Interpersonal complementarity and appeasement in relationships with initiators of childhood psychosocial trauma.

Childhood psychosocial trauma (sexual, physical, and emotional abuse) influences perceptions and expectations about interpersonal relations. This study tests the hypothesis that these influences can be assessed through measurement of interpersonal complementarity. Self-reports of perceptions of relationships with childhood abuse initiators are examined for a clinical sample of 20 dissociative disorder patients (aged 19–52 yrs) using Structural Analysis of Social Behavior. Patient ratings of their relationships with abuse initiators showed marked deviations from complementarity. Substantial appeasement of the abuser was also indicated in the ratings. Implications for psychotherapy of abuse victims are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

OH-absorption in fluoride glass infra-red fibres

The OH fundamental peak absorption at 2.87 ?m has been reduced in fluoride fibres to less than 20 dB/km. By measuring the difference spectra between low and high peaks, the OH-peak shape has been measured over two orders of magnitude, and the results indicate that the optimum low-loss window occurs at 2.55 ?m in these materials.     

Novel proof-tester for optical glass fibres

A compact novel proof-tester has been developed which strains the fibre by bending it over known diameter rollers. The proof-tester truncates the Weibull strength distribution at the expected level, indicating that it induces little damage in fibre with a thin primary coating.     

Double crucible optical fibre for data link applications

A short distance, data link fibre has been made by the double crucible method. The fibre has a large core (175 ?m), high NA (0.4) and a minimum loss of 7.5 dB/km. By lowering the water content of the fibre the usable wavelength range has been extended to 1.3 ?m     

Systematic analysis of in-patients' circumstances and causes of death: a tool to improve quality of care

OBJECTIVES: To point out actions improving quality of care from a systematic analysis of causes and circumstances of death of hospital patients. DESIGN: All in-hospital patient deaths during 1993 and 1994. SETTING: Saint Luc University hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Immediate and original causes of death, other diagnoses or procedures, circumstances of death, place, members of hospital staff, family or friends with the patient, mention of "do not resuscitate", of unexpected death, of problems during the process of care and of autopsy performed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 60 years. The proportion of men was 57%. The majority of patients died in their room. No family or friends, or members of hospital staff were observed for 17%. "Do no resuscitate" was mentioned for 38% of the patients and the proportion of unexpected death and autopsy was 15% and 28% respectively. The most frequent causes of death were malignant and cardiovascular diseases. At least one of the following diseases was mentioned on 14% of the forms; complications during care, septicaemia, pulmonary embolism, adverse effects of drugs or pressure ulcer. Mean length of hospital stay was 14.7 days. CONCLUSIONS: A systematic analysis of the causes and circumstances of death reveals the epidemiology of hospital deaths and highlights specific diseases, complications or circumstances that could be changed. This study creates the opportunity for possible further action, such as improvement in prevention of pulmonary embolism and support of the members of staff or the friends and family of the patient at the time of death.     

Advances in the catalytic, asymmetric synthesis of beta-lactams

In this Account, we illustrate our contribution to the catalytic, asymmetric synthesis of beta-lactams through a flexible [2 + 2] cycloaddition strategy. We also explore the scope of our methodology and comment on future directions.     

Multivariate Calibration of Semi‐Synthetic Data Sets: Gun Powder Analysis

Quantitative analysis of multi‐component mixtures such as propellant powders is not trivial since it usually requires separation of the mixture constituents. Multivariate calibration combined to the use of semi‐synthetic data sets can eliminate the need for standard solutions preparation, and therefore allow the rapid determination of mixtures provided no intermolecular interactions occur in the systems. Multivariate compositional analyses of FTIR spectra of low‐vulnerability (LOVA), high‐energy low‐vulnerability (HELOVA) and energetic thermoplastic elastomer (ETPE) propellant powder systems were performed using the partial least‐squares (PLS) regression algorithm. All constituents except ethyl centralite (EC) were quantified. Concentrations were predicted within 1% error for the major component (1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazacyclohexane or RDX), and within 5% error for the minor components (between 12 and 2% nominally by weight). LOVA, HELOVA, and ETPE gun powder samples concentrations were estimated and compared to expected compositions.     

Computer animation of human walking: a survey

This paper surveys the set of techniques developed in computer graphics for animating human walking. First we focus on the evolution from purely kinematic ‘knowledge‐based’ methods to approaches that incorporate dynamic constraints or use dynamic simulations to generate motion. Then we review the recent advances in motion editing that enable the control of complex animations by interactively blending and tuning synthetic or captured motions. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.