Reflection loss analysis by optical modeling of PV module

As an evaluation method of the photovoltaic (PV) system, it is necessary to clarify loss factor which decreases system efficiency. One of the factors mentioned is the reflection loss that depends on an incident angle. It is believed that the factor is simulated by reflections and transmissions in a module. Using the optical performance of a four-layer encapsulation, a simulation was made on the reflection loss according to Fresnel's law. Further, the incident angle modification factor as the coefficient for evaluating energetic reflection loss was described by a computer program simulation. The result was that the modification factor is between 0.96 and 0.98. Consequently, to obtain the optical property of module materials, the module tilt angle and its latitude location, the simulation could give the evaluation of annual reflection losses by such a factor at various regions.     

AC loss characteristics of copper-stabilized YBCO coated conductor

Influence of copper layer and mechanical stress-strain on AC losses in copper-stabilized YBCO coated conductor (CC) was investigated. The uni-axial tensile stress-strain was applied to the sample CC in liquid nitrogen at atmospheric pressure, and the AC losses (transport, magnetization and total AC losses) were measured by an electric method. Experimental results showed that the stress-strain dependence of the AC losses can be estimated by knowing stress dependent critical current and magnetization losses in the non-stressed CC. Influence of the copper layer was investigated by measuring frequency dependence of the AC losses. The experimental results showed that there are some influences of the copper layer. However, the influence of the copper layer was not significant from the stand point of practice applications.     

Regenerative Medicine for Epilepsy: From Basic Research to Clinical Application

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder, which presents with various forms of seizures. Traditional treatments, including medication using antiepileptic drugs, remain the treatment of choice for epilepsy. Recent development in surgical techniques and approaches has improved treatment outcomes. However, several epileptic patients still suffer from intractable seizures despite the advent of the multimodality of therapies. In this article, we initially provide an overview of clinical presentation of epilepsy then describe clinically relevant animal models of epilepsy. Subsequently, we discuss the concepts of regenerative medicine including cell therapy, neuroprotective agents, and electrical stimulation, which are reviewed within the context of our data.     

A Smart Hyperthermia Nanofiber with Switchable Drug Release for Inducing Cancer Apoptosis

A smart hyperthermia nanofiber is described with simultaneous heat generation and drug release in response to ‘on‐off’ switching of alternating magnetic field (AMF) for induction of skin cancer apoptosis. The nanofiber is composed of a chemically‐crosslinkable temperature‐responsive polymer with an anticancer drug (doxorubicin; DOX) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), which serve as a trigger of drug release and a source of heat, respectively. By chemical crosslinking, the nanofiber mesh shows switchable changes in the swelling ratio in response to alternating ‘on‐off’ switches of AMF because the self‐generated heat from the incorporated MNPs induces the deswelling of polymer networks in the nanofiber. Correspondingly, the ‘on‐off’ release of DOX from the nanofibers is observed in response to AMF. The 70% of human melanoma cells died in only 5 min application of AMF in the presence of the MNPs and DOX incorporated nanofibers by double effects of heat and drug. Taken together these advantages on both the nano‐ and macroscopic scale of nanofibers demonstrate that the dynamically and reversibly tunable structures have the potential to be utilized as a manipulative hyperthermia material as well as a switchable drug release platform by simple switching an AMF ‘on’ and ‘off’.     

Substrate stiffness affects skeletal myoblast differentiation in vitro

To maximize the therapeutic efficacy of cardiac muscle constructs produced by stem cells and tissue engineering protocols, suitable scaffolds should be designed to recapitulate all the characteristics of native muscle and mimic the microenvironment encountered by cells in vivo. Moreover, so not to interfere with cardiac contractility, the scaffold should be deformable enough to withstand muscle contraction. Recently, it was suggested that the mechanical properties of scaffolds can interfere with stem/progenitor cell functions, and thus careful consideration is required when choosing polymers for targeted applications. In this study, cross-linked poly-ε-caprolactone membranes having similar chemical composition and controlled stiffness in a supra-physiological range were challenged with two sources of myoblasts to evaluate the suitability of substrates with different stiffness for cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, muscle-specific and non-related feeder layers were prepared on stiff surfaces to reveal the contribution of biological and mechanical cues to skeletal muscle progenitor differentiation. We demonstrated that substrate stiffness does affect myogenic differentiation, meaning that softer substrates can promote differentiation and that a muscle-specific feeder layer can improve the degree of maturation in skeletal muscle stem cells.     

