三相ZVS逆变器磁链轨迹

ZVS（zero voltage switching） PWM（pulse width modulation） inverters have attracted much attention recently. The basic idea is to use ZVS circuit as the main circuit of inverter resonance at the beginning of every carrier period so that each power device can commutate when voltage of the main circuit＇s DC bus line is zero. To ensure the resonant circuit to operate properly, sawtooth with alternate slope （positive or negative） is used as carrier. But the time of zero voltage vectors with such PWM pattern is greatly different from traditional hard-switching PWM pattern. This paper discusses the locus of flux linkage under soft-switching PWM pattern by using space voltage vector. It is pointed out that, under the hard-switching PWM pattern, speed of flux linkage is adjusted by zero space voltage vector. When soft-switching PWM pattern is used, however, effective time of space voltage vector varies considerably, sometimes even without zero space voltage vector. Therefore non-zero space voltage vector has been used to make the speed of flux linkage locus equal to that of hard-switching PWM pattern. The cause of current distortion in soft-switching PWM inverters is also discussed. Based on the flux linkage locus circle, corresponding compensation methods are proposed. Experimental results show that the described method can effectively improve output current waveform of inverter.     

A prediction model of foreign language reading proficiency based on reading time and text complexity

In textbooks, foreign （second） language reading proficiency is often evaluated through comprehension questions. In case, authentic texts are used as reading material, such questions should be prepared by teachers. However, preparing appropriate questions may be a very demanding task for teachers. This paper introduces a method for automatically evaluating proficiency, wherein comprehension questions are not required. This method assesses a learner＇s reading proficiency on the basis of the linguistic features of the text and the learner＇s reading time. A reading model following this method predicted reading proficiency with an ER （error rate） of 18.2%. This ER is lower than those of models proposed in previous studies. Furthermore, the ER of the authors＇ reading model for various learner groups classified by their RS （reading speeds） was examined. The result of this examination showed that the error rate was the lowest for the group of learners with fast RS.     

Effects of shocks,presented at a fixed time of day,on appetitive and general activity of rats

Eating, drinking, locomotion, and rearing activities of rats, maintained under a 12:12-h dark:light cycle, were measured continuously over 24 h a day for 40 days in the KGbox-24. For 20 days, beginning on Day 11, the shocks were given through the grid floor of the box 1 h after the beginning of the dark phase (at 2100 h). The daily food and water intake decreased, and there was no further gain in body weight after the introduction of shocks. The 2100-h shocks had some associative effects: (1) Suppression of ingestion developed during the period of 2000–2100 h; (2) acceleration of general activity developed during the period of 2000–2012 h; (3) anticipatory suppression of eating developed toward the end of the light phase. The 2100-h shocks also had suppressive aftereffects upon eating and drinking, especially during the early stage of the 20-day shock phase. Compensatory drinking was observed during the light phase, but no such effect was found for eating. Some findings which are not usually obtained in short-session experiments remain to be explained. References to two timing systems are made.     

Quality-oriented technical change in Japanese wheat breeding

The article presents a productivity analysis of Japanese wheat breeding research. We first estimate a hedonic function to determine the marginal implicit values of Japanese wheat characteristics and find that protein contributes substantially to millers’ price offers to farmers. Induced innovation theory implies breeders thus should be responding to new protein-oriented price policies by developing high-protein wheat varieties. We test this hypothesis by estimating a distance function relating breeding resources – including what we call gene-recharge rates – to the yield and protein characteristics of discovered varieties. New varieties indeed have been protein-favoring and yield-disfavoring, suggesting government research programs have been market-oriented.     

Specific types of sports and exercise group participation and socio-psychological health in older people

ABSTRACT

Older people who engage in sports and exercise in a group render greater benefits for socio-psychological aspects compared to exercising alone. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of specific types of sports and exercise groups and the association with self-rated health, depressive symptoms, and frequency of laughter among community-dwelling older people. We used cross-sectional data from the 2016 Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study and analysed 63,465 males and 68,497 females aged ≥65 years. The top three most popular types among males were golf (11.3%), walking (8.4%), and ground golf (6.3%). Among females, the top three were fitness exercises (13.8%), walking (8.3%), and weight exercises (6.2%). After adjusting for potential confounders, engaging in golf with a group was significantly related with excellent self-rated health (prevalence ratio, PR, 1.31 in male and 1.78 in female), low depressive symptoms (PR, 0.70 and 0.71), and a high frequency of laughter (PR, 1.12 and 1.13). Among females, walking displayed a significant relationship with all three characteristics (PR, 1.23, 0.79, and 1.06, respectively). Golf in older males and walking in older females might be the first choice for an effective programme to spread sports and exercise groups within the older Japanese community.     

