cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Supervised Learning of Human Welder Behaviors for Intelligent Robotic Welding

Current industrial welding robots are mostly articulated arms with a pre-programmed set of movement, which lack the intelligence skilled human welders possess. In this paper, human welder's response against 3-D weld pool surface is learned and transferred to the welding robots to perform automated welding tasks. To this end, an innovative teleoperated virtualized welding platform is utilized to conduct dynamic training experiments by a human welder whose arm movements together with the 3-D weld pool characteristic parameters are recorded. The data is off-line rated by the welder and a fuzzy classifier is trained, using an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), to automate the rating. Data from the training experiments are then automatically classified such that top rated data pairs are selected to model and extract “good response” minimizing the effect from “bad operation” made during the training. A supervised ANFIS model is then proposed to correlate the 3-D weld pool characteristic parameters and welder's adjustment on the welding speed. The obtained model is then transferred to the welding robot to perform automated welding task as an intelligent controller. Experiment results verified that the proposed model is able to control the process under different welding current as well as under disturbances in speed and measurement. A foundation is thus established to selectively learn “good response” to rapidly extract human intelligence to transfer into welding robots.
Validity of Core Temperature Measurements at 3 Rectal Depths During Rest, Exercise, Cold-Water Immersion, and Recovery.

Context: No evidence-based recommendation exists regarding how far clinicians should insert a rectal thermistor to obtain the most valid estimate of core temperature. Knowing the validity of temperatures at different rectal depths has implications for exertional heat-stroke (EHS) management. Objective: To determine whether rectal temperature (Trec) taken at 4 cm, 10 cm, or 15 cm from the anal sphincter provides the most valid estimate of core temperature (as determined by esophageal temperature [Teso]) during similar stressors an athlete with EHS may experience. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Seventeen individuals (14 men, 3 women: age = 23 ± 2 years, mass = 79.7 ± 12.4 kg, height = 177.8 ± 9.8 cm, body fat = 9.4% ± 4.1%, body surface area = 1.97 ± 0.19 m2). Intervention(s): Rectal temperatures taken at 4 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm from the anal sphincter were compared with Teso during a 10-minute rest period; exercise until the participant's Teso reach...
Plasma-induced flow instabilities in atmospheric pressure plasma jets

Pulsed plasma excitation of rare gases flowing into air has been shown to impact the stability of the flow in non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs). In this paper, the results from a numerical modeling investigation of the stability of a round He APPJ with a powered electrode exposed to the gas flow are discussed. Localized gas heating at the powered electrode occurs on the time scale of the voltage pulse, tens to 100 ns, which is short compared to the fluid timescales. An acoustic wave propagates from this heated, expanding gas and exits the jet. The wave disturbs the shear layer between the He and surrounding humid air, exciting a shear instability which grows downstream with the flow and increases the mixing of the humid air into the He. The effects of the eddy-dominated flow on ionization wave (IW) propagation in an APPJ were investigated. The IW followed the regions of the highest helium concentration, resulting in an increased production of NO, HO2, and NO2.
Age of pubertal onset and 2nd to 4th digit ratios: Preliminary findings.

Abstract Background The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is used as a marker of prenatal sex hormone exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relation between digit ratio and age of pubertal onset. Methods Participants were 321 men and 202 women aged between 18 and 28 at the time of assessment who self-reported their onset of puberty (i.e., age at first conscious ejaculation or menarche). Participants' right and left digit lengths were measured from hand scans. Results All groups of males, i.e., early, average, and late pubertal onset, had lower mean 2D:4D than the comparable female groups, regardless of the relative timing of their pubertal onset. Among the males, there was a significant difference in digit ratios between individuals who experienced early, average, and late onset of puberty. In the males, we observed a positive relationship between 2D:4D and age of pubertal onset for both right and left hands. There were no significant differences in 2D:4D among the three groups of female maturers. We observed no significant association between digit ratios and age at menarche. Conclusions These data lend further support for using 2D:4D as a measure of prenatal androgen exposure.
Colonic strictures in children and young adults with Crohn's disease: Recognition on MR enterography

Abstract Objectives Identify MRE features of colonic strictures in children/young adults with Crohn's disease. Methods Included are patients with colonic strictures on colonoscopy imaged with MRE. Bowel wall thickening (BWT) with luminal narrowing, pre-stenotic dilatation (PSD), bowel wall enhancement, and diffusion restriction were evaluated. Results All potential strictures (n=12) had BWT with luminal narrowing on MRE. 8/12 had PSD, meeting our MRE stricture criteria. MRE diagnosed 8/12 colonic strictures compared to colonoscopy but was concordant with findings in all surgical patients. Conclusion Strictures on MRE did not always agree with colonoscopy, but when correlating with surgery, MRE findings were all concordant.
CUFID-query: accurate network querying through random walk based network flow estimation

