Abstract: An image processing system including a processing execution control device, a plurality of image formation output control devices, and an output destination determiner is provided. The processing execution control device includes a processing execution controller and a control-side drawing information generator to generate drawing information. Each of the image formation output control devices includes an output-side drawing information generator to generate the drawing information and an execution controller to control image forming devices to execute an image formation output based on the drawing information. The output destination determiner determines one of the image formation output control devices as an output destination of an image formation output execution command based on execution propriety of the image formation output that is determined by comparing an amount of developer to be consumed in the image formation output with an amount of developer remaining in each of the image forming devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in-vivo intravascular blood replacing liquid which eliminates the need for the use of a contrast agent, is subjected to a low injection resistance, and has blood immunity to a sufficient degree and continuity to some extent. An in-vivo intravascular blood replacing liquid of the present invention is injected into a blood vessel to replace blood at an in-vivo intravascular portion to be inspected therewith in making an in-vivo intravascular inspection. The blood replacing liquid contains cationic and anionic compounds, added to an aqueous medium unharmful for the living body, which are unharmful for the living body. The blood replacing liquid also contains an ion complex formed of the cationic and anionic compounds.

Abstract: An image processing system including a processing execution control device, a plurality of image formation output control devices, and an output destination determiner is provided. The processing execution control device includes a processing execution controller and a control-side drawing information generator to generate drawing information. Each of the image formation output control devices includes an output-side drawing information generator to generate the drawing information and an execution controller to control image forming devices to execute an image formation output based on the drawing information. The output destination determiner determines one of the image formation output control devices as an output destination of an image formation output execution command based on execution propriety of the image formation output that is determined by comparing an amount of developer to be consumed in the image formation output with an amount of developer remaining in each of the image forming devices.

Abstract: A gasket for use in a syringe has a core part and a coating layer formed on the core part at least a portion thereof which contacts the syringe. In a portion where the coating layer is formed, an outer surface of the core part is not exposed, and an outer surface layer of the core part is formed of the coating layer. The coating layer is an elastic solidified material layer made of a silicone-based resin composition. In an enlarged image of the coating layer observed in an axial section of the gasket by using a transmission electron microscope, the coating layer has island-shaped solidified parts and sea-like solidified parts each positioned between the island-shaped solidified parts and linking the island-shaped solidified parts to each other and does not substantially have pin holes. The island-shaped solidified part is composed mainly of aggregates of reactive silicone.

Abstract: A water-absorbent carrier for moist heat sterilization can be used in a narrow space and does not have a risk of generating foreign matter. The water-absorbent carrier is obtained by embedding a water-absorbent substance in a synthetic resin. The water-absorbent carrier can be manufactured by impregnating the water-absorbent substance with a water-soluble substance, drying the water-absorbent substance, embedding the water-absorbent substance in a thermoplastic synthetic resin, and washing the water-absorbent substance to remove the water-soluble substance. Alternatively, the water-absorbent carrier can be manufactured by dispersing a water-insoluble synthetic resin in a dispersion medium, mixing the water-absorbent substance in the dispersion medium, pouring the mixture into a mold, and volatilizing the dispersion medium. A medical article to be sterilized includes the water-absorbent carrier packaged in a closed space.

Abstract: A process for producing a charge control agent comprising an azo-based iron complex salt compound as an effective component, comprises: synthesizing a monoazo compound through diazotization coupling; and ironing the monoazo compound by using an ironizing agent such as ferric chloride to produce an azo-based iron complex salt compound represented by the following formula. The ironization reaction of the monoazo compound is carried out while pH is kept at 7.0 to 8.0. Since the above azo-based iron complex salt compound having high purity can be obtained at a high yield, it can be used as a charge control agent directly and a special purification step can be eliminated, thereby making it possible to greatly cut the production cost.

Abstract: An object to be attained by the present invention is to provide a method for conveniently, rapidly, and specifically measuring HDL-C in a specimen by use of inexpensive materials, and to provide a reagent kit for HDL-C detection and a dry analytical element for HDL-C detection. The present invention provides a method for measuring high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in a body fluid test sample, wherein cholesterol esterase derived from Schizophyllum commune or Pseudomonas sp. and cholesterol oxidase derived from Pseudomonas sp. are used to generate hydrogen peroxide from HDL-C, and thereby HDL-C is selectively measured.

Abstract: A process for producing a charge control agent comprising an azo-based iron complex salt compound as an effective component, comprises: synthesizing a monoazo compound through diazotization coupling; and ironing the monoazo compound by using an ironizing agent such as ferric chloride to produce an azo-based iron complex salt compound represented by the following formula. The ironization reaction of the monoazo compound is carried out while pH is kept at 7.0 to 8.0. Since the above azo-based iron complex salt compound having high purity can be obtained at a high yield, it can be used as a charge control agent directly and a special purification step can be eliminated, thereby making it possible to greatly cut the production cost.

Abstract: A medical appliance including a slidable coating layer moves in contact with an inner surface of a medical member or that of a lumen. The medical appliance has the slidable coating layer formed at a part thereof which contacts the medical member or the lumen. The slidable coating layer is formed of a composition containing a solventless-type hardening silicone-based resin.

Abstract: A medical appliance having a slidable coating layer that moves in contact with an inner surface of a medical member or that of a lumen and has the slidable coating layer formed at a part thereof which contacts the medical member or the lumen. The slidable coating layer is formed of a composition which does not contain solid fine particles and contains a silicone-based resin which is a product of an addition reaction between silicone having a vinyl group and silicone having a hydrogen group bonded to a silicon atom.

