Assessing building performance by simulation

This paper characterizes the state-of-the-art in the assessment of a building's performance by computer simulation. Theoretical and application aspects are outlined and current developments are described which will help to ensure that simulation can be effectively applied in practice by designers with limited knowledge of the technology. Remaining problems are identified.     

Effect of long term, high temperature aging on luminescence from Eu-doped YSZ thermal barrier coatings

The use of the luminescence from europium doped yttria-stabilized zirconia thermal barrier coatings for non-contact thermometry has been previously studied up to 850 °C [Choy, K.L. et al., Surface Engineering, 16 [6] (2000) 496] and 1150 °C [M.M. Gentleman and D.R. Clarke, Surface and Coatings Technology, 188-189 (2004) 93]. In this contribution we examine the effect of long-term, high temperature aging and martensitic phase transformation on both the details of the luminescence spectrum and the temperature-dependent lifetime of the luminescence. It is found that even after prolonged aging, the wavelength of the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ emission peak shifts only very slightly with increasing percentage of transformation to the monoclinic phase. Preliminary data suggests that the effect on the decay lifetime up to 1150 °C is very slight, expressed in a slight shift of the onset of thermal quenching to lower temperatures; the slope of the characteristic decay time-constant versus temperature appears relatively unaffected.     

Brain metastases in well-differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid

Fifteen patients (4 males and 11 females) developed brain metastases from well-differentiated thyroid cancer within 1 month to 14 years of the initial diagnosis. One patient presented with a brain tumor. Except for 3 patients with unique brain metastases, all the others had extensive metastases in nodes, lungs and bones in various combinations. Brain metastases generally appeared after the onset of metastases at other sites. The histology of the brain tumor matched the primary pathology in the 6 operated cases. The treatment was surgery and external radiation in 6 cases, and radioiodine or chemotherapy in the others. Survival in general was less than 6 months after the diagnosis of brain metastases. The prognosis is poor once the onset of brain metastases is evident.     

Digital mammography: M-channel quadrature mirror filters (QMFs) for microcalcification extraction

Multiresolution methods are reported for feature extraction in breast cancer screening using digital mammography. The initial application is directed at the detection of microcalcification clusters (MCCs). Quadrature mirror filter (QMF) banks, using both two and three channel are proposed for the first time for both multiresolution decomposition and reconstruction. These filters are specifically tailored for automatic extraction of MCCs. The QMF multiresolution methods are compared to two channel tree structured wavelet transforms (TSWTs) methods previously reported. The QMF filters are preceded by an advanced tree structured nonlinear filter for noise suppression, prior to feature extraction, in order to minimize the false positive (FP) detection rate in digital mammography. The relative performance of these methods were evaluated using both simulated images and fifteen representative digitized mammograms containing biopsy proven microcalcification clusters. Similar high sensitivity (true positive (TP) detection rate (100%) and high specificity (0.6 average false positive (FP) MCC's/image) were observed, substantially better than more traditional approaches using single scale filters. The three channel QMF method, however, demonstrated better detail preservation of MCC's extracted compared to the two channel method. Detail preservation is important for the characterization of MCC's or individual microcalcifications in cancer screening.     

An empirically derived inventory to measure social fears and anxiety: The Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory.

The development, reliability, and discriminative ability of a new instrument to assess social phobia are presented. The Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI) is an empirically derived instrument incorporating responses from the cognitive, somatic, and behavioral dimensions of social fear. The SPAI high test–retest reliability and good internal consistency. The instrument appears to be sensitive to the entire continuum of socially anxious concerns and is capable of differentiating social phobics from normal controls as well as from other anxiety patients. The utility of this instrument for improved assessment of social phobia and anxiety and its use as an aid for treatment planning are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Toward institutionalization of a research capacity in mental health service organizations.

Barriers to the integration of research and practice in mental health service organizations are delineated, and organizational practices to promote research institutionalization are developed. On the basis of our experiences and a literature review, key barriers are identified: inadequate rationales for research models, flaws in research implementation, divergences in clinical and research perspectives, and a paucity of long-term funding for research. Criteria by which to evaluate organizational readiness to engage in institutionalization are delineated. Then sustaining rationales for research program development, specific implementation practices, and strategies for procuring funds are reviewed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)