Explicit Model Checking of Very Large MDP using Partitioning and Secondary Storage

The applicability of model checking is hindered by the state space explosion problem in combination with limited amounts of main memory. To extend its reach, the large available capacities of secondary storage such as hard disks can be exploited. Due to the specific performance characteristics of secondary storage technologies, specialised algorithms are required. In this paper, we present a technique to use secondary storage for probabilistic model checking of Markov decision processes. It combines state space exploration based on partitioning with a block-iterative variant of value iteration over the same partitions for the analysis of probabilistic reachability and expected-reward properties. A sparse matrix-like representation is used to store partitions on secondary storage in a compact format. All file accesses are sequential, and compression can be used without affecting runtime. The technique has been implemented within the Modest Toolset. We evaluate its performance on several benchmark models of up to 3.5 billion states. In the analysis of time-bounded properties on real-time models, our method neutralises the state space explosion induced by the time bound in its entirety.Comment: The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24953-7_1

Electric-field-induced alignment of electrically neutral disk-like particles: modelling and calculation

This work reveals a torque from electric field to electrically neutral flakes that are suspended in a higher electrical conductive matrix. The torque tends to rotate the particles toward an orientation with its long axis parallel to the electric current flow. The alignment enables the anisotropic properties of tiny particles to integrate together and generate desirable macroscale anisotropic properties. The torque was obtained from thermodynamic calculation of electric current free energy at various microstructure configurations. It is significant even when the electrical potential gradient becomes as low as 100 v/m. The changes of electrical, electroplastic and thermal properties during particles alignment were discussed

Using electric current to surpass the microstructure breakup limit

The elongated droplets and grains can break up into smaller ones. This process is driven by the interfacial free energy minimization, which gives rise to a breakup limit. We demonstrated in this work that the breakup limit can be overpassed drastically by using electric current to interfere. Electric current free energy is dependent on the microstructure configuration. The breakup causes the electric current free energy to reduce in some cases. This compensates the increment of interfacial free energy during breaking up and enables the processing to achieve finer microstructure. With engineering practical electric current parameters, our calculation revealed a significant increment of the obtainable number of particles, showing electric current a powerful microstructure refinement technology. The calculation is validated by our experiments on the breakup of Fe3C-plates in Fe matrix. Furthermore, there is a parameter range that electric current can drive spherical particles to split into smaller ones

Bioprocess Development for the Cultivation of human T-lymphocytes in a clinical scale

Bohnenkamp H, Hilbert U, Noll T. Bioprocess Development for the Cultivation of human T-lymphocytes in a clinical scale. Cytotechnology. 2002;38:135-145

Social consequences of a tumor disease - an unexpected problem for relatives

On one hand financial distress is a problem in long-term cancer survivors. On the other hand little is known about theses consequences regarding their family member or relatives. Aim of this study was to look for the incidence of financial distress for family members or relatives due to the cancer diagnosis in the family.27 relatives, who presented themselves in facilities of the "Hessische Krebsgesellschaft", were analyzed by questionnaire consecutively.Regarding our data one third of the relatives who were interviewed reduced their working time and therefore their salary Therefore we think in case of a talk about the financial situation of a cancer patient relatives should be included.Finanzielle und soziale Konsequenzen einer Krebserkrankung bzw. deren Therapie sind ein häufiges und relevantes Problem für Langzeitkrebsüberlebende. Inwieweit eine solche Entwicklung auch Angehörige trifft ist aber vollkommen unklar und bis dato auch nicht untersucht.In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wurden 27 Angehörige, die in einem Zeitraum von 5 Monaten die Beratungsstellen der hessischen Krebsgesellschaften aufsuchten, konsekutiv befragt. Von den Befragten gaben 33% an, dass sie bedingt durch die Tumorerkrankung ihres Angehörigen den zeitlichen Umfang ihrer beruflichen Tätigkeit auf Kosten ihres Einkommens veränderten.Während das Sozialsystem der Bundesrepublik Deutschland erkrankten Patienten in diesen Situationen über das Sozialgesetzbuch IX eine Fülle an Hilfestellungen anbietet, besteht für Angehörige keine Versorgungsstruktur.Aus diesem Grunde sollten unserer Meinung nach bei jeder sozialmedizinischen Beratung von Tumorpatienten, wenn möglich, auch die Angehörigen befragt werden oder, wenn dies nicht möglich ist, deren Situation mit berücksichtigt werden

Bioprocess Development for the cultivation of human T-lymphocytes

Bohnenkamp H, Hilbert U, Noll T. Bioprocess Development for the cultivation of human T-lymphocytes. Presented at the 17th European Society for Animal Cell Technology (ESACT) Meeting on Cell Based Technologies, Sweden