The meaning of "design".

PubMed

Leslie, J

2001-12-01

Our universe obeys elegant laws that permit living beings to evolve. This can suggest divine design. So can fine tuning of physical and cosmological parameters in ways that seem essential to life. Understanding the idea of design is, however, difficult for many reasons. For instance, could a designer be said to "fine tune" through choosing all-dictating laws very carefully? Again, would taking advantage of early quantum indeterminacies be a case of design, or would it be design-destroying interference? Can we speak of "design" if God is not a mind but an abstract Platonic principle? And what if, as Spinoza believed, the structure of our universe is just the structure of divine thinking? If such thinking extended to other universes which were lifeless, could those "exhibit design" simply through being orderly?

Initial conditions of inhomogeneous universe and the cosmological constant problem

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Totani, Tomonori, E-mail: totani@astron.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Deriving the Einstein field equations (EFE) with matter fluid from the action principle is not straightforward, because mass conservation must be added as an additional constraint to make rest-frame mass density variable in reaction to metric variation. This can be avoided by introducing a constraint 0δ(√− g ) = to metric variations δ g {sup μν}, and then the cosmological constant Λ emerges as an integration constant. This is a removal of one of the four constraints on initial conditions forced by EFE at the birth of the universe, and it may imply that EFE are unnecessarily restrictive about initialmore » conditions. I then adopt a principle that the theory of gravity should be able to solve time evolution starting from arbitrary inhomogeneous initial conditions about spacetime and matter. The equations of gravitational fields satisfying this principle are obtained, by setting four auxiliary constraints on δ g {sup μν} to extract six degrees of freedom for gravity. The cost of achieving this is a loss of general covariance, but these equations constitute a consistent theory if they hold in the special coordinate systems that can be uniquely specified with respect to the initial space-like hypersurface when the universe was born. This theory predicts that gravity is described by EFE with non-zero Λ in a homogeneous patch of the universe created by inflation, but Λ changes continuously across different patches. Then both the smallness and coincidence problems of the cosmological constant are solved by the anthropic argument. This is just a result of inhomogeneous initial conditions, not requiring any change of the fundamental physical laws in different patches.« less

Llewellyn Hilleth Thomas: An appraisal of an under-appreciated polymath

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jackson, John David

2010-02-01

Llewellyn Hilleth Thomas was born in 1903 and died in 1992 at the age of 88. His name is known by most for only two things, Thomas precession and the Thomas-Fermi atom. The many other facets of his career - astrophysics, atomic and molecular physics, nonlinear problems, accelerator physics, magnetohydrodynamics, computer design principles and software and hardware - are largely unknown or forgotten. I review his whole career - his early schooling, his time at Cambridge, then Copenhagen in 1925-26, and back to Cambridge, his move to the US as an assistant professor at Ohio State University in 1929, his wartime years at the Ballistic Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, then in 1946 his new career as a unique resource at IBM's Watson Scientific Computing Laboratory and Columbia University until his first retirement in 1968, and his twilight years at North Carolina State University. Although the Thomas precession and the Thomas-Fermi atom may be the jewels in his crown, his many other accomplishments add to our appreciation of this consummate applied mathematician and physicist. )

Urban simulation evaluation with study case of the Singapore Management University, Singapore

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seanders, O.

2018-01-01

This paper reports and discusses about the urban simulation evaluation with a study case, The Singapore Managemant University (SMU), the first major university to be located in the city centre. It is located in Bras Basah District, with some controversy on the geographical establishment, the physical realization of the University in the original plan required some demolishes, urban historical building, a public park and in the end will impact the lose of some certain qualities of the urban space. From this case we can see that the urban design and cultural heritage principles could come into conflicts with the more practical concerns of space constraints and transportation efficiency. This SMU case reflect the problem of the developing countries that have to decide between conservation of buildings and green spaces and space demands. In this case, for Singapore, it marks a progress in the step of greater community involvement in the planning process.

Einstein and a century of time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raine, D. J.

2005-09-01

In a world overabundant in information, a subject is defined by its iconography. Physics is the falling apple, the planetary atom, the laser, the mushroom cloud and the image of the later Einstein - images that represent, respectively, gravity, atomic theory, quantum theory, mass-energy and the scientist who had a hand in all four. It is therefore appropriate that World Year of Physics is called Einstein Year in the UK. Of course one can argue that progress in science depends on the contributions of many people; that there are other geniuses in physics, even some colourful personalities. Nevertheless there are fundamental reasons why Einstein's early achievements stand out even in their company. When at last the thought came to him that 'time itself was suspect', Einstein had found a new insight into the nature of the physical universe. It is this: that the universal properties of material objects tell us about the nature of space and time, and it is through these properties, not philosophical logic or common sense, that we discover the structure of spacetime. The later Einstein turned this successful formula on its head and sought to use the properties of spacetime to define those of material objects, thereby seeking to abolish matter entirely in favour of geometry. Before I introduce this special feature of European Journal of Physics I will say a few words about what is not here. Like all great geniuses Einstein can be seen as the climax of what went before him and the initiation of what was to follow. Looking back we can see the influence of Mach's positivism, according to which the role of science is to relate observations to other observations; hence only observations can tell us what is 'real'. But Einstein also grew up with the family electromechanical businesses, which testifies to the reality of the Maxwellian electromagnetic fields: thus only theory can tell us what is real! As is well known, Einstein himself refused to accept the full consequences of this pivotal insight into the role of theory when it came to quantum mechanics. Much has been written about this and we do not add to it in this collection. Quantum theory is a consistent description of nature whatever Einstein may think of 'god' for making it so. Many of us would side with Einstein in hoping it will yet turn out not to be a complete description. This will not happen, as Einstein hoped throughout his later work, from a return to classical field theory. But quantum behaviour is a universal property of matter and may therefore be expected, according to Einstein's way of thought, to have a geometrical origin. The advent of non-commutative quantum geometries may turn out to be a step in this direction. My own introduction to Einstein's physics was through what has come to be known as Mach's principle. My research supervisor, Dennis Sciama, in what he always claimed was probably Einstein's last significant scientific conversation, talked with him on this subject, during which Einstein explained that he had abandoned the idea of Mach's principle. This principle had been a guiding thought in the development of general relativity, but superfluous to its final exposition. It can be interpreted variously as the determination of the local compass of inertia by the distant stars, the non-rotation of the Universe or, more restrictedly, as requiring a critical density universe (to generate the right amount of inertia). This last formulation amounts to Gρτ2 approx 1, where ρ is the density of the Universe at time τ. This appears to be a classical expression, which would probably be sufficient to relegate Mach's principle to mere historical interest along with the classical unified field theories. It is also usually considered to be accounted for by inflation, which drives the Universe to Ω=1. However, we can also think of the expression as saying that the Universe has a Planck mass in a Planck volume at the Planck time: G=(hc / G)1/2(c3 / Gh)3/2(Gh / c5)=1. This suggests that Mach's principle may yet have a surprising role in expressing the fact that the Universe contains sufficient matter to exist as a classical system: that is, that it contains sufficient material degrees of freedom to allow quantum decoherence to occur. It would at least be a nice irony if Mach's principle turned out to be a necessary quantum condition for the existence of a classical universe! Coming now to the papers in this special feature, these include several that treat historical aspects of relativity. Brown offers us a novel insight into Einstein's ambivalence about the status of special relativity in providing a mechanism for the contraction hypothesis. Trainer looks at the way in which Einstein presented a brief account of relativity in a lecture that he gave in Glasgow in 1933. Galvangno and Giribet look at Einstein's approach to the representation of particles within general relativity, or variants thereof, while Battimelli provides an account of attempts at unification of electromagnetism and relativity from the point of view of the origin of mass. In their contribution, Guerra and de Abreu look again at the relationship between the constancy of the speed of light and the nature of time that was central to Einstein's thinking. Next we come to a group of papers that look at educational issues. Einstein's equation E = mc2 is now iconic even if general knowledge quizzes that ask what the c stands for miss the entire point of the equation! Thomas starts from the way in which perceptions of relativity still focus on this equation as the essential ingredient of nuclear power and the need to disabuse even students of physics of this notion. He also looks at how we can in fact demonstrate the significance of the equation to a lay audience. I have added a short note on friction, another topic that confuses teachers and students alike, that throws up problems to which the solutions are contained in Einstein's Brownian motion paper. The Open University in the UK has been teaching relativity to distance-learners for forty years; Lambourne writes about the experience that has been gained. Finally, I have always been intrigued by the opprobrium that Einstein seems to attract from crank authors. I no longer regularly receive such nonsense to referee, I assume because the internet is now awash with 'publication' opportunities for anti-Einstein articles. I do believe however that the work of these authors throws light on the way science works and I have tried to illustrate this thesis briefly in the final paper of this collection.

Universal structures in some mean field spin glasses and an application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolthausen, Erwin; Kistler, Nicola

2008-12-01

We discuss a spin glass reminiscent of the random energy model (REM), which allows, in particular, to recast the Parisi minimization into a more classical Gibbs variational principle, thereby shedding some light into the physical meaning of the order parameter of the Parisi theory. As an application, we study the impact of an extensive cavity field on Derrida's REM: Despite its simplicity, this model displays some interesting features such as ultrametricity and chaos in temperature.

Universal Design for Online Courses: Applying Principles to Pedagogy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rao, Kavita; Edelen-Smith, Patricia; Wailehua, Cat-Uyen

2015-01-01

Universal design (UD) educational frameworks provide useful guidelines for designing accessible learning environments with the intention of supporting students with and without disabilities. This article describes how one university instructor defined and applied the principles of Universal Instructional Design (UID) to pedagogy, while designing…

Inflation-Theory Implications for Extraterrestrial Visitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deardoff, J.; Haisch, B.; Maccabee, B.; Puthoff, H. E.

It has recently been argued that anthropic reasoning applied to inflation theory reinforces the prediction that we should find ourselves part of a large, galaxy-sized civilisation, thus strengthening Fermi's paradox concerning `Where are they?' Furthermore, superstring and M-brane theory allow for the possibility of parallel universes, some of which in principle could be habitable. In addition, discussion of such exotic transport concepts as `traversable wormholes' now appears in the rigorous physics literature. As a result, the `We are alone' solution to Fermi's paradox, based on the constraints of earlier 20th century viewpoints, appears today to be inconsistent with new developments in our best current physics and astrophysics theories. Therefore we reexamine and reevaluate the present assumption that extraterrestrials or their probes are not in the vicinity of Earth, and argue instead that some evidence of their presence might be found in certain high-quality UFO reports. This study follows up on previous arguments that (1) interstellar travel for advanced civilizations is not a priori ruled out by physical principles and therefore may be practicable, and (2) such advanced civilisations may value the search for knowledge from uncontaminated species more than direct, interspecies communication, thereby accounting for apparent covertness regarding their presence.

Physics Matters: An Introduction to Conceptual Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trefil, James; Hazen, Robert M.

2003-12-01

From amusement park rides to critical environmental issues such as energy generation-physics affects almost every aspect of our world. In PHYSICS MATTERS, James Trefil and Robert Hazen examine the fundamental physics principles at work behind the many practical applications that fuel our society and individual lives. Their goal is to promote a deeper understanding of how the great ideas of physics connect to form a much larger understanding of the universe in which we live. Highlights Helps readers build a general knowledge of key ideas in physics and their connection to technology and other areas of science. Promotes an appreciation of what science is, how scientific knowledge is developed, and how it differs from other intellectual activities. Examines modern technologies, including GPS, the Internet, and information technologies, as well as medical technologies, such as MRI, PET scans, CAT scans, and radioisotope tracers. Explores key issues facing the world today, such as global warning, nuclear waste, and government funding for research.

Physics Matters: An Introduction to Conceptual Physics, Activity Book

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trefil, James; Hazen, Robert M.

2004-02-01

From amusement park rides to critical environmental issues such as energy generation-physics affects almost every aspect of our world. In PHYSICS MATTERS, James Trefil and Robert Hazen examine the fundamental physics principles at work behind the many practical applications that fuel our society and individual lives. Their goal is to promote a deeper understanding of how the great ideas of physics connect to form a much larger understanding of the universe in which we live. Highlights Helps readers build a general knowledge of key ideas in physics and their connection to technology and other areas of science. Promotes an appreciation of what science is, how scientific knowledge is developed, and how it differs from other intellectual activities. Examines modern technologies, including GPS, the Internet, and information technologies, as well as medical technologies, such as MRI, PET scans, CAT scans, and radioisotope tracers. Explores key issues facing the world today, such as global warning, nuclear waste, and government funding for research.

Physics of mind: Experimental confirmations of theoretical predictions.

PubMed

Schoeller, Félix; Perlovsky, Leonid; Arseniev, Dmitry

2018-02-02

What is common among Newtonian mechanics, statistical physics, thermodynamics, quantum physics, the theory of relativity, astrophysics and the theory of superstrings? All these areas of physics have in common a methodology, which is discussed in the first few lines of the review. Is a physics of the mind possible? Is it possible to describe how a mind adapts in real time to changes in the physical world through a theory based on a few basic laws? From perception and elementary cognition to emotions and abstract ideas allowing high-level cognition and executive functioning, at nearly all levels of study, the mind shows variability and uncertainties. Is it possible to turn psychology and neuroscience into so-called "hard" sciences? This review discusses several established first principles for the description of mind and their mathematical formulations. A mathematical model of mind is derived from these principles. This model includes mechanisms of instincts, emotions, behavior, cognition, concepts, language, intuitions, and imagination. We clarify fundamental notions such as the opposition between the conscious and the unconscious, the knowledge instinct and aesthetic emotions, as well as humans' universal abilities for symbols and meaning. In particular, the review discusses in length evolutionary and cognitive functions of aesthetic emotions and musical emotions. Several theoretical predictions are derived from the model, some of which have been experimentally confirmed. These empirical results are summarized and we introduce new theoretical developments. Several unsolved theoretical problems are proposed, as well as new experimental challenges for future research. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Canadian University Ethics Review: Cultural Complications Translating Principles into Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tilley, Susan; Gormley, Louise

2007-01-01

Drawing from educational research conducted in Canada and Mexico, university researchers explore how culture complicates both the ethics review process and the translation of ethical research principles into practice. University researchers in Canadian contexts seek approval from university Research Ethics Boards to conduct research, following…

On the universe's cybernetics duality behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feria, Erlan H.