Functional modules in biological networks consist of numerous biomolecules and their complicated interactions. Recent studies have shown that biomolecules in a functional module tend to have similar interaction patterns and that such modules are often conserved across biological networks of different species. As a result, such conserved functional modules can be identified through comparative analysis of biological networks. In this work, we propose a novel network querying algorithm based on the CUFID (Comparative network analysis Using the steady-state network Flow to IDentify orthologous proteins) framework combined with an efficient seed-and-extension approach. The proposed algorithm, CUFID-query, can accurately detect conserved functional modules as small subnetworks in the target network that are expected to perform similar functions to the given query functional module. The CUFID framework was recently developed for probabilistic pairwise global comparison of biological networks, and it has been applied to pairwise global network alignment, where the framework was shown to yield accurate network alignment results. In the proposed CUFID-query algorithm, we adopt the CUFID framework and extend it for local network alignment, specifically to solve network querying problems. First, in the seed selection phase, the proposed method utilizes the CUFID framework to compare the query and the target networks and to predict the probabilistic node-to-node correspondence between the networks. Next, the algorithm selects and greedily extends the seed in the target network by iteratively adding nodes that have frequent interactions with other nodes in the seed network, in a way that the conductance of the extended network is maximally reduced. Finally, CUFID-query removes irrelevant nodes from the querying results based on the personalized PageRank vector for the induced network that includes the fully extended network and its neighboring nodes. Through extensive performance evaluation based on biological networks with known functional modules, we show that CUFID-query outperforms the existing state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of prediction accuracy and biological significance of the predictions.
Synthesis of Gadolinium Scandate from a Hydroxide Hydrogel

Gadolinium scandate (GdScO3) has been synthesized at 300 °C through the decomposition of a mixed cation hydroxide hydrogel in a humid environment. Increasing the reaction temperature produced larger particles that better adopted the Wulff shape. A lack of water vapor during the synthesis caused the solid network of the hydrogel to collapse upon heating so an amorphous xerogel was produced. Water vapor in the system imbibed the hydrogel and allowed for greater diffusion of the atomic species to allow for crystallization into the perovskite phase at temperatures lower than typical sol–gel processes. Temperatures less than 300 °C, or an excess of water vapor, promoted the formation of Gd(OH)3 and ScOOH in addition to or in lieu of GdScO3.
Weighted Gini index feature selection method for imbalanced data

An imbalanced class problem occurs within abundant real-world applications, e.g., fraud detection, text classification, and cancer diagnosis. Beside balancing the imbalanced data distribution to deal with imbalanced data problems, another significant way to solve the bias-to-majority problem is via proper feature selection. This work is intended to use a feature selection method that can choose a subset of features and make ROC AUC and F-measure results in order to achieve high performance on a minority class. In this paper, a weighted Gini index(WGI) feature selection method is proposed. In order to evaluate the proposed method, a comparison result among Chi-square, F-statistic and Gini index feature selection is shown, and Xgboost is the classifier that is used to test the performance of the subset of features. Experimental results indicate that F-statistic contains the best performance when a few features are selected. However, when the number of selected features increases, WGI feature selection achieves the best results. A comparison between the average results from ROC AUC and F-measure are also presented. It shows that ROC AUC always contains a good performance, even if only a few features are selected, and only changes slightly as the subset of features expands. However, the performance of F-measure achieves a good performance after 60% of features are chosen. The results are helpful for practitioners to select a proper feature selection method when facing a practical problem.
MTJ Magnetization Switching Mechanisms for IoT Applications

Different magnetization mechanisms, structures, and electrical properties of MTJ-based MRAM are described in the context of IoT applications. MTJ-based MRAM provides non-volatility (high retention time), low power, and high speed. This memory has a broad variety of applications. One important example is IoT. A comparative study of the magnetization mechanisms provides insight into which MTJ structures and magnetization mechanisms best support different IoT applications.
Energy-efficient ultrasonic release of bacteria and particulates to facilitate ingestion by phagotrophic algae for waste sludge treatment and algal biomass and lipid production

