The introduction of the book is dedicated to the discussion of the concept and doctrinal elements (prerequisites) of upcycling, its role in the legal system, as well as its interdisciplinary nature. We argue that upcycling is not a single dimensional activity to be approached solely from the perspective of exclusive IP rights. It represents a new philosophy for environment-conscious producers and consumers, promising the construction of new bottom-up approaches to decrease the negative consequences of human activities on earth. With the growing need for green transition, also addressed by legislators, upcycling can work as a case study for decision-makers from the domestic to the international level to reimagine IP policies to support green transitions at micro level by allowing individual upcyclers the reuse of IP-affected goods; at mezo level by convincing investors and industry-level organizations to renew economic models and invest in transformative reuses; and at macro level by allowing legislation to incentivize innovative activities to minimize waste and maximize the benefits of consumables for their full life-cycle.

This chapter establishes the terminology and notation necessary for the study of signed graphs and introduces their two fundamental concepts, balance and switching equivalence. It provides formal definitions of the key matrices associated with signed graphs, including the adjacency matrix, Laplacian matrix, and net Laplacian matrix, and discusses their basic properties in detail. The chapter also examines foundational results concerning the characteristic polynomials and eigenvalues of these matrices, highlighting their role in analysing the structural and spectral properties of signed graphs. In addition, the standard structural balance criteria are extended and generalized through spectral criteria, which can be computed efficiently in polynomial time, providing a practical framework for assessing balance in larger and more complex networks.

In this chapter, we elaborate on the fundamental importance of Carleson measures in complex analysis on the unit disk, concerning here interpolation sequences and embedding theorems. It is convenient to first recall a few classical facts.

Complex fluids can be found all around us, from molten plastics to mayonnaise, and understanding their highly nonlinear dynamics is the subject of much research.

This text introduces a common theoretical framework for understanding and predicting the flow behavior of complex fluids. This framework allows for results including a qualitative understanding of the relationship between a fluid’s behavior at the microscale of particles or macromolecules, and its macroscopic, viscoelastic properties. The author uses a microstructural approach to derive constitutive theories that remain simple enough to allow computational predictions of complicated macroscale flows.

Readers develop their intuition to learn how to approach the description of materials not covered in the book, as well as limits such as higher concentrations that require computational methods for microstructural analysis.

This monograph’s unique breadth and depth make it a valuable resource for researchers and graduate students in fluid mechanics.

In his final years, American society finally punished Bieral for his violence, embracing the principle of the rule of law. His dismissal from the customs office and attempted assassination of Port Surveyor Hans Beattie led to imprisonment. The chapter examines his trial, insanity defense, and eventual pardon, contextualizing his downfall within the rise of civil service reform. Bieral’s family tragedies and his son’s criminal career underscored the generational consequences of a violent life, but he remained a popular figure. His death in a veterans’ home and burial in a national cemetery mark a quiet end to a tumultuous life. The chapter reflects on the cultural legacy of Bieral’s persona and the societal ambivalence toward violent masculinity.