Computer Detection of Distortion in Arterial Pressure Signals

An application of the mathematical concept of curvature to the detection of distortion in arterial pressure signals is described. Curvature is defined and examples of digitally filtered pressure tracings show the relationship between curvature and the degree of damping. Even though curvature is also a function of the cardiovascular system producing the signal, the average sum of curvature can generally distinguish control signals from signals distorted by moderate amounts of blood or air in the catheter systems. Selected pressure signals with their associated sums of curvature show the properties and limitations of curvature for discriminating between the changes in the cardio-vascular system and distortion of pressure signals.     

Finite element analysis of the linearized BGK Boltzmann equation

The weighted residual and finite element methods are combined to yield a numerical solution scheme for the linerized ^BGK Boltzmann equation which describes the dynamic behaviour of gases in all flow régimes ranging from the free molecular to the continuum régime. The potential of the proposed method is illustrated by application to the problem of cylindrical Couette flow. Numerical results are compared with alternate numerical solutions and experimental data.     

Value correlates of student attitudes on social issues: A multination study.

A total of 2,568 college students in 6 westernized nations (the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland) were given the Student Survey Form to assess attitudes toward social change, use of force, militarism, racial identification, and use of drugs. Responses were then correlated with reported political ideology, past participation in demonstrations, and scales of the Survey of Interpersonal Values. Correlational results across nations were highly similar. Holding an ideological position of the left and having participated in demonstrations were more strongly related to favoring social change and opposing militarism. Conformity and benevolence were the more salient values, being associated with holding conservative and liberal positions, respectively, on 5 of the 6 issues. The leadership value was associated with favoring the use of force and militarism, while support and independence were related to having a favorable attitude toward drugs. Cross-cultural differences in strength of attitudes are discussed. (20 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factorial structure and prognostic significance of premorbid adjustment in schizophrenia.

A sample of 291 resident male schizophrenic patients were rated on the Becker revision of the Elgin Prognostic Scale and on the Phillips Prognostic Rating Scale. 28 items drawn from both scales were factor analyzed. The factors were rotated to both varimax orthogonal solution and to biquartimin oblique solution. The 2 methods yielded a high degree of factorial similarity. 7 factors were: I, Social Withdrawal, Few Interests; II, Inadequate Heterosexual Relationships; III, Socially Undesirable Ward Behavior; IV, Rigid, Flat Affect. and Apathy; V, Insidious Onset; VI, Stubborn and Egocentric; and VII, Chronic Poor Physical Health. Correlations with a measure of chronicity (for 3 social class groupings) indicated that Factors I, II, III, and V have important prognostic power. These findings emphasize the need for a multivariate research approach to premorbid adjustment and the inclusion of the new and prognostically significant Factor III (Socially Undesirable Ward Behavior). (27 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cohesive and dispersal behaviors: Two classes of concomitant change in psychotherapy.

Differentiates between 2 important classes of behavior that can be identified in any psychotherapy: (a) cohesive behaviors (Type C), which bring organisms together, and (b) dispersal behaviors (Type D), which drive organisms apart. This study examined changes in C and D behaviors that occurred during the 1st 100 hrs of the psychoanalytic treatment of a woman whose presenting complaint was sexual frigidity. Data show improvement in both types of behaviors. In addition, progress in Type D behavior preceded progress in Type C behavior, a relationship that had been predicted by the case formulation. Then, approximately 350 complaints made by the patient during the treatment were identified, complaints of the form "I can't (do something)" and "I have to (do something)." These complaints also declined in frequency during the treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Maintenance Replication Rate Prediction and Measurement

This paper addresses itself to the special industrial replacement problem of determination of maintenance replication rate and spares provisioning. Because of its great representational flexibility, the quadparametric generalized gamma function1 is assumed as the distribution of life length. Starting with the traditional convolution integral form of the renewal equation, the Laplace transform of the replacement rate is derived. Then, an infinite series representation of this transform is ev lved. Next, an inverse transform is developed which obtains the distributional form for the general term of the series. This turns out to be another generalized gamma function. Hence, the replacement rate has this form of probability density. Finally, the expression for the replacement rate is integrated to obtain the formula for calculating the expected number of replacements in a general period of time t = t1 to t = t2.     

Reliability Contribution to Minuteman Logistics

This paper describes the contribution which reliability has made to the Minuteman logistic planning operation. The Minuteman maintenance philosophy, the techniques used for predicting the operational failure rates, and the factors considered in the generation of operational support planning are presented. A history of the accuracy and effectiveness of the reliability predictions is charted, and two significant refinements which lead to greater precision in logistic planning are described.