The Use of the Yen as a Reserve Currency

OpenAIRE

Peter M. Garber

1996-01-01

The depreciation of the U.S. dollar in 1995 rekindled discussion about the organization of the international monetary system, including calls to expand the roles of the yen and the deutsche mark as reserve currencies. The yen has not assumed a greater role because sufficient yen instruments are unavailable. The measures that make the yen relatively illiquid result partly from public debt management policy and control over the competitive advantage of the government in securities issuance. Fro...

Supersymmetry Breaking, Gauge Mediation, and the LHC

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shih, David

2015-01-01

Gauge mediated SUSY breaking (GMSB) is a promising class of supersymmetric models that automatically satisfies the precision constraints. Prior work of Meade, Seiberg and Shih in 2008 established the full, model-independent parameter space of GMSB, which they called 'General Gauge Mediation' (GGM). During the first half of 2010-2015, Shih and his collaborators thoroughly explored the parameter space of GGM and established many well-motivated benchmark models for use by the experimentalists at the LHC. Through their work, the current constraints on GGM from LEP, the Tevatron and the LHC were fully elucidated, together with the possible collider signatures of GMSB at the LHC. This ensured that the full discovery potential for GGM could be completely realized at the LHC.

Lipid Membrane Encapsulation of a 3D DNA Nano Octahedron.

Science.gov (United States)

Perrault, Steven D; Shih, William M

2017-01-01

Structural DNA nanotechnology methods such as DNA origami allow for the synthesis of highly precise nanometer-scale materials (Rothemund, Nature 440:297-302, 2006; Douglas et al., Nature 459:414-418, 2009). These offer compelling advantages for biomedical applications. Such materials can suffer from structural instability in biological environments due to denaturation and nuclease digestion (Hahn et al., ACS Nano 2014; Perrault and Shih, ACS Nano 8:5132-5140, 2014). Encapsulation of DNA nanostructures in a lipid membrane compartmentalizes them from their environment and prevents denaturation and nuclease digestion (Perrault and Shih, ACS Nano 8:5132-5140, 2014). Here, we describe the encapsulation of a 50 nm DNA nanostructure having the geometry of a wireframe octahedron in a phospholipid membrane containing poly-(ethylene glycol), resulting in biocompatible DNA nanostructures.

Unedited Version

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

5

Patient with Familial Norrie Disease: Bilateral Blindness and Leucocoria ..... Lin RC, Shih JC (2013) Monoamine oxidase A and A/B knockout mice display autistic-like ... spectrum in familial exudative vitreoretinopathy and Norrie disease with ...

December 2016

African Journals Online (AJOL)

FOBUR

subsequently received a single dose of intravenous tenectaplase and was .... Oral vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin have remained the .... embolism in a cancer patient with ... Shih WJ, Robinson MC, Huber C, Pulmano. C. Tc-99m MAA ...

Declining Japanese Yen in the Changing International Monetary System

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Eiji Ogawa

2017-12-01

Full Text Available The US dollar has kept as a position of key currency in the global economy in the changing international monetary system where the euro was introduced to some states of the EU in 1999. It is an evidence of inertia of the US dollar as a key currency. Our previous study (Ogawa and Muto, 2017b conducted empirical analysis to investigate effects of several events on inertia of the US dollar. One of our findings was that the introduction of the euro increased utility of euro while utility of US dollar was kept unchanged. This paper examines the effects of the global financial crisis and the euro zone crisis as well as the introduction of the euro on the utility of the Japanese yen. The introduction of the euro significantly decreased the utility of the Japanese yen. It indicates that the introduction of the euro increased the utility of the euro while reducing the utility of the Japanese yen rather than the utility of the US dollar. The utility of the Japanese yen has significantly decreased while the global financial crisis and the euro zone crisis occurred. The Japanese yen has a declining trend in terms of its utility over time in the changing international monetary system.

Nuclear budget for FY1991 up 3.6% to 409.7 billion yen

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1991-01-01

A total of yen409.7 billion was approved for the Governmental nuclear energy draft budget for fiscal 1991 on December 28, as the Cabinet gave its approval. The total, the highest ever, was divided into yen182.6 billion for the general account and yen227.1 billion for the special account for power resources development, representing a 3.6% increase over the ongoing fiscal year's level of yen395.5 billion. The draft budget will be examined for approval of the Diet session by the end of March. The nuclear energy budget devoted to research and development projects governed by the Science and Technology Agency amounts yen306.4 billion, up 3.5% exceeding yen300 billion for the first time. The nuclear budget for the Ministry of International Trade and Industry is yen98.1 billion, up 3.5%. For the other ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, yen5.1 billion was allotted to nuclear energy-related projects. The Government had decided to raise the unit cost of the power plant siting promotion subsidies in the special account for power resources development by 25% --- from yen600/kw to yen750/kw --- in order to support the siting of plants. Consequently, the power resources siting account of the special accounts for both STA and MITI showed high levels of growth rates: 6.3% and 7.5%, respectively. (N.K.)

FY1992 nuclear budget requests reach 433 bil. yen, up 5.8%

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1991-01-01

The total of 433,586 million yen has been requested for nuclear related budgetary appropriation for fiscal 1992, up 5.8% from the previous year, according to the Atomic Energy Commission in an announcement made on September 10. The Commission summed up the budget requests from eight relevant ministries and agencies (185,397 million yen on the general account and 248,189 million yen on the special account for power resource development). Subsidies for power plant siting promotion represent more than half of the request for funds to promote public understanding and cooperation, and this item tops the list of budget items at 115,650 million yen, up 16% over the previous year. The appropriation of 95,243 million yen was requested for the development of advanced power reactors and the utilization of plutonium. The funds allocated to the establishment of nuclear fuel cycle amount to 73,074 million yen, up 19%. 38,285 million yen is requested for strengthening nuclear safety measures. The budget requests of Science and Technology Agency and Ministry of International Trade and Industry related to nuclear energy are reported more in detail. (K.I.)

FY97 nuclear-related budgets total 493 billion yen (4.4 billion dollars)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1996-01-01

On September 13, the Atomic Energy Commission of Japan announced the estimated nuclear-related budget requests for FY1997 (April, 1997 - Mach, 1998), giving the breakdowns for eight ministries and agencies. The total amount requested by the government bodies was 493.3 billion yen, 0.8% increase as compared with FY96. this figure includes the budget requests of the Science and Technology Agency (STA), the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Okinawa Development Agency, and the Ministry of Home Affairs, but excludes the budget request made by the Ministry of Education. The budget requests of STA and MITI are 360 billion yen and 126 billion yen, respectively. On August 29, STA released its estimated FY97 budget request. The nuclear-related 360.4 billion yen is 0.9% more than that in year before. Of this sum, 199.9 billion yen is in the general account, and 160.6 billion yen is in the special account for power source development. The details of the nuclear-related amounts are explained. On August 26, MITI released its estimated budget request for FY97, and of the nuclear-related 125.7 billion yen (0.1% increase from FY96), 200 million yen is in the general account, and 98.9 billion yen and 26.6 billion yen are in the special accounts for power resource development and power source diversification, respectively. (K.I.)

Canine urolithiasis: A look at over 16 000 urolith submissions to the Canadian Veterinary Urolith Centre from February 1998 to April 2003

Science.gov (United States)

2004-01-01

Abstract The purpose of this study was to report on the age, sex, breed, and mineral composition of 16 647 canine bladder uroliths submitted to the Canadian Veterinary Urolith Centre between February 1998 and April 2003. Each urolith submission was accompanied by a questionnaire. Of the submissions, approximately 43.8% were struvite and 41.5% oxalate. Struvite uroliths were most common in female dogs. Mixed breed dogs predominated, followed by the shih tzu, bichon frise, miniature schnauzer, Lhasa apso, and Yorkshire terrier. Oxalate uroliths were most common in males and in the miniature schnauzer, bichon frise, Lhasa apso, shih tzu, and Yorkshire terrier. Urate uroliths were most common in male Dalmations. Other urolith types, including cystine, xanthine, silica, and calcium phosphate, were less commonly reported. A review of risk factors for the various uroliths is presented, along with some recommendations for treatment and prevention. PMID:15072194

A case of non-regenerative immune-mediated anemia treated by ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

A 12-year-old female Shih Tzu dog was referred with diarrhea. Hematological examination indicated severe nonregenerative anemia. Bone marrow aspiration smears and core biopsy specimens revealed normal bone marrow. Based on those results, non-regenerative immune mediated anemia was diagnosed. The dog ...

Shigellosis

Science.gov (United States)

... by Shigella (pronounced: shih-GEL-uh) bacteria. The bacteria produce toxins that can attack the lining of the ... fluids and may prescribe antibiotics to treat shigellosis. Antibiotics can help you recover faster and prevent the bacteria from spreading to other people. Most doctors suggest ...

Frequency Conversion of Single Photons: Physics, Devices, and Applications

Science.gov (United States)

2012-07-01

Anton Zeilinger , Alexan- der V. Sergienko, and Yanhua Shih. New high-intensity source of polarization- entangled photon pairs. Physical Review Letters...interface. Nature, 437(7055):116–120, 2005. [36] S. Ramelow, A. Fedrizzi, A. Poppe, N. K. Langford, and A. Zeilinger . Polarization-entanglement-conserving

Fiscal 1990 draft nuclear budget up 2.0 % to 395.5 bil. yen

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1990-01-01

The Japanese Government on December 29 approved a yen66.27 trillion general account draft budget for fiscal 1990, up 9.7% on fiscal '89, which will soon be sent to the Diet. The nuclear energy related draft budget in the general account is yen179.8 billion, covering expenditures on the implementation of various measures and actions relating to nuclear energy by ministerial agencies. Of the draft special account for power resources development for fiscal 1990, the nuclear power related budget for the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Science and Technology Agency is yen215.7 billion. The total amount of the nuclear energy budget in the two accounts is yen395.5 billion, up 2.0%. By Ministries, the Science and Technology Agency, having jurisdiction over the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, the Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corp., the National Institute of Radiological Sciencies and other institutions, is alloted yen296.2 billion, up 5.2%. The draft nuclear related budget for the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, governing commercial nuclear power programs, is yen94.8 billion, down 6.7%. The other ministries are allocated yen4.5 billion, down 2.5%. (N.K.)

Government's nuclear draft budget for fiscal 1995 totals 480 billion yen, up 5.2%

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1995-01-01

The Japanese government's nuclear draft budget for fiscal 1995 totals 480,756 million yen (excluding the nuclear-related budget for universities under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science), 5.2% increase from the last year. The figure can be broken down into 194,793 million yen general account mainly assigned to research and development projects, and 295,963 million yen special account for power resource development. The total nuclear-related draft budget can be broken down into 344,201 million yen (6.2% increase) for the Science and Technology Agency which governs the various projects on the research and utilization of nuclear energy, and 133,430 million yen (4.6% increase) for the Ministry of International Trade and Industry which controls the development of and the regulation concerning commercial nuclear power plants. As for other ministries, 3,909 million yen for the contribution to IAEA and 283 million yen for OECD/NEA are allocated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The nuclear draft budget of other ministries and agencies than STA and MITI totals 5,443 million yen (3.8% increase over fiscal 1994). The details of the nuclear-related draft budget of STA and MITI are listed. (K.I.)

The Effect of Spray Initial Conditions on Heat Release and Emissions in LDI CFD Calculations (Preprint)

Science.gov (United States)

2008-06-01

Shih, T.-H., Povinelli , L. A., Liu, N.-S and Chen, K.-H., (2000), “Generalized Wall Function for...J. Marek, T. D. Smith, N.-S. Liu, and L. A. Povinelli (NASA, Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, “A Study of Hydrogen/Air Combustor Using NCC

Metastable Supersymmetry Breaking in a Cooling Universe

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kaplunovsky, Vadim S.

2007-01-01

I put metastable supersymmetry breaking in a cosmological context. I argue that under reasonable assumptions, the cooling down early Universe favors metastable SUSY-breaking vacua over the stable supersymmetric vacua. To illustrate the general argument, I analyze the early-Universe history of the Intriligator-Seiberg-Shih model

Journal of Biosciences | Indian Academy of Sciences

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Author Affiliations. Chi-Fang Chin1 Arthur Chun-Chieh Shih2 Kuo-Chin Fan1 3. Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taiwan; Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Informatics, Fo Guang Univeristy, Ilan, Taiwan ...

Genetics Home Reference: monoamine oxidase A deficiency

Science.gov (United States)

... Cases O, Seif I, Grimsby J, Gaspar P, Chen K, Pournin S, Müller U, Aguet M, Babinet C, Shih JC, et al. Aggressive behavior and altered amounts of brain serotonin and norepinephrine in mice lacking MAOA. Science. 1995 Jun 23;268(5218):1763-6. Citation on ...

Role of relative humidity in controlling rate of aflatoxin contamination in certain medicinal herbs under prolonged storage

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Elbazza, Z.E.; Mahmoud, M.I.; Roushdy, H.M.; Farrag, H.A.; Tablawy, S.Y.E.I.

1995-01-01

The effect of water activity on growth of aspergillus flavus test strain and aflatoxin production was studied in sabouraoud's yeast broth regulated with glycerol. Aflatoxin production increased with increasing the a w . The minimal a w was 0.92 for fungal growth and aflatoxins production. Growth of A.flavus test strain and aflatoxin production at 26+- I o and two relative humidities of 85% and 92.9% along four months incubation period on caraway, khlla, shih balady and wild chamomile samples were investigated. At 92.9% Rh, growth of A.flavus on caraway and khella samples was noticed after 20 days of incubation and increased with time incubation and increased with time. Aflatoxin production was detected after 30 days and decreased with prolonged incubation. Fungal growth and aflatoxin production were not observed on shih balady and wild chamomile samples at 92.9% Rh, and on the for studied herbs at 85%, Rh. 3 tabs

FY1990 Nuclear-related budget demand totals 398 billion yen, up 2.7%

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1989-01-01

Funds needed to promote the development and utilization of nuclear energy in fiscal 1990 in a planned and integrated way total yen398,427 million on a cash basis, up 2.7% over fiscal 1989. The Science and Technology Agency, which has two major nuclear RandD organizations -- the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute and the Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corp. -- within its jurisdiction, has asked for a total of yen297,765 million (up 5.7%), about three-fourths of the total nuclear-related budget demand. The budget demand of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry aggregates yen96.375 million, down 5.1%. The budget demand of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yen2,962 million, including subscriptions and contributions to IAEA, and that of the Ministry of Transport, yen42 million, including research and analysis costs for setting safety standards for the transportation of radioactive materials. The budget demand of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is yen167 million, including costs for the prevention and elimination of melon-flies in the Amami Islands, and for the Tsukuba Agriculture and Forestry Research Exchange Center. (N.K.)

Localization and Specification of Copper Ions in Biofilms on Corroding Copper Surfaces.

Science.gov (United States)

1994-01-01

Sao Paulo, Brazil: Aquatec Quimica : 1985). 256/3 5. H. Shih, F. Mansfeld, ASTM STP 1154, 174, Philadelphia, PA, 1992. 6. B. Little, P. Wagner, R...Pope, "A Study of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion in Nuclear Power Plants and a Practical Guide for Countermeasures," Electric Power Research

Determinants of Computer and Internet Adoption and Use in ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

centres and promote the training of youths and social networks. Keywords: ICT ... factors are underscored in studies in developing countries(Shih and. Venkatesh ... mentions several obstacles to ICT development in cities and the role of these ... Cameroon as the towns of the eight other regions including the Centre that.

Fasting urinary calcium-to-creatinine and oxalate-to-creatinine ratios in dogs with calcium oxalate urolithiasis and breed-matched controls.

Science.gov (United States)

Furrow, E; Patterson, E E; Armstrong, P J; Osborne, C A; Lulich, J P

2015-01-01

Hypercalciuria and hyperoxaluria are risk factors for calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis, but breed-specific reports of urinary metabolites and their relationship with stone status are lacking. To compare urinary metabolites (calcium and oxalate) and blood ionized calcium (iCa) concentrations between CaOx stone formers and breed-matched stone-free controls for the Miniature Schnauzer, Bichon Frise, and Shih Tzu breeds. Forty-seven Miniature Schnauzers (23 cases and 24 controls), 27 Bichons Frise (14 cases and 13 controls), and 15 Shih Tzus (7 cases and 8 controls). Prospective study. Fasting spot urinary calcium-to-creatinine and oxalate-to-creatinine ratios (UCa/Cr and UOx/Cr, respectively) and blood iCa concentrations were measured and compared between cases and controls within and across breeds. Regression models were used to test the effect of patient and environmental factors on these variables. UCa/Cr was higher in cases than controls for each of the 3 breeds. In addition to stone status, being on a therapeutic food designed to prevent CaOx stone recurrence was associated with higher UCa/Cr. UOx/Cr did not differ between cases and controls for any of the breeds. Blood iCa was higher in cases than controls in the Miniature Schnauzer and Bichon Frise breeds and had a moderate correlation with UCa/Cr. Hypercalciuria is associated with CaOx stone status in the Miniature Schnauzer, Bichon Frise, and Shih Tzu breeds. UOx/Cr did not correlate with stone status in these 3 breeds. These findings may influence breed-specific stone prevention recommendations. Copyright © 2015 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Cervical intervertebral disk herniation in chondrodystrophoid and nonchondrodystrophoid small-breed dogs: 187 cases (1993-2013).

Science.gov (United States)

Hakozaki, Takaharu; Iwata, Munetaka; Kanno, Nobuo; Harada, Yasuji; Yogo, Takuya; Tagawa, Masahiro; Hara, Yasushi

2015-12-15

To identify characteristics of chondrodystrophoid and nonchondrodystrophoid small-breed dogs with cervical intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH). Retrospective case series. 187 small-breed (≤ 15 kg [33 lb]) dogs that underwent surgery because of cervical IVDH. Medical records were reviewed for information on breed, sex, age, weight, location of affected intervertebral disks, duration and severity of neurologic signs, and recovery time. 55 of the 187 (29.4%) dogs were Beagles. The most frequently affected intervertebral disk was C2-3 (81/253 [32.0%]), and this was the more frequently affected intervertebral disk in dogs of several chondrodystrophoid breeds, including Beagles (29/66 [43.9%]), Dachshunds (13/37 [35.1%]), Shih Tzus (16/41 [39.0%]), and Pekingese (3/10 [30.0%]). However, caudal disks (C5-6 or C6-7) were more frequently affected in Yorkshire Terriers (13/24 [54.2%]) and Chihuahuas (9/13 [69%]). Shih Tzus and Yorkshire Terriers were significantly older at the time of surgery (mean ± SD age, 9.6 ± 2.3 years and 9.5 ± 2.5 years, respectively) than were Pomeranians (6.2 ± 2.3 years), and Yorkshire Terriers had a significantly higher number of affected disks (2.0 ± 0.9) than did Dachshunds (1.1 ± 0.3). Mean recovery time was significantly longer in Yorkshire Terriers (36.7 ± 13.0 days) than in Beagles (16.5 ± 17.1 days), Shih Tzus (17.8 ± 14.5 days), or Chihuahuas (12.2 ± 7. 2 days). Results suggested that there may be breed-specific differences in the characteristics of cervical IVDH in small-breed dogs.

Surgical and medical treatment of ocular disease in a dog with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Science.gov (United States)

Rasch, Søren N

2017-06-01

Correctional surgery was performed on a 3-year-old intact male shih tzu presenting with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, ocular disease, and skin fold dermatitis. A one-year follow-up showed that no further clinical corrections were needed. Therefore, surgery could be considered in some canine patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Life or death? A Physiogenomic Approach to Understand Individual Variation in Responses to Hemorrhagic Shock

Science.gov (United States)

2011-01-01

2009, 234, 1503-1510. [34] Fang, J. F.; Shih, L. Y.; Yuan, K. C.; Fang, K. Y.; Hwang, T. L.; Hsieh, S. Y. Proteomic analysis of post-hemorrhagic...resistant and susceptible barley lines during interaction with the powdery mildew fungus . Plant Mol. Biol., 2001, 47, 739-748. [96] Harris, N. S

The SDF-1-CXCR4 Axis Functions Through p38-MAPK Signaling to Drive Breast Cancer Progression and Metastasis

Science.gov (United States)

2009-09-01

2002). Rubin JB, Kung AL, Klein RS, Chan JA, Sun Y, Schmidt K, Kieran MW, Luster AD, Segal RA.A small-molecule antagonist of CXCR4 inhibits... Melanie H. Howell, Michelle Lacey, Betty Y. Shih, Carol Carter-Wientjes, Thomas E. Cleveland, John A. McLachlan, Thomas E. Wiese, Barbara S. Beckman

Browse Title Index

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Items 8801 - 8850 of 11090 ... A Mansseri-Lamrioui, A Louerguioui, J Bonaly, ... Vol 13, No 53 (2014), Promoting increased Chlorella sorokiniana Shih. et Krauss (Chlorophyta) biomass ... Vol 16, No 3 (2017), Protection of Lactobacillus acidophilus under in vitro ... Araújo Campos, Pedro Martins Ribeiro Júnior, Fabrício Rabelo ...

Liposome-based polymer complex as a novel adjuvant: enhancement of specific antibody production and isotype switch

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chen CH

2012-02-01

Full Text Available Chia-Hung Chen1,*, Yu-Ling Lin1,*, Yen-Ku Liu1, Pei-Juin He2, Ching-Min Lin1, Yi-Han Chiu2, Chang-Jer Wu3, Tian-Lu Cheng4, Shih-Jen Liu5,6,**, Kuang-Wen Liao1,2,**1Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, 2Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 3Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, 4Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 5National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 6Graduate Institute of Immunology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, , *Chia-Hung Chen and Yu-Ling Lin contributed equally to this work**Kuang-Wen Liao and Shih-Jen Liu contributed equally to this workAbstract: The aim of vaccination is to induce appropriate immunity against pathogens. Antibody-mediated immunity is critical for protection against many virus diseases, although it is becoming more evident that coordinated, multifunctional immune responses lead to the most effective defense. Specific antibody (Ab isotypes are more efficient at protecting against pathogen invasion in different locations in the body. For example, compared to other Ab isotypes, immunoglobulin (Ig A provides more protection at mucosal areas. In this study, we developed a cationic lipopolymer (liposome-polyethylene glycol-polyethyleneimine complex [LPPC] adjuvant that strongly adsorbs antigens or immunomodulators onto its surface to enhance or switch immune responses. The results demonstrate that LPPC enhances uptake ability, surface marker expression, proinflammatory cytokine release, and antigen presentation in mouse phagocytes. In contrast to Freund's adjuvant, LPPC preferentially activates Th1-immunity against antigens in vivo. With lipopolysaccharides or CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, LPPC dramatically enhances the IgA or IgG2A proportion of total Ig, even in hosts that have developed

(Chlorophyta) biomass production using Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Chlorella sorokiniana Shih. et Krauss, a unicellular green alga was assayed to assess its to promotion potentials response of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam. C. sorokiniana grown in 200 ml aliquots of modified basal medium for two weeks: was treated with the aqueous and ethanolic extracts at ...

Fiscal 1988 draft budget for nuclear energy up 1.9% to yen 369 billion

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1988-01-01

AT the cabinet meeting held on December 28, the government approved the fiscal 1988 draft budget, with a general account of yen 56.6 trillion. The nuclear energy related budget is yen 181.124 billion from the general account and yen 186.098 billion from the special account for power sources development, totalling yen 367.222 billion, up 1.9% on the previous year. The largest appropriation goes to the Science and Technology Agency (STA) totaling yen 271 billion. The STA is promoting safety studies and R and D for extensive nuclear energy utilization but the budget shows a 0.7% decrease from the previous year, reflecting completion of the construction of JT-60, which is one of the Agency's major projects. MITI, with its budget of yen 91 billion will carry on policies related to the promotion of commercial nuclear power program as well as support for the industrialization program of the nuclear fuel cycle. Nuclear related budget of Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yen 2.8 billion, consisting mainly of IAEA subscriptions and contributions and OECD/NEA subscriptions. Besides these three government agencies, a large sum of yen 1.2 billion is allocated to the Okinawa Development Agency for the prevention and elimination of melon-flies in Kume Island and islands around Okinawa main island. The draft government budget will be submitted to the ordinary session of the Diet when it resumes towards the end of January. After deliberation in the Budget Committees of the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors, the draft budget will be put to the vote in the plenary session. Assuming that all proceeds smoothly, the budget is expected to be approved by the end of March without any major revision. (author)

East Asia: Southeast Asia

Science.gov (United States)

1990-09-05

supporting role in the founding of Malaysia. Some people describe their role as having a position but having no authority. During the cogon grass campaign...Pian Hon Yun Shih-chin’s luck was much greater than Kuo Wei- chieh’s. Although both are deputy ministers, their grass - roots power is weak. Kuo

The Attention Cascade Model and Attentional Blink

Science.gov (United States)

Shih, Shui-I

2008-01-01

An attention cascade model is proposed to account for attentional blinks in rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) of stimuli. Data were collected using single characters in a single RSVP stream at 10 Hz [Shih, S., & Reeves, A. (2007). "Attentional capture in rapid serial visual presentation." "Spatial Vision", 20(4), 301-315], and single words,…

Comparison of the results of wide plate tests with the predictions of several fracture concepts

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rosezin, H.J.; Dahl, W.

1985-01-01

With the results of wide plate tests on center cracked specimens the concept of the plastic limit load, the Burdekin-Dawes-design-concept, the J-design-curve according to Turner, the estimation proceeding according to Shih and Kumar, the Two-Criteria-Approach and the FAD according to Pellini were examined and the limits of their application exhibited. The maximum loads of wide plate specimens can be estimated by the plastic limit load, if no low-stress-fractures occur. Corresponding to the Pellini-concept no low-stress-fractures occured at test temperatures above NDT, if the NDT-temperature of the region of material was used, in which the crack was located. With the concept according to Shih and Kumar an estimation of the instability loads of wide plate specimens is possible, if the fracture behaviour is fully ductile, but not in all cases conservative predictions were made. A prediction of critical stresses and crack sizes is possible with the other concepts examined, if the evaluations are based on the critical values for the onset of stable or unstable crack growth. (orig.) [de

Issues on the energy industry under the yen appreciation; Endakaka ni okeru energy sangyo no kadai. Yoyakuban

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1997-07-01

A tendency toward the rapid yen appreciation since spring 1995 has affected various fields of the economic society of Japan. From a broader view, it is discussed whether the Japanese economic system itself is right or wrong, and that the post-war economic system and regulation system should be largely reviewed. In a short term, the yen appreciation largely affects the export industry and is markedly influential to macro economy. At present, the yen is not as high as that in 1995, but a lot of economists assume a tendency toward medium- and long-term yen appreciation. Therefore, this paper analyzed what kinds of influences the exchange fluctuation brings to the Japanese economy and energy supply/demand. It was clarified what kinds of problems will appear in the energy industry, in particular, on the assumption that the yen will keep high in medium- and long-term. The report consists of parts 1 and 2. Described were `Simulational analysis of yen appreciation` in Part 1 and `Yen appreciation and international issues` in Part 2. 12 figs., 5 tabs.

Fiscal 1987 nuclear budget request amounts to 366 billion yen; increased 2.7 %

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1986-01-01

The 1987 budget request was submitted to the Ministry of Finance by the end of August, 1986. Of the total, the nuclear budget request made by eight ministries and agencies totaled 366,896 million yen, 2.7 % increase over the previous year, which consists of 184,715 million yen in the general account, 0.6 % down, and 182,180 million yen in the special account for power resource development, 6.3 % up. The increase rate was kept at a low level in consideration of the tight government financial condition. The request was approved on September 9 by the Atomic Energy Commission, which is responsible for securing the budget for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The government draft budget is expected to be finalized by the end of 1986 on the basis of the draft of the Ministry of Finance. The Science and Technology Agency request is 277,934 million yen, 1.0 % increase, and the project costs for Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute and Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corp. account for its 88.3 %. The 1987 nuclear budget request by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry is mostly on the special account for power resource siting and power resource diversification, totaling 88,400 million yen. (Kako, I.)

Further genetic localization of the transforming sequences of the p21 v-ras gene of Harvey murine sarcoma virus

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Willumsen, B M; Ellis, R W; Scolnick, E M

1984-01-01

, DNA sequence analysis has found a single open reading frame large enough to encode the viral p21 (R. Dhar, R. W. Ellis, T. Y. Shih, S. Oroszlan, B. Shapiro, J. Maizel, D. Lowy, and E. M. Scolnick, Science 217:934-937, 1982). There are three potential in-frame ATG initiation codons at the 5' end...

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Magnolia sieboldii Extract in ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Hao Li4 and Kang-Duk Choi1*. 1Genomic ... Methods: The whole plant of M. sieboldii was extracted with methanol at room temperature. The in vitro ... action of M. sieboldii in inflammation. Magnolia ..... Shih HC, Hwang TL, Chen HC, Kuo PC, Lee EJ, Lee. KH, Wu TS. ... Fu JY, Masferrer JL, Seibert K, Raz A, Needleman P.

Sadhana | Indian Academy of Sciences

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Home; Journals; Sadhana. W-P Sung. Articles written in Sadhana. Volume 34 Issue 3 June 2009 pp 421-437. A model for signal processing and predictive control of semi-active structural control system · M-H Shih W-P Sung Ching-Jong Wang · More Details Abstract Fulltext PDF. The theory for structural control has been ...

Effect of aging on copper nanoparticles synthesized by pulsed laser ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Administrator

2009-06-23

Jun 23, 2009 ... Hsieh C T, Chen J M, Lin H H and Shih H C 2003 Appl. Phys. Lett. 83 3383. Hsieh J H, Kuo P W, Peng K C, Liu S J, Hsueh J D and Chang. S C 2008 Thin ... Jung J H, Kim T W, Song M S, Kim Y H and Yoo K H 2007. J. Appl.

Yen 490 billion nuclear budget requested for fiscal 1995. Emphasis placed on plutonium use and information opening

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1994-01-01

On September 9, the Atomic Energy Commission released the written estimate of nuclear energy-related expenditures for fiscal 1995, which were requested by various ministries to the Finance Ministry. According to the estimate, the total budget demand is 490,360 million yen (up 7.3% over fiscal 1994), of which 200,270 million yen (up 4.5%) is in the general account, and 290,090 million yen (up 9.4%) in the special account for power resource development. Breaking down the amount by ministries and agencies, 345,990 million yen (up 6.8%) was requested by Science and Technology Agency, 138,570 million yen (up 8.6%) by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, and 5,800 million yen (up 10.8%) by the Foreign Ministry and others. The government demanded that the ministries and agencies ensure transparency in the utilization of nuclear energy, particularly plutonium, and that consideration should be given to the opening of nuclear information. The budget for cancer treatment, the engineering design of the international thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER), the science and technology for supercomputer, MOX fuel fabrication and others is included. (K.I.)

Balassa-Samuelson Effect in Won/Dollar and Won/Yen Exchange Rates

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Donghwan Oh

2010-06-01

Full Text Available This paper examines, using various models including a non-linear one, that the Balassa-Samuelson (BS effect can account for the persistence of deviations from PPP in the long-run movements of won/dollar and won/yen real exchange rates. In test for PPP hypothesis that incorporates the BS effect, using the generalized Johansen' cointegration method, it is found that a cointegration relationship exists between each of won/dollar and won/yen real exchange rate and the productivity variables of two countries. And in test for PPP hypothesis that incorporates other fundamentals such as cumulative current account balance, foreign exchange reserve, terms of trade as well as productivity differentials, using a behavioral equilibrium exchange rate approach, it is found that a cointegration relationship exists between each of won/dollar and won/yen real exchange rate and all of these fundamentals. However, the plus sign of the estimated coefficient of the productivity differentials variable, which means that domestic productivity improvement produces increase in each of won/dollar and won/yen real exchange rate is not coincident with the result that the BS effect expects theoretically. Finally, in test for PPP hypothesis that incorporates the BS effect, using a non-linear STAR model, it is found that the adjustment process in case of won/dollar real exchange rate from the long-run equilibrium level can be adequately explained by a non-linear LSTAR model. But, the evidence of diagnostic statistics, which shows the existence of autocorrelation of the residuals in most of lags, might suggest the inadequacy of LSTAR model specification.

Research on the trend of Yen exchange rate and international crude oil price fluctuation affected by Japan’s earthquake

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Xiaoguang Li

2014-05-01

Full Text Available Purpose: Whether this earthquake would become a turning point of the high oil price and whether it would have big impact on yen exchange rate are two issues to be discussed in this paper.Design/methodology/approach: To analyze deeply the internal relations between changes in yen exchange rate caused by Japan’s earthquake and price fluctuation of international crude oil, this research chooses middle rate of yen exchange rate during the 45 days around Japan’s earthquake and price data of international crude oil to do an empirical study, uses VAR model and HP trend decomposition to estimate the mutual effect of yen exchange rate change and price fluctuation of international crude oil in this period.Findings: It has been found in the empirical study with VAR model and HP filter decomposition model on the yen exchange rate and the international crude oil price fluctuation during 45 days around Japan’s earthquake that: the fluctuation of yen exchange rate around the earthquake is one of the main reasons for the drastic fluctuation of international crude oil price in that period. The fluctuation of international crude oil price directly triggered by yen exchange rate occupies 13.54% of its total variance. There is a long-term interactive relationship between yen exchange rate and international crude oil price. The upward trend of international crude oil price after the earthquake was obvious, while yen exchange rate remained relatively stable after the earthquake.Originality/value: As economic globalization goes deeper, the influence of natural disasters on international financial market and world economy will become more and more obvious. It has a great revelatory meaning to studying further each kind of natural disaster’s impacts on international financial market and world economics.

Subjects of the energy industry under yen appreciation; Endakaka ni okeru energy sangyo no kadai

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1997-07-01

This paper studied effects of yen appreciation on the Japanese economy and changes in energy demand when assuming the medium-term yen appreciation trend, and subjects in the energy industry. The paper also refers to the trend of the Asian material industry largely influencing the energy supply/demand, the risk hedge problem of the exchange, and international cooperation and business development of the energy industry. The energy industry is extremely high in public interest and is rice of the industry. Therefore, the development of the business has focused on the domestic market. However, such a recognition is forced to be changed by waves of the worldwide deregulation. Discussions on foreign/domestic price differences caused by high yen and a series of deregulation policy in the energy industry affected thereby may be concrete signs. The subject in the energy industry under the yen appreciation is that the energy industry will be close to common sense in general industrial circles and change to an industry which is strong and internationally competitive enough to brave the exchange variation. 101 refs., 104 figs., 31 tabs.

JAPAN'S DEFLATIONARY HANGOVER: WAGE STAGNATION AND THE SYNDROME OF THE EVER-WEAKER YEN

OpenAIRE

RONALD MCKINNON

2007-01-01

Japan still suffers a deflationary hangover from the great episodic yen appreciations of the 1980s into the mid-1990s. Money wages are still declining, and short-term interest rates remain trapped near zero. After Japan's 'lost decade' from 1992 to 2002, however, output has begun to grow modestly-but through export expansion and associated investment rather than domestic consumption. This export-led growth has been helped by a passive real depreciation of the yen: prices and wages in Europe a...

Monoamine Oxidase A: A Novel Target for Progression and Metastasis of Prostate Cancer

Science.gov (United States)

2015-12-01

dye* Corresponding author. Uro -Oncology Research Pr Center, 8750 Beverly Blvd., Atrium 103, Los Angeles, E-mail address: Leland.Chung@cshs.org (L.W.K...INVESTIGATOR: Jean C. Shih, Ph.D. CONTRACTING ORGANIZATION: University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 90089-0001 REPORT DATE: December 2015...SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 3720 S. FLOWER STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90089-0001 9. SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S

Researcher might have found answer to 'birth of the universe'

CERN Multimedia

2003-01-01

A National Taiwan University (NTU) research team has discovered a new physical phenomenon that could challenge the well-accepted theory about the birth of the universe. However,Lee Shih-chang, a researcher at Academia Sinica's Institute of Physics, said the new scientific research results will be accepted only after an academic paper detailing the research process and conclusions is released and the research results are verified by experts in the field.

Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials: Protein Cage Nano-Architectures

Science.gov (United States)

2008-04-01

Shevchenko, A. Weizsacker, F. (2004). Hepatitis B virus nucleocapsids (2003). Fast-response proteomics by accelerated in-gel formed by carboxy-terminally...Newman, M. & Shih, C. sin. Proteomics , 5, 2319-2321. (2005). Exposure of RNA templates and encapsidation 60. Prudova, A., Bauman, Z., Braun, A...isolated from the fungus Dactylium dendroides [I]. It is H334, Y329, G513, and T580) and water molecules. composed of three distinct domains, organized

A Quantum Network with Atoms and Photons

Science.gov (United States)

2016-09-01

98, 111115. 5. Karmakar, S, Shih, Y. Two- color ghost imaging with enhanced angular resolving power. Physical Review A. 2010; 81, 033845. 6. Karmakar...information. We constructed the rubidium (⁸⁷Rb) atomic memory magneto optical trap (MOT) cell and laser controls, and developed protocols, hardware, and...software to control the secure teleportation of information between quantum memories at ARL and JQI. Notably, we performed successful in-laboratory

JPRS Report East Asia Southeast Asia

Science.gov (United States)

1987-06-05

31 Mar 87) 20 Palm Oil Industry Promotion Moves Proposed (Lim Hock Chye ; BUSINESS TIMES, 1 May 87) .. 22 Paper Comments on 5th Malaysia Plan...1 [Article by Lim Hock Chye ] [Text] A GOVERNMENT-INDUSTRY committee has recommended the Implementation of several measures to strengthen the...stopped due to lack of funds for providing subsidies. According to Deputy Education Minister (Yun Shih- Chin ), Chinese-language classes in several

Liter averages 10 yen or less is completed; 1 l heikin 10 en ika wo tettei

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-08-01

The Japan energy reduces average management cost of franchise gas station during this fiscal year from current 12 yen/l mounts to under 10 yen/l. The sales promotion personnel of decision, the sole agent and headquarters cooperatively raises the price competitive power in respect of new sale measure 'TACS' which stimulates compression of the stand of personnel expenses and fuel and light expenses and extension of the oil outside on. Though the judgment of the sole agent entrusts the participation to 'TACS', in non-participation the sole agent who can not realize the cost of 10 yen or less, it is the policy which stops future sales promotion support. (translated by NEDO)

Prevention of Ovarian High Grade Serous Carcinoma by Elucidating Its Early Changes

Science.gov (United States)

2016-10-01

Cancer Res, in press. PMID: 27590741 31. Ayhan A, Kuhn E, Wu RC, Ogawa H, Talbott AB, Mao TL, Sugimura H, Shih IM, Wang TL. CCNE1 copy number gain...most significant focal DNA somatic copy number alterations were shared between cases with and without STIC lesions. Class comparison of the RNA...significant effort has been placed on determining the menstrual status of samples collected – this included reviewing the endometrium of corresponding

Sustained release of vancomycin from novel biodegradable nanofiber-loaded vascular prosthetic grafts: in vitro and in vivo study

OpenAIRE

Liu, Kuo-Sheng; Lee, Cheng-Hung; Wang, Yi-Chuan; Liu, Shih-Jung

2015-01-01

Kuo-Sheng Liu,1 Cheng-Hung Lee,2 Yi-Chuan Wang,3 Shih-Jung Liu3 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan; 2Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan; 3Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan Abstract: This study describes novel biodegradable, drug-eluting nanofiber-loaded vascular prosthetic grafts that provide local and sustained...

Does a One-Size-Fits-All Cost-Sharing Approach Incentivize Appropriate Medication Use? A Roundtable on the Fairness and Ethics Associated with Variable Cost Sharing.

Science.gov (United States)

Graff, Jennifer S; Shih, Chuck; Barker, Thomas; Dieguez, Gabriela; Larson, Cheryl; Sherman, Helen; Dubois, Robert W

2017-06-01

use of the higher-cost treatment was due to biological reasons such as step therapy (6 = unacceptable, 9 = neutral, 2 = acceptable) or diagnostic results (5 = unacceptable, 10 = neutral, and 2 = acceptable). In contrast, panelists felt it was more acceptable for patients to pay greater OOP costs when treatment choice was based on preferences to avoid a side-effect risk (1 = unacceptable, 3 = neutral, and 13 = acceptable) or the route/frequency of administration (1 = unacceptable, 1 = neutral, and 15 = acceptable). Five guiding principles emerged from the discussion: When patients have tried lower-cost therapies unsuccessfully, the benefits of higher-cost treatments were certain and significant, the cost difference between treatments was aligned with improved benefits, and penalties due to bad luck were mitigated, then cost-sharing differences should be minimized but not eliminated. Patient OOP costs can affect the use of both inappropriate and appropriate medications. This study identified 5 guiding principles to determine when it was more (or less) acceptable for patients with the same or similar conditions to have different OOP costs. Barriers that hinder the alignment of care and patient cost sharing exist. Policies that facilitate the alignment of patient cost sharing with appropriate care are needed. Funding for this roundtable was provided by the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC). Graff and Dubois are employed by the NPC. Shih was employed by the NPC at the time of this study. Barker, Dieguez, Sherman, and Larson received consulting fees for participation in this study. Larson also reports receiving grants and other payment from multiple major pharmaceutical manufacturers outside of this study. The NPC employees developed the study design and chose the case studies in collaboration with the white paper authors. The roundtable was facilitated by Dubois, and the meeting summary and manuscript were written by Graff and Shih, with revisions by all roundtable

Histopathological Effects of the Yen-Tc Toxin Complex from Yersinia entomophaga MH96 (Enterobacteriaceae) on the Costelytra zealandica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Larval Midgut

Science.gov (United States)

Hares, Michelle C.; Jones, Sandra A.; Harper, Lincoln A.; Vernon, James R.; Harland, Duane P.; Jackson, Trevor A.; Hurst, Mark R. H.

2012-01-01

Yersinia entomophaga MH96, which was originally isolated from the New Zealand grass grub, Costelytra zealandica, produces an orally active proteinaceous toxin complex (Yen-Tc), and this toxin is responsible for mortality in a range of insect species, mainly within the Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. The genes encoding Yen-Tc are members of the toxin complex (Tc) family, with orthologs identified in several other bacterial species. As the mechanism of Yen-Tc activity remains unknown, a histopathological examination of C. zealandica larvae was undertaken in conjunction with cultured cells to identify the effects of Yen-Tc and to distinguish the contributions that its individual subunit components make upon intoxication. A progressive series of events that led to the deterioration of the midgut epithelium was observed. Additionally, experiments using a cell culture assay system were carried out to determine the cellular effects of intoxication on cells after topical application and the transient expression of Yen-Tc and its individual components. While observations were broadly consistent with those previously reported for other Tc family members, some differences were noted. In particular, the distinct stepwise disintegration of the midgut shared features associated with both apoptosis and necrotic programmed cell death pathways. Second, we observed, for the first time, a contribution of toxicity from two chitinases associated with the Yen-Tc complex. Our findings were suggestive of the activities encoded within the subunit components of Yen-Tc targeting different sites along putative programmed cell death pathways. Given the observed broad host range for Yen-Tc, these targeted loci are likely to be widely shared among insects. PMID:22544254

Pseudomembranous colitis within radiotherapy field following concurrent chemoradiation therapy: a case report

OpenAIRE

Hsieh, Chen-Hsi; Shen,Bing-Jie; Lin,Shih-Chiang; Shueng,Pei-Wei; Tseng,Li-Ming; Chou,

2013-01-01

Bing-Jie Shen,1 Shih-Chiang Lin,2 Pei-Wei Shueng,1,3 Yueh-Hung Chou,4 Li-Ming Tseng,5 Chen-Hsi Hsieh1,6,71Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 2Division of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 3Department of Radiation Oncology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; 4Department of Anatomical Pathology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 5...

People’s Republic of China Scientific Abstracts No. 179

Science.gov (United States)

1977-11-08

No 2, April 1977 7 CHIH-WU HSUEH-PAO [ACTA BOTANICA SINICA] No 2, June 1977 22 I-CH’UAN HSUEH-PAO [ACTA GENETICA SINICA] No 1...2^-129 ^675] WANG Hsiang-yun [37*9 7^9 0061] ORG: Roth of Office of Microbiology Teaching and Research, First College of Military...2799 2973 3163], SHIH Wei-k’ang [2457 3262 1660], et al. AtmiOR: None ORG: Third Teaching and Research Group, Department of Hygiene

People’s Republic of China Scientific Abstracts, Number 185

Science.gov (United States)

1978-02-14

CONTENTS PAGE HANG-K’UNG CHIH-SHIH [AERONAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE] No 10, October 1977 .... 1 CHIH-WU HSUEH-PAO [ACTA BOTANICA SINICA] No 3, September 1977 8...launch units; 3) Chairman Hua visiting an earthquake damaged region; 4) a group of female pilots of a minority race. 3012 CSO: 4009 ACTA BOTANICA ...CHIH-WU HSUEH-PAO [ACTA BOTANICA SINICä] in Chinese Vol 19 No 3, Sep 77 pp 167-171 TEXT OF ENGLISH ABSTRACT: 1. The process of microsporogenesis

A Network Analysis of the Teachers and Graduate Students’ Research Topics in the Field of Mass Communication

OpenAIRE

Ming-Shu Yuan; Yung-Nan Yu

2013-01-01

The completion of a master’s thesis requires the advisor’s guidance on topic selection, data collection, analysis, interpretation and writing. The advisory committee’s input also contributes to the work. This study conducted content analysis and network analysis on a sample of 547 master’s theses from eight departments of the College of Journalism and Communications of Shih Hsin University to examine the relationships between the advisors and committee members as well as the connections of re...

Contribution of Fuzzy Minimal Cost Flow Problem by Possibility Programming

OpenAIRE

S. Fanati Rashidi; A. A. Noora

2010-01-01

Using the concept of possibility proposed by zadeh, luhandjula ([4,8]) and buckley ([1]) have proposed the possibility programming. The formulation of buckley results in nonlinear programming problems. Negi [6]re-formulated the approach of Buckley by the use of trapezoidal fuzzy numbers and reduced the problem into fuzzy linear programming problem. Shih and Lee ([7]) used the Negi approach to solve a minimum cost flow problem, whit fuzzy costs and the upper and lower bound. ...

High Seas Buffer: The Taiwan Patrol Force, 1950-1979

Science.gov (United States)

2012-04-01

It is prohibited to use NWC’s logo on any republication of this book without the express, written permission of the Editor, Naval War College Press, or...watches and developed an English–Chinese signal book to be used in communications between American and Nationalist ships. With the help of foreign... secondhand from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, and Japan. One of their primary missions was to patrol the strait. On 13 January 1967, Maj. Shih-Lin Hu

Sustained release of bactericidal concentrations of penicillin in the pleural space via an antibiotic-eluting pigtail catheter coated with electrospun nanofibers: results from in vivo and in vitro studies

OpenAIRE

Chao, Yin-Kai; Lee, Cheng-Hung; Liu, Kuo-Sheng; Wang, Yi-Chuan; Wang, Chih-Wei; Liu, Shih-Jung

2015-01-01

Yin-Kai Chao,1 Cheng-Hung Lee,2 Kuo-Sheng Liu,1 Yi-Chuan Wang,3 Chih-Wei Wang,4 Shih-Jung Liu3 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 2Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 3Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 4Department of P...

Two-stage estimation in copula models used in family studies

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Andersen, Elisabeth Anne Wreford

2005-01-01

by Shih and Louis (Biometrics vol. 51, pp. 1384-1399, 1995b) and Glidden (Lifetime Data Analysis vol. 6, pp. 141-156, 2000). Because register based family studies often involve very large cohorts a method for analysing a sampled cohort is also derived together with the asymptotic properties...... of the estimators. The proposed methods are studied in simulations and the estimators are found to be highly efficient. Finally, the methods are applied to a study of mortality in twins....

Can yen be the currency for international settlement and foreign reserves; En no kokusaika (kessai junbi tsuka toshite no en no kanosei)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hiraki, S. [Niigata University, Niigata (Japan). Faculty of Engineering

1995-11-20

Taking as the first on the list the fall in the status of the U.S. dollar as seen in aiding the Mexican currency liquidity crisis, this paper traces the course of weakening of the U.S. dollar and changes in foreign exchange rates, and explains the internationalization and expectation on the yen as a supplementary key currency. Since the American trade balance had turned into deficit in 1970, the value of the U.S. dollar has declined against that of the Japanese yen and German mark. It is clear from change in the IMF assignment amount that the two latter currencies are taking the role for international settlement and as reserve currencies. The import contracts denominated in yen in Asia during 1991 have stayed as low as at 21.6% based on the prediction of the appreciating trend of yen, while those for the export contracts have exceeded 50%. Although the amount of yen reserved in every country as the reserve currency is still small, it is anticipated that yen will be playing more important role as one of the key currencies in the future. However, it is also a fact that there are several problems for yen to be capable of being used for the international settlement and as the reserve currency. 1 fig., 4 tabs.

Business plan for a startup: Yen Viet Company

OpenAIRE

Truong, Hang

2015-01-01

The main objective of this thesis is to create a business plan for Yen Viet Company, to help the founder to discover whether the business idea is feasible or not. The business plan consists of these elements: executive summary, description of the company, business strategy and industry profile, description of the firm’s products and services, marketing strategy, description of the management team, financial plan, and financial plan. Exploratory analysis is chosen as the research method i...

Dynamic relationship between Japanese Yen exchange rates and market anxiety: A new perspective based on MF-DCCA

Science.gov (United States)

Lu, Xinsheng; Sun, Xinxin; Ge, Jintian

2017-05-01

This paper investigates the dynamic relationship between Japanese Yen exchange rates and market anxiety during the period from January 5, 1998 to April 18, 2016. A quantitative technique of multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MF-DCCA) is used to explore the multifractal features of the cross-correlations between USD/JPY, AUD/JPY exchange rates and the market anxiety gauge VIX. The investigation shows that the causal relationship between Japanese Yen exchange rates and VIX are bidirectional in general, and the cross-correlations between the two sets of time series are multifractal. Strong evidence suggests that the cross-correlation exponents tend to exhibit different volatility patterns in response to diverse external shocks such as financial distress and widening in interest rate spread, suggesting that the cross-correlated behavior between Japanese Yen exchange rates and VIX are susceptible to economic uncertainties and risks. In addition, the performances of two market anxiety gauges, the VIX and the TED spread, are compared and the sources of multifractality are also traced. Thus, this paper contributes to the literature by shedding light on the unique driving forces of the Yen exchange rate fluctuations in the international foreign exchange market.

An analytical model and parametric study of electrical contact resistance in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wu, Zhiliang; Wang, Shuxin; Zhang, Lianhong [School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072 (China); Hu, S. Jack [Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125 (United States)

2009-04-15

This paper presents an analytical model of the electrical contact resistance between the carbon paper gas diffusion layers (GDLs) and the graphite bipolar plates (BPPs) in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The model is developed based on the classical statistical contact theory for a PEM fuel cell, using the same probability distributions of the GDL structure and BPP surface profile as previously described in Wu et al. [Z. Wu, Y. Zhou, G. Lin, S. Wang, S.J. Hu, J. Power Sources 182 (2008) 265-269] and Zhou et al. [Y. Zhou, G. Lin, A.J. Shih, S.J. Hu, J. Power Sources 163 (2007) 777-783]. Results show that estimates of the contact resistance compare favorably with experimental data by Zhou et al. [Y. Zhou, G. Lin, A.J. Shih, S.J. Hu, J. Power Sources 163 (2007) 777-783]. Factors affecting the contact behavior are systematically studied using the analytical model, including the material properties of the two contact bodies and factors arising from the manufacturing processes. The transverse Young's modulus of chopped carbon fibers in the GDL and the surface profile of the BPP are found to be significant to the contact resistance. The factor study also sheds light on the manufacturing requirements of carbon fiber GDLs for a better contact performance in PEM fuel cells. (author)

The Higgs and Supersymmetry at Run II of the LHC

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shih, David [Rutgers Univ., Piscataway, NJ (United States)

2016-04-14

Prof. David Shih was supported by DOE grant DE-SC0013678 from April 2015 to April 2016. His research during this year focused on the phenomenology of super-symmetry (SUSY) and maximizing its future discovery potential at Run II of the LHC. SUSY is one of the most well-motivated frameworks for physics beyond the Standard Model. It solves the "naturalness" or "hierarchy" problem by stabilizing the Higgs mass against otherwise uncontrolled quantum corrections, predicts "grand unification" of the fundamental forces, and provides many potential candidates for dark matter. However, after decades of null results from direct and indirect searches, the viable parameter space for SUSY is increasingly constrained. Also, the discovery of a Standard Model-like Higgs with a mass at 125 GeV places a stringent constraint on SUSY models. In the work supported on this grant, Shih has worked on four different projects motivated by these issues. He has built natural SUSY models that explain the Higgs mass and provide viable dark matter; he has studied the parameter space of "gauge mediated supersymmetry breaking" (GMSB) that satisfies the Higgs mass constraint; he has developed new tools for the precision calculation of flavor and CP observables in general SUSY models; and he has studied new techniques for discovery of supersymmetric partners of the top quark.

The Higgs and Supersymmetry at Run II of the LHC

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shih, David

2016-01-01

Prof. David Shih was supported by DOE grant DE-SC0013678 from April 2015 to April 2016. His research during this year focused on the phenomenology of super-symmetry (SUSY) and maximizing its future discovery potential at Run II of the LHC. SUSY is one of the most well-motivated frameworks for physics beyond the Standard Model. It solves the 'naturalness' or 'hierarchy' problem by stabilizing the Higgs mass against otherwise uncontrolled quantum corrections, predicts 'grand unification' of the fundamental forces, and provides many potential candidates for dark matter. However, after decades of null results from direct and indirect searches, the viable parameter space for SUSY is increasingly constrained. Also, the discovery of a Standard Model-like Higgs with a mass at 125 GeV places a stringent constraint on SUSY models. In the work supported on this grant, Shih has worked on four different projects motivated by these issues. He has built natural SUSY models that explain the Higgs mass and provide viable dark matter; he has studied the parameter space of 'gauge mediated supersymmetry breaking' (GMSB) that satisfies the Higgs mass constraint; he has developed new tools for the precision calculation of flavor and CP observables in general SUSY models; and he has studied new techniques for discovery of supersymmetric partners of the top quark.

Gov'tal FY 1987 draft budget for N-energy set at 360 billion yen, up 0.8 %

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1987-01-01

The governmental draft budget for nuclear energy was approved on December 30. The total provided is 360,222 million yen, an increase of 0.8 % over the previous year. This is made up of general account, 183,308 million yen (1.4 % down) and special account for power resources development (related only to nuclear power) 175,914 million yen (up 3.2 %). The amount from the general account is reduced for the first time in three years. This decrease is due mainly to completion of the energy break-even plasma testing device for nuclear fusion research. The special account primarily represents the tax for promoting power source development, a kind of special purpose tax from the electric power companies, based on generated electricity, and from this, subsidies are paid to local municipalities for promotion of siting for power sources and for the cost of survey and research on the development of oil alternative power sources. The special account for power resources development consists of the power sources siting account, 68,114 million yen (up 4.5 %) and the power sources diversification account, 108,800 million yen (up 2.4 %). Nuclear energy budgets sought by the Science and Technology Agency, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, and other government agencies are shown in Table. STA and MITI have both requested slightly less than in the preceding year from the general accout, but both asked for higher amounts from the special account than in the preceding year. The high rise in the amount sougt by other agencies is attributed to the increase in the cost of eradication of melon flies. (Nogami, K.)

Relative Effects of the Dollar and Yen on East Asian Currency Values: Focusing on the Post-Crisis Period

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Bonghan Kim

2007-06-01

Full Text Available This paper empirically analyzes the relative effects of the dollar and yen on the value of East Asian currencies. We focus especially on countries that have chosen to adopt floating regimes in the post-financial crisis period, such as South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. First, we calculate a exchange rate flexibility index and carry out a regression using Frankel and Wei's (1994 methodology. The results confirm an increase in the coupling of East Asian currencies vis-a-vis the yen since the 1997 financial crisis. In addition to coupling, we calculate using a non-linear unit root test the exchange rates for four currencies vis-a-vis the yen, excluding the Philippine peso, which has a band-reverting tendency. As a second step, we examine the band-reverting tendency in more detail using the Markov-regime switching model and a three-regime threshold vector error correction model. As the results indicate, band-reverting tendencies are verifiable for all currencies, except for the Philippine peso. In particular, symmetrical band-reverting tendencies are observed whether exchange rates are beyond the upper boundary or below the lower boundary of the band. In the case of the Korean won and Taiwanese dollar, when these two currency exchange rates (measured against the yen deviate from a certain band, an adjustment process takes place in order to return toward the band.

GLOBAL CONVERGENCE FOR THE XOR BOOLEAN NETWORKS

OpenAIRE

Ho, Juei-Ling

2009-01-01

Shih and Ho have proved a global convergent theorem for boolean network: if a map from $\\{0,1\\}^{n}$ to itself defines a boolean network has the conditions: (1) each column of the discrete Jacobian matrix of each element of $\\{0,1\\}^{n}$ is either a unit vector or a zero vector; (2) all the boolean eigenvalues of the discrete Jacobian matrix of this map evaluated at each element of $\\{0,1\\}^{n}$ are zero, then it has a unique fixed point and this boolean network is global convergent to the fi...

SM-ND Age and REE Systematics of Larkman Nunatek 06319: Closed System Fractional Crystallization of a Shergottite Magma

Science.gov (United States)

Shafer, J. T.; Brandon, A. D.; Lapen T. J.; Righter, M.; Peslier, A. H.

2010-01-01

Sm-Nd isotopic data were collected on mineral separates and bulk rock powders of LAR 06319, yielding an age of 180+/-13 Ma (2(sigma)). This age is concordant with the Lu-Hf age (197+/-29 Ma, [1]) determined in conjunction with these data and the Sm-Nd age (190+/-26 Ma) of Shih et al., 2009 [2]. The Sm-Nd data form at statistically significant isochron (Fig. 1) that is controlled largely by leachate-residue pairs (samples with the R suffix are residues after leaching in cold 2N HCl for 10 minutes).

Implementing general gauge mediation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Carpenter, Linda M.; Dine, Michael; Festuccia, Guido; Mason, John D.

2009-01-01

Recently there has been much progress in building models of gauge mediation, often with predictions different than those of minimal gauge mediation. Meade, Seiberg, and Shih have characterized the most general spectrum which can arise in gauge-mediated models. We discuss some of the challenges of building models of general gauge mediation, especially the problem of messenger parity and issues connected with R symmetry breaking and CP violation. We build a variety of viable, weakly coupled models which exhibit some or all of the possible low energy parameters.

正史乐志书写方式对《礼记・乐记》的继承与发展

OpenAIRE

史, 文

2016-01-01

Yueji is the most important document for systematically recording the music of the pre-Qin period. The Annals of Music in the official Chinese history books has become the main text carrier after the book of Yueji. Yueji had a profound influence on later music literature, either on the concept of music or on the description of music, though it does not especially record the music’s history. Based on the analysis of Yueji, this thesis will take the Annals of Music in Shih Chi, Hanshu and Songs...

Measurement of 65Zn in 5-yen coin present in the houses nearby JCO

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kono, Masuchika; Koizumi, Yoshinobu

2000-01-01

In 1999, a critical accident occurred in Calder-Hall type power reactor of JCO for the first in Japan. This study aimed to estimate γ exposure dose utilizing a five-yen coin present in the houses nearby JCO at the time of accident. The coin, which is composed of Cu-Zn alloy is present every houses and its quality is well controlled by Ministry of Finance. In addition, Zn isotope ( 65 Zn) produced by neutron exposure has a long half-life (244.1 days) and emits γ ray with high energy of 1115.5 keV, which allows measurement at a low level radiation. So, five-yen coin was used as the subject. The exposure dose of inhabitant was estimated based on the activity on 5-yen coins collected from the houses at 13 points at different distances from JCO, which was determined by a low-level measurement system equipped with a pure-Ge semiconductor. The relationship between dose equivalent (mSv) and the distance from JCO was presented. At the time of JCO accident, the evacuation order was given to the inhabitants living within 300 m from the company. However, the present study indicated that the exposure dose was as high as 220 mSv at the site 100 m apart from JCO. Therefore, it is concluded that the inhabitants living in the area more than 350 m from JCO should also have taken refuge. (M.N.)

Performance of Technical Trading Systems in the Yen/Dollar Market

OpenAIRE

Schulmeister, Stephan

2007-01-01

The study investigates the profitability of 1,024 moving average and momentum models and their components in the yen/dollar market. It turns out that all models would have been profitable between 1976 and 1999. The pattern of profitability is as follows: the models produce more single losses than single profits, however, the size of the single profits is on average much higher than the size of single losses. Hence, the profitability of technical currency trading is exclusively due to the expl...

Dissimilar Effects of World News Announcements on Euro/Dollar/Yen Exchange Rates: An Econophysics Approach

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

David Matesanz

2015-01-01

Full Text Available This paper revisits the issue of the influence of macro-economic announcements over the exchange rates volatility, but from a different perspective as it is the usual in the econometric literature. By quantifying the impact of world-wide macroeconomic information published in the economic calendar in several recent years we were able to construct long events’ time series with the objective to test whether they influence exchange rate volatilities in several currencies. In order to do that, Granger causality test was employed by using a computational approach. Our results show that announcements from U.S.A are, by far, the most important influence over the three spot forex quotes, Euro/Dollar, Euro/Yen and Dollar/Yen. The method proposed here opens the door to address several open questions until now.

Hold your horSSEs: controlling structure-selective endonucleases MUS81 and Yen1/GEN1.

Science.gov (United States)

Blanco, Miguel G; Matos, Joao

2015-01-01

Repair of DNA lesions through homologous recombination promotes the establishment of stable chromosomal interactions. Multiple helicases, topoisomerases and structure-selective endonucleases (SSEs) act upon recombining joint molecules (JMs) to disengage chromosomal connections and safeguard chromosome segregation. Recent studies on two conserved SSEs - MUS81 and Yen1/GEN1- uncovered multiple layers of regulation that operate to carefully tailor JM-processing according to specific cellular needs. Temporal restriction of SSE function imposes a hierarchy in pathway usage that ensures efficient JM-processing while minimizing reciprocal exchanges between the recombining DNAs. Whereas a conserved strategy of fine-tuning SSE functions exists in different model systems, the precise molecular mechanisms to implement it appear to be significantly different. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the cellular switches that are in place to control MUS81 and Yen1/GEN1 functions.

Outstanding Student Paper Awards

Science.gov (United States)

2004-04-01

The following members in the Space Physics & Aeronomy Section received Outstanding Student Paper Awards at the 2003 AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco, California. Arve Aksnes; Aroh Barjatya; Jacob Bortnik; Amir Caspi; Ruben Delgado; Galen Fowler; Paul G. Hanlon; Sid Henderson; Tara B. Hiebert; Chia-Lin Huang; Steven P. Joy; Eun-Hwa Kim; Colby Lemon; Yingjuan Ma; Elizabeth A. MacDonald; Jaco Minnie; Mitsuo Oka; Yoshitaka Okazaki; Erin J. Rigler; Ina P. Robertson; Patrick A. Roddy; Sang-Il Roh; Albert Y. Shih; Christopher Smithtro; Emma Spanswick; Maria Spasojevic; Hiroki Tanaka; Linghua Wang; Deirdre E. Wendel; Jichun Zhang>

Conformal sequestering simplified

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schmaltz, Martin; Sundrum, Raman

2006-01-01

Sequestering is important for obtaining flavor-universal soft masses in models where supersymmetry breaking is mediated at high scales. We construct a simple and robust class of hidden sector models which sequester themselves from the visible sector due to strong and conformally invariant hidden dynamics. Masses for hidden matter eventually break the conformal symmetry and lead to supersymmetry breaking by the mechanism recently discovered by Intriligator, Seiberg and Shih. We give a unified treatment of subtleties due to global symmetries of the CFT. There is enough review for the paper to constitute a self-contained account of conformal sequestering

Exchange-rate forecasts and asymmetric loss: empirical evidence for the yen/dollar exchange rate

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Stadtmann, Georg; Pierdzioch; Rülke

2012-01-01

We used the yen/dollar exchange-rate forecasts of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) poll to analyse whether exchange-rate forecasters have an asymmetric loss function. To this end, we applied an approach recently developed by Elliott et al. (2005). We found that only few forecasters seem to form...

