Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a reading unit, a reference member, and a controller is described. The image forming unit forms an image and a detection image on a sheet. The detection image is used for detecting geometric characteristics of an image to be formed on a sheet by the image forming unit. The fixing unit fixes the image and the detection image formed by the image forming unit on the sheet. The reading unit reads the detection image on the sheet. The controller adjusts geometric characteristics of the image to be formed on a sheet based on a reading result of the detection image by the reading unit, and controls the reading unit to read the reference member and executes shading correction based on a reading result of the reference member.

Abstract: Provided are silicon fine particles that are effectively prevented from being oxidized and have a crystallite diameter close to that of an amorphous substance. The silicon fine particles of the present invention have an average diameter of primary particles of 30 to 900 nm, a crystallite diameter of less than 10 nm, a chlorine concentration of 1 to 10% by mass, and a ratio (Co/S) of an oxygen concentration (Co: % by mass) to a specific surface area (S: m2/g) of less than 0.05. The method for producing silicon fine particles of the present invention includes: heating a gas containing trichlorosilane to a temperature of 600 to 950° C. in a reactor and thermally decomposing the trichlorosilane to produce a silicon fine particle precursor containing chlorine, then collecting the silicon fine particle precursor, and then heating and dechlorinating the collected silicon fine particle precursor at a temperature of 750 to 900° C. under supply of an inert gas or under reduced pressure.

Abstract: Provided is a shrinkage-reducing agent for a hydraulic material, which does not require a combination with any other admixture, is inexpensive, and is capable of suppressing a reduction in strength of a hardened concrete material, suppressing generation of a crack in a hardened concrete material by virtue of its excellent shrinkage-reducing ability, and imparting excellent freeze-thaw resistance. The shrinkage-reducing agent for a hydraulic material includes at least one kind of polyoxyalkylene compound (A) as an essential component, in which a concrete or a mortar produced by using the shrinkage-reducing agent for a hydraulic material has a spacing factor of 350 ?m or less.

Abstract: A folding table is provided that includes: a table frame that enables a table body to move between the in-use position and the stowed position, that is disposed within the table body, and that supports the table body; a support member that pivotably supports the table frame; and a lock, provided in a position where the support member and the table frame are linked, that holds the table frame in the in-use position and prevents the table frame from pivoting. The lock has: a retaining member in which an engagement groove is formed; a pivoting member capable of engaging with and disengaging from the engagement groove; and a lock biaser that biases the pivoting member in the direction of engagement with the engagement groove.

Abstract: An annealed wafer in which oxygen precipitation is uniform in the substrate plane and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A nitrogen-doped silicon single crystal substrate pulled at the cooling rate of 4° C./minute or more during crystal growth between 1100 and 1000° C. wherein the nitrogen concentration is 1×1014 to 5×1015 atoms/cm3 and V/G satisfies predetermined conditions serves as a substrate, and the substrate is subjected to heat treatment in a non-oxidative atmosphere.

Abstract: Provided is a shrinkage-reducing agent for a hydraulic material, which does not require a combination with any other admixture, is inexpensive, and is capable of suppressing a reduction in strength of a hardened concrete material, suppressing generation of a crack in a hardened concrete material by virtue of its excellent shrinkage-reducing ability, and imparting excellent freeze-thaw resistance. The shrinkage-reducing agent for a hydraulic material includes at least one kind of polyoxyalkylene compound (A) as an essential component, in which a concrete or a mortar produced by using the shrinkage-reducing agent for a hydraulic material has a spacing factor of 350 ?m or less.

Abstract: Provided is a hydraulic material composition, including cement and a shrinkage-reducing agent for a hydraulic material, which does not require a combination with any other admixture, is inexpensive, and is capable of suppressing a reduction in strength of a hardened concrete material, suppressing generation of a crack in a hardened concrete material by virtue of its excellent shrinkage-reducing ability, and imparting excellent freeze-thaw resistance. The hydraulic material composition includes cement and a shrinkage-reducing agent for a hydraulic material including at least one kind of polyoxyalkylene compound (A) as an essential component, and has a spacing factor of 350 ?m or less.

