Optimum reinforcement of uniform thickness cone-cylinder intersections in vessels subject to internal pressure

Use is made of limit analysis to investigate minimum weight conditions for concentrated ring reinforcement at the intersections between equal thickness conical and cylindrical parts of vessels subject to internal pressure.     

Continuous casting update

A critical survey of available information on primary and secondary cooling as affecting solidification constants, and their validity in mathematical modeling. A review of the mathematics of reciprocation. Comments on the function and mode of mold lubrication. The important effects of the above parameters and of liquid metal handling procedures on the internal and external quality of strand cast billets and slabs.     

Electrical and gain characteristics of a multiatmosphere UV-preionized CO2laser

The scaling parameters of a UV-preionized TE CO2laser which permit the direct comparison of small-signal gains as a function of laser pressure have been investigated in the pressure range of 4-19 atm. Careful measurements of the gain as a function of laser pressure in both the 9.4 and 10.4 μm vibrational bands were made under the appropriate scaling conditions. A theoretical model for the gain incorporating regular, hot band, and sequence band rotational lines, with proper account taken of non-Lorentzian line overlap effects, predicts the observed pressure dependence of the small-signal gain.     

Anglophone and Francophone managers' perceptions of cultural differences in approaches to work.

Examined the extent to which 600 Anglophone and 188 Francophone managers in a large corporation in Canada believed that members of the 2 groups differed in their approach to and execution of their work. Francophone managers tended to perceive differences, whereas Anglophones showed a slight tendency to perceive similarities. Consistent with previous research, the Francophone managers who perceived differences expressed favorable attitudes toward the differentiating characteristics of their own group and those of Anglophones. In contrast, Anglophone managers who perceived differences evidenced a degree of ethnocentrism, viewing characteristics of their own group favorably and relatively downgrading those of Francophones. The ethnocentrism on the part of Anglophone managers was interpreted as reflecting a predictable response to what they perceive to be threatening changes in intergroup relations in Quebec. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A high-temperature laser-pulse thermal diffusivity apparatus

A high-temperature laser-pulse apparatus for the measurement of thermal diffusivity in the temperature range from 1500 to 2500 K has been designed. constructed, and tested at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. A curve-fitting method is introduced by which the entire experimental temperature history curve is fitted with the theoretical curve under the boundary condition of radiative heat losses. The new apparatus and the curve-fitting method permit thermal diffusivity measurements with an uncertainty of not more than 3%.     

Check your cultural competence

Intrapersonal reactions such as ethnocentrism, prejudice, anxiety, stereotyping, and our comfort zone with the familiar can influence our interactions with culturally diverse people. Here, we explore these stumbling blocks, the dynamics behind these reactions, and strategies nurse managers can employ to enhance their cultural competence.     

Effects of cold and compression dressings on early postoperative outcomes for the arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patient

Efforts to minimize the morbidity of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction include the use of cryotherapy and/or compressive dressings in the immediate postoperative period. We undertook the present study to determine if the alleged benefits of the Cryo/Cuff, which combines these modalities, are more attributable to its compressive effect rather than cold application. Seventy-eight patients admitted for primary endoscopic ACL reconstruction using a bone-patella tendon-bone autograft were randomized to receive Cryo/Cuff compressive dressings postoperatively. Forty subjects (Group 1) had the cuff applied with continuous circulating ice water using the Autochill device, while 38 others (Group 2) received the cuff with room temperature water. Cases were performed as inpatients and all subjects were administered intravenous morphine postoperatively via a patient-controlled infusion pump for the first 24 postoperative hours. At baseline, the groups were well matched in age, sex, duration of symptoms, operative time, and associated meniscal surgery. No significant difference between groups was detected with respect to length of hospitalization, Hemovac knee drainage, oral and intravenous narcotic requirement, or subjective pain as measured by a visual analog scale. No apparent complications related to the use of the Cryo/Cuff dressings were noted. The clinical effect of the Cryo/Cuff in this study was not influenced by the use of continuous ice water vs. room temperature water. Further study should focus on variations in compression to evaluate the clinical impact of this device.     

Underperforming doctors: a postal survey of the Northern Deanery

OBJECTIVES: To discover the perceived size of pool of doctors considered to be underperforming in general practice in the Northern Deanery and to discover whether these perceptions are based on formal assessments. DESIGN: Postal questionnaire. SETTING: Area covered by the Northern Deanery. SUBJECTS: Seven health authority directors of primary care, seven secretaries of local medical committees, and 14 chief officers of community health councils. RESULTS: The response rate was 100% for directors of primary care and secretaries of local medical committees and, after one reminder, 92% for chief officers of community health councils. Numbers of doctors perceived to be underperforming ranged from none to over 15 in different health authority areas. Main areas for concern were communication skills, clinical skills, and management skills. Patients' representatives were concerned about lack of power of patients and health authorities and doctors' lack of accountability. Health authorities were concerned about lack of power, identification of underperforming doctors, and doctors' professional loyalty. Local medical committees were concerned about the problem of identifying underperformance. A number of methods were used for identification, and there was no common method applied. CONCLUSIONS: The number of doctors thought to be underperforming was small. Work still needs to be done on developing tools that can be used in everyday practice to enable doctors to confirm for themselves, their colleagues, and their patients that they are providing an adequate level of care.     

Memory for spatial layouts in relation to age and schema typicality.

The hypothesis that prior experience, specifically a knowledge-based schema for typical house layouts, can compensate for age declines in spatial memory was evaluated in 4 experiments. Old and young adults explored and subsequently recalled house layouts presented 1 room at a time on a computer screen. The findings failed to support the compensation hypothesis in that schema-relevant layouts facilitated recall equivalently for the 2 age groups. Violation of a typical house schema had a more negative effect on recall of the older group. Individual differences in spatial visualization ability explained much of the age difference in performance but not the effects of schema manipulations. It was concluded that there is age invariance in the facilitatory effects of relevant prior knowledge on spatial memory but an age-related decrease in the ability to inhibit irrelevant prior knowledge. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)