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This paper describes PUMPS, a microcomputer-based, interactive, and menu-driven software package for use as an educational tool by mechanical engineering students in investigating and understanding hydraulic pumps. The package is written in the Pascal computer language and runs on any IBM PC, or compatible. The program can handle problems related to radial, mixed, or axial flow hydraulic pumps by solving for any unknown variable through a complete set of equations covering all pump installation. Model-prototype problems can also be tackled through similarity laws. Furthermore, the graphical utilities of the package allow the user to display diagrammatic sketches of the pump, to employ some recommended charts, to draw velocity triangles, and to plot pump and pipeline characteristic curves. The most important feature of the program, however, is its ability to plot the variation of any variable versus any other one. Through this option, the package guides the student in understanding the effects of varying design parameters on the overall performance of the machine. Finally, some special features that are important in making the package user-friendly and encouraging-to-use are also available, and the comprehensive example problem provided demonstrates the capabilities of the package as an instructional tool.

This paper represents identification and control designs using neural networks for a class of nonlinear dynamic systems. The proposed neuro-controller is a combination of a linear controller and a neural network trained by an indirect neuro-control scheme. The proposed neuro-controller is implemented and tested on an IBM PC-based bar system, and is applicable to many dc-motor-driven precision servo mechanisms. The algorithm and experimental results are described. The experimental results are shown to be superior to those of conventional control.

This paper seeks to measure and evaluate the productive efficiency of health‐care organizations (hospitals) using a multicriteria Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology. DEA is a special linear programming model for deriving the comparative efficiency of multiple‐input multiple‐output Decision‐Making Units (DMUs). DEA provides management with information regarding the relatively best practice hospitals in the observation set and locates the relatively inefficient hospitals by comparison with the best practice ones. In addition, it indicates the magnitude of these inefficiencies. The paper selects a set of inputs and outputs for 15 hospitals for a three‐year period. The hospital input measures included are: number of bed days, number of physicians, and number of health personnel. The output measures included are: number of patient days, number of minor operations, and number of major operations. The DEA models are solved using an IBM PC optimization modeling system called LINDO (linear, interactive, discrete optimizer).

A versatile interactive program for quantifying bulk samples and particles in electron probe microanalysis is presented. The program was developed with the purpose of allowing the analyst to choose among different matrix-correction models and several expressions for the parameters involved. It was written in Pascal and runs on any IBM compatible personal computer with no special requirements. The program was tested on a number of geological and synthetic samples of known compositions. Special applications which show the usefulness of the program are described. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

We developed a novel system, for tracking a freely moving object (animal) in a limited 3D space, based on a closed loop TV and PC. Instead of using a pair of TV cameras to capture the 3D scene through the pair of its orthogonal projections, the system captures these projections by using a single TV camera. The direct view of the scene (e.g. its ground plan, i.e. projection onto the x-y plane) is captured together with its side projection, (i.e. projection onto the z-x plane) observed in a slanted mirror. The system uses a simple detection algorithm and hardware that were originally developed for 2D tracking of a single, contrast object on a stable and homogeneous background. All three coordinates of the tracked object are evaluated, displayed and stored in real-time, at 25 interlaced frames (samples) per second. The system was implemented on an IBM PC enhanced by an universal I/O board (Kaminsky, Yu, Krekule, I. Universal multifunctional IBM PC I/O board for clinical examinations and experimental research in neuroscience. Physiol Res 1994;43:193-199) and tested by tracking a LED marker, a small living fish in a water tank and a pair of LED markers which were activated one at the time in alternating TV frames thereby demonstrating the ability to simultaneously track two or more objects in 3D.

The basic principles for the generation of adaptive finite element meshes over arbitrary two-dimensional domains using the advancing front technique are described. Methods to generate triangular and quadrilateral meshes are also presented. In addition to the description of the mesh generation algorithms, implementation details concerning both the speed and memory requirement are given. Mesh generation examples demonstrate that the proposed mesh generator is capable of discretizing the problem domain into a well-graded, high quality adaptive finite element mesh with element sizes compatible with the user specification. The whole automatic mesh generation program can be run on an IBM PC compatible machine and meshes with up to 9000 elements can be generated within a practical time limit.

