Compressible bag model and the phase structure

The phase structure of hadrons and quark-gluon plasma is investigated by two types of equation of hadron state, namely ideal hadron gas model and the compressible bag model. It is pointed out that, while the ideal gas model produces unrealistic extra hadron phase, the compressible bag model gives an expected and reasonable phase diagram even if rich hadron spectrum is taken into account.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, LaTeX2

Vth-Shiftable SRAM Cell TEGs for Direct Measurement for the immunity of the Threshold Voltage Variability

We developed VTSTs for 6T-SRAM and RL-SRAM and evaluated them to investigate the influences of SRAM operation by Vth fluctuation using measured FCMs and CΔVths. As a result, we successfully confirmed the superior immunity of Vth fluctuation of the RL-SRAM than the 6T-SRAM.IEEE International Conference on Microelectronic Test Structures (ICMTS 2017), 27-30 March 2017, Grenoble, Franc

Estimating the hourly electricity profile of Japanese households – Coupling of engineering and statistical methods

AbstractUnderstanding the hourly electricity profile and the electricity consumption by each appliance is essential for encouraging energy-saving measures in the household sector. There are two methods for identifying energy consumption for households in existing studies: the engineering and the statistical methods. Both methods have strengths and limitations. In this study, we developed a hybrid method based on the statistical method by combining following three steps using knowledge of the engineering method; externalizing the electricity consumption for the refrigerator, adding the number of at-home-and-awake members as explanatory variables, and restricting appliance usage hours. The proposed hybrid method could adequately reproduce the total hourly electricity consumption and seasonal variation compared to the engineering method, and could decompose major appliances, some of which that were not disaggregated by the statistical method. For the quantitative analysis of the model improvement, we calculated Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) for each method with direct metering data. For most of appliances, RMSE and MAE of hybrid model were improved from 11% to 71% compared to the existing methods. The collection of more samples to increase the accuracy of the estimation and application to areas of low statistical data availability are future steps

Study of Response Latencies of Interval Bisection Task in Rats

Interval timing, whose range is from a second to several minutes among the sense with respect to time, is related with feeding behavior, decision making and time estimation of animals. In this study, we used interval bisection task, which is a method for examining this interval timing quantitatively. First, rats learned left and right lever pressing associated with the tone stimuli of 2 seconds and 8 seconds for each. Second, probe stimulus tones (e. g. 2.5, 3.2, 4, 5, 6.4 seconds) were presented, and we observed which lever rats selected. When the proportion of the lever pressing associated with the 8 seconds tone is 50%, the point of subjective equality (PSE) can be obtained. The PSE is an indicator of decision making in time perception. In order to investigate whether the difference in the physical properties of the stimulus affects the time perception, we used two kinds of tones, a continuous tone and a 4 Hz pulse tone. The results suggest that the difference in physical properties between continuous tone and 4 Hz pulse tone does not affect time perception. As another index, response latency of lever pressing for each tone presented in the task was calculated. As a result, at the testing stage, a peak in a distribution of response latency was around 3.2 seconds or 4 seconds of probe stimulus. The durations of the peak was similar to PSE. From these results, it was suggested that response latency is an important indicator in decision making of which lever selected

Dynamic learning need reflection system for academic education and its applicability to intelligent agents

This paper suggests a new concept DLNR (Dynamic Learning Need Reflection) and its system practically used in the education at Japanese University. The effects, particularly on the learning of software agents, are analyzed. DLNR’s goal is to increase students' learning motivation through dynamically clarifying and reflecting their learning need. To achieve this goal, DLNR includes “prerequisite conditions”, “no compulsory subjects”, “payment for each learning subject”, and “GPA (Grade Point Average)” for estimating learning results. Using a tool developed for realizing DLNR, students design their learning need, namely their own graduation timeline by themselves to achieve their academic goal towards their job after graduation. Through taking classes, students dynamically modify the timeline reflectively according to the intermediate results such as shown by GPA. DLNR’s effects are evaluated. Particularly, DLNR was found applicable to the learning of software agents for intelligent system assistants, through incorporating more general tool such as Story board

Introduction of Low-Carbon Community Energy Systems by Combining Information Networks and Cogeneration-Type District Heating and Cooling Systems

Achievement of a low-carbon society is becoming extremely important. In this report, we introduce an example of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reductions and energy savings, using a local energy-control system. Our research is focused on the town of Shinchi in the Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Shinchi is pursuing initiatives to create a low-carbon, energy-efficient society and a disaster-resilient community. The National Institute for Environmental Studies provides academic support for the design and planning of low-carbon community energy systems by the local government of Shinchi, based on the Basic Cooperation Agreement. For the redevelopment of the Japan Railway (JR) Shinchi Station district that is being carried out, construction of a cogeneration-type district heating and cooling system is currently in progress. CO2 reductions of about 20% can be expected by introducing this community energy system. To support these initiatives, we have developed an information and communication technology (ICT) system that shares a wide range of local information to support energy conservation. By analyzing electricity consumption data from the ICT, we evaluated the pattern of residential power consumption and confirmed that the project supports energy-saving behavior within the community. Additionally, the community energy project in the JR Shinchi Station district enables adjustment of the supply and demand balance