Pages

Monday, March 24, 2014

Spin Wires in Diamond!

Check out our new paper that came out in Nature Nanotechnology!
http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nnano.2014.39.html
Posted by nscozzaro at 4:05 PM 1 comments

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Batch Convert Pages to DOCX or PDF

Here are some programs to batch convert Pages files to .docx or .PDF. This is written in applescript, and saved as an "application", so just drag and drop the files you want to convert onto the application.

Choose your desired program to download:
Convert Batch Pages to Docx_v1 --> deletes .pages file that you are converting
Convert Batch Pages to Docx_v2 --> keeps original .pages file that you are converting

Convert Batch Pages to PDF_v1 --> deletes .pages file that you are converting
Convert Batch Pages to PDF_v2 --> keeps original .pages file that you are converting

The code that these applications (droplets) use is this:

on open theFiles
tell application "Pages"
repeat with aFile in theFiles
open aFile
set sourceFolder to POSIX path of aFile
set newsourceFolder to characters 1 thru -8 of sourceFolder as string
set theFolder to newsourceFolder & ".docx"
export front document to POSIX file theFolder as Word
close front document
end repeat
end tell
tell application "Finder"
repeat with aFile in theFiles
delete aFile
end repeat
end tell
end open
Posted by nscozzaro at 6:37 AM 4 comments

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Diffraction of a Cross

This was an assignment for my E+M class (836) that calculates the diffraction of light around a cross which is expressed exactly by the Fresnel integral:
$E(x,y,z)=\frac{z}{i \lambda}\int E(x',y',0) \frac{e^{ikr}}{r^2}dx'dy'$,

where $E(x',y',0)$ is the electric field of the aperture, and

$r=\sqrt{(x-x')^2+(y-y')^2+z^2}$.
So, the electric field of a cross would be some amplitude $E(x',y',0) = E_o$ where the cross is located, and $0$ everywhere else. Plug that in, and now you have the diffracted electric field $E(x,y,z)$ everywhere in space...mod-square that to see what our eyes see! In the mathematica file I calculate the intensity on a screen located just 1micron away up to 100 microns away from the aperture screen, and you can gradually see more and more interference. Note that on a screen an "infinite" distance away (called Fraunhofer diffraction) the E-field is just the 2D Fourier transform of the initial electric field!
Posted by nscozzaro at 4:32 PM 3 comments

How to Embed Mathematica CDF in a Blogger Blog Post

STEP 1:
In Blogger go to
Template-> Edit HTML-> Click "proceed" when warned about messing with your HTML

Insert the following code after <head>, like in the image below:
<script src='http://blog.wolfram.com/common/javascript/cdfplugin/1.0/cdfplugin.js?ver=2.8.4' type='text/javascript'/>

STEP 2:
Create a new post, and click Edit HTML for that post (different from the Edit HTML for the template), and then insert the following code into the body of your post where you want a CDF to appear:
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.wolfram.com/cdf-player/plugin/v2.1/cdfplugin.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> var cdf = new cdfplugin(); cdf.embed('http://blog.wolfram.com/data/uploads/2011/07/Animation11.cdf', 400, 300); </script>
 Then, publish your post, and it looks like this:

STEP 3:
Now to put your CDF in your blog, just change "http://blog.wolfram.com/data/uploads/2011/07/Animation11.cdf" to the URL to your CDF, and change the values "400, 300" = "width, height" to the values that best fit your blog.
I get my URL by uploading my CDFs to the "public" folder of my free Dropbox account, and copy-pasting the "public link" of the file.


Posted by nscozzaro at 3:09 PM 13 comments

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Brau Modern Problems in Classical Electrodynamics Solutions

Hey everyone, I've transitioned this content and you can now find it here:
https://www.physicsisbeautiful.com/resources/modern-problems-in-classical-electrodynamics/SThr6PMWb6Ve8jZdYtq3uk

If you're interested in other solutions, we also have Jackson E&M solutions here:
https://www.physicsisbeautiful.com/resources/classical-electrodynamics-3rd-ed/GzYHj8ERgdfGHBb8WkJMsn

Griffiths E&M here:
https://www.physicsisbeautiful.com/resources/introduction-to-electrodynamics/MJEiSTyXEUcfVXXsVLrpfX

Shankar Quantum:
https://www.physicsisbeautiful.com/resources/principles-of-quantum-mechanics/vPcmLombjPqhS4yW7HC4EF

Griffiths Quantum:
https://www.physicsisbeautiful.com/resources/introduction-to-quantum-mechanics/rykXNdexGnSGmGGJHAutTY

Mastering physics solutions for Knight:
https://www.physicsisbeautiful.com/resources/physics-for-scientists-and-engineers-with-modern-physics/NbZd9kQszpXyDQPqqy2uR4

University Physics with Modern Physics by Young
https://www.physicsisbeautiful.com/resources/university-physics-with-modern-physics/HK6kk4jGsDuMy4NXMpkmDH
_________________________________
Here is a humble start to solutions to Brau's Problems in Classical Electrodynamics. If you have solutions that you would like to share to help fill this in, please post a comment with a link! Buono studio!

