Abstract: A scanning optical device including a plurality of light source devices 1a-1d, a light beam converting system 3 for converting the light focus state of the plurality of light beams emitted from light emitting members of the light source devices, a deflecting member 5 for scanningly deflecting the light beam from the light beam converting system, and imaging optical members 6a-6d for imaging the light beam from the deflecting member upon scan surfaces 8a-8d corresponding to the light beams, respectively, wherein the light beam converting system is comprised of a plurality of optical elements 3a-3d formed integrally and each converting the light focus state of associated one of the light beams from the light source devices, and wherein the light source devices are fixed to a holding member 12 while the positions with respect to the associated optical elements are adjusted.

Abstract: A cleaning blade is provided which does not cause contamination of other parts even when being stored for a long period of time in a high temperature and high humidity environment. The cleaning blade is set in an image forming apparatus employing an electrostatic transfer process, including a blade member and a support member to rub and remove residual toner remaining on a photosensitive drum provided to the image forming apparatus, in which the total amount of nitrogen-containing compounds extracted with methanol from the cleaning blade is 12 ?g or less per cm of the cleaning blade in its longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An atomic magnetometer includes a cell containing an atomic group, a pump light source, a probe light source, a mirror, and a detector. The cell is disposed between the pump light source and the mirror and between the probe light source and the detector. A pump beam emitted from the pump light source is circularly polarized light. The pump beam passes through the cell and is reflected by the mirror and then passes through the cell again. The probe beam emitted from the probe light source is linearly polarized light. An optical path of the probe beam is parallel to the plane of incidence of the pump beam and is also parallel to the surface of the mirror. The optical path of the probe beam crosses the optical path of the pump beam in the cell. The probe beam which has passed through the cell enters the detector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique relating to image processing capable of searching for, from a surface of paper, a more suitable region for matching of paper fingerprint information or print paper surface unique information. Its configuration includes a region dividing section for dividing image data including a read out paper fingerprint into a plurality of regions; a section for obtaining variance of gradation values of pixels in the individual regions divided by the region dividing section; a deciding section for making a decision from each variance value obtained by the section for obtaining variance of gradation values as to whether a corresponding region is suitable for matching of the paper fingerprint information; and an extracting section for extracting the paper fingerprint information in the region decided by the deciding section.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head is constituted by a recording element substrate provided with an energy generating element for generating energy for ejecting ink from an ink ejection outlet, an electric wiring member electrically connected with the recording element substrate, a mounting portion for mounting the recording element substrate, and an opening provided in the mounting portion. The electric wiring member penetrates through the opening.

Abstract: A biological information imaging apparatus includes: a light source; an acoustic wave detector that detects an acoustic wave generated from a light absorption material in a living body that has absorbed a part of energy of light irradiated from the light source to the living body, and converts it into a first electric signal; a photodetector that detects optical intensity of a portion of the light irradiated from the light source to the living body and propagating in the living body, and converts it into a second electric signal; and a calculation unit that calculates optical property distribution information on the living body by making use of an analytical result of one of the first electric signal and the second electric signal for analysis of the other electric signal.

Abstract: The activity of the enzyme aromatase is inhibited by administering an aromatase inhibiting amount of a composition comprising at least one of astaxanthin, black cohosh, echinacea, and phytosterols to a subject.

Abstract: An epoxy resin composition can be used for forming a film having excellent water-repellency on a substrate surface. The epoxy resin composition contains (a) an epoxy resin having at least two alicyclic epoxy groups, at least one perfluoroalkyl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and at least one alkylsiloxane group and (b) a cationic polymerization catalyst. The alicyclic epoxy groups and the perfluoroalkyl group are present in branched chains of the epoxy resin, and the alkylsiloxane group is present in the main chain of the epoxy resin.

Abstract: A method for capturing a target substance in a sample, comprising the steps of preparing particles capable of capturing the target substance in a dispersed state in a fluid, aggregating the particles, and allowing the particles to capture the target substance in the sample by bringing the sample into contact with the particles aggregated.

Abstract: A photosensitive member to be used for an image-forming apparatus can effectively suppress its wettability of the surface relative to foreign objects adhering to it and reduce the load and the mechanism necessary for cleaning the surface so as to prolong the service life of the photosensitive member and make the apparatus adapted to down-sizing. For this purpose, the wettability (W: work of adhesion) of the surface of the photosensitive member relative to toner is confined to be between 60 and 110 mN/m.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a recording material bearing member for bearing and conveying a recording material to a transfer position, and a transfer charge member for transferring an image from the image bearing member onto the recording material born on the recording material bearing member. The transfer charge member has a plate-shaped conductive substrate and is contacted with a surface of the recording material bearing member opposite to a surface for bearing the recording material at the transfer position.

Abstract: Use is made of a neural network in order to restore a binary image to an original multi-level image, by way of example. Using the neural network makes it possible to raise the accuracy of restoration and the speed of processing.

Abstract: A multi-media communication apparatus capable of communicating image and voice signals through a communication line, includes a storage unit for storing data sent from a communication apparatus of a first party during a communication with the communication apparatus of the first party, and a transmission unit for transmitting data stored in the storage unit to a communication apparatus of a second party during a communication with the communication apparatus of the second party.