Afterburner [network-independent card for protocols]

Many current implementations of protocols such as the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) are inefficient because data are often accessed more frequently than necessary. Three techniques that reduce the need for memory bandwidth are proposed. The techniques are copy-on-write, page remapping, and single-copy. Afterburner, a network-independent card that provides the services that are necessary for a single-copy protocol stack, is described. The card has 1 MByte of local buffers and provides a simple interface to a variety of network link adapters, including HIPPI and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM). Afterburner can support transfers to and from the link adapter card at rates up to 1 Gbit/s. An implementation of TCP/IP that uses the features provided by Afterburner to reduce the movement of data to a single copy is discussed. Measurements of the end-to-end performance of Afterburner and the single-copy implementation of TCP/IP are presented     

StoryGrid [educational computing]

The StoryGrid project undertook studying the role new interface technologies might play in education, particularly at the high school level. Unfortunately, technology often seizes center stage in high school classrooms; i.e., it becomes the topic of instruction. We believe that learning about technology would be most successful when technology is not the topic, but simply a tool used during instruction. StoryGrid, therefore, was designed to support and to enhance existing narrative activity in classrooms by adhering to the following goals: trigger reflection and interpretation, accommodate individual expression and encourage student discourse.     

Model-based autonomy in deep space missions

The article discusses trade-offs involved in current-generation autonomy systems for deep-space applications and describes emerging research that will let future spacecraft operate unattended for significant periods of time, synthesizing control decisions in response to both planned and unplanned events.     

Deceleration of a porous rotating disk in a viscous fluid

The flow due to a rotating disk decelerating with an angular velocity inversely proportional to time with either surface suction (or injection) which again varies with time is investigated. The unsteady Navier-Stokes equations are transformed to non-linear ordinary differential equations using similarity transformations. The resulting equations are solved numerically using a globally convergent homotopy method. The flow depends on two non-dimensional parameters, namely an unsteadiness parameter $\text{S}$ and a suction (or injection) parameter $\text{A}$. Some interesting numerical results are presented graphically and discussed.     

Sex typing and androgyny: further explorations of the expressive domain

Previous research by Bem has indicated that androgynous individuals of both sexes display "masculine" independence when under pressure to conform as well as "feminine" nurturance when interacting with a kitten. In contrast, sex-typed individuals were low in one or both of these behaviors. The two studies reported here were designed to replicate the low nurturance of the masculine male and to clarify the unexpected finding that feminine females were low in both independence and nurturance. In the first study subjects interacted with a human infant, and in the second study they listened to a lonely student. Taken together, the results of these two studies conceptually replicated the low nurturance of the masculine male and demonstrated that the low nurturance of the feminine female does not extend to her interaction with humans. Finally, evidence was presented in support of Spence, Helmreich, and Stapp's distinction between "androgynous" individuals, who are high in both masculinity and feminity, and "undifferentiated" individuals, who are low in both of these characteristics.     

Phase equilibria in the Au–In–Sn ternary system

Phase equilibria of the Au–In–Sn system have been investigated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), metallographic examination, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) measurements. The 130 ^°C isothermal section of the phase diagram was studied. The ternary diagram shows six three-phase fields, and one ternary Au₄In₃Sn₃ phase, which melts incongruently at 382 ^°C and shows a homogeneity range between 21 and about 30 at.% In, at constant Au/Sn ratio.