Fuzzy Preference Relations Consensus Approach to Reduce Conflicts on Shared Responsibilities in the Owner Managing Contractor Delivery System

This paper proposes a fuzzy preference relations consensus (FPRC) approach that helps owners and contractors reach consensus on their responsibilities and reduce conflicts in shared tasks. A fuzzy similarity consensus (FSC) model was developed to aggregate experts’ opinions on roles and responsibilities in the owner managing contractor (OMC) project delivery system. The FSC model categorized 324 generic OMC tasks into three responsibility task lists: owner, contractor, and shared. In a consensus-reaching process, the FPRC approach is applied to shared tasks, where expert opinions on responsibility conflict are expressed, to achieve an aggregated responsibility decision for each task. Experts compare the three responsibility alternatives in pairs by using linguistic preferences, defined on a fuzzy preference scale, to select a preferred responsibility alternative for each of the conflicting tasks. A computed linguistic consensus degree guides the experts on their level of consensus in every round of the process. The quality of experts is defined with a fuzzy expert system–determined importance weight factor for each expert. The FPRC approach is relevant to the construction industry, as it incorporates consistency in decision making by allowing experts to measure and reach an adequate level of consensus linguistically when deciding on responsibilities. The proposed approach provides a method of reducing conflicts in the assignment of task responsibility between the owner and its contractors as early as the project initiation phase; thus, the project teams can concentrate on the work to be done rather than deal with responsibility conflicts during project execution.     

The foot and systemic disease. Differential diagnoses

The discipline of medicine is truly a combination of both science and art, and nowhere is this more true than in the practice of differential diagnosis. From the initial clinic visit, when the patient presents with a nonspecific symptom, until the final treatment is rendered, the clinician must constantly and critically evaluate his or her diagnosis. This process can be expedited by using a consistent and comprehensive methodology that reminds the clinician to entertain the full spectrum of causes. Two such methodologies have been presented in this article. It is important, however, to note that the systems presented here are by no means the sole, or even best, methods. The clinician should experiment and discover what works best for him or her. Any system is ideal if it allows the clinician to consistently derive the correct diagnosis in a short amount of time. After all, the most important part of any treatment is the proper diagnosis.     

Flexibility and Utilization of Roll Pass Sequences in some Swedish Wire Rod Mills

A computer program has been developed to calculate the working range for series of two‐symmetrical grooves including oval, round, false round, square and diamond shapes. Eight different pass designs are compared. The geometry of rolling or entry bar height over roll radius is in the range 0.09‐0.26 for squares, 0.10‐0.23 for false round and 0.06‐0.21 for ovals. Square‐oval and round‐oval have similar flexibility, but in the round‐oval sequence, the flexibility can be extended by opening up the gaps and run the rounds as false rounds. In the square‐oval sequence the flexibility can be improved by making the squares with larger corner radii but the reduction capability will be reduced. The false round‐oval sequence has the best flexibility and the working range can be extended by making “flatter” ovals. Improvement of the roll pass design in Fagersta Stainless AB has made it possible to roll wire rod with higher flexibility and better quality.     

Cosmetics and the esthetic patient and laboratory communication

With increasing consumer awareness of the innovative procedures available for cosmetic dentistry, this area of practice is growing rapidly and has become an excellent source for patient referrals. Unfortunately, it can also be a large source of stress for the practitioner. Esthetics has been described by The Pocket Oxford Dictionary as "the philosophy of beautiful"; its perception varies from individual to individual. In the field of dentistry, there are criteria which define one tooth as being more esthetic than another and one individual's smile as more pleasing than another. However, that which is esthetically pleasing to the clinician may not be esthetically pleasing to the patient.     

Conflict of roles: On the difficulties of being both scientist and practitioner in one life.

Articulates some of the conflicts inherent in the orientations of scientist and clinician. First, in the scientific orientation, Ss are asked to accommodate to the experimenter's goals; in the clinical orientation, the clinician is expected to accommodate to the patient's goals. Second, scientists rely on categorization as the primary mode of understanding; for the clinician categorization is subordinated to empathy. Because of these fundamental differences, the traditional notion that the clinician merely "applies" the findings of the scientist is rejected. Rather, integration of these 2 divergent orientations is facilitated when the researcher's categories are based on questions that the clinician encounters with patients. In such a strategy, the clinician can use such categories as flexible guidelines in support of empathic understanding. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Health psychology and scientific consensus: The case of depression and cardiovascular disease.

