Inexperienced Persons Research Articles

Locating and sizing park-ride lots with interactive computer graphs

Two alternative methods for conducting a preliminary analysis of the problem of locating and sizing park-ride lots for an urban bus transit system are examined. These alternative methods are tested using a large and complex street network representing the northern half of the City of Seattle, Washington. Four design criteria are identified and an overall measure of system performance is devised. The problem is to determine the size and location of three park-ride lots that will maximize the performance of the system. The first method utilizes a computing system called LOCATOR II in an interactive graphic mode. In an experimental setting, five students use LOCATOR II to locate three park-ride lots and their solutions are found to exhibit a very high average level of performance. The second method does not involve a direct interaction with the computing system but does use LOCATOR II in a batch mode. Several students participate in three rounds of the batch mode experiment and the performance of their designs is somewhat poorer than the designs found in the interactive graphics experiment. Overall, the experimental results show that relatively inexperienced persons can find a high performance design for a reasonably complex problem quickly and inexpensively. These designs can provide a good starting point for the detailed consideration of many of the other aspects of the problem of providing a high performance bus transit service in an urban area.

The San Francisco Bay Project Identification Manual Series: A New Approach to Invertebrate Keys

Light, W. J. (Department of Invertebrate Zoology, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Ca. 94118) 1976. The San Francisco Bay Project identification manual series: a new approach to invertebrate keys. Syst. Zool. 25:236-242.-A new approach to invertebrate taxonomic keys is presented in the form of identification manuals. Tlhese guides are written in a style useful for the professional systema.ic specialist, but at the same time allow the general biologist to easily and accurately identify invertebrates. The manuals incorporate the use of several distinct but complementary formats, enabling the user to approach identifications from different perspectives. Biramous pictorial keys of the type employed by the U. S. military forces for insect disease vectors during World War II offer inexperienced persons a vehicle for easy and accurate identifications of otherwise difficult and obscure groups. These are followed by the more traditional dichotomous keys which have been modified to include more detailed information than is possible with the pictorial keys. These, in turn, are followed by detailed keys which present complete diagnoses at a glance. Full descriptive material and illustrations are included, the latter also arranged in tabular form so that similar aspects of related taxa are presented together. Complete, illustrated glossaries are provided which include corresponding terms employed by otlher authors; the French and German equivalents are also given where appropriate. It is hoped that this approach will make the primary literature more accessible to the general reader. [Invertebrates; Keys.]

A Stud (Cartridge) Gun Suicide (A Case Report)

A case of fatal cartridge gun injury is reported. These guns are increasingly used in the building trade and their misuse by inexperienced persons may lead to fatalities. The possibility of their use in homicide must be borne in mind.

Penetrating Wounds of the Neck in Civilians

The management of penetrating neck wounds can be approached in a logical manner. The priorities in saving life are to ensure an airway and to maintain cardiocerebral perfusion. The initial evaluation and heroic life saving measure often rest upon the most inexperienced person, the house officer, who may be handicapped by the lack of experienced support personnel and sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic equipment required for total management of these most challenging problems. It is hoped that this presentation provides the necessary guidelines for meeting this challenge. The pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic measures are reviewed in the order in which they would be handled when the patient is brought to the emergency room, taken for special radiographic studies, and then subjected to surgical exploration. Special emphasis is placed upon diagnosis and management of traumatic arterial injuries, since these are the most challenging and most difficult to manage, as well as the most common causes of death following cervical penetrating wounds. Late vascular defects and associated injuries to the lymphatic, neural, airway, and foodway systems complete the discussion.

Analysis of the Cause of Auditory Errors in Pure Tone Threshold Value Tests

The condition which mostly affects the threshold value in the pure tone test is background noise. For that reason, comparison of the test results from various testing institutes is not reasonable. It is obvious, however, that there are differences which are not negligible among the test results even from examination rooms with less than 50dB A, which satisfy the condition advised by ISO for a quiet room. Therefore, we used several audiometers (ISO) of the same quality and they are calibrated at the same intervals, and we selected several experienced and inexperienced persons as examiner and examinee. The factors such as the pressure of the earphone, rotation speed of the attenuator and seriousness of the examiner and examinee were analysed to elucidate the cause of the errors appeared on audiograms.As the result, there was always an error of 2.88dB depending on the audiometerc equipments including the receiver, even though the strictly corrected audiometer was used. The other factors, while the individual one was small, contributed to increase the error approx. to 8.52dB when they were added, and even though the background noise was of the same level and tone, approx. 10dB difference, depending on the testing institute, could be existed.

