Reply to "Comment on 'Dynamics of wetting fronts in porous media' "

In our work [Phys. Rev. E 58, R5245 (1998)] we introduced a dynamic phenomenological approach to model propagation of localized wetting fronts in porous media. Gray and Miller in their Comment [Phys. Rev. E 61, 2150 (2000)] criticize our approach on several issues. The main criticism addresses the problem of mass conservation in our model. In this Reply we argue that their criticism is incorrect.     

Einstein and ensembles: Response

This article reexamines Einstein's views concerning ensembles and the quantum state function, by way of responding to criticism on this topic. The response calls attention to the range of interpretations found in Einstein's writings, and their function, and emphasizes the nonspecificity of his discussions. It also offers some guidelines for scholarship and criticism in this area.     

Large numbers hypothesis: Reply to a paper by Beesham

We discuss a recent paper by Beesham, showing that his criticism of an article by Berman is based on a contradiction, though his arguments are interesting.     

The rotating disk: Reply to Grünbaum and Janis

Using the time orthogonal spatial line element, which characterizes the spatial geometry inside a given reference frame in a coordinate-invariant way, the condition for uniform rotating motion without tangential strain is deduced. The results are the same as those previously found by Grunbaum and Janis using another method, and shows that my earlier criticism of their work is not valid.     

The rotating disk: Reply to Grøn

It is argued that Grøn's criticism of our treatment of the rotating disk in special relativity is incorrect: Our results pertain to an acceleration program different from his but physically no less legitimate.Research supported in part by the National Science Foundation.     

Response to Rodrigues and Rosa on the twin paradox

This paper responds briefly to the criticism of Rodrigues and Rosa on my earlier analysis of the twin paradox. The main point that I have emphasized (and that the authors have not refuted, either logically or mathematically) is the error in directly identifying anabstract measure relative to a reference frame [and its transformations to all other possible reference frames in which the laws of nature are to be compared (such as temporal and spatial measures)], with aphysical extension and duration of a material body.     

Contribution to problem of interaction between h-f electromagnetic field and plasma

Magnetoactive plasma is regarded as an anisotropic compressible dielectric. A thermodynamical method is used to solve the interaction of plasma with an h-f field which fully penetrates into it. Assuming isothermicity, the equilibrium state is reached in the minima of free energy. The case of cylindrical configuration is solved in detail; the equilibrium plasma frequencies are determined. The influence of electron collision frequency is analyzed.In conclusion, the author thanks all members of the institute seminar for constructive criticism.     

Comments to paper by Spitas “A continuous piecewise internal friction model of hysteresis for use in dynamical simulations (Journal of Sound and Vibration 324: 297-316)”

In this discussion paper, it is shown that the criticism given in the paper mentioned in the title and relating to the so-called modified hysteretic model is not justified.     

Two-photon absorption in organic dyes — reply to a comment

In a recent issue of this journal, Scha¨fer and Schmidt criticized the experimental method and the results of several of our papers. We show that this criticism is unjustified and that there is no more experimental support than theoretical grounds for their geometrical model of two photon absorption.     

What Weak Measurements and Weak Values Really Mean: Reply to Kastner

Despite their important applications in metrology and in spite of numerous experimental demonstrations, weak measurements are still confusing for part of the community. This sometimes leads to unjustified criticism. Recent papers have experimentally clarified the meaning and practical significance of weak measurements, yet in Kastner (Found Phys 47:697–707, 2017), Kastner seems to take us many years backwards in the the debate, casting doubt on the very term “weak value” and the meaning of weak measurements. Kastner appears to ignore both the basics and frontiers of weak measurements and misinterprets the weak measurement process and its outcomes. In addition, she accuses the authors of Aharonov et al. (Ann Phys 355:258–268, 2015) in statements completely opposite to the ones they have actually made. There are many points of disagreement between Kastner and us, but in this short reply I will leave aside the ontology (which is indeed interpretational and far more complex than that described by Kastner) and focus mainly on the injustice in her criticism. I shall add some general comments regarding the broader theory of weak measurements and the two-state-vector formalism, as well as supporting experimental results. Finally, I will point out some recent promising results, which can be proven by (strong) projective measurements, without the need of employing weak measurements.     

The Meaning of Elements of Reality and Quantum Counterfactuals: Reply to Kastner

This paper is an answer to the preceding paper by Kastner, in which she continued the criticism of the counterfactual usage of the Aharonov-Bergman-Lebowitz rule in the framework of the time-symmetrized quantum theory, in particular, by analyzing the three-box paradox. It is argued that the criticism is not sound. Paradoxical features of the three-box example are discussed. It is explained that the elements of reality in the framework of time-symmetrized quantum theory are counterfactual statements, and therefore, even conflicting elements of reality can be associated with a single system. It is shown how such counterfactual elements of reality can be useful in the analysis of a physical experiment (the three-box example). The validity of Kastner's application of the consistent histories approach to the time-symmetrized counterfactuals is questioned.     

Concerning the validity of the stochastic approach to chemical kinetics

A simple argument advanced recently in support of the legitimacy of the stochastic formulation of chemical kinetics has been criticized because it seems to require the imminent collision of widely separated molecules. It is argued here that this criticism is unwarranted because it is based on an incorrect use of probabilities. To illustrate the various probabilistic considerations involved, a detailed analysis is presented of a closely related but mathematically simpler problem: the calculation of the collision probability per unit time for a thermally equilibrized one-dimensional gas of point particles.     