Abstract Wastewater treatment generates large amounts of waste activated sludge (WAS) that contains concentrated bacteria and particulate organics and requires costly treatment prior to disposal. This study develops an approach to harness the unique capability of oleaginous phagotrophic microalgae for treating WAS and producing algal biomass and lipids. WAS ultrasonication is studied for releasing particulates and bacteria suitable for direct ingestion by phagotrophic microalgae, without bacterial destruction/lysis, and thus minimizing energy requirement. Particle release into supernatant was followed by optical density at 610 nm (OD610) and volatile solid concentration (VS); OD610 correlated well with micron-size particle count rates measured by dynamic light scattering. Microalgae (Ochromonas danica) grew with a 7.6-h doubling time in sonication-generated WAS supernatant alone, giving approximately 66% (w/w) cell yield from consumed VS and ∼30% intracellular lipids. Effects of sonication power (P in W), WAS volume (V in mL) and sonication duration (t in s) were studied with a 3 × 3 × 6 factorial design. Supernatant OD610 increased with increasing P and t and decreasing V. Multiple linear regression gave the following equation with only significant terms: O D 610 T S = − 0.0536 + 0.000592 P − 0.000213 t + 0.000003 P × t + 0.000274 P × t V (R2 = 0.94). Sonicating 500-mL WAS at 180 W for 240 s was selected for giving high particulate release (∼29% VS) with maximal energy efficiency, corresponding to a specific energy input of 4320 kJ (kg TS)−1, which was much lower than the range (15,000–250,000 kJ (kg TS)−1) reported previously for WAS ultrasonication. The results supported development of new ultrasonication-phagotrophic algae processes for WAS treatment and algae production.
REGENERATION OF EFFECTOR FUNCTION IN VITRO

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the regeneration of effector function in vitro. It presents a study that demonstrates that concanavalin A (ConA) is as effective as priming alloantigen in regenerating cytotoxicity in mouse alloantigen-generated memory cells. Memory T cells were generated in mixed leukocyte cultures by incubation of equal numbers of reacting strain lymph node plus spleen cells and irradiated stimulating strain lymph node plus spleen cells. The chapter illustrates the ability of ConA to regenerate specific cytotoxicity in MLC-primed effector memory cells. The chapter also presents a comparison of the effect of inhibition of DNA synthesis by hydroxyurea (HU) on the generation of cytotoxicity in normal and immune lymphocytes by ConA. The data suggest that there may be a variety of ways of regenerating cytotoxicity in alloantigen-generated memory cells.
Requirement of the Poly(A) Tail in Coronavirus Genome Replication

The 3′ poly (A) tail plays an important, but as yet undefined role in Coronavirus genome replication. To further examine the requirement for the Coronavirus poly(A) tail, we created truncated poly(A) mutant defective interfering (DI) RNAs and observed the effects on replication. Bovine Coronavirus (BCV) and mouse hepatitis Coronavirus A59 (MHV-A59) DI RNAs with tails of 5 or 10 A residues were replicated, albeit at delayed kinetics as compared to DI RNAs with wild type tail lengths (>50 A residues). A BCV DI RNA lacking a poly(A) tail was unable to replicate; however, a MHV DI lacking a tail did replicate following multiple virus passages. Poly(A) tail extension/repair was concurrent with robust replication of the tail mutants. Binding of the host factor poly(A)- binding protein (PABP) appeared to correlate with the ability of DI RNAs to be replicated. Poly(A) tail mutants that were compromised for replication, or that were unable to replicate at all exhibited less in vitro PABP interaction. The data support the importance of the poly(A) tail in Coronavirus replication and further delineate the minimal requirements for viral genome propagation.
Itpack on supercomputers

ITPACK is being adapted for efficient use on supercomputers. The results of preliminary testing of the vector version of this software package are presented. More extensive modifications are being planned and are outlined in Kincaid, Oppe, and Young [1982].
NEUROTRANSMITTER FUNCTION | Presynaptic Neurotransmission: Alterations in Exocytotic/Secretory Machinery in Kindling

In molecular terms, epilepsy is a dysfunction in neurotransmission, involving either an inappropriate response to, or an altered release of, neurotransmitters (NT). We have examined the synaptosomal proteins involved in NT release to determine if alterations in their interactions correlate with epilepsy. We have quantified secretion machinery elements (SNARE – soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) complex and SNARE effectors) in hippocampi from electrically kindled animals. In these animals, there is a persistent, asymmetric accumulation of SNARE complexes in the hippocampus ipsilateral to the stimulating electrode, regardless of stimulation site. Treatment with levetiracetam (an antiepileptic drug which specifically binds SV2 (synaptic vesicle protein 2)) dampened this accumulation and delayed kindling. Of the SNARE effectors examined, only SV2, tomosyn, and NSF (N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor) showed alterations upon kindling. The implications of these findings toward an understanding of epilepsy are discussed.
Musings on Science Program Evaluation in an Era of Educational Accountability

Evaluators of science programs in school settings need to be aware of the much larger accountability context within which school science is situated. Any evaluations of science programs in schools must be situated in a manner that speaks to the larger accountability agenda of the district and the state.Evaluators need to be seen as providing value to the educational system in terms of the skill sets,tools and techniques,and understandings they bring to school science.School personnel and policy makers,working in concert with experienced evaluators,can derive many useful insights into science teaching practices and student learning that go well beyond insights gained from traditional accountability measures.Evaluators also have a social responsibility to help inform the use and application of accountabil- ity measures as they relate to science education.
Planning with actively eliciting preferences