2015-05-01

Universal cybernetics is the study of control and communications in living and non-living systems. In this paper the universal cybernetics duality principle (UCDP), first identified in control theory in 1978 and expressing a cybernetic duality behavior for our universe, is reviewed. The review is given on the heels of major prizes given to physicists for their use of mathematical dualities in solving intractable problems in physics such as those of cosmology's `dark energy', an area that according to a recent New York Times article has become "a cottage industry in physics today". These dualities are not unlike those of our UCDP that are further enhanced with physical dualities. For instance, in 2008 the UCDP guided us to the derivation of the laws of retention in physics as the space-penalty dual of the laws of motion in physics, including the dark energy thought responsible for the observed increase of the volume of our Universe as it ages. The UCDP has also guided us to the discovery of significant results in other fields such as: 1) in matched processors for quantized control with applications in the modeling of central nervous system (CNS) control mechanisms; 2) in radar designs where the discovery of latency theory, the time-penalty dual of information-theory, has led us to high-performance radar solutions that evade the use of `big data' in the form of SAR imagery of the earth; and 3) in unveiling biological lifespan bounds where the life-expectancy of an organism is sensibly predicted through lingerdynamics, the identified time-penalty dual of thermodynamics, which relates its adult lifespan to either: a. the ratio of its body size to its nutritional consumption rate; or b. its specific heat-capacity; or c. the ratio of its nutritional consumption rate energy to its entropic volume energy, a type of dark energy that is consistent with the observed decrease in the mass density of the organism as it ages.

The Extraterrestrial Life Debate from Antiquity to 1900

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crowe, Michael J.; Dowd, Matthew F.

This chapter provides an overview of the Western historical debate regarding extraterrestrial life from antiquity to the beginning of the twentieth century. Though schools of thought in antiquity differed on whether extraterrestrial life existed, by the Middle Ages, the Aristotelian worldview of a unified, finite cosmos without extraterrestrials was most influential, though there were such dissenters as Nicholas of Cusa. That would change as the Copernican revolution progressed. Scholars such as Bruno, Kepler, Galileo, and Descartes would argue for a Copernican system of a moving Earth. Cartesian and Newtonian physics would eventually lead to a view of the universe in which the Earth was one of many planets in one of many solar systems extended in space. As this cosmological model was developing, so too were notions of extraterrestrial life. Popular and scientific writings, such as those by Fontenelle and Huygens, led to a reversal of fortunes for extraterrestrials, who by the end of the century were gaining recognition. From 1700 to 1800, many leading thinkers discussed extraterrestrial intelligent beings. In doing so, they relied heavily on arguments from analogy and such broad principles and ideas as the Copernican Principle, the Principle of Plenitude, and the Great Chain of Being. Physical evidence for the existence of extraterrestrials was minimal, and was always indirect, such as the sighting of polar caps on Mars, suggesting similarities between Earth and other places in the universe. Nonetheless, the eighteenth century saw writers from a wide variety of genres—science, philosophy, theology, literature—speculate widely on extraterrestrials. In the latter half of the century, increasing research in stellar astronomy would be carried out, heavily overlapping with an interest in extraterrestrial life. By the end of the eighteenth century, belief in intelligent beings on solar system planets was nearly universal and certainly more common than it would be by 1900, or even today. Moreover, natural theology led to most religious thinkers being comfortable with extraterrestrials, at least until 1793 when Thomas Paine vigorously argued that although belief in extraterrestrial intelligence was compatible with belief in God, it was irreconcilable with belief in God becoming incarnate and redeeming Earth's sinful inhabitants. In fact, some scientific analyses, such as Newton's determination of the comparative masses and densities of planets, as well as the application of the emerging recognition of the inverse square law for light and heat radiation, might well have led scientists to question whether all planets are fully habitable. Criticism would become more prevalent throughout the nineteenth century, and especially after 1860, following such events as the "Moon Hoax" and Whewell's critique of belief in extraterrestrials. Skepticism about reliance on arguments from analogy and on such broad metaphysical principles as the Principle of Plenitude also led scientists to be cautious about claims for higher forms of life elsewhere in the universe. At the start of the twentieth century, the controversy over the canals of Mars further dampened enthusiasm for extraterrestrials. By 1915 astronomers had largely rejected belief in higher forms of life anywhere in our solar system and were skeptical about the island universe theory.

Why anthropic reasoning cannot predict Lambda.

PubMed

Starkman, Glenn D; Trotta, Roberto

2006-11-17

We revisit anthropic arguments purporting to explain the measured value of the cosmological constant. We argue that different ways of assigning probabilities to candidate universes lead to totally different anthropic predictions. As an explicit example, we show that weighting different universes by the total number of possible observations leads to an extremely small probability for observing a value of Lambda equal to or greater than what we now measure. We conclude that anthropic reasoning within the framework of probability as frequency is ill-defined and that in the absence of a fundamental motivation for selecting one weighting scheme over another the anthropic principle cannot be used to explain the value of Lambda, nor, likely, any other physical parameters.

The principles, definition and dimensions of the new nutrition science.

PubMed

Beauman, Christopher; Cannon, Geoffrey; Elmadfa, Ibrahim; Glasauer, Peter; Hoffmann, Ingrid; Keller, Markus; Krawinkel, Michael; Lang, Tim; Leitzmann, Claus; Lötsch, Bernd; Margetts, Barrie M; McMichael, Anthony J; Meyer-Abich, Klaus; Oltersdorf, Ulrich; Pettoello-Mantovani, Massimo; Sabaté, Joan; Shetty, Prakash; Sória, Marco; Spiekermann, Uwe; Tudge, Colin; Vorster, Hester H; Wahlqvist, Mark; Zerilli-Marimò, Mariuccia

2005-09-01

To specify the principles, definition and dimensions of the new nutrition science. To identify nutrition, with its application in food and nutrition policy, as a science with great width and breadth of vision and scope, in order that it can fully contribute to the preservation, maintenance, development and sustenance of life on Earth. A brief overview shows that current conventional nutrition is defined as a biological science, although its governing and guiding principles are implicit only, and no generally agreed definition is evident. Following are agreements on the principles, definition and dimensions of the new nutrition science, made by the authors as participants at a workshop on this theme held on 5-8 April 2005 at the Schloss Rauischholzhausen, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany. Nutrition science as here specified will retain its current 'classical' identity as a biological science, within a broader and integrated conceptual framework, and will also be confirmed as a social and environmental science. As such it will be concerned with personal and population health, and with planetary health--the welfare and future of the whole physical and living world of which humans are a part.

Application of a Modified Universal Design Survey for Evaluation of Ares 1 Ground Crew Worksites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blume, Jennifer L.

2010-01-01

Operability is a driving requirement for NASA's Ares 1 launch vehicle. Launch site ground operations include several operator tasks to prepare the vehicle for launch or to perform maintenance. Ensuring that components requiring operator interaction at the launch site are designed for optimal human use is a high priority for operability. To support design evaluation, the Ares 1 Upper Stage (US) element Human Factors Engineering (HFE) group developed a survey based on the Universal Design approach. Universal Design is a process to create products that can be used effectively by as many people as possible. Universal Design per se is not a priority for Ares 1 because launch vehicle processing is a specialized skill and not akin to a consumer product that should be used by all people of all abilities. However, applying principles of Universal Design will increase the probability of an error free and efficient design which is a priority for Ares 1. The Design Quality Evaluation Survey centers on the following seven principles: (1) Equitable use, (2) Flexibility in use, (3) Simple and intuitive use, (4) Perceptible information, (5) Tolerance for error, (6) Low physical effort, (7) Size and space for approach and use. Each principle is associated with multiple evaluation criteria which were rated with the degree to which the statement is true. All statements are phrased in the utmost positive, or the design goal so that the degree to which judgments tend toward "completely agree" directly reflects the degree to which the design is good. The Design Quality Evaluation Survey was employed for several US analyses. The tool was found to be most useful for comparative judgments as opposed to an assessment of a single design option. It provided a useful piece of additional data when assessing possible operator interfaces or worksites for operability

A New "Principal Principle" (#14) of Physical Activity Education Is Emerging

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zeigler, Earle F.

2011-01-01

There is every reason to believe that a new "principal principle" of physical activity education is emerging. In this article, the author talks about the new "principal principle"(#14) of physical education. Revisiting a historical milestone in the field's history to explain the origin of the term "principal principle," Dr. Arthur H. Steinhaus,…

Novel approaches to the study of particle dark matter in astrophysics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Argüelles, C. R., E-mail: carlos.arguelles@icranet.org; Ruffini, R., E-mail: ruffini@icra.it; Rueda, J. A., E-mail: jorge.rueda@icra.it

A deep understanding of the role of the dark matter in the different astrophysical scenarios of the local Universe such as galaxies, represent a crucial step to describe in a more consistent way the role of dark matter in cosmology. This kind of studies requires the interconnection between particle physics within and beyond the Standard Model, and fundamental physics such as thermodynamics and statistics, within a fully relativistic treatment of Gravity. After giving a comprehensive summary of the different types of dark matter and their role in astrophysics, we discuss the recent efforts in describing the distribution of dark mattermore » in the center and halo of galaxies from first principles such as gravitational interactions, quantum statistics and particle physics; and its implications with the observations.« less

Designing physics video hooks for science students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McHugh, M.; McCauley, V.

2016-01-01

This paper offers an insight into the design structure of physics video hooks that were developed by the Science Education Resource design team in the school of education (SOE) in National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway). A hook, is an instructional technique used to stimulate student attention (Hunter 1994, Lemov 2010), interest (Jewett 2013) and engagement (McCrory 2011, Riendeau 2013). The physics video hooks followed a design framework that is illustrated below by breaking down the centre of gravity (COG) hook. Various design principles and elements embedded within the COG hook are presented with examples and the time they occur within the video. The intention of this article is that the design can be replicated and modified to aid teachers and designers in the development of a multitude of classroom based multimedia resources.

Existence of dark matter with observed properties of cosmic microwave background radiation substantiates three conservation laws of classical physics and all principles of quantum mechanics as creates the value of Planck’s constant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boriev, I. A.

2018-03-01

Astronomical data indicate a presence of dark matter (DM) in the space, what is necessary for explanation of observed dynamics of the galaxies within Newtonian mechanics. DM, at its very low density (∼10-26kg/m3), constitutes main part of the matter in the Universe, 10 times the mass of all visible cosmic bodies. No doubt, namely properties of DM, which fills space, must determine its physical properties and fundamental physical laws. Taking into account observed properties of cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR), whose energy is ∼90% of all cosmic radiation, and understanding that this radiation is produced by DM motion, conservation laws of classical physics and principles of quantum mechanics receive their materialistic substantiation. Thus, CMBR high homogeneity and isotropy (∼10-4), and hence the same properties of DM (and space) justify momentum and angular momentum conservation laws, respectively, according to E. Noether's theorems. CMBR has black body spectrum at ∼2.7K with maximum wavelength ∼1.9·10-3m, what allows calculate the value of mechanical action produced by DM thermal motion (∼7·10-34 J·s). This value corresponds well to the Planck’s constant, which is the mechanical action too, what gives materialistic basis for all principles of quantum mechanics. Obtained results directly confirm the reality of DM existence, and show that CMBR is an observed display of DM thermal motion. Understanding that namely from DM occur known creation of electron-positron pairs as contrarily rotating material vortexes (according to their spins) let substantiate positron nature of ball lightning what first explains all its observed specific properties.

Silkworm cocoons inspire models for random fiber and particulate composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen Fujia; Porter, David; Vollrath, Fritz

The bioengineering design principles evolved in silkworm cocoons make them ideal natural prototypes and models for structural composites. Cocoons depend for their stiffness and strength on the connectivity of bonding between their constituent materials of silk fibers and sericin binder. Strain-activated mechanisms for loss of bonding connectivity in cocoons can be translated directly into a surprisingly simple yet universal set of physically realistic as well as predictive quantitative structure-property relations for a wide range of technologically important fiber and particulate composite materials.

Silkworm cocoons inspire models for random fiber and particulate composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Fujia; Porter, David; Vollrath, Fritz

2010-10-01

The bioengineering design principles evolved in silkworm cocoons make them ideal natural prototypes and models for structural composites. Cocoons depend for their stiffness and strength on the connectivity of bonding between their constituent materials of silk fibers and sericin binder. Strain-activated mechanisms for loss of bonding connectivity in cocoons can be translated directly into a surprisingly simple yet universal set of physically realistic as well as predictive quantitative structure-property relations for a wide range of technologically important fiber and particulate composite materials.

