A simple demonstration of the existence of the jordan canonical form for any square matrix

All the demonstrations known to this author of the existence of the Jordan Canonical Form aresomewhat complex - usually invoking the use of new spaces, and what not. These demonstrationsare usually too difficult for an average Mathematics student to understand how he or she can obtainthe Jordan Canonical Form for any square matrix. The method here proposed not only demonstratesthe existence of such forms but, additionally, shows how to find them in a step by step manner. I donot claim that the following demonstration is in any way “elegant” (by the standards of elegance infashion nowadays among mathematicians) but merely simple (undergraduate students taking a fistcourse in Matrix Algebra would understand how it works).

Building Bridges: Linking universities with the manufacturing industry

This article explores ideas for linking university research entities with small- and medium-sized manufacturing industries. In an environment such as the Western Cape, South Africa, where well established teaching and research activities in science and engineering exist at several universities and research institutions, it is astonishing to realize that the local manufacturing industry struggles to obtain assistance with research and development in order to remain competitive locally and globally. Some of the reasons for this situation are outlined and solutions are proposed. In particular, the role of a gateway organization which aims to build networks between universities, research institutions and industry is described

Sociedades e Mudanças Sociais

Neste Texto Tentamos Mostrar como o Processo de Desenvolvimento não Pode ser Entendido como um Mero Processo de Mudança Econômica, Valendo-Nos das Contribuições dos Sociólogos Evolucionistas, para Tal.

Fabrication and characterization of ultra-small tunnel junctions for single electron devices

Work on the fabrication processes has shown that traditional tunnel junction formation techniques result in structure sizes which are too large to provide the high temperature effects required. Where lithographic techniques alone are used to shrink pattern dimensions, the processes become unreliable. In the case of the suspended mask shadow evaporation process used here, a limiting reliable overlap width of 40nm is expected and experienced. Attempts to fabricate structures below this size resulted in unreliable tunnel junction formation. The second technique investigated, the crossed track technique, suffered from serious problems arising from the angled evaporation process and from step coverage difficulties. The third fabrication technique attempts to control the placement of grains within the aluminium film. This technique has the advantages of simplicity and ability to form the smallest tunnel junctions with the material system used here. This system was chosen as the main fabrication process for investigation of high temperature single electron devices in this work. Measurements of resistivity and resistivity temperature dependence of the aluminium films were used to characterize the film types. The temperature dependence and magnitude of the resistivity have shown the films to be very conductive, or metallic. By virtue of this high conductivity, the structure behaviour should be dominated by the device, or tunnel junction, properties. The results obtained from the devices at 4.2K do not show the presence of single electron effects. However, the fabricated structures did demonstrate tunnelling behaviour. The absence of single electron effects has been attributed to the structure sizes. Despite being among the smallest possible in aluminium metallizations, these granular structures are apparently too large. The explanation for this is derived from the presence of stray capacitances between the grains forming the tunnel junctions. This raises the junction capacitance and therefore reduces the charging energy of the junction and the temperature of operation

The power of vivid experience in hand hygiene compliance

Summary In recent years, explicit behavioural theories have been used insome research into hand hygiene behaviour. One of the most prominent ofthese has been the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). In this qualitativestudy aimed at increasing understanding of infection prevention practicein the acute care setting, TPB was identified as a suitable framework forthe emergence of new insights that have the potential to improve thepower of existing education and training. The theory emerging from the researchwas based on a finding that individual experience is of greater importthan formal education in explaining hand hygiene behaviour. Thisindicated that exposure to vivid vicarious experience is a potential meansto improving the power of existing training methods and increasing the propensityfor instilling sustainable adequate hand hygiene habits

Enterprise metrics system

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemical Engineering; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT, 2001.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Includes bibliographical references (leaf 82).by Robert A. Nicol.S.M

