Abstract: An electric power trading support system includes a demand prediction unit, a demand prediction error evaluation unit, a demand predicted value upward adjustment ratio (quantity) setting unit, a private power generation/power purchase ratio (quantities) setting unit, an optimization unit for evaluating optimum values of the demand predicted value upward adjustment ratio (quantity) and the self power generation/power purchase ratio (quantities) based on costs, and a display unit for displaying the optimum values evaluated by the optimization unit, maximizing profit to an electric power retailer by minimizing the cost for power generation and power purchase when the electric power retailer sells electric power by use of a private power generator and backup electric power purchased from an electric power company.

Abstract: An image is formed by using in combination a photoreceptor having a surface roughness Rz not larger than 1.0 and a developing agent comprising a toner containing toner particles containing a binder resin and a coloring agent, silica particles, and a metal soap, the weight ratio of the silica particles to the metal soap falling within a range of between 10 and 60.

Abstract: An electric power trading support system includes a demand prediction unit, a demand prediction error evaluation unit, a demand predicted value upward adjustment ratio (quantity) setting unit, a private power generation/power purchase ratio (quantities) setting unit, an optimization unit for evaluating optimum values of the demand predicted value upward adjustment ratio (quantity) and the self power generation/power purchase ratio (quantities) based on costs, and a display unit for displaying the optimum values evaluated by the optimization unit, maximizing profit to an electric power retailer by minimizing the cost for power generation and power purchase when the electric power retailer sells electric power by use of a private power generator and backup electric power purchased from an electric power company.

Abstract: An image is formed by using in combination a photoreceptor having a surface roughness Rz not larger than 1.0 and a developing agent comprising a toner containing toner particles containing a binder resin and a coloring agent, silica particles, and a metal soap, the weight ratio of the silica particles to the metal soap falling within a range of between 10 and 60.

Abstract: A developing agent containing a binder resin, a magnetic particle, rutile/anatase mixed crystal type titanium oxide treated to have hydrophobicity, and silica treated to have hydrophobicity is used.

Abstract: A developing agent contains a first wax-containing binder resin having a first wax and a first binder resin, a second wax-containing binder resin having a second wax and a second binder resin, and a coloring material. If the dispersibility of a wax is low because its SP value, molecular weight, or glass transition point is high, combinations of these waxes and resins are so selected that a resin having an SP value close to the SP value of that wax or a resin having a high SP value is combined with that wax.