Abstract: An air-cleaner support structure includes an air-cleaner, a first support portion and a second support portion. The air-cleaner is supported in an engine room via the first support portion and the second support portion. The first support portion is connected to the air cleaner using a bolt and the second support portion is connected to the air-cleaner using an insert member. The distance from the engine to the first support portion is shorter than the distance from the engine to the second support portion.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a catalyst for manufacturing a carboxylic ester, which has superior catalytic activity. The present invention relates to a catalyst for preparing a carboxylic ester, used in a) a reaction for preparing a carboxylic ester by reacting oxygen, an aldehyde, and an alcohol, or b) a reaction for manufacturing a carboxylic ester by reacting oxygen and one or more types of alcohol, comprising a carrier and 1) ultrafine gold particles and/or 2) ultrafine metal particles containing gold and a second element other than gold, having an average particle diameter of not more than 6 nm, are supported on the carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is capable of adjusting the color density while improving the printing efficiency. A color density adjustment value-adjusting unit adjusts a color density adjustment value in predetermined adjustment timing so as to keep colors of an image constant. A color density adjustment value-storing unit stores the color density adjustment value in advance. An adjustment timing occurrence-determining unit determines whether or not the adjustment timing occurs during execution of an image forming job. A color density adjustment value-predicting unit predicts the color density adjustment value in the adjustment timing determined to occur, based on the color density adjustment value stored in advance. The color density adjustment value-adjusting unit is adapted to adjust the color density adjustment value based on the predicted color density adjustment value.

Abstract: A reader has a one-pass both-side reading function and comprises a selector which synthesizes in a dot sequential manner image signals from a CCD for reading a front face image and from a contact sensor for reading a rear face image, and transmits both-side image data in the same configuration as that of an I/F which transmits one-side image data. It transfers image information to a printer at high speed without being equipped with a high-capacity memory and without increasing the number of signal lines.

Abstract: An etching method and an etching system are adapted to produce a high etch selectivity for a mask, an excellent anisotropic profile and a large etching depth. An etching system according to the invention comprises a floating electrode arranged vis-à-vis a substrate electrode in a vacuum chamber and held in a floating state in terms of electric potential, a material arranged at the side of the floating electrode facing the substrate electrode to form an anti-etching film and a control unit for intermittently applying high frequency power to the floating electrode.

Abstract: An image forming system which is capable of realizing a highly accurate simulated printing operation thereby shortening a development schedule and reducing development costs. In the image forming system, a plurality of printer functional modules perform operations for printing. A plurality of printer drivers drive the printer functional modules, respectively. A system controller is connected to the printer drivers via a general-purpose bus to control the printer drivers. A bus I/F connects an external computer to the image forming system via the general-purpose bus. Printer control software constructs a printer control environment enabling control identical to the control by the system controller to be performed on the printer drivers, on the external computer, to thereby carry out printer control. Simulation software cooperates with the printer control software to simulatively realize printing operation.

Abstract: A simulating system having: a data retrieving device which time-sequentially retrieves a control value which is outputted from a control system in an image forming apparatus to a controlled system and an input value inputted from the controlled system to the control system as a control result; a data storing device which stores a time-series data group including a plurality of control values and the input values corresponding to the control values; and a simulating device which simulates the control result of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the control value outputted to the controlled system in accordance with an algorithm, wherein a correlation between each of the control values and the input value corresponding to each of the control values included in the time-series data group has been implemented.

Abstract: A bearing support device includes a rotor, a bearing member, and a bearing holding member. The rotor rotates about a rotation center axis. The bearing member rotatably supports the rotor within a bearing hole passing through the bearing member. The bearing holding member holds the bearing member in a secure manner within a fitting hole that passes through the bearing holding member along the center axis of the rotor via an engagement force produced by tightly fitting the bearing member. The rotor and bearing member are made of a resin. An engagement section is provided for tightly fitting the bearing member into the fitting hole relative to the bearing hole to enable an engagement force produced by the tight fitting to act in a direction that does not affect an inner diameter dimension of the bearing hole.

Abstract: An intermediate resin molded body is put between two outer resin molded bodies, and a molten resin is injected substantially simultaneously into a first interface between one outer resin molded body of the two outer resin molded bodies and the intermediate resin molded body and a second interface between the other outer resin molded body and the intermediate resin body, so that the two outer resin molded bodies and the intermediate resin molded body are welded together.