Science proceeds, directly or indirectly, by consensus. Obtaining scientific consensus proactively when investigating the impact of depression on cardiovascular disease has been daunting, as the professions interested in this area include health psychology, psychiatry, cardiology, epidemiology, and others. Whereas consensus is at times difficult when sought within one specialty, it is almost inconceivable when attempted across disciplines. Therefore, we applaud a new trend, as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recently called for a working group to provide recommendations on the assessment and treatment of depression in patients with cardiovascular disease. The publication of this working group's report signals two important landmark accomplishments. First, it offers concrete recommendations for researchers interested in contributing to this field. Second, and perhaps more important, the publication of this report signifies a process through which interdisciplinary research areas can be proactive in fostering scientific consensus. Health psychology, an area and a field of research that is naturally interdisciplinary, may be one of the key benefactors of joining and creating stronger consensus processes for this type of science. Whether health psychologists will play a role in creating opportunities to promote consensus in areas of scientific interest remains to be seen. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The complex secret of brief psychotherapy.

Reviews the book, The complex secret of brief psychotherapy by James Paul Gustafson (1986). This book attempts to synthesize the major findings of the last century in the field of psychotherapy, and to make these findings available to the clinician who is doing brief psychotherapy. Gustafson uses the major portion of the book to review briefly the work of nineteen individuals and groups who have contributed to his thinking about the effective doing of and the effective teaching of brief psychotherapy. Most theorists or schools are presented through the prism of one case study, followed by a brief discussion of the method employed, and then the presentation of a case in which this particular approach was utilized. This book has a number of things to recommend it. The author is engaged in psychotherapy research, and the appendix contains extensive material on his formulations of cases, work with patients, and follow-up interviews. All of the case material in the book, including the author's own cases and those he chooses to present from the work of others, is very valuable. For the advanced clinician, this material forms a solid resource. For the beginning clinician, case material of this kind can be very intriguing and very helpful. The book might be somewhat difficult conceptually for the beginning clinician, though, or for the clinician beginning to do brief psychotherapy. In addition, the writing style is problematic. Gustafson's ideas are generally sound and worthy of consideration, but are at times presented poorly. His conceptualizations can be difficult to follow, and his writing style does not adequately convey such difficult material. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Promoting healthy sexuality: guidelines for the school-age child and adolescent

The purpose of this article is to provide the clinician with practical information to promote the healthy sexuality of the school-age child through adolescence. Much of the current literature related to sexuality is problem-focused; this article focuses on sexuality from a health promotion viewpoint. The development of a healthy sexuality is a life-long process with different issues and problems pertaining to each age group. Issues common to the school-age child and adolescent include changing physical characteristics and body image concerns. A set of guidelines has been developed that can be used in the clinical setting. In order to follow a holistic approach to health promotion with these age groups, the clinician must address sexuality. These guidelines will provide the information the clinician will need to initiate a discussion about sexuality. Patient education guidelines are also presented that will help the parent, child, and adolescent in sexual issues and understanding. Suggested reading materials about sexuality are also presented.     

Review of Psychopathology in the mentally retarded.

Reviews the book, Psychopathology in the mentally retarded by Johnny L. Matson and Rowland P. Barrett (see record 1985-97358-000). This book is an important contribution to the available literature on emotional and behavioral disorders in clients with the additional disability of mental retardation. This text is intended to provide the clinician and researcher with a broad view of existing empirical data dealing with mentally retarded individuals who exhibit psychopathology. As such, it provides a valuable review of much empirical research, especially that with a clear behavioral formulation. The text also is updated to include a DSM-III formulation of psychiatric disorders. The book is successful in achieving the goal of providing broad, empirical data. The book would be a wise purchase for the skilled clinician, although it is not a clinical handbook or "how-to" manual. The behaviorally oriented clinician will be most comfortable with the general approach and organization of the material. The book is essential to the library of the researcher in the field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

CSP和FTSC工艺结晶器的冷却结构及传热能力

结合实际生产数据,比较和分析了CSP及FTSC工艺结晶器的冷却结构及传热能力,结果表明,热流密度计算模型中,FTSC和CSP结晶器内传热区高度分别为1 200 mm和1 010 mm,相同工况下二者的传热能力相近;CSP结晶器采用42条凹型水道及20条内径11 mm的圆型水道进行组合冷却,FTSC结晶器采用72条内径14 mm的圆型水道进行冷却;弯月面处FTSC结晶器铜板热面温度高于银铜的再结晶温度,铜板将发生局部变形,这是造成镀层龟裂或铜板裂纹的主要原因。     

