Guaranteed inclusions for the complex generalized eigenproblem

A method is described which produces guaranteed bounds for a solution of the generalized complex eigenproblem. The method extends a similar approach for general systems of nonlinear equations to the special case of complex pencils, where under weaker assumptions stronger assertions can be proved.     

Twisted axially loaded rod with shear and compressibility

Summary Stability of a twisted and axially compressed elastic rod is analysed using the Euler method of adjacent equilibrium configuration. The constitutive equations of the rod are assumed in the form that takes into account both shear of the cross-sections and compressibility of the rod axis. It is shown that bifurcation points of the non-linear system of equations describing equilibrium are determined from the linearized system of equations. The influence of shear and compressibility on the critical values of twisting couple and compressive force is obtained. Moreover, the bifurcation pattern is examined by using the Liapunov-Schmidt method.     

Design Rules for Reliability & Maintainability in Electronics

The automation of the design of electronics has advanced greatly since the middle 1970s. The state of this development is such that additional considerations are now being incorporated into the automation process. One of the essential elements of a successful electronics design is reaching the reliability and maintainability (R&M) potential that should be achieved in any design effort. The automation of portions of the design process to address R&M must be based upon design rules that are basic to producing a reliable and maintainable system. This paper discusses a framework for considering these R&M design rules and points the developers of computer-aided engineering systems in the direction that is necessary if electronics designs are to realize their potential.     

Toxicity of Detroit River Sediment-Bound Contaminants to Ultraplankton

Four sites in the Detroit River/Lake Erie western basin were evaluated for their toxicity. The evaluation was based on 1) bulk chemical characterization of the sediments, 2) chemical composition of the sediment elutriates, and 3) toxicity of the elutriates to ultraplankton and microplankton/net plankton. A sequence of decreasing contamination was determined from the chemical composition of the elutriates based on the elutriation release of metals such as Zn, Mn, Cd, Ni, and Co. Bioassessment of elutriate toxicity was determined by carbon-14 Algal Fractionation Bioassays (AFB's) which were conducted with various dilutions of standard and Chelex-100 treated elutriates. Site A (near Windsor, Ontario) and Site D (western Lake Erie) were found to be toxic to ultraplankton. The observed toxicity was attributed to the bioavailability and synergistic impact of elutriated metals on ultraplankton production. A direct relationship between the water soluble metal fraction and toxicity was observed. These results confirmed that sediment toxicity should not be evaluated solely on bulk chemical composition of the sediments. The AFB's have been proven useful in the bioassessment of sediments due to their rapidity/sensitivity and hence could be routinely used for the screening and early detection of contaminants affecting fast growing organisms which form the basis of the aquatic food chain.     

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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.     

Thrombopoietic factors potentially useful in the treatment of acute leukemia

Thrombocytopenia is a major cause of morbidity following intensive chemotherapy for acute leukemia. Over recent years, there has been an increasing use of platelet transfusions which, although generally efficacious to prevent severe hemorrhage, have associated risks of transmitting blood-borne disease and of alloimmunization. Therefore, there is a clinical requirement for a drug that will reliably alleviate the thrombocytopenia associated with leukemia therapy. The c-mpl ligand thrombopoietin is the most interesting factor for the treatment of thrombocytopenia because of its lineage specificity. Phase I and II studies confirm its biological efficacy to induce rise in platelet count in patients with solid tumors and acute leukemia. Several other pleiotropic hematopoietic growth factors are also currently in clinical trials. These include interleukin-6, interleukin-3, interleukin-11, PIXY321 and stem cell factor. The effects of these cytokines appear to be modest at most and, with the exception of interleukin-11, their side effects are likely to limit their clinical application. Combinations of factors may prove more efficacious approaches to enhance platelet recovery.     

Influence of various types of load-dependent supports on the stability of a compressible column model

Summary The nonlinear behaviour and static stability of a compressible elastic column whose flexural resistance changes as it is loaded is studied. A two-degree-of-freedom, compressible rod model of the column is analysed. Various types of load-stiffness relationships are considered. Post-buckling behaviour under static unidirectional loads is investigated. Singularities of the equilibrium paths of the column are classified according to the slenderness ratio of the column and the load-stiffness relationship of its support.On leave from Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A4