An information theory for preferences

Recent literature in the last Maximum Entropy workshop introduced an analogy between cumulative probability distributions and normalized utility functions. Based on this analogy, a utility density function can de defined as the derivative of a normalized utility function. A utility density function is non-negative and integrates to unity. These two properties form the basis of a correspondence between utility and probability. A natural application of this analogy is a maximum entropy principle to assign maximum entropy utility values. Maximum entropy utility interprets many of the common utility functions based on the preference information needed for their assignment, and helps assign utility values based on partial preference information. This paper reviews maximum entropy utility and introduces further results that stem from the duality between probability and utility

Analysis of decision alternatives of the deep borehole filter restoration problem

The energy problem is one of the biggest challenges facing the world in the 21st century. The nuclear energy is the fastest-growing contributor to the world energy and uranium mining is the primary step in its chain. One of the fundamental problems in the uranium extraction industry is the deep borehole filter restoration problem

Maximum Entropy Distributions between Upper and Lower Bounds

Abstract. We discuss the fonnulation of discrete maximum entropy problems given upper and lower bounds on moments and probabilities. We show that with bounds on discrete probabilties and bounds on cumulative probabilties, the solution is invarant to any additive concave objective fuction. This observation simplifies the analysis of the problem and unfies the solution of several generalized entropy expressions. We use this invarance result to provide an exact grphical solution to the maximum entropy distrbution between upper and lower cumulative probability bounds. We also discuss the maximum entropy joint distrbution with bounds on margial probabilties and provide a graphical solution to the problem using propertes of the entropy expression

Evaluation of thermodynamics, formation energetics and electronic properties of vacancy defects in CaZrO3

Using first-principles total energy calculations we have evaluated the thermodynamics and the electronic properties of intrinsic vacancy defects in orthorhombic CaZrO3. Charge density calculations and the atoms-in-molecules concept are used to elucidate the changes in electronic properties of CaZrO3 upon the introduction of vacancy defects. We explore the chemical stability and defect formation energies of charge-neutral as well as of charged intrinsic vacancies under various synthesis conditions and also present full and partial Schottky reaction energies. The calculated electronic properties indicate that hole-doped state can be achieved in charge neutral Ca vacancy containing CaZrO3 under oxidation condition, while reduction condition allows to control the electrical conductivity of CaZrO3 depending on the charge state and concentration of oxygen vacancies. The clustering of neutral oxygen vacancies in CaZrO3 is examined as well. This provides useful information for tailoring the electronic properties of this material. We show that intentional incorporation of various forms of intrinsic vacancy defects in CaZrO3 allows to considerably modify its electronic properties, making this material suitable for a wide range of applications

Revisiting Fara: Comparison of merged prospection results of diverse magnetometers with the earliest excavations in ancient Suruppak from 120 years ago

Ancient Suruppak, today Fara, was one of the major Sumerian cities in Mesopotamia. It was situated along one of the ancient watercourses of the Euphrates River. Findings date it back to the Jemdet Nasr period around 3000 bc with a continuous occupation until the end of the Ur III period around 2000 bc. Fara was first explored and excavated by the Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft in the years 1902 and 1903 under the direction of Walter Andrae. Multiple excavation trenches with lengths up to 900 m transect the 1 km(2) wide mound and are still visible today which enables us to georeference the excavation maps. Today, the 2.2 km(2) wide archaeological area is dry and without any vegetation. Thousands of deep looting pits are covering the majority of mound which not only destroyed its upper metres but also challenge the application of geophysical prospection methods and their interpretation. The magnetometer prospecting of selected areas on and around the mound was carried out with three devices, two total field magnetometers and one gradiometer. The individual survey areas were combined in post-processing by applying a high-pass filter on the total field data sets and multiplying the vertical gradiometer data sets by a factor of two. This approach provides visually uniform magnetograms, despite being obtained by different devices, which simplifies subsequent visual interpretation. These magnetograms enable us to review, and to extend the results of the old excavations. The comparison show a good correlation in accuracy to the old drawings and positive identification of the already excavated features with magnetometry. Highlights of the survey are the discovery of the city wall confirming its existence, the layout of a unique building complex in the centre of the mound, likely a temple, traces of canals inside the city and an evaluation of magnetometer prospection over a looted area

Depth profiling of melting and metallization in Si(111) and Si(001) surfaces

International audienc

Unique Presentation of Intra-Abdominal Testis: Small Bowel Obstruction

We describe here a two-year-old male who required urgent laparotomy to relieve a strangulated small bowel caused by internal herniation around an intra-abdominal testis. This clinical presentation has not been reported previously