Books on the topic 'High functional properties'

In the monograph the literature information about the nature of stochastic processes and their participation in the work of the brain and human behavior. Established that the real cognitive processes and mental functions associated with the procedural side of external events and the stochastic properties of the internal dynamics of brain systems in the form of fluctuations of their parameters, including cardiac rhythm generation and sensorimotor reactions. Experimentally proved that the dynamics of the measured physiological processes is in the range from chaotic regime to a weakly deterministic — fractal mode. Fractal mode determines the maximum order and organization homeostasis of cognitive processes and States, as well as high adaptive ability of the body systems with fractal properties. The fractal-chaotic dynamics is a useful quality to examine the actual physiological and psychological systems - a unique numerical identification of the order and randomness of the processes through calculation of fractal indices. The monograph represents the results of many years of experimental studies of the reflection properties of stochastic sensorimotor reactions, as well as stochastic properties of heart rate in children, Teens and adults in the age aspect in the speech activity and the perception of different kinds of music with its own frequency-spectral structure. Designed for undergraduates, graduate students and researchers that perform research and development on cognitive psychology and neuroscience.

Symmetric encryption algorithms have been successfully used to protect information during transmission on an open channel. The classical approach to the synthesis of modern cryptographic algorithms and cryptographic primitives on which they are based, is the use of mathematical apparatus of Boolean functions. The authors demonstrate that the use to solve this problem of functions of multivalued logic (FML) allows to largely improve the durability of the cryptographic algorithms and to extend the used algebraic structures. On the other hand, the study of functions of multivalued logic in cryptography leads to a better understanding of the principles of cryptographic primitives and the emergence of new methods of describing cryptographic constructions. In the monograph the results of theoretical and experimental studies of the properties of the FML, the presented algorithms for generating high-quality S-blocks for the symmetric encryption algorithms, as well as full-working samples of the cryptographic algorithms ready for practical implementation. For students and teachers and all those interested in issues of information security.

In this chapter we give examples of how density functional theory describes some of the most basic magnetic properties of a material. This involves spin and orbital moments, Heisenberg exchange parameters and magnetic form factors. Relativistic effects couple spin and orbital space and make magnetic materials anisotropic, which means that the ground state magnetization is oriented parallel or perpendicular to high symmetry directions of the crystalline structure. We also illustrate how well density functional theory describes cohesive properties and how magnetism influence these properties. These examples serve to give a general picture of how well density functional theory, as described in the previous chapters, can reproduce relevant features of magnetic materials, as well as to illustrate that the onset of spin-polarization can have drastic influence on all properties of a material.

The Thesis focuses on Smectic-A (SmA) liquid crystals' (LCs) functional behaviour in order to understand if this will be the next generation product that could improve the daily life of the society. The optical properties of this liquid crystal are by far the best compared to the products available in the market, i.e., the light transmittance in transparent state is >85 % and in scatter state <2 %. Enabling the LC to be used for a variety of purposes, such as smart windows to scatter light on a sunny day or provide a sense of privacy in an open type office space. An in-depth literature review discusses the existing studies, obtained experimental data and attempts to develop functional products. The main unresolved problems are highlighted, described in detail and solutions are offered. In order to understand the potential of SmA LC in the smart glass/window technology, analysis of existing products was performed, a summary of an active smart glass/windows provided, and a comparative study between them was made. In addition, an in-depth study of long-term functional stability was performed during which the most popular types of defects were listed and analysed. Solutions for defect elimination and recommendations for optimization of switching systems and production processes are provided. A methodology for determining the electrical parameters of an LC has been developed in order to create an electrical simulation model and facilitate the development of electronic switching systems.

The properties and relations that perform a role in mathematical reasoning arise from the basic relations that obtain among mathematical objects. It is in terms of these basic relations that mathematicians identify the objects they intend to study. The way in which mathematicians identify these objects has led some philosophers to draw metaphysical conclusions about their nature. These philosophers have been led to claim that mathematical objects are positions in structures or akin to positions in patterns. This article retraces their route from (relatively uncontroversial) facts about the identification of mathematical objects to high metaphysical conclusions. Beginning with the natural numbers, how are they identified? The mathematically significant properties and relations of natural numbers arise from the successor function that orders them; the natural numbers are identified simply as the objects that answer to this basic function. But the relations (or functions) that are used to identify a class of mathematical objects may often be defined over what appear to be different kinds of objects.

