Traditional Application Areas Research Articles

Time‐triggered Ethernet based on IEEE 1588 clock synchronisation

In industrial distributed control environments for automation technology, Ethernet network based solutions are gaining prominence in the traditional fieldbus application areas with the promise of standardised solutions that can support real‐time operation to a resolution of less than 1 μm. However, there are no formal standards for a real‐time Industrial Ethernet. This paper looks at some of the emerging de facto solutions and describes a novel project where clusters of real‐time transducer networks are developed and the control is tightly synchronised using the IEEE 1588 clock synchronisation standard, realising a “Time‐triggered Ethernet” solution.

An overview of the biophysical applications of atomic force microscopy

The potentialities of the atomic force microscopy (AFM) make it a tool of undeniable value for the study of biologically relevant samples. AFM is progressively becoming a usual benchtop technique. In average, more than one paper is published every day on AFM biological applications. This figure overcomes materials science applications, showing that 17 years after its invention, AFM has completely crossed the limits of its traditional areas of application. Its potential to image the structure of biomolecules or bio-surfaces with molecular or even sub-molecular resolution, study samples under physiological conditions (which allows to follow in situ the real time dynamics of some biological events), measure local chemical, physical and mechanical properties of a sample and manipulate single molecules should be emphasized.

TLM‐based solutions of the Klein–Gordon equation (Part II)

AbstractIn Part I, two TLM‐based solutions were presented for the Klein–Gordon Equation in its basic form, with the TLM pulses representing the primary variable. In Part II, two further approaches are presented in which the TLM pulses now represent derivatives of the primary variable, with respect to either space or time. As in Part I, the two solution schemes were verified symbolically and numerically. They illustrate further ways to extend the power of TLM beyond its traditional application areas. Some of these areas are discussed briefly. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Recognition Primed Decision Making in E-Commerce

Recognition-primed decision making has been used to describe the behavior of experts in naturalistic environments. A significant body of research has led to the conclusion that RPD models describe decision making in environments characterized by time pressure, competing and/or changing goals and uncertainty. This paper compares the results of several new studies that investigated decision making in the e-commerce environment to what would have been predicted by the RPD model. These environments share some of the characteristics with traditional RPD application areas, but have more variability in terms of the expertise of the decision maker. Results show that RPD models can be used to explain e-commerce behavior, but further research is necessary to draw confident conclusions.

Fluid power systems—some research issues

Traditional areas of application of fluid power systems are being challenged by alternative forms of energy transmission. In some cases this is because of environmental concerns associated with noise and leakage, in other applications the lack of systematic design methods for synthesizing fluid power systems has led to their replacement by electrical drives. This paper outlines some of the current research studies motivated by these challenges.

Technological characteristics of the manufacture and use of fluorine-modified Graviton hollow gas-separation fibres

The examples examined relatively convincingly confirm the possibility of expanding the traditional areas of application of Graviton membrane based on poly-4-methylpentene and suggest membrane separation as a sufficiently competitive method of separation of gases and vapors.

Acceleration model in the heterogeneous case of the general graded response model

A new model, called acceleration model, is proposed in the framework of the heterogenous case of the graded response model, based on processing functions defined for a finite or enumerable number of steps. The model is expected to be useful in cognitive assessment, as well as in more traditional areas of application of latent trait models. Criteria for evaluating models are proposed, and soundness and robustness of the acceleration model are discussed. Graded response models based on individual choice behavior are also discussed, and criticisms on model selection in terms of fitnesses of models to the data are also given.

Uses Made of Computer Algebra in Physics

Computer algebra is a tool building activity. This paper is a review of acceptance of this tool by physicists and theoretical chemists during the period from the EUROSAM-79 survey to the Spring of 1988, as reflected by the literature which quotes computer algebra. After considering the traditional areas of application; celestial mechanics, relativity and quantum mechanics, we extend our examination to other areas of physics which would appear, from the literature, to be using computer algebra efficiently: fluid mechanics, plasma physics, optics, perturbation technology, continuum mechanics, numerical analysis for physics, mechanics, non-linear evolution equations, theoretical chemistry and other applications.

FROM DATA PROCESSING TO KNOWLEDGE PROCESSING: A FUNDAMENTAL DEVELOPMENT TENDENCY OF INFORMATICS AND OF COMPUTERS AND ITS REFLECTION IN THE TRAINING OFFERED AT A TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

For, more than two decades, Artificial Intelligence developed in relative isolation from “traditional informatics”. Thus, a distinct reservoir of specifically theoretical underlying principles, methods and means were created for it. At present, a process of fusing and of integration between these two domains is under way. Linked to this process is a marked broadening and deepening of the scientific fundamentals and the efficiency potential of modern information technologies. Yet, the potential for increased efficiency is far from being exhausted, particularly with regard to application. Written from the point of view of a computer scientist, this article analyses the practical problems and the obstacles which have appeared during the process of transition to the level of knowledge processing. The procedures which have been devised in order to overcome the problems in question are aimed not only at increasing the quality of knowledge representation and knowledge administration but also at introducing artificial intelligence into traditional application areas. The consistent pursuit of these aims will lead to the integration of artificial intelligence and informatics, so as to produce a homogeneous, scientific discipline. Integration of this sort, however, cannot be accomplished by the simple addition of new components or by placing the two domains side by side. Rather, informatics as a discipline must be restructured and the contents of its separate domains unified. The integration process has been particularly noticeable in the domain of data bank technology, especially with regard to knowledge representation and knowledge bank administration. This process has led to a qualitatively more advanced development stage as compared t o traditional data bank technology and knowledge administration. It is reflected in higher education in the transition from the traditional qualifications of knowledge engineers to those of data bank and knowledge processing engineers.