Abstract: A control apparatus used in an image forming apparatus which is capable of improving development efficiency and decreasing development cost as well. A control apparatus comprises a CPU board 100 and a relay board having I/Fs 311-314 and a CPU 301. The I/Fs 311-314 are connectable with driver boards 5001-5004, and have common standards. The CPU 301 detects each connection state of the driver boards 5001-5004 to the I/Fs 311-314, decides an ID for the relay board 300 according to the connection state, and performs consistency control to secure consistency of control between the driver boards 5001-5004, based on the ID for the relay board 300. The CPU board 100 is communicatably connected to the relay board 300. The CPU board 100 obtains the ID for the relay board 300, and performs control according to the ID for the relay board 300.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for oxidation of an aromatic compound having an alkyl substituent, including reacting the aromatic compound having an alkyl substituent with an oxygen molecule to oxidize the alkyl substituent into an aldehyde group in the presence of a catalyst containing Ag and/or Au, and, if necessary, any one or more kinds of group VIII elements, supported on a carrier. The oxidation method of the present invention allows the production of an aromatic aldehyde compound or an aromatic carboxylic acid ester via this aromatic aldehyde compound in high yield and in high selectivity by the use of a catalyst having moderate oxidizing ability, even when an aromatic compound having an alkyl substituent, which is easily converted into an aromatic carboxylic acid by oxidation, is used as a starting material.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus having a light source for illuminating a document, an image sensing element for outputting an electrical signal in accordance with an input light quantity, a first reference member, and a second reference member, shading correction data is acquired. A time since the light source is turned on is measured, and when the measured time does not reach a predetermined time, shading correction data is acquired by a first method using the first reference member. When the predetermined time has elapsed, shading correction data is acquired by a second method using the second reference member.

Abstract: A control apparatus system which enables reduction of costs and time for development. An image forming apparatus implementing the control apparatus system has an image output section including a plurality of functional units having different functions. The image output section has an ASIC that is provided in each of the functional units, for performing signal processing on an input signal thereto, a communication IC provided in each of the functional units, and a relay board that performs interface matching between each of the functional units and at least one driver circuit board.

Abstract: An engine starter mechanism arrangement for snow vehicles, in which a starter mechanism is disposed so as to maintain excellent traveling stability of the snow vehicle. A crankshaft (7) extends through an engine (2) in a transverse direction of a body frame. A rear balancer shaft (62) is disposed in a rear part of the engine at a location rearward of the crankshaft in a manner extending substantially parallel to the crankshaft. A starter motor (65) is disposed in the engine at a location above the rear balancer shaft.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus which improved the development efficiency and is capable of reducing the development cost. The image reading apparatus comprises a specific unit 1001 and an alignment unit 1002. The specific unit 1001 has an CPU 1501 that informs the alignment unit 1002 of identification information for identifying an apparatus specification of the specific unit 1001.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for more efficiently producing an ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester wherein side reactions due to the ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester are inhibited or prevented in comparison with prior art production processes. The invention provides a process for producing an ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester comprising Steps 1 to 3: Step 1. reacting, in the presence of oxygen, (i) a 1,2-diol with a 1,2-diol or (ii) a 1,2-diol with an alcohol to obtain a reaction product containing an ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester; Step 2. separating the ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester from the reaction product obtained in Step 1 by distillation under reduced pressure; and Step 3. feeding Step 1 with a mixture obtained by partially or entirely removing water from the reaction product, wherein the mixture contains an unreacted 1,2-diol and/or alcohol.

Abstract: A lubricating structure for engines, wherein an oil feed pump and an oil recovery pump are disposed so as to avoid interference between the oil feed and recovery pumps and a clutch mechanism and an increase in the size of the engine. The clutch mechanism 38 is disposed at a location toward a left end of a crankshaft 7 as an output shaft 7a, which is rotatably supported between an upper crankcase 5 and a lower crankcase 6, that is, disposed on a left side of an engine room. A magnet cover 60 is fixed to right side parts of the two crankcases 5, 6. A magnet MG is disposed between the two crankcases 5, 6 and the magnet cover 60 at a location toward a right end 7b of the crankshaft 7. An oil pump FEP for feeding lubricating oil is disposed between the two crankcases 5, 6 and the magnet cover 60, and an oil pump SCP for recovering lubricating oil is disposed between the two crankcases 5, 6 and the magnet cover 60.

Abstract: A four-stroke-cycle engine of a vehicle such as snowmobile comprises a crank case, which is dividable into a plurality of crank case components having mating surfaces, through which the crank case is assembled, a crank shaft rotatably supported in the crank case at a portion between the mating surfaces of the crank case components, and a belt driven-type continuously variable transmission mechanism operatively connected to one end of the crank shaft through a clutch belt. The continuously variable transmission mechanism includes a drive shaft, and the clutch belt is stretched around the drive shaft and the crank shaft so that a tensioning direction of the clutch belt is shifted from a line passing the mating surfaces of the crank case components at a predetermined angle therebetween.

Abstract: A plasma processing method and a plasma processing system provide advantages of a high degree of selectivity, a large area processing capability and an enhanced precision level. A plasma processing method according to the invention is so designed that a pulse modulation power is supplied alternately to the plasma generating power supply and the substrate bias power supply by referring to the time taken by gas to diffuse from the center of electric discharge to the substrate. In a plasma processing system according to the invention, the plasma generating power supply and the substrate bias power supply are provided with modulation means for supplying a pulse modulation power alternately to the plasma generating section and the substrate electrode by referring to the time taken by gas to diffuse from the center of electric discharge to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides an agricultural chemical enhancer and an agricultural chemical composition which are safely used for crops without any phytotoxicity, have a potency enhancing action on various agricultural chemicals and promote the growth of a plant body to be intended to be grown. The invention relates to an agricultural chemical enhancer comprising at least one type selected from a specific alcohol compound, an ether compound and an ester compound.