A simplified cascade current‐source inverter interconnected to a single‐phase three‐wire distribution system and its application to electric energy storage systems with batteries

A novel current source inverter system interconnected to the single‐phase grid is proposed. It has the same construction as the conventional three‐phase current source inverter that is interconnected to the single‐phase three‐wire distribution system. Though the proposed circuit has no output transformer, it can be equivalently performed as the single‐phase double cascade inverter by diverting the pole transformer in the utility system. By controlling the appropriate scheme, the output currents can be obtained as the five‐level waveforms and their distortions can be decreased sufficiently. It is applied to the interactive electric energy storage system with batteries and the basic discharging characteristics are discussed experimentally. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 150(2): 50–61, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10380     

Rapid determination of the membrane potential of mitochondria in small biopsy specimens of the liver

In liver transplantation, graft viability is ideally to be determined before implantation. Integrity of mitochondria may be a prerequisite to a viable graft. A new method is presented, which allows for the determination of the membrane potential of mitochondria (MPM; mV) in state 4 respiration within 50 min in 40-mg specimens, employing rhodamine 123 as a probe. Normal control showed a MPM of 239.2 mV. Storage in saline at 37 degrees C yielded an impaired MPM of 153.5 mV within 3 h. The cold storage at 1 degree C could preserve MPM at quasi-normal after 3 h but reduced it significantly after 24 h to 222.2 mV in saline (p < 0.005 vs. control) and 231.0 mV in UW solution (p < 0.05 vs. control): the difference between the 24-hour values was significant (p < 0.05).     

Effects of lamotrigine and conventional antiepileptic drugs on amygdala- and hippocampal-kindled seizures in rats

A computer aided monitor-data processing system (CAMP-System) was developed in order to get a consistent and comprehensive database which can very precisely reflect intra-operative haemodynamic courses. The goal of the present study was to introduce a new method to scan and to gauge haemodynamic courses and to demonstrate its superiority over the traditional way of data processing based on a handwritten anaesthesia protocol. METHODS: The computerized system was applied to a study which was designed to investigate the influence of ketanserin (K) vs. urapidil (U) on haemodynamic stability during cardiac operations. Twenty male patients scheduled for myocardial revascularization received either 20 mg K or 30 mg U. Heart rate, central venous, arterial and pulmonary artery pressures were measured and on-line recorded every 20 seconds by the computer record system. In the handwritten protocol these variables were registered at eight pre-defined time points. Computerized data processing (including artifact depletion and data condensation) was compared to the results evaluated from the handwritten protocol. RESULTS: While the only significant differences in the handwritten protocol were slightly higher values of pulmonary artery pressures in group K, the computer analysis revealed a number of further differences. Higher maximum and a less stable time course of HR in group K in the pre-bypass phase and lower mean and standard deviation of MAP during cardiopulmonary bypass. CONCLUSION: Computerized data processing including automatic artifact suppression and data condensation was able to reveal differences in the course of haemodynamic variables that cannot be detected in a conventional handwritten protocol.     

Energy and spectral dynamics in decaying compressible turbulence

The statistical properties of decaying compressible turbulence are investigated by direct numerical simulations of flow in a periodic cube. Starting with fully developed turbulence for various microscale Reynolds numbersR , rms Mach numbersM, and small- and large-scale compressive ratiosr _CS andr _CL , we find that the kinetic energy exhibits an exponential decay in time. Interactions between the compressive and rotational components of kinetic energy are weaker than self-interactions of the respective components. The energy spectrum of rotational component obeys the same Kolmogorov similarity law as for incompressible turbulence and forced compressible turbulence. The form of the energy spectrum of the compressive component, on the other hand, depends strongly onM. As the turbulence decays freely,R andM decrease in time butr _CS andr _CL tend to some universal values.     

Fibrous support for immobilization of enzymes

A poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fiber support incorporating various aminoacetal functional groups has been developed for immobilizing enzymes. The aminated PVA fiber seems to adsorb enzymes with electrostatic force of attraction; thus the immobilization procedure is simple. By the use of this fiber having immobilized enzymes, the reaction between enzymes and substrates is nearly independent of the size of subtstrates. This newly developed type of fiber, which is formed by a mass superfine fibers (SFF), each measuring 1 μm or less in diameter, permits much more increased surface area than the conventional enzyme immobilization supports. Our studies of the properties of the fiber for immobilization of enzymes show the following results: (1) SFF has a greater ability for the immobilization of invertase than ordinary fibers; (2) dimethyl-aminated SFF has the best performance for the immobilization of invertase. From these results, it is concluded that the dimethyl-aminated SFF is an excellent support for the immobilization of invertase.     

