Dr. Theodore Allen
Associate Professor

BOOK

Table of Contents Samples: Chapter 1 Chapter 11 Solutions

"Tables from Introduction to Engineering Statistics and Six Sigma.xls"

A BRIEF STATEMENT ABOUT MY WORK

The speed and memory capacity of modern computers have inspired a new analysis topic in statistics called "data mining". The motivation for most of my research is that modern computers also permit the developments of new experimental planning methods that were not possible prior to five years ago because the associated optimization problems were prohibitively difficult. Also, computers facilitate the calculation of information that users of experimental planning methods might find helpful in their decisions about which data to collect. In addition, associated with these new methods and decision support information is a new potentially simpler way of thinking about experimental planning and analysis as a process with understandable inputs and outputs. A recent iterest is so-called "blying" and the philosophy of probability.

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EDUCATION

Ph.D.1997 :THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Industrial and Operation
                 Engineering
M.S. 1992 :UCLA, Physics (solid State)
B.A.  1991 :PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, Engineering Physics (Honors)

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RESEARCH INTEREST

Experimental Design, Simulation Optimization, Manufacturing Process Engineering

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HONORS AND SERVICE

Associate editor The Journal of Manufacturing Systems,

Elected Council Member and Appointed Newsletter Editor, INFORMS Quality, Statistics & Reliability Section,

2000 and 2001 “Alpha Pi Mu Outstanding Faculty Awards” (top teaching award from the Industrial & Systems Engineering undergraduate seniors),

“Charles E. MacQuigg Student Award for Outstanding Teaching” from The Ohio State University (OSU), Senior Member of ASQ, Ford Motor Company Fellowship,

Edwin Pauly Merit Scholarship (UCLA), Physics Scholar Award (UCLA), Sigma Xi.

Reviewer NSE Research Council of Canada, Reviewer International Journal of Production Economics

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REFERRED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

1.     Chantarat, N., T. T. Allen, N. Ferhatosmanoglu, and M. Bernshteyn (to appear), “A Combined Array Approach to Minimize Expected Prediction Errors in Experimentation Involving Mixture and Process Variables,” The International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ChantaratAllenFerhatBernshteyn2006.pdf).

2.      Huang, D., T. T. Allen, W. Notz, R. A. Miller (to appear), “Sequential Kriging Optimization Using Variable Fidelity Data,” Structural & Multidisciplinary Optimization (HuangAllenNotzMiller2006.pdf).

3.      Allen, T. T. and J. E. Brady (to appear), “Six Sigma: A Literature Review and Suggestions for Future Research” (special issue of Quality and Reliability Engineering International, Douglas Montgomery Editor, BradyAllenSSLitRev2006.pdf).

4.      Huang, D., T. T. Allen, W. Notz, and N. Zheng (to appear), “Global Optimization of Stochastic Black-Box Systems via Sequential Kriging Meta-Models,” The Journal of Global Optimization (HuangAllenNotzZheng2006.pdf).

5.      Huang, D. and T. Allen (2005), “Design and Analysis of Variable Fidelity Experimentation Applied to Engine Valve Heat Treatment Process Design,” Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series C, 54, 2, 1-21 (HuangAllen2005.pdf).

6.      Allen, T. T., and K. Maybin (2004), “Using Focus Group Data to Set New Product Prices,” Journal of Product and Brand Management, 13, 1, 15-24 (AllenMaybin2004.pdf).

7.      Allen, T. T., Bernshteyn, M., L. Yu, and K. Kabiri (2003), “A Comparison of Alternative Methods for Constructing Meta-Models for Computer Experiments,” The Journal of Quality Technology, 35 (2), 1-17 (AllenBernshteynKabiri2003).

8.      Allen, T. T., and C. Ribardo (2003), “An Alternative Desirability Function for Achieving ‘Six Sigma’ Quality,” Quality and Reliability Engineering International, 19, 227-240 (RibardoAllen2003.pdf).

