129,697 research outputs found
Cellular solid behaviour of liquid crystal colloids. 2. Mechanical properties
This paper presents the results of a rheological study of thermotropic
nematic colloids aggregated into cellular structures. Small sterically
stabilised PMMA particles dispersed in a liquid crystal matrix densely pack on
cell interfaces, but reversibly mix with the matrix when the system is heated
above Tni. We obtain a remarkably high elastic modulus, G'~10^5 Pa, which is a
nearly linear function of particle concentration. A characteristic yield stress
is required to disrupt the continuity of cellular structure and liquify the
response. The colloid aggregation in a ``poor nematic'' MBBA has the same
cellular morphology as in the ``good nematic'' 5CB, but the elastic strength is
at least an order of magnitude lower. These findings are supported by
theoretical arguments based on the high surface tension interfaces of a
foam-like cellular system, taking into account the local melting of nematic
liquid and the depletion locking of packed particles on interfaces.Comment: Latex 2e (EPJ style) EPS figures included (poor quality to comply
with space limitations
Application of MPC and sliding mode control to IFAC benchmark models
The comparison of Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Sliding Mode Control (SMC) are
presented in this paper. This paper investigates the performance of each controller as the navigation system
for IFAC benchmark ship models (cargo vessel and oil tanker). In this investigation the navigation system
regulates the heading angle of the two types of marine vessel with reference to a desired heading
trajectory. In this investigation, the result obtained from MPC is compared with a well-established control
methodology, namely Sliding Mode control theory. Wave disturbances and actuator limits are
implemented to provide a more realistic evaluation and comparison for the proposed control structure
Quantum Cosmological Relational Model of Shape and Scale in 1-d
Relational particle models are useful toy models for quantum cosmology and
the problem of time in quantum general relativity. This paper shows how to
extend existing work on concrete examples of relational particle models in 1-d
to include a notion of scale. This is useful as regards forming a tight analogy
with quantum cosmology and the emergent semiclassical time and hidden time
approaches to the problem of time. This paper shows furthermore that the
correspondence between relational particle models and classical and quantum
cosmology can be strengthened using judicious choices of the mechanical
potential. This gives relational particle mechanics models with analogues of
spatial curvature, cosmological constant, dust and radiation terms. A number of
these models are then tractable at the quantum level. These models can be used
to study important issues 1) in canonical quantum gravity: the problem of time,
the semiclassical approach to it and timeless approaches to it (such as the
naive Schrodinger interpretation and records theory). 2) In quantum cosmology,
such as in the investigation of uniform states, robustness, and the qualitative
understanding of the origin of structure formation.Comment: References and some more motivation adde
New interpretation of variational principles for gauge theories. I. Cyclic coordinate alternative to ADM split
I show how there is an ambiguity in how one treats auxiliary variables in
gauge theories including general relativity cast as 3 + 1 geometrodynamics.
Auxiliary variables may be treated pre-variationally as multiplier coordinates
or as the velocities corresponding to cyclic coordinates. The latter treatment
works through the physical meaninglessness of auxiliary variables' values
applying also to the end points (or end spatial hypersurfaces) of the
variation, so that these are free rather than fixed. [This is also known as
variation with natural boundary conditions.] Further principles of dynamics
workings such as Routhian reduction and the Dirac procedure are shown to have
parallel counterparts for this new formalism. One advantage of the new scheme
is that the corresponding actions are more manifestly relational. While the
electric potential is usually regarded as a multiplier coordinate and Arnowitt,
Deser and Misner have regarded the lapse and shift likewise, this paper's
scheme considers new {\it flux}, {\it instant} and {\it grid} variables whose
corresponding velocities are, respectively, the abovementioned previously used
variables. This paper's way of thinking about gauge theory furthermore admits
interesting generalizations, which shall be provided in a second paper.Comment: 11 page
Approaching the Problem of Time with a Combined Semiclassical-Records-Histories Scheme
I approach the Problem of Time and other foundations of Quantum Cosmology
using a combined histories, timeless and semiclassical approach. This approach
is along the lines pursued by Halliwell. It involves the timeless probabilities
for dynamical trajectories entering regions of configuration space, which are
computed within the semiclassical regime. Moreover, the objects that Halliwell
uses in this approach commute with the Hamiltonian constraint, H. This approach
has not hitherto been considered for models that also possess nontrivial linear
constraints, Lin. This paper carries this out for some concrete relational
particle models (RPM's). If there is also commutation with Lin - the Kuchar
observables condition - the constructed objects are Dirac observables.
Moreover, this paper shows that the problem of Kuchar observables is explicitly
resolved for 1- and 2-d RPM's. Then as a first route to Halliwell's approach
for nontrivial linear constraints that is also a construction of Dirac
observables, I consider theories for which Kuchar observables are formally
known, giving the relational triangle as an example. As a second route, I apply
an indirect method that generalizes both group-averaging and Barbour's best
matching. For conceptual clarity, my study involves the simpler case of
Halliwell 2003 sharp-edged window function. I leave the elsewise-improved
softened case of Halliwell 2009 for a subsequent Paper II. Finally, I provide
comments on Halliwell's approach and how well it fares as regards the various
facets of the Problem of Time and as an implementation of QM propositions.Comment: An improved version of the text, and with various further references.
25 pages, 4 figure
Superposition Formulas for Darboux Integrable Exterior Differential Systems
In this paper we present a far-reaching generalization of E. Vessiot's
analysis of the Darboux integrable partial differential equations in one
dependent and two independent variables. Our approach provides new insights
into this classical method, uncovers the fundamental geometric invariants of
Darboux integrable systems, and provides for systematic, algorithmic
integration of such systems. This work is formulated within the general
framework of Pfaffian exterior differential systems and, as such, has
applications well beyond those currently found in the literature. In
particular, our integration method is applicable to systems of hyperbolic PDE
such as the Toda lattice equations, 2 dimensional wave maps and systems of
overdetermined PDE.Comment: 80 page report. Updated version with some new sections, and major
improvements to other
From an axiological standpoint
I maintain that intrinsic value is the fundamental concept of axiology. Many contemporary philosophers disagree; they say the proper object of value theory is final value. I examine three accounts of the nature of final value: the first claims that final value is non‐instrumental value; the second claims that final value is the value a thing has as an end; the third claims that final value is ultimate or non‐derivative value. In each case, I argue that the concept of final value described is either identical with the classical notion of intrinsic value or is not a plausible candidate for the primary concept of axiology
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