Improving the definition of general constraints in UML

An important aspect in the specification of conceptual schemas is the definition of general constraints that cannot be expressed by the predefined constructs provided by conceptual modeling languages. This is generally achieved by using general-purpose languages like OCL. In this paper we propose a new approach that facilitates the definition of such general constraints in UML. More precisely, we define a profile that extends the set of predefined UML constraints by adding certain types of constraints that are commonly used in conceptual schemas. We also show how our proposal facilitates reasoning about the constraints and their automatic code generation, study the application of our ideas to the specification of two real-life applications, and present a prototype tool implementation.

Pain and dissociation in the cold pressor test: A study of hypnotic analgesia with "hidden reports" through automatic key pressing and automatic talking.

To test whether pain blocked by hypnotic analgesia may still be perceived at some level, 20 highly hypnotizable undergraduates participated in an experiment involving cold pressor pain in the normal condition and in hypnotically suggested analgesia. 3 reports were obtained reflecting felt pain within the hypnotic analgesia condition: the usual verbal report on a numerical scale, a manual report by "automatic key pressing," and a retrospective verbal report through "automatic talking." 9 Ss who were amnesic for both keypressing and automatic talking reported more pain in the automatic (hidden) reports than in their usual verbal reports. 8 of these 9, following release of amnesia, had a clear perception of 2 levels of awareness of the pain: the usual hypnotic experience of pain attenuated by analgesia suggestions, and a knowledge at another level of a more severe pain. In no case, however, did an S give a retrospective report of normal suffering at this "hidden" level. The hypnotically analgesic S may have reported no pain verbally because he was amnesic for it; when amnesia was removed he recalled the sensory pain, but without a suffering component, because suffering apparently did not occur. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

From the Hough Transform to a New Approach for the Detection and Approximation of Elliptical Arcs

The edges of simple geometrical (e.g., manufactured) parts can generally be approximated sufficiently accurately by straight-line segments and elliptical arcs in order, for example, to carry out a dimensional analysis of these parts, such as required by inspection tasks. Hough transforms are robust methods for the detection of straight-line segments but are not directly suitable for the detection of elliptical arcs, for which the processing time and memory space necessary are too important. We present in this paper a new method which allows the determination of the parameters of elliptical arcs (or of ellipses) by use of a two-dimensional discretized parameter space defined similarly to the usual Hough space. This new method allows both the detection and characterization of ellipses whose major and minor axis lengths can be as small as four pixels long or of elliptical arcs with a small angular aperture.     

Overview of underground coal gasification operations at Chinchilla,Australia

Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a process which converts deep, un-mineable or difficult to mine coal resources into syngas which can then be converted into valuable end products such as electric power, liquid fuels, synthetic natural gas and chemicals. This paper provides a summary of the UCG operations conducted at the Chinchilla Demonstration Facility in Australia, focusing on gasifiers constructed using directional drilling. A number of the experiences and key lessons learned from operating multiple underground gasifiers over several years at the facility are described. Implications for the implementation in commercial projects using UCG are also discussed. Finally, the potential of UCG as a method for producing syngas from deep coal is discussed and some of the challenges and opportunities are summarized.     

Production of stable amorphous form by means of spray drying

Spray drying is a very useful method for manufacturing of amorphous solid materials. This is mainly due to the possibility of fast solvent evaporation that leads to a rapid transformation of solution to a solid state. Besides evaporation kinetics, there are various process parameters that influence physical and chemical characteristics of such obtained material. The possibility of obtaining a stable amorphous structure of the active pharmaceutical ingredient in a spray dryer was examined. A solution of the hydrochloride crystalline structure of the active pharmaceutical ingredient in a mixture of water and acetonitrile was dried at different temperatures and flowrates of nitrogen used for atomization, as well as the flowrates of the solution. The influence of the process conditions on the properties of the product was analyzed. The final dried products were characterized and identified with a variety of analytical and physical methods. The results showed that a stable amorphous structure of the high purity active pharmaceutical ingredient is obtained, and that the optimal conditions of the process are defined. The amorphous structure is stable at temperatures below 200°C when it is transformed into a new crystal structure. Conditions of high relative air humidity lead to partial transformation.     

A Bold Vision and a Brand Identity for the Planning Profession

R. W. Firestone's Cityscape Pink is a bold image capturing the essence of a city. In this Longer View essay, Bruce McClendon argues that the profession of planning needs a similarly bold vision and compelling brand identity in order to claim its proper place among many competitors offering similar services. He aims to distinguish the planning profession in the eyes of the public and the minds of planners themselves. Three commenters respond with different perspectives on the status of the profession and how best to improve it.

Firestone is a psychotherapist with a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Denver and the author of nine books. He grew up in the New York City area and opened his private practice in Los Angeles, treating patients suffering from schizophrenia. With a group of friends he has sailed to many parts of the world, and both his practice and his travels figure into the subjects of his artwork.

Planning has become a generic product in a confusing, overcrowded, and highly competitive marketplace. The public does not know what planning is or how to differentiate among planning specialists. Relying on a bold back-to-the-future approach, I argue that it is the production, administration, and implementation of comprehensive plans that once was and still is the profession's unique and distinctive technical competency and core mission. By using branding techniques to define, link, and reconnect planners with comprehensive planning, it will be possible to tell the planning story in a way that communicates the emotional benefits and value of the profession and strengthens the public's respect and appreciation for planners.     

Shrinkage behavior and optimization of injection molded parts studied by the taguchi method

Shrinkage behavior of a plastic plays a critical role in determining the final dimensions of an injection‐molded part. It is well known that process conditions affect many properties of plastic parts, including shrinkage. This study applies the Taguchi method to systematically investigate the effects of process conditions on the shrinkage (along‐ and across‐the‐flow directions) of three plastics: high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), general‐purpose polystyrene (GPS), and acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS). The results show that HDPE, a semicrystalline plastic, shrinks more than GPS and ABS, two amorphous materials. The extent of anisotropic shrinkage in the along‐the‐flow and across‐the‐flow directions for HDPE is different from GPS and ABS. More shrinkage occurs in the across‐the‐flow direction of HDPE than in its along‐the‐flow direction. The reverse is true for GPS and ABS. Mold and melt temperatures, along with holding pressure and holding time, are the most significant influences on the shrinkage behaviors of three materials, although the importance of each is different for each plastic. The optimal conditions for reducing shrinkage identified by the Taguchi method are experimentally verified and validated by t‐statistic tests. The prediction matches very well with the experimental value for the along‐the‐flow shrinkage of GPS.     

Design of a composite sulfuric acid decomposition reactor,concentrator, and preheater for hydrogen generation processes

The Hybrid Sulfur Process, as well as similar sulfur cycles for the production of nuclear hydrogen, requires the decomposition of sulfuric acid into sulfur dioxide, oxygen, and water at temperatures above 800 °C and at pressures up to 9 MPa. The design of a reactor for this process presents numerous challenges in terms of maintaining small pressure differentials and utilizing currently available materials of construction. This paper focuses on design calculations for a composite reactor that preheats, concentrates, and decomposes sulfuric acid for use in the production of hydrogen. The decomposition reaction takes place within individual tubes of a multitube reactor.