A study of switching techniques using serial and parallel resistors for power system stabilization

In recent years, electric power systems have become more and more complicated and large‐scale. As a result, transient stability problems and voltage problems in power systems are being taken more seriously. In this paper, switching techniques using serial and parallel resistors for power system stabilization are proposed, and computer simulations and experiments using a transmission simulator were performed. The effectiveness of the stabilization was shown because a system swing was damped off by the on–off control of the series and parallel resistors. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 142(2): 59–67, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10081     

Structural Analysis of Hepta-, Nona-, and Undeca-Cyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by NMR Spectroscopy

Large condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (LCPAHs) generally have distorted structures due to steric repulsion between neighboring hydrogen atoms. The distortion may influence their physicochemical properties such as electric conductivity, photoconductivity, and photochromism. Accordingly we have synthesized LCPAHs and analyzed their structure. In the present study, we synthesized an undecacyclic aromatic compound, dibenzo[a,rst]-dinaphtho[2,1,8-klm:1′,2′-o]pentaphene (DDPP) and determined the structure by use of NMR spectroscopy. To assign the ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR chemical shifts completely, we used the HMQC-TOCSY (Heteronuclear Multiple Quantum Coherence-Total Correlation SpectroscopY) method in which the original proton-carbon correlation is relayed to neighboring protons in the same spin-system. Furthermore, we compared the chemical shifts (δs) of the heptacyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, peropyrene, the nonacyclic, violanthrene B (VEB), and the undecacyclic, DDPP, and investigated correlations between their local structure and δs. For the protons in the bay region, the averaged δs decrease as molecular size increases: 9.23 ppm (hepta-) > 9.07 ppm (nona-) > 8.77 ppm (undeca-). Similar change in the δs is also found for the protons in the cove region: 9.37 ppm (nona-) > 8.81 ppm (undeca-). Thus, it is noted that the averaged δs for the protons in the cove region become downfield than those for the protons in the bay region. The findings are explained in terms of the anisotropic effect of the local magnetic field of benzene rings.     

Senescence Marker Protein-30 (SMP30) Deficiency Impairs Myocardium-Induced Dilation of Coronary Arterioles Associated with Reactive Oxygen Species

Senescence marker protein-30 (SMP30) decreases with aging. Mice with SMP30 deficiency, a model of aging, have a short lifespan with increased oxidant stress. To elucidate SMP30’s effect on coronary circulation derived from myocytes, we measured the changes in the diameter of isolated coronary arterioles in wild-type (WT) mice exposed to supernatant collected from isolated paced cardiac myocytes from SMP30 KO or WT mice. Pacing increased hydrogen peroxide in myocytes, and hydrogen peroxide was greater in SMP30 KO myocytes compared to WT myocytes. Antimycin enhanced and FCCP (oxidative phosphorylation uncoupler in mitochondria) decreased superoxide production in both groups. Addition of supernatant from stimulated myocytes, either SMP30 KO or WT, caused vasodilation. The degree of the vasodilation response to supernatant was smaller in SMP30 KO mice compared to WT mice. Administration of catalase to arterioles eliminated vasodilation in myocyte supernatant of WT mice and converted vasodilation to vasoconstriction in myocyte supernatant of SMP30 KO mice. This vasoconstriction was eliminated by olmesartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Thus, SMP30 deficiency combined with oxidant stress increases angiotensin and hydrogen peroxide release from cardiac myocytes. SMP30 plays an important role in the regulation of coronary vascular tone by myocardium.     

New SYNTHETIC METHOD OF 13H-DIBENZO[A,DE]ANTHRACENE-13-ONE

The polycyclic aromatic ketone, 13H-dibenzo[a,de]anthracene-13-one (5,6-BBz) is useful as a starting material for synthesis of undecacyclic aromatic compounds by means of condensation. To synthesize 5,6-BBz, glycerol condensation of benzo[a]anthraquinone was conducted. The condensation, however, gave two structural isomers besides 5,6-BBz and the isolation was very difficult; separation of the crude products by column chromatography or high-vacuum sublimation was unsuccessful because of their similarity in structure and vapor pressure. Only a little 5,6-BBz was obtained by repeated recrystallization, but the amount was insufficient for condensation. Thus, we developed a new synthetic method which affords 5,6-BBz selectively. 9-(o-Chlorobenzoyl)anthracene was synthesized by the Friedel-Crafts' reaction of anthracene with o-chlorobenzoyl chloride and aluminum chloride anhydride. In order to suppress the production of 9,10-di(o-chlorobenzoyl) anthracene, the reaction was performed at low temperature. The crude products obtained were purified by column chromatography on activated alumina and then recrystallized with benzene, which yielded yellow crystals of 9-(o-chlorobenzoyl)anthracene. The structure of 9-(o-chlorobenzoyl)anthracene was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis for the first time. Cyclo-dehydrohalogenation of 9-(o-chlorobenzoyl) anthracene gave 5,6-BBz selectively, the amount of which was sufficient for synthesizing undecacyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Management of Cirrhotic Ascites under the Add-on Administration of Tolvaptan

Tolvaptan is a recently available diuretic that blocks arginine vasopressin receptor 2 in the renal collecting duct. Its diuretic mechanism involves selective water reabsorption by affecting the water reabsorption receptor aquaporin 2. Given that liver cirrhosis patients exhibit hyponatremia due to their pseudo-aldosteronism and usage of natriuretic agents, a sodium maintaining agent, such as tolvaptan, is physiologically preferable. However, large scale studies indicating the patients for whom this would be effective and describing management under its use have been insufficient. The appropriate management of cirrhosis patients treated with tolvaptan should be investigated. In the present review, we collected articles investigating the effectiveness of tolvaptan and factors associated with survival and summarized their management reports. Earlier administration of tolvaptan before increasing the doses of natriuretic agents is recommended because this may preserve effective arterial blood volume.     