9.      Allen, T. T., L. Yu, J. Schmitz (2003), “The Expected Integrated Mean Squared Error Experimental Design Criterion Applied to Die Casting Machine Design,” Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series C, 52, 1, 1-15 (AllenYuSchmitz2003.pdf).

10.   Allen, T. T. and M. Bernshteyn (2003), “Supersaturated Designs that Maximize the Probability of Finding the Active Factors,” Technometrics, 45 (1), 1-8 (AllenBernshteyn2003.pdf).

11.   Brady, J. E. and T. T. Allen (2002), “Case Study Based Instruction of SPC and DOE,” The American Statistician, 56, 4, 1-4.

12.   Allen, T. T., R. W. Richardson, D. Tagliabue, and G. Maul (2002), "Statistical Process Design for Robotic GMA Welding of Sheet Metal," The Welding Journal, 81, 5, 69s-77s (AllenRichardsonTagliaMaul2002.pdf).

13.   Allen, T. T., and L. Yu (2002), “Low Cost Response Surface Methods From Simulation Optimization,” Quality and Reliability Engineering International, 18, 1, 5-17 (AllenYu2002.pdf).

14.   Allen, T. T., W. Ittiwattana, R. W. Richardson, and G. Maul (2001), "A Method for Robust Process Design Based on Direct Minimization of Expected Loss Applied to Arc Welding," The Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 20, 5, 329-348 (AllenIttiwattanaRichardsonMaul2001.pdf).

15.   Allen, T. T., L. Yu, and M. Bernshteyn (2000), “Low Cost Response Surface Methods Applied to the Design of Plastic Snap Fits,” Quality Engineering, 12, 583-591.

16.   Koc M., Allen T. T., Jiratheranat S., and Altan, T. T. (2000), “The use of FEM and experimental design to investigate tube hydroforming of a simple geometry,” The International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, 40, 2249-2266.

17.   Allen, T. T., P. Afshari, K. Kabiri, and G. Herrin (1999), “Robust Engineering Using Numerical Methods: Application to the Design of D-Shaped Shafts,” SAE Technical Paper # 98PC-229, 1999 Society of Automotive Engineers Journal (AllenAfshariKabiriHerrin1999.pdf).

PATENT APPLICATIONS

Currently 5 applications are pending at the provisional stage related to (1) an optimization method, (2)-(4) design of experiments method, and (5) an expert system for planning six sigma related projects.

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SPONSORED RESEARCH

Past and Current Projects (OSU Cost Share Not Included in the Award Amounts)

Fatigue Resistant, Energy Efficient Welding
($175K over 2.5 years from the Department of Energy, Farson and Richardson are Co-PIs, 2003-2006)

6s^TM Methods Development and Application to Welding Processes (CRP)
($164K over 3 years from the Edison Welding Institute (EWI) and $45K at EWI, 2000-02)

Methods for Knowledge Based GMAW Parameter Optimization
($72K over 2 years from the Naval Joining Center, Richardson is Co-PI, 2000-02)

Weld Sizing Technology for Arc Welding Production Robustness (CRP)
($10K over 1 year from EWI and $150K at EWI, 2000-01)

Optimal Statistical Decision-Making for Welding Process Design – Continuation
($30K over 2 years from EWI, 1999-00)

Software for Design of Experiments and Optimization of Welding Processes
($11,051 over 2 years from EWI, 1999-01)

Statistical Process Control for Arc Welding of Tank Turrets
($2K over 1 year from EWI, 1999)

Regression and Neural Net Modeling for a Resistance Welding Application
($4K over 1 year from EWI, 1999)

Knowledge Based Welding Process Optimization
($10K over 1 year from EWI and $67K at EWI, Yapp is Co-PI, 1998-99)

New Experimental Methods Applied to HVAC Case-Joining – Continuation
($30K over 1 year from Visteon Co. a subsidiary of Ford Motor Co., 1998-99)

Optimal Statistical Decision-Making for Welding Process and Production Systems Design
($16K over 1 year from EWI, 1998-99)

