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Living is a balancing act. Ordinary activities like walking, running, or riding a bike require the brain to keep the body in balance. A dancer's poised elegance and a tightrope walker's breathtaking performance are feats of balance. Language abounds with expressions and figures of speech that invoke balance. People fret over work-life balance or try to eat a balanced diet. The concept crops up from politics—checks and balances, the balance of power, balanced budgets—to science, in which ideas of equilibrium are crucial. Why is balance so fundamental, and how do physical and metaphorical balance shed light on each other?Paul Thagard explores the physiological workings and metaphorical resonance of balance in the brain, the body, and society. He describes the neural mechanisms that keep bodies balanced and explains why their failures can result in nausea, falls, or vertigo. Thagard connects bodily balance with leading ideas in neuroscience, including the nature of consciousness. He analyzes balance metaphors across science, medicine, economics, the arts, and philosophy, showing why some aid understanding but others are misleading or harmful. Thagard contends that balance is ultimately a matter of making sense of the world. In both literal and metaphorical senses, balance is what enables people to solve the puzzles of life by turning sensory signals or an incongruous comparison into a coherent whole.Bridging philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience, Balance shows how an unheralded concept's many meanings illuminate the human condition.

This book synthesizes the game-theoretic modeling of decision-making processes and an ancient moral requirement called the Golden Rule of ethics (GR). This rule states'Behave to others as you would like them to behave to you.'The GR is one of the oldest, most widespread, and specific moral requirements that appear in Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. This book constructs and justifies mathematical models of dynamic socio-economic processes and phenomena that reveal the mechanism of the GR and are based on the concept of Berge equilibrium. The GR can be naturally used for resolving or balancing conflicts, and its'altruistic character'obviously excludes wars, blood-letting, and armed clashes. The previous book by the authors, The Berge Equilibrium: A Game-Theoretic Framework for the Golden Rule of Ethics, covers the static case of the GR. In this book, the dynamic case of the GR is investigated using the altruistic concept of Berge equilibrium and three factors as follows: 1) a modification of N.N. Krasovskii's mathematical formalization of differential positional games (DPGs), in view of the counterexamples given by A.I. Subbotin and A.F. Kononenko; 2) the method of guiding control, proposed by N.N. Krasovskii; and 3) the Germier convolution of the payoff functions of different players. Additionally, this book features exercises, problems, and solution tips collected together in Appendix 1, as well as new approaches to conflict resolution as presented in Appendices 2 to 4. This book will be of use to undergraduate and graduate students and experts in the field of decision-making in complex control and management systems, as well as anyone interested in game theory and applications.

Many historically and artistically important masonry buildings of the world's architecturalheritageareindireneedofmaintenanceandrestoration.Inorder tooptimizesuchoperationsintermsofcost-e?ectiveness,architecturalimpact andstatice?ectiveness,accuratemodelsofthestructuralbehaviorofmasonry constructions are invaluable. The ultimate aim of such modeling is to obtain important information, such as the stress?eld, and to estimate the extent of cracking and its evolution when the structure is subjected to variations in both boundary and loading conditions. Although masonry has been used in building for centuries, it is only - centlythatconstitutivemodelsandcalculationtechniqueshavebeenavailable that enable realistic description of the static behavior of structures made of this heterogeneous material whose response to tension is fundamentally d- ferent from that to compression. Important insights on the mechanical behavior of masonry arches and vaults come from as far back as Leonardo [10], Hooke [58], Poleni [92] and many other authors (see [47], [9] and [10] for detailed references). Castigliano, in his famous paper on the Mosca bridge [23], and Signorini, in his studies on masonry beams [97], [98], showed both the possibility and necessity of taking into account the weak tensile strength of masonry material.

