16,455 research outputs found
Platonic model of mind as an approximation to neurodynamics
Hierarchy of approximations involved in simplification of microscopic theories, from sub-cellural to the whole brain level, is presented. A new approximation to neural dynamics is described, leading to a Platonic-like model of mind based on psychological spaces. Objects and events in these spaces correspond to quasi-stable states of brain dynamics and may be interpreted from psychological point of view. Platonic model bridges the gap between neurosciences and psychological sciences. Static and dynamic versions of this model are outlined and Feature Space Mapping, a neurofuzzy realization of the static version of Platonic model, described. Categorization experiments with human subjects are analyzed from the neurodynamical and Platonic model points of view
Colloidal stability for concentrated zirconia aqueous suspensions
This work started as part of an investigation into the mechanisms by which fine zirconia aqueous dispersions can be processed for ceramic materials engineering. Aqueous dispersions of TZ3Y fine zirconia particles obtained by dispersion of dry powder in acidic solutions (pH 3) have been subjected to compression through osmotic experiments. The results show a behavior that is unusual when compared with the classical behavior of colloidal dispersions. Indeed, the 50 nm particles are well dispersed and protected from aggregation by electrical double layers, with a high zeta potential (60–80 mV). Yet, during osmotic compression, the dispersion goes from a liquid state to a gel state at a rather low volume fraction, φ=0.2, whereas the liquid–solid transition for repelling particles is expected to occur only at φ=0.5. This early transition to a state in which the dispersion does not flow may be a severe drawback in some uses of these dispersions, and thus it is important to understand its causes. A possible cause of this early aggregation is the presence of a population of very small particles, which are seen in osmotic stress experiments and in light scattering. We propose that aggregation could result from the compression of this population, through either of the following mechanisms: (a) An increase in pressure causes the small particles to aggregate with each other and with the larger ones or (b) An increase in pressure induces a depletion flocculation phenomenon, in which the large particles are pushed together by the smaller ones
Signs of low frequency dispersions in disordered binary dielectric mixtures (50-50)
Dielectric relaxation in disordered dielectric mixtures are presented by
emphasizing the interfacial polarization. The obtained results coincide with
and cause confusion with those of the low frequency dispersion behavior. The
considered systems are composed of two phases on two-dimensional square and
triangular topological networks. We use the finite element method to calculate
the effective dielectric permittivities of randomly generated structures. The
dielectric relaxation phenomena together with the dielectric permittivity
values at constant frequencies are investigated, and significant differences of
the square and triangular topologies are observed. The frequency dependent
properties of some of the generated structures are examined. We conclude that
the topological disorder may lead to the normal or anomalous low frequency
dispersion if the electrical properties of the phases are chosen properly, such
that for ``slightly'' {\em reciprocal mixture}--when , and
--normal, and while for ``extreme'' {\em reciprocal
mixture}--when , and --anomalous
low frequency dispersions are obtained. Finally, comparison with experimental
data indicates that one can obtain valuable information from simulations when
the material properties of the constituents are not available and of
importance.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figure
Asymptotic Estimates in Information Theory with Non-Vanishing Error Probabilities
This monograph presents a unified treatment of single- and multi-user
problems in Shannon's information theory where we depart from the requirement
that the error probability decays asymptotically in the blocklength. Instead,
the error probabilities for various problems are bounded above by a
non-vanishing constant and the spotlight is shone on achievable coding rates as
functions of the growing blocklengths. This represents the study of asymptotic
estimates with non-vanishing error probabilities.
In Part I, after reviewing the fundamentals of information theory, we discuss
Strassen's seminal result for binary hypothesis testing where the type-I error
probability is non-vanishing and the rate of decay of the type-II error
probability with growing number of independent observations is characterized.
In Part II, we use this basic hypothesis testing result to develop second- and
sometimes, even third-order asymptotic expansions for point-to-point
communication. Finally in Part III, we consider network information theory
problems for which the second-order asymptotics are known. These problems
include some classes of channels with random state, the multiple-encoder
distributed lossless source coding (Slepian-Wolf) problem and special cases of
the Gaussian interference and multiple-access channels. Finally, we discuss
avenues for further research.Comment: Further comments welcom
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