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The real-time optimal load dispatch (OLD) problem in a hydropower plant aims to determine the generation level of each generating unit (GU) in the most efficient way and a few seconds. Due to the hydro production function (HPF), it is a nonlinear programming (NLP) problem that can be efficiently handled via mixed-integer linear programming (MILP). However, solving the real-time OLD of the Santo Antonio Hydro Plant (SAHP) is particularly challenging, both in terms of modeling and execution time, due to the following issues: (1) there are 50 GUs with different hydraulic efficiency curves; (2) the gross head is dependent of the GU dam location; and (3) significant (and potentially dangerous) losses in the trash racks produced by the Madeira River debris. In this scenario, this paper presents a recommendation system for the real-time OLD of the SAHP based on MILP. In real-time, the system employs gross head and trash rack losses measures to model and solve a MILP problem that obtains the GUs power level to be used by the hydro plant operator. We compare the system solution with the strategy currently used by the plant operator and with the equal dispatch between the identical GUs. The results emphasize the improvement in plant productivity. In the 2019 year, for example, the OLD real-time recommendation system presents a 9852.63 MWh increasing in power energy generation.

In Brazil, free consumers must follow the criteria established by Law 9.074/95 and participate in the Free Contracting Environment (ACL), regulated by Decree 5.163/04, together with energy generators, traders, importers and exporters. These free consumers can choose and negotiate their energy purchase contracts (energy volumes, contract terms, prices, flexibilization and financial guarantees) with the other agents connected to the interconnected Brazilian grid. However, free consumers must have 100% of its energy contracted to avoid exposure to the short-term market and possible penalties, among others points. It is noteworthy that free consumers in Brazil are usually large industries and use electricity energy only to manufacture their products. In this sense, they are totally averse to contractual risks and penalties and seek the ACL only to obtain financial reductions with the same contractual security as the regulated market. In this sense, the main objective of this work is to model the mathematical optimization problem for contract flexibility optimization by free consumer in the ACL, minimizing the energy cost to meet its demand.

The Santo Antonio is the fifth largest hydro plant in Brazil. Due to the environmental constraints, the plant follows a run-of-river operation and, to handle inflow variability, possesses t...

espanolLa energia solar fotovoltaica es una energia renovable que esta creciendo en el escenario energetico brasileno, principalmente despues de la aprobacion de la Resolucion Normativa (REN) n° 482/2012 de la Agencia Reguladora Brasilena (ANEEL). Esta REN establece las condiciones generales de acceso de micro y mini-generacion al sistema de distribucion (energia distribuida) y al sistema de compensacion de energia (net metering). La evolucion de la tecnologia solar fotovoltaica junto con la nueva perspectiva creada por la REN 482/2012, ha hecho muchas unidades consumidoras instalaren un sistema fotovoltaico (SFV). Sin embargo, se pueden considerar muchos aspectos como el lugar de instalacion, el potencial solar de la region, la red de distribucion (RD), las reglas de conexion, asi como el analisis financiero economico de la instalacion y su mantenimiento. Asi, este trabajo presenta un analisis de la instalacion de un SFV en una unidad de consumo comercial en Florianopolis - Brasil, considerando un sistema para ser conectado a la RD local y sus analisis economico-financieros. Se simularon diferentes escenarios, variando los aspectos que pueden influir en el rendimiento de la inversion, como el porcentaje de autoconsumo, las variaciones tarifarias a lo largo de los anos, las incidencias impositivas sobre la energia generada, asi como la variacion en el tamano del SFV. Como resultado, se puede ver en los escenarios que el cambio en la tarifa a traves de los anos, la forma de adquisicion a traves del financiamiento y la posibilidad de ventas de energia pueden ser las cosas que mas influyen en el retorno de la inversion. Sin embargo, en Brasil, el financiamiento de SFV y la venta de energia todavia no estan regulados para la unidad de consumo. EnglishThe photovoltaic solar energy is a renewable energy source that is growing in the Brazilian energy scenario, mainly after the approval of Normative Resolution (REN) n° 482/2012 of the Brazilian Regulatory Agency (ANEEL). This REN establishes the general conditions of micro and mini-generation access to the distribution system (distributed energy) and the energy compensation system (net metering). The evolution of photovoltaic solar technology coupled with the new perspective created by REN 482/2012, made many consumers unities to install a photovoltaic system (PVS). However, many aspects can be considered, for example, characteristic of the installation place, solar potential of the region, distribution network (DN), connection rules, as well as the financial economic analysis of installation and its maintenance. Thus, this paper presents an analysis of PVS installation in a commercial consumer unit in Florianopolis - Brazil, considering a system design to be connected to the local DN and their financial economic analyses. Different scenarios were simulated, ranging the aspects that may influence the investment return, like the self-consumption percentage, the tariff variations over the years, the tax incidences on the generated energy, as well as the variation in the PVS size. As a result, it can be seen in scenarios that the change in the tariff over the years, the form of acquisition through financing and the possibility of energy sales can be the things that most influences the return on investment. However, in Brazil, PVS financing and energy sale are not regulated to the consumer unit yet.

