Embedded Multicore Processors and Systems

Unlike desktop PC or server applications, multicore devices used in embedded systems are many and diverse. There are many potential approaches to solving the numerous multicore-related issues. The articles in this issue on embedded multicore processors and systems represent a small sampling of these issues.     

Affect-focused body psychotherapy in patients with generalized anxiety disorder: Evaluation of an integrative method.

The aim of this study was to explore the long-term effects of affect-focused body psychotherapy (ABP) for patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). A group of 61 consecutive patients, 21–55 years old, were randomized to ABP and psychiatric treatment as usual (TAU). The patients were assessed before treatment and followed up 1 and 2 years after inclusion. The ABP patients received one session of treatment per week during 1 year. Three self-report questionnaires were administered; Symptom Checklist—90, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the WHO (Ten) Well-Being Index. In both groups, there was a significant improvement. On termination, the ABP group had improved significantly more on the SCL-90 Global Symptom Index than the TAU group, whereas the differences were short of significance on the other two scales. The integration of bodily techniques with a focus on affects in a psychodynamically informed treatment seems to be a viable treatment alternative for patients with GAD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of veterinarians and feed-store vendors in the prescription and use of antibiotics on small dairy farms in rural Peru

This study aimed to describe and compare the role of veterinarians and feed-store vendors in the use of antibiotics on small dairy farms in Cajamarca, Peru, a major dairy-producing center characterized by small, rural farms with poor, mostly uneducated farmers. We used a purposive sampling strategy to recruit 12 veterinarians into 2 focus group discussions and supplemented these data with 8 semi-structured interviews with feed-store vendors. Participants reported that inappropriate antibiotic usage was widespread among their clients, which may prevent the efficient use of drugs on farms where animal disease can be devastating to the livelihood of the farmer. Participants also identified many barriers to appropriate prescribing and use, including availability of drugs, competition from other prescribers, economic constraints and habits of farmers, and limited farmer knowledge of drugs and disease. Veterinarians expressed mistrust toward nonprofessional prescribers, whereas feed-store vendors felt that veterinarians were important partners in promoting the health of their clients’ animals.     

What's in a norm? Sources and processes of norm change.

This reply to the commentary by E. Staub and L. A. Pearlman (2009) revisits the field experimental results of E. L. Paluck (2009). It introduces further evidence and theoretical elaboration supporting Paluck's conclusion that exposure to a reconciliation-themed radio soap opera changed perceptions of social norms and behaviors, not beliefs. Experimental and longitudinal survey evidence reinforces the finding that the radio program affected socially shared perceptions of typical or prescribed behavior—that is, social norms. Specifically, measurements of perceptions of social norms called into question by Staub and Pearlman are shown to correlate with perceptions of public opinion and public, not private, behaviors. Although measurement issues and the mechanisms of the radio program's influence merit further testing, theory and evidence point to social interactions and emotional engagement, not individual education, as the likely mechanisms of change. The present exchange makes salient what is at stake in this debate: a model of change based on learning and personal beliefs versus a model based on group influence and social norms. These theoretical models recommend very different strategies for prejudice and conflict reduction. Future field experiments should attempt to adjudicate between these models by testing relevant policies in real-world settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interim storage of power reactor spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and its potential application to SNF separations and closed fuel cycle

Interim, centralized, engineered (dry cask) storage facilities for USA light water power reactor spent nuclear fuel (SNF) should be implemented to complement and to offer much needed flexibility while the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is funded to complete its evaluation of the Yucca Mountain License and to subject it to public hearings. The interim sites should use the credo reproduced in Table 1 [Bunn, M., 2001. Interim Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel. Harvard University and University of Tokyo] and involve both the industry and government. The sites will help settle the 50 pending lawsuits against the government and the $11 billion of potential additional liabilities for SNF delay damages if Yucca Mountain does not being operation in 2020 [DOE, 2008a. Report to Congress on the Demonstration of the Interim Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel from Decommissioned Nuclear Power Stations (December)].Under the developing consensus to proceed with closed fuel cycles, it will be necessary to develop SNF separation facilities with stringent requirements upon separation processes and upon generation of only highly resistant waste forms. The location of such facilities at the interim storage sites would offer great benefits to those sites and assure their long term viability by returning them to their original status.The switch from once-through to closed fuel cycle will require extensive time and development work as illustrated in “The Path to Sustainable Nuclear Energy” [DOE, 2005. The Path to Sustainable Nuclear Energy. Basic and Applied Research Opportunities for Advanced Fuel Cycles. DOE (September)]. A carefully crafted long term program, funded for at least 5 years, managed by a strong joint government–industry team, and subjected to regular independent reviews should be considered to assure the program stability and success.The new uncertainty about Yucca Mountain role raises two key issues: (a) what to do with the weapons and other high level government wastes committed to be moved to Yucca Mountain by specified dates? And (b) can the $13.6 billion invested at Yucca Mountain be salvaged if the NRC approves the license submittal and the opposition relents after contentious hearings? Or will it take contingent actions, or, a switch to a partial closed fuel cycle with its reduced risks and earlier timing of their peak risk value? Only time will tell if any of these alternates will be acceptable but, they all reinforce the need for interim storage for commercial SNF.If the decision is to go to a new repository one wonders whether the time has not come to change the safety evaluation process for geological repositories by characterizing two to three sites and subjecting them to an arbitrary release of the fission products in the HLW to be stored and considering the forms of some of the HLW to reduce their peak risks. It would allow the proper choice to be made among the selected sites and to have a basis for convincing the local committee to accept the repository location. It may even decide whether the CONFU fuel assembly [MIT, 2006. Implications of alternative strategies for transition to sustainable fuel cycles. Nucl. Sci. Eng., 154 (September)] for pressurized water reactors can be accommodated in a once-through fuel cycle as suggested by Levy [Levy, S., 2008. Yucca backup plan. Nucl. Eng. Int., 24–28]. A similar configuration is possible in boiling water reactors.     