Midtrimester amniocentesis and culture of aminiotic fluid cells

On the basis of the large, well-controlled, prospective study from the NICHD, it can be stated that midtrimester ammniocentesis is safe if properly performed. The details of performance, with emphasis on possible pitfalls, are presented in an effort to encourage more practicing obstetricians to begin performing the procedure in cooperation with their area genetics laboratories (11). Emphasis is also placed on performing this procedure in a manner most likely to produce success. This success is measured not only in obtaining the fluid, but more importantly in gaining useful information from the analysis of the fluid. Although the aspects of diagnosing and preventing genetic disease have been emphasized, perhaps the greatest value of midtrimester amniocentesis is the reassurance afforded the more than 95% of couples when the fluid analysis is normal (19). The consumer demand for amniocentesis is rapidly increasing. Although the medicolegal implications of the techniques are not fully understood at present, it is clear that failure on the part of a clinician to offer indicated diagnostic amniocentesis may make the clinician vulnerable to litigation if the pregnancy outcome is abnormal. The demand for amniocentesis and laboratory analysis of the fluid will soon overtax existing facilities. Until such time as new and expanded facilities are available, discretion must be used in offering the procedures. Governmental action may soon be forthcoming to provide facilities designed to make midtrimester diagnostic amniocentesis available to all for whom it is indicated.     

The disease controversy and psychotherapy with alcoholics

This article discusses conducting psychotherapy with alcoholics in light of the controversy about whether alcoholism is a disease. The belief that alcoholism is a disease forces many clinicians to offer abstinence from alcohol as the only option for alcoholics who seek treatment. From this perspective, the alcoholic must be helped to accept the idea that he or she has a disease and that to recover from this problem, drinking must stop. Others maintain that alcoholism may not be a disease and view alcoholic drinking as maladaptive behavior. From this vantage point, helping the patient to control or to moderate drinking might be considered. These two distinct paradigms lead to divergent treatment goals, which leaves the clinician in a quandary about how best to treat an individual who experiences a drinking problem. To resolve this dilemma, it is suggested that the clinician who works with alcoholics entertain a multiplicity of perspectives and should not be blinded by any one paradigm. While control of alcohol intake must take place if such patients are to improve their functioning, the author argues that recovery can occur either by abstinence or through moderating drinking.     

轧制缺陷对圆钢热顶锻性能的影响

以莱钢电炉连铸坯和圆钢为研究对象,探讨了常见轧制缺陷如折叠、辊印和褶皱以及划伤对圆钢热顶锻性能的影响,并对其引起的热顶锻开裂形态进行分析。轧制缺陷对圆钢热顶锻性能的影响严重,生产过程中应尽量避免。     

Audit of clinical information and diagnoses supplied to the pathologist following biopsy of oral squamous cell carcinomas

Strict criteria for the biopsy of oral lesions suspected to be squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) are difficult to find. Evaluation of the patient's history and clinical findings should help the clinician to accurately diagnose oral cancer. Our study attempts to compare and correlate cases that have the histopathologic diagnosis of oral SCCA with the data submitted by the clinician to the oral pathologist. We find the more information the clinician lists in the biopsy request form, the more likely the correct clinical diagnosis of oral SCCA is. We also show that when risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use are mentioned by the clinician, the percentage of correct clinical diagnosis is increased.     

Endoscopic management of pseudocysts of the pancreas

Endoscopic pseudocyst management should not be regarded as an exercise in applied technology. Rather, it is of vital importance for the clinician to be thoroughly aware of the many considerations in patient selection and to understand the available treatment alternatives prior to undertaking such a venture. Despite these considerations, it is our opinion that endoscopic pseudocyst management at present is the method of choice in the majority of patients requiring drainage of symptomatic pseudocysts.     

Pigmentary diseases

Abnormalities of pigmentation are common and frequently produce great concern in patients presenting to primary care physicians. Although many pigmentary changes arise as a consequence of inflammatory skin disorders, it is important to differentiate a primary skin disease from postinflammatory changes. Early recognition of a pigmentary disease allows the clinician to begin appropriate therapy at a stage when medical intervention may be more effective. Although many skin disorders are mainly of cosmetic concern, the condition may be devastating psychologically, requiring the clinician to be sensitive to the overall impact of the disorder and treat it accordingly.     

Consensus in interpersonal perception: Acquaintance and the big five.

Consensus refers to the extent to which judges agree in their ratings of a common target. Consensus has been an important area of research in social and personality psychology. In this article, generalizability theory is used to develop a percentage of total variance measure of consensus. This measure is used to review the level of consensus across 32 studies by considering the role of acquaintance level and trait dimension. The review indicates that consensus correlations ranged from zero to about .3, with higher levels of consensus for ratings of Extraversion. The studies do not provide evidence that consensus increases with increasing acquaintance, a counterintuitive result that can be accounted for by a theoretical model presented by D. A. Kenny (see PA, Vol 78:24173; in press). Problems in the interpretation of longitudinal research are reviewed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

复合板特殊性能检验方法探讨

对复合板剪切强度、粘接强度、扭转试验进行了初步的探讨，设计并制作了复合板剪切强度、粘接强度试验装置，初步制定了复合板扭转试验方法，并对试验结果进行分析讨论。剪切强度、粘接强度试验装置设计简单，易操作。测量精度高，扭转试验能充分反映复合板受规定扭矩后的变形性能。