An attempt to add biological functions by genetic engineering in order to produce high-performance bioreactor cells for hybrid artificial liver: transfection of glutamine synthetase into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell

Ureteral triplication is a rare congenital anomaly of the upper urinary tract. It is reported to be associated with an increased incidence of congenital anomalies as well as a predisposition to infection and calculus formation. We report a case of type 1 variant of ureteral triplication associated with vesicoureteral reflux into lower and mid pole ureters in a solitary kidney. To our knowledge ureteral triplication in a solitary kidney has not been described previously.     

A Scheduling Protocol for Continuous Media Data Broadcasting With Large-Scale Data Segmentation

Due to the recent popularization of mobile multimedia broadcasting, broadcasting continuous media data such as audio and video has attracted great deal of attention. In general continuous media data broadcasting, since clients have to wait to receive data before playing it, various schemes to reduce waiting time have been studied. Some reduce the waiting time by dividing the data into several segments and broadcasting preceding segments frequently with a single channel. However, by dividing the data into numerous segments and producing an effective broadcast schedule, the waiting time can be further reduced. In this paper, we propose a scheduling protocol to reduce waiting time with large-scale data segmentation.     

Development of a city‐type compact wind power generation system

It is necessary to use renewable energy, such as photovoltaic, wind power, and biomass energy, from the viewpoint of CO₂ regulation and environmental protection of the Earth. In recent years, the tendency is toward larger wind power generation systems to achieve cheaper electricity. Generators having capacities of 1500 kW to 2000 kW tend to dominate the market. However, a large wind power generation system has limitations in terms of location and can be installed only in the suburbs. At the same time, a city‐type compact wind power generation system, designed for city needs, has more flexibility and can be installed in the residential areas of a city. In this paper, we introduce an original control operation system called a “pump‐up” operation system, designed to effectively use the city wind, and report the results of its field test. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 158(2): 56–63, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20440     

Study of Passive Deck-Flaps Flutter Control System on Full Bridge Model. I: Theory

A passive aerodynamic control method for suppression of the wind-induced instabilities of a very long span bridge is presented in this paper. The control system consists of additional control flaps attached to the edges of the bridge deck. Control flap rotations are governed by prestressed springs and additional cables spanned between the control flaps and an auxiliary transverse beam supported by the main cables of the bridge. The rotational movement of the flaps is used to modify the aerodynamic forces acting on the deck and provides aerodynamic forces on the flaps used to stabilize the bridge. A time-domain formulation of self-excited forces for the whole three-dimensional suspension bridge model is obtained through a rational function approximation of the generalized Theodorsen function and implemented in the FEM formulation. This paper lays the theoretical groundwork for the one that follows.     

Characterization of acylmono-, mono-, di-, tri- and tetraglycosylsterol and saponin in Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) seeds

Five sterylglycosides (acylmono-, mono-, di tri- and tetraglycosylsterol) and a saponin were isolated from Adzuki beans and characterized. In the glycosylsterols, the principal component sterols were sitosterol and stigmasterol; the major sugar component was glucose. The glucose units were shown to be linked by β1,6-bonds. The three oligoglycosylsterols were shown to be gentiobiosylsterol, gentiotriosylsterol and gentiotetraosylsterol; the latter two are novel sterylglycosides. The saponin was identified as glucopyranosyl-(β1→2)-glucopyranurosyl-(β1→3′)-soyasapogenol B (Azukisaponin I) which had previously been found in Adzuki beans.     

Environmental protection: researches in National Institute of Radiological Sciences

Some studies for radiological protection of the environment have been made at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS). Transfer of radionuclides and related elements has been investigated for dose estimation of non-human biota. A parameter database and radionuclide transfer models have been also developed for the Japanese environments. Dose (rate)-effect relationships for survival, growth and reproduction have been investigated in conifers, Arabidopsis, fungi, earthworms, springtails, algae, duckweeds, daphnia and medaka. Also genome-wide gene expression analysis has been carried out by high coverage expression profiling (HiCEP). Effects on aquatic microbial communities have been studied in experimental ecosystem models, i.e., microcosms. Some effects were detected at a dose rate of 1 Gy day(-1) and were likely to arise from interspecies interactions. The results obtained at NIRS have been used in development of frameworks for environmental protection by some international bodies, and will contribute to environmental protection in Japan and other Asian countries.     

Molecular structure of La3+-induced methanol dehydrogenase-like protein in Methylobacterium radiotolerans

La(3+) and not Ca(2+) increases methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) activity in Methylobacterium radiotolerans NBRC15690. La(3+)- and Ca(2+)-MDH-like proteins were found to be homodimeric (α(2)) and heterotetrameric (α(2)β(2)), respectively. N-terminal amino acid sequences of these proteins revealed that La(3+)- and Ca(2+)-MDH-like proteins were encoded by xoxF and mxaFI, respectively.     

Evaluation of Two Anchor Plate Capacity Models for Maw Systems

The present paper examines the accuracy of two models used to predict the capacity of single square plate anchors used in multi-anchor wall (MAW) systems constructed in Japan. Measured anchor plate capacities from full-scale in situ load tests reported in the literature are compared to predicted values using the analytical model recommended in Japan. A modified anchor capacity model is proposed that preserves the general form of the PWRC equation, but introduces correction factors to improve accuracy. The correction factors are empirically-based and are selected by back-fitting measured loads to achieve a resistance bias mean equal to one and a low coefficient of variation (COV) in bias values. The results of a large number of small-scale anchor capacity tests carried out in pullout boxes were used to guide the selection of back-fitted parameters. The correction factors account for the influence of the confining pressure (anchor depth), the plate size and the anchor rod length on the anchor plate capacity. New N_c and N_q factors are also presented as part of the new model. The bias statistics for the two models comprise an important contribution to future reliability-based calibrations of the ultimate anchor capacity limit state for MAW systems in Japan.     

Surgical treatment of an aortic arch aneurysm: reports of 2 cases with lesion of the arch vessels

A 48-year old woman underwent surgery for an aortic arch aneurysm with stenosis or dilatation of three arch vessels caused by aortitis syndrome. Total arch replacement and reconstruction of three arch vessels were performed with hypothermic selective cerebral perfusion (SCP). To avoid atheroembolism and malperfusion to the brain, the rt. common carotid artery was perfused via the rt. subclavian artery through the dacron vascular graft and the lt. subclavian artery was cannulated and perfused distally to stenosis. A 65-year-old man who had an atherosclerotic aortic arch aneurysm with severe stenosis of the brachiocephalic artery underwent operation. In the operation, extracorporeal circulation was instituted with the arterial return through the lt. subclavian artery. Same as case 1, total arch replacement and reconstruction of three arch vessels were performed under hypthermic SCP. In this case, the left common carotid artery was transected and cannulated directly into the vessel, instead of cannulation through the aortic lumen because of atheromatous plaques in the orifice of the left common carotid artery. The patients recovered uneventfully and doing well now.