Automata–based Method for Solving Systems of Linear Constraints in {0,1}

We consider a finite state automata based method of solving a system of linear Diophantine equations with coefficients from the set {-1,0,1} and solutions in {0,1}.

Using the stated preference method for the calculation of social discount rate

The aim of this paper is to build the stated preference method into the social discount rate methodology. The first part of the paper presents the results of a survey about stated time preferences through pair-choice decision situations for various topics and time horizons. It is assumed that stated time preferences differ from calculated time preferences and that the extent of stated rates depends on the time period, and on how much respondents are financially and emotionally involved in the transactions. A significant question remains: how can the gap between the calculation and the results of surveys be resolved, and how can the real time preferences of individuals be interpreted using a social time preference rate. The second part of the paper estimates the social time preference rate for Hungary using the results of the survey, while paying special attention to the pure time preference component. The results suggest that the current method of calculation of the pure time preference rate does not reflect the real attitudes of individuals towards future generations.

Stylization: a method for preserving the character of climate sensitive habitat

Stylization is a method of ornamental plant use usually applied in urban open space and garden design based on aesthetic consideration. Stylization can be seen as a nature-imitating ornamental plant application which evokes the scenery rather than an ecological plant application which assists the processes and functions observed in the nature. From a different point of view, stylization of natural or semi-natural habitats can sometimes serve as a method for preserving the physiognomy of the plant associations that may be affected by the climate change of the 21st century. The vulnerability of the Hungarian habitats has thus far been examined by the researchers only from the botanical point of view but not in terms of its landscape design value. In Hungary coniferous forests are edaphic and classified on this basis. The General National Habitat Classification System (Á-NÉR) distinguishes calcareous Scots pine forests and acidofrequent coniferous forests. The latter seems to be highly sensitive to climate change according to ecological models. The physiognomy and species pool of its subtypes are strongly determined by the dominant coniferous species that can be Norway spruce (Picea abies) or Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). We are going to discuss the methodology of stylization of climate sensitive habitats and briefly refer to acidofrequent coniferous forests as a case study. In the course of stylization those coniferous and deciduous tree species of the studied habitat that are water demanding should be substituted by drought tolerant ones with similar characteristics. A list of the proposed taxa is going to be given.

Stylization: a method for preserving the character of climate sensitive habitats. A case study of acidofrequent mixed forests

Stylization is a common method of ornamental plant use that imitates nature and evokes the scenery. This paper discloses a not yet proposed aspect of stylization, since the method offers the possibility of preserving the physiognomy of those habitats that seem to vanish due to future climate change. In addition, novelty of the method is founded also on that vulnerability of the Hungarian habitats has been examined by the researchers only from the botanical and ecological point of view so far and not in terms of its landscape design value. In Hungary, acidofrequent mixed forests appear to be highly sensitive to climate change according to ecological models. We are going to discuss the methodology of stylization of climate sensitive habitats and briefly refer to acidofrequent mixed forests as a case study. Those coniferous and deciduous tree species of the studied habitat that are water demanding are proposed to be substituted by drought tolerant ones with similar characteristics, and an optionally expandable list of these taxa is presented. Based on this the authors suggest experimental investigations of those of the proposed taxa for which the higher drought tolerance is based on observations only.

Numerical calculation of diffraction coefficients from building edges using FDTD method

Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) Method and software are applied to obtain diffraction waves from modulated Gaussian plane wave illumination for right angle wedges and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is used to get diffraction coefficients in a wideband in the illuminated lit region. Theta and Phi polarization in 3-dimensional, TM and TE polarization in 2-dimensional cases are considered respectively for soft and hard diffraction coefficients. Results using FDTD method of perfect electric conductor (PEC) wedge are compared with asymptotic expressions from Uniform Theory of Diffraction (UTD). Extend the PEC wedges to some homogenous conducting and dielectric building materials for diffraction coefficients that are not available analytically in practical conditions. ^

Improving the estimation of psychometric functions in 2AFC discrimination tasks.

