The low-level interpretation of images provides constraints on 3D surface shape at multiple resolutions, but typically only at scattered locations over the visual field. Subsequent visual processing can be facilitated substantially if the scattered shape constraints are immediately transformed into visible-surface representations that unambiguously specify surface shape at every image point. The required transformation is shown to lead to an ill-posed surface reconstruction problem. A well-posed variational principle formulation is obtained by invoking 'controlled continuity,' a physically nonrestrictive (generic) assumption about surfaces which is nonetheless strong enough to guarantee unique solutions. The variational principle, which admits an appealing physical interpretation, is locally discretized by applying the finite element method to a piecewise, finite element representation of surfaces. This forms the mathematical basis of a unified and general framework for computing visible-surface representations. The computational framework unifies formal solutions to the key problems of (i) integrating multiscale constraints on surface depth and orientation from multiple visual sources, (ii) interpolating these scattered constraints into dense, piecewise smooth surfaces, (iii) discovering surface depth and orientation discontinuities and allowing them to restrict interpolation appropriately, and (iv) overcoming the immense computational burden of fine resolution surface reconstruction. An efficient surface reconstruction algorithm is developed. It exploits multiresolution hierarchies of cooperative relaxation processes and is suitable for implementation on massively parallel networks of simple, locally interconnected processors. The algorithm is evaluated empirically in a diversity of applications.

Image analysis problems, posed mathematically as variational principles or as partial differential equations, are amenable to numerical solution by relaxation algorithms that are local, iterative, and often parallel. Although they are well suited structurally for implementation on massively parallel, locally-interconnected computational architectures, such distributed algorithms are seriously handicapped by an inherent inefficiency at propagating constraints between widely separated processing elements. Hence, they converge extremely slowly when confronted by the large representations necessary for low-level vision. Application of multigrid methods can overcome this drawback, as we established in previous work on 3-D surface reconstruction. In this paper, we develop efficient multiresolution iterative algorithms for computing lightness, shape-from-shading, and optical flow, and we evaluate the performance of these algorithms on Synthetic images. The multigrid methodology that we describe is broadly applicable in low-level vision. Notably, it is an appealing strategy to use in conjunction with regularization analysis for the efficient solution of a wide range of ill-posed visual reconstruction problems.

Computational modules early in the human vision system typically generate sparse information about the shapes of visible surfaces in the scene. Moreover, visual processes such as stereopsis can provide such information at a number of levels spanning a range of resolutions. In this paper, we extend this multi-level structure to encompass the subsequent task of reconstructing full surface descriptions from the sparse information. The mathematical development proceeds in three steps. First, the surface most consistent with the sparse constraints is characterized as the solution to an equilibrium state of a thin flexible plate. Second, local, finite element representations of surfaces are introduced and, by applying the finite element method, the continuous variational principle is transformed into a discrete problem in the form of a large system of linear algebraic equations whose solution is computable by local-support, cooperative mechanisms. Third, to exploit the information available at each level of resolution, a hierarchy of discrete problems is formulated and a highly efficient multi-level algorithm, involving both intra-level relaxation processes and bi-directional inter-level algorithm, involving both intra-level relaxation processes and bidirectional inter-level local interpolation processes is applied to their simultaneous solution.. Examples of the generation of hierarchies of surface representations from stereo constraints are given. Finally, the basic surface approximation problem is revisited in a broader mathematical context whose implications are of relevance to vision.

This report describes the UNITRAN (UNIversal TRANslator) system, an implementation of a principle-based approach to natural language translation. The system is "interlingual", i.e., the model is based on universal principles that hold across all languages; the distinctions among languages are handled by settings of parameters associated with the universal principles. Interaction effects of linguistic principles are handled by the syste so that the programmer does not need to specifically spell out the details of rule applications. Only a small set of principles covers all languages; thus, the unmanageable grammar size of alternative approaches is no longer a problem.

The structural, electronic, and superconducting properties of one dimensional materials are calculated from first principles, using the density functional theory. Nanotubes and nanowires are important building blocks in nanotechnology, in particular for nanoelectronics. In this manuscript, the growth of carbon nanotubes is studied through the interaction between carbon and the transition metal atoms used as growth catalysts. The accepted model for a new phase of nanotube-like molybdenum disulfide is critically examined using comparisons of energetic stability and types of chemical bonding in different candidate structures which have similar compositions. The epitaxial growth of diamond carbon on (100) iridium is exceptionally favorable. The differences between various substrates used experimentally are studied, and the specificity of Ir is shown. Finally, the characteristics of the electron-phonon interaction in aluminium nanowires are determined. The structural instabilities and the differences in the electron-phonon coupling are calculated for straight monoatomic wires, zigzag wires, and thicker straight wires. The constrained geometry of the wires generates a coupling which can be very strong or almost vanish, depending on the structural details, but which is concentrated in the longitudinal high-frequency phonons.

<p>Idag är krigföringens principer en vedertagen del av svensk doktrin. Så har det inte alltid varit. För ungefär ett sekel sedan tvistade militära tänkare i väst om det överhuvudtaget fanns något som kunde kallas för krigföringens principer. Det finns än idag de som hävdar att det inte finns några principer, eller att krigföring är en konst och inte en vetenskap. I Försvarsmaktens doktriner är dessa principer dock en väsentlig komponent. Detta arbete skildrar hur principerna gradvis tog sig in i Försvarsmaktens reglementen och doktriner för armén samt belyser hur de olika principerna dök upp, byttes ut och fick olika innebörd sedan de först implementerats i ett svenskt reglemente 1924.</p> / <p>The aim of this essay is to outline how the principles of war were implemented in Swedish army regulations and doctrines. The essay attempts to answer the following questions: What trends can be identified with regards to the importance of different principles? How have the principles been understood historically? The material used consists mainly of regulations and doctrine for the Swedish army from different parts of the 20th century. The method of the author is to analyze and compare the different regulations to come to conclusions about the importance of the principles of war in Swedish military history. The results of the essay indicate that surprise is the principle that has been a part of Swedish regulations the longest. This in turn could indicate that surprise is the principle that is the least susceptible to change in tactics and modernization.</p>