Popper's Experiment: A Modern Perspective

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tabish Qureshi

2012-11-01

Full Text Available Karl Popper had proposed an experiment to test the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics. The proposal survived for many year in the midst of no clear consensus on what results it would yield. The experiment was realized by Kim and Shih in 1999, and the apparently surprising result led to lot of debate. We review Popper's proposal and its realization in the light of current era when entanglement has been well studied, both theoretically and experimentally. We show that the "ghost-diffraction" experiment, carried out in a different context, conclusively resolves the controversy surrounding Popper's experiment. Quanta 2012; 1: 19–32.

Contribution of Fuzzy Minimal Cost Flow Problem by Possibility Programming

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

S. Fanati Rashidi

2010-06-01

Full Text Available Using the concept of possibility proposed by zadeh, luhandjula ([4,8] and buckley ([1] have proposed the possibility programming. The formulation of buckley results in nonlinear programming problems. Negi [6]re-formulated the approach of Buckley by the use of trapezoidal fuzzy numbers and reduced the problem into fuzzy linear programming problem. Shih and Lee ([7] used the Negi approach to solve a minimum cost flow problem, whit fuzzy costs and the upper and lower bound. In this paper we shall consider the general form of this problem where all of the parameters and variables are fuzzy and also a model for solving is proposed

Migration of a retained surgical swab into the jejunum in a dog.

Science.gov (United States)

Day, J L; Pechman, R D; Bahr, R J

2012-12-01

A two-year-old spayed female shih-tzu was referred with a 10-month history of lethargy, chronic diarrhoea and weight loss. On presentation, a partial response to antibiotics was noted. Physical examination revealed an abdominal mass, and serum biochemistry and haematology revealed a mature neutrophilia, hypoalbuminaemia and a non-regenerative anaemia. Contrast radiography and abdominal ultrasound were suggestive of an intraluminal foreign body. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a surgical swab in the lumen of the jejunum that was associated with severe adhesions. Histopathology showed evidence of transmural migration of the swab from the peritoneal cavity to the lumen of the jejunum. © 2012 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

RADIATION THERAPY COMMUNICATION-REIRRADIATION OF A NASAL TUMOR IN A BRACHYCEPHALIC DOG USING INTENSITY MODULATED RADIATION THERAPY.

Science.gov (United States)

Rancilio, Nicholas J; Custead, Michelle R; Poulson, Jean M

2016-09-01

A 5-year-old spayed female Shih Tzu was referred for evaluation of a nasal transitional carcinoma. A total lifetime dose of 117 Gy was delivered to the intranasal mass in three courses over nearly 2 years using fractionated intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to spare normal tissues. Clinically significant late normal tissue side effects were limited to bilaterally diminished tear production. The patient died of metastatic disease progression 694 days after completion of radiation therapy course 1. This case demonstrates that retreatment with radiation therapy to high lifetime doses for recurrent local disease may be well tolerated with IMRT. © 2016 American College of Veterinary Radiology.

Profitability of Technical Currency Speculation. The Case of Yen-Dollar Trading 1976-2007

OpenAIRE

Schulmeister, Stephan

2008-01-01

The paper investigates the profitability of 1,024 moving average and momentum models and their components in the yen-dollar market. It turns out that all models would have been profitable between 1976 and 2007. The models produce more single losses than single profits. At the same time, the size of the single profits is on average much higher than the size of single losses because profitable positions last two to six times longer than unprofitable positions. Hence, the profitability of techni...

Covered interest parity arbitrage and temporal long-term dependence between the US dollar and the Yen

Science.gov (United States)

Batten, Jonathan A.; Szilagyi, Peter G.

2007-03-01

Using a daily time series from 1983 to 2005 of currency prices in spot and forward USD/Yen markets and matching equivalent maturity short-term US and Japanese interest rates, we investigate the sensitivity of the difference between actual prices in forward markets to those calculated from differentials in short-term interest rates. According to a fundamental theorem in financial economics termed covered interest parity (CIP), the actual and estimated prices should be identical once transaction and other costs are accommodated. The paper presents three important findings: first, we find evidence of considerable variation in CIP deviations from equilibrium; second, these deviations have diminished significantly and by 2000 have been almost eliminated; third, an analysis of the CIP deviations using the local Hurst exponent finds episodes of time-varying dependence over the various sample periods, which appear to be linked to episodes of dollar decline/Yen appreciation, or vice versa. The finding of temporal long-term dependence in CIP deviations is consistent with recent evidence of temporal long-term dependence in the returns of currency, stock and commodity markets.

Fracture mechanics performance of UF6 containers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gonzalez, M.E.; Iorio, A.F.; Crespi, J.C.

1993-01-01

The main purpose of this work was to determine the fracture mechanics performance of UF 6 transport cylinders type ANSI N14.1.30B, which was made from ASTM A 516 Grade 70 steel. It was assumed an internal surface axial crack subjected to stresses due to service, proof and transport accident loads. The KUMAR-GERMAN-SHIH elastoplastic methodology gave adequate results for crack depth estimation. The results validate the leak-before-break criteria for service and proof conditions but not for accident ones. In the last case a non-destructive examination must be done in order to assure the absence of defects larger than one third of the cylinder wall thickness. (Author)

X-ray crystal structures of the pheromone-binding domains of two quorum-hindered transcription factors, YenR of Yersinia enterocolitica and CepR2 of Burkholderia cenocepacia: KIM et al.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kim, Youngchang [Midwest Center for Structural Genomics, Biosciences, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Structural Biology Center, Biosciences, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Chhor, Gekleng [Midwest Center for Structural Genomics, Biosciences, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Tsai, Ching-Sung [Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca New York 14853; Fox, Gabriel [Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca New York 14853; Chen, Chia-Sui [Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca New York 14853; Winans, Nathan J. [Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca New York 14853; Jedrzejczak, Robert [Structural Biology Center, Biosciences, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Joachimiak, Andrzej [Midwest Center for Structural Genomics, Biosciences, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Structural Biology Center, Biosciences, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois 60637; Winans, Stephen C. [Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca New York 14853

2017-07-24

The ability of LuxR-type proteins to regulate transcription is controlled by bacterial pheromones, N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). Most LuxR-family proteins require their cognate AHLs for activity, and some of them require AHLs for folding and stability, and for protease-resistance. However, a few members of this family are able to fold, dimerize, bind DNA, and regulate transcription in the absence of AHLs; moreover, these proteins are antagonized by their cognate AHLs. One such protein is YenR of Yersinia enterocolitica, which is antagonized by N-3-oxohexanoyl-l-homoserine lactone (OHHL). This pheromone is produced by the OHHL synthase, a product of the adjacent yenI gene. Another example is CepR2 of Burkholderia cenocepacia, which is antagonized by N-octanoyl-l-homoserine lactone (OHL), whose synthesis is directed by the cepI gene of the same bacterium. Here, we describe the high-resolution crystal structures of the AHL binding domains of YenR and CepR2. YenR was crystallized in the presence and absence of OHHL. While this ligand does not cause large scale changes in the YenR structure, it does alter the orientation of several highly conserved YenR residues within and near the pheromone-binding pocket, which in turn caused a significant movement of a surface-exposed loop.

Characterization of pig farms in Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Bac Ninh provinces

OpenAIRE

Nguyen Van Duy; Vu Dinh; Dang Vu, Binh; Vo Trong, Thanh; Nguyen Cong, oanh; Phan Van, Chung

2007-01-01

In order to characterization of pig farms in the Red River Delta, a study was conducted on 90 pig farms in Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Bac Ninh provinces from June to December 2006. Results show that most of the pig farms had been built for five years with a small size (0.5 hectare per farm). The invested capital was about 300-400 millions VND per farm. Four main sow groups used in the farms included crossbred exotic sows (51.1%), crossbred sow between local and exotic breeds (14.4%), purebred La...

Contribution supplémentaire de 5 milliards de yens du Japon au grand collisionneur de hadrons du CERN

CERN Multimedia

CERN Press Office. Geneva

1998-01-01

Japan's Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture (Monbusho), has announced, subject to approval by the Diet, a further contribution of 5 billion Yen (approximately 56 million Swiss francs) for the construction of the LHC. This generous gesture reinforces the excellent relations that have been established between CERN and Japan.

An NPARC Turbulence Module with Wall Functions

Science.gov (United States)

Zhu, J.; Shih, T.-H.

1997-01-01

The turbulence module recently developed for the NPARC code has been extended to include wall functions. The Van Driest transformation is used so that the wall functions can be applied to both incompressible and compressible flows. The module is equipped with three two-equation K-epsilon turbulence models: Chien, Shih-Lumley and CMOTR models. Details of the wall functions as well as their numerical implementation are reported. It is shown that the inappropriate artificial viscosity in the near-wall region has a big influence on the solution of the wall function approach. A simple way to eliminate this influence is proposed, which gives satisfactory results during the code validation. The module can be easily linked to the NPARC code for practical applications.

Treatment of a unicameral bone cyst in a dog using a customized titanium device.

Science.gov (United States)

Nojiri, Ayami; Akiyoshi, Hideo; Ohashi, Fumihito; Ijiri, Atsuki; Sawase, Osamu; Matsushita, Tomiharu; Takemoto, Mitsuru; Fujibayashi, Shunsuke; Nakamura, Takashi; Yamaguchi, Tsutomu

2015-01-01

A 4-year-old Shih-Tzu, referred for an enlarged left carpus, was diagnosed with a unicameral bone cyst. A customized titanium device was inserted into cystic lesion and fixed by titanium screws. Sufficient strength of the affected bone with the device inserted to maintain limb function was established after resection of contents of cystic lesion. There was no deterioration of the lesion of bone cyst, and acceptable function of the affected limb with no clinical signs of lameness was maintained during 36 months follow-up. The results of this study demonstrated that bone cyst curettage and use of a customized titanium device could provide an effective alternative treatment of huge lesion of unicameral bone cysts with the intent of preventing pathologic fractures.

Indigenous Communities and Cross­Strait Rapprochement: A Case Study of Chun­-ri and Shih-­wen

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Andi Kao

2015-08-01

Full Text Available Absent from most public debates on Taiwan’s embrace of neoliberal capitalism are the potential consequences of economic liberalization for Taiwan’s indigenous peoples. Deregulating markets and unfettering capital and resources are tied inextricably with cross-Strait politics. With a deep-seated apprehension of China still felt in many corners of the Taiwanese society, these issues are often framed with particular emphasis on the “China Factor”, overshadowing other relevant economic and societal considerations and thereby narrowing the scope of debate over government policies. Nevertheless, the potential influx of foreign capital investment, long- and short-term migrant labor and international visitors may have profound effects on Taiwan’s most vulnerable citizens, including the indigenous peoples. This paper will report the results of field research conducted among the Paiwan ethnic group, assessing actual and potential future changes affecting their individual families and communities. Preliminary assessment indicates that official policies liberalizing visitation and trade between China and Taiwan have already affected the Paiwan communities. Whether these changes become handicaps or opportunities depends on realistic evaluation, strategic planning, education, implementation, and periodic re-evaluation. This paper will contribute to the larger discussion of possible responses to the effects of inter-regional migration and transformations on minority societies by providing an assessment of current and potential conditions among the Paiwan of Taiwan.

Chinese strategic culture, Shih and Li: a comparison of the Kuomintang and Chinese Communist Party from 1923-1927

Science.gov (United States)

2016-05-26

contended that a time comes when “society can no longer live under this bourgeoisie , in other words, its existence is no longer compatible with society...said, “The first stage of revolution is the restriction of absolutism, which satisfies the bourgeoisie ; the second is the attainment of the republic...which satisfies the “people,” the peasantry and the petty bourgeoisie at large; the third is the socialist revolution, which alone can satisfy the

Food demand in Brazil: an application of Shonkwiler & Yen Two-Step estimation method

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Alexandre Bragança Coelho

2010-03-01

Full Text Available The objective of the analysis is to estimate a demand system including eighteen food products using data from a Brazilian Household Budget Survey carried out in 2002 and 2003 (POF 2002/2003. The functional form used was Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS. Estimation employs the Shonkwiler and Yen method to account for zero consumption. Results showed that purchase probabilities of staples foods were negatively related to family monthly income, while meat, milk and other products showed a positive relation. Regional, educational and urbanization variables were also important in the first stage estimation. While some of the goods had negative income coefficients, none were inferior and six of eighteen were luxuries based on second stage estimates.O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a demanda de alimentos no Brasil por meio da estimação de um sistema de demanda com dezoito produtos usando dados da Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares realizada em 2002 e 2003 (POF 2002/2003. A forma funcional utilizada foi o Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS. A estimação utiliza o Procedimento de Shonkwiler e Yen para lidar com o problema do consumo zero. Os resultados mostraram que as probabilidades de aquisição dos produtos básicos foram negativamente relacionadas com a renda familiar mensal, enquanto carnes, leite e outros produtos mostraram uma relação positiva. As variáveis de educação, regionais e de localização do domicílio também foram importantes no primeiro estágio da estimação. Em relação às elasticidades-renda, nenhum bem foi considerado inferior e seis de dezoito foram considerados bens de luxo.

On the stationarity of Japanese-yen based purchasing power parity in the presence of the structural breaks

OpenAIRE

Masafumi Kozuka

2010-01-01

In this paper we perform the stationarity test on the Japanese-yen based real exchange rate of major trade partners of Japan, and we investigate the existences of relative PPPs with these countries and areas. The empirical analyses support that relative PPPs with the United States, Germany (with marks and euro), Korea and Taiwan are upheld when we consider the constant, linear trend and structural breaks. However, relative PPP is not upheld with China (Mainland).

Realism in the Realized Popper's Experiment

Science.gov (United States)

Hunter, Geoffrey

2002-12-01

The realization of Karl Popper's EPR-like experiment by Shih and Kim (published 1999) produced the result that Popper hoped for: no ``action at a distance'' on one photon of an entangled pair when a measurement is made on the other photon. This experimental result is interpretable in local realistic terms: each photon has a definite position and transverse momentum most of the time; the position measurement on one photon (localization within a slit) disturbs the transverse momentum of that photon in a non-predictable way in accordance with the uncertainty principle; however, there is no effect on the other photon (the photon that is not in a slit) no action at a distance. The position measurement (localization within a slit) of the one photon destroys the coherence (entanglement) between the photons; i.e. decoherence occurs. This realistic (albeit retrodictive) interpretation of the Shih-Kim realization of what Popper called his ``crucial experiment'' is in accord with Bohr's original concept of the nature of the uncertainty principle, as being an inevitable effect of the disturbance of the measured system by the measuring apparatus. In this experiment the impact parameter of an incident photon with the centerline of the slit is an uncontrollable parameter of each individual photon scattering event; this impact parameter is variable for every incident photon, the variations being a statistical aspect of the beam of photons produced by the experimental arrangement. These experimental results are also in accord with the proposition of Einstein, Podolski and Rosen's 1935 paper: that quantum mechanics provides only a statistical, physically incomplete, theory of microscopic physical processes, for the quantum mechanical description of the experiment does not describe or explain the individual photon scattering events that are actually observed; the angle by which an individual photon is scattered is not predictable, because the photon's impact parameter with the

Arbitrage Activities between Offshore and Domestic Yen Money Markets since the End of the Quantitative Easing Policy

OpenAIRE

Teppei Nagano; Eiko Ooka; Naohiko Baba

2007-01-01

Transactions in the yen money markets have become active since the end of the quantitative easing policy (QEP) in March 2006. In particular, transactions by foreign financial institutions have been increasing in the offshore markets including the FX swap and euroyen deposit markets, as well as the domestic money markets. This Review surveys the spreads and hence the arbitrage relationship between those offshore markets and the domestic money markets. In the short-term money markets, the sprea...

La armonía entre la filosofía y el sufismo: Sohravardi.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Josep Puig Montada

2001-01-01

Full Text Available Sohravardi, Shiháb ad-DínYa~yá Suhrawardi (1155-1191 desarrolló una filosofia basada en el principio simbólico de la luz, y expuesta en su obra Sabiduría de la iluminación, en particular, pero exigió estudiar la filosofia de raíz aviceniana para entenderla. En este trabajo se utilizan en particular dos obras de Sohravardi posteriores a la misma, Las estaciones de los sufles, que como e] título indica es intuitiva, y eJ Libro de los destellos, que es argumentativa y aviceniana, y que él a menudo acusa de "peripatética" para poner de manifiesto cómo para él toda forma de filosofia es inseparable de la aplicación gnóstica.

Transient Fanconi syndrome with severe polyuria and polydipsia in a 4-year old Shih Tzu fed chicken jerky treats.

Science.gov (United States)

Major, A; Schweighauser, A; Hinden, S E; Francey, T

2014-12-01

Acquired Fanconi syndrome is characterized by inappropriate urinary loss of amino acids, bicarbonate, electrolytes, and water. It has recently been described in dogs fed chicken jerky treats from China, a new differential diagnosis to the classical inciting infectious diseases (e.g. leptospirosis, pyelonephritis) and toxins. A dog fed exclusively chicken jerky treats purchased in Switzerland was presented to our clinic with severe polyuria, polydipsia and profound electrolyte and acid base disturbances. Other inciting causes of Fanconi syndrome were ruled out. The requirement of a very intensive supportive treatment in this dog stands in contrast to treatment of chronic forms of Fanconi syndrome as described in the Basenji. This intensive therapy and the associated monitoring can be a real challenge and a limiting factor for the prognosis of acquired Fanconi syndrome. Veterinarians should be aware of the risk of excessive feeding of chicken jerky treats.

Relative Effects of the Dollar and Yen on East Asian Currency Values: Focusing on the Post-Crisis Period

OpenAIRE

Bonghan Kim; Seeun Jeong

2007-01-01

This paper empirically analyzes the relative effects of the dollar and yen on the value of East Asian currencies. We focus especially on countries that have chosen to adopt floating regimes in the post-financial crisis period, such as South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. First, we calculate a exchange rate flexibility index and carry out a regression using Frankel and Wei's (1994) methodology. The results confirm an increase in the coupling of East Asian currencies vi...

Determination Of Rare Earth And Other Elements In YEN-PHU Rare Earth Ore And Other Intermediate Products From The Floatation And Hydrometallurgical Process On Portable XRF Si-PIN Detector

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Doan Thanh Son; Phung Vu Phong; Nguyen Hanh Phuc

2014-01-01

The concentration of rare earths elements such as La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd and other elements as Ca, Fe, U, Th in Yen Phu rare earth ore and other intermediate products from the flotation and hydrometallurgical process was determined by using Si-PIN detector fluorescence spectrometry. The precision and accuracy of quantitative analysis was tested by standard reference materials and comparative analysis with different analytical methods. The analytical procedures were set-up and applied for the determination of rare earth and other elements in Yen Phu rare earth ore and other intermediate products from the flotation and hydrometallurgical process with high precision and accuracy. (author)

Steady-state crack growth in single crystals under Mode I loading

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Juul, Kristian Jørgensen; Nielsen, Kim Lau; Niordson, Christian Frithiof

2017-01-01

The active plastic zone that surrounds the tip of a sharp crack growing under plane strain Mode I loading conditions at a constant velocity in a single crystal is studied. Both the characteristics of the plastic zone and its effect on the macroscopic toughness is investigated in terms of crack tip...... that the largest shielding effect develops in HCP crystals, while the lowest shielding exists for FCC crystals. Rate-sensitivity is found to affect the plastic zone size, but the characteristics overall remain similar for each individual crystal structure. An increasing rate-sensitivity at low crack velocities...... shielding due to plasticity (quantified by employing the Suo, Shih, and Varias set-up). Three single crystals (FCC, BCC, HCP) are modelled in a steady-state elastic visco-plastic framework, with emphasis on the influence of rate-sensitivity and crystal structures. Distinct velocity discontinuities...

Erken Tabgaç (T’o-pa Tarihinin Ana Hatları (Wei Shu’nun İlk Bölümüne Göre Outlines of Early Tabgach (T’o-pa History (According to First Chapter of Wei Shu

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Kürşat YILDIRIM

2012-09-01

Full Text Available The History of Tabgach Turks who recorded in Chinese sources under the name of T’o-pa is little known. Tabgachs dominated on Northern China in 386 AD, governed China for nearly two centuries and finally disappeared from the stage of history by becoming Chinese people. Some scholars investigated this period of Tabgachs. However, their emergence to stage of history and their history until 386 AD are little studied. Tabgachs begun to take place in the Chinese sources in years about 160-170. They strengthened their state formation anddominated on all of their neighbors in the period of Li-wei (220-277.They established Tai State under the reign of I-lu in 314 and this statelasted until 376. Especially in the reign of Shih-i-chien (338-376,Tabgach State strengthened and extended its domination from Liaoningin east to Ferghana in west. Largest state formation of Tabgachs isNorthern Wei State that dominated all of China and later becameChinese. Our article aims to study this period lasted until 386 based onfirst chapter of Wei Shu that is official dynastic history of TabgachDynasty. Besides this, it is applied to main sources as Shih Chi, HanShu, Hou Han Shu, San Kuo Chih, Chin Shu, T’ai P’ing Yü Lan, Ts’e FuYüan Kuei, T’ung Chih, Wen Hsien T’ung Kao, Tzu Chih T’ung Chien,T’ung Tien and research studies. We hope to contribute to later studieson political history, linguistics, cultural history about Tabgachs withour study in General Turkic History. Çin kaynaklarında T’o-pa adı altında kaydedilen Tabgaç Türklerinin tarihleri az bilinmektedir. Tabgaçlar M.S. 386 yılında Kuzey Çin’e hâkim oldular, yaklaşık iki yüzyıl Çin’i idâre ettiler ve nihayetinde Çinlileşip tarih sahnesinden çekildiler. Bazı âlimler Tabgaçların bu devrini incelemişlerdir. Bununla beraber Tabgaçların tarih sahnesine çıkışları ve 386 yılına kadar olan tarihleri pek çalışılmamıştır. Tabgaçlar 160-170 yıllarında �

專論／大學社群之共同故事萃取研究／阮明淑 | The Study on Extraction of Common Organizational Story within University Community / Ming-Shu Yuan

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阮明淑 Ming-Shu Yuan

2007-10-01

Full Text Available

說故事(storytelling為人類傳承文化及智慧的一種方式。在組織中，透過說故事能有效的轉移內隱知識，促進組織內外的溝通及學習，並有 助於組織價值的建立。大學是創新知識的重要來源之一，在知識經濟時代中佔有重要地位，若能善加利用說故事之方式，必能更有效傳播大學之理念、精神與文化。 因此本研究以世新大學為個案研究，使用深度訪談法萃取大學社群之組織共同故事，及共同故事對社群成員的意義與價值。研究結果歸納出六類世新大學之組織共同 故事，而其中，創辦人對於世新大學組織中之資深教職員影響深遠。

Storytelling is a way of passing on wisdom and culture. In an organization, storytelling can transfer tacit knowledge effectively, improve communication and learning among members, and create organization value. Universities are important resources of innovative knowledge in the age of knowledge-based economy. The idea, spirit, and culture of universities can be conveyed effectively by storytelling. Based on the in-depth interviews, this study extracts common stories within university community and the meaning and value of those stories. Shih Hsin university is the survey object in this study. The result indicates that there are 6 types of common story in Shih Hsin University. furthermore, the common story about the founder of the institute has the greatest influence in the organization.

頁次：64-80

Frequency of fungi in dogs with mycoses in a veterinary clinic from Callao, Peru

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Luján-Roca, D.Á.

2016-05-01

Full Text Available Mycoses affecting dogs are widely distributed worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of fungi isolated from dogs. A retrospective study was performed to determine the main mycoses that affected dogs at a private veterinary clinic in Callao, Peru. Isolates were collected from skin and ear from 2003 to 2012. Fungi species were identified by standard microbiological techniques. A total of 54 fungi were isolated from 124 mycological studies; the most prevalent fungal species were Malassezia pachydermatis (51.86 % and Microsporum canis (27.78 %. The principal breeds affected were mongrel (31.52 %, boxer (11.1% and shih tzu (11.1 %. M. pachydermatis represented 58.8 % and 43.2 % of isolates in mongrel breed and in skin samples respectively. M. pachydermatis was the most frequent fungus getting >50 % of all isolates. Microsporum canis and Aspergillus spp. had >40 % presence.

Comments on general gauge mediation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Intriligator, Kenneth; Sudano, Matthew

2008-01-01

There has been interest in generalizing models of gauge mediation of supersymmetry breaking. As shown by Meade, Seiberg, and Shih (MSS), the soft masses of general gauge mediation can be expressed in terms of the current two-point functions of the susy-breaking sector. We here give a simple extension of their result which provides, for general gauge mediation, the full effective potential for squark pseudo-D-flat directions. The effective potential reduces to the sfermion soft masses near the origin, and the full potential, away from the origin, can be useful for cosmological applications. We also generalize the soft masses and effective potential to allow for general gauge mediation by Higgsed gauge groups. Finally, we discuss general gauge mediation in the limit of small F-terms, and how the results of MSS connect with the analytic continuation in superspace results, based on a spurion analysis.

Rate sensitivity of mixed mode interface toughness of dissimilar metallic materials: Studied at steady state

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Nielsen, Kim Lau; Niordson, Christian Frithiof

2012-01-01

the SSV model [Suo, Z., Shih, C., Varias, A., 1993. A theory for cleavage cracking in the presence of plastic flow. Acta Metall. Mater. 41, 1551–1557] embedded in a steady state finite element formulation, here assuming plane strain conditions and small-scale yielding. Results are presented for a wide......Crack propagation in metallic materials produces plastic dissipation when material in front for the crack tip enters the active plastic zone traveling with the tip, and later ends up being part of the residual plastic strain wake. Thus, the macroscopic work required to advance the crack...... is typically much larger than the work needed in the near tip fracture process. For rate sensitive materials, the amount of plastic dissipation typically depends on the rate at which the material is deformed. A dependency on the crack velocity should therefore be expected. The objective of this paper...

Antioxidant and antibacterial activity of six edible wild plants (Sonchus spp.) in China.

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Xia, Dao-Zong; Yu, Xin-Fen; Zhu, Zhuo-Ying; Zou, Zhuang-Dan

2011-12-01

The total phenolic and flavonoid, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of six Sonchus wild vegetables (Sonchus oleraceus L., Sonchus arvensis L., Sonchus asper (L.) Hill., Sonchus uliginosus M.B., Sonchus brachyotus DC. and Sonchus lingianus Shih) in China were investigated. The results revealed that S. arvensis extract and S. oleraceus extract contained the highest amount of phenolic and flavonoid, respectively. Among the methanol extracts of six Sonchus species, S. arvensis extract exhibited the highest radical (DPPH and ABTS+ scavenging power and lipid peroxidation inhibitory power. It also exhibited the highest reducing power at 500 µg mL⁻¹ by A (700) = 0.80. The results of antibacterial test indicated that the S. oleraceus extract showed higher activity than the other five Sonchus wild vegetables extracts, both in Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica and Vibrio parahaemolyticus) and in a Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus). These results indicate that Sonchus wild food plants might be applicable in natural medicine and healthy food.

Documenting the prevalence of hiatal hernia and oesophageal abnormalities in brachycephalic dogs using fluoroscopy.

Science.gov (United States)

Reeve, E J; Sutton, D; Friend, E J; Warren-Smith, C M R

2017-12-01

To report the prevalence of abnormal fluoroscopic findings in brachycephalic dogs that were presented to a referral hospital for obstructive airway syndrome. Hospital records between May 2013 and November 2015 identified 36 brachycephalic dogs investigated for obstructive airway disease: 21 French bulldogs, six bulldogs, four Boston terriers, two pugs, two boxers and one shih-tzu. The presence or absence of hiatal hernia, delayed oesophageal transit, gastro-oesophageal reflux and redundant oesophagus were recorded. Of the 36 dogs, 16 had hiatal hernia, all of which were French bulldogs; 31 dogs had delayed oesophageal transit time, 27 had gastro-oesophageal reflux, and four had redundant oesophagus. Clinical Significance: The prevalence of hiatal hernia is higher than expected in the French bulldog, and there was a high prevalence of oesophageal disease in this group in general. These results suggest a need to investigate similar cases for evidence of gastrointestinal disease that may also require attention. © 2017 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Water and Stone: Contemporary Chinese Art and the Spirit Resonance of the World

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Mary Bittner Wiseman

2010-01-01

Full Text Available My claim that the new art in China operates at the level of matter and gesture, below that of discourse, is twofold. First, much of the art that is being made exemplifies principles articulated by Hsieh Ho (fifth century and Shih Tao (seventeenth century and refracted through the changes wrought by Mao in 1949 and Deng in 1979. Through their art, experimental Chinese artists ask what can art be in a world turned upside down, and what can it be to be artist in such a world and, in particular, to be a Chinese artist. Second, in the course of working through these questions, the artists have resorted to an art that is an operation on matter, a matter inseparable from energy, and it is the artist’s activity, as much as what issues from it, that puts the artist in lockstep with the movement of the world of the twenty-first century.

Exposure assessment of chemical hazards in pork meat, liver, and kidney, and health impact implication in Hung Yen and Nghe An provinces, Vietnam.

Science.gov (United States)

Tuyet-Hanh, Tran Thi; Sinh, Dang Xuan; Phuc, Pham Duc; Ngan, Tran Thi; Van Tuat, Chu; Grace, Delia; Unger, Fred; Nguyen-Viet, Hung

2017-02-01

This study assesses the risk of exposure to hazardous chemical residues in pork meat, liver, and kidney collected at wet markets in Nghe An and Hung Yen provinces and discusses health impact implication. 514 pig feed, kidney, liver, and pork samples were pooled and qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed for tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, sulphonamide, chloramphenicol, β-agonists, and heavy metals. We compare the results with current regulations on chemical residues and discuss health implications. Legal antibiotics were found in feed. Tetracycline and fluoroquinolones were not present in pork, but 11% samples were positive with sulfamethazine above maximum residue limits (MRL); 11% of packaged feed and 4% of pork pooled samples were positive for chloramphenicol, a banned substance; two feed, two liver, and one pork samples were positive for β-agonists but did not exceed current MRL; 28% of pooled samples had lead, but all were below MRL; and all samples were negative for cadmium and arsenic. Thus, the health risks due to chemical hazards in pork in Hung Yen and Nghe An seemed not as serious as what were recently communicated to the public on the mass media. There is potential exposure to sulphonamide, chloramphenicol, and β-agonists from pork. Risk communication needs to focus on banned chemicals, while informing the public about the minimal risks associated with heavy metals.

Effectiveness of high-intensity interval training on the mental and physical health of people with chronic schizophrenia

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Wu MH

2015-05-01

Full Text Available Meng Hsiu Wu,1,2 Chin Pang Lee,1–3 Shih Chieh Hsu,1,3 Chia Ming Chang,1,3 Ching Yen Chen1–3 1Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan; 2Men’s Health Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan; 3School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan Background: Low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT is emerging as a time-efficient exercise strategy for improving cardiorespiratory fitness and for controlling blood sugar levels and hypertension. In addition, patient acceptance of HIIT may improve adherence to exercise programs. This study evaluated the effectiveness of HIIT for improving the mental and physical health of people with chronic schizophrenia. Methods: Twenty patients attending a psychiatric day care unit volunteered for an 8-week program of HIIT. Blood pressure, resting heart rate, body weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio were measured weekly. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score was recorded at baseline and at the end of the study. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI scores were recorded every 2 weeks. Results: Statistically significant changes occurred in the physical and mental parameters measured in the 18 patients who completed the study. Body weight, body mass index, resting heart rate, and pulse pressure decreased significantly. Mean arterial pressure and diastolic blood pressure increased significantly. Mental health scores improved, with the Negative Scale score decreasing from 31.17±5.95 to 27.78±3.57 (P<0.01 and the General Psychopathology Scale score from 14.28±2.16 to 13.00±1.72 (P<0.01. Positive Scale scores changed, but not significantly, from 12.28±2.27 to 12.33±2.00 (P=0.729. Scores on the BDI (from 19.56±15.28 to 15.89±14.33, P<0.001 and BAI (from 13.67±13.83 to 10.06±11.18, P=0.003 both improved significantly. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that HIIT has positive

PREFACE: 7th International Conference on Applied Electrostatics (ICAES-2012)

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Jie

2013-03-01

ICAES is an important conference organized every four years by the Committee on Electrostatics of the Chinese Physical Society, which serves as a forum for scientists, educators and engineers interested in the fundamentals, applications, disasters and safety of electrostatics, etc. In recent years, new techniques, applications and fundamental theories on electrostatics have developed considerably. ICAES-7, held in Dalian, China, from 17-19 September 2012, aimed to provide a forum for all scholars to report the newest developments in electrostatics, to probe the questions that scholars faced and to discuss fresh ideas related to electrostatics. ICAES-7 was co-organized and hosted by Dalian University of Technology, and was sponsored by the Ministry of Education of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Dalian University of Technology, Nanjing Suman Electronics Co. Ltd (Suman, China), Shekonic (Yangzhou Shuanghong, China) Electric/Mechanical Co. Ltd, and Suzhou TA&A Ultra Clean Technology Co. Ltd. (China). On behalf of the organizing committee of ICAES-7, I express my great appreciation for their support of the conference. Over 160 scholars and engineers from many countries including Croatia, The Czech Republic, D.P.R. Korea, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, the United States of America, China attended ICAES-7, and the conference collected and selected 149 papers for publication. The subjects of those papers cover the fundamentals of electrostatics, electrostatic disaster and safety, and electrostatic application (e.g. precipitation, pollutant control, biological treatment, mixture separation and food processing, etc). I cordially thank all authors and attendees for their support, and my appreciation is also given to the conference honorary chair, the organizing committee and advisory committee, and the conference secretaries for their hard work. ICAES-7 is dedicated to the memory of Professor Jen-Shih Chang (professor emeritus in the

Actual factors to determine cross-currency basis swaps: An empirical study on US dollar/Japanese yen basis swap rates from the late 1990s

OpenAIRE

Shinada, Naoki

2005-01-01

Cross-currency basis swap rates that exchange US-dollar (USD) and Japanese-yen (JPY) LIBORs have fluctuated since the late 1990s. It is increasingly important for market participants to figure out such swap rates, but there have not been many empirical studies about actual markets. This study addresses factors of USD/JPY swap rates from the late 1990s to the present, and demonstrates that differences in credit risk premiums, forward exchange rates and assets swaps of foreign investors from JP...

Redescription of Enterobius (Enterobius) macaci Yen, 1973 (Nematoda: Oxyuridae: Enterobiinae) based on material collected from wild Japanese macaque, Macaca fuscata (Primates: Cercopithecidae).

Science.gov (United States)

Hasegawa, Hideo; Sato, Hiroshi; Torii, Harumi

2012-02-01

Enterobius (Enterobius) macaci Yen, 1973 (Nematoda: Oxyuridae: Enterobiinae) was collected from a Japanese macaque, Macaca fuscata, in Nara and Yamaguchi Prefectures, Honshu Island, Japan, for the first time. A redescription is presented along with DNA sequence data. This pinworm is a typical member of the subgenus Enterobius and is characteristic in the spicule morphology, being readily distinguished from other congeners. Phylogenetic analyses based on 18S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Cox1 gene assign its position in the pinworm lineage adapted to the Old World primates, showing divergence before the splitting of the chimpanzee and human pinworms.

Porencephaly and cortical dysplasia as cause of seizures in a dog

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Machado Gisele Fabrino

2012-12-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Seizures are a common problem in small animal neurology and it may be related to underlying diseases. Porencephaly is an extremely rare disorder, and in Veterinary Medicine it affects more often ruminants, with only few reports in dogs. Case presentation A one-year-old intact male Shih-Tzu dog was referred to Veterinary University Hospital with history of abnormal gait and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Signs included hypermetria, abnormal nystagmus and increased myotatic reflexes. At necropsy, during the brain analysis, a cleft was observed in the left parietal and occipital lobes, creating a communication between the subarachnoid space and the left lateral ventricle, consistent with porencephaly; and also a focal atrophy of the caudal paravermal and vermal portions of the cerebellum. Furthermore, the histological examination showed cortical and cerebellar neuronal dysplasia. Conclusions Reports of seizures due to porencephaly are rare in dogs. In this case, the dog presented a group of brain abnormalities which per se or in assemblage could result in seizure manifestation.

Spontaneous nervous system concussion in dogs: a description of two cases and a review of terminology in veterinary medicine

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Angelo Pasquale Giannuzzi

2017-11-01

Full Text Available In human medicine, central nervous system (CNS concussion is defined as a transient neurological dysfunction following a traumatic event, without evidence of structural abnormalities of the affected region on advanced diagnostic imaging. Depending on the anatomical region involved, three forms of concussive syndromes are described: brain concussion, spinal concussion and cerebellar concussion. Although major textbooks of veterinary neurology admit the existence of canine brain concussion, spontaneous cases of this pathological condition have not been reported in small animals so far. This report describes two cases of concussion in dogs: a 9-month-old, intact male, shih-tzu with brain concussion; and a 10-month-old, intact male, poodle with cerebellar concussion. In addition, a brief review of the definition of the term “concussion” in the veterinary medical literature is provided, in comparison to its meaning in the human medical literature. Finally, this paper proposes an appropriate definition of “concussion” in dogs, that may facilitate clinicians in the recognition of such an elusive syndrome.

Prediction of Equilibrium States of Kinematic and Thermal Fields in Homogeneous Turbulence Submitted To the Rotation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chebbi, Besma; Bouzaiane, Mounir; Lili, Taieb

2009-01-01

In this work, effects of rotation on the evolution of kinematic and thermal fields in homogeneous sheared turbulence are investigated using second order closure modeling. The Launder-Reece-Ro di models, the Speziale-Sarkar-Gatski model and the Shih-Lumley models are retained for pressure-strain correlation and pressure-temperature correlation. Whereas classic models are retained for time evolution equations of kinematic and thermal dissipation rates. The fourth order Runge-Kutta method is used to resolve three non linear differential systems obtained after modeling. The numerical integration is carried out separately for several values of the dimensionless rotation number R equal to 0, 0.25 and 0.5. The obtained results are compared to the recent results of Direct Numerical Simulations of G.Brethouwer. The results have confirmed the asymptotic equilibrium behaviors of kinematic and thermal dimensionless parameters. Furthermore they have shown that rotation affects not only kinematic field but also thermal field. The coupling between the Speziale-Sarkar-Gatski model and the Launder-Reece-Rodi model is of a big contribution on the prediction of kinematic and thermal fields

Working memory components that predict word problem solving: Is it merely a function of reading, calculation, and fluid intelligence?

Science.gov (United States)

Fung, Wenson; Swanson, H Lee

2017-07-01

The purpose of this study was to assess whether the differential effects of working memory (WM) components (the central executive, phonological loop, and visual-spatial sketchpad) on math word problem-solving accuracy in children (N = 413, ages 6-10) are completely mediated by reading, calculation, and fluid intelligence. The results indicated that all three WM components predicted word problem solving in the nonmediated model, but only the storage component of WM yielded a significant direct path to word problem-solving accuracy in the fully mediated model. Fluid intelligence was found to moderate the relationship between WM and word problem solving, whereas reading, calculation, and related skills (naming speed, domain-specific knowledge) completely mediated the influence of the executive system on problem-solving accuracy. Our results are consistent with findings suggesting that storage eliminates the predictive contribution of executive WM to various measures Colom, Rebollo, Abad, & Shih (Memory & Cognition, 34: 158-171, 2006). The findings suggest that the storage component of WM, rather than the executive component, has a direct path to higher-order processing in children.

Early Solar System Alkali Fractionation Events Recorded by K-Ca Isotopes in the Yamato-74442 LL-Chondritic Breccia

Science.gov (United States)

Tatsunori, T.; Misawa, K.; Okano, O.; Shih, C.-Y.; Nyquist, L. E.; Simon, J. I.; Tappa, M. J.; Yoneda, S.

2015-01-01

Radiogenic ingrowth of Ca-40 due to decay of K-40 occurred early in the solar system history causing the Ca-40 abundance to vary within different early-former reservoirs. Marshall and DePaolo ] demonstrated that the K-40/Ca-40 decay system could be a useful radiogenic tracer for studies of terrestrial rocks. Shih et al. [3,4] determined 40K/40Ca ages of lunar granitic rock fragments and discussed the chemical characteristics of their source materials. Recently, Yokoyama et al. [5] showed the application of the K-40/Ca-40 chronometer for high K/Ca materials in ordinary chondrites (OCs). High-precision calcium isotopic data are needed to constrain mixing processes among early solar system materials and the time of planetesimal formation. To better constrain the solar system calcium isotopic compositions among astromaterials, we have determined the calcium isotopic compositions of OCs and an angrite. We further estimated a source K/Ca ratio for alkali-rich fragments in a chondritic breccia using the estimated solar system initial Ca-40/Ca-44.

Profitability and technical efficiency of Black tiger shrimp (Penaeus Monodon) culture and White leg shrimp (Penaeus Vannamei) culture in Song Song Cau district, Phu Yen province, Vietnam

OpenAIRE

Nguyen, Thi Hoai An

2012-01-01

The research measure the profitability and technical efficiency of Black tiger shrimp farms and White leg shrimp farms in Song Cau district, Phu Yen province, Vietnam. Cross-sectional data of 62 Black tiger shrimp samples and 88 White leg shrimp samples were used for comparison two production systems. The profitability analysis shows that White leg shrimp farms achieved an average profit per hectare of 78,883,209 VND ($3,944.16), which was approximately 4 times as much as Black tiger shrimp f...

TRIPOLARISATION OF THE CURRENCIES IN THE WORLD ECONOMY: US DOLLAR – EURO – YEN

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Ramona TOMA

2006-12-01

Full Text Available At present, the world economy is dominated by three poles – the USA, the European Union and Japan – among which there should be real co-operation to ensure the international stability on all levels. The introduction of the euro was perceived by the experts as the beginning of the competition among the currencies on the international financial markets. The European Monetary Union was conceived to cause an internal, not an external change, with an economic and financial purpose and as a further step of the European integration. Moreover, the international monetary system does not allow the European single currency to make gains that might cause losses to the US dollar. Both currencies have room in the world economy, but the euro has been beneficial to both the euro area and the rest of the world. At present, the euro is stronger than the sum of the twelve former national currencies. The consolidation of the national economies of the euro area becomes stronger due to the impact on liquidities, to the various investment opportunities for the entities that manage the financial portfolios and the central banks that manage the foreign currency reserves. The competition among the currencies means more opportunities in the world economy: the euro is an international currency used along with the US dollar and the yen, not against them.

Mobile Phone Use in Psychiatry Residents in the United States: Multisite Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Science.gov (United States)

Gipson, Shih; Torous, John; Boland, Robert; Conrad, Erich

2017-11-01

Mobile technology ownership in the general US population and medical professionals is increasing, leading to increased use in clinical settings. However, data on use of mobile technology by psychiatry residents remain unclear. In this study, our aim was to provide data on how psychiatric residents use mobile phones in their clinical education as well as barriers relating to technology use. An anonymous, multisite survey was given to psychiatry residents in 2 regions in the United States, including New Orleans and Boston, to understand their technology use. All participants owned mobile phones, and 79% (54/68) used them to access patient information. The majority do not use mobile phones to implement pharmacotherapy (62%, 42/68) or psychotherapy plans (90%, 61/68). The top 3 barriers to using mobile technology in clinical care were privacy concerns (56%, 38/68), lack of clinical guidance (40%, 27/68), and lack of evidence (29%, 20/68). We conclude that developing a technology curriculum and engaging in research could address these barriers to using mobile phones in clinical practice. ©Shih Gipson, John Torous, Robert Boland, Erich Conrad. Originally published in JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 01.11.2017.

A Network Analysis of the Teachers and Graduate Students’ Research Topics in the Field of Mass Communication

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Ming-Shu Yuan

2013-06-01

Full Text Available The completion of a master’s thesis requires the advisor’s guidance on topic selection, data collection, analysis, interpretation and writing. The advisory committee’s input also contributes to the work. This study conducted content analysis and network analysis on a sample of 547 master’s theses from eight departments of the College of Journalism and Communications of Shih Hsin University to examine the relationships between the advisors and committee members as well as the connections of research topics. The results showed that the topic “lifestyle” have attracted cross-department research interests in the college. The academic network of the college is rather loose, and serving university administration duties may have broadened a faculty member’s centrality in the network. The Department of Communications Management and the Graduate Institute of Communications served as the bridges for the inter-departmental communication in the network. One can understand the interrelations among professors and departments through study on network analysis of thesis as to identify the characteristics of each department, as well as to reveal invisible relations of academic network and scholarly communication. [Article content in Chinese

What’s in the pipeline? Drugs in development for autism spectrum disorder

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Sung M

2014-02-01

Full Text Available Min Sung,1 Chee Hon Chin,1 Choon Guan Lim,1 Hwee Sen Alvin Liew,1 Chau Sian Lim,2 Espérance Kashala,1 Shih-Jen Weng1 1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore; 2Department of Psychological Medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with both core symptoms and associated symptoms (eg, irritability, aggression, and comorbidities that affect both the individual and the family/systems around them. There have been recent advances in the understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of ASD pertaining to genetics, epigenetics, neurological, hormonal, and environmental factors that contribute to the difficulties found in individuals with ASD. With this improved understanding, there has been a shift in the application of psychopharmacology in ASD and its related disorders. A literature review was conducted to examine research published in the last 5 years between different classes of psychotropic medications and ASD. The broad scope of the existing literature for the use of conventional medications is summarized and novel medications are discussed. Keywords: pharmacology, treatment, autism, Asperger’s syndrome, medication

General gauge mediation in five dimensions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

McGarrie, Moritz; Russo, Rodolfo

2010-01-01

We use the ''general gauge mediation'' (GGM) formalism to describe a five-dimensional setup with an S 1 /Z 2 orbifold. We first consider a model independent supersymmetry breaking hidden sector on one boundary and generic chiral matter on another. Using the definition of GGM, the effects of the hidden sector are contained in a set of global symmetry current correlator functions and is mediated through the bulk. We find the gaugino, sfermion and hyperscalar mass formulas for minimal and generalized messengers in different regimes of a large, small and intermediate extra dimension. Then we use the five-dimensional GGM formalism to construct a model in which an SU(5) Intriligator, Seiberg and Shih (ISS) model is located on the hidden boundary. We weakly gauge a global symmetry of the ISS model and associate it with the bulk vector superfield. Compared to four-dimensional GGM, there is a natural way to adjust the gaugino versus sfermion mass ratio by a factor (Ml) 2 , where M is a characteristic mass scale of the supersymmetry breaking sector and l is the length of the extra dimension.

Is the Return to the Virtual US Dollar Pegging of East Asian Currencies Correct? : The Impacts of the Yen-Dollar Exchange Rate on the East Asian Currencies in the Post Crisis Period

OpenAIRE

金, 炳宣; Byung Sun, Kim; 経済学研究科

2004-01-01

This paper studies the evolution of the exchange rate regime on East Asian economies between pre- and post-crisis periods, especially with a focus on the impacts of change in yen-dollar rate, using a regression model based on the work by Frankel and Wei (1994). As a result of the study, the following points are understood. Firstly, a greater diversity in exchange rate regime is seen for the post-crisis period than the pre-crisis period. At one extreme, Hong Kong under a stable dollar peg thro...

The emergence of the ecological mind in Hua-Yen/Kegon Buddhism and Jungian psychology.

Science.gov (United States)

Cambray, Joe

2017-02-01

The complexity associated with deep interconnectedness in nature is beginning to be articulated and elaborated in the field of ecological studies. While some parallels to the psyche have been made and the field of Eco-psychology has been developing, Jung's explicit contribution by way of the image of rhizomes has not been considered in detail. Philosopher Gilles Deleuze acknowledges borrowing the term from Jung, though he disagreed with Jung's Empedoclean use of the term. The paper presents some fundamental properties of rhizomes along with contemporary scientific research on mycorrhizal (fungal) networks. Comparisons are made, first with classical symbolic forms, demonstrating some overlap but also some differences. Then comparison of rhizomal networks is made to those found both in mammalian brains and in recent images of the 'cosmic web'. While no hard conclusions can be drawn from these images, their remarkable similarities are suggestive of a need to reconsider what is meant by 'intelligence'. The cosmic web is one of the largest structures in the known universe (clusters of galaxies which form into filaments and walls) with empty spaces in between. Exploration of the structure of this web leads to a discussion of dark matter and dark energy, current hot topics in science, probing into the mysteries of our 'Big-Bang' cosmology. An additional comparison of the emerging image of the universe as a whole with the ancient Chinese Buddhist cosmological vision from the Hua-Yen School (Kegon in Japan) again reveals profound parallels. The potential convergence of aspects of subjective, or meditative, explorations with objective scientific constructions is striking and offers links between East and West, as well as potential confirmation of the objective aspects of empathy. © 2017, The Society of Analytical Psychology.

An improved model for predicting electrical contact resistance between bipolar plate and gas diffusion layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wu, Zhiliang; Wang, Shuxin [School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072 (China); Zhou, Yuanyuan; Lin, Guosong; Hu, S. Jack [Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125 (United States)

2008-07-15

Electrical contact resistance between bipolar plates (BPPs) and gas diffusion layers (GDLs) in PEM fuel cells has attracted much attention since it is one significant part of the total contact resistance which plays an important role in fuel cell performance. This paper extends a previous model by Zhou et al. [Y. Zhou, G. Lin, A.J. Shih, S.J. Hu, J. Power Sources 163 (2007) 777-783] on the prediction of electrical contact resistance within PEM fuel cells. The original microscale numerical model was based on the Hertz solution for individual elastic contacts, assuming that contact bodies, GDL carbon fibers and BPP asperities are isotropic elastic half-spaces. The new model features a more practical contact by taking into account the bending behavior of carbon fibers as well as their anisotropic properties. The microscale single contact process is solved numerically using the finite element method (FEM). The relationship between the contact pressure and the electrical resistance at the GDL/BPP interface is derived by multiple regression models. Comparisons of the original model by Zhou et al. and the new model with experimental data show that the original model slightly overestimates the electrical contact resistance, whereas a better agreement with experimental data is observed using the new model. (author)

On calculating the probability of a set of orthologous sequences

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Junfeng Liu

2009-02-01

Full Text Available Junfeng Liu1,2, Liang Chen3, Hongyu Zhao4, Dirk F Moore1,2, Yong Lin1,2, Weichung Joe Shih1,21Biometrics Division, The Cancer, Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; 2Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA; 3Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 4Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USAAbstract: Probabilistic DNA sequence models have been intensively applied to genome research. Within the evolutionary biology framework, this article investigates the feasibility for rigorously estimating the probability of a set of orthologous DNA sequences which evolve from a common progenitor. We propose Monte Carlo integration algorithms to sample the unknown ancestral and/or root sequences a posteriori conditional on a reference sequence and apply pairwise Needleman–Wunsch alignment between the sampled and nonreference species sequences to estimate the probability. We test our algorithms on both simulated and real sequences and compare calculated probabilities from Monte Carlo integration to those induced by single multiple alignment.Keywords: evolution, Jukes–Cantor model, Monte Carlo integration, Needleman–Wunsch alignment, orthologous

First-Principles Study of Superconductivity in Ultra- thin Pb Films

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Noffsinger, Jesse; Cohen, Marvin L.

2010-03-01

Recently, superconductivity in ultrathin layered Pb has been confirmed in samples with as few as two atomic layers [S. Qin, J. Kim, Q. Niu, and C.-K. Shih, Science 2009]. Interestingly, the prototypical strong-coupling superconductor exhibits different Tc's for differing surface reconstructions in samples with only two monolayers. Additionally, Tc is seen to oscillate as the number of atomic layers is increased. Using first principles techniques based on Wannier functions, we analyze the electronic structure, lattice dynamics and electron-phonon coupling for varying thicknesses and surface reconstructions of layered Pb. We discuss results as they relate to superconductivity in the bulk, for which accurate calculations of superconducting properties can be compared to experiment [W. L. McMillan and J.M. Rowell, PRL 1965]. This work was supported by National Science Foundation Grant No. DMR07-05941, the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231. Computational resources have been provided by the Lawrencium computational cluster resource provided by the IT Division at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Supported by the Director, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231)

Pre-modern Islamic medical ethics and Graeco-Islamic-Jewish embryology.

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Ghaly, Mohammed

2014-02-01

This article examines the, hitherto comparatively unexplored, reception of Greek embryology by medieval Muslim jurists. The article elaborates on the views attributed to Hippocrates (d. ca. 375 BC), which received attention from both Muslim physicians, such as Avicenna (d. 1037), and their Jewish peers living in the Muslim world including Ibn Jumay' (d. ca. 1198) and Moses Maimonides (d. 1204). The religio-ethical implications of these Graeco-Islamic-Jewish embryological views were fathomed out by the two medieval Muslim jurists Shihāb al-Dīn al-Qarāfī (d. 1285) and Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 1350). By putting these medieval religio-ethical discussions into the limelight, the article aims to argue for a two-pronged thesis. Firstly, pre-modern medical ethics did exist in the Islamic tradition and available evidence shows that this field had a multidisciplinary character where the Islamic scriptures and the Graeco-Islamic-Jewish medical legacy were highly intertwined. This information problematizes the postulate claiming that medieval Muslim jurists were hostile to the so-called 'ancient sciences'. Secondly, these medieval religio-ethical discussions remain playing a significant role in shaping the nascent field of contemporary Islamic bioethics. However, examining the exact character and scope of this role still requires further academic ventures. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Popper's Thought Experiment Reinvestigated

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Richardson, Chris; Dowling, Jonathan

2012-02-01

Karl Popper posed an interesting thought experiment in 1934. With it, he meant to question the completeness of quantum mechanics. He claimed that the notion of quantum entanglement leads to absurd scenarios that cannot be true in real life and that an implementation of his thought experiment would not give the results that QM predicts. Unfortunately for Popper, it has taken until recently to perform experiments that test his claims. The results of the experiments do not refute QM as Popper predicted, but neither do they confirm what Popper claimed QM predicted. Kim and Shih implemented Popper's thought experiment in the lab. The results of the experiment are not clear and have instigated many interpretations of the results. The results show some correlation between entangled photons, but not in the way that Popper thought, nor in the way a simple application of QM might predict. A ghost-imaging experiment by Strekalov, et al. sheds light on the physics behind Popper's thought experiment, but does not try to directly test it. I will build the physics of Popper's thought experiment from the ground up and show how the results of both of these experiments agree with each other and the theory of QM, but disprove Popper.

Development of the Glenn-HT Computer Code to Enable Time-Filtered Navier-Stokes (TFNS) Simulations and Application to Film Cooling on a Flat Plate Through Long Cooling Tubes

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Ameri, Ali; Shyam, Vikram; Rigby, David; Poinsatte, Philip; Thurman, Douglas; Steinthorsson, Erlendur

2014-01-01

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis using Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) formulation for turbomachinery-related flows has enabled improved engine component designs. RANS methodology has limitations which are related to its inability to accurately describe the spectrum of flow phenomena encountered in engines. Examples of flows that are difficult to compute accurately with RANS include phenomena such as laminarturbulent transition, turbulent mixing due to mixing of streams, and separated flows. Large eddy simulation (LES) can improve accuracy but at a considerably higher cost. In recent years, hybrid schemes which take advantage of both unsteady RANS and LES have been proposed. This study investigated an alternative scheme, the time-filtered Navier-Stokes (TFNS) method applied to compressible flows. The method developed by Shih and Liu was implemented in the Glenn-HT code and applied to film cooling flows. In this report the method and its implementation is briefly described. The film effectiveness results obtained for film cooling from a row of 30 holes with a pitch of 3.0 diameters emitting air at a nominal density ratio of unity and four blowing ratios of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 are shown. Flow features under those conditions are also described.

Development of the Glenn Heat-Transfer (Glenn-HT) Computer Code to Enable Time-Filtered Navier-Stokes (TFNS) Simulations and Application to Film Cooling on a Flat Plate Through Long Cooling Tubes

Science.gov (United States)

Ameri, Ali; Shyam, Vikram; Rigby, David; Poinsatte, Phillip; Thurman, Douglas; Steinthorsson, Erlendur

2014-01-01

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis using Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) formulation for turbomachinery-related flows has enabled improved engine component designs. RANS methodology has limitations that are related to its inability to accurately describe the spectrum of flow phenomena encountered in engines. Examples of flows that are difficult to compute accurately with RANS include phenomena such as laminar/turbulent transition, turbulent mixing due to mixing of streams, and separated flows. Large eddy simulation (LES) can improve accuracy but at a considerably higher cost. In recent years, hybrid schemes that take advantage of both unsteady RANS and LES have been proposed. This study investigated an alternative scheme, the time-filtered Navier-Stokes (TFNS) method applied to compressible flows. The method developed by Shih and Liu was implemented in the Glenn-Heat-Transfer (Glenn-HT) code and applied to film-cooling flows. In this report the method and its implementation is briefly described. The film effectiveness results obtained for film cooling from a row of 30deg holes with a pitch of 3.0 diameters emitting air at a nominal density ratio of unity and two blowing ratios of 0.5 and 1.0 are shown. Flow features under those conditions are also described.

Development of the Glenn-Heat-Transfer (Glenn-HT) Computer Code to Enable Time-Filtered Navier Stokes (TFNS) Simulations and Application to Film Cooling on a Flat Plate Through Long Cooling Tubes

Science.gov (United States)

Ameri, Ali A.; Shyam, Vikram; Rigby, David; Poinsatte, Phillip; Thurman, Douglas; Steinthorsson, Erlendur

2014-01-01

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis using Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) formulation for turbomachinery-related flows has enabled improved engine component designs. RANS methodology has limitations that are related to its inability to accurately describe the spectrum of flow phenomena encountered in engines. Examples of flows that are difficult to compute accurately with RANS include phenomena such as laminar/turbulent transition, turbulent mixing due to mixing of streams, and separated flows. Large eddy simulation (LES) can improve accuracy but at a considerably higher cost. In recent years, hybrid schemes that take advantage of both unsteady RANS and LES have been proposed. This study investigated an alternative scheme, the time-filtered Navier-Stokes (TFNS) method applied to compressible flows. The method developed by Shih and Liu was implemented in the Glenn-Heat-Transfer (Glenn-HT) code and applied to film-cooling flows. In this report the method and its implementation is briefly described. The film effectiveness results obtained for film cooling from a row of 30deg holes with a pitch of 3.0 diameters emitting air at a nominal density ratio of unity and two blowing ratios of 0.5 and 1.0 are shown. Flow features under those conditions are also described.

Metabolic encephalopathy and lipid storage myopathy associated with a presumptive mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation defect in a dog

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Vanessa R Biegen

2015-11-01

Full Text Available A 1-year-old spayed female Shih Tzu presented for episodic abnormalities of posture and mentation. Neurologic examination was consistent with a bilaterally symmetric multifocal encephalopathy. The dog had a waxing-and-waning hyperlactemia and hypoglycemia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilaterally symmetric cavitated lesions of the caudate nuclei with less severe abnormalities in the cerebellar nuclei. Empirical therapy was unsuccessful and the patient was euthanized. Post-mortem histopathology revealed bilaterally symmetric necrotic lesions of the caudate and cerebellar nuclei and multi-organ lipid accumulation, including a lipid storage myopathy. Malonic aciduria and ketonuria were found on urinary organic acid screen. Plasma acylcarnitine analysis suggested a fatty acid oxidation defect. Fatty acid oxidation disorders are inborn errors of metabolism documented in humans, but poorly described in dogs. Although neurologic signs have been described in humans with this group of diseases, descriptions of advanced imaging and histopathology are severely lacking. This report suggests that abnormalities of fatty acid metabolism may cause severe, bilateral gray matter necrosis and lipid accumulation in multiple organs including the skeletal muscles, liver, and kidneys. Veterinarians should be aware that fatty acid oxidation disorders, although potentially fatal, may be treatable. A timely definitive diagnosis is essential in guiding therapy.

The prevalence and correlates of the positive Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male (ADAM questionnaire among psychiatric outpatients: a cross-sectional survey of 176 men in a general hospital in Taiwan

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Lee CP

2015-01-01

Full Text Available Chin-Pang Lee,1,2 Yu Chen,2–4 Kun-Hao Jiang,2,4,5 Chun-Lin Chu,1,2,4 Shih-Chieh Hsu,1,2,4 Jiun-Liang Chen,2,4,5 Ching-Yen Chen1,2,41Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan; 2Men’s Health Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 3Department of Urology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan; 4School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan; 5Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, TaiwanIntroduction: The Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male (ADAM questionnaire is widely used to screen for late-onset hypogonadism. The positive response to the ADAM questionnaire (positive ADAM has been associated with depression and poorer quality of life in a number of studies. It is unclear whether there is any value of the ADAM questionnaire in psychiatric populations. In this study, we aimed to determine the utility of the ADAM questionnaire in a convenient sample of male psychiatric outpatients.Methods: One hundred and seventy-six men (mean age: 54.3 years; standard deviation: 10.7 years; range: 40–80 years completed the ADAM questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS, and the Aging Males’ Symptoms (AMS scale. Anxiety was defined as a HADS anxiety subscore ≥8; depression as a HADS depression subscore ≥8; and moderate/severe impairment of health-related quality of life (HQoL as AMS ≥37. ADAM, anxiety, and depression was used to model the moderate/severe impairment of HQoL.Results: One hundred and sixty-four (93% men had positive ADAM. Positive ADAM was associated with a lower body mass index (P<0.05 and moderate/severe impairment of HQoL (P<0.001, but was not associated with anxiety or depression (P>0.05. Positive ADAM was associated with five symptoms of the AMS scale: “decline of one’s feeling of general well-being”, “depressive mood”, and three sexual symptoms. In regression analysis, positive ADAM was associated with

MicroRNA-142-3p is involved in regulation of MGMT expression in glioblastoma cells

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Lee YY

2018-04-01

Full Text Available Yi-Yen Lee,1,2,* Aliaksandr A Yarmishyn,3,4,* Mong-Lien Wang,3,4 Hsiao-Yun Chen,4,5 Shih-Hwa Chiou,3–5 Yi-Ping Yang,4,5 Chun-Fu Lin,1,2 Pin-I Huang,2,6 Yi-Wei Chen,2,6 Hsin-I Ma,7 Ming-Teh Chen1,2 1Department of Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 2Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, 3Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, 4Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 5Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming University, 6Cancer Center, Radiation Oncology Division, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 7Department of Neurological Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM is the most malignant brain tumor, and there is no effective treatment strategy. Patients with GBM have a median overall survival of only 14.6 months. Current treatment consists of safe and maximal surgical excision, followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy and maintenance chemotherapy. There are several obstacles that hinder the effectiveness of this aggressive treatment. Temozolomide (TMZ is an oral alkylating drug that acts through alkylating the O6 position of guanine in DNA that leads to cell death. However, the expression and enzymatic activity of the DNA repair protein MGMT limits the therapeutic benefit from treatment with TMZ. MGMT reduces the efficacy of alkylating drugs by removing the methyl or alkyl group from damaged O6-methylguanine. Expression levels of MGMT play an important role in the outcome of GBM patients. miRNAs are a group of small regulatory RNAs that control target gene expression by binding to mRNAs. miR-142-3p has been found to be an important factor in the development and maintenance of the oncogenic state. Results: In this study, we sought to investigate whether miR-142-3p can regulate MGMT gene expression in GBM cells

Wireless sensor network: an aimless gadget or a necessary tool for natural hazards warning systems

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Hloupis, George; Stavrakas, Ilias; Triantis, Dimos

2010-05-01

The purpose of the current study is to review the current technical and scientific state of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) with application on natural hazards. WSN have received great attention from the research community in the last few years, mainly due to the theoretical and practical efforts from challenges that led to mature solutions and adoption of standards, such as Bluetooth [2] and ZigBee [3]. Wireless technology solutions allows Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems sensors (MEMS) to be integrated (with all the necessary circuitry) to small wireless capable devices, the nodes. Available MEMS today include pressure, temperature, humidity, inertial and strain-gauge sensors as well as transducers for velocity, acceleration, vibration, flow position and inclination [4]. A WSN is composed by a large number of nodes which are deployed densely adjacent to the area under monitoring. Each node collects data which transmitted to a gateway. The main requirements that WSNs must fulfilled are quite different than those of ad-hoc networks. WSNs have to be self-organized (since the positions of individual nodes are not known in advance), they must present cooperative processing of tasks (where groups of nodes cooperate in order to provide the gathered data to the user), they require security mechanisms that are adaptive to monitoring conditions and all algorithms must be energy optimized. In this paper, the state of the art in hardware, software, algorithms and protocols for WSNs, focused on natural hazards, is surveyed. Architectures for WSNs are investigated along with their advantages and drawbacks. Available research prototypes as well as commercially proposed solutions that can be used for natural hazards monitoring and early warning systems are listed and classified. [1] I.F. Akyildiz, W. Su, Y. Sankarasubramaniam, E. Cayirci, Wireless sensor networks: a survey, Comput. Networks (Elsevier) 38 (4) (2002) 393-422. [2] Dursch, A.; Yen, D.C.; Shih, D.H. Bluetooth

Local sustained delivery of acetylsalicylic acid via hybrid stent with biodegradable nanofibers reduces adhesion of blood cells and promotes reendothelialization of the denuded artery

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Lee CH

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Cheng-Hung Lee,1,2 Yu-Huang Lin,3 Shang-Hung Chang,1 Chun-Der Tai,3 Shih-Jung Liu,2 Yen Chu,4 Chao-Jan Wang,5 Ming-Yi Hsu,5 Hung Chang,6 Gwo-Jyh Chang,7 Kuo-Chun Hung,1 Ming-Jer Hsieh,1 Fen-Chiung Lin,1 I-Chang Hsieh,1 Ming-Shien Wen,1 Yenlin Huang81Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Linkou, 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, 3Graduate Institute of Medical Mechatronics, Chang Gung University, 4Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 5Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, 6Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, 7Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicinal Sciences, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Linkou, 8Department of Anatomical Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Tao-Yuan, TaiwanAbstract: Incomplete endothelialization, blood cell adhesion to vascular stents, and inflammation of arteries can result in acute stent thromboses. The systemic administration of acetylsalicylic acid decreases endothelial dysfunction, potentially reducing thrombus, enhancing vasodilatation, and inhibiting the progression of atherosclerosis; but, this is weakened by upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This study proposes a hybrid stent with biodegradable nanofibers, for the local, sustained delivery of acetylsalicylic acid to injured artery walls. Biodegradable nanofibers are prepared by first dissolving poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide and acetylsalicylic acid in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol. The solution is then electrospun into nanofibrous tubes, which are then mounted onto commercially available bare-metal stents. In vitro release rates of pharmaceuticals from nanofibers are characterized using an elution method, and a high-performance liquid chromatography assay. The experimental results suggest that biodegradable nanofibers

Food Safety Perceptions and Practices among Smallholder Pork Value Chain Actors in Hung Yen Province, Vietnam.

