Abstract: A fixing device includes a first rotary member, a second rotary member, a pressing mechanism, and a heat-levelling member. The second rotary member is formed in a reverse-camber shape. The pressing mechanism can form a fixing nip and can reduce the pressing force between the first and second rotary members. The heat-levelling member, in a reduced-pressure state where the pressing force is lower than the fixing nip pressure, stays in contact with a part of the outer circumferential surface of the second rotary member elsewhere than the fixing nip, over the entire range in the rotation axis direction, to equalize the surface temperature of the second rotary member and, in a state where the pressing force is equal to or higher than the fixing nip pressure, stays away from the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: A photon counting device includes a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert input light to charge, and an amplifier configured to amplify the charge converted by the photoelectric conversion element and convert the charge to a voltage, an A/D converter configured to convert the voltages output from the amplifiers of the plurality of pixels to digital values; and a conversion unit configured to convert the digital value output from the A/D converter to the number of photons by referring to reference data, for each of the plurality of pixels, and the reference data is created based on a gain and an offset value for each of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A method of assessing a probe by measuring a known sample whose shape is known with the probe in an electronic microscope, the known sample having a projection part on a surface thereof, and the projection part having a shape tapered toward a vertex thereof, the method comprising a step of measuring circle equivalent radius of the projection part, a step of comparing the circle equivalent radius with a first threshold value, and a step of determining that the probe is satisfactory when the width is less than the first threshold value, and a step of determining that the probe is unsatisfactory when the width is equal to or greater than the first threshold value.

Abstract: A memory fault handling system includes: a memory controller, firmware, and software. The memory controller has: an error occurrence notification means for, when the occurrence of a memory error is detected, notifying firmware or software of the occurrence of the memory error on the basis of a setting pertaining to a notification recipient. The firmware includes: a notification recipient setting means for setting a notification recipient; and a spare memory switching instruction means for, when a notification indicating the occurrence of a memory error is received from the memory controller, instructing to switch from a memory to a spare memory. The software includes: a disabling instruction means for, when a notification indicating the occurrence of a memory error is received from the memory controller, instructing to cause a page corresponding to the memory in which the memory error has occurred to be disabled.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing methacrylyl-CoA that converts 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA into methacrylyl-CoA using an enzyme having dehydratase activity as a method for producing methacrylyl-CoA using an enzyme catalyst. In this production method, conversion rate of 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA into methacrylyl-CoA by the enzyme having dehydratase activity is 50% or higher. In this production method, furthermore, the enzyme having dehydratase activity derives from a microorganism belonging to the genus Pseudomonas or Rhodococcus.

Abstract: A memory fault handling system includes: a memory controller, firmware, and software. The memory controller has: an error occurrence notification means for, when the occurrence of a memory error is detected, notifying firmware or software of the occurrence of the memory error on the basis of a setting pertaining to a notification recipient. The firmware includes: a notification recipient setting means for setting a notification recipient; and a spare memory switching instruction means for, when a notification indicating the occurrence of a memory error is received from the memory controller, instructing to switch from a memory to a spare memory. The software includes: a disabling instruction means for, when a notification indicating the occurrence of a memory error is received from the memory controller, instructing to cause a page corresponding to the memory in which the memory error has occurred to be disabled.

Abstract: Provided is a fixing device that makes it difficult for a sheet to adhere to a heating unit when the sheet is caught in a gap between the heating unit and a fixing member, and an image forming apparatus that includes the fixing device. The fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressure roller, an IH heater, and convex portions. The fixing belt is rotatable. The pressure roller forms a pressure region in which the sheet is held and conveyed between the pressure roller and the fixing belt. The IH heater is such that the surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt is formed in a shape along the outer peripheral surface, and the IH heater heats the fixing belt. The convex portions are formed on the surface of the IH heater facing the outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt.

Abstract: Provided is a fixing device that makes it difficult for a sheet to adhere to a heating unit when the sheet is caught in a gap between the heating unit and a fixing member, and an image forming apparatus that includes the fixing device. The fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressure roller, an IH heater, and convex portions. The fixing belt is rotatable. The pressure roller forms a pressure region in which the sheet is held and conveyed between the pressure roller and the fixing belt. The IH heater is such that the surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt is formed in a shape along the outer peripheral surface, and the IH heater heats the fixing belt. The convex portions are formed on the surface of the IH heater facing the outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a flexible endless fixing belt, a heating part, and a belt guide. The heating part induction-heats the fixing belt from outside. The belt guide supports the fixing belt so that the fixing belt faces to the heating part. The belt guide is made of temperature sensitive magnetic material with magnetic characteristics reversibly changing from ferromagnetism to paramagnetism when predetermined temperature is reached, and includes a plurality of slits arranged in a width direction orthogonal to a circumferential direction of the fixing belt and formed along the circumferential direction. At a side of an inner circumference face of the fixing belt, a protecting part is provided so as to prevent the inner circumference face of the fixing belt from coming into direct contact with portions on the periphery of the plurality of slits.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a methacrylic acid ester using a biocatalyst, said method comprising a step for treating methacrylyl-CoA with an alcohol or phenol in the presence of an alcohol acyltransferase to synthesize the methacrylic acid ester. According to this production method, a methacrylic acid ester can be efficiently produced while largely reducing energy, resource and environmental load, compared with the conventional chemical production processes.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a flexible endless fixing belt, a heating part, and a belt guide. The heating part induction-heats the fixing belt from outside. The belt guide supports the fixing belt so that the fixing belt faces to the heating part. The belt guide is made of temperature sensitive magnetic material with magnetic characteristics reversibly changing from ferromagnetism to paramagnetism when predetermined temperature is reached, and includes a plurality of slits arranged in a width direction orthogonal to a circumferential direction of the fixing belt and formed along the circumferential direction. At a side of an inner circumference face of the fixing belt, a protecting part is provided so as to prevent the inner circumference face of the fixing belt from coming into direct contact with portions on the periphery of the plurality of slits.

