General perspective of current knowledge and ways we may increase it in neuroscience

Brain function is a somewhat complex issue. However, based on the theory of the network system that includes concepts such as Modularity, Scaling, Connectome, Emergence and Specialization, we can draw some points in common that allow an approximation to the underlying mechanisms of cerebral connectivity. In the field of neuroimaging, there is a large number of techniques that allow the brain to observe the anatomical and functional approaches in different ways and allow us to make correlations that guide us in order to unravel the mechanisms of brain function. The most commonly used techniques in neuroscience are magnetic resonance, electroencephalogram, and magnetic stimulation. And it is by combining those theoretical concepts with the data obtained from the different techniques that allow neuroscientists to expand their knowledge in neuroscience. The aim of this work is to combine and facilitate the understanding of some complex concepts regarding the functioning of the brain and to serve as an introduction to research work in the field of neurology

Function model-based generation of CAD model variants

A product is an artefact which fulfils a specific function. However, most design automation (DA) approaches wich are used to generate multiple alternative design concepts focus on the generation of CAD models. These neglect to represent the functional aspects of the product, and are furthermore deemed too rigid for the introductino of novel solutions. Pure function modellingappraoches on the other hand provides methods such as design rationale representation, introduction of novel solutions or instantiation of combinatorial alternative concepts, but the resulting models are insufficient for analysis. To alleviate this, a design space exploration (DSE) approach which couples function modelling and CAD is presented. The approachlinks the product’s design rationale modelled in enhanced functionmeans (EF-M) to a DA approach via the here introduced object model for function and geometry (OMFG). The resulting method is able to automatically generate CAD models of alternative concepts based on combinations of alternative design solutions defined in the function model. The approach is presented through a case study of an aircraft engine component. Sixteen different concepts are generated based on four functions with alternative solutions. In an initial computation of the effort to generate all alternative concepts, the DA aspect of the approach’s effort pays off as soon as five functions have two or more alternative solutions. Beyond the benefit of efficient instantiation of CAD models of alternative product concepts, the approach promises to provide the design rationale behind each concept, and thereby a more systematic way of exploring and evaluating alternative design concepts

Incorporating Function Structures into Morphological Charts: A User Study

A morphological chart is an ideation tool that represents a large qualitative design space. Currently, morphological charts use a function list to as the function representation of the design problem. Using the morphological chart means (solutions) that can perform each function are generated. Combining one means from each function produces an integrated conceptual design solution. By repeating this process with all possible combination contained in the morphological chart, a long list of conceptual design solutions will be generated, although not all will be practical. This long list of potential design solutions is difficult to analyze and there are limited systematic design tools or guidelines to aid in identifying high quality solutions. A systematic study of the introduction of a new function representation, function structures, into morphological charts is explored in this thesis with the intent of developing guidelines which will aid designers in identifying high quality concepts. An experiment is conducted to determine the quality of design concepts generated from morphological charts using two different function representations (function lists and function structures). The findings from this experiment suggest that the quality of means generated in a morphological chart is not dependent on the function representation but that the potential for creating higher quality concepts when using function structures exists

Molecular Ensemble Junctions:a combined experimental & theoretical investigation

This thesis presents an investigation of the electrical properties of about 70 different molecules in molecular tunneling junctions (MTJs). It begins by presenting the field of molecular electronics (ME) -- from the advent of quantum mechanics to the first conception of ideas and experiments in ME. Then it discusses different steps in the fabrication of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and their incorporation in large-area MTJ, followed by data acquisition and analysis of current-voltage characteristics. Further, the theoretical methodology, which uses density functional theory in conjunction with non-equilibrium Green's function approach to simulate charge transport probability through MTJs, is reported. After the introduction of several concepts, an in-depth study of quantum interference (QI) effect on a series of molecular wires, comprising backbones with different conjugation patterns, is reported. Continuing with the QI studies, having established the effect of functional groups on QI, another approach to modulate the tunneling probabilities in MTJs by switching QI ON and OFF in one of the two parallel intramolecular pathways is presented. Next, the thesis discusses the non-linear tunneling current decay in sigma-pi molecular structures (oligothiophene-terminated butanethiols) with increasing molecular lengths, explained using a two-barrier model. Finally, the final chapter describes a generalized single-level model that compares the degree of electronic coupling between molecules and electrodes across 40 different large-area EGaIn-based MTJs from different laboratories. Thus, starting from the introduction of several ME concepts, experiments, and simulations, this thesis enables the reader through investigations on a big library of molecules that serve manifold purposes in ME

