Abstract: A ferrule assembly includes a ferrule having a through-hole, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion between the first and second end portions, and an optical fiber inserted and fixed in the through-hole. The ferrule has at the intermediate portion a cutaway flat portion allowing the optical fiber inserted in the through-hole to be semi-exposed, and the optical fiber has its entire circumference held by the ferrule at least at the first and second end portions of the ferrule.

Abstract: A connecting rod is formed by cold forging in a single pressing cycle at a good accuracy without separately preparing a large-end cap, to thereby reduce the manufacturing cost. A double-action type of forging apparatus is made up of an upper die, a lower die, and a large-end portion punch and a small-end portion punch, both being movably provided in each of the dies. The upper die is closed to the lower die while forging a preform, to thereby roughly form a connecting rod. Then, the large-end portion punch and the small-end portion punch are protruded into a forming space between both the upper and lower dies to forge the parts to be pierced, thereby filling underfilled parts with material. Then, the large-end portion punch and the small-end portion punch on the side of the upper die are pushed out of the forming space to reach the lower die. The underfills left in the parts to be pierced are blanked or punched away to form a large-end hole and a small-end hole.

Abstract: A ferrule assembly includes a ferrule having a through-hole, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion between the first and second end portions, and an optical fiber inserted and fixed in the through-hole. The ferrule has at the intermediate portion a cutaway flat portion allowing the optical fiber inserted in the through-hole to be semi-exposed, and the optical fiber has its entire circumference held by the ferrule at least at the first and second end portions of the ferrule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for treating nephritis and a TGF-&bgr; inhibiting agent comprising as an effective ingredient a pyridylacrylamide derivative represented by the following formula (I): wherein Ar1 is a substituted or unsubstituted pyridyl group, Ar2 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, R1 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group, R2 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cyano group or an alkoxycarbonyl group, R3 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, X is an oxygen or sulfur atom, A and B are same or different and each represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group or an alkylthio group, or A and B together form an oxo or thioxo group, or a group represented by the formula: ═N—Y in which Y is a dialkylamino, hydroxyl, aralkyloxy or alkoxy group, or a group represented by the formula: —Z1—M—Z2— which Z1 and Z2 are same or different and each represent an oxygen or sulfur atom or

Abstract: Novel iridoid derivatives represented by general formula (I): and a vascularization inhibitor having for its active ingredient said derivative are disclosed. This vascularization inhibitor has remarkable vascularization inhibitory effects unaccompanied by serious adverse side effects, which is useful for the treatment and prevention of various diseases accompanied by abnormal acceleration of vascularization.

Abstract: A multiwavelength light source for emitting light having multiple wavelengths. The multiwavelength light source includes a carrier and a laser diode array mounted on the carrier. The laser diode array is formed by integrating a plurality of laser diodes having substantially the same oscillation wavelength. The multiwavelength light source further includes a first temperature control device connected to the first end portion of the carrier and a second temperature control device connected to the second end portion of the carrier. The temperature of the first temperature control device is controlled to a first temperature, and the temperature of the second temperature control device is controlled to a second temperature different from the first temperature. The first and second temperature control devices produce a given temperature gradient in the carrier over its entire width from the first end portion to the second end portion to thereby oscillate the plural laser diodes with a desired wavelength spacing.

Abstract: Novel iridoid derivatives represented by general formula (I): and a vascularization inhibitor having for its active ingredient said derivative are disclosed. This vascularization inhibitor has remarkable vascularization inhibitory effects unaccompanied by serious adverse side effects, which is useful for the treatment and prevention of various diseases accompanied by abnormal acceleration of vascularization.