An intelligent human-machine system based on an ecological interface design concept

It seems both necessary and promising to develop an intelligent human-machine system, considering the objective of the human-machine system and the recent advance in cognitive engineering and artificial intelligence together with the ever-increasing importance of human factor issues in nuclear power plant operation and maintenance. It should support human operators in their knowledge-based behaviour and allow them to cope with unanticipated abnormal events, including recovery from erroneous human actions. A top-down design approach has been adopted based on cognitive work analysis, and (1) an ecological interface, (2) a cognitive model-based advisor and (3) a robust automatic sequence controller have been established. These functions have been integrated into an experimental control room. A validation test was carried out by the participation of experienced operators and engineers. The results showed the usefulness of this system in supporting the operator's supervisory plant control tasks.     

Measurement of emittance of metal interface in molten salt

A new technique for measuring the total normal emittance of a metal in a semi-transparent liquid has been proposed and this technique has been applied to measure the emittance of stainless steel (SUS304), nickel, and gold in molten potassium nitrate KNO₃. These emittance data are indispensable to analyzing the radiative heat transfer between a metal and a semitransparent liquid, such as a molten salt.     

Factors affecting methane evolution on pyrolysis of coal under pressure

In order to make clear the effect of pressure upon the gaseous products on pyrolysis of coal, experiments were carried out using a flow-type apparatus under helium pressure up to 900 °C, changing both the superficial velocity of carrier gas and the height of the coal bed. No significant pressure effects on the gaseous products were observed. An increase of methane evolution was found above 600 °C on account of the decrease in superficial velocity and the increase in height of the coal bed.     

Synthesis of β-Sialon from a Montmorillonite-Polyacrylonitrile Intercalation Compound by Carbothermal Reduction

To develop a new type of carbothermal reduction for the preparation of nitrides, a montmorillonite-polyacrylonitrile intercalation compound was heated inflowing N2 using intercalated polyacrylonitrile as a reducing agent. Nitridation occurred at >1150°C, and β-sialon was obtained, with the formation of β-Sic and AlN.     

A fission yeast gene encoding a protein that preferentially associates with curved DNA

We searched for fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) proteins that preferentially bind to a synthetic curved DNA sequence, by means of a DNA-binding gel shift assay in the presence of an excess amount of a non-curved DNA sequence as a competitor. We identified such a protein in S. pombe. The protein, thus purified, has an apparent molecular weight of 42 000, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It was suggested that this protein (42 K-protein) recognizes and binds to a curved DNA structure in a given nucleotide sequence, although it also binds to a non-curved DNA sequence with lower affinity. As its putative coding sequence, a 1·9-kilobase genomic DNA from S. pombe was cloned and sequenced. Sequencing of a cDNA clone also revealed the existence of an open reading frame, with no intron, encoding a 381-amino-acid protein with a calculated molecular mass, 41 597. This protein appears to be located in the nucleus. The predicted protein sequence revealed that the 42 K-protein exhibits no significant similarity to any other known proteins, except to a hypothetical protein of Caenorhabditis elegans.     

Stabilization of a new antiulcer drug (Lansoprazole) in the solid dosage forms

In the previous study, we clarified that enteric granules were appropriate dosage forms of lansoprazole. The establishment of these formulations, however, was difficult because some of the excipients needed for these formulations are incompatible with the drug. We examined the effects of adding magnesium carbonate as an alkaline stabilizer and could get stable enteric granules. We also discuss the mechanism of stabilization.     

Polymerization of monomer films of triazine dithiols on a copper surface

On heating films of long-chain alkylamino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiols, substituted with unsaturated groups in the 6-position, on copper plates in air, the films become partially insoluble in benzene. The polymerization rate and monomer conversion increased with temperature above 80°C and with time. At low temperatures, an induction period was observed. The detailed behavior was dependent upon the number and length of the alkyl chains. Films with high packing density polymerized more slowly. In the presence of azobis(isobutyro)nitrile (AIBN) and benzoyl peroxide (BPO), the rate and conversion increased and the induction period disappeared. The optimum concentration of initiators was approximately 0.0025 mol% of monomer. The polymerization of the films was initiated by oxygen activated with copper, or by radicals derived from AIBN and BPO. It is proposed that the growth of polymer proceeded mainly by the addition of thiyl radicals to unsaturated groups, the insoluble polymers being formed by the coupling of thiyl radicals.     

Oxidation of 6-O-arachidonoyl l-ascorbate microencapsulated with a polysaccharide by spray-drying

The oxidative stability at 37°C and 12% relative humidity of arachidonoyl moiety of 6-O-arachidonoyl l-ascorbate, which was synthesized through lipase-catalyzed condensation with l-ascorbic acid, was higher than that of unmodified arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid and arachidonoyl ascorbate were microencapsulated with maltodextrin, gum arabic or a soluble soybean polysaccharide by spray-drying. The oxidation of arachidonic acid under the conditions was retarded by its microencapsulation with gum arabic or the soluble soybean polysaccharide. The oxidation of arachidonoyl moiety of the ascorbate encapsulated with gum arabic or the soluble soybean polysaccharide more slowly proceeded than unmodified or encapsulated arachidonic acid. The fractions of the unoxidized arachidonoyl moiety on day 29 were greater than 0.7. Thus, esterification of arachidonic acid with ascorbic acid and subsequent microencapsulation with gum arabic or the soluble soybean polysaccharide significantly improved its oxidative stability.