This thesis introduces normal factor graphs under a new semantics, namely, the exterior function semantics. Initially, this work was motivated by two distinct lines of research. One line is ``holographic algorithms,'' a powerful approach introduced by Valiant for solving various counting problems in computer science; the other is ``normal graphs,'' an elegant framework proposed by Forney for representing codes defined on graphs. The nonrestrictive normality constraint enables the notion of holographic transformations for normal factor graphs. We establish a theorem, called the generalized Holant theorem, which relates a normal factor graph to its holographic transformation. We show that the generalized Holant theorem on one hand underlies the principle of holographic algorithms, and on the other reduces to a general duality theorem for normal factor graphs, a special case of which was first proved by Forney. As an application beyond Forney's duality, we show that the normal factor graphs duality facilitates the approximation of the partition function for the two-dimensional nearest-neighbor Potts model. In the course of our development, we formalize a new semantics for normal factor graphs, which highlights various linear algebraic properties that enables the use of normal factor graphs as a linear algebraic tool. Indeed, we demonstrate the ability of normal factor graphs to encode several concepts from linear algebra and present normal factor graphs as a generalization of ``trace diagrams.'' We illustrate, with examples, the workings of this framework and how several identities from linear algebra may be obtained using a simple graphical manipulation procedure called ``vertex merging/splitting.'' We also discuss translation association schemes with the aid of normal factor graphs, which we believe provides a simple approach to understanding the subject. Further, under the new semantics, normal factor graphs provide a probabilistic model that unifies several graphical models such as factor graphs, convolutional factor graphs, and cumulative distribution networks.

The proposed human intestinal absorption prediction model is applied to over 900 pharmaceuticals and has about 82.5% true prediction power. This study will provide a screening tool that can differentiate well absorbed and poorly absorbed drugs in the early stage of drug discovery and development. This model is based on fundamental physicochemical properties and can be applied to virtual compounds. The maximum well-absorbed dose (i.e., the maximum dose that will be more than 50 percent absorbed) calculated using this model can be utilized as a guideline for drug design, synthesis, and pre-clinical studies.

Este trabalho consiste em introduzir uma nova abordagem de representação de superfície no ambiente de simulação Freeflow2D. Consiste em usar Partição da Unidade Implícita para estimar da superfície a geometria, normais e curvatura. Procurando se valer das vantagens de métodos do tipo meshless (sem malha) conservando no entanto a malha Lagrangiana, no interesse de manter o fácil acesso de vizinhança, inserção e eliminação de pontos / The objective of this work is to introduce a new approache of surface representation within the Freeflow system. It consists of using implicit functions by means of Partition of Unit Implicit to estimate surface geometry, normals and curvature. Aiming at the advantages of meshless methods of surface representation whilst keeping the Lagrangian mesh in order to preserve ease of access of geometric vicinity, particle insertion and removal

We study and answer questions related to the complexity of various important problems such as: multi-frontal solvers of hp-adaptive finite element method, sorting and majority. We advocate the use of dynamic programming as a viable tool to study optimal algorithms for these problems. The main approach used to attack these problems is modeling classes of algorithms that may solve this problem using a discrete model of computation then defining cost functions on this discrete structure that reflect different complexity measures of the represented algorithms. As a last step, dynamic programming algorithms are designed and used to optimize those models (algorithms) and to obtain exact results on the complexity of the studied problems. The first part of the thesis presents a novel model of computation (element partition tree) that represents a class of algorithms for multi-frontal solvers along with cost functions reflecting various complexity measures such as: time and space. It then introduces dynamic programming algorithms for multi-stage and bi-criteria optimization of element partition trees. In addition, it presents results based on optimal element partition trees for famous benchmark meshes such as: meshes with point and edge singularities. New improved heuristics for those benchmark meshes were ob- tained based on insights of the optimal results found by our algorithms. The second part of the thesis starts by introducing a general problem where different problems can be reduced to and show how to use a decision table to model such problem. We describe how decision trees and decision tests for this table correspond to adaptive and non-adaptive algorithms for the original problem. We present exact bounds on the average time complexity of adaptive algorithms for the eight elements sorting problem. Then bounds on adaptive and non-adaptive algorithms for a variant of the majority problem are introduced. Adaptive algorithms are modeled as decision trees whose depth reflects the worst-case time complexity and average depth indicates the average-case time complexity. Non-adaptive algorithms are represented as decision tests whose size expresses the worst-case time complexity. Finally, we present a dynamic programming algorithm that finds a minimum decision test (minimum reduct) for a given decision table.

The diploma work is dealing with a new building multifunctional building, which is divided to a medical center and two flats for living. The building has three floors with different altitudes and partial cellar. The object is covered by flat roof. The location of the house is on a mildly slanting surface. The basics is made of concrete C16/20. External walls are stalled from POROTHERM 44 P+D and insulated system ETICS. The internal vertical walls are made from POROTHERM 30 P+D and POROTHERM 36,5 AKU, partitions from blocks POROTHERM 11,5 P+D and POROTHERM 14 P+D. The ceiling construction above each floor is made from filigree panels.