New Experimental Methods Applied to HVAC Case Joining
($35K over 1 year from Ford Motor Co., 1997-98)

Efficient Methods for Constructing KBS Inputs Applied to HVAC Odor Reduction
($28K over 1 year from Ford Motor Co., 1997-98)

Weld Process Optimization
($5K over 1 year from EWI, Profs. Richard Richardson and Gary Maul PI's, 1997-98)

Optimal Experimental Design for Arc Welding
     ($25K over 1 year from OSU Seed Grant, 1998-99)

Developing a Standard Test for Weld Cracking
     ($5K over 1 year from EWI, Lippold PI, 1998)

Interactive Web-based Software to Teach Experimental Data Analysis in Engineering Design
     ($1K over 1 year from OSU Faculty Innovator Grant, 1998-present)

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ACADEMIC ADVISING : THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Graduated Doctoral Students

1. Brady, James (2005), “Six Sigma and the University: Research, Teaching, and Meso-Analysis,” (one publication in the American Statistician, one submission to Journal of Operations Management, and one article under preparation for the Journal of Quality and Technology).

2. Huang, Deng (2005), “Experimental Planning and Sequential Kriging Optimization Using Variable Fidelity Data,” (co-adviser with Allen Miller, one publication in the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series C and an accepted article in The Journal of Global Optimization and a submission under preparation to Structure).

3. Chantarat, Navara (2003), “Modern Design of Experiments Methods for Screening and Experimentations with Mixture and Qualitative Variables” (resulted in submissions in the review process and a publication in the Winter Simulation Conference).

4. Ittiwattana, Waraphorn (2002), “A Method for Simulation Optimization with Applications in Robust Process Design and Locating Supply Chain Operations” (resulted in a publication on an alternative to Taguchi Methods in the refereed Journal of Manufacturing Systems).

5. Bernshteyn, Mikhail (2001), “Heuristics that Combine Population and Multiple Comparison Based Searches with Application to Model Robust Supersaturated Experimental Designs” (resulted in publications in the top journals Technometrics and the Journal of Quality Technology).

6. Ribardo, Charles (2000), “Desirability Functions for Comparing Arc Welding Parameter Optimization Methods and for Addressing Process Variability Under Six Sigma Assumptions” (resulted in a publication in the refereed journal Quality and Reliability Engineering International and the award of finalist in the INFORMS QSR student paper competition, Co-adviser with Prof. R. W. Richardson).

7. Yu, Liyang (2000) “Expected Modeling Errors and Low Cost Response Surface Methods” (resulted in publications in the reputed refereed journals Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series C, Quality Engineering, and Quality and Reliability Engineering International).

Current Doctoral Students

1. Schenk, Jason – Research area: statistical method development for cognitive engineering.

2. Huang, Chien-Chen – Research area: design of experiments for revenue management.

3. Rajagopalan, Ravishankar – Research area: method development for nano-fabrication and welding.

4. Ferhatosmanoglu, Nilgun – Research area: design of experiments and statistical modeling.

5. Zheng, Ning – Research area: simulation optimization, design of experiments, and computer science.

6. Tseng, Shih-Hsien – Research area: design of experiments including multi-fidelity experimentation.

7. Taslim, Cenny – Research area: bioinformatics, optimal design of experiments, and computer science.

Graduated Thesis or Project Option Masters Students

1. Richards, Gavin 2005), “Bayesian regression diagnostics” project.

2. Zheng, Ning (2005), “Subset Selection and Optimization For Selecting Binomial Systems Applied to Supersaturated Design Generation” thesis.

3. Ahuja, Anita (2004), “Data Mining and OR Methods for Scheduling Jobs at a Fashion Distribution Center,” project.

4. Treaster, Allegra (2004), “New Methods for On-Line Experimentation Applied to Flux Core Arc Welders for Ship Panel Production,” thesis.

5. Kumar, Amarendra, “Graphical Comparison of Non-sequential Procedures for Response Surface Investigation,” Spring 2003 (thesis).

