In programming languages, record types give a universe of discourse (via so-called Σ-types); parameterised record types fix parts of that universe ahead of time (via Π-types), and algebraic datatypes give us first-class syntax (via W-types), which can then be used to program, e.g., evaluators and optimisers. A frequently-encountered issue in library design for statically-typed languages is that, for example, the algebraic datatype implementing the first-class view of the language induced by a record declaration cannot be defined by simple reference to the record type declaration, nor to any common “source”. This leads to unwelcome repetition, and to maintenance burdens. Similarly, the “unbundling problem” concerns similar repetition that arises for variants of record types where some fields are turned into parameters. The goal of this thesis is to show how, in dependently-typed languages (DTLs), algebraic datatypes and parameterised record types can be obtained from a single pragmatic declaration within the dependently-typed language itself, without using a separate “module language”. Besides this practical shared declaration interface, which is extensible in the language, we also find that common data structures correspond to simple theories. Put simply, the thesis is about making tedious and inexpressible patterns of programming in DTLs (dependently typed languages) become mechanical and expressible. The situations described above occur frequently when working in a dependently-typed language, and it is reasonable enough to have the computer handle them. We develop a notion of contexts that serve as common source for definitions of algebraic datatype and of parameterised record types, and demonstrate a “language” of “package operations” that enables us to avoid the above-mentioned replication that pervades current library developments. On the one hand, we demonstrate an implementation of that language as integrated editor functionality — this makes it possible to directly emulate the different solutions that are employed in current library developments, and refactor these into a shape that uses single declaration of contexts, thus avoiding the usual repetition that is otherwise required for provision of record types at different levels of parameterisation and of algebraic datatypes. On the other hand, we will demonstrate that the power of dependently-typed languages is sufficient to implement such package operations in a statically-typed manner within the language; using this approach will require adapting to the accordingly-changed library interfaces. Although our development uses the dependently-typed programming language Agda throughout, we emphasise that the idea is sufficiently generic to be implemented in other DTLs. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / There are things we want to use from various perspectives, our tools show that this is possible without any duplication and in a practical and efficient fashion.

Photovoltaic modules in desert areas benefit from high irradiation levels but suffer from harsh environmental stress factors, which influence the Levelized Cost of Electricity by decreasing the lifetime and performance and increasing the maintenance costs. Using optimized half-cell module designs mounted in the most efficient orientation according to the plant requirements can lead to reduced production costs, increased energy yield and longer service lives for PV modules in desert areas. In this work, we review the technical advantages of half-cell modules in desert regions and discuss the potential gains in levelized costs of electricity due to reduced material consumption, a higher cell-to-module power ratio, lower module temperatures, better yields, reduced cleaning cycles and finally, reduced fatigue in interconnection due to thermal cycling. We show that half-cell modules are the most cost-effective option for desert areas and are expected to have a relevant lower Levelized Cost of Electricity.

Cancer is a complex disease with diverse genetic changes that pose significant treatment challenges due to its heterogeneity. Identifying driver modules, which are crucial for cancer progression, has been aided by artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. However, existing approaches lack specificity, particularly for cancer types like lung cancer. This thesis addresses this gap by proposing a method that combines a gene-gene interaction network construction with AI-based clustering to identify distinct driver modules specific to lung cancer. The research aims to enhance our understanding of the disease by leveraging publicly available databases and large datasets using design science methodology. By mapping biological processes to genes and constructing a weighted gene-gene interaction network, correlations within gene clusters are identified. A clustering algorithm is applied to derive potential cancer-driver modules and pinpoint biologically relevant modules that contribute to the development of lung cancer. The results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the clustering approach, with 110 unique and non-overlapping clusters identified, ranging in size from 4 to 10. These clusters surpass the evaluation requirements and exhibit significant relevance to critical pathways. The findings challenge previous assumptions about gene clusters and their significance in lung cancer, providing insights into the molecular underpinnings of the disease. The identified driver modules hold promise for influencing future approaches to diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment in the management of lung cancer. By expanding our understanding of the disease, this research paves the way for further investigations and potential clinical advancements.

