Journal articles on the topic 'Assembly Path determination'

The previous part of this article starts 100 years ago, at the time of the humble beginnings of building science, and brings us to the current stage of the net zero energy buildings (NZEB). We see how, over the years, knowledge from the observed failures of buildings has accumulated to become the basis for current building science. The strong interactions between energy efficiency, moisture management, and indoor environment and the need for their simultaneous analysis led to the concept of environmental assessment. More than 40 years of experience with passive houses (the first 10 were built in Canada in 1977) in process that would collect those developments into the mainstream of NZEB technology permits extrapolation to the future. As the first priority, we see a need for a fundamental change in the approach to NZEB—instead of improving the separate pieces of the puzzle before assembling them, we need first to establish the conceptual design of the whole system. Only after determination of the basic requirements for each subsystem and each assembly may materials that would fulfill the specific requirements of this assembly be selected. In this design process, the actual climate and socio-economic conditions (including construction cost) vary, so we must deal with a set of design principles rather than a description of a specific construction technology. A guiding set of considerations is presented below to establish a system of environmental quality management (EQM).

This research presents a low-cost, easy-to-assemble nondispersive infrared (NDIR) device for monitoring N2O gas concentration in agricultural soils during field and laboratory experiments. The study aimed to develop a cost-effective instrument with a simple optic structure suitable for detecting a wide range of soil N2O gas concentrations with a submerged silicone diffusion cell. A commercially available, 59 cm path-length gas cell, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based infrared emitter, pyroelectric detector, two anti-reflective (AR) coated optical windows, and one convex lens were assembled into a simple instrument with secure preciseness and responsivity. Control of the IR emitter and data recording processes was achieved through a microcontroller unit (MCU). Tests on humidity tolerance and the saturation rate of the diffusion cell were carried out to test the instrument function with the soil atmosphere. The developed calibration model was validated by repeatability tests and accuracy tests. The soil N2O gas concentration was monitored at the laboratory level by a specific experimental setup. The coefficient of determination (R2) of the repeatability tests was more than 0.9995 with a 1–2000 ppm measurability range and no impact of air humidity on the device output. The new device achieved continuous measuring of soil N2O gas through a submerged diffusion cell.

We demonstrate fiber few-mode interferometers based on a self-assembly surface corrugated grating using charged nano-particles. Initially, an abrupt taper (AT) was first created using a micro flame. The AT was then further outwardly stretched to make an elongated uniformed taper until the tapered diameter achieved a micron scale. The high order core modes (HOCMs) were excited at the AT and the optical path difference (OPD) among the modes was enlarged through the uniformed taper to achieve the few-mode interference effects seen. However, to significantly enhance the interference effects with higher extinction ratios (ER) over such a short length of interferometer, an external assisted grating was made using charged nanoparticles to form surface corrugated grating with a period, Λ, of approximately 14 μm. This intermediate period of the fiber grating was helpful in scattering and attenuating some unwanted high-order modes to change the optical characteristics of the few-mode interferometer (FMI). This FMI with a self-assembly fiber grating (SAFG) was further used to make fiber temperature sensors, with a maximum resonant wavelength shift of 4.6 nm, over a temperature range from 20–60 °C. The temperature sensitivity achieved was 112.6 pm/°C and the coefficient of determination, R2, was as high as 0.99, which revealed the high linearity of the results.

The star tracker is a prerequisite device to realize high-precision attitude determination for a spacecraft. However, due to the errors in optical lens machining, optical path assembly, and temperature alternation, optical instruments suffer from some amount of optical geometric distortion, resulting in declining star tracker accuracy. The on-orbit distortion correction of star images is indispensable for precise performance. In this paper, a novel single-layer 2D Legendre neural network (2DLNN) to automatically correct the geometric distortion of the star tracker is proposed. An offline training method grounded on batch star images and an online training algorithm based on sequential star images are designed, respectively. The 2DLNN realizes the ground-based and on-orbit online correction of optical geometric distortion for the star tracker. The 2DLNN features self-learning, lifelong learning, and good adaptability. The single-layer neural network is simple, quick convergence, which is suitable for on-orbit implementation. The simulations demonstrate that the average distortion error can be reduced to less than 0.04 px after ground-based training. In the earth-orientation mode of the LEO satellite, the on-orbit sequential training algorithm can converge in 2500 star images under 1 frame/s. The proposed 2DLNN can achieve high-precision correction at the sub-pixel level, effectively improving the star tracker’s attitude determination accuracy.

The aim of this Article is to analyze purposes and principles of federal parliamentary control, its comprehensive interrelation and regulatory impact on public relations. In this Article the author considers problems associated with the achievement of purposes and implementation of principles for the control activity in the modern era of development of popular representation in Russia. Essentially, solution to such problems lies in eliminating the formalist approach to the principle of separation of powers and limits of parliamentary control. The author comes to the conclusion that determination of purposes and principles, preparation of the list of parliamentary control forms is just the beginning of a long evolution path. Conceptual improvement of the content of forms of parliamentary control will become possible only under the comprehensive revision of the order of formation and organization of the activity of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. Development of parliamentary control in the Russian Federation requires a set of legislative solutions, based on constitutionally relevant purposes and principles, which will ensure real democracy of the popular representation in the Russian Federation, necessary for the formation of a law-bound state.

<span lang="EN-GB">Polymer electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell is an electrochemical device producing electricity by the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen without combustion. PEM fuel cell stack is provided with an appropriate clamping torque to prevent leakage of reactant gases and to minimize the contact resistance between gas diffusion media (GDL) and bipolar plates. GDL porous structure and gas permeability is directly affected by the compaction pressure which, consequently, drastically change the fuel cell performance. Various efforts were made to determine the optimal compaction pressure and pressure distributions through simulations and experimentation. Lower compaction pressure results in increase of contact resistance and also chances of leakage. On the other hand, higher compaction pressure decreases the contact resistance but also narrows down the diffusion path for mass transfer from gas channels to the catalyst layers, consequently, lowering cell performance. The optimal cell performance is related to the gasket thickness and compression pressure on GDL. Every stack has a unique assembly pressure due to differences in fuel cell components material and stack design. Therefore, there is still need to determine the optimal torque value for getting the optimal cell performance. This study has been carried out in continuation of deve­lopment of Air breathing PEM fuel cell for small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) application. Compaction pressure at minimum contact resistance was determined and clamping torque value was calcu­la­ted accordingly. Single cell performance tests were performed at five different clamping torque values i.e 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 N m, for achieving optimal cell per­formance. Clamping pressure distribution tests were also performed at these torque values to verify uniform pressure distribution at optimal torque value. Experimental and theoretical results were compared for making inferences about optimal cell perfor­man­ce. A clamp­ing torque value of 1.5 N m was determined experimentally to be the best for getting optimal performance as well as uniform pressure distribution for this specific fuel cell.</span>