Diploma work is dealing with new building rekreation center for family recreation and catering. The object takes place on a flatland terrain. It is solved like a duplex, without basement and with a terrace on the second floor. The basics is made of concrete C16/20. The vertical support system is designed from blocks POROTHERM 44 Profi and 30 Profi, partitions from blocks POROTHERM 14 Profi and 8 Profi. The ceiling construction will be mounted from concrete ceiling panels SPIROLL. The object will be covered by flat roof.

The following thesis focuses on the long-term consequences of Partition of India on a micro-level. The thesis examines the life-history of a family that has been spatially divided owing to the decision of some family members who decided to migrate from India to Pakistan. Current, and past familial relations as well as the relationship of the spatially displaced family, specifically focusing on the relationship of the Indo-Pakistani family parts have been analysed. The life history is understood as a possible way how to explain Partition. Partition is presented in its broader historical-geographical context, specifically, the decolonization of the Indian subcontinent. The thesis incorporates selected approaches that establish a multi-dimensional framework and its interactions. The critical geopolitical approach explains the political standpoints of former political leaders as well as preconditions of Partition. The New histories approach gives way to personal spoken historical testimonies of family members in both countries, that apply nationalised representations of Partition and family ties. Additionally, feminist perspectives insight into how all three generations of the family understand and perceive topics important to the family's history, including how do they define 'home'. From a long-term...

The graph-based formulation of the navigation problem is establishing itself as one of the standard ways to formulate the navigation problem within the sensor fusion community. It enables a convenient way to access information from previous positions which can be used to enhance the estimate of the current position.To restrict working memory usage, map partitioning can be used to store older parts of the map on a hard drive, in the form of submaps. This limits the number of previous positions within the active map. This thesis examines the effect that map partitioning information loss has on the state of the art positioning algorithm iSAM2, both in open routes and when loop closure is achieved. It finds that larger submaps appear to cause a smaller positional error than smaller submaps for open routes. The smaller submaps seem to give smaller positional error than larger submaps when loop closure is achieved. The thesis also examines how the density of landmarks at the partition point affects the positional error, but the obtained result is mixed and no clear conclusions can be made. Finally it reviews some loop closure detection algorithms that can be convenient to pair with the iSAM2 algorithm.

The following thesis focuses on the long-term consequences of Partition of India on a micro- level. The thesis examines the life-history of a family that has been spatially divided owing to the decision of some family members who decided to migrate from India to Pakistan. Current, and past familial relations as well as the relationship of the spatially displaced family, specifically focusing on the relationship of the Indo-Pakistani family parts have been analysed. The life history is understood as a possible way how to explain Partition. Partition is presented in its broader historical-geographical context, specifically, the decolonization of the Indian subcontinent. The thesis incorporates selected approaches that establish a multi-dimensional framework and its interactions. The critical geopolitical approach explains the political standpoints of former political leaders as well as preconditions of Partition. The New histories approach gives way to personal spoken historical testimonies of family members in both countries, that apply nationalised representations of Partition and family ties. Additionally, feminist perspectives insight into how all three generations of the family understand and perceive topics important to the family's history, including how do they define "home ". Key words:...

The influence of basicity, heat treatment as well as different oxygen partial pressures on the phase relationships in the CaO-MgO-SiO2-Cr2O3 slags was studied with a view to control the precipitation of Cr-spinel in the slag phase. The equilibrium phases in CaO-MgO-SiO2-Cr2O3 slag system in the range on 1673-1873 K have been investigated under low oxygen partial pressure as well as in as air atmosphere. In low oxygen partial pressure experiments, a suitable mixture of CO and CO2 was used to control the oxygen partial pressure. The oxygen partial pressure was kept at 10-4 Pa. The Cr2O3 and MgO contents in the slag were fixed to be 6 and 8wt% respectively. The basicity (CaO/ SiO2) of the slag was varied in the range 1.0-2.0. Gas/slag equilibrium technique was adopted to synthesize the slag at a suitable temperature above the liquidus point. One heat treatment procedure is that the samples were heated to and soaked at 1873 K for 24h in order to achieve the equilibrium state and subsequently quenched in water. The other is that the samples were heated to and soaked at 1873 K for 24h, then slow cooled to 1673 K and soaked at this temperature for additional 24h in order to achieve the equilibrium state at lower temperature before quenching in water. The chromium distribution and phase compositions in the quenched slag were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction techniques (XRD). FACTsage software was used for the phase equilibrium calculations. The experimental results obtained from the present work are compared with the calculation results from FACTsage software as well as with results from samples directly quenched after soaking at 1873K. It is found that the spinel formation at 1873 K in air atmosphere is favored in the slag basicity range of 1.0 to 1.6. The size of spinel crystals increased drastically after slow cooling followed by annealing compared to samples being quenched after soaking at 1873 K. The amount of foreign elements dissolved in the spinel phase, and matrix phases decreased after slow cooling followed by annealing at lower temperature, resulting in purer phases with less defects. It was found that the amount of foreign elements in the spinel phase, and other phases decreased after soaking at very low PO2. The size of the spinel crystals was found to be larger in samples with low basicity. Spinel phase precipitation has improved in the samples with higher basicities compared to the results obtained in air. / QC 20111208