Abstract: Disclosed are a polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution prepared by living radical and a polymer manufacturing method comprising a step of performing living radical polymerization using 0.005 to 0.5 parts by mass of an oxygen radical scavenger per 100 parts by mass of a radical polymerizable monomer.

Abstract: To provide a statistical copolymer containing a chloroprene monomer unit and an unsaturated nitrile monomer unit which has a satisfactory oil resistance. A method for producing a statistical copolymer containing a chloroprene monomer unit and an unsaturated nitrile monomer unit includes a step for conducting continuous addition or 10 cycles or more of intermittent portionwise addition of the chloroprene monomer after initiation of a polymerization reaction is provided. A rubber composition using a statistical copolymer according to the invention or a vulcanized molded article containing the rubber composition is excellent in terms of oil resistance, mechanical strength, compression set at a low temperature and flex fatigue resistance.

Abstract: A power conversion device including a switching element includes: a temperature change estimation unit estimating temperature change in a semiconductor chip containing the switching element; a number calculator calculating the number of power cycles to fracture of the semiconductor chip due to power cycles; and a degradation degree calculator computing a degree of degradation of the semiconductor chip caused by the power cycles. The temperature change estimation unit calculates a maximum value and a minimum value of temperature of the semiconductor chip in one power cycle based on a first threshold of temperature fall allowed when it is determined that the temperature of the semiconductor chip is rising, and a second threshold of temperature rise allowed when it is determined that the temperature of the semiconductor chip is falling. The number calculator calculates the number of power cycles to fracture based on the maximum value and the minimum value.

Abstract: A vibration actuator capable of reducing variations of pressure force and reaction force acting on a vibrator and a contact member has a specific construction. Vibrator devices respectively have vibrators, each of which includes an elastic member and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element. A contact member contacts the vibrators and is movable in a predetermined direction relatively to the vibrators. A restraint member fixes a first vibrator device among the vibrator devices to restrict a degree of freedom in the predetermined direction. A flexible member connects a second vibrator device among the vibrator devices to the first vibrator device. The flexible member has predetermined rigidity in the predetermined direction and has rigidity, which is lower than the predetermined rigidity, in directions other than the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A vibration-type actuator that can suppress variation in pressing force and reaction force on vibration bodies and contact bodies includes vibration body units, each including a vibration body including an elastic body and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, and a contact body contacting with the vibration bodies, with the contact body and the vibration bodies moving relatively in a predetermined direction. A first vibration body unit, from among the vibration body units, includes a restriction unit configured to fix the first vibration body unit and restrict a degree of freedom in the predetermined direction, and a second vibration body unit, from among the vibration body units, includes a supporting guide unit configured to support the second vibration body unit while the second vibration body unit is movable in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction.

Abstract: Provided are a lubricating oil composition used in a diesel engine equipped with a forced-induction compressor, containing a base oil (A) containing a poly-?-olefin (A1), and a viscosity index improver (B) having an SSI (shear stability index) of 20 or less, having a distillation amount of a light fraction of 496° C. or less in a gas chromatography distillation test of less than 80% by volume, having a high retention of the effect of suppressing the formation of deposits that may occur inside the compressor, and being capable of retaining a high efficiency of the compressor for a long period of time, in the use thereof in a diesel engine equipped with a forced-induction compressor having an outlet temperature of the compressor becoming a high temperature reaching 190° C. or more, and a method for using the lubricating oil composition.

Abstract: Provided is a chloroprene-based polymer having an industrially applicable sufficient molecular weight and capable of obtaining a vulcanized rubber excellent in durability and fatigue endurance and an adhesive excellent in layer separation resistance. A chloroprene-based polymer having a number average molecular weight Mn of 150000 to 300000 and comprising a functional group of a structure represented by the general formula (1) or (2) below: (wherein in the general formula (1), R1 shows hydrogen, chlorine, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl group.

Abstract: A vehicle management system is provided with an onboard device, a server, and a remote control unit. The onboard device includes first memory and a first processor coupled to the first memory. The first processor being configured to acquire information regarding a vehicle. The server includes second memory and a second processor coupled to the second memory. The second processor being configured to determine whether or not a vehicle maintenance service is required based on the acquired information, and to propose implementation of the vehicle maintenance service in a cases in which the vehicle maintenance service is required. The remote control unit includes third memory and a third processor coupled to the third memory. The third processor being configured to use remote operation to move the vehicle to a predetermined location for implementation of the vehicle maintenance service in a cases in which the proposed vehicle maintenance service is to be implemented.

Abstract: A lubricating oil composition which can reduce the occurrence frequency of LSPI and which can ensure detergency. The lubricating oil composition which includes a lubricant base oil, a compound having calcium and/or magnesium, a compound having molybdenum and/or phosphorus, and an ashless dispersant having nitrogen and which satisfies X??0.85 and Y?0.18 (wherein X is calculated according to formula (1): X=([Ca]+0.5[Mg])×8?[Mo]×8?[P]×30 and Y is calculated according to formula (2): Y=[Ca]+1.65[Mg]+[N]). The lubricating oil composition for use in an internal combustion engine, more particularly, a lubricating oil composition for use in a supercharged gasoline engine.