The purpose of this study is to describe the political conflict between the DKI Jakarta Governor and the Regional People's Representative Assembly (DPRD) in the 2015 APBD Determination Process. The design method used is a qualitative case study. The research was carried out in DKI Jakarta in 2015. Primary data were obtained from various documents related to implementing the Healthy Jakarta program held by the DKI Jakarta governor and deputy governor in 2013 through interviews about the object under study. The research object is the Political Conflict between the DKI Jakarta Governor and DPRD in the 2015 Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) Determination Process. Observation, interviews, and documentation carried out data collection techniques. The data analysis process began by examining all available data from various sources such as interviews, observations that have been written in field notes, documents, pictures, photos, Etc. After reading, studying, and reviewing, the next step was reducing the data by doing abstractions (making the core summary, processes, and statements that need to be provided) arranged in units. Then, the units were categorized while coding. The results showed that divided local government occurring in DKI Jakarta is the leading cause of conflict between the DKI Jakarta Governor and DPRD. It shows that the divided local government triggers prolonged conflicts between the Governor and DPRD. The impact of political conflict between the DKI Jakarta Governor and DPRD has disrupted the government path in DKI Jakarta Province. It started from the delay in discussing and determining the 2015 Draft of Revenue and Expenditure Budget (RAPBD), the planned transportation megaproject, specifically the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) development project, and budget absorption in the 2014 DKI Jakarta APBD are getting lower.

A fiber optic coupled diode laser sensor has been constructed for in situ measurements of water vapor partial pressure in active proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems. The bipolar plate of a prototypical PEM fuel cell was modified to allow for transmission of a near infrared laser beam through the flow channels on either the fuel or oxidizer side of its membrane-electrode assembly. The laser wavelength was scanned over several water rotational and vibrational transitions and the light absorption was detected by measuring the transmitted laser power through the device. The intensity and line shape of the measured transition was used to extract path-averaged values for the water vapor partial pressure. Measurements were initially taken in a non-operating cell with known temperature and humidity input gas streams to calibrate and test the optical device. A technique for rapid determination of the water partial pressure was developed. The optical technique is applicable over a significant temperature and humidity operating range of a PEM fuel cell. The measurement technique was applied to an operating PEM fuel cell system to examine the effects of incoming gas humidity and load on the water vapor partial pressure variation in one of the flow channels.

The growth of environmental and economic requirements for the performance properties of internal combustion engines makes it necessary to constantly improve them. One of the ways to improve the design of engines is to improve the performance of its cooling system, which determines the stability of its thermal regime, on which the engine life and performance indicators directly depend. To increase the efficiency of the cooling system, you can increase the speed of the air flow flowing through the radiator and created by the fan. Flow velocity can be increased by reducing the aerodynamic drag in the air path of the engine cooling system. To do this, you need to know the actual distribution of air flow velocities in front of the radiator at its various points. The purpose of this work was to experimentally determine the air flow rates in front of the radiator at its various points at different values of the supply voltage. In accordance with the developed research methodology, a laboratory installation was developed that allows you to place the radiator assembly with the fan unit and determine the speed of the air flow in front of it with reference to its specific points, measure the speed of rotation of the fan blades and the power consumed by its engine. As a result of experimental studies, approximating response surfaces were constructed that describe the distribution of air flow velocities in front of the radiator at different values of the supply voltage, and the influence of the supply voltage values on the change in the amount of power consumed by the fan motor was established. As a result of the analysis of the data obtained, it was found that a slight decrease in voltage does not reduce the blowing area, but somewhat reduces the air flow rate, which can negatively affect the cooling of the engine itself by the air flow coming out of the fan. The scientific novelty of this work is the experimentally obtained distributions of the values of the air flow velocity in front of the radiator and the research methodology. The research results can be used to improve the efficiency of the fan installation of the engine cooling system. The direction of further research is to study the influence of the resistances at the outlet of the radiator fan casing on the distribution pattern and the air flow velocity.

Determination of TiOCl2 in refined TiCl4 was significant for analysis of its impurities. TiOCl2 could be determined by infrared spectroscopy due to its infrared characteristic spectrum line. However, normal infrared absorption cell was not fit for the sample analysis, because TiCl4 easily reacted with moisture in the air and immediately was hydrolyzed to form highly corrosive hydrochloric acid smoke. The infrared absorption cell with the window film of ZnSe ( Ф10×1mm, wavenumbers: 7800cm-1~440cm-1) and the glass cell (optical path: 22mm, 12mm, 7mm and 4mm) was assembled and utilized in determination of the TiOCl2 in refined TiCl4 by standard addition method. The detection limit of TiOCl2 was 26.5mg•kg-1, the regression equation was Y=1.0118X, R2=0.9926; With standard addition method, the regression equation of TiOCl2 was Y=1.9400X, R2=0.9940,This infrared absorption device was safe, simple and convenient, easily removable and washable, and re-useable. This method could meet the requirement of determination of TiOCl2 in refined TiCl4.

An improved version of Alpha-N, a self-powered, wheel-driven Automated Delivery Robot (ADR), is presented in this study. Alpha-N-V2 is capable of navigating autonomously by detecting and avoiding objects or obstacles in its path. For autonomous navigation and path planning, Alpha-N uses a vector map and calculates the shortest path by Grid Count Method (GCM) of Dijkstra’s Algorithm. The RFID Reading System (RRS) is assembled in Alpha-N to read Landmark determination with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. With the help of the RFID tags, Alpha-N verifies the path for identification between source and destination and calibrates the current position. Along with the RRS, GCM, to detect and avoid obstacles, an Object Detection Module (ODM) is constructed by Faster R-CNN with VGGNet-16 architecture that builds and supports the Path Planning System (PPS). In the testing phase, the following results are acquired from the Alpha-N: ODM exhibits an accuracy of [Formula: see text], RRS shows [Formula: see text] accuracy and the PPS maintains the accuracy of [Formula: see text]. This proposed version of Alpha-N shows significant improvement in terms of performance and usability compared with the previous version of Alpha-N.

