Abstract: An ultrasound observation apparatus includes: a frequency analysis unit that analyzes a frequency of the ultrasound signal to calculate frequency spectra according to a reception depth and a reception direction of the ultrasound signal; an optimal attenuation rate setting unit configured to: calculate features of the frequency spectra; perform attenuation correction on the features of the frequency spectra for eliminating influence of attenuation of the ultrasound wave, using attenuation rate candidate values providing different attenuation characteristics which are attenuation characteristics in propagating the ultrasound wave through the observation target, thereby to calculate corrected features of the frequency spectra for each of the attenuation rate candidate values; and set an optimal attenuation rate to the observation target from among the attenuation rate candidate values, based on the corrected features; and an attenuation rate image data generation unit that generates attenuation rate image data f

Abstract: An ultrasound observation device includes a controller. The controller is configured to: calculate feature data of an ultrasound signal by analyzing the ultrasound signal; divide an area of interest preliminarily set on an ultrasound image into a plurality of sections; and set an attenuation rate for each of the sections; correct the attenuation rate in a range including at least a boundary between adjacent sections in a manner smoothly changing across the adjacent sections; and perform attenuation correction on the feature data using the corrected attenuation rate to calculate correction feature data.

Abstract: A magnetic detection in which a first element (3) and a second element (4) that are a magnetoresistance element whose resistance value changes in response to an external magnetic field are connected in series with each other so as to form a bridge circuit, one end of the bridge circuit is connected to a power supply (5), the other end thereof is grounded, a connecting point (6) between the first element (3) and the second element (4) is connected to an amplifier means (9), at least one switching means (1) is connected in series with the bridge circuit, and an output terminal (11) of the amplifier means (9) is connected to a failure detection means (12).

Abstract: Method of forming a compact based on the press forming method provides a compact having high density and not having cracking or surface roughness in a product and without compact adhesion to press forming mold wall occurring, including steps: filling raw material powder in a cavity formed by an outer mold and lower punch, or outer mold and lower punch and core rod, pressing and forming raw material powder between an outer punch and lower punch, and extracting the compact obtained out of the outer mold by the lower punch, wherein a lubricating film of a press forming mold lubricant containing oil as main component is formed on at least part of outer mold inner surface, or outer mold inner surface and core rod outer circumferential surface before filling the raw material powder in the cavity, and press forming so that compact density ratio is not less than 93%.

Abstract: A brazing sheet for brazing in an inert-gas atmosphere without using a flux has a core and a filler material clad to one side or both sides of the core. The core has a chemical composition that contains Mg: 0.35-0.8% (mass %; likewise hereinbelow), the remainder being composed of Al and unavoidable impurities. The filler material has a chemical composition that contains Si: 6-13% and Bi: 0.001-0.05% and Mg: limited less than 0.05%, the remainder being composed of Al and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: An ultrasound observation apparatus for generating an ultrasound image based on an ultrasound signal acquired by an ultrasound probe, includes: a frequency analysis unit configured to analyze a frequency of the ultrasound signal to calculate a plurality of frequency spectra in accordance with reception depths and receiving directions of the ultrasound signal; a feature calculation unit configured to calculate a feature of each of the plurality of frequency spectra; an attenuation factor setting unit configured to set an attenuation factor of a computation-purpose region, the computation-purpose region being a region that is different from a region of interest in the ultrasound image and is used for computation for correcting the feature; and a feature correction unit configured to perform attenuation correction on the feature using the attenuation factor, thereby to calculate a corrected feature at a sampling point in the region of interest in the ultrasound image.

Abstract: An ultrasound observation apparatus includes: a frequency analysis unit that analyzes a frequency of the ultrasound signal to calculate frequency spectra according to a reception depth and a reception direction of the ultrasound signal; an optimal attenuation rate setting unit configured to: calculate features of the frequency spectra; perform attenuation correction on the features of the frequency spectra for eliminating influence of attenuation of the ultrasound wave, using attenuation rate candidate values providing different attenuation characteristics which are attenuation characteristics in propagating the ultrasound wave through the observation target, thereby to calculate corrected features of the frequency spectra for each of the attenuation rate candidate values; and set an optimal attenuation rate to the observation target from among the attenuation rate candidate values, based on the corrected features; and an attenuation rate image data generation unit that generates attenuation rate image data f

Abstract: An ultrasound observation apparatus includes: an analysis unit that analyzes a frequency of a signal using a parameter that differs depending on presence or absence of a contrast agent in a specimen to calculate a frequency spectrum, the signal being generated based on an echo signal reflected from the specimen; a calculation unit configured to calculate a feature of the frequency spectrum; a generating unit that generates feature image data for displaying visual information related to the feature in a display pattern that differs depending on the presence or absence of the contrast agent in the specimen; a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of the contrast agent using the frequency spectrum and information on a known frequency spectrum in the presence of the contrast agent in the specimen; and a control unit that changes a setting of the parameter in accordance with a result of the determination.