Clinical management of carpal tunnel syndrome: a 12-year review of outcomes

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a disorder frequently encountered by occupational health care specialists. The health care management of this disorder has involved a diverse set of clinical procedures. The present article is a review of the literature related to CTS with an emphasis on occupational-related CTS. MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycLIT, and NIOSHTIC databases from 1985-1997 were searched for treatment outcome studies related to CTS. Treatments of interest included surgery, physical therapy, drug therapy, chiropractic treatment, biobehavioral interventions, and occupational rehabilitation. A systematic review of the effects of these interventions on symptoms, medical status, function, return to work, psychological well-being, and patient satisfaction was completed. Compared to other treatments, the majority of studies assessed the effects of surgical interventions. Endoscopic release was associated with higher levels of physical functioning and fewer days to return to work when compared to open release. Limited evidence indicated: 1) steroid injections and oral use of B6 were associated with pain reduction; 2) in comparison to splinting, range of motion exercises appeared to be associated with less pain and fewer days to return to work; 3) cognitive behavior therapy yielded reductions in pain, anxiety, and depression; and, 4) multidisciplinary occupational rehabilitation was associated with a higher percentage of chronic cases returning to work than usual care. Workers' compensation status was associated with increased time to return to work following surgery. Conclusions are preliminary due to the small number of well-controlled studies, variability in duration of symptoms and disability, and the broad range of reported outcome measures. While there are several opinions regarding effective treatment, there is very little scientific support for the range of options currently used in practice. Despite the emerging evidence of the multivariate nature of CTS, the majority of outcome studies have focused on single interventions directed at individual etiological factors or symptoms and functional limitations secondary to CTS.     

Evaluating digital entertainment system performance

Digital entertainment systems - which encompass a broad range of applications, including smart phones, set-top boxes, MP3 players, DVD players and recorders, game consoles, and digital cameras - have become the driving force behind the expansion of the semiconductor market, outstripping even PCs. Consider, for example, that in 2003, smartphones represented about 3 percent of the 500 million mobile phones sold worldwide, with analysts expecting them to grow at triple-digit year-over-year rates. Moving beyond the voice-centric model, more than half of the 600 million mobile phones sold in 2004 included a color display and digital camera. The implementation of more advanced features such as accelerated 2D and 3D graphics, videoconferencing, mobile multimedia, and games has raised the performance requirements of these model. The Embedded Microprocessor Benchmark Consortium's DENBench suite of digital media benchmarks provides a spectrum of tools for assessing and refining the video and audio performance of digital devices.     

Use of immunoelectron microscopy and intestinal models to explore the elaboration of apolipoproteins required for intraenterocyte lipid transport

The intestine is the organ that contributes the majority of circulating alimentary lipoproteins. Intestinal epithelial cells have the unique ability to elaborate chylomicrons, the largest triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and the main vehicle for the transport of dietary lipids. The final intracellular assembly and exocytosis of chylomicrons require enterocyte-derived apolipoproteins (apo). As research on lipoprotein metabolism evolved, it has become increasingly evident that apo B is a crucial protein for the normal packaging of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Immunocytochemical techniques have successfully been used to demonstrate the presence of two types of apo B, the B-100 and the B-48, in different subcellular compartments of the human enterocyte. Confirmation was obtained by biochemically analyzing human lymph and intestine from pediatric patients. In addition, the immunoelectron microscopic approach revealed the location of apo A-I in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and predominantly in the Golgi apparatus and the basolateral membrane, which confirms the rapid transport of apo A-I documented by other studies. Proven utility and experimental conditions were defined to demonstrate the ability of Caco-2 cells, a colon carcinoma cell line, to esterify lipids, synthesize apo, and assemble lipoproteins. Thus, immunocytochemical and biochemical techniques can be combined with in vivo and in vitro intestinal models for the study of the intestinal lipid transport.     

Concerns of the dry-cleaning industry: a qualitative investigation of labor and management

BACKGROUND: Occupational scientists agree there are hazards associated with dry-cleaning, but do dry-cleaning owners and workers concur? Knowledge of owners' and workers' perceptions can help guide intervention efforts to reduce worker exposure. To better understand these issues, a qualitative study was conducted using focus group methodology and constant comparative analysis. METHODS: Two owner and four worker focus groups were held. RESULTS: Findings suggest that overall, health and safety issues were not of great concern. Owners were primarily concerned with the economic impact of regulations. Workers did express some anxiety about solvent exposure and burns, but most felt that these hazards were "just part of the job." Also, other than the installation of air-conditioning in the shops and the provision of health benefits, workers could not think of ways health and safety on the job could be improved. CONCLUSIONS: These findings will be used to develop comprehensive safety and health interventions (e.g., engineering plus education and training) in dry-cleaning shops.