Previous research investigating electrolaryngographically derived voice source characteristics suggest that the vocal fold closed quotient (CQ) and fundamental frequency (F0) are useful parameters for assessing and developing voice production skills. This paper describes the design of a real-time visual feedback display system of CQ and F0 based on the electrolaryngograph output waveform, comprising a PC compatible computer with an Ariel PC-56D DSP co-processor board, which incorporates a Motorola 56001 DSP integrated circuit. Details of a pilot study are given, in which the system was used during a number of singing training sessions. Early indications show that this system provides useful visual feedback of progress to both the pupil and the instructor during voice training.

This paper presents a quasi-optical resonator that design methode basic on IBM PC computer (CAD). There is an exellent method to calculate global optima of the fundamental mode power, fractional power of the fundamental mode and combining efficiency etc. It also presents a process of CAD of microcomputer.

A Product–Delay algorithm is presented for creating graphic designs on a computer. In this algorithm two functions u ( t ) and v ( t ) are multiplied yielding a function x ( t ). Another function y ( t ) is formed by delaying or advancing x ( t ) by a fixed amount of time t . These functions are evaluated over a suitable time interval and the results are plotted in the x–y plane. For appropriate choices of the functions and parameters, the x–y displays exhibit interesting geometric patterns. In this paper the algorithm is illustrated with a pair of sine and square waves. It is shown that a wide variety of graphic designs can be created with these simple waveforms. By virtue of its simplicity this algorithm can be programmed easily and quickly using general purpose software such as Maple, Matlab or Mathematica. It can be executed on standard platforms such as IBM PC compatibles, Macintosh computers or workstations. Some results in polar coordinates are also given.

This paper describes a re‐engineering project undertaken by a comprehensive university’s extended education department. The project involved a transition from a decentralized workplace dominated by Macintosh personal computers to an IBM PC/clone‐based client/server environment. Lessons learned during the decision making and platform conversion stages of the project are emphasized. These lessons are applicable to other similar re‐engineering projects.

BAQOR is a computer readable database for equilibrium constants in presence of different percentages of water miscible cosolvents. The present version with user friendly software in dBase III+ contains 740 records and runs on any IBM compatible PC. The physico-chemical properties of binary and ternary water-cosolvent mixtures, the equilibrium constants of proton- and metal-ligand complexes are retrievable through pop-up menus. Specific searches by metal-, ligand-, solvent-, and stoichiometry-wise and their combinations is possible. Several display modes-monitor, file and hard copy-are available for the numerical fields as well as for literature citation.

One of the author's clients dismissed the possibility of a network sniffer attack. He said, “Network sniffers are not a concern. They cost $20,000 or more, so hackers cannot afford one.” He was wrong because there are many network sniffers that cost much less than $20,000. For example, there are free or almost free sniffers for the IBM PC with MS-DOS. Plus there are many sniff- ers for Windows 95, Windows NT, UNIX, and even hand-held computers. These sniffers are powerful and can capture user IDs and passwords or possibly confidential data from a network.

Researchers generally collect two dependent measures from most types of speeded responses: reaction time and error proportion. Recently, experimenters have tested lexical theories using alternative empirical measures, such as response force in decision tasks and response duration in naming tasks. We offer a set of software tools that expands the battery of dependent measures normally available to naming experimenters to include various duration and intensity measures of digitized voice recordings. This article explains the functionality, programming logic, and theoretical motivation behind each measure, as well as the software to support digitized naming experiments. The software runs in DOS on IBM-PC-compatible hardware with SoundBlaster 16-bit sound cards, and it takes advantage of the decreasing costs of hard-drive space and digital sound cards.

At the Julich Cooler Synchrotron COSY several experiments are running based on a modular, flexible system design in hardware and software. Future data acquisition experiments should use PC-technologies as far as possible. For the intelligent units initially passive backplanes with Single Bord Computers (SBCs) have been chosen as defined by the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturing Group (PICMG). For future applications the CompactPCI is considered which combines the IBM PC electrical and software standards with the Eurocard mechanical standards. Connection of the front-end modular systems (CAMAC, VME, FASTBUS) is performed by transparent controllers with PCI compliant interfaces, already available on the market or home made developments. As far as operating systems are concerned UNIX like systems are used. An object oriented, client-server based Experiment Messaging System (EMS) establishes the communication on the application layer between the experiment control, the event builder and different front-end systems. The design criteria for the second generation DAQ-Systems, a first experiment layout, interconnectivity questions and necessary component developments will be described, as well as the problems we have found turning a PC into a diskless system. Important results of performance measurements concerning the DAQ requirements will be given.

