918 research outputs found
Study on Improvement of Indonesia Shipbuilding Productivity with Theory of Constraints
Indonesia is a big country having big population, huge area and huge Exclusive Economic Zone area. For world harmonized growth, it is quite important to realize steady economy growth on Indonesia. Growth of Indonesia’s shipbuilding industry specifically is an important part to achieve Indonesia’s maritime vision, but by far as for the shipbuilding market, 3 major countries, China, South Korea and Japan have obtained almost 100% share, which means it is quite difficult to increase the world share. In the volatile marine world, fluctuating oil price often affect production capacity, and investment decision is hard to get with TOP management. Indonesia shipbuilding industry has big mission under severe management and environmental condition. We clarify basic dilemma / conflict inhibiting the growth of Indonesia shipbuilding industry under assumption of severe management environmental condition, with Theory of Constraints (TOC). The basic dilemmas are solved by erasing the reason of existence of opposite activity and the Indonesia shipbuilding ever-lasting development logic is proposed with the solution of basic dilemma
A Passivity-Based Distributed Reference Governor for Constrained Robotic Networks
This paper focuses on a passivity-based distributed reference governor (RG)
applied to a pre-stabilized mobile robotic network. The novelty of this paper
lies in the method used to solve the RG problem, where a passivity-based
distributed optimization scheme is proposed. In particular, the gradient
descent method minimizes the global objective function while the dual ascent
method maximizes the Hamiltonian. To make the agents converge to the agreed
optimal solution, a proportional-integral consensus estimator is used. This
paper proves the convergence of the state estimates of the RG to the optimal
solution through passivity arguments, considering the physical system static.
Then, the effectiveness of the scheme considering the dynamics of the physical
system is demonstrated through simulations and experiments.Comment: 8 pages, International Federation of Automatic Conference 2017, 8
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Delay Time Distribution Measurement of Type Ia Supernovae by the Subaru/XMM-Newton Deep Survey and Implications for the Progenitor
The delay time distribution (DTD) of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) from star
formation is an important clue to reveal the still unknown progenitor system of
SNe Ia. Here we report on a measurement of the SN Ia DTD in a delay time range
of t_Ia = 0.1-8.0 Gyr by using the faint variable objects detected in the
Subaru/XMM-Newton Deep Survey (SXDS) down to i' ~ 25.5. We select 65 SN
candidates showing significant spatial offset from nuclei of the host galaxies
having old stellar population at z ~ 0.4-1.2, out of more than 1,000 SXDS
variable objects. Although spectroscopic type classification is not available
for these, we quantitatively demonstrate that more than ~80% of these should be
SNe Ia. The DTD is derived using the stellar age estimates of the old galaxies
based on 9 band photometries from optical to mid-infrared wavelength. Combined
with the observed SN Ia rate in elliptical galaxies at the local universe, the
DTD in t_Ia ~ 0.1-10 Gyr is well described by a featureless power-law as
f_D(t_Ia) \propto t_Ia^{-1}. The derived DTD is in excellent agreement with the
generic prediction of the double-degenerate scenario, giving a strong support
to this scenario. In the single-degenerate (SD) scenario, although predictions
by simple analytic formulations have broad DTD shapes that are similar to the
observation, DTD shapes calculated by more detailed binary population synthesis
tend to have strong peaks at characteristic time scales, which do not fit the
observation. This result thus indicates either that the SD channel is not the
major contributor to SNe Ia in old stellar population, or that improvement of
binary population synthesis theory is required. Various sources of systematic
uncertainties are examined and tested, but our main conclusions are not
affected significantly.Comment: Matches the final version to be published in PASJ. A very minor bug
in the visibility time calculation has been fixed, resulting in slight
changes in the derived DTD (<~ 10%). Conclusions are not affected at all. The
font error of the labels in Fig 3 also fixe
Ghrelin inhibits insulin secretion through the AMPK–UCP2 pathway in β cells
AbstractGhrelin inhibits insulin secretion partly via induction of IA-2β. However, the orexigenic effect of ghrelin is mediated by the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)–uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) pathway. Here, we demonstrate that ghrelin’s inhibitory effect on insulin secretion also occurs through the AMPK-UCP2 pathway. Ghrelin increased AMPK phosphorylation and UCP2 mRNA expression in MIN6 insulinoma cells. Overexpression or downregulation of UCP2 attenuated or enhanced insulin secretion, respectively. Furthermore, AMPK activator had a similar effect to ghrelin on UCP2 and insulin secretion in MIN6 cells. In conclusion, ghrelin’s inhibitory effect on insulin secretion is partly mediated by the AMPK-UCP2 pathway, which is independent of the IA-2β pathway
Histopathology of Incidental Findings in Cynomolgus Monkeys (Macaca Fascicularis) Used in Toxicity Studies
The purpose of our publication is to widely communicate pictures of spontaneous findings
occurring in cynomolgus monkeys. Focal lymphoplasmacytic infiltration is commonly seen in
the general organs. The frequency and severity of these lesions may be influenced by the
administration of drugs with an effect on the immune system. Lymphoplasmacytic
infiltration in the lamina propria of the stomach is also frequently seen in cynomolgus
monkeys, and it is caused mainly by a Helicobacter pylori infection.
