Abstract: A contrast agent for optical imaging is produced by preparing a composition containing a hydrophilic dye having a sulfonate group, a hydrophobic solvent, a lipid having a positively charged site, and a polymerizable monomer or a prepolymer, dispersing the composition into water, and polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or the prepolymer.

Abstract: A charge controlling agent is provided as a compound in which an amide group is introduced together with a sulfonic group or a derivative thereof. The charge controlling agent is characterized by including at least one compound represented by the chemical formula (2) in which an amide group is introduced together with at least one of a sulfonic group, a sulfonic acid ester, a sulfonic acid salt, and a sulfonic acid halide.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging that is highly capable of binding to a target molecule and generates high photoacoustic signals. The present invention provides a contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging represented by Formula 1: MNP?((L)l?(P)m)n ??(Formula 1) (wherein MNP represents a particle containing an iron oxide particle; L represents a linker molecule; P represents a ligand molecule; l represents 0 or 1; and m and n represent an integer of 1 or larger), the contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging including: a particle containing an iron oxide particle that absorbs light in a near-infrared region; and at least one or more ligand molecule(s) immobilized on the particle containing an iron oxide particle, wherein the immobilization density of the ligand molecule is equal to or higher than the cell surface density of a target molecule.

Abstract: Provided are a novel polymer having a sulfonic group, a sulfonic acid ester group, or a derivative thereof incorporated therein, a method of producing the polymer, and a novel compound suitable for producing the polymer. A polymer is characterized by containing a unit represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1w and R1x are each independently a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom, R1y is a CH3 group or a hydrogen atom, and any one of R1a, R1b, and R1c is a sulfonate group represented by SO3R1f.

Abstract: To provide: a charge control agent having negative chargeability, which contributes to environmental conservation and the like to an increased degree, has high performance (high charge amount, quick rise-up of charge, excellent stability with time, and high environmental stability), and has improved dispersibility; a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image containing the charge control agent; and an image forming method and an image forming apparatus each using the toner for developing an electrostatic charge image. A charge control agent for controlling a charged state of powder, characterized by including one or more units each represented by the following chemical formula (1) in a molecule.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging that is highly capable of binding to a target molecule and generates high photoacoustic signals. The present invention provides a contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging represented by Formula 1: MNP-((L)l-(P)m)n??(Formula 1) (wherein MNP represents a particle containing an iron oxide particle; L represents a linker molecule; P represents a ligand molecule; l represents 0 or 1; and m and n represent an integer of 1 or larger), the contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging including: a particle containing an iron oxide particle that absorbs light in a near-infrared region; and at least one or more ligand molecule(s) immobilized on the particle containing an iron oxide particle, wherein the immobilization density of the ligand molecule is equal to or higher than the cell surface density of a target molecule.

Abstract: There is provided a polymer including a unit represented by Chemical Formula (1): wherein R represents -A1-SO2R1; R1w and R1x are each independently a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom; R1y is a CH3 group, a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom; A01 is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring structure or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic structure; A1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon structure, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring structure or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic structure; R1 is OH, a halogen atom, ONa, OK or OR1a; R1a is a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon structure, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring structure or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic structure.

Abstract: A method of detecting a contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging provides a high signal intensity. In a contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging, each particle containing an inorganic material supports at least an organic dye having an absorption coefficient in the near infrared region by means of chemical bonding.

Abstract: Provided are a novel polymer having a sulfonic group, a sulfonic acid ester group, or a derivative thereof incorporated therein, a method of producing the polymer, and a novel compound suitable for producing the polymer. A polymer is characterized by containing a unit represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1w and R1x are each independently a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom, R1y is a CH3 group or a hydrogen atom, and any one of R1a, R1b, and R1c is a sulfonate group represented by SO3R1f.

Abstract: A polymer is provided in which a sulfonic group or a derivative thereof is introduced. The polymer includes a unit represented by the following chemical formula (1): wherein R represents -A1-SO2R1; A1 is selected from an alkylene group, a heterocyclic ring, an aromatic ring; and —SO2R1 is a sulfonic group or of a derivative of a sulfonic acid.

Abstract: A polymer is provided in which a sulfonic group or a derivative thereof is introduced. The polymer includes a unit represented by the following chemical formula (1): wherein R represents -A1-SO2R1; A1 is selected from an alkylene group, a heterocyclic ring, an aromatic ring; and —SO2R1 is a sulfonic group or of a derivative of a sulfonic acid.

Abstract: A polymer is provided in which a sulfonic group or a derivative thereof is introduced. The polymer includes a unit represented by the following chemical formula (1): wherein R represents -A1-SO2R1; Al is selected from an alkylene group, a heterocyclic ring, an aromatic ring; and —SO2R1 is a sulfonic group or of a derivative of a sulfonic acid.

Abstract: To provide a toner for developing electrostatic images which is not easily cause the phenomenon of toner-spent, constituent materials are so selected that a charge control resin has hardness which is the same as the hardness of a binder resin or the charge control resin is harder than the binder resin, as measured with a scanning probe microscope in a viscoelasticity evaluation mode in respect to the binder resin and the charge control resin which are present in the particle interiors or particle surfaces of the toner.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel polyester adapted for use in a charge control agent for a toner for an electrophotographic process, having a charge stability, a high charge amount, an improved dispersibility and a biodegradability, and a producing method and an application technology therefore.

Abstract: A developer carrying member is disclosed which can prevent a toner from being excessively charged in a developing assembly while keeping the charge quantity of the toner at a somewhat higher level, and seldomly causes toner melt adhesion to the developer carrying member.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a novel polyhydroxyalkanoate having a reactive functional group within a molecule, a novel polyhydroxyalkanoate having a novel function by a chemical modification of the polyhydroxyalkanoate having the reactive functional group, and a producing method therefor. A polyhydroxyalkanoate containing a unit having a carboxyl group in a side chain is utilized for deriving a polyhydroxyalkanoate containing a unit having an amide group and a sulfonic acid group in the molecule.

Abstract: To provide: a charge control agent having negative chargeability, which contributes to environmental conservation and the like to an increased degree, has high performance (high charge amount, quick rise-up of charge, excellent stability with time, and high environmental stability), and has improved dispersibility; a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image containing the charge control agent; and an image forming method and an image forming apparatus each using the toner for developing an electrostatic charge image. A charge control agent for controlling a charged state of powder, characterized by including one or more units each represented by the following chemical formula (1) in a molecule.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a novel polyhydroxyalkanoate having a reactive function group within the molecule and a producing method therefor In a polyhydroxyalkanoate containing a unit having a vinyl group in a side chain, such vinyl group is utilized for deriving a polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising a carboxyl group or a unit having an amide group and a sulfonic acid group.

Abstract: A novel polyhydroxyalkanoate having a reactive functional group in a molecule and a method of producing the same; and a novel polyhydroxyalkanoate having a new function obtained by chemically modifying the polyhydroxyalkanoate having a reactive functional group and a method of producing the same. A polyhydroxyalkanoate containing units having a carboxyl group, an amide group, and a sulfonic group in a molecule is induced.

Abstract: There is provided a polymer including a unit represented by Chemical Formula (1): wherein R represents -A1-SO2R1; R1w and R1X are each independently a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom; R1y is a CH3 group, a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom; A01 is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring structure or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic structure; A1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon structure, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring structure or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic structure; R1 is OH, a halogen atom, ONa, OK or OR1a; R1a is a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon structure, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring structure or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic structure.