O problema de distribuição ótima de carga (DOC) em uma usina hidrelétrica (UHE) visa determinar, em tempo real, o despacho de cada unidade geradora (UG) da maneira mais eficiente possível. As não linearidades e não convexidades da função de produção hidrelétrica (FPH) de cada UG tornam desafiadora a busca por uma solução ótima neste problema. Uma das maneiras de lidar eficientemente com as não linearidades do problema de DOC é através da linearização e do tratamento do problema como uma programação linear inteira-mista (PLIM). Neste cenário, este artigo apresenta um sistema de recomendação de DOC baseado em um modelo de PLIM para a UHE de Santo Antônio. Diversas peculiaridades desta UHE tornam esse problema desafiador, destacando-se o elevado número de UGs, turbinas com diferentes curvas-colina, queda bruta dependente da localização da UG e ainda, perdas hidráulicas em função do elevado grau de obstrução nas grades advindas dos detritos do Rio Madeira. O sistema de recomendação faz uso de uma série de medições em tempo real, resolve o modelo de PLIM e apresenta a DOC para os operadores da usina. Os resultados deste sistema indicam um potencial de aumento de geração de 1,0 % na UHE, particularmente em período de seca.

The Technology Course in Energy Systems (TCES) of the Electrotechnical Academic Department (EAD) is located at the Florianópolis Campus of Federal Institute of Santa Catarina (FISC). After ten years of the TCES it is proposed a renewal of the logo of the course, through an open competition to the community. In this sense, the extension project aims to mobilize the community and students of the course in order to encourage the creativity and also the TCES publication. The main results of the project were the students encouragement and the community acceptance of the new TCES logo.

This paper presents a comparative analysis of different mathematical programming approaches for optimizing the hydro unit commitment (HUC) problem with cascaded plants, multiple generating units, and a head-dependent hydropower model. Regarding the HUC problem related to this paper, the objective is to minimize the cascade outflow while satisfying all constraints, including a power target for each plant, in a day-ahead planning horizon. The decision variables are the on/off status of the units and the respective generation levels. Rigorously, the HUC is a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem, and several strategies can be used to compute near-optimal solutions. In this paper, we are interested in accessing the solution quality, as well as the computational performance when the HUC problem is solved using the following mathematical programming approaches: (i) the Lagrangian relaxation that represents a decomposition technique that exploits the HUC modeling structure, (ii) a MINLP solver that can handle the size and the non-concavity of the problem, and (iii) a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) approach obtained by means of the hydropower model linearization. To perform the proposed analysis, numerical results are presented related to a real hydro system with eight cascaded reservoirs and 29 generating units.

The use of small renewable energies to supply the consumers are being increasingly encouraged, mainly by reducing the environmental impacts, the diversity of the energy matrix and the possibility to delay conventional energy transmission and distribution infrastructure expansion. Allied to this, there are government incentives for consumers to adopt this measure of generation. In Brazil, the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) by Normative Resolution 482/2012, encourages the implementation of energy generation (here called micro and mini generation) from renewable sources for their own consumption. The main objective of this work is to illustrate a possible energy management for the consumer side with photovoltaic generation. Thus, the problem can be mathematically modeled as an optimization problem, which allows consumers to manage their energy consumption, according to their priority of use, meeting part of its consumption by photovoltaic generating and also considering different values of energy tariffs. This optimization problem is a linear programming, implemented by a simulator, which is used to analyze scenarios for the consumer and to assist their energy management.