Abstract: An adsorbing member includes a plurality of adsorbing sheets and a plurality of spacers. The plurality of adsorbing sheets adsorb a floating matter. The plurality of spacers are each provided between the adsorbing sheets to form a laminate that the plurality of adsorbing sheets are overlapped via a gap.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing methacrylyl-CoA that converts 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA into methacrylyl-CoA using an enzyme having dehydratase activity as a method for producing methacrylyl-CoA using an enzyme catalyst. In this production method, conversion rate of 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA into methacrylyl-CoA by the enzyme having dehydratase activity is 50% or higher. In this production method, furthermore, the enzyme having dehydratase activity derives from a microorganism belonging to the genus Pseudomonas or Rhodococcus.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing methacrylyl-CoA that converts 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA into methacrylyl-CoA using an enzyme having dehydratase activity as a method for producing methacrylyl-CoA using an enzyme catalyst. In this production method, conversion rate of 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA into methacrylyl-CoA by the enzyme having dehydratase activity is 50% or higher. In this production method, furthermore, the enzyme having dehydratase activity derives from a microorganism belonging to the genus Pseudomonas or Rhodococcus.

Abstract: To provide a method for directly and efficiently producing methacrylic acid in a single step from renewable raw materials and/or biomass arising from the utilization of the renewable raw materials. Further provided is a method for producing methacrylic acid using microbes having the ability to produce methacrylic acid, from renewable raw materials and/or biomass arising from the utilization of the renewable raw materials, as a carbon source and/or energy source. The method for producing methacrylic acid enables methacrylic acid to be safely and easily produced from biomass, without using petroleum-derived raw materials, by utilizing microbes having the ability to produce methacrylic acid.

Abstract: An adsorbing member includes a plurality of adsorbing sheets and a plurality of spacers. The plurality of adsorbing sheets adsorb a floating matter. The plurality of spacers are each provided between the adsorbing sheets to form a laminate that the plurality of adsorbing sheets are overlapped via a gap.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, an exciting coil and a belt guide. The pressuring member comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip. The exciting coil is provided at an outer diameter side of the fixing belt and configured to generate a magnetic flux to inductively heat the fixing belt. The belt guide supports the fixing belt from an inner diameter side. The belt guide includes a contact part which is in contact with an inner circumferential face of the fixing belt and a non-contact part which is not in contact with the inner circumferential face of the fixing belt. The non-contact part is provided with a slit configured to inhibit induction heating of the non-contact part due to the magnetic flux generated by the exciting coil.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, an exciting coil and a belt guide. The pressuring member comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip. The exciting coil is provided at an outer diameter side of the fixing belt and configured to generate a magnetic flux to inductively heat the fixing belt. The belt guide supports the fixing belt from an inner diameter side. The belt guide includes a contact part which is in contact with an inner circumferential face of the fixing belt and a non-contact part which is not in contact with the inner circumferential face of the fixing belt. A magnetic flux blocking member configured to block the magnetic flux that passes through the fixing belt is provided between the fixing belt and the non-contact part.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, an exciting coil and a belt guide. The pressuring member comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip. The exciting coil is provided at an outer diameter side of the fixing belt and configured to generate a magnetic flux to inductively heat the fixing belt. The belt guide supports the fixing belt from an inner diameter side. The belt guide includes a contact part which is in contact with an inner circumferential face of the fixing belt and a non-contact part which is not in contact with the inner circumferential face of the fixing belt. The non-contact part is provided with a slit configured to inhibit induction heating of the non-contact part due to the magnetic flux generated by the exciting coil.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, an exciting coil and a belt guide. The pressuring member comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip. The exciting coil is provided at an outer diameter side of the fixing belt and configured to generate a magnetic flux to inductively heat the fixing belt. The belt guide supports the fixing belt from an inner diameter side. The belt guide includes a contact part which is in contact with an inner circumferential face of the fixing belt and a non-contact part which is not in contact with the inner circumferential face of the fixing belt. A magnetic flux blocking member configured to block the magnetic flux that passes through the fixing belt is provided between the fixing belt and the non-contact part.