Compression depth estimation for CPR quality assessment using DSP on accelerometer signals

Chest compression is a vital part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This paper demonstrates how the compression depth can be estimated using the principles of inertia navigation. The proposed method uses accelerometer sensors, one placed on the patient's chest, the other beside the patient. The acceleration-to-position conversion is performed using discrete-time digital signal processing (DSP). Instability problems due to integration are combated using a set of boundary conditions. The proposed algorithm is tested on a mannequin in harsh environments, where the patient is exposed to external forces as in a boat or car, as well as improper sensor/patient alignment. The overall performance is an estimation depth error of 4.3 mm in these environments, which is reduced to 1.6 mm in a regular, flat-floor controlled environment.     

Exploring Problems with Function Analysis. Experimental Insights for Team Management

Problem analysis is an important, but mainly neglected part of the problem‐solving process. The theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) offers an instrument called function analysis to conduct problem analysis, which is especially useful for exploring a problem. This process is based on an idea applied in different creativity techniques, saying that behind one problem statement many problem formulations may occur, which allows for evaluation and selection of those problem formulations before looking for problem solutions. The application of function analysis as a tool for teams is recommended for a number of reasons. In so doing so, two main questions arise: (i) Should function analysis be used with the help of an external moderator? and: (ii) Should it be applied with currently available special software? After introducing the basics of function analysis this article provides key findings deducted from an experiment addressing these questions. An important result is the remarkable learning effect, which occurs while using function analysis in teams. By applying function analysis in R&D, companies will be able to get deeper and team‐based problem explorations, which may lead to maturing problem solutions.     

On Scheduling in a Semi-Ordered Flow Shop Without Intermediate Queues

The dynamic programming solution offered is of complexity O(n²) and is a significant improvement over the implicit enumeration procedure previously suggested by Arora and Rana in an article in the September 1980 issue of TRANSACTIONS.     

Process conditions in X-ray lithography for the fabrication of devices with sub-micron feature sizes

This article describes the fabrication of polymer structures with lateral dimensions in the sub-micron regime using hard X-rays (λ_c ≈ 0.4 nm) from the electron storage ring ANKA. Spincoated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) grades have been analyzed with respect to development rates and contrast. The contrast has been determined to be constant over a wide dose regime but rapidly decreases for dose values below 1 kJ/cm³. Films with a thickness from 2 to 11 μm have been patterned using a high resolution X-ray mask consisting of 2 μm thick gold absorbers on a suspended 1 μm thick silicon nitride membrane. The fabrication of sub-micron X-ray lithography structures with feature sizes down to 400 nm is confined by the mechanical parameters of the resist material and the process conditions. Surface tension after development limits the achievable aspect ratio of isolated pillars and walls, depending on the actual resist height. PMMA structures have been successfully used as template for electroplating of 1 μm thick gold to demonstrate the fabrication capability of sub-micron scale metal parts.     

Experimental Modelling using Low Melting Point Metallic Melts: Relevance for Metallurgical Engineering

This paper describes model experiments with liquid metals of low melting point as an important tool to investigate the flow structure and related transport processes in melt flows being relevant for metallurgical applications. Three examples have been selected to demonstrate the benefit of such experiments, namely the electromagnetic stirring of a metallic melt in a pool, the directional solidification of Al‐Si alloys under the influence of an electromagnetically driven flow and the behaviour of a liquid metal bubble plume if a vertically travelling field is applied. Results of flow measurements are presented and the relevance for metallurgical processes is discussed.     

Citizens’ Adoption Behavior of Mobile Government (mGov): A Cross-Cultural Study

This study aims to address the paradigms of consumers’ adoption behavior for mobile government, posits the factors which pursue citizens’ intention to adopt mobile government services, and reveals the impact of cultural dimensions in perceiving driving factors of mobile government adoption. The mobile government adoption model was developed and tested among users of three different countries, namely Bangladesh, Canada, and Germany. The finding suggests the rationale that cross-cultural differences impact consumers’ perception of mobile government adoption behavior.     

Incremental model-based estimation using geometric constraints

We present a model-based framework for incremental, adaptive object shape estimation and tracking in monocular image sequences. Parametric structure and motion estimation methods usually assume a fixed class of shape representation (splines, deformable superquadrics, etc.) that is initialized prior to tracking. Since the model shape coverage is fixed a priori, the incremental recovery of structure is decoupled from tracking, thereby limiting both processes in their scope and robustness. In this work, we describe a model-based framework that supports the automatic detection and integration of low-level geometric primitives (lines) incrementally. Such primitives are not explicitly captured in the initial model, but are moving consistently with its image motion. The consistency tests used to identify new structure are based on trinocular constraints between geometric primitives. The method allows not only an increase in the model scope, but also improves tracking accuracy by including the newly recovered features in its state estimation. The formulation is a step toward automatic model building, since it allows both weaker assumptions on the availability of a prior shape representation and on the number of features that would otherwise be necessary for entirely bottom-up reconstruction. We demonstrate the proposed approach on two separate image-based tracking domains, each involving complex 3D object structure and motion.     

4-Methylquinazoline is a Minor Component of the Male Sex Pheromone in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nasonia vitripennis</Emphasis>

We identified 4-methylquinazoline (4-MeQ) as a minor component of the male sex pheromone of the parasitoid Nasonia vitripennis. Like the major components (4R,5R)- and (4R,5S)-5-hydroxy-4-decanolide (HDL), 4-MeQ is synthesized in the abdomen of males. At doses of 6 or 1 ng, 4-MeQ synergized the response of virgin females to the HDL-diastereomers in a still-air olfactometer, but was not attractive as a single component. 4-MeQ is also responsible for the characteristic medicinal odor of N. vitripennis males.