A practical approach to switching-loss reduction in a large-capacity static VAr compensator based on voltage-source inverters

This paper presents a simple method for reduction of switching and snubbing losses in a large-capacity static VAr compensator (SVC) consisting of multiple three-phase voltage-source square-wave inverters. The proposed method is characterized by a “commutation capacitor” connected in parallel with each switching device. The commutation capacitor allows the SVC to perform zero-voltage switching, and to reduce switching losses. The electric charge stored in the commutation capacitor is not dissipated, but regenerated to the DC-link capacitor. Moreover, a soft-starting method for the SVC is also presented to avoid forming a short circuit across the commutation capacitor during startup. Experimental results obtained from a 10 kVAr laboratory setup are shown to verify the viability of the operating principle of the commutation capacitor </p

Analysis and design of a DC voltage-controlled static VAr compensator using quad-series voltage-source inverters

This paper presents a DC voltage-controlled static VAr compensator (SVC) using quad-series voltage-source non-PWM inverters. The SVC consists of four three-phase voltage-source inverters having a common DC capacitor and four three-phase transformers, the primary windings of which are connected in series with each other. Although each inverter outputs a square wave voltage, the synthesized AC voltage of the SVC has a 24-step waveshape. This results not only in a great reduction of harmonic currents and DC voltage ripples but also in less switching and snubbing losses. This paper develops the analysis of the transient response and the resonance between the AC reactors and the DC capacitor, with the focus on practical use. Experimental results obtained from a 10-kVA laboratory system are shown to agree well with the analytical results, thus verifying the analysis and leading to the design of DC capacitance value </p

Development and Analysis of Flexible Thin Actuator with a Built-in Fluid Pressure Source

A flexible thin actuator using gas-liquid phase-change of a low boiling point liquid that can generate large force was proposed and tested in the previous study. The tested actuator is an envelope-type actuator that is made of laminating plastic sheets, low boiling point liquid and a flexible heater. In this paper, the analytical model of the flexible thin actuator was proposed and tested. The system parameters of the actuator were also identified. As a result, it was confirmed that the proposed analytical model can predict the behaviour of the tested actuator

Development and Analysis of Flexible Thin Actuator with a Built-in Fluid Pressure Source

A flexible thin actuator using gas-liquid phase-change of a low boiling point liquid that can generate large force was proposed and tested in the previous study. The tested actuator is an envelope-type actuator that is made of laminating plastic sheets, low boiling point liquid and a flexible heater. In this paper, the analytical model of the flexible thin actuator was proposed and tested. The system parameters of the actuator were also identified. As a result, it was confirmed that the proposed analytical model can predict the behaviour of the tested actuator

Development of a Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Surveillance System, Calculation of SSI Rates and Specification of Important Factors Affecting SSI in a Digestive Organ Surgical Department

We have developed an original system to conduct surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance. This system accumulates SSI surveillance information based on the National N osocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) System and the Japanese Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (JNIS) System. The features of this system are as follows: easy input of data, high generality, data accuracy, SSI rate by operative procedure and risk index category (RIC) can be promptly calculated and compared with the current NNIS SSI rate, and the SSI rates and accumulated data can be exported electronically. Using this system, we monitored 798 patients in 24 operative procedure categories in the Digestive Organs Surgery Department of Mazda Hospital, Mazda Motor Corporation, from January 2004 through December 2005. The total number and rate of SSI were 47 and 5.89%, respectively. The SSI rates of 777 patients were calculated based on 15 operative procedure categories and Risk Index Categories (RIC). The highest SSI rate was observed in the rectum surgery of RIC 1 (30%), followed by the colon surgery of RIC3 (28.57%). About 30% of the isolated infecting bacteria were Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. Using quantification theory type 2, the American Society of Anesthesiology score (4.531), volume of hemorrhage under operation (3.075), wound classification (1. 76), operation time (1.352), and history of diabetes (0.989) increased to higher ranks as factors for SSL Therefore, we evaluated this system as a useful tool in safety control for operative procedures

A population of BJ fibroblasts escaped from Ras-induced senescence susceptible to transformation

Oncogenic stimuli such as H-Ras induce oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) in fibroblasts to protect against transformation. Here we found that a population of the human diploid fibroblasts can escape from OIS induced by H-RasV12. We designated these OIS-escaped cells as OISEC (OIS-escaped cells). OISEC lost the expression of p16 which plays an important role for cell cycle arrest for induction of senescence, but OISEC preserved the p16 expression machinery and exhibited senescence by the treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS). OISEC did not possess anchorage-independent growth potential, and functional disruption of p53 and Rb by SV40 early region encoding large T and small t antigens, induced the aneuploidy phenotype and colony-forming potential of OISEC together with the exhibition of in vivo tumor formation. Finally, we also found that the distinctive feature of OISEC is expression of transcription factors, Oct3/4, SOX2, and Nanog which is closely related to stem-like cell features. This study highlights the presence of a cell population which escaped from OIS, and this OISEC may transform into malignant cancer cells by the additional hits of several genes in vivo