Abstract: A folding table is provided that includes: a table frame that enables a table body to move between the in-use position and the stowed position, that is disposed within the table body, and that supports the table body; a support member that pivotably supports the table frame; and a lock, provided in a position where the support member and the table frame are linked, that holds the table frame in the in-use position and prevents the table frame from pivoting. The lock has: a retaining member in which an engagement groove is formed; a pivoting member capable of engaging with and disengaging from the engagement groove; and a lock biaser that biases the pivoting member in the direction of engagement with the engagement groove.

Abstract: This disclosure is aimed at providing a method for producing an epitaxial wafer allowing uniform occurrence of oxygen precipitate in a substrate plane in the radial direction in a base plate and excelling in the crystal quality of an epi-layer. A method for the production of an epitaxial wafer, characterized by using as a substrate a base plate of nitrogen- and carbon-added silicon single crystal having a nitrogen concentration of 5×1014 to 5×1015 atoms/cm3 and a carbon concentration of 1×1016 to 1×1018 atoms/cm3, having a crystal growth condition during the production of silicon single crystal in a range in which the whole surface of substrate becomes an OSF region, and being pulled at a cooling speed of not less than 4° C./minute between 1100 and 1000° C. during the growth of crystal, and depositing the silicon single crystal layer on the surface of the substrate by the epitaxial method.

Abstract: To provide: a (meth)acrylic acid copolymer, which exhibits excellent chelating ability, dispersibility, and gel resistance, and can be preferably used in various applications, for example, in a dispersant such as an inorganic pigment and a metal ion, a detergent builder, and a water treatment agent such as a corrosion inhibitor and a scale inhibitor; and a method for producing the (meth)acrylic acid copolymer; and an application thereof.

Abstract: There are disclosed a novel sulfur-containing poly(unsaturated carboxylic acid) and its uses and production process. A sulfur-containing poly(unsaturated carboxylic acid) having a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 500 to 4,500 and a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of not more than 2.

Abstract: This disclosure is aimed at providing a method for producing an epitaxial wafer allowing uniform occurrence of oxygen precipitate in a substrate plane in the radial direction in a base plate and excelling in the crystal quality of an epi-layer. A method for the production of an epitaxial wafer, characterized by using as a substrate a base plate of nitrogen- and carbon-added silicon single crystal having a nitrogen concentration of 5×1014 to 5×1015 atoms/cm3 and a carbon concentration of 1×1016 to 1×1018 atoms/cm3, having a crystal growth condition during the production of silicon single crystal in a range in which the whole surface of substrate becomes an OSF region, and being pulled at a cooling speed of not less than 4° C./minute between 1100 and 1000° C. during the growth of crystal, and depositing the silicon single crystal layer on the surface of the substrate by the epitaxial method.

Abstract: An annealed wafer in which oxygen precipitation is uniform in the substrate plane and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A nitrogen-doped silicon single crystal substrate pulled at the cooling rate of 4° C./minute or more during crystal growth between 1100 and 1000° C. wherein the nitrogen concentration is 1×1014 to 5×1015 atoms/cm3 and V/G satisfies predetermined conditions serves as a substrate, and the substrate is subjected to heat treatment in a non-oxidative atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for controlling operations of power seats for a vehicle, comprises the steps of moving a first seat toward a second seat by a first reversible motor, causing a seat cushion of the first seat to be tipped up, by a second reversible motor, relative to a seat back of the first seat which stands up, sensing loads which are applied to the first and second reversible motors, once stopping the driving of the first reversible motor, when excessive load of the first reversible motor is sensed during the movement of the first seat toward the second seat, thereafter returning the first seat to a position at which the excessive load of the first reversible motor is not sensed and stopping the movement of the first seat, once stopping the tipping-up of the seat cushion, when excessive load of the second reversible motor is sensed during the tipping-up of the seat cushion, and thereafter returning the seat cushion to an original posture thereof and stopping the movement of the seat cushion.