We present a new strategy to solve the hydro unit commitment (HUC) in plants with many generating units (GUs), where the nonlinear Hydro Production Function (HPF) is linearized via Logarithmic Aggregated Convex Combination (LACC). Although the LACC is an efficient technique, the solution procedure via Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) solver in plants with several GUs is still a challenging task. Thus, this paper proposes a solution strategy that is divided into two steps. In the first step, the identical GUs are aggregated into an equivalent one, and the resulting MILP is resolved for obtaining the starting values of the gross head (GH). In the second step, the GH is used to determine the optimal dispatch considering the individualized HPF for each UG. The performance of the proposed strategy is analyzed in a Brazilian hydro plant composed of 50 GUs of two different types.

The hydro unit commitment (HUC) problem seeks to determine, for a short-term horizon with (semi)hourly discretization, the status (on/off) and generation level of each generating unit (GU) to meet plant and GUs constraints. In the HUC problem, the nonlinearities and non-convexities of the hydro production function (HPF), and the presence of binary variables that identify which GUs must be dispatched at each time step make the search for a solution challenging. Due to the recent developments in commercial mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) solvers, it is possible to approximate the nonlinear and nonconvex HPF through piecewise-linear (PWL) models with reasonable accuracy. Throughout this paper we emphasize the potential advantages of seven MILP formulations that can be categorized as parametric and non-parametric methods. Given the complexities of state-of-the-art solvers, it is hard to predict which formulation performs better. Although some guidelines can be found in literature, the formulation that performs best can be strongly dependent on the specific problem structure or data. In this context, we develop and compare seven multidimensional nonseparable PWL models for representing the HPF in the HUC problem. To assess the performance of each PWL model, we present results using a 6-GU hydro plant of two different types.

This paper proposes a novel case-based reasoning (CBR) approach to support the intelligent management of energy resources in a residential context. The proposed approach analyzes previous cases of consumption reduction in houses, and determines the amount that should be reduced in each moment and in each context, in order to meet the users’ needs in terms of comfort while minimizing the energy bill. The actual energy resources management is executed using the SCADA House Intelligent Management (SHIM) system, which schedules the use of the different resources, taking into account the suggested reduction amount. A case study is presented, using data from Brazilian consumers. Several scenarios are considered, representing different combinations concerning the type of house/inhabitants, the season, the type of used energy tariff, the use of Photovoltaic system (PV) generation, and the maximum amount of allowed reduction. Results show that the proposed CBR approach is able to suggest appropriate amounts of energy reduction, which result in significant reductions of the energy bill, while, with the use of SHIM, minimizing the reduction of users’ comfort.

This paper addresses the Short-Term Hydrothermal Scheduling – STHS problem of power systems. In this problem, besides the constraints associated to hydro and thermal plants, network constraints are included due to the significant number of hydro plants located far from the load. In the STHS problem, hydro and thermal plants must be coordinated in order to supply the demand at a minimum cost and comply with a set of constraints, over a short-term horizon. Aiming to solve this problem considering the presence of nonlinearities, large number of decision variables and constraints coupled in time periods, we propose a strategy based on Lagrangian Relaxation – LR and Augmented Lagrangian – AL techniques. By using LR scheme, based on a variable splitting technique, the resulting separable dual problem is solved by a Bundle method. A primal feasible solution is obtained using the AL technique, based on the Auxiliary Problem Principle – APP approach, starting from the primal and dual solutions supplied by the LR phase. A computational model that makes use of the proposed strategy is tested on a hydrothermal configuration, whose data were extracted from the Brazilian Hydrothermal power system.

