Retention interval hypothesis and list lengths: Comparison of anticipation and study-test procedures.

Notes that a puzzling inconclusiveness has prevailed in the comparison of anticipation and study (reinforcement)-test (RT) procedures in verbal learning. To help to resolve this, the present study elaborated the retention interval hypothesis, applicable to both paired-associate and verbal discrimination learning. Ss were 115 undergraduates. Theoretical and empirical specifications for the effects of the list length (n) factor were supported: n determined the superiority or non-difference for the study-test method compared to the anticipation method. Performance differences between the 2 methods were significant when the list length was intermediate, but were insignificant when it was either too short or too long, where learning was, respectively, either too easy or too difficult. (French summary) (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

First plasma experiment on spherical tokamak device UTST

The UTST (University of Tokyo Spherical Tokamak) device was constructed for the purpose of exploring the formation of ultrahigh‐beta ST (spherical tokamak) plasma using the double null plasma merging method. When two plasmas merge together to form a single plasma, magnetic field lines reconnect, and magnetic field energy is converted to plasma kinetic energy, increasing the plasma beta. Merging start‐up has been demonstrated in the TS‐3/4, START, and MAST devices using coils inside the vacuum vessel, and the TS‐3 plasma obtained a 50% beta. In order to demonstrate start‐up in a more reactor‐relevant situation, UTST has all poloidal field (PF) coils outside the vacuum vessel. The first plasma experiment on the UTST was begun in December 2007. In the results, the plasma obtained 10 kA by using only the outer PF coils and a single ST was generated in the lower area (z = –0.3 to –1.0 m) close to a washer gun. This result suggests that another washer gun on the top of the UTST can allow the generation of ST in the upper area and merging start‐up by using outer PF coils. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 179(2): 20–26, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.21216     

Newly Developed Thyristor Chopper Equipment for Electric Railcars

In the chopper control system for electric railcars, it is effective to adopt high operational frequency of the chopper for achievement of the following: 1) decrease of higher harmonic current induced in the trolley wire, 2) reduction of weight for reactors and capacitors in the traction circuit, and 3) improvement of control response. Through development of reverse-conducting thyristors with very short turn-off time and a repulsion type two-phase chopper, we finally realized production of a new standard high-frequency chopper equipment with regenerative braking for 1500-V dc railcars. Technical achievements mentioned previously were completely realized as a result of adoption of high frequency, 660 Hz, in the equipment. The newly developed standard high-frequency chopper equipment for 30 cars were delivered to the Chiyoda Line of Teito Rapid Transit Authority in Tokyo, and they have been operated satisfactorily in revenue service since March 1971. This paper also describes: 1) the chopper circuit using fast-switching reverse-conducting thyristors and series saturable reactors, 2) analysis of commutation circuit and methods of suppressing reapplied forward voltage increasing rate (dv/dt) and shortening commutation period, 3) the composition of the traction circuit including the protection system, such as protection for overvoltage at the regenerative braking, and 4) test results on the Chiyoda Line of Teito Rapid Transit Authority.     

Crosslinking and mechanical property of liquid rubber. I. Curative effect of aliphatic diols

The structure–property relationships of polyurethane elastomer derived from liquid hydroxylterminated polybutadiene/low molecular weight aliphatic diol/diisocyanate system were studied. The effects of the amount of low molecular weight diol on the mechanical properties of elastomer were discussed on the basis of the results of the stress–strain curve, swelling, dynamic viscoelasticity, x-ray diffraction, and others. It was found that some particular combinations of low molecular weight diol and diisocyanate specifically affect the properties of elastomers. When the mechanical properties of the elastomers were plotted against the number of methylene carbons in low molecular weight diol, the characteristic zigzag patterns were obtained. These patterns were explained by the difference in the packing and the dependence of the ability of intermolecular hydrogen bonding on whether the number of the methylene carbons was even or odd. This assumption was confirmed by x-ray diffraction.     

Evolution of long-period stacking ordered structures on annealing as-cast Mg85Y9Zn6 alloy ingot observed by synchrotron radiation small-angle scattering

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Infinite multiplication factor of low-enriched UO2–concrete system

The possibility of criticality of fuel debris in a form of uranium dioxide (UO₂)–concrete mixture is evaluated by calculating the infinite multiplication factor (k _∞) for a study of criticality control on the fuel debris generated through the molten core concrete interaction in a severe accident of a light water reactor. The infinite multiplication factor can be greater than unity, which means that handling of the mixture is subject to criticality control. This paper shows that concrete provides efficient neutron moderation and points out the necessity of further investigations on the criticality of UO₂–concrete system for actual handling of fuel debris.     

Isolation and application of a styrene-degrading strain of Pseudomonas putida to biofiltration

A bacterial strain ST201 capable of degrading styrene was isolated from soil and identified as Pseudomonas putida. This strain had high tolerance to styrene and could degrade it completely in 48 h at concentrations up to 600 mg/l. P. putida ST201 was also demonstrated to degrade a mixture of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and p-xylene. A packed tower biofilter inoculated with P. putida ST201 was constructed which removed styrene vapor with a styrene elimination capacity of 90 g/m3.h.