Mechanism for the failure of the Edwards hypothesis in the SK spin glass

The dynamics of the SK model at T=0 starting from random spin configurations is considered. The metastable states reached by such dynamics are atypical of such states as a whole, in that the probability density of site energies, $p(\lambda)$, is small at $\lambda=0$. Since virtually all metastable states have a much larger $p(0)$, this behavior demonstrates a qualitative failure of the Edwards hypothesis. We look for its origins by modelling the changes in the site energies during the dynamics as a Markov process. We show how the small $p(0)$ arises from features of the Markov process that have a clear physical basis in the spin-glass, and hence explain the failure of the Edwards hypothesis.Comment: 5 pages, new title, modified text, additional reference

An Unusual Moving Boundary Condition Arising in Anomalous Diffusion Problems

In the context of analyzing a new model for nonlinear diffusion in polymers, an unusual condition appears at the moving interface between the glassy and rubbery phases of the polymer. This condition, which arises from the inclusion of a viscoelastic memory term in our equations, has received very little attention in the mathematical literature. Due to the unusual form of the moving-boundary condition, further study is needed as to the existence and uniqueness of solutions satisfying such a condition. The moving boundary condition which results is not solvable by similarity solutions, but can be solved by integral equation techniques. A solution process is outlined to illustrate the unusual nature of the condition; the profiles which result are characteristic of a dissolving polymer

Lamb wave near field enhancements for surface breaking defects in plates

Near field surface wave ultrasonic enhancements have previously been used to detect surface breaking defects in thick samples using Rayleigh waves. Here, we present analogous surface wave enhancements for Lamb waves propagating in plates. By tracking frequency intensities in selected regions of time-frequency representations, we observe frequency enhancement in the near field, due to constructive interference of the incident wave mode with those reflected and mode converted at the defect. This is explained using two test models; a square based notch and an opening crack, which are used to predict the contribution to the out-of-plane displacement from the reflected and mode converted waves. This method has the potential to provide a reliable method for the near field identification and characterisation of surface breaking defects in plates

Statistical Mechanics of Vibration-Induced Compaction of Powders

We propose a theory which describes the density relaxation of loosely packed, cohesionless granular material under mechanical tapping. Using the compactivity concept we develope a formalism of statistical mechanics which allows us to calculate the density of a powder as a function of time and compactivity. A simple fluctuation-dissipation relation which relates compactivity to the amplitude and frequency of a tapping is proposed. Experimental data of E.R.Nowak et al. [{\it Powder Technology} 94, 79 (1997) ] show how density of initially deposited in a fluffy state powder evolves under carefully controlled tapping towards a random close packing (RCP) density. Ramping the vibration amplitude repeatedly up and back down again reveals the existence of reversible and irreversible branches in the response. In the framework of our approach the reversible branch (along which the RCP density is obtained) corresponds to the steady state solution of the Fokker-Planck equation whereas the irreversible one is represented by a superposition of "excited states" eigenfunctions. These two regimes of response are analyzed theoretically and a qualitative explanation of the hysteresis curve is offered.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, Latex. Revised tex

Expert systems for real-time monitoring and fault diagnosis

Methods for building real-time onboard expert systems were investigated, and the use of expert systems technology was demonstrated in improving the performance of current real-time onboard monitoring and fault diagnosis applications. The potential applications of the proposed research include an expert system environment allowing the integration of expert systems into conventional time-critical application solutions, a grammar for describing the discrete event behavior of monitoring and fault diagnosis systems, and their applications to new real-time hardware fault diagnosis and monitoring systems for aircraft

Environmental justice, capabilities, and the theorization of well-being

Environmental justice (EJ) scholarship is increasingly framing justice in terms of capabilities. This paper argues that capabilities are fundamentally about well-being and as such there is a need to more explicitly theorize well-being. We explore how capabilities have come to be influential in EJ and how well-being has been approached so far in EJ specifically and human geography more broadly. We then introduce a body of literature from social psychology which has grappled theoretically with questions about well-being, using the insights we gain from it to reflect on some possible trajectories and challenges for EJ as it engages with well-being

Near-Term Options for a Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Flight Demonstrator

The Appropriations Bill passed by the US Congress in February 2019 instructed NASA to direct not less than $100,000,000 for the development of nuclear thermal propulsion, of which not less than$70,000,000 shall be for the design of a flight demonstration by 2024 for which a multi-year plan is required by both the House and the Senate within 180 days of enactment of this agreement." As part of NASAs response to this direction, the Advanced Concepts Office (ACO) at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) was tasked with leading a study to develop a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) flight demonstration (FD) concept and evaluate its feasibility with respect to the near-term schedule goal. During formulation for the NTP FD study, two perspectives emerged with regards to FD concept design. The first seeks to strictly observe the immediate near-term schedule goal, embracing a completely off-the-shelf, high-TRL approach to subsystem design and component selection. The downside to this approach is that the propulsion performance to be expected from such a design is significantly lower than what NTP promises for operational systems, and the value of the flight demo is potentially reduced due to a lack of traceability. The second approach advocates for an FD concept that shows increased traceability to the projected designs of operational systems, providing risk reduction for future NTP-enabled missions. This option comes at the cost of schedule and development risks, as it requires some new investments in nuclear reactor fuels and design. In order to understand the implications and differences between these two approaches, the ACO team elected to perform a concept design of each type, labeling the immediate near-term concept Flight Demo 1 (FD1), and the higher traceability concept Flight Demo 2 (FD2). This paper will present a summary of the mission profiles and system designs for both FD1 and FD2, identifying key drivers and challenges for each design