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The conventional treatment of thermal noise is based on Nyquist’s theorem. This theorem has only been derived for linear, reciprocal (we define “reciprocal networks” as networks that are built of reciprocal network elements) networks. In this paper a description of thermal noise in reciprocal non‐linear RLC networks is presented. This description is derived from first principles, i.e. from a direct application of non‐equilibrium thermodynamics (irreversible thermodynamics) to electrical networks. As an example, the class of “complete” non‐linear networks is considered. Using the idea of equivalent n‐ports, the theory’s extension to certain classes of transistor circuits should be possible.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the knowledge dynamics process based on the energy metaphor and the thermodynamics framework. Knowledge dynamics is analyzed as a transformational process that goes beyond the Newtonian logic used to date.

The research design is based on metaphorical thinking, critical analysis of the mostly used knowledge metaphors to date, and the logic of thermodynamics, which is the science of energy transformation.

Knowledge is conceived as a field, composed of three fundamental forms: rational knowledge, emotional knowledge and spiritual knowledge. Each form of knowledge can be transformed into another form, thus generating an iterative and interactive dynamics. The unity of knowledge is supported by the brain’s organic structure.

Understanding knowledge dynamics as a transformational process helps managers in their problem-solving and implementation of strategies in their organizations. Knowledge dynamics is fundamental to the learning and unlearning processes, and for stimulating innovation. Knowledge dynamics, as a transformational process, is influencing both organizational behavior as well as consumers’ behavior.

The present research uses for the first time a thermodynamics approach in understanding and explaining the knowledge dynamics, which is a transformational process of three fundamental forms of knowledge: rational, emotional and spiritual.

This is an excellent book. Coming as it does from the pen of a scientist who is also an experienced teacher it fulfils all that the author set out to accomplish. Of the existing books on Thermodynamics comparatively few have succeeded in presenting the subject in so attractive and palatable a fashion—attractive because the art of the true teacher illumines and embellishes the whole work and palatable because, while the average engineering student has very often viewed the study of thermodynamics as a form of forced labour due to the wrong approach, Dr Schmidt, who was Professor of Thermodynamics in the Engineering University of Brunswick, succeeds from the outset in focusing the reader's attention and whetting his curiosity. He then proceeds so to build up the fundamentals as to make the deeper theories and their application, which are so ably handled later in the book, a revelation of clarity and development.

Managing the urban housing plan of a very fast-growing city may be difficult if the scientific input, i.e. thermodynamic architecture and the climate change challenges, is not factored into its initial framework. Recent building plan in some parts of a growing city located in a developing country was adopted for the purpose of this research. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of poor urban planning on humans.

The reverberation time analysis was carried using the Ecotect software. In total, 15-year surface temperature data were obtained (1999-2013) from the Global Land Data Assimilation System. Thermal distributions were calculated using beta probability and Gaussian distribution. Also, the parametric study of the solar constant was accomplished using possible mathematical outcomes.

It was discovered that irrespective of the fabrics of building, air properties and materials within a building, the total heat and sound absorptions are high for the life form. Necessary recommendations were made for further study.

Only the outdoor impact was calculated.

There should be more proactive measures by the urban planning authorities.

There would be wide spread of diseases and very low thermal comfort.

This paper illustrates on the most ignored parameter in environmental architecture.

IN RECENT YEARS a number of textbooks on applied thermodynamics (of American origin or American‐inspired) have given considerable emphasis to a new and restricted definition of the word ‘heat’. The actual definition takes various forms. From some it appears that heat must now be considered solely as energy in transit due to a temperature gradient and is not a form of energy that can exist inside a body. From others, that heat must be considered as an interaction between systems at different temperatures, the direction of the interaction being purely conventional or metaphorical.

New non-equilibrium systems theory is a very important theoretical and methodological base of survey and understanding of contemporary economic systems and processes. Equilibrium is considered one of the basic conditions of existence and evolution of natural and social systems, according to scientific literature. Generally speaking, it can be presented as true. But the problem is that classical imagination perceives equilibrium as something real and stable – something more stable than basic condition of evolution of systems. Non-equilibrium state was usually understood as something negative, something destructive and something which has to be eliminated. Non-equilibrium state was understood as an anomaly, as an expression of weakening of system security and as a road to extinction. Thermodynamics comes with an idea that equilibrium is a “short” state of the system, equilibrium is very relative and all systems try to meet it, but they will never reach it. Equilibrium is usually connected with classical science and non-equilibrium state is connected with thermodynamics paradigm, with a new methodology of science. Non-equilibrium state is often seen as a basic condition – as an internal source of system evolution and its activities. Non-equilibrium state is a base of new arrangement of systems. Misunderstanding of contemporary non-equilibrium state theory and new expressions or aspects of dynamic processes can bring about negative impacts on the survey and establishment of new global economic system, e.g. new national and local economic systems. Therefore, the non-equilibrium state theory is a methodological base of new perception and survey of contemporary economic systems.

