Characterization of multijoint finger stiffness: dependence on finger posture and force direction

The two-dimensional static stiffness of the index finger was measured with the interphalangeal joints in flexed and extended postures. The stiffness of the relaxed finger was compared with the stiffness when voluntary force was exerted in different directions. The finger stiffness was found to be anisotropic, with the direction of greatest stiffness being approximately parallel to the proximal phalange of the finger. This direction was relatively unaffected by finger posture or direction of finger force. Finger stiffness was more anisotropic when the interphalangeal joints were extended than flexed. The stiffness was most anisotropic when the interphalangeal joints were extended and force was being exerted in the direction of pointing, while it was least anisotropic when the interphalangeal joints were flexed and force was being exerted in directions normally associated with pinching and tapping actions. The stiffness of the individual finger joints was computed and the relation between stiffness and joint torque was examined. Previous studies, which examined single finger joints in isolation, had found that joint stiffness varied in a linear fashion with net joint torque. In contrast, we did not find a monotonic relation between joint stiffness and net joint torque, which we attributed to the need to vary the amount of cocontraction of antagonistic muscles when controlling the direction of finger force.     

Prevalence of obesity with increased blood pressure in elementary school-aged children

A solid-phase, monoclonal antibody-based ELISA was set up to quantitate group 5 allergens in pollen extracts of wild and cultivated Pooideae grasses. The method was able to evaluate group 5 concentration in mass units with a sensitivity in the ng/ml range and a practical working range of 1-100 ng/ml. The group 5 ELISA was compared with rocket immunoelectrophoresis for determination of allergen levels in several Phleum pratense extracts, and a very good quantitative correlation was found (r = 0.98; P < 0.0001). A highly significant correlation (r > 0.8) was also obtained in comparing allergenic potency determined by RAST inhibition to group 5 content in several wild and cultivated grass species. The results proved the usefulness of the method in the standardization of Pooideae pollen extracts employed in diagnosis and treatment.     

Structural change detection in a disturbed conifer forest using a geometric optical reflectance model in multiple-forward mode

Geometric optical reflectance models provide a physical linkage between image data and forest structure. We developed a "multiple-forward-mode" pseudoinversion modeling approach to produce structural lookup tables for Landsat Thematic Mapper images before and after 1993 partial harvests in New Brunswick, Canada. Modeling results validated for stand density, crown radius, and stem counts enabled simple forest structural change detection.     

Hole Mobility and Thermal Velocity Enhancement for Uniaxial Stress in Si up to 4 GPa

A theoretical study of the response of hole mobility and thermal velocity, both relevant for short channel devices, to [110] uniaxial stress in Si up to 4 GPa of both tension and compression has been conducted. The strained-Si bandstructure was calculated using the kmiddotp method. Effective masses, thermal velocities, and scattering rates were calculated from the bandstructure as a function of stress. Mobilities were then calculated via full band Monte Carlo simulations. Calculated mobilities match experimental and theoretical data from prior work addressing lower degrees of stress. Large increases in both carrier thermal velocities and mobilities were found. In the high-stress regime between 1 and 2 GPa, mobilities exhibit a strong superlinear dependence, and compressive stress becomes more favorable for increasing both mobilities and thermal velocities in pMOS. Improvements in both thermal velocity and mobility finally only begin to rolloff toward apparent saturation as we push the stress toward 4 GPa in these simulations     

Effect of oxygen on the carbon-forming tendencies of diffusion flames

Pre-mixing oxygen with the fuel of diffusion flames markedly increases the level of soot formation, the effect being most pronounced with unsaturated and aromatic hydrocarbons and least with saturated ones. With ethylene, almost five times as much soot is obtained when 10% of the stoichiometric oxygen requirements of the flame is added to the fuel. Larger amounts completely suppress soot emission. The experimental evidence suggests that the role of the oxygen at low concentrations is to promote polymerization of the fuel to high-molecular-weight soot precursors, rather than a thermal effect. After 10 to 15% of the stoichiometric oxygen requirements have been pre-mixed with the fuel, carbon emission is abruptly eliminated over a narrow range of oxygen concentrations. This must be brought about by an oxidation of the fuel or of the potential carbon-forming intermediate which predominates at the higher oxygen concentrations. Dilution of the oxygen with inert gases such as nitrogen, argon and helium reduces its effectiveness to promote the formation of carbon, and appears to be a concentration effect, a conclusion in full agreement with the well known observation that higher pressures lead to increased soot formation. Other free-radical generators such as nitropropane and amyl nitrite also promote soot formation.     

A parallel method for computing the generalized singular value decomposition

We describe a new parallel algorithm for computing the generalized singular value decomposition of two n × n matrices, one of which is nonsingular. Our procedure requires O(n) time and one triangular array of O(n²) processors.     

Software aspects of business graphics

This paper considers some software and technical issues involved in the production of high quality three dimensional business graphics. It considers whether to use the vector or raster mode, the location or generation of source materials such as type fonts and geographic maps, existing 3-D plotting programs, and some technical issues in the calculation of 3-D plots. Finally it gives some examples of 3-D color plots illustrating different color techniques.     

The myth of evaluating treatment effectiveness.

Suggests an alternative to H. H. Strupp and S. W. Hadley's (see record 1977-29884-001) tripartite model for evaluating treatment outcome, in which primary prevention, self-regulation methods are used to evaluate individuals' ability to control emotions that interfere with everyday functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)