Abstract Planning with preferences has been employed extensively to quickly generate high-quality plans. However, it may be difficult for the human expert to supply this information without knowledge of the reasoning employed by the planner. We consider the problem of actively eliciting preferences from a human expert during the planning process. Specifically, we study this problem in the context of the Hierarchical Task Network (HTN) planning framework as it allows easy interaction with the human. We propose an approach where the planner identifies when and where expert guidance will be most useful and seeks expert’s preferences accordingly to make better decisions. Our experimental results on several diverse planning domains show that the preferences gathered using the proposed approach improve the quality and speed of the planner, while reducing the burden on the human expert.
Comparison of the Effects of Histamine and Prostaglandin on Afferent C-Fiber Endings and Irritant Receptors in the Intrapulmonary Airways

Afferent vagal endings with non-myelinated axons are widely distributed in the lungs, where they are considerably more umerous than the endings of myelinated fibers. Until recently this group of C-fibers has been thought of as a single, functionally homogeneous afferent input. Action potential studies in both dogsl and cats2 indicated that chemicals injected into the bloodstream gained access to the endings through the pulmonary circulation, and Paintal2 obtained good evidence that they were situated near the pulmonary capillaires; he, therefore, named them “juxtapulmonary capillary receptors (type J receptors)”. When stimulated by chemicals, these endings give rise to the pulmonary chemoreflex triad of bradycardia, systemic vasodilatation and apnea.
Fluridone and acetochlor cause unacceptable injury to pumpkin

Residual herbicides are routinely applied to control troublesome weeds in pumpkin production. Fluridone and acetochlor, Groups 12 and 15 herbicides, respectively, provide broad-spectrum PRE weed control. Field research was conducted in Virginia and New Jersey to evaluate pumpkin tolerance and weed control to PRE herbicides. Treatments consisted of fomesafen at two rates, ethalfluralin, clomazone, halosulfuron, fluridone, S-metolachlor, acetochlor emulsifiable concentrate (EC), acetochlor microencapsulated (ME), and no herbicide. At one site, fluridone, acetochlor EC, acetochlor ME, and halosulfuron injured pumpkin 81%, 39%, 34%, and 35%, respectively, at 14 d after planting (DAP); crop injury at the second site was 40%, 8%, 19%, and 33%, respectively. Differences in injury between the two sites may have been due to the amount and timing of rainfall after herbicides were applied. Fluridone provided 91% control of ivyleaf morningglory and 100% control of common ragweed at 28 DAP. Acetochlor EC controlled redroot pigweed 100%. Pumpkin treated with S-metolachlor produced the most yield (10,764 fruits ha–1) despite broadcasting over the planted row; labeling requires a directed application to row-middles. A separate study specifically evaluated fluridone applied PRE at 42, 84, 126, 168, 252, 336, and 672 g ai ha–1. Fluridone resulted in pumpkin injury ≥95% when applied at rates of ≥168 g ai ha–1; significant yield loss was noted when the herbicide was applied at rates >42 g ai ha–1. We concluded that fluridone and acetochlor formulations are unacceptable candidates for pumpkin production.Nomenclature: Acetochlor; clomazone; ethalfluralin; fomesafen; fluridone; halosulfuron; Smetolachlor; common ragweed; Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.; ivyleaf morningglory, Ipomoea hederacea Jacq.; redroot pigweed, Amaranthus retroflexus L.; pumpkin, Cucurbita pepo L.
Do Chinese Corporate Foundations Enhance Civil Society

Corporation foundation is one of the most popular tools for Chinese corporations and entrepreneurs to carry out their charitable activities. However, do these foundations play a role in the development of Chinese civil society and in what ways? Followed by a brief introduction on the history, regulations, and rational of the establishment of Chinese corporate foundations, the major body of work aims to appraise the aforementioned topic under the framework of roles of nonpoint organizations (i.e., service, value guardian, advocacy, and social capital), with a focus on service and social capital dimensions. Our empirical data analysis shows that Chinese corporate foundations have been enhancing the civil society through its mission centrality on the pressing societal issues, larger expenditure on charitable activities, and adequate equity and lower amounts on administrative costs in carrying out their missions. A public space is being created through the commitment of corporate foundations to expressing pluralism, volunteer mobilization, and an ever-growing ability to attract donations. However, its role to civil society can also be limited due to modest numbers of full-time staff and their relatively low performance ratings or accountability.
Objective assessment of sleep quality in patients with rotator cuff tears.

