Khartoum

Khartoum is the capital of a country whose creation resulted more from colonial politicians' desires for straight boundaries than from local social or political realities. This profile traces Khartoum's history of growth and planning legislation since its establishment as an administrative capital at the turn of the century. The city, developed from three separate towns, grew rapidly after independence as administrative functions grew and industrial development started. However, lack of an effective mechanism for planning and control of the city's growth has meant that a pattern of sprawling low-density land uses has developed, with inadequate services and deteriorating environmental standards. What planning control does exist operates through land-use zoning and building byelaws, though often arbitrarily applied. Planning problems are exacerbated by high population growth rates and national economic problems.     

Two new decoding algorithms for Reed-Solomon codes

The subject of decoding Reed-Solomon codes is considered. By reformulating the Berlekamp and Welch key equation and introducing new versions of this key equation, two new decoding algorithms for Reed-Solomon codes will be presented. The two new decoding algorithms are significant for three reasons. Firstly the new equations and algorithms represent a novel approach to the extensively researched problem of decoding Reed-Solomon codes. Secondly the algorithms have algorithmic and implementation complexity comparable to existing decoding algorithms, and as such present a viable solution for decoding Reed-Solomon codes. Thirdly the new ideas presented suggest a direction for future research. The first algorithm uses the extended Euclidean algorithm and is very efficient for a systolic VLSI implementation. The second decoding algorithm presented is similar in nature to the original decoding algorithm of Peterson except that the syndromes do not need to be computed and the remainders are used directly. It has a regular structure and will be efficient for implementation only for correcting a small number of errors. A systolic design for computing the Lagrange interpolation of a polynomial, which is needed for the first decoding algorithm, is also presented.This research was supported by a grant from the Canadian Institute for Telecommunications Research under the NCE program of the Government of Canada     

Adolescent psychopathology: II. Psychosocial risk factors for depression.

In a prospective study of adolescent depression, adolescents (N?=?1,508) were assessed at Time 1 and after 1 yr (Time 2) on psychosocial variables hypothesized to be associated with depression. Most psychosocial variables were associated with current (n?=?45) depression. Formerly depressed adolescents (n?=?217) continued to differ from never depressed controls on many of the psychosocial variables. Many of the depression-related measures also acted as risk factors for future depression (n?=?112), especially past depression, current other mental disorders, past suicide attempt, internalizing behavior problems, and physical symptoms. Young women were more likely to be, to become, and to have been depressed. Controlling for the psychosocial variables eliminated the gender difference for current and future but not for past depression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trade-off analysis on cost and manufacturing technology of an electronic product: Case study

A trade-off analysis on the cost and system packaging metrics of an electronic product aimed at the commercial/retail industry has been carried out. By comparing the system cost and packaging metrics with those of comparable consumer products, we have determined that there is opportunity for significant cost, size, and weight reduction of the overall electronics packaging system. These include the use of fine pitch IC packages, smaller discrete components, denser PCB wiring technology, double sided IC package surface mount, surface mount connectors, and improved plastics for the product housing. The analysis concluded that PCB area reduction of 40%, using a single PCB instead of three boards, reduction in board cost of over 50% and product weight reduction of over 28% are possible using available technologies.     

A Specific Stability Indicating Hplc Method to Determine Diclofenac Sodium in Raw Materials and Pharmaceutical Solid Dosage Forms

A high performance liquid chromatography method is described for the determination of diclofenac sodium, its related compounds and degradation products in commercial sources of raw materials and solid dosage forms. This method is specific, accurate and stability indicating. The method employs a reverse-phase octylsilane (C18) column with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile/methanol/pic B-6 (25:25:50) and detection at 229 nm. The method resolves six principal related compounds with quantitation in the range 0.3-1.5%. Assay recoveries by spiking commercial formulations with diclofenac sodium were 99.64 ± 1.30%. Drug content in several commercial formulations are reported. Accelerated stability tests were conducted on raw materials and drug products and 1-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-indolin-2-one was identified for the first time as a degradation product in solid dosage forms which are stressed under humidity and heat.     

B. F. Skinner: Au-delá de la controverse.

Discusses controversies surrounding the work of B. F. Skinner's influence on various theories of human and animal behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of goal difficulty on physiological arousal, cognition, and task performance.

Conducted 2 laboratory experiments with 117 undergraduates to examine (1) the effect of assigned goal difficulty on arousal (self-report and heart rate), cognition (perceived norm, self-efficacy strength, and personal goal), and behavioral (task performance) measures and (2) the role of heart rate as a mediator of the goal-difficulty–performance relation. All Ss performed a task requiring cognitive and physical responses. Results of both experiments demonstrate that assigned goal difficulty affected heart rate, cognition, and task performance and that heart rate change was positively related to the cognitive and behavioral measures. Regression analyses suggested that a cognitive–affective mechanism may mediate the goal-difficulty–performance relation. Discussion is focused on the theoretical and practical implications of integrating an arousal concept within goal-setting theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A connectionist implementation of the theory of planned behavior: Association of beliefs with exercise intention.

The theory of planned behavior suggests attitudes are a product of salient beliefs. This study examined whether aggregating salient beliefs was plausible within a more biologically centered information-processing environment. A neural network was used to examine associations among beliefs relating to exercise intention. Data on intentions and behavioral, normative, and control beliefs from 114 respondents were used to train (by error backpropagation) a neural network to associate beliefs with intention. The R2 between the network's estimated and self-reported intention was .66. The network's representation comprised 6 belief profiles associated with high, moderate, or low behavioral intention. The neural network accommodated complex relationships among beliefs and belief-intention associations and indicated how high-level constructs such as attitudes may be viewed as the best fit (compromise state) between aroused beliefs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Polaroid's waste reduction programme

Over the last few years, Polaroid has been actively trying to reduce the amount of waste produced at its sites. In this article, Ian McKeown looks at the measures taken at the UK site in Scotland to achieve this aim.