Ulrich and Vorberg (2009) presented a method that fits distinct functions for each order of presentation of standard and test stimuli in a two-alternative forced-choice (2AFC) discrimination task, which removes the contaminating influence of order effects from estimates of the difference limen. The two functions are fitted simultaneously under the constraint that their average evaluates to 0.5 when test and standard have the same magnitude, which was regarded as a general property of 2AFC tasks. This constraint implies that physical identity produces indistinguishability, which is valid when test and standard are identical except for magnitude along the dimension of comparison. However, indistinguishability does not occur at physical identity when test and standard differ on dimensions other than that along which they are compared (e.g., vertical and horizontal lines of the same length are not perceived to have the same length). In these cases, the method of Ulrich and Vorberg cannot be used. We propose a generalization of their method for use in such cases and illustrate it with data from a 2AFC experiment involving length discrimination of horizontal and vertical lines. The resultant data could be fitted with our generalization but not with the method of Ulrich and Vorberg. Further extensions of this method are discussed.

Development of a novel probe integrated with a micro-structured impedance sensor for the detection of breast cancer

The work described in this thesis focuses on the development of an innovative bioimpedance device for the detection of breast cancer using electrical impedance as the detection method. The ability for clinicians to detect and treat cancerous lesions as early as possible results in improved patient outcomes and can reduce the severity of the treatment the patient has to undergo. Therefore, new technology and devices are continually required to improve the specificity and sensitivity of the accepted detection methods. The gold standard for breast cancer detection is digital x-ray mammography but it has some significant downsides associated with it. The development of an adjunct technology to aid in the detection of breast cancers could represent a significant patient and economic benefit. In this project silicon substrates were pattern with two gold microelectrodes that allowed electrical impedance measurements to be recorded from intact tissue structures. These probes were tested and characterised using a range of in vitro and ex vivo experiments. The end application of this novel sensor device was in a first-in-human clinical trial. The initial results of this study showed that the silicon impedance device was capable of differentiating between normal and abnormal (benign and cancerous) breast tissue. The mean separation between the two tissue types 4,340 Ω with p < 0.001. The cancer type and grade at the site of the probe recordings was confirmed histologically and correlated with the electrical impedance measurements to determine if the different subtypes of cancer could each be differentiated. The results presented in this thesis showed that the novel impedance device demonstrated excellent electrochemical recording potential; was biocompatible with the growth of cultured cell lines and was capable of differentiating between intact biological tissues. The results outlined in this thesis demonstrate the potential feasibility of using electrical impedance for the differentiation of biological tissue samples. The novelty of this thesis is in the development of a new method of tissue determination with an application in breast cancer detection.

Firn line elevation of the Dickson Land peninsula

The Dickson Land peninsula is located in central West-Spitsbergen between the NNE branches of Isfjorden. The climatic firn line lying at 500 m causes plateau glaciers with outlet tongues which are characteristic of S-Dickson Land. The distribution of valley glaciers and the variations of the orographic firn line depend on wind direction. In comparing the firn lines established by the methods of LICHTENECKER (1938) and VISSER (1938), to the values calculated by the method of v. HÖFER (1879), differences of up to l07 m are found. These differences may depend on the inclination and distance relationships of the glaciers above and below the real firn lines. During the latest glacial advance, Dickson Land was located on the peripheries of two local glaciation centers. At that time an inland glaciation of West-Spitsbergen did not exist . The formation of a subglacial channel system dates back to the maximum extent of the late glacial phase before 17500 B.P, (+2000/-1375 years). A correlation of postglacial stadia and 14C dated marine terraces (FEYLING-HANSSEN & OLSSON, 1960; FEYLING-HANSSEN, 1965) is possible. Considering isostatic movement and the difference between calculated and real firn lines, a postglacial stadium at about 10400 B. P. can be reconstructed with a firn line lying 265 m above former sea level. On average, the absolute depression below the recent firn line amounted to 246 m. Stagnation at 9650 B.P. coincided with a firn line at 315 m above former sea level and a depression of 173 m. Around 1890 A.D., glacial fluctuations corresponded to a firn line at 415 m (depression: 64 m). To some extent the morphology of the main valleys appears to depend on structure and petrography. Therefore their value as indicators of former glaciations is questionable. The periglacial forms are shown on a large-scale map. At the time of the "Holocene warm interval", between 7000 and 2000 B.P. (FEYLING-HANSSEN, 1955a, 1965), an increase of periglacial activity seems likely. This can be explained by a simultaneous increase in the depth of the active layer in both soil and bedrock.

