Fixed and Best Proximity Points of Cyclic Jointly Accretive and Contractive Self-Mappings

p(>= 2)-cyclic and contractive self-mappings on a set of subsets of a metric space which are simultaneously accretive on the whole metric space are investigated. The joint fulfilment of the p-cyclic contractiveness and accretive properties is formulated as well as potential relationships with cyclic self-mappings in order to be Kannan self-mappings. The existence and uniqueness of best proximity points and fixed points is also investigated as well as some related properties of composed self-mappings from the union of any two adjacent subsets, belonging to the initial set of subsets, to themselves.

Some Results on Fixed and Best Proximity Points of Precyclic Self-Mappings

12 p.

Best Proximity Points of Generalized Semicyclic Impulsive Self-Mappings: Applications to Impulsive Differential and Difference Equations

This paper is devoted to the study of convergence properties of distances between points and the existence and uniqueness of best proximity and fixed points of the so-called semicyclic impulsive self-mappings on the union of a number of nonempty subsets in metric spaces. The convergences of distances between consecutive iterated points are studied in metric spaces, while those associated with convergence to best proximity points are set in uniformly convex Banach spaces which are simultaneously complete metric spaces. The concept of semicyclic self-mappings generalizes the well-known one of cyclic ones in the sense that the iterated sequences built through such mappings are allowed to have images located in the same subset as their pre-image. The self-mappings under study might be in the most general case impulsive in the sense that they are composite mappings consisting of two self-mappings, and one of them is eventually discontinuous. Thus, the developed formalism can be applied to the study of stability of a class of impulsive differential equations and that of their discrete counterparts. Some application examples to impulsive differential equations are also given.

Strategies for the Stereoselective Synthesis of Carbon Quaternary Centers via Transition Metal-Catalyzed Alkylation of Enolate Compounds

Notwithstanding advances in modern chemical methods, the selective installation of sterically encumbered carbon stereocenters, in particular all-carbon quaternary centers, remains an unsolved problem in organic chemistry. The prevalence of all-carbon quaternary centers in biologically active natural products and pharmaceutical compounds provides a strong impetus to address current limitations in the state of the art of their generation. This thesis presents four related projects, all of which share in the goal of constructing highly-congested carbon centers in a stereoselective manner, and in the use of transition-metal catalyzed alkylation as a means to address that goal.

The first research described is an extension of allylic alkylation methodology previously developed in the Stoltz group to small, strained rings. This research constitutes the first transition metal-catalyzed enantioselective α-alkylation of cyclobutanones. Under Pd-catalysis, this chemistry affords all–carbon α-quaternary cyclobutanones in good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities.

Next is described our development of a (trimethylsilyl)ethyl β-ketoester class of enolate precursors, and their application in palladium–catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation to yield a variety of α-quaternary ketones and lactams. Independent coupling partner synthesis engenders enhanced allyl substrate scope relative to allyl β-ketoester substrates; highly functionalized α-quaternary ketones generated by the union of our fluoride-triggered β-ketoesters and sensitive allylic alkylation coupling partners serve to demonstrate the utility of this method for complex fragment coupling.

Lastly, our development of an Ir-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of cyclic β-ketoesters to afford highly congested, vicinal stereocenters comprised of tertiary and all-carbon quaternary centers with outstanding regio-, diastereo-, and enantiocontrol is detailed. Implementation of a subsequent Pd-catalyzed alkylation affords dialkylated products with pinpoint stereochemical control of both chiral centers. The chemistry is then extended to include acyclic β-ketoesters and similar levels of selective and functional group tolerance are observed. Critical to the successful development of this method was the employment of iridium catalysis in concert with N-aryl-phosphoramidite ligands.

Hit-or-miss representation of a pattern spectrum and its optical implementation

We demonstrate that a pattern spectrum can be decomposed into the union of hit-or-miss transforms with respect to a series of structure-element pairs. Moreover we use a Boolean-logic function to express the pattern spectrum and show that the Boolean-logic representation of a pattern spectrum is composed of hit-or-miss min terms. The optical implementation of a pattern spectrum is based on an incoherent optical correlator with a feedback operation. (C) 1996 Optical Society of America

Self-assembly of metallated TPP porphyrin by external dipyridyl ligands

Póster presentado en: XXII International Congress and General Assembly of the International Union of Crystallography (UICr), 22–30 Agosto 2011. Madrid, España

Effect of low cost feed on the production of walking catfish, Clarias batrachus in farmer's ponds