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Dang-Xuan, Sinh; Nguyen-Viet, Hung; Meeyam, Tongkorn; Fries, Reinhard; Nguyen-Thanh, Huong; Pham-Duc, Phuc; Lam, Steven; Grace, Delia; Unger, Fred

2016-09-01

Pork safety is an important public health concern in Vietnam and is a shared responsibility among many actors along the pork value chain. We examined the knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding food safety, disease, and health risk among selected pork value chain actors (slaughterhouse owners and workers, people living around slaughterhouses, pork sellers, consumers, and veterinary and public health staff) in three districts in Hung Yen Province, Vietnam. We randomly selected 52 pork value chain actors to be surveyed through questionnaires, observation checklists, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Most slaughterhouse workers acquired knowledge and experience of food safety through "learning by doing" rather than from training by a veterinary or public health professional. Both slaughterhouse worker and pork seller groups had some accurate perceptions about pig diseases and foodborne diseases; however, misperceptions of risk and, especially, of zoonoses were present. Furthermore, while workers and sellers often use cloths to dry the meat and clean equipment, they did not think this was a risk for meat contamination. Moreover, when sellers wear protective equipment, such as gloves, masks, or hats, consumers perceive that the sellers may have health issues they are trying to conceal and so consumers avoid buying from them. The perceived freshness of pork, along with trust in the seller and in the pork production process, were strong indicators of consumer preference. And yet, pork value chain actors tend to trust their own individual food safety practices more, rather than the practices of other actors along the chain. Veterinary and public health staff emphasized the gap between regulations and food safety practices. Education and training on food safety risks and proper handling are priorities, along with integrated and intensive efforts to improve food safety among pork value chain actors.

Integrated multimedia information system on interactive CATV network

Science.gov (United States)

Lee, Meng-Huang; Chang, Shin-Hung

1998-10-01

In the current CATV system architectures, they provide one- way delivery of a common menu of entertainment to all the homes through the cable network. Through the technologies evolution, the interactive services (or two-way services) can be provided in the cable TV systems. They can supply customers with individualized programming and support real- time two-way communications. With a view to the service type changed from the one-way delivery systems to the two-way interactive systems, `on demand services' is a distinct feature of multimedia systems. In this paper, we present our work of building up an integrated multimedia system on interactive CATV network in Shih Chien University. Besides providing the traditional analog TV programming from the cable operator, we filter some channels to reserve them as our campus information channels. In addition to the analog broadcasting channel, the system also provides the interactive digital multimedia services, e.g. Video-On- Demand (VOD), Virtual Reality, BBS, World-Wide-Web, and Internet Radio Station. These two kinds of services are integrated in a CATV network by the separation of frequency allocation for the analog broadcasting service and the digital interactive services. Our ongoing work is to port our previous work of building up a VOD system conformed to DAVIC standard (for inter-operability concern) on Ethernet network into the current system.

Religious Experience and Lay Society in T’ang China: A Reading of Tai Fu’s Kuang-i chi, by Glen Dudbridge. Cambridge Studies in Chinese History, Literature and Institutions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995. ix+256 pp. Maps. ISBN: 0521482232

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Amelia Ying Qin

2014-07-01

Full Text Available Drawing upon his knowledge and understanding of literature, book culture, and vernacular culture of pre-modern China, Glen Dudbridge offers, in his unique reading of Kuang-i chi 廣異記 (The great book of marvels, insights into the religious experiences of lay society individuals of eighth century China. However, an inquisitive reader must ask the following questions: Can Kuang-i chi, a medieval collection of tales of encounters with the other world by the minor T’ang Dynasty official Tai Fu 戴孚 (fl. 760-780, chin-shih 757, be used for the purpose of the study of religious culture? How? and to what extent? What approaches would be effective in inquiring such a text and what kinds of conclusions can be drawn? Though not explicitly setting forth these questions, Dudbridge’s work serves as answers to them through explicitly defining the nature of Kuang-i chi to his study, discarding conventional categories and establishing new ones in his analysis, and associating Kuang-i chi to the “vernacular,” instead of official, or “centralized,” religious culture (p.63-4. Using a sharp historical focus on the collection, Dudbridge concentrates on the dynamics of change in religious practices of T’ang Dynasty that is rooted and reflected in such a vernacular religious culture....

Komatiites of the Onverwacht Group, S. Africa: REE geochemistry, Sm/Nd age and mantle evolution

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Jahn, Bor-Ming; Gruau, G.; Glikson, A. Y.

1982-08-01

Komatiites of the Tjakastad Subgroup of the Onverwacht Group (S. Africa) were dated by the Sm/Nd method. A whole-rock isochron yields an age of 3.56±0.24 (2 σ) AE, with initial 143Nd/144Nd ratio of 0.50818±23 (2 σ), corresponding to ɛ Nd( T)= + 1.9±4.5. This age is interpreted as the time of initial Onverwacht volcanism. This result agrees with earlier Sm/Nd data of Hamilton et al. (1979) and is consistent with the Rb-Sr result of Jahn and Shih (1974). Komatiites may be divided into 3 groups based on the typology of heavy REE distributions (Jahn and Gruau 1981). According to this scheme, the Onverwacht komatiites of the present study belong to two groups: the predominant Group II rocks showing (Gd/Yb)N≃1.4, CaO/Al2O3 = 1.33, Al2O3/TiO2≃10.6; and the subordinate Group III rocks with (Gd/Yb)Nconnotation of the chemical parameters, such as CaO/Al2O3, (Gd/Yb)N or Al2O3/TiO2 ratio has not been firmly established. The characteristic “high” CaO/Al2O3 or (Gd/Yb)N ratios in many Onverwacht Group rocks can also be explained as a result of local short-term mantle heterogeneity.

Risk Analysis of Reservoir Operations Considering Short-Term Flood Control and Long-Term Water Supply: A Case Study for the Da-Han Creek Basin in Taiwan

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Wen-Ming Cheng

2017-06-01

Full Text Available This study applies an integrated methodology to assess short-term over-levee risk and long-term water shortage risk in the Da-Han Creek basin, which is the most important flood control and water storage system in northern Taiwan. An optimization model for reservoir flood control and water supply is adopted, to determine reservoir releases based on synthetic inflow hydrographs during typhoons, which are generated by Monte Carlo simulations. The release is then used to calculate the water level at a downstream control point using a novel developed back-propagation neural network-based model, to reduce computational complexity and achieve automatic-efficient risk evaluation. The calculated downstream water levels and final reservoir water levels after a typhoon event are used to evaluate the mapped over-levee risk and water shortage risk, respectively. The results showed that the different upper limit settings for the reservoir have a significant influence on the variation of 1.19 × 10−5% to 75.6% of the water shortage risk. This occurs because of the insufficient inflow and narrow storage capacity of the Shih-Men Reservoir during drought periods. However, the upper limit settings have a minor influence (with a variation of only 0.149% to 0.157% on the over-levee risk in typhoon periods, because of the high protection standards for the downstream embankment.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa associated with abdominal abscess formation, hypotension, and acute abdominal pain in a puppy.

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Tobleman, Bridget N; Sinnott, Virginia B

2014-01-01

To describe the presence of heterotopic gastric mucosa forming an abscess associated with acute abdominal pain and shock in a puppy. A 7-month-old male intact Shih-Tzu was presented to the emergency service for evaluation of a 12-hour history of vomiting and lethargy progressing to weakness. On presentation, the puppy was obtunded and hypotensive. Radiographs revealed an ill-defined mid-ventral abdominal mass. Ultrasound revealed an echogenic, fluid-filled mass associated with the jejunum. The puppy had an exploratory celiotomy and a 2 × 4 cm oval fluid-filled soft tissue mass was found to be intimately associated, but not communicating with, a section of the mid-jejunum. The mass and associated jejunum were removed via enterectomy. Histopathology of the resected mass revealed heterotopic gastric mucosa; bacterial culture of the fluid contained in the mass revealed heavy growth of Escherichia coli. The puppy recovered from surgery, was discharged from the hospital, and has had no further complications from this episode. Heterotopic gastric mucosa is commonly found incidentally on necropsy. When it has been associated with acute gastrointestinal signs, mechanical intestinal obstruction with or without perforation was noted. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of heterotopic gastric mucosa leading to abscess formation and acute abdominal pain in the dog. © Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2014.

A novel glycated hemoglobin A1c-lowering traditional Chinese medicinal formula, identified by translational medicine study.

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Hsin-Yi Lo

Full Text Available Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that has a significant impact on the health care system. The reduction of glycated hemoglobin A1c is highly associated with the improvements of glycemic control and diabetic complications. In this study, we identified a traditional Chinese medicinal formula with a HbA1c-lowering potential from clinical evidences. By surveying 9,973 diabetic patients enrolled in Taiwan Diabetic Care Management Program, we found that Chu-Yeh-Shih-Kao-Tang (CYSKT significantly reduced HbA1c values in diabetic patients. CYSKT reduced the levels of HbA1c and fasting blood glucose, and stimulated the blood glucose clearance in type 2 diabetic mice. CYSKT affected the expressions of genes associated with insulin signaling pathway, increased the amount of phosphorylated insulin receptor in cells and tissues, and stimulated the translocation of glucose transporter 4. Moreover, CYSKT affected the expressions of genes related to diabetic complications, improved the levels of renal function indexes, and increased the survival rate of diabetic mice. In conclusion, this was a translational medicine study that applied a "bedside-to-bench" approach to identify a novel HbA1c-lowering formula. Our findings suggested that oral administration of CYSKT affected insulin signaling pathway, decreased HbA1c and blood glucose levels, and consequently reduced mortality rate in type 2 diabetic mice.

Comparison of the landslide susceptibility models in Taipei Water Source Domain, Taiwan

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WU, C. Y.; Yeh, Y. C.; Chou, T. H.

2017-12-01

Taipei Water Source Domain, locating at the southeast of Taipei Metropolis, is the main source of water resource in this region. Recently, the downstream turbidity often soared significantly during the typhoon period because of the upstream landslides. The landslide susceptibilities should be analysed to assess the influence zones caused by different rainfall events, and to ensure the abilities of this domain to serve enough and quality water resource. Generally, the landslide susceptibility models can be established based on either a long-term landslide inventory or a specified landslide event. Sometimes, there is no long-term landslide inventory in some areas. Thus, the event-based landslide susceptibility models are established widely. However, the inventory-based and event-based landslide susceptibility models may result in dissimilar susceptibility maps in the same area. So the purposes of this study were to compare the landslide susceptibility maps derived from the inventory-based and event-based models, and to interpret how to select a representative event to be included in the susceptibility model. The landslide inventory from Typhoon Tim in July, 1994 and Typhoon Soudelor in August, 2015 was collected, and used to establish the inventory-based landslide susceptibility model. The landslides caused by Typhoon Nari and rainfall data were used to establish the event-based model. The results indicated the high susceptibility slope-units were located at middle upstream Nan-Shih Stream basin.

El ejemplar del Geka seiso (1791 de la Colección Francisco Guerra por José Luis Gonzalo Sánchez-Molero

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Gonzalo Sánchez-Molero, José Luis

2010-01-01

Full Text Available Desde 2007 la Biblioteca Histórica Marqués de Valdecilla conserva un ejemplar del Geka seiso, un libro xilográfico japonés impreso en el siglo XVIII. Su título original chino es Waik'o Cheng Tsung, o Método ortodoxo de la cirugía, en español. Esta tratado médico fue escrito al inicio del siglo anterior por Chen Shih-kung, o Chen Shigong, (c. 1555-1636, y en 1791 fue editado de nuevo en Japón por el médico imperial Ogino Gengai (1737-1806. Este ejemplar complutense proviene de la colección de Francisco Guerra Pérez-Carral. En este artículo se estudian tres aspectos del Geka seiso, en un orden cronológico inverso. Primero, su adquisición por el doctor Guerra, quien lo compró en Miami (1990, procedente el volumen de la colección del doctor norteamericano Otto Orren Fisher. A continuación se analiza el contenido de esta obra, publicada por vez primera en 1611, en China. En ella su autor (Chen Shigong incluyó sus famosos preceptos profesionales y éticos: Los cinco mandamientos y las diez exigencias. Por último se estudian, por un lado, las circunstancias históricas de esta edición en 1791, relacionada probablemente con el proceso político de restauración de los estudios Chu Hsi, y por otro lado el proceso técnico de su impresión, realizado en Kyoto por Hayashi Gonbe, Hayashi Ihe y Takemura Kahe. Finalmente se describen y comentan algunas de las características materiales de este ejemplar del Geka seiso, para su mejor comprensión por un lector occidental.Since 2007, the Historical Library "Marqués de Valdecilla" preserves a copy of Geka seiso, a Japanese blockbook printed in the eighteenth century. Its original title Chinese is Waik'o Cheng Tsung, or Orthodox method of surgery, in English. This medical treatise was written at the beginning of the previous century by Chen Shih-kung, or Chen Shigong, (c. 1555-1636, and in 1791 was printed again in Japan by the imperial doctor Gengai Ogino (1737-1806. This complutense copy

Latest 'evaluation of size of economy' for nuclear uses

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Saito, Shinzo; Kume, Tamikazu; Inoue, Tomio; Takahashi, Shoji

2008-01-01

Size of economy for nuclear uses in Japan was evaluated for FY 2005. Nuclear uses are classified into nuclear energy use and radiation utilizations. Nuclear energy use totaled 4.7 trillion yen with nuclear power. Economy size of nuclear power decreased due to disgraceful events and accidents, though 5.5 trillion yen around for FY 2000. Radiation utilizations totaled 4.1 trillion yen mainly with industrial uses (2.3 trillion yen) and nuclear medicine, diagnosis and radiotherapy (1.5 trillion yen). Combined total of uses amounted to 8.9 trillion yen and comparable with 9.5 trillion yen for FY 1997. (T. Tanaka)

Best practices in the differential diagnosis and reporting of acute transfusion reactions

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Hillis CM

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Christopher M Hillis,1–3,* Andrew W Shih,1,3,* Nancy M Heddle1,3,4 1Department of Medicine, 2Department of Oncology, 3McMaster Transfusion Research Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, 4Centre for Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada  *These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: An acute transfusion reaction (ATR is any reaction to blood, blood components, or plasma derivatives that occurs within 24 hours of a transfusion. The frequencies of ATRs and the associated symptoms, reported by the sentinel sites of the Ontario Transfusion Transmitted Injuries Surveillance System from 2008 to 2012, illustrate an overlap in presenting symptoms. Despite this complexity, the differential diagnosis of an ATR can be determined by considering predominant signs or symptoms, such as fever, dyspnea, rash, and/or hypotension, as these signs and symptoms guide further investigations and management. Reporting of ATRs locally and to hemovigilance systems enhances the safety of the blood supply. Challenges to the development of an international transfusion reaction reporting system are discussed, including the issue of jurisdiction and issues of standardization for definitions, investigations, and reporting requirements. This review discusses a symptom-guided approach to the differential diagnosis of ATRs, the evolution of hemovigilance systems, an overview of the current Canadian system, and proposes a best practice model for hemovigilance based on a World Health Organization patient safety framework. Keywords: blood transfusion, blood components, hemovigilance

Pentablock copolymers of pluronic F127 and modified poly(2-dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate for internalization mechanism and gene transfection studies

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Huang SJ

2013-05-01

Full Text Available Shih-Jer Huang,1 Tzu-Pin Wang,1 Sheng-I Lue,2 Li-Fang Wang11Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 2Department of Physiology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, TaiwanAbstract: Cationic polymers are one of the major nonviral gene delivery vectors investigated in the past decade. In this study, we synthesized several cationic copolymers using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP for gene delivery vectors: pluronic F127-poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (PF127-pDMAEMA, pluronic F127-poly (dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-tert-butyl acrylate (PF127-p(DMAEMA-tBA, and pluronic F127-poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-acrylic acid (PF127-p(DMAEMA-AA. The copolymers showed high buffering capacity and efficiently complexed with plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (pDNA to form nanoparticles 80–180 nm in diameter and with positive zeta potentials. In the absence of 10% fetal bovine serum, PF127-p(DMAEMA-AA showed the highest gene expression and the lowest cytotoxicity in 293T cells. After acrylic acid groups had been linked with a fluorescent dye, the confocal laser scanning microscopic image showed that PF127-p(DMAEMA-AA/pDNA could efficiently enter the cells. Both clathrin-mediated and caveolae-mediated endocytosis mechanisms were involved. Our results showed that PF127-p(DMAEMA-AA has great potential to be a gene delivery vector.Keywords: nonviral vector, pluronic F127, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, copolymer, atom transfer radical polymerization

Incidence of Radiographic Cystic Lesions Associated With Unerupted Teeth in Dogs.

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Babbitt, Sam G; Krakowski Volker, Mary; Luskin, Ira R

2016-12-01

Medical records and radiographs were retrospectively reviewed over a 3-year period (2012-2015) from dogs presented to a private dental referral practice. Medical records were evaluated for the diagnosis of impacted or embedded teeth. The identified dogs' radiographs were reviewed for the presence of radiographically significant cystic lesions that were associated with the impacted or embedded teeth. Radiographic criteria were established by the authors for the purposes of identifying cystic lesions in dogs of different breeds and sizes, using established indices from human dental pathology as a basis. When histopathology results were available, they were reviewed and reported. In this study, 136 dogs ranging in age from 3 months to 17 years were diagnosed with 213 unerupted teeth during the study period. There were 62 (29.1%) of the 213 radiographically apparent cystic lesions identified based on the criteria proposed in this study. In this study, 146 (68.5%) of the 213 unerupted teeth were identified as mandibular first premolar teeth. Histopathology was obtained on 28 (45.1%) of the 62 diagnosed cystic lesions. Dentigerous cysts accounted for 20 (71.4%) of the 28 cystic lesions. Brachycephalic breeds were overrepresented in this study. Boxer, pug, Shih Tzu, and Boston terrier dogs were most likely to present with cystic lesions associated with unerupted teeth. Seventeen (85%) of the 20 cases with a histopathologic diagnosis of dentigerous cyst were found within these 4 brachycephalic breeds.

A nine-year follow-up study of sleep patterns and mortality in community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan.

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Chen, Hsi-Chung; Su, Tung-Ping; Chou, Pesus

2013-08-01

To simultaneously explore the associations between mortality and insomnia, sleep duration, and the use of hypnotics in older adults. A fixed cohort study. A community in Shih-Pai area, Taipei, Taiwan. A total of 4,064 participants over the age of 65 completed the study. N/A. Insomnia was classified using an exclusionary hierarchical algorithm, which categorized insomnia as "no insomnia," "subjective poor sleep quality," "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index > 5 insomnia," "1-month insomnia disorder," and "6-month insomnia disorder." The main outcome variables were 9-year all-cause mortality rates. In the all-cause mortality analyses, when hypnotic use, depressive symptoms and total sleep time were excluded from a proportional hazards regression model, subjects with "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index > 5 insomnia" had a higher mortality risk (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01-1.45). In the full model, frequent hypnotic use and long sleep duration predicted higher mortality rates. However, the increased mortality risk for subjects with "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index > 5 insomnia" was not observed in the full model. On the contrary, individuals with a 6-month DSM-IV insomnia disorder had a lower risk for premature death (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43-0.96). Long sleep duration and frequent hypnotics use predicted an increased mortality risk within a community-dwelling sample of older adults. The association between insomnia and mortality was affected by insomnia definition and other parameters related to sleep patterns.

Cetuximab-conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles for cancer imaging and therapy

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Tseng SH

2015-05-01

Full Text Available Shih-Heng Tseng,1,2 Min-Yuan Chou,2 I-Ming Chu1 1Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, 2Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan Abstract: We have developed a theranostic nanoparticle, ie, cet-PEG-dexSPIONs, by conjugation of the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR monoclonal antibody, cetuximab, to dextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs via periodate oxidation. Approximately 31 antibody molecules were conjugated to each nanoparticle. Cet-PEG-dexSPIONs specifically bind to EGFR-expressing tumor cells and enhance image contrast on magnetic resonance imaging. Cet-PEG-dexSPION-treated A431 cells showed significant inhibition of epidermal growth factor-induced EGFR phosphorylation and enhancement of EGFR internalization and degradation. In addition, a significant increase in apoptosis was detected in EGFR-overexpressing cell lines, A431 and 32D/EGFR, after 24 hours of incubation at 37°C with cet-PEG-dexSPIONs compared with cetuximab alone. The antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity of cetuximab was observed in cet-PEG-dexSPIONs. The results demonstrated that cet-PEG-dexSPIONs retained the therapeutic effect of cetuximab in addition to having the ability to target and image EGFR-expressing tumors. Cet-PEG-dexSPIONs represent a promising targeted magnetic probe for early detection and treatment of EGFR-expressing tumor cells. Keywords: epidermal growth factor receptor, cetuximab, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle, magnetic resonance imaging, sodium periodate, polyethylene glycol

Inference of population splits and mixtures from genome-wide allele frequency data.

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Joseph K Pickrell

Full Text Available Many aspects of the historical relationships between populations in a species are reflected in genetic data. Inferring these relationships from genetic data, however, remains a challenging task. In this paper, we present a statistical model for inferring the patterns of population splits and mixtures in multiple populations. In our model, the sampled populations in a species are related to their common ancestor through a graph of ancestral populations. Using genome-wide allele frequency data and a Gaussian approximation to genetic drift, we infer the structure of this graph. We applied this method to a set of 55 human populations and a set of 82 dog breeds and wild canids. In both species, we show that a simple bifurcating tree does not fully describe the data; in contrast, we infer many migration events. While some of the migration events that we find have been detected previously, many have not. For example, in the human data, we infer that Cambodians trace approximately 16% of their ancestry to a population ancestral to other extant East Asian populations. In the dog data, we infer that both the boxer and basenji trace a considerable fraction of their ancestry (9% and 25%, respectively to wolves subsequent to domestication and that East Asian toy breeds (the Shih Tzu and the Pekingese result from admixture between modern toy breeds and "ancient" Asian breeds. Software implementing the model described here, called TreeMix, is available at http://treemix.googlecode.com.

77 FR 67707 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change...

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2012-11-13

... used as short-term trading vehicles. The Leveraged Funds with the word ``Bull'' in their name... (collectively, ``Euro Funds'' and, collectively with the Yen Funds and Dollar Funds, ``Currency Funds'') will... currency. As such, the Yen Funds will invest in Japanese Yen futures contracts traded on the CME (``Yen...

Cost-effectiveness analysis on the results of screening of lung cancer using helical CT conducted by the anti-lung cancer association (ALCA)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Iinuma, Takeshi; Kaneko, Masahiro; Moriyama, Noriyuki; Misawa, Jun

1999-01-01

To compare Yen/person saved in lung cancer screening using helical CT with Yen/person in the screening using conventional direct chest X-rays conducted under the Anti-lung cancer association program of the Tokyo Health Service Association. A mathematical model for cancer screening was used to estimate net number of person relieved from lung cancer by the screening and net cost required for the screening. Finally cost-effectiveness ratios in terms of Yen/person saved were calculated and compared between the two programs. Several important variables employed in the model were as follows: 5 year survival rate in chest X-ray group was 50%, and the rate in helical CT group was 75%. Cost of screening in the chest X-ray group was 15,000 Yen, and that in the helical CT group was 25,000 Yen. Cost/person screened was 14,470 Yen for chest X-ray and 21,890 Yen for helical CT. Cost/person saved was 267 x 10 5 Yen in X-ray group and 112 x 10 5 Yen in CT group. Thus the cost was higher, but cost-effectiveness ratio was better in the CT screening group. Helical CT can be adopted for lung cancer screening in stead of chest X-ray if total cost is affordable. (author)

Exploration of natural product ingredients as inhibitors of human HMG-CoA reductase through structure-based virtual screening

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Lin SH

2015-06-01

Full Text Available Shih-Hung Lin,1 Kao-Jean Huang,1,2 Ching-Feng Weng,1 David Shiuan1 1Department of Life Science and Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China; 2Development Center of Biotechnology, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China Abstract: Cholesterol plays an important role in living cells. However, a very high level of cholesterol may lead to atherosclerosis. HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase is the key enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, and the statin-like drugs are inhibitors of human HMG-CoA reductase (hHMGR. The present study aimed to virtually screen for potential hHMGR inhibitors from natural product to discover hypolipidemic drug candidates with fewer side effects and lesser toxicities. We used the 3D structure 1HWK from the PDB (Protein Data Bank database of hHMGR as the target to screen for the strongly bound compounds from the traditional Chinese medicine database. Many interesting molecules including polyphenolic compounds, polisubstituted heterocyclics, and linear lipophilic alcohols were identified and their ADMET (absorption, disrtibution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity properties were predicted. Finally, four compounds were obtained for the in vitro validation experiments. The results indicated that curcumin and salvianolic acid C can effectively inhibit hHMGR, with IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration values of 4.3 µM and 8 µM, respectively. The present study also demonstrated the feasibility of discovering new drug candidates through structure-based virtual screening. Keywords: HMG-CoA reductase, virtual screening, curcumin, salvianolic acid C

A retrospective histopathological survey on canine and feline liver diseases at the University of Tokyo between 2006 and 2012.

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Hirose, Naoki; Uchida, Kazuyuki; Kanemoto, Hideyuki; Ohno, Koichi; Chambers, James K; Nakayama, Hiroyuki

2014-07-01

To determine the incidence of hepatic diseases in dogs and cats in Japan, a retrospective study was performed using data of 463 canine and 71 feline liver biopsies at the Veterinary Medical Center of the University of Tokyo. The most common canine hepatic disease was microvascular dysplasia (MVD) and occupied 29.4% of all diagnoses. This terminology might contain "real" MVD and primary portal vein hypoplasia, because these two conditions were difficult to be clearly distinguished histopathologically. Parenchymal and interstitial hepatitis and primary hepatic tumors accounted for 23.5% and 21.0% of the diagnoses, respectively. Parenchymal and interstitial hepatitis occupied 34.1% of non-proliferative canine hepatic diseases, while hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma were 26.6% and 24.5% of proliferative hepatic diseases, respectively. Breed-specificity was seen in MVD for Yorkshire terrier, Papillon and Toy poodle, in hepatitis for Doberman pinscher and Labrador retriever, in cholangiohepatitis for American cocker spaniel, Miniature schnauzer and Pomeranian, in hepatocellular adenoma for Golden retriever and Shiba and in hepatocellular carcinoma for Shih Tzu. The most common feline liver disease was parenchymal and interstitial hepatitis (45.1% of all diagnoses). Among feline hepatitis, neutrophilic cholangiohepatitis (23.9%), lymphocytic cholangiohepatitis (14.1%) and chronic hepatitis (5.6%) were recorded. Adult polycystic liver disease was 5.6%. Among proliferative diseases in the feline liver (11.3% of the all), lymphoma (4.2%) and primary epithelial tumors (4.2%) including hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocellular adenoma and cholangiocellular carcinoma were observed. Hepatic degeneration was 14.1%, and MVD was 12.7%, respectively.

Welfare analysis of a zero-smoking policy - A case study in Japan.

Science.gov (United States)

Nakamura, Yuuki; Takahashi, Kenzo; Nomura, Marika; Kamei, Miwako

2018-03-19

Smoking cessation efforts in Japan reduce smoking rates. A future zero-smoking policy would completely prohibit smoking (0% rate). We therefore analyzed the social welfare of smokers and non-smokers under a hypothetical zero-smoking policy. The demand curve for smoking from 1990 to 2014 was estimated by defining quantity as the number of cigarettes smoked and price as total tobacco sales/total cigarettes smoked by the two-stage least squares method using the tax on tobacco as the instrumental variable. In the estimation equation (calculated using the ordinary least squares method), the price of tobacco was the dependent variable and tobacco quantity the explanatory variable. The estimated constant was 31.90, the estimated coefficient of quantity was - 0.0061 (both, p surplus was 1.08 trillion yen (US$ 9.82 billion) (95% confidence interval (CI), 889 billion yen (US$ 8.08 billion) - 1.27 trillion yen (US$ 11.6 billion)). Because tax revenue from tobacco in 2011 was 2.38 trillion yen (US$ 21.6 billion), the estimated deadweight loss if smoking were prohibited in 2014 was 3.31 trillion yen (US$ 30.2 billion) (95% CI, 3.13 trillion yen (US$ 28.5 billion) - 3.50 trillion yen (US$ 31.8 billion)), representing a deadweight loss about 0.6 trillion yen (US$ 5.45 billion) below the 2014 disease burden (4.10-4.12 trillion yen (US$ 37.3-37.5 billion)). We conclude that a zero-smoking policy would improve social welfare in Japan.

Trends in Japan's power generation costs after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident and their influence on finance of electric utilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matsuo, Yuhji; Yamaguchi, Yuhji; Murakami, Tomoko

2013-01-01

Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, the nuclear reactors that were suspended for periodic inspections after the Fukushima accident were not permitted to resume operation, and nuclear power generation in Japan continued to decline. In this article, the authors quantitatively evaluated the effects on power generation costs of Japan's situation, using electric utilities financial reports up to FY 2011. We also analyzed the profitability of the Japanese electric industry, using the financial statements included in the reports, and quantitatively evaluated the effects of changes in power generation costs. The total cost of power generation has increased from 7.5 trillion yen in FY 2010 before the Fukushima accident to 9.6 trillion yen in FY 2011 and to 10.6 trillion yen in FY 2012. In particular, the fuel cost for thermal power generation rose sharply from 3.7 trillion yen in FY 2010 to 6.1 trillion yen in FY 2011 and 7.3 trillion yen in FY 2012, almost doubling in the two years from FY 2010 to 2012. The unit cost of power generation rose sharply from 8.6 yen/kWh in FY 2010 to 11.8 yen/kWh in FY 2011 and 13.5 yen/kWh in FY 2012. The unit cost is expected to rise even further in FY 2013 due to the weak yen. As the result not only Tokyo Electric Power Company, but also the other general electric utilities registered huge net losses. Their retained earnings (total of eight utilities) dropped by 2 trillion yen between FY 2010 and 2012. With increased thermal power generation, the risk of rising costs associated with changes in primary energy prices and exchange rates has increased drastically. For the stability of the electricity industry and the development of the Japanese economy, the government should clearly formulate a basic policy regarding the composition of power sources, and an effective plan both at home and abroad, and should develop a system that will be also to handle sudden changes in the composition of power sources. (author)

Exchange rate rebounds after foreign exchange market interventions

Science.gov (United States)

Hoshikawa, Takeshi

2017-03-01

This study examined the rebounds in the exchange rate after foreign exchange intervention. When intervention is strongly effective, the exchange rate rebounds at next day. The effect of intervention is reduced slightly by the rebound after the intervention. The exchange rate might have been 67.12-77.47 yen to a US dollar without yen-selling/dollar-purchasing intervention of 74,691,100 million yen implemented by the Japanese government since 1991, in comparison to the actual exchange rate was 103.19 yen to the US dollar at the end of March 2014.

A review of omalizumab for the management of severe asthma

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Lin CH

2016-07-01

Full Text Available Ching-Hsiung Lin,1–3 Shih-Lung Cheng4,5 1Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, Republic of China; 2Department of Respiratory Care, College of Health Sciences, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China; 3School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China; 4Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; 5Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Zhongli City, Taoyuan County, Taiwan, Republic of China Abstract: Despite the expansion of the understanding in asthma pathophysiology and the continual advances in disease management, a small subgroup of patients remain partially controlled or refractory to standard treatments. Upon the identification of immunoglobulin E and other inflammatory mediators, investigations and developments of targeted agents have thrived. Omalizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the circulating immunoglobulin E, which in turn impedes and reduces subsequent releases of the proinflammatory mediators. In the past decade, omalizumab has been proven to be efficacious and well-tolerated in the treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma in both trials and real-life studies, most notably in reducing exacerbation rates and corticosteroid use. While growing evidence has demonstrated that omalizumab may be potentially beneficial in treating other allergic diseases, its indication remains confined to treating severe allergic asthma and chronic idiopathic urticaria. Future efforts may be focused on determining the optimal length of omalizumab treatment, seeking biomarkers that could better predict treatment response, as well as extending its indications. Keywords: severe asthma, IgE, omalizumab, exacerbation, chronic idiopathic urticarial, inhaled corticosteroid

Population genetic study of 10 short tandem repeat loci from 600 domestic dogs in Korea.

Science.gov (United States)

Moon, Seo Hyun; Jang, Yoon-Jeong; Han, Myun Soo; Cho, Myung-Haing

2016-09-30

Dogs have long shared close relationships with many humans. Due to the large number of dogs in human populations, they are often involved in crimes. Occasionally, canine biological evidence such as saliva, bloodstains and hairs can be found at crime scenes. Accordingly, canine DNA can be used as forensic evidence. The use of short tandem repeat (STR) loci from biological evidence is valuable for forensic investigations. In Korea, canine STR profiling-related crimes are being successfully analyzed, leading to diverse crimes such as animal cruelty, dog-attacks, murder, robbery, and missing and abandoned dogs being solved. However, the probability of random DNA profile matches cannot be analyzed because of a lack of canine STR data. Therefore, in this study, 10 STR loci were analyzed in 600 dogs in Korea (344 dogs belonging to 30 different purebreds and 256 crossbred dogs) to estimate canine forensic genetic parameters. Among purebred dogs, a separate statistical analysis was conducted for five major subgroups, 97 Maltese, 47 Poodles, 31 Shih Tzus, 32 Yorkshire Terriers, and 25 Pomeranians. Allele frequencies, expected (Hexp) and observed heterozygosity (Hobs), fixation index (F), probability of identity (P(ID)), probability of sibling identity (P(ID)sib) and probability of exclusion (PE) were then calculated. The Hexp values ranged from 0.901 (PEZ12) to 0.634 (FHC2079), while the P(ID)sib values were between 0.481 (FHC2079) and 0.304 (PEZ12) and the P(ID)sib was about 3.35 × 10(-)⁵ for the combination of all 10 loci. The results presented herein will strengthen the value of canine DNA to solving dog-related crimes.

AG-221, a First-in-Class Therapy Targeting Acute Myeloid Leukemia Harboring Oncogenic IDH2 Mutations.

Science.gov (United States)

Yen, Katharine; Travins, Jeremy; Wang, Fang; David, Muriel D; Artin, Erin; Straley, Kimberly; Padyana, Anil; Gross, Stefan; DeLaBarre, Byron; Tobin, Erica; Chen, Yue; Nagaraja, Raj; Choe, Sung; Jin, Lei; Konteatis, Zenon; Cianchetta, Giovanni; Saunders, Jeffrey O; Salituro, Francesco G; Quivoron, Cyril; Opolon, Paule; Bawa, Olivia; Saada, Véronique; Paci, Angelo; Broutin, Sophie; Bernard, Olivier A; de Botton, Stéphane; Marteyn, Benoît S; Pilichowska, Monika; Xu, YingXia; Fang, Cheng; Jiang, Fan; Wei, Wentao; Jin, Shengfang; Silverman, Lee; Liu, Wei; Yang, Hua; Dang, Lenny; Dorsch, Marion; Penard-Lacronique, Virginie; Biller, Scott A; Su, Shin-San Michael

2017-05-01

Somatic gain-of-function mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenases ( IDH ) 1 and 2 are found in multiple hematologic and solid tumors, leading to accumulation of the oncometabolite ( R )-2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG). 2HG competitively inhibits α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, including histone demethylases and methylcytosine dioxygenases of the TET family, causing epigenetic dysregulation and a block in cellular differentiation. In vitro studies have provided proof of concept for mutant IDH inhibition as a therapeutic approach. We report the discovery and characterization of AG-221, an orally available, selective, potent inhibitor of the mutant IDH2 enzyme. AG-221 suppressed 2HG production and induced cellular differentiation in primary human IDH2 mutation-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells ex vivo and in xenograft mouse models. AG-221 also provided a statistically significant survival benefit in an aggressive IDH2 R140Q -mutant AML xenograft mouse model. These findings supported initiation of the ongoing clinical trials of AG-221 in patients with IDH2 mutation-positive advanced hematologic malignancies. Significance: Mutations in IDH1/2 are identified in approximately 20% of patients with AML and contribute to leukemia via a block in hematopoietic cell differentiation. We have shown that the targeted inhibitor AG-221 suppresses the mutant IDH2 enzyme in multiple preclinical models and induces differentiation of malignant blasts, supporting its clinical development. Cancer Discov; 7(5); 478-93. ©2017 AACR. See related commentary by Thomas and Majeti, p. 459 See related article by Shih et al., p. 494 This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 443 . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

Rough estimate demand of atomic energy-related budget for fiscal year 1996

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kitagishi, Tatsuro

1996-01-01

The rough estimate demand of the budget for fiscal year 1996 of eight atomic energy-related ministries and agencies was determined at about 494,879 million yen, which is 2.4% growth as compared with that for the previous year. Concretely, the general account is 204,594 million yen, 2.2% growth, and the special account is 290,285 million yen, 2.6% growth. The budget is 357,060 million yen and 3.7% growth for Science and Technology Agency, 130, 787 million yen and 2% decrease for Ministry of International Trade and Industry, and 7,032 million yen and 29.2% increase for other six ministries and agencies. Emphasis is placed on the research of upgrading LWRs including the disassembling of reactors, the performance test for fuel, the improvement of reactor technology and the verifying test of practical reactor decommissioning facilities, and the research and development of advanced nuclear fuel cycle technology. Also the technical development of waste treatment and disposal including high level radioactive waste is carried out with 40.3 billion yen. Atomic Energy Commission exerts efforts for the development of atomic energy policy for the peaceful utilization, the establishment of coordinative LWR power generation system, the development of nuclear fuel recycling and the strengthening of the basic research on atomic energy. (K.I.)

Business administration of PET facilities. A nationwide survey for prices of PET screening and a cost analysis of three facilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mitsutake, Naohiro; Fujii, Ryo; Oku, Shinya; Furui, Yuji; Yasunaga, Hideo

2007-01-01

The purpose of this study is to analyze the business administration of positron emission tomography (PET) facilities based on the survey of the price of PET cancer screening and cost analysis of PET examination. The questionnaire survey of the price of PET cancer screening was implemented for all PET facilities in Japan. Cost data of PET examination, including fixed costs and variable costs, were obtained from three different medical institutions. The marked price of the PET cancer screening was yen111,499 in average, and the most popular range of prices was between yen80,000 and yen90,000. Costs of PET per examination were accounted for yen110,675, yen79,158 and yen111,644 in facility A, B and C, respectively. The results suggested that facilities with two or more PET/CT per a cyclotron could only secure profits. In Japan, the boom in PET facility construction could not continue in accordance with increasing number of PET facilities. It would become more essential to analyze the appropriate distribution of PET facilities and the adequate amount of PET procedures from the perspective of efficient utilization of the PET equipments and supply of PET-related healthcare. (author)

Economic scale of utilization of radiation in Japan

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yanagisawa, Kazuaki; Kume, Tamikazu; Makuuchi, Keizo

2001-01-01

Economic scale, not benefits, of utilization of radiation in Japan in 1997 was estimated without use of any calculation code. The objects were industrial usage, agricultural application and medical utilization. In the third item, the scale was the expense of medical use in patients of radiation generating apparatuses, of which production was regarded as belonging to the first item. The scale was found to be around 8,569,900,000,000 (8,569.9b) yen, of which 85% was in industry, 1% in agriculture and 14% in medicine, and to be about 1.7% GDP (General Domestic Products). In industry, its 75% was in manufacturing the semi-conductor. Medical use (91% of whole medicine) involved roentgenography (47%), CT (37%), nuclear medicine (12%) and radiotherapy (5%). The scale of radioisotope utilization was 65.4b yen in industry, 0.16b yen in agriculture and 1.1b yen in medicine of which 53% was due to 60 Co. If adding the scale of atomic energy utilization (7,274.2b yen) to above, 15,844.1b yen (3.2% GDP) was the total scale of atomic power utilization. (K.H.)

Management efficiency improvement promotion of SS; SS no unei koritsuka sokushin

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-08-01

Full amount fund petroleum product marketer and Sumisyo petroleum of Sumitomo accelerate management efficiency improvement of service station (SS). National about 300 places have been developed in within the year Within SS, it aims at break-even point achievement of gasoline, coarse advantage 10 yen per light oil of 1 liter in 84 all tied SS stores. SS which has realized the system of 10 yen in the current is whole about 50%. But, by doing personnel configurations and operational procedures, that they reexamine the balance management, etc. in half remaining SS 12 yen-13 yen; the efficiency improvement is done thoroughly. (translated by NEDO)

FY 1999 report on energy conservation potential survey of measurement and control systems and energy-saving equipment

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

Studies are conducted with a view to connecting a survey in Egypt to CDM (clean development mechanism) adopted at COP3 (Third Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). The survey covers the textile industry which is one of Egypt's main industries, and investigation is conducted for extending technical recommendation to 11 textile mills (including dyeing plants) about how to reduce greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions through energy conservation efforts. Required investment, investment recovery period, and reduction in CO2 emissions are calculated. About CO2 reduction, it is found that there will be a CO2 reduction of 44,702 tons/year at a rate of 22.4%, investment of 838.56-million yen, CO2 reduction of 53.3 tons/million yen, and investment of 18,750-yen/t-CO2. As for energy conservation, there will be a reduction at a rate of 14,449 toe/year in energy consumption, investment of 838.56-million yen, energy saved at a rate of 17.2 toe/million yen, and investment of 5,800 yen/toe. There will be an annual reduction in utility cost of 125.79-million yen at a cost reduction rate of 10.3%. The investment recovery period is calculated to be 5.8 years. The Egyptian textile has high potentials for CO2 reduction, and will present an excellent opportunity for a CDM project. (NEDO)

1985 nuclear budget requests up 12 %

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1984-01-01

The estimates of government agencies for the fiscal 1985 nuclear-related budget were presented to the Ministry of Finance, which amount to 343.76 billion yen (up 12.1 %). The budgetary requests by the Science and Technology Agency are 179.24 billion yen in the general account and 90.21 billion yen in the special account for power resource development, and the budgetary requests by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry are 1.03 billion yen and 70.08 billion yen, respectively. The budget demands by the STA, which supervises Power Reactors and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, etc. are for the continuation of current projects, including the beginning of the construction of the prototype FBR Monju and the neutral beam injector for the fusion device JT-60. The budget demands by MITI are similarly for the safety measures and verification tests for nuclear power generation. (Mori, K.)

Fiscal 2000 survey report on feasibility of implementing model project for energy conservation of sintering machine in China; 2000 nendo Chugoku ni okeru shoketsuki sho energy ka model jigyo jisshi kanosei chosa hokoku

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

A survey was conducted on the feasibility of implementing a model project for energy conservation of sintering machines in ironworks in China. This paper explains the results of fiscal 2000. The survey was based on the assumption that the HPS (Hybrid Pelletized Sinter) process in operation at Fukuyama ironworks in Japan was to be introduced into China. This process is employed at the Fukuyama No.5 sintering plant with an area of 530 m{sup 2}, and is famous for the highly efficient energy consumption rate with the solid fuel consumption of 37 kg/t and the electric power consumption of 31 kWh/t. The technology was applied to the No.3 sintering machine (265 m{sup 2}) at Tangshan Steel. Case A refers to where only the energy conservation effect of a targeted sintering machine was considered, and Case B refers to where the productivity of the applied sintering machine is increased, with that of the others decreased. In Case A, total equipment cost was 1,977,450 thousand yen, energy conservation effect was 23,795 toe/y, economic savings was 244,000 thousand yen/y, and investment recoupment period was 7.85 years. In Case B, they were 1,977,450 thousand yen, 36,215 toe/y, 356,000 thousand yen/y, and 5.38 years, respectively. In the same token, at Wuhan Steel, Case A showed 2,447,160 thousand yen, 30,320 toe/y, 272,000 thousand yen/y, and 8.77 years; Case B showed 2,447,160 thousand yen, 31,570 toe/y, 289,000 thousand yen/y, and 8.28 years, respectively. Assuming the technological spread is over the entire China, the total energy conservation in terms of crude oil is expected to be 845,700 toe/y. (NEDO)

Filmless versus film-based systems in radiographic examination costs: an activity-based costing method

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sase Yuji

2011-09-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Since the shift from a radiographic film-based system to that of a filmless system, the change in radiographic examination costs and costs structure have been undetermined. The activity-based costing (ABC method measures the cost and performance of activities, resources, and cost objects. The purpose of this study is to identify the cost structure of a radiographic examination comparing a filmless system to that of a film-based system using the ABC method. Methods We calculated the costs of radiographic examinations for both a filmless and a film-based system, and assessed the costs or cost components by simulating radiographic examinations in a health clinic. The cost objects of the radiographic examinations included lumbar (six views, knee (three views, wrist (two views, and other. Indirect costs were allocated to cost objects using the ABC method. Results The costs of a radiographic examination using a filmless system are as follows: lumbar 2,085 yen; knee 1,599 yen; wrist 1,165 yen; and other 1,641 yen. The costs for a film-based system are: lumbar 3,407 yen; knee 2,257 yen; wrist 1,602 yen; and other 2,521 yen. The primary activities were "calling patient," "explanation of scan," "take photographs," and "aftercare" for both filmless and film-based systems. The cost of these activities cost represented 36.0% of the total cost for a filmless system and 23.6% of a film-based system. Conclusions The costs of radiographic examinations using a filmless system and a film-based system were calculated using the ABC method. Our results provide clear evidence that the filmless system is more effective than the film-based system in providing greater value services directly to patients.

Filmless versus film-based systems in radiographic examination costs: an activity-based costing method.

Science.gov (United States)

Muto, Hiroshi; Tani, Yuji; Suzuki, Shigemasa; Yokooka, Yuki; Abe, Tamotsu; Sase, Yuji; Terashita, Takayoshi; Ogasawara, Katsuhiko

2011-09-30

Since the shift from a radiographic film-based system to that of a filmless system, the change in radiographic examination costs and costs structure have been undetermined. The activity-based costing (ABC) method measures the cost and performance of activities, resources, and cost objects. The purpose of this study is to identify the cost structure of a radiographic examination comparing a filmless system to that of a film-based system using the ABC method. We calculated the costs of radiographic examinations for both a filmless and a film-based system, and assessed the costs or cost components by simulating radiographic examinations in a health clinic. The cost objects of the radiographic examinations included lumbar (six views), knee (three views), wrist (two views), and other. Indirect costs were allocated to cost objects using the ABC method. The costs of a radiographic examination using a filmless system are as follows: lumbar 2,085 yen; knee 1,599 yen; wrist 1,165 yen; and other 1,641 yen. The costs for a film-based system are: lumbar 3,407 yen; knee 2,257 yen; wrist 1,602 yen; and other 2,521 yen. The primary activities were "calling patient," "explanation of scan," "take photographs," and "aftercare" for both filmless and film-based systems. The cost of these activities cost represented 36.0% of the total cost for a filmless system and 23.6% of a film-based system. The costs of radiographic examinations using a filmless system and a film-based system were calculated using the ABC method. Our results provide clear evidence that the filmless system is more effective than the film-based system in providing greater value services directly to patients.

A LIVING EXAMPLE OF THE VERB YAÑŞA- IN OLD TURKISH: YENÇELEŞMEK ESKİ TÜKÇEDEKİ YAÑŞA- FİİLİNİN YAŞADIĞI BİR ÖRNEK: YENÇELEŞMEK

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Dilek HERKMEN

2009-12-01

Full Text Available The verb yençeleş- which was collected from Anatolian dialects, takes place in present sources in different shapes. This word that underwent vowel changes is a derived form of yañşa- verb which has been seen since old Turkish period. In this study, the analysis of verb yençeleş- is indicated with it’s forms in historical texts. It was confirmed that, the verb yençeleş- had been derived from an onomatopoeic word root yañ. Also the other derivatives of that root were shown in this study. Halk ağzından derlenen yençeleş- fiili mevcut kaynaklarda farklı şekiller ile yer almaktadır. Ses değişikliğine uğrayan kelime Eski Türkçeden beri yaşayan yañşa- fiilinin türemiş şeklidir. Bu çalışmada yençeleş- fiilinin tahlili, tarihî metinlerdeki şekliyle birlikte belirtilmiştir. Yençeleş- fiilinin yañ yansıma kökünden türediği tespit edilmiş ve bu köke ait diğer türevler gösterilmiştir.

Pseudomembranous colitis within radiotherapy field following concurrent chemoradiation therapy: a case report

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Shen BJ

2013-01-01

Full Text Available Bing-Jie Shen,1 Shih-Chiang Lin,2 Pei-Wei Shueng,1,3 Yueh-Hung Chou,4 Li-Ming Tseng,5 Chen-Hsi Hsieh1,6,71Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 2Division of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 3Department of Radiation Oncology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; 4Department of Anatomical Pathology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 5Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 6Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; 7Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, TaiwanAbstract: Development of nonantibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis has been reported in patients receiving chemotherapy. Herein, we report a case of a 70-year-old man with diabetes mellitus and hypertension who received concurrent chemoradiation therapy after surgery for stage III pT3N1M0 rectal cancer. After completion of the therapy, the patient presented with a 2-week history of intermittent watery diarrhea (seven to nine times per day. However, the patient was afebrile and laboratory examination revealed no evidence of leukocytosis. Computed tomography disclosed inflammation of the sigmoid colon, infiltrative changes around the anastomotic site, and edematous changes straddling the serosal surface. Colonoscopic examination revealed multiple whitish patches within the radiation field, a finding suggestive of pseudomembranous colitis. No concomitant antibiotics were used during the period of concurrent chemoradiation therapy. Empirical oral metronidazole (500 mg every 8 hours was administrated for 2 weeks. At the end of this treatment, stool culture was negative for Clostridium difficile. Physicians should be aware of the potential for the development of

Enhancement of tendon–bone healing via the combination of biodegradable collagen-loaded nanofibrous membranes and a three-dimensional printed bone-anchoring bolt

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chou YC

2016-08-01

Full Text Available Ying-Chao Chou,1,2 Wen-Lin Yeh,2 Chien-Lin Chao,1 Yung-Heng Hsu,1,2 Yi-Hsun Yu,1,2 Jan-Kan Chen,3 Shih-Jung Liu1,2 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, 2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 3Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan Abstract: A composite biodegradable polymeric model was developed to enhance tendon graft healing. This model included a biodegradable polylactide (PLA bolt as the bone anchor and a poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA nanofibrous membrane embedded with collagen as a biomimic patch to promote tendon–bone interface integration. Degradation rate and compressive strength of the PLA bolt were measured after immersion in a buffer solution for 3 months. In vitro biochemical characteristics and the nanofibrous matrix were assessed using a water contact angle analyzer, pH meter, and tetrazolium reduction assay. In vivo efficacies of PLGA/collagen nanofibers and PLA bolts for tendon–bone healing were investigated on a rabbit bone tunnel model with histological and tendon pullout tests. The PLGA/collagen-blended nanofibrous membrane was a hydrophilic, stable, and biocompatible scaffold. The PLA bolt was durable for tendon–bone anchoring. Histology showed adequate biocompatibility of the PLA bolt on a medial cortex with progressive bone ingrowth and without tissue overreaction. PLGA nanofibers within the bone tunnel also decreased the tunnel enlargement phenomenon and enhanced tendon–bone integration. Composite polymers of the PLA bolt and PLGA/collagen nanofibrous membrane can effectively promote outcomes of tendon reconstruction in a rabbit model. The composite biodegradable polymeric system may be useful in humans for tendon reconstruction. Keywords: polylactide–polyglycolide nanofibers, PLGA, collagen, 3D printing, polylactide, PLA, bone-anchoring bolts, tendon healing

Association between muscle atrophy/weakness and health care costs and utilization among patients receiving total knee replacement surgery: a retrospective cohort study

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chen SY

2013-08-01

Full Text Available Shih-Yin Chen,1 Ning Wu,1 Yuan-Chi Lee,1 Yang Zhao21Health Economics and Epidemiology, Evidera, Lexington, Massachusetts, 2Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey, USAPurpose: The aim of the study reported here was to examine health care resource utilization, costs, and risk of rehospitalization for total knee replacement (TKR patients with and without muscle atrophy/weakness (MAW.Patients and methods: Individuals aged 50–64 years with commercial insurance or 65+ years with Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medicare who had a hospitalization for TKR between January 1, 2006 and September 30, 2009 were identified from a large US claims database. First hospitalization for TKR was defined as the index stay. All patients were classified into three cohorts according to when MAW was diagnosed relative to TKR: pre-MAW, post-MAW, and no MAW. The association between MAW and health care costs over the 12-month post-index period and the probability of rehospitalization were assessed via multivariate regressions.Results: The study sample included 53,696 Medicare and 46,058 commercial insurance TKR patients. Controlling for cross-cohort differences, both the pre- and post-MAW cohorts had significantly higher total health care costs (Medicare US$4,201 and US$9,404 higher, commercial insurance US$2,737 and US$6,640 higher, respectively than the no MAW cohort (all P < 0.05. The post-MAW cohort in both populations was also more likely to have any all-cause or replacement-related rehospitalization compared with the no MAW cohort.Conclusion: Among US patients undergoing TKR, those with MAW had higher health care utilization and costs than patients without MAW.Keywords: rehospitalization, resource utilization, Medicare, health insurance, USA

EXERGY ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTION LINE CANDIED FRUIT

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V. D. Dem'шanov

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Summary. The task of exergy analysis - evaluation based on the second law of thermodynamics, thermodynamic degree of technical perfection of the whole system, as well as to identify those stages of a technical process, which contains the bulk of the loss of exergy in order to improve its efficiency. Using exergy analysis allows to solve a wide range of technical problems on the basis of a unified thermodynamic methods. Exergy analysis was performed by the method whereby thermotechnological system candied fruit production, conventionally separated from the environment of the closed control surface. Exchange scheme under consideration thermotechnological candied fruit production material, thermal and energy flows to the environment, as well as between the control surfaces. Exergy in external input material streams: air and water and citric acid, as well as output streams without having increment Shih-exergy in the process of passing through the reference surface - of running air-water and after washing, are in thermodynamic equilibrium with the surroundings is zero. In the total number of internal exergy losses include losses from the final result of the temperature difference in the heat exchange between the raw material to be dried and heated air electromechanical arising from irreversible alteration of structural and mechanical properties of the product, and the hydraulic loss due to the sudden increase of the specific volume of air as it enters the working chamber dryer. The resulting exergy efficiency is 8.87 %, which is 3.7 % higher than when using the technology of the prototype based on solar air-dried product. This indicates an increase in the degree of perfection of the thermodynamic system by using microwave heating of the product in combination with the removal of moisture in the atmosphere low temperature coolant, which precludes significant outside exergy loss on drying step.

Creating an Instructor Presence in an Online Course at the Expense of Your TA's Life (A Small Price to Pay)

Science.gov (United States)

Miller, Scott; Redman, S.

2009-01-01

Swan and Shih (2005) reported that the perceived presence of an instructor in an online course is influential in determining the satisfaction, if not the performance, of students in the course. To address this issue, we developed a series of 19 videos which not only demonstrate various astronomy concepts, but also provide the students with a voice, face and personality associated with the instructor and teaching assistant. To keep the students' attention throughout the videos, we also included humorous elements which involve the assistant (S. Redman) being injured in every video. These videos were first used during the Spring 2008 semester, when we taught an online course in introductory astronomy to almost 400 non-science majors at Penn State University. In order to assess the educational value of these videos, we presented identical questions to students of both the online course and a traditional face-to-face course which included Active-Collaborative Learning (ACL) taught by one of us (S. Miller), and received feedback from the online students via questionnaires. Students ranked our videos as moderately effective at explaining astronomical concepts as well as creating an instructor presence within the course. Compared to the ACL students, the online students performed equally well on questions related to topics covered in the videos. We also found a positive correlation between the effectiveness of the videos in creating an instructor presence and student attitudes towards the course. We discuss our approach to creating these videos, how they were used within an online course, students’ perception of the effectiveness of the videos, and their impact on student learning. You can find them by Googling "Astronomy 001" at video.google.com. We thank Digital Commons of Penn State for their assistance in producing the videos.

Biodegradable drug-eluting nanofiber-enveloped implants for sustained release of high bactericidal concentrations of vancomycin and ceftazidime: in vitro and in vivo studies

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hsu YH

2014-09-01

Full Text Available Yung-Heng Hsu,1,2 Dave Wei-Chih Chen,1 Chun-Der Tai,3 Ying-Chao Chou,1,2 Shih-Jung Liu,2 Steve Wen-Neng Ueng,1 Err-Cheng Chan4 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Guishan Township, 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Guishan Township, 3Graduate Institute of Medical Mechatronics, Chang Gung University, Guishan Township, 4School of Medical Technology, Chang Gung University, Guishan Township, Taiwan Abstract: We developed biodegradable drug-eluting nanofiber-enveloped implants that provided sustained release of vancomycin and ceftazidime. To prepare the biodegradable nanofibrous membranes, poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide and the antibiotics were first dissolved in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol. They were electrospun into biodegradable drug-eluting membranes, which were then enveloped on the surface of stainless plates. An elution method and a high-performance liquid chromatography assay were employed to characterize the in vivo and in vitro release rates of the antibiotics from the nanofiber-enveloped plates. The results showed that the biodegradable nanofiber-enveloped plates released high concentrations of vancomycin and ceftazidime (well above the minimum inhibitory concentration for more than 3 and 8 weeks in vitro and in vivo, respectively. A bacterial inhibition test was carried out to determine the relative activity of the released antibiotics. The bioactivity ranged from 25% to 100%. In addition, the serum creatinine level remained within the normal range, suggesting that the high vancomycin concentration did not affect renal function. By adopting the electrospinning technique, we will be able to manufacture biodegradable drug-eluting implants for the long-term drug delivery of different antibiotics. Keywords: biodegradable nanofiber-enveloped plates, electrospinning, antibiotics, release characteristics

Novel biodegradable sandwich-structured nanofibrous drug-eluting membranes for repair of infected wounds: an in vitro and in vivo study

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chan EC

2012-02-01

Full Text Available Dave Wei-Chih Chen1,2, Jun-Yi Liao3, Shih-Jung Liu2, Err-Cheng Chan41Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, 3Graduate Institute of Medical Mechatronics, 4School of Medical Technology, Chang Gung University, Kwei-San, Tao-Yuan, TaiwanBackground: The purpose of this study was to develop novel sandwich-structured nanofibrous membranes to provide sustained-release delivery of vancomycin, gentamicin, and lidocaine for repair of infected wounds.Methods: To prepare the biodegradable membranes, poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA, collagen, and various pharmaceuticals, including vancomycin, gentamicin, and lidocaine, were first dissolved in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol. They were electrospun into sandwich-structured membranes with PLGA/collagen as the surface layers and PLGA/drugs as the core. An elution method and a high-pressure liquid chromatography assay were used to characterize in vivo and in vitro drug release from the membranes. In addition, repair of infected wounds in rats was studied. Histological examination of epithelialization and granulation at the wound site was also performed.Results: The biodegradable nanofibrous membranes released large amounts of vancomycin and gentamicin (well above the minimum inhibition concentration and lidocaine in vivo for more than 3 weeks. A bacterial inhibition test was carried out to determine the relative activity of the antibiotics released. The bioactivity ranged from 40% to 100%. The nanofibrous membranes were functionally active in treating infected wounds, and were very effective as accelerators in early-stage wound healing.Conclusion: Using the electrospinning technique, we will be able to manufacture biodegradable, biomimetic, nanofibrous, extracellular membranes for long-term delivery of various drugs.Keywords: nanofibrous, sandwich-structured, drug-eluting membranes, electrospinning, release characteristics, repair, wound

A Nine-Year Follow-up Study of Sleep Patterns and Mortality in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Taiwan

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Hsi-Chung; Su, Tung-Ping; Chou, Pesus

2013-01-01

Study Objectives: To simultaneously explore the associations between mortality and insomnia, sleep duration, and the use of hypnotics in older adults. Design: A fixed cohort study. Setting: A community in Shih-Pai area, Taipei, Taiwan. Participants: A total of 4,064 participants over the age of 65 completed the study. Intervention: N/A. Measurements and Results: Insomnia was classified using an exclusionary hierarchical algorithm, which categorized insomnia as “no insomnia,” “subjective poor sleep quality,” “Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index > 5 insomnia,” “1-month insomnia disorder,” and “6-month insomnia disorder.” The main outcome variables were 9-year all-cause mortality rates. In the all-cause mortality analyses, when hypnotic use, depressive symptoms and total sleep time were excluded from a proportional hazards regression model, subjects with “Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index > 5 insomnia” had a higher mortality risk (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01-1.45). In the full model, frequent hypnotic use and long sleep duration predicted higher mortality rates. However, the increased mortality risk for subjects with “Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index > 5 insomnia” was not observed in the full model. On the contrary, individuals with a 6-month DSM-IV insomnia disorder had a lower risk for premature death (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43-0.96). Conclusions: Long sleep duration and frequent hypnotics use predicted an increased mortality risk within a community-dwelling sample of older adults. The association between insomnia and mortality was affected by insomnia definition and other parameters related to sleep patterns. Citation: Chen HC; Su TP; Chou P. A nine-year follow-up study of sleep patterns and mortality in community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan. SLEEP 2013;36(8):1187-1198. PMID:23904679

K-Ca Dating of Alkali-Rich Fragments in the Y-74442 and Bhola LL-Chondritic Breccias

Science.gov (United States)

Yokoyama, T; Misawa, K.; Okano, O; Shih, C. -Y.; Nyquist, L. E.; Simon, J. I.; Tappa, M. J.; Yoneda, S.

2013-01-01

Alkali-rich igneous fragments in the brecciated LL-chondrites, Krahenberg (LL5) [1], Bhola (LL3-6) [2], Siena (LL5) [3] and Yamato (Y)-74442 (LL4) [4-6], show characteristic fractionation patterns of alkali and alkaline elements [7]. The alkali-rich fragments in Krahenberg, Bhola and Y-74442 are very similar in mineralogy and petrography, suggesting that they could have come from related precursor materials [6]. Recently we reported Rb-Sr isotopic systematics of alkali-rich igneous rock fragments in Y-74442: nine fragments from Y-74442 yield the Rb-Sr age of 4429 plus or minus 54 Ma (2 sigma) for lambda(Rb-87) = 0.01402 Ga(exp -1) [8] with the initial ratio of Sr-87/Sr-86 = 0.7144 plus or minus 0.0094 (2 sigma) [9]. The Rb-Sr age of the alkali-rich fragments of Y-74442 is younger than the primary Rb-Sr age of 4541 plus or minus 14 Ma for LL-chondrite whole-rock samples [10], implying that they formed after accumulation of LL-chondrite parental bodies, although enrichment may have happened earlier. Marshall and DePaolo [11,12] demonstrated that the K-40 - Ca-40 decay system could be an important chronometer as well as a useful radiogenic tracer for studies of terrestrial rocks. Shih et al. [13,14] and more recently Simon et al. [15] determined K-Ca ages of lunar granitic rocks, and showed the application of the K-Ca chronometer for K-rich planetary materials. Since alkali-rich fragments in the LL-chondritic breccias are highly enriched in K, we can expect enhancements of radiogenic Ca-40. Here, we report preliminary results of K-Ca isotopic systematics of alkali-rich fragments in the LL-chondritic breccias, Y-74442 and Bhola.

