Top Runner Research Articles

Effect of varying stiffness of top foil on the performance of Air foil thrust bearing (AFTB)

Air foil thrust bearings (AFTB) are essential components in various rotating machinery, such as gas turbines and turbochargers, designed to support higher loads while minimizing friction and wear. The project aims to investigate the effect of varying stiffness of the top foil on the performance of air foil thrust bearings. The stiffness of the top foil is a critical parameter that influences the bearing's load-carrying capacity, stability, and overall efficiency. The geometric parameters like foil geometry, sector angle of top foil, initial angle of top foil and thickness of top foil and operating parameters like runner speed, gap between top foil and runner, will affect the load carrying capacity of the thrust bearing. The study involves both static analysis and dynamic analysis to comprehensively evaluate how changes in top foil stiffness affect the bearing's operational characteristics. The geometric parameters like foil geometry, sector angle of top foil, initial angle of top foil and thickness of top foil are considered for the study. The results of these analyses will be used to validate how the varying geometrical parameters impact the stiffness of the Air foil thrust bearing. This will provide practical insights into the real-world performance of air foil thrust bearings with varying top foil stiffness. The findings of this research will have significant implications for the design and optimization of air foil thrust bearings in various industrial applications. By understanding how changes in top foil stiffness affect the bearing's performance, engineers and researchers can enhance the efficiency and reliability of rotating machinery, ultimately contributing to improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.

Pod Yield Production Among Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Cultivars in South Carolina

The objective of this work was to compare peanut yield production potential for runner and Virginia market type cultivars in South Carolina. Cultivar selection decisions are integrally linked to pod yield production potential of a planted field and are often based on available historic and recent yield data. To aid farmers in this process, 24 and 27 field experiments were conducted in South Carolina between 2015 and 2020 for runner and Virginia type cultivars, respectively, to examine yield production potential. Top grouping runner type cultivars consisted of Georgia-16HO, FloRun 331, TUFRunner 297, and Georgia-12Y. Virginia type cultivars within the statistical grouping with the greatest yield included Walton and Bailey II. Total sound mature kernels among runner type cultivars was greatest for Georgia-16HO and Georgia-06G, followed by TUFRunner 297, Georgia-14N, TUFRunner 511, and Georgia-18RU. Virginia type cultivars did not significantly vary with regard to total sound mature kernels in this study. Results generated from this work may be useful as a reference to help inform cultivar selection decisions.

An Overview of China’s Energy Labeling Policy Portfolio: China’s Contribution to Addressing the Global Goal of Sustainable Development

As a part of China’s energy conservation and emission reduction policy system, the China Energy Label plays an important role in promoting energy-efficient technology progress and product sales. In this article, we comprehensively review China’s energy labeling policy portfolio, consisting of the Energy-Efficiency Label Management Approach, the financial subsidy, and “top runner” programs. To evaluate the effectiveness of the energy labeling policy portfolio, we further analyze the influence of the energy labeling policy portfolio on the electricity consumption of household appliances. According to our results, the China Energy Label played an active role in slowing the growth rate of residential electricity consumption during 2007–2010, but its effectiveness was not satisfactory in the period 2011–2012. The reasons and countermeasures are discussed herein to address this problem. Moreover, to further enhance the effectiveness of the China Energy Label, policy implications are proposed for long-term successful implementation.

The Identification and Rebound Effect Evaluation of Equipment Energy Efficiency Improvement Policy: A Case Study on Japan’s Top Runner Policy

The equipment energy efficiency improvement policy (EEEIP) is one of the important measures of energy conservation and emission reduction in various countries. However, due to the simultaneous implementation of variety policies, the effect of the single policy cannot be clearly reflected. In this paper, a method of identification and evaluation of EEEIP was proposed, and the application was verified by analyzing the example of EEEIP in Japan (Top Runner policy, TRP). Firstly, through the factor decomposition model, this paper studied the energy conservation and emission reduction potential of this policy area in Japan. Then, the TRP was identified by using moving windows and correlation analysis, and the impact of specific equipment in TRP was analyzed. Finally, through the calculation of the rebound effect of the carbon footprint (REC), this paper analyzed the energy consumption and emission reduction effects of TRP in the short-term and whole life cycle. It showed that the policy has a good effect in tertiary industry and transportation, while the effect in residential is poor. For life cycle, the TRP of air conditioning and passenger car can bring better CO2 emission reduction effect, but the emission reduction effect of lighting is basically offset.

