This study aimed to develop a measurement scale for the ability to learn from experiences based on experiential learning theory. Following a scale development approach, we conducted interviews with high-performing employees (n = 25) to collect items of the scale and subsequently performed a two-wave questionnaire survey of employees (n = 999) in Japanese organisations to identify the dimensions of the ability to learn from experience. We conducted a series of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to develop and evaluate the measurement scale. The results generated a four-dimensional scale with 22 items consisting of proactive challenge, emotional control through dialogue, learning from others, and meta-reflection and adjustment. These dimensions were positively associated with the three types of psychological satisfaction (autonomy, relatedness, and competence) and work engagement. These findings were discussed both theoretically and practically.
This article presents a wide operating range switched-capacitor (SC) converter designed for miniaturized photovoltaic (PV) energy sources. In millimeter-scale devices, PV power transfer is limited by low generated voltage and available power, posing significant challenge for power conversion. To address this constraint, the proposed SC converter employs an input-powered $3 imes $ differential switching signal generation and boosting path, which enhances performance in the subthreshold operating region while maintaining sub-microwatt operation and cold-start capability across the operating range. The converter also incorporates an exponential reconfigurable charge pump topology that achieves high voltage multiplication gain with a reduced number of stages and capacitor footprint. To maintain compatibility with the most efficient monolithic PV implementation, the converter is designed to operate in the negative supply domain. The proposed circuit was implemented in 180 nm CMOS process and experimentally verified using both a controlled voltage source and a discrete 2.1-mm2 silicon photodiode. Measurement results demonstrate robust operation over an input range of 140-400mV with a peak power conversion efficiency of 56.6% and up to 9.89 & times; voltage gain, enabling energy harvesting from incident light intensities as low as 20 nW/mm2.
HiZ-GUNDAM is a candidate for a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency satellite mission expected to launch in the 2030s, aiming to detect high-redshift gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and explore the early universe. The wide-field X-ray monitor EAGLE, onboard the HiZ-GUNDAM satellite and responsible for GRB detection and localization, employs lobster-eye-type micro-pore optics (MPOs) and a pnCCD as the focal-plane detector to focus soft X-rays in the 0.4 to 4.0 keV range. We established an alignment strategy for a modular lobster-eye MPO system, and the required alignment accuracy was derived through Monte Carlo simulations that reproduce the point spread function and localization performance. The optical characteristics of individual MPO segments were then evaluated to select and arrange four segments for a breadboard-level alignment demonstration. Subsequently, alignment tuning was performed by adjusting the angular positions of the MPO segments with actuators under X-ray irradiation in a vacuum environment, followed by an evaluation of the resulting direction-determination accuracy. The resulting angular response measurements show that the estimated incident angles derived from the focal positions achieve systematic uncertainties of less than 3 arcmin over more than 95% of the field of view. This level of performance satisfies the localization requirement for the EAGLE instrument when considering systematic errors intrinsic to the MPO-based detection system. These results demonstrate the feasibility of precise MPO alignment in a segmented lobster-eye optics system and provide practical feedback for the design, alignment strategy, and mechanical tolerance definition of future engineering and flight models of the EAGLE X-ray optics.
Rare-Earth and Mg-based metal hydrides undergo reversible changes in their optical, electrical, and thermal properties when absorbing or releasing hydrogen. These properties make them ideal for energy-efficient applications, such as hydrogen storage materials, switchable mirrors, and thermal switching devices. This study investigated the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation mechanisms of SmH2. The hydrogenation reaction of SmH2 was successfully modeled using the JMAK model, which corresponds to the nucleation and growth mechanism of SmH3 crystallites within the SmH2 film. The Avrami exponent was extracted for each material to evaluate nucleation and growth behavior. Dehydrogenation was successfully evaluated using Fick's second law, indicating that the dehydrogenation was dominated by diffusion. The activation energy of the SmH2 hydrogenation reaction was approximately 140-180 kJ mol-1, whereas that of the SmH2 dehydrogenation reaction was about 60 kJ mol-1. This indicates that the rate-determining step of the dehydrogenation process should be the recombination of hydrogen atoms on the Pd surface.
This study examines the relative effects of a metonymy/metaphor awareness-raising approach and a non-metonymy/metaphor awareness-raising approach on the development of Japanese EFL participants' rhetorical skills, particularly in understanding and applying focus shifts in prepositional and double object constructions involving give-type and buy & make-type verbs. The metonymy/metaphor awareness-raising approach incorporated animated illustrations that highlighted cause-effect relationships based on contingency in form-meaning mappings and spatial distance metaphors. In contrast, the non-metonymy/metaphor group learned verb constructions without these conceptual frameworks, relying only on listed example sentences and explanations. The results demonstrated that the metonymy/metaphor awareness-raising approach significantly enhanced participants' ability to acquire, consolidate, and retain focus shifts in prepositional and double object constructions over an extended period. The study identified two key factors contributing to this effectiveness: causal relationships and spatial distance metaphors. By conceptualizing grammatical structures through these frameworks, participants improved their understanding of verb constructions. Additionally, visualizations and animations clarified meaning differences and reinforced memory retention, highlighting the benefits of conceptually grounded instruction in second language acquisition.