The preparation and characterization of gold-conjugated polyphenol nanoparticles as a novel delivery system

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hsieh DS

2012-03-01

Full Text Available Dar-Shih Hsieh1,2, Hsiu-Chin Lu5, Cheng-Cheung Chen1,3, Chang-Jer Wu1,*, Ming-Kung Yeh4,* 1Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan; 2Division of Urology, 3Department of Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, 4Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defence Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; 5Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan*These authors contributed equally to this workAbstract: Nanogold particles are commonly used in nanomedicine. We generated physical nanogold (pNG conjugated with different ratios of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG and evaluated its physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxicity in vitro as well as anticancer activity in vivo. Results showed that the EGCG-pNG conjugates were successfully prepared at ratios between 23:1 and 23:5, with the percentage of EGCG content increasing with the EGCG:pNG ratio from 23:1 (2.0% ± 0.02% to 23:5 (28% ± 0.3%. EGCG-pNG particles at ratios of 23:1 and 23:5 demonstrated significantly decreased size from 500 to 20 nm and decreasing zeta potentials of 21 mV to –22 mV, respectively. At a ratio of 23:2.5, the EGCG-pNG particles (27% EGCG, 50 nm in size, zeta potential of –8 mV showed longer EGCG activity half-life (110 days vs 5 hours, controlled release (2 hours vs 30 minutes, and higher antioxidant activity (four times, as well as inhibition of tumor cell growth, than controls. The present study indicated that EGCG-pNG possesses promising therapeutic potential, based on its strong free-radical scavenging and anticancer activities.Keywords: EGCG, nanoparticles, antioxidant, antitumor activity, nanogold

Fiscal 1999 hydrogen utilization international clean energy system technology (WE-NET). Phase 2 R and D (Task 1. Survey/study concerning system evaluation); 1999 nendo suiso riyo kokusai clean energy system gijutsu (WE-NET) dainiki kenkyu kaihatsu. Task 1. System hyoka ni kansuru chosa kenkyu

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

With the aim of formulating a strategy for introducing hydrogen, assessment was carried out on the energy consumption, environmental impacts and cost effiectiveness concerning various hydrogen utilization systems. In regard to soda-electrolysis by-product hydrogen and coke-oven by-product hydrogen, hydrogen supply capacity and cost effectiveness were evaluated. As a result, the two systems were found to have an annual hydrogen supply capacity of 11.52 GNm{sup 3} in total. As to the cost effectiveness, transportation by pipeline was 34 yen/Nm{sup 3}-H{sub 2} in the case of soda-electrolysis by-product hydrogen, and 40 yen/Nm{sup 3}-H{sub 2} in the case of coke-oven by-product hydrogen. An estimated cost of power generation showed 56 yen to 67 yen/kWh in such a system on remote islands as replacing diesel power generation by wind power generation, storing part of the electric energy produced in the form of hydrogen through water electrolysis, and using it as fuel for power generation by the fuel cell unit if wind conditions are unfavorable. Power generation cost on remote islands at present is sometimes in excess of 50 yen/kWh; therefore, this combined system showed promising results. The cost of using wooden biomass was estimated to be 51,000 yen/TOE , whose competitiveness is uncertain. (NEDO)

[Economic impact of overactive bladder symptoms in Japan].

Science.gov (United States)

Inoue, Sachie; Kobayashi, Makoto; Sugaya, Kimio

2008-11-01

Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by involuntary contractions of the detrusor muscles of the bladder. The primary symptoms of OAB include urinary urgency and frequency, with or without urge incontinence. Despite the growing awareness of OAB as a chronic medical condition, little is known about the disease's economic burden. Therefore, in the present study, the costs associated with the management of OAB symptoms in Japan were estimated, and the potential cost saving by increasing the rate of physician visits in OAB population was analyzed. To estimate the costs of OAB symptoms in Japan, we collected a variety of epidemiologic and economic literatures about OAB or urinary incontinence published by June, 2007. Three types of costs were considered in this estimation: 1. OAB treatment cost (pharmacological treatment cost, diagnostic cost and cost for physician visits), 2. direct cost (OAB-related cost [urinary tract infections, skin infections and fractures] and incontinence care cost [costs of pads, diapers and cleaning]), and 3. indirect cost (work loss due to absence from work and decrease in productivity). The analysis was conducted on community dwelling Japanese persons aged > or = 40 years, and assumed that OAB patients visited a hospital or a clinic once every four weeks. For the estimation of pharmacological treatment cost, four anticholinergic drugs (immediate-release oxybutynin (Pollakisu), propiverine (BUP-4), extended-release tolterodine (Detrusitol) and solifenacin (Vesicare)) were referred. Potential cost saving was estimated on the assumption that the hospital visit rate would increase from the current 22.7% to 35% and 50%, respectively. The number of persons with OAB symptoms and OAB patients was estimated at 8.6 million (4.6 million men, 4.0 million women) and 2.0 million (1.7 million men, 0.3 million women), respectively. The annual cost for OAB was estimated to be 956.2 billion yen (112,000 yen per one person with OAB symptoms). This cost

The Intra-Daily Exchange Rate Dynamics and Monetary Policies After the G5 Agreement

OpenAIRE

Takatoshi Ito

1986-01-01

This paper investigates determinants of yen appreciation from the G5 agreement of September 1985 to the end of May, 1986. During that period, four waves of appreciation separated by calm periods are identified. For each wave and calm period, the changes in the yen/dollar exchange rate are decomposed in those taken place in the Tokyo, Europe and New York markets. In addition, correlations among the yen, mark, and pound for each market for each wave are studied. The surprisingly strong effect o...

Report on bio-energy survey project in Sumoto City; 2001 nendo Sumoto baio energy chosa jigyo hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2002-07-01

With an intention to solve environmental problems and energy problems simultaneously in Sumoto City, Hyogo prefecture, surveys have been performed on feasibility of introducing biomass energy in the district. The dairy farming in Sumoto City has a trend of increase in the number of livestocks being fed in individual farms, and increase of milking quantity per livestock (increase of sewage discharge amount), with the increase of excessive excreta amount causing a problem. The Sumoto Dairy Farming Association is experiencing generation of excreta of 156 tons a day, which requires manure handling and disposal of 112 tons a day even after deducting the field dispersion. Discussions on a biogas plant with a capacity of 100 tons a day call for biogas generation amount of 2,500 m{sup 3} a day, electric power generation amount of 4,500 kWh a day, fuel cell size of 100 kW x 2 units, and heat generation amount of 6,000 kWh a day. A total of the estimated project cost amounts to 2,450,000,000 yen, the annual running cost to 65,280,000 yen, and the annual income to 82,000,000 yen. The electric power generation cost is 135 yen per kWh, the heat production cost is 952 yen per liter (converted to kerosene), and the saving amount due to excessive electric power and heat utilization amounted to 10,700,000 yen. The annual amount of CO2 reduction is 1330 tons. (NEDO)

Time-series analysis of foreign exchange rates using time-dependent pattern entropy

Science.gov (United States)

Ishizaki, Ryuji; Inoue, Masayoshi

2013-08-01

Time-dependent pattern entropy is a method that reduces variations to binary symbolic dynamics and considers the pattern of symbols in a sliding temporal window. We use this method to analyze the instability of daily variations in foreign exchange rates, in particular, the dollar-yen rate. The time-dependent pattern entropy of the dollar-yen rate was found to be high in the following periods: before and after the turning points of the yen from strong to weak or from weak to strong, and the period after the Lehman shock.

78 FR 23321 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Order Granting Approval of...

Science.gov (United States)

2013-04-18

... following currencies: euro, British pound, Japanese yen, and Australian dollar. \\5\\ The term ``modified...'s existing surveillance system architecture and processes. Additionally, the Exchange will have... basket of four highly liquid currencies (the euro, British pound, Japanese yen, and the Australian dollar...

Graptolite graveyard: Re-Os dating of macroplankton at the Lower-Middle Ordovician boundary (Floian-Dapingian stage boundary), Tøyen Shale, southern Sweden

Science.gov (United States)

Goswami, V.; Stein, H. J.; Hannah, J. L.; Ahlberg, P.; Maletz, J.

2017-12-01

There exist only 16 radiometric ages for the entire 42 m.y. Ordovician Period. Stage boundaries are biostratigraphically defined by the first appearance of agreed on graptolite and conodont species. Cosmopolitan graptolites are common in the Ordovician and their relatively brief stratigraphic durations make them ideal for global correlations. The Floian-Dapingian stage boundary (Lower-Middle Ordovician boundary) is very poorly constrained, with an absence of radiometric dates for several million years below the boundary and poor statistics on ages in the lower Dapingian [1]. Here we use the Ordovician Tøyen Shale, widespread across southern Sweden and Norway with a highly-refined graptolite biostratigraphy, to add a new age constraint [2]. With drill core from Lerhamn, Sweden (samples from 35.75-36.70 m depth), we employ a novel approach to directly date the fauna. We physically extracted a well-preserved 5-cm fossil of macroplankton (graptolite) from organic-rich shales (up to 4% TOC) for Re-Os dating. The graptolite and its hosting shale together define a well-constrained Model 1 isochron of 469.4 ± 1.7 Ma (2s, MSWD = 1.7, n = 9) and an initial 187Os/188Os (Osi) of 0.802 ± 0.002 for seawater. The Osi documents sustained radiogenic Os input to seawater from the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian through the Early Ordovician, in concert with the Sr isotope seawater curve. The analyzed graptolite belongs to the species Pseudophyllograptus augustifolius, a member of the upper Floian fauna [2]. Our nominal age for the dated graptolite and the shale is lower Dapingian according to the 2017 GTS [1]. Therefore, the Re-Os age suggests the Floian-Dapingian stage boundary may be younger than currently accepted. As defined in the GTS, the Dapingian stage is only 2.7 m.y. (470.0 ± 1.4 to 467.3 ± 1.1 Ma); combined uncertainties could give the Dapingian a mere 0.2 m.y. duration (or a maximum of 5 m.y). Although uncertainties overlap, our first dating of the Lower-Middle Ordovician

[Estimation of cost-saving for reducing radioactive waste from nuclear medicine facilities by implementing decay in storage (DIS) in Japan].

Science.gov (United States)

Kida, Tetsuo; Hiraki, Hitoshi; Yamaguchi, Ichirou; Fujibuchi, Toshioh; Watanabe, Hiroshi

2012-01-01

DIS has not yet been implemented in Japan as of 2011. Therefore, even if risk was negligible, medical institutions have to entrust radioactive temporal waste disposal to Japan Radio Isotopes Association (JRIA) in the current situation. To decide whether DIS should be implemented in Japan or not, cost-saving effect of DIS was estimated by comparing the cost that nuclear medical facilities pay. By implementing DIS, the total annual cost for all nuclear medical facilities in Japan is estimated to be decreased to 30 million yen or less from 710 million yen. DIS would save 680 million yen (96%) per year.

Estimation of cost-saving for reducing radioactive waste from nuclear medicine facilities by implementing decay in storage (DIS) in Japan

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kida, Tetsuo; Hiraki, Hitoshi; Yamaguchi, Ichirou; Fujibuchi, Toshioh; Watanabe, Hiroshi

2012-01-01

DIS has not yet been implemented in Japan as of 2011. Therefore, even if risk was negligible, medical institutions have to entrust radioactive temporal waste disposal to Japan Radio Isotopes Association (JRIA) in the current situation. To decide whether DIS should be implemented in Japan or not, cost-saving effect of DIS was estimated by comparing the cost that nuclear medical facilities pay. By implementing DIS, the total annual cost for all nuclear medical facilities in Japan is estimated to be decreased to 30 million yen or less from 710 million yen. DIS would save 680 million yen (96%) per year. (author)

Space tourism; next goal of rocketry; Uchu eno ryokaku yuso

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Inatani, Y. [Institute of the Space and Astronautical Science,Tokyo (Japan)

2000-01-05

As to the space travel to be conducted as business, the paper presented the results of the study being made to extract subjects. The single-stage space transport system which can be completely reused is said to be realized by much more weight reduction in airframe structure and improvement of propulsion performance, judging from the present technology standard. The reason the present form of rocket has to be reformed is that the cost needed to put a load of 1kg into orbit around the earth is higher in order of 1 million yen than those of other vehicles. Because the rocket is disposable, it is difficult to make an enormous cost reduction, and therefore, it is necessary to realize the same operation form as that adopted to airplane. The price of tickets for space travel rationally determined by the demand side is between 1.5-2.0 million yen. The annual sales are estimated at approximately 1.3 trillion yen on the market. When calculating this as business, it is necessary to reduce the transportation cost from 1,000,000 yen to 90,000-10,000 yen. A conceptual design was made of a space travel standard airframe 'Kanko-maru.' (NEDO)

Report on investigational research on business activities under fluctuating exchange rates and the trend of energy-conservation related investments in fiscal 1995; 1995 nendo hendosuru kawase rate no motode kigyo katsudo oyobi shoene kanren toshi doko nado ni kansuru chosa kenkyu hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1996-03-01

A study was made on effects of fluctuation of the exchange rate on business activities in the iron/steel industry. Fluctuation of the exchange rate is an uncertain element in working out a plan for future business activities, and hinders research development and equipment investment to be positively made. In the iron/steel industry in Japan, the rate of yen basis in trade settlement currency is especially lower than in other industries, and has a constitution which is easily influenced by yen appreciation. However, the iron/steel industry is an industry exporting products, and at the same time, is an industry depending on import for most of the main raw materials. Accordingly, the yen appreciation not only has negative effects, but has different effects, depending on the rate of shifting the amount of exchange rate fluctuation to local price, and on conditions of the rate of realizing price lowering which means that the exchange rate fluctuation reflects the lowering of imported raw material prices. If only these conditions are fulfilled, the yen appreciation even produces rather favorable effects in the iron/steel industry. In the circle, the conversion of the structure is being expedited for converting effects of yen appreciation to beneficial ones. Financially, exchange risk management is also necessary. 41 figs., 35 tabs.

Three Renowned Turkish Restaurant

OpenAIRE

2000-01-01

Taha Toros Arşivi, Dosya No: 112-Lokantalar İstanbul Kalkınma Ajansı (TR10/14/YEN/0033) İstanbul Development Agency (TR10/14/YEN/0033) Beyti Meat Restaurant, Divan Restaurant, Park Şamdan Beyti Meat Restaurant Divan Restaurant Park Şamdan

FY 1999 report on the results of the fundamental investigation for promotion of Joint Implementation. Preliminary evaluation of introduction of VICS systems in Klang Valley and Multimedia Super Corridor in Malaysia; 1999 nendo Malaysia koku Klang Valley oyobi multimedia super corridor ni okeru VICS system donyu no jizen hyoka chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

Feasibility study is conducted for introduction of the VICSs (Vehicle Information and Communication Systems) in Malaysia's Klang Valley and Multimedia Super Corridor, to contribute to abatement of the greenhouse effect gases and saving energy. This study has produced the following results. The systems need a total fund of about 1.4 billion yen, including the design fees, when based on the FM multiplex broadcasting, and annual operation/maintenance cost of about 110,000 million yen. These systems are expected to save 4,850 toe/y of fuel and abate CO2 emissions by 11,200 t/y, with the benefit cost ratios of 20.2 toe/million yen and 46.6 tons of CO2/million yen, respectively, when they are in service for 10 years. Introduction of the VICS system in Malaysia is highly feasible both technically and economically, which, however, will need establishment of, e.g., the JICA-proposed integrated traffic information system and Malaysia Traffic Information Authority. (NEDO)

FY 1999 report on the results of the fundamental investigation for promotion of Joint Implementation. Preliminary evaluation of introduction of VICS systems in Klang Valley and Multimedia Super Corridor in Malaysia; 1999 nendo Malaysia koku Klang Valley oyobi multimedia super corridor ni okeru VICS system donyu no jizen hyoka chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

Feasibility study is conducted for introduction of the VICSs (Vehicle Information and Communication Systems) in Malaysia's Klang Valley and Multimedia Super Corridor, to contribute to abatement of the greenhouse effect gases and saving energy. This study has produced the following results. The systems need a total fund of about 1.4 billion yen, including the design fees, when based on the FM multiplex broadcasting, and annual operation/maintenance cost of about 110,000 million yen. These systems are expected to save 4,850 toe/y of fuel and abate CO2 emissions by 11,200 t/y, with the benefit cost ratios of 20.2 toe/million yen and 46.6 tons of CO2/million yen, respectively, when they are in service for 10 years. Introduction of the VICS system in Malaysia is highly feasible both technically and economically, which, however, will need establishment of, e.g., the JICA-proposed integrated traffic information system and Malaysia Traffic Information Authority. (NEDO)

Lessons learned from implementation of a demonstration program to reduce the burden of anemia and hookworm in women in Yen Bai Province, Viet Nam

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Thach Tran D

2009-07-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Iron deficiency, anemia and hookworm disease are important public health problems for women of reproductive age living in developing countries and affect the health of newborns and infants. Iron supplementation and deworming treatment are effective in addressing these problems in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. Daily iron supplementation and deworming after the first trimester is recommended for pregnant women although these programs usually do not operate efficiently or effectively. Weekly iron-folic acid supplementation and regular deworming for non-pregnant women may be a viable approach for improving iron status and preventing anemia during the reproductive years. Addressing these diseases at a population level before women become pregnant could significantly improve women's health before and during pregnancy, as well as their infants' growth and development. Methods and Results This paper describes the major processes undertaken in a demonstration intervention of preventive weekly iron-folic acid supplementation with regular deworming for all 52,000 women aged 15–45 years in two districts of Yen Bai province, in northern Viet Nam. The intervention strategy included extensive consultation with community leaders and village, commune, district and provincial health staff, and training for village health workers. Distribution of the drugs was integrated with the existing health service infrastructure and the village health workers were the direct point of contact with women. Iron-folic acid tablets and deworming treatment were provided free of charge from May 2006. An independent Vietnamese NGO was commissioned to evaluate compliance and identify potential problems. The program resulted in effective distribution of iron-folic acid tablets and deworming treatment to all villages in the target districts, with full or partial compliance of 85%. Conclusion Training for health staff, the strong commitment of all partners

Fransız gazeteci Guy Sorman'ın, Fuar'ın konuğu Valentin Rasputin'le Le Figaro Magazine için yaptığı konuşma:'Resputin bana dedi ki ...'

OpenAIRE

Sorman, Guy

1991-01-01

Taha Toros Arşivi, Dosya No: 111-Kütüphaneler. Not: Metin ekli dokümanın 19. sayfasında yer almaktadır. İstanbul Kalkınma Ajansı (TR10/14/YEN/0033) İstanbul Development Agency (TR10/14/YEN/0033)

Basic surveys for joint execution, etc. of the heat and power plant reconstruction project for the corporation 'Yuzhmash', Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. Ukraine 'Yuzhmash' feasibility study report

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

This project, for the execution of joint implementations set forth in the protocol of the Third Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aims to replace the existing plant with a new combined cycle thermal power system which will achieve CO2 emission reduction, environmental preservation, and energy conservation. The project will save energy by 103,731 toe/year. The total project cost will be 9-billion yen, and cost performance will be 87,000-yen/toe or 3,400-yen/toe in a 25-year period. Greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 242,424 tons/year, and cost performance will be 37,000-yen/t-CO2 or 1,500-yen/t-CO2 in a 25-year period. Profitability EIRR (economic internal rate of return) is calculated on the assumption of an exchange rate of 4.91UHA/US$ (as of February 2000). When emission trading is carried out at US$/t-CO2=0.0, 5.0, 14.0, or 60.0, EIRR will be 7.363, 8.112, 9.939, or 15.155%, respectively. The price of Ukrainian natural gas affects profitability. A profitability goal to justify project execution will be achieved only when the price of CO2 emission right of 60.00US$/ton or more is realized. Advantageous fund procurement is also necessary. (NEDO)

Basic surveys for joint execution, etc. of the heat and power plant reconstruction project for the corporation 'Yuzhmash', Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. Ukraine 'Yuzhmash' feasibility study report

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

This project, for the execution of joint implementations set forth in the protocol of the Third Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aims to replace the existing plant with a new combined cycle thermal power system which will achieve CO2 emission reduction, environmental preservation, and energy conservation. The project will save energy by 103,731 toe/year. The total project cost will be 9-billion yen, and cost performance will be 87,000-yen/toe or 3,400-yen/toe in a 25-year period. Greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 242,424 tons/year, and cost performance will be 37,000-yen/t-CO2 or 1,500-yen/t-CO2 in a 25-year period. Profitability EIRR (economic internal rate of return) is calculated on the assumption of an exchange rate of 4.91UHA/US$ (as of February 2000). When emission trading is carried out at US$/t-CO2=0.0, 5.0, 14.0, or 60.0, EIRR will be 7.363, 8.112, 9.939, or 15.155%, respectively. The price of Ukrainian natural gas affects profitability. A profitability goal to justify project execution will be achieved only when the price of CO2 emission right of 60.00US$/ton or more is realized. Advantageous fund procurement is also necessary. (NEDO)

International Clean Energy System Using Hydrogen Conversion (WE-NET). subtask 3. Conceptual design of the total system; Suiso riyo kokusai clean energy system gijutsu (WE-NET). subtask 3. Zentai system gainen sekkei

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1997-03-01

This paper describes the research result on the conceptual design of the total system for the WE-NET project in 1996. Basic conditions are as follows: solid polymer water electrolysis, hydrogen combustion turbine power generation, hydrogen transport/storage through ammonia medium, power generation scale of 1000-4000MW (2-5 yen/kWh), and transport distance of 5000-20000km between supply and consumption places. The system efficiency was estimated to be 68% and 23% at an ammonia arrival time and power sending end, respectively, and it was dependent on a transport distance, while no power generation scale. The power cost was estimated to be 7 yen/Mcal and 33 yen/kWh, respectively. The system efficiency at a sending end was lower by 15% and 2% than that of the liquid hydrogen and methanol system, while the power cost was higher by 0 and 8 yen/kWh, respectively. It was necessary for loss reduction of this ammonia system to develop a new high-efficiency ammonia synthesis process, and hydrogen separation (decomposition/refining) process. 80 figs., 52 tabs.

Survey on the trends of atomic power development and utilization in 1973 fiscal year

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1975-01-01

Japanese activities in the atomic power development and utilization during 1973 (FY) were investigated and compared with the previous year. The investigation was done for each type of organization; medical, educational, research institute, private company, and others. The results of the investigation can be summarized as follows. The total number of personnel being engaged in the field of atomic industry increased by 1.2%. About 52.8% of them belong to private companies. The number of trainees during 1973 increased by 7.9%. About 92.3% of them were trained in domestic organizations. The expenditure for research and development was 100 billion yen which is 12.1% larger than that in the previous year. About 73.4% was used by public research institutes including JAERI and PNC. Investment in equipments was 235.2 billion yen which was increase of 20%. Most of this money (215.4 billion yen) was invested for the construction of power plants by electric utilities. Total amount of production was 73 billion yen which was increase of 45.9%. (Aoki, K.)

Yoğurt

OpenAIRE

2015-01-01

Taha Toros Arşivi, Dosya Adı: Taha Toros Yoğurt ile ilgili söylenmiş atasözleri ve yoğurdun faydasını anlatan sözleri içeren not. İstanbul Kalkınma Ajansı (TR10/14/YEN/0033) İstanbul Development Agency (TR10/14/YEN/0033)

EDITORIAL: Reigniting innovation in the transistor Reigniting innovation in the transistor

Science.gov (United States)

Demming, Anna

2012-09-01

Today the transistor is integral to the electronic circuitry that wires our lives. When Bardeen and Brattain first observed an amplified signal by connecting electrodes to a germanium crystal they saw that their 'semiconductor triode' could prove a useful alternative to the more cumbersome vacuum tubes used at the time [1]. But it was perhaps William Schottky who recognized the extent of the transistor's potential. A basic transistor has three or more terminals and current across one pair of terminals can switch or amplify current through another pair. Bardeen, Brattain and Schottky were jointly awarded a Nobel Prize in 1956 'for their researches on semiconductors and their discovery of the transistor effect' [2]. Since then many new forms of the transistor have been developed and understanding of the underlying properties is constantly advancing. In this issue Chen and Shih and colleagues at Taiwan National University and Drexel University report a pyroelectrics transistor. They show how a novel optothermal gating mechanism can modulate the current, allowing a range of developments in nanoscale optoelectronics and wireless devices [3]. The explosion of interest in nanoscale devices in the 1990s inspired electronics researchers to look for new systems that can act as transistors, such as carbon nanotube [4] and silicon nanowire [5] transistors. Generally these transistors function by raising and lowering an energy barrier of kBT -1, but researchers in the US and Canada have demonstrated that the quantum interference between two electronic pathways through aromatic molecules can also modulate the current flow [6]. The device has advantages for further miniaturization where energy dissipation in conventional systems may eventually cause complications. Interest in transistor technology has also led to advances in fabrication techniques for achieving high production quantities, such as printing [7]. Researchers in Florida in the US demonstrated field effect transistor

[Economic evaluation for the prevention of cervical cancer by vaccination--from perspective of health insurance society and industry].

Science.gov (United States)

Kawabayashi, Yukari; Furuno, Makoto; Uchida, Marina; Kawana, Takashi

2013-04-01

The aim of this study is to estimate the budget impact in a health insurance society and an industry of promoting decision-making for endowing grants for vaccination as prophylaxis against cervical cancer (CC) by the health insurance society for employees. The target population was Japanese female employees aged 20 to 34 and partners and daughters of male employees working for an overseas IT industry. By using a prevalence-based model, the author estimated expected costs in non-vaccination and vaccination scenarios and evaluated the 10-year financial impact on the industry after vaccination by employing a cost-benefit analysis. The incidence of CC in a target group was derived from the actual number of patients with CC in addition to data from JMDC's receipt database and estimated by a Bayesian method. The epidemiological parameters such as mortality rate, screening rate, detailed exam rate and detailed exam consultation rate were taken from epidemiology statistics and published articles available in Japan. Healthcare costs for cancer treatment, screening, detailed exam and vaccination estimated based on medical fee points were input into the model, 'but the analysis did not consider side effect-related costs. In addition, productivity costs for mortality in employees and their families due to CC, estimated by the national employee's statistics, were also input into the model. An annual discount was unconsidered. From the perspective of the healthcare insurance society, expenditure of approximately 129 million yen in the non-vaccination scenario was expected for ten years, but healthcare-related costs were saved by expenditure of approximately 73 million yen with 100% of employees and their families being vaccinated at expenses of approximately 55 million yen. The insurance society lost approximately 1.8 million yen in total if subsidy for vaccination was set at ten thousand yen. In the case of a 100% vaccination rate, the company can save losses in productivity of

Roles of the β 146 histidyl residue in the molecular basis of the Bohr Effect of hemoglobin: A proton nuclear magnetic resonance study

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Busch, M.R.; Mace, J.E.; Ho, N.T.; Ho, Chien

1991-01-01

Assessment of the roles of the carboxyl-terminal β146 histidyl residues in the alkaline Bohr effect in human and normal adult hemoglobin by high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy requires assignment of the resonances corresponding to these residues. By a careful spectroscopic study of human normal adult hemoglobin, enzymatically prepared des(His146β)-hemoglobin, and the mutant hemoglobins Cowtown (β146His → Leu) and York (β146His → Pro), the authors have resolved some of these conflicting results. By a close incremental variation of pH over a wide range in chloride-free 0.1 M N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid buffer, a single resonance has been found to be consistently missing in the proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of these hemoglobin variants. The results indicate that the contribution of the β146 histidyl residues is 0.52 H + /hemoglobin tetramer at pH 7.6, markedly less than 0.8 H + /hemoglobin tetramer estimated by study of the mutant hemoglobin Cowtown (β146His → Leu) by Shih and Perutz. They have found that at least two histidyl residues in the carbonmonoxy form of this mutant have pK values that are perturbed, and they suggest that these pK differences may in part account for this discrepancy. The results show that the pK values of β146 histidyl residues in the carbonmonoxy form of hemoglobin are substantially affected by the presence of chloride and other anions in the solvent, and thus, the contribution of this amino acid residue to the alkaline Bohr effect can be shown to vary widely in magnitude, depending on the solvent composition. These results demonstrate that the detailed molecular mechanisms of the alkaline Bohr effect are not unique but are affected both by the hemoglobin structure and by the interactions with the solvent components in which the hemoglobin molecule resides

Targeting cancer stem cells: emerging role of Nanog transcription factor

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Wang ML

2013-09-01

Full Text Available Mong-Lien Wang,1 Shih-Hwa Chiou,2,3 Cheng-Wen Wu1,4–61Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; 3Department of Medical Research and Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 4Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, 5Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; 6Institute of Biomedical Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, TaiwanAbstract: The involvement of stemness factors in cancer initiation and progression has drawn much attention recently, especially after the finding that introducing four stemness factors in somatic cells is able to reprogram the cells back to an embryonic stem cell-like state. Following accumulating data revealing abnormal elevated expression levels of key stemness factors, like Nanog, Oct4, and Sox2, in several types of cancer stem cells; the importance and therapeutic potential of targeting these stemness regulators in cancers has turned to research focus. Nanog determines cell fate in both embryonic and cancer stem cells; activating Nanog at an inappropriate time would result in cancer stem cells rather than normal pluripotent stem cells or differentiated somatic cells. Upregulated Nanog is correlated with poor survival outcome of patients with various types of cancer. The discoveries of downstream regulatory pathways directly or indirectly mediated by Nanog indicate that Nanog regulates several aspects of cancer development such as tumor cell proliferation, self-renewal, motility, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune evasion, and drug-resistance, which are all defined features for cancer stem cells. The current review paper illustrates the central role of Nanog in the regulatory networks of cancer malignant development and stemness acquirement, as well as in the communication between cancer cells and the surrounding stroma. Though a more defined model is needed to test the

Developing a novel dual PI3K–mTOR inhibitor from the prodrug of a metabolite

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Zhou Y

2017-10-01

Full Text Available Yan Zhou,1,2 Genyan Zhang,2 Feng Wang,2 Jin Wang,2 Yanwei Ding,2 Xinyu Li,2 Chongtie Shi,2 Jiakui Li,2 Chengkon Shih,2 Song You1 1The School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutical, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 2Department of Project Management, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, and Pharmacokinetics, Toxicology, Xuanzhu Pharma, Jinan, China Abstract: This study presents a process of developing a novel PI3K–mTOR inhibitor through the prodrug of a metabolite. The lead compound (compound 1 was identified with similar efficacy as that of NVP-BEZ235 in a tumor xenograft model, but the exposure of compound 1 was much lower than that of NVP-BEZ235. After reanalysis of the blood sample, a major metabolite (compound 2 was identified. Compound 2 exerted similar in vitro activity as compound 1, which indicated that compound 2 was an active metabolite and that the in vivo efficacy in the animal model came from compound 2 instead of compound 1. However, compound 1 was metabolized into compound 2 predominantly in the liver microsomes of mouse, but not in the liver microsomes of rat, dog, or human. In order to translate the efficacy in the animal model into clinical development or predict the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters in the clinical study using a preclinical model, we developed the metabolite (compound 2 instead of compound 1. Due to the low bioavailability of compound 2, its prodrug (compound 3 was designed and synthesized to improve the solubility. The prodrug was quickly converted to compound 2 through both intravenous and oral administrations. Because the prodrug (compound 3 did not improve the oral exposure of compound 2, developing compound 3 as an intravenous drug was considered by our team, and the latest results will be reported in the future. Keywords: PI3K, mTOR, NVP-BEZ235, prodrug, metabolite, antitumor

Investigations of electropositive and electronegative RF discharges

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bryant, P.M.

2000-01-01

Electronegative RF discharges are extensively used in the semi-conductor industry for material processing. Despite this the subject of electronegative RF discharges has been largely neglected. The aim of this thesis is to investigate a RF oxygen discharge by mass/energy spectrometry, a retarding field analyser and an actively compensated Langmuir probe. Measurements are also obtained in argon for comparison. In this thesis pure oxygen will be used as this has relatively simple discharge chemistry with most of the rate constants well known. Ion energy analysis (Chapter 3) show the discharge to contract into the centre of the chamber at low pressures in both gases. The expected thinner peak of the oxygen ion energy distribution was not observed, this is shown to be due to RF modulation of the positive ions with collisions playing a role. The dominant positive ion in the discharge bulk and colliding in the sheath in oxygen was found to be O 2 + with less than 10% O + over the range of pressure investigated (Chapter 4). Various minor ions such as O 3 + and O 4 + were also observed. By actively compensating a Langmuir probe for the first three plasma harmonics it is shown that it is unnecessary to compensate when the amplitude of a given harmonic is comparable to the electron temperature (Chapter 5). A study of Langmuir probe measurements in argon (Chapter 7) has shown that the use of the collisionless Alien, Boyd and Reynolds theory leads to discrepancies in the measured electron densities. The correct density can be obtained by using the perturbation method of Shih and Levi, this corrects for ion-neutral collisions in electropositive plasmas only. This theory is extended to electronegative plasmas (Chapter 6) so that measurements of the negative ion density obtained from the collisionless theory of Arnemiya, Annaratone and Alien can be corrected. Langmuir probe measurements in oxygen indicate a peak in the negative ion density at around 3Pa and are found to be in good

Clinical and economic outcomes among hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome: an analysis of a national representative Medicare population

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chen SY

2013-05-01

Full Text Available Shih-Yin Chen,1 Concetta Crivera,2 Michael Stokes,1 Luke Boulanger,1 Jeffrey Schein2 1United BioSource Corporation, Lexington, MA, USA; 2Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC, Raritan, NJ, USA Objective: To evaluate the clinical and economic burden of acute coronary syndrome (ACS, a common cardiovascular illness, in the Medicare population. Methods: Data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey were analyzed. Patients with incident hospitalization for ACS without similar events during the 6 months prior were included. Outcomes evaluated included inpatient mortality, 30-day mortality and readmission, subsequent hospitalization events, and total direct health care costs. Sample population weights were applied, accounting for multistage sampling design to obtain nationally representative estimates for the US Medicare population. Results: Between March 1, 2002 and December 31, 2006, we identified 795 incident ACS patients (mean age 76 years; 49% male representing 2,542,211 Medicare beneficiaries. The inpatient mortality rate was 9.71% and the 30-day mortality ranged from 10.96% to 13.93%. The 30-day readmission rate for surviving patients was 18.56% for all causes and 17.90% for cardiovascular disease (CVD-related diagnoses. The incidence of death since admission was 309 cases per 1000 person–years. Among patients discharged alive, the incidence was 197 for death, 847 for CVD-related admission, and 906 for all-cause admission. During the year when the ACS event occurred, mean annual total direct health care costs per person were US$50,458, with more than half attributable to inpatient hospitalization ($27,609. Conclusion: In this national representative Medicare population, we found a substantial clinical and economic burden for ACS. These findings suggest a continuing unmet medical need for more effective management of patients with ACS. The continuous burden underscores the importance of development of new interventions and/or strategies to

Breyten Breytenbach in een zijspiegel: Het vizier van H.C. ten Berge Transnationale laterale beweging en particuliere “hetero-images” van een literaire actor/ Breyten Breytenbach Through H.C. ten Berge’s Looking-Glass: Transnational Lateral Movement and Particular “Hetero-Images” of a Writer

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

T’Sjoen Yves

2015-06-01

Full Text Available At the end of the 1960s and in the beginning of the 1970s the South African poet Breyten Breytenbach had poetry and drawings published in the leading literary magazine Raster. The editor in charge at the time, H.C. ten Berge, gave the experimental writer and socially engaged Sestiger (the literary modernizing movement in South Africa in the sixties pride of place in the line-ups of the Dutch modernist periodical. In the seventies, Ten Berge contributed to Vingermaan (1980, a collection of poems by Dutch writers (Lucebert, Kopland, Kouwenaar, Schierbeek in support of the anti-apartheid activist. From 1975 Breytenbach was imprisoned in South Africa for political reasons. He served seven years of a nine year sentence. At that time, in the eighties, the Netherlands organized a cultural and economical boycott against the racist regime in Pretoria. Later on, Ten Berge presented his own poems dedicated to Breytenbach in his book of poetry Nieuwe gedichten (1981 and in the collection Materia prima: Gedichten 1963-1993 (1993. Before and during the imprisonment of Breytenbach Ten Berge played an important role in the introduction of the writer in the Low Countries. From a cultural-sociological point of view Breytenbach’s presence in the Dutch language area can be described, in the terminology of Francoise Lionnet and Shu-mei Shih and later on used by Louise Viljoen, as a transnational lateral movement in his writing career. This paper deals with the cultural transmission of an important political and experimental author in the literary system of Afrikaans and English in South Africa into the Dutch system. From a bibliographical viewpoint this paper affords special attention to the publication of Breytenbach’s volume of poetry in Skryt: Om ’n sinkende skip blou te verf ([1972] 1976, Vingermaan (1980 and Nieuwe gedichten ([1981] 1987. Ten Berge played an important role in the introduction of Breytenbach to the Low Countries in the way he presented the

Plan of deep underground construction for investigations on high-level radioactive waste storage

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mayanovskij, M.S.

1996-01-01

The program of studies of the Japanese PNC corporation on construction of deep underground storage for high-level radioactive wastes is presented. The program is intended for 20 years. The total construction costs equal about 20 billion yen. The total cost of the project is equal to 60 billion yen. The underground part is planned to reach 1000 m depth

FY 2000 report on the basic survey to promote Joint Implementation, etc. Survey of gas-fired cogeneration in Samarkand City; 2000 nendo kyodo jisshii nado suishin kiso chosa hokokusho. Samarkand shi gas daki cogeneration chosa

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

In the existing heat supply plant in Samarkand City in Uzbekistan, feasibility study was conducted of the project aimed at energy conservation and reduction in greenhouse effect gas emission by introducing the repair/cogeneration system of the regional pipes superannuated. In the project, the following were planned: introduction of two units of 6MW class gas turbine cogeneration, introduction of boiler which can realize 90% of the thermal efficiency, replacement of the existing regional pipes with pre-insulated pipes with less water leak/heat loss, etc. As a result of the study, the energy conservation amount was 21,006 toe, and the amount of greenhouse effect gas reduction was 64,998 t-CO2/y. As to the effects vs. expenses, the energy conservation was 2.80 toe/million yen, and the greenhouse effect gas reduction was 8.66 t-CO2-y/million yen. The initial investment amount was 7.51 billion yen, the business profit was 468 million yen/y, and the internal earning rate was 1.133%. It was judged that great profitability was not expected for the project, but the profit was returnable on investment. (NEDO)

Trend of development of dispersion energy machine. Solar power generation system; Taiyoko hatsuden shisutemu

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oda, T. [New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Tokyo (Japan)

2000-04-01

Technology development of a solar power generation system is advanced in Japan taking the New Sunshine Subject (NSS) of the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology as the center. According to the initial stage plan (in fiscal 1993 to 2000) of the NSS, a general goal is to establish the technique which supplies electric power at the power generating cost (the production base cost) being equal to the electricity fees (20 to 30 yen/kWh) for normal families in the latest year. At present, introduction of the solar power generation system results in the reduction of about 1 million yen per kW. It is expected that 5 hundred thousand yen per kW is reduced by the present technology with a combination of cost reduction of solar battery modules, cost reduction of relevant equipment such as inverters, and rationalization of installation fees. It is necessary to realize 3 hundred thousand yen per kW for realizing the price having competition in the power supply market. In this paper, popularization prediction and popularization promotion countermeasures of the solar power generation system are concretely explained. (NEDO)

Policy for geothermal energy development

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kiuchi, S [Public Utilities Bureau, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Japan

1973-01-01

Government actions related to Japanese geothermal energy development in the past include: a mining and industrial research subsidy of 27 million yen granted to Kyushu Electric Power Co. in 1952, a mining and industrial research subsidy of 13 million yen granted to Japan Metals and Chemicals Co. in 1960, a study on steam production technology for geothermal power generation by Japan Metals and Chemicals Co. funded at 3.5 hundred million yen from the Research Development Corporation of Japan, and a study on steam production technology for large scale geothermal power generation by Japan Metals and Chemicals Co. funded at 7.6 hundred million yen by the Research Development Corporation of Japan. The following projects are planned by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry for 1973: a two-year geothermal power promotion including investigations into the utilization of hot water, new methods for geothermal reservoir detection and steam well drilling, and environmental effects, studies on hydrothermal systems, basic investigations for geothermal indicators in 30 areas, and a means to finance the construction of geothermal power plants in Kakkonda (Iwate Prefecture) and Hatchobara (Oita Prefecture).

Bacteriophages reduce Yersinia enterocolitica contamination of food and kitchenware.

Science.gov (United States)

Jun, Jin Woo; Park, Se Chang; Wicklund, Anu; Skurnik, Mikael

2018-04-20

Yersinia enterocolitica, the primary cause of yersiniosis, is one of the most important foodborne pathogens globally and is associated with the consumption of raw contaminated pork. In the current study, four virulent bacteriophages (phages), one of Podoviridae (fHe-Yen3-01) and three of Myoviridae (fHe-Yen9-01, fHe-Yen9-02, and fHe-Yen9-03), capable of infecting Y. enterocolitica were isolated and characterized. fHe-Yen9-01 had the broadest host range (61.3% of strains, 65/106). It demonstrated a latent period of 35 min and a burst size of 33 plaque-forming units/cell, and was found to have a genome of 167,773 bp with 34.79% GC content. To evaluate the effectiveness of phage fHe-Yen9-01 against Y. enterocolitica O:9 strain Ruokola/71, we designed an experimental model of the food market environment. Phage treatment after bacterial inoculation of food samples, including raw pork (4 °C, 72 h), ready-to-eat pork (26 °C, 12 h), and milk (4 °C, 72 h), prevented bacterial growth throughout the experiments, with counts decreasing by 1-3 logs from the original levels of 2-4 × 10 3  CFU/g or ml. Similarly, when artificially contaminated kitchen utensils, such as wooden and plastic cutting boards and knives, and artificial hands, were treated with phages for 2 h, bacterial growth was effectively inhibited, with counts decreasing by 1-2 logs from the original levels of ca 10 4  CFU/cm 2 or ml. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the successful application of phages for the control of Y. enterocolitica growth in food and on kitchen utensils. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cost-utility analysis of varenicline, an oral smoking-cessation drug, in Japan.

Science.gov (United States)

Igarashi, Ataru; Takuma, Hiroki; Fukuda, Takashi; Tsutani, Kiichiro

2009-01-01

To conduct a cost-utility analysis of two 12-week smoking-cessation interventions in Japan: smoking-cessation counselling by a physician compared with use of varenicline, an oral smoking-cessation drug, in addition to counselling. A Markov model was constructed to analyse lifetime medical costs and QALYs from the perspective of the healthcare payer. The cycle length was 5 years. Both costs and QALYs were discounted at 3% annually. The cohort of smokers was classified by sex and age, and we assumed that smokers started smoking at the age of 20 years and received smoking-cessation therapy at the ages of 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 years (five separate models were run). The healthcare costs and QALYs were calculated throughout the term until the age of 90 years. In the base-case analysis, success rates of varenicline plus counselling and counselling alone were assumed to be 37.9% and 25.5%, respectively, in male smokers, and 22.2% and 16.1%, respectively, in female smokers, based on a randomized controlled trial conducted in Japan. Both univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. Prescribed varenicline was shown to be more effective and less costly than smoking-cessation counselling alone. Varenicline would save direct medical costs of Japanese Yen (yen)43 846 ($US381; $US1 = yen115; Oct 2007) and generate an increase of 0.094 QALYs in male smokers. In females the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was yen346 143 per QALY gained. Varenicline is estimated to save yen23.7 billion ($US206 million) of the medical costs for tobacco-associated diseases for the whole population. Overall savings are yen9.5 billion. Sensitivity analyses suggested the robustness of the results. As with any data of this nature, there is some uncertainty in the results and further research is warranted. However, based on the results of this pharmacoeconomic evaluation, varenicline, the first non-nicotine, oral treatment developed for smoking cessation, appears to be cost

[Cost-benefit analysis of primary prevention programs for mental health at the workplace in Japan].

Science.gov (United States)

Yoshimura, Kensuke; Kawakami, Norito; Tsusumi, Akizumi; Inoue, Akiomi; Kobayashi, Yuka; Takeuchi, Ayano; Fukuda, Takashi

2013-01-01

To determine the cost-benefits of primary prevention programs for mental health at the workplace, we conducted a meta-analysis of published studies in Japan. We searched the literature, published as of 16 November 2011, using the Pubmed database and relevant key words. The inclusion criteria were: conducted in the workplace in Japan; primary prevention focus; quasi-experimental studies or controlled trials; and outcomes including absenteeism or presenteeism. Four studies were identified: one participatory work environment improvement, one individual-oriented stress management, and two supervisor education programs. Costs and benefits in yen were estimated for each program, based on the description of the programs in the literature, and additional information from the authors. The benefits were estimated based on each program's effect on work performance (measured using the WHO Health and Work Performance Questionnaire in all studies), as well as sick leave days, if available. The estimated relative increase in work performance (%) in the intervention group compared to the control group was converted into labor cost using the average bonus (18% of the total annual salary) awarded to employees in Japan as a base. Sensitive analyses were conducted using different models of time-trend of intervention effects and 95% confidence limits of the relative increase in work performance. For the participatory work environment improvement program, the cost was estimated as 7,660 yen per employee, and the benefit was 15,200-22,800 yen per employee. For the individual-oriented stress management program, the cost was 9,708 yen per employee, and the benefit was 15,200-22,920 yen per employee. For supervisor education programs, the costs and benefits were respectively 5,209 and 4,400-6,600 yen per employee, in one study, 2,949 and zero yen per employee in the other study. The 95% confidence intervals were wide for all these studies. For the point estimates based on these cases, the

Unconventional Density Wave and Superfluidity in Cold Atom Systems

Science.gov (United States)

2014-06-01

Tsai, Chairperson Professor Kirill Shtengel Professor Vivek Aji 3 Copyright by Chen-Yen Lai 2014 4 The Dissertation of Chen-Yen Lai is approved...thank my dissertation committee members, Professor Vivek Aji and Pro- fessor Kirill Shtengel, for their help, kindness, insightful comments and...near balance to a stripe-CDW ( red ) as the imbalance increases. The insert shows the strong imbalance region, where single species p-wave majority

Nuclear-related budget for fiscal 1982 increased by 7.1 %

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1982-01-01

In the budget draft for fiscal 1982, highest priority is given to the cost of energy countermeasures, and 563,200 million yen is earmarked, which is 13.2 % increase as compared with the budget for 1981. Emphasis is placed on the stable supply of oil and the development of the alternative sources of energy. The main pillar of the measures for alternative energy sources is nuclear power development. 290,448 million yen is allocated to the nuclearrelated budget, which is 7.1 % increase as compared with that for 1981. Besides, in order to develop overseas uranium resources and to promote nuclear fuel cycle industries and the domestic production of nuclear power equipments, the fiscal loans and investments of 159,000 million yen are available. The budget draft for the nuclear power development in the Science and Technology Agency is 243,038 million yen, which amounts to 83.7 % of the nuclear-related budget mentioned above. The budget for the STA is roughly classified into the expansion and reinforcement of nuclear safety measures, the establishment of nuclear fuel cycle, the development of advenced power reactors, the R and D on nuclear fusion and HTGRs, the R and D on nuclear ships, the smooth siting of nuclear facilities, etc. (Kako, I.)

Basic investigation on promotion of joint implementation in fiscal 2000. Energy saving projects at two steel making companies in Fushun City in China; 2000 nendo kyodo jisshi nado suishin kiso chosa hokokusho. Chugoku Fushun shi ni okeru tekko gaisha 2 sha no shoene project chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

With an objective of saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emission, investigations and discussions were given on two steel making companies in China. Discussions were given for Fushun Special Steel Co., Ltd. on abolishment and unification of four electric furnaces into two new electric furnaces, and for Fushun New Steel Co., Ltd. on installation of a granulation reinforcing facility, a segregation reinforcing device, and cooler waste heat recovery boilers for the sintering machine, installation of sensors including the waste gas oxygen concentration meter, adoption of a process computer, and optimization of the furnace temperature patterns for the heating furnace. As a result of the discussions, it was revealed that the unit requirement for electric power used at Fushun Special Steel can be reduced largely, and so can the fuel used at Fushun New Steel. The annual energy saving effect would be about 500 million yen relative to the investment amount of 2.8 billion yen at Fushun Special Steel, and about 400 million yen relative to the investment amount of about 400 million yen at Fushun New Steel. The greenhouse gas emission would be reduced annually by 40,000 t-CO2 and 60,000 t-CO2 respectively. Fushun Special Steel will execute an international bid in May this year. (NEDO)

Feasibility study on rehabilitation of KESC gas turbine power plant

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

As to power generation facilities of Karachi Electric Power Supply Corporation in Karachi (KESC), the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, feasibility study on the rehabilitation was conducted in consideration of the CDM (clean development mechanism) project. In Pakistan, 13 gas turbine power plants started operation at the same time as the time when the power plant studied this time started operation, and therefore it is predicted that they also have the same troubles caused by the aged deterioration. As the rehabilitation project, two cases were proposed: In Case 1, gas turbine and generator are both exchanged, and in Case 2, gas turbine is only exchanged, and generator is reused after repair. The work term is approximately 9 months in both cases. The initial investment is $84 million in Case 1 and $78 million in Case 2. The energy conservation effect per cost is 107 t/y/million yen and 101 t/y/million yen, respectively. Further, the amount of greenhouse effect gas reduction per cost is 330 t-CO2/y/million yen and 313 t-CO2/y/million yen, respectively. The effect of profits can be obtained after the depreciation period since the fuel price is reduced approximately 0.5%. (NEDO)

Ministry of International Trade and Industry applying business stimulation taxation system. ; On mechatronics, product shipping facilities and automatic fire extinguishing facilities used by large corporations. Keiki taisaku ni tsusansho mo zeisei sochi. ; Daikigyo mekatoro ni seihin shukka setsubi, jido shoka setsubi mo

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

1993-05-05

With an objective to promote capital investments that have been fallen because of the recession in Japan, the Petroleum Department of the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy has decided to take the following measures limited to one year for application. The measures consist of the taxation system for high-level energy saving investment promotion and the taxation system for small business machine investment promotion. In the former system, facilities that are effective for promoting rationalization and serving for environment preservation are admitted a special depreciation of 30% (36% for small business) on acquired prices or a tax deduction of 7% (8.4% for small business). Tax deduction of 7% (8.4%) is granted on leased assets. However, machineries are subject to a requirement of the price to be higher than 2 million yen (2.7 million yen in leasing). As a result, petroleum product shipping facilities are also covered by the taxation measures. The latter system, which is intended to promote investments by small business corporations, admits a special depreciation of 30% and a tax deduction of 7% for machineries acquired at prices above 2 million yen. Electronic computers and facsimile machines are also subjected to the taxation measures if their prices are higher than one million yen.

Evaluation of economical efficiency of the Osaki large hydroponic facilities; Osaki ogata suiko shisetsu no keizaisei hyoka

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yonezawa, K [Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc., Hiroshima (Japan)

1996-03-25

A demonstrative test was conducted to verify economical efficiency of practical scale hydroponic horticulture under structure making use of a part of the Osaki thermal power plant to be constructed. In the test, the hydroponic culture of leek and tomatoes was carried out for six years starting 1989 to study its economical efficiency. Using the M-type hydroponic culture facilities, the structures are 1200m wide, 29m long, and 21 tons in the culture liquid level in case of leek, and 350m wide, 29m long, and 10 tons in the culture liquid level in case of tomatoes. The evaluation was made estimating the crop amount of leek as about 35 tons and that of tomatoes as about 60 tons and regarding that the sales amount is equal to the crop amount. The sales amount of leek is 28 million yen, and when seeking income/expenditure from expenses, deficit of 1 million yen per 30 a cannot be avoided excluding the equipment depreciation cost. As to tomatoes, the shipment cost is approximately 14 million yen without the equipment depreciation cost, but the sales amount is approximately 13-19 million yen largely affected by the unit price. A study on the sale method is needed. 7 figs., 11 tabs.

Energy saving projects in two steel companies in Fushun City, China

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

With an objective of saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emission, investigations and discussions were given on two steel making companies in China. Discussions were given for Fushun Special Steel Co., Ltd. on abolishment and unification of four electric furnaces into two new electric furnaces, and for Fushun New Steel Co., Ltd. on installation of a granulation reinforcing facility, a segregation reinforcing device, and cooler waste heat recovery boilers for the sintering machine, installation of sensors including the waste gas oxygen concentration meter, adoption of a process computer, and optimization of the furnace temperature patterns for the heating furnace. As a result of the discussions, it was revealed that the unit requirement for electric power used at Fushun Special Steel can be reduced largely, and so can the fuel used at Fushun New Steel. The annual energy saving effect would be about 500 million yen relative to the investment amount of 2.8 billion yen at Fushun Special Steel, and about 400 million yen relative to the investment amount of about 400 million yen at Fushun New Steel. The greenhouse gas emission would be reduced annually by 40,000 t-CO2 and 60,000 t-CO2 respectively. Fushun Special Steel will execute an international bid in May this year. (NEDO)

FY 1998 evaluation/analysis of the data collected in the field test project for photovoltaic power generation for public facilities; 1998 nendo kokyo shisetsu nadoyo taiyoko hatsuden field test jigyo ni okeru shushu data hyoka kaiseki

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-03-01

In the field test project for the photovoltaic power generation for public facilities, operational data were collected/analyzed on facilities at 158 sites installed from FY 1994 to FY 1997. As a result, the following were found out: Average values of the global radiation on an inclined surface, equivalent array operation time, equivalent system operation time, system operation time, inverter performance efficiency, inverter load factor, array power coefficient, and system power coefficient are 3.51 kWh/m{sup 2}/D, 2.72 h/D, 2.47 h/D, 10.3 h/D, 0.91, 0.30, 0.77 and 0.70, respectively. No deterioration with age was recognized in the 4-year operation data. As to the maintenance, the item, 'there are a lot of failures in the photovoltaic power system,' was 2% in rate. As to the inspection, times are mostly once a month. The annual maintenance cost was widely between about 360 yen/kW and about 30,000 yen/kW. Supposing annual expenses to be a total of capital expense, direct expense, and general administrative expense, the power generation cost dropped from approximately 240 yen/kWh in FY 1994 to 100 yen/kWh in FY 1997. (NEDO)

Fiscal 2000 achievement report. Development of energy use rationalization-oriented silicon manufacturing process (Development of silicon substrate manufacturing technology for high-quality solar cell); 2000 nendo shin energy sangyo gijutsu sogo kaihatsu kiko kyodo kenkyu gyomu seika hokokusho. Energy shiyo gorika silicon seizo process kaihatsu (Kohinshitsu taiyodenchiyou silicon kiban seizo gijutsu no kaihatsu)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

Research and development was conducted for enhancing productivity and energy conservation by rendering continuous and automatic the electromagnetic casting process for manufacturing polycrystalline silicon substrates for solar cells. In the manufacture of ingots for substrates by continuous electromagnetic casting, the chuck type system for feeding power to the melt plasma was replaced by a roller type system, and the power feeding position was moved to the high temperature region. Also, an on-line ingot slicing technique was established. In the manufacture of substrates at a slicing rate of 300 {mu}m/minute, productivity of 115,000 wafers/month, yield of 98%, and thickness tolerance of 30 {mu}m were achieved. A high-speed cleaning technique was developed using a jet stream, by which the cleaning time was reduced to 5 minutes and the slurry recovery rate was elevated to 95%. Based on these, substrate-related costs in the case of 100 MW/year production was calculated, which resulted in a cost of 98.8 yen/wafer (target: 103.3 yen/wafer) for manufacturing 15 cm square substrates from ingots and in a 15 cm square substrate slicing and cleaning cost of 135.1 yen/wafer (target: 135.4 yen/wafer). (NEDO)

Nuclear budget up 9.6% for fiscal 1981

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1981-01-01

After reviewing the overall governmental budgets for fiscal 1981 including energy budget, the nuclear budget for the Science and Technology Agency and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry is described. The 1981 nuclear budget amounts to 178,013 million yen in general account, 4.2% increase over the previous year; and 93,237 million yen, increase of 17.3%, in the special account for power source development. The total is 271,250 million yen. For the STA, budgetary allocations were made for researches on nuclear power safety, a multi-purpose high temperature gas-cooled reactor and nuclear fusion in Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, developments of FBR and ATR and nuclear fuel cycle in Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation, and so on. For the MITI, allocations were made for nuclear plant safety, nuclear fuel cycle, and others. (Mori, K.)

Liquid waste treatment at plutonium fuels fabrication facility, 2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matsumoto, Ken-ichi; Itoh, Ichiroh; Ohuchi, Jin; Miyo, Hiroaki

1974-01-01

The economics in the management of the radioactive liquid waste from Plutonium Fuels Fabrication Facility with sludge-blanket type flocculators has been evaluated. (1) Cost calculation: The cost of chemicals and electricity to treat 1 cubic meter of liquid waste is about 876 yen, while the total operating cost is 250 thousand yen per cubic meter in the case of 140 m 3 /year treatment. These figures are much higher than those for ordinary wastes, due to the particular operation against plutonium. (2) Proposal of the closed system for liquid waste treatment at PFFF: In the case of a closed system using evaporator, ion exchange column and rotary-kiln calciner, the operating cost is estimated at 40 thousand yen per cubic meter of liquid waste. Final radioactivity of treated liquid is below 10 -8 micro curies/ml. (Mori, K.)

Triangular arbitrage as an interaction among foreign exchange rates

Science.gov (United States)

Aiba, Yukihiro; Hatano, Naomichi; Takayasu, Hideki; Marumo, Kouhei; Shimizu, Tokiko

2002-07-01

We first show that there are in fact triangular arbitrage opportunities in the spot foreign exchange markets, analyzing the time dependence of the yen-dollar rate, the dollar-euro rate and the yen-euro rate. Next, we propose a model of foreign exchange rates with an interaction. The model includes effects of triangular arbitrage transactions as an interaction among three rates. The model explains the actual data of the multiple foreign exchange rates well.

Comparison of the cost between 60Co and 192Ir, as the sources for high-dose-rate remote control afterloading systems (HDR-RALS)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ogata, Hitoshi

1994-01-01

High-Dose-Rate remote control afterloading systems (HDR-RALS) installing 60 Co sources have been prevailing currently in Japan. The survey conducted by Japan Isotope Association (JIA) reports that 180 machines are at working condition. Although the wide prevalence of the HDR-RALS, the stable supply of 60 Co is becoming difficult because of the short availability of raw materials. The supply of 60 Co is planned to be terminated in March 1996. In place of 60 Co, 192 Ir is going to be produced in 1996. The size of 192 Ir, which is much smaller than that of 60 Co, may facilitate broader clinical usability. On the other hand, for the reason that the half life of 192 Ir (73.8 days) is much shorter than that of 60 Co (5.27 years), several exchanges of the sources in a year are necessary. This report analyses the difference of the cost between 60 Co and 192 Ir as the sources for HDR-RALS. As the cost of the 60 Co sources is dependent on the distance from Tokyo. Radiation activity, etc., the cost-calculation was done on the basis the 60 Co sources were installed for the HDR-RALS systems in Yamanashi Central Hospital. The total cost of 60 Co is 3,377,000 yen on the data from JIA. According to the half life of 5.27 years, the available duration can be thought as 7 years and the monthly cost be calculated as about 40,000 yen. In case of 192 Ir, the prices for Buchler' system and Nucletron's system are 800,000 yen and 990,000 yen respectively. Concerning the shortness of the half life, an exchange in every 3 months is ideal. Therefore the monthly cost of 192 Ir would be 260,000-330,000 yen. Consequently the cost-ratio for 192 Ir and 60 Co would become 6.7-8.3. The cost of intracavitary irradiation is controlled by the government as 10,000 yen per treatment in Japan. If this setting remains the same for HDR-RALS installing 192 Ir, almost all the facilities of radiation therapy would suffer from the cost-income inbalance in the near future. (author)

A win-win marginal rent analysis for operator and consumer under battery leasing mode in China electric vehicle market

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li Zhe; Ouyang Minggao

2011-01-01

Recently battery leasing has been introduced into the market by automobile manufacturers and power suppliers due to its potential to reduce the purchase cost of electric vehicles (EVs). However, the profit prospect of battery leasing is still uncertain. This paper takes the views of both the operators and consumers and calculates the 'win-win' marginal rent, which not only ensures the profitability of operators, but also allows consumers a lower expenditure than using Internal combustion engine vehicles (ICVs) and EVs with embedded batteries. Battery cost, vehicle weight, gasoline and electricity price, and the discount rate have impacts on the rent. Battery cost plays a dominant role and a battery cost >5 Yen /W h fails to enable the survival of battery leasing to all types of EVs. Battery leasing would be more competitive when focusing on heavier EVs. At least one of the three thresholds is required for the existence of rent pricing range for a 1000 kg EV: gasoline retail price >6 Yen /L, electricity price <0.6 Yen /kW h, or the discount rate <7%. Typically, the feasible battery rent range is 0.34-0.38 Yen /W h/year for a 1000 kg EV under the present battery cost 2 Yen /W h and China current gasoline and electricity prices. - Highlights: → Rent pricing for EV battery leasing must obey win-win rule for BLO and consumers. → Rent is affected by battery cost, vehicle weight, energy price and discount rate. → Battery cost plays dominant role for the BLO survival as described in '5-3-2' Law. → Heavier EVs are more suitable for battery leasing when battery cost is high. → The profitability of BLO is sensitive to the price of gasoline and electricity.

Achievement report for fiscal 1982 on Sunshine Program-entrusted research and development. Research on hydrogen energy total system; 1982 nendo suiso energy total system no kenkyu seika hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1983-03-01

In this research on a hydrogen energy total system, studies are conducted on the plan of a hydrogen energy proving pilot base and on hydrogen as fuel for automobiles. It is estimated that the construction of a hydrogen energy proving pilot base will cost 7.125-billion yen in total. The sum includes 6.410-billion yen for the construction of a system on an island named Island A, 500-million yen for structures on an island named Island B, and 215-million yen for the construction of a marine transportation system between the two islands. Large shares will go to a hydroelectric power plant and a hydrogen liquefaction system, the two occupying approximately half of the total sum. In the study of hydrogen as fuel for automobiles, it is concluded that hydrogen is advantageously employed as fuel for automobiles. When comparison is made in terms of heat value, it is found that even a hydrogen engine which is a mere modification of a currently used engine is comparable to the currently used engine in terms of performance. As for abnormal combustion, a hydrogen/air 2-system injection method is contrived, and this solves the problem almost completely. Cryogenic hydrogen is advantageous in both NOx emission and heat efficiency though within certain limitations. From the viewpoint of safety, the recommended automobile fuel structural formula is GH{sub 2}(MH). (NEDO)

Development of practical solar-electric vehicle; Jitsuyo fukyugata solar denki jidosha no kaihatsu

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Saito, S; Fujinaka, M [Tokyo Denki University, Tokyo (Japan)

1997-11-25

The paper reported on a Tokyo-Nagoya travel test on a practical spread type solar-electric vehicle, Solar-EV. A comparative study was made running the same type gasoline vehicle, GV. The measured power consumption amount of Solar-EV is 57.6 kWh. By converting it into Mcal unit, an energy consumption amount of 49.5 Mcal was obtained. Further, as to GV, the energy consumption amount of 316 Mcal was obtained using the amount of supply of gasoline (mean heating value: 8.4 Mcal/h) of 37.6 l and the fuel consumption of 16.2 km/l. Accordingly, the energy consumption amount of Solar-EV became a sixth of that of GV. In the cost comparison, the cost of Solar-EV was 1,440 yen (power source price: 25 yen/kWh), which is about a third of that of GV, 3760 yen (gasoline unit price: 100 yen/l). Monocrystal Si solar cells, 270W, installed on hood/roof are connected to the main 288V system (the auxiliary 12V system is amorphous Si), and generate power 4.4 kWh during travel. A total power consumption amount of Solar-EV in the total travel (Tokyo-Nagoya) is 79.9 kWh including the auxiliary system, approximately 6% of which was to be supplied from solar cells. 1 ref., 6 figs., 3 tabs.

