Stable sound source tracking based on two updating algorithms

In this paper, we present a stable sound source tracking method based on two updating algorithm. In the method, an eigenvector spanning the signal subspace is updated by using the Projection Approximation Subspace Tracking (PAST) algorithm without the eigen‐decomposition of a correlation matrix. Then, a constrained minimization problem is formulated taking into account the stability, and the solution is determined successively by applying the Interior Point Least Square (IPLS) algorithm. As a result, stable tracking can be achieved without the peak search of a MUltiple SIgnal Classification (MUSIC) spectrum, which often requires enormous computational costs because many complex multiplying operations are involved. Several experimental results in real room environments have demonstrated the high accuracy and the low computational costs of the proposed method. © Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Direct Reprogramming and Induction of Human Dermal Fibroblasts to Differentiate into iPS-Derived Nucleus Pulposus-like Cells in 3D Culture

Intervertebral disc (IVD) diseases are common spinal disorders that cause neck or back pain in the presence or absence of an underlying neurological disorder. IVD diseases develop on the basis of degeneration, and there are no established treatments for degeneration. IVD diseases may therefore represent a candidate for the application of regenerative medicine, potentially employing normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) induced to differentiate into nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Here, we used a three-dimensional culture system to demonstrate that ectopic expression of MYC, KLF4, NOTO, SOX5, SOX6, and SOX9 in NHDFs generated NP-like cells, detected using Safranin-O staining. Quantitative PCR, microarray analysis, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting revealed that the induced NP cells exhibited a fully differentiated phenotype. These findings may significantly contribute to the development of effective strategies for treating IVD diseases.     

Strengthened porous alumina membrane tube prepared by means of internal anodic oxidation

A method for preparing an anodic aluminum oxide tube with a much higher mechanical strength than before was developed, where anodic oxidation was carried out from the inside of an aluminum tube (internal anodizing method). It was considered that the internal stress remaining in the alumina layer, which was formed in the course of the internal anodizing, resulted in a considerable improvement of compressive strength against external pressure. As a matter of fact, the tube could withstand at least up to 0.98 MPa of transmembrane pressure, which corresponded to 32.6 MPa in terms of breaking pressure. The tubular alumina membrane obtained had straight mesopores of 20–25 nm in diameter and, therefore, showed the Knudsen permselectivity for inorganic gases. Such a strengthened alumina tube is expected to be used as a porous membrane or as a support for composite membranes.     

Association of Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Progression—Comparative Microarray Gene Expression Analysis

The role of the ligamentum flavum (LF) in the pathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is not well understood. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we investigated the degrees of LF hypertrophy in 18 patients without scoliosis and on the convex and concave sides of the apex of the curvature in 22 patients with AIS. Next, gene expression was compared among neutral vertebral LF and LF on the convex and concave sides of the apex of the curvature in patients with AIS. Histological and microarray analyses of the LF were compared among neutral vertebrae (control) and the LF on the apex of the curvatures. The mean area of LF in the without scoliosis, apical concave, and convex with scoliosis groups was 10.5, 13.5, and 20.3 mm², respectively. There were significant differences among the three groups (p < 0.05). Histological analysis showed that the ratio of fibers (Collagen/Elastic) was significantly increased on the convex side compared to the concave side (p < 0.05). Microarray analysis showed that ERC2 and MAFB showed significantly increased gene expression on the convex side compared with those of the concave side and the neutral vertebral LF cells. These genes were significantly associated with increased expression of collagen by LF cells (p < 0.05). LF hypertrophy was identified in scoliosis patients, and the convex side was significantly more hypertrophic than that of the concave side. ERC2 and MAFB genes were associated with LF hypertrophy in patients with AIS. These phenomena are likely to be associated with the progression of scoliosis.     