Facilitating process prototyping by controlling the impact of change

Facilitating process prototyping by controlling the impact of change

A control perspective on recent trends in manufacturing systems

Many notions from control theory are relevant here, although their specific realization is quite different from more traditional application areas. The standard control theory techniques do not apply: we have not yet seen a manufacturing system that can be usefully represented by a linear system with quadratic objectives. This is not surprising; standard techniques have been developed for what have been standard problems. Manufacturing systems can be an important area for the future of control; new standard techniques will be developed. Some central issues in manufacturing systems include complexig, hierarchy, discipline, capacir):, uncertaing, and feedback. Important notions of control theory include state and control variables, the objective function, the dynamics or plant model, and constraints. It would be premature to try to identify these with all the issues outlined in this paper; it would even go against the purpose of the paper, which is to stimulate such modeling activity. In this section, we describe the relevance of these notions to the manufacturing context for readers whose primary background is in control and systems.

Advanced Gravity Concentrators for Improving Metallurgical Performance

The development of improved new models of spiral concentrators is reviewed. The mechanics of separation of spiral concentrators are stated, including the effects of operating parameters. Some of the traditional areas of spiral application are described, together with examples of new applications such as treatment of fine alluvials and tailings, separation of liberated minerals at coarse sizes, and fine coal recovery.

Selectivity of liquid-adsorption chromatography on hydroxylated silica gel with nonpolar and polar eluents

The effect of nonpolar (hexane, decane, benzene) and polar (water, isopropanol, water+isopropanol) eluents on separation of aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives in liquid-adsorption chromatography on hydroxylated silica gel columns has been studied. The work has revealed that the traditional application areas of hydroxylated silica gel in liquid chromatography may be extended. In particular it has been shown that, first, polar compounds may be separated on hydroxylated silica gel with nonpolar eluents at high temperatures (100–150°C) and that polar and nonpolar compounds may be separated using pure water as eluent. The effect of adsorbed moisture on retention behaviour of silica gel with nonpolar eluents has also been investigated.

Development of enzyme technology and enzyme engineering in China

Enzymes have been utilized in China for thousands of years for the production of various foods and alcoholic beverages. Today China manufactures and uses enzymes for not only the traditional areas of application, but is expanding the use of enzymes for a variety of nonfood areas. This report describes the present state of the art of enzyme manufacture and application in China today.

The accuracy of dimensional measurement in ultrasonic real-time scanning.

The ease of examination with real-time ultrasonic scanners, together with the provision of calipers, combine to make dimensional measurement of anatomical or pathological features an attractive index, that should ideally be independent of the operator. The traditional areas of application of dimensional measurements are obstetrics (which have been reviewed by Chivers and Dudley, 1980) and ophthalmology (Thijssen, 1973), although serial measurements on the growth of tumours and measurement of abscesses, cysts or necrotic regions (Dale et al., 1980) are also of potential importance. The observations in this technical note are directed at the accuracy of the measurements made, and thus to the reliance that may be placed upon them. The discussion will be primarily concerned with situations in which the region to be measured has a relatively uniform echogenicity which is in marked contrast to its surroundings. The obvious example of this is a cystic or necrotic region, although a soft-tissue mass in a fluid-fi...

Development of mathematical models for the Finnish state administration

The planning and budgeting system and the use of mathematical models in the planning of the Finnish State Administration are briefly surveyed. It is noted that one area where mathematical modelling is relatively well established is medium-term econometric modelling. Despite a few early successes in the traditional OR application areas, there has been, until recently, a conspicuous lack of successful models at the ministry or agency level. Against this background, the paper describes a training and consultation program that has been conducted by the Ministry of Finance since 1974. The program has aimed at increasing the use of mathematical models at the ministry and agency levels with the ultimate aim of thus improving Central Government efficiency. Each year some 6 project groups have been selected in the program. Training has been given to the groups in 2 to 4 sessions of one week each to support critical phases of their modelling work. The paper surveys the results of the program and concludes by summarising the experiences obtained. This paper does not seek to be an objective and scholarly description of the history or present state of the art of modelling within the Finnish Central Government. Instead, it is a personal evaluation of the subject matter.

A test of the share/price market planning relationship in one retail environment

Over the past few years two important approaches to marketing strategy planning have been developed. A key planning relationship in each approach is the relationship between prices and market share. The Boston Consulting Group suggests that market share leaders match the prices of their lowest priced competitors while the Profit Impact of Marketing Strategies study has found that share leaders have higher prices. Which is correct? This empirical study tests the direction of the share price relationship in one specific retail environment, namely gasoline retail markets. The results strongly indicate that the share leaders in gasoline retailing consistently have higher prices then their lower share competitors. The study represents the first time that marketing planning relationships such as that between share and price have been extended to retail operations from their more traditional areas of application in marketing by manufacturers.