Abstract: A document table is provided with a first chart portion and a second chart portion. In each of the first chart portion and the second chart portion, a reference chart is formed. The first chart portion is disposed at an upstream chart position, and the second chart portion is disposed at a downstream-side position located away in a sub-scanning direction from the upstream chart position. On the basis of respective chart images of the first chart portion and second chart portion obtained from respective reference charts of the first and second chart portions read by a document reading portion, the image processing portion obtains respective sharpening levels for respective image areas of a document image of a document read by the document reading portion and, based on the respective sharpening levels, processes the document image.

Abstract: Disclosed is an analyzing apparatus including a first drive part (71) for rotating a turntable (101) on which an analyzing device is set, a second drive part (72) selectively engaged with the first drive part (71) to reciprocate the analyzing device, and a third drive part (73) for relatively moving the first drive part (71) and the second drive part (72) a position where the first and second drive parts are engaged with each other and a position where the first and second drive parts are not engaged with each other. Thus in the mixing and agitation of a small amount of fluid, necessary acceleration can be obtained even in a short time.

Abstract: In regard to a secured original method, an image reading apparatus provided in an image forming apparatus reads a first original guide using an original reading portion and, based on a reading result thereof, changes a reading position of an adjustment sheet in a main scanning direction to enable detection of a difference between a brightness of the first original guide and a brightness of the adjustment sheet. In regard to a moving original method, the image reading apparatus reads a reading member using the original reading portion and, based on a reading result thereof, changes a reading position of an adjustment sheet in a main scanning direction to enable detection of a difference between a brightness of the reading member and a brightness of the adjustment sheet.

Abstract: Luminance life can be enhanced in a vacuum fluorescent display that is driven according to a dynamic drive scheme and that uses a phosphor having remarkable luminance saturation. A drive method for a vacuum fluorescent display, having causing a phosphor layer formed on an anode to display under low-energy electron excitation by the dynamic driving, wherein the phosphor included in the phosphor layer is a phosphor in which the luminance increases when a pulse width is reduced under conditions in which the Du is kept the same in the dynamic driving, and in which, after a voltage is applied to the anode and the luminance of the phosphor is saturated, the time at which the luminance value decreases to 10% of the saturation luminance value following stoppage of the voltage application is 200 ?sec or more; and wherein the pulse width and pulse repetition period in the dynamic driving are made variable in the direction of maintaining the initial luminance of the phosphor as driving time elapses.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an illuminating device that is disposed in an image-reading apparatus and image-forming equipment, comprising: a light-source portion on one side; a light-source portion on the other side; and a long translucent light-guiding member having a light-discharging face long in a longitudinal direction thereof, and guiding light derived from the one light-source portion from one end face in the longitudinal direction, and light derived from the other light-source portion from the other end face in the longitudinal direction so that the guided light is irradiated to an object through the long light-discharging face; wherein the one and the other light-source portions are arranged such that positions of optical axes thereof differ from each other.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus including: a first scanning section that moves in a scanning direction along a document surface, for supporting a first mirror to reflect an image of a document in a direction parallel to the scanning direction; an intermediate scanning section that moves synchronous with the first scanning section, for supporting an intermediate mirror to reflect the image of the document reflected by the first mirror in a direction opposite from an incident direction of the image; a reading section including an imaging sensor for reading the image of a scanned document and a focusing lens for focusing the image of the document reflected by the intermediate mirror on the imaging sensor; a driving wire for pulling the first scanning section in the scanning direction; a supporting pulley for supporting the driving wire at a starting side for scanning or at an ending side for scanning; a position adjustment section capable of adjusting a position of the supporting pulley in its axial direction; a co

Abstract: The present invention provides methods which use induction phenomenon of production of interleukin 18 (IL-18) from keratinocyte (KC), and their usages. The methods are preferably applicable for understanding of pathogenic mechanisms of atopic dermatitis (AD) and AD-like symptoms, and for development of therapeutic drugs for AD and AD-like symptoms. For example, by applying, on skin of mice or the like, protein A (SpA) derived from Staphylococcus aureus, or transplanting, on mice, a skin graft which has developed an inflammatory skin disease like AD, it is possible to reproduce elevation of IgE to high level in serum, which elevation is generated in an AD-like lesion. As a result, it is possible, for example, to screen for an inhibitor which inhibits induction of production of IL-18 from KC.

