Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a rotatable intermediate transfer belt configured to come into contact with a photosensitive member at a first contact portion on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and, a transfer member configured to come into contact with an inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt at a second contact portion. The transfer member is disposed such that an upstream end of the second contact portion is positioned downstream of a downstream end of the first contact portion in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt. In a case where a surface resistivity measured on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt is G and a surface resistivity measured on the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt is N, 0.75?N/G?1.2 is satisfied.

Abstract: The invention provides for an MRI system (100) with an RF system for acquiring magnetic resonance data (142). The RF system comprises a set of antenna elements (126). The MRI system (100) further comprises a processor for controlling the MRI system (100). Magnetic resonance data is acquired. Combined image data (144) is reconstructed. The reconstruction comprises transforming the acquired magnetic resonance data (142) from k-space to image space and combining the resulting image data. For each antenna element (126) magnetic resonance data (146) is simulated using the reconstructed combined image data (144). The simulation comprises transforming the reconstructed combined image data (144) from image space to k-space. A phase correction factor is determined, The determination comprises calculating phase differences between the acquired magnetic resonance data (142) and the simulated magnetic resonance data (146). The acquired magnetic resonance data (142) is corrected using the phase correction factor.

Abstract: In a method and medical imaging apparatus for determining a feature characterizing intentional breath-holding by an examination object for acquiring medical raw data with breath-holding algorithm, an algorithm, the algorithm being designed to allocate at least one feature characterizing intentional breath-holding to at least one physiological property. The algorithm includes or accesses trained artificial neural network. A physiological property of the examination object is detected during free breathing of the examination object. The feature characterizing intentional breath-holding by the examination object is determined by the computer, by executing the algorithm with the detected physiological property of the examination object, as an input to the algorithm.

Abstract: A protocol to determine chemical shift-specific Ti constants in inhomogeneous magnetic fields is provided. Based on intermolecular double-quantum coherences and spatial encoding techniques, the method can resolve overlapped NMR spectral peaks in inhomogeneous magnetic fields acquired using conventional methods. With inversion recovery involved, the amplitude of spectral peak will be modulated by inversion recovery time. After fitting the spectral peak amplitude variation curve, the corresponding longitudinal relaxation time can be achieved. With the measured T1 values in inhomogeneous magnetic fields, insights into chemical exchange rates, signal optimization, and data quantitation can be obtained.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that establishes communication between a host system and a user device. The host system automatically registers individualized diet data received from the user device. The individualized diet data has parameters indicative of type and quantity of foods or supplements consumed by a user during a defined time period. The parameters are analyzed with a predetermined rule set indicative of concentrations of DHA in select foods and supplements to determine a level of the user's DHA dietary intake relative to a recommended intake. An alert is generated by the host system and transmitted via at least one predetermined communication method and without user intervention, responsive to the user's dietary intake relative to the recommended intake being a predetermined relation to a baseline.

Abstract: Systems and methods for MR signal synchronization may be provided. The method may include determining a time difference in a local clock generator at a coil side assembly compared to a system clock generator at a system side assembly. The method may include maintaining a constant phase difference between clock signals generated by the local clock generator and by the system clock generator by correcting the local clock generator based on the time difference. The method may include acquiring MR echo signals by scanning at least a part of a subject in response to the clock signal generated by the corrected local clock generator. The method may further include digitizing the MR echo signal at the coil side assembly.

Abstract: In a method for operating a magnetic resonance (MR) facility during recording of MR data by using a MR sequence including a saturation module for a spin type to be saturated, in which a high-frequency saturation pulse is emitted between first and second spoiler gradient pulses, and multiple further gradient pulses apart from the spoiler gradient pulses, eddy current data is determined. The eddy current data describes eddy currents existing during emission of the saturation pulse and resulting from the further gradient pulses. Further, a pulse parameter of the first spoiler gradient pulse is selected based on the eddy current data such that the eddy currents generated by the first spoiler gradient pulse compensate for at least part of the eddy currents described by the eddy current data during emission of the saturation pulse. The facility is controlled to emit the first spoiler gradient pulse with the selected pulse parameter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for measuring flow using an electromagnetic resonance phenomenon. The flowmeter includes an RF resonator in the form of a cylinder into which a transmission antenna for forming a magnetic field in a preset frequency range and a reception antenna for measuring a response signal are inserted, the RF resonator being shielded from an external magnetic field; and a processor for measuring the flow in a pipe that passes through the RF resonator based on the response signal. The RF resonator includes circular holes in the two bases of the cylinder so as to enable the pipe to pass through the RF resonator, and is formed with a first body and a second body, which are split in the height direction of the cylinder and are coupled using a coupling member so as to wrap the outer circumferential surface of the pipe.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a monitoring coil, a measuring device, and processing circuitry. The monitoring coil continuously transmits to a subject an electromagnetic wave having a monitoring frequency, and without touching the subject. The measuring device measures a change in the impedance related to the monitoring coil over time to thereby generate a biosignal of the subject. The processing circuitry is configured to determine the monitoring frequency that is higher than a frequency of a high-frequency magnetic field based on the information of the subject, and to controls a sequence related to the imaging based on the biosignal.