A measuring system for automatic process parameter acquisition in garment sewing operations has been presented. The measuring equipment is based upon the usage of a very powerful portable notebook IBM compatible personal computer, equipped with an AD converter, measuring instruments and adequate software packages for data storing and analysis. Characteristics of measuring instruments and sensors have also been given, together with measuring process description, all connected with two independent video‐camera systems, working in two planes, used for working operation analysis at workplaces in garment sewing operations.

Palaeostress analysis aims to infer the nature of ancient stresses responsible for the development of geological structures. Such analyses are often carried out using orientation data collected from fault planes and their associated slip lineations. A wide range of methods have been developed to carry out fault-striation analysis, a comprehensive review of which is provided by Angelier (1994). It is possible to specify the orientation of a fault surface and its associated slip direction by the means of a few variables, e.g. two to describe the attitude of the fault and a third to indicate the orientation of the slip direction within the plane of the fault. In practice this basic information is recorded in a great variety of ways, because structural geologists have preferences for di€erent conventions of measuring and recording ®eld data. This has consequently resulted in computer programs being written to analyse such data (in terms of palaeostresses), that have been designed to accept data only with a particular format. Since existing palaeostress programs di€er with respect to their assumptions and in the presentation of results, it is often found desirable to analyse the same data using a number of di€erent programs and to compare the results. When this is attempted however, the di€ering input parameters required by the various programs means that tedious preliminary stages of data conversion must be undertaken. The purpose of this program is to facilitate this necessary data conversion. To carry out such conversions requires minimal calculation, therefore a simple programming language is sucient. Quickbasic is well suited, as it will run on any IBM compatible microcomputer system. CONVERSION OF STRUCTURAL DATA

A combined long-term measurement and recording system for neurotransmission research of brain slices is presented in this study. This system, based on the IBM PC or compatible computer, is capable of simultaneously measuring and recording both single-unit neural electropotential signals and the electrochemical signals of neurotransmitter efflux from the same neuron in a brain slice for long periods of time (time limited largely by hard disk capacity, 100 h or more not being unreasonable with contemporary hardware) using a single carbon microelectrode for both measurements. The combined long-term recording system uses a simple switching circuit to switch periodically the single microelectrode between two data acquisition subsystems, one for electrochemical data and one for electrophysiological data. The simple switching circuit separates the electrophysiological signals and electrochemical signals, overcoming the traditional interference problem caused by the two different measuring techniques. Software designed for the proposed system allows easy reconstruction of the full time course of the compressed measured data and easy, simultaneous display of both types of signals on the same time scale. On-line and recorded displays are available. Test results of a practical implementation of the proposed system verify that the combined long-term recording system meets actual requirements for electrophysiological and neurochemical research.

AUDIONET [website] (http://www.audionet.com) Reviewed 23 October 1997. NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO [website] (http://www.npr.org) Reviewed 17 October 1997. THE MIT LIST OF RADIO STATIONS ON THE INTERNET [website] compiled by Theodric Young (http://wmbr.mit.edu/stations/list.html) Reviewed 21 October 1997. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [website] (http://www.fcc.gov/) Reviewed 15 October 1997. INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION [website] (http://www.icahqd.org) Reviewed 29 October 1997. COMINDEX: AN ELECTRONIC INDEX TO THE LITERATURE OF THE COMMUNICATION DISCIPLINE [Computer file] (Rotterdam Junction, NY: CIOS, Communication Institute for Online Scholarship [P.O. Box 57, Rotterdam junction, NY 12150], 1996 [Version 5]—price varies with subscription, no ISBN [OCLC 30462525], 5 diskettes) COMMSEARCH 95 [Computer file] (Annandale, VA: National Communication Association [5105 Backlick Rd., Bldg. F, Annandale, VA 22003], 1995—$250.00, ISBN 0–9448–1117–5, 1 CD‐ROM [System requirements: IBM compatible PC; one o...

The spatial representation technique is an efficient method for packing boxes into a container; however, it has a limitation in dealing with constraints. For practical applications, there are however limitations when dealing with constraints. These constraints provide flexibility for the user to decide which boxes should be placed first. After imposing the initial conditions, the optimisation packing algorithm based on the spatial representation technique ensures that the boxes remaining in the item list are packed as efficiently as possible into the container. The packing plan is then generated during the run time to provide visualisation of the result of actual packing sequences. It also simultaneously outputs a graphical file to the Autocad software for printing and detailed study. The program can be implemented under either the DOS platform or the Windows platform on an IBM PC. The performance is evaluated using data from another algorithm. The results confirm that the enhanced algorithm can manage the user‐specified constraints with good volume utilisation.

