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.     

Dehalogenation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyl by bimetallic, impregnated, and nanoscale zerovalent iron

Nanoscale zerovalent iron particles (nZVI), bimetallic nanoparticles (nZVI/Pd), and nZVI/Pd impregnated activated carbon (nZVI/Pd-AC) composite particles were synthesized and investigated for their effectiveness to remove polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and/or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Palladization of nZVI promoted the dehalogenation kinetics for mono- to tri-BDEs and 2,3,4-trichlorobiphenyl (PCB 21). Compared to nZVI, the iron-normalized rate constants for nZVI/Pd were about 2-, 3-, and 4-orders of magnitude greater for tri-, di-, and mono-BDEs, respectively, with diphenyl ether as a main reaction product. The reaction kinetics and pathways suggest an H-atom transfer mechanism. The reaction pathways with nZVI/Pd favor preferential removal of para-halogens on PBDEs and PCBs. X-ray fluorescence mapping of nZVI/Pd-AC showed that Pd mainly deposits on the outer part of particles, while Fe was present throughout the activated carbon particles. While BDE 21 was sorbed onto activated carbon composites quickly, debromination was slower compared to reaction with freely dispersed nZVI/Pd. Our XPS and chemical data suggest about 7% of the total iron within the activated carbon was zerovalent, which shows the difficulty with in-situ synthesis of a significant fraction of zerovalent iron in the microporous material. Related factors that likely hinder the reaction with nZVI/Pd-AC are the heterogeneous distribution of nZVI and Pd on activated carbon and/or immobilization of hydrophobic organic contaminants at the adsorption sites thereby inhibiting contact with nZVI.     

PCR-RFLP identification of prohibited animal derived DNA in animal feed

A method for confirming identification of prohibited species tissue in animal feed has been developed on the basis of PCR-RFLP analysis. In Japan, to prevent the spread of BSE through animal feed, the use of animal protein in feed has been regulated. Species-specific PCR detection of prohibited species materials in feed has been used as one of a series of laboratory tests to ensure the proper implementation of the feed regulations. However, since the result of this PCR method is determined only by amplicon length, it is sometimes necessary to confirm whether or not the positive result is due to the effect of a non-specific reaction. For this purpose, DNA sequencing is the best way to confirm the test result but it is not suitable for routine analysis because of the required time and cost. In this study, we developed an easy and rapid method to confirm the species identification (mammals, ruminants and cattle) by using 4 restriction enzymes: SmlI, MboI, BlnI and Hpy188III. This PCR-RFLP method, which ensures identification of prohibited animal species in feed, is useful for enhancing the reliability of feed inspection for BSE prevention. This method will be added to the Official Methods of Feed Analysis.     

Gasification characteristics of organic waste by molten salt

Recently, along with the growth in economic development, there has been a dramatic accompanying increase in the amount of sludge and organic waste. The disposal of such is a significant problem. Moreover, there is also an increased in the consumption of electricity along with economic growth. Although new energy development, such as fuel cells, has been promoted to solve the problem of power consumption, there has been little corresponding promotion relating to the disposal of sludge and organic waste. Generally, methane fermentation comprises the primary organic waste fuel used in gasification systems. However, the methane fermentation method takes a long time to obtain the fuel gas, and the quality of the obtained gas is unstable. On the other hand, gasification by molten salt is undesirable because the molten salt in the gasification gas corrodes the piping and turbine blades. Therefore, a gasification system is proposed by which the sludge and organic waste are gasified by molten salt. Moreover, molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC) are needed to refill the MCFC electrolyte volatilized in the operation. Since the gasification gas is used as an MCFC fuel, MCFC electrolyte can be provided with the fuel gas. This paper elucidates the fundamental characteristics of sludge and organic waste gasification. A crucible filled with the molten salt comprising 62 Li₂CO₃/38 K₂CO₃, is installed in the reaction vessel, and can be set to an arbitrary temperature in a gas atmosphere. In this instance, the gasifying agent gas is CO₂. Sludge or the rice is supplied as organic waste into the molten salt, and is gasified. The chemical composition of the gasification gas is analyzed by a CO/CO₂ meter, a HC meter, and a SO_x meter gas chromatography. As a result, although sludge can generate CO and H₂ near the chemical equilibrium value, all of the sulfur in the sludge is not fixed in the molten salt, because the sludge floats on the surface of the carbonate by the specific gravity of sludge lighter than the carbonate, and is not completely converted into CO and H₂. Moreover, the rice also shows good characteristics as a gasifying agent. Consequently, there is high expectation to using the organic waste as a molten salt gasifying agent. However, this requires lengthening the contact time between the organic waste and the molten salt.     

Effects of the incorporation of silver and gold nanoparticles on the photoanodic properties of rose bengal sensitized TiO2 film electrodes prepared by sol-gel method

Rose bengal-deposited TiO₂ film electrodes bearing dispersed Ag or Au nanoparticles were prepared by the sol-gel method. The dye-induced visible region photoresponse of the electrodes decreased with increasing Ag content up to a mole ratio of Ag/TiO₂ = 0.0207, while the UV photoresponse increased. On the other hand, the dye-induced visible region photoresponse decreased to a less extent by incorporation of a larger amount of Au particles of Au/TiO₂ = 0.06, along with decreased UV photoresponse. The effects of the metal particles on the dye sensitization of the electrodes were discussed in terms of band edge fluctuation induced by the surface metal particles, Schottky barriers at TiO₂/metal interfaces, and surface plasma resonance.     

