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In order to simplify computational methods based on dynamic programming, a relaxed procedure based on upper and lower bounds of the optimal cost was recently introduced. The convergence properties of this procedure are analysed here. In particular, it is shown that the computational effort in finding an approximately optimal control law by relaxed value iteration is related to the polynomial degre
Abstract Determination of the respiratory tract deposition of airborne particles is critical for risk assessment of air pollution, inhaled drug delivery, and understanding of respiratory disease. With the advent of nanotechnology, there has been an increasing interest in the measurement of pulmonary deposition of nanoparticles because of their unique properties in inhalation toxicology and medicin
We image the field enhancement at Ag nanostructures using femtosecond laser pulses with a center wavelength of 1.55 mu m. Imaging is based on non-linear photoemission observed in a photoemission electron microscope (PEEM). The images are directly compared to ultra violet PEEM and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of the same structures. Further, we have carried out atomic scale scanning t
INTRODUCTION: We have shown that low protein C levels predict poor survival up to five years in a general intensive care unit patient material and hypothesize that treatment with protein C is beneficial. The objectives were to calculate costs of protein C treatment, at best-case scenario, per statistical life saved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-two patients with deranged global haemostatic tests
Consider the random graph on n vertices 1,...,n. Each vertex i is assigned a type x(i) with x(1),...,x(n) being independent identically distributed as a nonnegative random variable X. We assume that EX3 < infinity. Given types of all vertices, an edge exists between vertices i and j independent of anything else and with probability min{1, x(i)x(j)/n (1 + a/n(1/3))}. We study the critical phase, wh
This investigation makes a survey of the spread of fire and the fire development in low-rise residential building areas through obtaining the literal knowledge of factors having influence on a fire in one burning building and fire spread between buildings within a group of single-family houses. The purpose of the investigation was, on basis of the knowledge, to propose improved measures and the ch
In this study, characterization of the binding kinetics and optimization of a magnetic permeability based point-of-care (POC) immunoassay system for quantification of canine C-reactive protein (cCRP) is described. The reagent is based on a two-site heterogeneous immunoassay system utilizing conjugated superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPION) and silica particles, both particles carrying covalently
The notion of spirit loss is widespread throughout the Bolivian Andes. Because of fright, a person loses her spirit whereupon another "strange" spirit may take its place and cause illness. In one and the same ailment, then, we find notions of "loss" and "imposition." In the context of "emergent indigeneities," colonialism too is frequently visualized and expressed in terms of both loss and imposit
In order to identify the importance of different areas for nitrogen retention in the Lagoon of Venice, Italy, undisturbed sediment cores of different origin were collected in late April 1998. The cores were transferred to the laboratory and incubated for denitrification activity using the method of 'nitrogen isotope pairing'. The sampled sediments were collected in a freshwater stream (Stn A)I an
A method for simultaneous extraction and quantification Of four non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) based on continuous flow hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction (CFHF-LPME) was developed. The effect of sample flow rate, acceptor flow rate, type of acceptor flow (continuous, semi-continuous or forward-backward), type of supported liquid membrane and sample volume was studied. The e
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to document the perceived decrease in fatty involution at screening mammography during the past decade and evaluate the influence of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In December 1996, the mammograms of 261 consecutive screening patients with a comparison study obtained 5 years earlier were evaluated, and their breasts were
Aim: With fast track surgery and shorter hospital stay, discharge from hospital after cancer surgery is becoming more challenging for the individual patient. The aim of this study was to explore how patients perceive information after surgery for colorectal cancer, what their information needs are and to determine factors affecting received information. Method: One hundred patients filled in the q
This symposium presents two tracks, one practical and one more theoretical, divided in ten topics, and presented in three parallel sessions. Two new topics are introduced; “Historical Buildings” and “Challenges for the future”. The intention of adding Historical Buildings is to gather people with different backgrounds, for example Building Physicists, Building antiquarians, Building Biologists, Ar
Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) have shown a great potential to be used in several applications, e.g., portable, mobile and stationary systems. Each of the mentioned applications demands from PEFCs different operating conditions to perform in the best possible manner. Knowing in detail the behavior of their internal components will help to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of th
One important element in the interaction between the natural and the human environment is the negative impact of the first on the latter when seen through the prism of urban destabilization. Within this scope, the issue of urban abandonment and disappearance holds an important place, the indirect cause of which are the specifics of local and regional natural subsystems. Small towns are especially
Against the grain of the paradigmatic postcolonial analytics of the colonial state, this chapter presents a non-dichotomous comparison of two regimes within the late 18th century Danish empire, which are commonly presumed to be of essentially different kinds - namely the colonial state in Tranquebar in South East India and the metropolitan government of rural Danish society. By focusing, firstly,
Wild birds, particularly duck species, are the main reservoir of influenza A virus (IAV) in nature. However, knowledge of IAV infection dynamics in the wild bird reservoir, and the development of immune responses, are essentially absent. Importantly, a detailed understanding of how subtype diversity is generated and maintained is lacking. To address this, 18,679 samples from 7728 Mallard ducks cap