This paper addresses the short-term scheduling problem of hydrothermal power systems, which results in a large-scale mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem. The objective consists in minimizing the operation cost over a two-day horizon with a one-hour time resolution. To solve this difficult problem, a Lagrangian Relaxation (LR) based on variable splitting is designed where the resulting dual problem is solved by a Bundle method. Given that the LR usually fails to find a feasible solution, we use an inexact Augmented Lagrangian method to improve the quality of the solution supplied by the LR. We assess our approach by using a real-life hydrothermal configuration extracted from the Brazilian power system, proving the conceptual and practical feasibility of the proposed algorithm. In summary, the main contributions of this paper are (i) a detailed and compatible modelling for this problem is presented; (ii) in order to solve efficiently the entire problem, a suitable decomposition strategy is presented. As a result of these contributions, the proposed model is able to find practical solutions with moderate computational burden, which is absolutely necessary in the modern power industry.

Recently, it has been suggested that macrolide antibiotics act as immunomodulators. In this study, we evaluated the effect of clarithromycin (CAM) on macrophage function. We used the mouse macrophage cell line, J774.1. The following direct effects of CAM on macrophage function were evaluated: chemotaxis to CAM, chemokinetic effect of CAM, and the effect of CAM on macrophage growth. In order to examine the indirect effects of CAM on macrophage functions, we preincubated macrophages with several concentrations of CAM and then removed the CAM. Thereafter, the phagocytosis of beads, cytocidal activity against Candida albicans, and chemotaxis to lipopolysaccharide were evaluated. In addition, the indirect effects of CAM on endoxan (4 mg/ml) treated macrophage phagocytosis, cytocidal activity, and chemotaxis were evaluated. CAM (at the concentration between 0.04 and 0.2 microgram/ml) directly stimulated macrophage chemotaxis and chemokinesis. In addition, CAM dose-dependently stimulated the growth of macrophages. CAM pretreatment (for 4 hours at the concentrations between 0.04 and 0.2 microgram/ml) stimulated macrophage phagocytosis, cytocidal activity against Candida albicans, and chemotaxis to lipopolysaccharide. In addition, CAM recovered macrophage phagocytosis, cytocidal activity, and chemotaxis which were decreased after endoxan exposure. These results suggest that CAM has direct and indirect effects on macrophage functions.

The problem dealt here is called Short-Term Hydrothermal Scheduling - STHS. The objective of the STHS problem is to optimize the electricity production, considering a short-term planning horizon. In this problem, hydro and thermal plants must be coordinated in order to satisfy the electricity demand at the minimum cost and complying with reliability standards. Mathematically, the STHS is modeled as a deterministic, nonlinear, mixed-integer and large scale optimization problem. A Lagrangian Relaxation - LR scheme based on a variable splitting technique is proposed. By using it, the resulting separable dual problem is solved by a Bundle method. The purpose of this study is to analyze the decomposition strategy and the quality of the solution produced by the LR and the pseudo-primal point, which is calculated by active cuts of the Bundle method. A computational model is tested on a hydrothermal configuration, whose data were extracted from the Brazilian Hydrothermal power system.

Metal mesh sensors that work at higher frequencies were developed and tested. The experimental results indicated that the sensitivity at 10 THz was 50 times that at 1 THz. The high sensitivity was attributed to the localized electromagnetic field and the optical thickness of the sample.

Islanding phenomenon can occur when a distribution line circuit, connected with a large number of PV generation systems, is opened. Islanding must be eliminated as rapidly as possible, because this phenomenon can cause many problems. This paper presents results of islanding tests, with a preventive method of power capacitor insertion. Insertion of capacitors during islanding is effective to get rid of the islanding phenomenon in a short time. This approach, involving the use of capacitors in the utility distribution circuit, promises to eliminate the need to provide an additional islanding detection function on the part of the PV power system. >

The optimum islanding preventing method for the small scale dispersed PV system were evaluated, based on a simulation analysis concerning the occurrence probability of islanding phenomenon in actual operation. As a result, it is sufficient to adopt only one developed measure when the PV penetration ratio to distribution line capacity is less than 20% to 30%. It is necessary to adopt a combination method consisting of 2 or more developed measures when the penetration ratio is more than 40%. The harmonic monitoring method is effective in the case of using it in a combination method.