A description is presented of the composition, configuration, mechanical characteristics, and operating features of a modernized version of manual four-coordinate plotter KIM600M, equipped with an IBM PC microcomputer.

A novel SCADA system is developed for the 30 MeV H− ion commercial Medical Cyclotron (Model: Cyclone-30) operating at proton beam currents up to 850 μA, at the National Medical Cyclotron, Sydney Australia. Cyclone-30 control system at NMC consists of two PLCs and a PC. The NMC SCADA system is based on a IBM compatible PC and FIX DMACS software package running on Windows 3.1 platform. This system is custom built for the Cyclone-30 at NMC. High-quality graphic screens are designed to suit the cyclotron at NMC keeping up to date with all the system upgrades. This system is designed to completely replace the existing man-machine interface with many new functions. This paper describes the important components of the system including system architecture and software development.

TOURMAL is a user-friendly software package developed for editing, storing, calculating and plotting microprobe tourmaline analyses from different geologic environments such as granites and their related aplites and pegmatites, metasomatic and vein type ore deposits, stratabound base metal deposits, gold deposits, and sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Calculated results, saved in comma delimited ASCII file format, permit the user to search for other applications related to tourmaline compositions. The program prepares 28 binary and seven ternary diagrams. It is written in Quickbasic for IBM PC and compatibles, and runs under DOS and Windows operating systems with a VGA graphic card. This program permits the user to convert standard binary graphs and ternary diagrams into PCX file format for high quality printouts.

The increasing demand for Internet and World Wide Web access from the home has stimulated research into finding methods of providing access at rates greater than the 33.6 kb/s offered by current computer modems. Most copper telephone pairs have bandwidth capacities much greater than the 3.4 kHz voice-band. Using this excess bandwidth it is possible to substantially exceed current modem rates. This paper describes an inexpensive and readily deployable network access technology capable of providing bit rates ranging from hundreds of kb/s to potentially greater than 1 Mb/s on existing copper telephone lines. The usable bit rate, which varies depending on the length and gauge of the wire, is adaptively determined at system start up. The results of rate adaption testing are presented, as well as the results of throughput testing when TCP is used to provide flow control across the adaptive rate transmission line. It is also shown that current IBM compatible computers are only capable of supporting data rates of slightly more than 1 Mb/s through Ethernet adaptor cards; providing access rates beyong a few Mb/s is currently unnecessary.

A laboratory rig aimed at education on industrial computer control systems is presented. The laboratory installation consists of a small scale glass distillation column and related technological devices (evaporator, heat exchangers, tanks, pumps), equipped with measurement system (63 sensors) and control valves, connected to industrial programmable digital controllers. The controllers perform primary control tasks. More advanced algorithms (monitoring, MIMO control) are carried out at PC compatible industrial computers working in a network structure (linked with the primary controllers). The laboratory enables demonstration of different control problems, starting from the simple digital control design up to implementation of newest MIMO control techniques.

Hardware and software studies strongly indicate the feasibility of commercially producing a low cost, user-friendly photovoltaic cell curve tracer. The instrument will be used in conjunction with an IBM compatible PC, or a Mac, and a printer. The system will print out a J versus V curve, and compute the major parameters; V OC , J SC , FF, η, V MP , J MP , I MP and P MAX . The authors hope to market this instrument in the near future.

A system is described which has been developed to meet an industrial requirement for performing in-situ quantitative measurements of manual forces and postures applied by human assembly line operators. Virtual reality devices are shown to offer a valuable means of meeting the necessary sensory requirements. The instrumentation is also seen to satisfy the requirements for a generic force and posture measurement system applicable to most human assembly operations in manufacture. A set of force transducers incorporated into a pair of Datacq® gloves together with a force triggered image capturing facility, all controlled by a PC compatible, comprise the main hardware elements of the basic system. The instrument software provides on-line force and posture data capture facilities, which allows quality control staff to assess the way the operator undertakes the assembly process, including maximum forces applied and a measure of the effort or work done per assembly cycle. The full data recording may be reviewed, zoomed and edited using a playback mode, allowing the observer a convenient way of assessing risk in undertaking an assembly operation since both the phalange forces and the wrist posture for a particular assembly operation are measured quantitatively. Results are presented for a representative electronics assembly task involving the assembly of TV deflection coils using operators employed by a U.K. manufacturer. The forces used by operators in this manufacturing procedure are related to current knowledge on recommended maximum forces a human should repeatedly apply before the occurrence of muscle fatigue.

