A continuum of pure states in the Ising model on a halfplane

We study the homogeneous nearest-neighbor Ising ferromagnet on the right half plane with a Dobrushin type boundary condition --- say plus on the top part of the boundary and minus on the bottom. For sufficiently low temperature $T$, we completely characterize the pure (i.e., extremal) Gibbs states, as follows. There is exactly one for each angle $\theta\in\lbrack-\pi/2,+\pi/2]$; here $\theta$ specifies the asymptotic angle of the interface separating regions where the spin configuration looks like that of the plus (respectively, minus) full-plane state. Some of these conclusions are extended all the way to $T=T_{c}$ by developing new Ising exact solution result -- in particular, there is at least one pure state for each $\theta$.Comment: In this version, a discussion of the 3D case is include

MOVE: Philadelphia\u27s Forgotten Bombing

On May 13th, 1985, the city of Philadelphia erupted into flames. Under the orders of Mayor Wilson Goode, the Philadelphia Police Department dropped a bomb onto the rowhouse containing MOVE, a cult-like organization, on Osage Avenue in West Philadelphia causing a fire which killed eleven people, including five children, and burning down sixty-one other houses. But instead of the bombing ending his political career, Mayor Goode was reelected, and the bombing slipped into obscurity outside of Philadelphia. This major event in the history of Philadelphia was forgotten because of the lack of connection between the city and the quasi-Rastafarian beliefs of MOVE and because of the efforts of the city government to move past it

Relativistic electromagnetic waves in an electron-ion plasma

High power laser beams can drive plasma particles to relativistic energies. An accurate description of strong waves requires the inclusion of ion dynamics in the analysis. The equations governing the propagation of relativistic electromagnetic waves in a cold electron-ion plasma can be reduced to two equations expressing conservation of energy-momentum of the system. The two conservation constants are functions of the plasma stream velocity, the wave velocity, the wave amplitude, and the electron-ion mass ratio. The dynamic parameter, expressing electron-ion momentum conversation in the laboratory frame, can be regarded as an adjustable quantity, a suitable choice of which will yield self-consistent solutions when other plasma parameters were specified. Circularly polarized electromagnetic waves and electrostatic plasma waves are used as illustrations

Enhancing the Value of Indigenous Pottery Products with Surface Decoration Methods & Macramé

The study identifies the role of indigenous Ghanaian pottery in average homes as utilitarian vessels and indirectly as an effective means of employment in its production. It seeks to enhance its aesthetic qualities to alter its use and to increase its demand and utilization. The study employed both the descriptive and experimental methods to produce wares to popularize this concept for the Ghanaian populace. It explored the use of non-conventional materials (leather, wood, metal oxides, beads, among others) integrated into the biscuit fired wares and completed with macramé as a finishing technique. The results of the study indicate that the new materials added value and enhanced the texture and aesthetic qualities of the products produced. As such, other non-conventional materials could be explored for such products to inspire and educate producers to increase creativity. Discussions were based on theoretical, academic, religious, social, historical, cultural, philosophical and artistic contexts. The pieces showed originality, contrast, harmony, multiplicity and stability, and as well, captured the aesthetic energy inherent in ordinary materials. The research proved that the integration of traditional pottery with other materials can add value and improve the marketability of indigenous pottery wares. Keywords: Pottery, Mixed media, Enhancing, Non-conventional, Macramé, Leather, integratio

Safety and Health in On-Farm Biomass Production and Processing

There is significant interest in biomass production ranging from government agencies to the private sector, both inside and outside of the traditional production agricultural setting. This interest has led to an increase in the development and production of biomass crops. Much of this effort has focused on specific segments of the process, and more specifically on the mechanics of these individual segments. From a review of the scientific literature, it is seen that little effort has been put into identifying, classifying, and preventing safety hazards in on-farm biomass production systems. This article describes the current status of the knowledge pertaining to health and safety factors of biomass production and storage in the U.S. and identifies areas of standards development that the biomass industry needs from the agricultural safety and health community