Abstract Introduction Sleep dysfunction in patients with rotator cuff tears has been previously evaluated only using subjective measures. Objective parameters of sleep quality amongst rotator cuff tear patients are scarce in the literature. The aim of this study is to compare objective sleep data to historical controls and to subjective patient-reported sleep quality in patients with rotator cuff tears. Hypothesis We hypothesized that patients with rotator cuff tears would demonstrate objectively poor sleep quality based on actigraphy when compared to a historical control group. Secondarily, we hypothesize that objective sleep quality measures will correlate poorly with traditionally used questionnaires and other subjective assessments. Materials and methods Twenty patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears wore a highly validated activity monitor for 2 consecutive weeks for objective assessment and completed a sleep diary during the same period. Patients completed multiple questionnaires pertaining to their shoulder function and subjective assessment of sleep quality. Objective sleep assessments were compared to patients’ sleep diary data and to subjective sleep data from a historical cohort of 969 healthy adults aged 57–97 years. Results Mean total sleep time, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset (WASO), and sleep efficiency were all significantly worse in the study cohort compared to the historical cohort (p = 0.0338, p = 0.0040, p Discussion This study of objective sleep measures demonstrated poor sleep quality in patients with rotator cuff tears with shorter sleep duration, frequent awakenings, and decreased efficiency. Subjective assessments of sleep did not correlate with objective findings. Level of evidence Level II, prospective cohort study.
Genotype-Specific Neutralization of Norovirus is Mediated by Antibodies Against the Protruding Domain of the Major Capsid Protein.

Human noroviruses are the most common viral agents of acute gastroenteritis. Recently, human intestinal enteroids were shown to be permissive for norovirus infection. We tested their suitability as a system to study norovirus neutralization. Hyperimmune sera raised against virus-like particles (VLPs) representing different genotypes showed highly-specific neutralization activity against GII.4 and GII.6 noroviruses. Carbohydrate blocking assays and neutralization exhibited similar patterns in antibody responses. Notably, sera produced against chimeric VLPs that presented swapped structural domains, shell and protruding (P), from different genotypes showed that neutralization is primarily mediated by antibodies mapping to the P domain of the norovirus capsid protein. This study provides empirical information on the antigenic differences among genotypes as measured by neutralization, which could guide vaccine design.
Intensifying Interventions for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties: A Conceptual Synthesis of Practice Elements and Adaptive Expertise.

We consider an emerging challenge in special education that involves the interplay between an emphasis on evidence-based practices (EBPs) and the need to provide individualized intensive interventi...
Three Degrees of Separation: Complete Uterine Septums

Study Objective The goal of this video is to review how to diagnose and surgically manage three variations of incomplete Mullerian duct fusion and reabsorption. We focus on the differences between a complete septate uterus with a single septate cervix (unicollis), a septate uterus with duplicated cervix (bicollis), and a complete duplication of the uterus and cervix (uterine didelphis). Design N/A Setting All procedures were conducted at an academic medical center in the operating room setting. The patients were positioned in dorsal lithotomy with the legs supported using yellowfin stirrups. Patients or Participants Photos and video footage of three patients were collected during their respective surgeries in the operating room. Interventions We demonstrate the operative methods for safe vaginal, cervical and uterine septoplasty. In particular, we show different techniques that can be used for uterine/cervical septoplasty in the case of a complete septate uterus bicollis. We contrast this with the surgical management of a complete septate uterus unicollis. Measurements and Main Results N/A Conclusion This video explores the diagnosis and treatment of three Mullerian anomalies. Prior to surgical correction, it is essential to determine the specific type of anomaly. A complete septate uterus may be unicollis or bicollis; this is an important distinction due to their differing surgical management. In the case of a bicollis, we assert that it is best to avoid incision and repair of the two cervical canals due to the potential risk of cervical incompetence. A didelphys uterus does not require surgical intervention unless there is an accompanying symptomatic vaginal septum.
Do Hoosiers Sell Best

In the days before television talk shows, writers took to the Chautauqua circuit to publicize their books. Legend has it that one famous speaker was making his first appearance in the state and sought to honor the local authors by asking a11 of the writers in the audience to stand. Needless to say he was taken aback when the entire audience, save for one elderly gentleman, arose en masse. The speaker recovered himself enough to point out the lonely gentleman seated in the front row, whom he called the only Hoosier alive who was not an author. A voice cried out from the crowd, "Oh, he writes, too." it said, "but he's a little bit deef and didn't hear what you said."1 The story is perhaps apocryphal, but as a former director of the Indiana Historical Bureau put it, "Indiana's literary productivity is one of those phenomena that is easily exaggerated."2 Like most folk legends, the story contains a modicum of truth. Shumaker, in A History of Indiana Literature sought to substantiate the claim that "the production of Indiana writers is one of the more significant contributions to American literature made by any state or region."3 In 1949 R.E. Banta identified nearly a thousand published authors in the state's first century. Don Thompson continued his work and found another 2,700 writers in the next fifty year period.4 Writers, it seems, "grew as naturally and as luxuriantly as the horseweed along the banks of the quiet Indiana streams."5 When John Moriarty arriv.ed in the state during the final days of World War II as the new Director of the Purdue University Libraries, he had little more than a passing knowledge of Indiana's literary wealth. But it didn't take him . long to discover that Indiana was a state full of authors. The Connecticutbom librarian was challenged by the sheer weight of their numbers to measure not only the output of Hoosier writers, but their quality as well. Moriarty decided that the best way to evaluate their quality was to draw upon the popular tastes of the nation as measured by the bestseller list.
The 2009 National Environmental Public Health Conference: one model for planning green and healthy conferences.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Environmental Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry committed to making their 2009 National Environmental Public Health Conference a model for green and healthy conferences. The conference included increased opportunities for physical activity, both as part of conference events and for transportation to the conference. In addition, conference meals were healthy and sustainably sourced. The conference also implemented intuitive, accessible recycling; online scheduling and evaluation to minimize hard-copy materials; and the purchase of carbon offsets to reduce the unwanted environmental impact of the conference. Public health professionals have an opportunity and obligation to support healthy behaviors at their events and to serve as leaders in this area. Facilitating healthy and sustainable choices is in alignment with goals for both public health and broader social issues—such as environmental quality—that have a direct bearing on public health.
A sense-and-respond approach to business transformation

