Modulated phases in magnetic models frustrated by long-range interactions

We study an Ising model in one dimension with short range ferromagnetic and long range (power law) antiferromagnetic interactions. We show that the zero temperature phase diagram in a (longitudinal) field H involves a sequence of up and down domains whose size varies continuously with H, between -H_c and H_c which represent the edge of the ferromagnetic up and down phases. The implications of long range interaction in many body systems are discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Almost direct summands

In this short note, we point out how some new cases of Hochster's direct summand conjecture can be deduced from fundamental theorems in p-adic Hodge theory due to Faltings. The cases tackled include the ones when the ramification of the map being considered lies entirely in characteristic p.Comment: 5 pages, comments welcome

Between Sense and Sensibility: Declarative narrativisation of mental models as a basis and benchmark for visuo-spatial cognition and computation focussed collaborative cognitive systems

What lies between `\emph{sensing}' and `\emph{sensibility}'? In other words, what kind of cognitive processes mediate sensing capability, and the formation of sensible impressions ---e.g., abstractions, analogies, hypotheses and theory formation, beliefs and their revision, argument formation--- in domain-specific problem solving, or in regular activities of everyday living, working and simply going around in the environment? How can knowledge and reasoning about such capabilities, as exhibited by humans in particular problem contexts, be used as a model and benchmark for the development of collaborative cognitive (interaction) systems concerned with human assistance, assurance, and empowerment? We pose these questions in the context of a range of assistive technologies concerned with \emph{visuo-spatial perception and cognition} tasks encompassing aspects such as commonsense, creativity, and the application of specialist domain knowledge and problem-solving thought processes. Assistive technologies being considered include: (a) human activity interpretation; (b) high-level cognitive rovotics; (c) people-centred creative design in domains such as architecture & digital media creation, and (d) qualitative analyses geographic information systems. Computational narratives not only provide a rich cognitive basis, but they also serve as a benchmark of functional performance in our development of computational cognitive assistance systems. We posit that computational narrativisation pertaining to space, actions, and change provides a useful model of \emph{visual} and \emph{spatio-temporal thinking} within a wide-range of problem-solving tasks and application areas where collaborative cognitive systems could serve an assistive and empowering function.Comment: 5 pages, research statement summarising recent publication

Method of preparing fiber reinforced ceramic material

Alternate layers of mats of specially coated SiC fibers and silicon monotapes are hot pressed in two stages to form a fiber reinforced ceramic material. In the first stage a die is heated to about 600 C in a vacuum furnace and maintained at this temperature for about one-half hour to remove fugitive binder. In the second stage the die temperature is raised to about 1000 C and the layers are pressed at between 35 and 138 MPa. The resulting preform is placed in a reactor tube where a nitriding gas is flowed past the preform at 1100 to 1400 C to nitride the same

A Critical Evaluation of Indian Government’s Strategies to bridge Digital Divide

Emergence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been a landmark for India. In one way, this sunshine sector has been instrumental in the economic growth of country and has glorified its image in the whole world but on the other end, it has also created a digital divide in our society. BBC's Jill McGivering reports that the IT revolution is only changing some lives in the world's largest democracy. (Bagla,2005) A small section of society is harnessing it fully for their advantage while the masses are even not aware of it. UNESCO report 1998 also stated that for the majority of the world’s population, telephones are a technology beyond reach; food, sanitation and literacy are more urgent needs. How can we reconcile major commitments of energy and funds to ICTs when more basic human needs remain unfulfilled? The conventional, even formulaic, answer to the alleged conflict between investment in ICTs and investment in meeting basic human needs is, "We need to do both. There is no contradiction between ICTs and other critical human and social goals." (Keniston, 2002) ICT sector has potential of reviving the hopes and fortunes of these deprived and hatred section of society. Application of ICT in the form of E-Governance possess the potential to bridge the gulf between the urban 'technology haves' and rural ‘have nots', within and among the countries. (Annan, 2002)