This chapter investigates the syntactic properties and the pragmatic behaviour of verb-initial declarative clauses in the history of German. The focus is on OHG because in this period, verb-initial declaratives represent a frequent, well-known alternative to canonical verb-second main clauses. It is argued that verb-initial declaratives are native in origin, and that they are derivable under a special interpretation of the verb-second rule. The main part of the chapter deals with the pragmatic properties of verb-initial declaratives in OHG, summarizing the various attempts at explaining the distribution of these orders and showing that further research is needed to arrive at a more adequate understanding of their function in the discourse. The chapter closes up with the discussion of the later development of verb-initial declaratives in German, sketching the controversial treatments of this question in the literature on German diachronic syntax.

Technological evolution and revolution are both driven by the discovery of new functionalities, new materials and the design of yet smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient components. Progress is being made at a breathtaking pace, stimulated by the rapidly growing demand for more powerful and readily available information technology. High-speed internet and data-streaming, home automation, tablets and smartphones are now ‘necessities’ for our everyday lives. Consumer expectations for progressively more data storage and exchange appear to be insatiable. In this context, ferroic domain walls have attracted recent attention as a completely new type of oxide interface. In addition to their functional properties, such walls are spatially mobile and can be created, moved, and erased on demand. This unique degree of flexibility enables domain walls to take an active role in future devices and hold a great potential as multifunctional 2D systems for nanoelectronics. With domain walls as reconfigurable electronic 2D components, a new generation of adaptive nano-technology and flexible circuitry becomes possible, that can be altered and upgraded throughout the lifetime of the device. Thus, what started out as fundamental research, at the limit of accessibility, is finally maturing into a promising concept for next-generation technology.

The human decision-making process is tainted with irrationality. To address this issue, this book proposes a ‘bottom-up’ approach of the neural substrate of decision-making, starting from the fundamental question: What are the basic properties that a neural network of decision-making needs to possess? Combining data drawn from phylogeny and physiology, this book provides a general framework of the neurobiology of decision-making in vertebrates and explains how it evolved from the lamprey to the apes. It also addresses the consequences, examining how it impacts our capacity of reasoning and some aspects of the pathophysiology of high brain functions. To conclude, the text opens discussion to more philosophical concepts such as the question of free will.

Every language has some means of categorizing objects into humans, or animates, or by their shape, form, size, and function. The most wide-spread are linguistic genders—grammatical classes of nouns based on core semantic properties such as sex (female and male), animacy, humanness, and also shape and size. Classifiers of several types also serve to categorize entities. Numeral classifiers occur with number words, possessive classifiers appear in the expressions of possession, and verbal classifiers are used on a verb, categorizing its argument. Genders and classifiers of varied types can occur together. Their meanings reflect beliefs and traditions, and in many ways mirror the ways in which speakers view the ever-changing reality. This volume elaborates on the expression, usage, history, and meanings of noun categorization devices, exploring their various facets across the languages of South America and Asia, known for the diversity of their noun categorization. The volume starts with a typological introduction outlining the types of noun categorization devices, their expression, scope, and functions, in addition to the socio-cultural aspects of their use, and their development. It is followed by revised versions of eight papers focussing on gender and classifier systems in two areas of high diversity—South America (with a focus on Amazonia) and Asia.

Chapter 12 introduces Graphene, which is a two-dimensional “Dirac-like” material in the sense that its energy spectrum resembles that of a relativistic electron/positron (hole) described by the Dirac equation (having zero mass in this case). Its device-friendly properties of high electron mobility and excellent sensitivity as a sensor have attracted a huge world-wide research effort since its discovery about ten years ago. Here, the associated retarded Graphene Green’s function is treated and the dynamic, non-local dielectric function is discussed in the degenerate limit. The effects of a quantizing magnetic field on the Green’s function of a Graphene sheet and on its energy spectrum are derived in detail: Also the magnetic-field Green’s function and energy spectrum of a Graphene sheet with a quantum dot (modelled by a 2D Dirac delta-function potential) are thoroughly examined. Furthermore, Chapter 12 similarly addresses the problem of a Graphene anti-dot lattice in a magnetic field, discussing the Green’s function for propagation along the lattice axis, with a formulation of the associated eigen-energy dispersion relation. Finally, magnetic Landau quantization effects on the statistical thermodynamics of Graphene, including its Free Energy and magnetic moment, are also treated in Chapter 12 and are seen to exhibit magnetic oscillatory features.