A feeding trial was conducted for six months in farmer's ponds to assess the performance of BFRI formulated catfish feed on the growth and survival of Clarias batrachus (L.). Nine interested farmers and their ponds (size range: 10-15 dec) in the Barera union of Mymensingh Sadar were selected. The ponds were divided into 3 treatments each with 3 replications. Among the three treatment diets, two diets - traditional (F1) and BFRI formulated (F3) were prepared by using low cost agro-based locally available ingredients and the commercial diets was Saudi-Bangla Grower-1 (F2). The diets were designed as F1, F2 and F3 for traditional (20.40% protein), Commercial (31% protein) and BFRI formulated (30.44% protein) diets respectively. The fingerlings of catfish (7.3 g) were collected from local fish vendors and stocked at the rate of 100/dec. Feeding rates were adjusted by weight after fortnightly sampling of fish. Feeding rate were 10 and 8% of the total body weight respectively for 1st, 2nd month and 5% for the rest of the experimental period. The range of some selected water quality parameters were as follows: dissolved oxygen 4.0 - 7.4 mg/l, temperature 24.0°- 33.9°C, pH 6.8 - 8.00, and transparency 17.0 - 32.00 cm. Which showed suitability of the ponds for rearing fish. At the end of the experiment, significantly highest gain (p<0.05) in weight (1210.96% ±87) and lowest gain in weight (865.25% ±90) were observed in the group of fish fed on diets F3 and F1 respectively. However, no significant differences in growth (p>0.05) was observed in fish fed on commercial diet (F2) and BFRI formulated diet (F3). The FCR value ranged between 2.00 and 2.80 with the traditional diet (F1) showing significantly lower FCR. The total production of fish ranged between 1398.08 and 2145.34 kg/ha with F3 diet resulting in the highest production and net profit. A simple economic analysis showed that fish fed with BFRI formulated (F3) diet resulted in the highest net profit in farmer's pond.

Anthropometry of the Breast Region: How to Measure?

Breast region measurements are important for research, but they may also become significant in the legal field as a quantitative tool for preoperative and postoperative evaluation. Direct anthropometric measurements can be taken in clinical practice. the aim of this study was to compare direct breast anthropometric measurements taken with a tape measure and a compass.Forty women, aged 18-60 years, were evaluated. They had 14 anatomical landmarks marked on the breast region and arms. the union of these points formed eight linear segments and one angle for each side of the body. the volunteers were evaluated by direct anthropometry in a standardized way, using a tape measure and a compass.Differences were found between the tape measure and the compass measurements for all segments analyzed (p > 0.05).Measurements obtained by tape measure and compass are not identical. Therefore, once the measurement tool is chosen, it should be used for the pre- and postoperative measurements in a standardized way.This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. for a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Newton's aerodynamic problem in media of chaotically moving particles

Plakhov, A.Y.; Torres, D., (2005) 'Newton's aerodynamic problem in media of chaotically moving particles', Sbornik: Mathematics 196(6) pp.885-933 RAE2008

The island empire of the East : being a short history of Japan and missionary work therein with special reference to the mission of the M.S.C.C. / by Rev. J. Cooper Robinson ; with an introduction by the lord bishop of Algoma.

http://www.archive.org/details/theislandempire00robiuoft

Learning Unions of Rectangles with Queries

We investigate the efficient learnability of unions of k rectangles in the discrete plane (1,...,n)[2] with equivalence and membership queries. We exhibit a learning algorithm that learns any union of k rectangles with O(k^3log n) queries, while the time complexity of this algorithm is bounded by O(k^5log n). We design our learning algorithm by finding "corners" and "edges" for rectangles contained in the target concept and then constructing the target concept from those "corners" and "edges". Our result provides a first approach to on-line learning of nontrivial subclasses of unions of intersections of halfspaces with equivalence and membership queries.

Specification of optimum holistic building environmental and energy performance information to support informed decision making

Political drivers such as the Kyoto protocol, the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy end use and Services Directive have been implemented in response to an identified need for a reduction in human related CO2 emissions. Buildings account for a significant portion of global CO2 emissions, approximately 25-30%, and it is widely acknowledged by industry and research organisations that they operate inefficiently. In parallel, unsatisfactory indoor environmental conditions have proven to negatively impact occupant productivity. Legislative drivers and client education are seen as the key motivating factors for an improvement in the holistic environmental and energy performance of a building. A symbiotic relationship exists between building indoor environmental conditions and building energy consumption. However traditional Building Management Systems and Energy Management Systems treat these separately. Conventional performance analysis compares building energy consumption with a previously recorded value or with the consumption of a similar building and does not recognise the fact that all buildings are unique. Therefore what is required is a new framework which incorporates performance comparison against a theoretical building specific ideal benchmark. Traditionally Energy Managers, who work at the operational level of organisations with respect to building performance, do not have access to ideal performance benchmark information and as a result cannot optimally operate buildings. This thesis systematically defines Holistic Environmental and Energy Management and specifies the Scenario Modelling Technique which in turn uses an ideal performance benchmark. The holistic technique uses quantified expressions of building performance and by doing so enables the profiled Energy Manager to visualise his actions and the downstream consequences of his actions in the context of overall building operation. The Ideal Building Framework facilitates the use of this technique by acting as a Building Life Cycle (BLC) data repository through which ideal building performance benchmarks are systematically structured and stored in parallel with actual performance data. The Ideal Building Framework utilises transformed data in the form of the Ideal Set of Performance Objectives and Metrics which are capable of defining the performance of any building at any stage of the BLC. It is proposed that the union of Scenario Models for an individual building would result in a building specific Combination of Performance Metrics which would in turn be stored in the BLC data repository. The Ideal Data Set underpins the Ideal Set of Performance Objectives and Metrics and is the set of measurements required to monitor the performance of the Ideal Building. A Model View describes the unique building specific data relevant to a particular project stakeholder. The energy management data and information exchange requirements that underlie a Model View implementation are detailed and incorporate traditional and proposed energy management. This thesis also specifies the Model View Methodology which complements the Ideal Building Framework. The developed Model View and Rule Set methodology process utilises stakeholder specific rule sets to define stakeholder pertinent environmental and energy performance data. This generic process further enables each stakeholder to define the resolution of data desired. For example, basic, intermediate or detailed. The Model View methodology is applicable for all project stakeholders, each requiring its own customised rule set. Two rule sets are defined in detail, the Energy Manager rule set and the LEED Accreditor rule set. This particular measurement generation process accompanied by defined View would filter and expedite data access for all stakeholders involved in building performance. Information presentation is critical for effective use of the data provided by the Ideal Building Framework and the Energy Management View definition. The specifications for a customised Information Delivery Tool account for the established profile of Energy Managers and best practice user interface design. Components of the developed tool could also be used by Facility Managers working at the tactical and strategic levels of organisations. Informed decision making is made possible through specified decision assistance processes which incorporate the Scenario Modelling and Benchmarking techniques, the Ideal Building Framework, the Energy Manager Model View, the Information Delivery Tool and the established profile of Energy Managers. The Model View and Rule Set Methodology is effectively demonstrated on an appropriate mixed use existing ‘green’ building, the Environmental Research Institute at University College Cork, using the Energy Management and LEED rule sets. Informed Decision Making is also demonstrated using a prototype scenario for the demonstration building.