6. Ventakataraman, Karthik, “A Method for Robust Interface Design,” Winter 2003 (project).

7. Metha, Gautam, “An Application of Experimental Design to Optimize A Web Site,” Autumn 2002 (project).

8. Joshi, Chaitanya, “Modeling Six Sigma-Type Methodologies,” Autumn 2002 (project).

9. Chivate, Chetan, “Optimal Design of Focus Group Studies to Minimize Errors in Predicting Demand,” expected Summer 2002 (project).

10. Kusumakar, Hari, “Portfolio Selection Using Simulation Optimization,” Spring 2002 (project).

11. Schmidt, John,  “The Sensitivity of Expected Prediction Accuracy to Assumptions,” Winter 2002 (project).

12. Padwal, Sachin, “Applying Experimental Design to Optimize Interface Usability of Statistics Software,” Winter 2001 (project).

13. Sharma, Deepak, “Optimal Experimental Design Applied to HVAC Case Joining Decision-Making,” Summer, 1999 (thesis).

Other Advised Students

Non-thesis Students: Bangarusuamy, Manaswi, Arakoni, Suhardja, Sugiarto, Ittiwattana, Li, and Wei-Hsun.  I have served actively on 3 masters committees, Dedhia, Choudhury, and Chayapathi, in collaboration with Professor Allen Miller.  I have also participated in the generals committee of Muammer Koc and a student in material science engineering.

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WORK EXPERIENCE

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, Industrial, Welding & Systems Engineering, Columbus, OH.
8/97-present : Assistant Professor
8/96-8/97       : Instructor

FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Climate Control Operations (CCO), Advanced Engineering, Dearborn, MI. 5/95 - 10/96
Used design of experiments (DOE) and computer-aided design (CAD) techniques to determine specs. for:
   • AC blower wheel imbalance to limit case vibrations,
   • snap tabs for AC case joining,
   • tongue and groove seal to minimize air leakage of AC cases, and
   • pull-pull cable for sound and performance (not completed).
   • Correlated AC system performance, customer satisfaction, and warranty.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering. 8/93
Teaching Assistant: Statistical Quality Control (IOE 466), Design of Experiments (IOE 465).

CHRYSLER CORPORATION, Problem Identification and Resolution, Highland Park, MI. 8/94 - 6/95
• Led student team (under Professors Nair and Wu) in postmortem analysis of quality/corporate problems.
• Used time series methods to demonstrate the dependence of warranty data on supplier SPC data.

EMERSON ELECTRIC CO., Fusite Division, 6000 Fernview, Cincinnati, OH. 6-8/93
Used DOE techniques to fix an adhesion problem in a critical injection molding process.

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TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Courses Developed and Taught at The Ohio State University

ISE 610

Undergraduate:
• Statistical Modeling, Queuing, and Lean Production (INDENG 513) - the mathematical framework of simulation and queuing in the context of recent developments in lean manufacturing.
• Statistical Quality Control and Quality Management Systems (INDENG 509) - statistical quality control, ISO9000, and the process for quality improvement.

Undergraduate and Graduate:
• Design of Engineering Experiments (INDENG 610) - statistical planning of engineering experiments, including Taguchi methods and their role in the engineering design process.

Graduate:
• Statistical Quality Control and Quality Management Systems (INDENG 709) - statistical quality control, ISO9000, and the process for quality improvement.
• Empirical Model Building in Industrial Engineering (INDENG 700) – utility theory and simulation optimization for system design and optimal data collection to support these activities

Continuing Education for Industry

Short Courses:
• Design of Experiments, one-day course for practicing engineers, sponsored by the Edison Welding Institute and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, September, 1997.
• Design of Experiments and Taguchi Methods, one day course for practicing engineers, sponsored by The Ohio State University, February 1998.

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CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS (REFEREED EXCEPT AS NOTED)

1.   Botros, M. B., J. A. (Tony) Nava, T. T. Allen, “Interaction of HVAC Blower Fan & Motor Imbalance,” Proceedings of the IIAV Congress IV, St. Petersburg, Russia, June 24-27, 1996.

