Abstract: An electric power assist device includes a processor including hardware. The processor assists human power input from a user to a drive member with power of a motor, determines whether a current position is located outdoors using a signal from a sensor, and when determination is made that the current position is located outdoors, reduces an assist amount by the motor as compared with a case where the current position is located indoors.

Abstract: A stator for a rotating electric machine includes a stator core and a stator coil. The stator core is formed of a band-shaped steel sheet that is helically bent and laminated. The stator core has slots each opening at an inner periphery of the stator core and spaced from one another in a circumferential direction. The stator coil is formed of electrical conductor segments that are inserted in the slots of the stator core and connected with one another. The band-shaped steel sheet has slits each of which is formed, at a position corresponding to one of the slots, to be open to the corresponding slot. Each of the electrical conductor segments is substantially U-shaped and has a pair of leg portions respectively inserted in corresponding two of the slots of the stator core; the corresponding two slots are circumferentially apart from each other by two or more slot-pitches.

Abstract: Provided is a heterocyclic compound that can have an antagonistic action on an NMD A receptor containing the NR2B subunit and that is expected to be useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for depression, bipolar disorder, migraine, pain, peripheral symptoms of dementia and the like. A compound represented by the formula (I), wherein each symbol is as defined in the DESCRIPTION, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for configuring and controlling an automated vehicle to perform user specified operations. User vehicle control programs are loaded in an unmanned vehicle to control the unmanned vehicle to perform a user specified operation. The loading the user vehicle control programs replaces base vehicle control programs in the unmanned vehicle. There is communication with the unmanned vehicle to execute the user vehicle control programs to control the unmanned vehicle to perform the user specified operation. The base vehicle control programs are loaded into the unmanned vehicle to replace the user vehicle control programs to return control of the unmanned vehicle to a vehicle provider after performing the user specified operation.

