Collaboration is key internationally

Today, many universities report record numbers of students enrolling in power and energy engineering courses. The power and energy industry shows strong interest in hiring qualified graduates, and the latter see exciting employment opportunities. Issues of power, energy, and environmental impact increasingly are at the center of interest at local conferences, are on the agenda of world summits, and are subject to active debate. The quest for effective and environmentally friendly solutions to energy problems stands at the forefront of a new era. The challenges involved call for an active interaction of university and industry in research and education, and this is the main subject of this article. The article is intended to give the reader an insight into existing forms of collaboration, to evaluate the benefits, and to discuss the trends of active interaction of university and industry in the diverse cultures of different countries. Typical mechanisms of collaboration are reviewed and the benefits resulting from collaboration for both industry and university are evaluated and elaborated upon. Based on these considerations, desirable features of university-industry collaboration today and in the future are discussed.     

Oxygen-saving effect of a new cardiotonic agent, MCI-154, in diseased human hearts

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the left ventricular mechanoenergetic effects of a novel Ca2+ sensitizing agent, MCI-154, on diseased human hearts compared with dobutamine. BACKGROUND: Unlike conventional cardiotonic agents, a Ca2+ sensitizer that could produce a positive inotropic action by altering the responsiveness of myofilament to Ca2+ could generate force with smaller amounts of Ca2+; thus, it may potentially save energy expenditure. METHODS: The left ventricular pressure-volume relation and myocardial oxygen consumption per beat (Vo2) were measured by a conductance (volume) catheter and a Webster catheter. Left ventricular contractility (Emax), systolic pressure-volume area (PVA [index of left ventricular total mechanical energy]) and Vo2 were assessed before and after infusion of MCI-154 or dobut-amine. The PVA-independent Vo2 (Vo2 mainly for excitation-contraction coupling) was assessed as the Vo2 at zero PVA. RESULTS: Both agents increased Emax comparably (dobutamine: from 3.55 +/- 1.10 [mean +/- SD] to 5.04 +/- 1.16 mm Hg/ml per m2, p < 0.0001; MCI-154: from 3.36 +/- 1.26 to 5.37 +/- 2.14 mm Hg/ml per m2, p < 0.0001); dobutamine increased total Vo2 (from 0.22 +/- 0.08 to 0.27 +/- 0.09 ml O2, p < 0.05) and PVA-independent Vo2 (from 0.019 +/- 0.019 to 0.091 +/- 0.051 ml O2, p < 0.005); but MCI-154 did not change these variables significantly. Consequently, the oxygen cost of contractility (delta PVA-independent Vo2/delta Emax) was less with MCI-154 than with dobutamine (0.14 +/- 0.18 vs. 1.10 +/- 0.80 J/mm Hg per ml per m2, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the cardiotonic action mediated by MCI-154 could provide an energetic advantage over the conventional cardiotonic action with currently used inotropic agents.     

Active coordinated operation of a distribution network system for many connections of distributed generators

Recently, the total number of distributed generators (DGs) such as photovoltaic generation system and wind turbine generation system connected to an actual distribution network has increased drastically. The distribution network connected to many distributed generators must be operated keeping reliability of power supply, power quality, and loss minimization. In order to accomplish active distribution network operation to take advantage of many connections of DGs, a new coordinated operation of distribution system with many connections of DGs is necessary. In this paper, the authors propose a coordinated operation of distribution network system connected to many DGs by using newly proposed sectionalizing switch control, sending voltage control, and computation of available DG connection capability. In order to check the validity of the proposed coordinated operation of distribution system, numerical simulations using the proposed coordinated distribution system operation are carried out in a practical distribution network model. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 167(3): 46–57, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20655     

Multilayered transformer utilizing Mn‐Zn ferrite and its application to a forward‐type DC–DC converter

