We prove that the first-order theory of any function field K of characteristic p > 2 is undecidable in the language of rings without parameters. When K is a function field in one variable whose constant field is algebraic over a finite field, we can also prove undecidability in characteristic 2. The proof uses a result by Moret-Bailly about ranks of elliptic curves over function fields.

We prove that the first-order theory of any function field K of characteristic p > 2 is undecidable in the language of rings without parameters. When K is a function field in one variable whose constant field is algebraic over a finite field, we can also prove undecidability in characteristic 2. The proof uses a result by Moret-Bailly about ranks of elliptic curves over function fields.

A C1 piecewise rational trigonometric cubic function with four shape parameters has been constructed to address the problem of visualizing positive data. Simple data-dependent constraints on shape parameters are derived to preserve positivity and assure smoothness. The method is then extended to positive surface data by rational trigonometric bicubic function. The order of approximation of deve...

We measured the tidal volume achieved during intermittent positive pressure ventilation using various inspiratory times with a minimum of 0.2 seconds. Results indicate that tidal volume shows no reduction with inspiratory times down to 0.4 seconds. An inspiratory time of 0.3 seconds, however, is likely to reduce tidal volume by 8%, and at 0.2 seconds a 22% fall may be anticipated.