Chapter 1 Exercises:
1.1 Solution 1
1.4 Solution 1
1.5 Solution 1
1.6 Solution 1
1.11 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.14 Solution 1
1.16 Solution 1
1.19 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.20 Solution 1
1.21 Solution 1

Chapter 2 Exercises:
2.3 Solution 1
2.6 Solution 1 Solution 2
2.9 Solution 1
2.10 Solution 1
2.11 Solution 1
2.17 Solution 1 Solution 2
2.18 Solution 1
2.19 Solution 1
2.21 Solution 1
2.22 Solution 1
2.24 Solution 1
2.25 Solution 1

Chapter 3 Exercises
3.15 Solution 1

Chapter 4 Exercises:
4.3 Solution 1
4.4 Solution 1
4.14 Solution 1
4.18 Solution 1

Chapter 7 Exercises:
7.12 Solution 1
7.13 Solution 1
7.14 Solution 1
7.15 Solution 1
7.16 Solution 1

Chapter 9 Exercises:
9.7 Solution 1
9.8 Solution 1
9.9 Solution 1
9.10 Solution 1
9.11 Solution 1

 Chapter 10 Exercises:
10.12 Solution 1
10.13 Solution 1
10.14 Solution 1
10.15 Solution 1
Posted by nscozzaro at 5:41 PM 37 comments

Friday, March 9, 2012

Shankar Principles of Quantum Mechanics Solutions

Hey everyone, we've built a fancy new page here: Shankar Quantum Mechanics Solutions at Physics is Beautiful
You can now upvote which are the best solutions.
Enjoy!

Brau electrodynamics solutions

Jackson electrodynamics solutions

Griffiths electrodynamics solutions:

Griffiths Quantum solutions

Mastering physics solutions for Knight

Knight physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics, 3rd & 4th Edition Solutions

University Physics with Modern Physics by Young

Physics for scientists and engineers by Giancoli

Halliday and Resnick solutions

Goldstein Classical Mechanics Solutions

Griffiths Introduction to Elementary Particles Solutions

Sakurai Modern Quantum Mechanics Solutions

Holt Physics Solutions

Wolfson Essential University Physics Solutions



----------------------------------------------------



This is all broken:



Download all solutions here. (I put this .zip file on my Google Drive since DropBox blocks my account when there's too much traffic)

Chapter 1 Exercises:
1.1.1 Solution 1
1.1.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.1.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
1.1.4 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.1.5 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.3.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
1.3.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.3.3 Solution 1
1.3.4 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.4.1 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.4.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.6.1 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.6.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 2 Solution 3
1.6.3 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.6.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
1.6.5 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
1.6.6 Solution 1
1.7.1 Solution 1
1.7.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.8.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
1.8.2 Solution 1
1.8.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
1.8.4 Solution 1
1.8.5 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.8.6 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
1.8.7 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.8.8 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
1.8.9 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.8.10 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
1.8.11 Solution 1
1.8.12 Solution 1
1.9.1 Solution 1 Solution 2
1.9.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
1.9.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
1.10.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
1.10.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
1.10.3 Solution 1 Solution 3 Solution 3 Solution 4
1.10.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3


 Chapter 2 Exercises:
2.1.1 Solution 1
2.1.2 Solution 1
2.1.3 Solution 1
2.5.1 Solution 1
2.5.2 Solution 1
2.5.3 Solution 1 Solution 2
2.7.1 Solution 1 Solution 2
2.7.2 Solution 1
2.7.4 Solution 1 Solution 2
2.7.8 Solution 1
2.8.1 Solution 1 Solution 2
2.8.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
2.8.3 Solution 1 Solution 2
2.8.4 Solution 1
2.8.7 Solution 1

Chapter 4 Exercises:
4.2.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
4.2.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
4.2.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4