In the future, serious problems may arise with the maintenance of power quality, stability and safety of electric utility grids interconnected with low quality private PV power systems, without adequate protection measures being taken. The safety problem is the most important factor for electric utilities in Japan and therefore the reliability of islanding protection of such power systems must be checked because the phenomenon will directly affect the safety of personnel and utility facilities. In order to solve this problem, a reliable and compact protective control unit for residential PV power system application was developed by CRIEPI. It is confirmed that the unit shows excellent reliability for interconnected power system islanding protection.

Research on methods of performance testing and evaluation of PCSs for photovoltaic (PV) application is described. The major objective is establishment of unified test and evaluation methods. Performance testing and evaluation from R&D projects and comparison with overseas products are additional purposes. An outline of the facility, test results, problems, and comparisons for various products is shown. In addition, problems of PCS reliability are described. >

Utility interconnection and control technologies for small-scale dispersed PV (photovoltaic) systems are being studied at the Rokko Island 200 kV PV test facility in Kobe, Japan. Some safety problems of the utility grid are being investigated. Some results of experiments conducted to date are reported. It was found that the operation of the protective relay installed in the utility substation is influenced by the PV systems' power output on a short-circuit fault of the distribution line. In addition, it was confirmed that the automatic reclosing operation of the grid to separate the line fault section is interfered with by an islanding phenomenon. Some methods for preventing the run-on or islanding phenomenon on the distribution line with a number of PV systems were demonstrated, and results are reported. >

It is a defect that PV power generation is only useful for clear daytime conditions. However, a new 24 hours application as an extended area can be added by the active utilization of the potential ability of PV power conditioners. For this purpose, a new multi functional power conditioner was developed which has a smoothing function to reduce PV output variation and load fluctuation, and also has additional function to compensate harmonics current and reactive power caused by customer's load. As a result of indoor testing, a reduction rate of 1/5 for harmonic currents and 1/7 for reactive power were achieved. In addition, a 1/10 reduction rate for smoothing of PV output variation and load fluctuation was observed. The work has been promoted by NEDO as a part of New Sunshine Project in Japan.

The PV array has unstable output patterns dependent on weather conditions. Therefore, assuming the high density grid connection in the future, these unstable output patterns can be one of the main reasons to cause power disturbances such as the voltage variation, the frequency variation and the harmonic voltage generation into the utility. Also, it should be considered that a sudden customer load change is one of those reasons. Therefore this study suggested a PV system with suppression functions against such disturbances in the side of amicable relationship with utility and verified the validity of the proposed system by EMTP and ACSL based analysis.

Fibroblast contraction of collagen gels is regarded as a model of wound contraction. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta added to such gels can augment contraction consistent with its suggested role as a mediator of fibrotic repair. Since fibroblasts isolated from fibrotic tissues have been suggested to express a "fibrotic phenotype," we hypothesized that TGF-beta exposure may lead to a persistent increase in fibroblasts' contractility. To evaluate this question, confluent human fetal lung fibroblasts were treated with serum-free Dulbecco modified Eagle medium (DMEM), with or without 100 pM [corrected] TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, or TGF-beta3 for 48 h. Fibroblasts were then trypsinized and cast into gels composed of native type I collagen isolated from rat tail tendons. After 20 min for gelation, the gels were released and maintained in serum-free DMEM. TGF-beta-pretreated fibroblasts caused significantly more rapid gel contraction (52.5+/-0.6, 50.9+/-0.2, and 50.3+/-0.5% by TGF-beta1, -beta2, and -beta3 pretreated fibroblasts, respectively) than control fibroblasts (74.0+/-0.3%, P0.01). This effect is concentration dependent (50-200 nM), and all three isoforms had equal activity. The effect of TGF-beta1, however, persisted for only a short period of time following the removal of TGF-beta, and was lost with sequential passage. These observations suggest that the persistent increase in collagen-gel contractility, mediated by fibroblasts from fibrotic tissues, would not appear to be solely due to previous exposure of these cells to TGF-beta.

Angiogenesis is regulated by various factors. In particular, VEGF and basic FGF are of much importance. We found that 8-(3-oxo-4,5,6-trihydroxy-3h-xanthen-9-yl)-1-naphthoic acid inhibited the binding of VEGF to KDR/Flk-1 (VEGF receptor-2) or Flt-1 (VEGF receptor-1) and that it inhibited the MAPK phosphorylation in HUVEC induced by VEGF or basic FGF but not by EGF. 8-(3-oxo-4,5,6-trihydroxy-3h-xanthen-9-yl)-1-naphthoic acid might be used as an inhibitor of VEGF and basic FGF signal transduction.

