Information and Control ICIC International c ⃝2011 ISSN

Abstract. This paper suggests a real-time implementation method for software-in-theloop (SIL) simulation for control systems, primarily for control education. The SIL simulation is carried out by using a PC for the controllers, a PC for the plant, an open network, and a general-purpose computer-aided control system design (CACSD) package. Specially, Ethernet network is investigated in terms of control issues such as sampling interval, network-induced time-delay, use with many I/O points and data synchronization. A performance evaluation of software-in-th

Satellite Clustering for Non-Terrestrial Networks: Concept, Architectures, and Applications

Recently, mega-constellations with a massive number of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are being considered as a possible solution for providing global coverage due to relatively low latency and high throughput compared to geosynchronous orbit satellites. However, as the number of satellites and operators participating in the LEO constellation increases, inter-satellite interference will become more severe, which may yield marginal improvement or even decrement in network throughput. In this article, we introduce the concept of satellite clusters that can enhance network performance through satellites' cooperative transmissions. The characteristics, formation types, and transmission schemes for the satellite clusters are highlighted. Simulation results evaluate the impact of clustering from coverage and capacity perspectives, showing that when the number of satellites is large, the performance of clustered networks outperforms the unclustered ones. The viable network architectures of the satellite cluster are proposed based on the 3GPP standard. Finally, the future applications of clustered satellite networks are discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, 1 table, submitted to IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazin

Luciferase-Rose Bengal Conjugates for Single Oxygen Generation by Bioluminescence Resonant Energy Transfer

Conjugates of Rose Bengal and Renilla luciferase generated singlet oxygen upon binding with coelenterazine via bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). Since the applications of conventional PDT have been limited to superficial lesions due to the limited light penetration in tissue, BRET activated PDT which does not require external light illumination may overcome the limitations of conventional PDT.115Ysciescopu

Association of factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism and coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis

Background: Factor XIII plays an important role in the stabilization of the linkage between fibrins and in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD). The association between factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism and CAD risk remains controversial. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of 36 studies involving 26,940 cases and 34,694 controls. Subgroup analyses were performed with division of data into disease (myocardial infarction [MI], CAD without MI), age, and sex. Results: Factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism was significantly associated with ove all CAD risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–1.06, p = 0.004) and MI risk (OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.07–1.25, p = 0.0003), but not with CAD without MI risk (OR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.87–1.15, p = 0.96). In the subgroup analysis by age and sex, there was no association between Val34Leu polymorphism and CAD. Conclusions: This meta-analysis found that factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism was associated with CAD risk, especially MI, but not with CAD without MI. In addition, age and sex did not affect the relationship between factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism and CAD risk.

Two cases of female hydrocele of the canal of nuck

The processus vaginalis within the inguinal canal forms the canal of Nuck, which is a homolog of the processus vaginalis in women. Incomplete obliteration of the processus vaginalis causes indirect inguinal hernia or hydrocele of the canal of Nuck, a very rare condition in women. Here, we report 2 cases of hydrocele of the canal of Nuck that were diagnosed with ultrasonography in both cases and magnetic resonance imaging in 1 case to confirm the sonographic diagnosis. High ligation and hydrocelectomy were conducted in both patients. In 1 patient, 14 months later, the occurrence of contralateral inguinal hernia was suspected, but did not require surgery. The other patient had a history of surgery for left inguinal hernia 11 months before the occurrence of right hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. In both cases, the occurrence of an inguinal hernia on the contralateral side was noted

Schisandrae Fructus ethanol extract ameliorates inflammatory responses and articular cartilage damage in monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats

Schisandrae Fructus, the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a number of chronic diseases. Although, Schisandrae Fructus was recently reported to attenuate the interleukin (IL)-1β-induced inflammatory response in chondrocytes in vitro, its protective and therapeutic potential against osteoarthritis (OA) in an animal model remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the ethanol extract of Schisandrae Fructus (SF) on inflammatory responses and cartilage degradation in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA rat model. Our results demonstrated that administration with SF had a tendency to attenuate MIA-induced damage of articular cartilage as determined by a histological grade of OA. SF significantly suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in MIA-induced OA rats. SF also effectively inhibited expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, thereby inhibiting the release of NO and prostaglandin E2. In addition, the elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinases-13 and two biomarkers for diagnosis and progression of OA, such as cartilage oligomeric matrix protein and C-telopeptide of type II collagen, were markedly ameliorated by SF administration. These findings indicate that SF could be a potential candidate for the treatment of OA

Involvement of Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction in the Cytoprotective and Immunomodulatory Activities of Viola patrinii in Murine Hippocampal and Microglia Cells

A number of diseases that lead to injury of the central nervous system are caused by oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. In this study, NNMBS275, consisting of the ethanol extract of Viola patrinii, showed potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity in murine hippocampal HT22 cells and BV2 microglia. NNMBS275 increased cellular resistance to oxidative injury caused by glutamate-induced neurotoxicity and reactive oxygen species generation in HT22 cells. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effects of NNMBS275 were demonstrated by the suppression of proinflammatory mediators, including proinflammatory enzymes (inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β). Furthermore, we found that the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of NNMBS275 were linked to the upregulation of nuclear transcription factor-E2-related factor 2-dependent expression of heme oxygenase-1 in HT22 and BV2 cells. These results suggest that NNMBS275 possesses therapeutic potential against neurodegenerative diseases that are induced by oxidative stress and neuroinflammation