A History of Antidementic Drug Development in Japan

Objective: Japan is the top runner in the world in society aging, in which the number of patients with Alzheimer's disease has significantly increased and still keeps increasing. Many countries and societies are still struggling with people with dementia and the burden related to the high number of the elderly. In this study, both authors have been involved with research works on elucidating the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease and developing antidementic drugs for more than 30 years. Methods: Based on lifetime professional experiences in basic research and clinical work as well as our own contribution in the areas of expertise, we describe in this review the changes of the number of dementia patients and the concept of dementia, as well as the development of antidementic drugs in Japan. Results: In this review, we define the super-aged society first. Historical concept changes in Alzheimer's disease, perspectives of research on Alzheimer's disease and drug development, history of antidementic drug developments (for nootropics and drugs for improving brain metabolism and circulation, development of symptom-modifying drugs; hormones, neurotrophic factors, etc.; acetylcholinergic drugs; and glutamatergic drugs), and development of disease-modifying drugs (with amyloid cascade hypothesis, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and amyloid vaccine) have been outlined as review sections. Finally, we devote discussion in two review sections – failure of new drugs and development from the existing drugs as well as development of preemptive medicine. Conclusion: We hope that the whole society, including the elderly with and without cognitive decline, can resolve this issue in the near future.

Brain science promotes the development of acupuncture in treating brain diseases

Brain science is the "ultimate territory" for human beings to understand the nature. In the present paper, the authors introduce the current state of brain science research projects in the USA, European countries, Japan and China. In recent years, with the continuous innovations of technologies in brain imaging, biosensors, human-computer interaction and big data, the brain science has become an important frontier field with interdisciplinarity and a focus of science and technology strategies in various countries. As a scientific and technological resource with original advantages in China, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is abundant in knowledge of brain, almost covering all kinds of encephalopathy in modern medicine. At present, TCM is increasingly becoming an effective tool to conquer mental and nervous diseases. With the intersection and penetration of multi-disciplines, an increasing close association between the traditional theory of TCM about prevention and treatment of encephalopathy and modern basic biological research appears, and new ideas, new technologies and new achievements have constantly been coming out, particularly in the field of acupuncture medicine. In the present historical juncture when the development of science and technology in China is changing from the "follower" to the "parallel runner", even the "top runner" in some fields, the progress of brain science research in TCM will make enormous contributions to explore brain disease and exploit cutting-edge technologies of TCM, as well as accelerate the modernization of TCM.

FinTech: New Financial Landscape in India

FinTech is the intersection of two things "Financial Services" and "Technology". It shifts business and consumer from the pen-paper method to digitalization which reduces time, cost and increases efficiency. FinTech is of the major tool which can play a vital role to make the cashless economy. As per Global FinTech Adoption index 2019, 96% consumers globally are aware to at least one digital payment, money transfer and payment services of FinTech.India is the top runner in the adoption of FinTech as per the EY FinTech Adoption Index 2019.

Biomechanical details regarding the efficiency of start in sprinting events

Our research is based on a study on the efficiency of athletic start in sprinting events, based on biomechanical analyses of the “key” moments from the start of a sprinter, component of the national athletic team. The study wishes to highlight a number of important details that, under the most favorable conditions, would allow the athlete a better use of the available potential at the start. The research was based on high-frequency footage recordings of a top runner who rankedthird at the National Athletics Indoor Championships. After analyzing and interpreting the main sequence of the phases of each step after running out of the starting blocks, some technical aspects have been highlighted, which have proved to be restrictive on the performance of the athlete in the competition.These minor technical errors highlighted in our research may be considered to have made the difference between our subject and the winner of the competition.We believe that by remedying these small technical deficiencies, through specific analytical exercises, the value of performance of our subject can be substantially improved. The paper is an analysis of the moments of completion of pulses on the first steps of detachment from the starting block and the moments in which the contact is made with the runway after each phase of flight. For each of these moments, the impulse angles of the first steps and their growth rate were analyzed, the ground contact angles at landing after each flight phase.