The monotonous PSOC (partial state of charging) test is not sufficient in Japan, because it can not accurately reflect the degradation mode of a storage battery in actual PV systems. To solve the problem, a new PSOC test pattern was developed, which has two current rates, the so called "modulated PSOC test pattern". It was proved that the proposed pattern is the most effective for life time evaluation of a battery because it has a short test period, less than 30% of ordinary simple PSOC test methods, and reflects the same degradation mode as an actual PV system.

The results of a follow-up study concerning the decontamination of Mycobacterium chelonae subspecies abscessus from the bronchofibrescopes and the automated bronchoscope disinfection machine are described in this paper. After modification of the methods for disinfecting the bronchofibrescopes (adding a disinfection procedure with 70% alcohol before using the automated bronchoscope disinfection machine, increasing glutaraldehyde concentration to 3%, and changing the glutaraldehyde solution once a week), and the automated bronchoscope disinfection machine (recirculating used disinfectant), M. chelonae has not been detected from either the bronchofibrescopes or the automated bronchoscope disinfection machine (examined every 6 months for 4 yr by microscopy and cultures). Moreover, no M. chelonae has been clinically detected from bronchial washings for 4 yr.

Between January 1988 and December 1992, 68 patients admitted to our Department of Internal Medicine with hematological malignancies or solid tumors showed colonization of the respiratory tract with Xanthomonas maltophilia (X. maltophilia). To characterize the significance of respiratory tract colonization by X. maltophilia, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the 68 patients colonized with this organism. Twenty-seven of these 68 patients developed pneumonia, with X. maltophilia being implicated in 10 cases. The majority of the 10 patients showed lobular infiltration on chest X-ray. Pleural effusion was observed in 2 (20%) of the 10 patients. All 68 strains of X. maltophilia were resistant to imipenem/cilastatin. Most strains (98.5%) were sensitive to latamoxef, while all strains were sensitive to minocycline. This report describes the clinical features of nosocomial X. maltophilia pneumonia in immunocompromised patients.

As part of a continuing study of the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in industry, we measured sensory conduction of the median nerve in 101 Japanese furniture factory workers. We used the maximum latency difference (MLD) with a critical value of ≥0.40 msec to indicate abnormal slowing of nerve conduction. The prevalence of slowing in the Japanese workers was 17.8%, while the prevalence of probable CTS (based on symptoms only) was 2.5%, and the prevalence of definite CTS (probable CTS confirmed by slowing) was 2.0%. The most important factor predicting the MLD was the body mass index. The MLD was the most important factor predicting probable CTS. The prevalence of slowing in the Japanese workers was not significantly different from the prevalence of slowing in 316 American workers from four industries (22.0%), but the prevalences of probable CTS and definite CTS were much lower in the Japanese. The meaning of these findings is discussed.

