Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a modified activin A. The present invention provides activin A comprising a modified proregion.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus for aligning needle-like structures. The apparatus includes a tapered nozzle having an entrance and a discharge opening. The nozzle is tapered in such a manner that its diameter decreases towards the discharge opening. The diameter of the nozzle at the entrance is larger than the length of the needle-like structures, and the diameter of the discharge opening is larger than the diameter of the needle-like structures and smaller than the length of the needle-like structures. By passing through the nozzle, the needle-like structures are aligned.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an analysis apparatus that makes it possible to detect lights from a plurality of spots formed on an analysis chip without the lack of positioning accuracy while detecting the lights and the instability of holding the samples in spite of the downsized construction thereof. To achieve such an object as mentioned above, the analysis apparatus of the present invention for analyzing samples by means of detecting lights from a plurality of spots formed on an analysis chip so as to hold the samples comprising: a chip holder for holding the analysis chip; a light-sensitive detector for detecting lights from the spots; and a selectively light-transmitting unit for transmitting lights selectively from the desired spots to the light-sensitive detector, in a state where the analysis chip is held by the chip holder.

Abstract: An alignment unit and an alignment method for aligning needle-like structures. The alignment unit includes a substrate having a surface and grooves defined in the surface. The grooves are sized and arranged such that when the needle-like structures are received therein, the needle-like structures are aligned.

Abstract: An analytical chip is provided with a flow channel (5), whose section is in a closed shape and through which a fluid sample (Fs) is made to flow, for carrying out analysis regarding the fluid sample (Fs) based on interaction between a predetermined substance and a specific substance (61), which is placed facing said flow channel (5). The chip further has a projection member (9b) attached to said flow channel (5). With this arrangement, it becomes possible to analyze the fluid sample (Fs) efficiently with high precision.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an analysis apparatus that makes it possible to detect lights from a plurality of spots formed on an analysis chip without the lack of positioning accuracy while detecting the lights and the instability of holding the samples in spite of the downsized construction thereof. To achieve such an object as mentioned above, the analysis apparatus of the present invention for analyzing samples by means of detecting lights from a plurality of spots formed on an analysis chip so as to hold the samples comprising: a chip holder for holding the analysis chip; a light-sensitive detector for detecting lights from the spots; and a selectively light-transmitting unit for transmitting lights selectively from the desired spots to the light-sensitive detector, in a state where the analysis chip is held by the chip holder.

Abstract: A method for making a liquid ejection head includes the steps of placing a vibrator unit including a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a comb shape in a head housing; filling each of the spaces between the piezoelectric elements and in the receiving sections of the head housing, and the liquid feed openings with a resin; depositing a resin on a planar surface including the ends of the piezoelectric elements, followed by patterning the resin to form islands which are isolated pressure-transmitting portions; placing a diaphragm on the patterned resin and forming a soluble resin pattern on the diaphragm; forming a coating layer on the soluble resin pattern; and dissolving away the soluble resin pattern to form a liquid feed chamber, pressure chambers, etc.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a liquid jet head, comprising a step of disposing a liquid flow path pattern containing a soluble resin on a substrate and disposing a coating layer containing a resin forming a wall of the liquid flow path so as to coat the liquid flow path pattern, a step of disposing a liquid discharge energy generation element for generating energy for use in discharging a liquid in a place disposed opposite to the liquid flow path pattern, a step of separating and removing the substrate, and a step of removing the liquid flow path pattern to form the liquid flow path.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a liquid jet head comprises the following steps of forming a piezoelectric member which generates a discharge pressure for discharging a liquid on a substrate, disposing a vibration plate on the piezoelectric member, forming a liquid flow path pattern containing a soluble resin on the vibration plate, forming a coat layer containing a resin constituting a wall of the liquid flow path on the liquid flow path pattern, removing the liquid flow path pattern to form the liquid flow path, removing the substrate, and patterning the piezoelectric member in accordance with the liquid flow path.

Abstract: An analytical chip is provided with a flow channel (5), whose section is in a closed shape and through which a fluid sample (Fs) is made to flow, for carrying out analysis regarding the fluid sample (Fs) based on interaction between a predetermined substance and a specific substance (61), which is placed facing said flow channel (5). The chip further has a projection member (9b) attached to said flow channel (5). With this arrangement, it becomes possible to analyze the fluid sample (Fs) efficiently with high precision.

Abstract: An alignment unit and an alignment method for aligning needle-like structures. The alignment unit includes a substrate having a surface and grooves defined in the surface. The grooves are sized and arranged such that when the needle-like structures are received therein, the needle-like structures are aligned.

