Independence and Possibilistic Conditioning

There is not a unique definition of a conditional possibility distribution since the concept of conditioning is complex and many papers have been conducted to define conditioning in a possibilistic framework. In most cases, independence has been also defined and studied by means of a kind of analogy with the probabilistic case. In [2,4], we introduce conditional possibility as a primitive concept by means of a function whose domain is a set of conditional events. In this paper, we define a concept of independence associated with this form of conditional possibility and we show that classical properties required for independence concepts are satisfied.     

Electrical Conductivity and Spin Crossover: Towards the First Achievement With a Metal Bis Dithiolene Complex

The synthesis, structure, magnetic behavior and electrical conductivity of the system [Fe(sal₂trien)][Ni(dmit)₂]_x have been investigated. The electrocrystallization method used has afforded small amounts of crystalline multi-phase materials. In particular, the complex salt [Fe(sal₂trien)][Ni(dmit)₂]₃ has been unambiguously characterized. Surprisingly, despite it contains the spin crossover cation [Fe(sal₂trien)]⁺, the complex does not exhibit spin transition. Most probably, this fact is related to the structural arrangement of the cationic species, which in addition are strongly disordered. This salt behaves like a semiconductor. A strongly cooperative spin transition accompanied with a hysteresis loop is observed in a still-unknown phase obtained during the preparation of [Fe(sal₂-trien)] [Ni(dmit)₂]₃.     

Size, differentiation and the performance of Dutch daily newspapers

We demonstrate how organizational ecology can contribute tostrategic management and managerial practice by using resource-partitioningtheory to make predictions with respect to: (i) the short-runperformance (i.e. growth and profitability) consequences ofbroad (generalist) vis-à-vis focus (specialist) strategies;(ii) the detrimental performance implications of a particularinstance of being strategically ‘stuck in the middle’;and (iii) the performance consequences of organizational sizedifferences. We hypothesize that these effects depend on theposition of the organization in resource space. These predictionsare tested by estimating models of growth and profitability,using data on Dutch generalist (national) and specialist (regional)newspapers from 1968 to 1994. The findings show that resource-partitioningtheory provides a dynamic backbone to understand the performanceconsequences of different generic strategies and organizationalsize positions.     

Prescribed error tolerances within fixed computational times for scattering problems of arbitrarily high frequency: the convex case

We present a new algorithm for the numerical solution of problems of electromagnetic or acoustic scattering by large, convex obstacles. This algorithm combines the use of an ansatz for the unknown density in a boundary-integral formulation of the scattering problem with an extension of the ideas of the method of stationary phase. We include numerical results illustrating the high-order convergence of our algorithm as well as its asymptotically bounded computational cost as the frequency increases.     

Clustering of polarization-encoded images

Polarization-encoded imaging consists of the distributed measurements of polarization parameters for each pixel of an image. We address clustering of multidimensional polarization-encoded images. The spatial coherence of polarization information is considered. Two methods of analysis are proposed: polarization contrast enhancement and a more-sophisticated image-processing algorithm based on a Markovian model. The proposed algorithms are applied and validated with two different Mueller images acquired by a fully polarimetric imaging system.     

An intestinal surgery simulator: real-time collision processing and visualization

This research work is aimed toward the development of a VR-based trainer for colon cancer removal. It enables the surgeons to interactively view and manipulate the concerned virtual organs as during a real surgery. First, we present a method for animating the small intestine and the mesentery (the tissue that connects it to the main vessels) in real-time, thus enabling user interaction through virtual surgical tools during the simulation. We present a stochastic approach for fast collision detection in highly deformable, self-colliding objects. A simple and efficient response to collisions is also introduced in order to reduce the overall animation complexity. Second, we describe a new method based on generalized cylinders for fast rendering of the intestine. An efficient curvature detection method, along with an adaptive sampling algorithm, is presented. This approach, while providing improved tessellation without the classical self-intersection problem, also allows for high-performance rendering thanks to the new 3D skinning feature available in recent GPUs. The rendering algorithm is also designed to ensure a guaranteed frame rate. Finally, we present the quantitative results of the simulations and describe the qualitative feedback obtained from the surgeons.     

Growth and germination of proteolytic Clostridium botulinum in vegetable-based media

The growth of proteolytic Clostridium botulinum from spore inocula and changes in spore counts in mushroom, broccoli, and potato purées were monitored. Four strains of proteolytic C. botulinum types A and B were inoculated separately at approximately 10(4) spores per ml in nutrient broth and vegetable purées incubated at 15, 20, and 30 degrees C for up to 52 days. The times for the cell populations to increase 1,000-fold (T1,000) in the tested vegetables (1 to 5 days at 30 degrees C, 3 to 16 days at 20 degrees C, 7 to > 52 days at 15 degrees C) were similar to those for meat or fish. Only temperature significantly influenced growth rate. In contrast, the lag phase depended on the strains and media tested, in addition to temperature. Lag times and T1,000S for proteolytic C. botulinum were longer for potato and broccoli purées than for mushroom purée. These differences were not related to different pHs or redox potentials. The germination level, evaluated as the decrease in the spore count, was low. The addition of a germinant mixture (L-cysteine, L-alanine, and sodium lactate) to some strains inoculated in vegetable purées resulted in an increase in germination, suggesting a lack of germination-triggering agents in the vegetable purées.     

Mesure du Débit d’Absorption Spécifique (das) des téléphones mobiles — contribution du projetcomobio à la normalisation internationale

Human exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones is characterised by the Specific Absorption Rate (sar). This value corresponds to therf power absorbed by unitary mass of the equivalent tissue. It represents the basic restriction used to define limit of human exposure torf electromagnetic fields. Academic and industrial labs have contributed through thecomobio project to define international standards for mobile phones certification.