Outline of geothermal energy research and development in fiscal 1999; Heisei 11 nendo chinetsu enerugi kenkyu kaihatsu no gaiyo

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Konishi, T. [Agency of Industrial Science and Tehcnology, Tokyo (Japan)

1999-11-18

In this paper, the outline of the budget of geothermal energy relation in fiscal 1999, the system of research and development and the outline of research and development are described. Budgets in fiscal 1999 are the general account 17 million yen, the power development special account 3,222 million yen, sum total 323,900 million yen and it is a 33 million yen decrease compared with the preceding year. Within research and development, the following are included as a survey investigation research; a geothermal energy survey and picking technology, a verification investigation of a geothermal energy exploration technique, a deep geothermal resource investigation and an analysis and evaluation therefor. As a development of geothermal energy power plants using hot water, the following are included; development of the 10 MW binary cycle power generation plant, development of the bottom hole information system (MWD) in geothermal well drilling, technology development of the geothermal hot dry rock source system. As an analysis and evaluation of the bottom hole information detection system in geothermal well drilling, the following are included; an analysis and evaluation of the hot dry rock thermal extraction system, an analysis and evaluation of the deep geothermal resources picking technology, an analysis and evaluation of metallic materials for the geothermal deep direction and an analysis and evaluation of high polymer materials for the geothermal deep direction. (NEDO)

FY 1999 report on the fundamental investigation for promotion of Joint Implementation. Blast furnace top pressure recovery turbine (TRT) project for China's Panzhihua Iron and Steel (Group) Company; 1999 nendo Chugoku Panzhihua kotetsu (shudan) koji koro rochoatsu hatsuden setsubi (TRT) project

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

Feasibility study is conducted for introduction of a top pressure recovery turbine (TRT) in China's Panzhihua Iron and Steel (Group) Company, Sichuan Province, for the potential project to simultaneously contribute to abatement of the greenhouse effect gases and to sustainable economic development of the counterpart country. This project considers to adopt the TRTs in 3 blast furnaces (No.1 to 3) of the 4 furnaces in service at the works, producing 2,500,000 t/y of crude steel, where the No.4 furnace is already provided with the model system and not considered in this project. According to the feasibility study results, the total fund required is 5.46 billion yen (Japan-made facilities: 4.172 billion yen, and China-made facilities: 1.288 billion yen), energy-saving effect is 36,467 t/y as crude, greenhouse effect gas emission abatement effect: 112,830 t/y as CO2, and pay-off period is 8.3 years. This plan considers to adopt almost the same facilities as those for the model project on a commercial basis. The taxes will be applied to the Japan-made facilities at a rate of 30% or more, although they were free for the model project, which should squeeze the investment effects. For the TRT project to be realized, low-interest fund is essential, and environmental yen loans will be necessary. (NEDO)

Fiscal 1999 basic survey for promotion of joint implementation. Overall study report on energy saving and CO2 reduction at Indocement Company; 1999 nendo Indo cement ni okeru shoene CO{sub 2} sakugen sogo chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

A study is made about the feasibility of energy saving and CO2 reduction at the Citeureup Plant of the Indocement Company, Indonesia. Future embodiment of a clean development mechanism (CDM) is also discussed. Points examined for improvement involve air quenching clinker cooler (AQC) efficiency (mixing of raw materials, use of combustion control technology, and modification into a new type AQC); the finishing process (installation of a preliminary clinker crusher and a high-efficiency classifier); and waste heat cogeneration using AQC exhaust. The amount of energy to be saved will be 61,866 tons/year in oil, promising a 10.9% energy saving and CO2 reduction. The project requires a fund of 5,988,025,000 yen in total. The financial internal rate of return (FIRR) based on the environmental special yen credit is a little low, but the payout period of 11 years is reasonable. A similar result is obtained when export financing by the ex-Exim Bank is studied. A general loan is not proper in view of overall profitability. With precedents showing that it is near impossible for such a project to enjoy environmental special yen credit, it is necessary for the Japanese Government to build a CDM-oriented system under which environmental special yen credit will be offered to private sectors. (NEDO)

Ga- and N-polar GaN Growths on SiC Substrate

Science.gov (United States)

2018-03-15

transverse-electric-polarized emission of an AlGaN deep -ultraviolet quantum well,” Optics Express, Vol. 25, No. 22, pp. 26365-26377, 30 October 2017. 3...23, No. 25, pp. 32274-32288, 14 December 2015. 11. Yang Kuo, Wen -Yen Chang, Chun-Han Lin, C. C. Yang, and Yean-Woei Kiang, “Evaluating the blue...unlimited. 50 dielectric interlayers,” Plasmonics, Vol. 10, No. 5, pp. 1029-1040, October 2015. 14. Yang Kuo, Chia-Ying Su, Chieh Hsieh, Wen -Yen Chang

Estimating Power Outage Cost based on a Survey for Industrial Customers

Science.gov (United States)

Yoshida, Yoshikuni; Matsuhashi, Ryuji

A survey was conducted on power outage cost for industrial customers. 5139 factories, which are designated energy management factories in Japan, answered their power consumption and the loss of production value due to the power outage in an hour in summer weekday. The median of unit cost of power outage of whole sectors is estimated as 672 yen/kWh. The sector of services for amusement and hobbies and the sector of manufacture of information and communication electronics equipment relatively have higher unit cost of power outage. Direct damage cost from power outage in whole sectors reaches 77 billion yen. Then utilizing input-output analysis, we estimated indirect damage cost that is caused by the repercussion of production halt. Indirect damage cost in whole sectors reaches 91 billion yen. The sector of wholesale and retail trade has the largest direct damage cost. The sector of manufacture of transportation equipment has the largest indirect damage cost.

專論／部落格使用者的資訊行為特徵研究／高世樺；林頌堅 | A Study of Features of Blog Users' Information Behaviors / Shih-Hua Kao; Sung-Chien Lin

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

高世樺、林頌堅

2008-04-01

Full Text Available

部落格已經成為諸多新科技中最具有影響力的媒體之一，並對於使用者的資訊尋求行為造成影響。本研究整理部落格的相關概念及功能，並以二十位部落格使 用者的訪談結果對部落格上的資訊尋求行為特徵進行描述。研究結果顯示，使用者在部落格的開始動機、連結方式、辨別標準、監看與提取方式等等都展現了十分豐 富的行為特徵，研究並發現；(1情感聯繫是受訪者經常提及的使用目標，並且這種動機也影響了各種行為特徵；(2使用者會依照自我的需求以及所處的情境 發展出合適的使用方式，這些新使用方式可能不同於發明者與推廣者所設想的最便於使用的功能；(3部落格上的個人經驗是使用者進行資訊尋求的主要原因之 一；(4豐富而精緻的圖像經常能夠吸引使用者進入部落格。

Blog has already become one of the most influential media among new technologies, and has impacted on users’ information seeking behaviors. This research  utilized an interview survey to explore related concepts and unique functions of blog media. Interviews with 20 blog users were completed and analyzed to depict characteristics of information seeking behaviors founded in the use of blogs. The result shows that the users had performed a variety of behavioral features in motivations of using blogs, ways of linking from one blog to another, criteria of identification among blogs, methods of blog monitoring and extracting and so forth. Some major observations were also found during the interviews conducted: (1 emotion connection is frequently mentioned by users as one of their main purposes of using blogs, which can be found in each characteristic of information seeking behaviors; (2 when users use new functions of blog, based on their respective needs and situations they can develop their own strategies and methods, which can be very different from those provided or assumed by inventors and promoters; (3 personal experience shared by bloggers is one of the primary reasons why users employ blogs to find information needed; (4 abundant and delicate images embedded in blogs can always attract users’ attention.

頁次：62-77

A structural investigation of third-currency shocks to bilateral exchange rates

OpenAIRE

Melecky, Martin

2007-01-01

An exchange rate between two currencies can be materially affected by shocks emerging from a third country. A US demand shock, for example, can affect the exchange rate between the euro and the yen. Since positive US demand shocks have a greater positive impact on Japanese interest rates than on eurozone rates, the yen appreciates against the euro in response. Using quarterly data on the U.S., the euro area and Japan from 1981 to 2006, this paper shows that the third-currency effects are sign...

Le renminbi doit-il être réévalué ? Les leçons de l'expérience japonaise

OpenAIRE

Claude Meyer

2011-01-01

There is a similarity of pattern between the present international pressures for RMB revaluation and those which were exerted on Japan in the ?80s for the Yen revaluation. This paper aims at clarifying certain issues of the RMB revaluation debate in the light of Japan?s experience. Two lessons may be drawn from this experience. First the massive revaluation of the Yen against the USD after the 1985 Plaza Agreement did not reduce the US trade deficit, as Japan?s competitiveness was due primari...

Cost-effectiveness of exercise 201Tl myocardial SPECT in patients with chest pain assessed by decision-tree analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kosuda, Shigeru; Momiyama, Yukihiko; Ohsuzu, Fumitaka; Kusano, Shoichi; Ichihara, Kiyoshi

1999-01-01

To evaluate the potential cost-effectiveness of exercise 201 Tl myocardial SPECT in outpatients with angina-like chest pain, we developed a decision-tree model which comprises three 1000-patients groups, i.e., a coronary arteriography (CAG) group, a follow-up group, and a SPECT group, and total cost and cardiac events, including cardiac deaths, were calculated. Variables used for the decision-tree analysis were obtained from references and the data available at out hospital. The sensitivity and specificity of 201 Tl SPECT for diagnosing angina pectoris, and its prevalence were assumed to be 95%, 85%, and 33%, respectively. The mean costs were 84.9 x 10 4 yen/patient in the CAG group, 30.2 x 10 4 yen/patient in the follow-up group, and 71.0 x 10 4 yen/patient in the SPECT group. The numbers of cardiac events and cardiac deaths were 56 and 15, respectively in the CAG group, 264 and 81 in the follow-up group, and 65 and 17 in the SPECT group. SPECT increases cardiac events and cardiac deaths by 0.9% and 0.2%, but it reduces the number of CAG studies by 50.3%, and saves 13.8 x 10 4 yen/patient, as compared to the CAG group. In conclusion, the exercise 201 Tl myocardial SPECT strategy for patients with chest pain has the potential to reduce health care costs in Japan. (author)

Clinical evaluation based on cost-effectiveness

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Inoue, Takehiro; Inoue, Toshihiko

1998-01-01

We carried out two Phase III clinical trials using high dose rate (HDR) remote afterloading brachytherapy unit. We evaluated the clinical results based not only on the medical but also the economical standpoint. The first trial is the Phase III trial for cervical cancer treated with HDR or medium dose rate (MDR) intracavitary radiotherapy. The second one is the Phase III trial for tongue cancer treated with HDR or low dose rate (LDR) interstitial radiation. For cervical cancer, the survival rate of patients treated with HDR brachytherapy is the some as for LDR brachytherapy. The average total cost of treatment for the HDR group was 1.47 million yen, while that for the MDR group was 1.58 million yen. The average total admission days was 63. For tongue cancer, the local control rate of the HDR group is almost the same as that of the LDR groups. The average total cost for the HDR group was 780 thousand yen, and that for the LDR group was 830 thousand yen. The average total admission days was 34. According to the cost-effectiveness, HDR brachytherapy for cervical cancer has the same result as MDR, and HDR brachytherapy for tongue cancer has the same result as LDR. However, HDR can be treated without admission for patients who live near the hospital. HDR can be applied for these patients with less expense. We must be aware of not only the medical results but also the cost-effectiveness. (author)

Report of fiscal 1999 basic survey for promoting joint implementation, etc. Combined cycle power generation project for Surgut No.1 power station in the Russian Federation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

This paper explains fiscal 1999 survey on a combined cycle power generation project for Surgut power plant in the Russian Federation for the purpose of making the project tied to the COP3 joint implementation. This power plant consists of 16 units with the total capacity of 3,300 MW. This project is to replace the existing superannuated No.1 through No.6 units with a new high-efficiency gas combined cycle power plant. The project plant is planned to comprise of three units, having the capacity of 417 MW, each consisting of one gas turbine and one steam turbine. The average generation efficiency will be improved tremendously from the present 37.2% to 55.2%. The initial investment will be 615 million in US dollars (at 109.2 yen/dollar). Energy saving will be 634,800 toe/year, with cost to effect 9,452 toe-y/million yen. Greenhouse effect gas reduction will be 1,509,000 t-CO2/year, with cost to effect 22.5 t-CO2-y/million yen. The investment recovery period is estimated to be 24 years. The Russian side strongly wishes to be granted a finance on a favorable terms and conditions to realize this project. It is possible that the Russian government requests Japan for grant of the Yen credit. Accordingly, an early start is necessary in order to deal with such request. (NEDO)

FY 1992 report on the results of the demonstration test on the methanol conversion at oil-fired power plant. Feasibility study of a new system for the stabilized supply of fuel use methanol; 1992 nendo sekiyu karyoku hatsudensho metanoru tenkan tou jissho shiken. Nenryo you metanoru kyokyu antei ka no tameno shin system no kanosei chosa

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1993-03-01

An investigational study was made of potentiality of a new system for methanol production by using abundant hydraulic power energy overseas and by combining water electrolysis and coal gasification technology, and the FY 1992 results were summarized. In this fiscal year, survey was made of the potential water power and coal in Malaysia, Canada and Brazil, and case study was also made. As a result of the study, the cost of methanol was 7.1 yen/10{sup 3}kcal in case of Malaysia, 8.6 yen/10{sup 3}kcal in case of Canada and 8.9 yen/10{sup 3}kcal in case of Brazil. It was found out that the cost was economically less advantageous as compared with the present methanol price of 3.0-5.5 yen/10{sup 3}kcal. In a comparison between the existing coal/oil/LNG thermal power generation and this system from viewpoints of the energy balance/CO2 emission amount, the energy balance of this system is worse than those of the above-mentioned power generation when adding the coal thrown, but the CO2 emission amount of the system was less than those of coal/oil thermal power generation. In conclusion, this system seems to be an effective means in the light of the promotion of development of the undeveloped hydraulic power, effective utilization of renewable energy and global environmental preservation. (NEDO)

The Pattern of Japan’s ODI into ASEAN and New Miyazawa Initiative

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yul Kwon

1999-12-01

Full Text Available Southeast Asian Economies have grown remarkably since the sharp yen appreciations in 1985. And it happened alongside the formation of strong economic linkages in the region. Since the late 1980's, the yen appreciation have induced the increase of Japanese foreign direct Investment (FDI and intra-industry trade in ASEAN, strengthening the so-called 'Asian growth dynamism' with Japanese manufacturer's overseas expansion. However, the rapid growth of South-east Asia countries has suddenly come to halt in 1997, and ASEAN countries faced a difficult economic situation as a result of the financial crisis in the East Asia. Hoping to form closer ties with Southeast Asian economies and become increasingly interdependent, Japanese government has supported more than half of the US$30bn earmarked to ASEAN countries in the first stage of the New Miyazawa Plan. Also, the announcement of a second stage has made it clear that the emphasis has changed from direct financial assistance to indirect assistance for forming regional bond market and wider use of Yen. With a view to this goal, the International Cooperation Bank (ICBwas formed in October, 1999 and would provide a guarantee for bonds that the ASEAN countries would issue. The result of this analysis demonstrates that Japan intend to promote the internationalization of the Yen through the financial assistance of the New Miyazawa Plan to ASEAN although the proposal for an Asian Monetary Fund (AMF had been rejected as a result of US intervention

The rule on granting subsidies for public relations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1979-01-01

The rule is defined under the law concerning subsidies and the provisions of the order for execution of the law. Basic terms are explained, such as: nuclear power generating facilities; related facilities of nuclear power generation; nuclear power generating facilities, etc.; and place of enterprise. Subsidies are granted by the head of the authorities concerned (the Director General of Science and Technology Agency or the Minister of International Trade and Industry) to popularize knowledge of nuclear power generation to inhabitants in surrounding areas of the facilities, or to support expenses of the preparation of arrangement programs, etc. Subsidies for public relations are delivered to those prefectures where nuclear power generating facilities, etc. are or are expected to be established, and subsidies for arrangement programs to those where the surrounding areas are included. Limits of the subsidies to a prefecture range from 6 million yen to 18 million yen for each fiscal year according to specified terms of the facilities concerned. Limits of subsidies for arrangement programs to place of enterprise extend from 500,000 yen to 1 million yen. Prefectures shall file an application for subsidies to the head of the authorities concerned with gists of business according to the forms attached. Receiving the application, the head shall examine it and notify to the applicant the decision of delivery and its conditions without delay in writing, when such settlement is made. Terms and conditions of delivery, payment of subsidies and others are stipulated respectively. (Okada, K.)

Transition Processes in Superconducting Magnetic Systems; ПЕРЕХОДНЫЕ ПРОЦЕССЫ В СВЕРХПРОВОДЯЩИХ МАГНИТНЫХ СИСТЕМАХ

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sychev, V. V.; Zenkevich, V. B.; Andrianov, V. V. [Nauchno-Issledovatel' skij Institut Vysokih Temperatur, Moskva, SSSR (Russian Federation)

1966-12-15

The prospects for using MHD energy conversion depend in many ways on the feasibility of superconducting magnetic systems. The construction of large, efficient superconducting magnets requires in its turn detailed information about the phenomena occurring in the superconducting windings. The properties of superconducting windings are determined largely by the characteristic features of magnetic field penetration into the volume of the superconductor and by the processes associated with the transition of a part of the windings to the normal state. Accordingly, the programme for the development of a superconducting magnetic system for MHD generation includes investigations of these processes, in which the properties of superconducting windings are brought out most clearly. The experiments were carried out with a small solenoid. The results show that the transition of the superconducting windings to the normal state follows certain patterns. The authors also investigated processes associated with current variations in a superconducting solenoid; for example, they determined experimentally the relationship between the interlinkage of electric and magnetic circuits in the solenoid and the current, the residual interlinkage, the relationship between inductance and current, and the losses when the magnetic polarity of the solenoid is reversed, etc. They also consider the possibility of a theoretical generalization of their results. (author) [Russian] Perspektivnost' magnitogidrodinamicheskogo metoda preobrazovanija jenergii vo mnogom svjazana s vozmozhnost'ju ispol'zovanija sverhprovodjashhej magnitnoj sistemy. Dlja sozdanija bol'shih, jeffektivno rabotajushhih sverhprovodjashhih magnitov neobhodima v svoju ochered' detal'naja informacija o javlenijah, imejushhih mesto v sverhprovodjashhej obmotke. Specifika sverhprovodjashhej obmotki v znachitel'noj mere opredeljaetsja harakternymi osobennostjami proniknovenija magnitnogo polja v ob{sup e}m sverhprovodnika, a takzhe

Real-world treatment patterns and opioid use in chronic low back pain patients initiating duloxetine versus standard of care

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Andrews JS

2013-11-01

Full Text Available Jeffrey Scott Andrews,1 Ning Wu,2 Shih-Yin Chen,2 Xia Yu,2 Xiaomei Peng,1 Diego Novick1 1Global Health Outcomes, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA; 2Evidera, Lexington, MA, USA Abstract: To describe the use of pain medications in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP after initiating duloxetine or standard of care (SOC [muscle relaxants, gabapentin, pregabalin, venlafaxine, and tricyclic antidepressants] for pain management, pharmacy and medical claims from Surveillance Data, Inc (SDI Health were analyzed. Adult patients with CLBP who initiated duloxetine or SOC between November 2010 and April 2011 were identified. Treatment initiation was defined as no pill coverage for duloxetine or SOC in the previous 90 days. Included patients had no opioid use in the 90 days before initiation. Propensity score matching was used to select patients with similar baseline demographic and clinical characteristics for duloxetine and SOC cohorts. Compliance with index medication was assessed via medication possession ratio (MPR and proportion of days covered (PDC for 6 months after initiation. The proportion of patients receiving opioids and days on opioids after index date were assessed, and regression models were estimated to compare opioid use between cohorts. A total of 766 patients initiated duloxetine and 6,206 patients initiated SOC. After matching, 743 patients were selected for the duloxetine (mean age 57 years; female 74% and SOC (mean age 57 years; female 75% cohorts, respectively. Of the duloxetine cohort, 92% started on or below recommended daily dose (≤60 mg. The duloxetine cohort had significantly higher MPR (0.78 versus [vs] 0.60 and PDC (0.50 vs 0.31, were less likely to use opioids (45% vs 61%, and had fewer days on opioids (median 0 vs 7 days than the SOC cohort (all P < 0.001. After adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, the duloxetine cohort initiated opioids later than the SOC cohort (hazard ratio 0.77, 95

Rheological and fractal characteristics of unconditioned and conditioned water treatment residuals.

Science.gov (United States)

Dong, Y J; Wang, Y L; Feng, J

2011-07-01

limiting viscosity and sludge content of the conditioned WTRs, their mass fractal dimensions were calculated through the models proposed by Shih et al. (1990), which were 2.48 for these conditioned WTR aggregates. The results demonstrate that conditioned WTRs behave like weak-link flocs/aggregates. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cost-benefit analysis of comprehensive mental health prevention programs in Japanese workplaces: a pilot study.

Science.gov (United States)

Iijima, Sachiko; Yokoyama, Kazuhito; Kitamura, Fumihiko; Fukuda, Takashi; Inaba, Ryoichi

2013-01-01

We examined the implementation of mental health prevention programs in Japanese workplaces and the costs and benefits. A cross-sectional survey targeting mental health program staff at 11 major companies was conducted. Questionnaires explored program implementation based on the guidelines of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Labor, materials, outsourcing costs, overheads, employee mental discomfort, and absentee numbers, and work attendance were examined. Cost-benefit analyses were conducted from company perspectives assessing net benefits per employee and returns on investment. The surveyed companies employ an average of 1,169 workers. The implementation rate of the mental health prevention programs was 66% for primary, 51% for secondary, and 60% for tertiary programs. The program's average cost was 12,608 yen per employee and the total benefit was 19,530 yen per employee. The net benefit per employee was 6,921 yen and the return on investment was in the range of 0.27-16.85. Seven of the 11 companies gained a net benefit from the mental health programs.

Big five general contractors dominate civil construction market of nuclear power plants

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1985-01-01

The Japanese construction industry is a key industry accounting for about 20 % of the GNP, and the investment in construction amounted to 51,200 billion yen in fiscal 1984. 515,000 firms employing about 5.5 million workers belong to the industry. 99.4 % of these firms is the enterprises capitalized at less than 100 million yen, and most of them are small self-employment enterprises. The Construction Business Law provides that those who wish to engage in construction are required to obtain a permit from the Construction Ministry or from a local prefectural governor. There are big five and seven sub-major construction companies in Japan. The big five formed the tie-up relations with three nuclear reactor manufacturers. 76 civil engineering and construction companies recorded the sales related to nuclear power in 1983 amounting to 330.9 billion yen, equivalent to 21 % of the total nuclear-related sales. The construction of nuclear power plants and the characteristics of the construction, and the activities of the big five in the field of nuclear industry are reported. (Kako, I.)

Medical expenditures of men with hypertension and/or a smoking habit: a 10-year follow-up study of National Health Insurance in Shiga, Japan.

Science.gov (United States)

Nakamura, Koshi; Okamura, Tomonori; Hayakawa, Takehito; Kanda, Hideyuki; Okayama, Akira; Ueshima, Hirotsugu

2010-08-01

Hypertension and smoking are major causes of disability and death, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, where there is a high prevalence of a combination of these two risk factors. We attempted to measure the medical expenditures of a Japanese male population with hypertension and/or a smoking habit over a 10-year period of follow-up. A cohort study was conducted that investigated the medical expenditures due to a smoking habit and/or hypertension during the decade of the 1990s using existing data on physical status and medical expenditures. The participants included 1708 community-dwelling Japanese men, aged 40-69 years, who were classified into the following four categories: 'neither smoking habit nor hypertension', 'smoking habit alone', 'hypertension alone' or 'both smoking habit and hypertension.' Hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure of > or =140 mm Hg, a diastolic blood pressure of > or =90 mm Hg or taking antihypertensive medications. In the study cohort, 24.9% had both a smoking habit and hypertension. During the 10-year follow-up period, participants with a smoking habit alone (18,444 Japanese yen per month), those with hypertension alone (21,252 yen per month) and those with both a smoking habit and hypertension (31,037 yen per month) had increased personal medical expenditures compared with those without a smoking habit and hypertension (17,418 yen per month). Similar differences were observed even after adjustment for other confounding factors (Psmoking habit and hypertension incurred higher medical expenditures compared with those without a smoking habit, hypertension or their combination.

Business plan of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences for fiscal 1985

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1985-01-01

Based on the long-term plan of research, development and utilization of nuclear power of the Japan Atomic Energy Commission and mother plans of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences, this business plan of the Institute is made for FY 1985. In the Research Division, following four special researches are emphasized to be carried out as well as conceptual design studies on heavy ion accelerator for a medical use : biological effect of tritium due to the utilization of nuclear fusion reactor, comprehensive studies on stochastic effect and risk of radiation, dose assessment of environmental radiation, and medical application of heavy particle beams. Researches are also to be carried out on specified subjects and general subjects. As for the Technical Assistance Division, suitable utilization of cooperative experimental facilities and equipments, and the cyclotron for a medical use is to be promoted together with renewal of a computer. Training of personnels for radiation protection and radiation use is carried out by the Education and Training Division. Hospital Division promotes medical treatment and emergency countermeasures on radiation injury. For the Administrative Division, efforts are to be carried out especially on improvement and reinforcement of properties of the Institute and on the cooperation with international or domestic organizations. Budget for these activities is 724,061 yen thousand for special and general researches, 1,666,950 yen thousand for the technical assistance, 9,158 yen thousand for the training and education, and 290,157 yen thousand for the management of the hospital. (Takagi, S.)

Idemitsu Kosan establishes the lubricating oil marketer in Shanghai; Idemitsu, Shanhai ni junkatsuyu hansha

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-08-01

Idemitsu Kosan established 100% marketer 'Shanghai rising light lubricating oil trade limited company (SIL)' of the lubricating oil in China and Shanghai on 28th, and it was announced that the business activity was done from July first. Toshifumi Okubo (lubricating oil division three sections) takes to the president placed headquarters at (about 24000000 yen) 200000 dollar in the Shanghai outside high bridge bond ward new company capital. Employees are the 5 persons. The first year 3000 kilo liter is being estimated at the sales of (about six hundred million yen) 5 million dollar. (translated by NEDO)

The circumference of the square of a connected graph

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Brandt, S.; Muttel, J.; Rautenbach, D.

2014-01-01

The celebrated result of Fleischner states that the square of every 2-connected graph is Hamiltonian. We investigate what happens if the graph is just connected. For every n a parts per thousand yen 3, we determine the smallest length c(n) of a longest cycle in the square of a connected graph of ...... of order n and show that c(n) is a logarithmic function in n. Furthermore, for every c a parts per thousand yen 3, we characterize the connected graphs of largest order whose square contains no cycle of length at least c....

Benefit-risk analysis for mass screening of stomach cancer in Japan, 2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Iinuma, Takeshi; Tateno, Yukio; Umegaki, Yoichiro; Hashizume, Tadashi; Kitabatake, Takashi.

1978-01-01

Mass screening of stomach cancer is one of the largest screening systems in Japan. In the previous paper, we have described the benefit-risk analysis in terms of life-saving due to early detection of stomach cancer and loss of life due to late induction of cancer by radiation. In this paper, we report the genetic effect of x-ray diagnosis used in the mass screening and cost-effectiveness for the screening program. The former is calculated by the product of genetically significant dose and rate of induction for genetic effects. Since the genetically significant dose in woman is about 10 times larger than that in man, the genetic risk is greater in woman accordingly. It is also found that the genetic risk over 40 years old is only 3% of the risk in the whole population and that it is almost neglected if the screening is performed only over age of 40. Cost of the screening is estimated to be yen 3,000/person which includes that of photofluorography and a part of other detailed examinations. Since total population screened is about 4 million in 1975, the total amount of cost is 1.2 x 10 10 yen/year. Cost per person-year is mainly dependent upon the age of the person: for one person-year in man or woman of 15 - 19 years old, the cost is about 20 million yen, but it is about 150,000 yen for man of 70 - 74 years old. These information is useful in the decision on the mass screening policy for stomach cancer in Japan. (auth.)

Production possibility frontier analysis of biodiesel from waste cooking oil

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kagawa, Shigemi; Takezono, Kanako; Suh, Sangwon; Kudoh, Yuki

2013-01-01

This paper presents an assessment of the productive efficiency of an advanced biodiesel plant in Japan using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The empirical analysis uses monthly input data (waste cooking oil, methanol, potassium hydroxide, power consumption, and the truck diesel fuel used for the procurement of waste cooking oil) and output data (biodiesel) of a biodiesel fuel plant for August 2008–July 2010. The results of this study show that the production activity with the lowest cost on the biodiesel production possibility frontier occurred in March 2010 (production activity used 1.41 kL of waste cooking oil, 0.18 kL of MeOH, 16.33 kg of KOH, and 5.45 kW h of power), and the unit production cost in that month was 18,517 yen/kL. Comparing this efficient production cost to the mean unit production cost on the production possibility frontier at 19,712 yen/kL, revealed that the cost of producing 1 kL of biodiesel could be reduced by as much as 1195 yen. We also find that the efficiency improvement will contribute to decreasing the cost ratio (cost per sale) of the biodiesel production by approximately 1% during the study period (24 months) between August 2008 and July 2010. - Highlights: ► This paper analyzes the productive efficiency of an advanced biodiesel plant using DEA. ► We examine the optimal production activities of biodiesel from waste cooking oil. ► Considering the production frontier, the unit cost of biodiesel could be reduced by 1195 yen. ► The efficiency improvement contributes to decreasing the cost ratio of the biodiesel by 1%

Feasibility study on energy saving and the reduction of CO2 emission at Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

A feasibility study has been executed on energy conservation and greenhouse gas emission reduction, taking up as the objects the first-period crackers and their utility related facilities at Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore (PCS). In the study, discussions were given on restructuring of the overall energy balance by using the pinch technology, adoption of the advanced recovery system (ARS) made by S and W, and a cogeneration system using gas turbine generators. As a result of the discussions for the case of using the pinch technology, ARS, and 45-MW gas turbines, the annual reduction in the fuel consumption was found to correspond to crude oil of 5.1, 3.1 and 39.0 kt, respectively. Furthermore, the annual greenhouse gas emission reduction would be 15.8, 9.7 and 120.6 kt. The total required fund for modification construction of the naphtha crackers for energy conservation would be 460 million yen, 3,700 million yen, and 5,460 million yen respectively for the pinch technology, ARS and 45-MW gas turbines. The internal profitability of the total investment would be 19% for the pinch technology, and 27% for the 45-MW gas turbines. (NEDO)

FY 2000 report on the basic survey to promote Joint Implementation, etc. Energy conservation by modernization of a cement plant (Double Horse Cement Co.) in China; 2000 nendo kyodo jisshi nado suishin kiso chosa hokokusho. Chugoku cement kojo (Double Horse Cement) kindaika ni yoru sho energy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

An investigational study was conducted of possibilities of energy conservation and greenhouse effect gas emission reduction in the cement production process of Double Horse Cement Co., Mianyang City, Sichuan Province, China. Double Horse Cement adopts the wet type long kiln production system and has a production ability of approximately 1.5 million t/y. In the project, as to three production lines out of the six production lines, improvement was planned to be made of the technologies on the following: mixing of raw materials, grinding of raw materials, NSP, clinker cooler, clinker pre-grinder, high-efficiency separator, waste heat use power generation, etc. As a result of the study, it was found that the energy conservation amount obtained was 54,646 toe/y. And, the amount of greenhouse effect gas reduction was 169,086 t-CO2/y. The total fund required for this project was approximately 5.553 billion yen and the internal earning rate was 7.36% after tax. When the project is carried out, expenses vs. effects are 9.8 toe/million yen in energy conservation amount and 30.4 t-CO2/million yen in greenhouse effect gas reduction. (NEDO)

Feasibility study on energy conservation through modernization of cement plant (Sichuan Double Horse Cement Group Co. Ltd.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

An investigational study was conducted of possibilities of energy conservation and greenhouse effect gas emission reduction in the cement production process of Double Horse Cement Co., Mianyang City, Sichuan Province, China. Double Horse Cement adopts the wet type long kiln production system and has a production ability of approximately 1.5 million t/y. In the project, as to three production lines out of the six production lines, improvement was planned to be made of the technologies on the following: mixing of raw materials, grinding of raw materials, NSP, clinker cooler, clinker pre-grinder, high-efficiency separator, waste heat use power generation, etc. As a result of the study, it was found that the energy conservation amount obtained was 54,646 toe/y. And, the amount of greenhouse effect gas reduction was 169,086 t-CO2/y. The total fund required for this project was approximately 5.553 billion yen and the internal earning rate was 7.36% after tax. When the project is carried out, expenses vs. effects are 9.8 toe/million yen in energy conservation amount and 30.4 t-CO2/million yen in greenhouse effect gas reduction. (NEDO)

Environmental remediation following the Fukushima-Daiichi accident

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tagawa, A.; Miyahara, K.; Nakayama, S. [Japan Atomic Energy Agency - JAEA, 4-49 Muramatsu, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-1184 (Japan)

2013-07-01

A wide area of Fukushima Prefecture was contaminated with radioactivity released by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. The decontamination pilot projects conducted by JAEA aimed at demonstrating the applicability of different techniques to rehabilitate affected areas. As most radioactive cesium is concentrated at the top of the soil column and strongly bound to mineral surfaces, there are 3 options left to decrease the gamma dose rate (usually measured 1 m above the ground surface): the stripping of the contaminated topsoil (i.e. direct removal of cesium), the dilution by mixing and the soil profile inversion. The last two options do not generate waste. As the half-distance of {sup 137}Cs gammas in soil is in the order of 5-6 cm (depending on density and water content), the shielding by 50 cm of uncontaminated deep soil would theoretically reduce gamma doses by about 3 orders of magnitude. Which option is employed depends basically on the Cesium concentration in the topsoil, averaged over a 15-cm thickness. The JAEA's decontamination pilot projects focus on soil profile inversion and topsoil stripping. Two different techniques have been tested for the soil profile inversion: one is the reversal tillage by which surface soil of thickness of several tens of cm is reversed by using a tractor plough and the other is the complete interchanging of contaminated topsoil with uncontaminated subsoil by using a back-hoe. Reversal tillage with a tractor plough cost about 30 yen/m{sup 2}, which is an order of magnitude lower than that of topsoil-subsoil interchange (about 300 yen/m{sup 2}). Topsoil stripping is significantly more costly (between 550 yen/m{sup 2} and 690 yen/m{sup 2} according to the equipment used)

Storage and disposal of high-level radioactive waste from advanced FBR fuel cycle

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nishihara, Kenji; Oigawa, Hiroyuki; Nakayama, Shinichi; Ono, Kiyoshi; Shiotani, Hiroki

2011-01-01

Waste management of fast breeder reactor (FBR) fuel cycle with and without partitioning and transmutation (P and T) technology was investigated by focusing on thermal constraints due to heat deposition from waste in storage and disposal facilities including economics aspects of those facilities. Partitioning of minor actinides (MAs) and heat-generating fission products in high-level waste can enlarge the containment ratio of waste elements in the glass waste forms and shorten predisposal storage period. Though MAs can be transmuted in FBRs or dedicated transmuters, heat-generating fission products are difficult to be transmuted; they are partitioned and stored for a long time before disposal. The disposal concepts for heat-generating fission products and remainders such as rare-earth elements depend on storage period that ranges from several years to several hundreds of years. Short-term storage results in small size of storage facilities and large size of repositories, and vice versa for long-term storage. This trade-off relation was analyzed by estimating repository size as a function of storage period. The result shows that transmutation of MAs is essentially effective to reduce repository size regardless to storage period, and a combination of P and T can provide a smaller repository than the conventional one by two orders of magnitude. The cost analysis for waste management was also made based on rough assumptions on storage, transportation and repository excluding cost for introducing P and T that are still under evaluation. Cost of waste management for FBR without P and T is 0.25 Yen/kWh that is slightly smaller than that for LWR without P and T, 0.30 Yen/kWh. The introduction of MA transmutation to the FBR results in cost of 0.20 Yen/kWh, and full introduction of P and T provides the smallest cost of 0.08 Yen/kWh. (author)

Utilization of office computer for journal subscription

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yonezawa, Minoru; Shimizu, Tokiyo

1993-01-01

Integrated library automation system has been operating in Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute library, which consists of three subsystems for serials control, book acquisition and circulation control. Functions of the serials control subsystem have been improved to reduce the work load of journal subscription work. Subscription price(both in foreign currency and Japanese yen), conversion factor, foreign currency exchange rate are newly introduced as data elements to a master file for automatic calculation and totalization in the system, e.g. conversion of subscription price from foreign currency into Japanese yen. Some kinds of journal lists are also printed out, such as journal subscription list, journal distribution list for each laboratory, etc. (author)

Applying threshold models to donations to a green electricity fund

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ito, Nobuyuki; Takeuchi, Kenji; Tsuge, Takahiro; Kishimoto, Atsuo

2010-01-01

This study applies a threshold model proposed by to analyze the diffusion process of donating behavior for renewable energy. We first use a stated preference survey to estimate the determinants of a decision to support the donation scheme under various predicted participation rates. Using the estimated coefficients, we simulate how herd behavior spreads and the participation rate reaches the equilibrium. The participation rate at the equilibrium is estimated as 37.88% when the suggested donation is 500 yen, while it is 17.76% when the suggested amount is 1000 yen. The influence of environmentalism and altruism is also examined, and we find that these motivations increase the participation rate by 31.51% on average.

FY 2000 report on the basic survey to promote Joint Implementation, etc. Project for the modernization of the Tashkent cogeneration plant; 2000 nendo kyodo jisshi nado suishin kiso chosa hokokusho. Tashkent netsuheikyu hatsudensho kindaika keikaku

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

An investigational study was carried out of the project for energy conservation and greenhouse effect gas emission reduction by introducing the newest and most powerful gas turbine cogeneration facilities to the Tashkent cogeneration plant in Uzbekistan. At the Tashkent cogeneration plant, each of the facilities is being superannuated, which leads to lowering of operational reliability and increase in cost of repairs. In the project, studied was the introduction of the newest and most powerful gas turbine cogeneration facilities with heat output of 100 Gcal/h equivalent to that of one can of the existing hot water boiler and with generated output of 80MW. As a result of the study, obtained were the energy conservation amount of 83.9 ktoe/y and the greenhouse effect gas reduction amount of 179.7 kt-CO2/y. The initial investment amount was 10.003 billion yen. Expenses vs. effects were 8.39 toe/y-million yen in energy conservation amount and 18.0 t-CO2/y-million yen in greenhouse effect gas reduction amount. In the study of profitability, the internal earning rate was 9.24% after tax, the return yield of capital was 41.26%, and the period of ROI was 16.9 years. (NEDO)

Energy saving plan for lime calcining kiln

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

Lime calcining kilns operating in China are of old type, consuming more heat energy by 30% or more than the latest type kilns. For the purpose of the COP3 joint implementation, a renewal plan was discussed taking up Benxi Steel Group Company as the object. The new type kiln is a parallel flow energy regenerating (Maerz) kiln. It has as high thermal efficiency as 900 kcal/kg of product. Annual fuel conservation as converted into crude oil will be 7.49x10{sup 3} tons, annual fuel cost reduction will be 101,200,000 yuan, and annual reduction in CO2 emission will be 23,200 tons. The estimated cost required for the project will be 991 million yen, or 66,070,000 yuan if the exchange rate is assumed to be 15 yen to one yuan. The profitability was discussed based on using bank loans and the special environmental yen loan. The investment recovering period was calculated as 7.9 years. This provides no realizability as a project on the business base. However, China strongly desires renewal of the facilities because of discharge of dust from old type facilities, and inferior quality of lime products. The project could be a candidate without doubt if the CDM system will have been established. (NEDO)

FY 2001 study report on the evaluation/analysis of the data collected in the field test project on the photovoltaic power generation for public facilities, etc.; 2001 nendo kenkyu seika hokokusho. Kokyo shisetsu you taiyoko hatsuden field test jigyo ni okeru shushu data hyoka kaiseki

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2002-03-01

As a field test project on the photovoltaic power generation, collection/analysis/evaluation of the operational data were made about photovoltaic power systems installed at 73 places in FY 2001. As to the analysis of deterioration with age and yearly changes of the system, analysis was made of operation hours of the equivalent system, system output coefficient and inverter performance efficiency in FY 1999, FY 2000 and FY 2001, and it was confirmed that there was few deterioration with age. Relating to the evaluation of reliability of the system, evaluation was made for the record of failures of photovoltaic power systems at 73 places, and the results were not very good as follows: average failure cycle: 1.06 y/system; average failure repair period: 14.9 d/system; rough opportunity loss electric energy: 81,548 kWh/y x 73 sites. Concerning the analysis of economical efficiency, the system cost decreased year by year to 1,102,000 yen/kW in FY 1997, and the power generation cost became 91.8 yen/kWh. The fund recovery year was 35.3 years, assuming the following: unit price of selling electricity: 15 yen/kWh, durable years: 20 years, and public subsidiary rate: 1/2. (NEDO)

Report of fact finding survey on atomic energy industries in FY1989

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1991-01-01

Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, Inc. summarized the results of 31st fact finding survey on atomic energy industries, which investigated and analyzed the actual status and future perspective of the expenditure, sales and personnel related to atomic energy in electric power, mining and manufacture and trading companies in FY1989. As to the state of activities of atomic energy industries, the expenditure related to atomic energy of electric power companies was 1633.7 billion yen, decrease by 7 % as compared with the previous fiscal year. The main factors are that the construction works of nuclear power stations came to temporary pause, and the operation and maintenance expenses for power stations turned to decrease due to the mechanization of inspection and the decrease of expendables. The sales related to atomic energy of mining and manufacturing companies was 1728.3 billion yen, which is the highest so far, and is increase by 18 % as compared with the previous fiscal year. Due to the diversification of atomic energy market, the manufacture for service field and others grew by 64 %, and the mechanization of production seemed to advance. The backlog of mining and manufacturing companies which is the index of future market trend was as high as 3526 billion yen. (K.I.)

Seismic risk assessment of building based on damaged database of 1995 Hyogoken Nanbu Earthquake; Hyogoken nanbu jishin no hisai database wo mochiita kenchikubutsu no jishin risk hyoka ni kansuru kenkyu

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Suwa, H.; Nobata, A.; Seki, M. [Obayashi Corp., Tokyo (Japan)

2000-01-10

The objective of this paper is to evaluate a vulnerability function and a repair cost in terms of each structural damage level based on the damaged database of the 1995 Hyogoken Nanbu Earthquake. The seismic risk of a building in Kobe is calculated through the analytical results. As a result, the following are verified : 1. The expectation of vulnerability function, in which peak ground acceleration is taken for seismic intensity, is about 550 cm/s{sup 2} for minor damage, about 700 cm/s{sup 2} for moderate damage, and about 950 cm/s{sup 2} for major damage respectively. However, the coefficient of variation (C. O. V. ) is about 0.5 for all damage levels. 2. The expectation of repair cost per square meter is about 29000 yen for minor damage, about 60000 yen for moderate damage, and about 64000 yen for major damage respectively. However, the variation is very large, for example, the C. O. V. for repair cost varies from 1.2 to 1.6. 3. The seismic risk of a building in Kobe, that is normalized by new construction cost, is about three percent on condition that the design lifetime is assumed to be 50 years. (author)

FY 1994 Report on the results of the joint research project for optimum introduction of development of fuel cell technologies for urban energy centers; 1994 nendo toshi energy center nado nenryo denchi gijutsu kaihatsu saiteki donyu chosa seika hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1995-05-01

Described herein are the FY 1994 results of the joint research project for optimum introduction of development of fuel cell technologies for urban energy centers or the like. The necessary economic conditions for introduction of a fuel cell system to be competitive with the conventional system which individually supplies electric power and heat are 250,000 yen/kW as the construction unit cost, 0.10m{sup 2}/kW as the installation area, 5 years as the cell body life, use of an inexpensive fuel gas (2 to 6 yen/Mcal). Moreover, it is an indoor system which shall have the operational characteristics to follow daily demand fluctuations while operating under the optimum conditions in the urban redevelopment area considered. A 5,000kW-class fuel cell plant burning fuel gas (2 yen/Mcal) will need a total floor area of approximately 400,000 m{sup 2} in an energy-intensive office type demand area. These conditions shall be met in order to economically introduce the 5,000kW-class plant. It is also necessary to compare the plant with the competitive cogeneration plants. The specifications for the prototype now under consideration are sufficient for the energy-saving effect, and it is premised that these specifications and characteristics are secured. (NEDO)

Feasibility study on energy saving and environmental improvement via utilization of residual oil at Petron Bataan Refinery

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

A feasibility study has been performed on reduction of global warming gas emission at Bataan Refinery of Petron Company in the Republic of the Philippines by utilizing residual oil in the refinery at high efficiency. In the project, installation will be implemented on thermal power generation equipment using a low-speed diesel engine that uses residual oil as fuel, and a waste heat recovered steam generation system having NOx removing equipment at Bataan Revinary of Petron Company, in addition to the existing boiler-turbine power generation system. As a result of the discussions, the annual energy saving effect in 8 years after the installation will correspond to crude oil of 50,409 tons, and in 20 years cumulatively, it will correspond to 1,017,224 tons. The annual reduction of the global warming gas emission in 8 years after the installation will be 131,698 t-CO2, or 2,657,599 t-CO2 for 20 years cumulatively. The total investment amount for these facilities is about 4.1 billion yen, whereas the investment and energy saving effects were 10.7 tons of crude oil equivalent/year-one million yen. In addition, the investment and global warming gas emission reducing effects were 28.1 t-CO2/year-one million yen. (NEDO)

Cost comparison of curative therapies for localized prostate cancer in Japan. A single-institution experience

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Satoh, Takefumi; Ishiyama, Hiromichi; Matsumoto, Kazumasa

2009-01-01

In addition to open surgery, curative therapies for prostate cancer now include endoscopic surgery and radiation therapies. Because of the expansion and subdivision of treatment methods for prostate cancer, the medical fee point schedule in Japan was revised in fiscal year 2006. We examined changes in medical income and expenditure after this revision of the medical fee system. We studied income and expenditure, after institution of the new medical fee schedule, for the five types of therapies for prostate cancer performed at our hospital: two surgical therapies (radical retropubic prostatectomy and laparoscopic prostatectomy) and three radiation therapies (three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, 192 Ir high-dose-rate brachytherapy, and 125 I low-dose-rate brachytherapy). Low-dose-rate brachytherapy was found to be associated with a profit of 199 yen per patient. Laparoscopic prostatectomy, a highly advanced medical treatment that the fee revision changed from a partially insured to an insured procedure, yielded a profit of 75672 yen per patient. However, high-dose-rate brachytherapy was associated with a loss of 654016 yen per patient. Given the loss in hospital income per patient undergoing high-dose-rate brachytherapy, the medical fee point system for this procedure should be reassessed. (author)

Feasibility study for Tashkent Heat and Power Plant Modernizing Project

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

An investigational study was carried out of the project for energy conservation and greenhouse effect gas emission reduction by introducing the newest and most powerful gas turbine cogeneration facilities to the Tashkent cogeneration plant in Uzbekistan. At the Tashkent cogeneration plant, each of the facilities is being superannuated, which leads to lowering of operational reliability and increase in cost of repairs. In the project, studied was the introduction of the newest and most powerful gas turbine cogeneration facilities with heat output of 100 Gcal/h equivalent to that of one can of the existing hot water boiler and with generated output of 80MW. As a result of the study, obtained were the energy conservation amount of 83.9 ktoe/y and the greenhouse effect gas reduction amount of 179.7 kt-CO2/y. The initial investment amount was 10.003 billion yen. Expenses vs. effects were 8.39 toe/y-million yen in energy conservation amount and 18.0 t-CO2/y-million yen in greenhouse effect gas reduction amount. In the study of profitability, the internal earning rate was 9.24% after tax, the return yield of capital was 41.26%, and the period of ROI was 16.9 years. (NEDO)

Relationship between resistant hypertension and arterial stiffness assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in the older patient

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chung CM

2014-09-01

Full Text Available Chang-Min Chung,1,2 Hui-Wen Cheng,2 Jung-Jung Chang,2 Yu-Sheng Lin,2 Ju-Feng Hsiao,2 Shih-Tai Chang,1 Jen-Te Hsu2,31School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, 2Division of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, 3Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan County, TaiwanBackground: Resistant hypertension (RH is a common clinical condition associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in older patients. Several factors and conditions interfering with blood pressure (BP control, such as excess sodium intake, obesity, diabetes, older age, kidney disease, and certain identifiable causes of hypertension are common in patients resistant to antihypertensive treatment. Arterial stiffness, measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV, is increasingly recognized as an important prognostic index and potential therapeutic target in hypertensive patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between RH and arterial stiffness. Methods: This study included 1,620 patients aged ≥65 years who were referred or self-referred to the outpatient hypertension unit located at a single cardiovascular center. They were separated into normotensive, controlled BP, and resistant hypertension groups. Home BP, blood laboratory parameters, echocardiographic studies and baPWV all were measured. Results: The likelihood of diabetes mellitus was significantly greater in the RH group than in the group with controlled BP (odds ratio 2.114, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.194–3.744, P=0.010. Systolic BP was correlated in the RH group significantly more than in the group with controlled BP (odds ratio 1.032, 95% CI 1.012–1.053, P=0.001. baPWV (odds ratio 1.084, 95% CI 1.016–1.156, P=0.015 was significantly correlated with the presence of RH. The other factors were negatively correlated with the existence of RH.Conclusion: In

Neutralized solar energetic particles in the inner heliosphere: a parameter study

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Xiao-Dong; Klecker, Berndt; Futaana, Yoshifumi; Cipriani, Fabrice; Barabash, Stas; Wieser, Martin

2016-04-01

Observations of Energetic Neutral Hydrogen Atoms During the 2006 December 5 Solar Flare, Astrophys. J. Lett., 693(1), L11. Wang, L., G. Li, A. Y. Shih, R. P. Lin, and R. F. Wimmer-Schweingruber (2014), Simulation of Energetic Neutral Atoms from Solar Energetic Particles, Astrophys. J. Lett., 793(2), L37.

A Study on the Establishment of Pochonka and Chonmun yucho in the Early Choson Dynasty

Science.gov (United States)

Ahn, Sang-Hyeon

2009-12-01

We investigated the formation of Pochonka (Song of the Sky Pacers) and Chonmun yucho (Selected and classified writings on astrology) of the early Choson dynasty. We recognized that the songs in these books were deeply influenced by those in a Chinese book Tong-zhi published in 1161 A.D., based on the following facts; the contents of both treatises are described in the same order; the first phrase of the song for Thai-wei-yuan has composed of five words rather than seven words; in particular, Choson's Pochonka has the song that describes the position of the Milky Way relative to asterisms, which was supplemented by the author Zheng Qiao. Since Tong-zhi were brought into Koryo in 1364 A.D., Choson's Pochonka must be formed after that time. In particular, compared with Chinese Pu-tien-ko, Choson's Pochonka stresses the colors of asterisms in order to represent the origin of each asterism with respect to the astronomers, Shih-shen, Kan-te, and Wu-Hsien. We also find that the star-charts in Pochonka and Chonsang-yolcha-punyajido (Chart of the asterisms and the regions they govern) published in the early Choson dynasty are significantly similar in names, number of stars, and shapes of asterisms in them. This fact means that the star-charts in Pochonka originated from either the parent chart of Chonsang-yolcha-punyajido or Chonsang-yolcha-punyajido itself. The parent rubbing was reappeared in 1392 A.D. and carved on stele in 1396 A.D., and so the publication of Pochonka can be dated back to A.D. 1392. Chonmun yucho is a book that was formed by footnoting Pochonka with astrological descriptions in Chinese treatises. The formation period of Chonmun yucho is estimated to be 1440-1450 A.D. from the facts such as the biographical survey of the author Yi Sunji. Furthermore, Pochonka was adopted as a textbook of the government service examination for the astronomy division in Soungwan or the Royal Bureau of Astronomy in 1430 A.D.. We inferred from these facts that Choson

A Study on the Establishment of Pochonka and Chonmun yucho in the Early Choson Dynasty

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sang-Hyeon Ahn

2009-12-01

Full Text Available We investigated the formation of Pochonka (Song of the Sky Pacers and Chonmun yucho (Selected and classified writings on astrology of the early Choson dynasty. We recognized that the songs in these books were deeply influenced by those in a Chinese book Tong-zhi published in 1161 A.D., based on the following facts; the contnts of both treatises are described in the same order; the first phrase of the song for Thai-wei-yuan has composed of five words rather than seven words; in particular, Choson`s Pochonka has the song that describes the position of the Milky Way relative to asterisms, which was supplemented by the author Zheng Qiao. Since Tong-zhi were brought into Koryo in 1364 A.D., Choson`s Pochonka must be formed after that time. In particular, compared with Chinese Pu-tien-ko, Choson`s Pochonka stresses the colors of asterisms in order to represent the origin of each asterism with respect to the astronomers, Shih-shen, Kan-te, and Wu-Hsien. We also find that the star-charts in Pochonka and Chonsang-yolcha-punyajido (Chart of the asterisms and the regions they govern published in the early Choson dynasty are significantly similar in names, number of stars, and shapes of asterisms in them. This fact means that the star-charts in Pochonka originated from either the parent chart of Chonsang-yolcha-punyajido or Chonsang-yolcha-punyajido itself. The parent rubbing was reappeared in 1392 A.D. and carved on stele in 1396 A.D., and so the publication of Pochonka can be dated back to A.D. 1392. Chonmun yucho is a book that was formed by footnoting Pochonka with astrological descriptions in Chinese treatises. The formation period of Chonmun yucho is estimated to be 1440-1450 A.D. from the facts such as the biographical survey of the author Yi Sunji. Furthermore, Pochonka was adopted as a textbook of the government service examination for the astronomy division in Soungwan or the Royal Bureau of Astronomy in 1430 A.D.. We inferred from these facts

The Management of Nuclear Materials in a Research Establishment; Gestion des Matieres Nucleaires dans un Centre de Recherche; Uchet yadernykh materialov v nauchno-issledovatel'skom uchrezhdenii; Administracion de Sustancias Nucleares en un Centro de Investigaciones

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wright, W. J.; Hocking, D. R. [Australian Atomic Energy Commission Research Establishment, Lucas Heights, NSW (Australia)

1966-02-15

control de la calidad, tropiezan los suministradores cuando se compran pequenas cantidades de materiales muy diversos. (author) [Russian] Daetsja obzor funkcij sistemy ucheta jadernyh materialov v svjazi s dejatel'nost'ju nauchno- issledovatel'skih uchrezhdenij. Poskol'ku opyty s jadernymi materialami obychno ne povtorjajutsja, vozmozhnosti usta- novlenija statisticheskogo kachestvennogo i kolichestvennogo kontrolja ochen' neveliki. Pojetomu risk oshibki pri uchete materiala dolzhen ustanavlivat'sja, ishodja iz otnositel'no malogo kolichestva analiticheskih izmerenij. Izlagajutsja svjazannye s jetim momenty. Analogichnye dovody ispol'zujutsja dlja illjustracii trudnosti kachestvennogo kontrolja pri pokupke raznoobraznyh materialov v nebol'shih kolichestvah. (author)

Current situation of RI's and radiation utilization in Japan

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1976-01-01

Usage of RIs and radiation is now extensive, for the improvement of industrial production techniques and also in medicine and agriculture. The current situation in Japan is described as follows: enterprises using RIs, circulation of RIs, the equipments provided with RIs in private enterprises, commercial RI, and radiation utilization, expenditures and sales related to RIs and radiation in mining and industries, and personnel. The number of places using RIs and radiation totaled about 3,200 (in 1975). The expenditures for RIs and radiation in private enterprises are about 17,500 million yen while sales are 20,800 million yen (both in fiscal 1974). The total number of personnel engaged in RI and radiation works is about 62,000. (Mori, K.)

Estimation of the fiscal year 1985 expenditures in nuclear energy relation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1985-01-01

In Japan, the electric power by nuclear energy accounts for about 20 % of the total power at present. Then, radiation is utilized extensively in such fields as industries, agriculture and medicine. The expenditures (budgets) estimated for the fiscal year 1985 are about 343.8 billion yen plus contract authorization limitation about 146.7 billion yen. In connection with the expenditures estimation (of which a breakdown is given in tables), the research and development plans for nuclear energy relation for fiscal year 1985 are presented: strengthening in nuclear energy safety, promotion of nuclear power generation, establishment of the nuclear fuel cycle, development of advanced power reactors, research on nuclear fusion, promotion of radiation utilizations, strengthening in the research and development infrastructure, promotion of international cooperation, etc. (Mori, K.)

The regulations for delivery of subsidies to radiation monitoring

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1979-01-01

The regulations are defined under the law concerning subsidies and the provisions of the order for execution of the law. Basic terms are explained, such as: nuclear power generating facilities; arrangement business of radiation monitoring facilities; pre-research business of radiation monitoring; radiation monitoring business; place of enterprise; and expected time of beginning of the use. The Director General of Science and Technology Agency delivers subsidies to those prefectures where nuclear power generating facilities are or are expected to be established, or their neighboring prefectures. Subsidies are paid for each place of enterprise to support all or a part of expenses necessary for arrangement, pre-research or radiation monitoring business. Limits of subsidies for a place of enterprise in a prefecture are 155.6 million yen for a term for arrangement business, 16 million yen for each fiscal year for pre-research and 16 million yen for each fiscal year for radiation monitoring. An application for subsidies shall be filed by a prefecture to the Director General with the business program and gists of nuclear power generating facilities according to the forms attached. Receiving the application, the Director General shall examine it and notify without delay to the applicant the decision of delivery and its conditions in writing, when such settlement is made. Terms and conditions of delivery and reports, etc. are prescribed respectively. (Okada, K.)

Forecasting exchange rates; Kawase yosoku no riron to jissai

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kiuchi, T. [The Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, Ltd., Tokyo (Japan)

1995-11-20

This paper explains the theory and practice of foreign exchange rate fluctuation. It also explains various factors that constitute the reasons for the difficulty of forecasting the fluctuation in a short to medium period of time as a practical problem, even though forecasting it over a long period of time may be possible theoretically. Export, of which payment received in dollars cannot be used unless exchanged to yen, forms the yen buying demand. Increase in export and trade surplus turns into pressure for the yen appreciation after all. The amounts of exports and imports depend on such fundamentals as productivity and inflation in the country, as well as the cycle of strong business conditions and recession. Staggering of business conditions in Japan and the U.S. causes trade imbalance and fluctuation in foreign exchange rates. Attempts of grabbing the basic tone of the foreign exchange rates upon equalizing the business conditions in both countries is the purchasing power parity theory, which in fact can explain the long-term fluctuations in the past data. However, in the actual scenes where forecasting over a short to medium period is demanded, the forecasting actions are disturbed by such factors lying complexly as exports and imports of capitals, that is the capital circulation in long and short periods, foreign exchange tradings, and difference in interests inside and outside the country. 3 figs.

Fiscal 1999 report on basic research for promotion of joint implementation programs. Heat and power plant reconstruction project for Yuzhmash Company co-generating plant, Donepropetrovsk City, the Ukraine; 1999 nendo Donepropetrovsk shi Yuzhmansh sha Heat and Power Plant Reconstruction Project chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

This project complies with the COP3 (Third Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) protocol. To be newly installed are three gas turbine power generators (rating: 26MW, main fuel: natural gas), three waste heat recovery boilers (additionally fired boilers, 2-pressure natural circulation type), and one 40MW water circulation type mixed pressure steam turbine power generator (including a bleeder for co-generation). Greenhouse gases will be reduced by 242,424 tons/year in terms of CO2. The project will cost 9-billion yen in total, with improvement on cost performance expected to be 37,000 yen/ton/year in terms of CO2 and 1,500 yen/ton/25 years. Profitability is assessed using EIRR (economic internal rate of return) when the exchange rate is set at 4.91 UHA/US dollar (as of February 2000). Provided that the emission trading rate in US dollar/ton in CO2 is 0.0, 5.00, 14.0, or 60.00, the economic rate of return will be 7.363, 8.112, 9.399, or 15.155%, respectively. To realize an internal rate of return of 15% which the project wants to achieve, the emission trading rate needs to be 60 US dollars/ton in CO2 or higher. (NEDO)

Evaluation report on the development of an advanced refrigerant for compression heat pumps; Asshukushiki heat pump yo shinki reibai kenkyu kaihatsu hyoka hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1996-03-01

The research and development were reported on new refrigerants for compression type heat pumps. From 64 kinds of newly composed ether, CF3CF2OCH3 was developed as candidate compound substituting for CFC-11, and CF3CF2CF2OCH3 and (CF3)2CFOCH3 as those substituting for CFC-11. However, COP of the refrigeration has not been optimized. Global warming potentials were obtained by high-accuracy estimate guidelines. The new refrigerants have no chlorine and therefore no effects on the ozonosphere. Global warming effects also satisfied the present allowable values. There was no problem on human body toxicity in the short-term experiment. Costs of commercially production of the candidate compounds were trially calculated from reaction paths and chemical constitution formulae. Assuming that the raw materials are circulating on the market, plant/equipment investment, production volume, and production cost became 5 billion yen, 1000 tons/year, and 3500-6500 yen/kg in 3 persons/shift and 4 shifts, respectively. This is close to the allowable level which is ten times the CFC-12 price, 5000 yen/KG. The new refrigerants are expected to be fully commercialized in consideration of progress of the composition method and improvement of physical properties in the future. 115 refs., 37 figs., 102 tabs.

Concept of Seikan car train; Yuro tunnel ni manabu Seikan car train koso (rail ni doroteki kino wo)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hirama, H.

1997-08-15

This paper summarizes an idea of operating a car train in the Seikan tunnel. Advantages expected from realization of this idea include assurance of mass transportation, enhancement in safety, reduction of transportation time, completion of a nationwide traffic network, and reduction of the transportation cost. A total traffic amount as sought from quantity of cargoes and number of passengers is estimated to be about 400 cars a day, and the number of trains to be operated assuming a car loading rate at 50% would be 28 trains a day. According to the profitability of this operation derived by using as calculation bases the fare revenue, expenditures and depreciation, the operation would turn into black ink in five years, clearing cumulative deficits in 17 years. In order to realize this operation, it is a prerequisite that the regulation on limitation of vehicle size (maximum width and height of vehicles) be mitigated as lax as in Eurotunnel. In addition, introduction of self-running freight cars and improvement of access roads will be necessary. Estimated economic effects may include time saving profit of 500 million yen annually, tax revenue effect of 200 million yen annually, and production inducing effect of 1.9 billion yen annually. Other expected effects may include employment effect, improvement in information transmitting function, and acceleration of different projects. 3 figs., 1 tab.