Benchmarking carbon emissions efficiency in Chinese cities: A comparative study based on high-resolution gridded data

Comprehensive and accurate city-level carbon dioxide emissions inventory is key to success in China’s pursuit of low-carbon development. Based on a high-resolution gridded data, this paper evaluates and benchmarks the carbon emissions efficiency of 280 Chinese cities using three different methods, i.e., composite index, data envelopment analysis and stochastic frontier analysis. The comparative analysis reveals that the average carbon emissions efficiency of Chinese cities is about 70–90%, with only 9 efficient cities (3%). Although the ranking of intermediate cities varies greatly according to the method employed, the most and least carbon-efficient cities remain consistent. While the best-performing cities are found in the coastal regions, the worst-performing cities are located in the central and western regions, which suggests an imbalanced low-carbon development in China. Guided by the results, local governments are encouraged to compete and learn from similar ranking benchmarks in a new regime of “Top Runner City”. Finally, the scores of carbon emissions efficiency can provide a scientific basis for the bottom-up allocation of carbon emissions rights to boost the development of the nationwide carbon market in China.

An examination of losses in energy savings after the Japanese Top Runner Program?

Many countries have introduced various policies to improve the energy efficiency of home appliances. Japan introduced the Top Runner Program in 1998 to set efficiency standards for major home appliances. Although the energy efficiency of home appliances significantly improved after the implementation of the program, household electricity consumption has also increased. Using micro-level data from the National Survey of Family Income and Expenditure, we conduct conditional demand analysis to show how energy savings have been lost after the Top Runner Program. We find that households began spending more electricity on space cooling and food preservation after the implementation of the program. Although electricity consumption per air conditioner (AC) has decreased, the number of ACs per household has increased. Conversely, electricity consumption per refrigerator (REF) has increased because households have started buying bigger REFs. The energy savings obtained by the Top Runner Program was lost by the size and stock increases of home appliances. If a household increases the size and stock of home appliances, then it will not be possible to reduce the household electricity consumption by simply improving the energy efficiency of appliances.

Top runner program in China: A theoretical analysis for potential subsidies

This article focuses on energy efficiency subsidy to “top runners” (high energy efficiency firms) in China. By game theory approach, some interesting conclusions are achieved. Firstly, a subsidy stimulates subsidized firms' output and profits. Secondly, a subsidy to “top runners” will reduce total emission. Thirdly, both the environmental effects of market structure and the number of subsidized firms are captured. Finally, under asymmetric information condition, we give the values of subsidy budget to identify firms' energy efficiency. In summary, this article supports the theoretic analysis of potential subsidy for TOP RUNNER program in China.

Development of top-runner distribution transformers using palm fatty acid ester insulating oil [news from japan

The government of Japan inaugurated in 1998 a unique program called “the Top Runner Approach” for improving the energy efficiency of end-use products and for developing the most energy-efficient products in the world [1]. At the start of this program in April 1999, nine products including passenger automobiles and air conditioners were chosen as targets. In December 2002 power transformers were added as targets, and six other products such as automated vending machines and gas cooking ranges.

Aktywność patentowa państw OECD w ujęciu regionalnym – konwergencja czy utrzymanie status quo

Celem badań prezentowanych w artykule była analiza poziomu innowacyjności państw OECD na poziomie regionalnym w latach 2000–2011. Zakres czasowy ograniczony jest ze względu na dostępność danych. W badaniach uwzględniono aktywność patentową jako miarę innowacyjności oraz nakłady na działalność B+R i zatrudnienie w sektorze B+R jako jej determinanty. Jako narzędzie badawcze wykorzystano wielowymiarową analizę statyczną i modelowanie ekonometryczne. Analizując zmiany w aktywności patentowej na poziomie poszczególnych państw (w podziale na regiony), wykorzystano analizę beta-konwergencji oraz modele przestrzenno-czasowe dla całej grupy państw. Wyniki potwierdziły, że w większości badanych państw obserwuje się pewną konwergencję aktywności, jednak jej istotność możemy potwierdzić jedynie w połowie przypadków. Obserwowana niekiedy dywergencja w żadnym z przypadków nie została potwierdzona jako istotna statystycznie. Można zatem wnioskować o ogólnej tendencji „równania w górę” w zakresie wzrostu poziomu innowacyjności w państwach OECD. Z kolei analiza ekonometryczna umożliwiła wskazanie dystansu pomiędzy aktywnością patentową poszczególnych regionów i państw. Te silniej rozwinięte, mimo zrozumiałego spowolnienia, korzystają z wykreowanego potencjału i trzymają niemal trwały dystans względem pozostałych. W ujęciu ogólnym zmiany dostrzegalne są raczej w obrębie bardziej jednorodnych (pod względem rozwoju) grup niż pomiędzy nimi.