A study of non-equilibrium thermodynamics.

Irreversibility and non-equilibrium, occurring in each process and evolutionary phase of economic systems, are connected with accidents and openness. Openness of systems enables (and causes) diversification toward wider system or environment and penetration of external elements and processes to internal structure of the system. A system like this is more sensitive to external and internal changes. Considering this, it is very important to be aware of the fact that entropy has different behavior in “closed” systems – different from behavior in open systems. Open economic systems communicate with external environment, interact with external systems and they exchange the energy. They consume energy of external environment and penetrate it. Elements, nodes and joints in open systems can communicate, connect and integrate with elements, nodes and joints from external systems. The growth of entropy is “smoother” and equilibrium of the system, its sub-systems and elements proceeds despite the non-equilibrium state of elements of the own system. They have to communicate and exchange the energy with external environment. This is because of the non-equilibrium state.

This is an original thermodynamic approach to the importance of non-equilibrium in the development of economic systems.

This study aims to understand the difference between irreversibility in heat and work transfer processes. It also aims to explain that Helmholtz or Gibbs energy does not represent “free” energy but is a measure of loss of Carnot (reversible) work opportunity.

The entropy of mass is described as the net temperature-standardised heat transfer to mass under ideal conditions measured from a datum value. An expression for the “irreversibility” is derived in terms of work loss (W_loss) in a work transfer process, unaccounted heat dissipation (Q_loss) in a heat transfer process and loss of net Carnot work (CW_net) opportunity resulting from spontaneous heat transfer across a finite temperature difference during the process. The thermal irreversibility is attributed to not exploiting the capability for extracting work by interposing a combination of Carnot engine(s) and/or Carnot heat pump(s) that exchanges heat with the surrounding and operates across the finite temperature difference.

It is shown, with an example, how the contribution of thermal irreversibility, in estimating reversible input work, amounts to a loss of an opportunity to generate the net work output. The opportunity is created by exchanging heat with surroundings whilst transferring the same amount of heat across finite temperature difference. An entropy change is determined with a numerical simulation, including calculation of local entropy generation values, and results are compared with estimates based on an analytical expression.

A new interpretation of entropy combined with an enhanced mental image of a combination of Carnot engine(s) and/or Carnot heat pump(s) is used to quantify thermal irreversibility.

This paper aims to tackle in turn the merits and limits of Nicholas Georgescu‐Roegen's entropic model, as well as its implications for the methodological discourse in economics. This appraisal of the Georgescu‐Roegen's work emphasizes the emergence of the entropic nature of the economic processes as a paradigm à la Kuhn of explanation in social economics.

This work provides a critical assessment of the entropic model's main conceptual pillars, namely the role of mathematical formalism and the natural imagery of irreversibility. This discussion takes them in turn and develops a critique from a methodological point of view.

The focus of this work is that the proposed epistemological reconstruction of economics is vulnerable to attacks from two methodological objections. The first deals with the change of metaphor from the “pendulum” of mechanics to the “hourglass” of thermodynamics. The second refers to the changes this replacement of metaphors brings about as to the relevance of the formalism of the discipline.

This material has gathered arguments to show that the intellectual concurrence of the arguments onto the field of physics makes the methodological value of the new paradigm of entropy not transcend into a new logic of reasoning in economics. The limits of this approach stems from the same rationale for which it has got its revolutionary stature: what it proposes consists of a scientific discourse based on a mixture of evolutionary biology, economics and thermodynamics, which may open up new original and insightful perspectives, but which has never been justified on terms of economic nature alone.

One's freedom in planning an Applied Thermodynamics laboratory in any existing building is limited by the siting of supplies and services. Equipment associated with the use of steam is logically grouped away from that which primarily has to have an outlet for hot contaminated gas. Items which are largely self‐contained, such as a refrigeration rig, or a reciprocating air compressor, may be placed almost anywhere, although even with these, a cooling water supply is likely to be needed. Starting from scratch it would seem reasonable to plan on such a basis relating the machine's location to the services it demands.

STUDENTS OF engineering thermodynamics and of heat engines alike are confronted eventually with the question ‘What is entropy?’, and the difficulties which can be associated with conveying the answer are well known. One possible source of misunderstanding can be the attempt to define or introduce entropy in physical terms.