A multimedia software package was developed to present appropriate potato planting techniques necessary to increase crop yields. Resource material used included research and extension articles, video and photographs. Topics discussed are seed storage, seed cutting, planter management, plant spacing, and plant development. The intended audience for the software package includes extension staff and potato growers. The authoring software used for the development of the program was Toolbox, supported by several other software programs. The presentation runs on an IBM compatible 486 PC under MS-Windows.

Software, for IBM or IBM Compatible, operating in MS DOS environment, has been developed to manage a Continuous Flexible Polyurethane Foam Production. It is subdivided into a Main Menu and into various Sub-Menus that, all together, manage a series of activities, starting from the purchase of all raw materials up to the sale of produced foams. A series of databases, interconnected among them, allows the production of any foam corresponding to the formulations, using either sophisticated machines as Foamax Type or more economical ones. In addition the software allows the calculation of Foam Cost, Raw Materials, and Produced Foam Stocks, while the Raw Materials are purchased and utilized, and the Foams are produced and sold. A Testing and a Print Menu complete its performance.

An integrated microcomputer system interfacing an IBM PC XT/AT and compatible computers with an optical scanner is described. The system is capable of controlling the instruments (including a plotter used as the positioner for an optical biosensor) and obtaining and displaying the luminescent signals simultaneously as a function of time by different output units. The system is written mainly in Microsoft QuickBASIC 4.0 and it can also be easily modified to fulfil real-time monitoring of some other composition(s) or parameter(s).

The designed an efficient program for computing topological indices used in QSAR and QSPR studies, including Wiener's index, a modified Wiener's index, Balaban's index, a modified Balaban's index, the information-theoretical index, a modified information-theoretical index, Schultz's index, a modified Schultz's index and vertex-connectivity indices. It can allocate enough memory for up to 250 atoms per molecule. We designed two versions of this program regarding data input: the first employing EDIT input and the second with graphical input. Program was written in Borland C ++ language and is operable on IBM PC processors.

Library CD-ROM with its enormous storage, retrieval capabilities and reasonable price, has been gradually replacing some of its printed counterparts. One of the greatest limitations on the use of stand-alone CD-ROM workstations, however, is that only one user can access the CD-ROM database at a time. This paper proposes a new approach to solving this problem.

In the Stone Age, livelihood required only a few tools, including stone axes, stone blades, stone mortars, and earthenware. These simple tools may have been adequate for survival in that period. However, human lifestyle has dramatically changed over a long history of "ups and downs." There have been many remarkable advances in the fields of knowledge, education, and science. These advances have brought us many benefits and led us to marvelous scientific breakthroughs, truly a great leap for mankind. The invention of computers is one of the greatest masterworks. According to the records, the world's first programmable automatic computing machine was invented in early 1940s. In 1981, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) introduced its first personal computer (PC) equipped with 16 kilobytes of memory (expandable to 256 kilobytes) and using the Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS). Although Bill Gates once said (and later denied) that "640 kilobytes ought to be enough for anybody" with respect to the IBM PC at that time, we now use PCs with more than 4 gigabytes of memory. The invention of the Internet along with the search engines, including Google (which derives its name from a misspelling of "Googol," which means 10100), is another triumph for humanity. These powerful tools enable us to surf worldwide information networks, including GenBank (the NIH genetic sequence database), and provide us a mechanism for dissemination of information and a forum for collaboration and interaction between scientists. In 1665, an English scientist, Robert Hooke, discovered the cell. He saw the "small rooms" through his microscope and coined the word "cell" simply because they looked like small rooms where the monks lived in. Now we can see the "cosmos" in the cell, where an overwhelming number of functional molecules are living. In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick saw the double helix structure of DNA [1]. We can now see the complete DNA sequence or genomes of numerous species, including human genome. By virtue of the Human Genome Project, which was started in 1990 and completed in 2004, approximately 3.3 billion base-pairs of human genome have been fully sequenced and identified, and we became to know that there are approximately 20,500 genes in human beings [2], roughly the same range as in mice. Having a great diversity, the genes are expressed by specific signals in the microenvironments, and sometimes, are actively involved in disease development and progress. Scientists are now confronted by a vast number of tasks required for understanding the expression of these genes and their association with various diseases. The Sanger sequencing method definitely contributed to the completion of the Human Genome Project, and ushered in the age of genomics. However, this generated a requirement for a new tool for performing high-throughput sequencing. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has enabled rapid sequencing of large stretches of DNA base-pairs [3]. Up to one terabase of data can be obtained in a single sequencing run by using NGS technology. It is really breathtaking to realize that researchers are now able to sequence more than five human genomes in a single run, producing data in a week by computer at a low cost of less than $5,000 per genome. This revolutionary advance in genomic science will surely help scientists extract genetic information from biological systems as much as they need and provide a powerful tool to explore cells and diseases. Scientists frequently encounter limitations because of large data sets in not only meteorology (the study of atmosphere) and connectomics (the study of the connectivity of synapses in the brain) but also genomics. In being committed to our work as hematologists, we have to look into the fine details of blood cells (including immune cells), both healthy and malignant, at the genetic and molecular levels. This generates data about genomic sequences, protein sequences, protein structure and function, molecular interactions, signaling and metabolic pathways, regulatory motifs, etc. [4]. We are inevitably facing these "big data" challenges as well as those from laboratory and clinical findings. Maybe we have to learn how to manage these "big data" for surviving.

