Abstract: This invention provides the use of a microorganism capable of improving both lipid metabolism and sugar metabolism. Specifically, the invention relates to: a lipid metabolism and/or sugar metabolism improver comprising, as an active ingredient, a bacterial cell selected from bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus and the genus Bifidobacterium, a treated product of the bacterial cell, or a mixture thereof, having dual-agonistic activities to peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)? and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)?; to a food or a beverage comprising the improver; and to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the improver.

Abstract: This application provides a substance containing disrupted cells of an anti-inflammatory lactic acid bacterium and having an effect of preventing or improving arthritis in a subject, a composition containing the substance and the preparation method thereof, and a method for enhancing the effect of preventing and improving arthritis with the use of the substance.

Abstract: This invention provides an effective means or method for improving lipid metabolism, and a means or method for treatment or prevention of diseases or disorders associated with the lipid metabolism disorder. Specifically, this invention relates to an agent for improving the lipid metabolism comprising, as active ingredients, broken cells of a lactic acid bacterium, and to a method for enhancing an effect of a lactic acid bacterium for improving the lipid metabolism comprising a step of breaking the lactic acid bacterium.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a rotating unit, a pressing unit, a nip being formed therebetween, a first heating unit configured to heat the rotating unit, a second heating unit configured to heat the pressing unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the first and second heating units according to a mode of operation, such that, in a first mode, the rotating unit at the nip is at a first temperature and the pressing unit at the nip is at a second temperature, and in a second mode, the rotating unit at the nip is at a third temperature that is equal to or higher than the first temperature and the pressing unit at the nip is at a fourth temperature that is higher than the second temperature. A difference between the second and fourth temperatures is smaller than between the first and third temperatures.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a rotating unit, a pressing unit, a nip being formed therebetween, a first heating unit configured to heat the rotating unit, a second heating unit configured to heat the pressing unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the first and second heating units according to a mode of operation, such that, in a first mode, the rotating unit at the nip is at a first temperature and the pressing unit at the nip is at a second temperature, and in a second mode, the rotating unit at the nip is at a third temperature that is equal to or higher than the first temperature and the pressing unit at the nip is at a fourth temperature that is higher than the second temperature. A difference between the second and fourth temperatures is smaller than between the first and third temperatures.

Abstract: An inducer of T cell apoptosis and a health food for inducing T cell apoptosis comprising as an active ingredient of a lactic acid bacterium belonging to the genus Lactobacillus or the genus Bifidobacterium are disclosed. Particularly preferred lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus or the genus Bifidobacterium are Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 (FERM BP-4981), Lactobacillus amylovorus CP1750 (FERM BP-10532), Bifidobacterium catenulatum CP2829 (FERM BP-10533) and Bifidobacterium longum CP760 (FERM BP-10531). The inducer of T cell apoptosis of the invention is useful in the prevention and cure of a disease such as an organ-specific autoimmune disease or type I allergy.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuser includes a fixing belt including a conductive layer, an induction-current generating section to electromagnetically induction-heat the conductive layer, an opposed section to form a nip in cooperation with the fixing belt, an auxiliary heat generating section electromagnetically induction-heated by the induction-current generating section, and a moving section to move the auxiliary heat generating section with respect to the fixing belt.

Abstract: The present application provides Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 strain (FERM BP-11331), Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305s strain (NITE BP-1405), or, a derivative strain (for example, a cold-tolerant derivative strain) derived from Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 strain (FERM BP-11331) or the CP2305s strain, a method for producing the same, a stress-induced bowel disorder-alleviating agent comprising the derivative strain, a treated product thereof, or a mixture thereof as an active ingredient, and food additives, animal additives, animal feeds, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the agent.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming section (1) configured to form a toner image on an image receiving medium; a fixing apparatus (20) configured to heat, using a heating component (21), the image receiving medium formed with the toner image to fix the toner image; a fan (66) configured to cool the heating component at least; and a control section (60) configured to enable, after the image forming section finishes an image forming operation, the fan to operate for a given time when the elapsed time for image forming operation is shorter than a first formation time, and enable the heating component to idle without generating heat while operating the fan, when the elapsed time for image forming operation is equal to or longer than the first time.