Eleven patients underwent surgical excision for left atrial myxomas. Clinical symptoms, coronary angiographic findings and operative procedures were evaluated. Myxomas were classified into two types based on macroscopical findings, and clinical characteristics of these two types were analyzed. Seven cases (64%) classified as "lobular-type myxomas" were seen as lobulated, gelatinous and fragile. Four cases (36%) were classified as "round-type myxomas" were round and elastic soft. Primary symptoms included dyspnea on exertion in five cases (45%) and neurological disturbances in six cases (55%). Brain emboli were found in four patients by CT scan, and were classified as lobular-type myxomas. These eleven myxomas successfully removed in all cases. Four of these myxomas, which were pedunculated with fine fibrous stalks, were shaved along the base at the atrial septum or free wall. Others were excised completely along with a portion of the adjacent septum. Microscopic examination of the operative specimens revealed that two lobular-type myxomas with broad-based attachment to left atrial septum had invaded the atrial septum. All patients are doing well and have had no signs of myxoma recurrence at postoperative periods ranging from 10 months to 12 years (mean follow-up 5.3 years). Seven patients underwent selective coronary angiography due to a diagnosis of a coronary artery disease. All coronary angiograms were normal in all cases. In five (71%) of these seven, abnormally dilated atrial branches were seen as supplying the tumor. In two cases with round-type myxomas, neovascularity was evident and was made up of clusters of tortuous vessels with tumor blush.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pseudomonas cepacia is a gram negative rod, having no fermentative activity on glucose. This organism was detected in the sputum, throat swab, or throat washing of 22 inpatients treated between January, 1990, and December, 1990, at the First Department of Internal Medicine, Kagawa Medical School. The primary diseases for which these 22 patients were hospitalized were leukemia in 12, malignant lymphoma in 5, lung cancer in 2, myelodysplastic syndrome in 1, and embryonal cell carcinoma in 1. Twelve of the 22 patients had episodes of pneumonia which complied clinically with the diagnostic criteria provided to facilitate the National Nosocomial Infection Study. The complication of pneumonia occurred in 7 patients with leukemia, 2 with malignant lymphoma, 2 with lung cancer, and 1 with myelodysplastic syndrome. In 10 of these 12 patients, the organism was detected before the onset of pneumonia. All 22 patients in whom the organism was demonstrated had received antibiotics. The antibiotics which was most frequently used to treat these patients 1 month before detection of Pseudomonas cepacia were amikacin and ceftizoxime, which were used in 13 patients. Of the antibiotics in which the susceptibility to Pseudomonas cepacia was, evaluated, minocycline was effective in 100% (21/21), ceftazidime in 50% (11/22), and ofloxacin in 27.3% (6/22). Physicians should be especially aware of the possibility of colonization and nosocomial respiratory infection by Pseudomonas cepacia in patients with severe underlying diseases.

The efficacy of combined high-dose etoposide with standard dose cisplatin was evaluated in patients who had refractory lung cancer after standard chemotherapy. Each patient was given etoposide at 500 mg/m2/day on day 1 to 3 continuously (total dose 1,500 mg/m2) and cisplatin at 80 mg/m2 on day 1. Fifteen patients (7 adenocarcinoma, 5 small cell lung cancer, 2 squamous cell lung cancer and 1 sarcoma, which latter was difficult to distinguish from giant cell carcinoma) were entered in this study. The overall response was 41.7% (5 of 12); five partial response, 6 no change, and 1 progressive disease. Three treatment-related deaths were observed; one resulted from sepsis and two from respiratory failure because of tumor progression. All of the patients developed severe myelosuppression; the mean nadir white blood cell count was 400, and the mean nadir platelet count was 24,000 in 28 evaluable courses. The range of maximum concentration of etoposide determined by HPLC was from 17.4 to 39.1 micrograms/ml. These results suggest that high-dose etoposide combined with a standard dose of cisplatin is effective against refractory lung cancer.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism was first described by Albright in 1942. Since then, over forty cases have been reported in Japan. We report a case of a eighteen-year-old female. She was born at term without complications, and first seen at our hospital in 1972, complaining epileptic convulsion, short stature and mental deficiency. Laboratory studies showed low serum Ca, and high serum P, and defect of active response to P. T. H. (Ellisworth-Howard test). Activity of P. T. H. was not measured. After admission, the patient was medicated with 5, 000units of Vit. D 2, 300, 000u. of D 3 and Ca Gluconate. After three months, serum Ca and P got back to the normal level, and epileptic convulsion was also diminished. Since 1972, no epileptic convulsion was occurred but short stature and brachydactylia remained unchanged.

Since Charcot reported “Whiplash injnry” a cause of cervical syndrome have been discussed by many clinicians. In 1925 Barre et al explained that the Syndrome were due to the lesion in the inferior cervical sympathic system. This assumption has widely been accepted among orthopedists. We reported 9-Cases of typical whiplash injury with traumatic damage in the inferior cervical spine, otorhinological, ophthalmological and neurological central nervous system, wishing to present several facts that are some what conflicting with the theory in the past.Conclusion.We considerd the syndrome of whiplash injury may be divided into two categories in the following.A) Symptoms due to cervical injuries.B) Symptoms due to cerebral contusion (injuries in the cerebellum, occipital lobe and the base of the brain)