In this thesis I concentrate on the description of electron transport properties of microscopic objects, including molecular junctions and nano junctions, in particular, inelastic electron tunneling in surface-adsorbate systems are examined with more contemplations. Boosted by the rapid advance in experimental techniques at the microscopic scale, various electric experiments and measurements sprung up in the last decade. Electric devices, such as transistors, switches, wires, etc. are expected to be integrated into circuit and performing like traditional semiconductor integrated circuit (IC). On the other hand, detailed information about transport properties also provides new physical observable quantities to characterize the systems. For molecular electronics, which is in the state of growing up, its further applications demands more thorough understanding of the underlying mechanism, for instance, the effects of molecular configuration and conformation, inter- or intra-molecular interactions, molecular-substrate interactions, and so on. Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS), which reflects vibration features of the system, is also a finger print property, and can thus be employed to afford the responsibility of single molecular identification with the help of other experimental techniques and theoretical simulations.There are two parts of work presented in this thesis, the first one is devoted to the calculation of electron transport properties of molecular or nano junctions: we have designed a negative differential resistance (NDR) device based on graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), where the latter is a star material in scientific committee since its birth;The transport properties of DNA base-pair junctions are also examined by theoretical calculation, relevant experimental results on DNA sequencing have been explained and detailed issues are suggested.The second part focused on the simulation of scanning tunneling microscope mediated IETS (STM-IETS). We have implemented a numerical scheme to calculate the inelastic tunneling intensity based on Tersoff-Hamann approximation and finite difference method, benchmark results agree well with experimental and previous theoretical ones; Two applications of single molecular chemical identification are also presented following benchmarking. / QC20100630

This thesis focuses on theoretical study of charge transportproperties in molecular systems. The understanding of the transportprocess and mechanism in molecular systems is essential forthe design of new functional molecular materials and molecularelectronic devices. The molecular junctions and organic molecularcrystals have been used as the model systems to highlight the usefulnessof theoretical modelling. A molecular junction is a system that consists ofone or several molecules sandwiched between two electrodes.The charge transport in molecular junctions is a very complex processthat is affected by the interaction between molecules and electrodes,the surroundings, as well as electron-electron (e-e) andelectron-phonon (e-p) couplings. When the molecule-electrode couplingis strong, the transport process can be very quick. If the e-p couplingis weak, the inelastic tunneling has only negligible contributions to thetotal current and the elastic electron tunneling plays the dominant role.Furthermore, the hopping process becomes dominant in the case of strong e-pcoupling, for which the geometric relaxation of the molecule needsto be considered. In this thesis, we have examined these three kinds oftransport processes separately. The first studied system is a molecular junction consisting of aromaticallycoupled bimolecules. Its elastic electron tunneling property is simulatedusing Green's functional theory at density functional theory level.The dependence of the conductance of bimolecular junctions on the vertical distances,horizontal distances and the tilt angles has been systematically studied. Theinelastic electron tunneling spectra (IETS) of molecular junctions have beencalculated for several systems that were experimentally measured with conflictingresults and controversial assignments. Our calculations provide the reliableassignments for the experimental spectra and revealed unprecedented detailsabout the molecular conformations within the junctions under different conditions.It demonstrates that a combined theoretical and experimental IETS study is capableof accurately determining the structure of a single molecule inside the junction.The hopping process is a dominant charge transfer process in organic molecularcrystals. We have studied the charge transport ability of four kinds of n-typeorganic semiconductor materials to find out the related structure-to-propertyrelationship. It is done by adopting the quantum charge transfer rate equationcombined with the random walk approach. / QC 20120515

The aim of this thesis is to analyse the legal notion of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in order to provide, on a scientific basis, increased understanding and knowledge of the different components of this legal notion and each component’s importance for the whole. The objective is to specify what EIA is at present and what it is intended to be. This thesis analyses the legal tool, shows what the rules are in a few selected countries and goes on to discuss how it could be developed in order best to fulfil its function of promoting sustainable development. The question asked throughout this thesis is how the EIA rules should be designed in terms of their content and construction in order to function as a legal tool to promote sustainable development.

Idag är krigföringens principer en vedertagen del av svensk doktrin. Så har det inte alltid varit. För ungefär ett sekel sedan tvistade militära tänkare i väst om det överhuvudtaget fanns något som kunde kallas för krigföringens principer. Det finns än idag de som hävdar att det inte finns några principer, eller att krigföring är en konst och inte en vetenskap. I Försvarsmaktens doktriner är dessa principer dock en väsentlig komponent. Detta arbete skildrar hur principerna gradvis tog sig in i Försvarsmaktens reglementen och doktriner för armén samt belyser hur de olika principerna dök upp, byttes ut och fick olika innebörd sedan de först implementerats i ett svenskt reglemente 1924. / The aim of this essay is to outline how the principles of war were implemented in Swedish army regulations and doctrines. The essay attempts to answer the following questions: What trends can be identified with regards to the importance of different principles? How have the principles been understood historically? The material used consists mainly of regulations and doctrine for the Swedish army from different parts of the 20th century. The method of the author is to analyze and compare the different regulations to come to conclusions about the importance of the principles of war in Swedish military history. The results of the essay indicate that surprise is the principle that has been a part of Swedish regulations the longest. This in turn could indicate that surprise is the principle that is the least susceptible to change in tactics and modernization.