Various degrees of brown pigments are observed in various organs, and it is possible to
distinguish the material of the pigments by its morphological features and site. A
focal/segmental glomerular lesion is occasionally seen in a section of the kidney, and the
minimal lesion has no influence on the urinalysis. We showed the common glomerular lesions
in HE-stained sections, as well as in PAM- or PAS-stained sections, for understanding the
details. Young and pubertal monkeys are usually used in toxicity studies; therefore,
understanding various maturation stages of the genital system is important. In particular,
the female genital system needs to be understood in the morphology, because their cyclic
changes are different from other laboratory animals. Thus, we present the normal features
of the cyclic changes of the female genital organs. Furthermore, we provide more
information on spontaneous findings in cynomolgus monkeys for exact diagnoses in toxicity
studies
In Vitro
In vitro selection by display methods has been an effective tool for engineering recombinant antibodies. mRNA display based on a cell-free translation system has the advantages of larger library sizes and quicker selection procedures compared with cell-based display methods such as phage display. However, mRNA display has been limited to select single-chain polypeptides such as scFvs due to its characteristic of linking a nascent polypeptide with its encoding mRNA on the ribosome. Here we demonstrated a new way of selecting heterodimeric Fab fragments by using mRNA display combined with emulsion PCR. We designed a pair of complementary 5′ UTR sequences that can link the Fab heavy and light chain genes together by overlap-extension PCR in water-in-oil emulsions. We confirmed that two mRNA-displayed polypeptides for heavy and light chain of a model Fab fragment were associated into the active form and that a specific Fab fragment gene was enriched over 100-fold per round of a model affinity selection followed by the gene-linking emulsion PCR. We further performed directed evolution of Fab fragments with higher binding activity from a randomized Fab fragment library
Residential proximity to major roads and adverse birth outcomes: a hospital-based study
Background: Exposure to air pollution has been demonstrated to increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW). Although evidence has accumulated on characteristics associated with increased risk of air pollution-related health effects, most studies have been conducted in the adult population and evidence on reproductive outcomes is limited. We examined whether socio-economic position (SEP) and parental characteristics (parental behavior and co-morbidity) modified the relationship between air pollution and adverse birth outcomes. Methods: Data were extracted from a perinatal hospital database based in Shizuoka, Japan. We restricted the analysis to mothers who delivered live-born single births from January 1997 to December 2010 (n = 16,615). Each birth was assigned proximity to major roads. Multivariate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for the outcomes of preterm birth and term LBW. We stratified subjects by individual/area-level SEP and parental characteristics. We then measured interactions on the additive scale between the respective factors and exposure. Results: Lower SEP at both individual and area levels was associated with the increased occurrence of adverse birth outcomes. Living within 200 m from a major road increased the risk of preterm birth by 1.5 times (95% CI: 1.3-1.9) and LBW by 1.2 times (95% CI: 0.9-1.6). Mothers with lower individual SEP defined by household occupation experienced higher ORs for term LBW (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.2-8.2) compared with those with higher individual SEP. In contrast, mothers who lived in the highest area-level SEP region (i.e., affluent areas) showed slightly higher point estimates compared with those who lived in middle or poor areas. In addition, maternal diabetic and hypertensive status modified the association between proximity and preterm birth, while maternal smoking status modified the association between proximity and term LBW. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that air pollution is an independent risk factor for adverse birth outcomes. Mothers with lower individual SEP and mothers living in higher SEP region may be susceptible to the adverse effect of air pollution. Maternal diabetic, hypertensive, and smoking status may also increase susceptibility to this air pollution-related health effect
