Abstract: A belt drive device includes a first pulley, a second pulley, a first bulging portion, a belt, and a pressing portion. The first bulging portion is formed along an outer periphery of the second pulley to bulge outward in a radial direction of the second pulley at a center of the second pulley in an axial direction of the second pulley. The belt is stretched between the first pulley and the first bulging portion. The pressing portion presses an outer peripheral surface of the belt at a center of the belt in a width direction of the belt.

Abstract: A MEMS resonant accelerometer includes two proof masses configured to resonate when driven with periodic signals. Each proof mass includes a resonator structure that vibrates relative to the proof mass and a dummy structure that does not resonate. When driven by a periodic drive signal, the resonator structures of the two proof masses may be used to determine the magnitude of acceleration in the direction perpendicular to the planes of the proof masses by sensing the frequency at which the resonators vibrate. For example, a differential oscillation frequency may be computed from the two sensed frequencies. The dummy structures are used to make the mass distribution of the two proof masses similar.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control unit configured to execute a stop mode in which, after image forming operation is stopped, a developer bearing member is rotated for a predetermined time with a potential difference between a film forming electrode and a developer bearing member set to zero or smaller than that during image formation, and thereafter, the rotation of the developer bearing member is stopped.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive members; a scanner unit which includes light sources, a rotatable polygonal mirror, and a plurality of reflecting members; a fixing unit; and a discharge tray. The scanner unit is provided between the plurality of photosensitive members and the discharge tray with respect to a vertical direction, and a rotational axis of the rotatable polygonal mirror is inclined relative to the vertical direction. Selected ones of the laser beams emitted from the light sources are reflected toward a side with the fixing unit, and remaining ones of the laser beams are reflected toward an opposite side. Of the selected ones of the laser beams, the laser beam reflected toward the reflecting member provided at a position remotest from the rotatable polygonal mirror travels downward relative to a horizontal direction.

Abstract: In one example of the disclosure, a set of scanned images is accessed. The scanned images are scans of distinct printouts of subject images produced utilizing an intermediate transfer member. A set of defect maps is created by comparing the scanned images to reference data for the subject images. The set of defect maps are combined into an integrated defect map. A dent defect on the ITM is identified utilizing the integrated defect map.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus cover, first and second exposure units, and an orientation setting mechanism. The apparatus cover opens or closes by pivoting about a rotation fulcrum with respect to an apparatus body. The first exposure unit is disposed at a first position, on an inner surface, spaced apart from the rotation fulcrum. The second exposure unit is disposed at a second position, on the inner surface, closer than the first position to the rotation fulcrum. The orientation setting mechanism sets an orientation of the first exposure unit to a first direction approaching the apparatus body in a closed state. The orientation setting mechanism sets it to a second direction further away than the first direction from the rotation fulcrum and sets the orientation of the second exposure unit to a third direction between the first and second directions when the opening angle is a first angle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for correlating functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with gene expression. Brains of first and second sets of patients are imaged at first and second times to provide first and second sets of fMRI images. Blood is drawn from each of the first and second sets of patients at the first and second times to provide first and second sets of gene expression transcripts. A therapeutic is administered to the first set of patients between the first and second times. A change in the connectivity of the brain for each patient is determined from the first and second sets of fMRI images. A set of changes in the peripheral lymphocyte gene expression that are correlated with changes in the connectivity of the brain are determined from the change in the connectivity of the brain for each patient and the collected imaging and gene expression data.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing having an outer surface, a developing roller, a first electrode, and a boss. The developing roller is movable together with the casing and includes a developing roller shaft extending along a first axis extending in a first direction. The developing roller is rotatable about the first axis. The first electrode is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the developing roller shaft, and electrically connected to the developing roller shaft. The boss is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the outer surface. The boss extends in the first direction and is engageable with the drum unit. A part of the first electrode is configured to contact with a second electrode of the drum unit as a result of pivotal movement of the developing cartridge about the boss relative to the drum unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure includes an apparatus body, a toner container, a container supporting portion, and an exterior member. The toner container is configured to be attached at an attachment position that is specified inside the apparatus body. The container supporting portion is configured to support the toner container such that the toner container is movable between the attachment position and a pull-out position that is separated from the attachment position by a specific distance toward a specific first surface of the apparatus body. The exterior member is provided on the toner container, and constitutes an exterior of the first surface when the toner container is in an attached state, where the toner container is held at the attachment position by the container supporting portion.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of detecting and providing an alert regarding the presence of liquid contamination in a pneumatic supply line and/or in a pneumatic instrument are described. A liquid detection device configured to be coupled to the pneumatic supply includes an electronic liquid sensor configured to detect the presence of liquid in the pneumatic supply and a wireless communicator configured to transmit data from the electronic liquid sensor to a wireless communication node. The liquid detection device may be installed at different locations along a pneumatic supply in a plant. The plant network can forward the transmitted message from the communication node onto a plant computer, where and alert or other message may be provided to an operator or other computer system when water or other liquid is detected.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer section that nips a recording medium between the transfer section and an image carrier, which carries an image on a surface thereof, with a variable pressure and that transfers the image on the image carrier to the recording medium; and a transport section that transports the recording medium while the recording medium passes through a transfer region between the image carrier and the transfer section. The transport section transports the recording medium with a first transport ability when the pressure is a first pressure and with a second transport ability that is lower than the first transport ability when the pressure is a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure.