State-Selective Attachment of Helium to Molecular Ions in a New Cryogenic Ion Trap

Light is the main information about the interstellar medium accessible on Earth. Based on this information one can conclude on the composition of the region where the light originates from, as well as on its history. The requirement for this is that it is possible to identify the different absorption and emission features in the spectrum and assign them to certain molecules, atoms or ions. To enable the identification of the different species, precise spectroscopic investigations of the species in the laboratory are necessary. In this work a new spectroscopic method is presented, which can be used to record pure rotational spectra of mass selected, cold, stored molecular ions. It is based on the idea of state specific attachment of helium atoms to the stored molecular ions. The new technique has been made possible through the development and recent completion of two new 22-pole ion trap instruments in the work group of Laboratory Astrophysics at the University of Cologne. These new instruments have the advantage to reach temperatures as low as 4K compared to the 10K of the predecessor instrument. These low temperatures enable the ternary attachment of helium atoms to the stored molecular ions and by this make it possible to develop this new method for pure rotational spectroscopy. According to this, this work is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the new FELion experiment that was build and characterized in the first part of the thesis. FELion is a cryogenic 22-pole ion trap apparatus, allowing to generate, mass select, store and cool down, and analyze molecular ions. The different components of the instrument, e.g. the Storage Ion Source for generating the ions or the first quadrupole mass filter, are described and characterized in this part. Besides this also the newly developed control and data acquisitions system is introduced. With this instrument the measurements presented in the second part of the work were performed. The second part deals with the new action spectroscopic method of state-selective helium attachment to the stored molecular ions. For a deeper analysis of the new technique the systems of CD+ and helium and HCO+ and helium are investigated in detail. Analytical and numerical models of the process are presented and compared to experimental results. The results of these investigations point to a seemingly very general applicability of the new method to a wide class of molecular ions. In the final part of the thesis measurements of the rotational spectrum of l-C3H+ are presented. These measurements have to be high-lighted, since it was possible for the first time in the laboratory to unambiguously measure four low-lying rotational transitions of l-C3H+. These measurements (Brünken et al. ApJL 783, L4 (2014)) enabled the reliable identification of so far unidentified emision lines observed in several regions of the interstellar medium (Pety et al. Astron. Astrophys. 548, A68 (2012), McGuire et al. The Astrophysical Journal 774, 56 (2013) and McGuire et al. The Astrophysical Journal 783, 36 (2014)).

The Evolution of Massive Young Stellar Objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud

This thesis presents an analysis of the largest catalog to date of infrared spectra of massive young stellar objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Evidenced by their very different spectral features, the luminous objects span a range of evolutionary states from those most embedded in their natal molecular material to those that have dissipated and ionized their surroundings to form compact HII regions and photodissociation regions. We quantify the contributions of the various spectral features using the statistical method of principal component analysis. Using this analysis, we classify the YSO spectra into several distinct groups based upon their dominant spectral features: silicate absorption (S Group), silicate absorption and fine-structure line emission (SE), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission (P Group), PAH and fine-structure line emission (PE), and only fine-structure line emission (E). Based upon the relative numbers of sources in each category, we are able to estimate the amount of time massive YSOs spend in each evolutionary stage. We find that approximately 50% of the sources have ionic fine-structure lines, indicating that a compact HII region forms about half-way through the YSO lifetime probed in our study. Of the 277 YSOs we collected spectra for, 41 have ice absorption features, indicating they are surrounded by cold ice-bearing dust particles. We have decomposed the shape of the ice features to probe the composition and thermal history of the ice. We find that most the CO2 ice is embedded a polar ice matrix that has been thermally processed by the embedded YSO. The amount of thermal processing may be correlated with the luminosity of the YSO. Using the Australia Telescope Compact Array, we imaged the dense gas around a subsample of our sources in the HII complexes N44, N105, N113, and N159 using HCO+ and HCN as dense gas tracers. We find that the molecular material in star forming environments is highly clumpy, with clumps that range from subparsec to ~2 parsecs in size and with masses between 10^2 to 10^4 solar masses. We find that there are varying levels of star formation in the clumps, with the lower-mass clumps tending to be without massive YSOs. These YSO-less clumps could either represent an earlier stage of clump to the more massive YSO-bearing ones or clumps that will never form a massive star. Clumps with massive YSOs at their centers have masses larger than those with massive YSOs at their edges, and we suggest that the difference is evolutionary: edge YSO clumps are more advanced than those with YSOs at their centers. Clumps with YSOs at their edges may have had a significant fraction of their mass disrupted or destroyed by the forming massive star. We find that the strength of the silicate absorption seen in YSO IR spectra feature is well-correlated with the on-source HCO+ and HCN flux densities, such that the strength of the feature is indicative of the embeddedness of the YSO. We estimate that ~40% of the entire spectral sample has strong silicate absorption features, implying that the YSOs are embedded in circumstellar material for about 40% of the time probed in our study.

