The technology described herein relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) compositions targeting the Serpina1 gene, and methods of using such dsRNA compositions to inhibit expression of Serpina1.

An image forming apparatus determines a toner density erroneous detection state based on a patch image density in patch detection auto toner replenishing and, when the toner density erroneous detection state is determined, offsets a target toner density by the amount of erroneous detection so that the actual toner density becomes a desired toner density.

A developing device includes a developer container for storing developer containing carrier and toner, the developer container including a first compartment and a second compartment in which the developer is stirred and fed, a developing roller, and a sensor including a coil. A pair of communication portion is disposed on both ends in a longitudinal direction of the compartments. In addition, a gap is formed between the first compartment and the second compartment, and a part of the first compartment adjacent to the gap is a cylindrical portion through which the developer passes. A flat cable as a coil passes through the gap and is wound around the cylindrical portion so as to form a winding by overlapping both end portions of the flat cable in a state where terminals of wires are shifted by one pitch.

A developing device includes a rotatable developer carrying member, first and second chambers, a first rotatable feeding member, a second rotatable feeding member, a first communication port, a second communication port, and a toner content detecting portion including a planar detecting surface including at least a planar coil. The detecting surface is provided in a region of the first communication port sandwiched between rotational axes of the first and second rotatable feeding members and is disposed at a position such that the developer is fed toward both sides of the toner content detecting portion in a direction in which the detecting surface crosses the first direction.

An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a developing unit; a discharge portion which is provided in the developing unit and configured to discharge a developer in the developing unit to the outside of the developing unit; a collection portion which collects the developer discharged from the discharge portion; a conveying pipe which is separable from the developing unit, includes a conveying screw therein, and conveys the developer discharged from the discharge portion to the collection portion; and a toner density sensor which detects toner density in the conveying pipe and of which a detection surface is positioned below a rotational axis of the conveying screw in a vertical direction, wherein the developing unit is removed from the image forming apparatus in a state in which the conveying pipe and the toner density sensor remain in the image forming apparatus.

The sensitivity of a sensor that detects the amount or density of magnetic substance is raised. The sensor includes an oscillation circuit, a differential transformer, and an amplification circuit. The oscillation circuit includes a resonance circuit having a coil. The differential transformer includes the coil, as a primary coil, and a secondary coil, and is configured such that, as the amount or density of magnetic substance as a detection target increases, a signal output from the secondary coil increases, and as the amount or density of magnetic substance decreases, the signal decreases. The amplification circuit amplifies the signal, and has, as its frequency characteristics, a frequency band such that, as the frequency of the signal decreases, the amplification factor of the signal increases, and as the frequency of the signal increases, the amplification factor of the signal decreases. The resonance frequency of the resonance circuit falls within the frequency band.

Provided is a differential transformer magnetic permeability sensor that accurately suppress a variation of output level of each sensor even if a position shift occurs in forming a detection coil, a reference coil, and a drive coil as planar coils. The differential transformer magnetic permeability sensor includes a first coil layer including a first drive coil constituted of a first wire of a flat winding and a detection coil constituted of a second wire of a flat winding, a second coil layer including a second drive coil constituted of a third wire of a flat winding and a reference coil constituted of a fourth wire of a flat winding. The first drive coil and the second drive coil are connected so that drive current have the same direction, while the detection coil and the reference coil are connected so that induced current have opposite directions.

A developing device includes a developing case, a toner concentration sensor, and a positioner. The developing case stores a developer containing toner and carrier to develop a latent image on a surface of an image bearer. The developing case includes at least a part of a conveyance path of the developer. The toner concentration sensor detects a toner concentration of the developer in the developing case. The positioner engages with an engaging portion at a center of a sensor main section of the toner concentration sensor to determine a position of the sensor main section in the developing case.

A developing device includes a developer container for storing developer containing carrier and toner, the developer container including a first compartment and a second compartment in which the developer is stirred and fed, a developing roller, and a sensor including a coil. A pair of communication portion is disposed on both ends in a longitudinal direction of the compartments. In addition, a gap is formed between the first compartment and the second compartment, and a part of the first compartment adjacent to the gap is a cylindrical portion through which the developer passes. A flat cable as a coil passes through the gap and is wound around the cylindrical portion so as to form a winding by overlapping both end portions of the flat cable in a state where terminals of wires are shifted by one pitch.

A differential transformer magnetic permeability sensor includes a substrate, a drive coil, a first differential coil, a second differential coil, a first interconnection pattern, and a second interconnection pattern. The first differential coil is disposed at a side of a first surface of the substrate, and an induced voltage is generated therein when the drive coil is driven. The second differential coil is disposed at a side of a second surface of the substrate, and an induced voltage is generated therein when the drive coil is driven. The first interconnection pattern is located on the first surface and allows the first differential coil to serve as a reference coil, and the second differential coil as a sensing coil. The second interconnection pattern is located on the second surface and allows the second differential coil to serve as a reference coil, and the first differential coil as a sensing coil.