Noise from traffic, industry and neighborhood is a prominent feature in urban environments. In these environments, sound reaches receiver points through reflections and diffractions. Real-time auralization of outdoor scenarios is a common goal for presenting sound characteristics in a realistic and intuitive fashion. Challenges in this attempt can be identified on many levels, however the most prominent part is sound propagation simulation. Geometrical acoustics has become the de-facto standard for the prediction of acoustic propagation in a virtual scenario. A considerable difficulty is the determination of the diffracted sound field component, because it is a wave effect that must be be explicitly integrated into the search algorithm of valid propagation paths. A deterministic solution to this problem is implemented that establishes propagation paths with an arbitrary constellation of far-field interactions at geometrical boundaries, i.e. reflecting surfaces and diffracting edges in large distance to each other. The result is an open-source code algorithm for propagation paths that follows the wave front normal and assembles metadata required for further acoustic modelling, such as incoming and outgoing angles, reflection material and geometrical details for the construction of the diffracting wedge. Calculation times are outlined and a proof of concept is presented that describes the employment of the propagation algorithm as well as the determination of an acoustic transfer function based on the input of the intermediate path representation. Future research will focus on prioritization of path contributions according to physical and psychoacoustical culling schemes.

As Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW), a regional public university in northeast Indiana, completed the spring 2020 semester fully remote due to COVID-19, university leadership had to determine if there was a path to safely reopening campus and maintaining a low-risk environment for in-person instruction and work for the 2020-21 academic year. To make this determination, PFW engaged in a three-week scenario planning process in which we assembled 22 task forces composed of 140 faculty and staff, approximately 13.5% of the university’s full-time employees, to identify the challenges and opportunities associated with eight scenarios for how the 2020-21 academic year could play out. Reports and recommendations from the scenario planning process have informed all aspects of the university’s COVID-19 planning, implementation, and communication. This paper examines how a highly collaborative planning process, informed by PFW’s recently completed strategic planning process, created broad engagement with and awareness of the university’s planning efforts, demonstrated the value placed on faculty and staff expertise and input, and helped to build long-term buy-in and trust. This approach also informed PFW’s planning processes for the 2021-22 academic year, which emphasized leveraging our COVID-19 experiences to build a better normal for the university.

The objective of this case report was to describe the clinical sequence for occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) recovering with the manufacture of removable partial dentures (RPD) produced by computer-aided design and rapid prototyping. The patient presented to the Dentistry Department of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte reporting dissatisfaction with the superior RPD. At clinical investigation, a fracture in the minor connector and support at the region of tooth 15 was observed, in addition to severe OVD loss. In this case, after obtaining correct OVD, four more sessions were necessary for RPD fabrication. In the first appointment, intraoral scanning was performed to generate STL files used for path of insertion determination in the CAD software. The need for a guide plane on tooth 15 was observed, thus a preparation guide was designed and 3Dprinted to aid axial tooth reduction. At the second visit, after mouth preparation, another intraoral scanning was performed to acquire virtual working models. The RPD framework was designed and 3D printed in a castable resin pattern and invested for cobalt-chromium alloy melting. In the third visit, clinical evaluation of the framework and teeth and artificial gingiva colors selection were performed. The articulated models were then 3D printed, enabling pre-fabricated teeth to be assembled and acrylized. On the fourth appointment, RPD was installed and the patient received routine instructions. In this sense, the use of CAD/CAM technologies presented as a valuable tool to enhance restoration of OVD by the manufacturing of RPD.

ABSTRACTThe HIV-1 Vif protein inactivates the cellular antiviral cytidine deaminase APOBEC3F (A3F) in virus-infected cells by specifically targeting it for proteasomal degradation. Several studies identified Vif sequence motifs involved in A3F interaction, whereas a Vif-binding A3F interface was proposed based on our analysis of highly similar APOBEC3C (A3C). However, the structural mechanism of specific Vif-A3F recognition is still poorly understood. Here we report structural features of interaction interfaces for both HIV-1 Vif and A3F molecules. Alanine-scanning analysis of Vif revealed that six residues located within the conserved Vif F1-, F2-, and F3-box motifs are essential for both A3C and A3F degradation, and an additional four residues are uniquely required for A3F degradation. Modeling of the Vif structure on an HIV-1 Vif crystal structure revealed that three discontinuous flexible loops of Vif F1-, F2-, and F3-box motifs sterically cluster to form a flexible A3F interaction interface, which represents hydrophobic and positively charged surfaces. We found that the basic Vif interface patch (R17, E171, and R173) involved in the interactions with A3C and A3F differs. Furthermore, our crystal structure determination and extensive mutational analysis of the A3F C-terminal domain demonstrated that the A3F interface includes a unique acidic stretch (L291, A292, R293, and E324) crucial for Vif interaction, suggesting additional electrostatic complementarity to the Vif interface compared with the A3C interface. Taken together, these findings provide structural insights into the A3F-Vif interaction mechanism, which will provide an important basis for development of novel anti-HIV-1 drugs using cellular cytidine deaminases.IMPORTANCEHIV-1 Vif targets cellular antiviral APOBEC3F (A3F) enzyme for degradation. However, the details on the structural mechanism for specific A3F recognition remain unclear. This study reports structural features of interaction interfaces for both HIV-1 Vif and A3F molecules. Three discontinuous sequence motifs of Vif, F1, F2, and F3 boxes, assemble to form an A3F interaction interface. In addition, we determined a crystal structure of the wild-type A3F C-terminal domain responsible for the Vif interaction. These results demonstrated that both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions are the key force driving Vif-A3F binding and that the Vif-A3F interfaces are larger than the Vif-A3C interfaces. These findings will allow us to determine the configurations of the Vif-A3F complex and to construct a structural model of the complex, which will provide an important basis for inhibitor development.

Abstract “On Epigenesis” consists of a series of interrelated short articles examining the philosophical concept of epigenesis, with a particular focus on Catherine Malabou's development of it in contemporary thought. Alexander Miller introduces the topic of epigenesis and considers its significance as a new paradigm. He also presents the reader with an overview of Malabou's work on the topic: Drawing from recent advances in the life sciences as well as the Western philosophical tradition, he claims, Malabou has proposed “an epigenetic paradigm for rationality” for the 21st century. Catherine Malabou explains that when, in 2001, the scientific journal Nature published virtually the entire sequence of three billion bases that make up the human genome, people were surprised: Only five percent of the sequence turned out to actually be genes. Assembled in bunches and clusters, they are separated by vast expanses of so-called gene deserts made up of DNA characterized as “junk” or “repetitive,” which is to say, non-coding. The sequencing of the genome did not offer the revelations that people had expected, marking the end of the “everything is genetic” creed and announcing the rise of the “epigenetic paradigm.” The present article analyzes the implications of this new paradigm in biology, philosophy, and hermeneutics. Emily Apter situates Catherine Malabou's theory of epigenesis within a broader disciplinary context of Continental philosophy, the cognitive turn, and what a brain does or “is” as an object of aesthetic representation. Peter Szendy argues that even if they are not the central focus of her philosophical work, media and medial metaphors play a key role in Catherine Malabou's understanding of epigenetics. Indeed, her views on the epigenetic paradigm shift could lead to a rethinking of mediality. A medium, according to such an epigenetic approach, would be neither simply a storage space nor a carrier: It would be what happens along with the events (whether they involve works or data) that it hosts or transports. Emanuela Bianchi asks whether the epigenesis of “pure reason” can in any sense be “pure,” since epigenesis necessarily involves empirical processes. Foregrounding the topological involvement of the developing organism in its environment in both biological and psychoanalytic registers, she suggests a way forward can be found in thinking of the genesis of reason as both empirical and rational. Alexander R. Galloway traces an etymological path from “epigenetic” back to the Greek verb “gignomai,” meaning “to be born” or “to become.” But what is becoming? And why is becoming better than (mere) being? One answer is that becoming helps one to escape the confines of identity and rote determination. But what happens when the epigenetic paradigm becomes dominant, when contingency, evolution, and becoming prevail over essence, stasis, and determinism?