A discussion of the most fundamental of network models, the configuration model, which is a random graph model of a network with a specified degree sequence. Following a definition of the model a number of basic properties are derived, including the probability of an edge, the expected number of multiedges, the excess degree distribution, the friendship paradox, and the clustering coefficient. This is followed by derivations of some more advanced properties including the condition for the existence of a giant component, the size of the giant component, the average size of a small component, and the expected diameter. Generating function methods for network models are also introduced and used to perform some more advanced calculations, such as the calculation of the distribution of the number of second neighbors of a node and the complete distribution of sizes of small components. The chapter ends with a brief discussion of extensions of the configuration model to directed networks, bipartite networks, networks with degree correlations, networks with high clustering, and networks with community structure, among other possibilities.

Close observation of various attachment systems in animal skins has revealed various exquisite multi-scale architectures for essential functions such as locomotion, crawling, mating, and protection from predators. Some of these adhesion systems of geckos and beetles have unique structural features (e.g. high-aspect ratio, tilted angle, and hierarchical nanostructure), resulting in mechanical interlocking mediated by van der Waals forces or liquid secretion (capillary force). In this chapter, we present an overview of recent advances in bio-inspired, artificial dry adhesives, and biomimetics in the context of nanofabrication and material properties. In addition, relevant bio-inspired structural materials, devices (clean transportation device, interlocker, biomedical skin patch, and flexible strain-gauge sensor) and microrobots are briefly introduced, which would shed light on future smart, directional, and reversible adhesion systems.

Inflection is the expression of grammatical information through changes in word forms. This confrontation between general principles of syntactic organization and the often idiosyncratic properties of words has brought about systems whose properties—among them an often high degree of complexity—are an important object of investigation in their own right. Because it is something that many languages happily do without, inflection has a curious and often contentious status within linguistics. But even so, there is a fascinating and well-delimited set of facts out there to be explored, for which this handbook will be a guide. The volume is made up of twenty-four chapters, which together take a theoretically ecumenical approach, with particular attention paid to draw the examples from a wide variety of languages. The first section covers the fundamental building blocks of inflectional form and content: morphemes, features, and means of exponence. The second section focuses on what is probably the most characteristic property of inflectional systems, paradigmatic structure, and the non-trivial nature of the mapping between function and form. The third section covers change and variation over time, and the fourth section covers computational issues from a theoretical and practical standpoint. Section five addresses psycholinguistic questions. The final section is devoted to sketches of individual inflectional systems, illustrating a range of typological possibilities across a genetically diverse set of languages from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Australia, Europe, and South America.

Introduced as a quantum extension of Maxwell's classical theory, quantum electrodynamic (QED) has been the first example of a quantum field theory (QFT). Eventually, QFT has become the framework for the discussion of all fundamental interactions at the microscopic scale except, possibly, gravity. More surprisingly, it has also provided a framework for the understanding of second order phase transitions in statistical mechanics. In fact, as hopefully this work illustrates, QFT is the natural framework for the discussion of most systems involving an infinite number of degrees of freedom with local couplings. These systems range from cold Bose gases at the condensation temperature (about ten nanokelvin) to conventional phase transitions (from a few degrees to several hundred) and high energy particle physics up to a TeV, altogether more than twenty orders of magnitude in the energy scale. Therefore, although excellent textbooks about QFT had already been published, I thought, many years ago, that it might not be completely worthless to present a work in which the strong formal relations between particle physics and the theory of critical phenomena are systematically emphasized. This option explains some of the choices made in the presentation. A formulation in terms of field integrals has been adopted to study the properties of QFT. The language of partition and correlation functions has been used throughout, even in applications of QFT to particle physics. Renormalization and renormalization group (RG) properties are systematically discussed. The notion of effective field theory (EFT) and the emergence of renormalizable theories are described. The consequences for fine-tuning and triviality issue are emphasized. This fifth edition has been updated and fully revised.

