Synthesizing plans that contain actions with context-dependent effects1

This paper presents a method of solving planning problems that involve actions whose effects change according to the situations in which they are performed. The approach is an extension of the conventional planning methodology in which plans are constructed through an iterative process of scanning for goals that are not yet satisfied, inserting actions to achieve them, and introducing subgoals to these actions. This methodology was originally developed under the assumption that one would be dealing exclusively with actions that produce the same effects in every situation. The extension involves introducing additional subgoals to actions above and beyond the preconditions of execution normally introduced. These additional subgoals, called secondary preconditions, ensure that the actions are performed in contexts conducive to producing the effects we desire. This paper defines and analyzes secondary preconditions from a mathematically rigorous standpoint and demonstrates how they can be derived from regression operators.     

Thermally stimulated discharge current studies in pure and fe-doped polystyrene films

Studies were made on the thermally stimulated discharge currents (TSDCs) in pure (undoped) and Fe-doped polystyrene films as a function of polarizing field, polarizing temperature and dopant concentration. While undoped films exhibited a single peak, doped films showed two peaks one at low temperatures and another at high temperatures. The low temperature peak, which exhibits a shift towards lower temperatures with increasing dopant concentration, is attributed to the relaxation of the main chain, while the high temperature peak, which shows a tendency to shift towards higher temperatures with dopant concentration, is due to space charge polarization. The TSDCs were higher for low dopant concentrations than their undoped counterparts, while for high concentrations of the dopant, the TSDCs decreased. Formation of charge transfer complexes at low dopant concentrations and molecular aggregates at higher dopant concentrations are suggested as the possible reasons for this behaviour.     

On the mechanical behavior of aluminum alloys reinforced by long or short alumina fibers or SiC whiskers

This study was initiated to examine the dispersion of longitudinal and transverse waves in metal matrix composites in order to obtain the dynamic elastic modulus and to evaluate various models for predicting the composite's macroscopic elastic constants from the properties of its constituents. The materials chosen for this investigation were alumina continuous fibers on the one hand and alumina and SiC short fibers on the other hand, all embedded in an aluminum alloy matrix. In addition, some indications have been obtained experimentally for the acoustoelastic effect in the composite.     

对哈茨木霉转化子菌体形态观察及抗药性测定

为深入了解木霉转化子的抗药性，对哈茨木霉及其转化子在PDA培养基上进行平板点植培养和小室培养，其菌体形态于40倍显镜镜下观察，结果显示，转化子的菌落形、菌丝形状、菌丝横隔间隔、孢子颜色、产孢数量均发生一定变化。对传代3年转化子抗药性的测定结果表明，哈茨木霉野生菌在多菌灵质量浓度度为1.0μg/mL时不能生长，而其转化子在多菌灵质量浓度高达1000.0μg/mL时仍能正常生长，说明此转化仍具抗药性且抗药性稳定。     

关于离子注入中温升的探讨

本文在理论和试验两个方面探讨了离子注入中的热效应和温升现象。注入样品的温升对离子注入层的性能有直接影响。分析了理论计算注入样品温升的一些情况。给出了实际测量注入样品温升的几种试验方法。阐明了控制注入样品温升的若干可能途径。     

Forty-Five Years After Broadbent (1958): Still No Identification Without Attention.

According to D. E. Broadbent's (1958) selective filter theory, people do not process unattended stimuli beyond the analysis of basic physical properties. This theory was later rejected on the basis of numerous findings that people identify irrelevant (and supposedly unattended) stimuli. A careful review of this evidence, however, reveals strong reasons to doubt that these irrelevant stimuli were in fact unattended. This review exposed a clear need for new experiments with tight control over the locus of attention. The authors present 5 such experiments using a priming paradigm. When steps were taken to ensure that irrelevant stimuli were not attended, these stimuli produced no priming effects. Hence, the authors found no evidence that unattended stimuli can be identified. The results support a modern version of Broadbent's selective theory, updated to reflect recent research advances. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavior of a Semiintegral Bridge Abutment under Static and Temperature-Induced Cyclic Loading

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of semiintegral bridge abutments. Primary interests were to investigate (1) potential problems with the particular detail tested; (2) rotational characteristics of the semiintegral abutments; and (3) ability of the specimens to withstand cyclic loading induced by temperature variations during the expected life of the bridge. Sixteen experiments were conducted on three large-scale specimens. The results of the tests have shown that semiintegral abutments can significantly reduce the moments transferred from the superstructure to the foundation piles. Test results have also shown that semiintegral abutments can tolerate the number of displacement cycles that a bridge will experience during the course of its economic life.     

Effect of Reactor Ambient Pressure on the Morphology of Spray Dried Magnesium Sulphate Powders

The effect of reducing the reactor air pressure on the morphology of spray dried magnesium sulphate powders is investigated, experimentally. A reactor, capable of drying and pyrolyzing solution sprays at low pressures, is designed and manufactured. A vibrating mesh nebulizer is employed to generate the spray. Four different pressures, starting from 60 Torr to the atmospheric pressure, and two different reactor air temperatures of 130°C and 420°C, are considered. In addition, two different concentrations of magnesium sulphate solutions are tested. The results are explained based on the effect of reactor air pressure on the droplet evaporation rate.     

Inherent emf relaxation of electrochemical cells with nanocrystalline Ag electrodes

The open circuit voltage of the electrochemical cell Ag (nano)|solid silver electrolyte|Ag (macro) is found to be inherently unstable. Even under conditions which support the morphological stability of the arrangement of nanocrystalline silver, the particles grow significantly as soon as they function as electrodes; i.e. when they are in contact with a silver electrolyte and connected electronically at the same time. The process is shown to be due to electrochemical Ostwald ripening with the interfacial transfer of Ag⁺ through the Ag/electrolyte interface being the rate limiting step. Its activation energy is 0.01 eV. The decay is in good agreement with modelling results.