FLASH — a simple tool for complicated problems

The computer program FLASH analyzes by the finite element method linear elastic shells, folded-plates, plates in bending and streching as well as frames under statical loads. The main characteristics of the program are its simple application and its great numerical efficiency. The program FLASH uses a hybrid finite element model including new developed elastically supported elements for foundation plates or embedded shells. The data input is described in all details by a concise syntax diagram. Numerical results can be represented with graphic contour line plots.     

SAS—an experimental tool for dynamic program structure acquisition and analysis

This paper describes an experimental microprocessor-based tool, SAS (Software Analysis System), which has been developed to enable dynamic program structure acquistion and analysis to be made on digital computing machines.The system uses a universal hardware extraction technique to obtain branch vectors which are used to analyse and display the structure of the software being monitored. A display, especially designed for small instrument screens, is used to present this structure. Emphasis has been directed towards development of methods with high degrees of machine independence and it is envisaged that such techniques could either be integrated into the new generation of logic analysers or form part of a universal tool for computer programmers. Initial research has been guided towards the application of these techniques to compiled, assembled, or machine coded systems and in this context a number of techniques are described.The motivation for this research has been provided by the present escalating software costs, in particular those in post development which account for approximately 75% of the total software expenditure.     

Censor—a program for identification and elimination of repetitive elements from DNA sequences

CENSOR is a program designed to identify and eliminate fragments of DNA sequences homologous to any chosen reference sequences, in particular to repetitive elements. CENSOR is based on two principal algorithms of Smith & Waterman (1981) [J. Mol. Biol. 147, 195] and Wilbur & Lipman (1983) [Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80, 726]. It includes several pre-set sensitivity levels based on both biological and statistical criteria which help to distinguish between aligned pairs of homologous and non-homologous sequences. CENSOR has been implemented in C/C + + in the SUN/UNIX environment.     

AUTOX — A program for autoindexing reflections from multiphase polycrystals

The paper describes a correct mathematical formulation of the autoindexing problem, a method for its solution and a program implimenting the method for autoindexing experimental reflections. Its main features are the possibility of analyzing multiphase polycrystals, and efficient fit procedure and qualitative analysis of the sample symmetry.     

Contab—A program for connection table generation from linear input

The FORTRAN program CONTAB generates a redundant connection table from a linear alphanumerical input stream with full user control of the numbering of the molecule. Stereocenters are automatically detected. The alternative configurations are presented and the user is asked for his choice.     

Cokriging—a computer program

Cokriging is a process wherein several variables can be jointly estimated on the basis of intervariable and spatial structure information. Presented herein is the program COKRIG, for punctual cokriging, a program in a simple form to demonstrate the utility of cokriging. Equation solution follows a modification of a method developed for the solution of large-scale linear systems. Several example problems show that, at least for earthquake data, the inclusion of intervariable information results in a more accurate BLUE (best linear unbiased estimator).     

Facebook: a new tool for collecting health data?

Multimedia Tools and Applications - This study investigates the use of social networks as a scientific tool for gathering medical data from young subjects while promoting healthier habits. Our...     

KINAL—a program package for kinetic analysis of reaction mechanisms

A program package is provided for analysis of kinetic mechanisms on personal computers. KINAL consists of four programs called DIFF, SENS, PROC and YRED. These require similar input data and use common subroutines. DIFF solves stiff differential equations and SENS computes the local concentration sensitivity matrix. PROC generates the rate sensitivity matrix or the quasi-stationary sensitivity matrix from concentration data or uses a matrix computed by SENS and extracts the kinetic information inherent in sensitivity matrices by principal component analysis. Finally, YRED provides suggestions for the elimination of species from the reaction mechanism.     

IPES—a program system for inorganic properties estimation and evaluation

An overview is given for the Inorganic Properties Estimation and evaluation System, IPES. The system is developed to provide comprehensive data of inorganic property services and assist in evaluating relevant data. The important features of IPES are to intelligently deal with the problems concerned and provide flexible and effective execution modes for the user.     

