A flexible multi criteria information filtering model

In this paper, a flexible multi criteria information filtering model is presented. This model is flexible since it allows choosing several distinct criteria, such as content aboutness, coverage, novelty, trust, timeliness, and combining them by a soft aggregation to define a personalized filter. The personal filter is encoded into the user profile that also contains the representations of the user interests that can evolve over time. An implementation of the system applying a combination of the aboutness and coverage criteria has been evaluated and compared to other filtering systems, showing its superior effectiveness. Finally, the possible use of the other criterion is discussed.     

Making infrastructure visible for nomadic work

In this study we revisit Weiser’s (1991) [5] vision of seamlessly integrated computing. We focus on nomadic workers who rely extensively on mobile technologies to conduct work. Using Star and Ruhleder’s (1996) [10] properties of infrastructure, we discuss how nonroutine users of infrastructure face particular challenges. We conducted an ethnographic investigation of nomadic workers in a large distributed organization. We examined strategies that they use to assemble their mobile office, to seek resources, and to synchronize with others across time zones. We discuss how their strategies are challenged by their lack of local knowledge of infrastructure. Our results suggest that until the field of pervasive computing can attain Weiser’s vision, the very users of ubiquitous computing need infrastructure to be visible. We discuss the implications for a design to support nomadic work.     

A Novel In Situ Method for Producing a Dispersion of a Ceramic Phase into Copper That Remains Stable at 0.9T M

We apply an in situ approach, whereby a polymer is incorporated into copper and evolves within the metal into the ceramic phase, to create a dispersion of hard particles in a metal. All constituents for the ceramic phase are contained within the organic polymer. The temperature for this polymer to ceramic conversion lies in the 1073 K to 1273 K (800 °C to 1000 °C) range. The process produces a nanoscale dispersion of the ceramic, which leads to high microhardness that remains unaltered at temperatures up to 1223 K (950 °C) (0.9T _M). Apparently, the introduction of the ceramic phase leads to the retention of copper crystallite size of a few hundred nm, despite exposure to heat treatments at these very high temperatures. We call these materials polymer-derived metal-matrix composites.     

Characterization and carbonylic hydrogenation of methyl oleate over Ru-Sn/Al2O3: Effects of metal precursor and chlorine removal

Hydrogenation of methyl oleate to oleyl alcohol was evaluated over Ru-Sn/Al₂O₃ catalysts, prepared from different precursors, at 270 °C and 5.0 MPa. Two kinds of metal precursors were employed: chlorine-free precursors and inorganic chlorides. In addition, several methods for chlorine removal of metal-chloride-based catalysts were studied. Catalysts were characterized by EDX, XRF, DRX, BET and TPR analyses. Selectivity toward unsaturated alcohol was higher with the bimetallic catalyst based on chlorine-free precursors than with the catalyst based on metal chlorides, owing that chlorine avoids, at certain extent, an effective interaction between ruthenium and tin species. However, the most selective catalyst was the bimetallic one based on chloride precursors and reduced with NaBH₄, due to elimination of residual chlorine and higher dispersion of Ru-Sn species.     

Proteic-anabolic capacity in rats--influence of the quality and quantity of dietary protein

The effect of quality (casein + 5% DL-methionine, normal or heated at 180 degrees C for 20 min) and quantity (4%, 6%, 10%, 15% and 20%) of dietary protein on food intake, weight increase and nitrogen retention, has been studied in both sexes weaning Nestle rats. Our results show that food intake, when expressed as g dry matter/100 g body weight and day, is not dependent on the quality and quantity of dietary protein. Weight increase goes up at a 10% dietary protein level. At higher protein levels (15% and 20%) values are only maintained. Protein quality do not cause any difference. Nitrogen retention goes up on increasing dietary protein level, with a maximum at 10% casein-methionine and 15% heated protein, being retention heated casein-methionine significantly lower. At a higher protein level, the maximal anabolic capacity for protein is maintained. Maximum Protein Productive Value (PPV) is obtained from diets containing 10% protein level (normal or heated). There is a significant decrease at higher protein levels (15% and 20%). The PPV of heated casein-methionine is lower than PPV of normal one at 6%, 10%, 15% and 20% protein levels. The results state that in our assays, in spite of the good quality of heated casein-methionine, its metabolic efficiency is below non heated protein values even when protein contribution is increased. We can assume that protein quantity is not a balancing factor for protein quality.     

Sound stimuli and following in a domestic fowl: Frequency, rate, and duration.

Notes that repetitive taps or tones elicit strong following in the young of domestic fowl. The relations between the physical properties of such sounds, including pure tone frequency, rate, and duration were studied in 5 experiments with White Leghorn chicks. When tone characteristics were varied simultaneously, an optimal duration (i.e.,     

Metabolic and endocrine aspects of the ventromedial hypothalamic syndrome in the rat.

Subjected 8 male Long-Evans hooded rats to parasagittal knife cuts that separated the medial from the lateral hypothalamic areas; following surgery, some Ss were given free access to food while others were restricted to normal quantities. Compared with 6 sham-operated controls, the restricted-food Ss exhibited hyperinsulinemia as early as 36 hr after surgery without any change in plasma glucose levels. The blood samples of free-food Ss which had become obese, showed hyperinsulinemia, mild hyperglycemia, and elevated levels of free fatty acids. These results suggest that the interruption of mediolateral hypothalamic connections produces hyperinsulinemia directly, and that further increases in insulin, glucose, and free fatty acid levels are caused by overeating. The surgical cuts produced an increase in aggressive behavior but no change in the circulating levels of testosterone. (41 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reliability of the Beck Depression Inventory with older adults.

Examined the test–retest, split-half, and coefficient alpha reliability of the Beck Depression Inventory with a sample of 82 elderly community volunteers (mean age 69.9 yrs) and 77 depressed outpatients (mean age 67.8 yrs). All 3 indexes were reasonably high in the total sample and fell within the accepted range of reliability for a clinical screening instrument. As expected, internal consistency was lower when determined for the 2 separate samples. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)