Business process technology has been one of the drivers and enablers of business transformation in the last decade. In essence, a business process represents a specific way of executing and coordinating business activities. Middleware that can help model and execute business processes along with integrating those processes with multiple vendor applications has been used widely in many large enterprises, and is fast gaining momentum in the small and medium business sector. As automated business processes become prevalent, we have seen a new wave of business transformation emerging: enterprises start looking for capabilities to intelligently monitor and control their business operations, and to link the operational performance with their business strategy. This new wave of business transformation is aimed to achieve a higher level of governance, i.e., to support "smart" decision-making and control of business processes. In this paper, we propose a sense-and-respond approach to intelligent business process control. A sense-and-respond loop typically consists of three steps: sensing, analyzing and decision-making, and execution. In this paper we focus on the design of a decision-making framework
Enhanced Handling and Positioning in Early Infancy Advances Development Throughout the First Year

Behaviors emerge, in part, from the interplay of infant abilities and caregiver–infant interactions. Cross-cultural and developmental studies suggest caregiver handling and positioning influence infant development. In this prospective, longitudinal study, the effects of 3 weeks of enhanced handling and positioning experiences provided to 14 infants versus control experiences provided to 14 infants at 2 months of age were assessed with follow-up through 15 months of age. Behaviors in prone were immediately advanced. Short-term advancements occurred in multiple behaviors, including prone, head control, reaching, and sitting behaviors. Longer term advancements, up to 12 months after the experience period, occurred in object transfer, crawling and walking behaviors. This suggests broad and long-lasting changes can arise via brief periods of change in caregiver–infant interactions.
Effects of AJAX Technology on the Usability of Blogs

AJAX can enhance Web applications by updating a part of the Web page instead of the whole page. This change of technology relates to a usability issue. We used WordPress 2.3 to create two versions of blogs: non-AJAX and AJAX. Then we conducted an experiment by giving a task scenario to eight participants. We collected performance data by recording users' mouse movements during the experiment and collected preference data by providing a questionnaire after the tasks. Finally, we conducted post-experiment interviews to gather participants' experiences. The quantitative results show that AJAX did not improve users' performances the first time they used it, while qualitative interviews demonstrate participants' satisfaction with AJAX blogs.
Minimum Inter-Particle Distance at Global Minimizers of Lennard-Jones Clusters

In computer simulations of molecular conformation and protein folding, a significant part of computing time is spent in the evaluation of potential energy functions and force fields. Therefore many algorithms for fast evaluation of potential energy functions and force fields are proposed in the literature. However, most of these algorithms assume that the particles are uniformly distributed in order to guarantee good performance. In this paper, we prove that the minimum inter-particle distance at any global minimizer of Lennard-Jones clusters is bounded away from zero by a positive constant which is independent of the number of particles. As a by-product, we also prove that the global minimum of an n particle Lennard-Jones cluster is bounded between two linear functions. Our first result is useful in the design of fast algorithms for potential function and force field evaluation. Our second result can be used to decide how good a local minimizer is.
The internationalization process and marketing activities: The case of Brazilian export firms

Abstract Since the 1960s, many developing countries began a transition from import substitution to more outward-looking industrial strategies. The policy adopted by the Brazilian government during the period 1964-1985 emphasized an increase in the volume of exports with the objective of diversifying export markets and products. Competitiveness helped Brazil become a leading exporter of manufactured goods in Latin America, and this has also helped the country survive the debt crisis. This study addresses the process by which Brazilian firms internationalized their manufactured products. Data were collected from a large sample of firms belonging to the Association of Brazilian Exporters (AEB). Factor analysis was conducted for the purpose of summarizing the information with regard to export marketing dimensions. Included in the analysis were 24 variables encompassing marketing, production, and risk dimensions. Discriminant analysis was used in order to identify the marketing dimensions pertinent to each group at different levels of the internationalization process in export activities. A major conclusion that can be drawn is that export development in Brazilian firms was directed by currency issues and marketing capabilities. Furthermore, the study reveals some important insights into the success of export activities. It appears, that one important aspect of export competency is financial flexibility, i.e., the ability to handle export sales in different currencies. Secondly, assessing the country's external environment is equally important when determining success in export markets.
Specific heat of the (La, Gd) Al2 system in the superconducting and normal state

