Assignment Criteria Research Articles

The Universality of the Fundamental Plane of E and S0 Galaxies: Sample Definition and [ITAL]I[/ITAL]-Band Photometric Data

As part of a project to compare the fundamental plane and Tully-Fisher distance scales, we present here I-band CCD photometry for 636 early-type galaxies in eight clusters and groups of galaxies. These are the A262, A1367, Coma (A1656), A2634, Cancer and Pegasus Clusters, and the NGC 383 and NGC 507 Groups. Sample selection, cluster properties, and cluster membership assignment criteria are discussed. We present photometric parameters that are used in the fundamental plane relation, the effective radius re, and the effective surface brightness μe, as derived from a r1/4 fit to the observed radial photometric profile of each galaxy. A comparison with similar data found in the literature for the Coma Cluster shows that large systematic uncertainties can be introduced in the measurement of re and μe by the particular method used to derive those parameters. However, the particular combination of these two parameters that enters in the fundamental plane relation is a quantity that can be measured with high accuracy.

Development of a Knowledge-Based Formula to Prioritize Pavement Rehabilitation Projects

The development of a formula to prioritize pavement rehabilitation projects based on experts’ opinion is presented. This formula is used for the preparation of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) 5 yr pavement preservation program. The knowledge to determine the prioritization formula and treatment assignment criteria was captured from a group of experts using a survey design based on the rational factorial methodology. The survey questionnaire provided a set of pavement sections with different characteristics and asked the experts to indicate which sections should receive a rehabilitation treatment, what type of treatment they would recommend for each section, and which priority should be assigned to the resulting preservation project. Eight pavement characteristics (functional classification, geographical region, structural number, traffic, pavement rideability, cracking, rutting, and average maintenance cost for the past 3 yr) were identified as influence variables. A fractional factorial experiment design with four blocks was selected for the study. A questionnaire with a different set of pavement sections was prepared for each experimental block. The questionnaires were sent to pavement experts from ADOT headquarters and maintenance districts. The responses were analyzed, using linear regression analysis, to select the best models for the priority and treatment selection equations. The study showed that the rational factorial methodology is a powerful tool for capturing and quantifying expert opinions. The average opinion of the experts surveyed indicated that rutting, functional classification, roughness, cracking, traffic, and maintenance cost significantly influence the priority assigned to a preservation project. The treatment assignment model was less reliable; a larger panel of experts would be required to obtain a reliable model.

A GSPN based methodology for the evaluation of concurrent applications in distributed plant automation systems

Abstract This work is part of an investigation aiming at setting up a methodology based on Generalized Stochastic Petri Nets (GSPN) to model and to evaluate concurrent applications regarding their target parallel and distributed architectures. Experimentation concerning real case studies pointed out the need to deepen and to integrate some specific steps of model construction and analysis: (1) the choice of a suitable abstraction level in the modular modelling technique; (2) the adoption of proper parameter assignment criteria; and (3) the congruent definition of a set of quantification indices, covering the basic metrics of parallel computing, suitable to characterize an application in terms of its performance and to support its mapping over a parallel architecture.

Policing Team Production Through Job Design

This article is concerned with job design, that is, the grouping of tasks into jobs, in teams of risk-neutral homogeneous agents. It shows that when only some tasks are observable by the agents or monitorable by the principal, job design can restrict the set of sequential equilibria to the Pareto optimal one, by making incomplete information from the agents or the principal effective in overcoming coordination failures and conflict among coworkers. Job design is shown to be a constituent part of the overall incentive system, just as efficient compensation rules are. Some criteria for optimal task assignment are derived. Copyright 1996 by Oxford University Press.

Autoimmunity in chagas disease cardiomyopathy: Fulfilling the criteria at last?

Here, Jorge Kalil and Edécio Cunha-Neto review the recent evidence for autoimmunity in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) involving molecularly defined antigens and immunopathological mechanisms. They also discuss the criteria for assignment of CCC as an organ-specific autoimmune disease.

