Effect of self-representation of interaction history by the robot on perceptions of mind and positive relationship: a case study on a home-use robot

A question in research is concerning the most important factors for increasing the motivation of a human to continue interacting with an interactional robot. Previous studies have argued that the perceptions of mind and interactability of the robot by the interacting human are essential factors. However, ways of improving such perceptions have not sufficiently investigated. In this study, we focused on the case of a home-use interactional robot and investigated ways to improve such perceptions. We proposed the perceived interaction history of the robot to be another essential factor and hypothesized that adding this factor can promote the perceptions of mind and positive relationship. We conducted a human–robot interaction experiment with 32 human subjects, and the experimental results verified our hypothesis.     

Large‐screen displays using metal—insulator—metal cathode arrays

Abstract— Large‐screen (32‐in. WXGA and 17‐in. VGA) displays using metal—insulator—metal (MIM) cathode arrays have been developed. A cathode structure with low‐resistance electrodes and low‐capacitance emitters shortens signal delay and decreases the voltage drop in large MIM‐cathode arrays. By using a dual‐scan method, the signal delay was suppressed to less than 30% of the horizontal scan time in the 32‐in. WXGA panel. Emission efficiency of the cathode array was improved to 3% by reducing the surface work function of the top electrode from 4.7 to 3.9 eV. The cathode life was also improved to more than 10,000 hours. The display panel incorporating the cathode arrays and high‐efficiency P22‐phosphor screens with 3‐mm spacers showed high screen brightness (average brightness, 378 cd/m²; peak brightness, 832 cd/m²) at an anode voltage of 10 kV.     

Characterization of mono- and multilayered films with Mn-doped ZnS nanoparticles and luminescence properties of the monolayered films prepared by applying magnetic fields

Mn²⁺-doped ZnS (ZnS:Mn) nanoparticles were prepared using bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) reversed micelle method. Luminescence at 583-589 nm were observed in the ZnS:Mn nanoparticles and are ascribed to Mn²⁺ ion in the nanoparticles due to energy transfer from ZnS. The luminescence was enhanced by capping with alkanethiol. Mono-and multilayered films with the alkanethiol-capped ZnS:Mn nanoparticles were fabricated on quartz substrates by layer-by-layer method using self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 1,6-hexanedithiol. The polarization degrees of luminescence for the monolayered films were enhanced by preparation under applying magnetic field. The enhancements are probably caused by magnetic orientation of the ZnS:Mn nanoparticles on the quartz substrates.     

Real-time measurement of multipoint hetero-core fiber optic binary sensors based on optical pulse loss change

Hetero-core fiber optic sensors can transmit sensing and communication signals on a single fiber optic transmission line and have numerous advantages for environmental information monitoring such as home security. Moreover, these sensors are cost effective due to their temperature independence and light-intensity-based measurements. We have previously developed a hetero-core fiber optic binary sensor that can be connected in series to detect the number of doors and windows that are opened or closed. In this paper, we propose an improved method for using hetero-core fiber optic binary sensors that are connected in series, which are referred to as binary switches. A unique pulse loss change enables the states of the connected switches to be identified. As a result, the total optical loss in the transmission line is reduced. Therefore, the number of binary switches connected in series can be increased on a single transmission line. The unique pulse loss peaks can be controlled by the action of a flat spring and by adjusting the position of the flat spring inside the binary switch module. Typical pulse peaks of each binary switch are from 0.13 to 0.75 dB in the positive direction and from −0.47 to −0.03 dB in the negative direction, while the typical insertion loss is from 2.23 to 2.61 dB, depending on the position of the hetero-core segment within the binary switch module. The connection of two binary switches in series is successfully demonstrated for monitoring the optical loss change on a single transmission line. The results of the present study show that the number of binary switches connected in series can be increased significantly on a single transmission line.     

Effects of fluid properties on CCFL characteristics at a vertical pipe lower end

The purpose of this study is to derive a counter-current flow limitation (CCFL) correlation and evaluate its uncertainty for steam generator (SG) U-tubes in a pressurized water reactor (PWR). Experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of the liquid viscosity on CCFL characteristics using air–40 wt% or air–60 wt% glycerol water solution and saturated steam–water at atmospheric pressure with vertical pipes simulating the lower part of the SG U-tubes. The steam–water experiments confirmed that CCFL characteristics could be expressed in terms of the Wallis parameters (J_G* and J_L*) for the pipe diameters of D = 14, 20, and 27 mm. A CCFL correlation was derived using the ratio μ_G/μ_L of the viscosities of the gas and liquid phases, μ_G and μ_L, as a correction term representing effects of fluid properties, where J_G^*1/2(μ_G/μ_L)^?0.07 was expressed by a cubic function of J_L^*1/2(μ_G/μ_L)^0.1. In the correlation, the constant C indicating the value of J_G^*1/2(μ_G/μ_L)^?0.07 at J_L* = 0 was (1.04 ± 0.05), and this uncertainty of ±0.05 would cover most of the previous experimental data including the ROSA-IV/LSTF data at 1, 3, and 7 MPa.     