Chapter 5 Exercises:
5.1.1 Solution 1 Solution 2
5.1.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
5.1.3 Solution 1
5.1.4 Solution 1
5.2.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
5.2.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
5.2.3 Solution 1 Solution 2
5.2.4 Solution 1 Solution 2
5.2.5 Solution 1
5.2.6 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
5.3.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
5.3.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
5.3.3 Solution 1 Solution 2
5.3.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
5.4.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
5.4.3 Solution 1

Chapter 7 Exercises:
7.3.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
7.3.2 Solution 1
7.3.3 Solution 1
7.3.4 Solution 1 Solution 2
7.3.5 Solution 1 Solution 2
7.3.6 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
7.3.7 Solution 1 Solution 2
7.4.1 Solution 1
7.4.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
7.4.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
7.4.4 Solution 1 Solution 2
7.4.5 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
7.4.6 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
7.4.8 Solution 1 Solution 2
7.4.9 Solution 1
7.4.10 Solution 1
7.5.2 Solution 1
7.5.3 Solution 1
7.5.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3

Chapter 8 Exercises:
8.6.1 Solution 1
8.6.2 Solution 1
8.6.3 Solution 1

Chapter 9 Exercises:
9.4.1 Solution 1 Solution 2
9.4.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
9.4.3 Solution 1 Solution 2
9.4.4 Solution 1 Solution 2

Chapter 10 Exercises:
10.1.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
10.1.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
10.2.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
10.2.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
10.2.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
10.3.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
10.3.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
10.3.3 Solution 1 Solution 3 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
10.3.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
10.3.5 Solution 1 Solution 2
10.3.6 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4

Chapter 11 Exercises:
11.2.1 Solution 1
11.2.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
11.4.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
11.4.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
11.4.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
11.4.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3


Chapter 12 Exercises:
12.2.1 Solution 1 Solution 2
12.2.2 Solution 1
12.2.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
12.2.4 Solution 1
12.3.2 Solution 1
12.3.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 3
12.3.5 Solution 1 Solution 2
12.3.6 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
12.3.7 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
12.3.8 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
12.4.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
12.4.3 Solution 1 Solution 2
12.4.4 Solution 1
12.5.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
12.5.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
12.5.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5 Solution 6 Solution 7 Solution 8
12.5.4 Solution 1
12.5.5 Solution 1 Solution 2
12.5.6 Solution 1
12.5.7 Solution 1
12.5.8 Solution 1
12.5.9 Solution 1 Solution 2
12.5.10 Solution 1 Solution 2
12.5.12 Solution 1 Solution 2
12.5.13 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5 Solution 6
12.5.14 Solution 1
12.6.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5 Solution 6 Solution 7 Solution 8
12.6.2 Solution 1
12.6.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
12.6.5 Solution 1
12.6.7 Solution 1
12.6.8 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
12.6.9 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5 Solution 6 Solution 7
12.6.10 Solution 1

Chapter 13 Exercises:
13.1.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
13.1.2 Solution 1
13.1.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
13.1.4 Solution 1
13.1.5 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
13.3.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
13.3.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
13.3.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
13.4.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
13.4.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
13.4.3 Solution 1


Chapter 14 Exercises:
14.3.1 Solution 1
14.3.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
14.3.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5 Solution 6
14.3.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5 Solution 6
14.3.5 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
14.3.5 Solution 1 Solution 2
14.3.6 Solution 1
14.3.7 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
14.3.8 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
14.4.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
14.4.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5 Solution 6
14.4.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
14.4.5 Solution 1
14.5.1 Solution 1 Solution 2
14.5.2 Solution 1
14.5.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
14.5.4 Solution 1 Solution 2

Chapter 15 Exercises:
15.1.1 Solution 1 Solution 2
15.1.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5 Solution 6 Solution 7 Solution 8 Solution 9 Solution 10
15.2.1 Solution 1 Solution 2
15.2.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5 Solution 6 Solution 7 Solution 8 Solution 9 Solution 10
15.2.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
15.2.4 Solution 1
15.2.5 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5 Solution 6
15.2.6 Solution 1 Solution 2
15.2.7 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
15.3.1 Solution 1
15.3.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
15.3.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
15.3.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
15.3.5 Solution 1

Chapter 16 Exercises:
16.1.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
16.1.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5
16.1.4 Solution 1 Solution 3
16.1.5 Solution 1 Solution 2
16.2.1 Solution 1
16.2.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
16.2.5 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
16.2.7 Solution 1 Solution 2
16.2.8 Solution 1

