A NEW CORPORATE ORDER Changing Priorities for IS

For the past three decades, IS managers have been faced with the tasks of honing their craft, improving productivity, and serving as the keepers of information technology for the corporation. For the most part, they have done a commendable job. However, the rules of the game are changing. Old solutions are no longer extensible to current problems, and today's problems are unlike any faced in the past. This article takes a fresh look at what the top priorities for IS managers should be in the coming years.     

Algebraic-grammatical models of parallel computation

The survey focuses on algebraic-grammatical models of parallel processes, representation of knowledge about classes of algorithms in terms of a variety of production systems (structured design grammars), and program generation tools.Translated from Kibernetika i Sistemnyi Analiz, No. 5, pp. 5–13, September–October, 1991.     

Principle and applications of retroreflective vision sensing for discrete part-presentation

For flexible manufacturing of short production runs where a large variety of product sizes, component types, and surface reflectance characteristics are encountered, it is desirable to build flexible computer-controlled systems for feeding parts into machine tools or assembly processes that combine maximum flexibility and reliability with minimum cost and cycle-time. This is not a general bin-picking problem; the parts are assumed to be propositioned approximately in totes/pallets/kits with regularly spaced locations. This article presents a machine vision technique based on the principle of retroreflective vision sensing for part-presentation. Since retroreflective material has a distinctive surface reflectance that is not commonly found in natural or man-made objects, the use of retroreflective surfaces enables reliable high object-to-background contrast images to be obtained for a wide variety of objects. Unlike conventional machine vision techniques, which rely on the variance of the surface reflectance of the objects to generate detailed images, retroreflective vision sensing aims at generating a reliable two-dimensional digital object silhouettes so that the location and orientation of the part can be reliably determined. Two application examples, machine loading and assembly, are illustrated.     

Removal of redundant dependences in DOACROSS loops with constantdependences

An efficient algorithm to remove redundant dependences in simple loops with constant dependences is presented. Dependences constrain the parallel execution of programs and are typically enforced by synchronization instructions. The synchronization instructions represent a significant part of the overhead in the parallel execution of a program. Some program dependences are redundant because they are covered by other dependences. It is shown that unlike with single loops, in the case of nested loops, a particular dependence may be redundant at some iterations but not redundant at others, so that the redundancy of a dependence may not be uniform over the entire iteration space. A sufficient condition for the uniformity of redundancy in a doubly nested loop is developed     

一种具有带孔补偿过滤器的γ剂量计的能响补偿计算

对在低能区有过高响应的γ辐射剂量计可采用带孔补偿过滤器进行能响补偿。本文介绍了对这类补偿过滤器选择最佳补偿参数(材料厚度和孔隙率)的近似求解方法;并对 CaSO:Tm 热释光剂量计用此方法作了实例计算。文中还计算了自制带有鼠笼结构的这类补偿过滤器的 CaSO:,Tm热释光剂量计对照射量的能量响应,与实测结果比较,各能量点响应的最大相差为10%。     

Neutron-activation determination of elements with overlapping resonances in neutron-absorption cross sections

Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 66, No. 6, pp. 423–424, June, 1989.     

Use of166mHo for calibration of gamma-ray spectrometers with semiconductor detectors

Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 67, No. 3, pp. 215–216, September, 1989.     

On the reliability of computer predictions of the geomechanical behaviour of rock-salt

Geomechanical aspects of the storage of radioactive waste in salt formations have been studied extensively using finite element methods over the last 20 years. In consequence a range of computer programs and associated modelling techniques have been assembled. The paper is based on a benchmark exercise to compare the predictive abilities of a number of these programs and highlights the difficulties of making reliable a-priori estimates of long term behaviour.     

Removal of nitrates from groundwater through the use of artificial wetlands

Intensive fertilizer use has led to nitrate contamination of groundwater in many areas. This article examines the possibility of removing nitrates through the construction of artificial wetlands. A pilot study conducted in Denmark has found that the method is effective and economical, at least for small waterworks, though further treatment is necessary before an acceptable microbiological water quality is attained.     

Wear in check valves due to flow induced motion

Experiments showing the frequency and amplitude of the flow induced motion of the gate for a 2- and a 4-in. swing check valve have been performed. The gate motion is due to turbulence in approach flow. We have found the dominant turbulent frequency of the approach flow is about half the natural frequency of the valves. The valves appear to be almost critically damped. Because of this, the valves respond almost as they would to a static force of the magnitude characteristic of the turbulent fluctuation in the flow. Both the dimensionless exciting force and the damping ratio have been found to be independent of valve size so the above statements are true for larger valves also. The recommended valve oscillation amplitudes and frequencies are used to calculate the wear at the shaft and at the stop. For an unpegged check valve, such as one of the 10-in. valves which was used at the San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station, it was found that shaft bearing wear would amount to 0.27 in.³/year and stop wear to 0.03 in.³/year.