Collimation of deuterium / 3-helium fusion products for advanced spacecraft propulsion and power

Current space exploration has transpired through the use of chemical rockets, and they have served us well, but they have their limitations. Exploration of the outer solar system, Jupiter and beyond will most likely require a new generation of propulsion system. One potential technology class to provide spacecraft propulsion and power systems involve thermonuclear fusion plasma systems. In this class it is well accepted that d-He3 fusion is the most promising of the fuel candidates for spacecraft applications as the 14.7 MeV protons carry up to 80% of the total fusion power while ‘s have energies less than 4 MeV. The other minor fusion products from secondary d-d reactions consisting of 3He, n, p, and 3H also have energies less than 4 MeV. Furthermore there are two main fusion subsets namely, Magnetic Confinement Fusion devices and Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (or IEC) Fusion devices. Magnetic Confinement Fusion devices are characterized by complex geometries and prohibitive structural mass compromising spacecraft use at this stage of exploration. While generating energy from a lightweight and reliable fusion source is important, another critical issue is harnessing this energy into usable power and/or propulsion. IEC fusion is a method of fusion plasma confinement that uses a series of biased electrodes that accelerate a uniform spherical beam of ions into a hollow cathode typically comprised of a gridded structure with high transparency. The inertia of the imploding ion beam compresses the ions at the center of the cathode increasing the density to the point where fusion occurs. Since the velocity distributions of fusion particles in an IEC are essentially isotropic and carry no net momentum, a means of redirecting the velocity of the particles is necessary to efficiently extract energy and provide power or create thrust. There are classes of advanced fuel fusion reactions where direct-energy conversion based on electrostatically-biased collector plates is impossible due to potential limits, material structure limitations, and IEC geometry. Thermal conversion systems are also inefficient for this application. A method of converting the isotropic IEC into a collimated flow of fusion products solves these issues and allows direct energy conversion. An efficient traveling wave direct energy converter has been proposed and studied by Momota , Shu and further studied by evaluated with numerical simulations by Ishikawa and others. One of the conventional methods of collimating charged particles is to surround the particle source with an applied magnetic channel. Charged particles are trapped and move along the lines of flux. By introducing expanding lines of force gradually along the magnetic channel, the velocity component perpendicular to the lines of force is transferred to the parallel one. However, efficient operation of the IEC requires a null magnetic field at the core of the device. In order to achieve this, Momota and Miley have proposed a pair of magnetic coils anti-parallel to the magnetic channel creating a null hexapole magnetic field region necessary for the IEC fusion core. Numerically, collimation of 300 eV electrons without a stabilization coil was demonstrated to approach 95% at a profile corresponding to Vsolenoid = 20.0V, Ifloating = 2.78A, Isolenoid = 4.05A while collimation of electrons with stabilization coil present was demonstrated to reach 69% at a profile corresponding to Vsolenoid = 7.0V, Istab = 1.1A, Ifloating = 1.1A, Isolenoid = 1.45A. Experimentally, collimation of electrons with stabilization coil present was demonstrated experimentally to be 35% at 100 eV and reach a peak of 39.6% at 50eV with a profile corresponding to Vsolenoid = 7.0V, Istab = 1.1A, Ifloating = 1.1A, Isolenoid = 1.45A and collimation of 300 eV electrons without a stabilization coil was demonstrated to approach 49% at a profile corresponding to Vsolenoid = 20.0V, Ifloating = 2.78A, Isolenoid = 4.05A 6.4% of the 300eV electrons’ initial velocity is directed to the collector plates. The remaining electrons are trapped by the collimator’s magnetic field. These particles oscillate around the null field region several hundred times and eventually escape to the collector plates. At a solenoid voltage profile of 7 Volts, 100 eV electrons are collimated with wall and perpendicular component losses of 31%. Increasing the electron energy beyond 100 eV increases the wall losses by 25% at 300 eV. Ultimately it was determined that a field strength deriving from 9.5 MAT/m would be required to collimate 14.7 MeV fusion protons from d-3He fueled IEC fusion core. The concept of the proton collimator has been proven to be effective to transform an isotropic source into a collimated flow of particles ripe for direct energy conversion.

