Soft Computing Fundamentals: Neural Networks, Fuzzy Logic, and Optimization Techniques
Fundamentals of Soft Computing and Optimization
Definition of Multivariate Functions
A multivariate function is a function that has two or more independent variables. It assigns a single output value to each ordered set of input values.
Challenges in Non-Linear Optimization
- Multiple Local Optima: Non-linear functions can have many local minima and maxima, making it difficult to find the global optimum.
- Complex Behavior: The function may be curved, irregular, or non-convex, which makes analytical solutions
Key Concepts in Critical Social and Digital Theory
Essential Concepts in Critical Social and Digital Theory
Power, Discipline, and Surveillance
Panopticon
- Author(s): Jeremy Bentham / Michel Foucault
- Definition: A design for a circular prison in which all inmates can be observed by a single guard without knowing when they are being watched.
- Expanded Explanation: The concept illustrates visibility as a method of social control; the uncertainty produces self-regulation.
- Detailed Example (Exam-Ready): CCTV in public spaces makes people behave as though they
Spain’s 19th Century Transformation: Economy, Society, and Romantic Art
19th Century Spain: Socio-Economic Dynamics
23. Agricultural and Demographic Characteristics
- Land Reform: Approximately 70% of land was affected, but the reform was insufficient.
- Agricultural Advances: Increased production due to the introduction of new farming techniques and machinery.
Agricultural Production (c. 1900)
- Cereal and legumes dominated production.
- Other important crops included the vine, roots, tubers, and bulbs.
Demographic Trends
- Population growth in Spain was lower than in the UK.
- Growth
19th Century Spanish Wars: Peninsular and Carlist Conflicts
The Peninsular War (1807–1814)
The Peninsular War (1807–1814) was a military conflict fought by Bourbon Spain and Portugal, assisted by the United Kingdom, against the invading and occupying forces of the First French Empire for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when the French and Spanish armies invaded and occupied Portugal in 1807, and escalated in 1808 after Napoleonic France took over Spain, previously its ally, and installed Joseph Bonaparte on the
Read MoreMaturation Concept and Environmental Influences on Development
Maturation Concept
The term maturation was not known before Arnold Gesell examined this concept, coined as a necessary predisposition for operating all existing systems. Gesell said that in the mature stage there are many maturities; these maturities are stages where the body reaches sensitivity to new stimuli. This concept is what all biologists have stated: ripening is an anatomic-physiological process that is genetically determined and characteristic of each species.
Experiments Based on Maturation
Read MoreIris Marion Young: Oppression, Justice, and Social Change
Iris Marion Young: Justice, Oppression, and Difference
Iris Marion Young (1949–2006) was a pioneering political theorist who significantly reshaped contemporary debates on justice by moving beyond a narrow focus on the distribution of goods to a deeper analysis of oppressive social structures and institutional power. She argued that injustice is embedded in everyday practices, norms, and decision-making processes rather than merely in unequal allocation of resources.
The Five Faces of Oppression
Young’s
Read MoreCommon Diseases of the Mouth, Pharynx, and Larynx
Stomatitis
Definition
- Inflammation of the oral mucosa, which may involve the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, and roof or floor of the mouth.
Etiology
- Infectious: viral (e.g., *HSV*), bacterial, fungal (e.g., *candidiasis*).
- Non-infectious: aphthous ulcers, trauma, nutritional deficiencies (B12, iron, folate), autoimmune diseases (e.g., *lichen planus*).
- Irritants: poor oral hygiene, smoking, alcohol, spicy foods, certain medications (e.g., chemotherapy).
Clinical Features
- Painful oral ulcers or erythema.
- Swelling,
Mercantilism and Neomercantilism in Global Trade
The Evolution of Mercantilism in Political Economy
Mercantilism is a state-centric perspective of international political economy (IPE) that prioritizes national security, power, and economic sovereignty. Originating between the 15th and 19th centuries, classical mercantilism focused on generating trade surpluses through export promotion and import restriction. States aimed to accumulate wealth, particularly in the form of gold and silver, to finance military strength and ensure their dominance.
According
Read MoreAdolescent Health: Brain Development, Nutrition, and Resilience
As physical and hormonal changes peak, adolescents face critical health choices regarding nutrition and substance use. These issues are deeply interconnected with the developing brain—specifically, the struggle between a seeking “reward system” and a still-maturing “control center” (the prefrontal cortex).
Nutrition and Growth Demands
The “growth spurt” in adolescence creates the highest nutritional demand of any life stage except infancy.
Key Nutrient Requirements
- Calcium: Essential for achieving
Mastering Legal English: Stress, Sound, and Structure
1. Word Stress
Word stress refers to giving extra emphasis, loudness, or length to one syllable in a word so that it stands out more clearly than the others. English is a stress-timed language, which means correct stress is necessary for clear pronunciation and understanding. Incorrect stress can change the meaning or make the speaker sound unclear or unnatural. For example, words like “juDIcial,” “aPPEAL,” and “CONtract” (noun) have fixed stress patterns, while the same spelling “conTRACT”
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