Finding the best visualization of an ontology

An ontology is a classification model for a given domain. In information retrieval, ontologies are used to perform broad searches. An ontology can be visualized as nodes and edges. Each node represents an element and each edge a relation between a parent and a child element. Working with an ontology becomes easier with a visual representation. An idea is to use the expressive power of 3D representation to provide visualization for the user. In this paper, we propose a new method for positioning the elements of the visualized concept lattice in the 3D world based on operations research (OR) methods. One method uses a discrete location model to create an initial solution and we propose heuristic methods to further improve the visual result. We evaluate the visual results according to our success criteria and the feedback from users. Running times of the heuristic indicate that an improved version should be feasible for on-line processing and what-if analysis of ontologies.     

Microelectromagnet for magnetic manipulation in lab-on-a-chip systems

We demonstrate a simple scheme for fabrication of microelectromagnets consisting of planar spiral coils semi-encapsulated in soft magnetic yokes using conventional microfabrication techniques. The microelectromagnets are suitable for applications operating at frequencies below 250 kHz. Conventional fabrication schemes for planar microelectromagnets typically rely on five mask steps. We allow the current to flow in the soft magnetic yoke and thereby two mask steps are eliminated. We have characterized the electromagnets electrically, the results agree well with theory, and the implications arising from current flowing in the magnetic yoke are discussed. We have integrated the microelectromagnets with microfluidic channels, and demonstrated separation of commercially available magnetic beads from a fluid in a microfluidic system, i.e. a lab-on-a-chip system.     

Atomistic packing models for experimentally investigated swelling states induced by CO2 in glassy polysulfone and poly(ether sulfone)

Atomistic packing models have been created, which help to better understand the experimentally observed swelling behavior of glassy polysulfone and poly (ether sulfone), under CO₂ gas pressures up to 50 bar at 308 K. The experimental characterization includes the measurement of the time‐dependent volume dilation of the polymer samples after a pressure step and the determination of the corresponding gas concentrations by gravimetric gas‐sorption measurements. The models obtained by force‐field‐based molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics methods allow a detailed atomistic analysis of representative swelling states of polymer/gas systems, with respect to the dilation of the matrix. Also, changes of free volume distribution and backbone mobility are accessible. The behavior of gas molecules in unswollen and swollen polymer matrices is characterized in terms of sorption, diffusion, and plasticization. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1874–1897, 2006     

Methane activation on Ni(1 1 1): Effects of poisons and step defects

We have, theoretically and experimentally, investigated the dissociation of methane on the terraces and steps of a Ni(1 1 1) surface. Using Density Functional Theory (DFT) total energy calculations combined with Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) experiments, we find that the steps exhibit a higher activity than the terraces. We have, furthermore, investigated how carbon and sulfur present on the surface will deactivate the steps, leaving only the terraces active. We find the intrinsic sticking probabilities of methane on the steps and terraces at 500 K to be 2.8 × 10⁻⁷ for the steps and 2.1 × 10⁻⁹ for the terraces, in complete agreement with our calculated difference in activation energy of 17 kJ/mol.     

Frames and the Feichtinger conjecture

We show that the conjectured generalization of the Bourgain-Tzafriri restricted-invertibility theorem is equivalent to the conjecture of Feichtinger, stating that every bounded frame can be written as a finite union of Riesz basic sequences. We prove that any bounded frame can at least be written as a finite union of linearly independent sequences. We further show that the two conjectures are implied by the paving conjecture. Finally, we show that Weyl-Heisenberg frames over rational lattices are finite unions of Riesz basic sequences.

     

Algorithms for non-linear huber estimation

The Huber criterion for data fitting is a combination of thel ₁ and thel ₂ criteria which is robust in the sense that the influence of wild data points can be reduced. We present a trust region and a Marquardt algorithm for Huber estimation in the case where the functions used in the fit are non-linear. It is demonstrated that the algorithms converge under the usual conditions.     

Photodynamic therapy of human glioma spheroids using 5-aminolevulinic acid

The response of human glioma spheroids to 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) is investigated. A two-photon fluorescence microscopy technique is used to show that human glioma cells readily convert ALA to protoporphyrin IX throughout the entire spheroid volume. The central finding of this study is that the response of human glioma spheroids to ALA-mediated PDT depends not only on the total fluence, but also on the rate at which the fluence is delivered. At low fluences (< or = 50 J cm-2), lower fluence rates are more effective. At a fluence of 50 J cm-2, near-total spheroid kill is observed at fluence rates of as low as 10 mW cm-2. The fluence rate effect is not as pronounced at higher fluences (> 50 J cm-2), where a favorable response is observed throughout the range of fluence rates investigated. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.