Protein Profiling of Blood Samples from Patients with Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer by Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) is an extremely rare syndrome with autosomal dominant inheritance. HLRCC is characterized by a predisposition to leiomyomas of the skin and the uterus as well as renal cell carcinoma. The disease-related gene has been identified as fumarate hydratase (fumarase, FH), which encodes an enzyme involved in the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle. Protein profiling may give some insight into the molecular pathways of HLRCC. Therefore, we performed protein profiling of blood samples from HLRCC patients, their family members, and healthy volunteers, using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) coupled with IMAC-Cu chips. For hierarchical clustering analysis, we used the 45 peaks that revealed significant differences in single-marker analysis over the range from 1500 to 15,000 m/z. Heat map analysis based on the results of clustering distinguished the HLRCC kindred from non-HLRCC subjects with a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 90%. SELDI-TOF MS profiling of blood samples can be applied to identify patients with HLRCC and to assess specific molecular mechanisms involved in this condition.     

Exchange of Proteins in Liposomes through Streptolysin O Pores

Liposomes, which are vesicles surrounded by lipid membranes, can be used as biochemical reactors by encapsulating various reactions. Accordingly, they are useful for studying cellular functions under controlled conditions that mimic the environment within a cell. However, one of the shortcomings of liposomes as biochemical reactors is the difficulty of introducing or removing proteins due to the impermeability of the membrane. In this study, we established a method for exchanging proteins in liposomes by forming reversible pores in the membrane. We used the toxic protein streptolysin O (SLO); this forms pores in membranes made of phospholipids containing cholesterol that can be closed by the addition of calcium ions. After optimizing the experimental procedure and lipid composition, we observed the exchange of fluorescent proteins (transferrin Alexa Fluor 488 and 647) in 9.9 % of liposomes. We also introduced T7 RNA polymerase, a 98-kDa enzyme, and observed RNA synthesis in ∼8 % of liposomes. Our findings establish a new method for controlling the internal protein composition of liposomes, thereby increasing their utility as bioreactors.     

Study of crescent shaped alignment marks applicable to self-alignment of micro-parts with and without positive and negative poles

A “crescent-shaped” binding alignment mark, more applicable to the self-alignment than reported “tear-drop/elliptical hole” pattern, has been designed and comparatively studied with other possible alignment marks. In order to further apply this novel design to micro-parts with positive and negative poles on the binding sites, a modified “crescent-shaped” pattern with an insulated space area, defined as “crescent-shaped/interval” for self-alignment of micro-parts with two poles has been therefore proposed and discussed. The fabrication process using micromachining has been studied and both the substrates and micro-parts with alignment marks have been fabricated for next self-alignment verification.     

Designed construction of recombinant DNA at the ura3Δ0 locus in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Recombinant DNAs are traditionally constructed using Escherichia coli plasmids. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, chromosomal gene targeting is a common technique, implying that the yeast homologous recombination system could be applied for recombinant DNA construction. In an attempt to use a S. cerevisiae chromosome for recombinant DNA construction, we selected the single ura3Δ0 locus as a gene targeting site. By selecting this single locus, repeated recombination using the surrounding URA3 sequences can be performed. The recombination system described here has several advantages over the conventional plasmid system, as it provides a method to confirm the selection of correct recombinants because transformation of the same locus replaces the pre‐existing selection marker, resulting in the loss of the marker in successful recombinations. In addition, the constructed strains can serve as both PCR templates and hosts for preparing subsequent recombinant strains. Using this method, several yeast strains that contained selection markers, promoters, terminators and target genes at the ura3Δ0 locus were successfully generated. The system described here can potentially be applied for the construction of any recombinant DNA without the requirement for manipulations in E. coli. Interestingly, we unexpectedly found that several G/C‐rich sequences used for fusion PCR lowered gene expression when located adjacent to the start codon. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.