Factors predicting participant attrition in a community-based, culturally specific smoking-cessation program for Hispanic smokers.

Factors predicting participant attrition in a community-based, culturally specific smoking-cessation program enrolling 93 Hispanic smokers were examined. Analysis of univariate predictors showed noncompleters (n?=?18) to have lower incomes, to have expressed greater initial confidence in their ability to stop smoking, and to have perceived themselves to be in poorer general health and poorer health in relation to peers, than completers. Noncompleters were also more likely to have reported cardiovascular problems. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that confidence in stopping smoking, health compared with that of peers, and reported cardiovascular problems contributed significantly to prediction while controlling for other significant univariate predictors. The results are discussed in terms of factors that might mitigate premature termination in community-based smoking-cessation interventions targeting Hispanic smokers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

人—机系统的功能与模式

人机系统的形成与发展经历了三个阶段：经验人－ 机系统、科学人－ 机系统和现代人－ 机系统．其间，人由适应机器到被机器适应进而变为与机器相互协调．鉴于人、机各自的特点及人－ 机系统的不同作用，目前，人－ 机系统模式正经由人工系统模式、半自动化模式向自动化模式方向发展     

增大全差分放大器共模范围的电路

全差分放大器已经很通用,这是因为它们具有低失真、良好的噪声抑制和与差分ADC的简单接口。本文所示的电路(见图1)用少量外部电阻器可增大全差分放大器的共模范围。本电路用分压器技术降低差分放大器输入电压。此方法是从应用于单片仪表放大器(INA148)的技术改进后用于全差分放大器。用给出的配量可实现大约±90V的放大器共模范围(差分增益大约1.0)。用较大的R1/R2比可实现更宽的共模增益范围。在实现这种拓朴结构时,3个重要的考虑是确定增益、最大共模范围和共模抑制。分析的基础是把差分放大器模型化为压控电压源(图2)。为了简化分析,…     

Automated proofs of Löb's theorem and Gödel's two incompletensess theorems

The modal logic calculus K4, which represents important properties of the provability relation of Peano's Arithmetic, is formalized within the automated reasoning system ITP. Very high level automated proofs are then obtained of Löb's theorem, and of Gödel's two incompleteness theorems.     

Intelligent agent modeling of an industrial warehousing problem

In this paper, we consider an actual industrial warehouse order picking problem where goods are stored at multiple locations and the pick location of goods can be selected dynamically in near real time. We solve the problem using an intelligent agent-based model. The modeling framework is between the two extremes of hierarchical and heterarchical frameworks. It recognizes that horizontal as well as vertical decisions are made between various levels of controllers and that these have to be captured explicitly in the model. Entities (goods or parts) and resources (storage areas and order pickers) are modeled as intelligent agents that function in a co-operative manner so as to accomplish individual as well as system-wide goals. Scheduling and other decisions are taken by these agents in a dynamic real-time fashion based on conditions that exist at the time these decisions are made. To overcome the structural rigidity and lack of flexibility, a negotiation mechanism for real time task allocation is used     

Introduction: Notes from the trenches.

This brief article serves as an introduction for this special section and highlights theoretical and personal factors affecting the application of psychoanalytic thinking to the understanding and treatment of the psychological dilemma of the nontraditional population of patients. It is our belief that, by including a serious discussion of the reality of these individuals and the cultural, ethnic, and linguistic factors which characterize their lives, it will result in a more comprehensive and richer view of the concept of normalcy, pathological formation, adaptability and other ego functions, and the like. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using Ab Initio Calculations in Designing bcc MgLi–X Alloys for Ultra‐Lightweight Applications

Body centered cubic (bcc) Mg–Li‐based alloys are a promising light‐weight structural material. In order to tailor the Mg–Li composition with respect to specific industrial requirements, systematic materials‐design concepts need to be developed and applied. Quantum‐mechanical calculations are increasingly employed when designing new alloys as they accurately predict basic thermodynamic, structural, and functional properties using only the atomic composition as input. We have therefore performed a quantum‐mechanical study using density functional theory (DFT) to systematically explore fundamental physical properties of a broad set of bcc MgLi‐based compounds. These DFT‐determined properties are used to calculate engineering parameters such as (i) the specific Young's modulus (Y/ρ) or (ii) the bulk over shear modulus ratio (B/G) which allow differentiating between brittle and ductile behavior. As we have recently shown, it is not possible to increase both specific Young's modulus, as a measure of strength, and B/G ratio, as a proxy for ductility, by changing only the composition in the binary bcc Mg–Li system. In an attempt to bypass such fundamental materials‐design limitations, a large set of MgLi–X substitutional ternaries derived from stoichiometric MgLi with CsCl structure are studied. Motivated by the fact that for Mg–Li alloys (i) 3rd row Si and Al and (ii) 4th row Zn are industrially used as alloying elements, we probe the alloying performance of the 3rd (Na, Al, Si, P, S, Cl) and 4th row transition metal (Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) elements. The studied solutes offer a variety of properties but none is able to simultaneously improve both specific Young's modulus and ductility. Therefore, in order to explore the alloying performance of yet a broader set of solutes, we predict the bulk modulus of MgX and LiX B2‐compounds running over 40 different elements.     

The selection of effective retrofit scenarios for panel houses in urban neighborhoods based on expected energy savings and increase in market value: The Vilnius case

Some of the problems associated with assessing the retrofit effectiveness of apartment buildings in urban areas are considered. The retrofit of houses should be followed by the amelioration of their surroundings. The priority order of districts to be renovated depends on the condition of the buildings in a district and on strategic urban development programmes. In order to determine the profitability of investments in housing retrofit, a number of retrofit scenarios should be developed. The authors of this paper offer a new approach to determining the retrofit effectiveness of houses based both on expected energy savings and the increase in market value of renovated buildings. In line with the proposed approach, retrofit scenarios for apartment buildings in Vilnius were developed, i.e. retrofit investment packages for various districts were prepared and arranged in the priority order for their application according to the method of geographical analysis suggested by the authors.