Abstract: A vehicle operation system, comprising a memory and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to: identify a current location of a vehicle; identify a vehicle model of the vehicle; cause the vehicle to travel by remote operation, by at least one of a plurality of operators; determine a travel experience level indicating a degree of travel experience of each of the plurality of operators with respect to the current location of the vehicle, and determine an operation experience level indicating a degree of operation experience of each of the plurality of operators with respect to the vehicle model of the vehicle; and after receiving remote operation request information from the vehicle, perform matching between a destination of the vehicle and travel experience levels and operation experience levels of the plurality of operators, so as to select an operator to perform remote operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle operation system, comprising: an imaging device configured to capture video footage of conditions peripheral to a vehicle; a display device; a memory; and a processor that is coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to: allow the vehicle to be driven by remote operation by an operator; acquire video footage captured by the imaging device and perform image processing on the captured video footage to thereby generate processed video footage; display the processed video footage to the operator at the display device; and change image qualities of the captured video footage and the processed video footage in accordance with predetermined status information.

Abstract: A vehicle operation system includes: a first vehicle in which an occupant boards; and a second vehicle configured to be loaded on or towed by the first vehicle and supports plural kinds of work, the second vehicle being remotely operable by remote operation by the occupant using an operation interface of the first vehicle.

Abstract: Provided are a lubricating oil composition used in a diesel engine equipped with a forced-induction compressor, containing a base oil (A) containing a poly-?-olefin (A1), and a viscosity index improver (B) having an SSI (shear stability index) of 20 or less, having a distillation amount of a light fraction of 496° C. or less in a gas chromatography distillation test of less than 80% by volume, having a high retention of the effect of suppressing the formation of deposits that may occur inside the compressor, and being capable of retaining a high efficiency of the compressor for a long period of time, in the use thereof in a diesel engine equipped with a forced-induction compressor having an outlet temperature of the compressor becoming a high temperature reaching 190° C. or more, and a method for using the lubricating oil composition.

Abstract: A vehicle running control device that acquires a running path of a vehicle to a destination and path information relating to autonomous driving of the vehicle on the running path; that, on the basis of the path information relating to autonomous driving, predicts a remote driving segment of the running path in which running control of the vehicle in a remote driving mode is required; that, before the vehicle reaches the predicted remote driving segment, makes a request to a remote operation equipment for entry of operation information relating to remote driving; and that, when running is being controlled in an autonomous driving mode and the operation information relating to remote driving is entered through the remote operation equipment, switch to operate in the remote driving mode.

Abstract: A vehicle operation system including: plural vehicles; an acquiring section that acquire information of the vehicles; a deciding section that sets an operation right to enable operation of the vehicle for a first or a second operator that carries out operation of the vehicle by remote operation; an information providing section that, when the first or the second operator carries out remote operation of the vehicle, provides the information for the first operator or the second operator; a remote operation control section that, when the first or the second operator carries out remote operation of the vehicle, causes the vehicle to be operated by remote operation by operation of the first operator or the second operator; and a monitoring section that, at a time of remote operation of the vehicle, transfers the operation right to another of the first operator and the second operator when determined necessary.

Abstract: A vibration actuator that is capable of reducing variations of pressure force and reaction force acting on a vibrator and a contact member. Vibrator devices respectively have vibrators each of which includes an elastic member and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element. A contact member contacts the vibrators and is movable in a predetermined direction relatively to the vibrators. A restraint member fixes a first vibrator device that is at least one of the vibrator devices to restrict a degree of freedom in the predetermined direction. A flexible member connects a second vibrator device that is at least one of the vibrator devices to the first vibrator device. The flexible member has predetermined rigidity in the predetermined direction and has rigidity, which is lower than the predetermined rigidity, in directions other than the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A vibration-type actuator that can suppress variation in pressing force and reaction force on vibration bodies and contact bodies. The vibration-type actuator comprising vibration body units each including a vibration body including an elastic body and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, and a contact body contacting with the vibration bodies, wherein the contact body and the vibration bodies relatively move in a predetermined direction, a first vibration body unit, including at least one of the vibration body units, includes a restriction unit configured to fix the first vibration body unit and restrict a degree of freedom in the predetermined direction, and a second vibration body unit, including at least one of the vibration body units, includes a supporting guide unit configured to support the second vibration body unit while the second vibration body unit being movable in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction.

Abstract: Provide is a polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution by living radical polymerization. A polymer manufacturing method comprising a step of performing living radical polymerization using 0.005 to 0.5 parts by mass of an oxygen radical scavenger per 100 parts by mass of a radical polymerizable monomer.

Abstract: An apparatus (51) includes a needle placement manipulator (1) and an attachment (52) for the manipulator. The manipulator includes a needle holder and a rotary mechanism. The rotary mechanism (3, 4) has a remote center of motion (RCM: 11) and is configured to position a needle holder (5) such that the axis of the needle holder traces a conical region of coverage (108), the conical region of coverage having the apex thereof at the RCM and the base thereof in a direction towards a subject of needle placement (14). The attachment supports the guide mechanism and is configured to be mounted onto the subject of needle placement. The attachment includes a guide portion (183c) configured to change an inclination of the rotary mechanism with respect to the subject of needle placement such that the axis of the needle holder intersects an insertion target (14) located outside of the conical region of coverage.

Abstract: To provide a statistical copolymer containing a chloroprene monomer unit and an unsaturated nitrile monomer unit which has a satisfactory oil resistance. A method for producing a statistical copolymer containing a chloroprene monomer unit and an unsaturated nitrile monomer unit includes a step for conducting continuous addition or 10 cycles or more of intermittent portionwise addition of the chloroprene monomer after initiation of a polymerization reaction is provided. A rubber composition using a statistical copolymer according to the invention or a vulcanized molded article containing the rubber composition is excellent in terms of oil resistance, mechanical strength, compression set at a low temperature and flex fatigue resistance.