Measurements, analyses and evaluation of residential PV systems by Japanese monitoring program

This paper is about measurements, analyses and evaluation of residential PV systems in the Japanese Monitoring Program, on which JQA was subsidized by NEDO (New Energy Development and Industrial Technology Organization) that is currently proceeding [NSS R&D] from FY1997 to FY 2000.The aim of this investigation refers, through the data evaluation and analyses, to obtain knowledge required for optimizing design of PV systems, such as system performance, characteristics and regional dependency under practical operation and to develop the system evaluation technology on the design parameter method.     

一种新的使用两种比特分辨率图象的块匹配运动估计算法及其低功耗VLSI结构

本文给出了一种新的块匹配运动估计算法,它根据视频图像内容的复杂程度自适应地选择常规的或者低比特分辨率的图像来进行块匹配,并且采用了一种混合使用两种比特分辨率图像的新望远镜搜索算法.模拟结果表明,新算法具有较低的计算复杂性,并且能够保证较好的视频质量.基于该算法,我们设计了一种新的脉动阵列结构的搜索引擎.该引擎具有可分割的数据通道,从而在使用低比特分辨率图像进行块匹配时能够通过加强处理的并行性来提高吞吐率.新的运动估计器可工作在较低的时钟频率和电源电压之下,具有低的功耗消耗.     

Characterization of long-periodic layered structures by X-ray diffraction I: A system for small angle and intermediate angle X-ray diffraction using a reflection kratky camera

A high resolution camera has been developed for the small angle X-ray diffraction measurement of long-periodic layered structures such as Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers, superlattices and liquid crystals. A block collimation system known as a Kratky camera is used to produce a very narrow incident beam. The camera is mounted on a computer-controlled goniometer whose sample holder is rotated around a vertical Θ axis by a pulse motor. Measurements can be carried out in a θ-2θ scan, and also in θ or 2θ scans. Processing of the collected data includes smoothing, and correction for absorption, polarization factor and instrumental broadening. The performance of the present system has been demonstrated by observation of diffraction patterns of a Langmuir-Blodgett film of cadmium arachidate and a GaAs/AlAs superlattice.     

Model analyses for sustainable energy supply under CO2restrictions

This paper aims at clarifying key points for realizing sustainable energy supply under restrictions on CO₂ emissions. For this purpose, the possibility of `solar breeding system' is investigated as a key technology for the sustainable energy supply. Then we describe our mathematical model simulating global energy supply and demand in ultra-long term. Depletion of nonrenewable resources and constraints on CO₂ emissions are taken into consideration in the model. Computed results have shown that existing energy system based on nonrenewable resources shifts to a system based on renewable resources in the ultra-long term with appropriate incentives     

Induction of platelet-activating factor in mice by intravenous administration of a neutral fraction of bakers' yeast mannan

A neutral subfraction of mannan of bakers' yeast (WNM) was found to show a lethal effect in mice when administered intravenously. Symptoms caused by intravenous (i.v.) administration of WNM resembled those resulting from the administration of platelet-activating factor (PAF). CV-3988 and ONO-6240, selective PAF antagonists, prevented hypotension and death caused by the administration of WNM or PAF. A β-adrenoceptor agonist was shown to prevent death caused by WNM, whereas propranolol increased the lethal activity of WNM. Intravenous administration of WNM into mice produced PAF in gall bladder fluid which was determined by platelet aggregation assay. The findings indicate that WNM is able to induce PAF in mice and that the resultant PAF may participate in the WNM-induced lethal activity observed in mice.     

CoCl(2) inhibits neural differentiation of retinoic acid-treated embryoid bodies

The effects of CoCl(2) on retinoic acid (RA)-treated embryoid bodies (EBs) were investigated. Four-day EBs were treated with 5x10(-6) M of RA for 4 d, then subjected to attached culturing for 7 d in the presence of CoCl(2) at 0, 20, and 100 microM. Differentiation into MAP2- and GFAP-immunopositive cells was inhibited by CoCl(2) in a dose-dependent manner. Next, RA-treated EBs were dissociated into single cells and cultured for 7 d at an initial cell density of 1x10(3)/cm(2). The number of cells increased in a CoCl(2)-dose dependent fashion. In cultures with 100 microM of CoCl(2), more than 90% of the cells were immunopositive for nestin and nestin-immunopositive cells formed clusters, while there were few cells immunopositive for MAP2 or GFAP. These results suggest that CoCl(2) inhibits neural differentiation of RA-treated EB cells and promotes the proliferation of nestin-immunopositive cells, i.e., embryonic stem (ES)-derived neural stem-like cells.     

Genetic variation of Listeria monocytogenes isolates from domestic and imported foods in Japan

Phylogenetic analyses were carried out on a total of 118 Listeria monocytogenes isolates from foods or food processing environments, and 7 isolates from listeriosis patients in Japan to evaluate the genetic variation in the pathogen in this country. Isolates of serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b and 4b were mainly examined to assess the risk of exposure of humans to L. monocytogenes from foods in Japan. The nucleotide sequences of the part of the iap gene that contains the region encoding the threonine-asparagine repeat units were determined in order to construct phylogenetic trees of the isolates investigated. A phylogram showed high genetic diversity among lineage 2 isolates, while the lineage 1 isolates showed clonal characteristics. The results of the genetic analyses suggested the presence of rare putative lineage 3 isolates and epidemic clone I (ECI) isolates in foods in Japan. The results showed that ECI was also isolated from listeriosis patients. The genetic variation in L. monocytogenes in Japan reported here suggests the necessity of monitoring the pathogen in foods and environments in addition to surveillance of listeriosis patients.