Equilibrium Problems and Applications develops a unified variational approach to deal with single-valued, set-valued and quasi-equilibrium problems. The authors promote original results in relationship with classical contributions to the field of equilibrium problems. The content evolved in the general setting of topological vector spaces and it lies at the interplay between pure and applied nonlinear analysis, mathematical economics, and mathematical physics. This abstract approach is based on tools from various fields, including set-valued analysis, variational and hemivariational inequalities, fixed point theory, and optimization. Applications include models from mathematical economics, Nash equilibrium of non-cooperative games, and Browder variational inclusions. The content is self-contained and the book is mainly addressed to researchers in mathematics, economics and mathematical physics as well as to graduate students in applied nonlinear analysis. A rigorous mathematical analysis of Nash equilibrium type problems, which play a central role to describe network traffic models, competition games or problems arising in experimental economics Develops generic models relevant to mathematical economics and quantitative modeling of game theory, aiding economists to understand vital material without having to wade through complex proofs Reveals a number of surprising interactions among various equilibria topics, enabling readers to identify a common and unified approach to analysing problem sets Illustrates the deep features shared by several types of nonlinear problems, encouraging readers to develop further this unifying approach from other viewpoints into economic models in turn

In this book, the equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties of continuous phase transitions are studied in various systems, with a special emphasis on understanding how well-established universal traits at equilibrium may be extended into the dynamic realm, going beyond the paradigmatic Kibble–Zurek mechanism of defect formation. This book reports on the existence of a quantum phase transition in a system comprising just a single spin and a bosonic mode (the quantum Rabi model). Though critical phenomena are inherent to many-body physics, the author demonstrates that this small and ostensibly simple system allows us to explore the rich phenomenology of phase transitions, both in- and out-of-equilibrium. Moreover, the universal traits of this quantum phase transition may be realized in a single trapped-ion experiment, thus avoiding the need to scale up the number of constituents. In this system, the phase transition takes place in a suitable limit of system parameters rather than inthe conventional thermodynamic limit – a novel notion that the author and his collaborators have dubbed the finite-component system phase transition. As such, the results gathered in this book will open promising new avenues in our understanding and exploration of quantum critical phenomena.

Volume 1 of this work presents theory and methods to study the structure of condensed matter on different time scales. The authors cover the structure analysis by X-ray diffraction methods from crystalline to amorphous materials, from static-relaxed averaged structures to short-lived electronically excited structures, including detailed descriptions of the time-resolved experimental methods. Complementary, an overview of the theoretical description of condensed matter by static and time-dependent density functional theory is given, starting from the fundamental quantities that can be obtained by these methods through to the recent challenges in the description of time dependent phenomena such as optical excitations. Contents Static structural analysis of condensed matter: from single-crystal to amorphous DFT calculations of solids in the ground state TDDFT, excitations, and spectroscopy Time-resolved structural analysis: probing condensed matter in motion Ultrafast science

This book describes and contextualises collisionless plasma theory, and in particular collisionless plasma equilibria. The Vlasov–Maxwell theory of collisionless plasmas is an increasingly important tool for modern plasma physics research: our ability to sustain plasma in a steady-state, and to mitigate instabilities, determines the success of thermonuclear fusion power plants on Earth; and our understanding of plasma aids in the prediction and mitigation of Space Weather effects on terrestrial environments and satellites. Further afield, magnetic reconnection is a ubiquitous energy release mechanism throughout the Universe, and modern satellites are now able to make in-situ measurements with kinetic scale resolution. To keep pace with these challenges and technological developments, a modern scientific discussion of plasma physics must enhance, and exploit, its ‘literacy'in kinetic theory. For example, accurate analytical calculations and computer simulations of kinetic instabilities are predicated on a knowledge of Vlasov–Maxwell equilibria as an initial condition. This book highlights new fundamental work on Vlasov–Maxwell equilibria, of potential interest to mathematicians and physicists alike. Possible applications involve two of the most significant magnetic structures known to confine plasma and store energy: current sheets and flux tubes.