This paper describes the electrical characteristics of a multilayered transformer composed of a Mn‐Zn ferrite core, and primary and secondary conductors positioned alternately not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction. In order to elucidate the operating characteristics of the two types of transformers, one was given the conventional planar winding structure and the other the new winding structure described above, and a two‐dimensional finite element method that took account of the two conditions and a constant input voltage and load current was introduced. The coupling coefficient of the conventional multilayered transformer deteriorated with increasing load current. But the coupling coefficient of the proposed multilayered transformer was independent of the load current. A forward‐type DC–DC converter using the new multilayered transformer had higher efficiency than a converter using the conventional multilayered transformer. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 135(4): 1–8, 2001     

Surgical indications for and limitations of staged transsphenoidal surgery for large pituitary tumors

Surgical indications and limitations of transsphenoidal surgery and intentionally staged transsphenoidal surgery for large pituitary tumors were investigated by retrospective analysis of the surgical and neuroradiological findings of 22 patients with large tumor and suprasellar extension. Twelve patients underwent intentionally staged transsphenoidal surgery, and 10 underwent combined transsphenoidal and transcranial surgeries. Successful removal by intentionally staged surgery required descent of the suprasellar part following the first transsphenoidal surgery. Analysis showed that a smooth suprasellar extension and/or soft tumor are indications for intentionally staged transsphenoidal surgery even in patients with small sella. However, lobulated suprasellar extension, fibrous and firm tumor without descent, and small sella with normal pituitary gland located at the bottom of the sella are contraindications for staged transsphenoidal surgery. The first transsphenoidal surgery is always indicated to achieve histological confirmation and decompression of optic nerves. Transcranial surgery should be attempted instead of repeated transsphenoidal surgeries when the residual tumor does not descend following the first transsphenoidal surgery.     

Genetic control of natural killing and in vivo tumor elimination by the Chok locus

The molecular mechanisms underlying target recognition during natural killing are not well understood. One approach to dissect the complexities of natural killer (NK) cell recognition is through exploitation of genetic differences among inbred mouse strains. In this study, we determined that interleukin 2-activated BALB/c-derived NK cells could not lyse Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells as efficiently as C57BL/6-derived NK cells, despite equivalent capacity to kill other targets. This strain-determined difference was also exhibited by freshly isolated NK cells, and was determined to be independent of host major histocompatibility haplotype. Furthermore, CHO killing did not correlate with expression of NK1.1 or 2B4 activation molecules. Genetic mapping studies revealed linkage between the locus influencing CHO killing, termed Chok, and loci encoded within the NK gene complex (NKC), suggesting that Chok encodes an NK cell receptor specific for CHO cells. In vivo assays recapitulated the in vitro data, and both studies determined that Chok regulates an NK perforin-dependent cytotoxic process. These results may have implications for the role of NK cells in xenograft rejection. Our genetic analysis suggests Chok is a single locus that affects NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity similar to other NKC loci that also regulate the complex activity of NK cells.     

Extra-anal mucosectomy: laparascopic-assisted endorectal pull-through using a prolapsing technique

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The mucosectomy of the aganglionic rectal mucosa has been performed transabdominally in the Soave procedure. Recently, mucosectomy with transanal approach was reported both in the laparoscopic and the open surgical procedure. However, the operative view and working field are restricted because the dissection has to be done in the anal canal. The authors report an innovative approach, an extra-anal mucosectomy, to perform mucosectomy in the Soave procedure for Hirschspung's disease in combination with the laparoscopic-assisted prolapsing technique. METHODS: Four patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for Hirschsprung's disease with extra-anal mucosectomy between 1995 and 1997. One 10-mm and 5-mm ports were used throughout the operation. The rectum was pulled out through the anal canal to create a rectal prolapse and was divided outside the anal canal. The mucosectomy was performed in the everted rectal mucosa outside the anal canal to the level of dentate line. The colon was sutured to the anal mucosa 2 mm above the dentate line. Mean operative time was 3 hours. RESULTS: The present technique made the whole mucosectomy possible under direct observation. CONCLUSION: The extra-anal mucosectomy in conjunction with a laparoscopic-assisted prolapsing technique seems to be a safe and reliable modality in the surgical treatment of Hirschsprung's disease.     

