Alphorn: a remote procedure call environment for fault-tolerant,heterogeneous, distributed systems

Alphorn, a software environment for programming distributed computer systems, is described. Programs running on different computers, possibly of different types and running different operating systems, communicate in a client-server relationship by means of remote procedure calls. This efficient construct structures programs neatly. The paper covers distributed process control, Alphorn's object-based programming style, remote procedure calls, the service interface language, configuration, runtime and debugging, and fault tolerance support     

GELYMAC: a Macintosh application for calculating DNA fragment size from gel electrophoresis migration data

A program called GELYMAC takes data on the distances migrated by DNA fragments in a one-dimensional electrophoretic gel and, using a cubic-spline best-fit of marker fragment distance migrated versus molecular size, calculates the molecular sizes of the fragments. Written in the Rascal (Real-time Pascal) programming language, the program runs on the Macintosh family of microcomputers. Rapid entry of marker and experimental fragment migration data is afforded using a scroll bar system adjacent to a graphic representation of a gel. Output includes tabular listing of the data, graphic cartoons of the gel, and the fragment locations and molecular sizes for individual gel lanes, and the calibration curve used in data computations.     

Transport of K in PVC matrix membranes containing valinomycin

We report impedance measurements on PVC matrix membranes which contain KBPh₄ with varying proportions of valinomycin. In agreement with our earlier measurements the value of the bulk membrane resistance (R_b) is much larger in the presence of valinomycin, indicating that the mobility of K⁺ is greatly reduced by the valinomycin. R_b shows a linear variation with valinomycin/K⁺ ratio between 0 and 1, but it is invariant at higher valinomycin/K⁺ ratios. Thus there is no evidence for a special transport mechanism for K⁺ in these membranes.     

Drying cellulose triacetate in a dryer with a vibrational fluidized bed

Conclusions The process of drying cellulose triacetate in a vibrating bed has been studied.For final drying of cellulose triacetate before solution, it is recommended to use an industrial specimen of a unit with a vibrating bed having a capacity of 2700 kg/h.This assembly can be used to dry other fibre-forming disperse polymeric materials containing strongly bound moisture.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 3, pp. 49–51, May–June, 1984.     

Chemical changes in polyvinyl fluoride during the process of fibre-spinning

Conclusions The change in some properties of polyvinyl fluoride during the process of fibre spinning has been investigated.It has been found that during the process of converting PVF powder into fibre, the degree of polymer crystallinity plus its resistance to thermal and thermooxidative degradation is increased; depending on the spinning regime, the densities and physicomechanical properties of PVF fibres are different.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 4, pp. 34–35, July–August, 1984.     

Graft copolymerization onto rubber. VII. Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto rubber using potassium peroxydisulfate catalyzed by silver ion

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto natural rubber (NR) was carried out varying the concentration of monomer, initiator, thiourea, and silver nitrate over a wide range. The grafting reaction was temperature-dependent. From the Arrhenius plot, the overall energy of activation was computed. A suitable reaction scheme and rate expression for the rate of polymerization was suggested.     

Long-term transients in a reactor under forced concentration cycling

In the approach to a cycle-invariant state in the forced feed concentration cycling of the CO oxidation over a NiO catalyst, a very long transient has been observed lasting 80 ks or more. This transient appears to be associated only with CO pretreatment of the catalyst and is not a general phenomenon. The slow convergence to the cycle-invariant state reported in certain modelling calculations in the literature appears to have a different cause.