Progress towards the development of a model for predicting human reliability

A methodology for predicting the probability of human task reliability during a task sequence is described. The method is based on a probabilistic performance requirement–resource consumption model. This enables error-promoting conditions in accident scenarios to be modelled explicitly and a time-dependent probability of error to be estimated. Particular attention is paid to modelling success arising from underlying human learning processes and the impact of limited resources. The paper describes the principles of the method together with an example related to safety and risk of a diver in the wreck scenario. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Micro-attenuated total reflection spectral imaging in archaeology: application to Maya paint and plaster wall decorations

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) attenuated total reflection (ATR) imaging has been successfully used to identify individual mineral components of ancient Maya paint. The high spatial resolution of a micro FT-IR-ATR system in combination with a focal plane array detector has allowed individual particles in the paint to be resolved and identified from their spectra. This system has been used in combination with micro-Raman spectroscopy to characterize the paint, which was found to be a mixture of hematite and silicate particles with minor amounts of calcite, carbon, and magnetite particles in a sub-micrometer hematite and calcite matrix. The underlying stucco was also investigated and found to be a combination of calcite with fine carbon particles, making a dark sub-ground for the paint.     

Extraordinarily complex crystal structure with mesoscopic patterning in barium at high pressure

Elemental barium adopts a series of high-pressure phases with such complex crystal structures that some of them have eluded structure determination for many years. Using single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction and new data analysis strategies, we have now solved the most complex of these crystal structures, that of phase Ba-IVc at 19?GPa. It is a commensurate host-guest structure with 768 atoms in the representative unit, where the relative alignment of the guest-atom chains can be represented as a two-dimensional pattern with interlocking S-shaped 12-chain motifs repeating regularly in one direction and repeating with constrained disorder in the other. The existence of such patterning on the nanometre scale points at medium-range interactions that are not fully screened by the itinerant electrons in this metal. On the basis of first-principles electronic structure calculations, pseudopotential theory and an analysis of the lattice periodicities and interatomic distances, we rationalize why the Ba phases with the common densely packed crystal structures become energetically unfavourable in comparison with the complex-structured Ba-IVc phase, and what the role of the well-known pressure-induced s-d electronic transfer is.     

Application of FTIR-HATR spectroscopy and multivariate analysis to the quantification of adulterants in Mexican honeys

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory was used to quantify three different adulterants (corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup and inverted sugar) in honeys of four different locations of México (Chiapas, Oaxaca, Estado de México and Morelos). The optimal calibrations for the three adulterants were developed with partial least squares (PLS). The developed models were validated with different independent data sets being the standard error of prediction (SEP) between 1.5 and 2.1 for corn syrup, 2.1–3.0 for high fructose corn syrup and 1.4–2.5 for inverted sugar, showing the applicability of these models to the detection and quantification of adulterants in honey bee. Classification of the Mexican honeys from the four different states was carried out with soft independent modeling class analogy giving 100% correct classification rate and no false positive results were obtained.     

Applications of argentation solid phase extraction to the capsaicinoids: Purification of commercial standards and isolation of homodihydrocapsaicin (8-methyl) from ‘Bhut Jolokia’

Argentation solid phase extraction was employed to purify commercial standards of capsaicin (6-ene-8-methyl) and dihydrocapsaicin (8-methyl). The purity was improved from 96.7% to 99.6% and from 89% to 96%, respectively, with 75% and 60% yield, respectively. Reversed phase solid phase extraction, argentation solid phase extraction, and preparative liquid chromatography with a C30 phase were used to isolate capsaicinoids from the fruits of ‘Bhut Jolokia’ peppers. The compounds capsaicin (6-ene-8-methyl) and dihydrocapsaicin (8-methyl) comprised 74% and 21% of the total mass of capsaicinoids, respectively. The remaining 5% of the capsaicinoids mass included the compounds: nordihydrocapsaicin (7-methyl), N-vanillylnonanamide, two homocapsaicin isomers, N-vanillyldecanamide, and two homodihydrocapsaicin isomers. All but one of these compounds were identified by comparison to known standards. The presence of homodihydrocapsaicin (8-methyl) was confirmed by its absorbance at 280 nm, electrospray ions at m/z 322 and m/z 137, elution just prior to homodihydrocapsaicin (9-methyl), and a carbon-13 NMR spectrum that matched predicted chemical shifts.     

The IETF Multiprotocol Label Switching Standard: The MPLS Transport Profile Case

Multiprocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a technology for traffic engineering for and the optimization of IP networks. It's also an enabling technology for building applications on top of IP networks. The IETF has standardized the MPLS protocol suite, as well as technologies — such as virtual private networks and pseudowires — that build on it. MPLS is a mature technology and is used extensively by all the major network operators. The IETF has also standardized a technology — Generalized MPLS — that extends the MPLS control plane for use with other data plane technologies.