Requirement definition architecture—an overview

The Integrated Computer Aided Manufacturing (ICAM) program of the U.S. Air Force identifieda need to better communicate and analyze manufacturing for the people involved in improving productivity. To satisfy that need, the ICAM program developed the IDEF (ICAM Definition) method to address particular of Manufacturing. This IDEF Method is equally applicable in analyzing other types of organizations.IDEF comprises of three modeling methodologies: Function model methodology (IDEF₀), Information model methodology (IDEF₁) and Dynamics model methodology IDEF₂). This paper presents and overview of each of the methods. In addition, a life cycle for Information Systes Development is developed to utilize the methods. Step by step procedures and examples are also presented.     

Three-dimensional hidden-surface removal for signal-return modelling: experimental results

Experimental results are reported for a three-space hidden-surface removal approach that supports signal-return modelling by analysing objects represented as triangular nonpenetrating flat plates. The system employs boundary-traversal algorithms to replace each partially obscured surface with a set of triangular plates that constitute its visible portions. The inaccuracy of floating point computations can prevent the system from obtaining a flawless analysis of a model from a given perspective.     

A noninteractive procedure for land-use determination

In this paper, we report on a complete operational procedure designed for use by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the deterimation of land-use information for hydrologic planning purposes. The procedure combines photo interpretation techniques and the batch-mode computer analysis of Landsat digital data. Since the operational constraints preclude the use of dedicated, interactive image processing facilities, several novel approaches to geometric correction, classification, and data input/output were developed. The procedure is summarized, and examples of the application of the procedure to urban watersheds are described. In spite of the constraints, the procedure provides results comparable in accuracy and lower in cost than those provided by commercial services using interactive techniques.     

Computing contrasts, effect sizes, and counternulls on other people's published data: General procedures for research consumers.

We describe convenient statistical procedures that will enable research consumers (e.g., professional psychologists, graduate students, and researchers themselves) to reach beyond the published conclusions and make an independent assessment of the reported results. Appropriately conceived contrasts accompanied by effect size estimates often allow researchers to address precise predictions that the authors of the published report may have ignored or abandoned prematurely. We describe the use of t, F, and Z to compute contrasts with different raw ingredients, and we review 3 effect size indices (Cohen's d, Hedges's g, and Pearson r) and a way of displaying the magnitude of any effect size r. We also describe how to construct confidence limits for the obtained effect as well as its null–counternull interval. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Treatment of Socially Anxious College Men Using Cognitive Counseling and Skills Training.

The major purpose of this study was to compare the effects of three treatments of social anxiety: cognitive counseling, skills training, and a treatment that combined these two approaches. The results showed that compared with a wait-list control, the three treatments produced significantly greater improvement on three of the five outcome measures. All three procedures appeared equally effective, since no significant differences were obtained on any of the five general outcome measures. Changes in the targets of counseling (i.e., maladaptive cognitions and conversational skill) were also assessed. Whereas all treatments produced more change on maladaptive cognitions compared with the waiting list control group, the treatments providing cognitive counseling produced the most change. No differences between treatments or between the waiting list and the treatments were obtained on measures of conversational skill. These results are discussed in terms of Bandura's self-efficacy theory and the influence of both specific and nonspecific sources of improvement in counseling. The study also raises several potential hypotheses for future research, including the relation between type of deficit and treatment outcome and the pervasive versus situation-specific nature of anxiety problems for minimal daters. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Use of behavioral techniques in a case of compulsive stealing.

Demonstrates the use of behavioral principles in the modification of a deviant behavior. The "compulsive" stealing of a 10-yr-old resident of a home for mildly disturbed children was successfully eliminated over a 3?-mo period. Records indicate that the behavior had been a source of difficulty for at least 5 yr. The behavior "therapy" was carried out in a field situation and made use of minimal professional time. The use of non-professional individuals in the observation, recording, and modification of behavior is demonstrated. Implications are discussed for the role of the professional consultant as instructor in the application of behavior principles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Norsesquiterpenes as defensive toxins of whirligig beetles (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae)

By use of a minnow bioassay, toxins were detected in the pygidial secretions of the gyrinid beetlesDineutus assimilis (Kirby) andDineutus nigrior Roberts. The active agents, which may be largely responsible for the relative immunity of the Gyrinidae from predation, were isolated and identified as the norsesquiterpenesgyrinidione [(E)-1-methyl-2-formyl-3-(1′-methylhex-3′-ene-2′,5′-dione)-cyclopentane],gyrinidone [(E,Z)-2-hydroxy-5,9-dimethyl-4-(but-1′-ene-3′-one)-3-oxo-bicyclo[4.3.0]-non-4-ene],gyrinidal [(E,E,E)-3,7-dimethyl-8,11-dioxo-2,6,9-dodecatrienal], andisogyrinidal[(E,E,Z)-3,7-dimethyl-8,11-dioxo-2,6,9-dodecatrienal]. Since gyrinidione and isogyrinidal are being reported for the first time, their physical and chemical properties are presented and biosynthetic relationships of the four norsesquiterpene structures are discussed. About 50% of the beetle defensive material was norsesquiterpenes, 25% polar lipids, and 20% could not be extracted from water into chloroform. As quantified by gas-liquid chromatography,D. assimilis contained 245±73 μg andD. nigrior 144±64 μg norsesquiterpenes per individual. The average relative composition of norsesquiterpenes in the pygidial secretions of both beetle species was constant: isogyrinidal, 6%; gyrinidone, 7%; gyrinidione, 36%; and gyrinidal, 48%. When administered externally in solution to fish, isolated norsesquiterpenes possessed narcotic and toxic activity similar to that of the anesthetic steroids deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and testosterone. Minnow dose-response curves demonstrated that gyrinidione and gyrinidal (LC₁₀₀=ca. 2 μg/ml) were as toxic to fish as was DOC (LC₁₀₀=ca. 3 μg/ml). Gyrinidone was less toxic (LC₁₀₀=ca. 15 μg/ml) while isogyrinidal was relatively inactive (LC₁₀₀=ca. 90 μg/ml).     

Repetition versus luminance as a determinant of recognition.

Studied the effect of repeated brief exposures of single-letter stimuli on 4 normal hearing adults to determine whether the number of repetitions of a stimulus may be varied inversely with its luminance to produce a constant level of recognition performance. This postulated reciprocity relationship was refuted: performance always declined when the luminance was reduced (even though the number of repetitions increased). However, the deviation from reciprocity was small for stimuli at or above threshold luminance, and the facilitatory effect of repetition upon recognition was clearly shown for all luminance levels employed. Implications of the findings for models of visual information processing are discussed. (French summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)