The computation of the cohomology rings of all groups of order 128

We describe the computation of the mod-2 cohomology rings of all 2328 groups of order 128. One consequence is that all groups of order less than 256 satisfy the strong form of Benson's Regularity Conjecture.Comment: 15 pages; revised versio

An Instrument of Mass Calculation made by Nastūlus in Baghdad ca. 900

This remarkable astronomical instrument was made by the Muslim astronomer known as NasÐūlus, who was active in Baghdad between 890 and 930. Its rediscovery brings our knowledge of the activities in that flourishing scientific centre a substantial step further. This type of instrument was previously not known to exist, although sundials based on the same principle are described in Arabic treatises datable to ca. 950 and ca. 1280. It is essentially a mathematical device providing a graphic solution to a problem that was of interest to Muslim astronomers, namely, the determination of the time of day as a function of the solar altitude throughout the year, here specifically for the latitude of Baghdad. The instrument reveals a level of mathematical competence and sophistication that is at first sight astounding. However, with a deeper understanding of the scientific milieu from which it came, it can be seen to be fully within the theoretical competence of the scientists of that environment. Nevertheless, the spectacular accuracy of the engraving of the principal curves on the instrument is completely unexpected. The instrument also features the earliest known solar and calendrical scales from the Islamic East; the origin of these was previously thought to be in the Islamic West

Two Newly-discovered Astrolabes from ‘Abbasid Baghdad

This is the first description of two complete astrolabes from ‘Abbāsid Baghdad. One is by the enigmatic but prolific NasÐýlus and datable ca. 900-930, and the other is the first known instrument of A¬mad al-Muhandis, datable ca. 875. Both instruments and two additional incomplete ones also described here, are fully in the tradition of Abbasid astrolabes, of which close to two dozen, not all complete, are now known and published

Science Information and the Public - A Review of Literature

Informing the public about science: Is it an awful bore, or is it of critical importance to the survival of the world? This article is a review of literature that addresses this question. Most of the major research articles are reviewed and a bibliography is provided

Dynamics of wire frame glasses in two dimensions

The dynamics of wire frame particles in concentrated suspension are studied by means of a 2D model and compared to those of rod-like particles. The wire frames have bent or branched structures constructed from infinitely thin rigid rods. In the model, a particle is surrounded by diffusing points that it cannot cross. We derive a formal expression for the mean squared displacement (MSD) and, by using a self-consistent approximation, we find markedly different dynamics for wire frames and rods. For wire frames, there exists a critical concentration of points above which they become frozen with the long time MSD reaching a plateau. Rods, on the other hand, always diffuse by reptation. We also study the rheology through the elastic stress, and more striking differences are found; the initial magnitude of the stress for wire frames is much larger than for rods, scaling like the square of the point concentration, and above the critical concentration, the stress for wire frames appears to persist indefinitely while for rods it always decays.Comment: 25 pages, 4 figure

\u27Accustomed to the Light\u27: A Philosophy of Teaching

A brief narrative description of the journal article, document, or resource. Describes a philosophy of teaching inspired by a love of the discipline being taught and the desire of the professor to give students something of substance and be fulfilled by their responses

Merton\u27s New Novices: The Seven Storey Mountain and Monasticism in a Freshman Seminar

Offers observation on Thomas Merton\u27s book The Seven Storey Mountain. Experience in teaching an introductory literature course to sophomore students at Kennesaw State University in Georgia; Reflections on monastic life; Description of Merton on Trappist monasteries