Survey on a possibility of geothermal utilization in Tomakomai City; 1980 nendo Tomakomaishi ni okeru chinetsu riyo kanosei ni kansuru chosa

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1980-11-01

This paper describes a possibility of geothermal utilization in Tomakomai City. The Tomakomai area has an extremely great amount of hot water existing in deep layers, leading to a consideration that it is very highly possible to develop the hot water. As seen from the underground structure and ground temperature gradient in the Tomakomai sedimentary basin, the development depth would be considerably great, being assumed to be about 2,000 meters. The acquisition amount per well is estimated 100 m{sup 3}/hour or more at 65 degrees C. Rise in petroleum price in the future is an unavoidable fate, hence geothermal water utilization has a fully bright future. The water has relatively low temperature, and is effective for use in room heating, hot water supply, and agricultural and livestock industries. It is worth considering utilization as a local energy system. It has also large secondary effects. According to the latest trial calculation, the unit price for hot water for room heating and hot water supply would be 10 to 20 yen per 1,000 kilo-calories. If the same amount of hot water should be supplied from a boiler, fossil fuel of 20,470 kl/year would be required. If converted by using a kerosene price of 75 yen per liter, the cost would be 1.3 billion 35 million yen, comparatively higher than the geothermal water utilization. (NEDO)

FY 1999 report on feasibility study of introduction of regenerative burner type furnaces into Shougang Corporation and Anshan Iron and Steel Group Company in China

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

This fiscal 1999 survey is to link to COP3 (Third Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)joint implementations in the future. The regenerative burner type furnace is a new technology which is the fruit of one of Japan's national projects developed and put to practical use in the period fiscal 1993-1999. It reduces energy consumption and NOx emissions. The technology is separately applied to steel rollers at Shougang and Qinhungdao and to a new steel roller at Anshan. Their annual yields will be 550-thousand, 450-thousand, and 800-thousand tons, respectively. The amounts of annually conserved energy will be 159,500, 54,000, and 40,000 times 10{sup 6}kcal, respectively. Annual CO2 reduction rates are indicated to be 51, 26, 15%, and NOx reduction rates to be 82, 75, 74%. The amounts of initial investment are expected to be 800-million yen (furnace refurbishment), 250-million yen (burner improvement), and 150-million yen (additional construction of a new furnace). Investment recovery periods are calculated to be 3.3, 2.0, and 2.8 years. ROIs (returns on investment) are calculated to be 34, 54, and 40%. The project is economically feasible, with high profitability available at the present stage and in the future (with some problems to solve at Anshan). (NEDO)

Report of fact-finding survey in atomic energy industries, 1990

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1992-01-01

In fiscal year 1990, Japanese economy maintained steady domestic civilian demands, and the real rate of economical growth became 5.7%. The total supply of primary energy increased by 5.3% as compared with that in the last year. The share of nuclear power recovered to 9.4% due to the increase of the capacity factor after the lapse of three years. The demand of electric power increased by 7.3% as compared with that in the previous year, and the share of nuclear power in the total generated electric power was 26.3%. The outlay of electric power industry related to atomic energy was 1735.4 billion yen, and 6% increase as compared with that in the previous year. The sales of mining and manufacturing industries related to atomic energy was 1768.1 billion yen and 2% increase as compared with that in the previous year. The construction cost of nuclear power stations was 658.3 billion yen and 17% increase. The civilian workers related to atomic energy in electric power, mining and manufacturing industries were 57687 persons and 7% increase. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa No. 2 plant (1100 MWe BWR) and No. 5 plant (1100 MWe BWR) of Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. started the operation, and installed nuclear power generation capacity reached 31.48 million kW of 39 plants. (K.I.)

Environment-friendly type energy and coordinated community development project. Feasibility study for industrialization of high efficiency waste-fired power generation system using CSD and other wastes; Kankyo chowagata energy community keisei sokushin. Kokoritsu haikibutsu hatsuden (CSD nado haikibutsu riyo) jigyoka FS chosa

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1996-03-01

This report presents the feasibility of enterprise on power generation by thermal recycle and selling power together with volume reduction, de-harming (de-toxification) and stabilization of the shredder dust. Contents of the study include the investigation of generation amount of car shredder dust (CSD) and its properties, trial design of high efficiency power generation facilities, selection of boiler tube materials, incineration test with a melting kiln test plant, disposal and effective use of melted slag and fly ash, and environmental impact assessment. The capacity of waste disposal in the trial design contains 1,140 ton/day of shredder dust, 60 ton/day of waste plastics, sludge and waste paper, and 130 ton/day of waste oil. Melting kiln with secondary combustion chamber was adopted as the incineration type. The high temperature and high pressure waste heat boiler with an extraction condensing turbine was adopted as the waste heat recovery and power generation type. Stable combustion was confirmed from the results using a test plant. According to the consideration of cost and unit cost results for wholesale power supply, if it is postulated that income for waste disposal is 12,000 yen/ton, power generation costs in excess power selling and wholesales are 6.4 yen/kWh and 9.1 yen/kWh, respectively. 67 figs., 48 tabs.

Survey report of year 2000 version. Basic survey project for promoting joint implementation. Comprehensive feasibility study on energy conservation and reduction of CO2 emission at PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

In order to promote the COP3 joint implementation, discussions were given on the Citeureup factory of Indocement in Indonesia. The discussions were given on improvement of the grate type air quenching clinker cooler (AQC), improvement in the final crushing process, and waste heat recovering electric power generation utilizing exhaust gas from the AQC. Annual energy conservation would amount to 61,866 toe at the energy saving rate of 10.9%. CO2 emission will be reduced annually by 191,417 tons. The total investment amount was calculated 5,988,025,000 yen. Profitability was discussed under an assumption of fund raised from long-term loan at 90% and from the own fund at 10%. When using the environmental special Yen credit, the FIRR on investment after tax would be 5.8%, and the recovery period would be 11 years, which are within the range of feasibility. Even on the ex-Exim Bank Export Finance base, the period would be 12 years, which is also within the range of feasibility. However, if the plan is based on general loans, the FIRR after tax would be 6.4%, being lower than the interest rate of 8.2%, which is inadequate. In order to apply the environmental special Yen credit to energy saving measures in private businesses, clarification of the CDM and basic agreement between the governments are indispensable. (NEDO)

Business administration of PET facilities. A cost analysis of three facilities utilizing delivery FDG

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mitsutake, Naohiro; Oku, Shinya; Fujii, Ryo; Furui, Yuji; Yasunaga, Hideo

2008-01-01

PET (positron emission tomography) has been proved to be a powerful imaging tool in clinical oncology. The number of PET facilities in Japan has remarkably increased over the last decade. Furthermore, the approval of delivery fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in 2005 resulted in a tremendous expansion of the PET institutions without a cyclotron facility. The aim of this study was to conduct a cost analysis of PET institutions that utilized delivery FDG. Three PET facilities using delivery FDG were investigated about the costs for PET service. Fixed costs included depreciation costs for construction and medical equipments such as positron camera. Variable costs consisted of costs for medical materials including delivery FDG. The break-even point was analyzed in each of three institutions. In the three hospitals (A, B and C), the annual number of PET scan was 1,591, 1,637 and 914, while cost per scan was accounted as 110,262 yen, 111,091 yen, and 134,192 yen, respectively. The break-even point was calculated to be 2,583, 2,679 and 2,081, respectively. PET facilities utilizing delivery FDG seemed to have difficulty in business administration. Such a situation suggests the possibility that the current supply of PET facilities might exceed actual demand for the service. The efficiency of resource allocation should be taken into consideration in the future health service researches on PET. (author)

Decision tree sensitivity analysis for cost-effectiveness of chest FDG-PET in patients with a pulmonary tumor (non-small cell carcinoma)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kosuda, Shigeru; Watanabe, Masumi; Kobayashi, Hideo; Kusano, Shoichi; Ichihara, Kiyoshi

1998-01-01

Decision tree analysis was used to assess cost-effectiveness of chest FDG-PET in patients with a pulmonary tumor (non-small cell carcinoma, ≤Stage IIIB), based on the data of the current decision tree. Decision tree models were constructed with two competing strategies (CT alone and CT plus chest FDG-PET) in 1,000 patient population with 71.4% prevalence. Baselines of FDG-PET sensitivity and specificity on detection of lung cancer and lymph node metastasis, and mortality and life expectancy were available from references. Chest CT plus chest FDG-PET strategy increased a total cost by 10.5% when a chest FDG-PET study costs 0.1 million yen, since it increased the number of mediastinoscopy and curative thoracotomy despite reducing the number of bronchofiberscopy to half. However, the strategy resulted in a remarkable increase by 115 patients with curable thoracotomy and decrease by 51 patients with non-curable thoracotomy. In addition, an average life expectancy increased by 0.607 year/patient, which means increase in medical cost is approximately 218,080 yen/year/patient when a chest FDG-PET study costs 0.1 million yen. In conclusion, chest CT plus chest FDG-PET strategy might not be cost-effective in Japan, but we are convinced that the strategy is useful in cost-benefit analysis. (author)

Economic viability and commercial experience with shihoro potato irradiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kume, T.

1985-01-01

A commercial potato irradiation plant was established in 1973 at Shihoro in Hokkaido, Japan, with a capacity of about 10,000 tons per month using large baskets containing 1.5 tons of potatoes. For twelve seasons potatoes have been irradiated and marketed by the plant. The paper will discuss the experience with the Shihoro potato irradiator from the technical and economic viewpoints. From the technical viewpoint, the following are the main factors that have contributed to the success of potato irradiation. First, the Japanese government initiated research on food irradiation as a national project and provided financial support. Second, the presence of the Shihoro Agricultural Cooperative Association which handles a large amount of potatoes; and third, the mock-up test for the conceptual design of irradiation was conducted using large baskets for storage and transportation. The cost of the irradiation plant was about 389 million yen, of which 253 million yen was provided by the government. The irradiation plant processes about 15,000 tons of potatoes a year and the costs are 2,000 to 4,500 yen per ton. This accounts for 2 to 3% of the potato price and is within the range of commercial feasibility. The irradiated potatoes effectively controlled the market price and is within the range of commercial feasibility. The irradiated potatoes effectively controlled the market price fluctuations during the off-season

Feasibility study on the wind farm; Wind farm no kanosei chosa

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1997-03-01

For assessment of the possibility of the wind farm (collective wind power facility) in Japan, site conditions, business plans and various issues in development were arranged using some projects in a planning stage. The case study of a system design was also conducted for a typical site. Four sites were selected based on geographical conditions, topographic features and weather conditions. Scales of every site are as large as 1000-3000kW and 400- 750kW in wind turbine capacity. Every developer expects a subsidy, and governmental economic support is indispensable for the wind farm. In the case of Hisai city, Mie prefecture with the most favorable wind condition in Japan, the annual mean wind velocity of the site is valued at nearly 8m/s, suggesting that it is promising for the wind farm. From the planned scale of 750kWtimes4, the annual generated power and availability factor are valued at 9,800,000kWh/y and 37%, respectively. From the construction cost of 1 billion yen including a subsidy of its half, the generation cost is valued at 14.5 yen/kWh in durability of 15 years, and 12.2 yen/kWh in 20 years, and the profitability is dependent on the purchase price of a power company. 27 figs., 36 tabs.

The sounds of Chinese and how to teach them

Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

Třísková, Hana

2008-01-01

Roč. 76, č. 4 (2008), s. 509-544 ISSN 0044-8699 Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z90210515 Keywords : Mandarin * phonetics * phonology * teaching * pronunciation * Yen-Hwei Lin Subject RIV: AI - Linguistics

Selections from 2016: Gaps in HL Tau's Protoplanetary Disk

Science.gov (United States)

Kohler, Susanna

2016-12-01

Editors note:In these last two weeks of 2016, well be looking at a few selections that we havent yet discussed on AAS Nova from among the most-downloaded paperspublished in AAS journals this year. The usual posting schedule will resume after the AAS winter meeting.Gas Gaps in the Protoplanetary Disk Around the Young Protostar HL TauPublished March 2016The dust (left) and gas (right) emission from HL Tau show that the gaps in its disk match up. [Yen et al. 2016]Main takeaway:At the end of last year, the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array released some of its first data including a spectacular observation of a dusty protoplanetary disk around the young star HL Tau. In this follow-up study, a team led by Hsi-Wei Yen (Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Taiwan) analyzed the ALMA data and confirmed the presence of two gaps in the gas of HL Taus disk, at radii of 28 and 69 AU.Why its interesting:The original ALMA image of HL Taus disk suggests the presence of gaps in disk, but scientists werent sure if they were caused by effects like gravitational instabilities or dust clumping, or if the gaps were created by the presence of young planets. Yen and collaborators showed that gaps in the disks gas line up with gaps in its dust, supporting the model in which these gaps have been carved out by newly formed planets.Added intrigue:The evidence for planets in this disk came as a bit of a surprise, since it was originally believed that it takes tens of millions of years to form planets from the dust of protoplanetary disks but HL Tau is only a million years old. These observations therefore suggest that planets start to form much earlier than we thought.CitationHsi-Wei Yen et al 2016 ApJL 820 L25. doi:10.3847/2041-8205/820/2/L25

Fulltext PDF

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

The newly synthesized molecules were characterized by spectral analysis and subjected to antioxidant and ... membered heterocyclic compounds with oxygen and nitrogen atoms. ...... Yen G C and Chen H Y 1995 J. Agric. Food Chem. 43. 27.

Comparative Study of the Methods Used for the Computer Resolution of Composite Gamma-Ray Spectra; Etude Comparative des Methodes Utilisees pour la Resolution de Spectres Gamma Complexes au Moyen d'un Ordinateur; Sravnitel'noe izuchenie metodov razresheniya sostavnykh gamma-spektrov pri pomoshchi schetno-reshayushchego ustrojstva; Estudio Comparativo de los Metodos Aplicados para Resolver Espectros Gamma Complejos Mediante Calculadoras

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

DeHaan, A. Jr.; Leventhal, L.; Benson, P. [Tracerlab, Richmond, CA (United States)

1965-10-15

mnogokomponentnye sistemy. Vyrabotan metod ispol'zovanija schetno-reshajushhego ustrojstva, normalizujushhij gamma-spektry dlja svedenija k minimumu jeffekta smeshhenija spektrometra, kotoryj projavljaetsja s techeniem vremeni, i prevrashhajushhij spektr v jenergeticheskuju sistemu koordinat. Pri pomoshhi razlichnyh metodov i s osobym uporom na proby s maloj aktivnost'ju issledovalis' jeffekty ''neozhidannogo fotopika'', komponenta nulevoj intensivnosti i perekryvajushhihsja pikov na kachestvo razreshenija. Issledovany naibolee shiroko rasprostranennye matematicheskie metody razlozhenija sostavnyh gamma-spektro v na sostavnye chasti. Bol'shaja chast' jetih metodov vedet k opredeleniju koncentracij razlichnyh gamma-izluchatelej pri pomoshhi odnogo iz sledujushhih sposobov: 1 . Posledovatel'noe iskljuchenie radioizotopov s fotopikami naibol'shih jenergij, dlja chego chistyj individual'nyj spektr vychitaetsja iz sostavnogo spektra vplot' do ego polnogo razreshenija. 2. Razreshenie pika bez otdelenija produktov delenija. 3. Sostavlenie rjada odnovremennyh linejnyh uravnenij, chislo kotoryh ravno chislu vhodjashhih v smes' radioizotopov, i razreshenie jetih uravnenij. 4. Opredelenie neizvestnyh koncentracij po metodu prostyh ili vzveshennyh naimen'shih kvadratov. 5. Sovmeshhenie statisticheskogo metoda s metodom naimen'shih kvadratov putem ispol'zovanija stupenchatoj mnogokratnoj linejnoj regressii, chto javljaetsja popytkoj vkljuchit' v analiz processy rassuzhdenij. Dlja kazhdogo analiticheskogo metoda, v sluchae primenenija ego k mnogosostavnym smesjam radioizotopov, dajutsja statisticheskie ocenki velichiny pogreshnosti, s kotoroj mozhet byt' opredelena ih koncentracija. (author)

FY 2000 Drawing new energy vision for Town of Setana. Report on results of the survey for construction of floating windmill; 2000 nendo Setanacho shin energy vision sakutei hokokusho. Yojo fusha kensetsu jigyoka chosa

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-02-01

The survey/study is conducted for the project of constructing floating windmill as the new energy vision for the Town of Setana district, Hokkaido, and the FY 2000 results are reported. Wind power density is 581.7W/m{sup 2}, as revealed by the surveys on wind conditions, which by far exceeds the manual standard of 215W/m{sup 2} at a height of 20m, suggesting that the site is very promising. The windmill capacities investigated are 600 and 1,200kW class for the unit to be connected to the distribution system, and 1,500kW class for the one to be connected to the special, high-voltage transmission system. The 1,200kW class unit can annually produce power of 4,780MWh, based on the average wind velocity, which corresponds to 34.1% of the annual consumption in the town. The economic studies indicate that construction of 2-600kW class windmill units on the dolphin base at the immediately back of the breakwater is most economically advantageous, at a construction cost of 575 thousand yen/kW, which translates into a power production cost of 13.24 yen/kWh, based on interest rate of 4%/y and service life of 17 years. The project will be feasible when NEDO supports half of the project expenses, because the cost would be reduced to 7.16 yen/kWh, which is below the price. (NEDO)

FY 1977 Annual report on Sunshine Project results. Survey and research on systems utilizing solar energy (Solar thermal power generation systems); 1977 nendo taiyo energy riyo system chosa kenkyu seika hokokusho. Taiyo netsu hatsuden system

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1978-03-31

This project is aimed at surveys and researches on operation, economic efficiency and performance evaluation of solar thermal power generation systems, and test methods, e.g., for aging the materials for their devices, in order to establish the methods for evaluating their performance. For operation of solar thermal power generation systems, a feasible system is a hybrid with another system, e.g., thermal power or nuclear system. For economic efficiency, heat-storage capacity will be based on power generation for around 4 hours a day for a solar system to be installed in Japan. The construction and light/heat-collecting costs should be reduced to around 300,000 yen/kW and 13,000 to 21,000 yen/m{sup 2}, respectively, in order to keep the power generation cost at around 23 yen/kWH. The energy analysis of solar thermal power generation, based on the data given by the industrial correlation tables, indicates that the total energy required for construction of the system can be recovered in 2 to 3 years. Also outlined are construction of a 1MW pilot plant and its facilities, and designs of the pilot plants with a curved surface or tower type light collector. A total of 12 types of reflection mirrors are screened for establishing the air-exposure testing methods. Methods for treating back surface edges of the reflection mirrors are also investigated. (NEDO)

Report on the FY 1998 results of the New Sunshine Project (B version). Data attached 2. Development of coal liquefaction technology (Development of base technology of liquefaction (Project on internationalization of coal liquefaction technology)); 1998 nendo sekitan ekika gijutsu kaihatsu seika hokokusho (B ban). Ekika kiban gijutsu no kaihatsu (sekitan ekika gijutsu no kokusaika jigyo (fuzoku shiryo 2))

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-03-01

As a part of the project for internationalization of coal liquefaction technology, this paper reported on the potential survey for location of Indonesian low grade coal liquefaction (study of applicability of the improved BCL process and survey of hydrogen production technology using coal gasification). The survey was conducted of a locational possibility of a coal liquefaction commercial plant to be located at mine site in South Sumatra for Banko coal raw material. The improved BCL process was applied in which the results of the study by NBCL Takasago Research Institute were reflected. Further, the hydrogen production was studied by gasification of Banko coal, and the comparison was made with the conventional natural gas reforming method. As a result of the study using information/knowledge obtained during the conceptual design of Australian brown coal, the construction cost of commercial scale liquefaction plant with the Banko coal processing amount of 30,000 tons/day became 549.8 billion yen in the case of using natural gas as raw material for hydrogen production. This construction cost is the lowest as compared with 601.7 billion yen in the demonstrative BCL process and with 577.1 billion yen in the advanced BCL process. This is a process making use of features of Banko coal. The process for hydrogen production by the steam reforming method using natural gas has an advantage of increasing the production amount of coal-derived liquid the most of the three other methods. (NEDO)

Report on the FY 1998 results of the New Sunshine Project (B version). Data attached 1. Development of coal liquefaction technology (Development of base technology of liquefaction (Project on internationalization of coal liquefaction technology)); 1998 nendo sekitan ekika gijutsu kaihatsu seika hokokusho (B ban). Ekika kiban gijutsu no kaihatsu (sekitan ekika gijutsu no kokusaika jigyo (fuzoku shiryo-1))

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-03-01

As a part of the project for internationalization of coal liquefaction technology, this paper reported on the potential survey for location of Indonesian low grade coal liquefaction (study of applicability of the improved BCL process and survey of hydrogen production technology using coal gasification). The survey was conducted of a locational possibility of a coal liquefaction commercial plant to be located at mine site in South Sumatra for Banko coal raw material. The improved BCL process was applied in which the results of the study by NBCL Takasago Research Institute were reflected. Further, the hydrogen production was studied by gasification of Banko coal, and the comparison was made with the conventional natural gas reforming method. As a result of the study using information/knowledge obtained during the conceptual design of Australian brown coal, the construction cost of commercial scale liquefaction plant with the Banko coal processing amount of 30,000 tons/day became 549.8 billion yen in the case of using natural gas as raw material for hydrogen production. This construction cost is the lowest as compared with 601.7 billion yen in the demonstrative BCL process and with 577.1 billion yen in the advanced BCL process. This is a process making use of features of Banko coal. The process for hydrogen production by the steam reforming method using natural gas has an advantage of increasing the production amount of coal-derived liquid the most of the three other methods. (NEDO)

Cost-effectiveness of carbon ion radiation therapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mobaraki, A.; Ohno, Tatsuya; Sakurai, Hideyuki; Nakano, Takashi; Yamada Shigeru

2010-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of carbon ion radiotherapy compared with conventional multimodality therapy in the treatment of patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer. Direct costs for diagnosis, recurrent treatment, follow-up, visits, supportive therapy, complications, and admission were computed for each individual using a sample of 25 patients presenting with local recurrent rectal cancer at the National Institute of Radiological Science (NIRS) and Gunma University Hospital (GUH). Patients received only radical surgery for primary rectal adenocarcinoma and had isolated unresectable pelvic recurrence. Fourteen and 11 patients receiving treatment for the local recurrence between 2003 and 2005 were followed retrospectively at NIRS and GUH, respectively. Treatment was carried out with carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) alone at NIRS, while multimodality therapy including three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hyperthermia was performed at GUH. The 2-year overall survival rate was 85% and 55% for CIRT and multimodality treatment, respectively. The mean cost was 4803946 yen for the CIRT group and 4611100 yen for the multimodality treatment group. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for CIRT was 6428 yen per 1% increase in survival. The median duration of total hospitalization was 37 days for CIRT and 66 days for the multimodality treatment group. In conclusion, by calculating all direct costs, CIRT was found to be a potential cost effective treatment modality as compared to multimodality treatment for locally recurrent rectal cancer. (author)

Fiscal 2000 report of research on the analysis and evaluation on data collected in project of field test of photovoltaic power generation for public and other facilities; 2000 nendo kokyo shisetsunadoyo taiyoko hatsuden field test jigyo ni okeru shushu data hyoka kaiseki kenkyu hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

For the purpose of promoting photovoltaic power generation, analysis and evaluation were conducted on the data of the project of the field test in public facilities for example. This paper describes the fiscal 2000 results. The equivalent array operation time was 2.98 h/day and, by multiplying it by the output of the standard test condition, a generated output was obtained. The system generating efficiency was 0.102 while the inverter energy efficiency was 0.917 on the average. The average array performance ratio was 0.778 and the system performance ratio was 0.714. The analysis on cost effectiveness of the installed systems has an important bearing upon the future introduction, promotion and development. The power generating cost (the annual cost was calculated as the sum of the capital cost, the direct cost, and the administrative expenses) decreased as the installation year progressed, with the average at the sites installed in fiscal 1997 at 93 yen/kWh. The system cost (calculated by dividing the construction cost by the array capacity) also decreased as the installation year became more recent. The annual maintenance cost showed a wide range from 500 yen to 30,000 yen/kW. Answers from the sites that the systems were running smoothly were 38 to 45%, while those that trouble occurrence was frequent were 2.4% on the generating systems and 12.9% on the measuring systems. (NEDO)

The order for enforcing the law concerning indemnification of nuclear damage

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1980-01-01

The cabinet ordinance is established under the law concerning the indemnification for atomic energy damages. The matters stipulated by the ordinance in the law include the following matters: the operation of reactors; the processing of nuclear fuel materials, such as uranium 235, specified uranium and its compounds, plutonium and its compounds, etc.; reprocessing; the employment of such nuclear fuel materials; the transportation, storage and disposal of such materials, particular spent fuels and the things contaminated by nuclear fuel materials, which occur according to the operation of reactors and other practices above mentioned. The amounts of indemnification are respectively 10 billion yen for the operation of reactors whose thermal outputs are more than 10,000 kilowatts and reprocessing, 2 billion yen for the operation of reactors whose thermal outputs are more than 100 kilowatts and less than 10,000 kilowatts and the transportation of spent fuel accompanying the operation of reactors or reprocessing, 200 million yen for the operation of reactors whose thermal outputs are less than 100 kilowatts, and the processing and employment of nuclear fuel materials, the transportation of nuclear fuel materials accompanying the operation of reactors, and the processing, reprocessing and employment of nuclear fuel materials. The payment of casualty indemnification includes that according to the provisions of the government official casualty indemnification law and that due to official causes under the provisions of the seamen insurance law. (Okada, K.)

The rule on granting subsidies for public relations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1977-01-01

The rule is based on the prescriptions of the Law for Proper Budget Enforcement Concerning Subsidies and its Enforcement Order. These rules apply to the subsidies for the expenses to popularize the knowledge concerning nuclear power generation to the inhabitants in the surrounding areas of such generating facilities, the office expenses to prepare the arrangement plan for the surrounding areas of such facilities, and the office expenses necessary for the delivery of the subsidies. Meanings of terms are defined, such as nuclear power generating facilities, the facilities related to nuclear power generation, establishment, etc. The chief of the competent ministry (the Director General of the Science and Technology Agency and the Minister of International Trade and Industry) gives the subsidies for public relations to the prefectures where nuclear power generating facilities and others have been or are to be set up, the preparation of the arrangement plan is made, or the delivery business is made. When two or more establishments of power generating facilities are closely located, they are regarded as one establishment. The limit of the subsidies for public relations to an establishment is 10 million yen in a fiscal year. The limit of the subsidies for the preparation of the arrangement plan concerning an establishment varies from 1 million yen to 0.2 million yen. The term of delivery, filing of applications, reports submitted by the receivers of the subsidies and other related matters are specified. (Okada, K.)

The muon science facility at the JAERI/KEK joint project

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Miyake, Y.; Nishiyama, K.; Makimura, S.; Kawamura, N.; Shimomura, K.; Kadono, R.; Higemoto, W.; Fukuchi, K.; Beveridge, J.L.; Ishida, K.; Matsuzaki, T.; Watanabe, I.; Matsuda, Y.; Sakamoto, S.; Nakamura, S.N.; Nagamine, K.

2003-01-01

The Muon Science Facility is one of the experimental arenas of the JAERI/KEK Joint Project, which also includes neutron science, particle and nuclear physics, neutrino physics and nuclear transmutation science. Following the recommendations by the review committees, the Joint Project was finally approved for construction at the end of December, 2000. The approval is for Phase 1 of 1335 Oku Yen out of the total project cost of 1890 Oku Yen. It is planned to locate the muon science experimental area together with the neutron facility in an integrated building, as a facility for materials and life science studies. Because its construction will be started in April 2003, we are now working to complete the detailed design of the building structure, shielding, electrical services, cooling water, primary proton beam line, one muon target and secondary beam lines

Brexit and Uncertainty in Financial Markets

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Guglielmo Maria Caporale

2018-02-01

Full Text Available This paper applies long-memory techniques (both parametric and semi-parametric to examine whether Brexit has led to any significant changes in the degree of persistence of the FTSE (Financial Times Stock Index 100 Implied Volatility Index (IVI and of the British pound’s implied volatilities (IVs vis-à-vis the main currencies traded in the FOREX (foreign exchange market, namely the euro, the US dollar and the Japanese yen. We split the sample to compare the stochastic properties of the series under investigation before and after the Brexit referendum, and find an increase in the degree of persistence in all cases except for the British pound-yen IV, whose persistence has declined after Brexit. These findings highlight the importance of completing swiftly the negotiations with the European Union (EU to achieve an appropriate Brexit deal.

Nuclear damage compensation and energy reform

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yokemoto, Masafumi

2013-01-01

Nuclear damage compensation and energy reform were closely related. Nuclear damage compensation cost should be part of generation cost of nuclear power. Extend of nuclear damage compensation was limited by compensation standard of Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) following guidelines of Dispute Reconciliation Committee for Nuclear Damage Compensation. TEPCO had already paid compensation of about two trillion yen until now, which was only a part of total damage compensation cost. TEPCO had been provided more than 3.4 trillion yen by Nuclear Damage Liability Facilitation Cooperation, which would be put back by nuclear operators including TEPCO. TEPCO could obtain present raising funds and try to reconstruct business with restart of nuclear power, which might disturb energy reform. Present nuclear damage compensation scheme had better be reformed with learning more from Minamata disease case in Japan. (T. Tanaka)

Mathematics, Pricing, Market Risk Management and Trading Strategies for Financial Derivatives (1/3)

CERN Multimedia

CERN. Geneva; Coffey, Brian

2009-01-01

Abstract: An introduction to the mathematics and practicalities of market trading and risk management for financial derivatives, the course will focus on examples from the short-term and long term Foreign Exchange (FX) and Interest Rate (IR) derivatives markets. Topics: - Government Bonds and IR Curves - Stochastic FX, Black-Scholes Vanilla FX Options and Martingales - Risk Management and Market Trading for Vanilla FX Options, Market Implied Volatility, Valuation and Risk Management, Market Trading Strategies - Stochastic IR Curves and Implied Volatility, IR Derivatives - Long Term FX Options: Interaction of Stochastic FX and Stochastic IR Vanilla Foreign Exchange (FX) Options - $ Government Bonds, Interest Rate (IR) Curves, Continuous IR - Domestic ($) and Foreign (Yen) Government Bonds, IR curves - Stochastic Spot FX, Forward FX: Ito processes for $ and Yen Investors - Black-Scholes Vanilla FX Options, Connection to Heat/Diffusion Equation - Stochastic Differential Equations with Mart...

The Scottish Research Reactor Centre and its Facilities for the Production and Exploitation of Short-Lived Radioisotopes; Le Réacteur de Recherche Ecossais et ses Installations pour la Production et l'Exploitation des Radioisotopes a Courte Periode; ШОТЛАНДСКИЙ ИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬСКИЙ РЕАКТОРНЫЙ ЦЕНТР И ЕГО ТЕХНИЧЕСКИЕ СРЕДСТВА ДЛЯ ПРОИЗВОДСТВА И ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ КОРОТКОЯИВУШХ РАДИОИЗОТОПОВ; El Centro del Reactor de Investigacion de Escocia y sus Instalaciones para la Produccion y Empleo de Radioisotopos de Periodo Corto

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ward, A. [The Royal College of Science and Technology, Glasgow, Scotland (United Kingdom)

1963-03-15

, cuartos oscuros, laboratorios para trabajar con actividades del orden del microcurie, criaderos de animales, laboratorios biologicos y quimicos, local de recuento de baja actividad de fondo, sala de conferencias y biblioteca. Se espera que las investigaciones abarquen muchos campos cientificos y tecnologicos. Gran parte de los trabajos se efectuaran con ayuda de radioisotopos de periodo corto. La memoria describe algunos de los proyectos mas caracteristicos. (author) [Russian] V nastojashhee vremja vedetsja stroitel'stvo Shotlandskogo issledovatel'skogo reaktornogo centra, kotoryj vstupit v stroj k vesne 1963 goda. Ustanovka predstavljaet soboj reaktor bakovogo tipa moshhnost'ju 100 kvt s vodjanym ohlazhdeniem i vodografitovym zamedlitelem pri ispol'zovanii obogashhennogo topliva (uran{sup 235}). Jeksperimental'noe tehnicheskoe oborudovanie vkljuchaet bol'shuju teplovuju kolonnu., bol'shoj vodjanoj bak s zashhitoj, a takzhe ustanovku dlja proizvodstva radioizotopov s pnevmaticheskim transporterom. V centre aktivnoj zony imejutsja tri skvoznye truby; imeetsja takzhe odna skvoznaja truba v teplovoj kolonne,a takzhe neskol'ko nebol'shih central'nyh vertikal'nyh stringerov i odin vertikal'nyj stringer secheniem v dkjmov, dohodjashhie do centra aktivnoj zony reaktora. Mnogo gorizontal'nyh stringerov prohodit cherez teplovuju kolonnu, prichem central'nyj stringer prohodit na rasstojanii odnogo dkjma ot toplivnogo baka. V dopolnenie k reaktornomu tehnicheskomu oborudovanie imeetsja mnozhestvo nebol'shih laboratorij. Jeti laboratorii vkljuchajut oborudovanie dlja poluchenija gorjachih istochnikov i raboty s nimi, a takzhe komnatu dlja pereodevanija, jelektricheskie i mehanicheskie masterskie, temnye komnaty, laboratorii dlja raboty s mikrokjurievymi kolichestvami, pomeshhenie dlja zhivotnyh, biologicheskuju i himicheskuju laboratorii, schetnuju komnatu s nizkim urovnem fona, lekcionnyj zal i biblioteku. Predpolagaetsja, chto issledovanija budut kasat'sja mnogih nauchnyh i

Hiinlased tahavad ehitada Ringtee silda

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

2007-01-01

2007. a. suvel kohtusid Tartu linnajuhtidega Shangai projekteerimisfirma Lin Tung-Yen & Li Guo-Hao Consultants Ltd ja Jiangsu provintsist pärit ehitusfirma Jiangyn Bridge Engineering Ltd esindajad, et esitada oma nägemus Tartusse planeeritavast Ringtee sillast. Anto Ili kommentaar

Mathematics, Pricing, Market Risk Management and Trading Strategies for Financial Derivatives (3/3)

CERN Multimedia

CERN. Geneva; Coffey, Brian

2009-01-01

IR and Long Term FX Derivatives - Stochastic Martingales for IR Curves - Implied Volatility Along the IR Curve - IR Libor Bonds - Vanilla IR Options: Caplets, Floorlets - Long Term FX Options: Interaction of Stochastic FX and Stochastic IR - $-Yen Bermudan Power Reverse Duals

mitigating mitigating free riding in peer-to-peer networks

African Journals Online (AJOL)

eobe

The performance of peer-to-peer systems is based on the quality and quantity of resource contributions from peer systems ... riding [3]. There are several measurement studies ...... J. S. Hua, D. C. Huang, S M Yen, and C. W. Chena, “A dynamic.

CME 9060 (ONLINE).indd

African Journals Online (AJOL)

9789241547833_eng.pdf (accessed. 14 July 2014). 12. Thwaites GE, Nguyen DB, Nguyen HD, et al. Dexamethasone for the treatment of tuberculous meningitis in adolescents and adults. N Engl J Med 2004;351:1741-1751. 13. Torok ME, Yen NT, Chau TT, ...

The Monkey Kid: A Personal Glimpse into the Cultural Revolution

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Anita M. Andrew

2011-04-01

Full Text Available Wang, Xiao-Yen (Director/Writer, 'The Monkey Kid '(1995. San Francisco, Calif.: Beijing–San Francisco Film Group. Also released in France by Les Films du Parodoxe under the title, 'La Mome Singe '(1997. 95 minutes. Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles.

Super-Kamiokande worth full restoration

CERN Multimedia

Mishima, I

2002-01-01

While prospects are good that the SuperKamiokande facility will be partially repaired after an accident last November, the government has yet to confirm whether it will spend the estimated 2.5 billion yen needed for a full-scale restoration (1 page).

Algorithmic parameterization of mixed treatment comparisons

NARCIS (Netherlands)

van Valkenhoef, Gert; Tervonen, Tommi; de Brock, Bert; Hillege, Hans

Mixed Treatment Comparisons (MTCs) enable the simultaneous meta-analysis (data pooling) of networks of clinical trials comparing a parts per thousand yen2 alternative treatments. Inconsistency models are critical in MTC to assess the overall consistency between evidence sources. Only in the absence

Cost estimation of thermal and nuclear power using annual securities report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matsuo, Yuji; Nagatomi, Yu; Murakami, Tomoko

2011-01-01

Cost estimation of generation cost derived from various power sources was widely conducted using model plant or annual securities report of electric utilities. Although annual securities report method was subjected to some limitation in methodology itself, useful information was obtained for cost comparison of thermal and nuclear power. Studies on generation cost evaluation of thermal and nuclear power based on this method during past five years showed that nuclear power cost was almost stable 7 Yen/kWh and thermal power cost was varying 9 - 12 Yen/kWh dependent on violent fluctuations of primary energy cost. Nuclear power was expected cost increase due to enhanced safety requirements or damage compensation of accidents as well as decommissioning and back-end cost, which were difficult to evaluate accurately with annual securities report. Further comprehensive and accurate cost estimation should be encouraged including these items. (T. Tanaka)

Present status of research and development on solar cells in Japan

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Goto, S.; Kawakami, K.; Nishimura, T.; Uda, K.; Ishiyama, K.; Aratani, H.

2004-01-01

New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has promoted a 5-year master plan (JFY2001-2005) for research and development of solar cells and modules in order to achieve the target of 4.82 GW, which is the target of Japanese cumulative photovoltaic installation in JFY2010, and worldwide PV deployment after 2010. Various technologies for reducing manufacturing cost are extensively developed in this project. We report recent status of three main themes in this project. Advanced manufacturing technology is designed as a short-term project which set itself the goal of manufacturing cost of 140 yen/W. Advanced solar cells technology based on a mid-term project and manufacturing cost of 100 yen/W as the object. Innovative PV technology is a long-term project and focused on novel technologies that enables further cost reduction in and beyond the year 2010. (authors)

3ON PAK RUPEE EXCHANGE RATES: WHETHER STOCK OR FLOW MATTERS?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Razzaque H Bhatti

2011-01-01

Full Text Available This paper examines whether the monetary model or the flow model of exchange rate explains the long-run movements in Pak rupee exchange rates vis-à-vis the four major currencies – the US dollar, British pound, Swiss franc and Japanese yen – over the period 1983q1-2009q4. Results obtained by employing the Johansen and Juselius (1990 technique of cointegration are supportive of the monetary model in two Pak rupee exchange rates vis-à-vis the US dollar and the Swiss franc when both short- and long-run interest rates are used and of the flow model in three exchange rates vis-à-vis the British pound, Swiss franc and Japanese yen when the short-run interest rate is used. These results show that both stock equilibrium in capital markets and flow equilibrium in foreign exchange markets determine Pak rupee exchange rates.

Fiscal 1999 basic survey report for promotion of joint implementation. Plan for repowering Ashuganji thermal power station; 1999 nendo Ashuganji karyoku hatsudensho no repowering keikaku chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

A study is conducted of a plan to repower the Ashuganji thermal power station, the People's Republic of Bangladesh, with the plan to be connected to the clean development mechanism (CDM). For conversion of the existing No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 generators (each outputting 150MW) into full fired heat recovery combined cycle generators, 31MW gas turbines are added, one to each of the three. The construction cost is calculated to be 14,000-million yen. Fuel (natural gas) will be saved by 28kt/year/generator, the three saving 2.1-million tons in total in 25 years. There will be a CO2 reduction of 77kt/year/generator, the total reduction to be 5.8-million tons in 25 years for the three generators. Then payback is assessed. In the main case (with the repowering-created increase in output to be used to cover the current power supply shortage), where the internal rate of return of 8.09% is much lower than the discount rate of 15.5% during the 10-year period for payback in case of financing by private funds, the discounted present worth is predicted to be negative and then the project is not feasible. Since there will be no problems about the repayment of borrowed money, however, it is hoped that low-interest special yen credit will be granted for the elimination of chronic power shortage. When it comes to international emission trading (550 yen/ton of CO2), payback is again found to be impossible. (NEDO)

Report on new energy vision in Koushida Town area; Koushidacho chiiki shin energy vision hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

A new energy vision was established in the Koushida Town area in Miyagi Prefecture. The population of Koushida Town has leveled off in recent years at 20,245 persons in fiscal 2000. However, number of people working outside the town is increasing, and the ratio of the daytime population is decreasing slowly. Agriculture in this town depends mainly on production rice of such brands as 'Hitomebore' and 'Sasanishiki', wherein the agricultural production amount is 3 billion 260 million yen in fiscal 1998. Commercial activities are decreasing its power with the annual retail sales amount of 17 billion 800 million yen, while the product shipping amount from the attracted factories is on the increasing trend, at 25 billion 700 million yen in 1998. The energy consumption is 526 times 10{sup 9} kcal in total, accounted for by the business department at 42.0%, the transportation department at 32.3%, and the consumer department at 25.7%. The annual utilizable quantity of new energies amounts to 28,816 times 10{sup 6} kcal, made available from solar power, wind power, bio-mass, and refuses, which is about 5.5% of the final energy consumption of the town. The new energy introducing project includes introduction of photovoltaic power generation into the town office building, facilities for interchange of citizens and schools, conversion of the automobiles used in the official organizations into clean energy fueled automobiles, the Eco-town Plan for the east side of Koushida Station, and the project of utilizing bio-mass supplied from the livestock market. (NEDO)

Report on new energy vision in Koushida Town area; Koushidacho chiiki shin energy vision hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

A new energy vision was established in the Koushida Town area in Miyagi Prefecture. The population of Koushida Town has leveled off in recent years at 20,245 persons in fiscal 2000. However, number of people working outside the town is increasing, and the ratio of the daytime population is decreasing slowly. Agriculture in this town depends mainly on production rice of such brands as 'Hitomebore' and 'Sasanishiki', wherein the agricultural production amount is 3 billion 260 million yen in fiscal 1998. Commercial activities are decreasing its power with the annual retail sales amount of 17 billion 800 million yen, while the product shipping amount from the attracted factories is on the increasing trend, at 25 billion 700 million yen in 1998. The energy consumption is 526 times 10{sup 9} kcal in total, accounted for by the business department at 42.0%, the transportation department at 32.3%, and the consumer department at 25.7%. The annual utilizable quantity of new energies amounts to 28,816 times 10{sup 6} kcal, made available from solar power, wind power, bio-mass, and refuses, which is about 5.5% of the final energy consumption of the town. The new energy introducing project includes introduction of photovoltaic power generation into the town office building, facilities for interchange of citizens and schools, conversion of the automobiles used in the official organizations into clean energy fueled automobiles, the Eco-town Plan for the east side of Koushida Station, and the project of utilizing bio-mass supplied from the livestock market. (NEDO)

A Japanese nationwide survey on the FDG-PET scans for dementia. Analysis on the predicted costs and benefits of FDG-PET for early diagnosis of Alzheimer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Senda, Michio; Ouchi, Yasuomi; Ishii, Kazunari

2003-01-01

A nation-wide survey was carried out on the FDG-PET scans for the diagnosis of dementia by the FDG-PET Working Group organized by both the Japan Radioisotope Association and the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine. A total of 406 case reports were presented by 15 PET centers for one year. The purpose of the PET scans included early diagnosis of Alzheimer-type Dementia (154 cases, group A) and differential diagnosis of degenerative dementia (144 cases, group B), which was achieved by the PET scan in most cases. The PET scan turned out to allow omitting cerebral blood flow (CBF)-SPECT scans. Since donepezil treatment of the Alzheimer patients prevents the progress of the disease and reduces the care cost, an economic evaluation was performed on the two-year projected cost and benefit of FDG-PET. The reduction of the total cost by incorporating PET into the protocol was predicted to be 61500 yen (group A) and 13700 yen (group B) per person. The increase of the quality adjusted life year (QALY) was predicted to be 0.0442 (group A) and 0.0137 (group B). Therefore, incorporation of PET into the clinical pass was shown to be an economically dominant. As the number of potential subjects for early diagnosis of dementia is estimated to be 9000 across the country every year, PET is expected to increase their quality of life equivalent to 398 intact persons per year while reducing the cost of health care by 554 million yen. (author)

Report on the wind power development field test project in the off-shore park in Daitocho Town in fiscal 1997. System design; 1997 nendo Daitocho kaiyo koen nado ni okeru furyoku kaihatsu field test jigyo hokokusho. System sekkei

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1997-12-01

This paper reports the wind power development field test project in the off-shore park in Daitocho Town in Shizuoka Prefecture. The annual average wind velocity was 4.2 m/s (at height of 20 m above the ground), where the facility utilization rates for 300 and 500 kW class plants were 15.1 and 16.7%, respectively. Both of the annual average wind velocity and the facility utilization rate do not meet the criteria established by NEDO. Although the location is adjacent to the Natural Park, there is no restricting condition for installation. The substation to which system linkage is to be performed is the Daito substation 3 km north of the planned location. The major load is the Daito Spa in the park facility. Ground bed at depth of 5 m will be used as the windmill foundation supporting bed. There is little electromagnetic wave hazard. The location is 380 m away from the nearest residential house, presenting no windmill noise problem. The amount of power to be generated was assumed 281,000 kWh. Specifications for nine models of 300-kW class windmills that can be introduced into Japan were discussed to select a model. The project cost was calculated to be 128.5 million yen. The construction cost will be 428,000 yen and the power generation cost 38.1 yen/kWh. Its economy is poor when the current unit price for surplus power purchase is considered, but the effect of enlightenment may be expected. (NEDO)

Book Reviews

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Soemarsaid Moertono

1969-07-01

Full Text Available - D. van der Horst, Albert Herrmann, An historical atlas of China. New edition by Norton Ginsburg. Djambatan N.V., Amsterdam 1966. 88 pp. - A.F.P. Hulsewé, F.S. Drake, Symposium of historical, archaeological and linguistic studies on Southern China, South-East Asia and the Hongkong region. Proceedings of a meeting held in September 1961 as part of the Golden Jubilee Congress of the University of Hongkong. Hongkong, Hongkong University Press, 1967. X + 370 pp. - D.R. Jonker, Liu Shih-Shun, One hundred and one Chinese poems. With English translations and preface. UNESCO Collection of Representative Works, Chinese Series; Hong Kong University Press, 1967. XXXIX + 173 pp. - M.A.P. Meilink-Roelofsz, A. Das Gupta, Malabar in Asian trade 1740-1800. Cambridge South Asian Studies. Cambridge U.P. 1967. XII, 204 blz. Met krt. - C.R. Hooijer, Per Sorensen, Ban-Kao, Neolithic settlements with cemeteries in the Kanchanaburi Province. 140 pp., 140 plates, 4 maps, figs. The Thai-Danish Prehistoric Expedition 1960-62, Archaeological Excavations in Thailand, Vol. II. Munksgaard, Copenhagen, 1967. - C.R. Hooijer, H.R. van Heekeren, Sai-Yok, Stone-age settlements in the Kanchanaburi Province. 129 pp., 33 plates, 47 figs. The Thai-Danish Prehistoric Expedition 1960-1962, Archaeological Excavations in Thailand, Vol. I. Munksgaard, Copenhagen, 1967., Eigil Knuth (eds. - Th. G. Th. Pigeaud, C. Hooykaas, Bagus Umbara, Prince of Koripan. The story of a prince of Bali and a princess of Java, illustrated on palm leaves by a Balines artist. With Balinese text and English translation by Dr C. Hooykaas, Reader in Old Javanese, University of London. Published by the Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1968. 55 pp., 9 illustrations, 31 x 25 cm. - H.J. de Graaf, Soemarsaid Moertono, State and statecraft in old Java: A study of the late Mataram period 16th to 19th century. Monograph series Modern Indonesia Project. Southeast Asia Program Department of Asian Studies. Cornell

Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems ameliorate the oral delivery of silymarin in rats with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chen CH

2015-03-01

Full Text Available Chun-Han Chen,1,2 Cheng-Chih Chang,1 Tsung-Hsien Shih,2 Ibrahim A Aljuffali,3 Ta-Sen Yeh,4,5 Jia-You Fang6–8 1Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, 2Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 3Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 5School of Medicine, College of Medicine, 6Pharmaceutics Laboratory, Graduate Institute of Natural Products, 7Chinese Herbal Medicine Research Team, Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, 8Research Center for Industry of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan Abstract: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB is a popular surgery to reduce the body weight of obese patients. Although food intake is restricted by RYGB, drug absorption is also decreased. The purpose of this study was to develop novel self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS for enhancing the oral delivery of silymarin, which has poor water solubility. The SNEDDS were characterized by size, zeta potential, droplet number, and morphology. A technique of RYGB was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats. SNEDDS were administered at a silymarin dose of 600 mg/kg in normal and RYGB rats for comparison with silymarin aqueous suspension and polyethylene glycol (PEG 400 solution. Plasma silibinin, the main active ingredient in silymarin, was chosen for estimating the pharmacokinetic parameters. SNEDDS diluted in simulated gastric fluid exhibited a droplet size of 190 nm with a spherical shape. The nanocarriers promoted silibinin availability via oral ingestion in RYGB rats by 2.5-fold and 1.5-fold compared to the suspension and PEG 400 solution, respectively. A significant double-peak concentration of silibinin was detected for RYGB rats receiving SNEDDS. Fluorescence

Effect of allergic phenotype on treatment response to inhaled bronchodilators with or without inhaled corticosteroids in patients with COPD

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Cheng S

2017-07-01

Full Text Available Shih-Lung Cheng,1,2 Hsu Hui Wang,1 Ching-Hsiung Lin3–5 1Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, 2Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, 3Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, 4Department of Respiratory Care, College of Health Sciences, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, 5School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD is a heterogeneous disorder encompassing different phenotypes with different responses to treatment. The present 1-year, two-center hospital-based study investigated whether the plasma immunoglobulin E (IgE level and/or eosinophil cell count could be used as biomarkers to stratify patients with COPD according to predicted responses to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS-based therapy. Methods: A hospital-data based cohort study of COPD patients treated at two territory hospital centers was conducted for 1 year. Allergic biomarkers, including blood eosinophil counts and IgE levels, were assessed at baseline. Lung function parameters, including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1, forced vital capacity (FVC, and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT, were also evaluated. The frequencies of acute exacerbation (AE and pneumonia were also measured. Eosinophilia and a high IgE level were defined as >3% and 173 IU/mL, respectively. Results: A total of 304 patients were included. Among patients with eosinophilia and high IgE levels, ICS-based therapy was associated with significant improvements in FEV1, FVC, and CAT scores, compared with bronchodilator (BD therapy (P≤0.042. ICS-based therapy was also associated with a significantly lower incidence of AE vs BD-based therapy (11.7% vs 24.1%; P<0.008. Among patients with only eosinophilia, ICS-based therapy yielded significantly better CAT score results vs BD-based treatment

Artificial Intelligence Learning Semantics via External Resources for Classifying Diagnosis Codes in Discharge Notes.

Science.gov (United States)

Lin, Chin; Hsu, Chia-Jung; Lou, Yu-Sheng; Yeh, Shih-Jen; Lee, Chia-Cheng; Su, Sui-Lung; Chen, Hsiang-Cheng

2017-11-06

extracted enough concepts to predict the diagnosis codes. Word embedding combined with a CNN showed outstanding performance compared with traditional methods, needing very little data preprocessing. This shows that future studies will not be limited by incomplete dictionaries. A large amount of unstructured information from free-text medical writing will be extracted by automated approaches in the future, and we believe that the health care field is about to enter the age of big data. ©Chin Lin, Chia-Jung Hsu, Yu-Sheng Lou, Shih-Jen Yeh, Chia-Cheng Lee, Sui-Lung Su, Hsiang-Cheng Chen. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 06.11.2017.

Development of betulinic acid as an agonist of TGR5 receptor using a new in vitro assay

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lo SH

2016-08-01

Full Text Available Shih-Hsiang Lo,1,2 Kai-Chung Cheng,3 Ying-Xiao Li,3,4 Chin-Hong Chang,4,5 Juei-Tang Cheng,4,6 Kung-Shing Lee7,8 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Zhongxing Branch of Taipei City Hospital, 2Department of History and Geography, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan; 3Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan; 4Department of Medical Research, 5Department of Neurosurgery, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Yong Kang, 6Institute of Medical Science, College of Health Science, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, 7Department of Surgery, Pingtung Hospital, 8Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Background: G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1, also known as TGR5 is known to be involved in glucose homeostasis. In animal models, treatment with a TGR5 agonist induces incretin secretion to reduce hyperglycemia. Betulinic acid, a triterpenoid present in the leaves of white birch, has been introduced as a selective TGR5 agonist. However, direct activation of TGR5 by betulinic acid has not yet been reported. Methods: Transfection of TGR5 into cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1 cells was performed to establish the presence of TGR5. Additionally, TGR5-specific small interfering RNA was employed to silence TGR5 in cells (NCI-H716 cells that secreted incretins. Uptake of glucose by CHO-K1 cells was evaluated using a fluorescent indicator. Amounts of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and glucagon-like peptide were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Betulinic acid dose-dependently increases glucose uptake by CHO-K1 cells transfected with TGR5 only, which can be considered an alternative method instead of radioligand binding assay. Additionally, signals coupled to TGR5 activation are also

Periostin overexpression is associated with worse prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma from endemic area: a cohort study

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Wei YC

2018-05-01

Full Text Available Yu-Ching Wei,1,2 Sheau-Fang Yang,2,3 Shih-Lun Chang,4,5 Tzu-Ju Chen,5,6 Sung-Wei Lee,7 Hung-Sung Chen,1 Li-Ching Lin,8 Chien-Feng Li6,9,10 1Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 2Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 3Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 4Department of Otolaryngology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan; 5Department of Optometry, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan; 6Department of Pathology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan; 7Department of Radiation Oncology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan, Taiwan; 8Department of Radiation Oncology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan; 9National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institute, Tainan, Taiwan; 10Department of Biotechnology, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan Purpose: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC is a heterogeneous disease. We searched for genes that function in cell adhesion in GSE12452, a published transcriptomic database. We found that POSTN, which encodes periostin (POSTN, was significantly upregulated in NPC tumorigenesis. Herein, we sought to analyze the expression of POSTN and its prognostic significances in patients with NPC. Materials and methods: In this single-institution retrospective study, we determined and analyzed POSTN expression by immunohistochemistry and H-score method, respectively, in 124 patients with NPC. The results indicated that POSTN expression was correlated with the clinicopathologic features, disease-specific survival (DSS, distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS, and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS of NPC. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to determinate the statistical significance. Results: High POSTN expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis

SEM-EDX

African Journals Online (AJOL)

aghomotsegin

2015-03-11

Mar 11, 2015 ... Chun-Yen Liu1, Chao-Jen Wang1, Wen-Chuan Chung2, Chien Chu3, Wan-Yu Lin1 and ..... We sincerely thank Dr. C. J. Chang, Plant Pathologist, .... Wasser SP, Didukh MY, de A. Amazonas MAL, Nevo E, Stamets P, da.

78 FR 33605 - Process for a Designated Contract Market or Swap Execution Facility To Make a Swap Available to...

Science.gov (United States)

2013-06-04

... indexed swap (OIS)); currency (e.g., U.S. dollar, euro, British pound, Japanese yen); floating rate index... 37 and 38 Process for a Designated Contract Market or Swap Execution Facility To Make a Swap Available to Trade, Swap Transaction Compliance and Implementation Schedule, and Trade Execution Requirement...

Protection against Acute Lethal Viral Infections with the Native Steroid Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

Science.gov (United States)

1988-01-01

of gout , hyperlipemia, and in post-coronary patients Protection Against Viral Inftiom With DHEA 311 [Regelson, 19881. In animal models [Yen, 19771 and...3333. Johnson DA, Schultz LD, Bedigian HG (1982): Immunodeficiency and reticulum cell sarcoma in mice segregating for HRS/J and SJL/J genes . Leukemia

Enforced Sparse Non-Negative Matrix Factorization

Science.gov (United States)

2016-01-23

proposals quotas opec legislation revenue england ico iraq vote passenger yen producer iranian surplus Figure 4. Example NMF with and without sparsity...preprint arXiv:1007.0380, 2010. [22] A. Cichocki and P. Anh-Huy, “Fast local algorithms for large scale nonnegative matrix and tensor factorizations

Fiscal 1976 Sunshine Project result report. R and D on solar cooling/heating and hot water supply system; 1976 nendo taiyonetsu reidanbo kyuto system no kenkyu seika hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1977-03-01

This report describes the fiscal 1974-76 research result on solar cooling/heating and hot water supply systems. Research was made on survey and analysis of current R and D states, system analysis, energy impact analysis, installation sites of solar collectors, diffusion policy, profitability, and performance evaluation method. Main research results obtained are as follows. The effect of solar cooling/heating and hot water supply on the Japanese energy demand in 2000 is estimated to be 13% for residences and 5% for the other buildings. Environment pollution derived from solar cooling/heating is extremely less than that from conventional energy quantitatively. The facility cost is estimated to be probably 27,000yen/m{sup 2} in collector cost, and nearly 100,000yen/t in heat storage tank cost. As design data for solar cooling/heating systems, the estimation method of heat collection for every solar radiation rank, performance comparison of honeycomb type collectors, and various data for air heat collection systems are presented. (NEDO)

Data harmonization and model performance

Science.gov (United States)

The Joint Committee on Urban Storm Drainage of the International Association for Hydraulic Research (IAHR) and International Association on Water Pollution Research and Control (IAWPRC) was formed in 1982. The current committee members are (no more than two from a country): B. C. Yen, Chairman (USA); P. Harremoes, Vice Chairman (Denmark); R. K. Price, Secretary (UK); P. J. Colyer (UK), M. Desbordes (France), W. C. Huber (USA), K. Krauth (FRG), A. Sjoberg (Sweden), and T. Sueishi (Japan).The IAHR/IAWPRC Joint Committee is forming a Task Group on Data Harmonization and Model Performance. One objective is to promote international urban drainage data harmonization for easy data and information exchange. Another objective is to publicize available models and data internationally. Comments and suggestions concerning the formation and charge of the Task Group are welcome and should be sent to: B. C. Yen, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Illinois, 208 N. Romine St., Urbana, IL 61801.

Application state of radioisotopes for medical use

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nakajima, Tomoyoshi

1979-01-01

Application of unsealed radioisotopes as radiopharmaceuticals has been increasing year by year with the development of nuclear medicine. As for the radioisotopes for in vivo use which are internally administered and are detected by external scanning, the consumption of Tc-99 m drugs has increased rapidly. The sales of radiopharmaceuticals for in vivo use including 131 I, etc. amounted to four billion Yen in 1977. The consumption of the isotopes used in vitro for radioimmunoassay has made more rapid increase, and the sales of radiopharmaceuticals for in vitro use amounted to seven billion Yen in 1977. Radiopharmaceuticals have been used in 1,134 institutes all over Japan in 1978. 534 among them have applied radiopharmaceuticals to both in vivo and in vitro uses. Radioactive wastes have been increasing with the application of these unsealed radiopharmaceuticals, and their disposal method should be examined as there is a limit in their storage. (Kobatake, H.)

Economical evaluation on spent fuel storage technology away from reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Itoh, Chihiro; Nagano, Koji; Saegusa, Toshiari

2000-01-01

Concerning the spent fuel storage away from reactor, economical comparison was carried out between metal cask and water pool storage technology. The economic index was defined by levelized cost (Unit storage cost) calculated on the assumption that the storage cost is paid at the receipt of the spent fuel at the storage facility. It is found that the cask storage is economical for small and large storage capacity. Unit storage cost of pool storage, however, is getting close to that of cask storage in case of storage capacity of 10,000 ton. Then, the unit storage cost is converted to power generation cost using data of the burn up of the fuel, etc. The cost is obtained as yen 0.09/kWh and yen 0. 15/kWh for cask storage and pool storage, respectively in case of the capacity of 5,000 tonU and the cooling time of 5 years. (author)

Who is Responsible for Corruption? Framing strategies of social movements in West Africa mobilizing against presidential term amendments

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Louisa Prause

2018-01-01

Full Text Available Since 2011 youth movements have staged large protests in African countries for presidential term limits. These have been discussed as struggles against de-democratization. Looking at the movements Y'en a marre in Senegal and Balai citoyen in Burkina Faso we argue that these protests were just as much triggered by socio-economic grievances linked to a corrupt patronage system. Indeed, corruption has been a major issue for both campaigns. We ask how the movement leaders linked the fight against corruption with their struggle against third term amendments in a way that sparked mass mobilization. We use the framing approach as our theoretical framework and show that a framing based on the concept of citizenship enabled both movements to link the issue of corruption to the issue of presidential term amendments and at the same time create a sense of agency in the constituency. This explains at least partly why both Y'en a marre and Balai Citoyen succeeded in their mobilizing efforts.

Economical evaluation on gas turbine high temperature reactor 300 (GTHTR300)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Takei, Masanobu; Kosugiyama, Shinichi; Mouri, Tomoaki; Katanishi, Shoji; Kunitomi, Kazuhiko

2006-01-01

Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) has been developing a graphite moderate and helium cooled High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) with gas turbine, the GTHTR300 based on experience gained in development and operations of the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) in JAERI. The GTHTR300 is a simplified and economical power plant with a high level of safety characteristics and a high plant efficiency of approximately 46%. Cost evaluation for plant construction and power generation is studied in order to clarify the economical feasibility of the GTHTR300. The construction cost is estimated to be about 200 thousands Yen/kWe. The power generation cost is estimated to be about 3.8 Yen/kWh by the conditions of 90% load factor and 3% discount rate. The economical feasibility of the GTHTR300 is certified. The present study is entrusted from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. (author)

The Asphaltenes

Science.gov (United States)

Mullins, Oliver C.

2011-07-01

Asphaltenes, the most aromatic of the heaviest components of crude oil, are critical to all aspects of petroleum utilization, including reservoir characterization, production, transportation, refining, upgrading, paving, and coating materials. The asphaltenes, which are solid, have or impart crucial and often deleterious attributes in fluids such as high viscosity, emulsion stability, low distillate yields, and inopportune phase separation. Nevertheless, fundamental uncertainties had precluded a first-principles approach to asphaltenes until now. Recently, asphaltene science has undergone a renaissance; many basic molecular and nanocolloidal properties have been resolved and codified in the modified Yen model (also known as the Yen-Mullins model), thereby enabling predictive asphaltene science. Advances in analytical chemistry, especially mass spectrometry, enable the identification of tens of thousands of distinct chemical species in crude oils and asphaltenes. These and other powerful advances in asphaltene science fall under the banner of petroleomics, which incorporates predictive petroleum science and provides a framework for future developments.

Drawer-size cash processor Sellius-SM for supermarkets; Supermarket muke doroasaizu kinsen shoriki `Seriusu-SM`

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-01-10

A new product of Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., is described. It is a cash processor designed to be as small as a drawer, capable of handling both banknotes and coins, and low in price for easy introduction into the distributive trade. It promptly gives change up to 9,999 yen in three seconds, has a storage into which 10,000-yen banknotes are automatically collected, and is so small in size that it can replace the manual drawer now widely in use. Important technologies specially developed for this cash processor involve the taking of the three kinds of banknotes into and out of one and the same storage, the product serialization by use of a new tube system that performs in response to the increase or decrease in the volume of coins, and a discretized color sensor system under which the three kinds of shorter lengths of banknote are correctly identified. (NEDO)

Drawer-size cash processor Sellius-SM for supermarkets. Supermarket muke doroasaizu kinsen shoriki 'Seriusu-SM'

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

1999-01-10

A new product of Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., is described. It is a cash processor designed to be as small as a drawer, capable of handling both banknotes and coins, and low in price for easy introduction into the distributive trade. It promptly gives change up to 9,999 yen in three seconds, has a storage into which 10,000-yen banknotes are automatically collected, and is so small in size that it can replace the manual drawer now widely in use. Important technologies specially developed for this cash processor involve the taking of the three kinds of banknotes into and out of one and the same storage, the product serialization by use of a new tube system that performs in response to the increase or decrease in the volume of coins, and a discretized color sensor system under which the three kinds of shorter lengths of banknote are correctly identified. (NEDO)

Analysis of Steel-With-Composite Material Substitution in Military Vehicle Hull Floors Subjected to Shallow-Buried Landmine-Detonation Loads

Science.gov (United States)

2014-01-01

of either a Kevlars -fiber reinforced poly-vinyl- epoxy -matrix composite or AISI 4340 steel. The deformation and failure constitutive response of these...J.S., Yen, C.-F. and Cheeseman, B.A. (2013a), “Multi-length scale enriched continuum-level material model for Kevlars -fiber reinforced polymer-matrix

Two Currencies - One Model? Evidence from the Wall Street Journal forecast poll

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Stadtmann, Georg; Ruelke, Jan Christoph; Frenkel, Michael

2009-01-01

We use the foreign exchange forecasts of the Wall Street Journal poll to compare forecasters' expectation formation process for the exchange rates of the euro and the yen against the U.S. dollar for the period 1999 - 2005. We also contrast the expectation formation process with the actual exchange...

78 FR 68151 - Quarterly Publication of Individuals, Who Have Chosen To Expatriate, as Required by Section 6039G

Science.gov (United States)

2013-11-13

... CLAUDIA FRIEDLANDER ROBERT MAX FRIESEN KATHLEEN ELLEN FUKUNAGA MIWA FULLER NICHOLAS ALAN FULLER NICHOLAS... SHIPLEY ROBERT ANTHONY SIM JEONG SUN SIMON ANTHONY NICHOLAS SIMON JULIE ANN SINN JUSTINE TUNG SITTARO... JAMES TAN YANQIANG TANAKA RYO TANG MARX THERN EDINA RITTER THERN JR ROBERT WILLIAM TIEN LAUREN TSAK YEN...

Two Currencies - One Model? Evidence from the Wall Street Journal forecast poll

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Stadtmann, Georg; Ruelke, Jan Christoph; Frenkel, Michael

2009-01-01

We use the foreign exchange forecasts of the Wall Street Journal poll to compare forecasters' expectation formation process for the exchange rates of the euro and the yen against the U.S. dollar for the period 1999 - 2005. We also contrast the expectation formation process with the actual exchang...