Design of China Leading Energy Efficiency Program (LEP) for equipment and appliances and comparative study of international experience on super-efficient products

With rising global emphasizes on climate change and sustainable development, how to accelerate the transformation of energy efficiency has become an important question. Designing and implementing energy-efficiency policies for super-efficient products represents an important direction to achieve breakthroughs in the field of energy conservation. On December 31, 2014, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) jointly six other ministerial agencies launched China Leading Energy Efficiency Program (LEP), which identifies top efficiency models for selected product categories. LEP sets the highest energy efficiency benchmark. Design of LEP took into consideration of how to best motivate manufacturers to accelerate technical innovation, promote high efficiency products. This paper explains core elements of LEP, such as objectives, selection criteria, implementation method and supportive policies. It also proposes recommendations to further improve LEP through international policy comparison with Japan’s Top Runner Program, U.S. Energy Star Most Efficient, and SEAD Global Efficiency Medal.

トップランナー誘導電動機の注意点と高効率運転

トップランナー誘導電動機の注意点と高効率運転

国内トップランナー規制とモータ効率IEC規格

国内トップランナー規制とモータ効率IEC規格

On Dynamic Standards for Energy Efficiency in Differentiated Duopoly

We consider a two-period model of differentiated duopoly. Firms produce an energy-consuming good differentiated by its energy efficiency. Consumers differ by the weight they apply to energy costs when deciding which product to buy. In line with the Japanese Top Runner Program, the regulator introduces a minimum efficiency standard in period t=2, which is fixed according to the efficiency of the product supplied by the high-efficiency firm in t=1. We show that total energy consumption is decreasing, but the effect on welfare is ambiguous. It depends on the discount rate and the minimum weight consumers apply to energy costs.

Presage of oncolytic virotherapy for oral cancer with herpes simplex virus.

SummaryA virus is a pathogenic organism that causes a number of infectious diseases in humans. The oral cavity is the site at which viruses enter and are excreted from the human body. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) produces the primary infectious disease, gingivostomatitis, and recurrent disease, labial herpes. HSV-1 is one of the most extensively investigated viruses used for cancer therapy. In principle, HSV-1 infects epithelial cells and neuronal cells and exhibits cytotoxicity due to its cytopathic effects on these cells. If the replication of the virus occurs in tumor cells, but not normal cells, the virus may be used as an antitumor agent. Therefore, HSV-1 genes have been modified by genetic engineering, and in vitro and in vivo studies with the oncolytic virus have demonstrated its efficiency against head and neck cancer including oral cancer. The oncolytic abilities of other viruses such as adenovirus and reovirus have also been demonstrated. In clinical trials, HSV-1 is the top runner and is now available for the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma. Thus, melanoma in the oral cavity is the target of oncolytic HSV-1. Oncolytic virotherapy is a hopeful and realistic modality for the treatment of oral cancer.

Classification Method of Energy Efficiency and CO2 Emission Intensity of Commercial Trucks in China's Road Transport

With the rapid economic growth in China, the road transportation system was becoming one of the largest and most rapidly growing oil consumers in China. This paper focused on the current status and development trend of energy efficiency and CO2 emission intensity of commercial trucks. According to the statistical data of commercial trucks from China's Ministry of Transport, there were 10% ∼ 30% differences about the energy efficiency and CO2 emission intensity among different brands of trucks under the same mass section in the industry standard (JT719-2008). There have appeared a group of vehicle with low emission and high energy efficiency. Energy efficiency standards and energy efficiency label system have been proven to promote energy-saving technology progress. In order to promote the development of energy efficiency and CO2 emission intensity of commercial trucks, the ‘Top Runner’ method was proposed to classify the energy efficiency and CO2 emission intensity of commercial trucks by coincidence rate, which would lead the road transportation enterprises to high energy efficiency trucks.

Reform of Local Allocation Tax－So Called “Top Runner” Program.

Reform of Local Allocation Tax－So Called “Top Runner” Program.