Abstract: An image reading apparatus which reads a document image optically at a reading position while feeding the document over a reading glass. A document guide sheet for forming a step so as to prevent an imaged surface of a fed document from coming into contact with the reading glass is provided at an upstream side of the reading position with respect to a document feeding direction. The reading glass is capable of reciprocating in the document feeding direction by a specified distance x2. If the document guide sheet is located such that a downstream edge of the document guide sheet is at a distance x1 from the reading position, the distances x1 and x2 are in relationship of x1<x2.

Abstract: A compound is prepared based on Formula 1: wherein, R1 represents an alkyl group with a carbon number of 4 to 8, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, alkylcarbonyl group with a carbon number of 2 to 6 or alkoxycarbonyl group with a carbon number of 2 to 6. A curative drug for neurodegenerative diseases can be prepared principally from the compound or a hydroquinone derivative consisting of a cyclodextrin inclusion compound thereof. The curative drug for neurodegenerative diseases has a safe and beneficial effect of inhibiting nerve cell disorder due to oxidative stress, thereby to stop progression of symptoms.

Abstract: A computer terminal 110 connected to a manufacturing apparatus 120 as an object of the maintenance management is connected to a server machine 210 providing a maintenance management service by a network 500, enabling bi-directional communication. The computer terminal transmits status information on an apparatus as an object of the maintenance management to the server machine in response to a status information transmission request received from a server at every predetermined interval. The server machine includes a status point information management database for storing status points generated according to status information and determines whether status information has been received at every predetermined interval. Each time it is determined that status information is received, a predetermined point is added so as to update the status points of the status point information management database. This can encourage a customer to perform maintenance by him/herself and reduce workload of a serviceman.

Abstract: A computer terminal 110 connected to a manufacturing apparatus 120 as an object of the maintenance management is connected to a server machine 210 providing a maintenance management service by a network 500, enabling bi-directional communication. The computer terminal transmits status information on an apparatus as an object of the maintenance management to the server machine in response to a status information transmission request received from a server at every predetermined interval. The server machine includes a status point information management database for storing status points generated according to status information and determines whether status information has been received at every predetermined interval. Each time it is determined that status information is received, a predetermined point is added so as to update the status points of the status point information management database. This can encourage a customer to perform maintenance by him/herself and reduce workload of a serviceman.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a phenylamidine derivative or a salt thereof, represented by a general formula, wherein R1 and R2 may be same or different, and represent an optionally substituted C3-4alkyl group; and one or more agents selected from azole antifungal agents, polyene antifungal agents, candin antifungal agents and fluoropyrimidine antifungal agents, and a method for combination use of the phenylamidine derivative or a salt thereof and the agents are useful for treating fungal infections caused by a fungal pathogen.

Abstract: A computer terminal 110 connected to a manufacturing apparatus 120 as an object of the maintenance management is connected to a server machine 210 providing a maintenance management service by a network 500, enabling bi-directional communication. The computer terminal transmits status information on an apparatus as an object of the maintenance management to the server machine in response to a status information transmission request received from a server at every predetermined interval. The server machine includes a status point information management database for storing status points generated according to status information and determines whether status information has been received at every predetermined interval. Each time it is determined that status information is received, a predetermined point is added so as to update the status points of the status point information management database. This can encourage a customer to perform maintenance by him/herself and reduce workload of a serviceman.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus that feeds a document over a reading glass and optically reads an image of the document at a reading position. A rotary brush type cleaner is located above the reading glass to face the reading position. The cleaner cleans the reading glass while rotating downstream in a document feeding direction. In accordance with a selected reading mode, the frequency of cleaning operations performed by the cleaner, and the rotation speed and the number of rotations of the cleaner are changed.

Abstract: The present invention is a processing method for applying predetermined processing to a workpiece with said workpiece mounted on a mounting stage arranged in a process chamber in a depressurized atmosphere, in which when no workpiece is mounted on the mounting stage, an inactive gas is discharged from at least a heat transfer gas supply hole of the mounting stage in the process chamber so that a gas layer is formed on a mounting surface of the mounting stage. The present invention is also a processing apparatus.

Abstract: An image reading device capable of detecting foreign particles on a transparent member by including the transparent member, a conveyance unit that conveys an original document to the transparent member, a reading unit that reads via the transparent member an image of the original document being conveyed on the transparent member at multiple reading positions that exist with a prescribed distance therebetween along an original document conveyance direction, an output unit that outputs signals for different color components corresponding to each of the reading positions, a transparent member moving unit that moves the transparent member in a prescribed direction such that the original document slides over the transparent member while being conveyed to the reading positions during image reading, and a detector that detects noise components caused by foreign particles on the transparent member based on the output signals from the output unit.

Abstract: A screw driven conveyance device has a conveyance carriage driven continuously and smoothly irrespective of the presence of an air space between adjacent screw shafts. Shorter auxiliary screw shafts have a pitch equal to a pitch of the screw shaft and are placed in juxtaposition with the screw shafts. The conveyance carriage has a follower roller engaged with the screw shaft and an auxiliary follower roller engaged with the auxiliary screw shaft by deviating a position in an axial direction of the screw shaft. While the follower roller moves through the air space, the auxiliary follower roller is engaged with the auxiliary screw shaft.