Comment: Laudatores Temporis Acti,or Why Cosmology Is Alive and Well—A Reply to Disney

A criticism of cosmological methodology and achievements by Disney (l2000) is assessed. Some historical and epistemological fallacies in that article have been highlighted. It is shown that—both empirically and pistemologically—modern cosmology lies on sounder foundations than it is portrayed. A brief historical account demonstrates that this form of dissatisfaction with cosmology has had a long tradition, and rather meager results in the course of the 20th century.     

Differentiation of SRB States: Correction and Complements

 Taking into account criticism by D. Dolgopyat and M. Jiang, we present here an improved derivation of the formula for the derivative of an SRB measure with respect to parameters.     

A note on Lorentz transformations and simultaneity in classical physics and special relativity

Since early models of wave propagation in both stationary and moving media during the nineteenth century, the Lorentz transformation (LT) has played a key role in describing characteristic wave phenomena, e.g., the Doppler shift effect. In these models LT connects two different events generated by wave propagations, as observed in two reference systems and the synchronism is absolute. In relativistic physics LT implements the relativity principle. As a consequence, it connects two space-time event coordinates that both correspond to the same physical event and “absolute synchronization” is not allowed. The relativistic interpretation started from Einstein’s early criticism of the notion of “simultaneity” and Minkowski’s invariance of the space-time interval. In this paper, the two different roles of LT, i.e., in classical wave propagation theories and in relativistic physics, are discussed. Einstein’s early criticism is also re-examined with respect to LT in view of its significance for the notion of simultaneity. Indeed, that early criticism is found to be defective. Our analysis is also useful for general readers in view of its impact on modern speculations about the existence of a preferred system of reference Σ, where light propagation is isotropic, and related implications.

     

Reply to "Comment on 'Monte carlo study of structural ordering in charged colloids using a long-range attractive interaction' "

In the Comment by Grier and Crocker (preceding paper) the authors tried to refute our criticism [Phys. Rev. E 58, 2237 (1998)] on their work [J. C. Crocker and D. G. Grier, Phys. Rev. Lett. 77, 1897 (1996)] by simply fitting once again their old experimental data. Grier and Crocker claim that their pair-potential measurements on aqueous dilute suspension of charged colloidal particles confined between charged glass walls at gap of about 8 &mgr;m provide evidence for the failure of Sogami-Ise (SI) theory and demonstrate the applicability of the Dejaguin, Landau, Vervey, and Overbeek (DLVO) theory. Grier and Crocker do not provide additional experimental proof to counter our criticism. We continue to claim here based on our conductivity and conductometric titration measurements, which allow estimating the effective charge and determining the number and nature of the dissociable sites respectively, that their measurements using not well-characterized samples cannot provide clear evidence for the failure of SI theory. With the evidences available in literature, we refute all of the Grier and Crocker comments, including the effect of charged wall confinement on the measured colloidal interactions.     

Quantization in the high-spin RPA

The problem of how to quantize the angular momentum of the self-consistent cranking model at high spin when small oscillations (RPA) about the steady rotation are included is reexamined, in view of a recent criticism by Reinhardt of an earlier treatment. This criticism is shown to be unfounded. On the other hand, it is shown that Reinhardt's quantization procedure leads to some serious problems, and the result that the vibrational frequencies differ in the rotating and lab frames is called into question.     

Response to “The Mössbauer rotor experiment and the general theory of relativity” by C. Corda

We show that a new attempt by Corda (2016), just like his previous attempt (Corda, 2015) that we had answered before (A.L. Kholmetskii et al., 2015), to reinterpret Mössbauer experiments in a rotating system as a “new, strong and independent proof of the correctness of Einstein’s vision of gravity” is erroneous. In addition, we demonstrate that Corda’s criticism of Yarman–Arik–Kholmetskii gravitation theory (in short YARK), is based on the application of ill-posed logic; thus rendering his claims against YARK as unfounded.     

Hyperspin manifolds and the space problem of Weyl

A recent criticism of the claimed existence of torsion-free connections compatible with a hypermanifold structure in Finkelstein's sense is reinforced by relating the problem to the space problem of Weyl as generalized by Cartan and Freudenthal. Some historical remarks concerning the development of the latter are also included.     

Reply to comment on "Auditory-nerve first-spike latency and auditory absolute threshold: a computer model"

Krisha [J. Acoust. Soc. Am., in press (2006)] has commented that an explanation based on presynaptic calcium accumulation at the inner hair cell is an incorrect explanation for the success of a model of the auditory periphery [Meddis, R., J. Acoustic. Soc. Am. 119, 406-417 (2006)] in explaining data on first-spike auditory nerve latency. This reply accepts the criticism and accepts the strength of an alternative explanation based on expected latencies in random sequences of low-probability events. This reply also goes on briefly to explore the application of this argument to other phenomena, including the dependence of absolute auditory threshold on the duration of the stimulus. This has wide-ranging implications for the concept of "temporal integration" in psychophysics.