Providing an electrophotographic photoconductor comprising a conductive support and a photoconductive layer disposed on the photoconductive support; wherein the photoconductive layer contains an azo compound expressed by a general formula <<1>>. Fractions of \u03b1-helix, \u03b2-sheet, and unassigned regions in globular proteins were determined by singular value decomposition using basis spectra from sixteen commercially-available proteins with known crystal structures. While counterflow rinsing, the flow rate can be maintained at a selected flow rate or flow pressure head. The closure can be actively moved in opposite directions respectively by the control strap and the wall section, in order to open and close the gas outlet opening to one of a greater and lesser extent.