Solution of the 2D ising model on a triangular lattice by the method of auxiliaryq-deformed Grassmann fields

A representation in the form of a functional integral is obtained for the partition function of the inhomogeneous 2D Ising model on a triangular lattice where the coupling parameters are arbitrary functions of coordinates. The method for transforming the partition function into an integral uses an auxiliary six-component Grassmann field in which the Grassmann fields corresponding to one of the components commute with the others. Thus, one pair of components realizes a representation of the q-deformed group SL_q(2, R) with q=–1 and the other two pairs correspond to the usual Grassmann spinors (q=1). An explicit expression in terms of the modified Pfaffian is found for the Gaussian integral over these fields and its relation to the ordinary Grassmann functional integral is established.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Matematicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 109, No. 3, pp. 441–463, December, 1996.     

THE USE OF THERMOELASTICITY TO EVALUATE STRESS REDISTRIBUTION AND NOTCH SENSITIVITY IN CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES

Thermoelastic stress analysis was used to document the effect of composite damage on the stress distribution in three ceramic matrix composites. Composite damage was found to significantly alter the thermoelastic response of each material, with the greatest effect noted in SiC/CAS. Thermoelastic imaging of these materials affords a more complete picture of how the various damage mechanisms affect the stress distribution. In particular, a stress concentration factor computed from thermoelastic images, serves as an indicator of stress redistribution. The stress concentration factors were computed by comparing notch root to far field temperatures, and monitored after the introduction of various amounts of damage. In each material, the stress concentration factor diminished as the damaging load approached the ultimate stress. Reduction in the stress concentration is associated with local changes in modulus, mechanistically arising from combinations of fiber, matrix and interface fracture. Stress redistribution occurs as a consequence of modulus changes, leading to lower notch sensitivity in each of the tested composites.     

Determination of total ammonium-nitrogen and free ammonia in a fermentation medium by sequential injection analysis

Summary Automated methods for the determination of ammonium and ammonia are reviewed, and techniques based on gas diffusion using a semi-permeable membrane were selected for the determination of both total ammonium-nitrogen and free ammonia in fermentation samples. A simple and robust instrument based on sequential injection analysis (SIA) consisting of a piston pump and two selector valves was used. Two different methods of ammonia detection, the Berthelot method and detection using pH-indicators, have been evaluated and compared. The indicator method showed higher reproducibility and the range of determination could easily be adjusted to match the concentrations of the samples. The range of determination could be adjusted from 0.05 mmol/l to 350 mmol/l, depending on choice of acceptor solution. This method has been evaluated with fermentation medium samples and tested on-line in a yeast fermentation process.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Wilhelm Fresenius on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

Letters to the Editor

The Mathematical Intelligencer encourages comments about the material in this issue. Letters to the editor should be sent to either of the editors-in-chief, Chandler Davis or Marjorie Senechal.     

Degradative chain transfer in vinyl acetate polymerizations using toluene as solvent

In this work, we propose that retardation in vinyl acetate polymerization rate in the presence of toluene is due to degradative chain transfer. The transfer constant to toluene (C_trs) determined using the Mayo method is equal to 3.8 × 10^?3, which is remarkably similar to the value calculated from the rate data, assuming degradative chain transfer (2.7 × 10^?3). Simulations, including chain‐length‐dependent termination, were carried out to compare our degradative chain transfer model with experimental results. The conversion–time profiles showed excellent agreement between experiment and simulation. Good agreement was found for the M_n data as a function of conversion. The experimental and simulation data strongly support the postulate that degradative chain transfer is the dominant kinetic mechanism. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3620–3625, 2007     

Structure of norbornene-fused 3,1-oxazine double cycloadducts

Pentacyclic isoxazolines were obtained by the cycloaddition of benzonitrile oxide to norbornene-azetidinone-fused 3,1-oxazines. The constitutions of two of the isomers obtained, and the configurations and conformations of all products, were determined by means of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and DNOE experiments.     

Galactic model of element formation

A cosmological model is presented that produces He, C, O, D, Li, Be, and B in their observed abundances without a Big Bang. The elements are produced during the 1.5-Gy formation period of a galaxy, with C, O, and other heavy elements produced by stars of M>12 M₃ , He by stars of 6 M_s<M<12 M_s, and D, Li, Be, and B by cosmic-ray reactions in a nearly pure H plasma halo. Thus, the model shows that the major elements used in astrophysical studies can be produced during galactic formation by exactly the same processes known to function today at much lower rates     

The effect of geoacoustic characteristics of the bottom on the long-range sound propagation in an inhomogeneous ocean

The long-range sound propagation from a deep ocean to a receiving system located on the shelf is modeled. The waveguide model is constructed on the basis of the data of an acoustic-oceanographic experiment carried out in the northwestern Pacific. The sensitivity and the frequency dependence of the difference in the sound field levels at the crossing of the frontal zone on the geoacoustic characteristics of the bottom of the shelf and the continental slope are investigated. It is shown that the level difference decreases by 8.2 dB as the velocity of longitudinal waves increases by 100 m/s in the range within 1490–1820 m/s.