The goal of this paper is to extend Sanders Mac Lane's formulation of the torsion product as equivalence classes of projective chain complexes in the setting of modules over a ring to the setting of modules over small categories. The motivation to extend the definition was with a specific view to the orbit category. The main difficulty was in defining an appropriate dual for modules over small categories. During the course of our investigation it was discovered that modules over small categories can be formulated as modules over a matrix ring without losing any of the key features. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the tensor decomposition of structured tensors related to SL(n)-irreducible representations. Structured tensors are multilinear objects satisfying specific symmetry relations and their decompositions are of great interest in the applications. In this thesis we look for the decompositions of tensors belonging to irreducible representations of SL(n) into sum of elementary objects associated to points of SL(n)-rational hoogeneous varieties. This family includes Veronese varieties (symmetric tensors), Grassmann varieties (skew-symmetric tensors), and flag varieties. A classic tool to study the decomposition of symmetric tensors is the apolarity theory, which dates back to Sylvester. An analogous skew-symmetric apolarity theory for skew-symmetric tensors have been developed only few years ago. In this thesis we describe a global apolarity theory called Schur apolarity theory, which is suitable for tensors belonging to any irreducible representation of SL(n). Examples, properties and applications of such apolarity are studied with details and original results both in algebra and geoemtry are provided.

Despite being the world’s second most important low-carbon source of electricity, the development of nuclear capacities is limited and does not comply with the International Energy Agency’s Sustainable Development Scenario. One of the main reasons for this lack of development is high and increasing costs of new nuclear capacities. In fact, capital costs can account for more than 80% of the Levelized Cost of Energy of a new nuclear power plant. Design accounts for about 10% and construction accounts for about 20% of the total capital cost. The importance of design and construction in nuclear power plants’ costs is partly due to limitations of traditional construction methods regarding both technical possibilities and realization schedules. Modular construction methods are proposed to reduce new nuclear power plants’ construction costs, and in particular steel-plate composite structures modular construction. Steel-plate composite structures consist of a structural interaction between thin steel plates and precast concrete. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the capacity of modular construction, using steel-plate composite panels, to fulfil nuclear safety and functional requirements; as well as to identify potential related gains and opportunities. Advantages and constraints of steel-plate composite modules were identified in scientific literature and intergovernmental opportunity studies, and were related to the specificities of nuclear structures’ design and construction. Steel-plate composite structures modular construction is based on the manufacturing of steel concrete composite modules outside of the civil works site. The higher productivity of workshops and the possible task parallelization may lead to significant construction schedules shortening and capital costs reduction. In addition, steel-plate composite modules offer new technical possibilities which may help solving some constructability issues. However, steel-plate composite structures modular construction requires a reconsideration of the traditional design and construction methods, as they imply new challenges and constraints. In particular, the modularization issue should be addressed as soon as possible in the design, and the module manufacturing capacities should be quickly identified or created in order to deliver properly manufactured modules on-time. Considering the advantages and constraints of steel-plate composite structures modular construction, it appears that steel-plate composite modules may fit advantageously most of the nuclear design requirements. However, due to the lack of feedback, it is proposed that the usage of steel-plate composite modules be limited to critical concrete structures of the containment building. In particular, it appears that the containment dome and the reactor pit construction may benefit from steel-plate composite structures construction methods. / Trots att kärnkraften är världens näst viktigaste koldioxidsnåla elkälla är utvecklingen av kärnkraftskapaciteten begränsad och överensstämmer inte med Internationella energiorganets scenario för hållbar utveckling. En av de viktigaste orsakerna till denna långsamma utveckling är de höga och ökande kostnaderna för ny kärnkraftskapacitet. Kapitalkostnaderna kan faktiskt utgöra mer än 80 % av den energikostnaden för ett nytt kärnkraftverk. Konstruktionen står för cirka 10 % och byggandet för cirka 20 % av den totala kapitalkostnaden. Att projektering och byggande har så stor betydelse för kärnkraftverkens kostnader beror delvis på begränsningar i de traditionella byggmetoderna när det gäller både tekniska möjligheter och tidsplaner för genomförandet. För att minska byggkostnaderna för nya kärnkraftverk föreslås byggmetoder som bygger på moduler, ”modulära byggmetoder”, särskilt sådana byggmetoder för stålplåtskompositkonstruktioner. Stålplåtskompositkonstruktionen består av en tunn plåt som samverkar med förtillverkad betong. Syftet med denna avhandling var att utvärdera möjligheterna för modulära konstruktioner med stålplåtskompositpaneler att uppfylla kraven på kärnkraftssäkerhet och funktionalitet samt att identifiera potentiella vinster och förbättringar i samband med detta. Fördelar och begränsningar med stålplåtskompositmoduler identifierades i vetenskaplig litteratur och i mellanstatliga studier om möjligheter och relaterades till de särskilda egenskaperna hos kärnkraftstekniska konstruktioners utformning och konstruktion. Modulär konstruktion av stålplåtskompositkonstruktioner bygger på tillverkning av stålbetongkompositmoduler utanför byggarbetsplatsen. Den högre produktiviteten i verkstäderna och den möjliga parallelliseringen av arbetsuppgifter kan leda till en betydande förkortning av produktionstiderna och en minskning av kapitalkostnaderna. Dessutom erbjuder stålplåtskompositmoduler nya tekniska möjligheter som kan bidra till att lösa vissa byggbarhetsproblem. Modulbyggandet av stålplåtskompositkonstruktioner kräver dock en omprövning av de traditionella konstruktions- och byggmetoderna, eftersom de innebär nya utmaningar och begränsningar. I synnerhet bör modulariseringsfrågan tas upp så snart som möjligt i byggprocessen, och modultillverkningskapaciteten bör snabbt identifieras eller skapas för att kunna leverera korrekt tillverkade moduler i tid. Med tanke på fördelarna och begränsningarna med modulbyggandet av stålplåtskompositkonstruktioner verkar det som om stålplåtskompositmoduler med fördel kan uppfylla de flesta av kraven för kärnkraftsteknisk konstruktion. På grund av bristen på feedback föreslås dock att användningen av stålplåtskompositmoduler begränsas till kritiska betongkonstruktioner i inneslutningsbyggnaden. I synnerhet verkar det som om konstruktionen av inneslutningskupolen och reaktorstödstrukturen kan dra nytta av konstruktionsmetoderna för stålplåtskompositkonstruktioner

