A hybrid homogeneously weighted moving average control chart for process monitoring: Discussion

The sensitivity of a monitoring scheme depends on many factors including the variance of the charting statistic which is very important in the computation of the control limits. This paper discusses the computation of the variance of the recently proposed hybrid homogeneously weighted moving average (HHWMA) $\overline{X}$ scheme which was based on an incorrect assumption. The correct variance is used to evaluate the run-length characteristics of the HHWMA $\overline{X}$ scheme. It is observed that the incorrect variance has a significant impact on the sensitivity (or performance) of the HHWMA $\overline{X}$ scheme.     

Effects of upholstery materials on the burning behavior of real‐scale residential upholstered furniture mock‐ups

Fire spread and growth on real‐scale four cushion mock‐ups of residential upholstered furniture (RUF) were investigated with the goal of identifying whether changes in five classes of materials (barrier, flexible polyurethane foam, polyester fiber wrap, upholstery fabric, and sewing thread), referred to as factors, resulted in statistically significant changes in burning behavior. A fractional factorial experimental design plus practical considerations yielded a test matrix with 20 material combinations. Experiments were repeated a minimum of two times. Measurements included fire spread rates derived from video recordings and heat release rates (HRRs). A total of 13 experimental parameters (3 based on the videos and 10 on the HRR results), referred to as responses, characterized the measurements. Statistical analyses based on Main Effects Plots (main effects) and Block Plots (main effects and factor interactions) were used. The results showed that three of the factors resulted in statistically significant effects on varying numbers of the 13 responses. The Barrier and Fabric factors had the strongest main effects with roughly comparable magnitudes. Foam was statistically significant for fewer of the responses and its overall strength was weaker than for Barrier and Fabric. No statistically significant main effects were identified for Wrap or Thread. Multiple two‐term interactions between factors were identified as being statistically significant. The Barrier*Fabric interaction resulted in the highest number of and strongest statistically significant effects. The existence of two‐term interactions means that it will be necessary to consider their effects in approaches designed to predict the burning behavior of RUF.     

A model for evaluation and administration of security inobject-oriented databases

The integration of object-oriented programming concepts with databases is one of the most significant advances in the evolution of database systems. Many aspects of such a combination have been studied, but there are few models to provide security for this richly structured information. We develop an authorization model for object-oriented databases. This model consists of a set of policies, a structure for authorization rules, and algorithms to evaluate access requests against the authorization rules. User access policies are based on the concept of inherited authorization applied along the class structure hierarchy. We propose also a set of administrative policies that allow the control of user access and its decentralization. Finally, we study the effect of class structuring changes on authorization     

A new monitoring system for piping systems in fossil fired power plants

A CEC-funded project has been performed to tackle the problem of producing an advanced Life Monitoring System (LMS) which would calculate the creep and fatigue damage experienced by high temperature pipework components. Four areas were identified where existing Life Monitoring System technology could be improved:

1. 1. the inclusion of creep relaxation

2. 2. the inclusion of external loads on components

3. 3. a more accurate method of calculating thermal stresses due to temperature transients

4. 4. the inclusion of high cycle fatigue terms.

The creep relaxation problem was solved using stress reduction factors in an analytical in-elastic stress calculation. The stress reduction factors were produced for a number of common geometries and materials by means of non-linear finite element analysis. External loads were catered for by producing influence coefficients from in-elastic analysis of the particular piping system and using them to calculate bending moments at critical positions on the pipework from load and displacement measurements made at the convenient points at the pipework. The thermal stress problem was solved by producing a completely new solution based on Green's Function and Fast Fourier transforms. This allowed the thermal stress in a complex component to be calculated from simple non-intrusive thermocouple measurements made on the outside of the component. The high-cycle fatigue problem was dealt with precalculating the fatigue damage associated with standard transients and adding this damage to cumulative total when a transient occurred.

The site testing provided good practical experience and showed up problems which would not otherwise have been detected.     

Thermodynamic modeling of native point defects and dopants of GaN semiconductors

A thermodynamic modeling of GaN was carried out to describe the thermodynamic behavior of native defects, dopants, and carriers (free electrons and holes) in GaN semiconductors. The compound energy model (CEM) was used. An unintentionally doped GaN was taken as an example. Oxygen was introduced into the model as the unintentionally doped impurity, according to the practical experimental phenomena. The energies of component compounds in the model were defined based on the results of the ab initio calculations and adjusted to fit experimental data. The thermodynamic properties of the defects and the oxygen doped were calculated to show the facility of the model.     

Process issues in treatment: Application to sexual offender programs.

How critical is the therapeutic alliance in the treatment of sexual offenders? To date such process issues have been neglected in the field of sex offender treatment. This article reviews the literature on the influence on behavior change of therapist features, clients' perceptions, and the therapeutic alliance. Among the many therapist features identified as helpful are empathy, warmth, and being directive and rewarding. Therapists who are aggressively confrontational appear not to foster beneficial changes in their clients. These issues are directly related to treatment issues faced by therapists who work with sexual offenders, such as dealing with cognitive distortions, lack of empathy, and lack of motivation to change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Treatment of the sequelae of enucleation by septal chondro-mucosal composite graft. Report of 21 cases]

Enucleation frequently and progressively causes an enophtalmus and atrophia of the inferior eyelid, thereby leading to a height deficiency. Buccal mucous grafts give rise to phenomena such as secondary retraction. This may have complex and painful post-operative outcomes. However, when a septal chondromucous graft is performed, the height in the inferior palpebral part becomes more aesthetic, more retentive and quickly allows the wearing of a more voluminous prosthesis. Thus, the notinable enophtalmus can be corrected and the aesthetic quality of the looking is substantially restored. The authors report this surgical procedure and the results obtained with 21 patients which appear to be particularly promising.     

Immigrants' adaptation in Canada: Assimilation, acculturation, and orthogonal cultural identification.

Reviews the predominant models developed by researchers to assess the psychological adaptation of immigrants in the host society. The use of the terms assimilation and acculturation to reflect the process of change undergone by immigrants is discussed. Although these terms have been used interchangeably, the outcome of change is very different in each. The difference between assimilation and acculturation is reflected in the models of adaptation regrouped under linear and bidimensional models. A 3rd model, called orthogonal cultural identification, is presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)