Curvilinear motion of a vehicle as a part of assembly which takes place mainly on headlands is the most complicated element of its kinematics. Turns are carried out with gradual transition from infinitely large to minimum radius (upon transition from straight motion to motion along simple curve) and from minimum to infinitely large radius (upon transition from motion along simple curve to straight motion). Herewith, curvilinear motion along path of variable radius (upon entering turn and coming out of turn) is a significant portion (quite often more than one half) of all motion of the assembly on the curve. This article presents the procedure of derivation of parametric equations for analytical prediction of theoretical coordinates of motion points of tractor kinematic center upon entering turns. This procedure is based on universal equation for determination of theoretical minimum turning radius of wheeled vehicle. The proposed equations make it possible to determine theoretical path of entering turn of vehicle depending on the following variables: engineering parameters such as base, distance between kingpins, maximum turn angles of internal steered wheels, and operating parameters such as vehicle forward speed, angular turning speed of steered wheels in transverse plane; and to select reasonable properties on this basis.

While the human genome represents the most accurate vertebrate reference assembly to date, it still contains numerous gaps, including centromeric and other large repeat-containing regions – often termed the “dark side” of the genome – many of which are of fundamental biological importance. Miga et al. present the first gapless assembly of the human X chromosome, with the help of ultra-long-read nanopore reads generated for the haploid complete hydatidiform mole (CHM13) genome. They reconstruct the ~3.1 megabase centromeric satellite DNA array and map DNA methylation patterns across complex tandem repeats and satellite arrays. This Telomere-to-Telomere assembly provides a superior human X chromosome reference enabling future sex-determination and X-linked disease research, and provides a path towards finishing the entire human genome sequence.

AbstractLinear nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) and polyketide synthases (PKSs) template the modular biosynthesis of numerous nonribosomal peptides, polyketides and their hybrids through assembly line chemistry. This chemistry can be complex and highly varied, and thus challenges our understanding in NRPS and PKS-programmed, diverse biosynthetic processes using amino acid and carboxylate building blocks. Here, we report that caerulomycin and collismycin peptide-polyketide hybrid antibiotics share an assembly line that involves unusual NRPS activity to engage a trans-acting flavoprotein in C-C bond formation and heterocyclization during 2,2’-bipyridine formation. Simultaneously, this assembly line provides dethiolated and thiolated 2,2’-bipyridine intermediates through differential treatment of the sulfhydryl group arising from l-cysteine incorporation. Subsequent l-leucine extension, which does not contribute any atoms to either caerulomycins or collismycins, plays a key role in sulfur fate determination by selectively advancing one of the two 2,2’-bipyridine intermediates down a path to the final products with or without sulfur decoration. These findings further the appreciation of assembly line chemistry and will facilitate the development of related molecules using synthetic biology approaches.

Abstract Rhinoviruses cause the common cold. They are icosahedral, built from sixty copies each of the capsid proteins VP1 through VP4 arranged in a pseudo T = 3 lattice. This shell encases a ss(+) RNA genome. Three-D classification of single and oligomeric asymmetric units computationally excised from a 2.9 Å cryo-EM density map of rhinovirus A89, showed that VP4 and the N-terminal extension of VP1 adopt different conformations within the otherwise identical 3D-structures. Analysis of up to sixty classes of single subunits and of six classes of subunit dimers, trimers, and pentamers revealed different orientations of the amino acid residues at the interface with the RNA suggesting that local asymmetry is dictated by disparities of the interacting nucleotide sequences. The different conformations escape detection by 3-D structure determination of entire virions with the conformational heterogeneity being only indicated by low density. My results do not exclude that the RNA follows a conserved assembly mechanism, contacting most or all asymmetric units in a specific way. However, as suggested by the gradual loss of asymmetry with increasing oligomerization and the 3D-structure of entire virions reconstructed by using Euler angles selected in the classification of single subunits, RNA path and/or folding likely differ from virion to virion.

AbstractWe have developed a program to connect students, as well as the general public, with glass science in the modern world through a series of hands-on activities and learning experiences using sucrose based glass (a.k.a. hard candy). The scientific content of these experiments progresses systematically, providing an environment to develop an understanding of glassy materials within a framework of “active prolonged engagement” with the material. Most of the experiments can be assembled in a high school lab, or even in a home setting with minimal cost, and yet are appropriate for inclusion in an undergraduate materials lab. The cost is minimized by utilizing common, everyday materials and devices. Some of the activities included in our experiments include: synthesis, density, refractive index determination, glass transition, crystallization, kinetics of devitrification, thermal properties, etc. Temperature measurement, temperature control, and even automated data collection are part of the experience, providing an open path for the students to continue their own interesting and creative ideas.

De novo structure determination from single-wavelength anomalous diffraction using native sulfur or phosphorus in biomolecules (native-SAD) is an appealing method to mitigate the labor-intensive production of heavy-atom derivatives and selenomethionyl substitutions. The native-SAD method is particularly attractive for membrane proteins, which are difficult to produce and often recalcitrant to grow into decent-sized crystals. Native-SAD uses lower-energy X-rays to enhance anomalous signals from sulfur or phosphorus. However, at lower energies, the scattering and absorption of air contribute to the background noise, reduce the signals and are thus adverse to native-SAD phasing. We have previously demonstrated native-SAD phasing at an energy of 5 keV in air at the NSLS-II FMX beamline. Here, the use of a helium path developed to reduce both the noise from background scattering and the air absorption of the diffracted X-ray beam are described. The helium path was used for collection of anomalous diffraction data at 5 keV for two proteins: thaumatin and the membrane protein TehA. Although anomalous signals from each individual crystal are very weak, robust anomalous signals are obtained from data assembled from micrometre-sized crystals. The thaumatin structure was determined from 15 microcrystals and the TehA structure from 18 microcrystals. These results demonstrate the usefulness of a helium environment in support of native-SAD phasing at 5 keV.