Transforming critical and participative teacher research into communicative action: a possible direction for teacher professional learning

ABSTRACT

This paper is an account of how a group of Japanese English language teachers, who questioned current teacher professional education and English language education reforms, learnt to challenge the dominant discourse and find ways of conducting more democratic teacher professional education. It describes how those teachers, including the author, generated a collective theory on communicative competence through the process of their inquiry. It explains how they came to appreciate the action research methodology used for this study, grounded in reflective practice, which in turn helped to develop the author’s understanding of second person action research. It also tells how the teachers learnt to take the initiative in communicating the thinking which informed their practices to others and began to engage in ‘communicative action’ As a result of these outcomes, the paper suggests a potential new form of teacher professional learning aimed towards more democratic relationships between participants. It is hoped that the implications of the research findings could contribute to broader discussions about policy pertaining to teacher professional development.     

Simulation on Foft—Switching PWM Converter with High Power Factor

A new PWM converter based on soft-switching is introduced.The converter uses a minimum number of devices,and requires less switching operations than conventional techniques,Switching is realized solely in a ZVS)zero voltage switching)mode,therefore the loss is reduced and EMI(electromagnetic interference)is suppressed.The paper analyzes the operation of ZVS,and discusses the methods for maintaining a unit power factor and constant DC voltage.Changing the modulation index M and the phase angle θ keeps the input current in phase with the voltage.It also keeps the current sinusoidal,and ensures a constant output voltage.     

软开关脉宽调制变频技术

In this paper, a new soft-switching inverter using a minimum number of devices, and a new PWM (pulse-width modulation) method suitable for 3-phase soft-switching inverters are proposed. The circuit is used as an interface between the DC supply and the conventional voltage source of a PWM inverter. The number of switching operations can be reduced by using the PWM strategy. Increasing the amplitude of the fundamental component contained in the output waveform results in an effective utilization of the DC supply, a reduction of nominated capacity of the inverter elements, and a reduction of switching loss in the switching devices. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (59977012)     

Antioxidant activity and protective effect of Clitoria ternatea flower extract on testicular damage induced by ketoconazole in rats

Background

Ketoconazole (KET), an antifungal drug, has adverse effects on the male reproductive system. Pre-treatments with antioxidant plant against testicular damage induced by KET are required. The flowers of Clitoria ternatea (CT) are proven to have hepatoprotective potential. However, the protective effect on KET-induced testicular damage has not been reported.

Objective

To investigate the protective effect of CT flower extracts with antioxidant activity on male reproductive parameters including sperm concentration, serum testosterone level, histopathology of the testis, and testicular tyrosine phosphorylation levels in rats induced with KET.

Methods

The antioxidant activity of CT flower extracts was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Male rats were treated with CT flower extracts (10, 50, or 100 mg/kg BW) or distilled water via a gastric tube for 28 d (preventive period: Days 1–21) and induced by KET (100 mg/kg BW) via intraperitoneal injection for 7 d (induction period: Days 22–28). After the experiment, all animals were examined for the weights of the testis, epididymis plus vas deferens and seminal vesicle, serum testosterone levels, sperm concentration, histological structures and diameter of testis, and testicular tyrosine phosphorylation levels by immunoblotting.

Results

The CT flower extracts had capabilities for DPPH scavenging and high reducing power. At 100 mg/kg BW, the extract had no toxic effects on the male reproductive system. Significantly, in CT+KET groups, CT flower extracts (50 and 100 mg/kg BW) alleviated the reduction of reproductive organ weight parameters, testosterone levels, and sperm concentration. In addition, CT flower extracts gave protection from testicular damage in KET-induced rats. Moreover, in the CT100+KET group, CT flower extracts significantly enhanced the expression of a testicular 50-kDa tyrosine phosphorylated protein compared with that of other groups.

Conclusions

C. ternatea flower extracts possessing antioxidant activity are not harmful to the male reproductive system and can protect against testicular damage in KET-induced rats.     

Strategies for reducing social anxiety

This study was designed to develop a typology of strategies that persons use to cope with social anxiety. The influences of anxiety level on strategy use were also assessed. Findings suggested 81 basic tactics for coping with social anxiety that cohered into five strategy types (Disaffiliation, Resignation, Relaxation, Positive Thinking, and Passivity). Highly anxious persons were more likely to report Disaffiliation and Resignation.