Appraisal of visual landscape qualities in a region selected for accelerated growth

Wright, G., 1974. Appraisal of visual landscape qualities in a region selected for accelerated growth. Landscape Plann., 1: 307–327. It has become necessary to appraise visual landscape quality in a manner which is reliable and acceptable. Aesthetic quality is a value judgement based on an emotional response received from the landscape stimulus. To evaluate the response reliably involves testing of the results in some manner. To be acceptable, the opinions expressed must be replicated throughout the community, or the status of the persons giving the opinion must be acceptable. In this paper, the testing has been carried out, and a number of explicit and implicit assumptions are formulated to take some account o The measurement of landscape aesthetics is attempted using a quantitative technique for a region selected for accelerated growth in north-eastern Victoria, Australia. It is shown that a team of inexperienced persons can be trained to evaluate landscape in an internally consistent manner. The technique has advantages of being complementary to other modern methods of data analysis and storage. It is of assistance in the exposition of bias and difference in opinion which is necessary if landscape quality is to become a subject of serious study. Major limitations of the method are discussed in terms of the subjectivity (which is reduced but not eliminated), the untested assumptions that underlie the scoring, and the dubious mathematical logic involved. Some of the difficulties associated with the evaluation of landscape aesthetics are discussed.

A man-machine approach toward solving the traveling salesman problem

The traveling salesman problem, (form a circuit through N points with no subloops in such a way as to minimize the length of the circuit), is a close kin to many board wiring problems. It has been attacked by many mathematical methods with only meager results. Only for special forms of the problem or for problems with relatively few points can it be solved exactly even using very large amounts of computer time. Heuristic procedures have been proposed and tested with only slightly better results. This paper will describe a computer-aided heuristic technique which uses only a modest amount of computer time in real time to solve large (100-200) point problems. This technique takes advantage of both the computer's and the human's problem solving abilities. The computer is not asked to solve the problem in a brute force way as is the case in many of today's heuristics but it is asked to organize the data for the human in a fashion that allows the human to solve the problem easily.The techniques employed in this paper require that the computer and the human cooperate to find the solution to the problem in reasonable amounts of both of their times. The computer initially uses a series of heuristics that produce groups of points and some partial connections of these points. The human is asked to connect the points within the groups and then connect the groups in a manner that produces a circuit and appears to the human to maximize the ratio of enclosed area to perimeter. The computer takes this solution and uses another set of heuristics to make improvements. The solution is displayed to the human and if he is satisfied the procedure stops; if not the former procedure is repeated until the human is satisfied that cost for finding a better solution exceeds his estimate of the best possible improvement that could be obtained by further work. The heuristic procedures seek to group points around information obtained from solving a series of mathematical programming problems (assignment problems) and some observed correlations between these problems and the traveling salesman problem.The results are very good. The man-machine interaction solution for all problems in the literature is within one per cent of the solution for a fraction of the computer time. The experience to date indicates that the technique can be taught to inexperienced persons and their results, after training, are similar to those of the authors'.

Hazards from aerial spraying in cotton culture area of the Nile river.

Groups of unprotected persons selected because of their exposures to low-volume pesticide sprays resulting from their occupations or from their residing in treated areas were studied for evidence of poisoning. From survey of blood cholinesterase activity and urinary p-nitrophenol excretion, it was quite obvious that in spite of safety violations no critical poisoning occurred in working groups or residents. Only the groups with the highest potential exposure to pesticide mixture (mixing-plant personnel and ground applicators) showed a definite decrease in cholinesterase level during exposure. Results indicate that hazard from the agricultural use of the low-volume application of pesticide mixture by inexperienced persons under the conditions described is relatively low. However, these findings do not exclude the possibility that more toxic organic phosphorus compounds would constitute a danger if used under the same circumstances.

Electronic Circuit Analysis and Design by Driving-Point Impedance Techniques

By using driving point impedance (DPI) techniques a systematic approach to the analysis of electronic circuits can be developed which helps the engineer gain insight into circuit action. The answers, representing the circuit's currents, voltages, gains, and driving-point impedances, are written down by inspection of the original circuit diagram without resorting to equivalent circuits of flow graphs. The resulting answers are in a most simple form which can be easily interpreted by inexperienced persons since the relative magnitude of each factor is known. Thus, the student rapidly obtains a "feel" for electronic circuits. The method can also be used to complement a computer-aided circuit design and analysis. A tutorial treatment of the fundamental methods is presented and two examples are given. The simple example, which is complex by ordinary standards, has five input signals and three active elements; yet the output signal voltage is written out by inspection with each step explained. The second example, a two-stage transistor feedback amplifier, is used to demonstrate how the fundamental concepts are applied to complex feedback circuits. The gain, input impedance, and output impedance of the feedback amplifier are found and approximations are used to compare the answers to ordinary solutions given for such amplifiers. The answers obtained by DPI analysis methods are also compared to equivalent answers found by node analysis.

