Materials balance in primary batteries. III. Computer aided design for standard size lithium — thionyl chloride high power cells

The study was continued of the design characteristics of high power type batteries made with the lithium/thionyl chloride system. A computer programme flow chart is presented for solving the system of equations correlating all the dimensions of cell components for any selected cell size. Various cell designs are presented for the three standard cell sizes, AA, C and D showing the effect of the geometry of the cell components on the resultant cell capacity. An optimized cell design is suggested for each particular discharge rate required. As a result of the optimization of the electrode structure, a substantial improvement in the maximum cell capacity was obtained with all three cell sizes.     

The asystolic donor syndrome: transaminitis and thrombocytopenia after non-heartbeating renal transplantation

BACKGROUND: The use of kidneys from non-heartbeating donors (NHB) remains controversial. An increased incidence of delayed primary function and primary nonfunction is common. We report a characteristic syndrome of transaminitis and thrombocytopenia after NHB renal transplantation, which may be predictive of graft outcome. METHODS: Two case histories are presented, followed by a retrospective analysis of 38 NHB renal grafts performed at Guy's Hospital from 1988 to 1994. Changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and platelet count were compared between recipients of kidneys from NHB and heartbeating donors (HB). To control for possible effects of antilymphocyte globulin (ALG), two matched control groups receiving HB kidneys with (n=32) and without (n=32) ALG were also compared. RESULTS: ALT was elevated in 32 of 38 (84%) of NHB recipients and 19 of 64 (30%) controls (P<0.001). Mean peak ALT was 172+/-20 U/L in NHB and 42+/-6 U/L in HB kidneys (P<0.001). Use of ALG did not influence mean peak ALT. Elevated ALT predicted impaired graft function (P<0.02) and was associated with an increased length of delayed primary function (P<0.001) and risk of transplant nephrectomy (P<0.05). Thrombocytopenia (<100 x 10(9) cells/L) occurred in 18 of 38 (47%) NHB recipients and in 20 of 64 (31%) controls (P<0.05). Mean nadir platelet count (x 10(9) cells/L) was 113+/-10 in NHB, 128+/-9 in HB with ALG, and 164+/-9 in HB without ALG (both P<0.05 vs. NHB). Patients who underwent graft nephrectomy (n=9) had a disproportionate fall in platelet count (mean nadir, 80+/-11 x 10(9) cells/L; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Transaminitis and thrombocytopenia occur commonly after NHB kidney transplantation and are predictive of graft outcome. Recognition of these changes may assist the early management of NHB renal recipients, and also reduce investigation of "anomalous" results in this setting.     

Binary versus decade inductive voltage divider comparison and errordecomposition

An automatic inductive voltage divider (IVD) characterization method that can measure linearity by comparing IVD's with different structures is suggested. Structural models are employed to decompose an error vector into components that represent each divider. Initial tests at 400 Hz show that it is possible to assign independent errors due to the binary and decade structures with a 2σ uncertainty of 0.05 parts per million (ppm) at the measured ratio values     

Artificial intelligence and automatic programming in CAI

This paper discusses generative computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and its relationship to Artificial Intelligence Research. Systems which have a limited capability for natural language communication are described. In addition, potential areas in which Artificial Intelligence could be applied are outlined. These include individualization of instruction, determining the degree of accuracy of a student response, and problem-solving.A CAI system which is capable of writing computer programs is described in detail. Techniques are given for generating meaningful programming problems. These problems are represented as a sequence of primitive tasks each of which can be coded in several ways. The manner in which the system designs its own solution program and monitors the student solution is also described.     

Teaching problem solving and structured programming in FORTRAN

This paper describes an approach to teaching problem solving in an introductory programming course using the FORTRAN language. The course is oriented around a set of problems which are used to illustrate a problem solving methodology. Three pedagogic aids (data table, flow diagram, and program system chart) and two control structure extensions to the FORTRAN language are used in order to provide a more convenient framework in which students can practice good problem solving and programming techniques. The control structure extensions facilitate structured programming in FORTRAN. The use of the control structures and the pedagogic aids is illustrated in the solution of a simple statistics problem: the benefits derived from using these aids are also discussed.     

