We use Bayesian statistics and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques to construct dynamical models for the spiral galaxy NGC 6503. The constraints include surface brightness profiles which display a Freeman Type II structure; HI and ionized gas rotation curves; the stellar rotation, which is nearly coincident with the ionized gas curve; and the line of sight stellar dispersion, which displays a $\sigma-$drop at the centre. The galaxy models consist of a S\'rsic bulge, an exponential disc with an optional inner truncation and a cosmologically motivated dark halo. The Bayesian/MCMC technique yields the joint posterior probability distribution function for the input parameters, allowing constraints on model parameters such as the halo cusp strength, structural parameters for the disc and bulge, and mass-to-light ratios. We examine several interpretations of the data: the Type II surface brightness profile may be due to dust extinction, to an inner truncated disc or to a ring of bright stars; and we test separate fits to the gas and stellar rotation curves to determine if the gas traces the gravitational potential. We test each of these scenarios for bar stability, ruling out dust extinction. We also find that the gas cannot trace the gravitational potential, as the asymmetric drift is then too large to reproduce the stellar rotation. The disc is well fit by an inner-truncated profile, but the possibility of ring formation by a bar to reproduce the Type II profile is also a realistic model. We further find that the halo must have a cuspy profile with $\gamma \gtrsim 1$; the bulge has a lower $M/L$ than the disc, suggesting a star forming component in the centre of the galaxy; and the bulge, as expected for this late type galaxy, has a low S\'{e}rsic index with $n_b\sim1-2$, suggesting a formation history dominated by secular evolution. / Thesis (Ph.D, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2010-01-10 00:11:41.946

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In this thesis, current driven domain-wall motion is studied using atomistic simulations with the exchange coupling modeled by the Heisenberg Hamiltonian under the nearest-neighbor approximation. The investigations may be divided into two parts, each concerned with how different aspects of the systems affect the domain-wall motion. The first part deals with domain-wall width dependence of the velocity in a three dimensional geometry with simple cubic crystal structure and uniaxial anisotropy. Results from this part showed that the velocity has a minor domain-wall width dependence. For a fixed current density, the velocity increased with domain-wall width, though only from 61.5 a/ns to 64.5 a/ns as the domain-wall width was increased from 3 to 25 atoms. The second part of the investigations deals with phenomena involving mixed cubic and uniaxial anisotropy, the non-adiabaticity parameter as well as the geometry of the system. The discussion includes an account of how the spin-transfer and cubic anisotropy torques contribute to the motion for different values of the non-adiabaticity parameter. In comparing a one dimensional atomic chain and a three dimensional system with simple cubic crystal structure, but otherwise with the same material properties, results showed a difference in how the two systems responded to currents. This difference is not accounted for by the micromagnetic theory, and its origin was unable to be determined.

This thesis investigates using an approach based on the Actors paradigm for implementing a discrete event simulation system and comparing the results with more traditional approaches. The goal of this work is to determine if using Actors for sequential programming is viable. If Actors are viable for this type of programming, then it follows that they would be usable for general programming. One potential advantage of using Actors instead of traditional paradigms for general programming would be the elimination of a distinction between designing for a sequential environment and a concurrent/distributed one. Using Actors for general programming may also allow for a single implementation that can be deployed on both single core and multiple core systems. Most of the existing discussions about the Actors model focus on its strengths in distributed environments and its ability to scale with the amount of available computing resources. The chosen system for implementation is intentionally sequential to allow for examination of the behaviour of existing Actors implementations where managing concurrency complexity is not the primary task. Multiple implementations of the simulation system were built using different languages (C++, Erlang, and Java) and different paradigms, including traditional ones and Actors. These different implementations were compared quantitatively, based on their execution time, memory usage, and code complexity. The analysis of these comparisons indicates that for certain existing development environments, Erlang/OTP, following the Actors paradigm, produces a comparable or better implementation than traditional paradigms. Further research is suggested to solidify the validity of the results presented in this research and to extend their applicability.

We study the influence of technological efficiency and organizational inertia on the emergence of competition when firms decide myopically. Using an agent-based computer simulation model, we observe the competitive reaction of a former monopolist to the advent of a new competitor. While the entrant uses a new technology, the monopolist is free either to stick to his former technology or to switch to the new one. We find that?irrespective of details regarding the demand side?a change of industry leadership occurs only if the new (?disruptive?) technology is not too efficient and organizations are inert. (author's abstract) / Series: Working Papers SFB "Adaptive Information Systems and Modelling in Economics and Management Science"

The increased interest in the use of light ion therapy is due to the high dose conformity to the target and the dense energy deposition along the tracks resulting in increased relative biological effectiveness compared to conventional radiation therapy. In spite of the good clinical experience, fundamental research on the characteristics of the ion beams is still needed in order to be able to fully explore their use. Therefore, a Monte Carlo track structure code, KITrack, simulating the transport of electrons in liquid water, has been developed and used for calculation of parameters of interest for beam characterization. The influence of the choice of the cross sections for the physical processes on the electron tracks has also been explored. As an alternative to Monte Carlo calculations a semi-analytical approach to calculate the radial dose distribution from ions, has been derived and validated. In advanced radiation therapy, accurate characterization of the beams has to be complemented by comprehensive radiobiological models, which relate the dose deposition into the cells to the outcome of the treatment. The second part of the study has therefore explored the influence of heterogeneity in the dose deposition into the cells as well as the heterogeneity in the cells sensitivity to radiation on the probability of controlling the tumor. Analytical expressions for tumor control probability including heterogeneous dose depositions or variation of radiation sensitivity of cells and tumors have been derived and validated with numerical simulations. The more realistic case of a combination of these effects has also been explored through numerical simulations. The MC code KITrack has evolved into an extremely useful tool for beam characterization. The tumor control probability, given by the analytical derived expression, can help improve radiation therapy. A novel anisotropy index has been proposed. It is a measure of the absence of isotropy and provides deeper understanding of the relationship between beam quality and biological effects. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>

Numerical simulations of Mach shock reflections have shown that the Mach stem can bifurcate as a result of the slip line jetting forward. Numerical simulations were conducted in this study which determined that these bifurcations occur when the Mach number is high, the ramp angle is high, and specific heat ratio is low. It was clarified that the bifurcation is a result of a sufficiently large velocity difference across the slip line which drives the jet. This bifurcation phenomenon has also been observed after triple point collisions in detonation simulations. A triple point reflection was modelled as an inert shock reflecting off a wedge, and the accuracy of the model at early times after reflection indicates that bifurcations in detonations are a result of the shock reflection process. Further investigations revealed that bifurcations likely contribute to the irregular structure observed in certain detonations.

Vesicles are simple structures, but display complex, non-linear dynamics in fluid flow. I investigate the deformation of nanometer-sized vesicles, both fully-inflated and those with excess area, as they travel in tightly confined capillaries. By varying both channel size and flow strength, I simulate vesicles as they transition from steady-state to unstable shapes, and then rupture in strong flow fields. By employing a molecular dynamics model of the vesicle, fluid, and capillary system one is able to rupture the lipid bilayer of these vesicles. This is unique in that most other numerical methods for modelling vesicles are unable to show rupture. The rupture of fully-inflated vesicles is applicable to drug delivery in which the release of the encapsulated medicine needs to be controlled. The deformation and rupture of vesicles with excess area could be applicable to red blood cells which have similar rheological properties.