PAS(150): A digital analog simulator for biological research

Analysis of several models currently being studied indicates that the simulation of biological systems will place severe demands on current analog computing machinery. Digital simulation of these systems was investigated as an alternate to analog simulation and, as a result, a digital analog simulator for biological modeling, PAS(150), was designed. The simulator is written as a library of linked programs that allow the experimenter to use a small digital computer to run “on-line” simulation of biological systems much as one would use a conventional analog computer. In addition, ease of operation by inexperienced persons and provision for simple future modification are incorporated in the simulator design. The results of a study of a functional model of the circulatory system using PAS(150) are included to illustrate some of the features of operation.

Intuition and Relevance

The problem of the relevance of the analytical products of management science for the manager whose decision making is largely intuitive is discussed. A definition of intuitive behavior is proposed based on the willingness of the manager to use a particular verbalization of his decision process as a basis for delegating the decision to a particular recipient. The possibility of involving the manager in a series of experiments aimed at enhancing this willingness to delegate is suggested. Effective intuitive behavior is taken to be characteristic of both experienced managers and experienced scientists. Some hypotheses concerning the process of developing the intuitive abilities of inexperienced persons are raised.

Practical experience with routine use of field indicators.

Abstract Because field-type indicator tests are simple to use and readily available there is a risk that they may be applied improperly by inexperienced persons. Industrial hygienists can help insure that these devices are used properly and the results interpreted correctly. Information needed for the appropriate application of the tests to specific problems is discussed. Used correctly, this type of test is valuable for many applications including pre-entry vessel-testing, routine monitoring of inhalation exposure in work areas, emergency air sampling, personnel monitoring (indicator crayons), quality control testing, trouble shooting, leak testing, and technical development.

Instilling Secondary School Students with Enthusiasm and Respect for Manual Work and an Interest in Learning a Trade

Preparing secondary school students for work includes both teaching them the appropriate knowledge, skills and habits as wellas preparing them psychologically for their working life. An important aspect of the psychological preparation of secondary school students is teaching them to like and respect manual work, and also arousing their interest in the trade they are learning. A young and inexperienced person just starting out in life after graduation is apt to feel lost among the great variety of occupations and finds it hard to choose the vocation that is best suited to his abilities and is also important to society. A young person's first interest in a trade is often based on purely superficial factors, and after he or she comes to know it better, disillusionment sets in. On the other hand, a trade that at first held out no attractions may, on closer acquaintance, interest a young person for life.

J. Bracken Lee and the Public Service in Utah

IN THE EARLIEST study of turnover of state personnell Professor Martin L. Faust of the University of Missouri summarized the arguments against the spoils system. The spoils system entails heavy turnover in personnel which periodically results in the scrapping of all or nearly all accumulated experience. It places inexperienced and incompetent persons in responsible administrative positions. Since it is predicated upon rewards and favors, it introduces favoritism and partiality in the conduct of the public business and limits the access to the public service of young people of capacity and promise. The spoils system renders impossible continuity in administrative policy and destroys morale within the service. It leads to oligarchy and autocracy by helping bosses get control of the party machinery. Moreover, the prevalence of the spoils system in state government makes difficult effective federal-state co-operation and at the same time encourages the growth of bureaucracy at both levels. Therefore Dr. Faust advocated the merit system for Missouri. These arguments turn in considerable part on the assumption that heavy turnover occurs in non-merit positions. This assumption is borne out by Dr. Faust's statistics for Missouri for the years studied. It is commonly made for other states, but without supporting data. Hitherto no studies have been made of the experience of the eleven western states save for a recent investigation in Washington,a which unfortunately proved to be

A criticism of the concept of neurotic depression.

