Scientific and artistic investigation of multi-dimensional fractals on the AT & T pixel machine

The pipelined architecture and parallel organization of the AT&T Pixel Machine image computer are described and demonstrated with applications for the visualization of multidimensional fractals, particularly linear fractals and quaternion/ stacked Julia sets. Techniques for pushing the Pixel Machine to its peak abilities are described and apply to more recent parallel image computers as well.     

Changing our view on design evaluation meetings methodology: a study of software technical review meetings

By contrast to design meetings, design evaluation meetings (DEMs) have generally been considered as situations in which, according to DEM methodologies, design activities are quite marginal. In a study of DEMs in software development, i.e. in technical review meetings following a particular review methodology, we showed: (i) the occurrence of design activities as part of an argumentation process; (ii) the relative importance of cognitive synchronisation as a prerequisite for evaluation; (iii) the important role played in evaluation by argumentation that makes explicit the underlying design rationale (DR). On the basis of our results, we discuss the potential for using DR methodologies in this kind of meetings.     

Dantrolene inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release by direct and specific action at skeletal muscle ryanodine receptors

The skeletal muscle relaxant dantrolene inhibits the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum during excitation-contraction coupling and suppresses the uncontrolled Ca2+ release that underlies the skeletal muscle pharmacogenetic disorder malignant hyperthermia; however, the molecular mechanism by which dantrolene selectively affects skeletal muscle Ca2+ regulation remains to be defined. Here we provide evidence of a high-affinity, monophasic inhibition by dantrolene of ryanodine receptor Ca2+ channel function in isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles prepared from malignant hyperthermia-susceptible and normal pig skeletal muscle. In media simulating resting myoplasm, dantrolene increased the half-time for 45Ca2+ release from both malignant hyperthermia and normal vesicles approximately 3.5-fold and inhibited sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicle [3H]ryanodine binding (Ki approximately 150 nM for both malignant hyperthermia and normal). Inhibition of vesicle [3H]ryanodine binding by dantrolene was associated with a decrease in the extent of activation by both calmodulin and Ca2+. Dantrolene also inhibited [3H]ryanodine binding to purified skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor protein reconstituted into liposomes. In contrast, cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicle 45Ca2+ release and [3H]ryanodine binding were unaffected by dantrolene. Together, these results demonstrate selective effects of dantrolene on skeletal muscle ryanodine receptors that are consistent with the actions of dantrolene in vivo and suggest a mechanism of action in which dantrolene may act directly at the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor complex to limit its activation by calmodulin and Ca2+. The potential implications of these results for understanding how dantrolene and malignant hyperthermia mutations may affect the voltage-dependent activation of Ca2+ release in intact skeletal muscle are discussed.     

Determination of scattering parameters of junctions associated with electromagnetic topology

This paper is dedicated to the determination of topological S parameters in the transmission line networks. We are especially interested in ideal junctions which consist of short circuit connections. For this type of junctions, it is impossible to deduce the S parameters from the usual impedance or admittance matrices which are not defined in this case. We suggest a method allowing a direct calculation of S. This procedure is described and then carried out for a two wire fork. At last, an experimental application is given for this model.     

Non-contact handling in microassembly: Acoustical levitation

Microassembly is currently of the utmost importance in industry. Nevertheless, the classical assembly processes are no longer usable for very small components, typically ranging from 10  m to 10 mm, since usually neglected surface forces disturb the handling task by inducing adhesion between the component and the gripper. A promising alternative to tackle surface forces consists in levitating the handled component. The various advantages of this contactless handling method are reviewed here and justify the choice of this approach. Consequently, the numerous physical principles suitable for contactless handling are briefly described together with their limitations. The evaluation shows that acoustic levitation is best fitted in the case of microassembly. A classification of literature applications is presented hereafter with special focus on acoustic levitation. Finally, the most common models of acoustical levitation are inspected in a general way. The described models come within the scope of non-linear acoustics.     

Determinants of the future level of use of electronic marketplaces: The case of Canadian firms

Based on the literature dealing with the diffusion of innovation and with information systems, and building on the emerging concepts in electronic commerce (e-commerce), this paper aims at assessing the influence of various factors on firms’ future level of use of electronic marketplaces (e-marketplaces). This theoretical model is tested on data collected from 1,200 senior managers in Canadian firms. Findings indicate that a firm’s past experience in e-commerce, as well as the factors relating to its business relationships ultimately affect its future use of e-marketplaces. Results of TOBIT regressions also show that the complexity of sophisticated e-commerce implementations is negatively correlated with the future level of use of e-marketplaces, and that consultants and other experts play an essential role in encouraging and facilitating the use of this new type of electronic platform. Finally, our survey data demonstrate that the relative influence of some determinants differs according to the firms’ size. Pierre Hadaya is an assistant professor of MIS at the Faculté d’administration of the Université de Sherbrooke (Canada). He holds a Ph.D. in Management of Technology from the école Polytechnique de Montréal. His research interests lie at the intersection of information technology management, business strategy and interorganizational design.     

Mathematical and experimental method to obtain the inverse modeling of nonsinusoidal and saturated synchronous reluctance motors

This paper presents new inverse modeling for synchronous reluctance motor (SyRM). This modeling is valid when the inductances are sinusoidal or nonsinusoidal and even when the machine is saturated. This technique involves the generation of constant torque curves as a function of two-phase currents in the Concordia's reference frame when the rotor angle is fixed. We also introduce an experimental method to obtain directly the inverse modeling. This practical method takes into account the saturation of the motor. This technique allows the reduction of the low torque ripple in the case of nonsinusoidal inductances.     

1.6 Tbit/s (40/spl times/40 Gbit/s) DPSK transmission over 3/spl times/100 km of TeraLight fibre with direct detection

By transmitting 40 channels over 300 km of TeraLight fibre, it is shown that optical differential phase shift keying can be used in 100 GHz-spaced 40 Gbit/s systems, with direct detection and a simple receiving filter. Chromatic dispersion tolerance around 300 ps/nm is also measured, compared to 70 ps/nm for NRZ.     

Le développement de la reconnaissance des expressions faciales des émotions chez l'enfant.

Studied the development of the recognition of emotional facial expressions in children and of the factors influencing recognition accuracy. 80 elementary school students (aged 5–8 yrs) were asked to identify the emotions expressed in a series of facial photographs. Recognition performances were analyzed in relation to the type of emotion expressed (i.e., happiness, fear, anger, surprise, sadness, or disgust) and the intensity of the emotional expression. Age differences were determined. (English abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)