Dynamic response of a machine tool structure varies along the tool path depending on the changes in its structural configurations. The productivity of the machine tool varies as a function of its frequency response function (FRF) which determines its chatter stability and productivity. This paper presents a computationally efficient reduced order model to obtain the FRF at the tool center point of a machine tool at any desired position within its work volume. The machine tool is represented by its position invariant substructures. These substructures are assembled at the contacting interfaces by using novel adaptations of constraint formulations. As the tool moves to a new position, these constraint equations are updated to predict the FRFs efficiently without having to use computationally costly full order finite element or modal models. To facilitate dynamic substructuring, an improved variant of standard component mode synthesis method is developed which automates reduced order determination by retaining only the important modes of the subsystems. Position-dependent dynamic behavior and chatter stability charts are successfully simulated for a virtual three axis milling machine, using the substructurally synthesized reduced order model. Stability lobes obtained using the reduced order model agree well with the corresponding full-order system.

Robotic testing offers potential advantages over conventional methods including coordinated control of multiple degrees of freedom (DOF) and enhanced fidelity that to date have not been fully utilized. Previous robotic efforts in spine biomechanics have largely been limited to pure displacement control methods and slow quasi-static hybrid control approaches incorporating only one motion segment unit (MSU). The ability to program and selectively direct single or multibody spinal end loads in real-time would represent a significant step forward in the application of robotic testing methods. The current paper describes the development of a custom programmable robotic testing system and application of a novel force control algorithm. A custom robotic testing system with a single 4 DOF serial manipulator was fabricated and assembled. Feedback via position encoders and a six-axis load sensor were established to develop, program, and evaluate control capabilities. A calibration correction scheme was employed to account for changes in load sensor orientation and determination of spinal loads. A real-time force control algorithm was implemented that employed a real-time trajectory path modification feature of the controller. Pilot tests applied 3 Nm pure bending moments to a human cadaveric C2–T1 specimen in flexion and extension to assess the ability to control spinal end loads, and to compare the resulting motion response to previously published data. Stable accurate position control was achieved to within ±2 times the encoder resolution for each axis. Stable control of spinal end body forces was maintained to within a maximum error of 6.3 N in flexion. Sagittal flexibility data recorded from rostral and caudally placed six-axis load sensors were in good agreement, indicating a pure moment loading condition. Individual MSU rotations were consistent with previously reported data from nonrobotic protocols. The force control algorithm required 5–10 path iterations before converging to programmed end body forces within a targeted tolerance. Commercially available components were integrated to create a fully programmable custom 4 DOF gantry robot. Individual actuator performance was assessed. A real-time force control algorithm based on trajectory path modification was developed and implemented. Within a reasonable number of programmed path iterations, good control of spinal end body forces and moments, as well as a motion response consistent with previous reported data, were obtained throughout a full physiologic flexion-extension range of motion in the human subaxial cervical spine.

Fundamental requirements for using X-ray computed tomography (CT) systems as coordinate measuring systems (CMSs) for traceable coordinate metrology are the study of measurement accuracy and the establishment of traceability to the unit of length, the meter. Due to their complex nature, CT scanning technology and thus CT measurements are affected by multiple error sources that complexly interact in the measurement chain. The German guideline VDI/VDE 2630-part 1.2 [1] provides a detailed description of the factors influencing CT dimensional measurements. Examples of these influence factors are CT scanning parameters, work-piece properties (e.g. material, size, surface roughness), geometrical errors, software and data processing etc. Because of the multitude of these influencing quantities and the complexity and non-linearity of their interaction, CT measurements traceability is a major challenge for metrological applications. In particular, the assessment of measurement uncertainty, which is essential for traceability establishment, is one of the most critical tasks. Among the influence factors affecting CT measurement chain, the study and analysis of CT system geometrical errors is of primary importance [2-6]. As for most precision measuring instruments, the design of a CT system involves the assembly of several components, the most important of which are the X-ray source, the rotary table and the detector. The determination of the CT system geometry is a crucial step on which all the following steps in the measurement chain rely on. In fact, the system geometry provides the necessary information to fully describe the geometry of data acquisition and performing the tomographic reconstruction on which all the dimensional analyses are based. An error in the determination of the CT system geometry (i.e. geometric set-up) or the presence of geometrical errors not accounted for during the reconstruction affect all the subsequent steps in the measurement chain and could lead to artifacts, distortions and measurement errors in the reconstructed volume [2]. It is evident, therefore, that it is extremely important to investigate and quantify the influence of CT system geometrical errors on CT measurements. In general, no coordinate measuring system is constructed and aligned perfectly. In an ideal perfectly aligned CT system (see Figure 1), the X-ray focal spot center (the vertex of X-ray cone), the center of rotation and the detector center are positioned on a straight line. This line is perpendicular to the detector surface on its center and coincides with the central ray (i.e. the X-ray path on the central plane of the cone that goes perpendicularly from the focal spot center to the center of the detector). Moreover, the rotation axis is perpendicular to the line containing the center of rotation, the X-ray focal spot and the detector center, while its projection is parallel to the detector columns [2]. In real practice, however, it is not possible to reach the perfect alignment conditions described above and some residual errors between the three components will be present in the system geometry [2]. In a real CT system, the actual geometry therefore will be affected by the presence of geometrical misalignments. Any discrepancy between the actual system geometry and the geometry used in the reconstruction phase (i.e. the use of an incorrect CT system geometry for reconstruction) will lead to the presence of artifacts, distortions and measurement errors. Therefore, the presence of geometrical misalignments and/or the wrong estimation of the system geometry could have a strong impact on the reconstructed volume leading to artifacts and distortions, and to measurement errors for metrological applications [2, 6]. Thus, it is of fundamental importance to study the effects of geometrical misalignments on CT measurements and to determine the sensitivity of measurements to the different misalignments. In reference [4], Kumar et al. investigated the influence of specific geometrical errors on simulated ball bars showing that they can have significant impact on CT data. In reference [5], Ferrucci et al. studied different simulated detector angular misalignments of 1°, 2°, 5° and 10°, showing that – depending on the kind of misalignments – significant distortions might be present in the CT volume. In this work, different sets of CT experimental investigations, performed with CMM calibrated reference objects, were specifically designed to investigate the effects of CT system detector angular misalignments on CT measurement results. Different detector angular misalignments were purposefully induced on a flat panel detector in order to determine the effects of detector pitch, yaw and roll on CT measurements (i.e. respectively θ, γ, η in Figure 1). Repeated CT scans of CMM calibrated reference objects were acquired with a NSI metrological CT system in both the aligned and purposefully misaligned configurations. For each detector misalignment (i.e. pitch, yaw and roll), three amplitudes of the misalignment were physically induced on the flat-panel detector in order to study the sensitivity of CT measurement errors to the particular type of detector misalignment. For each of the nine misaligned configurations considered in the study, sphere center-to-center distance errors, sphere diameter errors and sphere form errors were calculated and compared to the reference CMM measurements. The influence of the object positioning and measurement direction on the CT measurement errors caused by a misaligned detector were also studied in order to fully characterize the measurement errors in presence of a purposefully misaligned detector. This is of primary importance to enhance CT measurement accuracy. After characterizing and providing a description of the effects produced by each detector angular misalignment on CT measurement results, the paper shows results from an automatic method that effectively corrects for detector misalignments physically present on the CT system hardware. NSI proprietary reconstruction software efX CT, featuring an in house developed algorithm capable of correcting for detector misalignments, was used for the reconstruction of CT scans and it is demonstrated how a significant enhancement of CT measurement accuracy is obtained.