Abstract: In an approach for generating the most optimal support execution method, a processor receives a shopping support request from a user requesting at least one product be purchased and delivered to the user while the user travels along a scheduled travel route via a public or private transportation method. A processor identifies a plurality of delivery places and a plurality of delivery times. A processor determines at least one shopper candidate who can purchase and deliver the at least one product. A processor presents, to the at least one shopper candidate, a list comprised of optimal support execution methods. Responsive to receiving an acceptance of the shopping support request, a processor sends a support task to at least one shopper. A processor enables the at least one shopper to execute the shopping support request. A processor dynamically updates one or more details of the support task.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for configuring and controlling an automated vehicle to perform user specified operations. User vehicle control programs are loaded in an unmanned vehicle to control the unmanned vehicle to perform a user specified operation. The loading the user vehicle control programs replaces base vehicle control programs in the unmanned vehicle. There is communication with the unmanned vehicle to execute the user vehicle control programs to control the unmanned vehicle to perform the user specified operation. The base vehicle control programs are loaded into the unmanned vehicle to replace the user vehicle control programs to return control of the unmanned vehicle to a vehicle provider after performing the user specified operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a fixing section that fixes a toner image formed on a sheet. A controller controls a preliminary rotation of the fixing section after execution of a first image forming job and before execution of a second image forming job. Conditions for the preliminary rotation include types of sheets used in the first image forming job and the second image forming job, respectively, and a number of sheets used in executing the first image forming job.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a fixing section that fixes a toner image formed on a sheet. A controller controls a preliminary rotation of the fixing section after execution of a first image forming job and before execution of a second image forming job. Conditions for the preliminary rotation include types of sheets used in the first image forming job and the second image forming job, respectively, and a number of sheets used in executing the first image forming job.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing messages input from a plurality of clients. The apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to obtain a first message input from a first client, a second message input from a second client, and a user selection input from the second client. The user selection is of a first portion of the first message and indicates that the second message is a comment on the first portion of the first message. The apparatus also includes a control unit in communication with the acquisition unit. The control unit is configured to perform a first control action in response to the acquisition unit obtaining the first message, the second message, and the user selection. The first control action results in the first message, the second message, and a first link connecting the first portion of the first message and the second message being displayed on the plurality of clients.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a fixing section that fixes a toner image formed on a sheet. A controller controls a preliminary rotation of the fixing section after execution of a first image forming job and before execution of a second image forming job. Conditions for the preliminary rotation include types of sheets used in the first image forming job and the second image forming job, respectively, and a number of sheets used in executing the first image forming job.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a fixing section that fixes a toner image formed on a sheet. A controller controls a preliminary rotation of the fixing section after execution of a first image forming job and before execution of a second image forming job. Conditions for the preliminary rotation include types of sheets used in the first image forming job and the second image forming job, respectively, and a number of sheets used in executing the first image forming job.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a fixing section that fixes a toner image formed on a sheet. A controller controls a preliminary rotation of the fixing section after execution of a first image forming job and before execution of a second image forming job. Conditions for the preliminary rotation include types of sheets used in the first image forming job and the second image forming job, respectively, and a number of sheets used in executing the first image forming job.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing messages input from a plurality of clients. The apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to obtain a first message input from a first client, a second message input from a second client, and a user selection input from the second client. The user selection is of a first portion of the first message and indicates that the second message is a comment on the first portion of the first message. The apparatus also includes a control unit in communication with the acquisition unit. The control unit is configured to perform a first control action in response to the acquisition unit obtaining the first message, the second message, and the user selection. The first control action results in the first message, the second message, and a first link connecting the first portion of the first message and the second message being displayed on the plurality of clients.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a fixing section that fixes a toner image formed on a sheet. A controller controls a preliminary rotation of the fixing section after execution of a first image forming job and before execution of a second image forming job. Conditions for the preliminary rotation include types of sheets used in the first image forming job and the second image forming job, respectively, and a number of sheets used in executing the first image forming job.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing messages input from a plurality of clients. The apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to obtain a first message input from a first client, a second message input from a second client, and a user selection input from the second client. The user selection is of a first portion of the first message and indicates that the second message is a comment on the first portion of the first message. The apparatus also includes a control unit in communication with the acquisition unit. The control unit is configured to perform a first control action in response to the acquisition unit obtaining the first message, the second message, and the user selection. The first control action results in the first message, the second message, and a first link connecting the first portion of the first message and the second message being displayed on the plurality of clients.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a fixing section that fixes a toner image formed on a sheet. A controller controls a preliminary rotation of the fixing section after execution of a first image forming job and before execution of a second image forming job. Conditions for the preliminary rotation include types of sheets used in the first image forming job and the second image forming job, respectively, and a number of sheets used in executing the first image forming job.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a fixing section that fixes a toner image formed on a sheet. A controller controls a preliminary rotation of the fixing section after execution of a first image forming job and before execution of a second image forming job. Conditions for the preliminary rotation include types of sheets used in the first image forming job and the second image forming job, respectively, and a number of sheets used in executing the first image forming job.

Abstract: A clutch includes: a rotor that has a steel material as a base material and is rotated upon receiving a rotational drive force from a drive source; and an armature that has a steel material as a base material and receives the rotational drive force from the rotor when the armature is attracted to the rotor by a magnetic force. The armature has a contact surface side region that includes a contact surface, which contacts a counterpart when the armature is attracted to the rotor. The contact surface side region has a plurality of pores opened at the contact surface and forms a nitride compound of an element of the base material through nitridization of a part of the base material while the contact surface side region is harder than an unreacted portion of the base material that is not reacted at the nitridization.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing messages input from a plurality of clients. The apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to obtain a first message input from a first client, a second message input from a second client, and a user selection input from the second client. The user selection is of a first portion of the first message and indicates that the second message is a comment on the first portion of the first message. The apparatus also includes a control unit in communication with the acquisition unit. The control unit is configured to perform a first control action in response to the acquisition unit obtaining the first message, the second message, and the user selection. The first control action results in the first message, the second message, and a first link connecting the first portion of the first message and the second message being displayed on the plurality of clients.

Abstract: A decolorizing apparatus includes first and second heating units, first and second heat source units, and a controller. The first and second heating units decolorize an image using decolorable colorants which are decolorized if heated. The first heating unit heats one surface of a sheet. The second heating unit heats a remaining surface which is opposite to the one surface of the sheet heated by the first heating unit. The first heat source unit heats the first heating unit. The second heat source unit heats the second heating unit. The controller includes a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller performs a decolorizing process on both the surfaces of the sheet by heating the first and second heating units using the first and second heat source units.