Characteristics of Individuals on The Precontemplation. Contemplation and Preparation Stages of Change

LEARNING OUTCOME: To compare individuals self-staged in the precontemplation (PC), contemplation (C), and preparation (P) stages of change to individuals who staged themselves into action and maintenance but did not meet the behavioral criterion for assignment to these post-action stages of change.This survey was administered to a proactively recruited random sample of 4S1 adults (age=41±13.8 years) living in Massachusetts. Participants completed a phone interview that included a series of algorithms and scales designed to measure Transtheoretical Model constructs, and a mailed self-administered NCI/Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. Subjects were predominately female (62%), married (58%) and employed outside the home (63%). Based on their responses to the staging algorithms, subjects were divided into two groups: those who were in the PC, C and P stages of change based on intentions to avoid high fat foods (I, n=223), and those who believed they were avoiding high fat foods but did not meet the behavioral criterion of less than 30% energy as fat (R, n=91). Subjects in the R group were reassigned to PC, C or P based on intention to reduce dietary fat below their current intake. Mean percent energy from fat was lower among those in the R group (33.7%±9.0)) than those in the I group (36.6%±5.1), t(281)=3.6, p<.001. A 2×3 multivariate analysis of variance was performed on four dependent variables (DVs): percent energy as fat, temptation to eat high fat foods, and the pros and cons of adopting lower fat eating habits. Results indicated that the DVs were significantly affected by both group (I or R) F(4,371) = 4.11, p< 005, and stage of change (PC, C or P), F(4,386) = 6.41, p<.005. Post hoc analysis (Bonferroni adjustment) indicated the cons of change (barriers) were lower among those who had been reassigned to PC than to those who were initially staged in PC, t(213)=3.12, p<.005. Both the cons of change and temptation were lower among those reassigned to P than among those initially staged in P (cons: t(81) =2.94, p<005: temptation: t(80)=4.65, p<-005). Analysis of variance indicated that the pros of change were higher among those in P and C than among those in PC. The cons were more important to those in C than to those in PC, and temptation was higher among those in C and P than among those in PC. This research reinforces the need for stage specific interventions, and emphasizes the need for individual tailoring within stage of change.

The liability problem in modern environmental statutes

This article mainly focuses on modern statutes and drafts concerning civil liability for environmental harm. A first part is dedicated to an historical summary of the circumstances which gave birth to the problems concerning the various criteria for assignment of liability; in a second part the laws and the projects that are most representative and pertinent for this inquiry are examined. The article is at the same time an effort to combine the historical-comparative approach with that elaborated by the economic analysis of law.

On the persistency of crater assignment criteria for Stromboli explosion-quakes

On the basis of the results of previous works by our group, this paper aims to investigate the correlation between features of a kind of seismic events recorded at Stromboli (the so called explosion-quakes) and the source of such explosions, i.e. the different craters. The purpose is that of finding parameters in order to try an automatic assignment of new events to their crater of origin. These parameters must be searched for both in time and in frequency domain. Afterwards the stability in time of the discrimination is discussed. An important « side effect» of this analysis is the discovery that the percentage of summital explosions not producing seismic signals recordable by a 2 s seismometer is not negligible.

Lattice vibrations in compounds crystallising with the baryte structure

The observation that the baryte structure [Pnma(D162h)] results from a distortion of a structure with lower unit cell occupancy [Imma(D282h)] provides, for compounds crystallising with this lattice, a symmetry-based model for the assignment of the lattice vibrations at k= 0 in which relative band intensities are used as assignment criteria.

Uniform approach to risk classification and treatment assignment for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

To define more uniform criteria for risk-based treatment assignment for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored a workshop in September 1993. Participants included representatives from the Childrens Cancer Group (CCG), Pediatric Oncology Group (POG), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), St Jude Children's Research Hospital (SJCRH), and the CTEP. Workshop participants presented and reviewed data from ALL clinical trials, using weighted averages to combine outcome data from different groups. For patients with B-precursor (ie, non-T, non-B) ALL, the standard-risk category (4-year event-free survival [EFS] rate, approximately 80%) will include patients 1 to 9 years of age with a WBC count at diagnosis less than 50,000/microL. The remaining patients will be classified as having high-risk ALL (4-year EFS rate, approximately 65%). For patients with T-cell ALL, different treatment strategies have yielded different conclusions concerning the prognostic significance of T-cell immunophenotype. Therefore, some groups/institutions will classify patients with T-cell ALL as high risk, while others will assign risk for patients with T-cell ALL based on the uniform age/WBC count criteria. Workshop participants agreed that the risk category of a patient may be modified by prognostic factors in addition to age and WBC count criteria, and that a common set of prognostic factors should be uniformly obtained, including DNA index (DI), cytogenetics, early response to treatment (eg, day-14 bone marrow), immunophenotype, and CNS status. The more uniform approach to risk-based treatment assignment and to collection of specific prognostic factors should increase the efficiency of future ALL clinical research.