The law of balance is not just a motivating power but also serves the purpose of development. How did human society develop in a balanced manner in history? How is China's Modernization impacted by the law of equilibrium? How does the law of balance affect China's economic and trade relations with other countries?This book attempts to answer these questions and more. It applies the balance law methodology to systematically analyze major factors influencing the sustainable development of the Chinese economy and society, and to discuss the balanced way of thinking, market credit, innovation energy and international collaboration that boost sustainable development. While the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics needs a balanced development perspective, solving the problem of imbalance requires a balanced approach as well as a balanced interaction between man, nature and society, which is the key factor for economic development in the 21st century.

A comprehensive treatment of the theory and practice of equilibrium finite element analysis in the context of solid and structural mechanics Equilibrium Finite Element Formulations is an up to date exposition on hybrid equilibrium finite elements, which are based on the direct approximation of the stress fields. The focus is on their derivation and on the advantages that strong forms of equilibrium can have, either when used independently or together with the more conventional displacement based elements. These elements solve two important problems of concern to computational structural mechanics: a rational basis for error estimation, which leads to bounds on quantities of interest that are vital for verification of the output and provision of outputs immediately useful to the engineer for structural design and assessment. Key features: Unique in its coverage of equilibrium – an essential reference work for those seeking solutions that are strongly equilibrated. The approach is not widely known, and should be of benefit to structural design and assessment. Thorough explanations of the formulations for: 2D and 3D continua, thick and thin bending of plates and potential problems; covering mainly linear aspects of behaviour, but also with some excursions into non-linearity. Highly relevant to the verification of numerical solutions, the basis for obtaining bounds of the errors is explained in detail. Simple illustrative examples are given, together with their physical interpretations. The most relevant issues regarding the computational implementation of this approach are presented. When strong equilibrium and finite elements are to be combined, the book is a must-have reference for postgraduate students, researchers in software development or numerical analysis, and industrial practitioners who want to keep up to date with progress in simulation tools.

The ideal of balance and its association with what is ordered, just, and healthful remained unchanged throughout the medieval period. The central place allotted to balance in the workings of nature and society also remained unchanged. What changed within the culture of scholasticism, between approximately 1280 and 1360, was the emergence of a greatly expanded sense of what balance is and can be. In this groundbreaking history of balance, Joel Kaye reveals that this new sense of balance and its potentialities became the basis of a new model of equilibrium, shaped and shared by the most acute and innovative thinkers of the period. Through a focus on four disciplines - scholastic economic thought, political thought, medical thought, and natural philosophy - Kaye's book reveals that this new model of equilibrium opened up striking new vistas of imaginative and speculative possibility, making possible a profound re-thinking of the world and its workings.

This thesis has two parts, each based on an application of the renormalization-group (RG). The first part is an analysis of the d-dimensional Coulomb gas. The goal was to determine if the Wilson RG could provide input into particle-in-cell simulations in plasma physics, which are the main family of simulation methods used in this field. The role of the RG was to identify the effect of coarse-graining on the coupling constants as a function of the cut-offs. The RG calculation reproduced established results, but in a more concise form, and showed the effect of the cut-offs on the Debye screening length.The main part of the thesis is the application of the dynamic RG to turbulence in magnetohydrodynamics. After transformation to Elsasser variables, which is a symmetrisation of the original equations, the solution is presented as a functional integral, which includes stirring forces, their conjugates and functional Jacobian. The coarse-graining of the functional integral is represented as a diagrammatic expansion, followed by rescaling, and casting the results into differential equations for the analysis of RG trajectories. Detailed comparisons are made with the Navier-Stokes limit and with previous calculations for MHD.

