Query costs in HB(1) trees versus 2–3 trees

Query costs in random AVL trees are compared to those in random 2–3 trees. Both data structures are assumed to reside in main storage. Costs are calculated in terms of the number of node visits and key comparisons required to find a match or no match for a given key. The comparison is based upon theoretical concepts and implementation dependent considerations; e.g., data and instruction fetch. It is shown that if the cost of a key comparison is greater than or equal to the cost of a node access, then AVL trees are more advantageous.     

Molecular aggregation in poly(vinyl chloride). A novel analytical technique

A novel experimental technique based on gel permeation chromatography (GPC) has been developed for the measurement of molecular aggregation in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). PVC having a range of syndiotacticity was synthesized using polymerization temperatures of 30–70°C. Tacticity and molecular aggregation of these PVC samples were measured by NMR and GPC, respectively. The temperature dependence of molecular aggregation was found to be much greater than that of tacticity. This GPC technique is inherently more sensitive than NMR in the temperature range normally employed for commercial production of PVC. It should find extensive use in the control of PVC reactors and in PVC processing.     

On optimal parameter selection

Pontryagin's results on optimal parameter selection problems [1, p. 193] have been found to contain some errors, as reported in Boltyanskii [2, p. 263] and Hofer and Sagirow [4]. In this note, it is shown that Boltyanskii's results (on optimal parameters) are easily derived from Gamkrelidze's general maximum principle [3], which, in contrast to the former, also yields an explicit solution to the problem in certain special cases.     

The dependence of the creep properties of din 1.4970 austenitic stainless steel at 973 K on different thermomechanical pre-treatments

The creep-rupture behaviour of a Type DIN 1.4970 austenitic stainless steel has been investigated at 973 K (700°C) in a high vacuum for three conditions of thermomechanical treatment and a wide range of applied stresses using foil specimens of 105 μm thickness. After solution-annealing at 1373 K (1100°C) for all specimens, the three treatments were: — condition 1: 13% cold-worked — condition2: aged for 24 h at 1073 K (800°C) and 13% cold-worked — condition 3: (“Standard condition”): 13% cold-worked and aged for 24 h at 1073 K (800°C).The rupture lives and the minimum creep rates were found to be highly dependent on the applied stresses. The treatment of condition 1 material yielded a product as strong as the “standard” condition 3, while the condition 2 material was less creep resistant.Structural changes as well as fractography were followed using metallographic, transmission and scanning electron microscope techniques. Transgranular ductile fracture was clearly observed in all three conditions. TEM investigations showed that dispersive TiC precipitates were present in the matrix of condition 3 material before creep testing, contrary to condition 1 and 2 material. In condition 1, the TiC dispersion was already found after short creep times, while no dispersive TiC precipitates were found in condition 2 material in any test condition.     

Evaluation and treatment of urinary tract infections in children

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections encountered by primary care physicians. Although UTIs do not occur with as great a frequency in children as in adults, they can be a source of significant morbidity in children. For reasons that are not yet completely understood, a minority of UTIs in children progress to renal scarring, hypertension and renal insufficiency. Clinical presentation of UTI in children may be nonspecific, and the appropriateness of certain diagnostic tests remains controversial. The diagnostic work-up should be tailored to uncover functional and structural abnormalities such as dysfunctional voiding, vesicoureteral reflux and obstructive uropathy. A more aggressive work-up, including renal cortical scintigraphy, ultrasound and voiding cystourethrography, is recommended for patients at greater risk for pyelonephritis and renal scarring, including infants less than one year of age and all children who have systemic signs of infection concomitant with a UTI. Antibiotic prophylaxis is used in patients with reflux or recurrent UTI who are at greater risk for subsequent infections and complications.     

Linking assembly code to PASCAL programs for microprocessors

High level languages used for programming microprocessors still need some assembly code to cover all the programming requirements and aspects. Using assembly code in a high level language program introduces certain difficulties and disadvantages. Practical suggestions to minimise the use of assembly code procedures in a high level language program is presented. (The high level language discussed is pascal/64000.)     

Vectors for Cu2+-inducible production of glutathione S-transferase-fusion proteins for single-step purification from yeast

We describe six new yeast episomal vectors which encode glutathione S-transferase (GST) affinity tags. These allow for the production of GST-fusion proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under the control of the CUP1 promoter. Affinity chromatography with glutathione-Sepharose permits convenient purification of the fusion protein from a yeast lysate. The presence of a protease cleavage site facilitates subsequent removal of the GST tag. The expression and single-step purification of both GST and a functional GST-metallothionein fusion from yeast are shown as an example of the application of these vectors.