Abstract The quantities of chlorophyll (CHL) A and B, and pheophytin (PHY) A and B in 10 kinds of refined edible oils were estimated by the fluorometric method. The results revealed that CHL and PHY were present in commercial edible oils. PHY A showed the highest content at ca. 67% in total pigments. Compositional ratios of CHL and PHY were similar in different kinds of plant oils. Through the analysis of rapessed oils at every refining step, we determined that PHY is not formed during oil refining. In the autoxidation of soybean oils to which various amounts of CHL mixtures had been added, the peroxide value of tested oils increased in proportion to the total chlorophyll content. In addition, the compositional changes of the 4 components during autoxidation were investigated.
The dropping of glass vials because of negligence or accidental events that occur during the preparation or mixing of injectable drugs are examples of instances of occupational exposures occurring in a clinical setting. To reduce such risks, several types of glass vial packaging have been developed. We herein compared the resistance of base- and cup-type packaged vials to breakage and scattering of contents during falls with control vials. The falling heights at which the test products were dropped were set to 70, 135, and 180 cm. Compared with results in the control group, appearance changes were inhibited in the cup-type group. Significant differences were found between the cup-type and control groups at heights of 135 and 180 cm. Next, the resistance of the packaging to spilling and scattering of the solution from the vial was determined. There was no scattering in any types of vials at a height of 70 cm because they were not broken. However, at heights of 135 and 180 cm, the mean scattering distances in the control group were 50 and 70.6 cm, respectively. At these heights, some vials in the base-type and cup-type groups were also cracked, but the solution stayed completely inside the covering packaging, indicating an obvious antiscattering ability. Vials packed in cup- and base-type packaging would lower the risk of the exposure to hazardous drugs during vial breakages. Because the base-type packaging did not show significant antibreakage effects, the cup-type packaging is more suited for hazardous drug packaging. However, cup-type packaging requires equipment investments from pharmaceutical manufacturers. Thus, the cost-effectiveness and the target drug profile should be evaluated, and the use of cup- and base-type packaging as well as control forms should be selected accordingly.
We are trying to automate the work of unloading soil by installing retrofit equipment on large dump trucks. To automate the work, it is necessary to establish a standard for the unloading position. However, no method has been established for determining the optimal unloading position because the unloading of soil is done by the experience and feeling of the operator. To determine the best position, we considered how to unload more soil at the designated unloading location. Using simulator that can represent a variety of soil types, we investigated the relationship between different soil types, unloading position, and the amount and shape of soil piled in the virtual space.
A novel method to guide moving direction of a dog is proposed. By using nature of dogs to pursue moving objects, we aim to develop a suit that guides the direction of movement of dogs. This guiding system is beneficial for search and rescue dogs that also investigate in places where human cannot approach easily. We investigated which light source is suitable for guidance and how to irradiate it. In an indoor experiment, a laser pointer is suitable light source. On the other hands, a dog pursued a high brightness LED light in an outdoor experiment. An optimal position to irradiate the light was estimated to be around 1.0 m front position of a dog. When the light was moving at a constant speed, optimal speeds were 0.5 and 1.0 m/s. When the light was moving with constant acceleration, the effect of acceleration was not remarkable.
National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) has been developed aquatic animal experiment facilities for space experiments using NASA Space Shuttle. Vestibular Function Experiment Unit (VFEU) has been firstly designed and developed for Spacelab-J mission (STS-47), and 8 days space experiment with carp has been performed. Following, the VFEU, Aquatic Animal Experiment Unit (AAEU) has been developed to accommodate small aquatic animals second International Microgravity Laboratory mission (IML-2, STS-65). Four kinds of space experiments with goldfish, medaka, newt, and newt eggs have been performed for 15 days mission duration. Then, VFEU has been improved to accommodate marine fish under low temperature condition for Neurolab (STS-90) and STS-95 missions. 17 days (STS-90) and 9 days (STS-95) experiments with oyster toadfish have been performed by using the VFEU. This report summarizes the outline of these aquatic animal experiment facilities.
In order to prevent hypoglycemic condition of type I diabetic patients, we need to predict blood glucose level. In this study, we show that blood glucose level can be predicted with low delay and high accuracy than conventional method by linear prediction model with lag weighted regularization. We also compare blood glucose prediction for diabetic patients and healthy subjects.
One of the most challenging tasks for dump trucks to automate in earthmoving operations is the unloading of earth and sand in an area. The human operator performs the unloading task as much earth and sand as possible within the area empirically. Automation of this process requires the proposal of a new method to realize the work that is done empirically by humans. Therefore, I propose a new method to predict the shape of the sediment pile after unloading based on the characteristics of the pile, and to determine the unloading position based on the predicted shape of the pile.
Sensing position and orientation of construction vehicle is an important issue for automation of construction process. We aim to develop sensing and visualization technologies for construction vehicles. Our target construction vehicle is backhoes. Construction vehicles are usually rented in construction fields. However, construction vehicles that can be rented do not have the sensing function. It is too hard to obtain backhoe position and manipulator pose without sensing information. This paper proposes an attachable sensor box that can measure backhoe position and orientation and the manipulator pose. The sensor boxes can be attached on backhoe metal surface by magnetic force without any additional manufacturing on the construction vehicle surface. By using WiFi communication and mobile battery the sensor box can be easily attached on large-size backhoe without wiring. After the work is done, it is easily detached by changing magnetic force power. At loading and scooping motion, backhoe arm and boom have large force exceeding 16 G. To attach the sensor boxes to the arm and boom, we designed an additional magnetic frame that can generate force of 1960 N. The sensor boxes were firmly attached to each joint and prevented to drop by any force from backhoes movement. We also measured the behavior of the backhoe in loading works in hot conditions over 30 °C and visualized backhoe pose and tip manipulator position.