Abstract: A medical appliance including a slidable coating layer moves in contact with an inner surface of a medical member or that of a lumen. The medical appliance has the slidable coating layer formed at a part thereof which contacts the medical member or the lumen. The slidable coating layer is formed of a composition containing a solventless-type hardening silicone-based resin.

Abstract: An adhesion preventive material including a cross-linking polysaccharide derivative containing at least one active ester group introduced in a polysaccharide side chain, which is capable of reacting with an active hydrogen-containing group, and being capable of forming a crosslinked material due to covalent binding among the active ester group and an active hydrogen-containing group upon contact with water under an alkaline condition, is disclosed. The adhesion preventive material is able to reduce preparation works to be carried out while previously estimating the time of application and does not require a special device.

Abstract: A control unit of a multifunction image forming apparatus obtains document information concerning copied documents, scanner read documents, and e-mail documents, and stores the obtained document information to a storing unit of a document storing unit. The control unit counts usage frequency concerning each document stored in the document storing unit, and stores the information as usage frequency information. The control unit has the operator, who carries out document searching, input predetermined information. The control unit matches the input information, and determines whether the operator is an authorized person concerning the searched document. In a case where it is determined that the operator is a legitimate authorized person, the control unit displays the information of the documents stored in the document storing unit, in an order of high usage frequency, to a display unit of an input operation unit, based on the usage frequency information.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image, in which hardware resources for use in the forming of images are provided, and one or more processes run based on programs in respect of the forming of images. The apparatus includes an off-line unit which puts the one or more processes in a off-line state in which restriction is placed on the running of the one or more processes, a memory area releasing unit which releases one or more memory areas used by the one or more processes that are put in the off-line state, and a data laying-out unit which lays out data in the one or more memory areas released by the memory area releasing unit.

Abstract: A crosslinkable polysaccharide derivative which has in the side chain of polysaccharide at least one active ester group reactive with an active hydrogen-containing group and which forms a crosslinked product through covalent bond between the active ester group and the active hydrogen-containing group upon contact with alkaline water. A composition and a medical treatment material containing the crosslinkable polysaccharide derivative. The crosslinkable polysaccharide derivative produces a high bond strength that meets clinical requirements. It avoids the risk of infection because it is based on a material which is not derived from living organisms. It in itself and its decomposition products have a low level of toxicity because it is formed from a synthetic material. It is biodegradable and bioabsorbable. It can be prepared readily and simply without requiring special apparatus at the time of use.

Abstract: An object to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a method for determining the amount of a component contained in a specific lipoprotein fraction in a biological sample using an automatic analyzer, without the requirement of a step of fractionating a sample by centrifugation. The present invention provides a method for separating a target component in a biological sample, which comprises the steps of: (1) causing a biological sample to come into contact with independently dispersed magnetic nanoparticles having a particle size of 50 nm or less, which have anionic functional groups on their surfaces, so as to form an agglutinate of the magnetic nanoparticles and biomolecules capable of interacting with the magnetic nanoparticles; and (2) collecting the agglutinate by an external magnetic field.

Abstract: A process for producing an uncrosslinked, crosslinkable polysaccharide derivative having an active ester group, said process including: dissolving an acid-containing polysaccharide having a carboxy group and/or a carboxyalkyl group which are originally possessed or which have been introduced, in its non-salt form, into an aprotic polar solvent at a temperature of 60° C. to 120° C., and reacting it with an N-hydroxylamine-based electrophilic group-introducing reagent at a temperature between 0° C. and 70° C. in the presence of a dehydrating-condensing agent selected from the group consisting of 1-ethyl-3-dimethylaminopropylcarbodiimide hydrochloride and 1-cyclohexyl-(2-morphonyl-4-ethyl)-carbodiimide-meso-p-toluenesulfonate, and thereby converting at least part of said carboxy group and/or carboxyalkyl group into active esters bearing an N-hydroxylamine-based electrophilic group.

Abstract: A multifunction image forming apparatus accepts voice input of a software name by an order applicant, carries out voice recognizing processing concerning the voice data of the software name that is voice input, and stores the software name recognized by the voice recognizing processing. Then, the multifunction image forming apparatus checks whether the order applicant is a person who has the authority to order the software. In a case where it is determined that the order applicant is a person who has the authority to order, order data including the recognized software name is sent to a software management server via a network. The multifunction image forming apparatus receives data of the software from the software management server, temporarily stores it, and thereafter, reads the data of the stored software, and carries out installing of the software.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes one or more processing units, a control unit, an update program acquiring unit that acquires an update program for updating programs of the processing units and the control unit, and a program updating unit that updates the programs of the processing units in the order of the number of the other processing units through which the control unit communicates with each of the processing units. The order in which the processing units are updated is determined based on the number of other processing units via which each of the processing units communicates with the control unit.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a multilayer analytical element having a porous where the property of the film is maintained and which is free from the liquid-amount dependency even in the case where a porous film is laminated. The present invention provides a dry multilayer analytical element for the analysis of a liquid sample which comprises a water-non-transmitting planar support on one side of which at least one functional layer and a porous liquid-sample-developing layer consisting of at least one non-fibrous porous are integrally layered in the mentioned order, wherein the non-fibrous porous film contains a water-soluble polymer in such a manner that it does not interact with the functional layer.