Chapter 17 Exercises:
17.3.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
17.3.3 Solution 1 Solution 2
17.3.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3

Chapter 18 Exercises:
18.2.1 Solution 1 Solution 2
18.2.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
18.2.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
18.2.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
18.2.5 Solution 1 Solution 2
18.2.6 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
18.3.1 Solution 1
18.4.2 Solution 1
18.4.3 Solution 1
18.4.4 Solution 1
18.5.2 Solution 1

Chapter 19 Exercises:
19.3.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
19.3.2 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 
19.3.3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4
19.5.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
19.5.2 Solution 1 Solution 2
19.5.3 Solution 1 Solution 2
19.5.4 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
19.5.5 Solution 1
19.5.6 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
19.6.1 Solution 1 Solution 2
19.6.2 Solution 1
19.6.3 Solution 1

Chapter 20 Exercises:
20.1.1 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
20.2.1 Solution 1

Posted by nscozzaro at 2:11 PM 201 comments

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Chase Freedom Credit Card Review: How They Scam You!

I signed up for the Chase Freedom credit card, being allured by the "\$100 bonus cash back after you spend \$500 in the first 3 months."
Well I spent over \$500 in the first three months, and come five months, come six months, this chunk of points hadn't been deposited in my account.

I called once and they said that there were 1000 points (=\$10) that I had received as 'first purchase' bonus points; when I signed up for the card it wasn't written anywhere that I was to receive 'first purchase' points, so when I received those points in the first month I thought that it was some additional bonus. But when I described the \$100 offer after 3 months they said "no, it doesn't say anywhere in your terms and conditions that you were to receive \$100 if you spent over \$500 in the first 3 months..."
Doubting myself, I checked online and found the exact language,
You will receive 10,000 bonus points with this bonus offer, which can be redeemed for a \$100 check. To qualify and receive your bonus, you must make purchases totaling \$500 or more during the first 3 months from account opening. Purchases do not include using your account for balance transfers or cash advances, or using any checks that access your account. After qualifying, please allow 6 to 8 weeks for bonus points to post to your account. To be eligible for this bonus offer, account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment. This one-time bonus offer is valid only for first-time cardmembers with new accounts. Previous and existing cardmembers/accounts are not eligible for this bonus offer.
 I called back, and read it to the representative, and I didn't get into the third sentence before being cut off, "oh, yes, I don't know why it wasn't awarded to your account, the other \$90 will be in your account in 5 business days." Wait, what? The other \$90? As if suddenly the 'first purchase' points were a part of the \$100 bonus?
CROOKS!
...Now its two weeks later and they STILLLL haven't dropped those points in my account. On the plus side I just came across this advertisement saying that instead of getting \$100 after spending \$500 in 3 months, you get \$200 dollars! I'm bringing this into the branch and will throw a fit until they are held accountable.

Posted by nscozzaro at 5:09 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Drum Beat to "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover"

The delicate buzzes and trills on the snare interplay with dynamic hi-hats which mesh with the constant tap of the tambourine; what exactly is he playing on the hi-hats though?... it would be too uncomfortable to play the fast, delicate sixteenths with just the right hand...


The first time I heard this beat I thought it was so tasty, and then when I finally found out it was a Gadd beat I was so surprised, since I don't really like Gadd. 
In the video he "forgets" to chip the hi-hat on one sometimes. 
I wrote out what he's playing:


Posted by nscozzaro at 11:40 AM 4 comments

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Changing IP Address in Ubuntu 12.04

The situation is that you had a dynamic IP address and now want to set a static IP address, maybe because you're going to use the computer as a webserver.

You will need to first figure out your "gateway" and "netmask," while being connected to the internet with the dynamic IP address.

Gateway - Open a terminal and type:
# sudo route
The current gateway should appear under default. Write it down.

Netmask - Open a terminal and type:
# ifconfig
Where it says "mask" is the netmask.

Now, click on the network icon and "edit connections"
Enter a name for the connection, click set IPv4 to "manual," click "add," enter the information, then click "save."

Attempt to connect with your new settings, and it will say "connected" even though you cannot access the internet.
So, to finish, type in the terminal
# sudo dhclient
which enables internet connectivity.


Posted by nscozzaro at 9:00 AM 0 comments

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Taking the Bible Literally

I saw this posted on a professor's door and got a kick so I thought I'd share. The Bible is supposedly God's word, yet He says to do some outrageous things. If you're religious, how could you not take the Bible literally? Isn't that claiming you're above God? Or was God just being sensationalistic, and He didn't mean to be taken literally?