Parallel asynchronous computation of the values of an associative function

This paper shows an application of a formal approach to parallel program design. The basic model is related to temporal logics. We summarize the concepts of a relational model of parallelism in the introduction. The main part is devoted to the problem of synthesizing a solution for the problem of parallel asynchronous computation of the values of an associative function. The result is a programming theorem, which is wide applicable for different problems. The abstract program is easy to implement effectively on several architectures. The applicability of results is investigated for parallel architectures such as for hypercubes and transputer networks

Spatial coverage in routing and path planning problems

Routing and path planning problems that involve spatial coverage have received increasing attention in recent years in different application areas. Spatial coverage refers to the possibility of considering nodes that are not directly served by a vehicle as visited for the purpose of the objective function or constraints. Despite similarities between the underlying problems, solution approaches have been developed in different disciplines independently, leading to different terminologies and solution techniques. This paper proposes a unified view of the approaches: Based on a formal introduction of the concept of spatial coverage in vehicle routing, it presents a classification scheme for core problem features and summarizes problem variants and solution concepts developed in the domains of operations research and robotics. The connections between these related problem classes offer insights into common underlying structures and open possibilities for developing new applications and algorithms

Bioaccumulation, Biodistribution, Toxicology and Biomonitoring of Organofluorine Compounds in Aquatic Organisms

This review is a survey of recent advances in studies concerning the impact of poly- and perfluorinated organic compounds in aquatic organisms. After a brief introduction on poly- and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) features, an overview of recent monitoring studies is reported illustrating ranges of recorded concentrations in water, sediments, and species. Besides presenting general concepts defining bioaccumulative potential and its indicators, the biodistribution of PFCs is described taking in consideration different tissues/organs of the investigated species as well as differences between studies in the wild or under controlled laboratory conditions. The potential use of species as bioindicators for biomonitoring studies are discussed and data are summarized in a table reporting the number of monitored PFCs and their total concentration as a function of investigated species. Moreover, biomolecular effects on taxonomically different species are illustrated. In the final paragraph, main findings have been summarized and possible solutions to environmental threats posed by PFCs in the aquatic environment are discussed

A Core Existence Theorem for Games Without Ordered Preferences

[Introduction] To a large extent the cooperative theory of games has an altogether different appearance from the noncooperative theory. The noncooperative theory generally deals with games in either extensive form or normal form, while the cooperative theory is usually described in characteristic function form. One of the central concepts in the cooperative theory is that of the core, which is the set of utility allocations which no coalition can improve upon. This notion of the core and of the characteristic function form of a game depends heavily on the existence of a utility representation for players' preferences. Recently Gale and Mas-Colell [3] and Shafer and Sonnenschein [6] have proven theorems on the existence of a Nash equilibrium for noncooperative games in normal form in which the players' preferences over strategy vectors are not necessarily complete or transitive and so may fail to have a utility representation. Thus it might appear that the noncooperative theory is applicable in environments where the cooperative theory is not. In order to formulate theorems in the cooperative theory of games which can be applied to environments in which players may have nonordered preferences, the characteristic function must be reformulated in terms of physical outcomes as opposed to utility outcomes. The players' preferences can then be expressed in terms of the physical outcomes without the use of a utility function