Abstract: A computer acquires maximum lengths of a structure as measured along X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, and acquires numbers of divisions of line segments which extend along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, respectively, and have the maximum lengths, respectively. The computer then calculates a basic shape, which is the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped divided into a three-dimensional grid, on the basis of the maximum lengths and the numbers of divisions. The computer creates a basic frame of the structure from the basic shape by deleting a selected line, and adding a line between two selected grid points. The computer calculates structure data, which are three-dimensional data representing the structure, by arranging frame members, which are represented by three-dimensional frame member data, along lines between the grid points of the basic frame. The computer then outputs a drawing of the structure from the structure data.

Abstract: The present invention is a processing method for applying predetermined processing to a workpiece with said workpiece mounted on a mounting stage arranged in a process chamber in a depressurized atmosphere, in which when no workpiece is mounted on the mounting stage, an inactive gas is discharged from at least a heat transfer gas supply hole of the mounting stage in the process chamber so that a gas layer is formed on a mounting surface of the mounting stage. The present invention is also a processing apparatus.

Abstract: The progression of hepatic fibrosis and hepatic cirrhosis caused by various hepatic disorders and damages such as chronic hepatitis can be restrained by hepatic fibrosis inhibitor containing a compound represented by the following chemical formula: wherein, R1 represents an alkyl group with a carbon number of 4 to 8, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, alkylcarbonyl group with a carbon number of 2 to 6, or alkoxycarbonyl group with a carbon number of 2 to 6.

Abstract: A plant protection instrumentation equipment, comprises, a sensor that detects a process signal indicating a quantity of a state of a plant, a plurality of A/D converters, each of the A/D converters converts the process signal into a digital signal and outputs a value corresponding to the digital signal, a plurality of instrumentation circuits, each of the instrumentation circuits receives the value corresponding to the process signal and performs a logical operation using the value, and a judgment circuit that judges the state of the plant based on outputs of the plurality of instrumentation circuits and outputs an operation signal based on the process signal, wherein each of the instrumentation circuits comprises a logical integrated circuit including a set value comparator that compares the value corresponding to the process signal with a predetermined set value, and outputs a signal when the value corresponding to the process signal exceeds the set value.

Abstract: With respect to a secure device 10 for executing a data storing operation and a data calculating operation under secrecy condition, a first application program 15 and a second application program 11 are retained. The program 15 causes an information processing terminal 30 mounted thereon this secure device 10 to execute a process operation by utilizing a resource of this information processing terminal 30. The program 11 causes the secure device 10 to execute such a process operation under secrecy condition in conjunction with the process operation of this information processing terminal 30. When this secure device 10 is mounted on the information processing terminal 30, this secure device 10 loads the program 15 to the information processing terminal 30 so as to install this loaded first application program therein. Then, a terminal application program required to execute a service is automatically installed to the information processing terminal 30.

Abstract: A parts management system which is capable of preventing use of a non-conforming part. A first computer for a user has component parts for an apparatus, delivered to the user. A second computer for a manufacturer is connected via a communication network to the first computer, and has a database provided therein which includes a list having fields for a plurality of kinds of management data for the apparatus component parts in association with each of ID numbers of the apparatus component parts. In the second computer, the management data on the apparatus component parts is acquired from the first computer via the communication network, and the acquired management data is compared with management data within the database.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of occurring no failure in reading of the original document sheet due to a change in the original document sheet conveyance conditions that occurs in switching a pair of rollers of document conveyance mechanism from a separated state to a contacted state by including a document reader, a document conveyance mechanism including a pair of rollers that are disposed upstream from a reading position in terms of a direction of document conveyance and a controller for, when a trailing edge of one original document sheet has passed the reading position, switching the pair of rollers of the document conveyance mechanism from a separated state to a contacted state before a leading edge of a next original document sheet reaches the reading position.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an L-ascorbic acid derivative which can keep the L-ascorbic acid stable to heat and light and thus has a long shelf life, which is high in permeability into the skin, which can be quickly hydrolyzed by phosphatase, an enzyme that is ubiquitous in vivo, and which exhibits physiological activities that are inherent to L-ascorbic acid and beneficial to health, a method for producing such an L-ascorbic acid derivative, and a skin-whitening cosmetic material. There is provided an ascorbic acid derivative comprising an L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate ester or a salt thereof wherein the phosphate ester has a branched alkyl group, the L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate ester being of formula [13].

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of controlling movement of a transparent member suitably depending on various situations by including a transparent member, a feeding unit that feeds an original document to the transparent member, a reading unit that reads an image of the document fed on the transparent member via the transparent member, a moving unit that reciprocates the transparent member in a prescribed direction, and a controller that moves the transparent member forward in one direction from a home position while one document passes through a reading position, and stops the transparent member and then moves the transparent member backward to the home position when an interruption event of reading the document occurs.

Abstract: A document reading unit constituting an MFP reciprocates a reading glass holder in a direction of a vertical scanning at a low frequency (18 times per second) with use of a crank mechanism including a motor and gears. A stroke length of the reciprocating motion of a reading glass is 9 mm. This structure can make a line-shaped noise less noticeable, because a length of each portion of a line-shaped noise becomes 2.57 mm and a distance between adjacent portions of the line-shaped noise becomes 7.27 mm when a foreign object having a diameter of 100 ?m adheres to the reading glass.