Coupling of lipid membrane elasticity and in-plane dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsang, Kuan-Yu; Lai, Yei-Chen; Chiang, Yun-Wei; Chen, Yi-Fan

2017-07-01

Biomembranes exhibit liquid and solid features concomitantly with their in-plane fluidity and elasticity tightly regulated by cells. Here, we present experimental evidence supporting the existence of the dynamics-elasticity correlations for lipid membranes and propose a mechanism involving molecular packing densities to explain them. This paper thereby unifies, at the molecular level, the aspects of the continuum mechanics long used to model the two membrane features. This ultimately may elucidate the universal physical principles governing the cellular phenomena involving biomembranes.

Ground facility for information reception, processing, dissemination and scientific instruments management setup in the CORONAS-PHOTON space project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buslov, A. S.; Kotov, Yu. D.; Yurov, V. N.; Bessonov, M. V.; Kalmykov, P. A.; Oreshnikov, E. M.; Alimov, A. M.; Tumanov, A. V.; Zhuchkova, E. A.

2011-06-01

This paper deals with the organizational structure of ground-based receiving, processing, and dissemination of scientific information created by the Astrophysics Institute of the Scientific Research Nuclear University, Moscow Engineering Physics Institute. Hardware structure and software features are described. The principles are given for forming sets of control commands for scientific equipment (SE) devices, and statistics data are presented on the operation of facility during flight tests of the spacecraft (SC) in the course of one year.

Principles of engineering design

PubMed Central

Penny, R. K.

1970-01-01

The paper sets out procedures used in engineering design by listing the various steps in a sequential pattern. This pattern is not universally applicable and the variants on it depend on the type of problem involved and the information available. Of critical importance is the way in which models—physical or mathematical—can be constructed and depending on these, three design methods are described. These types are illustrated by reference to a number of medical aids which have been designed. ImagesFig. 3 PMID:5476130

Talking to patients with fibromyalgia about physical activity and exercise.

PubMed

Rooks, Daniel S

2008-03-01

The purpose of this article is to describe the application of basic exercise principles to individuals with fibromyalgia to encourage clinicians to discuss with their patients ways of becoming more physically active. The goals of increased physical activity and exercise for individuals with fibromyalgia are to improve or maintain general fitness, physical function, emotional well being, symptoms and overall health, and provide them with a feeling of control over their well being. Describing ways of increasing activity through home, work and leisure-related tasks or exercise provides a universal approach to increasing physical activity that applies to individuals with fibromyalgia and fits a counseling model of health behavior familiar to clinicians. The patient-clinician relationship provides a unique opportunity for health professionals to counsel individuals with fibromyalgia to become and remain more physically active. Regular physical activity and exercise has numerous physical, psychological, and functional benefits for individuals with fibromyalgia and should be included in treatment plans. Clinicians can help patients adopt a more physically active lifestyle through targeted discussions, support and consistent follow up.

The unification of physics: the quest for a theory of everything.

PubMed

Paulson, Steve; Gleiser, Marcelo; Freese, Katherine; Tegmark, Max

2015-12-01

The holy grail of physics has been to merge each of its fundamental branches into a unified "theory of everything" that would explain the functioning and existence of the universe. The last step toward this goal is to reconcile general relativity with the principles of quantum mechanics, a quest that has thus far eluded physicists. Will physics ever be able to develop an all-encompassing theory, or should we simply acknowledge that science will always have inherent limitations as to what can be known? Should new theories be validated solely on the basis of calculations that can never be empirically tested? Can we ever truly grasp the implications of modern physics when the basic laws of nature do not always operate according to our standard paradigms? These and other questions are discussed in this paper. © 2015 New York Academy of Sciences.

Austin ISD. Integrated Lesson Plans.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

East Texas State Univ., Commerce. Educational Development and Training Center.

This packet contains 14 lesson plans for integrated academic and vocational education courses. Lesson plans for the following courses are included: integrated physics and principles of technology; algebra and principles of technology; principles of technology, language arts, and economics; physics and industrial electronics; physics and…

Urban Environment Development based on Universal Design Principles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harsritanto, Bangun Ir

2018-02-01

Universal Design is a design which facilitated full range of human diversity. By applying Universal design principles, urban environment can be more functional and more user-friendly for everyone. This study examined five urban streets of South Korea as a country experienced on developing various urban street designs based on universal design. This study aimed to examine and compare the South Korea cases using seven principles of universal design. The research methods of this study are literature study, case study, and site observation. The results of this study are: South Korea cases are good practices, urgency of implementing the direction into local regulations; and change of urban development paradigm.

SCB Quantum Computers Using iSWAP and 1-Qubit Rotations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Colin; Echtemach, Pierre

2005-01-01

Units of superconducting circuitry that exploit the concept of the single- Cooper-pair box (SCB) have been built and are undergoing testing as prototypes of logic gates that could, in principle, constitute building blocks of clocked quantum computers. These units utilize quantized charge states as the quantum information-bearing degrees of freedom. An SCB is an artificial two-level quantum system that comprises a nanoscale superconducting electrode connected to a reservoir of Cooper-pair charges via a Josephson junction. The logical quantum states of the device, .0. and .1., are implemented physically as a pair of charge-number states that differ by 2e (where e is the charge of an electron). Typically, some 109 Cooper pairs are involved. Transitions between the logical states are accomplished by tunneling of Cooper pairs through the Josephson junction. Although the two-level system contains a macroscopic number of charges, in the superconducting regime, they behave collectively, as a Bose-Einstein condensate, making possible a coherent superposition of the two logical states. This possibility makes the SCB a candidate for the physical implementation of a qubit. A set of quantum logic operations and the gates that implement them is characterized as universal if, in principle, one can form combinations of the operations in the set to implement any desired quantum computation. To be able to design a practical quantum computer, one must first specify how to decompose any valid quantum computation into a sequence of elementary 1- and 2-qubit quantum gates that are universal and that can be realized in hardware that is feasible to fabricate. Traditionally, the set of universal gates has been taken to be the set of all 1-qubit quantum gates in conjunction with the controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate, which is a 2-qubit gate. Also, it has been known for some time that the SWAP gate, which implements square root of the simple 2-qubit exchange interaction, is as computationally universal as is the CNOT operation.

Foundations of quantum gravity: The role of principles grounded in empirical reality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holman, Marc

2014-05-01

When attempting to assess the strengths and weaknesses of various principles in their potential role of guiding the formulation of a theory of quantum gravity, it is crucial to distinguish between principles which are strongly supported by empirical data - either directly or indirectly - and principles which instead (merely) rely heavily on theoretical arguments for their justification. Principles in the latter category are not necessarily invalid, but their a priori foundational significance should be regarded with due caution. These remarks are illustrated in terms of the current standard models of cosmology and particle physics, as well as their respective underlying theories, i.e., essentially general relativity and quantum (field) theory. For instance, it is clear that both standard models are severely constrained by symmetry principles: an effective homogeneity and isotropy of the known universe on the largest scales in the case of cosmology and an underlying exact gauge symmetry of nuclear and electromagnetic interactions in the case of particle physics. However, in sharp contrast to the cosmological situation, where the relevant symmetry structure is more or less established directly on observational grounds, all known, nontrivial arguments for the "gauge principle" are purely theoretical (and far less conclusive than usually advocated). Similar remarks apply to the larger theoretical structures represented by general relativity and quantum (field) theory, where - actual or potential - empirical principles, such as the (Einstein) equivalence principle or EPR-type nonlocality, should be clearly differentiated from theoretical ones, such as general covariance or renormalizability. It is argued that if history is to be of any guidance, the best chance to obtain the key structural features of a putative quantum gravity theory is by deducing them, in some form, from the appropriate empirical principles (analogous to the manner in which, say, the idea that gravitation is a curved spacetime phenomenon is arguably implied by the equivalence principle). Theoretical principles may still be useful however in formulating a concrete theory (analogous to the manner in which, say, a suitable form of general covariance can still act as a sieve for separating theories of gravity from one another). It is subsequently argued that the appropriate empirical principles for deducing the key structural features of quantum gravity should at least include (i) quantum nonlocality, (ii) irreducible indeterminacy (or, essentially equivalently, given (i), relativistic causality), (iii) the thermodynamic arrow of time, (iv) homogeneity and isotropy of the observable universe on the largest scales. In each case, it is explained - when appropriate - how the principle in question could be implemented mathematically in a theory of quantum gravity, why it is considered to be of fundamental significance and also why contemporary accounts of it are insufficient. For instance, the high degree of uniformity observed in the Cosmic Microwave Background is usually regarded as theoretically problematic because of the existence of particle horizons, whereas the currently popular attempts to resolve this situation in terms of inflationary models are, for a number of reasons, less than satisfactory. However, rather than trying to account for the required empirical features dynamically, an arguably much more fruitful approach consists in attempting to account for these features directly, in the form of a lawlike initial condition within a theory of quantum gravity.

Gravitational Lagrangians, Mach's Principle, and the Equivalence Principle in an Expanding Universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Essén, Hanno

2014-08-01

Gravitational Lagrangians as derived by Fock for the Einstein-Infeld-Hoffmann approach, and by Kennedy assuming only a fourth rank tensor interaction, contain long range interactions. Here we investigate how these affect the local dynamics when integrated over an expanding universe out to the Hubble radius. Taking the cosmic expansion velocity into account in a heuristic manner it is found that these long range interactions imply Mach's principle, provided the universe has the critical density, and that mass is renormalized. Suitable higher order additions to the Lagrangians make the formalism consistent with the equivalence principle.

Identifying and addressing specific student difficulties in advanced thermal physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Trevor I.

As part of an ongoing multi-university research study on student understanding of concepts in thermal physics at the upper division, I identified several student difficulties with topics related to heat engines (especially the Carnot cycle), as well as difficulties related to the Boltzmann factor. In an effort to address these difficulties, I developed two guided-inquiry worksheet activities (a.k.a. tutorials) for use in advanced undergraduate thermal physics courses. Both tutorials seek to improve student understanding of the utility and physical background of a particular mathematical expression. One tutorial focuses on a derivation of Carnot's theorem regarding the limit on thermodynamic efficiency, starting from the Second Law of Thermodynamics. The other tutorial helps students gain an appreciation for the origin of the Boltzmann factor and when it is applicable; focusing on the physical justification of its mathematical derivation, with emphasis on the connections between probability, multiplicity, entropy, and energy. Student understanding of the use and physical implications of Carnot's theorem and the Boltzmann factor was assessed using written surveys both before and after tutorial instruction within the advanced thermal physics courses at the University of Maine and at other institutions. Classroom tutorial sessions at the University of Maine were videotaped to allow in-depth scrutiny of student successes and failures following tutorial prompts. I also interviewed students on various topics related to the Boltzmann factor to gain a more complete picture of their understanding and inform tutorial revisions. Results from several implementations of my tutorials at the University of Maine indicate that students did not have a robust understanding of these physical principles after lectures alone, and that they gain a better understanding of relevant topics after tutorial instruction; Fisher's exact tests yield statistically significant improvement at the alpha = 0.05 level. Results from other schools indicate that difficulties observed before tutorial instruction in our classes (for both tutorials) are not unique, and that the Boltzmann factor tutorial can be an effective replacement for lecture instruction. Additional research is suggested that would further examine these difficulties and inform instructional strategies to help students overcome them.

Early involvement in physics through the study of the basics of digital electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Egorov, A. D.; Zuykov, V. V.

2017-01-01

Motivation has a major impact on the results of a child's learning at school and a student's learning at the University. Moreover, school education creates a foundation for the study at the university, which is used by a student for in-depth and rapid development of specialized disciplines, reaching the level of independent research and development. The modern system of teaching physics at school is built in such a way that, basically, a teacher is demonstrating and a child is looking. Such a system, in addition to the logical lack of practical skills, leads to a significant reduction in the motivation for further engineering study, which is now a priority for Russia. There are original methods of practical teaching for students starting from the 5th grade, which allow each student to try to assemble on their own a variety of devices, reaching quick practical results. The principles of this technique are discussed in the article. Prototyping boards without solder were chosen as the basic platform to showcase the methodology.

Weird-World, Weird-World

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schuller, Ivan; Wargo, Rich

2014-03-01

We will present the first in a series of videos designed and produced specifically as a pilot for the YouTube audience to playfully explore interesting and unusual phenomena that physics reveals, and their uses in modern life. No talking heads, no pedants, no complicated theory - but rather a visually captivating and often kooky comical look at exclusion principle, entanglement, tunneling and the retinue of exceedingly strange things that happen in classical and quantum physics and how we understand and actually use this weirdness each and everyday. Produced by the UC San Diego-based creative partnership between an active physicist and established university based science media producer responsible for the highly successful and comical nanoscience caper When Things Get Small, this will pilot an on-going series with the specific goal of entertaining and engaging audiences of all ages. The series has planned distribution and marketing on YouTube though the unique programming and distribution capacities of University of California Television to commence in 2013. Supported by APS, UCSD-Center for Advanced Nanoscience and UCTV.

What Comes Beyond the Standard Models, Proceedings to the 9th Workshop held in Bled, Slovenia.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mankoc Borstnik, Norma; Nielsen, Holger Bech; Froggatt, Colin D.; Lukman, Dragan

2006-12-01

Contents: 1. Child Universes in the Laboratory (S. Ansoldi and E.I. Guendelman) 2. Relation between Finestructure Constants at the Planck Scale from Multiple Point Principle (D.L. Bennett, L.V. Laperashvili and H.B. Nielsen) 3. On the Origin of Families of Fermions and Their Mass Matrices -- Approximate Analyses of Properties of Four Families Within Approach Unifying Spins and Charges (M. Breskvar, D. Lukman and N.S. Mankoc Borstnik) 4. Cosmoparticle Physics: Cross-disciplinary Study of Physics Beyond the Standard Model (M.Yu. Khlopov) 5. Discussion Section on 4th Generation (M.Yu. Khlopov) 6. Involution Requirement on a Boundary Makes Massless Fermions Compactified on a Finite Flat Disk Mass Protected (N.S. Mankoc Borstnik and H.B. Nielsen) 7. How Can Group Theory be Generalized so Perhaps Providing Further Information About Our Universe? (R. Mirman) 8. Future Dependent Initial Conditions from Imaginary Part in Lagrangian (H.B. Nielsen and M. Ninomiya) 9. Coupling Self-tuning to Critical Lines From Highly Compact Extra Dimensions (K. Petrov)

Universal Design: A Step toward Successful Aging

PubMed Central

Carr, Kelly; Weir, Patricia L.; Azar, Dory; Azar, Nadia R.