Abstract: A sheet tray (1) includes at least one sheet detecting sensor (10) for detecting a sheet set on a sheet setting surface (2). The sheet detecting sensor (10) includes (i) a movable detecting section having a projecting section which projects from the sheet setting surface (2), and (ii) a detecting section for detecting rotation of the movable detecting section, and the projecting section have a ball-like shape. This makes it possible to provide (i) a sheet tray which is able to prevent breakage of sheet and breakage of the projecting section even when setting the sheet on the sheet setting surface from any direction and any angle; (ii) a sheet transporting apparatus including the sheet tray; and (iii) an image forming apparatus including the sheet tray.

Abstract: An original transport and reading apparatus includes an original transport apparatus having a transport path, a first image reading unit that reads an image of an original facing the original transport apparatus, and a second image reading unit that is arranged inside the original transport apparatus and reads an image of the original. The second image reading unit includes a light source, a turning mirror, a lens, an image sensor, and a rotation support shaft, and is accommodated and held by a unit casing. The rotation support shaft performs support so as to allow rotation of the second image reading unit centered on a rotational fulcrum that is arranged along a reading light path for reading an image at a second reading position. Furthermore, a curved original guide having a guiding surface that is curved is arranged in a position corresponding to the light source.

Abstract: A human-derived human anti-human IL-18 antibody of the present invention is an antibody against human IL-18, the antibody including: an H-chain complementarity determining region consisting of (a) a polypeptide consisting of amino-acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOS: 4 to 6, or (b) a polypeptide which is a mutant of the polypeptide (a) and which serves as the H-chain complementarity determining region; and an L-chain complementarity determining region against human interleukin-18 consisting of (c) a polypeptide consisting of amino-acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 12, or (d) a polypeptide which is a mutant of the polypeptide (c) and which serves as the L-chain complementarity determining region. This makes it possible to provide a human anti-human IL-18 antibody and a method for using the antibody.

Abstract: An original transport and reading apparatus includes an original transport apparatus having a transport path, a first image reading unit that reads an image of an original facing the original transport apparatus, and a second image reading unit that is arranged inside the original transport apparatus and reads an image of the original. The second image reading unit includes a light source, a turning mirror, a lens, an image sensor, and a rotation support shaft, and is accommodated and held by a unit casing. The rotation support shaft performs support so as to allow rotation of the second image reading unit centered on a rotational fulcrum that is arranged along a reading light path for reading an image at a second reading position. Furthermore, a curved original guide having a guiding surface that is curved is arranged in a position corresponding to the light source.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus including: a first scanning section that moves in a scanning direction along a document surface, for supporting a first mirror to reflect an image of a document in a direction parallel to the scanning direction; an intermediate scanning section that moves synchronous with the first scanning section, for supporting an intermediate mirror to reflect the image of the document reflected by the first mirror in a direction opposite from an incident direction of the image; a reading section including an imaging sensor for reading the image of a scanned document and a focusing lens for focusing the image of the document reflected by the intermediate mirror on the imaging sensor; a driving wire for pulling the first scanning section in the scanning direction; a supporting pulley for supporting the driving wire at a starting side for scanning or at an ending side for scanning; a position adjustment section capable of adjusting a position of the supporting pulley in its axial direction; a co

Abstract: A document table is provided with a first chart portion and a second chart portion. In each of the first chart portion and the second chart portion, a reference chart is formed. The first chart portion is disposed at an upstream chart position, and the second chart portion is disposed at a downstream-side position located away in a sub-scanning direction from the upstream chart position. On the basis of respective chart images of the first chart portion and second chart portion obtained from respective reference charts of the first and second chart portions read by a document reading portion, the image processing portion obtains respective sharpening levels for respective image areas of a document image of a document read by the document reading portion and, based on the respective sharpening levels, processes the document image.

