Pocket Computers Research Articles

Einsatz von programmierbaren Taschenrechnern für verfahrenstechnische Berechnungen

AbstractUsing of programmable pocket‐calculators for process engineering calculations. Part of a chemical engineer's daily work are repeated calculations to illustrate special relations. Suitable for this purpose are programmable pocket computers, which allow easy and quick programming by the user. This contribution gives brief instructions for creation of short and more complex programs in addition to those found in the user's manual. Independently of calculator type and nature of the problem, the single steps required to get a complete program are described. Using a special example from chemical engineering, the optimal pathway from the algorithm to the program listing is shown for two calculator types.

Die Berechnung des prozentualen Hörverlustes mit Taschencomputern

The computation of percentage hearing loss usually uses tables giving the values. Using such tables an incorrect reading off or a miscalculation is not infrequent. A computerprogram for pocket computers in BASIC is presented, which allows to compute the percentage hearing loss according the tables for speech audiometry by Boenninghaus und Röser introduced 1958 and 1973. Additionally the computation of percentage hearing loss using the method for pure tone audiometry by Röser (1973) is possible. Some peculiarities of the diverse tables are discussed.

Pocket computers: a new aid to nutritional support

Pocket computers: a new aid to nutritional support

Pocket computers: a new aid to nutritional support.

A program has been written to run on a pocket computer (Sharp PC-1500) that can be used at the bedside to predict the nutritional requirements of patients with a wide range of clinical conditions. The predictions of the program showed good correlation with measured values for energy and nitrogen requirements. The program was used, with good results, in the management of over 100 patients needing nutritional support. The calculation of nutritional requirements for each patient individually facilitates more appropriate treatment and may also produce financial savings when compared with administration of a standard feeding regimen to all patients.

Use of NDT and Pocket Computers in Pavement Evaluation

The profile and clearance heights at seven bridges of the New Jersey approach roads to the George Washington Bridge needed upgrading. To do this, nondestructive test (NDT) techniques were carried out on the pavement surfaces to determine the subgrade properties under the existing pavement. The NDT dynamic load and the measured deflection basin were analyzed to calculate the subgrade parameters, the elastic modulus (E) the CBR, and the modulus of reaction (K). The testing and calculation of 100 points, under heavy traffic volume, were completed in four hours. The subgrade parameters were used to design the reconstructed new pavement structure for local environmental conditions and for 20‐yr projected traffic loading.

Self-explanatory symbolic computation for math education

In this position paper we will try to state some new ideas concerning the design of software systems for symbolic computation which are to be used in math education. Up to the late seventies computer algebra systems were running only on big mainframe computers. The muMATH-80 system was the first to be used on microcomputers running under the CP/M operating system. Since the first hand-held computers that can run CP/M are on the market, it seems obvious that in a few years we will have computer algebra systems on cheap hand-held or even pocket computers. The use of such computer algebra systems will probably have more influence on high school math than the appearence of electronic pocket calculators did have. If we now take a closer look at muMATH, one can see that most topics of mathematics that are relevant in high school, can de treated by the system. Some parts that had not been covered in the muMATH-80 version are covered by the muMATH-83 version, like for example vector algebra and simple differential equations. This shows the direction where things probably will go. Sooner or later all topics of high school math or even undergraduate math will be covered, at least in principle, by systems running on microcomputers. Further developments in the hardware field will accelerate this process, e.g. if the standard size for RAM storage in micros and hand-held computers increases from now 64 KB to, say, 256 KB.

On the use of pocket computers in geophysical exploration for minerals and groundwater

On the use of pocket computers in geophysical exploration for minerals and groundwater

Pocket computer program for fitting the Hill equation

This paper presents a program written in the BASIC language for the Radio Shack TRS-80 PC-1 or the Sharp PC 1211 pocket computers for fitting the Hill equation to experimental data. The program is based on a procedure involving a combination of an optimization technique and non-linear regression. The program determines precisely all three parameters of the Hill equation and in addition, it performs a simulation of the kinetic experiment using the parameter values previously estimated, calculating the sum of squares of residuals.

L'informatique aux Archives : faits, tendances, questions. Une enquête de l'Association des archivistes français

Archives and the computer : facts , tendencies, queries. The annual questionnaire of the Association des archivistes français in 1983 was on " Computer hardware and software used or usable in archives services : a study of cases ". It was concerned mainly with départemental (i.e. provincial) and municipal archives. The replies to the questionnaire raised some basic questions. What can archivists expect from the use of computers : an amélioration in typing, or the exploitation of data banks ? Who is to take the decision for the choice of a system ; the archivist, or the ADP specialist ? Does the time gained by data processing include the time spent in their preparation ? Is it possible to use systems that are compatible between all archives services, and how ? The questionnaire also resulted in a general survey of the situation of ADP in archives services : existing hardware and possible options (from pocket computers to terminals linked to a big computer outside), list of applications existing or in project (processing of accessions or " serie W management of reading-rooms services, permanent survey of holdings, finding aids for certain archive groups, etc.). The conclusion is that, for lack of a coordination on a national scale, the experiences made by each archives service result from individual and scattered initiatives although the problems are common to all. In order to reach the common solutions which are needed, the creation of a permanent working group on ADP within the Association des archivistes français is advisable.