This paper describes a system for creating and running adaptive psychological experiments on IBM PC compatible computers. The system is a collection of programming routines for IBM PC machines (text mode) that allows psychologists to create and edit experiments, collect and handle data, and transfer data into other systems without any programming. Stimulus variables include location, character, time, color, and sound. A special set of criteria is designed to conduct adaptive studies, such as operant conditioning experiments, in which experimental trials must be modified on the basis of a subject’s performance. The system supports multidimensional structural responses with feedback. Reaction and response time and the response contents can be collected from the keyboard, mouse, and game port.

A database system for registration, diagnosis, product treatment and laboratory data associated with the management of haemophilia and related disorders is described. The application was written with both adaptability and standardization in mind, and in particular to allow the incremental development of analytical and query methods for the haemophilia databases. The system will run on either single or multiple IBM compatible PCs. The project commenced in 1989 and the system is operational at the National Haemophilia Centre, St James' Hospital, Dublin, with over 100 000 records for 700 patients on-line. The computer program has made a significant contribution to the data management and analysis at the Centre.

Shape control in producing thin cold-rolled strip is very complex because of the non-linearity of the process. Depending on the process conditions, the operator is involved with manual control during production in the steel industry. In order to implement the operator's knowledge in the shape control, a fuzzy controller and neural network emulator have been developed. The fuzzy-control system that has been developed has been utilized for simulations of cross-sectional shape control in the six-high cold-rolling of thin steel strips of less than 0.5 mm in thickness in the present investigation, the simulations being carried out on an IBM PC 486. The fuzzy logic was created based on production data to control the delivery shape at the last stand of a tandem cold mill. Steady- and non-steady state control simulations of irregular cross-sectional strip shapes and the stability of the currently applied fuzzy control scheme have been investigated. The currently applied fuzzy control scheme is found to be successful in reducing the irregularity of the cross-sectional shape of the cold-rolled thin steel strip in a stable manner for the steady and the non-steady state under the present condition. Thus, the fuzzy-control system might be useful in controlling the process as does a human operator, without introducing manual intervention in practice.

This paper describes a heuristic algorithm for optimising the layout of a robot workcell. The algorithm attempts to minimise the total path of travel of a robot arm for a given sequence of operations by determining the relative positions and orientations of the stations in the workcell. A unique spatial representation system is used to model the shapes and orientation of the stations in the workcell. The representation is very flexible and can closely represent the shapes of many common types of peripheral machine encountered in a robot workcell. The algorithm has been implemented on an IBM compatible PC and the results obtained are promising.

This paper outlines a prototype dual-purpose interface card for the IBM PC for use in research on motor learning and control. The card enables automatic interfacing for up to four angular optical encoders and presents high-speed visual data on an XY oscilloscope. In addition, it uses two single-chip microcontrollers with minimal external hardware, providing a more powerful instrument than is available in discrete hardware. Two microcontrollers operate independently of the experimental computer (IBM PC), using a common interface allowing the exchange of data. This interface card frees the experimental computer from the workload associated with optical encoders and high-speed XY displays, resulting in less complex experimental setups and data collection programs.

