Experimental Diagnostics of the Emotional State of Individuals Using External Stimuli and a Model of Neurocognitive Brain Activity

In this paper, we study ways and methods to diagnose the emotional state of individuals using external audiovisual stimuli and heart telemetry tools. We apply a mathematical model of neurocognitive brain activity developed specifically for this study to interpret the experimental scheme and its results. This experimental technique is based on monitoring and analyzing the dynamics of heart rate variability (HRV), taking into account the particular context and events occurring around the subject of the study. In addition, we provide a brief description of the theory of information images/representations used for the paradigm and interpretation of the experiment. For this study, we viewed the human mind as a one-dimensional potential hole with finite walls of different sizes and an internal potential barrier modeling the border between consciousness and subconsciousness. We also provided the foundations of the mathematical apparatus for this particular view. This experiment allowed us to identify the characteristic markers of influencing external stimuli, which form a foundation for diagnosing the emotional state of an individual.

Radially-dependent ignition process of a pulsed capacitively coupled RF argon plasma over 300 mm-diameter electrodes: multi-fold experimental diagnostics

Temporal evolution of electrical and plasma parameters over 300 mm-diameter electrodes during the pre-ignition, ignition, and post-ignition phases of a pulsed capacitively coupled radio-frequency (RF) argon discharge is investigated by multi-fold experimental diagnostics. The electron density, n e, and the optical emission intensity (OEI) at different radial positions are measured time-resolved by using a hairpin probe and an optical probe, respectively. A B-dot probe is employed to determine the waveforms of the azimuthal magnetic field at different radii, from which the waveforms of the axial current density at corresponding radial positions are derived based on Ampere’s law. Then, the time evolution of the power density at various radii can be calculated, provided that the voltage drop across the electrodes is independent of radius. Meanwhile, the time-dependent total power deposited into the reactor is calculated with the voltage and the current waveforms measured by a voltage and a current probe at the power feeding point. It was found that during pre-ignition phase, the OEI and n e cannot be measurable due to extremely low power deposition when the system exhibits pure capacitive impedance. During the ignition phase, the OEI, the power density, and the current density exhibit the most significant increase at the electrode center, while time evolution of n e seems to exhibit a relatively weak radial dependence. In particular, at small radii, i.e. r ≤ 8 cm, the OEI was observed to change with time in the same manner as the power density during the ignition phase, because the RF power is absorbed primarily by electrons, which dissipate their energy via inelastic collisions. The more drastic ignition at the center is possibly associated with a center-high profile of Ar metastable density at the beginning of each pulse. Shortly, the profile of n e becomes edge-high during the post-ignition phase and remains thereafter until the end of the pulse-on periods. Methodologically, the synergistic diagnostics lay the foundation for extensive studies on spatiotemporal evolution of plasma ignition process under broader conditions, e.g. low gas pressure and very high frequency, widely used by practical etching process.

The Diverse Landscape of Negative Polarity Items: On the Use of German NPIs as Experimental Diagnostics

The goal of this study is to provide better empirical insight into the licensing conditions of a large set of NPIs in German so that they can be used as reliable diagnostics in future research on negation-related phenomena. Experiment 1 tests the acceptability of 60 NPIs under semantic operators that are expected to license superstrong, strong, weak, and nonveridicality-licensed NPIs, respectively: antimorphic (not), anti-additive (no), downward entailing (hardly), nonveridical (maybe, question). Controls were positive assertions. Cluster analysis revealed seven clusters of NPIs, some of which confirm the licensing categorization from the literature (superstrong and weak NPIs). Other clusters show unclear patterns (overall high or medium ratings) and require further scrutiny in future research. One cluster showed high acceptability ratings only with the antimorphic and the question operator. Experiment 2 tested whether the source of this unexpected distribution was a rhetorical interpretation of the questions. Results suggest that rhetoricity was not the sole source. Overall, the results show gradual rather than categorical differences in acceptability, with higher acceptability corresponding to stronger negativity. The paper provides the detailed results for the individual NPIs as a preliminary normed acceptability index.

Computational and experimental diagnostics of the shear properties of greases

The study of the properties of consistent and liquid oils is currently receiving much attention in tribology. This is because lubrication is one of the most effective ways to improve machine durability. At the same time are practically no mathematical descriptions of the mechanisms of grease lubrication, which is necessary for predicting and calculating the wear of machines. When studying the wear of surfaces under boundary lubrication conditions, it is necessary to know the stiffness characteristics of a thin layer of lubricant under normal and tangential stresses. In this paper, a method is proposed for determining the function of the contact tangential characteristics of a thin oil layer between solid deformable surfaces. A thin layer of grease is placed between two hard discs. By measuring the angle of rotation and the moment on the second disc, the dependence of the moment on the angle of rotation is determined. The contact mechanics of torsion of a thin circular lubricant layer has been developed and relations for determining the parameters of the shear diagram of a thin lubricant layer have been obtained. According to the developed method, the Fiol-3 grease was tested and the parameters of the shear diagram were determined.

Experimental diagnostics on potential degradation of a selected building construction

The aim of the study was to evaluate the historical building of the Old Town Hall of Košice city in terms of degradation processes of building materials. Regular maintenance, especially of historic buildings, is essential in terms of preserving the historic architectural heritage. Research was focused on selected parts of the basement of the historical construction with a special regard to the effect of humidity, salinity and carbonation of masonry structures. Samples were collected in the building basement and subsequently analysed in the laboratory. Chemical analysis of materials was performed by X–ray fluorescence analysis and the soluble salts were investigated by colorimetry. In addition, the content of sulphates was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. Humidity of individual samples ranged from very low to very high, the highest values were measured around the perimeter of the room (positioning to the outside terrain). The carbonation ranged from grade III to IV, sulphates were detected in practically all samples. The results of study can help to design corrective measures.

Structural diagnostics and structural analysis of precast concrete building

The aim of this paper was to estimate further service possibilities of precast concrete structure. It was necessary to remain basic reliability conditions for actual service conditions. To reach this goal a complex experimental diagnostics and structural analysis was applied. On the basis of these methods construction arrangements recommendations were defined.

Fast Camera Analysis of Plasma Instabilities in Hall Effect Thrusters Using a POD Method under Different Operating Regimes

Even after half a century of development, many phenomena in Hall Effect Thrusters are still not well-understood. While numerical studies are now widely used to study this highly non-linear system, experimental diagnostics are needed to validate their results and identify specific oscillations. By varying the cathode heating current, its emissivity is efficiently controlled and a transition between two functioning regimes of a low power thruster is observed. This transition implies a modification of the axial electric field and of the plasma plume shape. High-speed camera imaging is performed and the data are analysed using a Proper Orthogonal Decomposition method to isolate the different types of plasma fluctuations occurring simultaneously. The low-frequency breathing mode is observed, along with higher frequency rotating modes that can be associated to rotating spokes or gradient-induced instabilities. These rotating modes are observed while propagating outside the thruster channel. The reduction of the cathode emissivity beyond the transition comes along with a disappearance of the breathing mode, which could improve the thruster performance and stability.