Condensation of 7 H -Benzo[ de ]naphthacene-7-one (9,10-Dibenzanthrone)

We have synthesized undecacyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using condensation of dibenzoanthrones. For example, dibenzo[ a,o ]dinaphtho[3,2,1- cd ;1,2,3- lm ]perylene, diphenanthra[1,2,3- cd ; 3,2,1- lm ]perylene and diphenanthra[2,3,4- cd ;4,3,2- lm ]perylene were produced from 5,6-, 8,9- and 10,11-dibenzoanthrones, respectively. In the present study, we have extended our work and aimed to synthesize new undecacyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by the use of 9,10-dibenzoanthrone (7 H -benzo[ de ]naphthacene-7-one) as a starting material. 9,10-Dibenzoanthrone was prepared by the cyclization of 1,2'-dinaphthylketone in aluminum chloride anhydride and sodium chloride, and the structure was confirmed by NMR measurements. It dissolves into ethanol and crystallizes in pale yellow needles; its melting point is 198.2-199.3°. The condensation of 9,10-dibenzoanthrone should give undecacyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo[ vwx ]naphtha[12,1,2- cde ] hexaphene.     

Candidate antigens specifically detected by cerebrospinal fluid-IgG in oligoclonal IgG bands-positive multiple sclerosis patients

The aim of the present study was to detect antigenic proteins that react specifically with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-IgG from oligoclonal IgG bands (OB)-positive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. To identify such antigenic proteins, we developed a rat brain proteome map using 2-DE and applied it to the immunoscreening of brain proteins that react with CSF-IgG but not with serum-IgG in OB-positive MS patients. After sequential MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, eight proteins [two neuronal proteins (tubulin β-2 and γ enolase-2), HSP-1, Tpi-1 protein and cellular enzymes (creatine kinase, phosphopyruvate hydratase, triosephosphate isomerase and phosphoglycerate kinase-1)] were identified as candidate antigens in seven MS patients. Reactivity to tubulin was seen in Western blotting in four patients, and CSF-specific anti-tubulin IgG was detected in one patient. In addition, CSF-specific anti-gamma enolase IgG was found in another patient. These findings suggest that intrathecal immune responses may occur against a broad range of proteins in MS.     

Open bridge-structured gold nanoparticle array for label-free DNA detection

We focused on changes in the electrical property of the open bridge-structured gold nanoparticles array consisting of 46-nm parent and 12-nm son gold nanoparticles by hybridization and applied it for a simple electrical DNA detection. Since a target DNA of a 24-mer oligonucleotide was added to the probe DNA modified 12-nm Au nanoparticles, which was arranged on the gap between the 46-nm Au particles, the response was read by an electrical readout system. Even in a simple measuring method, we obtained a rapid response to the cDNA with a high S/N ratio of 30 over a wide concentration range and a detection limit of 5.0 fmol. Moreover, the array discriminated 1-base mismatches, regardless of their location in the DNA sequence, which enabled us to detect single-nucleotide polymorphism, which is one of the important diagnoses, without any polymerase chain reaction amplification, sophisticated instrumentation, or fluorescent labeling through an easy-to-handle electrical readout system.     

Trifluoromethyl Dihydrothiazine-Based β-Secretase (BACE1) Inhibitors with Robust Central β-Amyloid Reduction and Minimal Covalent Binding Burden

The β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1, also known as β-secretase) is a promising target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. A pK_a lowering approach over the initial leads was adopted to mitigate hERG inhibition and P-gp efflux, leading to the design of 6-CF₃ dihydrothiazine 8 (N-(3-((4S,6S)-2-amino-4-methyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazin-4-yl)-4-fluorophenyl)-5-cyanopicolinamide). Optimization of 8 led to the discovery of 15 (N-(3-((4S,6S)-2-amino-4-methyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazin-4-yl)-4-fluorophenyl)-5-(fluoromethoxy)pyrazine-2-carboxamide) with an excellent balance of potency, hERG inhibition, P-gp efflux, and metabolic stability. Oral administration of 8 elicited robust Aβ reduction in dog even at 0.16 mg/kg. Reflecting the reduced hERG inhibitory activity, no QTc prolongation was observed at high doses. The potential for reactive metabolite formation of 15 was realized in a nucleophile trapping assay using [¹⁴C]-KCN in human liver microsomes. Utilizing covalent binding (CVB) in human hepatocytes and the maximum projected human dosage, the daily CVB burden of 15 was calculated to be at an acceptable value of below 1 mg/day. However, hepatotoxicity was observed when 15 was subjected to a two-week tolerance study in dog, which prevented further evaluation of this compound.     

An oxyhydride of BaTiO3 exhibiting hydride exchange and electronic conductivity

In oxides, the substitution of non-oxide anions (F(-),S(2-),N(3-) and so on) for oxide introduces many properties, but the least commonly encountered substitution is where the hydride anion (H(-)) replaces oxygen to form an oxyhydride. Only a handful of oxyhydrides have been reported, mainly with electropositive main group elements or as layered cobalt oxides with unusually low oxidation states. Here, we present an oxyhydride of the perhaps most well-known perovskite, BaTiO(3), as an O(2-)/H(-) solid solution with hydride concentrations up to 20% of the anion sites. BaTiO(3-x)H(x) is electronically conducting, and stable in air and water at ambient conditions. Furthermore, the hydride species is exchangeable with hydrogen gas at 400 °C. Such an exchange implies diffusion of hydride, and interesting diffusion mechanisms specific to hydrogen may be at play. Moreover, such a labile anion in an oxide framework should be useful in further expanding the mixed-anion chemistry of the solid state.