A multi-domain process design and improvement framework

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2010.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 379-385).Processes in manufacturing, services, and healthcare are complex socio-technical systems composed of intricately sequenced activities supported by elements drawn from multiple domains. While many of these processes offer high performance, their complexity can make their design, improvement, troubleshooting, and change difficult due to the many possible and unforeseen interactions between elements. This thesis develops a design methodology and multi-domain network model for complex process design, change management, process improvement, and troubleshooting. As part of the methodology a feasibility analysis method based on solving the minimum cost flow problem for a network of process alternatives is presented to identify feasible processes subject to stakeholder requirements and constraints including performance, flexibility, modularity, and other system properties. A model based on Multi-Domain Matrix (MDM) concepts is developed specifically for process analysis called the Multi-Domain Process Matrix model (MDPM) to enumerate and analyze the interactions between process elements such that process performance under change and troubleshooting scenarios can be improved. The graph theory basis of the MDPM model enables its analysis using a proposed set of metrics derived from communications, social, and process network literature. As a demonstration of the use of the methodology, a complex DNA sequencing based surveillance process for Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the US healthcare system is designed and a prototype implemented. Rapid advances in DNA-based technologies have greatly expanded the range of processes available to the clinical microbiology laboratory, however, integrating these new processes into a comprehensive surveillance system presents significant challenges. Many of these new technologies are still in early stages of development, require multidisciplinary teams to support them, and must undergo significant optimization presenting significant barriers to their rapid adoption despite the pressing need to understand and control antibiotic resistance. Data from the prototype MRSA surveillance process show significant variation at the DNA level between patient cases, providing evidence for the urgent need for a DNA sequencing based microbial surveillance process as part of clinical microbiology efforts in the US healthcare system. However, results of applying the process design methodology and MDPM model analysis indicate significant work remains to reduce complexity, further improve key technology elements, gain acceptance, develop key organizational infrastructure, and Page 3 of 385 redesign the process to efficiently absorb the rapid technology change expected in DNA sequencing. The MDPM model is used to develop a roadmap of specific multi-domain projects addressing these issues to accelerate the deployment of a national DNA sequencing based surveillance system.by Robert Nicol.Ph.D

Toward Realistic Dosimetry In Vitro: Determining Effective Concentrations of Test Substances in Cell Culture and Their Prediction by an In Silico Mass Balance Model

Nominal concentrations (CNom) in cell culture media are routinely used to define concentration–effect relationships in the in vitro toxicology. The actual concentration in the medium (CMedium) can be affected by adsorption processes, evaporation, or degradation of chemicals. Therefore, we measured the total and free concentration of 12 chemicals, covering a wide range of lipophilicity (log KOW −0.07–6.84), in the culture medium (CMedium) and cells (CCell) after incubation with Balb/c 3T3 cells for up to 48 h. Measured values were compared to predictions using an as yet unpublished in silico mass balance model that combined relevant equations from similar models published by others. The total CMedium for all chemicals except tamoxifen (TAM) were similar to the CNom. This was attributed to the cellular uptake of TAM and accumulation into lysosomes. The free (i.e., unbound) CMedium for the low/no protein binding chemicals were similar to the CNom, whereas values of all moderately to highly protein-bound chemicals were less than 30% of the CNom. Of the 12 chemicals, the two most hydrophilic chemicals, acetaminophen (APAP) and caffeine (CAF), were the only ones for which the CCell was the same as the CNom. The CCell for all other chemicals tended to increase over time and were all 2- to 274-fold higher than CNom. Measurements of CCytosol, using a digitonin method to release cytosol, compared well with CCell (using a freeze–thaw method) for four chemicals (CAF, APAP, FLU, and KET), indicating that both methods could be used. The mass balance model predicted the total CMedium within 30% of the measured values for 11 chemicals. The free CMedium of all 12 chemicals were predicted within 3-fold of the measured values. There was a poorer prediction of CCell values, with a median overprediction of 3- to 4-fold. In conclusion, while the number of chemicals in the study is limited, it demonstrates the large differences between CNom and total and free CMedium and CCell, which were also relatively well predicted by the mass balance model

Precious Metal Enrichment at the Myra Falls VMS Deposit, British Columbia, Canada

Gold, present as electrum, in the Battle Gap, Ridge North-West, HW, and Price deposits at the Myra Falls mine, occurs in late veinlets cutting the earlier volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) lithologies. The ore mineral assemblage containing the electrum comprises dominantly galena, tennantite, bornite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and rarely stromeyerite, and is defined as an Au-Zn-Pb-As-Sb association. The gangue is comprised of barite, quartz, and minor feldspathic volcanogenic sedimentary rocks and clay, comprised predominantly of kaolinite with subordinate illite. The deposition of gold as electrum in the baritic upper portions of the sulphide lenses occurs at relatively shallow water depths beneath the sea floor. Primary, pseudosecondary, and secondary fluid inclusions, petrographically related to gold, show boiling fluid inclusion assemblages in the range of 123 to 173 °C, with compositions and eutectic melt temperatures consistent with seawater at approximately 3.2 wt % NaCl equivalent. The fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures are consistent with boiling seawater corresponding to water depths ranging from 15 to 125 m. Slightly more dilute brines corresponding to salinities of approximately 1 wt % NaCl indicate that there is input from very low-salinity brines, which could represent a transition from subaqueous VMS to epithermal-like conditions for precious metal enrichment, mixing with re-condensed vapor, or very low-salinity igneous fluids