Monoclonal proliferations of the B-cell lineage are characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled expansion of a single clone of B cells at different maturation stages, with a variable degree of differentiation to immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells. Therefore, they are usually associated with the production and secretion in blood of a monoclonal immunoglobulin and/or a fragment thereof which may become deposited in tissues. These deposits can take the form of casts (in myeloma cast nephropathy), crystals (in myeloma-associated Fanconi syndrome), fibrils (in light-chain and exceptional heavy-chain amyloidosis), or granular precipitates (in monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease). They may disrupt organ structure and function, inducing life-threatening complications. All of the pathologic entities related to immunoglobulin deposition principally involve the kidney, which is not only explained by the high levels of renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate, but also by the sieving properties of the glomerular capillary wall and by the prominent role of the renal tubule in LC handling and catabolism.The different renal (and other) manifestations are related to the unique physicochemical characteristics of each paraprotein or immunoglobulin fragment, and the rate of their production.

Weaning failure has been defined as failure to discontinue mechanical ventilation, as assessed by the spontaneous breathing trial, or need for re-intubation after extubation, so-called extubation failure. Both events represent major clinical and economic burdens, and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The most important mechanism leading to discontinuation failure is an unfavourable balance between respiratory muscle capacity and the load they must face. Beyond specific diseases leading to loss of muscle force-generating capacity, other factors may impair respiratory muscle function, including prolonged mechanical ventilation, sedation, and ICU-acquired neuromuscular dysfunction, potentially consequent to multiple factors. The load depends on the mechanical properties of the respiratory system. An increased load is consequent to any condition leading to increased resistance, reduced compliance, and/or occurrence of intrinsic positive-end-expiratory pressure. Noteworthy, the load can significantly increase throughout the spontaneous breathing trial. Cardiac, cerebral, and neuropsychiatric disorders are also causes of discontinuation failure. Extubation failure may depend, on the one hand, on a deteriorated force-load balance occurring after removal of the endotracheal tube and, on the other hand, on specific problems. Careful patient evaluation, avoidance and treatment of all the potential determinants of failure are crucial to achieve successful discontinuation and extubation.

