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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.robot.2009.08.002 Byline: F. Chao (a), M.H. Lee (a), J.J. Lee (b) Abstract: This paper presents a model of ocular-motor development, inspired by ideas and data from developmental psychology. The learning problem concerns the growth of the transform between image space and motor space necessary for the control of visual saccades. An implementation is used to produce experimental results and these are presented and discussed. The algorithm is simple, extremely fast, self-calibrating, adaptive to change, and exhibits emergent stages of behaviour as learning progresses. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Computer Science, Aberystwyth University, Wales, UK (b) John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK

In recent years, general contractors in the construction industry have gradually begun to implement a system called enterprise resource planning (ERP). During the ERP implementation process, contractors performed required analyses on daily operation functions demanded by the enterprise. The analyses focused on function mapping to ensure that ERP satisfies all the requirements, including the functions of existing information systems, and meets future requirements. The process of function mapping in the construction industry typically involves a series of lengthy and time-consuming meetings, and face-to-face discussions; systematic analysis procedure was lacking. This research will propose a novel function mapping approach, the Architecture of Integrated Information Systems (ARIS)-house-based (AHB) method, to enhance the effectiveness of meetings and improve the efficiency of discussions. In addition, AHB method will use the structure of ARIS-house diagram to guide the function mapping process, streamline existing information systems, meet future requirements, and successfully implement ERP. Finally, this research will use a case study to verify the effectiveness of the AHB method for contractor to implement ERP. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000125 CE Database subject headings: Contractors; Planning; Information systems; Project management; Construction industry. Author keywords: Enterprise resource planning; ARIS; General contractor.

The response of CsI(T1) crystals to nuclear recoils and [gamma]s down to 3 keV has been studied, and it has been demonstrated that the pulse shape discrimination capability for CsI(T1) is better than that for NaI(T1). Extensive study of internal background of CsI powder was performed and a lot of efforts have been made to reduce the internal background sources such as [sup.137]Cs and [sup.87]Rb. The [sup.137]Cs concentration of 2 mBq/kg was achieved successfully in the CsI powder using ultra-pure water for whole extraction process. The Rb concentration was successfully reduced to be less than 1 ppb by the recrystallization method. The CsI(T1) crystal used for the experiment was grown with the ultra-low background CsI powder and a dimension of the CsI(T1) crystal is 8 x 8 x 30 [cm.sup.3] which corresponds to weight of 8.7 kg. The number of photoelectrons is measured to be about 4-6/keV with a RbCs photocathode PMT. The background of CsI(T1) crystals were measured in the shielding of 30 cm thick mineral oil, 15 cm thick lead, 5 cm thick polyethylene and 10 cm copper at the 700 m minimum depth of underground laboratory at YangYang Pumped Storage Power Plant in Korea. The WIMP search with low background CsI(T1) crystals has been carried out by the Korean Invisible Mass Search (KIMS) Collaboration and the lower limit on WIMP-nucleon cross section are reported. Index Terms--Dark matter, CsI(T1), internal background, pulse shape discrimination, WIMP.

The balloon-borne cosmic-ray experiment CREAM (Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass) has completed two flights in Antarctica, with a combined duration of 70 days. One of the detectors in the payload is the SCD (Silicon Charge Detector) that measures the charge of high energy cosmic rays. The SCD was assembled with silicon sensors. A sensor is a 4 x 4 array of DC-coupled PIN diode pixels with the total active area of 21 x 16 [mm.sup.2]. The SCD used during the first flight (December 2004-January 2005) was a single layer device, then upgraded to a dual layer device for the second flight (December 2005-January 2006), covering the total sensitive area of 779 x 795 [mm.sup.2]. Flight data demonstrated that adding a second layer improved SCD performance, showing excellent particle charge resolution. With a total dissipation of 136 W for the dual layer system, special care was needed in designing thermal paths to keep the detector temperature within its operational range. As a consequence, flight temperatures of the SCD, even at diurnal maximum were kept below 38[degrees]C. The SCD mechanical structure was designed to minimize the possibility of damage to the sensors and electronics from the impacts of parachute deployment and landing. The detector was recovered successfully following the flight and is being refurbished for the next flight in 2007. Details of construction, operation, and performance are presented for the dual-layered SCD flown for the second CREAM flight. Index Terms--Balloon payload, charge measurement, cosmic rays, silicon sensors.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.robot.2007.05.002 Byline: M.H. Lee (a), Q. Meng (b), F. Chao (a) Abstract: Developmental robotics is concerned with the design of algorithms that promote robot adaptation and learning through qualitative growth of behaviour and increasing levels of competence. This paper uses ideas and inspiration from early infant psychology (up to three months of age) to examine how robot systems could discover the structure of their local sensory-motor spaces and learn how to coordinate these for the control of action. An experimental learning model is described and results from robotic experiments using the model are presented and discussed. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Computer Science, University of Wales, Aberystwyth SY23 3BD, Wales, UK (b) Department of Computer Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, England, UK

Abstract The occurrence of dental caries is mainly associated with oral pathogens, especially cariogenic Streptococcus mutans. Preliminary antibacterial screening revealed that the extract of Myristica fragrans, widely cultivated for the [...]

Summary Monoamine oxidase (MAO) catalyzes the oxidative deamination of biogenic amines accompaned by the release of [H.sub.2][O.sub.2]. Two subtypes, MAO-A and MAO-B, exist on the basis of their specificities to [...]

Summary The 70% aqueous acetone extracts of ten Taiwanese native plants were evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (*OH) radicals, and reducing power assay. In the [...]

In the literature, the local-global finite element analysis technique plays a very important role in the area array packaging. In this study, the underlying goal is to propose an improved equivalent model for the use in the local/global analysis, and most importantly, provide a systematic procedure in approaching this equivalent model. In addition, the choice of the equivalent beam model will also be extensively investigated. Since the configuration of the solder joint is far from being close to a 'beam-like' structure, defining the corresponding equivalent beam involves great levels of difficulties. In order to remove the possible difficulties, an effective way is proposed: incorporating analytical derivations and optimization. To this end, one practical application is presented to substantiate the proposed methodology.

Spectroscopic ellipsometry and photoluminescence measurements were conducted on molecular beam epitaxy-grown CdTe/S strained heterostructures to determine the impact of strain the strain's dependence on Si tilted substrates. Results show that the CdTe layers' strains are dependent on the orientation of the Si substrate. Results also reveal that CdTe epitaxial layer's crystallinity is enhanced by rapid thermal annealing.

A new study discusses the physical reason why metal-oxide-semiconductor structures on Si with the oxide grown using rapid thermal oxidation may have the emission corresponding to band gap energy of Si.

Milled rice is fortified with calcium (Ca) by soaking it in a 3% Ca lactate solution for three hours and then steaming it for 10 minutes. The rice is then dried to 10-11% moisture. The rice to Ca lactate ratio during soaking is 1.0:0.75 w/v. Washing results in a Ca loss around 5% but about 60% of the original Ca is preserved after dialysis. The Ca is present mainly in the outer 8% of the rice grain. The process meets the U.S. standards for Ca-fortified rice.

Various first-principles calculations are carried out for examining the twist boundaries observed in the deep ultraviolet nonlinear optical crystal K[Be.sub.2][BO.sub.3][F.sub.2]. The weak interaction taking place between the in-plane layers is shown to be the phenomenon dominating the formation of these twist boundaries in the system.