Construction of self‐cloning bottom‐fermenting yeast with low vicinal diketone production by the homo‐integration of ILV5

The vicinal diketones (VDK), such as diacetyl and 2,3‐pentandione, impart an unpleasant butter‐like flavour to beer. Typically, these are required to be reduced below the flavour thresholds during the maturation (lagering) stages of the brewing process. To shorten beer maturation time, we constructed a self‐cloning, bottom‐fermenting yeast with low VDK production by integrating ILV5, a gene encoding a protein that metabolizes α‐acetolactate and α‐aceto‐α‐hydroxybutyrate (precursors of VDK). A DNA fragment containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae‐type ILV5 was inserted upstream of S. cerevisiae‐type ILV2 in bottom‐fermenting yeast to construct self‐cloning strains with an increased copy number of ILV5. Via transformation, ILV2 was replaced with the sulfometuron methyl (SM) resistance gene SMR1B, which differs by a single nucleotide, to create SM‐resistant transformants. The wort fermentation test, using the SC‐ILV5‐homo inserted transformant, confirmed a consecutive reduction in VDK and a shortening period during which VDK was reduced to within the threshold. The concentrations of ethyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, isoamyl alcohol, 1‐propanol, isobutyl alcohol and active isoamyl alcohol (flavour components) were not changed when compared with the parent strain. We successfully constructed self‐cloning brewer's yeast in which SC‐ILV5 was homo‐inserted. Using the transformed yeast, the concentration of VDK in fermenting wort was reduced, whereas the concentrations of flavour components were not affected. This genetically stable, low VDK‐producing, self‐cloning bottom‐fermenting yeast would contribute to the shortening of beer maturation time without affecting important flavour components produced by brewer's yeast. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Quality of High Pressure-Induced and Heat-Induced Hyuganatsu Marmalade

Hyuganatsu is a typical Japanese citrus with desirous smell and edible albedo. The objectives of this study are to establish a method for softening hyuganatsu peel without heating and a process for making a high pressure-induced （HP-） marmalade and to compare with heat-induced （H-） marmalade and citrus shaddock family marmalade. Firmness of peel was （greatest to least） pressurized at 500 MPa for 30 min, soaked in citric acid solution at pH 2.7 for 24 h, and boiled for 10 min, respectively. The cell walls of flavedo and albedo did not loosen after pressurization. However, after soaking or heating, the middle lamella of albedo separated. When flavedo was soaked at pH 2.7, 9.3% of pectin was extracted. The amount of naringin was the least in hyuganatsu 〈 pummelo 〈 grapefruit）, and juice sacs 〈 flavedo 〈 segment walls 〈 albedo, respectively. Thus, marmalade was processed. Albedo, segment walls and juice sacs of hyuganatsu were homogenized with citric acid solution （pH 2.7） and mixed with sliced flavedo. Then it was soaked for 24 h at pH 2.7. Sucrose was then added （final sugar 50%）, vacuum packed, then pressurized for 30 min at 500 MPa or boiled for 10 min, respectively. There was no significant difference in sensory evaluation between HP- and H-marmalade. However, the color, transparency and total evaluation of HP-marmalade were better than H-marmalade. Consequently, total evaluation of hyuganatsu-HP-marmalade was rated highly. So, hyuganatsu was considered to be more suitable for marmalade because it was more palatable than the others.     

The toxification of juvenile cultured kusafugu Takifugu niphobles by oral administration of crystalline tetrodotoxin

Non-toxic cultured juvenile kusafugu were fed with diet containing crystalline tetrodotoxin (TTX) for 30 days and then fed with non-toxic diet for 170 days. During this period, 5 fish were sampled and the toxicity of each tissue was determined periodically. The amount of total accumulated toxin in the fish was 90 microg, representing 50% of the administered TTX (180 microg/fish) at the 60th day. It decreased to 54 microg (30%) at the 80th day and then remained unchanged up to the 200th day. The amount of toxin in the liver amounted to 40 microg (45% of total accumulated toxin) at the 30th day and gradually decreased to 5 microg (10%) at the 200th day. The toxin amount in the skin reached the highest level with 30 microg (30%) at the 50th day and then remained unchanged during the experimental period. The testes had almost no toxicity. Although the ovaries were immature, the toxin amounts increased as the weight of the tissues increased. With administration of crystalline TTX, all kusafugu used in the experiment became toxic and retained the toxin at the level of 30% of the administered toxin for about 5 months thereafter, while being fed with non-toxic diet.