Dear President Bush,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from you and understand why you would propose and support a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage. As you said "in the eyes of God marriage is based between a man a woman." I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination... End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2. clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev.21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle- room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Posted by nscozzaro at 4:50 PM 0 comments

Thursday, September 15, 2011

The Next Step in Technology: Ubiquitous Electronics and Computing

Ubiquitous electronics and computing.
In our clothes, paper, walls, floors, dresser drawers, coffee cups...
Wait, is this really what we want? Shut up, that's besides the point.

     The point is, graphene is representative of a larger revolution that is going to make our everyday materials electronics. A conducting one-atom thick plane of carbon; looking around my room, I imagine how everything in my room could be covered and with a transparent layer of photovoltaic graphene such that the light being emitted from my overhead lamp is fully absorbed and converted back into electricity again, an eternal fountain. I imagine how the excess thermal energy in my room could be absorbed and stored in an electric form, revolutionizing air conditioning. I imagine how my wall could turn into a screen of any dimension and shape, how the vibrations my voice imparts into the ubiquitous carbon lattice would make the room a microphone, and a speaker for that matter, and how the wall could recognize when a hole is smashed in it, recognize what atoms would be needed to repair the hole, and repair itself.
     These ideas sound like fantasy but if you stop and think about it, the human body itself is so much more fantastical. Stop and think about how our bodies already do self-reparation, and are already embedded with ubiquitous electric networks that enable us to organically store information and analyze sensory input. Stop and think about how chameleons and octopi can already change their skin into vibrant color screens. Evolution has iterated and reiterated for billions of years and has come up with some amazing designs, designs that humans can ponder to inspire their own innovation.
Posted by nscozzaro at 9:11 AM 0 comments

Sunday, August 21, 2011

The Psychology of Dumpster Diving

 How do we analyze our food? Well, we use our senses: sight, smell, sound, touch, taste, as well as all the available information about the food: who made it, where the ingredients came from, the potential health implications; which all contributes to our end feeling about the food.

Sometimes our tools of analysis are restricted or deceived, for example in a grocery store: packaging obscures the view of the product and instead has idealized pictures, we cannot smell the product because the packaging is airtight, we cannot sample the food, and it is covered with information that is solely intended to entice the consumer. In such a case, the consumer is led to have a particular feeling about the product that is different from the feeling they would have given the ability to analyze the food using all tools, and given all relevant information.

For example, "0-calorie" diet soda is deceptive information. It is information that is provided to make weight-conscious people think that the soda they are drinking will help them to slim down. As the product is being consumed, the consumer feels better, without guilt or worrying about the amount that they should be consuming, because after all 10 cans of "0-calorie" soda is still a total of 0 calories, right? The "sugar-substitute" page on Wikipedia cites studies which find,
"the release of insulin causes blood sugar to be stored in tissues (including fat). In the case of a response to artificial sweeteners, because blood sugar does not increase there can be increased hypoglycemia and increased food intake the next time there is a meal."
In other words, diet soda actually makes you fatter.
I use that example not as a starting point to now propel into the corruption of food manufacturers, but instead to lead into the psychology of dumpster diving.

Conceptually, food in the trash gross. Trash is dirty and unsanitary, and food with such qualities is deleterious. So no matter how clean and fresh-looking a piece of food may appear, if you're told that it came from the trash the natural instinct is to feel repulsed. But how factually based is this feeling? Can food from a dumpster be clean and sanitary? Isn't this just the converse situation to the person who feels great drinking their 0-calorie soda -- information taints the food instead of making the food more enticing...?

What emerges from this discussion is the idea that we need food that satisfies two conditions: the food is good for our bodies, and we feel good eating it (for eating food that we don't feel good eating is deleterious itself ~holistic argument). 0-calorie soda does not satisfy the first condition, whereas dumpster food does not satisfy the second, but can that be changed? Can we convince our minds to be okay with eating food from a dumpster? Well, a mind can be okay with eating dumspter food if it doesn't know that the food's from a dumspter: a piece of food is offered, and it's dumpster origin is glossed over; but that doesn't count. I'm talking about taking a piece of food out of a dumpster with your own hands, and feeling perfectly comfortable taking a bite. Freegans have accomplished such a feat, and feel great eating dumpster food because they know that they aren't contributing to the wastefulness and corruption of our capitalistic society. But that only works for people of a certain political orientation, how about a way for anyone to become more comfortable eating dumpster food...rational thinking.
The fact is that businesses can't sell day-old bread, dented cans, a bag of onions with one that's gone bad, etc., so they take these goods, place them in clean plastic bags, and put the bags outside in a metal container. There are other, more serious reasons why things get thrown away, and that's the part that can leave a slight unsettled feeling in one's stomach; no store has to put a "do not eat" sign on dangerous food that they're throwing away. But again, think of the likelihood that a batch of Whole Foods bread got thrown away because it was found to have traces of fill in the blank epidemic/toxic chemical, which can assuage the feeling.
Posted by nscozzaro at 1:21 PM 2 comments

