Cooperative Handling Robot with Human Beings

The focus of this paper is on the analysis of delivery motion of human, development of an image processing method based on the motion analysis and development of the cooperative delivery robot using the image processing method. The proposed image processing method uses two cameras, and it uses a stereo reconstruction technique for measuring position and postures of hands. In addition, this image processing method recognize the number of fingers extending consciously, so the cooperative human beings could choose the kind of tool which he wants by holding out his hand in front of cameras

Disassembly System using an Impact Hammer for the Material Recycling

We developed the disassembly system that uses the impulsive load and disassembly tools to disassemble used appliances economically. The main components of this system are impulse hammer, a lift table and developed disassembly tools. Several types of disassembly tools are developed to punch out fastened portion on a part and cut off the shaft of screw or connection pin of IC-chip. A simulation model is proposed to explain and formulate how the fastening point of product is broken and cut. Three kinds of disassembly tools are designed. The actual disassembly system is developed by using proposed simulation models and disassembly tools

Suppressive effects of transforming growth factor-beta1 produced by hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines on interferon-gamma production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) exerts potent immunosuppressive effects. In this study, we investigated the potential role of TGF-beta1 produced by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines in immunosuppression mechanisms. Using the Mv1Lu cell-growth inhibition assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we detected optimal levels of TGF-beta1 in the culture supernatants conditioned by the HCC cell lines PLC/PRF/5, Hep3B, and HepG2. To determine the biological activity of TGF-beta1 in the supernatants, we examined the effects of the culture supernatants on the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma induced during the culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with interleukin (IL)-12. IFN-gamma production of IL-12-stimulated PBMCs in the 1:1 dilution of the acid-activated conditioned medium of PLC/PRF/5, Hep3B, and HepG2 reduced to 14.7 +/- 0.8, 17.3 +/- 9.0, and 35.9 +/- 14.6%, respectively, compared with the value in the culture with control medium (complete culture medium). These results suggest that HCC cells producing TGF-beta1 may reduce the generation or activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells, and thus could enhance their ability to escape immune-mediated surveillance.</p