Abstract: A refractive index variation due to short wavelength and high power in a silica-based planar lightwave circuit (PLC) is suppressed. An optical multiplex/demultiplex circuit which include two waveguide, is made up of an asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZ) in which two arms having different lengths are formed between two coupler portions, and multiplexing and demultiplexing light of different wavelengths, wherein a second waveguide core width of an arm through which light on a short wavelength side propagates is larger than a first waveguide core width of the waveguide constituting the asymmetric MZ.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a glass having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface. The glass has a thick region and a thin region that is adjacent to the thick region, has a recessed surface in the second main surface, and is thinner than the thick region. The thin region includes: a bottom region which is flat on the second main surface side in a state where the first main surface is fixed so as to make contact with a flat surface; and a stepped region provided between the bottom region and the thick region. The thin region satisfies a specific formula (1).

Abstract: An estimation device configured to estimate a charge rate of a battery includes a voltage sensor configured to detect a voltage of the battery, a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the battery, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is connected to the voltage sensor and the temperature sensor and is configured to execute, while a vehicle is parked, an estimation process of estimating the charge rate of the battery based on a detection voltage and a detection temperature. The detection voltage is detected by the voltage sensor. The detection temperature is detected by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A tactile feedback apparatus includes a display unit that displays a visual object, a storage unit that stores waveform information expressing a tactile sensation of the visual object, a vibration actuator that provides a user with a tactile sensation based on vibration, and a waveform editing unit that edits the waveform information. The vibration actuator vibrates based on the waveform information in a case in which a targeted area of the user's body for the tactile feedback by the vibration actuator comes into contact with the visual object. The waveform editing unit updates the waveform information stored in the storage unit based on an operation associated with completion of the editing.

Abstract: A crystalline form and/or polymorph of a compound having the following structure (I), including tautomeric and zwitterionic forms thereof, are provided: Methods associated with preparation and use of the polymorphs, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are also provided. Also provided are methods for preparing a compound having formula (I), or a salt, tautomer or zwitterionic form thereof.

Abstract: An agglomerated ore is reduced while being subjected to a predetermined load at 1000° C. to 1200° C., both inclusive, to produce a reduced aggregate; a tumble treatment is performed on the reduced aggregate using a tumble tester; cluster strength CS of the reduced aggregate calculated by Formula (1) below is measured; and a clustering property of the agglomerated ore is assessed using the cluster strength CS: CS=(W?/W)×100 . . . (1), where CS is cluster strength (mass %); W is the mass (g) of a reduced aggregate that is equal to or larger than a maximum particle diameter of the agglomerated ore; and W? is the mass (g) of a reduced aggregate after a tumble treatment in the tumble tester that is equal to or larger than the maximum particle diameter of the agglomerated ore.

Abstract: Provided is an ore crushing method capable of efficiently crushing iron ores that are difficult to finely crush. The ore crushing method includes coarsely crushing the iron ores to reduce the proportion of particles with a particle size of greater than or equal to 1 mm, and then finely crushing the iron ores to increase the proportion of particles with a particle size of less than 63 ?m.

Abstract: An apparatus for predicting useful life of a photovoltaic module includes an input and an output. The input receives first information indicating an amount of hygrothermal stress that a photovoltaic module undergoes from a start until an end of a period during which the photovoltaic module outputs predetermined electric power. The input further receives second information indicating an amount of hygrothermal stress that the photovoltaic module undergoes per a predetermined time in a field where the photovoltaic module is deployed. The second information is generated based on information about daily maximum temperatures of the photovoltaic module in the field where the photovoltaic module is deployed. The output outputs result information about a predicted period during which the photovoltaic module is expected to output the predetermined electric power when the photovoltaic module is deployed in the field.

Abstract: To manufacture an optical waveguide including a substrate, a lower cladding layer formed on the substrate, a core layer formed on the lower cladding layer, a sinking prevention layer formed to cover the core layer and the lower cladding layer, and an upper cladding layer formed on the sinking prevention layer, in which the sinking prevention layer is composed of a material having a higher melting point than that of a material composing the lower cladding layer.

Abstract: An end portion structure of a transmission line of the present invention is a structure in which a protective film with a thickness of 0.5 ?m to 3.0 ?m is formed on the end surface of the transmission line in place of an end cap formed in an end portion of a transmission line in the related art, and no adhesive is used in a portion through which light passes. The protective film on the end surface works to suppress a bulge of the core. The thickness of the protective film is significantly thinner than the end cap, and thus waveguides facing each other can be brought close to each other. It is possible to reduce the connection loss between two fibers or waveguides facing each other to be 0.5 dB or less. Since no adhesive is used, there is no loss increase caused by adhesive deterioration.

