INTEGER analysis of two-dimensional polygonal objects

A consistent modelling scheme for digital images is presented, with the grey-level raster image as input and the list-oriented polygonal image as output. The output information consists of two parts: The metric of the polygonal object, represented by coordinates of marked positions, and the global topology, which takes the form of a two-dimensional topologic order. The central problem, which has to be solved, is to select a digital polygon, approximating a digital arc such that the essential feature of the arc is represented at a predefined precision level. The proposed algorithm uses simple incremental calculations of INTEGER quantities to solve the problem.     

Gratis lattice points for multidimensional integration

The computation of optimal coefficients for higher dimensionss and larger modulesN by means of the methods known hitherto leads to practically insurmountable problems regarding the computing time needed. In this note we give a method for computing “useful coefficients”, where the computation of these coefficients is immediate and where the computing time is practically negligible for anys andN. Whereas the theoretical efficiency of those “useful coefficients” is roughly speaking half the efficiency of the best possible coefficients, all practical tests indicate that our methods lead to optimal performance as well. A series of computational comparisons between the “useful coefficients” and the optimal ones is enclosed.     

On the deformation of circular cylindrical rubber bars under axial thrust

Summary The axisymmetric bulging of circular cylindrical rubber bars under end thrust is investigated. The results for different forms of the strain energy function are compared with experimental results.With 2 Figures     

Mitogenic effect of erythropoietin on cultured aortic myocytes

The administration of recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEpo) to anemic chronic renal failure patients may be associated with an increase in blood pressure, possibly by direct effects on peripheral blood vessels. In the present study, experiments were designed to explore the hypothesis that rHuEpo could enhance vascular resistance through mitogenic effect on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and that preexisting hypertension might be a predisposing condition. Cultured VSMCs from the thoracic aortae of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were studied for DNA synthesis, phospholipase C activity, and cell growth related proto-oncogene expression in the presence of rHuEpo. In cells from both strains, rHuEpo dose-dependently increased DNA synthesis and stimulated phospholipase C activity, as indicated by 3H-thymidine incorporation and 3H-inositol phosphate formation, respectively (EC50 approximately 4 U/ml). Exposure of VSMCs to rHuEpo for various times gradually increased the levels of c-myc and junB and transiently induced c-fos expression, as determined by Northern analysis. rHuEpo-induced DNA synthesis was markedly enhanced in VSMCs from SHR compared to those from WKY. In contrast, rHuEpo-induced phospholipase C activity and proto-oncogene expression did not differ between the two strains. Taken together, these results suggest that rHuEpo may function as a vascular smooth muscle cell growth promoting factor through activation of the phospholipase C cascade and modulation of proto-oncogene expression. It could thereby contribute to vascular hypertrophy and arterial hypertension.     

Increasing testing productivity and software quality: A comparison of software testing methodologies within NASA

Pressure to compress the development life cycle and reduce the duration and resources committed to testing lead to experimentation in testing at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Centerís Software Engineering Laboratory. This study investigates the trend to reduce developer testing and increasingly rely upon inspection techniques and independent functional testing to shorten the development life cycle, improve testing productivity, and improve software quality.An approach is developed to conduct this comparison. In particular, the problem faced by software researchers, having a comprehensive characterization of software projects so similar types may be identified for comparative studies, is addressed using expert opinion.     

Outplacement: Client characteristics and outcomes.

Outplacement firms developed in response to corporate downsizings to assist former upper-level employees in seeking reemployment. An important question for practitioners who assist clients in outplacement is how the personal characteristics that clients bring to the situation influence their success in finding a new job. The present archival study examined demographic variables, previous job history, and personality characteristics as predictors of outplacement outcomes. Outplacement duration was predicted by previous income, and new earnings were predicted by previous earnings, sex, and years with previous employer. The need for prospective, longitudinal research that examines the coping process in outplacement is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Computation of nonlinear functionals in particle methods

We consider the numerical computation of nonlinear functionals of distribution functions approximated by point measures. Two methods are described and estimates for the speed of convergence as the number of points tends to infinity are given. Moreover, numerical results for the entropy functional are presented.     

Analysis of ink flow in a mimeograph printer based on the mechanics of fluid-filled poroelastic solids

Summary To understand some main ink flow mechanisms in a mimeograph printer, the continuum mechanics theory of fluid-saturated porous solids is applied to analyze the ink flow through screens and a printing master, which are modeled by a fluid-filled poroelastic single layer. The layer is assumed to be pressed by a press roller from below and to be subjected from above to the hydrodynamic lubrication pressure induced between a printing drum and an ink roller. Nonlinear elasticity of the layer and dependence of the permeability on its deformation are taken into account. The numerical results show some important results: e.g., squeezing-out of the ink from the layer by the layer compaction by the press roller plays an important role, especially for the case where the compression duration is small in comparison with the characteristic time of the ink-filled poroelastic layer.     

The Valve Metal Character of Zirconium as inferred from anode potential measurements in mineral acid solutions

A study on the value metal character of Zr in 0.1 M solutions of H₂SO₄, HNO₃, and H₃PO₄ has been performed using the anode potential as the primary variable in galvanostatic, potentiostatic, and capacity measurements. A method of surface pre-treatment, which suppresses both O₂ evolution and metal dissolution, has been described. Kinetic parameters of oxide growth have been calculated. The results indicate that:

• (i) the high field approximation is applicable following an exponential law, and
• (ii) the height and activation distance of the energy barrier for ion transport through the oxide phase (Verwey model) are the same three acids.

Measurements have been also made on the dielectric breakdown of oxide, and this occurs at potentials above 200 V. Direct capacity measurements give similar results as those based on reciprocal capacity calculated from galvanostatic experiments. It is concluded that the dominant anodic oxide species is ZrO₂ having a dielectric constant of 25. Open circuit potential measurements show that Zr is spontaneously oxidized in the three acids.