Ablation of Martian glaciers

Glacier like landforms are observed in the fretted terrain of Mars in the latitude belts near + or - 42 deg. It was suggested that sublimation or accumulation-ablation rates could be estimated for these glaciers if their shapes were known. To this end, photoclinometric profiles were obtained of a number of these landforms. On the basis of analyses of these profiles, it was concluded that ice is chiefly ablating from these landforms that either are inactive rock-glaciers or have materials within them that are moving exceedingly slowly at this time. These conclusions are consistent with other geologic information. The analyses were performed using a two-dimensional model of an isothermal glacier

Applied Mathematics as Social Contract

The author takes the position that mathematical education must redefine its goals so as to create a citizenry with sufficient knowledge to provide social backpressure on future mathematizations. This can be accomplished by increasing the part of mathematical education that is devoted to the description and interpretation of the processes of mathematization and by allowing the technicalities of the formal operations within mathematics itself to be deemphasized or automated out by computer

Entropy and Society: Can the Physical/Mathematical Notions of Entropy Be Usefully Imported into the Social Sphere?

The notion of entropy was first introduced in the 1850\u27s by Rudolf Clausius in the context of thermodynamics. Focusing on the meaning that an increase of entropy means an increase of disorder, dissipation and decay, subsequent generations of authors have imported the notion into practically every area of intellectual discussion. This paper will mention numerous definitions of entropy and consider the virtues and ambiguities of the concept of entropy. It will pass judgement on some old and new interpretations of certain current societal developments that have been made along entropic lines and that conflict with the current Western social ethos

Implementation of Range Autofocus for SAR Radar Imaging

The range calculation for an FMCW radar depends on accurate linear modulation. In some circumstances, linear modulation may not be available and must be corrected for. This paper describes an autofocus technique used to correct for phase error due to non-linearities in the components of a FMCW radar. Also described here is the algorithm used in calculating the phase error and application of the phase correction with triangle modulation. Known errors were calculated at certain distances and applied to correcting the phase of data taken at similar distances. The results given were generated using a SAR working outside linear ranges

Unity and Disunity in Mathematics

The unity of mathematics has its power to compactify experiences in a form capable of being transferred and modified or adapted to new mathematical situations. Yet, we believe that the phrase "Unity of Mathematics" expresses a dream, an ideal that doesn't exist. We shall point to diachronic and cross cultural disunities, to semantic, semiotic and philosophic ambiguities and to the non-acceptance of certain mathematical texts by some practitioners of the subject.Comment: 4 pages. This is a condensed, sharpened and polemic outcome of our previous discussions on that topic, disseminated in arXiv:1204.514

Unity in Major Themes:Convergence vs. Arbitrariness in the Development of Mathematics

We describe and explain the desire, common among mathematicians, both for unity and independence in its major themes. In the dialogue that follows, we express our spontaneous and considered judgment and reservations by contrasting the development of mathematics as a goal-driven process as opposed to one that often seems to possess considerable arbitrariness.Comment: To the memory of Gian-Carlo Rota (April 27, 1932 - April 18, 1999), Contribution to the XI Oesterreichisches Symposion zur Geschichte der Mathematik, Organiser: Christa Binder, Topic: Der Blick aufs Ganze. Gibt es grosse Linien in der Entwicklung der Mathematik? Venue: Miesenbach (Austria), 22-28 April, 2012, 9 page