Quantitative Evaluation of Liver Function with Use of Gadoxetate Disodium-enhanced MR Imaging
Purpose: To determine whether liver function correlating with indocyanine green (ICG) clearance could be estimated quantitatively from gadoxetate disodium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and the requirement for informed consent was waived. Twenty-three consecutive patients who underwent an ICG clearance test and gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MR imaging with the same parameters as were used for a preoperative examination were chosen. The hepatocellular uptake index (HUI) from liver volume (V(L)) and mean signal intensity of the liver on contrastenhanced T1-weighted images with fat suppression (L(20)) and mean signal intensity of the spleen on contrastenhanced T1-weighted images with fat suppression (S(20)) on 3D gradient-echo T1-weighted images with fat suppression obtained at 20 minutes after gadoxetate disodium (0.025 mmol per kilogram of body weight) administration was determined with the following equation: V(L)[(L(20)/S(20)) 2 1]. The correlation of the plasma disappearance rate of ICG (ICG-PDR) and various factors derived from MR imaging, including HUI, iron and fat deposition in the liver and spleen, and spleen volume (V(S)), were evaluated with stepwise multiple regression analysis. The difference between the ratio of the remnant HUI to the HUI of the total liver (rHUI/HUI) and ratio of the liver remnant V(L) to the total V(L)(rV(L)/V(L)) was evaluated in four patients who had segmental heterogeneity of liver function. Results: HUI and V(S) were the factors significantly correlated with ICG-PDR (R = 0.87). The mean value and its 95% confidence interval were 0.18 and 0.01 to 0.34, respectively, for the following calculation: (rHUI/HUI) 2 (rV(L)/V(L)). Conclusion: The liver function correlating with ICG-PDR can be estimated quantitatively from the signal intensities and the volumes of the liver and spleen on gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MR images, which may improve the estimation of segmental liver function. (C) RSNA, 2011ArticleRADIOLOGY. 260(3):727-733 (2011)journal articl
Efficient generation of GGTA1-deficient pigs by electroporation of the CRISPR/Cas9 system into in vitro-fertilized zygotes
Background: Xenoantigens are a major source of concern with regard to the success of interspecific xenografts. GGTA1 encodes α1,3-galactosyltransferase, which is essential for the biosynthesis of galactosyl-alpha 1,3-galactose, the major xenoantigen causing hyperacute rejection. GGTA1-modified pigs, therefore, are promising donors for pig-to-human xenotransplantation. In this study, we developed a method for the introduction of the CRISPR/Cas9 system into in vitro-fertilized porcine zygotes via electroporation to generate GGTA1-modified pigs.
Results: We designed five guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting distinct sites in GGTA1. After the introduction of the Cas9 protein with each gRNA via electroporation, the gene editing efficiency in blastocysts developed from zygotes was evaluated. The gRNA with the highest gene editing efficiency was used to generate GGTA1-edited pigs. Six piglets were delivered from two recipient gilts after the transfer of electroporated zygotes with the Cas9/gRNA complex. Deep sequencing analysis revealed that five out of six piglets carried a biallelic mutation in the targeted region of GGTA1, with no off-target events. Furthermore, staining with isolectin B4 confirmed deficient GGTA1 function in GGTA1 biallelic mutant piglets.
Conclusions: We established GGTA1-modified pigs with high efficiency by introducing a CRISPR/Cas9 system into zygotes via electroporation. Multiple gene modifications, including knock-ins of human genes, in porcine zygotes via electroporation may further improve the application of the technique in pig-to-human xenotransplantation
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