On Automated Message Processing in Electronic Commerce and Work Support Systems: Speech Act Theory and Expressive Felicity

Electronic messaging, whether in an office environment or for electronic commerce, is normally carried out in natural language, even when supported by information systems. For a variety of reasons, it would be useful if electronic messaging systems could have semantic access to, that is, access to the meanings and contents of, the messages they process. Given that natural language understanding is not a practicable alternative, there remain three approaches to delivering systems with semantic access: electronic data interchange (EDI), tagged messages, and the development of a formal language for business communication (FLBC). We favor the latter approach. In this article we compare and contrast these three approaches, present a theoretical basis for an FLBC (using speech act theory), and describe a prototype implementation

Message Management Systems: Concepts, Motivations, and Strategic Effects

This paper motivates the need for system-level message management software. It begins by considering information flows in the workplace as a source of potential gains in efficiency. We next investigate work-flow automation and electronic data interchange (EDI) as indicative of current technologies applied to work processes and message management. Having described current technology and our vision of work processes, we propose an alternative, general-purpose, software technology for supporting application-to-application communication. Problems of EDI, of process-to-process communication, and of describing information items are discussed in terms of the communication problems they present. We then justify the need for this kind of software and layout the criteria (or plausibility conditions) for evaluating a proposal for this sort of system software. The use of a formal communication language is proposed as a common solution to these problems. This proposal is examined in the context of the EDI problem, in order to demonstrate how the proposal might work in practice. Practical benefits of the proposal are discussed that highlight the impact such a technology might have on business practices. The proposed solution is measured against the plausibility conditions presented earlier in the paper; it is found to be sufficient in some cases and in need of further investigation in others. We then discuss the industrial-organizational implications of the availability of such a technology, and hypothesize that it would affect the number and form of cooperative business relationships as well as their scope and depth. We also hypothesize that it would provide advantages to those firms that quickly adopt the technology

Fuel utilization during exercise after 7 days of bed rest

Energy yield from carbohydrate, fat, and protein during physical activity is partially dependent on an individual's fitness level. Prolonged exposure to microgravity causes musculoskeletal and cardiovascular deconditioning; these adaptations may alter fuel utilization during space flight. Carbohydrate and fat metabolism during exercise were analyzed before and after 7 days of horizontal bed rest

Practical Considerations in Developing Bioenergy Crops

Biofuels represent a significant challenge and opportunity for agriculture. Producing liquid fuels from cellulosic biomass affords a number of potential environmental benefits. Biofuels result in lower greenhouse gas emissions than fuels derived from petroleum. Growing perennial biomass crops reduces soil erosion and sequesters more carbon than annual crops grown for grain or biomass. Corn and sorghum are crops that have high near-term potential as annual biomass crops. Dedicated biomass crops with very high yields will produce more fuel per acre, helping to balance land for food and fuel. Switchgrass and Miscanthus are perennial species that have been broadly evaluated as potential biomass crops, but will benefit from further development for widespread use. New crops and cropping systems developed specifically for bioenergy production will be necessary to meet biofuel production targets. Bioenergy crops should be developed that use inputs efficiently, have high and stable productivity, have positive environment impact, and are compatible with existing cropping systems. Most importantly, biomass crop portfolios must be developed that allow for sustained energy supply throughout the year

Investigating the insecticidal potential of Geomyces (Myxotrichaceae: Helotiales) and Mortierella (Mortierellacea: Mortierellales) isolated from Antarctica