Criteria of the Spin Assignment of Rotational Band

Based on the very general properties of the rotational band of axially symmetric nucleus, some rules of the I variation of the kinematic and dynamic moments of inertia are obtained, which may serve as the effective criteria of the spin assignment of rotational band. Extensive analysis of large amount of rotational bands (below bandcrossing) of normally deformed even-even nuclei whose spins were established shows that these rules do hold without exception. The spins of the yrast superdeformed bands of even-even nuclei in the actinide region (fission isomeric bands), and in the , 150 regions are analyzed also. The spin of the lowest observed level of the yrast superdeformed band in is determined to be , rather than or 24.

End-of-life decisions for surgical neonates: Experience in The Netherlands and United States

Purpose: To characterize end-of-life decisions for surgical neonates and compare similarities and differences in practice between pediatric surgeons in The Netherlands and the United States. Methods: The authors evaluated the deaths of all neonates admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) of two major children's hospitals: Sophia Children's Hospital (SCH) in The Netherlands and Columbus Children's Hospital (CCH) in the United States. Between January 1990 and July 1993, neonatal SICU admissions totaled 362 (SCH) and 125 (CCH). Neonates who died were classified as follows: group 1 = poor prognosis, expected death, and group 2 = good prognosis, expected survival. Results: The mortality rates were comparable for each SICU: 12% (SCH) and 14% (CCH). The average survival period was shorter in group 1 (1.5 days) than in group 2 (26.5 days). Criteria for assignment to group 1 differed, with “expected poor quality of life” used at SCH, and “futility” at CCH. Criteria for group 2 were similar and included significant postoperative complications. Although the percentages with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status were comparable (SCH, 51%; CCH, 55%), the application of the DNR order differed in each SICU. The majority of neonates at SCH had either withholding or withdrawal of life support, whereas no further escalation in treatment was offered for infants with a DNR order at CCH. The average survival period after the DNR order was 4 days at SCH and 7 days at CCH. Conclusion: DNR orders were used for more than half the surgical neonates with critical illness. Criteria for DNR status and implementation of patient care after the DNR order differed between the SICUs.

Risk Taking on Gender-Typed Tasks Following an Assignment Based on Sex

Abstract Ninety traditional-aged Caucasian college students (44 men and 46 women) were assigned to be group leaders according to either ambiguous or gender-based criteria. They were then presented with two dilemmas that had been prerated as masculine or feminine by a separate sample (N 87) and were asked to judge their willingness to pursue a risky decision. Women made more cautious decisions following a leadership assignment based on gender than they did on an assignment based on ambiguous criteria. However, this occurred only when the task was gender typed as masculine. A gender-based assignment had no effect on risk taking by women attempting a task gender typed as feminine. Although men were more cautious at feminine tasks than at masculine tasks, the type of assignment criterion did not alter their risk-taking judgment.

Exact pole assignment with regularity by output feedback in descriptor systems—Part 2

We conclude our investigation (started in Part 1: Goodwin and Fletcher ) of the problem of pole assignment by real output feedback in descriptor systems. Sufficient conditions are given for the existence of a real feedback matrix which exactly assigns an almost arbitrary set of r (the number of semi-state variables of the system) distinct numbers to the closed-loop generalized eigenspectrum of the system. It is further shown that where exact assignment may not be possible we can at least approximately assign the set. This agrees with work of other authors (see, for example, Ailon 1991). The sufficient conditions combine with results from Part 1 to give criteria for pole assignment. Furthermore, the inductive nature of the proof in this paper (and also in Part 1) gives rise to an algorithm for calculating the desired feedback when it exists.

Dispatching Optimisation by On-Line PLC Control Applied to a Ship Distribution Network

This paper illusutrates the main results of a researching project concerned with the optimisation task in supplying the electric power demand or dispatching, controlled for the complete distribution network (referred to a ship diesel power plant) where the production criteria for power assignment in load sharing task is economic, that is, minimisation of the amount of fuel to satisfy power demand. The contribution is based in the optimal assignment for each reference value in each every unit under any given power demand, with restrictions such that parameter variations that affect the cost function, that is the especific price of energy is varying according fuel caracteristics and its manipulation issues. With the proposed strategy, efficiency is achieved without economic cost by implementing the proposed algorithm on a PLC.