It isn't that they can't see Approach your problems from the solution. the right end and begin with It is that they can't see the the answers. Then one day, problem. perhaps you will find the final qu~stion. G. K. Chesterton. The Scandal of Father Brown ITh~ Point of'The Hermit Clad in Crane Feathers'in R. van Gulik's a Pin'. The Chinese Maze Murders. Growing specialization and diversification have brought a host of monographs and textbooks on increasingly specialized topics. HowQvQr, thQ'tree'of knowledge of mathematics and related field does not grow only by putting forth new branches. It also happ~ns, quit~ often in fact, that branches which were thought to be completely disparate are suddenly seen to be related. Further, the kind and level of sophistication of mathe­ matics applied in various sciences has changed drastically in recent years: measure theory is used (non-trivially) in regional and theoretical economics; algebraic geometry interacts with physics; the Minkowsky lemma, coding theory and the structure of water meet one another in packing and covering theory; quantum fields, crystal defects and mathematical programming profit from homotopy theory; Lie algebras are relevant to filtering; and prediction and electrical engineering can use Stein spaces.

Soft matter is a concept which covers polymers, liquid crystals, colloids, amphiphilic molecules, glasses, granular and biological materials. One of the fundamental characteristic features of soft matter is that it exhibits various mesoscopic structures originating from a large number of internal degrees of freedom of each molecule. Due to such intermediate structures, soft matter can easily be brought into non-equilibrium states and cause non-linear responses by imposing external fields such as an electric field, a mechanical stress or a shear flow. Volume 4 of the series in Soft Condensed Matter focuses on the non-linear and non-equilibrium properties of soft matter. It contains a collection of review articles on the current topics of non-equilibrium soft matter physics written by leading experts in the field. The topics dealt with in this volume includes rheology of polymers and liquid crystals, dynamical properties of Langmuir monolayers at the air/water interface, hydrodynamics of membranes and twisted filaments as well as dynamics of deformable self-propelled particles and migration of biological cells. This book serves both as an introduction to students as well as a useful reference to researchers.

In The Vestibular System: A Sixth Sense, leading experts present an integrative, comprehensive and innovative look at the sense that Aristotle missed. The vestibular system plays a vital role in everyday life, contributing to a surprising range of functions from reflexes to the highest levels of perception and consciousness. This text not only offers a thorough and fresh review of the basic sensory transduction, the neurophysiology of peripheral and central pathways and how vestibular signals are processed in the control of gaze and posture; it significantly moves the discussion forward with its attention to the current research and the field's revolutionary advances, such as the understanding of neural correlates of self-motion and the basis of clinical disorders. In addition, the objective presentation of existing controversies is exciting reading and an extremely important contribution to the text's completeness. Dynamic, intellectually challenging, and unique in its level of integration of the material, this book is essential for anyone interested in understanding the vestibular system.

A number of authors have noted that if some physical parameters were slightly changed, the universe could no longer support life, as we know it. This implies that life depends sensitively on the physics of our universe. Does this'fine-tuning'of the universe suggest that a creator god intentionally calibrated the initial conditions of the universe such that life on earth and the evolution of humanity would eventually emerge? In his in-depth and highly accessible discussion of this fascinating and controversial topic, the author looks at the evidence and comes to the opposite conclusion. He finds that the observations of science and our naked senses not only show no evidence for God, they provide evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that God does not exist.

This book treats the classical problem of gravitational physics within Einstein's theory of general relativity. It presents basic principles and equations needed to describe rotating fluid bodies, as well as black holes in equilibrium. It then goes on to deal with a number of analytically tractable limiting cases, placing particular emphasis on the rigidly rotating disc of dust. The book concludes by considering the general case using powerful numerical methods that are applied to various models, including the classical example of equilibrium figures of constant density. Researchers in general relativity, mathematical physics, and astrophysics will find this a valuable reference book on the topic. A related website containing codes for calculating various figures of equilibrium is available at www.cambridge.org/9781107407350.

The aim of the book is to cover the three fundamental aspects of research in equilibrium problems: the statement problem and its formulation using mainly variational methods, its theoretical solution by means of classical and new variational tools, the calculus of solutions and applications in concrete cases. The book shows how many equilibrium problems follow a general law (the so-called user equilibrium condition). Such law allows us to express the problem in terms of variational inequalities. Variational inequalities provide a powerful methodology, by which existence and calculation of the solution can be obtained.