Abstract: An image forming unit insertable into an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and a drum case supporting the photosensitive drum. The drum case includes a guide configured to (i) at least partially engage with a solid head of the image forming apparatus when inserted into the image forming apparatus along a first direction and (ii) guide the solid head in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction when the solid head is selectively repositioned along the second direction toward the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, a charging member, an exposing member, a developer carrying member, a storage member to store a first lifetime threshold for the first image forming mode, a second lifetime threshold for the second image forming mode and a value related to a driving amount of the image bearing member. The image forming apparatus further includes a controller to (i) perform a first determination regarding the lifetime corresponding to the first mode based on the value related to the driving amount and the first lifetime threshold and (ii) perform a second determination regarding the lifetime corresponding to the second mode based on the value related to the driving amount and the second lifetime threshold, and a notifying unit to perform a notification based on a result of the first or second determination to the image bearing member.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus of reconstructing a magnetic resonance (MR) image, the apparatus including: a memory storing instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to: obtain a plurality of segments of K-space data corresponding to a plurality of pulses which are applied to an object based on a pulse sequence; determine, based on radio frequency (RF) coils of the apparatus, a correction coefficient for merging the plurality of segments of K-space data; and generate a magnetic resonance (MR) image of the object by merging the plurality of segments of K-space data based on the determined correction coefficient.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium.

Abstract: A method for reducing N/2 ghost or Nyquist ghost in magnetic resonance (MR) images is provided The method includes acquiring k-space dataset for an object using an echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence, dividing the k-space dataset into first partial k-space subset data related to positive echoes and second partial k-space subset data related to negative echoes, obtaining third partial k-space subset data that is N/2 or Nyquist ghost-free subset data, respectively registering the first partial k-space subset data and the second partial k-space subset data to a first portion of the third partial k-space subset data corresponding to positive echoes and a second portion of the third partial k-space subset data corresponding to negative echoes, combining the registered first partial k-space subset data and the registered second partial k-space subset data to form full k-space dataset, and reconstructing an image for the object based on the full k-space dataset.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of Dixon-type MR imaging. It is an object of the invention to provide a method that enables efficient and reliable water/fat separation using bipolar readout magnetic field gradients and avoids flow-induced leaking and swapping artifacts. According to the invention, an object (10) is subjected to an imaging sequence, which comprises at least one excitation RF pulse and switched magnetic field gradients, wherein two echo signals, a first echo signal and a second echo signal, are generated at different echo times (TE1, TE2). The echo signals are acquired from the object (10) using bipolar readout magnetic field gradients. A first single echo image is reconstructed from the first echo signals and a second single echo image is reconstructed from the second echo signals.

Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a first stay surrounded by the belt and extending in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis, a holder holding the nip forming member, and an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay includes a first end and a second end. The holder includes a first engaging portion positioned at a first end of the holder, and a second engaging portion positioned at a second end of the holder. The first engaging portion engages the first end of the first stay. The second engaging portion engages the second end of the first stay.

Abstract: A driver includes a first rotator, a second rotator, a bearing, a housing, a drive gear, a first idler gear, a pivot member, and a second idler gear. The first idler gear is meshed with the drive gear. The pivot member rotates around a rotation center axis in the housing and includes an idler gear support portion rotatably holding the first idler gear. The second idler gear is meshed with the first idler gear and disposed on the rotation center axis of the pivot member. A rotation center of the pivot member is present in a region outside a circle having a diameter of 1.5×L and inside a circle having a diameter of 1.8×L around a rotation center of the first idler gear, when a distance between a rotation center of the first rotator and the rotation center of the first idler gear is L.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vertically retractable magnet field assembly for a Magnetic Imaging Resonance (MRI) system. The assembly can move from an upward raised position to a downward retracted position, and vice versa. The assembly includes a magnet configured with a bore for imaging a body portion of a subject. The bore defines an inner surface of the magnet and extends along a longitudinal axis of the magnet. The magnet includes at least one flux generating element disposed within the magnet and oriented such that each of the at least one flux generating element surrounds the bore. Each of the at least one flux generating element is configured to generate a magnetic field for magnetizing the body portion positioned within the bore to generate a visual representation of an anatomy of the body portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: an image forming portion that forms an image on a recording material based on image data; a fixing portion that includes a heater having a plurality of heat generating members arranged in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of a recording material, and that fixes the image to the recording material using heat of the heater; a storage portion that stores history information on the recording material when image forming operation is performed in which the image forming portion forms the image and the fixing portion fixes the image, a control portion that sets power to be supplied to the heat generating members based on the history information before a type of the recording material on which the image is formed or content of the image data of the image to be formed on the recording material is determined.

Abstract: A heating device includes a surface heater unit that generates heat along a surface extending in a longitudinal direction to heat a heating object; a heat pipe disposed to be in contact with a surface of the surface heater unit over a region extending in the longitudinal direction at a side opposite to a side adjacent to the heating object; a friction reducing material provided to a region in which the surface heater unit and the heating object are in contact with each other, the friction reducing material reducing a frictional resistance between the surface heater unit and the heating object; and a heat-conductive material interposed between the surface heater unit and the heat pipe and having a surface tension that differs from a surface tension of the friction reducing material by 3 (mN/m) or more.