Introduction Daffodil Day, usually held in spring, raises funds for cancer awareness and research using this symbol of hope. On that day, people who donate money to this good cause are usually given a yellow daffodil pin to wear. When I lived in Auckland, New Zealand, on the last Friday in August most people walking around the city centre proudly wore a cheerful yellow flower. So many people generously participated in this initiative that one almost felt obliged to join the cause in order to wear the ‘uniform’ – the daffodil pin – as everyone else did on that day. To donate and to wear a daffodil is the social expectation, and operating in social environment people often endeavour to meet the expectation by doing the ‘appropriate things’ defined by societies or communities. After all, who does not like to receive a beam of acceptance and appreciation from a fellow daffodil bearer in Auckland’s Queen Street? States in international society are no different. In some ways, states wear ‘uniforms’ while executing domestic and foreign affairs just as human beings do within their social groups. States develop the understandings of desirable behaviour from the international community with which they interact and identify. They are ‘socialised’ to act in line with the expectations of international community. These expectations are expressed in the form of international norms, a prescriptive set of ideas about the ‘appropriate behaviour for actors with a given identity’ (Finnemore and Sikkink 891). Motivated by this logic of appropriateness, states that comply with certain international norms in world politics justify and undertake actions that are considered appropriate for their identities. This essay starts with examining how international norms can be spread to different countries through the process of ‘state socialisation’ (how the countries are ‘talked into’ wearing the ‘uniform’). Second, the essay investigates the idea of ‘cultural match’: how domestic actors comply with an international norm by interpreting and manipulating it according to their local political and legal practices (how the countries wear the ‘uniform’ differently). Lastly, the essay probes the current international normative community and the liberal values embedded in major international norms (whether states would continue wearing the ‘uniform’). International Norms and State Socialisation: Why Do States Wear the ‘Uniforms’? Norm diffusion is related to the efforts of ‘norm entrepreneurs’ using various platforms to convince a critical mass of states to embrace new norms (Finnemore and Sikkink 895-896). Early studies of norm diffusion tend to emphasise nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) as norm entrepreneurs and advocates, such as Oxfam and its goal of reducing poverty and hunger worldwide (Capie 638). In other empirical research, intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) were shown to serve as ‘norm teachers,’ such as UNESCO educating developing countries the value of science policy organisations (Finnemore 581-586). Additionally, states and other international actors can also play important roles in norm diffusion. Powerful states with more communication resources sometimes enjoy advantages in creating and promoting new norms (Florini 375). For example, the United States and Western European countries have often been considered as the major proponents of free trade. Norm emergence and state socialisation in a normative community often occurs during critical historical periods, such as wars and major economic downturns, when international changes and domestic crises often coincide with each other (Ikenberry and Kupchan 292). For instance, the norm entrepreneurs of ‘responsible power/state’ can be traced back to the great powers (mainly the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union) and their management of international order at the end of WWII (see Bull). With their negotiations and series of international agreements at the Cairo, Tehran, Yalta, and Potsdam Conference in the 1940s, these great powers established a post-World War international society based on the key liberal values of international peace and security, free trade, human rights, and democracy. Human beings are not born to know what appropriate behaviour is; we learn social norms from parents, schools, peers, and other community members. International norms are collective expectations and understanding of how state governments should approach their domestic and foreign affairs. States ‘learn’ international norms while socialising with a normative community. From a sociological perspective, socialisation summarises ‘how and to what extent diverse individuals are meshed with the requirement of collective life’ at the societal level (Long and Hadden 39). It mainly consists of the process of training and shaping newcomers by the group members and the social adjustment of novices to the normative framework and the logic of appropriateness (Long and Hadden 39). Similarly, social psychology defines socialisation as the process in which ‘social organisations influence the action and experience of individuals’ (Gold and Douvan 145). Inspired by sociology and psychology, political scientists consider socialisation to be the mechanism through which norm entrepreneurs persuade other actors (usually a norm novice) to adhere to a particular prescriptive standard (Johnston, “Social State” 16). Norm entrepreneurs can change novices’ behaviour by the methods of persuasion and social influence (Johnston, “Treating International Institutions” 496-506). Socialisation sometimes demands that individual actors should comply with organisational norms by changing their interests or preferences (persuasion). Norm entrepreneurs often attempt to construct an appealing cognitive frame in order to persuade the novices (either individuals or states) to change their normative preferences or adopt new norms. They tend to use language that can ‘name, interpret and dramatise’ the issues related to the emerging norm (Finnemore and Sikkink 987). As a main persuasive device, ‘framing’ can provide a singular interpretation and appropriate behavioural response for a particular situation (Payne 39). Cognitive consistency theory found in psychology has suggested the mechanism of ‘analogy’, which indicates that actors are more likely to accept new ideas that share some similarities to the extant belief or ideas that they have already accepted (see Hybel, ch. 2). Based on this understanding, norm entrepreneurs usually frame issues in a way that can associate and resonate with the shared value of the targeted novices (Payne 43). For example, Finnemore’s research shows that when it promoted the creation of state science bureaucracies in the 1960s, UNESCO associated professional science policy-making with the appropriate role of a modern state, which was well received by the post-war developing countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia (Finnemore 565-597). Socialisation can also emanate actors’ pro-norm behaviour through a cost-benefit calculation made with social rewards and punishments (social influence). A normative community can use the mechanism of back-patting and opprobrium to distribute social reward and punishment. Back-patting – ‘recognition, praise and normative support’ – is offered for a novice’s or member’s cooperative and pro-norm behaviour (Johnston, “Treating International Institutions” 503). In contrast, opprobrium associated with status denial and identity rejection can create social and psychological costs (Johnston 504). Both the reward and punishment grow in intensity with the number of co-operators (Johnston 504). A larger community can often create more criticism towards rule-breakers, and thus greatly increase the cost of disobedience. For instance, the lack of full commitment from major powers, such as China, the United States, and some other OECD countries, has arguably made global collective action towards mitigating climate change more difficult, as the cost of non-compliance is relatively low. While being in a normative environment, novice or emerging states that have not yet been socialised into the international community can respond to persuasion and social influence through the processes of identification and mimicking. Social psychology indicates that when one actor accepts persuasion or social influence based on its desire to build or maintain a ‘satisfying self-defining relationship’ to another actor, the mechanism of identification starts to work (Kelman 53). Identification among a social group can generate ‘obligatory’ behaviour, where individual states make decisions by attempting to match their perceptions of ‘who they are’ (national identity) with the expectation of the normative community (Glodgeier and Tetlock 82). After