Abstract: There are disclosed a (meth)acrylic copolymer and its production process, wherein the (meth)acrylic copolymer has the good chelating ability and dispersibility and is excellent both in the calcium-ion-binding ability and the gelation resistance in combination, and further, the deterioration of these various performances is inhibited even in the water system of high salt concentration. The (meth)acrylic copolymer comprises a constitutional unit (a) derivative from a specific (meth)acrylic monomer (A) and a constitutional unit (b1) derivative from a specific (meth)allyl-etheric monomer (B1) and has a phosphorus atom in the main chain; with the (meth)acrylic copolymer being characterized by having: a mutual ratio between the constitutional unit (a) and the constitutional unit (b1) in the specific range; a low molecular weight; and a content of phosphorus, as bonded to the copolymer, in the predetermined range; and further a gelation resistance of not more than 0.

Abstract: A method for controlling operations of power seats for a vehicle, comprises the steps of moving a first seat toward a second seat by a first reversible motor, causing a seat cushion of the first seat to be tipped up, by a second reversible motor, relative to a seat back of the first seat which stands up, sensing loads which are applied to the first and second reversible motors, once stopping the driving of the first reversible motor, when excessive load of the first reversible motor is sensed during the movement of the first seat toward the second seat, thereafter returning the first seat to a position at which the excessive load of the first reversible motor is not sensed and stopping the movement of the first seat, once stopping the tipping-up of the seat cushion, when excessive load of the second reversible motor is sensed during the tipping-up of the seat cushion, and thereafter returning the seat cushion to an original posture thereof and stopping the movement of the seat cushion.

Abstract: There are disclosed a (meth)acrylic copolymer and its production process, wherein the (meth)acrylic copolymer has the good chelating ability and dispersibility and is excellent both in the calcium-ion-binding ability and the gelation resistance in combination, and further, the deterioration of these various performances is inhibited even in the water system of high salt concentration. The (meth)acrylic copolymer comprises a constitutional unit (a) derivative from a specific (meth)acrylic monomer (A) and a constitutional unit (b1) derivative from a specific (meth)allyl-etheric monomer (B1) and has a phosphorus atom in the main chain; with the (meth)acrylic copolymer being characterized by having: a mutual ratio between the constitutional unit (a) and the constitutional unit (b1) in the specific range; a low molecular weight; and a content of phosphorus, as bonded to the copolymer, in the predetermined range; and further a gelation resistance of not more than 0.

Abstract: There are disclosed a novel sulfur-containing poly(unsaturated carboxylic acid) and its uses and production process. A sulfur-containing poly(unsaturated carboxylic acid) having a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 500 to 4,500 and a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of not more than 2.

Abstract: A film-formable high molecular polyetherpolyester comprising structural unit (1) of formula (1) and functional group (2) of formula (2) and having a number-average molecular weight of 40,000 to 10,000,000, wherein the molar ratio of functional group (2) to R in the polyetherpolyester is in the range of 1.0 to 3.0. This polyetherpolyester can be produced by carrying out a chain extension reaction of a low molecular polyalkylene oxide of 1,000 to 30,000 in number-average molecular weight with a polyvalent acid anhydride at 0.003 MPa or higher in a molar ratio of (acid anhydride group)/(hydroxyl group)=0.8 to 1.0.

Abstract: A heat exchanger washing apparatus comprises a hopper for accommodating a plurality of washing brushes, a first heat exchanger leading guide having a first guide passage for guiding the washing brushes, a first opening/closing member for opening and closing the first guide passage, a first stopper disposed to the first guide passage, a second stopper, an air introduction passage communicating with the connecting port of the first guide passage downstream of the portion thereof where the first opening/closing member is disposed, a second opening/closing member for opening and closing the air introduction passage, a second heat exchanger leading guide connected to the first guide passage downstream of the connecting port and having a second guide passage for guiding the washing brushes with the extreme end of the second guide passage serving as an inserting portion which will be inserted into the pipe of a heat exchanger, first stopper control means, second stopper control means, first opening/closing control m