Behavior analysis in intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have deficits in adaptive behavior, slow rates of learning, and behavior disorders that interfere with learning or place them or others at risk. Since the 1960s, researchers and clinicians in the field of applied behavior analysis have used methods based on principles of learning to increase adaptive behavior and decrease the occurrence of behavior disorders of individuals with IDD. This article provides an overview of assessment and treatment strategies used in behavior analysis to effect positive changes in the quality of life for individuals with IDD and presents an illustrative case study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Can land use regulations and taxes help mitigate vehicular CO2 emissions? An empirical study of Japanese cities

This study advocates a multi-dimensional urban planning strategy to help combat climate change under local—and not national—policies. However, the literature does not provide adequate guidance to local governments seeking to enhance urbanization and in turn reduce vehicular carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. Therefore, this study sheds light on the effects of the following four urban planning instruments on vehicular CO₂ emissions: urbanization promoting areas, urbanization control areas, urban planning taxes and property taxes. Using Japanese city-level data from 1990 to 2010, we find that the two urbanization area planning instruments and the urban planning taxes help lower emissions by increasing population density in low-density cities and that property taxes help reduce emissions in high-density cities. However, the increased population density associated with these instruments can lead to other negative outcomes, including increased traffic accidents, increased crime and a decrease in the facility condition index. City governments should consider complementary policies to mitigate such negative outcomes when employing planning instruments aiming to increase population density.     

A New Slip Frequncy Detector of an Induction Motor Utilizing Rotor Slot Harmonics

A method to detect slip frequency from rotor slot harmonics of a three-phase squirrel-cage induction motor is proposed. The rotor slot harmonic voltage Is obtained by summing the three phase voltages, and after being sampled with a multiple of the stator frequency, it is changed into slip frequency waves, from which a voltage proportional to the slip frequency is obtained. Sophisticated sampling techniques allow elimination of the third harmonic voltage induced in the sum of the three-phase voltages and also allow reduction of time constant of the slip frequency detector. Expenmental results show that the slip frequency detector has a good linearity in the range of slip frequency of about -50 to +30 percent of the stator frequency.     

Guided-mode resonant grating filter with an antireflection structured surface

We describe a new structure of guided-mode resonant grating (GMRG) filters with low sideband reflectance. This GMRG filter consists of a high-index thin film on an antireflective structured surface called "moth-eye structure." Since the high-index film undulates along the surface structure, the film acts as a modulated optical waveguide. An incident light wave satisfying a resonant condition is reflected by the GMRG filter, and nonresonant light waves pass through the filter. This GMRG filter is valid for reducing reflection of nonresonant light waves in a wide spectral range. The resonant reflection of this new filter was investigated by numerical calculation based on an electromagnetic grating analysis. In the case of a triangular antireflective surface structure whose thickness is 2x greater than its period, the sideband reflectance for nonresonant light waves was lower than 0.5% for TM-polarized light in a wide range of wavelengths.     

Surface‐discharge electrode design methods for ACPDPs

Abstract— In order to lower development costs and to shorten development time, small panels, under 10‐in on the diagonal, are used for the experiments to improve the luminous efficiency of plasma‐display panels. However, it is difficult to show the same results as those of large panels, over 40 in. on the diagonal. In this paper, first, we show that the luminous efficiency and the voltage margin of mini‐panels are not obtained with large panels by using an actual 46‐in. PDP. The reason is that the resistance in the large panels is larger than that in the mini panels and the voltage drop in the large panels are larger than in mini‐panels. Therefore, we conclude that the bus electrode width and the transparent electrode width are important factors in the design of large PDPs. Next, we show the technique of designing large panels by using a database obtained from mini‐panels. The estimated cell‐design results show good agreement with an actual 46‐in. PDP in luminous efficiency and minimum sustain voltage. We show that a desired large PDP can be obtained by using the cell design proposed in the present paper.     