Method for simultaneous imaging of endogenous low molecular weight metabolites in mouse brain using TiO2 nanoparticles in nanoparticle-assisted laser desorption/ionization-imaging mass spectrometry

We report the detection of a group of endogenous low molecular weight metabolites (LMWM) in mouse brain (80-500 Da) using TiO(2) nanoparticles (NPs) in nanoparticle-assisted laser desorption/ionization-imaging mass spectrometry (Nano-PALDI-IMS) without any washing and separation step prior to MS analysis. The identification of metabolites using TiO(2) NPs was compared with a conventional organic matrix 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) where signals of 179 molecules were specific to TiO(2) NPs, 4 were specific to DHB, and 21 were common to both TiO(2) NPs and DHB. The use of TiO(2) NPs enabled the detection of a higher number of LMWM as compared to DHB and gold NPs as a matrix. This approach is a simple, inexpensive, washing, and separation free for imaging and identification of LMWM in mouse brain. We believe that the biochemical information from distinct regions of the brain using a Nano-PALDI-IMS will be helpful in elucidating the imbalances linked with diseases in biomedical samples.     

Analysis of indoor PM2.5 exposure in Asian countries using time use survey

Most household fuels used in Asian countries are solid fuels such as coal and biomass (firewood, crop residue and animal dung). The particulate matter (PM), CO, NOx and SOx produced through the combustion of these fuels inside the residence for cooking and heating has an adverse impact on people's health. PM 2.5 in particular, consisting of particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less, penetrates deep into the lungs and causes respiratory system and circulatory system diseases and so on. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) established guideline values for this type of particulate matter in 2005. In this study, the authors focused on PM 2.5 and estimated indoor exposure concentrations for PM 2.5 in 15 Asian countries. For each environment used for cooking, eating, heating and illumination in which people are present temporarily (microenvironment), exposure concentrations were estimated for individual cohorts categorized according to sex, age and occupation status. To establish the residence time in each microenvironment for each of the cohorts, data from time use surveys conducted in individual countries were used. China had the highest estimate for average exposure concentration in microenvironment used for cooking at 427.5 μg/m³ , followed by Nepal, Laos and India at 285.2 μg/m³, 266.3 μg/m³ and 205.7 μg/m³ , respectively. The study found that, in each country, the PM2.5 exposure concentration was highest for children and unemployed women between the ages of 35 and 64. The study also found that the exposure concentration for individual cohorts in each country was greatly affected by people's use of time indoors. Because differences in individual daily life activities were reflected in the use of time and linked to an assessment of exposure to indoor air-polluting substances, the study enabled detailed assessment of the impact of exposure.     

浙江金华八咏大厦

该项目位于浙江省金华市经济开发区,是浙江八咏公路工程有限公司的办公楼和酒店楼。由于位于经济开发区的入口,委托方提出要使这个项目成为标志性的建筑。预计到周边是一组皇冠式的圆顶建筑,我们设计两个简约到极致的体块。     

Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties of TeO2 Glass

A thin plate of TeO₂ glass of 5.0 × 4.0 × 0.25 mm³ size, which was large enough for various optical measurements, was obtained by a rapid quenching method. The linear refractive index was measured as a function of wavelength from 486.1 to 1000 nm. The refractive index at 486.1 nm was as high as 2.239. The optical energy band gap was estimated as 3.37 eV from the optical absorption spectrum. The third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility, χ⁽³⁾, was determined by the third-harmonic generation (THG) method. The χ⁽³⁾ value was as high as 1.4 × 10⁻¹² esu, about 50 times as large as that of SiO₂ glass. The results are discussed based on Lines' model in which an influence of cationic empty d -orbitals on the nonlinear properties was taken into account.     

Effect of KSG-504, a new CCK-A-receptor antagonist, on experimental acute pancreatitis in rats and mice

We investigated the protective and/or therapeutic effects of a new cholecystokinin receptor antagonist, KSG-504, on different types of experimental pancreatitis in the rat and mouse. The intravenous injection of KSG-504 (10, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) before caerulein administration to the rat inhibited the increases in plasma amylase, lipase and of pancreatic wet weight in a dose-dependent manner. The histological changes due to caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis were also decreased by KSG-504 when KSG-504 (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) was administered after the induction of acute pancreatitis; the increases in plasma amylase, lipase and pancreatic wet weight were reduced, but the histological changes of the pancreas were not decreased significantly. In the second experiment, acute pancreatitis was induced in rats by injecting 0.3 ml of 6% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic interstitial tissue. KSG-504 administered immediately and 1.5 hr after sodium-taurocholate injection at 100 mg/kg reduced the increases of pancreatic enzymes in the plasma, pancreatic wet weight and ascites. Moreover, KSG-504 (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.v., x 2) mitigated the histological changes of taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis. Another type of acute pancreatitis was induced in mice by dl-ethionine (0.5 g/kg, p.o., x 4) and a choline-deficient diet. KSG-504 (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) was subcutaneously administered five times every 12 hr during the experiment. KSG-504 elongated the survival of mice in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that KSG-504 has potent protective and/or therapeutic effects against acute pancreatitis and that cholecystokinin may be involved in the development of pancreatitis.