2013-01-01

The concept of aging successfully has become increasingly important as demographics shift towards an aging population. Successful aging has been defined to include (1) a low probability of disease and disease-related disability; (2) a high level of physical and cognitive functioning; and (3) an active engagement in life. The built environment can create opportunities or constraints for seniors to participate in social and productive activities. Universally designed spaces are more easily accessed and used by a spectrum of people without specialized adaptations. Thus, a universally designed environment creates opportunities for older adults to participate in these activities without the stigmatization associated with adapted or accessible designs. Providing older adults with specific universal design options (e.g., lever handle faucets) has the potential to increase the ease of completing activities of daily living, which promotes a continual engagement in life. Literature regarding universal design is promising; however, its theory requires further attention from professionals designing the built environment, evidence of the significance of its application from academics, and the embracement of its core principles from society. Overall, universal design has the potential to provide a stepping stone toward successful aging. PMID:23431446

Astronomy and Writing: A First-Year Cosmology Course for Nonmajors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, A. M.

2010-08-01

Astro 1109 (Spring 2009) is a first-year writing seminar offered through Cornell University's Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines. Every first-year student takes two of these seminars, each with fewer than 17 students; students are assigned to a course by ballot, creating opportunities for students to interact with a discipline other than their own. In Astro 1109, a non-mathematical course based on readings, discussion, and formal and informal writing assignments, students engaged with various forms of expository and persuasive writing focused on the topic of cosmology. The coursework covered fundamental questions of space, time, and relativity, black holes, the expansion of the Universe, dark matter and dark energy, and the anthropic principle. Assignments were developed to introduce students to a wide range of scientific writing for the lay audience. Throughout the course, an emphasis was placed on the importance of physical and textual evidence and observation, and the differences between a conjecture, a hypothesis, and a theory. Work for the course culminated in a four week research project, exploring the merits of the anthropic principle and the relationship between physics and philosophy, through which each student developed their own paper topic. Astro 1109 was designed as an outreach tool to improve scientific literacy by linking it to the traditional concepts of literacy and exposition. The assignments could be easily adaptable to students at different levels or with various levels of background on the topic.

The SuperB Accelerator: Overview and Lattice Studies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Biagini, M.E.; Boni, R.; Boscolo, M.

2011-11-22

SuperB aims at the construction of a very high luminosity (10{sup 36} cm{sup -2} s{sup -1}) asymmetric e{sup +}e{sup -} Flavour Factory, with possible location at the campus of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, near the INFN Frascati National Laboratory. In this paper the basic principles of the design and details on the lattice are given. SuperB is a new machine that can exploit novel very promising design approaches: (1) large Piwinski angle scheme will allow for peak luminosity of the order of 10{sup 36} cm{sup -2} s{sup -1}, well beyond the current state-of-the-art, without a significant increase inmore » beam currents or shorter bunch lengths; (2) 'crab waist' sextupoles will be used for suppression of dangerous resonances; (3) the low beam currents design presents reduced detector and background problems, and affordable operating costs; (4) a polarized electron beam can produce polarized {tau} leptons, opening an entirely new realm of exploration in lepton flavor physics. SuperB studies are already proving useful to the accelerator and particle physics communities. The principle of operation is being tested at DAFNE. The baseline lattice, based on the reuse of all PEP-II hardware, fits in the Tor Vergata University campus site, near Frascati. A CDR is being reviewed by an International Review Committee, chaired by J. Dainton (UK). A Technical Design Report will be prepared to be ready by beginning of 2010.« less

Critical remarks on Bruno Thuring's polemic against Einstein.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kerschbaum, F.; Lackner, K.; Posch, T.

2005-08-01

Bruno Thüring (1905-1989) was among those scientists who joined the campaign against Einstein's Theories of Relativity which was undertaken in the name of so-called "German Physics". Thüring served as director of Vienna's University Observatory between 1940-45; hence, we present biographical information on his scientific and administrative activities in Vienna, partly based on interviews with time-witnesses. It is one of Thüring's basic convictions that Einstein's work cannot be understood without an analysis of the developments of physics and philosophy in the 19th century. While this is true generally, Thüring's account of these developments is rather superficial. For example, Thüring considers Kant's idea of the a priori status of geometry as a wholly sufficient epistemological foundation of mechanics, while both post-Kantian idealism and positivism were a mere backdrop to the development of knowledge - a view which can hardly stand critical examination. Concerning the impact of Einstein's theories on physics, Thüring argues that the principles of special and general relativity be nothing else but arbitrary decisions (as opposed to real insights). Hence these principles would never be verified or falsified by any experiment. The Michelson-Moreley experiment, e.g., would not prove the principles of special relativity. Thüring considers Einstein's interpretation of this experiment as premature and as an arbitrary judgement on a very particular and subaltern phenomenon which would not justify the conclusion that the velocity of the Earth with respect to the luminiferous aether be immeasurable by just any experimental technique.

A Comprehensive Review of the Study and Development of Microcapsule Based Self-Resilience Systems for Concrete Structures at Shenzhen University

PubMed Central

Han, Ning-Xu; Xing, Feng

2016-01-01

A review of the research activities and achievements at Shenzhen University is conducted in this paper concerning the creation and further development of novel microcapsule based self-resilience systems for their application in concrete structures. After a brief description of pioneering works in the field starting about 10 years ago, the principles raised in the relevant research are examined, where fundamental terms related to the concept of resilience are discussed. Several breakthrough points are highlighted concerning the three adopted comprehensive self-resilience systems, namely physical, chemical and microbial systems. The major challenges regarding evaluation are emphasized and further development concerning self-resilience in concrete structures will be addressed. PMID:28772362

Subquantum information and computation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valentini, Antony

2002-08-01

It is argued that immense physical resources -- for nonlocal communication, espionage, and exponentially-fast computation -- are hidden from us by quantum noise, and that this noise is not fundamental but merely a property of an equilibrium state in which the universe happens to be at the present time. It is suggested that `non-quantum' or nonequilibrium matter might exist today in the form of relic particles from the early universe. We describe how such matter could be detected and put to practical use. Nonequilibrium matter could be used to send instantaneous signals, to violate the uncertainty principle, to distinguish non-orthogonal quantum states without disturbing them, to eavesdrop on quantum key distribution, and to outpace quantum computation (solving NP-complete problems in polynomial time).

A Comprehensive Review of the Study and Development of Microcapsule Based Self-Resilience Systems for Concrete Structures at Shenzhen University.

PubMed

Han, Ning-Xu; Xing, Feng

2016-12-22

A review of the research activities and achievements at Shenzhen University is conducted in this paper concerning the creation and further development of novel microcapsule based self-resilience systems for their application in concrete structures. After a brief description of pioneering works in the field starting about 10 years ago, the principles raised in the relevant research are examined, where fundamental terms related to the concept of resilience are discussed. Several breakthrough points are highlighted concerning the three adopted comprehensive self-resilience systems, namely physical, chemical and microbial systems. The major challenges regarding evaluation are emphasized and further development concerning self-resilience in concrete structures will be addressed.

Differences between the family-centered "COPCA" program and traditional infant physical therapy based on neurodevelopmental treatment principles.

PubMed

Dirks, Tineke; Blauw-Hospers, Cornill H; Hulshof, Lily J; Hadders-Algra, Mijna

2011-09-01

Evidence for effectiveness of pediatric physical therapy in infants at high risk for developmental motor disorders is limited. Therefore, "Coping With and Caring for Infants With Special Needs" (COPCA), a family-centered, early intervention program, was developed. The COPCA program is based on 2 components: (1) family involvement and educational parenting and (2) the neuromotor principles of the neuronal group selection theory. The COPCA coach uses principles of coaching to encourage the family's own capacities for solving problems of daily care and incorporating variation, along with trial and error in daily activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the content of sessions of the home-based, early intervention COPCA program differs from that of traditional infant physical therapy (TIP) sessions, which in the Netherlands are largely based on neurodevelopmental treatment. The study was conducted at the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands. A quantitative video analysis of therapy sessions was conducted with infants participating in a 2-arm randomized trial. Forty-six infants at high risk for developmental motor disorders were randomly assigned to receive COPCA (n=21) or TIP (n=25) between 3 and 6 months corrected age. Intervention sessions were videotaped at 4 and 6 months corrected age and analyzed with a standardized observation protocol for the classification of physical therapy actions. Outcome parameters were relative amounts of time spent on specific physical therapy actions. The content of COPCA and TIP differed substantially. For instance, in TIP sessions, more time was spent on facilitation techniques, including handling, than in COPCA sessions (29% versus 3%, respectively). During COPCA, more time was spent on family coaching and education than during TIP (16% versus 4%, respectively). The major limitation of the study was its restriction to the Netherlands, implying that findings cannot be generalized automatically to other countries. The COPCA program differs broadly from TIP as applied in the Netherlands. Studies on the effectiveness of this family-centered program are needed.

Perspectives on handedness, life and physics.

PubMed

Axelsson, Sven

2003-08-01

In contrast to motion, matter will be conserved in all eternity. Structure and function will arise by the angular momentum of spinning spherical particles and their composites. Symmetry prevails in physics by equal amounts of left- and right-hand spinning entities, while life is asymmetric in this respect. Very rare deviations from the ubiquitous one-sided handedness in biology will probably explain the inert degradation resistant proteins in 'mad cow' type diseases. Velocities of physical events seems to be a most important feature and will explain for instance brain function and the true nature of neurodegenerative diseases. This biophysics of mind will in turn provide answers to many disputable aspects of physics such as the true nature of waves and gravity. Many current concepts in quantum physics will be invalidated, among them the uncertainty principle, the relativity to a fixed speed of light, the energy equation and the expansion of the Universe. Instead, decay and formation will balance each other in a continuum of matter in an intuitively cyclic Multiverse.

Cinema, Fermi problems and general education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efthimiou, C. J.; Llewellyn, R. A.

2007-05-01

During the past few years the authors have developed a new approach to the teaching of physical science, a general education course typically found in the curricula of nearly every college and university. This approach, called Physics in Films (Efthimiou and Llewellyn 2006 Phys. Teach. 44 28-33), uses scenes from popular films to illustrate physical principles and has excited student interest and improved student performance. A similar approach at the senior/high-school level, nicknamed Hollywood Physics, has been developed by Chandler (2006 Phys. Teach. 44 290-2 2002 Phys. Teach. 40 420-4). The two approaches may be considered complementary as they target different student groups. The analyses of many of the scenes in Physics in Films are a direct application of Fermi calculations—estimates and approximations designed to make solutions of complex and seemingly intractable problems understandable to the student non-specialist. The intent of this paper is to provide instructors with examples they can use to develop skill in recognizing Fermi problems and making Fermi calculations in their own courses.

Learning to Do Diversity Work: A Model for Continued Education of Program Organizers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dounas-Frazer, Dimitri R.; Hyater-Adams, Simone A.; Reinholz, Daniel L.

2017-09-01

Physics and physics education in the United States suffer from severe (and, in some cases, worsening) underrepresentation of Black, Latinx, and Native American people of all genders and women of all races and ethnicities. In this paper, we describe an approach to facilitating physics students' collective and continued education about such underrepresentation; its connections to racism, sexism, and other dimensions of marginalization; and models of allyship that may bring about social change within physics. Specifically, we focus on the efforts of undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdocs who are members of a student-run diversity-oriented organization in the physics department at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU), a large, selective, predominantly White public university with high research activity. This group's education was accomplished through quarterly Diversity Workshops. Here we report on six Diversity Workshops that were co-designed and facilitated by the authors. We describe the context, motivation, and goals of the workshops, the theories underlying their design and implementation, and their content. In addition, we discuss workshop attendance and suggest strategies for maintaining high attendance in the future. Because the details of our workshops were tailored to the specific needs and interests of a particular student organization, our workshop agendas may not be widely applicable beyond our local context. Nevertheless, our model, design principles, and facilitation strategies may be transferable to other contexts and provide inspiration to other diversity-oriented student groups.

Universal Design and Disability: Assessing Faculty Beliefs, Knowledge, and Confidence in Universal Design for Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hartsoe, Joseph K.; Barclay, Susan R.

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate faculty belief, knowledge, and confidence in the principles of Universal Design for Instruction (UDI). Results yielded statistically significant correlations between participant's belief and knowledge of the principles of UDI. Furthermore, findings yielded statistically significant differences between…

Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals at University Level

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Albareda-Tiana, Silvia; Vidal-Raméntol, Salvador; Fernández-Morilla, Mónica

2018-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this case study is to explore the principles and practices of sustainable development (SD) in the university curriculum. Design/methodology/approach: To explore the principles linked with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the learning and teaching practices in sustainability at the International University of…

Current status and future trends of medical physics in Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azorin Nieto, J.