The aim of the paper was to determine the influence of root systems of chosen tree species found in the Polish Flysch Carpathians on the increase of soil shear strength (root cohesion) in terms of slope stability. The paper's goal was achieved through comprehensive tests on root systems of eight relatively common in the Polish Flysch Carpathians tree species. The tests that were carried out included field work, laboratory work and analytical calculations. As part of the field work, the root area ratio (A IA) of the roots was determined using the method of profiling the walls of the trench at a distance of about 1.0 m from the tree trunk. The width of the. trenches was about 1.0 m, and their depth depended on the ground conditions and ranged from 0.6 to 1.0 m below the ground level. After preparing the walls of the trench, the profile was divided into vertical layers with a height of 0.1 m, within which root diameters were measured. Roots with diameters from 1 to 10 mm were taken into consideration in root area ratio calculations in accordance with the generally accepted methodology for this type of tests. These measurements were made in Biegnik (silver fir), Ropica Polska (silver birch, black locust) and Szymbark (silver birch, European beech, European hornbeam, silver fir, sycamore maple, Scots pine, European spruce) located near Gorlice (The Low Beskids) in areas with unplanned forest management. In case of each tested tree species the samples of roots were taken, transported to the laboratory and then saturated with water for at least one day. Before testing the samples were obtained from the water and stretched in a. tensile testing machine in order to determine their tensile strength and flexibility. In general, over 2200 root samples were tested. The results of tests on root area ratio of root systems and their tensile strength were used to determine the value of increase in shear strength of the soils, called root cohesion. To this purpose a classic Wu-Waldron calculation model was used as well as two types of bundle models, the so called static model (Fiber Bundle Model — FIRM, FBM2, FBM3) and the deformation model (Root Bundle Model— RBM1, RBM2, mRBM1) that differ in terms of the assumptions concerning the way the tensile force is distributed to the roots as well as the range of parameters taken into account during calculations. The stability analysis of 8 landslides in forest areas of Cicikowicleie and Wignickie Foothills was a form of verification of relevance of the obtained calculation results. The results of tests on root area ratio in the profile showed that, as expected, the number of roots in the soil profile and their ApIA values are very variable. It was shown that the values of the root area ratio of the tested tree species with a diameter 1-10 ram are a maximum of 0.8% close to the surface of the ground and they decrease along with the depth reaching the values at least one order of magnitude lower than close to the surface at the depth 0.5-1.0 m below the ground level. Average values of the root area ratio within the soil profile were from 0.05 to 0.13% adequately for Scots pine and European beech. The measured values of the root area ratio are relatively low in relation to the values of this parameter given in literature, which is probably connected with great cohesiveness of the soils and the fact that there were a lot of rock fragments in the soil, where the tests were carried out. Calculation results of the Gale-Grigal function indicate that a distribution of roots in the soil profile is similar for the tested species, apart from the silver fir from Bie§nik and European hornbeam. Considering the number of roots, their distribution in the soil profile and the root area ratio it appears that — considering slope stability — the root systems of European beech and black locust are the most optimal, which coincides with tests results given in literature. The results of tensile strength tests showed that the roots of the tested tree species have different tensile strength. The roots of European beech and European hornbeam had high tensile strength, whereas the roots of conifers and silver birch in deciduous trees — low. The analysis of test results also showed that the roots of the studied tree species are characterized by high variability of mechanical properties. The values Of shear strength increase are mainly related to the number and size (diameter) of the roots in the soil profile as well as their tensile strength and pullout resistance, although they can also result from the used calculation method (calculation model). The tests showed that the distribution of roots in the soil and their tensile strength are characterized by large variability, which allows the conclusion that using typical geotechnical calculations, which take into consideration the role of root systems is exposed to a high risk of overestimating their influence on the soil reinforcement. hence, while determining or assuming the increase in shear strength of soil reinforced with roots (root cohesion) for design calculations, a conservative (careful) approach that includes the most unfavourable values of this parameter should be used. Tests showed that the values of shear strength increase of the soil reinforced with roots calculated using Wu-Waldron model in extreme cases are three times higher than the values calculated using bundle models. In general, the most conservative calculation results of the shear strength increase were obtained using deformation bundle models: RBM2 (RBMw) or mRBM1. RBM2 model considers the variability of strength characteristics of soils described by Weibull survival function and in most cases gives the lowest values of the shear strength increase, which usually constitute 50% of the values of shear strength increase determined using classic Wu-Waldron model. Whereas the second model (mRBM1.) considers averaged values of roots strength parameters as well as the possibility that two main mechanism of destruction of a root bundle - rupture and pulling out - can occur at the same. time. The values of shear strength increase calculated using this model were the lowest in case of beech and hornbeam roots, which had high tensile strength. It indicates that in the surface part of the profile (down to 0.2 m below the ground level), primarily in case of deciduous trees, the main mechanism of failure of the root bundle will be pulling out. However, this model requires the knowledge of a much greater number of geometrical parameters of roots and geotechnical parameters of soil, and additionally it is very sensitive to input data. Therefore, it seems practical to use the RBM2 model to assess the influence of roots on the soil shear strength increase, and in order to obtain safe results of calculations in the surface part of the profile, the Weibull shape coefficient equal to 1.0 can be assumed. On the other hand, the Wu-Waldron model can be used for the initial assessment of the shear strength increase of soil reinforced with roots in the situation, where the deformation properties of the root system and its interaction with the soil are not considered, although the values of the shear strength increase calculated using this model should be corrected and reduced by half. Test results indicate that in terms of slope stability the root systems of beech and hornbeam have the most favourable properties - their maximum effect of soil reinforcement in the profile to the depth of 0.5 m does not usually exceed 30 kPa, and to the depth of 1 m - 20 kPa. The root systems of conifers have the least impact on the slope reinforcement, usually increasing the soil shear strength by less than 5 kPa. These values coincide to a large extent with the range of shear strength increase obtained from the direct shear test as well as results of stability analysis given in literature and carried out as part of this work. The analysis of the literature indicates that the methods of measuring tree's root systems as well as their interpretation are very different, which often limits the possibilities of comparing test results. This indicates the need to systematize this type of tests and for this purpose a root distribution model (RDM) can be used, which can be integrated with any deformation bundle model (RBM). A combination of these two calculation models allows the range of soil reinforcement around trees to be determined and this information might be used in practice, while planning bioengineering procedures in areas exposed to surface mass movements. The functionality of this solution can be increased by considering the dynamics of plant develop¬ment in the calculations. This, however, requires conducting this type of research in order to obtain more data.