Productivity through computer management of a fully automated transportation system

The Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit System is a fully automated, collection and distribution, origin to destination, non-stop transportation system. The system consists of a feet of 73 electrically powered, rubber tired, passenger carrying vehicles, operating on a dedicated guideway network at 15 second headways. The system provides a safe, comfortable non-polluting, reliable means of public transportation between the Central Business District of Morgantown, West Virginia, and the three separated campuses of West Virginia University.

This paper will address the unique application of computers in operating a public transit system which is considered the first of its kind anywhere in the world.     

Structure and polymerization conditions of poly(methyl vinyl ketone)

The products of polymerization of methylvinyl ketone with benzoyl peroxide, sodium and sodium tertiary butoxide were compared using u.v, i.r, n.m.r. and viscosities. With sodium and sodium t-butoxide, poly(methyl vinyl ketone) is partly cyclized forming polyunsaturated ketone. The degree of cyclization of the polymer obtained with sodium t-butoxide is higher than that with sodium, and the viscosity of the solution in acetone was also higher. The mechanism of cyclization is discussed in each case.     

Superconducting helically wound magnet for the free-electron laser

Theoretical and experimental studies conducted by the Stanford Free Electron Laser group have resulted in the first operation of a free-electron laser amplifier and free-electron laser oscillator. Two superconducting helically wound periodic magnetics have been constructed for use with the laser. In this paper we present a discussion of design considerations and test results for the two magnets. The tests included measurement of the magnitude and the variation of the transverse magnetic field with radius in the bore of the magnets, the critical current, and the intensity, angular distribution, and spectrum of the spontaneous radiation emitted by electrons moving through the field.     

On "Psychology and mental retardation" position statement.

Comments on a statement that appeared in the March 1970 American Psychologist article entitled "Psychology and Mental Retardation" (Anonymous; see record 1970-15620-001). Part of the present commentary reads as follows: "I am not in agreement with the statement that educational psychological personnel are likely to provide the "most productive approaches" in dealing with the problems of mental retardation. This position simply places educational psychology in the same untenable bind that other disciplines, including medicine, psychiatry, education, and sociology, have achieved in the past when they claimed exclusive domain to serving the mentally retarded. Educational psychology should be devoting its efforts to working together with other disciplines rather than to making exaggerated claims of its superiority." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mixed finite element method for axisymmetric shells

A mixed variational formulation is used as basis for developing a mixed finite element method for axisymmetric shell. The independent unknowns of the method are the axial and radial displacement components, the rotation of the normal to the middle surface and the meridional bending stress couple. The basic element is a frustrum of curved meridian. General advantages of the mixed method are presented, one of which is the possibility of using piece-wise linear functions of the meridional arclength to represent the basic unknowns. Test results are presented for plate bending, transverse shear deformation, membrane behaviour, edge-zone bending, bending near the junction of two shells, convergence of the method and accuracy of middle surface curvature interpolation. Shell geometries considered are cylindrical, conical, spherical and ellipsoidal. Good results are obtained which should increase interest in the relatively less known and less tested mixed method as compared to the stiffness method.     

Effect of weightlifting upon left ventricular function and markers of cardiomyocyte damage

The purpose of this study was to assess left ventricular (LV) function and biochemical markers of myocyte after prolonged weightlifting activity. Seventeen male subjects (age range 20-34 years) performed a 90-min bout of weightlifting exercise consisting of three sets of 8-10 repetitions at 70% one-repetition maximum. Body mass, heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and echocardiographically determined indices of LV loading (LV internal diameter during diastole, LV meridonial wall stress), systolic function (stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), end-systolic pressure volume relationship; SBP/ESV) and diastolic filling (ratio of early to late; E:A) were obtained pre-exercise, immediately after and 24 h post-exercise. A 5-ml venous blood sample was obtained for the assessment of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) via third generation electrochemiluminescence assay. Data were assessed via one-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation. Although SV declined (80.9 +/- 18.3 vs. 66.9 +/- 17.2, p < 0.05) there was no alteration in LV contractility (EF 62 +/- 6 vs. 59 +/- 7; SBP/ESV 3.51 +/- 1.4 vs. 3.51 +/- 1.4, p > 0.05). The E:A ratio was significantly decreased following exercise (1.78 +/- 0.41 vs. 1.33 +/- 0.37, p < 0.05). This decrease was not fully explained by loading conditions (r2 = 0.05 to 0.24). All values returned to baseline 24 h post-exercise. No cTnT was reported in any of the blood samples. In conclusion, there was no significant evidence of any LV contractile depression and no cTnT was observed post exercise. The small reduction in diastolic filling could not be explained by changes in haemodynamic loading or the post-exercise elevation in heart rate.     

Identification of structure by the common-sense approach

Mistakes are often made and perpetuated in the three-dimensional interpretation of single sections. Such errors can be avoided and corrected if the observer considers carefully what kind of three-dimensional shape has the greatest probability of yielding profiles such as are seen in the microscope; and if he does not take certain published or verbal statements at their face value.     

Determination of spatial distribution in two-phase flow using scattered gamma radiation

A procedure has been developed and tested for measurement of the phase distribution along a chord of the flow channel in steady state two-phase flow. The method involves measurement of the zeroth and first moments of the energy spectra of Compton scattered radiation. This information allows determination of the mean position and thickness of each condensed phase region along the interrogated chord in the flow channel. Preparation of empirical calibration curves employing perspex disks, rods or tubes is explained. An iterative procedure for correcting the calibration curves for self-absorption is developed. The procedure has enabled determination of the position and thickness to within a few percent in simulated steady state tests.