Abstract: An angular resolver system includes, for example, an imbalance detector for detecting degraded resolver output signals. The imbalance detector includes a first and second power averaging circuits and a comparator circuit. The first power averaging circuit includes a first integrator for generating over a first time window a first average power signal in response to resolver sensor output signals. The second power averaging circuit includes a second integrator for generating over a second time window a second average power signal in response to the resolver sensor output signals, where the first time window is longer than the second time window. The comparator circuit compares the first average power signal and the second average power signal and generates a fault signal when the first average power signal and the second average power signal differ by a selected voltage threshold.

Abstract: An electric current sensor includes at least one permanent magnet and at least one magnetosensitive body that detects a to-be-measured magnetic field in a state in which a bias magnetic field is applied thereto from the permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is shaped such that the value of a permeance coefficient obtained when taking the application direction of the to-be-measured magnetic field as the magnetization direction is less than or equal to about 1.5 times the value of the permeance coefficient in a magnetization direction of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A system for performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a subject has a pulse sequence system that generates a pulse sequence and has a gradient system, a plurality of gradient coils, a radio-frequency system, and a plurality of RF coils. The pulse sequence system causes the subject to emit MR signals which are captured as k-space data. The system also has a k-space ordering processor that collects first k-space data and second k-space data, an MR signal modeler that generates a signal variation model, and a compensation module that applies the signal variation model to the second k-space data collected to produce compensated k-space data. A display processor reconstructs the compensated k-space data into an image of the subject. The compensated data accounts for variation in magnetization during the pulse sequence and k-space data collection to reduce artifacts in the images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing properties of a test sample with a tri-axial nuclear magnetic resonance include a tri-axial load frame encasing a tri-axial load cell having a tri-axial sample holder and a piston assembly. A radial space surrounds the tri-axial sample holder. The tri-axial load frame further encases at least one end cap operable to contact the tri-axial load cell, and a nuclear magnetic resonance instrument. An axial pressure line is in fluid communication with the piston assembly, a confining pressure line is in fluid communication with the radial space, and a pore pressure line in fluid communication with the test sample. The axial pressure line, the confining pressure line, and the pore pressure line are independent and separate fluid flow paths.

Abstract: A portable electronic device determines a battery available power for the device's battery and manages device power usage based upon the battery available power. The device includes a battery and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a first voltage value for the battery at a first time, a first current value for the battery, a second voltage value for the battery at a second time, and a second current value for the battery. It is determined that a time difference between the first time and the second time exceeds a predetermined time threshold. An estimated resistance of the battery is determined based at least on a first difference between the first current value and the second current value and a second difference between the first voltage value and the second voltage value. Real-time power usage of the device is controlled based on the estimated resistance of the battery.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet is positioned on a front of the toner cartridge for exiting toner from the toner cartridge. First, second and third electrical contacts are positioned on a first side of the toner cartridge for contacting corresponding first, second and third electrical contacts in an image forming device. Each of the first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge is electrically connected to a respective imaging component positioned on the toner cartridge. The first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge are positioned such that an imaginary line that angles downward in a direction from a rear of the toner cartridge toward the front of the toner cartridge passes through the first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A stirring device includes a stirrer configured to stir a stirred object, at least another component of the stirring device, and a coating layer. The coating layer is disposed on at least one of a contact part of the stirrer that contacts the at least another component and a contacted part of the at least another component contacted by the stirrer.

Abstract: An example stand for the support of a Binary Ink Development unit has first and second spaced supports upstanding from a base portion to securely receive a Binary Ink Development unit and also to securely receive a component of a Binary Ink Development unit.

Abstract: A feeding screw for feeding a developer includes a rotation shaft, a first blade portion helically formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft to feed the developer in one direction, a second blade portion helically formed on the outer peripheral surface to feed the developer in the one direction, and a third blade portion helically formed on the outer peripheral surface to feed the developer in the one direction. The first blade portion and the second blade portion overlap with each other with respect to a rotational axis direction of the feeding screw, the second blade portion and the third blade portion do not overlap with each other with respect to the rotational axis direction, and the third blade portion and the first blade portion overlap with each other with respect to the rotational axis direction.