High-precision voltage-measuring method using fast sampled data for electric power systems

Control and protection equipment in power systems requires higher sensitivity and operational reliability to meet today's changing power system requirements. The voltage-measuring deviation requirement for advanced voltage and var control equipment is less than 0.1 percent under conditions of harmonic distortion in the voltage waveform and power-system frequency variation. Studies on digital signal processing suitable for electric power systems showed that these requirements are satisfied using fast sampling and very fast 32-bit floating point operations by a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). This paper describes the design philosophy of a high-precision power system voltage-measuring method using fast sampled data. In addition, total voltage-measuring deviation characteristics under a combination of the techniques are described along with digital filter characteristics, frequency-measuring deviation characteristics, frequency variation versus gain-compensation characteristics of a digital filter, and peak value operating principles.     

Computer analysis of random and channeled backscattering spectra

Three types of computer codes are described which simulate random and channeled backscattering spectra from: (1) multielemental, multilayered structures, (2) specimens with inhomogneously distributed impurities and (3) single crystals damaged by ion implantation. Both effects of energy fluctuation and isotopic shifts from each constituent element are taken into account in the simulation. The elemental compositions and layer thicknesses of multielemental, multilayered films and the damage distributions induced by ion implantation are determined by fitting the simulated spectrum to the corresponding experimental one. The effect of surface and interface roughness on the spectrum shape is also discussed.     

Resolution of small molecules by passage through an open capillary

When a solute passes through an open capillary, in which a laminar flow is established, different peak profiles can be obtained according to its diffusion property under a working condition, i.e., the radius and length of the capillary and the flow rate of the carrier solution. If a solute diffuses over the entire cross section of the capillary before it is eluted, a Gaussian-shaped diffusion peak appears, which has an apex at the travel time of the average flow. Insufficient solute diffusion, which is realized, e.g., by increasing flow rates or capillary radius, produces a new peak having an apex at the travel time of the maximum flow. This implies that two solutes can be resolved simply by passing through a capillary. However, our previous study indicated that the diffusion coefficients of two solutes should be at least one order different for their resolution based on this principle, suggesting that its applicability is highly restricted. In the present paper, this concept has been extended to the resolution between dissolved solutes that have similar intrinsic diffusion properties. The incorporation of molecular aggregates in the carrier makes a solute less diffusive according to the extent of their interaction and allows the resolution of a dissolved molecule from other ones differing in the affinity to the molecular aggregates. Several examples of peak resolution for phenols, aromatic hydrocarbons, and inorganic anions are shown and discussed on the basis of the modification of the diffusion natures due to their interactions with micelles or vesicles.     

Sarcomere shortening and contraction nodes in stretched-restrained ovine myofibres during post mortem storage

Myofibres of muscles removed from the carcass shorten during rigor mortis. Whether myofibres of stretched and restrained muscle tissues shorten during post mortem storage was examined. Muscle strips removed from the semimembranosus muscle of sheep before rigor onset were stretched and restrained. The muscle strips were fixed separately in formalin solution from 1.5 hr to 12 days post mortem, and embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained with Mallory-azan. Some myofibres in the pre-rigor-excised and stretched-restrained muscle strips had contraction nodes at 1 day post mortem. The contraction node did not increase in frequency hereafter. Two to several successive sarcomeres shortened regularly to form the nodes parallel to the Z-line. In addition, several successive sarcomeres shortened partly and successively from one side to the other side to form the nodes oblique to the Z-line. Oblique and irregular contraction nodes appear to cause kinks or bends of myofibres. Sarcomere lengths were not always uniform in individual myofibres. Formation of contraction nodes and shortening of partial sarcomeres in the stretched-restrained myofibres indicate that the myofibres shorten individually during rigor mortis and vary in shortening states as in muscles left on the carcass.     

Fibroblast growth factor,estrogen, and prolactin receptor features in different grades of prostatic adenocarcinoma in elderly men

The objective was to characterize and associate the receptor reactivities of fibroblastic growth factor (FGF)‐2, FGF‐7, FGF‐8, epidermal growth factor (EGF), α‐actin and vimentin in relation to the androgen receptor (AR), α and β estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), and prolactin receptor in the prostate of elderly men showing low‐ and high‐grade adenocarcinoma. Thirty prostatic samples were taken from 60‐ to 90‐year‐old patients without prostatic lesions and with low‐grade cancer and high‐grade cancer, from the University Hospital, School of Medicine, the State University of Campinas. The results showed that increased FGF‐2, FGF‐7, and FGF‐8 receptor reactivities and decreased AR reactivity were verified in both high‐ and low‐grade cancer. However, the FGF‐8 receptor showed greater involvement at the beginning of the malignancy alterations. Increased EGF receptor (EGFR) reactivity and diminished α‐actin immunohistochemistry were identified in both cancer groups. Also, increased ERα, PR, and vimentin receptors were verified in both cancer groups. To conclude, the ERα involvement in the reactive stroma activation led to a microenvironment, which was favorable to cancer progression, due to maximizing stromal imbalance. The prolactin could be related to cancer progression due to its interaction with ERα action, indicating that this hormone could be a relevant target to prevent the estrogenic effects in the prostatic lesions. Both FGF receptor (FGFR)‐2 and FGFR‐8 play a fundamental role in the early stages of prostate cancer, suggesting that these molecules could be a promising therapeutic target. The differential localization of the fibroblastic factors between the prostatic epithelium and stroma of elderly men, who presented prostate cancer, could indicate a favorable distinction for tumoral progression. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:321–330, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Impaired stereoacuity due to a lesion in the left pulvinar

A right-handed patient with a haematoma in the left pulvinar showed impaired stereoacuity. In contrast with previous reports, he did not show peripheral visual extinction or prolonged reaction times for targets on the side contralateral to the lesion.