Large, huge or gigantic? Identifying and encoding intensity relations among adjectives in WordNet

We propose a new semantic relation for gradable adjectives in WordNet, which enriches the present, vague, similar relation with information on the degree or intensity with which different adjectives express a shared attribute. Using lexical-semantic patterns, we mine the Web for evidence of the relative strength of adjectives like “large”, “huge” and “gigantic” with respect to their attribute (“size”). The pairwise orderings we derive allow us to construct scales on which the adjectives are located. To represent the intensity relation among gradable adjectives in WordNet, we combine ordered scales with the current WordNet dumbbells based on the relation between a pair of central adjectives and a group of undifferentiated semantically similar adjectives. A new intensity relation links the adjectives in the dumbbells and their concurrent representation on scales. Besides capturing the semantics of gradable adjectives in a way that is both intuitively clear as well as consistent with corpus data, the introduction of an intensity relation would potentially result in several specific benefits for NLP.     

11B NMR Study of Pure and Lightly Carbon-Doped MgB2 Superconductors

We report a¹¹B NMR line shape and spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/(T ₁ T)) study of pure and lightly carbon-doped MgB_2−x C _x forx=0, 0.02, and 0.04, in the vortex state and in magnetic field of 23.5 kOe. We show that while pure MgB₂ exhibits the magnetic field distribution from superposition of the normal and the Abrikosov state, slight replacement of boron with carbon unveils the magnetic field distribution of the pure Abrikosov state. This indicates a considerable increase ofH _c ^2/c with carbon doping with respect to pure MgB₂. The spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/(T ₁ T) demonstrates clearly the presence of a coherence peak right belowT _c in pure MgB₂, followed by a typical BCS decrease on cooling. However, at temperatures lower than ≈10 K strong deviation from the BCS behavior is observed, probably from residual contribution of the vortex dynamics. In the carbon-doped systems both the coherence peak and the BCS temperature dependence of 1/(T ₁ T) weaken, an effect attributed to the gradual shrinking of the σ hole cylinders of the Fermi surface with electron doping.     

11B NMR Study of Pure and Lightly Carbon-Doped MgB2 Superconductors

We report a ¹¹B NMR line shape and spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/(T₁T))(1/(T_1T)) study of pure and lightly carbon-doped MgB_2-xC_x_{2-x}{\rm C}_x for x = 0,0.02x = 0,0.02, and 0.04, in the vortex state and in magnetic field of 23.5 kOe. We show that while pure MgB₂_2 exhibits the magnetic field distribution from superposition of the normal and the Abrikosov state, slight replacement of boron with carbon unveils the magnetic field distribution of the pure Abrikosov state. This indicates a considerable increase of H^c_c2H^c_{c2} with carbon doping with respect to pure MgB₂_2. The spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/(T₁T)1/(T_1T) demonstrates clearly the presence of a coherence peak right below T_cT_{\rm c} in pure MgB₂_2, followed by a typical BCS decrease on cooling. However, at temperatures lower than ?\approx 10 K strong deviation from the BCS behavior is observed, probably from residual contribution of the vortex dynamics. In the carbon-doped systems both the coherence peak and the BCS temperature dependence of 1/(T₁T)1/(T_1T) weaken, an effect attributed to the gradual shrinking of the σ hole cylinders of the Fermi surface with electron doping.     

Estimating the creep behavior of polycarbonate with changes in temperature and aging time

Thermoplastic resins are typically used without any kind of physical aging treatment. For such materials, creep behavior and physical aging, which depend on time and temperature, occur simultaneously. The effects of these processes are evident after quenching and are recorded in the material as a thermal history. This history strongly influences mechanical properties and creep behavior in particular. Thus, a more thorough understanding of the physical aging process is desirable. We examined the creep deformation of polycarbonate (PC) to reveal the effects of physical aging on creep behavior. The effects were dependent on both time and temperature. The relationship between physical aging and creep behavior exemplified superposition principles with regard to time and both pre-test aging time and pre-test aging temperature. The superposition principles allowed the calculation of creep deformations at a given temperature; the calculated results were corroborated by experimental data.     

Moisture profiles of wheat noodles containing hydroxypropylated tapioca starch

Wheat noodles were prepared using flour to which hydroxypropylated tapioca starch was added, and the effect of this addition on the moisture distribution within the noodles during cooking was examined using a digital image processing technique. The addition of the modified starch slightly increased the moisture content and narrowed the flat distribution near the noodle surface. The distribution features reflected the changes in the water absorption behaviour caused by the properties of the modified starch and the reduction in the gluten content. Addition of the modified starch lowered Young's modulus and the energy for 99% strain of the noodles in the texture analysis to, at maximum 35% and 65%, and decreased the breakability of the noodles. These changes in the moisture distribution and textural properties have been ascribed to changes in both the state of the starch granules near the surface and the structure of the gluten network.     

Effects of drying temperature and relative humidity on spaghetti characteristics

This study aimed at investigating the effect of drying conditions on spaghetti properties, i.e., its color, surface structure, rupture strength, rehydration characteristics, texture, and sauce retention capacity. The effects of temperature and humidity were independently examined under constant drying conditions, which were compared to those applied industrially, where the temperature and relative humidity are changed stepwise with time. The knowledge obtained in this study is considered useful for reasonably determining the drying conditions for producing spaghetti with desired properties.     

Approach to the Practical Use of Thermoelectric Power Generation

The results of research and development in the Japanese national project “Development for Advanced Thermoelectric Conversion Systems” are summarized, and the approaches to practical use of advanced thermoelectric modules and power generation systems are presented. The 5-year national project was successfully completed in March 2007. Three kinds of high- efficiency cascaded thermoelectric modules and two kinds of innovative Bi-Te thermoelectric modules were successfully developed. Heat cycle tests for three types of modules were also completed. Moreover, four types of advanced thermoelectric power generation systems were experimentally demonstrated for recovery of waste heat from the industrial and private sectors. In order to proceed further, thermoelectric power generation systems using practical heat sources were followed after installation of the developed modules. In parallel, various approaches for practical use by private companies, as well as plans for the next-phase project by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the Engineering Advancement Association (ENAA), were also followed. The scenarios to proceed to the commercial phase of thermoelectric power generation are discussed on the basis of the results of the national project.