This paper describes the construction of a scientific parallel computer system using IBM compatible personal computers as the node processors; and the development of suitable system software which enables applications, such as molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics calculations, to be run on the parallel computer. Performance figures are given for molecular mechanics calculations. A major feature of the host and node processors is the use of multiple, low-cost, interprocessor communications links, which have hardware broadcasting facilities.

In this paper, a system approach to electrical measurement teaching is presented. This approach enables one to integrate different fields of measurements and different measurement courses. “Measuring Systems” is proposed as a main measurement course for students of Electronics Faculties. A multi-function laboratory stand for teaching measuring systems is proposed to train basic abilities in measuring system design. The stand consists of an IBM PC with an IEEE-488 (IEC-625) interface board, a bus tester, HP 33120A function generator, HP 34401A multimeter with IEEE-488 and RS-232 interface, and — optionally — a measurement plug-in card and a device with a VXI interface. Students are taught how to remote control, in a unifying way, various measuring devices with various interfaces, using simple IEEE-488 software and advanced software (LabWindows/CVI, HP VEE). The laboratory stand enables students to learn practical aspects of the design of measuring systems, teaching them the system approach to measurements.

The development is described of the Monte Carlo (MC) method for the calculation of the thermoluminescence intensity when defect interactions are considered during the readout. Five simple cases in which different types of reactions occur between defects were studied. Results obtained using the MC method were in fair to good agreement with those obtained using the Runge-Kutta (RK) method. The computer times for the MC and RK calculations were comparable and about 30 s to a little over a minute on a IBM PC/AT compatible computer based on the Intel 80486 processor (33 MHz).

Risk Calc is a software package which extends basic arithmetic, mathematical and logical functions to cover interval-valued and fuzzy numbers. It is available from Applied Biomathematics in Setauket, New York, who have developed and market a wide range of ecological and environmental health software. Risk Calc runs on a PC compatible under Windows 3.1 or later, and needs about 1 Mb of free disk space to install.

An Interactive Graphic System for three-dimensional (3D) gravity modeling is presented. The system uses a highly flexible algorithm for the calculation of theoretical anomalies, which permits accurate 3D simulation of most types of geological bodies, and the simultaneous introduction of several bodies. This ability to combine several objects, together with features such as topographic relief, faults, and erosional process, adds a higher degree of realism to the model.

A system based on P5827 and P150 potentiometers and an IBM PC is considered that makes it possible to investigate electrochemical corrosion of metals and alloys. The system can be used for training students and specialists as well as for corrosion investigation, testing, and certification. The software developed can be used in systems for corrosion protection and cor.

PORTABILITY is the ability of a single program to run on multiple platforms without having to change it. PLUS is an authoring system designed for cross-platform courseware development for Macintosh computers and IBM PC and compatible computers running Microsoft’s Windows. PLUS’s portability was tested, and the results are reported in this article. The viability of the procedures used to do these tests also is discussed.

This paper outlines two approaches for the development of a feature-based system which is used to support the detailed design of progressive press tools. The first approach is based on applying a coding technique to characterize the workpiece geometric features. This feature description is subsequently used to propose the type and layout of the press tool punches required to produce the part. The second approach uses design constraints as the bases for selecting the punches and dies. The approaches have been implemented on an IBM PC in C and integrated with a prototype low-cost CAD system for press tool design.

The program AMPHCAL enables the user data entry, recalculation of chemical analyses from the electron microprobe analyses into amphibole structural formulae, determination of prefix, and classification of calculated results with specific names according to the current IMA guidelines. The program also permits the user four Al-in-hornblende geobarometers and amphibole-plagioclase geothermometer for certain types of calcic amphiboles. This program, written in QUICKBASIC, is menu-driven and easy to use on any IBM compatible microcomputers with VGA card. The compiled form of AMPHCAL is approximately 506 kilobytes.

An on-line computerized system for balance-of-plant performance monitoring and analysis has been developed at the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research. This system was developed on an IBM PC/AT and implemented at Taiwan Power Company`s Chinshan nuclear power station. Test data acquisition and processing, as well as on-line performance monitoring and analysis, are the major functions of the system. The whole system is actuated on an integrated, menu-driven environment presented in either a Chinese or an English mode. It can carry out turbine cycle performance monitoring and analysis during normal operation. It yields cost-benefit analysis results of component degradation after finding out the thermal deficiency or lost power generation problems.