Effect of ray and speed perturbations on ionospheric tomography by over-the-horizon radar: A new method

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Development of paclitaxel-loaded liposomal systems with anti-her2 antibody for targeted therapy

Purpose: To develop liposome formulations containing monoclonal antibody anti-HER2 (MabHer2), and Paclitaxel (PTX). Methods: Seven different liposomal systems containing PTX, or MabHer2 or a combination of PTX and MabHer2 were made using lipid film hydration technique and sonication. The effects of liposome preparation conditions and extraction methods on antibody structure were investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The characteristics of the liposomes were determined by a zetasizer, while drug-loading efficiency was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. The cytotoxic effect of the liposome formulations was evaluated on MDA-MB-453 (HER2+) and MCF-7 (HER2-) breast cancer cell lines by MTT assay. Results: The antibody was not significantly affected by the stress conditions and the method of extraction. The particle size of liposomes was < 200 nm while the amount of incorporated PTX was 97.6 % for liposome without cationic agent and 98.2 % for those with cationic agent. Recovery of MabHer2 was 94.38 % after extraction. Combined PTX/MabHer2 liposome was more toxic on HER2 overexpressing positive MDA-MB-453 cell line than PTX-loaded liposomes and MabHer2. MabHer2 and combined PTX/MabHer2 liposomes showed no toxic effects on HER2 overexpressing negative MCF-7 cells relative to cationic PTX-loaded liposomes. Conclusions: This results obtained show that PTX can be encapsulated successfully into liposoma systems and that owing to Her2 specific antibody, these systems can be delivered directly to the target cell.

The Terminal Value (TV) Performing in Firm Valuation: The Gap of Literature and Research Agenda

The uncertainty about the future of firms must be modeled and incorporated in the valuation of enterprises outside the explicit period of analysis, i.e., in the continuing or terminal value (TV). There is a multiplicity of factors that influence the TV of firms which are not being considered within current evaluation models. This aspect leads to the incurring of unrecoverable errors, thus leading to values of goodwill or bad will far away from the substantial value of intrinsic assets. As a consequence, the evaluation results will be presented markedly different from market values. There is no consensus in the scientific community about the method of computation of the TV as a forecast in an infinite horizon. The size of the terminal, or non-explicit period, assumed as infinite, is never called into question by scientific literature, or the probability of business bankruptcy. This paper aims to promote a study of the existing literature on the TV, to highlight the fragility of the evaluation models of companies that have been used by the academic community and by financial analysts, and to point out lines for future research to minimize these errors.

Selection of mango rosa genotypes in a breeding population using the multivariate-biplot method.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) trees stand out among the main fruit trees cultivated in Brazil. The mango rosa fruit is a very popular local variety (landrace), especially because of their superior technological characteristics such as high contents of Vitamin C and soluble solids (SS), as well as attractive taste and color. The objective of this study was to select a breeding population of mango rosa (polyclonal variety; ≥5 individuals) that can simultaneously meet the fresh and processed fruit Vmarkets, using the multivariate method of principal components and the biplot graphic.