Tokyo Axion Helioscope

A new search result of the Tokyo axion helioscope is presented. The axion helioscope consists of a dedicated cryogen-free 4T superconducting magnet with an effective length of 2.3 m and PIN photodiodes as x-ray detectors. Solar axions, if exist, would be converted into X-ray photons through the inverse Primakoff process in the magnetic field. Conversion is coherently enhanced even for massive axions by filling the conversion region with helium gas. The present third phase measurement sets a new limit of g_{a\gamma\gamma}<(5.6--13.4)\times10^{-10} GeV^{-1} for the axion mass of 0.84<m_a<1.0 eV at 95% confidence level.Comment: 4th Patras Workshop on Axions, WIMPs and WISP

Development of new additive for grain refinement of austenitic stainless steel

The synthetic vanadinites (Pb(x)Ca(10-x))(VO4)6F2delta, 1 < x < 9, adopt a P6(3)/m apatite structure with 9.7590 (1) < or = a < or = 10.1179 (1) A and 7.0434 (3) < or = c < or = 7.4021 (1) A. The partitioning of calcium and lead over the AI(4f) and AII(6h) positions is nonstoichiometric with lead preferentially entering the larger AII site. High-resolution electron microscopy showed that samples annealed for 10 h at 1073 K are in disequilibrium with calcium- and lead-rich microdomains co-existing at unit-cell scales. For (Pb5Ca5)(VO4)6F2delta, sintering in excess of 2 weeks is required for the metals to order macroscopically. As annealing progresses, c/a, the partitioning coefficient kPb(AI/AII) and the AIO6 metaprism twist angle (phi) adjust cooperatively to enlarge the apatite channel, and thereby accommodate higher lead content. These results demonstrate that phi is a sensitive measure of disequilibrium and a useful device for monitoring changes in apatite topology as a function of composition

R as a Lingua Franca: Advantages of Using R for Quantitative Research in Applied Linguistics

In this article, we suggest that using R, a statistical software environment, is advantageous for quantitative researchers in applied linguistics. We first provide a brief overview of the reasons why R is popular among researchers in other fields and why we recommend its use for analyses in applied linguistics. In order to illustrate these benefits, we report recent works and developments in quantitative data analysis seeking to move the field toward more appropriate practices, many of which take advantage of the flexibility and functionality of R. Finally, in order to facilitate the use of R, we also introduce an R-based web application developed by the first author

Surgical Results of Patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Treated with Cytoreductive Surgery Using a New Technique Named Aqua Dissection

During 2004 to 2011, 81, 420, and 166 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), epithelial appendiceal neoplasm (APN), and gastric cancer (GC) with PC were treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus perioperative chemotherapy. CRS was performed by peritonectomy techniques using an aqua dissection. Results. Complete cytoreduction was done in 62/81 (76.5%), 228/420 (54.3%), and 101/166 (60.8%) of patients with CRC, APN, and GC. The main reasons of incomplete resections were involvement of all peritoneal regions and diffuse involvement of small bowel. The incidence (64%, 302/470) of CC-0 resection after introduction of an aqua dissection was significantly higher than before (42%, 82/197). A total of 41 (6.1%) patients died postoperatively. Major complication (grade 3-4 complications) occurred in 126 patients (18.9%). A reoperation was necessary in 36 patients (5.4%). By the multivariate analysis, PCI scores capable of serving as thresholds for favorable versus poor prognosis in each group and CC scores demonstrated as the independent prognostic factors. Conclusions. Peritonectomy using an aqua dissection improves the incidence of complete cytoreduction, and improves the survival of patients with PC. Patients with PCI larger than the threshold values should be treated with chemotherapy to improve the incidences of complete cytoreduction

Developing and evaluating a computerized adaptive testing version of the Word Part Levels Test

The knowledge about affix plays a vital role in the development of word knowledge and vocabulary acquisition. A test for diagnostic information on the level of affix knowledge would be useful in order to inform the test users of what learners have gained or lacked in this integral component of vocabulary knowledge. This paper reports the development and evaluation of a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) version of the Word Part Levels Test (WPLT), created by Sasao and Webb (2017). The CAT-WPLT was developed to maximize further the effectiveness of the WPLT as a diagnostic test. It was administered to 760 Japanese university EFL (English as a foreign language) learners. The evaluation was based on the comparison of measurement accuracy with the fixed-item version of the WPLT. The results show that the CAT-WPLT can provide test users with diagnostic information on test-taker’s strengths and weaknesses in affix knowledge with smaller number of items and with the same or greater precision than the previous versions of the WPLT. Pedagogical implications for using the CAT-WPLT are discussed along with issues in utilizing computer adaptivity.This study was funded by The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, KAKENHI Numbers 26704006 and 16K13273