Graft copolymerization of styrene onto cellulose acetate p-nitrobenzoate by chain transfer reaction

Styrene was grafted onto cellulose acetate p-nitrobenzoate (CANB) by chain transfer reaction of growing polymer radicals to the pendant nitro groups of CANB. A copolymer with a branch for every 17.2 nitro groups was obtained. This result indicates that the pendant aromatic nitro group is more effective in obtaining a graft copolymer by radical mechanism than pendant double bond on the trunk polymer previously reported, where graft copolymers with a branch for several hundred of double bonds are produced.     

Potential bile acid metabolites. 24. An efficient synthesis of carboxyl-linked glucosides and their chemical properties

A facile and efficient synthesis of the carboxyl-linked glucosides of bile acids is described. Direct esterification of unprotected bile acids with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-d-glucopyranose in pyridine in the presence of 2-chloro-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene as a coupling agent afforded a mixture of the α- and β-anomers (ca. 1∶3) of the 1-O-acyl-d-glucoside benzyl ethers of bile acids, which was separated effectively on a C₁₈ reversedphase chromatography column (isolated yields of α- and β-anomers are 4–9% and 12–19%, respectively). Subsequent hydrogenolysis of the α- and β-acyl glucoside benzyl ethers on a 10% Pd−C catalyst in acetic acid/methanol/EtOAc (1∶2∶2, by vol) at 35°C under atmospheric pressure gave the corresponding free esters in good yields (79–89%). Chemical specificities such as facile hydrolysis and transesterification of the acyl glucosides in various solvents were also discussed.     

Effect of reaction kinetics of polymer electrolyte on the ion‐conductive behavior for poly(oligo oxyethylene methacrylate)–LiTFSI mixtures

The effect of the reaction kinetics on the ionic conductivity for a comblike‐type polyether (MEO) electrolyte with lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) was characterized by DSC, complex impedance measurements, and ¹H pulse NMR spectroscopy. The ionic conductivity of these electrolytes was affected by the reaction condition of the methacrylate monomer and revealed by the glass transition temperature (T_g), spin–spin relaxation time (T₂), steric effects of the terminal groups, and the number of charge carriers indicated by the VTF kinetic parameter. In this system, the electrolytes prepared by the reaction heating rate of 10°C/min of MEO–H and 15°C/min of MEO–CH₃ showed maximum ionic conductivity, σ_i, two to three times higher in magnitude than that of the σ_i of the others at room temperature. As experimental results, the reaction kinetic rate affected the degree of conversion, the ionic conductivity, and the relaxation behaviors of polyether electrolytes. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2149–2156, 2003     

The Somatropin Reference Standard (Control 951) of the National Institute of Health Sciences

Somatropin material was examined for preparation of the "Somatropin Reference Standard". The candidate material was evaluated by a domestic collaborative study in which eight laboratories participated. The protein content was determined to be 4.5 mg/Vial based on amino acid analysis. Because of the possibility of application as a chemical reference standard for assay by the HPLC method, a physico-chemical evaluation of the candidate material was also performed. By SE-HPLC, the content of polymer, dimer were determined to be 0.54%, 0.98%, respectively. By RP-HPLC, the early peak area ascribed to desamido and sulfoxide form was 1.07% of the total peak area. And for informational data, the potency of the candidate material, being estimated by three different biological methods, weight gain assay, tibia test and adiposeconversion assay is 14.8 IU/vial. Based on the above results, the candidate was authorized as the Somatropin Reference Standard of the National Institute of Health Sciences.     

Development of a stable localized visual inspection system for underwater structures

To avert potential crisis from Japan’s aging infrastructure and declining birth rate, the Japanese Government is planning to introduce robotic technology for the inspection of social infrastructure (such as pipes, dams, and bridges). Recording underwater positions is a difficult task for human divers who undertake conventional dam inspections. This study presents the Anchor Diver 5.2 system for efficient and effectual dam inspection. Anchor Diver 5.2 is based on an extended-tether-maneuvered remotely operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with cameras. The ROV is lowered into water by a hoist system from a boat and implements a visual survey of the concrete underwater structure. To improve the visibility of the ROV in murky and cloudy water, a novel concept named Water Loupe is proposed. In addition, a simple boat-fixing method is proposed to provide a stable base on the water surface, and the underwater position of the ROV, which cannot be accessed by global positioning systems, is recorded using a feasible localization method. Finally, the developed system was evaluated in field experiments conducted in the Amagase Dam, Japan, and its merits and problems are discussed.