plug, push portions provided on the push member for pushing the lock member onto the member to be held, and a click mechanism provided on the push member, wherein when the member to be held is pressed by the lock member the click mechanism operates to lock the push member, whereby its locked state is maintained stable and can not be released even subjected to continuous vibration or pulling force.