Fungi isolated from environmentally challenging habitats can have adaptations of potential value when developed as insect pest-controls. Fungal isolates collected from Antarctica, Geomyces sp. I, Geomyces sp. II, Mortierella signyensis and M. alpina, were investigated for (i) growth characteristics at 0-35[degree sign]C, (ii) spore production at 10 and 20[degree sign]C, (iii) viability following exposure to freezing temperatures, and (iv) insecticidal activity against waxmoths (Galleria mellonella L.), houseflies (Musca domestica L.), mealworms (Tenebrio molitor L.) and black vine weevils (Otiorhynchus sulcatus Fabricius). All isolates showed growth between 5-20[degree sign]C, with some showing growth outside this range. Geomyces isolates sporulated over a wider range of conditions than the Mortierella isolates. Spore germination at 10[degree sign]C was higher for Geomyces sp. II when this isolate was produced at 10 compared to 20[degree sign]C (greatest difference 74.6 vs 32.7%). All isolates grew, with the exception of M. alpina, following exposure to -20[degree sign]C for 4 weeks. Insecticidal investigations showed M. alpina and M. signyensis caused significant mortality of waxmoth and housefly larvae via injection and soil inoculation, and M. alpina caused significant mortality of housefly larvae via baiting; the Geomyces isolates had little lethal effect

Video: Board Certification: Reaching the Pinnacle of Practice

Course Outline & Timeline Registration & Continental Breakfast: 7:30 to 7:55 am Atrium & Lecture Room Welcome & Introduction: 7:55 to 8:00 am Elena Rose Minicucci, J.D., Director of Alumni Relations, NSU Shepard Broad Law Center Welcome Introduce Professor Donna Carol Litman, and attorneys Sheryl Moore, Steven Farbman, Todd Weicholz, and William Snyder, LL.M. Seminar Presentation 8:00 am to 9:15 am Professor Donna Carol Litman - Moderator Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center Fort Lauderdale, FL Florida Bar Board Certified in Tax Law Professor Litman will lead the discussion among the other Board Certified attorneys listed above. The Discussion will cover the following: Overview of Board Certification – Requirements Rules Regulating Board Certification – in general Handout: Rule 6-3.5 “Standards for Certification” (general) Handout: Rule 6-3.6 “Recertification” (general) Revocation of Certification – Once Certified, lawyer may lose Certification for certain reasons such as: if the area of practice ceases to be certified; if disciplinary action is taken against the lawyer pursuant to Rules Regulating The Florida Bar; if the lawyer commits a crime; misrepresentation by the lawyer; failure to abide by the rules and regulations governing the program; other lawyer misconduct. Handout: Rule 6-3.8 “Revocation of Certification” 6 Ethics – Rules Regulating The Florida Bar Rule 6-3.9 “Manner of Certification” attorney and law firm must comply with this rule for all advertising, website, business cards, office sign; limitation on use of terms: “Specialist” or “Board Certified” or “Expert” or “B.C.S.” Handout: Rule 6-3.9 “Manner of Certification” & 4-7.14(a)(4) “Potentially Misleading Advertisements” Practice Areas – Board Certification in Florida offers twenty-four practice areas in which to become Board Certified Handout: “Florida’s 24 Legal Specialty Areas” from The Florida Bar Five Specific Board Certification Practice areas discussed below by speakers who are Board Certified in their practice areas: Tax Law Certification: Donna Carol Litman, Esq. Requirements as set forth in Rule 6-5 “Standards for Certification of a Board Certified Tax Lawyer” Handout: Rule 6-5 (including 6-5.1 through 6-5.4) Discussion of Article: Board Certification: The View From the Bench…and Beyond” by George W. Maxwell, III, 77 APR Fla. B.J. 34 (April 2003) – how Judges view Board Certified attorneys Marital & Family Law Certification: Sheryl Moore, Esq. Requirements as set forth in Rule 6-6 “Standards for Board Certification in Marital & Family Law” Handout: Rule 6-6 (including 6-6.1 through 6-6.5) – lawyers and judicial officers included Case Law and/or Ethical Considerations – The Florida Bar v. Morse 784 So. 2d 414 (Fla. 2001) dealing with revocation of Board Certification in Marital & Family Law for failure to provide diligent and competent representation to client Civil Trial Certification: Steven S. Farbman, Esq. Requirements as set forth in Rule 6-4 “Standards for Certification of a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer” Handout: Rule 6-4 (including 6-4.1 through 6-4.4) Case Law and/or Ethical Considerations – Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 – 1.5 Fees and Costs for Legal Services (including Contingency Fee Agreements) and Art. 1 Sec. 26 The Florida Constitution, “Claimant’s Right to Fair Compensation” Criminal Trial Certification: Todd Weicholz, Esq. Requirements as set forth in Rule 6-8 “Standards for Certification of a Board Certified Criminal Lawyer” Handout: Rule 6-8 (including 6-8.1 through 6-8.4) Case Law and/or Ethical Considerations – 4-7.18 “Direct Contact with Prospective Clients” especially relevant to criminal defense matters Wills, Trusts & Estates Certification: William Snyder, LL.M, Esq. Requirements as set forth in Rule 6-7 “Standards For Certification of a Board Certified Wills, Trusts, and Estates Lawyer” 7 Handout: Rule 6-7 (including 6-7.1 through 6-7.4) Case Law & Ethical Considerations - Rules Regulating the Florida Bar – Chapter 4 – 7.13 “Deceptive and Inherently Misleading Advertisements” especially regarding experience and special expertise Professor Donna Carol Litman, Esq. 9:15 to 9:30 am General Question & Answer Session with Seminar Attendees & Board Certified Speakers: Sheryl Moore, Esq., Steven S. Farbman, Esq., Todd Weicholz, Esq., and William Snyder, LL.M., Esq. Seminar ends at 9:30 a