Pocket Computers in Critical Care

To the Editor.— Dr Cottrell and colleagues described a microcomputer for clinical application in intensive care units (1982;248:2289). Pocket computers might be more practical for hospitals that do not have resources to buy costly systems. They have been used to calculate derived cardiovascular and pulmonary variables for critically ill trauma patients (J. S. Britten, MD, unpublished observation, 1982). Programs may be designed by physicians from formulas in the critical care literature. 1

Pocket computer program for fitting the Michaelis-Menten equation

This paper presents a program written for the Radio Shack TRS-80 or the Sharp PC 1211 pocket computers for fitting the Michaelis-Menten equation to experimental data by a non-linear regression analysis. The program determines the kinetic parameters Km and Vm, their standard errors and the residual standard error. In addition it performs a simulation of a kinetic experiment using the parameter values previously determined.

Compact formulation of pipe network problems

Solution of problems in water distribution networks usually proceeds in one of two ways: (1) analysis of flows in the links, or (2) analysis of the head at the nodes. In the former case, which is somewhat commoner and has certain computational advantages, the user is usually required to generate input data by defining the set of independent loops in the circuited network in addition to the usual node and link characteristics. Such methods are acceptable for analysis where the topology of the network remains constant. A method is presented here that allows the node and loop equations to be generated automatically from a very simple data file defining nodal stipulations and link characteristics. The equations are reduced to a small set of simultaneous equations involving only the nonbasic or redundant variables. This greatly reduces the memory requirements and also speeds solution of the equations. Either an iterative linear approximation or the Newton–Raphson method may be used to solve the simultaneous equations. The approach is useful in design and optimization studies since it allows links to be deleted and/or restored with automatic generation of the necessary equations. The method may also be used with microcomputers or even pocket computers since the order of the system of equations to be solved is reduced to the number of loops in the system.

Pocket Computers, IOL Equations, and Errors

SUMMARY A new variety of hand-held computers, using basic computer language, is available in the marketplace. Two programs are submitted containing several commonly used IOL equations for one such computer. Errors contained both in equation formulation and data collection are tolerable.

Computation of the creep behavior of thermoplastics

AbstractThe dimensioning of structural parts made of plastics requires the knowledge of the material parameters which depend on the processing and, loading conditions. In this paper, the possibility of describing the stress‐, temperature‐, and time‐dependent deformation behavior of thermoplastics below the linear viscoelastic limit is presented, using simple exponential functions. The formal relationship of the systems of equations have been ascertained based on a large number of experimental results. They enable a mathematical description of the deformation behavior of the material considered with sufficient accuracy for engineering requirements. This is based on parameters for creep experiments with three different stresses, at constant temperature, extending to 102 h. One experimental series extended to 103 h. As shown in examples, based on these experimental results, the computation makes possible a predetermination of the deformations obtained with the time‐factors of 102 to 103. The temperature can vary within the nearly linear region of the semi‐logarithmic shear modulus‐temperature curve. Within the variation of the stress, cyclic changes of the loading can also very simply be taken into account using Boltzmann's superposition principle. Principally, the computation can be carried out using any auxiliary means which contains the exponential function xy. Simple programmable pocket computers allow an automatic calculation.

Critical and statistically based evaluation, testing, comparison and optimization of capillary chromatography systems, the “ABT-concept” in capillary GC

Capillary chromatography is important owing to its separating power, but much of this power is theoretical only because in current practice the separation efficiency theoretically possible, expressed in peaks separated per time unit or per “chromatographic unit” (i.e. k-units) is not yet even partially realized. A dramatic improvement would be possible, if we could learn to master the most important and basic parameter “bo”, the starting peak width, which is a time value. “bo”, the “slope a” (of peak width which increases with time) and the dead time “tm” are the three basic chromatographic parameters, independent of the substances being chromatographed. They build a complete “practically oriented theory”. Application of this theory ensures full optimization of the separation capillary, improvement of the instrument and technique used and the data handling. The theoretical background, experimental results, and the statistically based data handling for testing a capillary and independently, for testing an instrument, are given. Everything discussed here is based on the critical evaluation of the chromatogram and the use of small programmed pocket computers. It is shown that the theoretical or the effective plate number or the plate height data basically and principally cannot describe the separation efficiency in capillary chromatography because of incomplete correlation. Therefore three basic quantities, independent of the substances used and independent of each other are necessary to develop and describe critical quality data for testing and optimization of capillary chromatography. An improved plate height concept is useful but it is better to develop a best possible capillary and describe its true quality. This “real plate height” unit which is free from instrumental influences when measured experimentally, is defined and introduced in capillary chromatography. Dramatic improvements should be possible depending on how we can reach the theoretical limit of bo.

The Calculation of Position Line Data with a Computer Calculator

As a result of the recent marketing of small pocket computers I have found much interest among navigators who would like to use them for working out celestial sights. One computer calculator (the Hewlett-Packard HP-35) in particular appears to be of considerable interest due to its ability to compute trigonometric functions with algebraic logic as well as to store and recall derived intermediate values. Not having been able to find any published work on the use of this type of equipment for the rapid and precise working of sights I have given some thought to the matter and as a result believe the following notes may well be of interest to others.

APPROXIMATE POLYNOMIALS OF TRIGONOMETRICAL SERIES

Approximate polynomials of the arctangent, tangent, cosine and sine series are offered which are suitable for use on small desk-top programmable computers, or on pocket computers in the field, which do not have inbuilt facilities for evaluating trigonometrical functions.

APPROXIMATE POLYNOMIALS OF TRIGONOMETRICAL SERIES

AbstractApproximate polynomials of the arctangent, tangent, cosine and sine series are offered which are suitable for use on small desk-top programmable computers, or on pocket computers in the field, which do not have inbuilt facilities for evaluating trigonometrical functions.