2.   Botros, M. B., T. T. Allen, Tony Nava, "Minimizing the Fan Imbalance Excitation of an Automotive Blower System," SAE Technical Paper # 98PC-24, 1998 SAE International Congress, Cobo Center, Detroit.

3.   Allen, T. T., "Robust Engineering Using Numerical Methods: Application to the Design of D-Shaped Shafts," SAE Technical Paper #98PC-229, 1998 SAE International Congress, Cobo Center, Detroit.

4.   Maul, G., T. T. Allen, and Richard Richardson, "Arc Welding Process Optimization," IEMS 98 International Conference, Cocoa Beach, Florida.

5.   Allen, T. T. and L. Yu.  "Low Cost Experimental Methods Applied to Aerospace Related Design," Proceedings of the 3rd Annual World Congress on Multidisciplinary Optimization, Niagara Falls/Amherst, New York, May 15-21, 1999.

6.   Allen, T. T., W. Ittiwattanna, and M. Bernshteyn (2000), “A Method for Robust Machine Design Applied to Arc-Welding” Third International Symposium on Tools and Methods of Competitive Engineering, April 18-21, Delft, Netherlands.

7.   Richardson, R. W., T. T. Allen, D.P. Tagliabue, G. Maul (2000), “Statistical Process Design for Robotic Gas Metal Arc Welding of Sheet Metal,” Tenth International Conference: Computer Technology in Welding and Manufacturing, Copenhagen, Denmark, June 6-7 (not refereed).

8.   Ribardo, C., Allen, T. T., Richardson, R., and Yapp, D. (2000), “Desirability Functions for Comparing Arc Welding Parameter Optimization Methods and For Addressing Process Variability Under Six Sigma Assumptions,” Proceedings of the 2000 International Conference on Advances in Welding Technology, Orlando, FL, 12/00 (not refereed). 

9.   Allen, T. T., R. W. Richardson, D. P. Tagliabue, and G. Maul (2000), “Statistical Process Design for Robotic GMAW of Sheet Metal,” Proceedings of the 2000 International Conference on Advances in Welding Technology, Orlando, FL, 12/00 (not refereed). 

10.  Allen, T. T. and L. Yu (2000), "Low Cost Response Surface Methods For and From Simulation Optimization," Proceedings of the Winter Simulation Conference, R. Barton and J. Joines editors (www.wintersim.org).

11.  Ribardo, C. and T. Allen (2001), “An Alternative Desirability Function for Achieving "Six Sigma" Quality,” Web Proceeding Quality, Reliability and Statistics Section for INFORMS Miami (www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~shihang/informs_qsr/).

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TECHNICAL REPORTS

1.   Allen, T. T. and Liyang Yu, "The Odor Report,"  Submitted 1/20/98 to Visteon Corporation. 

2.   Allen, T. T. and Mike Bernshteyn, "New Experimental Methods Applied HVAC Case Joining," Submitted 3/30/98 to Visteon Corporation. 

3.   Allen, T. T., D. Tagliabue, R. Richardson, G. Maul (1999), "A Statistical Process Design Procedure for the Arc Welding of Sheet Metal," Edison Welding Institute Technical Report.

4.   Allen, T. T., C. Ribardo, R. Richardson, and D. Yapp (2001), “A desirability function for addressing process variability under six sigma assumptions,” Edison Welding Institute Technical Report.

5.   Ribardo, C., T. T. Allen, R. Richardson, and D. Yapp (2001), “A Comparison of Arc Welding Parameter Optimization Methods,” Edison Welding Institute Technical Report.

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ORGANIZED SESSIONS

1.   “Experimentation for Profit,” INFORMS Conference, San Jose, California, November 2002.

2.   “FasterBetterCheaper Experimentation,” INFORMS Conference, Miami, Florida, November 2001.

3.   “Six Sigma Methods Development and Applications to Manufacturing Processes,” INFORMS Conference, San Antonio, Texas, November 2000.