2015-01-01

Medical Physics is an area that applies the principles of physics to medicine, particularly in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases using ionizing and nonionizing radiation. The main attractive of medical physics is that it has a direct impact on the quality and safety of medical care in humans; this social component with direct implications for the population is of high value for Mexico. This paper describes the concepts of medical physics, trends and the current status of this discipline as a profession, which is directly related to the efforts of clinical research. It is also described what is, in my opinion, the future of medical physics in Mexico, emphasizing the fact that this field requires a substantial boost from universities and hospitals to recruit highly qualified young medical physicists and the support from government agencies such as Secretaria de Salud, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social and Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales para los Trabajadores del Estado through clinical research projects that allow the necessary evolution of medical physics into the hospital setting.

Cosmic microwave background radiation of black hole universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, T. X.

2010-11-01

Modifying slightly the big bang theory, the author has recently developed a new cosmological model called black hole universe. This new cosmological model is consistent with the Mach principle, Einsteinian general theory of relativity, and observations of the universe. The origin, structure, evolution, and expansion of the black hole universe have been presented in the recent sequence of American Astronomical Society (AAS) meetings and published recently in a scientific journal: Progress in Physics. This paper explains the observed 2.725 K cosmic microwave background radiation of the black hole universe, which grew from a star-like black hole with several solar masses through a supermassive black hole with billions of solar masses to the present universe with hundred billion-trillions of solar masses. According to the black hole universe model, the observed cosmic microwave background radiation can be explained as the black body radiation of the black hole universe, which can be considered as an ideal black body. When a hot and dense star-like black hole accretes its ambient materials and merges with other black holes, it expands and cools down. A governing equation that expresses the possible thermal history of the black hole universe is derived from the Planck law of black body radiation and radiation energy conservation. The result obtained by solving the governing equation indicates that the radiation temperature of the present universe can be ˜2.725 K if the universe originated from a hot star-like black hole, and is therefore consistent with the observation of the cosmic microwave background radiation. A smaller or younger black hole universe usually cools down faster. The characteristics of the original star-like or supermassive black hole are not critical to the physical properties of the black hole universe at present, because matter and radiation are mainly from the outside space, i.e., the mother universe.

Unreasonable adjustments: medical education, mental disorder, disability discrimination and public safety.

PubMed

Parker, Malcolm

2014-09-01

Recently the Civil and Administrative Tribunal of New South Wales found that the, University of Newcastle had discriminated against a medical student with borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder on the grounds of her disability. This column summarises the case, and integrates a psychodynamic account of borderline personality disorder with Fulford's conceptual analysis of mental disorder as action failure, that is no different in principle from physical illnesses, some instances of which appear to uncontroversially rule out of contention some applicants for medical training. It is argued that some applicants for medical and health care programs with mental disorders should not be selected, because their disabilities are not amenable to satisfactory accommodation in the university training period, and they are incompatible with clinical training and practice. Universities should develop "Inherent Requirement" policies that better integrate their responsibility to support disabled students with the responsibility, currently reserved entirely to regulators, to ensure safe practice by their graduates.

Cosmic homogeneity: a spectroscopic and model-independent measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonçalves, R. S.; Carvalho, G. C.; Bengaly, C. A. P., Jr.; Carvalho, J. C.; Bernui, A.; Alcaniz, J. S.; Maartens, R.

2018-03-01

Cosmology relies on the Cosmological Principle, i.e. the hypothesis that the Universe is homogeneous and isotropic on large scales. This implies in particular that the counts of galaxies should approach a homogeneous scaling with volume at sufficiently large scales. Testing homogeneity is crucial to obtain a correct interpretation of the physical assumptions underlying the current cosmic acceleration and structure formation of the Universe. In this letter, we use the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey to make the first spectroscopic and model-independent measurements of the angular homogeneity scale θh. Applying four statistical estimators, we show that the angular distribution of galaxies in the range 0.46 < z < 0.62 is consistent with homogeneity at large scales, and that θh varies with redshift, indicating a smoother Universe in the past. These results are in agreement with the foundations of the standard cosmological paradigm.

Universality of periodicity as revealed from interlayer-mediated cracks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, Myung Rae; Jung, Jong Hyun; Seo, Min Key; Cho, Sung Un; Kim, Young Duck; Lee, Jae Hyun; Kim, Yong Seung; Kim, Pilkwang; Hone, James; Ihm, Jisoon; Park, Yun Daniel

2017-03-01

A crack and its propagation is a challenging multiscale materials phenomenon of broad interest, from nanoscience to exogeology. Particularly in fracture mechanics, periodicities are of high scientific interest. However, a full understanding of this phenomenon across various physical scales is lacking. Here, we demonstrate periodic interlayer-mediated thin film crack propagation and discuss the governing conditions resulting in their periodicity as being universal. We show strong confinement of thin film cracks and arbitrary steering of their propagation by inserting a predefined thin interlayer, composed of either a polymer, metal, or even atomically thin graphene, between the substrate and the brittle thin film. The thin interlayer-mediated controllability arises from local modification of the effective mechanical properties of the crack medium. Numerical calculations incorporating basic fracture mechanics principles well model our experimental results. We believe that previous studies of periodic cracks in SiN films, self-de-bonding sol-gel films, and even drying colloidal films, along with this study, share the same physical origins but with differing physical boundary conditions. This finding provides a simple analogy for various periodic crack systems that exist in nature, not only for thin film cracks but also for cracks ranging in scale.

The best-fit universe. [cosmological models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Michael S.

1991-01-01

Inflation provides very strong motivation for a flat Universe, Harrison-Zel'dovich (constant-curvature) perturbations, and cold dark matter. However, there are a number of cosmological observations that conflict with the predictions of the simplest such model: one with zero cosmological constant. They include the age of the Universe, dynamical determinations of Omega, galaxy-number counts, and the apparent abundance of large-scale structure in the Universe. While the discrepancies are not yet serious enough to rule out the simplest and most well motivated model, the current data point to a best-fit model with the following parameters: Omega(sub B) approximately equal to 0.03, Omega(sub CDM) approximately equal to 0.17, Omega(sub Lambda) approximately equal to 0.8, and H(sub 0) approximately equal to 70 km/(sec x Mpc) which improves significantly the concordance with observations. While there is no good reason to expect such a value for the cosmological constant, there is no physical principle that would rule out such.

The Principle of General Tovariance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heunen, C.; Landsman, N. P.; Spitters, B.

2008-06-01

We tentatively propose two guiding principles for the construction of theories of physics, which should be satisfied by a possible future theory of quantum gravity. These principles are inspired by those that led Einstein to his theory of general relativity, viz. his principle of general covariance and his equivalence principle, as well as by the two mysterious dogmas of Bohr's interpretation of quantum mechanics, i.e. his doctrine of classical concepts and his principle of complementarity. An appropriate mathematical language for combining these ideas is topos theory, a framework earlier proposed for physics by Isham and collaborators. Our principle of general tovariance states that any mathematical structure appearing in the laws of physics must be definable in an arbitrary topos (with natural numbers object) and must be preserved under so-called geometric morphisms. This principle identifies geometric logic as the mathematical language of physics and restricts the constructions and theorems to those valid in intuitionism: neither Aristotle's principle of the excluded third nor Zermelo's Axiom of Choice may be invoked. Subsequently, our equivalence principle states that any algebra of observables (initially defined in the topos Sets) is empirically equivalent to a commutative one in some other topos.

Kant and the Conservation of Matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morris, Joel

This dissertation is an examination of Kant's rather notorious claim that natural science, or physics, has a priori principles, understood as the claim that physics is constrained by rules warranted by the essential nature of thought. The overall direction of this study is towards examining Kant's claim by close study of a particular principle of physics, the principle of the conservation of matter. If indeed this is a principle of physics, and Kant can successfully show that it is a priori, then it will be reasonable to conclude, in company with Kant, that physics has a priori principles. Although Kant's proof of the principle of the conservation of matter has been traditionally regraded as a reasonably straightforward consequence of his First Analogy of Experience, a careful reading of his proof reveals that this is not really the case. Rather, Kant's proof of the conservation of matter is a consequence of (i) his schematisation of the category of substance in terms of permanence, and (ii) his identification of matter as substance, by appeal to what he thinks is the empirical criterion of substance, activity. Careful examination of Kant's argument in defence of the principle of the conservation of matter, however, reveals a number of deficiencies, and it is concluded that Kant cannot be said to have satisfactorily demonstrated the principle of the conservation of matter or to have convincingly illustrated his claim that physics has a priori principles by appeal to this instance.

Quest for a universal density functional: the accuracy of density functionals across a broad spectrum of databases in chemistry and physics.

PubMed

Peverati, Roberto; Truhlar, Donald G

2014-03-13

Kohn-Sham density functional theory is in principle an exact formulation of quantum mechanical electronic structure theory, but in practice we have to rely on approximate exchange-correlation (xc) functionals. The objective of our work has been to design an xc functional with broad accuracy across as wide an expanse of chemistry and physics as possible, leading--as a long-range goal--to a functional with good accuracy for all problems, i.e. a universal functional. To guide our path towards that goal and to measure our progress, we have developed-building on earlier work of our group-a set of databases of reference data for a variety of energetic and structural properties in chemistry and physics. These databases include energies of molecular processes, such as atomization, complexation, proton addition and ionization; they also include molecular geometries and solid-state lattice constants, chemical reaction barrier heights, and cohesive energies and band gaps of solids. For this paper, we gather many of these databases into four comprehensive databases, two with 384 energetic data for chemistry and solid-state physics and another two with 68 structural data for chemistry and solid-state physics, and we test two wave function methods and 77 density functionals (12 Minnesota meta functionals and 65 others) in a consistent way across this same broad set of data. We especially highlight the Minnesota density functionals, but the results have broader implications in that one may see the successes and failures of many kinds of density functionals when they are all applied to the same data. Therefore, the results provide a status report on the quest for a universal functional.

Simple Emergent Power Spectra from Complex Inflationary Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dias, Mafalda; Frazer, Jonathan; Marsh, M. C. David

2016-09-01

We construct ensembles of random scalar potentials for Nf-interacting scalar fields using nonequilibrium random matrix theory, and use these to study the generation of observables during small-field inflation. For Nf=O (few ), these heavily featured scalar potentials give rise to power spectra that are highly nonlinear, at odds with observations. For Nf≫1 , the superhorizon evolution of the perturbations is generically substantial, yet the power spectra simplify considerably and become more predictive, with most realizations being well approximated by a linear power spectrum. This provides proof of principle that complex inflationary physics can give rise to simple emergent power spectra. We explain how these results can be understood in terms of large Nf universality of random matrix theory.

Simple Emergent Power Spectra from Complex Inflationary Physics.

PubMed

Dias, Mafalda; Frazer, Jonathan; Marsh, M C David

2016-09-30

We construct ensembles of random scalar potentials for N_{f}-interacting scalar fields using nonequilibrium random matrix theory, and use these to study the generation of observables during small-field inflation. For N_{f}=O(few), these heavily featured scalar potentials give rise to power spectra that are highly nonlinear, at odds with observations. For N_{f}≫1, the superhorizon evolution of the perturbations is generically substantial, yet the power spectra simplify considerably and become more predictive, with most realizations being well approximated by a linear power spectrum. This provides proof of principle that complex inflationary physics can give rise to simple emergent power spectra. We explain how these results can be understood in terms of large N_{f} universality of random matrix theory.

Biomimetic Phases of Microtubule-Motor Mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ross, Jennifer

2014-03-01

We try to determine the universal principles of organization from the molecular scale that gives rise to architecture on the cellular scale. We are specifically interested in the organization of the microtubule cytoskeleton, a rigid, yet versatile network in most cell types. Microtubules in the cell are organized by motor proteins and crosslinkers. This work applies the ideas of statistical mechanics and condensed matter physics to the non-equilibrium pattern formation behind intracellular organization using the microtubule cytoskeleton as the building blocks. We examine these processes in a bottom-up manner by adding increasingly complex protein actors into the system. Our systematic experiments expose nature's laws for organization and has large impacts on biology as well as illuminating new frontiers of non-equilibrium physics.

Predicting the Cosmological Constant from the CausalEntropic Principle

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bousso, Raphael; Harnik, Roni; Kribs, Graham D.

2007-02-20

We compute the expected value of the cosmological constant in our universe from the Causal Entropic Principle. Since observers must obey the laws of thermodynamics and causality, it asserts that physical parameters are most likely to be found in the range of values for which the total entropy production within a causally connected region is maximized. Despite the absence of more explicit anthropic criteria, the resulting probability distribution turns out to be in excellent agreement with observation. In particular, we find that dust heated by stars dominates the entropy production, demonstrating the remarkable power of this thermodynamic selection criterion. Themore » alternative approach--weighting by the number of ''observers per baryon''--is less well-defined, requires problematic assumptions about the nature of observers, and yet prefers values larger than present experimental bounds.« less

The Use of Whiteheadian Principles in University Adult Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marx, Lucy Ann

This study examines the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead to determine his theory of value and apply it to the principles, objectives, and positions of university adult education. Whitehead's value criteria are applied to the two major statements on policy of university adult education, which the writer feels are inadequate: the National…

Fibonacci family of dynamical universality classes.

PubMed

Popkov, Vladislav; Schadschneider, Andreas; Schmidt, Johannes; Schütz, Gunter M

2015-10-13

Universality is a well-established central concept of equilibrium physics. However, in systems far away from equilibrium, a deeper understanding of its underlying principles is still lacking. Up to now, a few classes have been identified. Besides the diffusive universality class with dynamical exponent [Formula: see text], another prominent example is the superdiffusive Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) class with [Formula: see text]. It appears, e.g., in low-dimensional dynamical phenomena far from thermal equilibrium that exhibit some conservation law. Here we show that both classes are only part of an infinite discrete family of nonequilibrium universality classes. Remarkably, their dynamical exponents [Formula: see text] are given by ratios of neighboring Fibonacci numbers, starting with either [Formula: see text] (if a KPZ mode exist) or [Formula: see text] (if a diffusive mode is present). If neither a diffusive nor a KPZ mode is present, all dynamical modes have the Golden Mean [Formula: see text] as dynamical exponent. The universal scaling functions of these Fibonacci modes are asymmetric Lévy distributions that are completely fixed by the macroscopic current density relation and compressibility matrix of the system and hence accessible to experimental measurement.

