Abstract: An object of the invention is to make it possible to provide a mechanism that applies an external stimulus and to measure structural and electromagnetic changes of a cell due to the external stimulus with high sensitivity by an NV center. There is provided an environment control mechanism configured to change a state of a sample by applying an external stimulus to the sample.

Abstract: A nanodiamond particle including an NV center having ODMR intensity enhanced, of which surface is modified with a functional group containing a heteroatom, is provided. This nanodiamond particle as being chemically modified can serve for a fluorescent molecular probe which can be made use of in a biological system. By tracking a rotational motion of the NV center included in this fluorescent molecular probe, structural change of a protein can be analyzed in real time. The functional group containing a heteroatom can be at least any functional group of a hydroxyl group and a hydroxyalkyl group, or a carboxyl group.

Abstract: A nanodiamond particle including an NV center having ODMR intensity enhanced, of which surface is modified with a functional group containing a heteroatom, is provided. This nanodiamond particle as being chemically modified can serve for a fluorescent molecular probe which can be made use of in a biological system. By tracking a rotational motion of the NV center included in this fluorescent molecular probe, structural change of a protein can be analyzed in real time. The functional group containing a heteroatom can be at least any functional group of a hydroxyl group and a hydroxyalkyl group, or a carboxyl group.

Abstract: A fuel feed apparatus is accommodated in a fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus includes a sub-tank that is provided in a bottom of the fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus further includes a fuel pump that is accommodated in the sub-tank. The fuel pump includes an impeller that defines a plurality of pump chambers. The fuel pump has a first suction passage through which fuel flows from outside the sub-tank into at least one of the plurality of pump chambers. The fuel feed apparatus further includes an elastic member that seals between the first suction passage and the sub-tank.

Abstract: A fuel pump module includes a cylindrical sub-tank having an open portion at one end and a bottom portion at the other end, and a fuel pump located in the sub-tank. The bottom portion of the sub-tank is provided with an introducing passage from which fuel is introduced into the sub-tank, and a bottom portion of the fuel pump is provided with a suction port through which the fuel outside of the sub-tank is drawn into the sub-tank In the fuel pump module, a guide member is provided in at least one of the sub-tank and the fuel pump to guide the suction port of the fuel pump to the introducing passage of the sub-tank when the fuel pump is inserted from the open portion of the sub-tank toward the bottom portion of the sub-tank and is assembled to the sub-tank.

Abstract: A fuel feed apparatus is accommodated in a fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus includes a sub-tank that is provided in a bottom of the fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus further includes a fuel pump that is accommodated in the sub-tank. The fuel pump includes an impeller that defines a plurality of pump chambers. The fuel pump has a first suction passage through which fuel flows from outside the sub-tank into at least one of the plurality of pump chambers. The fuel feed apparatus further includes an elastic member that seals between the first suction passage and the sub-tank.

Abstract: A high-frequency heating apparatus includes an inner casing defining a heating chamber therein, and an outer casing surrounding the inner case. A fixed waveguide is fixed on a top wall of the inner casing to guide high-frequency waves fed from a magnetron to an excitation opening. The waveguide has a step portion facing the excitation opening and located closer to the top wall than the other portion of the fixed waveguide. A motor is mounted on the step portion and has a driving shaft extending through the excitation opening into the heating chamber. A rotating waveguide, for diffusing the high-frequency waves delivered to the excitation opening and radiating the waves into the heating chamber, is disposed in the heating chamber and coupled to the driving shaft to be rotated thereby.

Abstract: Nonohmic ZnO ceramics including the following additives have the voltage nonlinear exponent .alpha. of 30 or more, the dielectric constant .epsilon. of about 1000 or less, the loss factor (tan .delta.) of less than 10%, and small variations caused in the breakdown voltage V.sub.i by load and large current pulses. The additives listed by molecular formulae are given in % by mol. The glass components are given for Nos. 1 through 4 in % by weight, symbols of elements being representative of borosilicate lead and/or zinc glass.______________________________________ No. Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 CoO MnO Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 Glass Component ______________________________________ 1. 0.1-10 0.05-10 0.25-4 0.05-6 0.1-10 (Pb-Zn) 2. 0.1-6 0.05-10 0.25-10 0.1-10 0.1-10 (Zn) 3. 0.1-6 0.05-10 0.23-4 0.05-6 0.1-3 (Pb) 4. 0.1-6 0.05-10 0.2-10 0.1-6 0.1-10 (Zn and others) ______________________________________As a fifth embodiment, the oxides corresponding or equivalent to a lead-borosilicate glass (PbO, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.