Abstract: There is provided a plate (10) on which a channel pattern (110) is formed, which channel pattern includes a first channel (116) into which a buffer agent is injected, and a second channel (117) having, in a portion thereof, a quantification part (117a) that has a portion common to the first channel and holds a predetermined amount of a biological sample, the biological sample being injected into the channel including the quantification part, and the plate (10) is rotated at a high speed by a filling unit (20) to fill the buffer agent in the first channel, and thereafter, the second channel is pressurized by a discrimination unit (30) to fill the biological sample in the second channel, and simultaneously, a predetermined amount of the biological sample is added into the buffer agent. Therefore, when performing discrimination of the biological sample, a discrimination result can be obtained accurately in a short time without the necessity of complicated preparation works.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods which use induction phenomenon of production of interleukin 18 (IL-18) from keratinocyte (KC), and their usages. The methods are preferably applicable for understanding of pathogenic mechanisms of atopic dermatitis (AD) and AD-like symptoms, and for development of therapeutic drugs for AD and AD-like symptoms. For example, by applying, on skin of mice or the like, protein. A (SpA) derived from Staphylococcus aureus, or transplanting, on mice, a skin graft which has developed an inflammatory skin disease like AD, it is possible to reproduce elevation of IgE to high level in serum, which elevation is generated in an AD-like lesion. As a result, it is possible, for example, to screen for an inhibitor which inhibits induction of production of IL-18 from KC.

Abstract: A human-derived human anti-human IL-18 antibody of the present invention is an antibody against human IL-18, the antibody including: an H-chain complementarity determining region consisting of (a) a polypeptide consisting of amino-acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOS: 4 to 6, or (b) a polypeptide which is a mutant of the polypeptide (a) and which serves as the H-chain complementarity determining region; and an L-chain complementarity determining region against human interleukin-18 consisting of (c) a polypeptide consisting of amino-acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 12, or (d) a polypeptide which is a mutant of the polypeptide (c) and which serves as the L-chain complementarity determining region. This makes it possible to provide a human anti-human IL-18 antibody and a method for using the antibody.

Abstract: A sheet tray (1) includes at least one sheet detecting sensor (10) for detecting a sheet set on a sheet setting surface (2). The sheet detecting sensor (10) includes (i) a movable detecting section having a projecting section which projects from the sheet setting surface (2), and (ii) a detecting section for detecting rotation of the movable detecting section, and the projecting section have a ball-like shape. This makes it possible to provide (i) a sheet tray which is able to prevent breakage of sheet and breakage of the projecting section even when setting the sheet on the sheet setting surface from any direction and any angle; (ii) a sheet transporting apparatus including the sheet tray; and (iii) an image forming apparatus including the sheet tray.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a recording layer and a mask layer on a substrate. The mask layer is formed of a material whose light transmittance is decreased by light irradiation and is increased by heating.

Abstract: A pair of drive conveyer rollers are provided for a platen that guides recording media. The follower conveyer roller is supported by a roller support plate which is coupled at its side with a lever so that the rotation of this lever is able to press the platen downward. When the paired drive conveyer rollers hold recording paper between them, the follower conveyer roller moves upward, which causes the roller support plate to rotate. This rotational force is transmitted to the lever so that the platen is pressed down to thereby adjust the gap between the printer head and the platen appropriately.

Abstract: A polycrystalline ferromagnetic metal oxide has a density of 97% or more to less than 100%; and a method of manufacturing a polycrystalline ferromagnetic metal comprises a step of treating a polycrystalline ferromagnetic metal oxide under a high pressure reducing gas for high densification.