Abstract: Provided is an optical module that accurately observes the overall intensity of visible light having a relatively short wavelength and propagating through an optical fiber, and is suitable for downsizing an optical device. An optical module provided in an optical fiber connected to an optical component capable of inputting or outputting light. The optical module includes: a case body that forms a closed space C in which a part of the optical fiber is accommodated; a fiber fixing portion that fixes the optical fiber to predetermined position and shape inside the case body; and a photodiode that is attached inside the case body at a position capable of receiving radiation light radiated from the optical fiber fixed to the fiber fixing portion.

Abstract: A metal frame provides a ground potential. An image forming unit forms a toner image on a sheet. A fixing apparatus fixes the toner image on the sheet. The fixing apparatus comprises a heating element for generating heat by being supplied with power from an alternating current power source. An insulating layer covers the heating element. A conductive layer contacts the insulating layer and insulated from the metal frame. A tube-shaped member is heated by the heating element. A pressing member is arranged opposing the tube-shaped member and forms a nip portion in cooperation with the tube-shaped member. A capacitive element whose one end is connected to the metal frame and whose other end is connected to the conductive layer of the fixing apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a heating portion that includes a heating element which is heated by power from a power supply and heats an image, a temperature detecting portion that detects temperature of the heating portion, and a power control portion that controls power supplied to the heating element based on information from the temperature detecting portion. The image forming apparatus further includes a detecting portion that detects whether voltage from the power supply exceeds a rated value, and when the detecting portion detects that the voltage from the power supply exceeds the rated value, the power control portion controls the power supply such that a waveform pattern of an electric current to the heating element in one control cycle becomes a waveform pattern of phase control, where power supplying time to the heating element in one half wave becomes a predetermined time or less.

Abstract: An optical module includes two components that are optically connected, and includes a glass layer disposed in a region including an optical connection portion between the two components, at least one component includes a thin tube through which outside air is introduced, and an end face of the thin tube is in contact with the glass layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a circuit including both a circuit within a fixing unit and a power control circuit, provided with a first circuit which supplies power to a heater from an AC power supply, a second circuit electrically insulated from the first circuit, and a third circuit electrically insulated from both the first circuit and the second circuit, all of the first to third circuits are provided on at least one surface of a circuit board, and the first to third circuits are disposed on at least one straight line on which all of the first to third circuits are present on the one surface of the circuit board in the order of the first circuit, the third circuit and the second circuit.

Abstract: A waveform pattern of an electric current running through a first heat generating group and a waveform pattern of an electric current of a second heat generating group, controlled by a control unit, in an image forming apparatus of the present invention are different from each other at at least one phase angle in one control period. The percentage of coincidence of a period of phase control of the first heat generating group and a period of phase control of the second heat generating group in the one control period is lower than or equal to 50%.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit, a switching element, and a controller. The controller controls the switching element on a half-cycle basis of an alternating current. A period in which the electric power is supplied to the heater within a period of a half-cycle of the alternating current is divided into at least one first power supply period and a second power supply period longer than one first power supply period. A length of a sum of the at least one first power supply period is a length from 1/6000 to 1/40 of one cycle of the alternating current. A sum of electric power supplied in the at least one first power supply period and electric power supplied in the second power supply period is determined depending on a difference between a temperature and a target temperature of the fixing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a circuit including both a circuit within a fixing unit and a power control circuit, provided with a first circuit which supplies power to a heater from an AC power supply, a second circuit electrically insulated from the first circuit, and a third circuit electrically insulated from both the first circuit and the second circuit, all of the first to third circuits are provided on at least one surface of a circuit board, and the first to third circuits are disposed on at least one straight line on which all of the first to third circuits are present on the one surface of the circuit board in the order of the first circuit, the third circuit and the second circuit.

Abstract: In an image forming system including an apparatus main-body and a control portion which controls a fixing operation, to the apparatus main-body, a first fixing unit including a first heater and a second fixing unit including a second heater, which is different from the first heater, can be selectively attached, and each of the first and second fixing units has an information processing portion which transmits data including identification information and temperature information related to a temperature detected by a temperature detection element to the control portion, and the control portion discriminates which of the first fixing unit and the second fixing unit, the fixing unit attached to the apparatus main-body is on the basis of the identification information from the information processing portion and controls the fixing operation by the fixing unit on the basis of the temperature information.

Abstract: To provide a planar lightwave circuit capable of being optically connected to a semiconductor optical element or an optical wiring component in a simple, precise, and stable manner without an increase in circuit footprint or the number of fabrication steps or a deterioration of characteristics. By arranging a dummy optical waveguide having a mirror function in the vicinity of an input/output waveguide of an optical functional circuit forming the planar lightwave circuit, a semiconductor optical element or an optical wiring component can be easily aligned with and fixed to the optical functional circuit by monitoring the reflection light intensity from the dummy optical waveguide. When the optical functional circuit has a plurality of input/output waveguides to be optically connected, each input/output waveguide can be identified if the dummy optical waveguides having the mirror function have different reflection properties (such as reflectance, width, position, or reflection wavelength).