Beyond the standard Higgs after the 125 GeV Higgs discovery.

PubMed

Grojean, C

2015-01-13

An elementary weakly coupled and solitary Higgs boson allows one to extend the validity of the Standard Model up to very high energy, maybe as high as the Planck scale. Nonetheless, this scenario fails to fill the universe with dark matter and does not explain the matter-antimatter asymmetry. However, amending the Standard Model tends to destabilize the weak scale by large quantum corrections to the Higgs potential. New degrees of freedom, new forces, new organizing principles are required to provide a consistent and natural description of physics beyond the standard Higgs.

Beyond the standard Higgs after the 125 GeV Higgs discovery

PubMed Central

Grojean, C.

2015-01-01

An elementary, weakly coupled and solitary Higgs boson allows one to extend the validity of the Standard Model up to very high energy, maybe as high as the Planck scale. Nonetheless, this scenario fails to fill the universe with dark matter and does not explain the matter–antimatter asymmetry. However, amending the Standard Model tends to destabilize the weak scale by large quantum corrections to the Higgs potential. New degrees of freedom, new forces, new organizing principles are required to provide a consistent and natural description of physics beyond the standard Higgs.

Jacobi's Principle and Hertz' Definition of Time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Treder, Hans-J.; Bleyer, Ulrich; Liebscher, Dierck-E.

This article should remind the interest which D.D.Ivanenko always had in the fundamental questions of Mach's ideas for founding the physics of inertia. Even today, we have no generally accepted idea yet how to quantify the general demand for a theory, in which the existence and not only the amount of inertia of a body is determined by the configuration of the surrounding universe. The actual discussion centers around the problem of introducing time in theoretical constructions without time, and this paper shall be a contribution to this dicussion…

[Positron emission tomography: diagnostic imaging on a molecular level].

PubMed

Allemann, K; Wyss, M; Wergin, M; Bley, C Rohrer; Ametamay, S; Bruehlmeier, M; Kaser-Hotz, B

2004-08-01

In human medicine positron emission tomography (PET) is a modern diagnostic imaging method. In the present paper we outline the physical principles of PET and give an overview over the main clinic fields where PET is being used, such as neurology, cardiology and oncology. Moreover, we present a current project in veterinary medicine (in collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute and the University Hospital Zurich), where a hypoxia tracer is applied to dogs and cats suffering from spontaneous tumors. Finally new developments in the field of PET were discussed.

Electron Correlation and Tranport Properties in Nuclear Fuel Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Quan; Haule, Kristjan; Kotliar, Gabriel; Savrasov, Sergey; Pickett, Warren

2011-03-01

Using first principle LDA+DMFT method, we conduct a systematic study on the correlated electronic structures and transport properties of select actinide carbides, nitrides, and oxides, many of which are nuclear fuel materials. Our results capture the metal--insulator Mott transition within the studied systems, and the appearance of the Zhang-Rice state in uranium dioxide. More importantly, by understanding the physics underlying their transport properties, we suggest ways to improve the efficiency of currently used fuels. This work is supported by the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program, contract No. 00088708.

A proposed power assisted system of manual wheelchair based on universal design for eldery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Susmartini, Susy; Pryadhitama, Ilham; Herdiman, Lobes; Wahyufitriani, Cindy

2017-11-01

Difficulties in walking is high percentage case in the limitations mobility of the elderly. An assisted technology commonly used to help the elderly who have walking difficulty is a manual wheelchair. However, the elderly frequently experiences difficulties in operating manual wheelchair due to gradually degradation of their physical condition. Preliminary study results showed that the average grip strength of the hands of seven elderly subjects was 13.8 ± 6.96 kg and the value is relatively weak. In addition, the mean maximum speed of 7 elderly subjects when doing to round the wheelchair is 0.6 ± 0.2m / s. This value is only 56.4% compared with an average speed of 20-23-year age group (8 males), which is 1.1 ± 0.1 m / s. This shows that the elderly who have walking difficulty have low grip strength and speed in operating a wheelchair. On the other hand, manual wheelchairs suffer an inadequate technology solution to solve the problem. Therefore, an assistive technology is proposed to create mobility aid to accommodate the elderly needs. One approach used is Universal Design. This paper proposes a system of intervention in the manual wheelchair through the 7 principles of Universal Design approach. The preliminary principle has not been able to accommodate the needs of the elderly will become a reference in the proposed design of this study.

Malaysian Secondary Physics Teachers' Perceptions towards the Teaching and Learning of Archimedes' Principle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salleh, Khalijah Mohd; Abdullah, Abu Bakar Bin

2008-05-01

An explorative study was carried out to confirm Malaysian Physics teachers' perception that Archimedes' principle is a difficult topic for secondary level students. The interview method was used for data collection. The study sample was made of nine national secondary schools teachers from Miri, Sarawak. The data was analysed qualitatively using the Atlas-ti version 5.2 software. The findings of the study showed that i) Archimedes' principle as compared to Bernoulli's and Pascal's is the most difficult principle of hydrodynamics for students, ii) more time was given in the teaching and learning (TL) of Archimedes principle compared to the other two principles, iii) the major TL problems include conceptual understanding, application of physics principles and ideas, and lack of mathematical skills. These findings implicate the need to develop corresponding instructional materials and learning kits that can assist students' understanding of Archimedes' principle.

Quantum cosmology of a conformal multiverse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robles-Pérez, Salvador J.

2017-09-01

This paper studies the cosmology of a homogeneous and isotropic spacetime endorsed with a conformally coupled massless scalar field. We find six different solutions of the Friedmann equation that represent six different types of universes, and all of them are periodically distributed along the complex time axis. From a classical point of view, they are then isolated, separated by Euclidean regions that represent quantum mechanical barriers. Quantum mechanically, however, there is a nonzero probability for the state of the universes to tunnel out through a Euclidean instanton and suffer a sudden transition to another state of the spacetime. We compute the probability of transition for this and other nonlocal processes like the creation of universes in entangled pairs and, generally speaking, in multipartite entangled states. We obtain the quantum state of a single universe within the formalism of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation and give the semiclassical state of the universes that describes the quantum mechanics of a scalar field propagating in a de Sitter background spacetime. We show that the superposition principle of the quantum mechanics of matter fields alone is an emergent feature of the semiclassical description of the universe that is not valid, for instance, in the spacetime foam. We use the third quantization formalism to describe the creation of an entangled pair of universes with opposite signs of the momentum conjugated to the scale factor. Each universe of the entangled pair represents an expanding spacetime in terms of the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) time experienced by internal observers in their particle physics experiments. We compute the effective value of the Friedmann equation of the background spacetime of the two entangled universes, and thus, the effect that the entanglement would have in their expansion rates. We analyze as well the effects of the interuniversal entanglement in the properties of the scalar fields that propagate in each spacetime of the entangled pair. We find that the largest modes of the scalar field are unaware of the entanglement between the universes, but the effects can be significant for the lowest modes, allowing us to compute, in principle, detailed observational imprints of the multiverse in the properties of a single universe like ours.

Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) Universe of Chemicals and General Validation Principles

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document was developed by the EPA to provide guidance to staff and managers regarding the EDSP universe of chemicals and general validation principles for consideration of computational toxicology tools for chemical prioritization.

Using Comic Books to Teach Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kakalios, James

2003-03-01

Whether done deliberately to appear "educational" or simply as a habit of the writers who used to work for science fiction pulp magazines, superhero comic books from the 1960's to today often get their science right more often than one would expect. I will describe physics lessons I've employed in a Freshman Seminar at the University of Minnesota entitled: "Science in Comic Books", where all of the illustrative examples come from the four-color pages of comic books. For example: How much force is required to leap a tall building in a single bound, and what does this imply about the gravity on Krypton? If Spider-Man's webbing is as strong as real spider's silk, can it support his weight as he swings between buildings? If you could run at super speeds like the Flash, could you run up the sides of buildings or across the ocean and more importantly, how frequently would you need to eat? Certain superhero comic book stories feature correct descriptions of basic physical principles for a wide range of topics, from Classical Mechanics, to Electricity and Magnetism to even Quantum Physics - recent results on entangled quantum states (Phys. Rev. Lett., 80, 3891 (1998)) served as a plot point in a popular comic book that same year. Once I explain the science underlying the comic book stories, real world applications of the physics principles are then presented. The students in this class are so busy enjoying their superhero ice cream sundae that they don't notice that I am sneakily getting them to eat their spinach at the same time!

Hydrology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brutsaert, Wilfried

2005-08-01

Water in its different forms has always been a source of wonder, curiosity and practical concern for humans everywhere. Hydrology - An Introduction presents a coherent introduction to the fundamental principles of hydrology, based on the course that Wilfried Brutsaert has taught at Cornell University for the last thirty years. Hydrologic phenomena are dealt with at spatial and temporal scales at which they occur in nature. The physics and mathematics necessary to describe these phenomena are introduced and developed, and readers will require a working knowledge of calculus and basic fluid mechanics. The book will be invaluable as a textbook for entry-level courses in hydrology directed at advanced seniors and graduate students in physical science and engineering. In addition, the book will be more broadly of interest to professional scientists and engineers in hydrology, environmental science, meteorology, agronomy, geology, climatology, oceanology, glaciology and other earth sciences. Emphasis on fundamentals Clarification of the underlying physical processes Applications of fluid mechanics in the natural environment

Some Aspects of the Implementation of the Principle of Transparency in Russian Universities: Research, Experience, Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Egorov, Evgeny Evgenievich; Lebedev?, Tatiana Evgenievna; Bulganina, Svetlana Viktorovna; Vasilyeva, Lyudmila Ivanovna

2015-01-01

The aim of this study is to identify achieved successes, existing gaps and possible prospects of implementing the principle of transparency by Russian universities. It was focused upon the information transparency of educational activities from the perspective of legal requirements and interests of applicants and university students. The analysis…

Blueprints of the no-scale multiverse at the LHC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tianjun; Maxin, James A.; Nanopoulos, Dimitri V.; Walker, Joel W.

2011-09-01

We present a contemporary perspective on the String Landscape and the Multiverse of plausible string, M- and F-theory vacua. In contrast to traditional statistical classifications and capitulation to the anthropic principle, we seek only to demonstrate the existence of a nonzero probability for a universe matching our own observed physics within the solution ensemble. We argue for the importance of No-Scale Supergravity as an essential common underpinning for the spontaneous emergence of a cosmologically flat universe from the quantum “nothingness.” Concretely, we continue to probe the phenomenology of a specific model which is testable at the LHC and Tevatron. Dubbed No-Scale F-SU(5), it represents the intersection of the Flipped SU(5) Grand Unified Theory (GUT) with extra TeV-Scale vectorlike multiplets derived out of F-theory, and the dynamics of No-Scale Supergravity, which in turn imply a very restricted set of high-energy boundary conditions. By secondarily minimizing the minimum of the scalar Higgs potential, we dynamically determine the ratio tan⁡β≃15-20 of up- to down-type Higgs vacuum expectation values (VEVs), the universal gaugino boundary mass M1/2≃450GeV, and, consequently, also the total magnitude of the GUT-scale Higgs VEVs, while constraining the low-energy standard model gauge couplings. In particular, this local minimum minimorum lies within the previously described “golden strip,” satisfying all current experimental constraints. We emphasize, however, that the overarching goal is not to establish why our own particular universe possesses any number of specific characteristics, but rather to tease out what generic principles might govern the superset of all possible universes.

Understanding the Fine Tuning in Our Universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cohen, Bernard L.

2008-05-01

I It is often stated that the physical properties of our universe are ``fine tuned''-that is, they must be almost exactly as they are to make the development of intelligent life possible.1 The implications of this statement, called the ``anthropic principle,'' have been widely discussed in a philosophical context,2 but the scientific basis for the statement3 is not widely understood outside the community of experts. My purpose here is to explain how I have presented some parts of this scientific basis, albeit with some glossing over of difficult and/or less important details, to undergraduate students majoring in humanities and social sciences and to senior citizens in ``lifetime learning'' programs who have no professional scientific background. In this paper, I concentrate on the vital processes of hydrogen burning and helium burning.

Hardware-software and algorithmic provision of multipoint systems for long-term monitoring of dynamic processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yakunin, A. G.; Hussein, H. M.

2017-08-01

An example of information-measuring systems for climate monitoring and operational control of energy resources consumption of the university campus that is functioning in the Altai State Technical University since 2009. The advantages of using such systems for studying various physical processes are discussed. General principles of construction of similar systems, their software, hardware and algorithmic support are considered. It is shown that their fundamental difference from traditional SCADA - systems is the use of databases for storing the results of the observation with a specialized data structure, and by preprocessing of the input signal for its compression. Another difference is the absence of clear criteria for detecting the anomalies in the time series of the observed process. The examples of algorithms that solve this problem are given.