Robust stabilization of a power system based on direct control of generator power by a series variable impedance unit

Power system stabilizing controllers have become more and more intelligent with the advancement of technologies in power electronics devices and circuit topologies. However, nonlinearities that are inherent in power system dynamics often spoil the robustness of a power system controller designed at an operating point. In this paper we propose a power system stabilizing controller using a variable series impedance unit with a control reference to obtain the prespecified linearized power swing characteristics. It is expected that the control scheme will be robust in the sense that the control parameters do not have to be readjusted even if the configuration or the operating point of the power system is changed. Some numerical studies demonstrate the significant effect of the proposed controller, in which a variable series impedance is used, on the power system stabilization. © 1998 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 123(4): 34–40, 1998     

Blends of aliphatic polyesters. III. Biodegradation of solution-cast blends from poly(L-lactide) and poly(ε-caprolactone)

Phase-separated blend films were prepared with the solution casting method from poly(L -lactide) (PLLA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with different PLLA contents [X_PLLA (w/w) = PLLA/(PCL + PLLA)] and their biodegradation was investigated in soil up to 20 months by gravimetry, gel permeation chromatography, tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The nonblended PCL film and the blend film with X_PLLA = 0.25 disappeared in 4 and 12 months, respectively, while most of the initial mass remained for the blend film of X_PLLA = 0.75 and the nonblended PLLA film. The decrease in weight remaining, molecular weight, tensile strength, and elongation-at-break was higher for blend films of low X_PLLA. The melting temperature of PLLA in blend films of X_PLLA = 0.5 and 0.75, and of nonblended film, remained around 179°C upon biodegradation in soil for 20 months. The preferred biodegradation of PCL in blend films resulted in formation of microspheres of a PLLA-rich phase at the surface for the blend film of X_PLLA = 0.25 and the porous structure for blend films of X_PLLA = 0.5 and 0.75. Comparison of the weight loss of blend films in biodegradation in soil with that of the nonenzymatic hydrolysis in phosphate-buffered solution revealed preferred enzymatic degradation of PCL and insignificant attack to PLLA in the blends. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 70: 2259–2268, 1998     

A generalized method of controlled voltage source-fed induction motor vector control using the observer theory

Vector control of induction motors is widely used for industrial applications. On-line parameter identification and speed sensorless control are being studied actively. A representative method for these problems is the application of an adaptive full-order observer. The rotor flux for vector control is estimated by a full-order observer and machine parameters, or the rotor speed is determined by an adaptive algorithm. In this paper, a new vector control scheme with parameter identification is proposed. This method is based on the adaptive full-order observer. However, the observed currents which are usually estimated in the voltage model are considered as command currents and the voltage model is used for the current controller. As a result, the proposed system is simpler than the conventional adaptive full-order observer system. Since the proposed system is composed of an induction motor model in a synchronously rotating reference frame, the well-known slip frequency control block is contained. The arrangement of the poles which are related to the torque transfer function is discussed. A linear model is derived taking into account the effects of the change of the stator and rotor resistances. The trajectories of poles and zeros of the torque transfer function are computed and discussed for various system parameters. Identification of stator and rotor resistances is confirmed by simulation using a nonlinear system model. The proposed idea is applied to a speed sensorless system; this system has a similar configuration to those of existing systems under some assumptions. © 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 119(4): 66–76, 1997     

Development of high voltage harmonic measuring instruments for distribution systems using optical voltage sensor and current sensor

Application of an optical measuring technique was attempted in order to develop harmonic voltage and current measuring instruments for distribution systems. To develop the harmonic voltage measuring system using a Bi₁₂GeO₂₀ crystal as a sensing Pockels cell for high‐voltage distribution lines, zinc oxide elements were adopted as a voltage divider. Also, an optical current sensor system was improved on the harmonic current measuring system using an R₃Fe₅O₁₂ film as a Faraday device. In practical three‐phase distribution systems, the developed high voltage harmonic measuring devices using the optical voltage sensor and current sensor were compared with conventional harmonic analyzers for low voltage. As a result, it was confirmed that the developed high voltage harmonic measuring devices had satisfactory characteristics for practical use. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 128(4): 84–93, 1999