Abstract Specific heat measurements between 0.5 and 4.2°K are reported for the system ( La , Gd) Al2 in both the superconducting and normal state. The observed specific heat jump at the superconducting transition temperature Tc is in excellent agreement with the Abrikosov-Gor'kov (AG) theory. This is in accordance with the previously reported close correspondence of the Tc vs. Gd concentration curve with the AG theory. Two very interesting features occur in the normal state specific heat. First, the Gd impurities cause a surprisingly strong enhancement of the electronic specific heat coefficient. Second, there is a large magnetic field dependent Schottky-like anomaly at low temperatures. This anomaly persists even in the superconducting state.
Leukemia Cell Metabolism in Serum of Normal, Immunized and Leukemic Mice

Immunization to transplantable lymphatic leukemia in mice results from the suitable injection of leukemia cells (4), normal cells (6), or embryonic tissue (3). Naturally susceptible mice so treated are resistant to injections of normally lethal doses of leukemia cells. Histologically (5) line I leukemia cells injected into mice immunized to line I proliferate for only a short time at a reduced rate and within four days show degenerative changes. Necrosis begins at the periphery of a lesion before there is any infiltration of host cells (5). These findings suggested that a humoral mechanism might be responsible for the degenerative changes in the leukemic cells inoculated into immunized mice. The purpose of this investigation was to observe the effects of serum of mice immunized to line I transplantable lymphatic leukemia upon the metabolism of line I cells. The metabolism of line I cells in the serum of normal, of line I leukemic, and of line I immunized mice was studied, and a comparison was made with the metabolism of normal lymphoid cells in normal serum and in Ringer solution.
Disturbance attenuation for LPV systems with bounded inputs

A design technique is proposed for disturbance attenuation for polytopic linear parameter-varying (LPV) systems with bounded inputs. The sufficient conditions for feasibility are expressed in terms of matrix inequalities. Both parameter-independent and parameter-dependent controller are considered. The issue of rate constraint is also discussed.
Innovations in the provision of public goods and services

Current efforts at administrative reform in both developed and developing countries have invariably focused on the critical issue of provision of public goods and services. The accumulated experience and attendant innovations are therefore vast. Few attempts have been made to pull this experience together and draw salient features which might be of use to newcomers to the task of improving provision of public goods and services. This article draws on a panel of experts and government officials convened by the author who have reflected and/or experimented with innovative approaches to public good and service provision. After discussing the role of the state, market and civil society relative to public goods and services, the article lays out a set of basic institutional options for innovations in provision. The article concludes with some strategic considerations on the sequencing of steps to achieve successful market-based innovations in the provision of public goods and services in the context of the minimalist and the strong but restrained state. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The catalytic effect of platinum on the oxidation of carbon fibres

Ex-PAN based carbon fibres (5C) were oxidized at 500, 550 and 600 °C in dry air while being contained in both silica and platinum specimen holders. The weight loss measurements taken as a function of time revealed that those fibres oxidized in platinum exhibited a much higher oxidation rate than those exposed in silica. Additionally, those fibres oxidized in platinum underwent unusual changes in fibre morphology. “Spheres” formed along the longitudinal axis of many fibres, and in one instance, a fibre underwent bifurcation, with a sphere forming on each remaining fibril. Likewise, severe surface pitting occurred. It is believed that these changes in microstructure combined with the increased oxidation rate are a result of a catalysed oxidation reaction(s) caused by the presence of platinum, or perhaps by a cocatalytic reaction between platinum and impurities found on the surface of the fibres.
Household No-Notice Evacuation Logistics: How Well Do Households Optimize?

In no-notice events, adults must decide whether and how to gather household dependents. This article examines how effectively households plan their evacuation logistics for a daytime event in a multimodal network and how these plans match the outcomes of a nonlinear integer optimization approach that simultaneously determines optimal meeting locations, final destinations, and family member pickup assignment and sequencing. The model outcomes are compared to information from 59 in-depth interviews. Households largely assign emergency-gathering activities to the parent normally responsible for child-related travel and prefer to meet at home; these decisions are optimal only in some cases. The authors also identify the sensitivity of the optimized logistics to the time adults spend at pickup locations gathering their dependents and “break-even” points where a combination of walking and trains become competitive with personal vehicles. For some households, the additional travel time to make these modes compet...
Specifying the defect in human amnesia: Storage, retrieval and semantics

Abstract This review considers explanations of amnesia that attempt to specify the nature of the defect. A retrieval disorder operating at the time of retention testing is inconsistent with the facts of amnesia. The evidence is strong that the defect in both human amnesia and amnesia in experimental animals occurs at the time of learning or during the retention interval. Semantic issues blur the distinction between storage hypotheses and some retrieval hypotheses.
Programmed course in dental ethics compared with two other methods of instruction.

