Vagueness

Various kinds of potentials have been referred to in the course of this and the preceding chapter, and their interrelation is the subject of the present section. The chief problem is that certain types of potential differences are physically meaningful in the sense that they are operationally defined, whereas others that may be spoken of more vaguely are really conceptual in nature and may not be definable experimentally. 

Shirts R B and Reinhardt W P 1982 Approximate constants of motion for classically chaotic vibrational dynamics vague tori, semiclassical quantization, and classical intramolecular energy flow J. Cham. Phys. 77 5204-17... 

The visuahzation of hundreds or thousands of connected atoms, which are found in biological macromolecules, is no longer reasonable with the molecular models described above because too much detail would be shown. First of aU the models become vague if there are more than a few himdied atoms. This problem can be solved with some simplified models, which serve primarily to represent the secondary structure of the protein or nucleic acid backbone [201]. (Compare the balls and sticks model (Figure 2-124a) and the backbone representation (Figure 2-124b) of lysozyme.)... 

Conventional computers initially were not conceived to handle vague data. Human reasoning, however, uses vague information and uncertainty to come to a decision. In the mid-1960 this discrepancy led to the conception of fuzzy theory [14]. In fuzzy logic the strict scheme of Boolean logic, which has only two statements true and false), is extended to handle information about partial truth, i.e., truth values between "absolutely true" and absolutely false". It thus gives a mathematical representation of uncertainty and vagueness and provides a tool to treat them. 

One of the problems with all the current phenol conversions is that a certain amount of other phenols, such as resorcinol and hydro-quinone, will be formed along with the catechol (don t ask). These species are very hard to separate from the catechol because they are all so similar. Aside of carefully monitored fractional distillation there are some vague strategies which can be found in the Chemical Abstract references 116-118. 

Once basic requirements and secondary objectives have been established, the prospective purchaser will find it easier to discuss details with sales representatives. From the latter s viewpoint, it is easier to talk to a potential customer who knows what he needs from a mass spectrometer system rather than to a customer who has only a vague idea of what is required. In fact, an uninformed customer can end up purchasing an expensive instrument that is far too good for the analyses required or, at the other extreme, a cheap instrument that is inadequate for immediate needs, let alone ones that might arise in the near future. 

Until now we have been purposely vague about the quantity Aw. Since we shall use the notation of Eq. (8.42) from now on, it is convenient to say a few more things about Aw before we lose sight of it entirely. Reaction (8.A) is clear enough what is unspecific are the conditions under which this reaction takes place. Several possibilities come to mind, and each imparts a slightly different meaning to the energy w ... 

Because small children may suck on matches, the question of toxicity is often raised and the lingering, vague, though unwarranted idea of phosphoms poisoning may cause concern to laymen and even to physicians. Potassium chlorate is the only active material that can be extracted in more than traces from a match head and only 9 mg are contained in one head. This, even multiphed by the content of a whole book, is far below any toxic amount (19) for even a small child. No poisonous properties whatsoever can be imputed to the striking strip. SAW matches are similarly harmless but, because of their easy flammabihty, they should be entirely kept out of a household with smaller children. The same warning may apply to all wooden matches. 

The prior patents and/or Hterature are vague, conflicting, or very old and therefore are weak and should be constmed narrowly. 

Distinctions between glauconite and celadonite may be vague in the area of approximately 0.2% tetrahedral Al. Celadonite is found as an alteration mineral in mafic volcanic rocks (127). 

The problem is defined during process development as information becomes available and decisions are made. Initially, the definition is limited, vague, and brief and economic analysis involves a high level of uncertainty. As the project evolves, the definition becomes more complete, more highly specific, and lengthier. At the same time, the economic assessment tends to exhibit less uncertainty. 

Even when interaction is direct, forms of attack may be difficult to differentiate from other corrosion mechanisms. For example, corrosion beneath biological material can exhibit strikingly unique or vague attack morphologies according to the degree of microbiological involvement (see Chap. 6). 

Two basic mechanisms cause biological corrosion. Biologically produced substances may actively or passively cause attack. Each mechanism either accelerates preexisting corrosion or establishes a new form of metal loss. Often the distinction between active and passive attack is vague. 

Splash proof As in (2) but, unless the degree of proteetion aeeording to lEC 60034-5 is specified, this remains a vague term and is not in frequent use. 

This entire book is about the emergence, nature and cultivation of a new discipline, materials science and engineering. To draw together the strings of this story, it helps to be clear about what a scientific discipline actually is that, in turn, becomes clearer if one looks at the emergence of some earlier disciplines which have had more time to reach a condition of maturity. Comparisons can help in definition we can narrow a vague concept by examining what apparently diverse examples have in common. 

One common practice in petroleum processing is to define conversion as (100 % of material boilings above gasoline). While this is somewhat vague, it can be made more specific if gasoline is considered as hydrocarbons boilings... 

Note how the policies are phrased in the above examples. They are not expressed as vague statements or emphatic statements using the words may, should, or shall, but clear intentions by use of the word will - thus expressing a commitment. 

While the term adequacy is a little vague it should be taken as meaning that the document is fit for its purpose. If the objective is stated in the document, does it fulfill that objective If it is stated that the document applies to a certain equipment, area, or activity, does it cover that equipment, area, or activity to the depth expected for such a document One of the difficulties in soliciting comments to documents is that you will gather comments on what you have written but not on what you have omitted. One useful method is to ensure that the procedures requiring the document specify the required content so that the reviewers can check the document against an agreed standard. 

For any even vaguely realistic atomically constituted membrane it is unlikely that any theory will become available in the near future which will properly or reasonably describe the dynamic properties of the membrane, the fluids near it, and their passage, or selective passage, through it. Nevertheless, one should continue trying with simple models and simple theories [39-43], which show the way forward and can, as usual, be tested by the virtually exact results of molecular dynamics simulation. 

The word fluorocarbon has been used here in a generic way to indicate completely fluonnated liquids, including ethers and amines, rather than in its stricter meaning of having only carbon and fluorine atoms The definition of the word perfluori-nated is somewhat vague, because it can include compounds that retain double bonds or protons... 

The major finding of the study was that the manual blowdown philosophy, particularly with respect to gas situations, was not clearly defined. This was most apparent in the offshore attitudes and perceptions regarding the importance of blowdown as a safety system. No decision criteria specifying when blowdown should or should not be activated were provided for the support of control room staff. Blowdown was essentially left to the discretion of the workers. Consequently, the offshore interpretation of this vagueness and ambivalence amounted to a perceived low priority of blowdown. It was concluded that this percephon would probably lead to a significant delay in blowdown or possibly the omission of blowdown when it was actually required. 

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