4.   “Optimal Design of Experiments for and from Simulation Optimization,” INFORMS Conference, San Antonio, Texas, November 2000.

5.   “Recent Work in Experimental Design – Three Sessions,” in collaboration with Bruce Ankenman (Northwestern University) and Kurt Palmer (USC), INFORMS Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, May 2000.

6.   "Simulation-Based Objectives for Optimal Experimental Design," INFORMS Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio, May 1999.

7.   "Modeling Manufacturing Systems for Quality Improvement," INFORMS Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio, May 1999.

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SELECTED PRESENTATION (WITH NO PROCEEDINGS)

1.   Allen, T. T. and G. Herrin. “The Applicability of Commonly Used Experimental Designs,” INFORMS Conference, Detroit, Michigan, 10/94.

2.   Allen, Theodore T., "The Future of Optimal Experimental Design," INFORMS Conference, Seattle, Washington, 11/98.

3.   Allen, T. T., "A New Look at Optimal Design of Experiments," INFORMS Conference, Cincinnatti, Ohio, 5/99.

4.   Yu, L. and T. T. Allen, "Low Cost Response Surface Methods," The ASA Spring Research Conference, 6/99.

5.   Bernshteyn, M. and T. T.  Allen, "Design of Experiments from the Stochastic Programming Point of View," The ASA Spring Research Conference, 6/99

6.   Allen, T. T., "A New Look at Optimal Design of Experiments," The ASA Spring Research Conference, 6/99.

7.   Allen, T. T., “Applications of Low Cost Response Surface Methods (LCRSM) and Stochastic Optimization for Robust Machine Design (RMD),” INFORMS in Salt Lake City, 5/00.

8.   Ittiwattana, W. and T. T. Allen, “An Expert System to Support Statistics & Optimization Applications in Welding Process Design,” INFORMS in Salt Lake City, 5/00.

9.   Bernshteyn, M. and T. T. Allen, “Low Cost Alternatives to Simplex Designs Based on Stochastic Optimization of the EIMSE Objective,” INFORMS in Salt Lake City, 5/00.

10. Brady, J. and T. T. Allen, “Optimal Tolerance Design of RF Circuits,” INFORMS in Salt Lake City, 5/00.

11. Allen, T. T., “Roles for Simulation Optimization & Methods Development within the Six Sigma Framework,” INFORMS in San Antonio, 11/00.

12. Ittiwattana, W. and T. T. Allen, “Robust Optimization to Achieve the Appropriate Sigma Level,” INFORMS in San Antonio, 11/00.

13. Ribardo, C. and T. T. Allen, “Desirability-Based Methods that Address Process Variability and Methods Comparison for Arc Welding Parameter Optimization,” INFORMS in San Antonio, 11/00.

14. Bernshteyn, M. and T. T. Allen, “Supersaturated Designs that Directly Maximize the Probability of Identifying Active Factors,” INFORMS in San Antonio, 11/00.

15. Chantarat, N. and T. T. Allen, “Sequential Methods for Mixture Experiments With Process Variables,” INFORMS in Miami, 11/01.

16. Schmitz, J., M. Bernshteyn, and T. T. Allen, “Sequential Methods for Mixture Experiments With Process Variables,” INFORMS in Miami, 11/01.

17. Bernstheyn, M. and T. T. Allen, “Heuristics for Simulation Optimization: Methods and Review,” INFORMS in Miami, 11/0.

18. Allen, T. T. and M. Bernstheyn, “A Comparison of Alternative Methods for Constructing Meta-Models for Computer Experiments,” INFORMS in Miami, 11/01.

19. Allen, T. T., “The Foundations of Design of Experiments: A Review,” INFORMS Conference, San Jose, California, November 2002.

20. Allen, T. T., “Roles for Simulation Optimization in the ‘Next Generation’ of Experimental Planning Techniques,” Invited Session Sponsored By College of Simulation, INFORMS Conference, San Jose, California, November 2002.

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