Report of year 2000 version on feasibility study for joint implementation. Repowering project of Ashuganji Thermal Power Station

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

Discussions were given on the repowering project of Ashuganji Thermal Power Station in the People's Republic of Bangladesh to link the project to the clean development mechanism (CDM). The project calls for adding gas turbines respectively having output of 31 MW to the existing units No. 3, 4 and 5 (each having an output of 150 MW) to make the plant into the waste gas re-combustion type compound cycle system. The construction cost would be 140 billion yen. The annual reduction of fuel per unit would be 28 kt, which can result in reduction of 2.1 million tons from the three units over the period of 25 years. The annual reduction in CO2 emission from a unit would be 77 kt, resulting in reduction of 5.8 million tons from the three units over 25 years. The return on investment effect was evaluated. In the main case (the output increase as a result of the repowering is used to supplement the current power supply shortage), the required period to recover the investment will be ten years on the basis of introducing private sector fund, but the internal profitability would be 8.09%, being far below the discount rate of 15%, and the current discount worth is also negative, hence the project would not be feasible. However, since there are no problems in repaying the loans, application of the low-interest special Yen loan is desired to eliminate the state of chronic power shortage. The discharge right transaction case (550 yen/ton of CO2) was also found unworkable to recover the investment. (NEDO)

Cost-effectiveness analysis of screening modalities for breast cancer in Japan with special reference to women aged 40-49 years

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ohnuki, Koji; Kuriyama, Shinichi; Shoji, Narumi; Tsuji, Ichiro; Ohuchi, Noriaki; Nishino, Yoshikazu

2006-01-01

Although the introduction of screening mammography in Japan would be expected to reduce mortality from breast cancer, the optimal screening modality in terms of cost-effectiveness remains unclear. We compared the cost-effectiveness ratio, defined as the cost required for a life-year saved, among the following three strategies: annual clinical breast examination; annual clinical breast examination combined with mammography; and biennial clinical breast examination combined with mammography for women aged 30-79 years using a hypothetical cohort of 100,000. The sensitivity, specificity and early breast cancer rates were derived from studies conducted from 1995 to 2000 in Miyagi Prefecture. The treatment costs were based on a questionnaire survey conducted at 13 institutions in Japan. We used updated parameters that were needed in the analysis. Although the effectiveness of treatment in terms of the number of expected survival years was highest for annual combined modality, biennial combined modality had a higher cost-effectiveness ratio, followed by annual combined modality and annual clinical breast examination in all age groups. In women aged 40-49 years, annual combined modality saved 852.9 lives and the cost/survival duration was 3,394,300 yen/year, whereas for biennial combined modality the corresponding figures were 833.8 and 2,025,100 yen/year, respectively. Annual clinical breast examination did not confer any advantages in terms of effectiveness (815.5 lives saved) or cost-effectiveness (3,669,900 yen/year). While the annual combined modality was the most effective with respect to life-years saved among women aged 40-49 years, biennial combined modality was found to provide the highest cost-effectiveness. (author)

Report of year 2000 version on feasibility study for joint implementation. Repowering project of Ashuganji Thermal Power Station

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

Discussions were given on the repowering project of Ashuganji Thermal Power Station in the People's Republic of Bangladesh to link the project to the clean development mechanism (CDM). The project calls for adding gas turbines respectively having output of 31 MW to the existing units No. 3, 4 and 5 (each having an output of 150 MW) to make the plant into the waste gas re-combustion type compound cycle system. The construction cost would be 140 billion yen. The annual reduction of fuel per unit would be 28 kt, which can result in reduction of 2.1 million tons from the three units over the period of 25 years. The annual reduction in CO2 emission from a unit would be 77 kt, resulting in reduction of 5.8 million tons from the three units over 25 years. The return on investment effect was evaluated. In the main case (the output increase as a result of the repowering is used to supplement the current power supply shortage), the required period to recover the investment will be ten years on the basis of introducing private sector fund, but the internal profitability would be 8.09%, being far below the discount rate of 15%, and the current discount worth is also negative, hence the project would not be feasible. However, since there are no problems in repaying the loans, application of the low-interest special Yen loan is desired to eliminate the state of chronic power shortage. The discharge right transaction case (550 yen/ton of CO2) was also found unworkable to recover the investment. (NEDO)

Application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to Reduce Multicollinearity Exchange Rate Currency of Some Countries in Asia Period 2004-2014

Science.gov (United States)

Rahayu, Sri; Sugiarto, Teguh; Madu, Ludiro; Holiawati; Subagyo, Ahmad

2017-01-01

This study aims to apply the model principal component analysis to reduce multicollinearity on variable currency exchange rate in eight countries in Asia against US Dollar including the Yen (Japan), Won (South Korea), Dollar (Hong Kong), Yuan (China), Bath (Thailand), Rupiah (Indonesia), Ringgit (Malaysia), Dollar (Singapore). It looks at yield…

Author Details

African Journals Online (AJOL)

alternance politique au Sénégal : Le rôle de Bul faale et de Y'en a marre. Abstract PDF. ISSN: 1027-4332. AJOL African Journals Online. HOW TO USE AJOL... for Researchers · for Librarians · for Authors · FAQ's · More about AJOL · AJOL's Partners ...

VA-Index: Quantifying Assortativity Patterns in Networks with Multidimensional Nodal Attributes (Open Access)

Science.gov (United States)

2016-01-27

through a vector each element of which captures the different types of locations he visits. Simi- larly, reviewers/buyers on electronic markets such...IEEE Internet Computing 2010; 14(2):15–23. doi: 10.1109/ MIC .2010.25 21. Zhao K, Ngamassi L, Yen J, Maitland C, Tapia A. Assortativity patterns in multi

Sadhana | Indian Academy of Sciences

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

S Ramesh1 Geok Bee Teh1 Rong-Fuh Louh2 Yong Kong Hou1 Pung Yen Sin1 Lim Jing Yi1. Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Setapak, 53300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Feng Chia University, 100, Wenhwa Road, Seatwen, Taichung, ...

Sadhana | Indian Academy of Sciences

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Home; Journals; Sadhana. S Ramesh. Articles written in Sadhana. Volume 35 Issue 1 February 2010 pp 87-95. Preparation and characterization of plasticized high molecular weight PVC-based polymer electrolytes · S Ramesh Geok Bee Teh Rong-Fuh Louh Yong Kong Hou Pung Yen Sin Lim Jing Yi · More Details ...

Geok Bee Teh

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Geok Bee Teh. Articles written in Sadhana. Volume 35 Issue 1 February 2010 pp 87-95. Preparation and characterization of plasticized high molecular weight PVC-based polymer electrolytes · S Ramesh Geok Bee Teh Rong-Fuh Louh Yong Kong Hou Pung Yen Sin Lim Jing Yi · More Details Abstract Fulltext PDF.

Reconciled Rat and Human Metabolic Networks for Comparative Toxicogenomics and Biomarker Predictions

Science.gov (United States)

2017-02-08

reconstructions for comparative systems analysis. PLoS Comput. Biol. 7, e1001116 (2011). 26. Bartell, J. A., Yen, P., Varga, J. J., Goldberg , J. B. & Papin, J. A...Rat Genome Database 2015: genomic, phenotypic and environmental variations and disease. Nucleic Acids Res. 43, D743–D750 (2015). 34. NCBI Resource

Management of Waste from the Use of Radioisotopes; Divers Aspects Resultant de l'Utilisation des Isotopes Radioactifs; 0423 0414 0410 041b 0415 041d 0418 0415 041e 0422 0425 041e 0414 ; Diversos Aspectos Relacionados con los Desechos Procedentes del Empleo de Radioisotopos

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rogers, Lester R. [Radiation Safety Branch, Division of Licensing and Regulation, United States Atomic Energy Commission (United States)

1960-07-01

de desechos solubles o facilmente dispersables ; 3. La inhumacion en el suelo, en condiciones controladas, de pequenas cantidades de desechos; 4. El envio de los desechos radiactivos a las instalaciones de la Atomic Energy Commission para su almacenamiento o inhumacion; 5. El tratamiento por incineracion; 6. La evacuacion en el mar de desechos envasados. El autor examina los criterios y requisitos reglamentarios aplicables a cada metodo de evacuacion con el proposito de impedir que los desechos entren en la cadena alimentaria humana en cantidades peligrosas o afecten desfavorablemente la utilizacion del medio por el hombre. Estudia asimismo las limitaciones que se han de imponer a los tipos y metodos de evacuacion aplicados por las empresas privadas que, por su larga experiencia en Inverted-Exclamation-Mark el mantenimiento de terrenos de inhumacion o instalaciones de almacenamiento, pueden recibir autorizacion oficial para efectuar esta clase de operaciones. (author) [Russian] Budut obsuzhdeny voprosy proishozhdenija i haraktera radioaktivnyh othodov, obrazuemyh pri ispol'zovanii radioizotopov v promyshlennosti, medicine, sel'skom hozjajstve i nauchnyh issledovanijah. Budet rassmotrena svjaz' mezhdu tipami, kolichestvami i metodami ispol'zovanija radioizotopov i othodami, kotorye pri jetom obrazujutsja. Budut obsuzhdeny metody, primenjaemye dlja udalenija radioaktivnyh othodov, obrazuemyh pri ispol'zovanii radioizotopov v promyshlennosti, medicine, nauchnyh issledovanijah i sel'skom hozjajstve, na kotorye rasprostranjaetsja kontrol' Komissii po atomnoj jenergii. Jeti metody vkljuchajut: 1. Kontroliruemoe udalenie zhidkostej nizkoj koncentracii v reki i v atmosferu ; 2. Kontroliruemoe udalenie nebol'shih kolichestv rastvorjaemyh ili nahodjashhihsja v dispersionnom sostojanii produktov othoda v kanalizacionnye sistemy ; 3. Zahoronenie nebol'shih kolichestv othodov v zemlju pri kontroliruemyh uslovijah; 4. Vozvrashhenie radioaktivnyh othodov na ustanovki Komissii po

Should mediastinoscopy actually be incorporated into the FDG PET strategy for patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma?

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hayashi, Katsumi; Abe, Katsumi; Yano, Fuzuki; Watanabe, Sadahiro; Iwasaki, Yoshie; Kosuda, Shigeru

2005-01-01

Incorporating mediastinoscopy (MS) into the PET-based strategy for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients might be cost-effective because MS can allow unnecessary thoracotomies to be avoided. The objective of our study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of incorporating MS into a PET strategy for NSCLC patients. To determine life expectancy (LE), quality adjusted life years (QALY), and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), a decision-tree sensitivity analysis was designed for histopathologically confirmed NSCLC patients with M0 disease, based on the three competing strategies of chest CT only vs. PET+CT vs. PET+CT+MS. A simulation of 1,000 NSCLC patients was created using baselines of other relevant variables in regard to sensitivity, specificity, mortality, LE, utilities and cost from published data. One-way sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the influences of mediastinal metastasis prevalence on LE, QALY and ICER. The LE and QALY per patient in the CT only strategy, PET+CT strategy and PET+CT+MS strategy were 4.79 and 4.35, 5.33 and 4.93 and 5.68 and 5.33 years, respectively, with a 20% prevalence of mediastinal metastasis. The ICERs were 906.6 yen x 10 3 (US$7,555)/QALY/patient at a 20% mediastinal metastasis prevalence, and 2,194 yen x 10 3 (US$18,282)/QALY/patient at a 50% prevalence, but exceeded 5,280 yen x 10 3 (US$44,000)/QALY/patient at 80%. Our study quantitatively showed the CT+PET+MS strategy in place of the PET+CT strategy in managing NSCLC patients to be cost-effective. MS should be incorporated into the PET+CT strategy for NSCLC patients except in those highly suspected of having mediastinal disease on chest CT or PET. (author)

Investigation of small and modular-sized fast reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kubota, Kenichi; Kawasaki, Nobuchika; Umetsu, Yoichiro; Akatsu, Minoru; Kasai, Shigeo; Konomura, Mamoru; Ichimiya, Masakazu

2000-06-01

In this paper, feasibility of the multipurpose small fast reactor, which could be used for requirements concerned with various utilization of electricity and energy and flexibility of power supply site, is discussed on the basis of examination of literatures of various small reactors. And also, a possibility of economic improvement by learning effect of fabrication cost is discussed for the modular-sized reactor which is expected to be a base load power supply system with lower initial investment. (1) Multipurpose small reactor (a) The small reactor with 10MWe-150MWe has a potential as a power source for large co-generation, a large island, a middle city, desalination and marine use. (b) Highly passive mechanism, long fuel exchange interval, and minimized maintenance activities are required for the multipurpose small reactor design. The reactor has a high potential for the long fuel exchange interval, since it is relatively easy for FR to obtain a long life core. (c) Current designs of small FRs in Japan and USA (NERI Project) are reviewed to obtain design requirements for the multipurpose small reactor. (2) Modular-sized reactor (a) In order that modular-sized reactor could be competitive to 3200MWe twin plant (two large monolithic reactor) with 200kyenWe, the target capital cost of FOAK is estimated to be 260kyen/yenWe for 800MWe modular, 280kyen/yenWe for 400MWe modular and 290kyen/yenWe for 200MWe by taking account of the leaning effect. (b) As the result of the review on the current designs of modular-sized FRs in Japan and USA (S-PRISM) from the viewpoint of economic improvement, since it only be necessary to make further effort for the target capital cost of FOAK, since the modular-sized FRs requires a large amount of material for shielding, vessels and heat exchangers essentially. (author)

Japanese energy balances after the Great East Japan Earthquake

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tsuzuki, Kazuhiro; Moriyama, Ryo; Ishimoto, Yuki; Tomikatsu, Koji; Hagiwara, Naoto

2012-01-01

After the Great East Japan Earthquake, disaster response and risk of nuclear accident became a new issue and the public against nuclear power was increasing with knowing a long-term period required for restoration from Fukushima accident. This article described effects of 'de-nuclear power' policy with no additional plants on energy balances in 2030 and 2050 with simulated energy model based on government's long-term energy supply-demand outlook issued in 2009. Main assumed conditions were as follows; (1) nuclear power of case B) 40 years operation and C) 60 years operation, (2) share of photovoltaic and wind power was assumed to be 9% of total power generation and the same as planned before the earthquake disaster, which could not replace nuclear power and (3) final consumption of case 2) 8% saving and 3) 20% saving. Effects of 'de-nuclear power' in 2030 were (1) CO 2 emission difference between B) and C) was 50 Mt and (2) estimated cost increase between B) and C) was 0.1 T yen/year for CO 2 emission, 1 T yen/year for LNG procurement and 2.4 T yen for thermal power construction. Energy balances in 2050 were much influenced by trend of renewable energy technology development and fossil energy procurement and use. Sophisticated power change measures using storage battery for renewable energy should be developed, otherwise if power change were dealt with thermal power, share would be limited to 15-20% of total power generation. If CO 2 emission in 2050 was limited to 50% instead of formally announced 80% of CO 2 emission in 1990, share of non-fossil power (nuclear power + renewable energy) became almost 100% for case 3). Base technology of nuclear power should remain as option for the case where fossil energy procurement and CO 2 emission limit became restrictive in 2050. (T. Tanaka)

Upconversion studies in rare earth ions-doped lanthanide materials

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

2014-02-08

Feb 8, 2014 ... studied samples in order to get the visible upconversion emission on 976 nm excitation. References. [1] F Azuel, Chem. Rev. 104, 139 (2004). [2] W M Yen, S Shionoya and H Yamamoto (eds), Practical applications of phosphors (CRC. Press, Taylor and Francis Group, 2006). [3] F Wang and X Liu, Chem.

Fibrinolysis and anticoagulant potential of a metallo protease ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

In this study, a potent fibrinolytic enzyme-producing bacterium was isolated .... Time courses of growth and enzyme production in a culture of B. subtilis K42: ..... on a large scale in industry,would make thisoperation rapid .... Process. Biochem. 41 1545–1552. Wang SL, Kao TY, Wang CL, Yen YH, Chern MK and Chen YH.

WTP (willingness to pay) for tele-health consultation service in Hokkaido, Japan.

Science.gov (United States)

Ogasawara, Katsuhiko; Abe, Tamotsu

2013-01-01

We developed a tele-health consultation system that combines a sphygmomanometer with a tele-conference system. These were placed in pharmacies and the University. We selected five pharmacies to set up a consultation room; one in a local area, two in a suburban area, and the remaining two in an urban area. Nurses with more than 5 years of clinical experience were assigned as consultants. These consultants offer health consultation but do not practice medicine. Some researchers have indicated the economic viability of at-home health management systems, but nothing has been researched on the economic viability of tele-health consultation. The objective of present study was estimated Willingness to Payment (WTP) of Tele-health consultation service. The WTP was estimated by Double-Bounded Dichotomous-Choice model. We performed logistic-regression analysis to confirm factors to affect WTP. The number of the respondent was 480. Mean WTP was calculated 495 yen and the median was 367 yen. There was significant difference for factor of "annual income", "have a willingness to use this system", and "have a child/children".

Thermal and nuclear power generation cost estimates using corporate financial statements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matsuo, Yuhji; Nagatomi, Yu; Murakami, Tomoko

2012-01-01

There are two generally accepted methods for estimating power generation costs: so-called 'model plant' method and the method using corporate financial statements. The method using corporate financial statements, though under some constraints, can provide useful information for comparing thermal and nuclear power generation costs. This study used this method for estimating thermal and nuclear power generation costs in Japan for the past five years, finding that the nuclear power generation cost remained stable at around 7 yen per kilowatt-hour (kWh) while the thermal power generation cost moved within a wide range of 9 to 12 yen/kWh in line with wild fluctuations in primary energy prices. The cost of nuclear power generation is expected to increase due to the enhancement of safety measures and accident damage compensation in the future, while there are reactor decommissioning, backend and many other costs that the financial statement-using approach cannot accurately estimate. In the future, efforts should be continued to comprehensively and accurately estimate total costs. (author)

Fiscal 1999 report. Basic research for promotion of joint implementation programs (Basic research on energy saving at Tehran Oil Refinery); 1999 nendo Tehran seiyusho ni kansuru sho energy chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

An energy saving survey was conducted for the oil refining equipment of the Tehran Oil Refinery, Islamic Republic of Iran, for the prevention of global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions. Examined were an atmospheric pressure distiller, vacuum distiller, vis breaker, naphtha hydrodesulfurizer and naphtha catalytic modifier, light oil vacuum hydrocracker, hydrogen producing unit, asphalt producing unit, boiler facilities, etc., which had all been augmented in 1974. According to the energy saving modification scheme, energy efficiency improvement will be achieved by fully utilizing the existing facilities but not by replacing them all. The outcome of a feasibility study predicts that flue gas O2 control will take approximately a year for completion and main modification programs will take approximately 3-5 years for completion. The total investment required is estimated at approximately 1.5-billion yen, and the sum of fuel to be saved is estimated at approximately 0.6-billion yen/year. As for CO2 reduction, approximately 260-thousand tons/year is expected against the baseline of approximately 1380-thousand tons/year. (NEDO)

Initiative research in fiscal 2000 in relation with global environment industrial technologies. Achievement report on investigations and researches of emission-free manufacturing (EFM); 2000 nendo chikyu kankyo sangyo gijutsu ni kakawaru sendo kenkyu seika hokokusho. Emission free manufacturing (EFM) no chosa kenkyu

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

Three working groups were established, each having assignments of developing a technology to evaluate environmental load imposed by processing processes, developing a new manufacturing process intended of reducing environmental load, and remarkably improving the existing manufacturing technologies. Investigations and researches were performed on the current technological trends and technological problems in relation with emission-free manufacturing. In the environmental load evaluation technology, it was indicated that the amount of charged energy per one million yen of products made by metal machine tools is 10040 Gcal/M yen, and that, with regard to CO2 emission amount and resource depleting load at the small machining center, the amounts attributable to the raw materials are 80% and 90% respectively, wherein either item can be reduced by recycling iron. For the comprehensive low-emission processing technology, investigations were carried out on a casting process not using sandmolds, substitute lubricants, dry forging, semi-solid processing, and deep drawing process using ultra-high pressure water. For the functional low-emission production technology, investigations were performed on performance improvement in processing machines, energy saving, and reduction in emission. (NEDO)

IAEA and food irradiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Machi, Sueo

1995-01-01

IAEA was founded in 1957. 122 countries take part in it. It is operated with the yearly ordinary budget of about 20 billion yen and the technical cooperation budget of about 6 billion yen and by 2200 personnel. Its two important roles are the promotion of the peaceful utilization of atomic energy and the prevention of nuclear proliferation. The activities of IAEA are shown. The cooperation with developing countries and the international research cooperation program are the important activities. The securing of foods is an urgent subject, and the utilization of radiation and isotopes has been promoted, aiming at sustaining agriculture. The necessity of food irradiation is explained, and at present, commercial food irradiation is carried out in 28 countries including Japan. The irradiation less than 10 kGy does not cause poisonous effect in any food, according to JECFI. The new international agreement is expected to be useful for promoting the international trade of irradiated foods. The international cooperation for the spread of food irradiation and the public acceptance of food irradiation are reported. (K.I.)

Laser cutting or water-jet cutting. Laser setsudan ka water-jet setsudan ka

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yamada, T. (Shibuya Kogyo Co. Ltd., Ishikawa (Japan))

1991-05-01

The recent spread of carbon oxide laser cutter is so startlingly fast, but at the same time, water jet cutting using ultra high pressure water stream is drawing attention as it has identical characteristics, and opens the way to cutting materials that have been hitherto difficult to cut. The authors, who are fabricators of cutters of both types, gave the comparisons and explanations on several examples referring to materials that can be cut, cutting accuracy, speed, shape and thermal effects to cut face, and running cost in detail. However, simple comparison is difficult. For instance, cutting 6 mm thick SUS sheet costs a running cost of 65 yen per meter in laser cutting, and 535 yen per meter in water jet cutting, but this situation is often reversed when other material or sheet thickness is selected. The actual situation in the sheet metal processing industry at the present time is that it uses by far more laser processing machines, and uses water jet cutters to supplement for cutting materials more difficult to cut. 10 figs., 3 tabs.

Strategy of the spread of automatic meter reading for 10 million customers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Okano, H.; Koyanagi, A.

1997-01-01

In response to the major changes now taking place in its business environment, Tokyo Gas will restructure its meter-reading operations, including services peripheral thereto, to build a strong corporate structure toward the year 2010. Specifically, Tokyo Gas will proceed to intentional automatic meter reading, making use of the know-how it has accumulated doing so as part of a value-added service it has been marketing since 1988. Tokyo Gas will also use its two-way communication infrastructure to promote improved operational efficiency and labor savings. Intentional automatic meter reading will enable Tokyo Gas, over the 13 years following its commencement, to realize total cost savings of 53.5 billion yen and reassign 776 employers to strategic work. Tokyo Gas will also utilize its two-way communication infrastructure to provide additional services, including value-added services that will generate upwards of 3.7 billion yen margin annually and contracted meter reading services for utilities throughout Japan. Tokyo Gas will thus carry out a business expansion that will enable it to grow limitlessly together with society. (au)

Fiscal 2000 survey report. Basic survey of promotion of joint implementation, etc. Rehabilitation of KESC gas turbine power plant; 2000 nendo kyodo jisshi nado suishin kiso chosa hokokusho. KESC/gas turbine hatsudensho rihabiri

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

KESC (Karachi Electric Power Supply Corporation) facilities supplying electricity to Karachi, Pakistan, were examined for rehabilitation aiming at energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction. The rehabilitation program covered power generation facilities, fuel supply facilities, instrument control systems, and their layout. Discussed were a schedule for the production, transportation, and installation of facilities, sharing of burdens between KESC and Japan, and the economic and environmental merits expected to ensue from energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction. The results are mentioned below. Project implementation will take approximately 18 months, and Japan will be responsible only for dispatching specialists to elaborate on CDM (clean development mechanism) and engineers. In Case 1, the amount of initial investment is estimated at 84-million US dollars, the economical efficiency of energy conservation at 107t/year/million yen, and the economical efficiency of greenhouse gas reduction at 330t-CO2/year/million yen. It is found in the study of profitability that the loan will be collected in 10 years after project implementation and the initial investment in 22 years. (NEDO)

Quantitative risk assessment of human salmonellosis in the smallholder pig value chains in urban of Vietnam.

Science.gov (United States)

Dang-Xuan, Sinh; Nguyen-Viet, Hung; Unger, Fred; Pham-Duc, Phuc; Grace, Delia; Tran-Thi, Ngan; Barot, Max; Pham-Thi, Ngoc; Makita, Kohei

2017-02-01

To quantify salmonellosis risk in humans through consumption of boiled pork in urban Hung Yen Province, Vietnam, using a quantitative microbial risk assessment. We collected 302 samples along the pork value chain in Hung Yen between April 2014 and February 2015. We developed a model in @Risk, based on microbiological, market, and household surveys on cooking, cross-contamination and consumption, and conducted sensitivity analysis. Salmonella prevalence of pen floor swabs, slaughterhouse carcasses and cut pork were 33.3, 41.7 and 44.4%, respectively. The annual incidence rate of salmonellosis in humans was estimated to be 17.7% (90% CI 0.89-45.96). Parameters with the greatest influence risk were household pork handling practice followed by prevalence in pork sold in the central market. Wide confidence interval in the incidence estimate was mainly due to the variability in the degree of reduction in bacteria concentration by cooking, and pork consumption pattern. The risk of salmonellosis in humans due to boiled pork consumption appears to be high. Control measures may include improving the safety of retailed pork and improving household hygiene.

JAIF's 23rd nuclear industry survey: strengthening industrial foundations under low economic growth

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1983-01-01

Each year since the beginning of nuclear development in Japan, Japan Atomic Industrial Forum has conducted the survey of the nuclear-related aspects in mining and manufacturing industries, electric utilities, trading firms, etc., regarding their expenditures, sales and personnel. The results of the 23rd survey for fiscal 1981 (April, 1981, to March, 1982,) are described. The salient points in the year, as compared with fiscal 1980, are as follows: (trend in expenditures) nuclear-related expenditures exceeded yen2 trillion, up 12 %; the operation and maintenance costs of electric utilities varied, but overall, up 25 %; the nuclear-related expenditures of mining and manufacturing industries were up 34 %; (trend in sales) the new record in mining and manufacturing industries - the sales topped yen1 trillion; the sales of reactor equipments rose by 59 %; the sales by mining and manufacturing industries to electric utilities up 42 %; the nuclear-related exports of mining and manufacturing industries grew by 13 %; the revenues and sales exceeded the expenditures in mining and manufacturing industries. (Mori, K.)

Nanomechanics of materials and structures

National Research Council Canada - National Science Library

Chuang, T.-J

2006-01-01

.../Materials Research Ken P. Chong ······························· · 13 An ab-initio study of mechanical behavior for (A" O) X. Song, Q. Ge and S. C. Yen " n Nanorods 23...

Untitled

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

MacDonald J. R. Lynn KG, Boie RA and Robbins MF 1978 Nucl. Instrum. & Methods 153 189. MacKenzie IK, Khoo TL, McDonald AB and McKee BTA 1967 Phys. Rev. Lett. 19946. Nicollian E H and Brews 1982 Metal oxide superconductor, in Physics and Technology (New York: Wiley). Nielsen B, Lynn KG, Yen C Chen and ...

経済のグローバリゼーション (特集・20世紀の反省 21世紀の展望)

OpenAIRE

中村, 敏夫

2000-01-01

This paper is to describe the history and expansion of Japanese economy in the postwar period and future prospect. Also, comparative studies among Japan, USA and Europe are made. It is mentioned that factors affecting globalization of Japanese economy are characterized as promotion of export, foreign investment , opening of domestic market, Yen-dollar exchange rate and etc.

The Meaning of Goodness-of-Fit Tests: Commentary on "Goodness-of-Fit Assessment of Item Response Theory Models"

Science.gov (United States)

Thissen, David

2013-01-01

In this commentary, David Thissen states that "Goodness-of-fit assessment for IRT models is maturing; it has come a long way from zero." Thissen then references prior works on "goodness of fit" in the index of Lord and Novick's (1968) classic text; Yen (1984); Drasgow, Levine, Tsien, Williams, and Mead (1995); Chen and…

[Veterinary medicine comment on camel medicine in Fan-mu tsuan yen-fang].

Science.gov (United States)

von den Driesch, A

1997-01-01

This short paragraph tries to identify the camel diseases compiled in the old chinese text according to modern veterinary terms. Due to the specific terminology of the camel treatise and its overall scarce symptomatology the diseases are difficult to evaluate. The majority of them obviously deal with acute infectious diseases which manifest themselves under such symptoms as high fever, depression, anorexia, cachexia, diarrhoea, general weakness, etc. But there are some diseases and ailments which can be interpreted in modern terms my means of the symptoms, descriptions and cures, e.g. mange, paradontosis and wry-neck syndrome.

MART-10, a newly synthesized vitamin D analog, represses metastatic potential of head and neck squamous carcinoma cells

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yang SW

2016-06-01

Full Text Available Shih-Wei Yang,1,* Chi-Ying Tsai,2,* Yi-Chun Pan,3 Chun-Nan Yeh,4 Jong-Hwei S Pang,5 Masashi Takano,6 Atsushi Kittaka,6 Horng-Heng Juang,7 Tai C Chen,8 Kun-Chun Chiang4,9 1Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, 2Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, 3Department of General Dentistry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Keelung, 4General Surgery Department, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, 5Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; 6Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan; 7Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; 8Endocrine Core Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; 9Zebrafish Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan, Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: Even with multidisciplinary treatment, the prognosis and quality of life of patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC are still not satisfactory. Previously, 19-Nor-2α-(3-hydroxypropyl-1α,25(OH2D3 (MART-10, the new brand 1α,25(OH2D3 analog, has been demonstrated to be an effective drug to inhibit HNSCC growth in vitro. Since most cancer patients die of metastasis, in this study, the antimetastatic effect of MART-10 on HNSCC was investigated. Our results reveal that both 1α,25(OH2D3 and MART-10 effectively repressed the migration and invasion of HNSCC cells, with MART-10 being much more potent than 1α,25(OH2D3. The antimetastatic effect of 1α,25(OH2D3 and MART-10 was mediated by attenuation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT, which was supported by the finding that the expression of EMT-inducing transcriptional factors, Sail and Twist, was inhibited by 1α,25(OH2D3 and MART

A pilot randomized controlled trial using EEG-based brain–computer interface training for a Chinese-speaking group of healthy elderly

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lee TS

2015-01-01

Full Text Available Tih-Shih Lee,1 Shin Yi Quek,1 Siau Juinn Alexa Goh,1 Rachel Phillips,2 Cuntai Guan,3 Yin Bun Cheung,4 Lei Feng,5 Chuan Chu Wang,3 Zheng Yang Chin,3 Haihong Zhang,3 Jimmy Lee,6 Tze Pin Ng,5 K Ranga Rama Krishnan1 1Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore; 2Singapore Clinical Research Institute, Singapore; 3Institute for Infocomm Research, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore; 4Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore; 5Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; 6Department of General Psychiatry/Department of Research, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore Background: There is growing evidence that cognitive training (CT can improve the cognitive functioning of the elderly. CT may be influenced by cultural and linguistic factors, but research examining CT programs has mostly been conducted on Western populations. We have developed an innovative electroencephalography (EEG-based brain–computer interface (BCI CT program that has shown preliminary efficacy in improving cognition in 32 healthy English-speaking elderly adults in Singapore. In this second pilot trial, we examine the acceptability, safety, and preliminary efficacy of our BCI CT program in healthy Chinese-speaking Singaporean elderly.Methods: Thirty-nine elderly participants were randomized into intervention (n=21 and waitlist control (n=18 arms. Intervention consisted of 24 half-hour sessions with our BCI-based CT training system to be completed in 8 weeks; the control arm received the same intervention after an initial 8-week waiting period. At the end of the training, a usability and acceptability questionnaire was administered. Efficacy was measured using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS, which was translated and culturally adapted for the Chinese-speaking local population. Users were asked

State of the Science Meeting: Burn Care: Goals for Treatment and Research

Science.gov (United States)

2006-11-01

13. Celis, MM, Suman, OE, Huang, TT, Yen, P, Herndon, DN. Effect of a Supervised Exercise and Physiotherapy Program on Surgical Interventions in...the following: surgeons, nurses, therapists, nutritionists, pharmacists, residents, medical students , scientists, healthcare administration, industry...specialists, and students interact to pose research questions based on clinical problems, to look for answers in the laboratories and then in the clinical

1 Étude numérique de la convection naturelle tridimensionnelle ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

TOSHIBA

naturelle thermique laminaire de type couche limite au voisinage d'un cône à surface lisse. Bapuji et al. [2] ont étudié le courant de la convection naturelle laminaire instable avec un cône vertical isotherme. Pop et. Tsung Yen [3] ont étudié les effets de la compressibilité dans la convection naturelle laminaire autour d'un.

Annual report of National Institute of Radiological Sciences, April 1984 - March 1985

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1985-07-01

This report gives the information on the investigations conducted by the scientific staffs of the institute during this period. The total budget of the NIRS for fiscal year 1984 was about 6.052 billion yen, 21 million yen less than that for the previous year. Some new and important projects as well as the existing commitments were carried out by the prudent allocation of the budget. In addition to basic research, four long term research project were carried out, that is, research on the bilogical effect of tritium, studies on stochastic effects of irradiation and risk estimation, assessment of human exposures to environmental radiation, medical use of accelerated heavy ions. The fourth project has started from 1984 FY, which is based on the results obtained in the former project 'medical application of particle accelerator'. The gists of 11 reports related to physics, 5 reports related to chemistry, 7 reports related to biochemistry and biophysics, 9 reports related to cell biology, 11 reports related to immunology and hematology, 9 reports related to pathology, 10 reports related to genetics, 12 reports related to clinical science, and 15 reports related to environmental science are collected. (J.P.N.)

Annual report of National Institute of Radiological Sciences, April, 1983 - March, 1984

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1984-10-01

This report gives the information on the investigations conducted by the scientific staffs of the institute during this period. The total budget of the NIRS for fiscal year 1983 was about 5.835 billion yen, 15 million yen less than that for the previous year. Some new and important projects as well as the existing commitments were carried out by the prudent allocation of the budget. Four long term research projects were carried out, that is, research on the biological effect of tritium, medical application of particle accelerators, studies on the stochastic effect of irradiation and its risk estimation, and assessment of the exposure to environmental radiation of men, in addition to basic research. The second project was completed in fiscal year 1983, and the latter two projects began as five-year projects. The gists of 9 reports related to physics, 6 reports related to chemistry, 8 reports related to biochemistry and biophysics, 8 reports related to cell biology, 10 reports related to immunology and hematology, 10 reports related to physiology and pathology, 11 reports related to genetics, 10 reports related to clinical science, and 19 reports related to environmental science are collected. (Kako, I.)

FY 2000 report on the basic survey to promote Joint Implementation, etc. Feasibility study of the effective utilization of by-product high-sulfur concentration petroleum coke at Fujian Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Fujian Province, China; 2000 nendo kyodo jisshi nado suishin kiso chosa hokokusho. Chugoku sekiyu kako shudan koji fukusei ren'yu kako yugen koji Fujian koio nodo sekiyu cokes no yuko riyo ni kansuru F/S chosa

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

For the purpose of conserving energy and reducing greenhouse effect gas emission, an investigational study was conducted for the project on the effective utilization of high-sulfur petroleum coke at Fujian Petrochemical Co., Fujian Province, China. In the project, IGCC (integrated gasification combined cycle) power generation facilities are introduced to the refinery of Fujian Petrochemical Co. By gasifying the residues produced from the refinery as raw material, the gas clean the same as natural gas is produced and is used as power generation use fuel. As a result of the study, the energy conservation amount was 94,300 toe/y, and was 1,414,500 toe in cumulative amount during 15 years. Further, the amount of greenhouse effect gas reduction was 291,600 t-CO2/y, and was 4,374,000 t-CO2 in cumulative amount during 15 years. The construction cost of the project is approximately 29.7 billion yen. The annual profit to be obtained from the project is approximately 8.66 billion yen, which is indicated by difference between before and after the implementation of the project. The calculated years required for return of investment were 3.4. (NEDO)

Feasibility study on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at Thanlyin oil refinery by the modernization of existing facilities

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

The feasibility study was conducted on a project in Myanmar for the energy saving effect and reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions by introducing modern refining facilities in Thanlyin Refinery of Myanmar Petrochemical Enterprise. The project items selected as a result of the study are improvement in the heat recovery efficiency of crude distillation unit, improvement in the furnace efficiency of crude distillation unit and coker plant, improvement in the efficiency of power plant, reduction of steam loss, modernization of the cooling water system, recovery and reuse of off-gas and LPG in crude distillation unit, and modernization of intermediate products run-down system. The conceptual designs and studies on these items indicate that implementation of these projects could lead to energy saving of 25,844 tons/y as crude and CO2 emission abatement of 57,457 tons/y, 46% and 33% reduction from the baseline. The total expenses for all of these items are estimated at 4,300 million yen. These are judged to be promising projects, with estimated investment recovery period of 9 years and internal profit rate of 12.9%, when the special yen loans are available. (NEDO)

Present status and issues regarding X-ray medical checkup vehicles in preventive medicine. Usefulness of mass screening for lung cancer by an X-ray medical checkup vehicle

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Takahashi, Yasuyuki; Yamada, Takaki; Doi, Masaya; Tamanoi, Toshio; Murase, Ken-ya; Mochizuki, Teruhito

2005-01-01

Although the prevention of habituation-related diseases has become an important topic in Japan, the early detection of cancers such as lung, gastric, and breast cancers is an important issue for x-ray-related imaging modalities. High cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness are necessary to perform mass screenings such as those for lung cancer. In order to assess cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness, a total of 100 institutions nationwide were investigated, with a 41% of recovery rate. There were at least one or two institutions in each prefecture. Cost-benefit analysis was based on factors including the price of the medical check-up vehicle, its service life, and income from the examinations. The mean price of medical check-up vehicles used for chest X-ray examinations was 4,445,000 yen. Cost-effectiveness analysis was based on the expense incurred to discover one lung cancer. According to our research, the cost-effectiveness involved in detecting one lung cancer by conventional chest X-ray examination was about 2,270,167 yen/person. Since this amount seems unduly high, it is necessary to improve cost-effectiveness. (author)

Report on feasibility study for introduction of biomass energy in Town of Kuzumaki. Town of milk, wine and clean energy, located at N.L. 40 degrees; Kuzumakicho biomass energy donyu kanosei chosa hokokusho. Hokui 40 do, milk to wine to clean energy no machi

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-02-01

The feasibility study is conducted specifically for construction of a biomass plant in drawing the new energy visions for Town of Kuzumaki, Iwate Pref. The town is raising domestic animals, approximately 10,700 dairy cattle, 900 beef cattle, 2,800 hogs, and 18,000 chickens, actively producing the products, including approximately 40,000 tons/y of milk. On the other hand, these animals are discharging the excreta totaling around 500 tons/d, and adequate disposal and most effective utilization of the excreta as the resources provide the challenges to overcome. The project for constructing a demonstration model investigates treatment of the excreta discharged from 200 dairy cattle by an anaerobic fermentation plant, which uses the excreta and other organic wastes as the stock materials, and utilization of the biogas energy produced by the plant. The project is also considering to demonstrate the cycles of utilization of the digested sludge discharged from the fermentation process as the organic liquid compost. The economic evaluation results indicate that the plant gains a total income of 8.715 million/yen at a total expense of 8.575 million yen/y. (NEDO)

Proposal for the award of a contract for the supply of polyimide film for cable and ground insulation of the LHC superconducting magnets

CERN Document Server

1999-01-01

This document concerns the award of a contract for the supply of up to 79 tonnes of polyimide film, of three different types, for cable and ground insulation of the LHC superconducting magnets. A call for tenders (IT-2679/LHC/LHC) was sent on 21 September 1999 to two firms in Japan and one firm in the USA. By the closing date, CERN had received three tenders. The Finance Committee is invited to agree to the negotiation of a contract with the firm KANEKA (JP), the lowest bidder, for the supply of 79 tonnes of polyimide film of three different types for an amount of 5 425 541 USD (8 123 284 Swiss francs) for the polyimide film produced in the USA, not subject to revision, and 725 726 546 Japanese yen (10 109 020 Swiss francs) for the polyimide film produced in Japan, not subject to revision, with an option for the supply of up to 20% additional polyimide film of each type, for an amount of 1 085 108 USD (1 624 657 Swiss francs) and 145 145 309 Japanese yen (2 021 804 Swiss francs) respectively, not subject to r...

Use of real options in nuclear power plant valuation in the presence of uncertainty with CO2 emission credit

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kiriyama, Eriko; Suzuki, Atsuyuki

2004-01-01

The purpose of this study is to analyze the value of an investment in power generation assets that do not emit CO 2 , by using a real option model. This study evaluates the effects of future uncertainty on investment decision-making, by focusing on the uncertainty of CO 2 emission credits [yen/t-CO 2 ] in the fairly near future in Japan. Electric utilities are required to keep plans to prepare for various future uncertainties such as the price of CO 2 emission credits. The real option approach can evaluate the option value of decision-making under uncertainty. This study examined the option value of a power plant [yen/KW] to evaluate the effects of an externality under uncertainty. The results showed that nuclear power would have the most value under the forthcoming CO 2 emission limitations. In order to secure the effectiveness of measures against global warming, we should reconsider the roles of nuclear power plants in Japan. Finally, the real option model is shown to be an effective candidate for a decision-making support tool to deal with problems in energy environmental policy. (author)

Feasibility study on energy conservation and modernization of Darkhan Cement Company

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

For Darkhan Cement Co. in Mongolia, an investigational survey was made of possibilities of conserving energy and reducing greenhouse effect gas emission. The Darkhan Cement plant, the two production lines of which are of a wet long kiln system, has a production capacity of approximately 0.2 million t/y. In the project, one of the two kilns is to be converted to dry NSP kiln, and the following were to be adopted: covered-in storage space for raw materials, reclaimer, blending silo, automatic control system by computer, vertical mill, new air beam type grate cooler, etc. As a result of the study, after carrying out this technology improvement, the amount of energy conservation is 30,973 toe/y, and the amount of greenhouse effect gas reduction is 95,836 t-CO2/y. The total fund required for the project is approximately 3.082 billion yen, and the period of fund payback is 11 years after the start of the project. However, the necessary condition for realizing the project is the application of the preferential system such as the environment special yen credit, etc. (NEDO)

Marketing and vending machine; Marketing to jido hanbaiki

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Onzo, N. [Waseda University, Tokyo (Japan)

1999-08-10

Vending machines in Japan have made original progress and have developed into big business. Annual sales by vending machines are 6 trillion 700 billion yen, which exceeds 6 trillion 100 billion yen sales by convenience stores. Research on vending machines may have advanced on the technical side but almost none on the marketing. In a vending machine that made an appearance in 1980 with the feature of a lottery, the winning probability was approximately one in fifty. In addition to a simple vending function, these machines have a promotion function. Some other machines have an electrical display of a commercial for products inside the machine for the purpose of attracting attention of passersby. This is an advertising function of the machines. In other words, one vending machine is capable of various marketing functions. This precisely means the subjects are numerous in the marketing research on vending machines. In contrast to the present century in which technical innovations have been made for vending machines, the coming 21st century may turn out to be the one in which marketing innovations are the mainstream for them. (NEDO)

Annual report of National Institute of Radiological Sciences of the fiscal year 1978

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1979-01-01

In FY 1978, the budget of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences was more than 3,368 million yen, and increased by 456 million yen as compared with the previous year. The laboratory for late occurring injuries commenced to function fully, and it is expected to produce useful results in the investigation concerning the estimation of danger of the late occurring injuries due to radiation. The investigation concerning the environmental radiation exposure due to nuclear facilities was newly started in 1978. The investigation concerning the medical utilization of cyclotrons progressed successively to the previous year, and the number of patients subjected to fast neutron treatment reached 432 as of the end of FY 1978. The production and utilization of short life radioisotopes were carried out smoothly, and the development of positron emission GT has been under way. Many papers were published in Japan and foreign countries by the researchers, and many persons took parts in various international meetings. In this report, the activities of various research divisions and the works concerning technical aid, training, therapy, the management of Nakaminato branch office, publication and general affairs are described. Also, the appendices showing the records of activities are attached. (Kako, I.)

Annual report of National Institute of Radiological Sciences of the fiscal year 1979

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1980-01-01

The activities of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences were carried out on the basis of the budget of about 3,835 million yen and 419 regular staffs. In order to promote the investigation concerning the evaluation of injuries due to internal exposure, the construction of a new laboratory was approved as four-year plan beginning in this year. The total budget is 5,916 million yen. The primates laboratory became usable for the investigation concerning the estimation of danger of the heredity injuries due to radiation. The investigation concerning the environmental radiation exposure due to nuclear facilities started in the last year progressed smoothly. The investigation concerning the medical utilization of cyclotrons was completed in the last year, and the investigation concerning the medical utilization of particle accelerators was started in this year. The number of patients subjected to fast neutron treatment reached 550 as of the end of FY 1979. Also head positron CT was completed. In this report, the activities of various research divisions and the works concerning technical aid, training, therapy, the management of Nakaminato branch office, publication and general affairs are described. Also, the appendices showing the records of activities are attached. (Kako, I.)

Feasibility study on the utilization of high sulfur pet. coke as a by-product at SINOPEC Fujian Petrochemical Company Limited

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

For the purpose of conserving energy and reducing greenhouse effect gas emission, an investigational study was conducted for the project on the effective utilization of high-sulfur petroleum coke at Fujian Petrochemical Co., Fujian Province, China. In the project, IGCC (integrated gasification combined cycle) power generation facilities are introduced to the refinery of Fujian Petrochemical Co. By gasifying the residues produced from the refinery as raw material, the gas clean the same as natural gas is produced and is used as power generation use fuel. As a result of the study, the energy conservation amount was 94,300 toe/y, and was 1,414,500 toe in cumulative amount during 15 years. Further, the amount of greenhouse effect gas reduction was 291,600 t-CO2/y, and was 4,374,000 t-CO2 in cumulative amount during 15 years. The construction cost of the project is approximately 29.7 billion yen. The annual profit to be obtained from the project is approximately 8.66 billion yen, which is indicated by difference between before and after the implementation of the project. The calculated years required for return of investment were 3.4. (NEDO)

Beardsley on literature, fiction, and nonfiction

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Szu-Yen Lin

2016-03-01

Full Text Available This paper attempts to revive interest in the speech act theory of literature by looking into Monroe C. Beardsley's account in particular. Beardsley's view in this respect has received, surprisingly, less attention than deserved. I first offer a reconstruction of Beardsley's account and then use it to correct some notable misconceptions. Next, I show that the reformulation reveals a hitherto unnoticed discrepancy in Beardsley's position and that this can be explained away by a weak version of intentionalism that Beardsley himself actually tolerates. Finally, I assess the real difficulty of Beardsley's theory and its relevance today.Szu-Yen Lin is a doctoral candidate in philosophy at the University of Auckland. He received his MA in philosophy from National Chung Cheng University in Taiwan. His research areas include aesthetics and philosophy of the arts, in particular the philosophy of literature. He is currently working on the problem of literary interpretation. Apart from being a philosophy researcher, Szu-Yen is also a mystery writer, having published 8 novels and 28 short stories in Chinese, one of which also appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.

Research and development of system to utilize photovoltaic energy. Study on the scenario for the diffusion of photovoltaic power generating systems; Taiyoko hatsuden riyo sytem no kenkyu kaihatsu. Taiyoko hatsuden donyu fukyu scenario sakusei no tame no chosa

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tatsuta, M [New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Tokyo (Japan)

1994-12-01

This paper reports the result obtained during fiscal 1994 on a survey to prepare scenario for the diffusion of photovoltaic power generating systems. Introduction target planned with help of a diffusion simulation was verified by calculations using simulation models. The calculations made the following points clear: facility costs and power generation costs for photovoltaic power generation systems, amount of introduced photovoltaic power generation systems, number of facilities introducing photovoltaic power generation systems, policy cost to achieve the target, annual power generation amount, oil substituting effect, carbon dioxide reducing effect, and market sizes. Power generation cost in fiscal 2000 would drop down to 53 yen per kWh in new installation in independent houses and down to 31 yen per kWh in systems used in schools. These reductions are the result of progress in mass production as a result of positively implementing the aiding policies. The required diffusion aiding policies revealed from the simulation results include expansion of subsidy operations for house construction, introduction of the systems into public facilities performed by public organizations, aid to system introduction into private business entities, subsidy to facility investments, and enforcement of power purchase institutions. 3 figs.

FY 2000 Fundamental study for promotion of jointed implementations. Feasibility study on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by modernizing Thanlyin Refinery in Myanmar; 2000 nendo Myanmar koku Thanlyin seiyusho kindaika ni yoru onshitsu koka gas haishutsu sakugen kanosei chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

The feasibility study was conducted on a project in Myanmar for the energy saving effect and reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions by introducing modern refining facilities in Thanlyin Refinery of Myanmar Petrochemical Enterprise. The project items selected as a result of the study are improvement in the heat recovery efficiency of crude distillation unit, improvement in the furnace efficiency of crude distillation unit and coker plant, improvement in the efficiency of power plant, reduction of steam loss, modernization of the cooling water system, recovery and reuse of off-gas and LPG in crude distillation unit, and modernization of intermediate products run-down system. The conceptual designs and studies on these items indicate that implementation of these projects could lead to energy saving of 25,844 tons/y as crude and CO2 emission abatement of 57,457 tons/y, 46% and 33% reduction from the baseline. The total expenses for all of these items are estimated at 4,300 million yen. These are judged to be promising projects, with estimated investment recovery period of 9 years and internal profit rate of 12.9%, when the special yen loans are available. (NEDO)

Cost-benefit analysis of shieldings for pipes inspections at JPDR

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Furuta, Toshishiro; Matsuno, Kenji; Katoh, Shoohei; Anazawa, Yutaka

1979-01-01

During the test operations of JPDR-II(BWR), cracks were detected at primary pipe nozzle, and the inspections were made over about 2.5 years. In this report, the procedures such as shielding and removal of fuels which were taken to reduce radiation exposure during the inspections are summarized and the cost-benefit analysis of the shieldings were attempted to determine whether the optimum shieldings were made or not. The radiation doses was measured to be about 62 man.rem for 420 workers and the maximum individual dose was 1.3 rem. The average cost to reduce exposures at various working areas was calculated approximately 1.4 x 10 5 yen/man-rem. Especially, the provisional shielding at under core area reduced 61 man-rem and its reduction cost was 8.9 x 10 6 yen. Assuming that the economic and social detriment cost is 1,000 dollar/man-rem, it seems that the optimum shielding were taken, although the optimum conditions shifted depending on the economic and social detriment cost which cannot be simply determined. It was found that the optimum conditions depended on the order of combination of the provisional shields. (author)

Report of the working group for nuclear damage compensation system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1989-01-01

The Working Group for Nuclear Damage Compensation System was established within the Atomic Energy Commision of Japan on August 2, 1988. The Group has held five meetings to make a study on the revision of the reserve for nuclear damage compensation. The nuclear damage compensation system in Japan has been established under the Law Concerning Compensation for Nuclear Damages and the Law Concerning Contract for Compensation for Nuclear Damages. The former law requires the nuclear power plant operators to set up a reserve for damage compensation to ensure positive and quick payment of compensation in the event of an accident. The reserve is currently rely on liability insurance and a government compensation contract. The Working Group has concluded that the total reserve should be increased from the current yen10 bill. to yen30 bill. The amount of the reserve specified in the enforcement law for the Law Concerning Compensation for Nuclear Damages should also be increased accordingly. The Law Concerning compensation for Nuclear damage will also be applied to damage which occurs overseas as a result of an accident in Japan. (N.K.)

Impact on medical economics of [18F]FDG-PET application in health insurance of diagnosis of tumors unapproved in the present insurance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Honda, Norinari; Ito, Kengo; Torizuka, Kanji

2008-01-01

Medical costs were estimated for the assumed case of approval of [ 18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and/or PET-CT diagnoses (D) of all tumors which are now unapproved in the national health insurance system. The number of D was predicted to be 275,785 examinations in 2008, based on results of 3 questionnaires to PET facilities in 2004-2006. The average D examination fee was found to be 78,350 Japanese yen when calculated from the proportion of examinations with the fee of 20% reduction and ratio of PET/PET-CT examinations. Frequency of surgical operation was assumed to be reduced by 27% because of precised D for the stage decision of malignant neoplasm. These assumptions resulted in the impact of 3,164,258,753 Japanese yen decrease by D approval in the insurance. Integration of precise D image reading by experts, patients' anamnesis, physical and biochemical findings, and other imaging diagnosis enables the decision of the stage of malignancy more accurate; based on which establishment of rational therapeutic planning is possible; which is important both for saving the cost of medicare and for improving its quality. (R.T.)

Applicability Of Resources Optimization Model For Mitigating

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Dr A.B.Ahmed

previous work. The entire model can be summarized as algorithm below. F u ll L en g th. Research. Article. 1 .... performance metric used is the total sum of utilities of all the peers in the system at .... Hua, J. S., Huang, D. C. Yen, S. M. and Chena, C. W. (2012) “A dynamic ... Workshop on Quality of Service: 174-192. Yahaya ...

Internet Journal of Medical Update - EJOURNAL - Vol 3, No 2 (2008)

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Lateralization pattern in patients with Schizophrenia and Depression. B Bhushan, A Prakash, R Gupta. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijmu.v3i2.39836 · Gender Determination using Fingertip Features. J-F Wang, C-L Lin, Y-H Chang, ML Nagurka, C-W Yen, C Yeh. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijmu.v3i2.39838 · Effects of smoking on ...

Friction Stir Weld Failure Mechanisms in Aluminum-Armor Structures Under Ballistic Impact Loading Conditions

Science.gov (United States)

2013-01-01

REPORT Friction Stir Weld Failure Mechanisms in Aluminum-Armor Structures Under Ballistic Impact Loading Conditions 14. ABSTRACT 16. SECURITY...properties and of the attendant ballistic-impact failure mechanisms in prototypical friction stir welding (FSW) joints found in armor structures made of high...mechanisms, friction stir welding M. Grujicic, B. Pandurangan, A. Arakere, C-F. Yen, B. A. Cheeseman Clemson University Office of Sponsored Programs 300

Control of aedes vectors of dengue in three provinces of Vietnam by use of Mesocyclops (Copepoda) and community-based methods validated by entomologic, clinical, and serological surveillance.

Science.gov (United States)

Kay, Brian H; Nam, Vu Sinh; Tien, Tran Van; Yen, Nguyen Thi; Phong, Tran Vu; Diep, Vu Thi Bich; Ninh, Truong Uyen; Bektas, Ahmet; Aaskov, John G

2002-01-01

We describe remarkable success in controlling dengue vectors, Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse), in 6 communes with 11,675 households and 49,647 people in the northern provinces of Haiphong, Hung Yen, and Nam Dinh in Vietnam. The communes were selected for high-frequency use of large outdoor concrete tanks and wells. These were found to be the source of 49.6-98.4% of Ae. aegypti larvae, which were amenable to treatment with local Mesocyclops, mainly M. woutersi Van der Velde, M. aspericornis (Daday) and M. thermocyclopoides Harada. Knowledge, attitude, and practice surveys were performed to determine whether the communities viewed dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever as a serious health threat; to determine their knowledge of the etiology, attitudes, and practices regarding control methods including Mesocyclops; and to determine their receptivity to various information methods. On the basis of the knowledge, attitude, and practice data, the community-based dengue control program comprised a system of local leaders, health volunteer teachers, and schoolchildren, supported by health professionals. Recycling of discards for economic gain was enhanced, where appropriate, and this, plus 37 clean-up campaigns, removed small containers unsuitable for Mesocyclops treatment. A previously successful eradication at Phan Boi village (Hung Yen province) was extended to 7 other villages forming Di Su commune (1,750 households) in the current study. Complete control was also achieved in Nghia Hiep (Hung Yen province) and in Xuan Phong (Nam Dinh province); control efficacy was > or = 99.7% in the other 3 communes (Lac Vien in Haiphong, Nghia Dong, and Xuan Kien in Nam Dinh). Although tanks and wells were the key container types of Ae. aegypti productivity, discarded materials were the source of 51% of the standing crop of Ae. albopictus. Aedes albopictus larvae were eliminated from the 3 Nam Dinh communes, and 86-98% control was achieved in the other 3 communes

Annual direct cost of dry eye in Japan

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mizuno Y

2012-05-01

Full Text Available Yoshinobu Mizuno, Masakazu Yamada, Chika ShigeyasuDivision for Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, JapanOn behalf of The Dry Eye Survey Group, National Hospital Organization of JapanBackground: This study was performed to estimate the annual direct cost incurred by dry eye patients, which includes expenses for treatment and drugs, as well as the cost of punctal plugs.Methods: The study group consisted of 118 dry eye patients aged 20 years or older who visited any of the 15 medical care facilities that participated in this prospective cohort dry eye study. We estimated annual direct costs from outpatient medical records and survey questionnaires obtained from patients. Results: Of the total patients enrolled, 10 were men and 108 women, and their average age was 64.1 ± 11.2 years. The number of hospital visits made by patients was 5.8 ± 3.6 per year. Among those who used ophthalmic solutions, the numbers of bottles used per year were as follows: 32.1 ± 20.8 bottles of hyaluronic acid ophthalmic solution (87 patients, 53.1 ± 42.2 bottles of artificial tears (40 patients, and 33.2 ± 23.2 bottles of over-the-counter eyedrops (15 patients. In patients with punctal plugs, 4.1 ± 3.9 plugs were used annually. The annual drug cost was 32,000 ± 21,675 Japanese yen (323 ± 219 US dollars. The clinical cost was 16,318 ± 9961 Japanese yen (165 ± 101 US dollars. The total direct costs including punctal plug treatment amounted to 52,467 ± 38,052 Japanese yen (530 ± 384 US dollars. Conclusion: Although treatment modalities for dry eye in Japan were different from those in the US and in European countries, the direct cost of dry eye patients in Japan was comparable with that reported in those countries. Considering the high prevalence of dry eye, the direct cost of this chronic condition may be significant.Keywords: burden of disease, cost, dry eye, eyedrops, quality of life

Study on commercial HTGR hydrogen production system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nishihara, Tetsuo

2000-07-01

The Japanese energy demand in 2030 will increase up to 117% in comparison with one in 2000. We have to avoid a large consumption of fossil fuel that induces a large CO 2 emission from viewpoint of global warming. Furthermore new energy resources expected to resolve global warming have difficulty to be introduced more because of their low energy density. As a result, nuclear power still has a possibility of large introduction to meet the increasing energy demand. On the other hand, in Japan, 40% of fossil fuels in the primary energy are utilized for power generation, and the remaining are utilized as a heat source. New clean energy is required to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and hydrogen is expected as a alternative energy resource. Prediction of potential hydrogen demand in Japan is carried out and it is clarified that the demand will potentially increase up to 4% of total primary energy in 2050. In present, steam reforming method is the most economical among hydrogen generation processes and the cost of hydrogen production is about 7 to 8 yen/m 3 in Europe and the United States and about 13 yen/m 3 in Japan. JAERI has proposed for using the HTGR whose maximum core outlet temperature is at 950degC as a heat source in the steam reforming to reduced the consumption of fossil fuels and resulting CO 2 emission. Based on the survey of the production rate and the required thermal energy in conventional industry, it is clarified that a hydrogen production system by the steam reforming is the best process for the commercial HTGR nuclear heat utilization. The HTGR steam reforming system and other candidate nuclear heat utilization systems are considered from viewpoint of system layout and economy. From the results, the hydrogen production cost in the HTGR stream reforming system is expected to be about 13.5 yen/m 3 if the cost of nuclear heat of the HTGR is the same as one of the LWR. (author)

Simplified Procedures for Obtaining Clearances of Foods Preserved by Ionizing Energy; Procedures Simplifiees pour Obtenir l'Autorisation de Produire des Denrees Alimentaires Conservees par les Rayonnements Ionisants; Uproshennaya protsedura polucheniya razreshenij na prodazhu obluchennk pishchevykh produktov; Simplificacion de los Procedimientos para la Obtencion de Autorizaciones de Venta de Alimentos Conservados Mediante Radiaciones Ionizantes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Josephson, E. S. [United States Army Natick Laboratories, Natick, MA (United States)

1966-11-15

comestibilidad plenamente satisfactorias. En los Estados Unidos, antes de pasar a la produccion en escala comercial para lanzar el producto al mercado, es preciso obtener la aprobacion de la United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) y en lo que se refiere a las carnesde mamiferos ydeaves, del United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Estos organismos han dado su aprobacion para productos como el tocino, el trigo y sus derivados, y las patatas blancas, despues de recibir y examinar peticiones acompanadas de toda la informacion pertinente: procedimiento que se aplicara, descripcion del conjunto alimento-envase objeto de la peticion, fuente radiactiva que se va a emplear, orden de magnitud de la dosis, metodos de dosimetria, datos sobre comestibilidad y valor nutritivo, pruebas positivas de seguridad microbiologica, ausencia de radiactividad inducida detectable, datos de aceptacion obtenidos por grupos de catadores y, cuando proceda, datos referentes al almacenamiento y transporte. La reunion de todos los datos necesarios para que se apruebe la peticion exige mucho tiempo y resulta costosa. Para remediar esta situacion se esta revisando todo el proceso de acopio de datos y de presentacion de peticiones a fin de hacerlo mas expedito. En la memoria formulan sugerencias sobre los medios mas apropiados para lograr este fin. (author) [Russian] Posle trinadcati let intensivnyh issledovanij s primeneniem bol'shih doz ionizirujushhej jenergii v nastojashhee vremja v laboratorii mozhno poluchit' sledu shhie produkty vysokogo kachestva, ne portjashhiesja pri dlitel'nyh srokah hranenija: bekon, vetchinu, svininu, kury i krevetki. Ispol'zuja dozy men'she 1 Mrad, mozhno znachitel'no uvelichit' sroki hranenija takih produktov, kak ryba, pshenica, muchnye produkty, apel'siny i belyj kartofel',bez ushherba dlja ih kachestva i prigodnosti upotreblenija v pishhu. Dlja togo, chtoby nachat' proizvodstvo takih obluchennyh produktov v SShA v shirokih kommerchesk: masshtabah potrebujutsja

Submicron Structures and Various Technology

Science.gov (United States)

1990-06-01

Submitted by Professor Jonathan Allen Professor Daniel Kleppner !1! Research Laboratory of Electronics Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA...Alberto Moel, Joyce E. Palmer, Samuel L. Park, Hui Meng Quek , John H.F. Scott-Thomas, Ghavam Shahidi, Siang-Chun The, Anthony Yen Undergraduate...substrates; and Kathleen Early, Reza A. Ghanbari, Yao-Ching Ku, periodic structures for x-ray optics, spectros- Alberto Moel, Hui Meng Quek , Dr. Mark L

Risky business : outlook for financing petrochemical projects in Asia

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Miyachi, M.

