Decision-making shows great variance between individuals. In attempt to explain individual differences, the General Decision Making Style questionnaire (GDMS) was developed. The GDMS considers decision-making an individual characteristic, that can be categorised as rational, avoidant, dependent, intuitive or spontaneous. A person can move between decision-making styles, or have a primary and secondary style – it is not fixed. Personality traits and a range of environmental factors are thought to influence decision-making style.

The employment relation is normally understood as a contract of employment. The employer, as usually the stronger bargaining partner, is free to determine the parties’ obligations through fixing the express terms of the contract. Regulation requires the employer to disclose those terms in writing. There is no legal control over unfair terms. However, collective agreements with a recognised trade union often fix the principal express terms of the contract.

The human brain can be divided by both structure and function. Brodmann maps provide a useful way of organising the complex cortical structure based on cytoarchitecture. The basic architecture of the prefrontal cortex shows nothing substantially different to other cortical regions we have a clearer understanding of. However, it remains clear that there must be something anatomically different in the prefrontal cortex for it to be able to carry out such complex functions. Despite vast differences in the functionality of brain regions, topographic connectivity is considered a hallmark feature of cortical structure. However, relatively recent research evidence shows there may be more complexity to the connectivity pattern in the prefrontal cortex when viewed on a fine scale.

The band theory of solids is developed and used to explain the properties of conductors, insulators, and semiconductors (both pure and doped). Type n and p semiconductors are introduced and combined to form the p-n junction or diode. Analysis of diode circuits is introduced, followed by several applications of diodes. As a lead-in to power supply circuits, rectification, filtering, and regulation are discussed. Zener diodes are introduced and applications are given. The silicon-controlled rectifier and some applications are presented. Photodiode operation and the resulting circuit analysis are given, along with a discussion of optimization. An introduction to switching power supplies (boost, buck, and buck-boost) is presented.

Large corporations, trade unions and labour law now function within a global economy, creating the need to develop effective international labour standards addressed both to governments and corporations, which are now expected to take greater responsibility for labour standards throughout their global operations. This chapter examines the international legal framework for labour law within which domestic law operates, and the more recent initiatives focused specifically on corporations, as well as questions of exploitation associated with growing labour mobility, before concluding with a discussion about the prospects for global labour law.

Chapter 1 introduces the main issues raised in Labour Law and its social and economic significance in regulating workplace relations. The chapter introduces the principal sources of labour law in the UK, which include statutes, the common law and European law and the difficulties in securing compliance by employers with those laws. It describes the system of employment tribunals and ordinary courts where disputes are resolved. Finally the chapter introduces some contemporary themes concerning precarious work, work/life balance and human rights at work.

A variety of digital devices and circuits are introduced. The use of binary numbers in digital electronics is discussed. The AND, OR, XOR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XNOR, and buffer logic gates are presented, followed by a discussion of implementing logical functions. The Karnaugh map and Boolean algebra are introduced. Different ways of constructing logic gates are presented. Half- and full-adder circuits are developed. Several types of flip-flops are discussed. Building on this foundation, we introduce counters, decoders, shift registers, D/A and A/D converters, multiplexers, demultiplexers, memory arrays, automated processing, programmable logic devices, and digital EM communications.

Trade unions play a critical role in labour law, in representing workers, negotiating terms and conditions of employment by collective bargaining, lobbying for stronger legislation to improve working conditions and enhance job security, and assisting in the enforcement of legal rights before courts and tribunals. Employers are often hostile to trade unions, and workers need legal protection from the consequences of such hostility. In this Chapter we consider the legislation designed to protect workers from exclusion, blacklisting, discrimination, and victimization because of their trade union membership and activities. We also examine the right not to be a trade union member, as well as the purpose and implications of such a right.T

Executive function is an umbrella term used to describe a collection of complex cognitive processes, which include decision-making, acting as a mechanism of integration rather than a function in itself. It is thought to consist of three main elements: inhibition, working memory and cognitive flexibility – each of which is important in the execution of decisions. Executive functions, like decision-making, are especially difficult to understand and conceptualise due to their abstract nature. Abstract thinking refers to an ability to form ideas that are not concrete, or that cannot be perceived in the present environment – a key contributor to complex decisions that involve integration of past experiences and planning ahead.

Oscillator circuits, categorized into relaxation and sinusoidal types, are introduced. Three examples of relaxation oscillators are given and analyzed: the SCR sawtooth, the transistor astable, and the 555 astable. Monostable operation of the 555 timer is also discussed. For sinusoidal oscillators, examples include a transistor RC, an op-amp Wien bridge, a Hartley, and a Pierce oscillator. Oscillator stability is discussed. Electromagnetic communications (AM and FM) are discussed as applications of oscillators.