;the technological arrangements through which humans act upon matter (nature), upon themselves, and upon other humans'. By technological arrangements I mean the set of tools, rules, and procedures, through which scienti c knowledge is applied to a given task in a reproducible manner. Modes of development are de

branes float in a five-dimensional anti-de Sitter bulk, while the second investigates a class of dark energy models from an effective field theory perspective. Investigations of models including extra dimensions have led to modifications of gravity involving a number of interesting features

m]]l]]s¶D]]¿÷mB]iv]b]oD]m¶¨]iv]§]iv]r]j]t¿rv]]irj]]t]]m] / | ap]]r¿]ÎNy]s¶D]]mb¶r]ix} Û]Ix]]rd]mb]} p—N]t]o%ism] in]ty]m] / || Û]Is]¡uÎc]rN]]riv]nd]p]*N]m]st¶ I always bow to Śri ̄ Śāradāmbā, the limitless ocean of the nectar of compassion, who bears a rosary, a vessel of nectar, the symbol of knowledge and a book in Her lotus hands. Dedicated to the Lotus Feet of the revered Sadguru. This thesis presents a new active mask (AM) framework and an algorithm for segmenta-tion of digital images, particularly those of punctate patterns from fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescence microscopy has greatly facilitated the task of understanding complex sys-tems at cellular and molecular levels in recent years. Segmentation, an important yet dif-ficult problem, is often the first processing step following acquisition. Our team previously demonstrated that a stochastic active contour based algorithm together with the concept of

The principle aim of this dissertation is to investigate the philosophical application of quantum information theory to interpretational issues regarding the theory of quantum mechanics. Recently, quantum information theory has emerged as a potential source for such an interpretation. The main question with which this dissertation will be concerned is whether or not an information-theoretic interpretation can serve as a conceptually acceptable interpretation of quantum mechanics. It will be argued that some of the more obvious approaches – that quantum information theory shows us that ultimately the world is made of information, and quantum Bayesianism – fail as philosophical interpretations of quantum mechanics. However, the information-theoretic approach of Clifton, Bub, and Halvorson introduces Einstein’s distinction between principle theories and constructive theories, arguing that quantum mechanics is best understood as an information-theoretic principle theory. While I argue that this particular approach fails, it does offer a viable new philosophical role for information theory. Specifically, an investigation of interpretationally successful principle theories such as Newtonian mechanics, special relativity, and general

of signification; in short, a field of observation quite in tune with the objectives of Chaos … Chaos looks toward everything that repeats, reproduces, grows, decays, unfolds, flows, spins, vibrates, seethes … Chaos provides a space in which the pure sciences connect with the social 2 There are a few exceptions

Abstract I describe the ways in which the transition to public company status creates impediments to good work in a range of companies, from the perspective of the chief executive officers (CEOs) of nine firms that have recently undertaken initial public offerings (IPOs). Specifically, I explore

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admitted to our drug detoxification facility. While in detox, she also admitted that she had recently begun diverting dilaudid while at work and that one of her coworkers recently approached her asking if everything was OK. She felt that it was just a matter of time before she was discovered. She agreed

by the barely restrained market. As we remake our literacy pedagogy to be more relevant to a new world of work, we need to be aware of the danger that our words become co-opted by economically and market-driven discourses, no matter how contemporary and "post-capitalist" these may appear. The new fast

As this master thesis marks the end of my studies at Delft University of Technology, I would like to use this opportunity and thank everyone who has influenced my two-year journey. Those last two years have not been easy. In fact, it has been the most challenging, stressful, and at the same time- the most inspiring, productive, and exciting journey. Journey, which has completely changed my life and has prepared me for new challenges and opportunities. I owe a very special debt to the ex president of Georgia – Mikheil Saakashvili, for initiating a scholarship program for Georgian students abroad, willing to pursue master’s degree. I would like to thank Mr. Saakashvili for giving me a chance to be one of those students, and for fully sponsoring my studies at TU Delft. I must express special gratitude to my graduation committee for being way more supportive then I could ever imagine. I would like to thank them for all their feedback, support, and encouragement, for being very understanding, and shortly, for making it possible for me to finalize my thesis and to graduate. I would like to acknowledge the selfless help and support of my supervisor – Dr. Huib Aldewereld. His guidance and support encouraged me to be motivated and to keep working on the thesis. I would like to thank him for all his time that he has spent on reading my thesis, on giving me direct comments, and further motivation. I had times when I felt lost in my own thesis, and I was ready to give up, but Dr. Aldewereld always managed to encourage and motivate me. I would like to thank him for arranging meetings (lots of meetings) with me to discuss my progress, whenever I asked for it, despite his very