Abstract: A data gathering and processing system capable of efficiently gathering data and easily putting gathered data to secondary use in various applications. The data gathering and processing system includes an XML file generation unit that generates a structured document with data describing the layout of a data entry screen that includes input data, an item extraction unit that extracts, as a search item, at least a tag name from the structured document with data, an XML database that stores, in association with at least a portion of the structured document with data, the search item extracted by the item extraction unit from the structured document with data, a search criteria setting unit that receives a search item and a search criteria from a searcher, and a search execution unit that searches the XML database based on the search criteria, and presents input data obtained as a search result or a data entry screen that includes the input data.

Abstract: A method for preparing a photoreceptor including forming a photosensitive layer overlying an electroconductive substrate; coating a liquid including a radically polymerizable compound to form a protective layer; irradiating the protective layer with light to crosslink the protective layer; and then contacting the protective layer with a fluid, which is selected from the group consisting of supercritical fluids and subcritical fluids and which includes a charge transport material. A photoreceptor prepared by the method. An image forming method, an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge using the photoreceptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophotographic photoconductor capable of reducing latent electrostatic image stability defects caused by adhesion/adsorption of an electric discharge product formed by a charger in an image forming process, degradation of charge transportability and cleaning defects caused when removing a residual toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a cleaning blade for cleaning the photoconductor, and a blade holder holding the cleaning blade and having a first bent portion for increasing its rigidity. In the apparatus, blade holder has at least one of a protrusion and a second bent portion.

Abstract: A protein having amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the Sequence Listing derived from human MP52, and a dimer protein thereof. A homodimer protein described above can be obtained by constructing a plasmid containing DNA coding amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the Sequence Listing with a methionine at the N-terminus, introducing the plasmid into E. coli for transformation, solubilizing inclusion bodies obtained by culturing the transformant, purifying the monomer protein from the solubilized solution, refolding the monomer protein into a dimer protein and purifying the same. The homodimer protein described above is useful as a pharmaceutical composition for treating cartilage and bone diseases.

Abstract: A protein consisting of the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No: 1 derived from human MP52 and a homodimer protein thereof useful for treating cartilage and/or bone diseases and a process for its preparation.

Abstract: This invention provides for a protein of the TGF-? superfamily in which the cysteine involved in the normal formation of homodimers is changed to another amino acid. These mutant proteins, as monomers, display higher bone morphogenetic activity than the wild-type protein dimers. Also provided is a method for producing and isolating these monomers by plasmid driven expression in various host systems including E. coli. In addition, the invention discloses the use of an agent containing purified monomers in preventing and treating diseases and problems affecting bone and/or cartilage.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a cleaning blade for cleaning the photoconductor, and a blade holder holding the cleaning blade and having a first bent portion for increasing its rigidity. In the apparatus, blade holder has at least one of a protrusion and a second bent portion.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus containing an electrophotographic photoconductor, a charging unit, an exposing unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit and a cleaning unit, wherein the electrophotographic photoconductor contains a support and at least a photosensitive layer disposed on the support, wherein the photosensitive layer contains a charge generating material and a compound expressed by the following Structural Formula (1), and wherein, in the Structural Formula (1), “R1” and “R2” may be identical to each other or different, and represent any one of hydrogen atom, alkyl group which may be substituted, cycloalkyl group which may be substituted and aralkyl group which may be substituted.

Abstract: A photoreceptor is provided including an electroconductive substrate, and a charge transport layer located overlying the electroconductive substrate, wherein the charge transport layer includes a polydialkylsiloxane-containing polycarbonate resin having a specific formula, a charge transport material, and a cyclic ether solvent in an amount of from 20 to 5,000 ppm; and an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge, using the photoreceptor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a cleaning blade for cleaning the photoconductor, and a blade holder holding the cleaning blade and having a first bent portion for increasing its rigidity. In the apparatus, blade holder has at least one of a protrusion and a second bent portion.

Abstract: The purpose is to provide a mature protein having an antagonistic activity against bone morphogenetic proteins. The mature protein having an antagonistic activity against bone morphogenetic proteins is obtained by converting at least one residue among methionine residues or tryptophane residues existing in the amino acid sequence of mature human MP52 (SEQ ID No 1) to a hydrophilic residue by chemical modification, or replacing said residues with a hydrophilic amino acid residue or a polar amino acid residue. The chemical modification for said methionine residue is performed by an oxidization reaction or an alkylation reaction. The chemical modification for said tryptophane residue is performed by an allylsulphenylation reaction.

Abstract: With a simple and high-yield production method, a zinc-containing sustained-release composition capable of stabilizing a physiologically active protein or peptide, typically G-CSF by precipitation and retaining drug efficacy for several days in a living body owing to its sustained releasability is provided. Concretely, a zinc-containing sustained-release composition produced by forming a precipitate by mixing a physiologically active protein or peptide, a water-soluble zinc salt, a water-soluble carbonate and/or a water soluble phosphate aqueous solution. The zinc-containing sustained-release composition may be administered as a zinc-containing sustained preparation by adding a pharmaceutically acceptable additive as is necessary.

Abstract: An endless belt including an endless body having opposite side edges and an interior surface, and a pair of spaced apart parallel guides bonded to the interior surface of the endless body at positions adjacent to the side edges thereof and extending longitudinally along the side edges, wherein each of the guides is made of an elastic material and has inside and/or outside surfaces having specific roughness.

Abstract: This invention provides for a protein of the TGF-? superfamily in which the cysteine involved in the normal formation of homodimers is changed to another amino acid. These mutant proteins, as monomers, display higher bone morphogenetic activity than the wild-type protein dimers. Also provided is a method for producing and isolating these monomers by plasmid driven expression in various host systems including E. coli. In addition, the invention discloses the use of an agent containing purified monomers in preventing and treating diseases and problems affecting bone and/or cartilage.

Abstract: A method of storing a photoreceptor or a process cartridge including the photoreceptor, wherein the photoreceptor or the process cartridge is stored in an environment having a temperature not higher than 23° C. for not less than an year after produced.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a cleaning blade for cleaning the photoconductor, and a blade holder holding the cleaning blade and having a first bent portion for increasing its rigidity. In the apparatus, blade holder has at least one of a protrusion and a second bent portion.

Abstract: An endless belt including an endless body having opposite side edges and an interior surface, and a pair of spaced apart parallel guides bonded to the interior surface of the endless body at positions adjacent to the side edges thereof and extending longitudinally along the side edges, wherein each of the guides is made of an elastic material and has inside and/or outside surfaces having specific roughness.

Abstract: An endless belt including an endless body having opposite side edges and an interior surface, and a pair of spaced apart parallel guides bonded to the interior surface of the endless body at positions adjacent to the side edges thereof and extending longitudinally along the side edges, wherein each of the guides is made of an elastic material and has inside and/or outside surfaces having specific roughness.

Abstract: To provide: drug-encapsulating inorganic microparticles in which a method of producing pharmaceutical preparations is simple, which are not stimulative, which are applicable to a great number of potent proteins, potent low-molecular weight compounds and genes, and once applied thereto, enable the potent proteins, potent low-molecular weight compounds and genes to be kept stable, and which give an excellent sustained release effect and a targeting effect to the drugs; a method of manufacturing the same; and pharmaceutical preparations of drug-encapsulating inorganic microparticles.