Broadband wireless access solutions based on OFDM access in IEEE802.16

Broadband wireless access is the most challenging segment of the wireless revolution since it has to demonstrate a viable alternative to the cable modem and DSL technologies that are strongly entrenched in the last mile access environment. The Analysis, Research, and Consultancy (ARC) Group forecasts that the fixed wireless deployments in both homes and businesses will reach almost 28 million by 2005, with North America and Western Europe accounting for 24 percent and 27 percent of these, respectively. Whether the promise of BWA will materialize depends on its appeal to telecom operators from the perspective of deployment economics, where the critical factor is the ease of installation of broadband wireless subscriber units. This ultimately leads to nonprofessional installation of integrated all-indoor BWSUs. Consequently the physical layer (PHY) has to mitigate the very tough impairments that characterize these non-line-of-sight environments. In this context we overview the work of the one of the IEEE 802.16 standard subcommittee projects that deals with a BWA solution based on OFDM access (OFDMA) aiming at the most challenging NLOS scenarios     

Combat stress, combat fatigue, and psychiatric disability in aircrew

A survey of the literature reveals little data regarding modern aviation and combat-related stress, fatigue, or psychiatric disabilities. What little is known about combat fatigue in aircrew is largely inferred from literature written about ground personnel. Understanding the unique aviation environment is necessary in order to develop effective combat fatigue prevention programs. This paper reviews and summarizes the literature regarding aeromedical aspects of combat stress reactions. Combat stress, fatigue, and psychiatric disabilities are common battlefield conditions, but are largely preventable. If not prevented or treated appropriately, combat stress reactions will frequently lead to more serious psychiatric disabilities, causing the evacuation of the combatant away from his or her unit with no expectation of return to duty. Appropriate intervention using the basic principles of proximity, immediacy, and expectancy are crucial in reducing these casualties and returning aviation personnel to combat duty.     

Evaluation of a Capacitance Scaling System

An improved error analysis of an existing capacitance scaling system for supporting measurements of higher valued (10 nF to 100 ) ceramic-dielectric four-terminal-pair (4TP) capacitance standards over the 100-Hz to 100-kHz frequency range is described. The capacitance scaling system uses a commercial impedance (inductance-capacitance-resistance) meter and a single-decade inductive voltage divider as an impedance comparator. Four-terminal-pair capacitors in decade (10 : 1) steps from 10 nF to 100 F are measured. The system's 10 : 1 scaling error is determined using 100-pF and 1-nF air-dielectric 4TP capacitance standards with known capacitance and loss characteristics over frequency. This paper discusses the significant reductions in measurement uncertainty that were attained through the use of improved calibration standards and measurement method refinements. Details of the uncertainty analysis for a 10-nF capacitor (in the 100-Hz to 10-kHz frequency range) and verification data are presented.     

Safety and efficacy of strength training in patients with sporadic inclusion body myositis

We studied the effects of a 12-week progressive resistance strength training program in weakened muscles of 5 patients with sporadic inclusion body myositis (IBM). Strength was evaluated with Medical Research Council (MRC) scale ratings and quantitative isometric and dynamic tests. Changes in serum creatine kinase (CK), lymphocyte subpopulations, muscle size (determined by magnetic resonance imaging), and histology in repeated muscle biopsies were examined before and after training. After 12 weeks, the values of repetition maximum improved in the least weakened muscles, 25-120% from baseline. This dynamic effect was not captured by MRC or isometric muscle strength measurements. Serum CK, B cells, T-cell subsets, and NK cells remained unchanged. Repeat muscle biopsies did not reveal changes in the number and degree of degenerating fibers or inflammation. The size of the trained muscles did not change. We conclude that a supervised progressive resistance training program in IBM patients can lead to gains in dynamic strength of the least weak muscles without causing muscle fatigue and muscle injury or serological, histological, and immunological abnormalities. Even though the functional significance of these gains is unclear, this treatment modality is a safe and perhaps overlooked means of rehabilitation of IBM patients.     

The theoretical principles of the construction of variational quadrature ac bridges

New approaches to constructing quadratic bridges, based on a variational calibration and correction of the measurement error and the wide use of digital signal processing, which enable high metrological characteristics of the apparatus to be obtained for small dimensions and low cost, are proposed. __________ Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 10, pp. 58–63, October, 2006.