Rare manifestation of a c.290 C\u3eT, p.Gly97Glu VCP mutation

Introduction. The valosin-containing protein (VCP) regulates several distinct cellular processes. Consistent with this, VCP mutations manifest variable clinical phenotypes among and within families and are a diagnostic challenge. Methods. A 60-year-old man who played ice hockey into his 50’s was evaluated by electrodiagnostics, muscle biopsy, and molecular genetics. Results. With long-standing pes cavus and toe walking, our patient developed progressive weakness, cramps, memory loss, and paresthesias at age 52. An axonal sensorimotor neuropathy was found upon repeated testing at age 58. Neuropathic histopathology was present in the quadriceps, and exome sequencing revealed the VCP mutation c.290 C>T, p.Gly97Glu. Conclusions. Our patient reflects the clinical heterogeneity of VCP mutations, as his neurological localization is a spectrum between a lower motor neuron disorder and a hereditary axonal peripheral neuropathy such as CMT2. Our case demonstrates a rare manifestation of the c.290 C>T, pGly97Glu VCP mutation

Dystrophinopathy presenting with arrhythmia in an asymptomatic 34-year-old man: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Important clues in the recognition of individuals with dystrophin gene mutations are illuminated in this case report. In particular, this report seeks to broaden the perspective of early signs and symptoms of a potentially life-limiting genetic disorder. This group of disorders is generally considered to be a pediatric muscular dystrophy when in actual fact, this case report may represent a spectrum of subclinically affected adults.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the diagnostic saga of a 34-year-old Caucasian man who had two liver biopsies for elevated liver enzymes and 16 years later presented with a cardiac arrhythmia amidst an emergent appendectomy which finally led to his specific genetic diagnosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This genetic disorder can affect more than one organ, and in our patient affected both skeletal and cardiac muscle. Furthermore, liver function tests when elevated may erroneously implicate a liver disorder when they actually reflect cardiac and skeletal muscle origin. Presented here is a patient with Becker's muscular dystrophy and cardiomyopathy.</p

LEA Proteins during Water Stress: Not Just for Plants Anymore

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are extremely hydrophilic proteins that were first identified in land plants. Intracellular accumulation is tightly correlated with acquisition of desiccation tolerance, and data support their capacity to stabilize other proteins and membranes during drying, especially in the presence of sugars like trehalose. Exciting reports now show LEA proteins are not restricted to plants; multiple forms are expressed in desiccation-tolerant animals from at least four phyla. We evaluate here the expression, subcellular localization, biochemical properties and potential functions of LEA proteins in animal species during water stress. LEA proteins are intrinsically unstructured in aqueous solution, but surprisingly, many only assume their native conformation during drying. They are targeted to multiple cellular locations, including mitochondria, and evidence supports that LEA proteins stabilize vitrified sugar glasses thought to be important in the dried state. More in vivo experimentation will be necessary to fully unravel the multiple functional properties of these macromolecules during water stress