Basic Ground Rules Research Articles

Fibromyalgia

Muscular rheumatism is a common experience, often seemingly related to unaccustomed exertion or injury. In most instances, the problem resolves in response to tincture of time and the judicious use of heat and analgesics. Despite the frequency of rheumatic pain, its precise pathophysiological basis is unknown. Since it is generally accepted that nonarticular musculoskeletal pain arises from tendons, bursae, and muscles, it would logically follow that a specific diagnosis would aid in subsequent treatment. Yet, it is not uncommon to see patients who have been symptomatic for years without their condition being correctly diagnosed. It is evident the basic ground rules for diagnosing this group of disorders are often poorly understood, and presumably poorly taught and underemphasized in medical education. In this issue ofThe Journal, Dr Goldenberg¹provides a timely review of the fibromyalgia syndrome. The term<i>fibromyalgia</i>has evolved from another with the same meaning, namely,<i>fibrositis</i>

SPECIALIZED TRAINING PROGRAMS—OIL SPILL SIMULATION EXERCISES AND A TANK TRUCK ROLLOVER TRAINING COURSE

ABSTRACT This paper assesses the general needs for training oil spill response teams and training in the safe handling of tank truck rollovers. Texas A&amp;M University's new oil spill simulation exercise and tank truck rollover training course provide examples of such training programs. Background information, curriculum design and development, course objectives and goals, and training techniques and equipment are reviewed. The steps in preparing an oil spill simulation exercise, examples of a general spill scenario and information cards, and the basic simulation format and ground rules are described. For the Tank Truck Rollover Training Course, special modifications were made to an MC-306 tank truck, and the hands-on training exercise emphasizes safety considerations and offloading procedures for handling rollover. Discussions of specialized equipment and training techniques for handling rollovers are enhanced by photographs. Adjustments to and adaptations of each program are discussed and future growth and expansion projected.

Techniques of persuasion: basic ground rules of British propaganda during the Second World War

(1981). Techniques of persuasion: basic ground rules of British propaganda during the Second World War. Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 57-66.

Worst-Case Analysis of Heuristic Algorithms

The increased focus on heuristics for the approximate solution of integer programs has led to more sophisticated analysis methods for studying their performance. This paper is concerned with the worst-case approach to the analysis of heuristic performance. A worst-case study establishes the maximum deviation from optimality that can occur when a specified heuristic is applied within a given problem class. This is an important piece of information that can be combined with empirical testing and other analyses to provide a more complete evaluation of a heuristic. In this paper the basic ground rules of worst-case analysis of heuristics are reviewed, and a large variety of the existing types of worst-case results are described in terms of the knapsack problem. A selected sample of results for four other problems is given. The paper concludes with a discussion of possibilities for further research.

Chess and the Computer

To the Editor.— Although I do not wish to belaborThe Journalwith a continuing chess dialogue, the inaccuracy of Dr Andrew Diosy's letter (240:1241, 1978) needs to be corrected. Chess master David Levy did not lose but rather beat the Northwestern University chess computer in their recent match (3 1/2 - 1 1/2) and won the wager of £1,250 ( Arizona Daily Star , Sept 7, 1978, p 2), now worth only $2,500. While properly imbued with the intangibles of medical practice, Dr Diosy has also been misled when he implies that winning at chess is purely a sterile, programmable achievement. After mastery of the basic ground rules (ie, the chess algorithm), the ultimate ingredients of chessical skill—imagination, originality, ingenuity, open-mindedness, and a creative grasp of strategy and tactics— are not easily computerized. In fact, these strong personality traits are inimical to medical algorithm enthusiasts, who delight in a certain rigidity of

The Coalitionary Process in Initiating Family Therapy

The observation and use of the coalitionary process constitute a substantial component of family therapy. Through monitoring this variable, the therapist can rationally establish basic ground rules, that is, lay down metacommunicational principles, that will frame and guide an effective course of treatment. In addition, as the coalitionary configuration in the course of family therapy replicates crucial family stereotypes, its careful analysis allows the calibration and refinement of therapeutic strategies.

A perspective on integrated electronics

Integrated-circuit technology may be expected to bring the price of complex electronic equipment within the sphere of industrial and consumer markets and, at the same time, make possible the development and use of significantly more powerful equipment, such as large computers, for military, government, and industrial applications. However, it is important to recognize that the basic ground rules of design are being drastically changed as is the internal structure of the ``classical'' businesses.

Second Paper: Failure-Survival Automatic Flight Control Systems for Aircraft with Particular Reference to a High Reliability Electrohydraulic Actuator

The author discusses some of the problems of failure-survival automatic flight control systems and suggests some basic ground rules as design criteria. The advantages and disadvantages of some of the main types of system are discussed: duplex, triplex, triple component, duplicate-monitored and quadruplex systems being covered. In particular, a quadruplex actuator is described which has been designed and developed mainly for automatic flight control system applications where a very high degrees of failure-survival capability is required. A detailed failure analysis of the various systems is carried out and the importance of the electrical and hydraulic supply system configurations and failure rates is brought out.

Future Component Parts for Mechanization

The author introduces Philco's TV middle-of-the-road philosophy for component parts. Basic ground rules are laid down, such as: machines must be simple and specialized; parts must be uniform and easy to handle. A considerable Philco experience with component insertion is indicated. It is pointed out that "universal" insertion machines are always more costly than specialized capital equipment. Component parts with a rectangular form factor and special leads are proposed, and the advantages of these parts are listed. The state-of-the-art is considered in order to assess the specific ease of conversion to such modular parts. Modular dimensions for multiple component parts are also suggested. It is emphasized that 60-40 solder coated--not solder plated--parts have always, in Philco's experience, surpassed all other types to some degree. Higher temperatures and shorter time cycles are recommended. The coordinate grid system is briefly discussed from the TV manufacturer's point of view. It is concluded that the industry has much to gain from a reliable mechanization program, and it is stressed that even the smallest detail is important when tooling for new parts. The rectangular component part is suggested as one solution to those conditions which have yet failed to yield reliable results to the machine de- signer.