In this paper I first set out the role of common notions in the structure of Alexander’s argument in Mixt. V–VI. Furthermore, I argue that a series of topics discussed in Mixt. V–VI, Mant. XIV and... Show moreIn this paper I first set out the role of common notions in the structure of Alexander’s argument in Mixt. V–VI. Furthermore, I argue that a series of topics discussed in Mixt. V–VI, Mant. XIV and Quaest. II.12 concern the initial stages of Stoic as well as Peripatetic blending rather than the resulting blend. The presence of certain types of (filled) pores and changes in density both facilitate mutual division; mutual divi- sion and coextension go hand in hand until a degree of juxtaposition of ingredients is reached which easily allows for the specific interaction that creates the final blend: interaction of qualities for the Peripatetics, tensional dynamics for the Stoics. In addition, I show that a list of stock examples used by Alexander also raises serious questions concerning changes in density and volume, which Aristotle, Alexander and the Stoics had to deal with. I suggest that the role of pores found in Meteorology IV may have been part of the solution for some of Alexander’s contemporaries. Throughout the arguments in the chapters V–VI, indeed throughout the De mixtione, Alexander consistently tries to replace a comprehensive materialist metaphysics of interacting bodies by his own equally comprehensive brand of hylomorphism—even if not every argument is equally convincing. Show less
Factorization methods, such as the quadratic sieve and the number field sieve, spend a lot of time on the sieving step, in which the necessary relations are collected for factoring the given number... Show moreFactorization methods, such as the quadratic sieve and the number field sieve, spend a lot of time on the sieving step, in which the necessary relations are collected for factoring the given number N. Relations are smooth or k-semismooth numbers (numbers with either all prime factors below some bound or all with the exception of at most k prime factors that do not exceed a second bound) or pairs of these type of numbers. In this thesis, we predict the amount of k-semismooth numbers needed to factor N, based on asymptotic approximation formulas (these formulas generalize the published results), and compare them with the amount of k-semismooth numbers found during the factorization of N. Furthermore, for the number field sieve we propose a method for predicting the number of necessary relations for factoring N with given parameters, and the corresponding sieving time. The basic idea is to do a small but representative amount of sieving and analyze the relations in this sample. We randomly generate relations according to the relevant distribution as observed in the sample and process these relations. Experiments show that our predictions of the number of necessary relations are within 2% of the number of relations needed in the real factorization. Show less
In the present we focus on the optical properties of the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), which are modelled using the state-of-the-art computational tools availeable up to date: the Density... Show moreIn the present we focus on the optical properties of the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), which are modelled using the state-of-the-art computational tools availeable up to date: the Density Functional Theory (DFT) in the Hybrid QM/MM approach is employed to access the ground state configuration of the chromphore in the protein environment, while Time-Dependent DFT and quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) relate the geometry to the abserved absorption spectra. Show less