Examining gender differences on FCI performance in algebra and calculus based physics courses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kreutzer, Kimberley; Boudreaux, Andrew

2009-05-01

The Force Concept Inventory (FCI) has been widely used to asses student understanding of Newtonian principles. Studies have shown a marked difference in the performance of men and women on both pre- and post-tests [1,2] and also indicate that experiential based instruction may lead to a reduction in this gender gap [1,3]. This poster presents FCI data collected at Western Washington University. Initial analysis of gender differences are consistent with those reported nationally. We also discuss factors that may contribute to the differences in performance and propose instructional strategies that are designed to address the gender gap. [4pt] [1] M. Lorenzo, et. al., ``Reducing the gender gap in the physics classroom,'' AJP 74(2), 118-122 (2006) [0pt] [2] J. Docktor and K. Heller, ``Gender Differences in Both Force Concept Inventory and Introductory Physics Performance,'' Proceedings at the 2008 PERC [0pt] [3] S. Pollack, et. al., ``Reducing the gender gap in the physics classroom: How sufficient is interactive engagement?'' PRST-PER 3 (2007)

Global ethics and principlism.

PubMed

Gordon, John-Stewart

2011-09-01

This article examines the special relation between common morality and particular moralities in the four-principles approach and its use for global ethics. It is argued that the special dialectical relation between common morality and particular moralities is the key to bridging the gap between ethical universalism and relativism. The four-principles approach is a good model for a global bioethics by virtue of its ability to mediate successfully between universal demands and cultural diversity. The principle of autonomy (i.e., the idea of individual informed consent), however, does need to be revised so as to make it compatible with alternatives such as family- or community-informed consent. The upshot is that the contribution of the four-principles approach to global ethics lies in the so-called dialectical process and its power to deal with cross-cultural issues against the background of universal demands by joining them together.

Beyond access: a case study on the intersection between accessibility, sustainability, and universal design.

PubMed

Gossett, Andrea; Mirza, Mansha; Barnds, Ann Kathleen; Feidt, Daisy

2009-11-01

A growing emphasis has been placed on providing equal opportunities for all people, particularly people with disabilities, to support participation. Barriers to participation are represented in part by physical space restrictions. This article explores the decision-making process during the construction of a new office building housing a disability-rights organization. The building project featured in this study was developed on the principles of universal design, maximal accessibility, and sustainability to support access and participation. A qualitative case study approach was used involving collection of data through in-depth interviews with key decision-makers; non-participant observations at design meetings; and on-site tours. Qualitative thematic analysis along with the development of a classification system was used to understand specific building elements and the relevant decision processes from which they resulted. Recording and analyzing the design process revealed several key issues including grassroots involvement of stakeholders; interaction between universal design and sustainable design; addressing diversity through flexibility and universality; and segregationist accessibility versus universal design. This case study revealed complex interactions between accessibility, universal design, and sustainability. Two visual models were proposed to understand and analyze these complexities.

On Ruch's Principle of Decreasing Mixing Distance in classical statistical physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Busch, Paul; Quadt, Ralf

1990-10-01

Ruch's Principle of Decreasing Mixing Distance is reviewed as a statistical physical principle and its basic suport and geometric interpretation, the Ruch-Schranner-Seligman theorem, is generalized to be applicable to a large representative class of classical statistical systems.

A new method of search design of refrigerating systems containing a liquid and gaseous working medium based on the graph model of the physical operating principle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yakovlev, A. A.; Sorokin, V. S.; Mishustina, S. N.; Proidakova, N. V.; Postupaeva, S. G.

2017-01-01

The article describes a new method of search design of refrigerating systems, the basis of which is represented by a graph model of the physical operating principle based on thermodynamical description of physical processes. The mathematical model of the physical operating principle has been substantiated, and the basic abstract theorems relatively semantic load applied to nodes and edges of the graph have been represented. The necessity and the physical operating principle, sufficient for the given model and intended for the considered device class, were demonstrated by the example of a vapour-compression refrigerating plant. The example of obtaining a multitude of engineering solutions of a vapour-compression refrigerating plant has been considered.

Constructing an Interdisciplinary Context for Definition of Life

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsokolov, S. A.

One of the main problems in understanding life is that that lifecannot be defined as a self-evident phenomenon. Instead, definitions of life inevitably depend on the context: social, ethical, theological, and scientific. Even in a purely scientific context, different scientific disciplines and approaches provide a variety of criteria related to life. My intention is to define life in an interdisciplinary context, where the class of living systems can be presented as a particular case in series of systems: physical, chemical, prebiotic, biotic, ecological, social, cognitive, etc. related by a universal principle. To this end, the first step in establishing general criteria for life is to define the essential features of life processes. The very functional principle of living beings is circular organization (feedback circularity) embedded on different levels of organization: molecular, genetic, cellular, neural, behavioural, mental, and social. Understanding that the degree of system's wholeness, i.e. degree of feedback net integration can serve as a primary parameter, we can in principle construct an interdisciplinary context in which different systems including living beings can be analyzed, defined and compared.

The origin of allometric scaling laws in biology from genomes to ecosystems: towards a quantitative unifying theory of biological structure and organization.

PubMed

West, Geoffrey B; Brown, James H

2005-05-01

Life is the most complex physical phenomenon in the Universe, manifesting an extraordinary diversity of form and function over an enormous scale from the largest animals and plants to the smallest microbes and subcellular units. Despite this many of its most fundamental and complex phenomena scale with size in a surprisingly simple fashion. For example, metabolic rate scales as the 3/4-power of mass over 27 orders of magnitude, from molecular and intracellular levels up to the largest organisms. Similarly, time-scales (such as lifespans and growth rates) and sizes (such as bacterial genome lengths, tree heights and mitochondrial densities) scale with exponents that are typically simple powers of 1/4. The universality and simplicity of these relationships suggest that fundamental universal principles underly much of the coarse-grained generic structure and organisation of living systems. We have proposed a set of principles based on the observation that almost all life is sustained by hierarchical branching networks, which we assume have invariant terminal units, are space-filling and are optimised by the process of natural selection. We show how these general constraints explain quarter power scaling and lead to a quantitative, predictive theory that captures many of the essential features of diverse biological systems. Examples considered include animal circulatory systems, plant vascular systems, growth, mitochondrial densities, and the concept of a universal molecular clock. Temperature considerations, dimensionality and the role of invariants are discussed. Criticisms and controversies associated with this approach are also addressed.

An Underappreciated Radiation Hazard from High Voltage Electrodes in Vacuum.

PubMed

West, Adam D; Lasner, Zack; DeMille, David; West, Elizabeth P; Panda, Cristian D; Doyle, John M; Gabrielse, Gerald; Kryskow, Adam; Mitchell, Corinne

2017-01-01

The use of high voltage (HV) electrodes in vacuum is commonplace in physics laboratories. In such systems, it has long been known that electron emission from an HV cathode can lead to bremsstrahlung x rays; indeed, this is the basic principle behind the operation of standard x-ray sources. However, in laboratory setups where x-ray production is not the goal and no electron source is deliberately introduced, field-emitted electrons accelerated by HV can produce x rays as an unintended hazardous byproduct. Both the level of hazard and the safe operating regimes for HV vacuum electrode systems are not widely appreciated, at least in university laboratories. A reinforced awareness of the radiation hazards associated with vacuum HV setups would be beneficial. The authors present a case study of a HV vacuum electrode device operated in a university atomic physics laboratory. They describe the characterization of the observed x-ray radiation, its relation to the observed leakage current in the device, the steps taken to contain and mitigate the radiation hazard, and suggested safety guidelines.

Using a Research-based Approach to Transform Upper-division Courses in Classical and Quantum Mechanics and E&M

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pollock, Steven

2013-04-01

At most universities, including the University of Colorado, upper-division physics courses are taught using a traditional lecture approach that does not make use of many of the instructional techniques that have been found to improve student learning at the introductory level. We are transforming several upper-division courses using principles of active engagement and learning theory, guided by the results of observations, interviews, and analysis of student work at CU and elsewhere. In this talk I outline these transformations, including the development of faculty consensus learning goals, clicker questions, tutorials, modified homeworks, and more. We present evidence of the effectiveness of these transformations relative to traditional courses, based on student grades, interviews, and through research-based assessments of student conceptual mastery and student attitudes. Our results suggest that many of the tools that have been effective in introductory courses are effective for our majors, and that further research is warranted in the upper-division environment. (See www.colorado.edu/sei/departments/physics.htm for materials)

Quantum Spacetime: Mimicry of Paths and Black Holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spaans, Marco

2015-08-01

Since its inception, general relativity has been unreceptive to a marriage with the quantum aspects of our universe. Following the ideas of Einstein, one may pursue an approach that allows spacetime itself to take center stage. The quantum properties of matter are then carried by the dynamics of spacetime shape and connectivity. This monograph introduces the reader to the foundations of quantum spacetime in a manner accessible to researchers and students. Likewise, interested laymen that lack a strong background in quantum mechanics or spacetime studies but are keen to learn will find this book worthwhile. It is shown from first principles how spacetime is globally built up by paths which constitute entire histories in four dimensions. The central physical idea is that the collective existence of observers and observed derives from one mimicking the other unremittingly, thereby inducing tangible reality. This world of identity by mimicry creates a multitude of interacting histories. Throughout the text, thought experiments are used to derive physical principles. Obtained results are therefore intuitive and accessible to non-experts. This monograph also discusses consequences of quantum spacetime for black holes, dark energy, inflation, the Higgs boson, and the multiverse.

Acceleration of metal-atom diffusion in electric field at metal/insulator interfaces: First-principles study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagasawa, Riki; Asayama, Yoshihiro; Nakayama, Takashi

2018-04-01

Metal-atom diffusion from metal electrodes into SiO2 in electric fields was studied using first-principles calculations. It was shown in the case without electric field that the diffusion barrier of a metal atom is mainly made of the cohesive energy of bulk metal layers, while the shape of the diffusion potential reflects the hybridization of the metal-atom state with metal-induced gap states (MIGSs) and the electron transfer between the metal atom and the electrode. We found that the metal-atom diffusion is markedly accelerated by the applied electric field, such that the diffusion barrier ϕB(E) decreases almost linearly with increasing electric field strength E. By analyzing the physical origins of the metal-atom diffusion, we derived the universal formula to estimate the diffusion barrier in the electric field, which is closely related to MIGSs.

A new approach to implementing decentralized wastewater treatment concepts.

PubMed

van Afferden, Manfred; Cardona, Jaime A; Lee, Mi-Yong; Subah, Ali; Müller, Roland A

2015-01-01

Planners and decision-makers in the wastewater sector are often confronted with the problem of identifying adequate development strategies and most suitable finance schemes for decentralized wastewater infrastructure. This paper research has focused on providing an approach in support of such decision-making. It is based on basic principles that stand for an integrated perspective towards sustainable wastewater management. We operationalize these principles by means of a geographic information system (GIS)-based approach 'Assessment of Local Lowest-Cost Wastewater Solutions'--ALLOWS. The main product of ALLOWS is the identification of cost-effective local wastewater management solutions for any given demographic and physical context. By using universally available input data the tool allows decision-makers to compare different wastewater solutions for any given wastewater situation. This paper introduces the ALLOWS-GIS tool. Its application and functionality are illustrated by assessing different wastewater solutions for two neighboring communities in rural Jordan.

Principles, problems, and paradoxes of cosmogony

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Treder, H.-J.

The historical development of scientific theories of cosmogony since Newton and Kant is traced, with emphases on the inherent problems and paradoxes and on the evolution of the solar system. The basic conflict between the Newtonian concept of ahistorical physical processes in reversible time and the thermodynamic principle of irreversible entropy increase is seen as only partially resolved by the modern view that microscale events are reversible while macroscale events are not. It is shown that the theory of an adiabatic isentropic expansion of the universe cannot yet explain the genesis of galaxies of 10 billion stars. Kant's cosmogony of the solar system by condensation from a gas cloud is considered qualitatively valid; quantitative corrections, especially for the planets and their satellites, are discussed and related to the hypotheses of La Place. The observations of Barnard's star by van de Kamp, indicating the existence of Jupiter-like planets in almost circular orbits around it, are considered.

Time and timelessness: inscription and representation.

PubMed

Levine, Howard B

2009-04-01

Time is a real dimension of the physical universe and a subjective matter of mind. Depending on their relationship to Eros and the Death Instinct, our feelings about time and timelessness may serve disparate ends- positive or negative, constructive or destructive. The conflicts that emerge between time and timelessness will be affected by and drawn into our conflicts between the reality principle and the pleasure principle and by our capacity to acknowledge and bear the losses, hurts, and disappointments with which life presents us and the hopes and possibilities that life may hold. The "making" and inscribing of time-i.e., articulating and ordering mental elements in the act of representation, symbolization, and verbal linkage of previously unrepresented and inchoate proto-mental elements and states-are central to psychic functioning and the psychoanalytic process. Clinical material will illustrate these processes and their relation to the binding and mastery of trauma: internal and external, massive and cumulative.

Cosmology. A first course

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lachieze-Rey, Marc

This book delivers a quantitative account of the science of cosmology, designed for a non-specialist audience. The basic principles are outlined using simple maths and physics, while still providing rigorous models of the Universe. It offers an ideal introduction to the key ideas in cosmology, without going into technical details. The approach used is based on the fundamental ideas of general relativity such as the spacetime interval, comoving coordinates, and spacetime curvature. It provides an up-to-date and thoughtful discussion of the big bang, and the crucial questions of structure and galaxy formation. Questions of method and philosophical approaches in cosmology are also briefly discussed. Advanced undergraduates in either physics or mathematics would benefit greatly from use either as a course text or as a supplementary guide to cosmology courses.

