Parallel Algorithms for Constructing Convex Hulls.

For a given set of planar points S, the convex hull of S, CH(S), is defined to be a list of ordered points which represents the smallest convex polygon that contains all of the points. The convex hull problem, one of the most important problems in computational geometry, has many applications in areas such as computer graphics, simulation and pattern recognition. There are two strategies used in designing parallel convex hull algorithms. One strategy is the divide-and-conquer paradigm. The disadvantage to this strategy is that the recursive merge step is complicated and difficult to implement on current parallel machines. The second strategy is to parallelize sequential convex hull algorithms. The algorithms designed using the second strategy are often iterative algorithms which can be more easily implemented on the current parallel machines. This research focuses on designing parallel convex hull algorithms using the second strategy because we intend to facilitate the implementation of the newly designed algorithms on massively parallel machines. We first design a sequential algorithm for constructing a convex hull of a simple polygon, which is a special case of a set of planar points. This optimal algorithm is extended to handle a set of planar points without increasing the time complexity. Next, the sequential algorithm is converted for linear array and two or more dimensional mesh-array architectures. The algorithms for the case where the number of points is greater than the number of processors is also addressed. Each of the algorithms developed is optimal. To analyze the performance of the algorithms compared to previous algorithms, a system called the Parallel Convex Hull Simulation System was developed. The results of the analysis indicate that the new algorithms exhibit better performance than previous algorithms

Textbooks for Computer Forensic Courses: A Preliminary Study

As computer forensics develops into one of the fastest-growing areas in the computer related fields, many universities and colleges are offering or are planning to offer a course in computer forensics. When instructors begin to develop a new course in the area, one of critical questions they would ask is what textbook should be used. To better answer the question, we conducted a study in which we tried to find which textbooks are being used in computer forensic courses. We believe that the results and analysis of our study will help instructors in choosing adequate textbooks for their new course in computer forensics

Influence of elevated temperature on mechanical properties and durability of concrete

Concrete structures are exposed to high temperatures during fire. Bothe the mechanical properties and durability after exposed to elevated temperatures are of great importance in terms of the serviceability of buildings. In this project, the effects of elevated temperatures (20, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 ℃ ) on the compressive strength, elastic modulus, fracture energy, water capillary absorption and chloride penetration have been studied. The influence of cooling methods on these properties has been also investigated. The results obtained indicate that when the temperature is below 400 ℃ for concrete A (W/C=0.4) and 300 ℃ for concrete B (W/C=0.5) with natural cooling, the compressive strength did not decrease immediately. But with water splashing cooling, the compressive strength of concrete lost approx. 20 % at 300 degree. The elastic modulus of concrete decreased gradually with the increasing of temperature. And there is no real difference between two types of cooling methods. When the temperature is over 400 degree only, the fracture energy decreased significantly. After exposed to elevated temperatures, concrete absorbed much more water and chloride ions, which bring a high risk for RC structures. This effect shall also be taken into consideration when concrete structures after fire is evaluated

Influence of frost damage on water penetration into neat and air entrained concrete

In service life, concrete can be damaged either by mechanical or environmental loads or by combined ones. These damages will strongly influence water movement in concrete which could later lead to more serious deteriorations. This paper applies neutron radiography to investigate the influence of frost damage on water penetration into concrete. In addition, the improvement of frost resistance by addition of air entrainment was investigated. The results indicate that it is possible to visualize penetration of water into the porous structure of concrete by neutron radiography. Further evaluation of the test data allows determining time-dependent moisture profiles quantitatively with high resolution. After concrete is damaged by freeze-thaw cycles water penetration into ordinary concrete is accelerated. It can be shown that frost damage is not equally distributed in specimens exposed to freeze-thaw cycles. Thermal gradients lead to more serious damage near the surface. The beneficial effect of air entrainment on frost resistance has been demonstrated. After 50 freeze-thaw cycles, air entrained concrete showed no measurable increase in water absorption. But layers near the surface of concrete absorbed slightly more water after 200 freeze-thaw cycles although the dynamic elastic modulus remained constant. Results presented in this paper help us to better understand mechanisms of frost damage of concrete

Design patterns for web service

Web service technology is a component-oriented SOAP based interoperable technology widely used in enterprise Application to Application (A2A), Business to Business(B2B), and EAl. Web Service component composite and connection models are the key issues to make Web service successful in the future. This paper presents a number of Web service compositions and connection patterns which will facilitate the Web service design

Characterization of Talbot pattern illumination for scanning optical microscopy

We studied the use of Talbot pattern illumination in scanning optical microscopy (SOM). Unlike conventional illumination spots used in SOM, the focal spots in Talbot pattern are more complicated and do not have a simple Gaussian intensity distribution. To find out the resolution of SOM using Talbot pattern, we characterized the evolution of the full-width-at-half-maximum spot size of the Talbot focal spots by computer simulation. We then simulated the SOM imaging under Talbot pattern illumination using the razor blade and the U.S. Air Force target as the sample objects, and compared the results with those performed with Gaussian spots as illumination. Using several foci searching algorithms, the optimal focal distances were found to be shorter than the theoretical Talbot distances. The simulation results were consistent with the experiment results published previously. We then provide a practical guidance for searching for optimal focal distances in the SOM based on these studies