Use of the protective antigen of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and latex agglutination

To establish a safe and convenient serodiagnostic method for swine erysipelas, a purified protective protein antigen of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, which included a large amount of protective protein (64 kDa protein), was used for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the latex agglutination (LA) test. In the ELISA, the antisera to four different serovars (1a, 2, 5 and 20) of E. rhusiopathiae exhibit a positive reaction, while antisera to other species of bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus suis, Rhodococcus equi and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis) exhibit a negative reaction. In the LA test, the antisera to three different serovars (1a, 2 and 5) of E. rhusiopathiae reacted with P64-sensitized latex beads, while the antiserum to serovar 20 (2553 strain) did not. Moreover, the antisera to other species of bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus suis, Rhodococcus equi and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis) did not in this test. Comparing the results of the growth agglutination (GA), ELISA and LA tests of 284 swine sera, there was a high degree of correlation among the results. The detection of anti-E. rhusiopathiae antibodies in the GA, ELISA and LA tests were compared using sera from pigs immunized with P64, alkaline extract (AE) and live-cell vaccine (LV). In all three tests, anti-E. rhusiopathiae antibodies could be detected 1 week after immunization. The serum antibody titre as determined by the LA test increased moderately, as did that by the GA test, while that determined by ELISA increased rapidly. These results suggested that ELISA could be used to monitor changes in anti-E. rhusiopathiae antibody titre and the LA test could be used in the screening test for swine erysipelas.     

Design of a Large Orbit Gyrotron with a Permanent Magnet System

The paper presents results of numerical analysis and outlines the computer-aided design of a novel high-harmonic gyrotron with a beam of electrons gyrating along axis-encircling trajectories. The electron beam is formed by a novel electron-optical system (EOS) based on an electron gun of diode type with thermionic cathode and gradual reversal of the magnetic field. The results of numerical simulations predict satisfactory performance of the EOS and appropriate beam quality parameters. The tube design allows one to install different cavities optimized for excitation of TE_4,1 mode at the fourth harmonic of the cyclotron frequency or TE_3,1 mode at the third one. The target parameters of the device are: frequency about 112 GHz; output power near 1 kW and efficiency of several percent.     

Apolipoprotein-mediated removal of cellular cholesterol and phospholipids

It is widely believed that high density lipoprotein (HDL) protects against cardiovascular disease by removing excess cholesterol from cells of the artery wall. Recent cell culture studies have provided evidence that a major pathway for removing cholesterol and phospholipids from cells is mediated by the direct interactions of HDL apolipoproteins (apo) with plasma membrane domains. These interactions efficiently clear cells of excess sterol by targeting for removal pools of cholesterol that feed into the cholesteryl ester cycle. The precursors for this pathway in vivo are likely to be lipid-free or lipid-poor apolipoproteins generated either by dissociation from the surface of HDL particles or by de novo synthesis. Fibroblasts from subjects with a severe HDL deficiency syndrome called Tangier disease have a cellular defect that prevents apolipoproteins from removing both cholesterol and phospholipids from cells. This defect is associated with a near absence of plasma HDL, markedly below normal low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, and the appearance of macrophage foam cells in tissues. Thus, an inability of nascent apoA-I to acquire cellular lipids results in a rapid clearance of apoA-I from the plasma, decreased production and increased clearance of LDL, and sterol deposition in tissue macrophages. Although the molecular properties of this pathway are still poorly understood, these studies imply that the apolipoprotein-mediated pathway for removal of cellular lipids is a major source of plasma cholesterol and phospholipids and plays an important role in clearing excess cholesterol from macrophages in vivo.