Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus can be connected with an ultrasound probe including a plurality of elements adapted to transmit ultrasound signals and to receive reflected wave signals from a subject or from the air. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry diagnoses states of the elements based on a feature value of the reflected wave signal. The processing circuitry also prepares, based on the states, deterioration degree information indicative of the deterioration degrees of the elements. The processing circuitry superimposes the deterioration degree information onto an ultrasound image of the subject and causes a display to display a resultant image.

Abstract: A cell membrane observation and analysis device includes at least: a microscope; and a substrate which has a plurality of holes, in which a cell membrane is placed on each hole of the substrate to be placed on the substrate, the cell membrane is immersed into a buffer solution while the cell membrane is suctioned through the hole, and the buffer solution is sealed, thereby observing and analyzing the cell membrane. Using the above-mentioned device, a substrate is prepared; a cell membrane is dispersed in a buffer solution, thereby preparing a suspension; the suspension is dripped onto a face of the substrate; the cell membrane is sucked through each hole to be placed on each hole; the cell membrane is immersed into a second buffer solution while the cell membrane is sucked; the second buffer solution is sealed; and the cell membrane is observed and analyzed with a microscope.

Abstract: A temperature sensor excellent in durability under a high-pressure atmosphere of hydrogen is provided. The temperature sensor includes a thermistor element body comprising an oxide sintered body, a pair of lead wires each electrically connected to the element body and comprising Pt or a Pt alloy, and a sealing glass sealing the element body and a part of the lead wires including a portion connected to the element body. The pair of lead wires comprising any of Pt, an alloy comprising Pt and one or two of Ir and Pd, and an alloy of Pd and Ir, and the temperature sensor is used under an atmosphere of hydrogen.

Abstract: A refractive index controlled diffractive optical element having a two-dimensional refractive index distribution to be written on a transparent material, wherein a first refractive index region with a refractive index n1 and width d1 is formed in a transparent material, and the ith refractive index region with a refractive index ni (assuming ni?ni?1) and a width di is formed adjacent to the (i?1)th refractive index region and opposite to the (i ?2)th refractive index region (at an arbitrary side of the (i?1)th refractive index region when i=2) where i is an integer within a range of 2?i?x. Accordingly, a diffractive optical element simultaneously having high diffraction efficiency to a particular order and thinness of the element itself can be obtained.

Abstract: A refractive index controlled diffractive optical element having a two-dimensional refractive index distribution to be written on a transparent material, wherein a first refractive index region with a refractive index n1 and width d1 is formed in a transparent material, and the ith refractive index region with a refractive index ni (assuming ni?ni-1) and a width di is formed adjacent to the (i?1)th refractive index region and opposite to the (i?2)th refractive index region (at an arbitrary side of the (i?1)th refractive index region when i=2) where i is an integer within a range of 2?i?x. Accordingly, a diffractive optical element simultaneously having high diffraction efficiency to a particular order and thinness of the element itself can be obtained.

Abstract: A cover for covering an opening of a fuel tank holds a fuel pump, a fuel filter, a fuel level gauge and a pressure regulator inside the fuel tank. The fuel filter is contained inside a filter housing having a C-shaped cross-section. A filter element also has a C-shaped cross-section. This type of filter element is formed by bending flat stacked pre-assembled bodies into a C-shape. Other components such as the fuel level gauge, a fuel passage and the like are placed in an open part of the C-shaped cross-section and thus, the fuel filter and the other components are integrated in a high density.