Abstract: A pressing device includes a pressing member, a first lateral plate including a first connecting portion to support a first end of the pressing member, a second lateral plate including a second connecting portion to support a second end of the pressing member opposite to the first end, a first adjuster connected to the first lateral plate at the first connecting portion and to the second lateral plate at the second connecting portion, and a biasing member. The biasing member biases at least one of the first lateral plate, the second lateral plate, and the first adjuster to press the pressing member against the target in a pressing direction. The first adjuster is connected to the first lateral plate and the second lateral plate such that a relative position of the second connecting portion relative to the first connecting portion is changeable in the pressing direction.

Abstract: An ultrasound observation apparatus includes: an analysis unit that analyzes a frequency of a signal using a parameter that differs depending on presence or absence of a contrast agent in a specimen to calculate a frequency spectrum, the signal being generated based on an echo signal reflected from the specimen; a calculation unit configured to calculate a feature of the frequency spectrum; a generating unit that generates feature image data for displaying visual information related to the feature in a display pattern that differs depending on the presence or absence of the contrast agent in the specimen; a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of the contrast agent using the frequency spectrum and information on a known frequency spectrum in the presence of the contrast agent in the specimen; and a control unit that changes a setting of the parameter in accordance with a result of the determination.

Abstract: A magnetic detection in which a first element (3) and a second element (4) that are a magnetoresistance element whose resistance value changes in response to an external magnetic field are connected in series with each other so as to form a bridge circuit, one end of the bridge circuit is connected to a power supply (5), the other end thereof is grounded, a connecting point (6) between the first element (3) and the second element (4) is connected to an amplifier means (9), at least one switching means (1) is connected in series with the bridge circuit, and an output terminal (11) of the amplifier means (9) is connected to a failure detection means (12).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, including a plurality of rollers; an endless belt mountable to the plurality of rollers from a proximal side of the image forming apparatus in an axial direction of the plurality of rollers; a first side plate to support one end of the plurality of rollers at the proximal side of the image forming apparatus in the axial direction; and a plurality of guide members, disposed at a more proximal side than the first side plate in the axial direction, to guide the belt to be mounted to the plurality of rollers with the guide members contacting the belt.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a tripod type constant-velocity joint through which a rotary member shaft of a rotary member is connected to the drive shaft of a motor. The constant-velocity joint includes a pair of outer rings each having three axially extending track grooves in its inner periphery, and a tripod member having three protrusions formed on each of the axial ends thereof and axially slidably received in the corresponding track grooves. The outer rings and the tripod member are formed of synthetic resin. One of the outer rings and the tripod member are inseparably coupled to the drive shaft so that the other of the outer rings is always disconnected from the tripod member when the rotary member is pulled away from the motor.

Abstract: A cleaner is provided. The cleaner includes at least two cleaning brush members to electrostatically remove residual toner on an object; a memory; a voltage applicator to apply a voltage to the cleaning brush members based on the setup voltage values stored in the memory; a current detector to detect the amounts of currents flowing through contact portions of the object with the cleaning brush members; and a setup voltage changing device to change the setup voltage values based on the amounts of currents detected by the current detector. The setup voltage changing device performs change of the setup voltage values for the cleaning brush members at a time.

Abstract: A drive transmitter that is applicable to an image forming apparatus includes a first coupler, a second coupler, and reinforcing ribs. The first coupler is mounted on an axial end of a first rotary shaft and is provided with extensions. The extensions extend in an axial direction of the first coupler and are arranged at intervals in a rotation direction thereof. The second coupler is mounted on an axial end of a second rotary shaft and is provided with contact parts to which the respective extensions contact between the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft upon drive transmission. The reinforcing ribs are provided to the respective extensions and reinforce the respective extensions.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a nip forming member to contact a surface of an image bearing member to form a transfer nip therebetween, a pressing device, and a nip pressure changing device. The pressing device includes a plurality of elastic members, to produce a contact pressure between the nip forming member and the image bearing member according to a restoring force of at least one of the elastic members upon deformation of the elastic member. The nip pressure changing device changes an amount of elastic deformation of the elastic member between at least two stages to change a nip pressure of the transfer nip. While the contact pressure is produced by one of the elastic members, the nip pressure changing device changes the amount of elastic deformation of a different elastic member, different from the one that produces the contact pressure, to change the nip pressure of the transfer nip.

Abstract: A method of transferring an image includes the steps of; bringing an image bearer bearing an image thereon as a transfer origin in contact with a transferring objective (onto which the image is transferred) as a transfer destination; moving at least one of the image bearer and the transferring objective in a prescribed direction; and sequentially transferring the image borne on the image bearer onto the transferring objective in a contacting section in which the image bearer and the transferring objective contact each other in a direction in which the image does not pass through the contacting section.