1998-01-01

The impact of the Asian economic crisis on the petrochemical industry was discussed. From 1985 to 1995 East Asian currencies that were pegged to the US dollar experienced a 40 per cent depreciation against other major currencies, such as the Japanese yen. This resulted in strong exports which stimulated rapid economic growth rates. However, during 1995-1997, the US dollar rebounded, appreciating by 20 per cent. For countries such as Indonesia, Thailand and Korea, the sharp appreciation of their US dollar-linked currencies effectively reversed their export advantage vis-a-vis China and Japan, and led to massive devaluation of their currencies. Tightening of the Japanese fiscal policy by increasing taxes produced disastrous results, leading to a drastic reduction in consumer demand. The solution, it was suggested, lies in loosening Japanese fiscal policy and stabilizing the Yen-Dollar rate. Another solution suggested was decisive action to strengthen the Japanese banking system. Despite the current difficulties, it was concluded that the future outlook for the Asian petrochemical market is bright and that steady economic growth can be expected in the long term. It was suggested that the main factor that will determine how quickly East Asian economies recover will be how quickly the Japanese economy emerges from recession. 6 figs

Fiscal 1997 research report on the data collection, evaluation and analysis in the PV power generation field test project for public facilities; 1997 nendo kokyo shisetsu nado yo taiyoko hatsuden field test jigyo ni okeru shushu data hyoka kaiseki

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1998-03-01

As a part of the field test project for diffusing PV power generation into public facilities generally, evaluation and analysis were made on the collected data from 105 sites installed during fiscal 1993-1996. Analysis of operation characteristics was made by using parameters obtained by developing a basic equation for every component. 94% of all the sites fell under the total solar irradiation of 3.0- 4.5kWh/m{sup 2}/D. 83% of those fell under the equivalent array operation time of 2.5-4.0h/D. 70% of those fell under the equivalent system operation time of 2.5-3.5h/D. 72% of those fell under the system operation time of 9.0-12.0h/D. 78% of those fell under the effective inverter efficiency of 0.84- 0.96. 68% of those fell under the inverter load factor of 0.25-0.35. 85% of those fell under the array performance ratio of 0.7-1.0. 83% of those fell under the system performance ratio of 0.6-0.9. The generation cost decreased from 270yen/kWh in 1993 to 100yen/kWh in 1996 because reduction of an installation cost largely contributed to reduction of the total cost. (NEDO)

Feasibility study on an energy conservation project at Tabriz Refinery in Iran

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

With an objective of saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emission, a feasibility study has been executed to discuss applicable measures on oil refining facilities in Tabriz Oil Refinery in Islamic Republic of Iran. The discussion objects are the ten devices related to atmospheric and reduced pressure distillation, visbreaker, naphtha hydrogenating desulfurization, naphtha contact reforming, reduced pressure hydro-cracking of light oil, hydrogen manufacturing, amine rinsing, asphalt manufacturing, and boilers. Major improvement items include: modification of the excessive air ratio control facility, installation of a superheating furnace waste gas recovering device, additional installation of heat exchangers in the raw material oil preheating system, and increased heat recovery by improving distribution of distillation column reflux. As a result of the feasibility study, the investment recovery performance was anticipated to be contained within about five years, with consideration on procurement of some of the devices in Iran. The approximate investment amount would be 2 billion yen, the annual fuel saving amount would be about 660 million yen, and the energy saving ratio would be 13.5%. The carbon dioxide emission quantity would be reduced annually by about 155.8 tons, as contrasted to the annual emission of 1,158,000 tons from the existing facilities. (NEDO)

Report on investigations in fiscal 2000 on the global warming prevention related investigations in cooperative fundamental project of investigating improvement in international energy consumption efficiency. Analysis and comparison centering on cost effectiveness in relation with greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction in Japan; 2000 nendo kokusai energy shohi koritsuka chosanado kyoryoku kiso jigyo chikyu ondanka boshi kanren chosa hokokusho. Kokunai deno GHG sakyugen ni kansuru hiyo tai koka wo chushin to shita bunseki hikaku

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

The present investigative research is intended to grasp the whole image of cost effectiveness of the energy saving and new energy technologies to suppress and reduce CO2 emission in Japan. Furthermore, the research considers the cost effectiveness and discusses the efficiency and the directionality of reducing CO2 emission from an estimation of the social introduction cost of individual technologies and quantity of CO2 emission reduction. These activities are intended to provide the fundamental items of information when discussing the measures to achieve the emission reduction target imposed on Japan. The research divides the whole aspect into energy conversion, industrial, consumer and transportation departments for discussion, and calculates the technological items that can be introduced by 2010 and the quantity of the introduction thereof, as well as the effect of reducing CO2 emission. Calculations are also performed on 27 elementary technologies in total and the CO2 emission reducing effect, assuming technological possibilities. Subsequently, analyses are carried out from the viewpoint of cost effectiveness by departments. It is shown that the average cost effectiveness is distributed in the range from 108,000 yen/ton to 1,129,000 yen/ton. Scenarios of reducing CO2 emission are discussed from the analyses of the cost effectiveness. (NEDO)

Feasibility study on rehabilitation and improvement of thermal power plants, district heating and heat supply system in Botosani City

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

Discussions have been given on the improvement and modification project intended of saving energies and reducing greenhouse gas emission in the Botosani district heating and heat supplying facilities in Romania. Thirty years have elapsed since the building of the Botosani district heating and heat supplying facilities, whereas noticeable energy loss has occurred due to aged deterioration, such as thermal efficiency decrease, performance decrease, and hot water leakage due to piping corrosion. The present project is intended to improve the heat production and power generation facility efficiencies, and reduce the heat loss in heat transportation and distribution to less than 5%. The improvements will be implemented by replacing and rehabilitating the existing boilers, replacing the turbine generators, and replacing the transportation and distribution pipelines and heat exchangers. As a result of the discussions, the present project is estimated to result in annual fuel conservation of 35,820 tons of crude oil equivalent, and annual reduction of the greenhouse gas emission of 110,835 t-CO2. The total amount of the initial investment for the project would be 11.369 billion yen, and the payback period would be 12 years. The project will produce profit of 31.358 billion yen in 20 years, thus the project is financially feasible. (NEDO)

Fiscal 2000 report on the Phase II R and D of the international hydrogen utilization clean energy network system technology (WE-NET). Task 8. Development of hydrogen production technology; 2000 nendo suiso riyo kokusai clean energy system gijutsu (WE-NET) dai 2 ki kenkyu kaihatsu seika hokokusho. 8. Suiso seizo gijutsu no kaihatsu

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

Research and development was carried out to establish a hydrogen production technology in the electrolysis of water using the solid macromolecular electrolyte method expected to be more efficient and less costly than the conventional hydrogen production methods. In the development of large area electrolysis cell lamination, a lamination comprising ten 2,500cm{sup 2} cells was fabricated, and a value exceeding the target energy efficiency of 90% was achieved. In the fabrication of stacks for hydrogen service stations, a lamination of ten cell stacks of 1,000cm{sup 2} was built, which achieved energy efficiency of not less than 90% at the an electrolysis temperature of 100 degrees C. A hydrogen production plant conceptual design was prepared under the conditions of hydrogen generation amount: 10,000Nm{sup 3}/h, electrode area: 10,000cm{sup 2}/cell, current density: 2.5A/cm{sup 2}, operating temperature: 120 degrees C, cell voltage: 1.705V, total number of cells: 976, stack constitution: 122/stack, and the number of stacks: 8. The result of studies placed the plant construction cost at 2.18-billion yen including building and civil engineering costs, and the hydrogen production unit cost at 28.4 yen/Nm{sup 3}. (NEDO)

The law for radiation and x-ray technicians engaging in medical treatment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1977-01-01

The Law aims to define the qulifications of radiation and x-ray technicians engaging in medical treatment and to regulate so that the works are carried out properly for helping popularization and improvement of medicine and public hygiene. Persons who wish to be radiation or x-ray technicians engaging in medical treatment are required to pass the examinations for such technicians and obtain the licenes of the Minister of Health and Welfare for the former technicians and the license of a prefectural governor for the latter technicians. Mentally disordered, deaf, dumb or blind persons are excluded from licensees. Registration of such technicians, delivery of the license certificates and other related matters are provided for. The examinations are held concerning the knowledges and skills necessary for such technicians and carried out by the Minister of Health and Welfare. Persons except doctors, dentists and such technicians are prohibited to engage in the practices to apply radiation to human bodies. Restrictions on the intensity of radiation applied and the places of work are defined concerning such practices. Penal servitude of less than a year and fines less than yen 10,000 or yen 5,000 are imposed upon the violation of such prohibitions or restrictions. (Okada, K.)

Spatial prediction of landslides using a hybrid machine learning approach based on Random Subspace and Classification and Regression Trees

Science.gov (United States)

Pham, Binh Thai; Prakash, Indra; Tien Bui, Dieu

2018-02-01

A hybrid machine learning approach of Random Subspace (RSS) and Classification And Regression Trees (CART) is proposed to develop a model named RSSCART for spatial prediction of landslides. This model is a combination of the RSS method which is known as an efficient ensemble technique and the CART which is a state of the art classifier. The Luc Yen district of Yen Bai province, a prominent landslide prone area of Viet Nam, was selected for the model development. Performance of the RSSCART model was evaluated through the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, statistical analysis methods, and the Chi Square test. Results were compared with other benchmark landslide models namely Support Vector Machines (SVM), single CART, Naïve Bayes Trees (NBT), and Logistic Regression (LR). In the development of model, ten important landslide affecting factors related with geomorphology, geology and geo-environment were considered namely slope angles, elevation, slope aspect, curvature, lithology, distance to faults, distance to rivers, distance to roads, and rainfall. Performance of the RSSCART model (AUC = 0.841) is the best compared with other popular landslide models namely SVM (0.835), single CART (0.822), NBT (0.821), and LR (0.723). These results indicate that performance of the RSSCART is a promising method for spatial landslide prediction.

Acute parietal lobe infarction presenting as Gerstmann’s syndrome and cognitive decline mimicking senile dementia

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chen TY

2013-07-01

Full Text Available Tien-Yu Chen,1 Chun-Yen Chen,1,3 Che-Hung Yen,2,3 Shin-Chang Kuo,1,3 Yi-Wei Yeh,1,3 Serena Chang,1 San-Yuan Huang1,31Department of Psychiatry, 2Department of Neurology, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, 3Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of ChinaAbstract: Gerstmann’s syndrome encompasses the tetrad of finger agnosia, agraphia, acalculia, and right-left confusion. An elderly man with a history of several cardiovascular diseases was initially brought to the psychiatric outpatient department by his family because of worsening of recent memory, executive function, and mixed anxious-depressive mood. Gerstmann’s syndrome without obvious motor function impairment and dementia-like features could be observed at first. Emergent brain computed tomography scan revealed new left-middle cerebral artery infarction over the left posterior parietal lobe. This case reminds us that acute cerebral infarction involving the parietal lobe may present as Gerstmann’s syndrome accompanied by cognitive decline mimicking dementia. As a result, emergent organic workups should be arranged, especially for elderly patients at high risk for cerebral vascular accident.Keywords: Gerstmann’s syndrome, dementia, parietal lobe infarction

Report on feasibility study of district energy-saving and waste heat utilization for City of Iwai; Iwai-shi chiiki sho energy hainetsu riyo kanosei chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

As part of the (district energy-saving visions for City of Iwai), the feasibility study is implemented for citizen community facilities which utilize waste heat discharged from factories in the city. More concretely, those items studied include a heated pool, other community facilities and botanical garden of tropical plants which utilize waste heat of exhaust gas cooling water heated to around 70 degrees C by a desulfurization unit at a pulp factory. Case 1 includes the citizen community facilities (e.g., heated pool and bath facilities), and Case 2 includes a green house botanical garden, involving studies on facility scales, requirements of heat and recycling water, hot water supply, air conditioning, bath systems, and heating systems for green houses. It is estimated that the citizen community facilities have an energy saving effect of 640kL/y as fuel oil, which corresponds to saving of around 29 million yen/y, and CO2 abatement effect of 471t/y as carbon, and that the green house botanical garden has an energy saving effect of 669kL/y as fuel oil, which corresponds to saving of around 30 million yen/y, and CO2 abatement effect of 492t/y as carbon. (NEDO)

Fiscal 1999 feasibility study on energy conservation at Novo-oil refinery in Ufa City

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-31

An energy conservation plan was examined for Novo oil refinery of Bashneftechim Company in Ufa City, Bashkortstan, Russia for the purpose of making the plan tied to the COP3 joint implementation. The objective units in the study include an atmospheric and vacuum distillation unit with throughput of 7.8 million tons/year, a visbreaker and a vacuum gas oil hydrodesulfurization unit (for feedstock of FCC in Lenin Refinery), and a catalytic cracking unit, for example. Energy conservation measures are improvement and revamping of heating furnace to control excess air ratio in furnace, installation of air pre-heater or heat recovery boiler to recover heat from exhaust gas of heating furnace, additional installation of heat exchangers to recover heat from product oils, and efficiency improvement of overall operation by modernization of instrumentation and controlling equipment. The policy is not complete rebuilding of the facilities but utilizing the existing facilities by improving energy efficiency as far as possible. The study shows that investment for energy saving will be recovered within 3-6 years in many cases while total investment is estimated to be 1.5-3.0 billion yen. Total reduction of fuel consumption will be 500-800 million yen. Yearly reduction of CO2 emission will amount to 0.29 million tons (23%). (NEDO)

Feasibility study on implementing energy conservation measures in an iron and steel plant in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

With an objective to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emission, a project has been discussed to introduce a gas turbine combined cycle power generation system for effective waste heat utilization and a pellet coating facility into the direct reduction steel making plant of Ahwaz Steel Complex in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The project will have a waste heat boiler installed at the outlet of the MIDREX plant waste heat recovery device to link it with a gas turbine combined cycle power plant to structure a 42-MW power generation system. In addition, productivity enhancement was attempted by applying the raw material pellets with coating to raise the reduction gas blow-in temperature. The energy saving effect expected from this project would be saving of 63,140 tons of crude oil equivalent annually, and the greenhouse effect gas reducing effect would reduce 173,790 t-CO2 annually. Although the investment will require about 3.16 billion yen, the cost reduction amount in association with power generation is small because of the power purchase unit cost being as very low as 1.9 yen/kWh, making the investment recovery period 10.2 years. Therefore, the project will not be realizable economically. (NEDO)

FY 1991 report on the results of the demonstration test on the methanol conversion at oil-fired power plant. Feasibility study of a new system for the stabilized supply of fuel use methanol; 1991 nendo sekiyu karyoku hatsudensho metanoru tenkan tou jissho shiken. Nenryo you metanoru kyokyu antei ka no tameno shin system no kanosei chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1992-03-01

As a part of the project on the demonstration test on the methanol conversion at oil-fired power plant, feasibility study was made of a new system for methanol production by using abundant hydraulic power energy overseas and by combining water electrolysis and coal gasification technology, and the FY 1991 results were summarized. As a result of the survey, the following were selected as water electrolysis facilities: high efficiency/high current density/simplification system and solid polyelectrolyte electrolysis system with a high purity of hydrogen gas. As the coal gasifier, the oxygen blown furnace was selected which has a high carbon utilization factor, is able to gasify coal at high pressure, has no unnecessary N{sub 2}, and is being used in the integrated coal gasification combined cycle power system. As methanol synthesis facilities, the MGC/MHI method super converter was selected. Assuming the output of hydroelectric power generation to be 4,000MW, conceptual design of the optimum system was made. The methanol cost was estimated under the conditions written below: cost of hydroelectric power generation at site: 2-5 yen/kWh, coal unit price at site: 5,000-6,000 yen/t, transportation distance: 5,000-10,000 km. (NEDO)

Research report for fiscal 1998. Evaluation and analysis of the collected data for the field tests on photovoltaic power generation systems for public facilities; 1998 nendo kokyo shisetsu nado yo taiyoko hatsuden field test jigyo ni okeru shushu data hyoka kaiseki kenkyu hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1997-03-01

The field tests on photovoltaic power generation systems for public facilities have begun in fiscal 1992 by NEDO. The systems including those under construction are installed in 116 sites. Analyses were given on 75 sites which have been operated up to fiscal 1996. Analyses of the operation characteristics were performed by using performance parameters derived by developing the basic expressions into each configuration element. For the insolation on slanted surface, the range from 3.0 to 4.5 kWh/m{sup 2}/D accounts for 65% of the total insolation. For the equivalent array operation time, the range from 2.5 to 4.0 h/D accounted for 81%. For the equivalent system operation time, the range from 9.0 to 12.0 h/D accounted for 85%. The range for inverter active efficiency from 0.84 to 0.96 accounted for 79%. The inverter load rate was accounted for 88% by 0.20 to 0.35. The output coefficient was accounted for 82% by 0.7 to 1.0 in the array, and 87% by 0.6 to 0.9 in the system. The power generation cost has decreased to 200 yen per kwh in fiscal 1995 from 340 yen per kwh in fiscal 1992, largely contributed by reduced installation cost. (NEDO)

A sign of change in industrial structure under stable growth: economic status of nuclear industry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1985-01-01

The real economical growth rate in fiscal year 1983 in Japan was 3.7 %, and the business trend showed the sign of restoration. The status of primary energy supply in Japan turned to 4.5 % increase as compared with the previous year. Petroleum increased by 3.5 %, coal by 1.6 %, and nuclear power by 11.1 %. As the result, the proportion of petroleum to total primary energy supply slightly decreased to 61 %. Electric power demand increased by 6.3 %, and the proportion of nuclear power to total generated power quantity increased to 20.4 %. As to the status of atomic energy industry in fiscal 1983, one nuclear power plant started the operation, and the construction of three nuclear power plants began. The investment for nuclear fuel cycle was enthusiastic, and the business progressed favorably. The total outlay related to atomic energy was 2.89 trillion yen, 14 % increase as compared with the previous year. The sales of mining and manufacturing industries was 1.367 trillion yen, 17 % increase. The number of workers related to atomic energy was 65,997, 2 % decrease. The mean capacity ratio of the production facilities for atomic energy products in fiscal 1983 was 66.5 %, far below the target 72 %. (Kako, I.)

Basic investigation on promotion of joint implementation in fiscal 2000. Investigations on modification and improvement project for Potoshani district heating and heat supplying facilities in Romania; 2000 nendo kyodo jisshi nado suishin kiso chosa hokokusho. Romania koku Potoshani chiiki danbo netsukyokyu setsubi no kaishu oyobi kaizen keikaku chosa

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

Discussions have been given on the improvement and modification project intended of saving energies and reducing greenhouse gas emission in the Potoshani district heating and heat supplying facilities in Romania. Thirty years have elapsed since the building of the Potoshani district heating and heat supplying facilities, whereas noticeable energy loss has occurred due to aged deterioration, such as thermal efficiency decrease, performance decrease, and hot water leakage due to piping corrosion. The present project is intended to improve the heat production and power generation facility efficiencies, and reduce the heat loss in heat transportation and distribution to less than 5%. The improvements will be implemented by replacing and rehabilitating the existing boilers, replacing the turbine generators, and replacing the transportation and distribution pipelines and heat exchangers. As a result of the discussions, the present project is estimated to result in annual fuel conservation of 35,820 tons of crude oil equivalent, and annual reduction of the greenhouse gas emission of 110,835 t-CO2. The total amount of the initial investment for the project would be 11.369 billion yen, and the payback period would be 12 years. The project will produce profit of 31.358 billion yen in 20 years, thus the project is financially feasible. (NEDO)

FY 2000 report on the basic survey to promote Joint Implementation, etc. Project for improvement of efficiency of the power generation/desalination plant in Aktau City; 2000 nendo kyodo jisshi nado suishin kiso chosa hokokusho. Aktau shi hatsuden zosui plant koritsu kaizen jigyo

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

For the purpose of conserving energy and reducing greenhouse effect gas emission, feasibility study was conducted for improvement of efficiency of power generation/desalination facilities at MAEK Energy Center, Aktau City, Manghistau, Kazakhstan. Presently, the main facilities are the conventional natural gas fired power plant, evaporation type seawater desalination facility, hot water production facility, etc. In the project, introduction of the following was planned to be made: cogeneration facility composed of two units of 1,100-degree C class gas turbine and reverse osmosis (RO) type desalination facility for drinking water production with a capacity of 50,000 t/d. As a result of the study, the energy conservation amount in this project was 151,900-165,400 toe/y in power generation facility, and the greenhouse effect gas reduction amount was 355,000-387,000 t-CO2/y in power generation facility and 268,000 t-CO2/y in desalination facility. The construction cost and operational cost of the plant were 45.7 billion yen and 2.8 billion yen/y. In the economical estimation, ROI and ROE before tax were 7.4 and 34.8, respectively, which were considered to be appropriate values as social infrastructure related conditions. (NEDO)

Feasibility study on replacement of power plant and desalination plant in Aktau City, Manghistau Region, Republic of Kazakhstan

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

For the purpose of conserving energy and reducing greenhouse effect gas emission, feasibility study was conducted for improvement of efficiency of power generation/desalination facilities at MAEK Energy Center, Aktau City, Manghistau, Kazakhstan. Presently, the main facilities are the conventional natural gas fired power plant, evaporation type seawater desalination facility, hot water production facility, etc. In the project, introduction of the following was planned to be made: cogeneration facility composed of two units of 1,100-degree C class gas turbine and reverse osmosis (RO) type desalination facility for drinking water production with a capacity of 50,000 t/d. As a result of the study, the energy conservation amount in this project was 151,900-165,400 toe/y in power generation facility, and the greenhouse effect gas reduction amount was 355,000-387,000 t-CO2/y in power generation facility and 268,000 t-CO2/y in desalination facility. The construction cost and operational cost of the plant were 45.7 billion yen and 2.8 billion yen/y. In the economical estimation, ROI and ROE before tax were 7.4 and 34.8, respectively, which were considered to be appropriate values as social infrastructure related conditions. (NEDO)

FY 1999 report on the basic survey of the promotion of Joint Implementation, etc. Beijing Yanshan Petrochemical Co./cogeneration; 1999 nendo Beijing Yanshan sekiyu kako yugen koji netsu heikyu fukugo hatsuden chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

For a combination with COP3 Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), the paper reported the FY 1999 survey of the cogeneration project of Beijing Yanshan Petrochemical Co. The existing two heavy oil fueled boilers (steam output: 240t/h) are dismantled, and two gas turbines and two waste heat boilers (steam output: 241t/h, electricity output: 136.9MW) are installed. The energy conservation effect is approximately 0.91 million tons/year of crude oil. The effect of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is CO2 2.83 million tons/year. A plan on system interconnection, distribution, electricity, instrumentation control was drawn up. The construction term is planned to be about two and a half years. The initial investment amount is 700 million yuan {+-} 100 million yuan. The expense vs. energy conservation effect was calculated as 98t (crude oil conversion)/year/million yen, and the expense vs. greenhouse gas emission reduction effect 302t-CO2/year/million yen. Concerning the profitability, the generating cost was 0.4 yuan/kWh which dropped from the selling power cost of the Yanshan area, 0.45 yuan/kWh. As candidates of the natural gas fueled cogeneration, there are possibilities of 10 sites and 550MW scale only in the Beijing area. (NEDO)

Fiscal 2000 achievement report. Development of energy use rationalization-oriented silicon manufacturing process (Survey and study of analysis of commercialization of solar-grade silicon material manufacturing technology); 2000 nendo shin energy sangyo gijutsu sogo kaihatsu kiko kyodo kenkyu gyomu seika hokokusho. Energy shiyo gorika silicon seizo process kaihatsu (Taiyodenchiyou silicon genryo seizo gijutsu no jitsuyoka kaiseki ni kansuru chosa kenkyu)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

The trend of technology development, problems harbored therein, trend of the market, and the like were investigated for supporting the development of technologies for the mass production and commercialization of solar-grade silicon materials. Concerning the future of production enhancement and cost reduction in the manufacture of polycrystalline silicon solar cells, studies were made from the technological viewpoint. The results are shown below. It is estimated that approximately 4,500 tons of material silicon will be necessary in 2005 and 6,500-10,700 tons in 2010. Since the melting purification method of NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) now under development step by step toward commercialization as well as the conventional source will provide the necessary amount of material silicon, it is inferred that the development of solar cells will go on without any restraint originating in the semiconductor industry. With the commercialization of the technologies so far developed and the development/commercialization of the fast-acting high-performance solar cell technology, probabilities are high that the polycrystalline silicon solar cell manufacturing cost in 2010 will be as low as to be on the 100 yen/W (93-118 yen/W) level which is the level now held up as the goal. (NEDO)

Fiscal 1992 survey report. Coal hydrogasification technology development; 1992 nendo sekitan suiten gaska gijutsu kaihatsu chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1993-03-01

Surveys and studies were conducted to establish a practical SNG (substitute natural gas) production process. In the study of coal hydrogasification, a mathematical simulation was implemented to estimate the distribution of products with the pyrolytic reaction and the hydrogenolytic reaction controlled independently in the ARCH-2 (advanced rapid coal hydrogasification-2) process, the said two reactions representing the key concepts of the ARCH-2 process. It was then disclosed that a two-stage reaction control would increase the liquid yield. Also, a tentative calculation was made of gas cooling efficiency and cost performance in a process capable of achieving the target liquid acquisition rate. It was then found that BTX (benzene, toluene, xylene) production up to approximately 15% in terms of carbon was feasible and that the SNG price would be 29.03 yen/Nm{sup 3} with benzene priced at 90 yen/kg, these promising a better result than in the ARCH-1 process. The gas cooling efficiency of the ARCH-2 process was but 72.0% or less, however, which demanded improvement. Studies were made, based on the results of studies in progress since fiscal 1990, about what the hydrogasification process for Japan to develop should be. (NEDO)

Ulikhet som impuls for nye oppdagelser i dans: Å tøye både muskler og meninger gjennom mangfold i Danselaboratoriet

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tone Pernille Østern

2014-12-01

Full Text Available I denne artikkelen har forfatterne fokus på hvordan ulikhet mellom mennesker kan fungere som en impuls som bidrar til meningsskaping, nye oppdagelser og transformasjon i improvisasjon i dans. Artikkelen tar utgangspunkt i Østerns avhandling ”Meaning-making in the Dance Laboratory. Exploring dance improvisation with differently bodied dancers” (2009. I artikkelen vever forfatterne sammen sine ulike stemmer. Tone Pernille Østerns perspektiv er som initiativtaker og tidligere koreograf-dansepedagog i Danselaboratoriet, mens Elen Øyens perspektiv er som danser i den samme gruppen. Øyen er danser og rullestolbruker. Hovedkonklusjonen i artikkelen er at gjennom å forstå ulikhet som en verdi og impuls til å møtes og skape i improvisasjon i dans, så kan deltakerne i gruppen gjennomgå kraftfulle transformative endringsprosesser når det gjelder synet på ”den andre”. Dette har en betydning som går langt ut over det konkrete, kunstneriske undervisningsrommet. ”Den andre” forstås i artikkelen som en konstruksjon som både muliggjør adskillelse og utestenging fra et fellesskap, men også som en mulighet til å forstå at ”den andre” ikke nødvendigvis er, eller skal være, som meg.

Microeconomics of introduction of a PET system based on the revised Japanese national insurance reimbursement system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Abe, Katsumi; Kosuda, Shigeru; Kusano, Shoichi; Nagata, Masayoshi

2003-01-01

It is crucial to evaluate an annual balance beforehand when an institution installs a PET system because the revised Japanese national insurance reimbursement system set the cost of a FDG PET study as 75,000 yen. A break-even point was calculated in an 8-hour or a 24-hour operation of a PET system, based on the total costs reported. The break-even points were as follows: 13.4, 17.7, 22.1 studies per day for the 1 cyclotron-1 PET camera, 1 cyclotron-2 PET cameras, 1 cyclotron-3 PET cameras system, respectively, in an ordinary PET system operation of 8 hours. The break-even points were 19.9, 25.5, 31.2 studies per day for the 1 cyclotron-1 PET camera, 1 cyclotron-2 PET cameras, 1 cyclotron-3 PET cameras system, respectively, in a full PET system operation of 24 hours. The results indicate no profit would accrue in an ordinary PET system operation of 8 hours. The annual profit and break-even point for the total cost including the initial investment would be respectively 530 million yen and 2.8 years in a 24-hour operation with 1 cyclotron-3 PET cameras system. (author)

Basic survey project for Joint Implementation, etc. Blast furnace top pressure recovery turbine (TRT) project (Panzhihua Iron and Steel (Group) Company, People's Republic of China)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

For the purpose of reducing greenhouse effect gas emissions, a feasibility study was conducted on the energy conservation at Panzhihua Iron and Steel Company in Sichuan Province, China. In this project, the pressure energy of blast furnace is to be recovered in the form of electric power by installing the blast furnace top pressure recovery turbine (TRT). In the project, the pressure-reducing valve was removed, and the dry dust collector/dry TRT were installed to make the scale of electric power production largest. A model of TRT was installed at No. 4 blast furnace and is now in operation. In this project, TRTs are to be installed at Nos. 1, 2 and 3 blast furnaces. As a result of the study, the investment totaled 5.46 billion yen. The capacity of power generation by TRT is 16,890 kW, and the generated output is 137,822 MWh/y. Moreover, the amount of energy conservation is 36,467 toe/y, and the reduction amount of greenhouse effect gas emissions is 112,830 CO2-ton/y. The term of investment recovery is 8.3 years. The effect of reduction in greenhouse effect gas emissions is 20.66 CO2-ton/y/million yen. (NEDO)

Application of laser cutting in shipbuilding factory. Improvement in cutting accuracy and drastic production capacity increase by night-time unmanned operation; Zosen kojo ni okeru laser setsudan no tekiyo. Setsudan seido kojo, yakan mujin unten de seisan noryoku ohaba up

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1995-06-01

A shipbuilding factory which introduced the laser cutting machine is introduced. The laser cutting machine was selected to improve cutting accuracy, improve working environment, and achieve unmanned operation. In this factory, a thin plate with a plate thickness of approximately 10 mm is expected to be machined, and the cutting line consists of two plasma cutting machines, one laser cutting machine, and one gas cutting line and the NC rate is high (97 %). The laser cutting machine incorporates a CO2 laser oscillation machine with a maximum output of 3.5 kW. The following result was obtained as compared with the plasma cutting machine. The cutting accuracy was 0.5 mm or less of the calf margin and no upper edge did not melt down and the distortion was low. No dross adheres and the secondary treatment man-hour decreased. Since it was not necessary to replace an electrode by a new one, a continuous unmanned operation was enabled. The automatic power off function, etc. achieve safety measures against earthquake, etc. Neither fume nor noise was generated. Since the dust collector is not required, the initial cost is low and the running cost is inexpensive, namely 31 yen per meter (40 yen for the plasma cutting machine). 7 figs., 2 tabs.

[Microeconomics of introduction of a PET system based on the revised Japanese National Insurance reimbursement system].

Science.gov (United States)

Abe, Katsumi; Kosuda, Shigeru; Kusano, Shoichi; Nagata, Masayoshi

2003-11-01

It is crucial to evaluate an annual balance before-hand when an institution installs a PET system because the revised Japanese national insurance reimbursement system set the cost of a FDG PET study as 75,000 yen. A break-even point was calculated in an 8-hour or a 24-hour operation of a PET system, based on the total costs reported. The break-even points were as follows: 13.4, 17.7, 22.1 studies per day for the 1 cyclotron-1 PET camera, 1 cyclotron-2 PET cameras, 1 cyclotron-3 PET cameras system, respectively, in an ordinary PET system operation of 8 hours. The break-even points were 19.9, 25.5, 31.2 studies per day for the 1 cyclotron-1 PET camera, 1 cyclotron-2 PET cameras, 1 cyclotron-3 PET cameras system, respectively, in a full PET system operation of 24 hours. The results indicate no profit would accrue in an ordinary PET system operation of 8 hours. The annual profit and break-even point for the total cost including the initial investment would be respectively 530 million yen and 2.8 years in a 24-hour operation with 1 cyclotron-3 PET cameras system.

FY 1999 report on basic survey for joint implementations, etc. Basic feasibility study on energy conservation at Novolipetsk Steelworks

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

The survey involves COP (Conference of the Parties) joint implementations, etc., at the Russian Novolipetsk Steelworks (NLMK) who produces crude steel at 9.9-million tons/year. A large waste heat recovery system is introduced into the NLMK for reduction in natural gas consumption and in electric power purchase. The waste heat recovery facilities involve a sintering cooler/heater, TRT (top-pressure recovery turbine), and LD (Linz-Donawitz) converter gas recovery. Energy will be saved at 1730 Tcal/year, and greenhouse gas (CO2) will be reduced at 408,000 tons/year. A total of 20.9 times 1-billion yen needs to be invested. Since energy is priced low in Russia, the investment will result in but a little economic effect. In the Russian industrial circle, however, there is a move to raise the energy price by stages to secure corporation operating funds and refurbish obsolete facilities. Accordingly, probabilities are quite high that the project proposed here will be implemented if low-interest financing is available. Talks will continue between the two parties over yen credit availability, etc. It is indispensable to construct a framework which will enable implementations in compliance with COP3 (Third Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). (NEDO)

Developing Statistical Evaluation Model of Introduction Effect of MSW Thermal Recycling

Science.gov (United States)

Aoyama, Makoto; Kato, Takeyoshi; Suzuoki, Yasuo

For the effective utilization of municipal solid waste (MSW) through a thermal recycling, new technologies, such as an incineration plant using a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC), are being developed. The impact of new technologies should be evaluated statistically for various municipalities, so that the target of technological development or potential cost reduction due to the increased cumulative number of installed system can be discussed. For this purpose, we developed a model for discussing the impact of new technologies, where a statistical mesh data set was utilized to estimate the heat demand around the incineration plant. This paper examines a case study by using a developed model, where a conventional type and a MCFC type MSW incineration plant is compared in terms of the reduction in primary energy and the revenue by both electricity and heat supply. Based on the difference in annual revenue, we calculate the allowable investment in MCFC-type MSW incineration plant in addition to conventional plant. The results suggest that allowable investment can be about 30 millions yen/(t/day) in small municipalities, while it is only 10 millions yen/(t/day) in large municipalities. The sensitive analysis shows the model can be useful for discussing the difference of impact of material recycling of plastics on thermal recycling technologies.

De Facto Exchange Rate Regime in Korea: Is It Still A Dollar Peg?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Han Geun Moon

2002-06-01

Full Text Available The purpose of this paper is to test the common view on the actual exchange rate regime, using very simple but intuitive OLS regression models based on Frankel and Wei's work (1994. The results show that, firstly, East Asian countries including Korea have returned to the dollar peg or managed floating after the restoration from the crisis, as they did during the pre-crisis period. The results also show that Korea has substantially changed her exchange rate regime since January 2001, but other countries, even Taiwan and Singapore which had no crisis, are still the same as before. The sensitivity to the dollar has statistically significantly decreased, but sensitivity to the yen is almost twice as much as those in other countries. This result might come from the synchronization of Korean won with Japanese yen from November 2000, the change of the monetary policy framework from monetary targeting to the pure inflation targeting, and the full capital and foreign exchange liberalization since the second stage of foreign exchange liberalization (January 2001. However, 6 months (January 2001-June 15, 2001 is not enough to assess policy changes, and, we continuously need to monitor how the exchange rate policy evolves.

Development of effect assessment methodology for the deployment of fast reactor cycle system with dynamic computable general equilibrium model

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shiotani, Hiroki; Ono, Kiyoshi

2009-01-01

The Global Trade and Analysis Project (GTAP) is a widely used computable general equilibrium (CGE) model developed by Purdue University. Although the GTAP-E, an energy environmental version of the GTAP model, is useful for surveying the energy-economy-environment-trade linkage is economic policy analysis, it does not have the decomposed model of the electricity sector and its analyses are comparatively static. In this study, a recursive dynamic CGE model with a detailed electricity technology bundle with nuclear power generation including FR was developed based on the GTAP-E to evaluate the long-term socioeconomic effects of FR deployment. The capital stock changes caused by international investments and some dynamic constraints of the FR deployment and operation (e.g., load following capability and plutonium mass balance) were incorporated in the analyses. The long-term socioeconomic effects resulting from the deployment of economic competitive FR with innovative technologies can be assessed; the cumulative effects of the FR deployment on GDP calculated using this model costed over 40 trillion yen in Japan and 400 trillion yen worldwide, which were several times more than the cost of the effects calculated using the conventional cost-benefit analysis tool, because of ripple effects and energy substitutions among others. (author)

Evaluation of Human Adipose Tissue Stromal Heterogeneity in Metabolic Disease Using Single Cell RNA-Seq

Science.gov (United States)

2017-09-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-15-1-0251 TITLE: “Evaluation of Human Adipose Tissue Stromal Heterogeneity in Metabolic Disease Using Single Cell RNA...Heterogeneity in Metabolic Disease Using Single- Cell RNA-Seq 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER Linus Tzu-Yen...ABSTRACT We have developed a robust protocol to generate single cell transcriptional profiles from subcutaneous adipose tissue samples of both human

Predictors of disability-related attitudes: considering self-esteem, communication apprehension, contact, and geographic location

OpenAIRE

Magsamen-Conrad K; Tetteh D; Lee YI

2016-01-01

Kate Magsamen-Conrad,1 Dinah Tetteh,2 Yen-I Lee3 1Department of Communication, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, 2Department of Communication, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, 3Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA Abstract: Individuals’ attitudes about persons with disability (PwD) strongly affect differently-abled persons’ quality of life and position in society. Some research offers support for the a...

Regulatory Control of the Resolution of DNA Recombination Intermediates during Meiosis and Mitosis

OpenAIRE

Matos, Joao; Blanco, Miguel G.; Maslen, Sarah; Skehel, J. Mark; West, Stephen C.

2011-01-01

The efficient and timely resolution of DNA recombination intermediates is essential for bipolar chromosome segregation. Here, we show that the specialized chromosome segregation patterns of meiosis and mitosis, which require the coordination of recombination with cell-cycle progression, are achieved by regulating the timing of activation of two crossover-promoting endonucleases. In yeast meiosis, Mus81-Mms4 and Yen1 are controlled by phosphorylation events that lead to their sequential activa...

Exchange Rate Instability: Japan's Micro-Macro Experiences and Implications for China

Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)

Mamoru Ishida

2006-01-01

Since 1985, the yen-dollar exchange rates repeatedly fluctuated and climbed to a level that could not be justified by economic fundamentals. The impacts on the Japanese economy were serious and far-reaching.Since 21 July 2005, China has been moving toward a more flexible exchange rate regime. Keeping RMB exchange rates basically stable and providing Chinese industries with means to hedge exchange rate risks are essential for China's sound economic development.

Modelling Exchange Rate Volatility by Macroeconomic Fundamentals in Pakistan

OpenAIRE

Munazza Jabeen; Saud Ahmad Khan

2014-01-01

What drives volatility in foreign exchange market in Pakistan? This paper undertakes an analysis of modelling exchange rate volatility in Pakistan by potential macroeconomic fundamentals well-known in the economic literature. For this, monthly data on Pak Rupee exchange rates in the terms of major currencies (US Dollar, British Pound, Canadian Dollar and Japanese Yen) and macroeconomics fundamentals is taken from April, 1982 to November, 2011. The results show thatthe PKR-USD exchange rate vo...

Real-world evaluation of compliance and preference in Alzheimer’s disease treatment: an observational study in Taiwan 

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lai TH

2016-03-01

Full Text Available Tzu-Hsien Lai,1,2,* Wen-Fu Wang,3,* Bak-Sau Yip,4 Yu-Wan Yang,5 Giia-Sheun Peng,6 Shih-Jei Tsai,7,8 Yi-Chu Liao,9 Ming-Chyi Pai10,111Section of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei, 2Department of Neurology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, 3Department of Neurology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, 4Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu, 5Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 6Department of Neurology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 7Department of Neurology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 8School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 9Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 10Division of Behavioral Neurology, Department of Neurology, 11Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan *These authors contributed equally to this workPurpose: Among the medications approved for Alzheimer’s disease (AD, rivastigmine is the only one available as transdermal patch. The aim of this study was to evaluate compliance and caregivers’ preference with oral and transdermal (rivastigmine monotherapy in patients with mild-to-moderate AD from Taiwan.Methods: Real-world Evaluation of Compliance And Preference in Alzheimer’s disease treatment (RECAP in Taiwan was a prospective, noninterventional, observational study with a 24-week (±8 weeks observational period for each participant. Eligible patients were grouped into one of the two treatment cohorts based on the baseline AD therapy: oral (donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, or memantine or transdermal (rivastigmine patch. The primary end points were caregiver preference and caregiver assessment of patients’ compliance to

Use of (Time-Domain) Vector Autoregressions to Test Uncovered Interest Parity

OpenAIRE

Takatoshi Ito

1984-01-01

In this paper, a vector autoregression model (VAR) is proposed in order to test uncovered interest parity (UIP) in the foreign exchange market. Consider a VAR system of the spot exchange rate (yen/dollar), the domestic (US) interest rate and the foreign (Japanese) interest rate, describing the interdependence of the domestic and international financia lmarkets. Uncovered interest parity is stated as a null hypothesis that the current difference between the two interest rates is equal to the d...

Does SDDS Subscription Reduce Borrowing Costs for Emerging Market Economies?

OpenAIRE

John Cady

2005-01-01

Does macroeconomic data transparency-as signaled by subscription to the IMF's Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS)-help reduce borrowing costs in international capital markets? This question is examined using data on new issues of sovereign foreign-currency-denominated (U.S. dollar, yen, and euro) bonds for several emerging market economies. Panel econometric estimates indicate that spreads on new bond issues declined on average by close to 20 percent, or by an average of about 55 basis...

Annual report of National Institute of Radiological Sciences, April, 1982 - March, 1983

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1983-10-01

This report gives the information on the investigation conducted by the scientific staffs of the Institute during this period. The total budget of the NIRS for fiscal year 1982 was 5.85 billion yen, 800 million yen more than that for the previous year. Several new and important projects as well as the existing commitments were carried out by the prudent allocation of the budget. Three long term research projects were carried out, that is, exposure to the environment radiation due to nuclear power generation, estimation of the risk due to low level radiation exposure, and medial application of particle accelerators, in addition to basic research. The former two projects were completed by the end of fiscal year 1982. A research on the biological effect of tritium began as a new project for five years at the beginning of fiscal year 1982. As this year was the silver jubilee of the Institute, the commemorative meeting was held in October, 1982. The gists of 11 reports related to physics, 6 reports related to chemistry, 8 reports related to biochemistry and biophysics, 11 reports related to cell biology, 6 reports related to immunology and hematology, 12 reports related to pathology, 9 reports related to genetics, 7 reports related to clinical science and 18 reports related to environmental science are collected. (Kako, I.)

Assessment of Gender Dimorphism on Sagittal Cephalometry in Pakistani Population

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Qamruddin, I.; Shahid, F.; Tanveer, S.; Mukhtiar, M.; Asim, Z.; Alam, M. K.

2016-01-01

Objective: To determine and compare the cephalometric values among Pakistani males and females using commonly used sagittal skeletal measurements (ANB, Wits appraisal, Beta-angle) and newly developed cephalometric analyses (Yen-angle and W-angle). Study Design: Observational, cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Orthodontic Department of Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan, from August to October 2013. Methodology: A total of 209 pre-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs of orthodontic patients were selected from departmental records, comprised of 92 males and 117 females. Radiographs were traced for measurements of ANB, Wits appraisal, Beta-angle, W-angle and Yen-angle. Patients were categorized into skeletal classes I, II, and III on the basis of performed measurements, incisor classification, and profile recorded from their records. Descriptive analysis was used to obtain median interquartile range in both the genders and Mann-Whitney U-test was used to observe gender dimorphism. Result: Skeletal class II was the most prevalent type of malocclusion. There were no difference in the obtained measurements between males and females except the Wits appraisal and Beta-angle in class II patients, which showed significant difference in values (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Pakistani population has no significant different difference in the craniofacial morphology of males and females, with the exception of Wits-appraisal and Beta-angle in class II cases. (author)

The law for the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1979-01-01

The institute is established under the atomic energy basic law to make effectively research of development of atomic energy in general and help to promote investigation, development and utilization of it. The institute is a legal person and has its main office in Tokyo. Its capital is the amount of yen 2,500 million plus contributions by persons other than the government. The government invests the said yen 2,500 million at the time of its establishment. The articles of the institute shall prescribe matters, such as: capital, contributions and assets; officer and meeting; business and its execution; accounting, etc. The officers are consisted of a chief director, a deputy chief director and less than 7 directors and less than 2 auditors. The chief director is appointed by the Prime Minister with the consent of the atomic energy commission. The term of the chief director, the deputy chief director and directors is 4 years and that of auditors is 2 years. Functions of the institute include basic and application research of atomic energy, planning, building and operation of reactors, training of researchers and engineers of atomic energy, etc. The budget, the business program and the financial project shall be prepared each business year and authorized by the Prime Minister. The institute is subject to the supervision of the Prime Minister. (Okada, K.)

Report on evaluation for SRC-2 coal liquefaction project; SRC-II sekitan ekika project hyoka sagyo hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1979-10-01

Among the EDS, H-Coal and SRC-2 lined up in the coal liquefaction project of the U.S., the SRC is aimed at producing 6,000 t/day as a module for a 30,000 t/day commercial plant. They expect Ash contents (iron, sulfur, etc.) in coal without basically using catalysts. The products are applicable to fuels for electricity and gas for the moment. In the element technology, there are some problems in manufacturing hydrogen by gasification of residuals as well as in slurry systems, reaction towers, etc.. In the 30,000 ton commercial plant, the coal-liquefied oil costs $19.89/bbl (price as of 1978) assuming coal costs $29.47; therefore, the feasibility is strong as a substitute for petroleum. Japan's share for the required funds will be 86.8 billion yen (if 250 yen per dollar). Since the kinds of coal are conceivably increased in number through the improvement of the process, the Pacific rim countries and these which lie on the Indian Ocean are assumed to be the major coal producing countries for Japan. The stability in storage of coal-liquefied oil is experimentally excellent, as is the compatibility with petroleum products for example. Great results can be expected in the technical know-how and the spread of element technology for Japan. (NEDO)

The rule on granting subsidies for survey of hot drainage influences

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1979-01-01

The rule is defined under the law concerning subsidies and the provisions of the order for execution of the law. Basic terms are explained, such as: nuclear power generating facilities; arrangement business of research equipment for hot drainage influences; pre-research business of hot drainage; research business of hot drainage influences; place of enterprise; and expected time of beginning of the use. The Minister of International Trade and Industry grants subsidies to those prefectures where nuclear power generating facilities are or are expected to be established, or their neighboring prefectures to support all or a part of expenses of arrangement of research equipment, pre-research and research of hot drainage influences. Limits of subsidies are for a place of enterprise in a prefecture 14 million yen for a fiscal year for arrangement of research equipment, 5 million yen for pre-research and research respectively. Prefectures shall file an application for subsidies to the Minister of International Trade and Industry with gists of business and outlines of nuclear power generating facilities according to the forms attached. Receiving the application, the minister shall examine it and notify without delay the decision of delivery and its conditions to the applicant in writing, when such settlement is made. Receivers of subsidies shall present to the minister for each quarter reports of subsidized business. Terms and conditions of delivery and others are prescribed particularly. (Okada, K.)

Report of fiscal 1999 basic survey for joint implementation, etc. Basic survey on energy conservation at Severstal Steelworks in Russian Federation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

This paper explains fiscal 1999 survey on energy conservation at Severstal Steelworks in Russian Federation for the purpose of materializing the COP3 joint implementation, etc. With the crude steel production capacity of about 8.8 million tons/year, this works has established a leading position in Russia as a manufacturer of flat-rolled steel products. Introduced as energy-saving measures are reduction in fuel consumption by modification of sintering machine ignition furnaces, recovery of sinter cooler waste heat for use in electricity generation, LD converter gas recovery, and installation of top pressure recovery turbines (recovering top pressure in the form of electricity). Expected energy saving effect is 969.2, 739.4, 4.18 x 10{sup 3}, and 815TJ/year for each case respectively. Expected greenhouse gas reduction effect is 54,100, 41,273, 2.3x10{sup 5}, and 44,198t-CO2/year respectively. Profitability was examined. With the total investment of 104.5 million yen, Return on investment (ROI) is each 0.33, 0.81, 1.83, and 0.86 or 4.3 in total. In conclusion, the investment recovery period was unacceptable. In order to materialize this project, a favorable financing is necessary such as yen funding by the Japanese Government. Also, on the part of the Steelworks, reduction in the equipment cost for example need to be examined. (NEDO)

Research report for fiscal 1998 on the basic research on the promotion of joint implementation and so forth. Energy project for Shenyang Iron and Steel Complex in Liaoning Province; 1998 nendo Liaoning sho Shenyang kotetsu soheisho shoene project chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-03-01

The above complex is surveyed for the promotion of CDM (clean development mechanism) which is a flexibility measure in the Kyoto Protocol. The 4 existing 7.5-ton electric furnaces are antiquated and high in electric power consumption rate, and cause much dust pollution. A project is worked out, under which the furnace volume will be reduced to save energy and to realize environmental friendliness. The project aims to save power, reduce greenhouse gas emission, and settle environmental problems such as dust generation. The refurbishment will reduce greenhouse gas by 27,211 tons a year in the case of a 100,000 tons/year-capable plant. This means 663 tons of CO2 per 100-million yen of invested capital. As for funding, the reimbursing trade scheme is studied as a means for procuring funds from aboard for capital investment. This seems not practical, however, due to the circumstances the project finds itself under. Financial aids such as an environmental preservation related yen loan from the Japanese Government will be studied. Japan's iron and steel manufacturing industry entertains numerous environmentally friendly and energy efficient technologies earned over its long history, and many of them are found to be excellently compatible with the current circumstances in China. It is believed that an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly model to be constructed under this project will certainly gather popularity in China. (NEDO)

Fiscal 2000 report on results. Development of technology for intermediate processing system for recycling mixed waste plastics; 2000 nendo kongo haipra saishohinka no tame no chukan shori system gijutsu no kaihatsu seika hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

R and D was conducted concerning intermediate processing technology for recycling mixed waste plastics, a technology for processing household waste plastics such as plastic containers and packaging into plastic pellets of suitable grain sizes, with fiscal 2000 results compiled. In the development of the element technologies, an air clutch structure was added that generates rotor slip when foreign matters were engaged, thereby unnecessitating pre-sorting work for locating and removing metallic foreign matters. Addition of an air separator and a sieving machine also helped to achieve a useful-plastics recovery rate of 75% or more in the PVC separation equipment. In the operation of a demonstration plant, a continuous operation was carried out in a three-shift 24-hour system for five days, with the data obtained. Further, waste plastics to which the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law was applicable were treated, resulting in the processing capacity of 0.51 t/h and the production capacity of 0.38 t/h, which both exceeded the target. In the evaluation of the intermediate processing system, the cost of waste plastics treatment turned out to be about 50,000 yen per ton in the case of a plant having a processing capacity of 6,000 tons per year and about 30,000 yen per ton in the case of a plant of 24,000 tons per year. (NEDO)

Feasibility study on modernization of North Bangkok Thermal Power Plant

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

With an objective to save energies and reduce global warming gas emission, a feasibility study was performed on the oil burning thermal power plant in the city of North Bangkok in Thailand to reconstruct the plant into a natural gas burning combined cycle power plant. In the project, the old facilities with an output of 237.8 MW using three steam turbines in total will be reconstructed into a plant comprising of two steam turbines for 256,2 MW and two gas turbines for 460.4 MW, or a facility of 716.6 MW in total. The plant construction will have the gas turbines, steam turbines, generators, and a waste heat recovered steam generator fixed on one axis, two of which will be installed. The gas turbines will use natural gas as fuel, and the steam turbines will be operated by steam from the waste heat recovered steam generator. As a result of the discussions, the reduction of the energy consumption for a period of 40 years will correspond to crude oil of 20,560 kt, while the reduction of the global warming gas emission will be 107,200 t-CO2. In addition, the energy saving cost will be 9-ton crude oil equivalent/one million yen, and the cost for reduction of the global warming gas emission will be 47 t-CO2/one million yen. (NEDO)

Report of base consolidation promotion survey of overseas coal import in FY 1993. Feasibility survey of effective utilization of coal ash; 1993 nendo kaigaitan yunyu kiban seibi sokushin chosa. Sekitanbai yuko riyo jigyo no feasibility chosa

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1994-03-01

This report describes the effective utilization of coal ash discharged from general industry (general industry ash) as improving material of construction waste soil and deodorant for poultry industry. Coal ash is characterized by the pozzolan and self-hardening properties which are not shown in soil and sand. Coal ash having a large amount of free CaO in its composition has stronger such properties. Coal ash generated from fluidized bed combustor which is a kind of combustor of coal contains a large amount of free CaO, especially, resulting in the stronger such properties. On the other hand, coal ash has water and oil absorbing property due to its porous structure. To utilize these properties, the improving material of soft construction waste soil and deodorant for poultry industry have been selected. As a result of laboratory and field tests for the former, it was found that sufficient supporting force can be obtained. Since the protection of powder splash is required at the site, a humidification system has been developed, which can protect the splash by the humidification of 5%. The price between 500 and 1,000 yen/ton is suitable for the improving material of construction waste soil. The maximum price of the deodorant for poultry industry is 10 yen/kg. 14 refs., 40 figs., 49 tabs.

General report of entrustment investigation for demonstration tests of turnover from oil to methanol in the thermal power plants in fiscal 1995. Total assessment of methanol using power generation technology; 1995 nendo sekiyu karyoku hatsudensho methanol tenkan nado jissho shiken itaku gyomu hokokusho sokatsu hokokusho. Methanol riyo hatsuden gijutsu sogo hyoka chosa

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1996-03-01

To promote the introduction of methanol fuel into the thermal power plants, total assessment was provided. For calculating the methanol production cost, the plant was assumed to be constructed in the Southeast Asia or Middle East. Two methods, i.e., steam reforming and gaseous phase fluid methods, were investigated. Since the price of natural gas is low in the Middle East, the methanol production cost by the gaseous phase fluid method is estimated to be about 1.5 yen per thousand kcal. The transportation cost can be reduced into one-half to one-third of current cost using a large-scale tanker. Although the heating value of methanol per weight is lower than that of LNG, the volume flow of methanol is similar to that of LNG due to its low specific gravity. Conceptual designs were conducted for some power generation systems, such as gas turbine of combined cycle, diesel engine, and fuel cell. The power generation cost was estimated to be 8 to 9 yen per kWh, which depends on the receiving price of methanol. It is nearly equivalent to that of LNG combined cycle power generation. There are no problems of air pollution and ash disposal. When considering the long-term security of energy sources, the use of methanol would be one of the selections as utilization of natural gas. 6 refs., 33 figs., 25 tabs.

Research report for fiscal 1998 on the basic research on the promotion of joint implementation and so forth. Energy project for Shenyang Iron and Steel Complex in Liaoning Province; 1998 nendo Liaoning sho Shenyang kotetsu soheisho shoene project chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-03-01

The above complex is surveyed for the promotion of CDM (clean development mechanism) which is a flexibility measure in the Kyoto Protocol. The 4 existing 7.5-ton electric furnaces are antiquated and high in electric power consumption rate, and cause much dust pollution. A project is worked out, under which the furnace volume will be reduced to save energy and to realize environmental friendliness. The project aims to save power, reduce greenhouse gas emission, and settle environmental problems such as dust generation. The refurbishment will reduce greenhouse gas by 27,211 tons a year in the case of a 100,000 tons/year-capable plant. This means 663 tons of CO2 per 100-million yen of invested capital. As for funding, the reimbursing trade scheme is studied as a means for procuring funds from aboard for capital investment. This seems not practical, however, due to the circumstances the project finds itself under. Financial aids such as an environmental preservation related yen loan from the Japanese Government will be studied. Japan's iron and steel manufacturing industry entertains numerous environmentally friendly and energy efficient technologies earned over its long history, and many of them are found to be excellently compatible with the current circumstances in China. It is believed that an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly model to be constructed under this project will certainly gather popularity in China. (NEDO)

Report on evaluation for SRC-2 coal liquefaction project; SRC-II sekitan ekika project hyoka sagyo hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1979-10-01

Among the EDS, H-Coal and SRC-2 lined up in the coal liquefaction project of the U.S., the SRC is aimed at producing 6,000 t/day as a module for a 30,000 t/day commercial plant. They expect Ash contents (iron, sulfur, etc.) in coal without basically using catalysts. The products are applicable to fuels for electricity and gas for the moment. In the element technology, there are some problems in manufacturing hydrogen by gasification of residuals as well as in slurry systems, reaction towers, etc.. In the 30,000 ton commercial plant, the coal-liquefied oil costs $19.89/bbl (price as of 1978) assuming coal costs $29.47; therefore, the feasibility is strong as a substitute for petroleum. Japan's share for the required funds will be 86.8 billion yen (if 250 yen per dollar). Since the kinds of coal are conceivably increased in number through the improvement of the process, the Pacific rim countries and these which lie on the Indian Ocean are assumed to be the major coal producing countries for Japan. The stability in storage of coal-liquefied oil is experimentally excellent, as is the compatibility with petroleum products for example. Great results can be expected in the technical know-how and the spread of element technology for Japan. (NEDO)

The rule on granting subsidies for survey of hot drainage influences

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1977-01-01

The rule is based on the prescriptions of the Law Concerning Proper Budget Enforcement on Subsidies and its Enforcement Order. These rules apply to the granting subsidies provided for by the Enforcement Order for the Special Account Law for Measures Promoting Power Source Development. Terms are defined, such as nuclear power generating facilities; arrangement work for equipments for surveying hot drainage influences; work of preliminary survey of hot drainage; work of surveying hot drainage influences; establishments, etc. The Minister of International Trade and Industry delivers the subsidies for all or a part of the expenses necessary for arrangement work of equipments for surveying hot drainage influences, work of preliminary survey of hot drainage and work of surveying hot drainage influences to the prefectures where nuclear power generating facilities have been or are to be set up, or their neighboring prefectures. Terms of delivery concerning an establishment vary from two years to four years according to the kinds of such subsidies. Limits of the subsidies concerning an establishment range from 10 million yen to 2.5 million yen. The applicant prefecture files the application to the Minister of International Trade and Industry. The Minister examines such applications, and notifies his decision to the applicants. Conditions on delivery, reports submitted by receivers of the subsidies and other matters related are specified. (Okada, K.)

Report on the survey of the commercialization of wood biomass energy. Project on the production of wood pellet fuel; 2001 nendo mokushitsu baiomasu energy jigyoka chosa hokokusho. Mokushitsu peretto nenryo seizo jigyo

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2002-02-01

For the purpose of regenerating forestry and contributing to the policy for prevention of global warming, a potential study was made of the commercialization of the wood pellet using low-quality wood materials such as thinnings and wood pieces from lumber mill. In the study, based on the survey of raw materials of wood pellet and the demand amount, the scale of pellet production was assumed, and subjects were arranged toward the basic design of plant, evaluation of economical efficiency and commercialization. As a result of the study, the following subjects were extracted. In the study, the supply of lumbers of 2,800 t/y and securing of demand of about 1,600 t/y were set forth as a premise, but the subject was to secure the initial demand. The pellet combustor was higher in price than the kerosene combustor, and for the imported combustion equipment, the combustion of white pellet was supposed. It is necessary to develop combustor of pellets including the bark. In the trial calculation of the unit price of heat utilization (yen/Mcal), the pellet stove was about 3.3 times as high in price as the kerosene stove. It is necessary to reduce the pellet price down to 30 yen/kg or so by decreasing the cost of pellet production. (NEDO)

Report on studies on closed cycle MHD power generation; Closed cycle MHD hatsuden kento hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1991-04-01

Summarized herein are results of the studies on closed cycle MHD (CCMHD) power generation by the study committee. The studied system is based on the MHD gas turbine combined Brayton cycle of about 500,000 kW in output power, firing natural gas as the fuel, and the conceptual design works therefor are completed. The major findings are: the overall plant efficiency: 54.2% at the power transmission side, plot area required per unit power output: 0.04 m{sup 2}/KW, unit construction cost: 251,000 yen/KW, and unit power generation cost: 10.2 yen/KWh. This system will be more operable than the gas turbine combined cycle with steam system, because start-up time, output change rate, optimum load and so on are constrained not on the power generator side but on the gas turbine side. The expected environmental effects include the exhaust gas NOX concentration being equivalent with that associated with the conventional power generator of 2-stage combustion system, quantity of combustion gases to be treated being approximately 40% of that associated with the gas turbine combined cycle, and reduced CO2 gas emissions, resulting from enhanced power generation efficiency. It is expected that the CCMHD system can exhibit higher efficiency than the high-temperature gas turbine combined cycle system. (NEDO)

Fiscal 1997 survey report. Subtask 3 (hydrogen utilization worldwide clean energy system technology) (WE-NET) (total system/nation-level energy estimation and assessment); 1997 nendo seika hokokusho. Suiso riyo kokusai clean energy system gijutsu (WE-NET) subtask 3 zentai system ikkoku kibo deno yosoku hyoka

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1998-03-01

With relation to the energy supply/demand in Japan toward the second half of the 21st century, an analysis was made using the MARKAL model to predict the amount of hydrogen introduction in the future. As in the last fiscal year, conditions of the study of IEA/ETSAP were continuously used. It was decided on that hydrogen was produced by hydroelectric/photovoltaic power generation overseas. Prices were made 14 yen and 27 yen/103 kcal. The limit price of introduction of import hydrogen was calculated. During the period from 2030 to 2050, if the hydrogen price is less than 7 ten/103 kcal, the result showed that hydrogen can be introduced in a lot of scenarios (case of the severe control of CO2 emissions, case of high priced fossil fuels, case of the low capacity of the development of nuclear power generation, etc.) As the form of hydrogen use, promising are the hydrogen combustion turbine power generation, mixture with town gas (hythane) and hydrogen cars. However, a precondition for the introduction is that the cost of hydrogen car should be more economical than the competitive means of transportation. As to hydrogen combustion turbines and hythane, the quantity of hydrogen introduction depends little on variations of characteristics of the equipment used. 11 refs., 55 figs., 21 tabs.

Yield and cost of individual common diagnostic tests in new primary care outpatients in Japan.

Science.gov (United States)

Takemura, Yuzuru; Ishida, Haku; Inoue, Yuji; Beck, J Robert

2002-01-01

Appropriate diagnostic testing involves considerations of cost-effectiveness. We examined the cost-effectiveness of individual tests in a panel of tests defined by the Japan Society of Clinical Pathology. We studied 540 new, symptomatic primary care outpatients with a set of 30 common diagnostic tests [the Essential Laboratory Tests (2); ELT(2) panel] for clinical evaluation and identification of occult disease. A useful result (UR) of testing was defined as a finding that contributed to a change in a physician's diagnosis or decision-making relating to a "tentative initial diagnosis" obtained from history and physical examination alone. The ELT(2) panel testing yielded 398 URs and uncovered 261 occult diseases among 540 patients. In total, 1592 tests contributed to either UR-generation or discovery of occult disease. The cost per effective test (cost required per test that contributed to either definition of effectiveness) ranged from 108 yen (approximately 0.92 US dollars) for total cholesterol to 6200 yen (approximately 52.50 dollars) for chest x-ray. Contribution rates and the cost per effective test varied among disease categories. We restructured panel components considering the effectiveness of each test. Subsets of the ELT(2) would have improved cost-effectiveness and achieved cost savings in five of eight disease categories. Assembly of tests based on cost-effectiveness can improve clinical efficiency and decrease total cost of panel testing for selected patient groups.

Japan's nuclear industry; taking off in the mist

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1979-01-01

This survey of the nuclear industry aimed at investigating the results and prospects of nuclear energy-related sales, expenditures and manpower in electric utilities, mining and manufacturing industries and trading companies in Japan, so that the study of the economic aspects of the nuclear industry and the analysis of problems may contribute to the sound development of the industry and provide with fundamental informations for interested persons in all sectors. It covers the fiscal year 1978, and is the 20th of a series of annual investigations. The fiscal year 1978 began with the court ruling on the Ikata case, and ended with the impact of the accident in the Three Mile Island plant, USA. As for the results of survey, the answers to questionnaire, the trend of expenditures, the trend of sales, the trend of manpower, the prospects for the future, and the flow of money in the nuclear industry are reported. The gross expenditures in private industries increased by 41% to 1,450 billion yen in comparison with the previous fiscal year. Sales exceeded expenditures by 12,600 million yen in mining and manufacturing industries. Manpower increased by 9% in electric utilities and 7% in mining and manufacturing industries. The construction of 3 nuclear power plants is due to start in fiscal 1978. (Kako, I.)

Cost-effectiveness analysis of prophylactic cervical cancer vaccination in Japanese women.

Science.gov (United States)

Konno, Ryo; Sasagawa, Toshiyuki; Fukuda, Takashi; Van Kriekinge, Georges; Demarteau, Nadia

2010-04-01

The incidence of cervical cancer (CC) is high in Japan and is further increasing among women younger than 30 years. This burden could be reduced by the implementation of a CC vaccine, but its cost-effectiveness is unknown. We quantified the clinical impact and assessed the cost-effectiveness of adding CC vaccination at age 12 to the current screening in place in Japan with a lifetime Markov model adapted to the Japanese setting. Transition probabilities and utility values were obtained from public databases. Direct costs for treatment and screening were estimated using Japanese medical fees. Annual costs and benefits were discounted at 3%. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on the age at vaccination, the vaccine characteristics, the discount rates, the proportion of human papillomavirus types 16/18 in cancer, and the screening coverage. Vaccinating a 12-year-old cohort was predicted to reduce CC incidence and deaths from CC by 73%. These clinical effects were associated with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of yen1.8 million per quality-adjusted life year gained. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of vaccinating all 10- to 45-year-old women was yen2.8 million per quality-adjusted life year, still below the threshold value. The implementation of a CC vaccination in Japan could reduce the CC burden in a very cost-effective manner for women up to 45 years.