Abstract: A power amplifier includes: first and second bias terminals to which bias voltages are respectively supplied; a first transistor having a first control terminal connected to the first bias terminal, a first terminal that is grounded, and a second terminal; a second transistor having a second control terminal connected to the second bias terminal, a third terminal connected to the second terminal, and a fourth terminal; a capacitor connected between the second control terminal and a grounding point; and a variable resistor connected in series with the capacitor, between the second control terminal and the grounding point.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuser includes a fixing belt including a conductive layer, an induction-current generating section to electromagnetically induction-heat the conductive layer, an opposed section to form a nip in cooperation with the fixing belt, an auxiliary heat generating section electromagnetically induction-heated by the induction-current generating section, and a moving section to move the auxiliary heat generating section with respect to the fixing belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes: an image erasing section including a first member which has an elastic layer and heats a recording medium having a thermally decolorizable toner image on the toner image side and a second member which erases the toner image by allowing the recording medium in cooperation with the first member; an image forming section which transfers a thermally decolorizable toner image onto the recording medium on which the toner image is erased to form an unfixed toner image; and an image fixing section including a third member which does not have an elastic layer and heats the recording medium on the unfixed toner image side and a fourth member which fixes the unfixed toner image by allowing the recording medium in cooperation with the third member.

Abstract: This invention provides the use of a microorganism capable of improving both lipid metabolism and sugar metabolism. Specifically, the invention relates to: a lipid metabolism and/or sugar metabolism improver comprising, as an active ingredient, a bacterial cell selected from bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus and the genus Bifidobacterium, a treated product of the bacterial cell, or a mixture thereof, having dual-agonistic activities to peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)? and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)?; to a food or a beverage comprising the improver; and to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the improver.

Abstract: A power amplifier includes: first and second bias terminals to which bias voltages are respectively supplied; a first transistor having a first control terminal connected to the first bias terminal, a first terminal that is grounded, and a second terminal; a second transistor having a second control terminal connected to the second bias terminal, a third terminal connected to the second terminal, and a fourth terminal; a capacitor connected between the second control terminal and a grounding point; and a variable resistor connected in series with the capacitor, between the second control terminal and the grounding point.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuser includes a fixing belt including a conductive layer, an induction-current generating section to electromagnetically induction-heat the conductive layer, an opposed section to form a nip in cooperation with the fixing belt, an auxiliary heat generating section electromagnetically induction-heated by the induction-current generating section, and a moving section to move the auxiliary heat generating section with respect to the fixing belt.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a rotating unit, a pressing unit, an urging unit configured to urge a portion of the pressing unit towards the rotating unit to form a first nip between the rotating unit and the urged portion of the pressing unit, and a supporting unit disposed upstream of a conveying direction of a sheet with respect to the urging unit to form a second nip between the rotating unit and a portion of the pressing unit.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming section (1) configured to form a toner image on an image receiving medium; a fixing apparatus (20) configured to heat, using a heating component (21), the image receiving medium formed with the toner image to fix the toner image; a fan (66) configured to cool the heating component at least; and a control section (60) configured to enable, after the image forming section finishes an image forming operation, the fan to operate for a given time when the elapsed time for image forming operation is shorter than a first formation time, and enable the heating component to idle without generating heat while operating the fan, when the elapsed time for image forming operation is equal to or longer than the first time.

Abstract: A fixing device of an embodiment is configured to fix an unfixed toner image formed of a decolorable toner on a sheet of paper. The fixing device includes: a fixing unit including a fixing member heated by a first heat source and a pressure member heated by a second heat source; a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor; and a temperature controller configured to control the first heat source and the second heat source separately for temperature control based on detected temperature information acquired by the temperature sensors, wherein the temperature controller controls the surface temperatures of the fixing member and the pressure member to set equal or above the temperature at which fixing is started fixing starting temperature and to set below the temperature at which decolorization is started, and such that the surface temperatures of the fixing member and the pressure member become substantially the same temperature.

Abstract: A transfer device that transfers a fine transfer pattern formed on a master mold to a molded material, includes a first transfer unit that transfers the fine transfer pattern formed on the master mold to a replica mold made from a material that transmits light; and a second transfer unit that transfers a fine transfer pattern formed on the replica mold by the first transfer unit to the molded material.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an effective means and method for activating vagal afferent nerve. The present invention provides a vagus nerve activator comprising bacterial cells and/or a treated product of a lactic acid bacteria as active ingredient(s).