identifying with the normative community, a novice state would then mimic peer states’ pro-norm behaviour in order to be considered as a qualified member of the social group. For example, when the Chinese government was deliberating over its ratification of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in 2003, a Ministry of Environmental Protection brief noted that China should ratify the Protocol as soon as possible because China had always been a country ‘keeping its word’ in international society, and non-ratification would largely ‘undermine China’s international image and reputation’ (Ministry of Environmental Protection of PRC). Despite the domestic industry’s disagreement with entering into the Protocol, the Chinese government’s self-identification as a ‘responsible state’ that performs its international promises and duties played an important role in China’s adoption of the international norm of biosafety. Domestic Salience of International Norms: How Do States Wear the ‘Uniforms’ Differently? Individual states do not accept international norms passively; instead, state governments often negotiate and interact with domestic actors, such as major industries and interest groups, whose actions and understandings in turn impact on how the norm is understood and implemented. This in turn feeds back to the larger normative community and creates variations of those norms. There are three main factors that can contribute to the domestic salience of an international norm. First, as the norm-takers, domestic actors can decide whether and to what extent an international norm can enter the domestic agenda and how it will be implemented in policy-making. These actors tend to favour an international norm that can justify their political and social programs and promote their interests in domestic policy debates (Cortell and Davis, “How Do International Institutions Matter?” 453). By advocating the existence and adoption of an international norm, domestic actors attempt to enhance the legitimacy and authority of their current policy or institution (Acharya, “How Ideas Spread” 248). Political elites can strengthen state legitimacy by complying with an international norm in their policy-making, and consequently obtain international approval with reputation, trust, and credibility as social benefits in the international community (Finnemore and Sikkink 903). For example, when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), only four states – Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States – voted against the Declaration. They argued that their constitutional and national policies were sufficiently responsive to the type of Indigenous self-determination envisioned by UNDRIP. Nevertheless, given the opprobrium directed against these states by the international community, and their well-organised Indigenous populations, the four state leaders recognised the value of supporting UNDRIP. Subsequently all four states adopted the Declaration, but in each instance state leaders observed UNDRIP’s ‘aspirational’ rather than legal status; UNDRIP was a statement of values that these states’ policies should seek to incorporate into their domestic Indigenous law. Second, the various cultural, political, and institutional strategies of domestic actors can influence the effectiveness of norm empowerment. Political rhetoric and political institutions are usually created and used to promote a norm domestically. Both state and societal leaders can make the performative speech act of an international norm work and raise its importance in a national context by repeated declarations on the legitimacy and obligations brought by the norm (Cortell and Davis, “Understanding the Domestic Impact” 76). Moreover, domestic actors can also develop or modify political institutions to incorporate an international norm into the domestic bureaucratic or legal system (Cortell and Davis, “Understanding the Domestic Impact” 76). These institutions provide rules for domestic actors and articulate their rights and obligations, which transforms the international norm’s legitimacy and authority into local practices. For example, the New Zealand Government adopted a non-nuclear policy in the 1980s. This policy arose from the non-nuclear movement that was leading the development of the Raratonga Treaty (South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone) and peace and Green party movements across Europe who sought to de-nuclearise the European continent. The Lange Labour Government’s 1984 adoption of an NZ anti-nuclear policy gained impetus because of these larger norm movements, and these movements in turn recognised the normative importance of a smaller power in international relations. Third, the characteristics of the international norm can also impact on the likelihood that the norm will be accepted by domestic actors. A ‘cultural match’ between international norm and local values can facilitate norm diffusion to domestic level. Sociologists suggest that norm diffusion is more likely to be successful if the norm is congruent with the prior values and practices of the norm-taker (Acharya, “Asian Regional Institutions” 14). Norm diffusion tends to be more efficient when there is a high degree of cultural match such that the global norm resonates with the target country’s domestic values, beliefs or understandings, which in turn can be reflected in national discourse, as well as the legal and bureaucratic system (Checkel 87; Cortell and Davis, “Understanding the Domestic Impact” 73). With such cultural consistency, domestic actors are more likely to accept an international norm and treat it as a given or as ‘matter-of-fact’ (Cortell and Davis, “Understanding the Domestic Impact” 74). Cultural match in norm localisation explains why identical or similar international socialisation processes can lead to quite different local developments and variations of international norms. The debate between universal human rights and the ‘Asian values’ of human rights is an example where some Asian states, such as Singapore and China, prioritise citizen’s economic rights over social and political rights and embrace collective rights instead of individual rights. Cultural match can also explain why one country may easily accept a certain international norm, or some aspect of one particular norm, while rejecting others. For example, when Taiwanese and Japanese governments adapted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into their local political and legal practice, various cultural aspects of Indigenous rights have been more thoroughly implemented compared to indigenous economic and political rights (Gao et al. 60-65). In some extreme cases, the norm entrepreneurs even attempt to change the local culture of norm recipients to create a better cultural match for norm localisation. For example, when it tried to socialise India into its colonial system in the early nineteenth century, Britain successfully shaped the evolution of Indian political culture by adding British values and practices into India’s social, political, and judicial system (Ikenberry and Kupchan 307-309). The International Normative Community: Would States Continue Wearing ‘Uniforms’? International norms evolve. Not every international norm can survive and sustain. For example, while imperialism and colonial expansion, where various European states explored, conquered, settled, and exploited other parts of the world, was a widely accepted idea and practice in the nineteenth century, state sovereignty, equality, and individual rights have replaced imperialism and become the prevailing norms in international society today. The meanings of the same international norm can evolve as well. The Great Powers first established the post-war international norms of ‘state responsibility’ based on the idea of sovereign equality and non-intervention of domestic affairs. However, the 1980s saw the emergence of many international organisations, which built new standards and offered new meanings for a responsible state in international society: a responsible state must actively participate in international organisations and comply with international regimes. In the post-Cold War era, international society has paid more attention to states’ responsibility to offer global common goods and to promote the values of human rights and democracy. This shift of focus has changed the international expectation of state responsibility again to embrace collective goods and global values (Foot, “Chinese Power” 3-11). In addition to the nature and evolution of international norms, the unity and strength of the normative community can also affect states’ compliance with the norms. The growing size of the community group or the number of other cooperatives can amplify the effect of socialisation (Johnston, “Treating