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Computer Programming Notes

______________________________________________________________________
MySQL notes


MySQL, pronounced My-S-Q-L. It stores tabled data.


Make a backup of all databases:
# mysqldump -u root -p --all-databases  | gzip > FILENAME.sql.gz
It then asks for your mysql password


To restore all databases, unzip then:
# mysql -u root -p < FILENAME.sql


_____________________________________________________________________
Mathematica Notes


Load vector analysis package:

<< VectorAnalysis`

Divergence of unit vector rho-hat -> Div[{1,0,0}]
Posted by nscozzaro at 9:26 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Tripping on Network Fractals

As I was flying over LA at night it looked like an electric circuit, which set me to thinking about how circuits, the human body and cities all have parallel structure.
How do circuits work? Take a bunch of specialized components - capacitors, inductors, resistors, diodes, transistors - make larger specialized components - like an op-amp or cpu - and attach them with wires, which lead to bigger wires... from specialized components a structure emerges that performs a complex task.
This is like our bodies, where we have specialized cells which group together to make organs, bones, and tissues, which then group together to make the body, where microvessels merge to vessels which merge to arteries, yielding access to all components.
And, this is like cities where we have specialized components - homes, bakeries, laundromats, law offices - which group together to make larger specialized components - business district, residential neighborhood, agriculture - connected by lanes which lead to roads which lead to freeways.
One analogy that emerges is that people are the current of cities; the difference is that humans themselves are complex systems, whereas electrons are simple 2-state systems, fundamental particles...or are they? We discovered that protons and neutrons are comprised of quarks and gluons, and are now probing to see what those are made of. Could electrons also have a complex structure?
Similarly, given an electron's Hamiltonian, the evolution of the system is probabilistic, so given a human's Hamiltonian, is our behavior also probabilistic?
Can we make a single electron carry information from points A to B, or is it going to forget the information along the way?

Posted by nscozzaro at 9:15 PM 2 comments

Sunday, June 26, 2011

House Hunting Update

House hunting has been an absolute roller coaster.
When my mother and I first came out to Columbus we saw a beautiful brick 5 bedroom home with 10 off-street parking places and a nice backyard, in a good part of town for 270K. Just by the time we got the ball rolling in terms of getting pre-approved, it had sold.
Then my Dad and I found the foreclosing house, and after raising our offer from 90K to 105K the bank countered with 118K. Considering how much work it would take to fix up the place it was decidedly not worth raising the offer, so negotiations stopped there.

My parents and I set out to look for a different house, and we found one that was ideal for a ready-to-move-in house. It was listed for 165K, had four levels, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, great kitchen, a nice back deck. We made an offer of 155K hoping to get it for 160K.
"Wow! Pizzaz!" the realtor wrote
for the listing, and we agreed
Right after signing the papers with our realtor my mother and I got in the car and were driving back to my apartment when we get a call from our realtor...the house is "in contract" (which means escrow although there are some technical differences). Someone, the day before, had put in an offer and it was accepted; the sellers' realtor forgot to list that it was no longer for sale. Our realtor was pissed, we were devastated - our spirits were so high having found such a great house, and having it yanked it away was painful.
It took me a few days to recover, and today I went out with the realtor again to look at more houses. But, none of the houses were on par with the one that was snatched away. Too small, too much work/updating necessary, too expensive, etc.
Its interesting to me how emotional house buying can be. Excitement, disgust, amazement, amusement, disappointment.

So, at this point I think that I need to start turning my focus towards renting a place. Its nearly July, and school starts in September. An escrow takes a month to close, which means August. Most people would want to have a place lined up at least a month before school starts, which also means August.
I'll give it another week.
"The Oval" at Ohio State taken with my iPhone from the top floor of the main library
Posted by nscozzaro at 1:17 PM 0 comments
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