There appears to be a good deal of confusion in the literature as well as in psychiatric practice about depressive illness, which is a left-over from the era of descriptive psychiatry. Concepts of psychogenesis, endogeny, reactivity, neurosis, psychosis, and others had been introduced to clarify the issue through more specific characterization, however, without producing the desired result. Neither the course of the illness nor the therapeutic success of various procedures, nor the danger of suicide are consistently enough dependent on the factors mentioned to justify their continued use. The concept of considering a "neurotic" depressive reaction to be merely a milder condition than the psychotic variety only supports the view of those who look upon the differentiation of neurosis from psychosis as being superfluous and misleading. The danger of suicide is independent of the presence of overtly psychotic behavior and is likely to be overlooked by the inexperienced person who considers neurosis and suicide incompatible. Dynamic features in depressive illness do not show differentiating characteristics specific enough to permit the distinction between a neurotic and psychotic group. The apparently different response of various depressive reactions to electroshock therapy is more dependent on the relative prominence of depressive mood in the total picture than on the neurotic or psychotic nature of the condition. It is suggested that in evaluating depressive disorders more emphasis be put on suicidal dangers and problems of management rather than on adjectival characterization of "neurotic" or "psychotic."

A DEPENDABLE METHOD FOR CONSTANT INTRAVENOUS THERAPY IN INFANTS USING POLYETHYLENE TUBING

A technic for administration of fluids and blood intravenously to small infants during surgical procedures has been described. The success of the method depends upon the non-irritating qualities of a new plastic tubing, polyethylene, in which the whole blood shows delayed clotting. The method is dependable and easily employed, even by inexperienced persons. It has been found useful in over 90 major neurosurgical procedures and is of benefit in the administration of fluids during the postoperative period. Superficial phlebitis occasionally develops but in only one case did it develop when the tubing had been in place less than 24 hours, and in only four cases under 48 hours.

COMPARISON OF EFFICIENCY OF THE RAPID WHOLE BLOOD AGGLUTINATION TEST WITH THE SERUM AGGLUTINATION TEST FOR PULLORUM DISEASE

The results obtained with the rapid whole blood agglutination test for pullorum disease, applied in the field, agree closely with the results secured with the rapid serum agglutination test, applied in the laboratory.The accuracy of the diagnosis was found to depend upon the training and experience of the technician. When the whole blood agglutination test was applied by inexperienced persons, the results obtained differed from the laboratory test by 12% as compared with a difference of 1.3% when the whole blood agglutination test was applied by an experienced technician.The rapid whole blood agglutination test was found to lend itself very readily to practical application in the field. The extremely low cost makes feasible the application and repetition of the test on a large scale.Since it is known from previous work that one agglutination test will not eliminate all carriers of pullorum disease, the rapid whole blood agglutination test should be applied several times a year until at least two successive negative tests are obtained on each bird of the flock.

AN APPARATUS FOR THE INFUSION OF PHYSIOLOGIC SODIUM CHLORID SOLUTION

It is a usual experience to have a great deal of trouble in the common matter of the infusion of physiologic sodium chlorid solution. The gravity method in common use, an inverted flask with one glass tube to let the air in and a second to let the solution out, is subject to various accidents, particularly when an inexperienced person holds the flask. Not uncommonly the stopper comes out, spilling the contents over whatever is beneath, wasting time and perhaps sacrificing what chance there may be of benefit to the patient. Again, a long rubber tube is needed to give sufficient weight to the column of water for it to force itself into the tissues. This long tube is subject to leaks, loose connections and accidental jerks. Furthermore, two persons are needed, one to hold the flask and the other to use the needles. The flow is of necessity slow

Mental Examination of Police and Court Cases

The group of cases constituted by those individuals who fall under arrest is far more heterogeneous than the inexperienced person usually supposes. It includes, among others (1) persons of widely varying age, who, although physically and mentally normal, are victims of untoward circumstances; (2) individuals who are mentally deranged, temporarily or permanently, and who must be classified as psychopathic or definitely insane; (3) mental unfortunates, representing various sorts of defect-imbeciles, morons, the mentally ill-balanced; (4) victims of drugs, among whom those who have fallen prey to alcohol, morphine, hashish, are conspicuous; (5) wrecks, who, although mentally sound, are physically unable to shift for themselves and accidentally fall into the hands of officers of the law.

A Simple Chloroform Dropper.

Washington, D. C., Nov. 27, 1902. To the Editor: —To obtain a dropper which will drop and not flow in a small stream or fail to drop except by violent agitation, I have adopted the following plan: A piece of toothpick or a match stem is inserted between the cork and neck of the bottle, the rapidity of the flow being controlled by the tightness of the cork or the size of the splinter. The toothpick is then broken off close to the cork. It does not become occluded, and the number of drops each minute are about the same. It fills every requirement that the more expensive dropper does, and in some respects is far superior. Not infrequently we are compelled to intrust the anesthetic to an inexperienced person, and we have a little less concern if we know that the chloroform can be given drop by drop only,