An analysis of the congestion effects of link failures in wide areanetworks

The authors present the results of a study to determine the effects of link failures on the performance of a network in terms of the occurrence of congestion due to traffic restoration after a failure. The network studied is a virtual circuit based packet switched wide area network. A generic queueing framework is developed to study the effect of failures and the subsequent traffic restoration on network performance. In general, the congestion resulting after a failure is a transient phenomenon. Hence, a numerical methods based nonstationary queueing analysis is conducted in order to quantify the effects of failures in terms of the transient behavior of queue lengths and packet loss probabilities. A bounding relationship is developed whereby a network node can determine whether or not congestion will occur as the result of traffic restoration after a failure     

Glucosinolates in etiolated sprouts of sea-kale (Crambe maritima L)

Sea-kale, a long-forgotten vegetable, could make a resurgence due to its culinary attractiveness. Unfortunately, as with most cruciferous plants, its quality may be reduced owing to the presence of glucosinolates, mainly known for their antinutritional properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the actual amount of these compounds found in edible sea-kale sprouts, using qualitative and quantitative analysis by liquid chromatography carried out after treatment by freezing, blanching and cooking. Before treatment, the quantity of glucosinolates, of which more than 80% is represented by epi-progoitrin, was found between 5.4 and 7.3 μmol g^?1 of fresh matter. In this study, freezing then thawing causes a nearly complete decomposition of glucosinolates into nonidentified compounds which are most probably 5-vinyloxazolidine-2-thionc and nitrites. Cooking for 4 min (blanching) brings about through leaching, a nearly 30% reduction. A greater decrease (76%) can be obtained with a cooking time of 20 min. The amount of glucosinolates found in sea-kale was compared with that of other commonly used cruciferous vegetables and there appears to be practically no risk when consumed on a monthly basis. At present sea-kale remains a desired vegetable in gastronomical dishes.     

Effects of familiarity of task and choice on the functional performance of younger and older adults.

An experiment was conducted to compare the functional performance of younger and older adults on familiar and unfamiliar tasks under 2 conditions of perceived control. Specifically, the relation between age and motor and process skills was examined. The familiar tasks were simple cooking tasks, whereas the unfamiliar tasks were contrived, meaningless tasks developed for this study. Younger and older adults did not differ in the ratings of the familiarity of the tasks, but results from 2 Age?×?Task?×?Choice analyses of variance demonstrated a significant age difference for motor and process skills under all conditions. This suggests that older adults demonstrate age-related decline, even with activities that take motivational, experiential, and ecological validity components into account. For the process skills scale, there was also a significant main effect for choice. These results support the concept that perceived control may improve performance, but not differentially for older adults; that is, younger and older adults both demonstrated improved process performance when given their choice of tasks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of message framing on mammography utilization.

This experiment compared the effectiveness of gain- versus loss-framed messages to persuade women to obtain mammography screening. One hundred and thirty-three women 40 years and older and not adhering to current guidelines for obtaining mammography screening were assigned randomly to view either gain-framed (emphasizing the benefits of obtaining mammography) or loss-framed (emphasizing the risks of not obtaining mammography) persuasive videos that were factually equivalent. Attitudes and beliefs were measured before and immediately following the intervention. Mammography utilization was assessed 6 and 12 months later. Consistent with predictions based on prospect theory, women who viewed the loss-framed message were more likely to have obtained a mammogram within 12 months of the intervention. These findings suggest that loss-framed messages may have an advantage in the promotion of detection behaviors such as mammography. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Training students to represent arithmetic word problems.

The impact of a training program to improve students' representation skills for compare word problems was tested with 96 college students in a pretest–posttest design. Pretest data supported A. B. Lewis and R. E. Mayer's (see record 1988-21646-001) comprehension model. Posttest data showed that for targeted problems, the diagram group, which learned about the types of statements found in arithmetic word problems (translation training) and also learned a method for diagraming problem information (integration training), produced greater pretest-to-posttest gains (85% to 99% correct representation) than did either the statement group, which received only translation training (83% to 89%), or the control group, which received no training (84% to 91%). On transfer items the diagram group also produced greater gains (77% to 93%) than either the statement group (84% to 87%) or the control group (80% to 81%). Arguments are made for the importance of representation training in mathematics curricula. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Taxonomy of guilt for combat veterans.

Offers an operational definition of guilt specific to the population of combat veterans, a conceptualization of the function that guilt serves, and a rationale for why it is resistant to change in a clinical setting. A taxonomy of guilt is formulated. Five specific types of guilt are identified: survivor, demonic, moral/spiritual, betrayal/abandonment, and superman/superwoman. Each type is addressed from cognitive, affective, and behavioral perspectives. Specific behavioral syndromes are described in the treatment population. Assessment guidelines to aid in diagnosis are included. Treatment strategies that address each type of guilt are outlined. Includes case studies to illustrate each type of guilt, focusing on Vietnam combat veterans. Authors conclude that guilt is a pervasive and treatment resistant part of the lives of combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. The taxonomy is offered to aid in the diagnosis and effective treatment of guilt. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Training Psychology Interns in Primary Behavioral Health Care.

This article describes a training program for primary behavioral health care (PBHC) for clinical psychology interns. The authors discuss the rationale for integrating mental health into primary care and the need for additional training programs at the predoctoral internship level. A review of relevant literature suggests that effective functioning in primary care requires competence in (a) generalist psychology, (b) health psychology, (c) interdisciplinary team functioning, and (d) skills specific to primary care. The authors advocate for a relatively intensive training program to address these areas. Common intern training difficulties observed during 3 years of program implementation are discussed. Practical, lessons-learned recommendations that address these problem areas provide guidance for others seeking to develop a PBHC training program. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Wear and friction of aramid fibre and PTFE filled composites

The most widespread reinforcements and lubricants used for wear applications include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicone, glass fibre, carbon fibre and aramid fibre. Of these, PTFE and aramid fibre play a key role in the production and performance of a huge variety of seal components. This article describes work undertaken at LNP Engineering Plastics to optimise the aramid fibre loadings in systems with and without PTFE. Mechanical properties, tribological performance and cost were all considered, and in addition the transfer film formed when these composites are wearing was examined.     

Molecular mobility in starchy materials studied by electron spin resonance

Phase transitions in hydrated starch–sorbitol system were investigated both by molecular (electron spin resonance, ESR) and macroscopic (differential scanning calorimetry, DSC) methods. In rapid‐tumbling region, one did not observe the same phenomena by DSC and by ESR. The transitions observed by ESR, which seemed to reflect more the interactions probe–matrix than plasticization, probably corresponded to the interactions probe–sorbitol. For system concentrated in plasticizer, it was conceivable to admit that a demixion of sorbitol occurred. In slow‐tumbling region, a correspondence in temperature mobility changes measured by mechanical spectroscopy and ESR was observed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 990–997, 2003