SA3—a tool for supporting adaptable software architecture generation for embedded systems

Adaptability is emerging as an important attribute or nonfunctional requirement (NFR) for embedded systems. Intuitively, adaptability is the ability of a software system to accommodate changes in its environment. However, in order for the embedded system to be adaptable its architecture, the first step in the development, should itself be adaptable. It will be helpful if the generation of this architecture could be automated. In this paper, we describe a tool called the Software Architecture Adaptability Assistant (SA³) that helps generate adaptable architectures. SA³ uses the properties of the NFR Framework, in particular its knowledge base properties, to create a catalog of various constituents of architecture such as components and connections, and then searches the catalog to find adaptable constituents for the architecture. In this paper, we describe the theory behind SA³ and then describe the tool itself. We then demonstrate the architecture generation capability of the tool for embedded systems. We also discuss why these architectures are adaptable as well as point out directions for further improvement.     

A generic natural language interface for task planning — application to a mobile robot

This paper presents a generic natural language interface that can be applied to the teleoperation of different kinds of complex interactive systems. Through this interface the operators can ask for simple actions or more complex tasks to be executed by the system. Complex tasks will be decomposed into simpler actions generating a network of actions whose execution will result in the accomplishment of the required task. As a practical application, the system has been applied to the teleoperation of a real mobile robot, allowing the operator to move the robot in a partially structured environment through natural language sentences.     

TPL-KATS—concept map: a computerized knowledge assessment tool

A wide variety of instruments for the assessment of structural knowledge are used in psychology, education, and engineering. A software tool, TPL-KATS—Concept Map, was developed to examine the organization of mental representations via the use of a computer. This software tool provides a more efficient and user-friendly method than the traditional manual approaches to concept mapping used in the past. TPL-KATS—Concept Map can automate the entire concept map task, from instructions, to administration, to scoring. Although originally developed as a data collection tool for psychological studies, this software can be a valuable resource in training, interface design, and education as well.     

REACTKIN—a program for modelling the chemical reactions in electrolytes solutions

In this paper, REACTKIN, the new computer program for modelling the kinetics of complex homogeneous chemical reactions in electrolyte and non-electrolyte solutions has been presented. This program makes possible the creation of a model of a reaction in the convenient form of a graph as well as simulating the course of a reaction on the basis of the model created. REACTKIN allows the determination of the rate constants of elementary reactions using experimental kinetic data concerning the influence of the ionic strength of the solution. The program REACTKIN can be of importance in the studies of multi-step chemical reactions in electrolyte solutions as well as in chemistry education.     

GEDMod – Towards a generic toolkit for emergency department modeling

The design of generic models, or generic building blocks, for health care operations has been discussed in depth and identified as one of the grand challenges for researchers in the field of Modeling and Simulation. In this paper we provide an investigative basis for answering recently raised research questions for a specific sub-domain of health care facilities and a specific Modeling and Simulation paradigm, i.e. Discrete Event Simulation Models of Emergency Departments. We perform a detailed analysis of a large set of published Emergency Department models. This analysis is executed following a structured conceptual modeling framework to ensure the coverage of key conceptual modeling aspects: objectives; input scenarios; output definitions, i.e. commonly used performance indicators; structural components such as physical resources and human resources (including expertise and skill levels); patient classifications (arrival modes, triage grades, complaint categories); patient pathways including triage, treatment (which possibly includes resuscitation or special care) and admission phases; and organizational structures including control policies. The resulting collection and classification of modeling archetypes are used as the basis for an initial generic modeling toolkit for Emergency Department operations. Thereby, the modeler is guided through the main steps of conceptual modeling of Emergency Departments and generic building blocks for each step are provided. The paper concludes with a discussion on the applicability and benefits of the resulting GEDMod framework along with the potential to combine the toolkit into a single generic Emergency Department model.