Al-O infrared vibrational frequencies of γ-alumina

The γ- Al 2 O 3 structure was considered as a hydrogen spinel and the complex Al-O infrared absorption band between 1100 and 350 cm −1 was interpreted under the criteria for the band assignment of the spinels. Additionally, a deconvolution analysis of this band was made. The collection of virtual bands obtained suggests that a complement band assignment to the spinel criteria may be done.

Soldiers and Marines at Chosin Reservoir: Criteria for Assignment to Combat Command

In Korea in 1950 all of the commanders of the U.S. Marine Division and its regiments had commanded units in combat during World War II, but 79% of the commanders of U.S. Army divisions and regiments had no such experience. Both Marine and Army personnel in the Chosin Reservoir campaign up through the rank of major had combat experience and performed creditably. The experienced senior Marine commanders extricated all of their men and most of their equipment from Chosin. The Army force had inexperienced commanders at battalion, regiment, and division. It lost all of its equipment and almost half of its men. Army command selection boards in the past decade have sought to emphasize troop experience, but frequently officers with little knowledge of field operations are selected. The rapid deployment concept requires commanders who know what to do on the first day. The Army can no longer afford career equity as a consideration in selecting officers for command.

School Differences in Tracking Effects on Achievement

This article examines whether tracking students for instruction can have a differential effect on student achievement across schools. Two mechanisms are posited for possible school effects: (1) schlool differences in the determinants of track placement and (2) school variance in the opportunities for learning presented to students by track. I argue that track placement is influenced by characteristics of a school's track structure, by assignment criteria, by theflexibility of track membership, and by a school's scheduling priorities. Differential growth in achievement within track level across schools is explained by school differences in track size and homogeneity, in the quantity and quality of instruction within track, and in the determinants of academic achievement. Longitudinal data from two cohorts of more than 4,000 students provide empirical evidence of school differences in tracking practices and tracking effects on learning. Policy implications of the results for the school choice debate and for organizational and pedagogical practice are discussed. Tracking, or the assignment of students to instructional groups by ability, is a common educational practice in American secondary schools. Most high schools track students for English and mathematics instruction, and many schools track for instruction in other academic subjects as well. In the past, comprehensive high schools generally had a three-track structure, designated as the academic, general, and vocational tracks. More recently, track designations are associated with course levels. A typical tracking structure today consists of advanced placement, honors, regular, and basic level courses. Larger schools may have more course levels while smaller schools may lack advanced placement courses

Chapter 10 The Topography of Violence in College Men:

This chapter (a) summarizes previous studies on the epidemiology of sexually aggressive and physically aggressive behavior directed against women by college men; (b) provides additional data regarding the topography of violent behavior, e.g., what is its form and quality; and (c) estimates the degree of comorbidity between these two forms of violence. Specifically, are men who physically aggress against women more or less likely to aggress sexually against women and is there a distinct group who are both physically and sexually aggressive toward women? Subjects were 261 male college students who completed a comprehensive questionnaire assessing their involvement in sexually and physically aggressive conduct. Forty-seven percent (n=124) of the sample did not meet the criteria for assignment to either the sexually or physically aggressive group. Twenty-five percent (n=65) and eleven percent (n=28 of the sample met the criteria for assignment to the sexually of physically aggressive group, respectively. Seve...

Fine structure analyses of the Drosophila and Saccharomyces heat shock factor--heat shock element interactions.

Heat shock genes are activated by the binding of the heat shock transcription factor (HSF) to heat shock elements (HSEs), consisting of arrays of the 5-bp unit NGAAN arranged as inverted repeats. Here, we have investigated the interaction of the 5-bp unit with HSFs of Drosophila and Saccharomyces. Mutations within the conserved, central trinucleotide GAA reduce the relative binding affinity of both HSFs. In addition, the base at position 1 (N1) also influences binding, with a strong preference for an A at this position. Methylation interference initially indicated that HSF contacts A1 in the minor groove, but interacts with the immediately adjacent base G2 in the major groove. Further characterization of this apparently abrupt minor to major groove transition by substitution of A1 with an inosine, shows that HSF contacts A1 in the major groove. We offer an explanation for this apparent contradiction and propose that HSF recognizes the HSE primarily through contacts within the major groove of the DNA helix. Finally, based on these observations and a re-evaluation of the base frequencies and criteria for consensus sequence assignment, we propose that the sequence AGAAN more accurately represents the consensus HSE motif.