International Institutions” 503-506). In other words, individual states are often more concerned about their national image, reputation and identity regarding norm compliance when a critical mass of states have already subscribed into the international norm. How much could this critical mass be? Finnemore and Sikkink suggest that international norms reach the threshold global acceptance when the norm entrepreneurs have persuaded at least one third of all states to adopt the new norm (901). The veto record of the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) shows this impact. China, for example, has cast a UNSC veto vote 17 times as of 2022, but it has rarely excised its veto power alone (Security Council Report). For instance, though being sceptical of the notion of ‘Responsibility to Protect’, which prioritises human right over state sovereignty, China did not veto Resolution 1973 (2011) regarding the Libyan civil war. The Resolution allowed the international society to take ‘all necessary measure to protect civilians’ from a failed state government, and it received wide support among UNSC members (no negative votes from the other 14 members). Moreover, states are not entirely equal in terms of their ‘normative weight’. When Great Powers act as norm entrepreneurs, they can usually utilise their wealth and influence to better socialise other norm novice states. In the history of promoting biological diversity norms which are embedded in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the OECD countries, especially France, UK, Germany, and Japan, have been regarded as normative leaders. French and Japanese political leaders employed normative language (such as ‘need’ and ‘must’) in various international forums to promote the norms and to highlight their normative commitment (see e.g. Chirac; Kan). Additionally, both governments provided financial assistance for developing countries to adopt the biodiversity norms. In the 2011 annual review of CBD, Japan reaffirmed its US$12 million contribution to assisting developing countries (Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity 9). France joined Japan’s commitment by announcing a financial contribution of €1 million along, with some additional funding from Norway and Switzerland (Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity 9). Today, biological diversity has been one of the most widely accepted international environmental norms, which 196 states/nations have ratified (United Nations). While Great Powers can make more substantial contributions to norm diffusion compared to many smaller powers with limited state capacity, Great Powers’ non-compliance with the normative ‘uniform’ can also significantly undermine the international norms’ validity and the normative community’s unity and reputation. The current normative community of climate change is hardly a unified one, as it is characterised by a low degree of consensus. Major industrial countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, have not yet reached an agreement concerning their individual responsibilities for reducing greenhouse emissions. This lack of agreement, which includes the amount of cuts, the feasibility and usefulness of such cuts, and the relative sharing of cuts across various states, is complicated by the fact that large developing countries, such as China, Brazil, and India, also hold different opinions towards climate change regimes (see Vidal et al.). Experts heavily criticised the major global powers, such as the European Union and the United States, for their lack of ambition in phasing out fossil fuels during the 2022 climate summit in Egypt (COP27; Ehsan et al.). In international trade, both China and the United States are among the leading powers because of their large trade volume, capacity, and transnational network; however, both countries have recently undermined the world trade system and norms. China took punitive measures against Australian export products after Australia’s Covid-19 inquiry request at the World Health Organisation. The United States, particularly under the Trump Administration, invoked the WTO national security exception in Article XXI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) to justify its tariffs on steel and aluminium. Lastly, norm diffusion and socialisation can be a ‘two-way path,’ especially when the norm novice state is a powerful and influential state in the international system. In this case, the novices are not merely assimilated into the group, but can also successfully exert some influence on other group members and affect intra-group relations (Moreland 1174). As such, the novices can be both targets of socialisation and active agents who can shape the content and outcome of socialisation processes (Pu 344). The influence from the novices can create normative contestation and thus influence the norm evolution (Thies 547). In other words, novice states can influence international society and shape the international norm during the socialisation process. For example, the ‘ASEAN Way’ is a set of norms that regulate member states’ relationships within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It establishes a diplomatic and security culture characterised by informality, consultation, and dialogue, and consensus-building in decision-making processes (Caballero-Anthony). From its interaction with ASEAN, China has been socialised into the ‘ASEAN Way’ (Ba 157-159). Nevertheless, China’s relations with the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) also suggest that there exists a ‘feedback’ process between China and ARF which resulted in institutional changes in ARF to accommodate China’s response (Johnston, “The Myth of the ASEAN Way?” 291). For another example, while the Western powers generally promote the norm of ‘shared responsibility’ in global environment regimes, the emerging economies, such as the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), have responded to the normative engagement and proposed a ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibilities’ regime where the developing countries shoulder less international obligations. Similarly, the Western-led norm of ‘Responsibility to Protect’, which justifies international humanitarian intervention, has received much resistance from the countries that only adhere to the conventional international rules regarding state sovereignty rights and non-intervention to domestic affairs. Conclusion International norms are shared expectations about what constitutes appropriate state behaviour. They are the ‘uniforms’ for individual states to wear when operating at the international level. States comply with international norms in order to affirm their preferred national identities as well as to gain social acceptance and reputation in the normative community. When the normative community is united and sizable, states tend to receive more social pressure to consistently wear these normative uniforms – be they the Geneva Conventions or nuclear non-proliferation. Nevertheless, in the post-pandemic world where liberal values, such as individual rights and rule of law, face significant challenges and democracies are in decline, the future success of the global normative community may be at risk. Great Powers are especially responsible for the survival and sustainability of international norms. The United States under President Trump adopted a nationalist ‘America First’ security agenda: alienating traditional allies, befriending authoritarian regimes previously shunned, and rejecting multilateralism as the foundation of the post-war global order. While the West has been criticised of failing to live up to its declared values, and has suffered its own loss of confidence in the liberal model, the rising powers have offered their alternative version of the world system. Instead of merely adapting to the Western-led global norms, China has created new institutions, such as the Belt and Road Initiatives, to promote its own preferred values, and has reshaped the global order where it deems the norms undesirable (Foot, “Chinese Power in a Changing World Order” 7). Great Power participation has reshaped the landscape of global normative community, and sadly not always in positive ways. Umberto Eco lamented the disappearance of the beauty of the past in his novel The Name of the Rose: ‘stat rosa pristina nomine, nomina nuda tenemus’ ('yesterday’s rose endures in its name, we hold empty names'; Eco 538). If the international community does not want to witness an era where global norms and universal values are reduced to nominalist symbols, it must renew and reinvigorate its commitment to global values, such as human rights and democracy. It must consider wearing these uniforms again, properly. 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