The Irish House of Lords, 1780-1800: politics and ideology

This thesis covers the Irish House of Lords in the last two decades of its life. A number of important themes run through the work - the regency crisis, patronage, the management of the Lords, the relationship between the Lords and Commons. These themes, explored from different angles, are vital to an understanding of the political role of the upper house in the 1780s and 1790s. This study is confined to the Lords as a political institution and thus its judicial role as final court of appeal, which was restored to it in 1782, will not be explored here. The thesis consists of two parts. Part one examines the structure and powers of the House of Lords while part two looks at the parties and policies of the house. Chapter one discusses the British constitution as imposed upon Ireland. Chapter two suggests the reasons why constitutional changes were introduced in 1782, and looks at the contribution made by the Irish House of Lords in securing these changes. Chapter three explores the various channels of influence which the peers enjoyed. Chapter four explores the sometimes tense relationship between Lords and Commons. Chapter five examines management of the House of Lords by Dublin Castle. Part two, begins at chapter six. This chapter explores the leadership of both parties within the Lords. Chapter seven looks at how patronage was used to reward those who were loyal to the government. Chapter eight explores the influence of the Whig opposition. Chapter nine looks at the controversial attempts made by Pitt and his ministry during the 1790s to win the support of catholics and turn them from the lure of French ideas, and of the response of the peers to these attempts. Chapter ten is concerned with the relationship between the peers of the House of Lords and the lords lieutenant during the 1790s. Chapter eleven looks at the Union and the House of Lords and attempts to answer the question historians have long asked: why did the Irish parliament and the House of Lords in particular, look favourably on the proposed union of the two kingdoms and the end of their own institution? The House of Lords in the closing decades of the eighteenth century was an institution within which the wealth and power of the kingdom could be found. Its members were politically active, both inside and outside the house. It contained a majority who saw the Crown as the source of stability, but it was a living and evolving political organism and therefore it contained men who believed that the Crown should have its influence limited. This evolution is also demonstrated in its desire for political change in 1782 and 1788. Its last, and perhaps most radical decision, was to vote for its own demise in 1900.

The examination of the traditional femininity and women’s lives in ancient China

This thesis explores the evolution of the concept of traditional Chinese femininity in relation to women’s lives in ancient China (221 BCE – A.D.1840). It proposes that the traditional Chinese femininity had been trying to seek a balance between the permanent principles and contingency plans for the stability and development of the society, which caused women’s humiliation and freedom. In reality, politicians and thinkers in ancient China had been transforming the concept of femininity itself to make it more adaptable to the social conditions of that time. This may be discussed in terms of three aspects. Firstly, the traditional concept of Chinese human relationships, including the ethical order, always emphasised the influence of individual behaviour on others and the overall stability and linked development of family, society and nation. Thus, both men and women, must be placed within this interrelated, interacting and cooperating relationship. Secondly, the association of family and country created an overlap of family and public affairs, which, objectively, facilitated the movement of women from the inner to the public arena. Thirdly, the notions of political and ethical morality and of men’s virtues and women’s virtues were integrated because of the union of family and nation. Therefore, typically virtuous women could be a source of encouragement for men and, furthermore, men formulated their virtues in the public space by formulating women’s virtues in the private space. The shaping of the gender image and concept of women in ancient China reflected the country’s changing cultural and gender norms. Chinese femininity and lifestyles, like Chinese history, were a continuous presence in the society but were also constantly changing. Through this study, it could be noted that Chinese women were not hidden and that their subjectivity and the concepts motivating them were not merely devised by a male-dominated society and culture.