A multiagent‐based microgrid operation method considering charging and discharging strategies of electric vehicles

In this paper, we propose a multiagent‐based microgrid (MG) operation method considering charging and discharging electric vehicles (EVs). The proposed system consists of five types of agents: single microgrid controller agent, several load agents, several gas turbines/engine agents, several photovoltaic generation agents, and several electric vehicle agents. In the proposed method, the load balancing can be realized by suppressing sudden fluctuations in supply and demand balance due to the synchronization of charging and discharging of EVs. From the simulation results, it can be seen that the proposed multiagent system could realize the load equalization in MG.     

Kinetic resolution of an indan derivative using Bacillus sp. SUI-12: synthesis of a key intermediate of the melatonin receptor agonist TAK-375

The chiral indan derivative (S)-2 (2-[(8S)-1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl]ethyl-amine) was synthesized by enzyme-catalyzed asymmetric hydrolysis of the racemic acetamide 1 (N-[2-(1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl)ethyl]acetamide). The reaction was carried out using Bacillus sp. SUI-12 screened for the ability to hydrolyze 1 to give (S)-2 with high enantioselectivity. In a scaled-up experiment, a low reaction rate was observed. However, by changing the culture medium and the reaction conditions, it became possible to run the reaction to 40% conversion on a 10-g or more scale, obtaining (S)-2 at >;99% enantiomeric excess (ee). The (S)-2 obtained was available for the synthesis of the melatonin receptor agonist TAK-375 (N-[2-[(8S)-1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl]ethyl]propanamide).     

Meniscal cyst in the posterior intercondylar space found by magnetic resonance imaging

We report a rare case of meniscal cyst from the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus, extending in the posterior intercondylar space of the right knee of a 15-year-old boy, in whom magnetic resonance imaging was very useful for evaluation. A cyst in this location has not been reported previously. The cyst was removed surgically, while preserving the lateral meniscus. A good result was obtained, and no recurrence has been seen in 12 months.     

Multivariate evaluation of prognostic determinants for renal cell carcinomas which are metastatic at initial diagnosis

To clarify the relative importance of clinicopathological factors potentially affecting the survival of individuals initially diagnosed as having metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), univariate and multivariate analyses using Cox's proportional hazards model were performed for 111 RCC patients who were admitted to four hospitals in Nagoya, Japan, between 1978 and 1993. Survival time was calculated from the date of diagnosis to the date of death or the end of May, 1995. Nineteen factors (17 clinically applicable before treatment and 2 histological in nature) were included for assessment. Univariate analysis revealed that 10 of the total 19 factors were significantly associated with patient survival. Multivariate analysis found 7 factors to be statistically significant determinants. Survival was further evaluated by categorizing the patients into three groups according to the number of the 7 factors. These groups showed clearly different survivals (log-rank test, p < 0.0001), confirming the importance of the 7 factors as definite determinants. They should therefore prove to be of advantage for classifying metastatic RCC patients when designing clinical prospective studies of immunotherapy and chemotherapy.     

Effects of operating potential and temperature on degradation of electrocatalyst layer for PEFCs

The objective of this research work is to clarify essential factors related to degradation of PEFC electrodes. The degradation of Pt catalysts and the carbon support after a daily start and stop (DSS) operation was evaluated separately by measuring the electrochemical active area (S_Pt) and the double layer charging current (I_DL) with cyclic voltammetry without and with CO adsorption on Pt catalyst surfaces, respectively. Corrosion of the carbon support was accelerated mainly by raising the operating potential to 0.90 V, which was observed by increase in I_DL. The high-temperature operation at 90 °C or high-potential operation at 0.90 V resulted in a dramatic decrease in S_Pt. In contrast, it was found that the apparent cell performance was not so degraded probably because the decrease in S_Pt was cancelled by an increase in the proton conductance in the swollen ionomer. The agglomeration of Pt catalyst particles and their migration in the electrolyte membrane were also analyzed by TEM observation after the DSS operations.     

Prediction of a New Ligand-Binding Site for Type 2 Motif based on the Crystal Structure of ALG-2 by Dry and Wet Approaches

ALG-2 is a penta-EF-hand Ca(2+)-binding protein and interacts with a variety of intracellular proteins. Two types of ALG-2-binding motifs have been determined: type 1, PXYPXnYP (X, variable; n = 4), in ALIX and PLSCR3; type 2, PXPGF, in Sec31A and PLSCR3. The previously solved X-ray crystal structure of the complex between ALG-2 and an ALIX peptide containing type 1 motif showed that the peptide binds to Pocket 1 and Pocket 2. Co-crystallization of ALG-2 and type 2 motif-containing peptides has not been successful. To gain insights into the molecular basis of type 2 motif recognition, we searched for a new hydrophobic cavity by computational algorithms using MetaPocket 2.0 based on 3D structures of ALG-2. The predicted hydrophobic pocket designated Pocket 3 fits with N-acetyl-ProAlaProGlyPhe-amide, a virtual penta-peptide derived from one of the two types of ALG-2-binding sites in PLSCR3 (type 2 motif), using the molecular docking software AutoDock Vina. We investigated effects of amino acid substitutions of the predicted binding sites on binding abilities by pulldown assays using glutathione-S-transferase -fused ALG-2 of wild-type and mutant proteins and lysates of cells expressing green fluorescent protein -fused PLSCR3 of wild-type and mutants. Substitution of either L52 with Ala or F148 with Ser of ALG-2 caused loss of binding abilities to PLSCR3 lacking type 1 motif but retained those to PLSCR3 lacking type 2 motif, strongly supporting the hypothesis that Pocket 3 is the binding site for type 2 motif.