A modular, parametric vibratory feeder: a case study for flexible assembly tools for mass customization

A new class of parametric and modular flexible tools is proposed to improve the setup times of assembly lines. The methodology is especially effective in dealing with problems of mass customization. In addition to improvements in the setup time, the methodology, MPATS (modular, parametric assembly tool sets) has other potential advantages such as lower tooling costs as well as faster tooling lead times compared to conventional assembly systems utilizing custom made tools. To demonstrate the feasibility of the methodology, a prototype tool set is designed and presented in this paper. The prototype tool set focuses on the most common of feeding and orienting tools: vibratory bowl feeders.     

Language dysfunction in children with Rolandic epilepsy

Rolandic epilepsy is regarded as the classic example of benign focal epilepsy. However, neuropsychological deficits have been noted in affected children. As Rolandic discharges are mainly distributed over the centrotemporal region, specific interference with language function might be suspected. Therefore, we conducted a standardized neuropsychological assessment in children with Rolandic epilepsy which covered all important aspects of language processing. We measured intelligence Quotient, verbal memory, auditory discrimination, vocabulary, grammar and literacy in 20 children with an active Rolandic focus. Information about performance at school was obtained from teachers by means of a questionnaire. Patients with Rolandic epilepsy failed five of the twelve standardized language tests significantly more often than the normative population and consequently showed impairment of the following functions: reading, spelling, auditory verbal learning, auditory discrimination with background noise and expressive grammar. Thirteen of the 20 children showed language dysfunction with difficulties in two or more of the twelve standardized language tests. In eight of these 13 children the Full Scale Intelligence Quotient was within average range, indicating a specific language deficit. Language dysfunction was closely associated with learning difficulties at school. This study documents a consistent pattern of language dysfunction in children with Rolandic epilepsy which suggests interictal dysfunction of perisylvian language areas.     

High performance concrete—An overview

It is suggested that high performance concrete is not fundamentally different from the concrete used in the past, although it usually contains fly ash, ground granulated blastfurnace slag and silica fume, as well as superplasticizer. The cost aspects of the use of silica fume are considered. The content of cementitious material is high and the water/cement ratio is low; the maximum size of aggregate is small. Although ordinary Portland cement is used, it must be compatible with a given superplasticizer; the causes of incompatibility are discussed. The distinct shrinkage behaviour of high performance concrete is considered and the reasons for an absolute necessity of wet curing are given. Some uses of high performance concrete are mentioned. A ‘prediction’ of the future of high performance concrete and of concrete in general is offered.     

In utero varicella-zoster infections

In utero varicella-zoster infections, though infrequent, may have significant consequences for the affected infant depending on the gestational timing of the infection. We present a case of infantile zoster in a 5-month-old boy after maternal varicella infection. Also, we review the three major disorders resulting from in utero infection with respect to severity and management.     

Considering the opposite: A corrective strategy for social judgment.

Proposes that several biases in social judgment result from a failure to consider possibilities at odds with beliefs and perceptions of the moment. Individuals who are induced to consider the opposite position, therefore, should display less bias in social judgment. In 2 experiments, with 150 undergraduates, this reasoning was applied to 2 domains—biased assimilation of new evidence on social issues and biased hypothesis testing of personality impressions. Ss were induced to consider the opposite through explicit instructions to do so and through stimulus materials that made opposite possibilities more salient. In both experiments, the induction of a consider-the-opposite strategy had greater corrective effect than more demand-laden alternative instructions to be as fair and unbiased as possible. Results are consistent with previous research on perseverance, hindsight, and logical problem solving, and they suggest an effective method of retraining social judgment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Buried container detection using ground-probing radar

This paper contains the results of a continuing study to assess the capabilities and limitations of a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system to detect and locate various subsurface anomalies — in this case, various size containers, both metal and non-metalic.This containers are located in various configurations at different burial depths. The site consisted of a relatively uniform sandy soil of low water content and represented nearly ideal conditions for the tests. The results show that steel drums are the most easily detected and located. Plastic drums, if empty, cannot be located; however, if liquid-filled they can be detected. Closely spaced drums cannot be resolved to determine the exact number of drums. Accurate depth predictions were made to all drums located using the GPR system.     

Fat mobilisation in large white pigs selected for low backfat thickness

Plasma free fatty acid (FFA), glucose and insulin responses to feeding and fasting were investigated in a sample of two lines of Large White pigs. One line had been selected for nine generations against backfat thickness and for improved growth rate and feed conversion efficiency. The other line had been randomly bred for six generations. No between-line differences in the plasma constituents were observed in the fed or absorptive state. This is assumed to be the state in which the pigs were reared since they were without food for a maximum of 16 h daily. An increase in the concentration of plasma FFA, indicating the presence of the starved state, only occurred after 16 h without food. It is suggested therefore that changes in these plasma constituents are not important in the reduced fat deposition in the Selection line pigs. In the starved state, however, the Selection line pigs had higher concentrations of plasma FFA than Control line pigs. The relevance of this finding to the differences in body composition is discussed.     

Novel thermally stable and chemically resistant epoxy polymers derived from phenylene oxides

Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis data are presented for three novel bisepoxy monomers and formulated coatings derived therefrom. The coatings were insensitive to impact in liquid oxygen and showed excellent resistance to liquid nitrogen tetroxide, concentrated nitric acid, and a variety of organic solvents. All coatings showed excellent adhesion to metals and oxidation resistance superior to any known commercial epoxy polymer. Thermal resistance was excellent at 500°F. for periods of at least 500 hr. in air. Other data on these novel epoxy polymers are also presented.