The ultimate tactics of self-referential systems

Mathematics is usually regarded as a kind of language. The essential behavior of physical phenomena can be expressed by mathematical laws, providing descriptions and predictions. In the present essay I argue that, although mathematics can be seen, in a first approach, as a language, it goes beyond this concept. I conjecture that mathematics presents two extreme features, denoted here by {\sl irreducibility} and {\sl insaturation}, representing delimiters for self-referentiality. These features are then related to physical laws by realizing that nature is a self-referential system obeying bounds similar to those respected by mathematics. Self-referential systems can only be autonomous entities by a kind of metabolism that provides and sustains such an autonomy. A rational mind, able of consciousness, is a manifestation of the self-referentiality of the Universe. Hence mathematics is here proposed to go beyond language by actually representing the most fundamental existence condition for self-referentiality. This idea is synthesized in the form of a principle, namely, that {\sl mathematics is the ultimate tactics of self-referential systems to mimic themselves}. That is, well beyond an effective language to express the physical world, mathematics uncovers a deep manifestation of the autonomous nature of the Universe, wherein the human brain is but an instance.Comment: 9 pages. This essay received the 4th. Prize in the 2015 FQXi essay contest: "Trick or Truth: the Mysterious Connection Between Physics and Mathematics

Marx, the labour theory of value and the transformation problem

This article reconsiders what Marx says about the transformation problem in Chapter IX of Capital Volume III, in the light of Marx's claim, made in Capital Volume I, that the value of a commodity is determined by the socially necessary labour time that goes into its production. The article criticises the traditional way of thinking about the transformation problem, according to which what Marx is doing in Chapter IX is considering the transformation of values into prices ('prices of production'). I argue that Marx's prices of production may be thought of as modified values. The discussion in Chapter IX is usually seen as a supplement to the labour theory of value. On this view its purpose is to explain how and why the prices of commodities sometimes deviate from their values. Against this view, the paper argues that Marx's remarks in Chapter IX can be seen as an elaboration on or development of the labour theory of value. It is a refinement of the account offered in Capital Volume I, which takes into consideration what Marx had in mind there when he introduced the notion of socially necessary as opposed to actual labour-time. The paper draws attention to the importance of Marx's distinction between the individual value of a commodity (determined by actual labour-time) and its social value (determined by socially necessary labour-time). It also draws attention to the methodological difficulties that are generated by any attempt to read Marx in this way

Quantum Fluctuations Driven Orientational Disordering: A Finite-Size Scaling Study

The orientational ordering transition is investigated in the quantum generalization of the anisotropic-planar-rotor model in the low temperature regime. The phase diagram of the model is first analyzed within the mean-field approximation. This predicts at $T=0$ a phase transition from the ordered to the disordered state when the strength of quantum fluctuations, characterized by the rotational constant $\Theta$, exceeds a critical value $\Theta_{\rm c}^{MF}$. As a function of temperature, mean-field theory predicts a range of values of $\Theta$ where the system develops long-range order upon cooling, but enters again into a disordered state at sufficiently low temperatures (reentrance). The model is further studied by means of path integral Monte Carlo simulations in combination with finite-size scaling techniques, concentrating on the region of parameter space where reentrance is predicted to occur. The phase diagram determined from the simulations does not seem to exhibit reentrant behavior; at intermediate temperatures a pronounced increase of short-range order is observed rather than a genuine long-range order.Comment: 27 pages, 8 figures, RevTe

Обнаружение частичных разрядов импульсным методом

Выпускная квалификационная работа содержит 124 с., 68 рис., 13 табл., 22 источника, 1 прил. Ключевые слова: импульсный метод, частичный разряд, обнаружение, дефект, науглероживание. Объекты исследования: секции конденсатора (90 пФ, 0,12 мкФ, 700 пФ, 1100 пФ, 1500 пФ), пропитывающий состав (касторовое масло). Цель работы: исследование метода для обнаружения частичных разрядов при помощи подаваемого импульсного напряжения на испытуемый объект. Проведено испытания по обнаружения частичных разрядов путем подачи импульса с крутым фронтом на испытуемый объект, в котором возможно появление частичных разрядов (секция импульсного конденсатора). Установлено, что появление частичных разрядов изменяет форму тока через испытуемый объект путем подачи на объект напряжения с крутым фронтом. Различная емкоIn the production, transportation and processing of biological resources different electrical equipment is used, the integral part of which are DC machines. Energy efficiency and reliability of the production depends on the drives. The breakdown even of one engine may stop the production process and consequently entail losses. One reason for the failure of the DC motors is insulation damage due to exposure to partial discharge, however, a partial discharge detection technique has not been developed yet. For early warning of failure of DC machines and reducing the cost of unplanned stoppage on the replacement of a failed motor it is proposed to detect partial discharge sat an early stage. There are many developments related to the detection of partial discharges. The majority of methods re

Patterning and process parameter effects in 3D suspension near-field electrospinning of nanoarrays

The extracellular matrix (ECM) contains nanofibrous proteins and proteoglycans. Nanofabrication methods have received growing interest in recent years as a means of recapitulating these elements within the ECM. Near-field electrospinning (NFES) is a versatile fibre deposition method, capable of layer-by-layer nano-fabrication. The maximum layer height is generally limited in layer-by-layer NFES as a consequence of electrostatic effects of the polymer at the surface, due to residual charge and polymer dielectric properties. This restricts the total volume achievable by layer-by-layer techniques. Surpassing this restriction presents a complex challenge, leading to research innovations aimed at increasing patterning precision, and achieving a translation from 2D to 3D additive nanofabrication. Here we investigated a means of achieving this translation through the use of 3D electrode substrates. This was addressed by in-house developed technology in which selective laser melt manufactured standing pillar electrodes were combined with a direct suspension near-field electrospinning (SNFES) technique, which implements an automated platform to manoeuvre the pillar electrodes around the emitter in order to suspend fibres in the free space between the electrode support structures. In this study SNFES was used in multiple operation modes, investigating the effects of varying process parameters, as well as pattern variations on the suspended nanoarrays. Image analysis of the nanoarrays allowed for the assessment of fibre directionality, isotropy, and diameter; identifying optimal settings to generate fibres for tissue engineering applications

An analysis of the nature of key audit matters as disclosed by the auditors of the top 40 listed entities on the JSE

Abstract : The audit report is the primary document through which auditors communicate their opinion on the fair presentation of financial statements to users. The new audit report format, which came into effect in 2016, introduces a number of changes. One of the most important changes is the requirement that all public entities disclose items that are deemed of greatest significance in the audit, namely, Key Audit Matters. Through these changes, the new audit report format seeks to address the audit expectation gap. The purpose of this study was to analyse whether the top 40 listed entities on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange disclosed Key Audit Matters according to the new reporting standards and to determine the nature of these items. Using a content analysis methodology, the findings revealed that 130 Key Audit Matters were raised by the study population and that the three disclosure requirements of the new reporting standards were met, namely, (i) why the matter was considered to be of most significance in the audit and therefore deemed a Key Audit Matter, (ii) how the matter was addressed in the audit and (iii) whether reference was made to the related disclosure, if any, in the financial statements. Study limitations were noted and recommendations on addressing the issue were provided