Abstract: A method for forming a wiring according to the present invention includes supplying to a substrate a first liquid containing a first component to form a first pattern and a second liquid containing a second component to form a second pattern to come into contact with each other, the second component causing interfacial aggregation in a contact area with the first component when brought into contact with the first component, and forming a wiring pattern consisting of the first pattern and the second pattern on the substrate.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus for aligning needle-like structures. The apparatus includes a tapered nozzle having an entrance and a discharge opening. The nozzle is tapered in such a manner that its diameter decreases towards the discharge opening. The diameter of the nozzle at the entrance is larger than the length of the needle-like structures, and the diameter of the discharge opening is larger than the diameter of the needle-like structures and smaller than the length of the needle-like structures. By passing through the nozzle, the needle-like structures are aligned.

Abstract: A method for making a liquid ejection head includes the steps of placing a vibrator unit including a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a comb shape in a head housing; filling each of the spaces between the piezoelectric elements and in the receiving sections of the head housing, and the liquid feed openings with a resin; depositing a resin on a planar surface including the ends of the piezoelectric elements, followed by patterning the resin to form islands which are isolated pressure-transmitting portions; placing a diaphragm on the patterned resin and forming a soluble resin pattern on the diaphragm; forming a coating layer on the soluble resin pattern; and dissolving away the soluble resin pattern to form a liquid feed chamber, pressure chambers, etc.

Abstract: A diffraction-grating type sensor chip for analyzing a sample using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and a method and apparatus for analyzing a sample using the sensor chip. The sensor chip includes a plurality of diffraction grating surfaces (5a-5i) which are disposed in the vicinity of a metal layer (3); the groove pitch and the groove orientation of each diffraction grating surface (5a-5i), in addition to the angle that each diffraction grating surface (5a-5i) forms with a predetermined reference plane (S0), are adjusted in such a manner that when the diffraction grating surfaces (5a-5i) are projected onto a predetermined projection plane, the groove orientations in the projection plane are identical while the groove pitches in the projection plane are different among the diffraction grating surfaces (5a-5i).

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a liquid jet head comprises the following steps of forming a piezoelectric member which generates a discharge pressure for discharging a liquid on a substrate, disposing a vibration plate on the piezoelectric member, forming a liquid flow path pattern containing a soluble resin on the vibration plate, forming a coat layer containing a resin constituting a wall of the liquid flow path on the liquid flow path pattern, removing the liquid flow path pattern to form the liquid flow path, removing the substrate, and patterning the piezoelectric member in accordance with the liquid flow path.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a liquid jet head, comprising a step of disposing a liquid flow path pattern containing a soluble resin on a substrate and disposing a coating layer containing a resin forming a wall of the liquid flow path so as to coat the liquid flow path pattern, a step of disposing a liquid discharge energy generation element for generating an energy for use in discharging a liquid in a place disposed opposite to the liquid flow path pattern, a step of separating and removing the substrate, and a step of removing the liquid flow path pattern to form the liquid flow path.

Abstract: A printing method and printing apparatus capable of printing a high-quality image representing excellent tonality even when a plurality of inks having the same color and different densities are adhered to the substantially same pixel position on a printing medium to form one print dot and represent tonality. When printing is to be performed on a printing medium by discharging ink from an inkjet printhead using a plurality of inks having different densities, this apparatus calculates a lapse time from previous ink discharge, predicts a density change according to the lapse time based on the calculated lapse time, selects an ink and ink discharge amount suitable for representing a density value indicated by input multi-valued image data based on the predicted density change of ink, and drives the printhead so as to cause ink discharge from the printhead based on the selected ink and ink discharge amount.

Abstract: A plurality of ink-jet head units, each having ink with different density in a color, are prepared. Superimposed print information of a plurality of the types of ink, each having different density, is stored as an ink type distribution table in correspondence with the density of image data. An increase in ink density in each nozzle is predicted on the basis of a continuous ink non-discharging count (non-discharging time) stored in an ink density characteristics change table. Binary data for determining an optimal ink type distribution for recording the image data, i.e., ink-jet head units to be used for printing, are generated by referring to the predicted value and the ink type distribution table. Printing is then performed. In addition, the density value of the target pixel to be printed is predicted.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head for performing recording on recording paper, the recording head having three or more types of inks of different densities but of the same color. A combination of the inks used to record a pixel of a grayscale image, which is to be recorded on the recording paper, is decided based upon the pixel by a data distribution unit which refers to ink density data and combination data. Recording by the recording head is controlled, based upon the combination of inks decided, by a unit which controls the recording head and paper feed.