After reading this report of Dr. Miller and his group, some still may wonder whether programmed instruction always provides sound teaching or sometimes exercise with a fad.
Exploratory analysis of the relationships between aerobic capacity and self-reported fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Objective To determine if self-reported levels of physical activity and fatigue are related to peak oxygen uptake (VO 2peak ) and whether these relationships differ among the patient groups (rheumatoid arthritis [RA], polymyositis [PM], and chronic fatigue syndrome [CFS]). Design Correlational investigation. Setting Two ambulatory research clinics at the National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD. Participants There were 9 patients with PM, 10 with RA, and 10 with CFS. All patients met case criteria for their respective diagnoses. Methods/Main Outcome Measurements VO 2peak during bicycle ergometry and self-reported fatigability, fatigue, and physical activity. VO 2peak was used as the criterion measurement of physiological fatigue with which the self-reported variables were compared. Results The Pearson r revealed that self-reported physical activity correlated with VO 2peak ( r = 61, P = .01). However, fatigability and fatigue did not correlate with VO 2peak . Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the effects of diagnosis group, self-reported activity level or fatigue, and their interaction. A trend in the data showed a distinctive relationship between fatigue/fatigability within the 3 groups. In addition, when controlling for group status, self-reported activity predicted aerobic capacity as measured by VO 2peak . Conclusions This study confirms that patients with chronic, but stable RA, PM, or CFS are fatigued and have significantly decreased aerobic capacity. Self-reports of physical activity predicted VO 2peak , and may be used as an indicator of activity-based aerobic capacity. Self-reports of fatigue, however, did not correlate with VO 2peak and hence are assessing something other than an index of aerobic capacity, and provide additional information about patients' perceptions, which will require further investigation.
Automating the Transformational Development of Software

This paper reports on efforts to extend the transformational implementation (TI) model of software development [1]. In particular, we describe a system that uses AI techniques to automate major portions of a transformational implementation. The work has focused on the formalization of the goals, strategies, selection rationale, and finally the transformations used by expert human developers. A system has been constructed that includes representations for each of these problem-solving components, as well as machinery for handling human-system interaction and problem-solving control. We will present the system and illustrate automation issues through two annotated examples.
Studies on the redistribution reactions of some germanium and silicon compounds

Abstract Hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance was used to study the exchange of substituents on germanium and silicon in the systems Ge(OCH3)4 vs. GeZ4(Z = Cl, Br, I, or NCO), and Si(OCH3)4 vs. SiZ4(Z = Br or I). Large deviations from statistically random exchange were observed in the systems involving germanium tetrachloride and germanium tetrabromide, with the mixed species being preferred. Exchange of methoxyl and iodo groups on germanium showed only small deviations from randomness. Equilibrium constants, larger than the random value, were observed for the exchange of methoxyl and (iso) cyanate groups on germanium, indicating the starting reagents are more stable relative to the mixed species. The exchange of methoxyl and bromo groups on silicon produced not only the expected mixed species, but also some methyl bromide. Attempts to study the exchange of methoxyl and iodo groups on silicon failed because of undesired side reactions.
Laser interferometric measurement of the surface tension of Ni in a vacuum

The zero creep method of surface tension measurement has been utilized in conjunction with laser interferometry to measure the surface tension ((lambda) ) of Ni at 1040 K, 1090 K, and 1140 K in a vacuum. The sample strains can be measured in-situ, without disturbing the sample. This method utilizes foils 25 micrometers thick which are cylindrically configured (1.25 cm inside diameter) and are stressed by a load at the bottom of the sample cylinder. Through a stress analysis on the sample, the stress in the downward direction can be related to the surface tension of the sample. The stress ((sigma) x) at the zero creep point, where the forces due to the surface tension of the sample are balanced by the force due to the load on the sample, is determined by linear interpolation of several differently loaded samples (1.5 - 15 g +/- 0.001 g) which result in positive or negative strain rates, depending on that load. Prior techniques utilized to measure the sample strains are not accurate at temperatures less than 85% Tm. The application of laser interferometry to the measurement of sample strain allows the metal surface tension to be measured at temperatures less than 85% Tm, possibly as low as 45% Tm. The surface tension of Ni was measured to be 3155 dynes/cm at 1040 K (60% Tm), 3085 dynes/cm at 1090 K (63% Tm), and 2933 dynes/cm at 1140 K (66% Tm).© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.