Recent efforts mitigating the global energy crisis has led to a radical shifttowards solar energy production. However, photovoltaic module (PVM) waste remains a grave concern. Burden shifting within a system is attributed to the lack of systems thinking applied in socio-technical transitions. Policies describe the processes for end-of-life management such as recycling, yet in practice leaves room for improvement. This paper aims to aid decision-makers with a systems perspective examining the barriers to increased recycling of PVMs. A comparative case study using qualitative data was collected from 12 semi structured interviews in South Africa and Sweden. Interviewees were recognized as key actors in the solar energy transition, as well as having a role to play in recycling PVMs. Using systems thinking approach, the interview results were used to define and visualize a social-technological-ecological system (STES), as well as its components and their relationships contained therein. The STES for Sweden included 12 components with 15 different relationships. Whereas South Africa’s systems included 13 components and 25 different relationships, owing to the addition of the ‘Social equity’ component and several more relationships within the social subsystem, extending to the technological subsystem. Barriers, where connections between components were disconnected, were interpreted. Despite the stark contrast between South Africa and Sweden’s landscapes and regimes, the pathways to bridge barriers are relatively the same. These include implementing economic instruments to encourage recycling, circular design of PVMs, and enhancing the information, knowledge and skills of recycling processes. The transition’s maturity was an overarching theme influencing the broader state of the system. Further research on the cognitive dissonance of sustainability transitions and the long-term impacts, as well as cause and effects relationships between components, and refining component definitions in the social subsystem based on emerging literature are encouraged.

ITC/USA 2005 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-First Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 24-27, 2005 / Riviera Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / Recent federal legislation (e.g. Sarbanes Oxley, Graham Leach Bliley) has introduced requirements for compliance including records retention and records integrity. Many industry sectors (e.g. Energy, under the North American Energy Reliability Council) are also introducing their own voluntary compliance mandates to avert possible additional federal regulation. A trusted computer appliance device dedicated to data auditing may soon be required in all corporate IT infrastructures to accommodate various compliance directives. Such an auditing device also may have application in telemetry post processing environments, as it maybe used to guarantee the integrity of post-processed telemetry data.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 18-21, 2004 / Town & Country Resort, San Diego, California / The use of hardware security for telemetry in satellites utilized for intelligence and defense applications is well known. Less common is the use of hardware security in ground-based computers hosting applications that post process telemetry data. Analysis reveals vulnerabilities in software only security solutions that can result in the compromise of telemetry data housed on ground-based computer systems. Such systems maybe made less susceptible to compromise with the use of hardware based security.

Thesis (MSc (Mathematical Sciences))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Class field theory describes the abelian extensions of a given field K in terms of various class groups of K, and can be viewed as one of the great successes of 20th century number theory. However, the main results in class field theory are pure existence results, and do not give explicit constructions of these abelian extensions. Such explicit constructions are possible for a variety of special cases, such as for the field Q of rational numbers, or for quadratic imaginary fields. When K is a global function field, however, there is a completely explicit description of the abelian extensions of K, utilising the theory of sign-normalised Drinfeld modules of rank one. In this thesis we give detailed survey of explicit class field theory for rational function fields over finite fields, and of the fundamental results needed to master this topic.