Simulation of a zero-dispersion filter monochromator for image-spectroscopic measurements

I propose a novel filter monochromator for image spectroscopic measurements. An aberration-corrected double monochromator that I reported on previously [Appl. Opt. 36, 7114-7118 (1997)] is modified for use in a zero-dispersion mode. An incident image on the entrance aperture is focused onto an imaging detector attached on the exit focal plane with a spectral bandwidth determined by the width of the intermediate slit. Unlike a conventional interference filter, the spectral bandwidth and its center wavelength are determined arbitrarily while both a low stray-light level and the sharp cutoff characteristics of the wavelength are maintained. To demonstrate the real capabilities, ray-tracing simulations are carried out. I also discuss the problem of wavelength purity in the spectroscopic image.     

Small polypoid lesions of the gallbladder: differential diagnosis and surgical indications by helical computed tomography

We report the case of a 16-year-old girl who experienced sudden cardiac arrest from ventricular fibrillation, complicating an arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, a rare heart muscle disorder, occurring typically in young adults, characterized by a fibrofatty replacement of the right ventricular myocardium. Symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias are frequent, and sudden death has been reported. In our case, diagnosis of arrhythmogenic dysplasia was based on the association of one major criterion and two minor criteria as suggested by the relevant task force. In contrast with most other reports, the chest ECG did not display the typical features. An automatic transvenous pectoral cardioverter-defibrillator was implanted. The authors emphasise that juvenile forms are more exposed to ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death, and consequently require the early detection of the disease. Family cases have been described and the occurrence in one individual must lead to investigations in the relatives.     

Improvements in finite-element simulation for stamping and application to the forming of laser-welded blanks

During stamping-die design, the formability in sheet-metal forming process has been evaluated by the geometrical functions in ‘Die-Face CAD’, which has been developed and improved by Toyota Motor Corporation. When evaluation by these functions is difficult, formability has been estimated by performing experiments using test dies in which the forming defects are similar to those in the actual process.

A numerical method has been developed in order to substitute numerical analysis for experiments using test dies for the accurate prediction of defects in sheet-metal forming. The elastic-plastic FEM with the commercial code ‘JNIKE3D’ has been improved in the areas of: (1) the material constitutive equation; (2) the consideration of the pressure distribution on the blank-holder; and (3) the evaluation of breakage initiation. Using the improved method, the square-cup drawing process and the hemming process have been analyzed. Numerical results for strain, breakage initiation, and hemming deflection were in good agreement with experimental results. The formability of laser-welded blanks and the most efficient process to form them were evaluated also using the improved method.     

Input system for part model in CAD from coloured hand-written illustration with use of ITV

An input system for CAD is developed to construct a part model within a computer from a hand-written sketch. The sketch is drawn based on the technical illustration method. The shape of the input part is constructed by the combination of cuboids and cylinders at present. A coloured illustration is adopted for the ease of the shape recognition and for the input of the technological information.

The illustration is fed into the computer via a black and white ITV. Colours are identified referring to the brightness of the input image. The constitutive bodies, the geometric element with the technological information and the content of the technological information are recognized through image processing such as noise filtering, thinning of the contours, detection of lines and so on. The input system outputs a set of commands to the modelling system. The integrated part model which includes not only the geometrical information but also the technological information of the part is constructed by the connected modelling system CIMS/MODE.

The combination of the input system and the modelling system can support the designer to construct the detailed part model within the computer effectively. It is expected to extend the ability of the input system to identify general hand-written illustrations so that the input method will be more practical and useful.     

Printed Low Velocity Delay Lines for Cathode Readout of Proportional Chambers

A new type of flat delay line was developed which has a low propagation velocity and very good delay to rise time ratio. It can be constructed by printed circuit techniques without crossovers. The magnetic loops of a shifted periodic structure yield high inductance per unit length. Geometric scaling factors are shown. This line, forming the cathode plane of a proportional chamber, allows simultaneously, a satisfactory induced signal and the readout of the second coordinate by time delay without disturbing the electric field configuration around the anode. Optimization of position resolution vs. noise is discussed. Experimental results are shown. Other properties of such delay lines are discussed.