Superposition Quantification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Li-Na; Luo, Shun-Long; Sun, Yuan

2017-11-01

The principle of superposition is universal and lies at the heart of quantum theory. Although ever since the inception of quantum mechanics a century ago, superposition has occupied a central and pivotal place, rigorous and systematic studies of the quantification issue have attracted significant interests only in recent years, and many related problems remain to be investigated. In this work we introduce a figure of merit which quantifies superposition from an intuitive and direct perspective, investigate its fundamental properties, connect it to some coherence measures, illustrate it through several examples, and apply it to analyze wave-particle duality. Supported by Science Challenge Project under Grant No. TZ2016002, Laboratory of Computational Physics, Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics, Beijing, Key Laboratory of Random Complex Structures and Data Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Grant under No. 2008DP173182

The Universe and Life: Deductions from the Weak Anthropic Principle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoyle, Fred; Wickramasinghe, Chandra

The existence of life in the Universe is interpreted in terms of the "Weak Anthropic Principle". It is shown that cosmological models are constrained to a class that involves an open timescale and access to infinite quantities of carbonaceous material.

Some Surprising Introductory Physics Facts and Numbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mallmann, A. James

2016-04-01

In the entertainment world, people usually like, and find memorable, novels, short stories, and movies with surprise endings. This suggests that classroom teachers might want to present to their students examples of surprising facts associated with principles of physics. Possible benefits of finding surprising facts about principles of physics are opportunities to expand beyond traditional presentations—and, in some cases, to achieve a deeper and broader understanding of those principles. I believe, moreover, that some of the facts presented here may inspire physics teachers to produce some challenge problems for students.

In defence of moral imperialism: four equal and universal prima facie principles.

PubMed

Dawson, A; Garrard, E

2006-04-01

Raanan Gillon is a noted defender of the four principles approach to healthcare ethics. His general position has always been that these principles are to be considered to be both universal and prima facie in nature. In recent work, however, he has made two claims that seem to present difficulties for this view. His first claim is that one of these four principles, respect for autonomy, has a special position in relation to the others: he holds that it is first among equals. We argue that this claim makes little sense if the principles are to retain their prima facie nature. His second claim is that cultural variation can play an independent normative role in the construction of our moral judgments. This, he argues, enables us to occupy a middle ground between what he sees as the twin pitfalls of moral relativism and (what he calls) moral imperialism. We argue that there is no such middle ground, and while Gillon ultimately seems committed to relativism, it is some form of moral imperialism (in the form of moral objectivism) that will provide the only satisfactory construal of the four principles as prima facie universal moral principles.

In defence of moral imperialism: four equal and universal prima facie principles

PubMed Central

Dawson, A; Garrard, E

2006-01-01

Raanan Gillon is a noted defender of the four principles approach to healthcare ethics. His general position has always been that these principles are to be considered to be both universal and prima facie in nature. In recent work, however, he has made two claims that seem to present difficulties for this view. His first claim is that one of these four principles, respect for autonomy, has a special position in relation to the others: he holds that it is first among equals. We argue that this claim makes little sense if the principles are to retain their prima facie nature. His second claim is that cultural variation can play an independent normative role in the construction of our moral judgments. This, he argues, enables us to occupy a middle ground between what he sees as the twin pitfalls of moral relativism and (what he calls) moral imperialism. We argue that there is no such middle ground, and while Gillon ultimately seems committed to relativism, it is some form of moral imperialism (in the form of moral objectivism) that will provide the only satisfactory construal of the four principles as prima facie universal moral principles. PMID:16574872

A Universe without Weak Interactions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Harnik, Roni; Kribs, Graham D.; Perez, Gilad

2006-04-07

A universe without weak interactions is constructed that undergoes big-bang nucleosynthesis, matter domination, structure formation, and star formation. The stars in this universe are able to burn for billions of years, synthesize elements up to iron, and undergo supernova explosions, dispersing heavy elements into the interstellar medium. These definitive claims are supported by a detailed analysis where this hypothetical ''Weakless Universe'' is matched to our Universe by simultaneously adjusting Standard Model and cosmological parameters. For instance, chemistry and nuclear physics are essentially unchanged. The apparent habitability of the Weakless Universe suggests that the anthropic principle does not determine the scalemore » of electroweak breaking, or even require that it be smaller than the Planck scale, so long as technically natural parameters may be suitably adjusted. Whether the multi-parameter adjustment is realized or probable is dependent on the ultraviolet completion, such as the string landscape. Considering a similar analysis for the cosmological constant, however, we argue that no adjustments of other parameters are able to allow the cosmological constant to raise up even remotely close to the Planck scale while obtaining macroscopic structure. The fine-tuning problems associated with the electroweak breaking scale and the cosmological constant therefore appear to be qualitatively different from the perspective of obtaining a habitable universe.« less

Cosmological constant implementing Mach principle in general relativity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Namavarian, Nadereh; Farhoudi, Mehrdad

2016-10-01

We consider the fact that noticing on the operational meaning of the physical concepts played an impetus role in the appearance of general relativity (GR). Thus, we have paid more attention to the operational definition of the gravitational coupling constant in this theory as a dimensional constant which is gained through an experiment. However, as all available experiments just provide the value of this constant locally, this coupling constant can operationally be meaningful only in a local area. Regarding this point, to obtain an extension of GR for the large scale, we replace it by a conformal invariant model and then, reduce this model to a theory for the cosmological scale via breaking down the conformal symmetry through singling out a specific conformal frame which is characterized by the large scale characteristics of the universe. Finally, we come to the same field equations that historically were proposed by Einstein for the cosmological scale (GR plus the cosmological constant) as the result of his endeavor for making GR consistent with the Mach principle. However, we declare that the obtained field equations in this alternative approach do not carry the problem of the field equations proposed by Einstein for being consistent with Mach's principle (i.e., the existence of de Sitter solution), and can also be considered compatible with this principle in the Sciama view.

Using spatial principles to optimize distributed computing for enabling the physical science discoveries

PubMed Central

Yang, Chaowei; Wu, Huayi; Huang, Qunying; Li, Zhenlong; Li, Jing

2011-01-01

Contemporary physical science studies rely on the effective analyses of geographically dispersed spatial data and simulations of physical phenomena. Single computers and generic high-end computing are not sufficient to process the data for complex physical science analysis and simulations, which can be successfully supported only through distributed computing, best optimized through the application of spatial principles. Spatial computing, the computing aspect of a spatial cyberinfrastructure, refers to a computing paradigm that utilizes spatial principles to optimize distributed computers to catalyze advancements in the physical sciences. Spatial principles govern the interactions between scientific parameters across space and time by providing the spatial connections and constraints to drive the progression of the phenomena. Therefore, spatial computing studies could better position us to leverage spatial principles in simulating physical phenomena and, by extension, advance the physical sciences. Using geospatial science as an example, this paper illustrates through three research examples how spatial computing could (i) enable data intensive science with efficient data/services search, access, and utilization, (ii) facilitate physical science studies with enabling high-performance computing capabilities, and (iii) empower scientists with multidimensional visualization tools to understand observations and simulations. The research examples demonstrate that spatial computing is of critical importance to design computing methods to catalyze physical science studies with better data access, phenomena simulation, and analytical visualization. We envision that spatial computing will become a core technology that drives fundamental physical science advancements in the 21st century. PMID:21444779

Using spatial principles to optimize distributed computing for enabling the physical science discoveries.

PubMed

Yang, Chaowei; Wu, Huayi; Huang, Qunying; Li, Zhenlong; Li, Jing

2011-04-05

Contemporary physical science studies rely on the effective analyses of geographically dispersed spatial data and simulations of physical phenomena. Single computers and generic high-end computing are not sufficient to process the data for complex physical science analysis and simulations, which can be successfully supported only through distributed computing, best optimized through the application of spatial principles. Spatial computing, the computing aspect of a spatial cyberinfrastructure, refers to a computing paradigm that utilizes spatial principles to optimize distributed computers to catalyze advancements in the physical sciences. Spatial principles govern the interactions between scientific parameters across space and time by providing the spatial connections and constraints to drive the progression of the phenomena. Therefore, spatial computing studies could better position us to leverage spatial principles in simulating physical phenomena and, by extension, advance the physical sciences. Using geospatial science as an example, this paper illustrates through three research examples how spatial computing could (i) enable data intensive science with efficient data/services search, access, and utilization, (ii) facilitate physical science studies with enabling high-performance computing capabilities, and (iii) empower scientists with multidimensional visualization tools to understand observations and simulations. The research examples demonstrate that spatial computing is of critical importance to design computing methods to catalyze physical science studies with better data access, phenomena simulation, and analytical visualization. We envision that spatial computing will become a core technology that drives fundamental physical science advancements in the 21st century.

Using Case Studies in the Teaching of Physical Principles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lowe, Ian

1975-01-01

Proposes the use of problems of the everyday world to motivate students to master basic physical principles. Cites the example of conversion of solar energy by a photovoltaic cell as a source of topics in electricity and solid state physics. (CP)

CP violations in the Universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auriemma, Giulio

2003-12-01

The origin of the asymmetry between matter and antimatter that is evident in our part of the Universe is one of the open questions in cosmology, because the CPT symmetry between matter and antimatter seems to be absolutely conserved at microscopic level. We repeat here the classical proofs which exclude the viability of a Universe baryon symmetric on the average, or the observed asymmetry as an initial conditions. The current understanding is that the asymmetry should have been dynamically generated before nucleosynthesis, by B, C, and CP violating processes, acting out of thermodynamical equilibrium, as suggested by Sakharov in the 70's. The physical realizations of these conditions would be possible, in principle, also in the framework of the Standard Model of elementary particles, but the present limits on the mass of the higgs particle exclude this possibility. Finally we present the model of baryogenesis through leptogenesis, which is allowed by a minimal extension of the Standard Model, which has the appeal of being testable in future long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments.

Nonlinear and Nonequilibrium Spin Injection in Magnetic Tunneling Junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Hong

2007-03-01

Quantitative analysis of charge and spin quantum transport in spintronic devices requires an atomistic first principles approach that can handle nonlinear and nonequilibrium transport conditions. We have developed an approach for this purpose based on real space density functional theory (DFT) carried out within the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green's function formalism (NEGF). We report theoretical analysis of nonlinear and nonequilibrium spin injection and quantum transport in Fe/MgO/Fe trilayer structures as a function of external bias voltage. Devices with well relaxed atomic structures and with FeO oxidization layers are investigated as a function of external bias voltage. We also report calculations of nonequilibrium spin injection into molecular layers and graphene. Comparisons to experimental data will be presented. Work in collaborations with: Derek Waldron, Vladimir Timochevski (McGill University); Ke Xia (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China); Eric Zhu, Jian Wang (University of Hong Kong); Paul Haney, and Allan MacDonald (University of Texas at Austin).

Phun Physics 4 Phemales: Physics Camp for High School Girls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, Chuhee; Gu, Jiyeong; Henriquez, Laura

2014-03-01

The department of Physics and Astronomy with the department of Science Education at California State University, Long Beach hosted summer program of ``Phun Physics 4 Phemales (PP4P)'' during summer 2012 and summer 2013 with the support from APS public outreach program. PP4P summer camp was hosted along with a two-week summer science camp, Young Scientists Camp, which has been institutionalized for the last 14 years since 1999. More than 2,500 3rd -8th grade students and 250 teachers have participated in the program. PP4P program provided the tools and support that female high school students need to pursue careers in physics and/or science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) field. This girls-only camp created connections among the girls and built confidence. In addition PP4P program introduced students to key principles in physics by a hands-on lab environment and demonstrated the real-world social impact of physics. In summer 2012, high school girls worked on physics experimental project on electronics and in summer 2013 they worked on the mechanics. I would share our experience in this program and the impact on the female high school students. This work was supported by 2012 Public Outreach and Informing the Public Grants from American Physical Society.

Has Higher Education Been Using the Wrong Marketing Approach?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brooks, Larry R.; Hammons, James O.

1993-01-01

It is argued that higher education should be marketing according to principles for marketing services not products. Unique features of services, implications for marketing, and application of service marketing principles to college and university recruitment are explained. Research on seven successfully marketed colleges and universities and…

Universal freezing of quantum correlations within the geometric approach

PubMed Central

Cianciaruso, Marco; Bromley, Thomas R.; Roga, Wojciech; Lo Franco, Rosario; Adesso, Gerardo

2015-01-01

Quantum correlations in a composite system can be measured by resorting to a geometric approach, according to which the distance from the state of the system to a suitable set of classically correlated states is considered. Here we show that all distance functions, which respect natural assumptions of invariance under transposition, convexity, and contractivity under quantum channels, give rise to geometric quantifiers of quantum correlations which exhibit the peculiar freezing phenomenon, i.e., remain constant during the evolution of a paradigmatic class of states of two qubits each independently interacting with a non-dissipative decohering environment. Our results demonstrate from first principles that freezing of geometric quantum correlations is independent of the adopted distance and therefore universal. This finding paves the way to a deeper physical interpretation and future practical exploitation of the phenomenon for noisy quantum technologies. PMID:26053239

Fibonacci family of dynamical universality classes

PubMed Central

Popkov, Vladislav; Schadschneider, Andreas; Schmidt, Johannes; Schütz, Gunter M.

2015-01-01

Universality is a well-established central concept of equilibrium physics. However, in systems far away from equilibrium, a deeper understanding of its underlying principles is still lacking. Up to now, a few classes have been identified. Besides the diffusive universality class with dynamical exponent z=2, another prominent example is the superdiffusive Kardar−Parisi−Zhang (KPZ) class with z=3/2. It appears, e.g., in low-dimensional dynamical phenomena far from thermal equilibrium that exhibit some conservation law. Here we show that both classes are only part of an infinite discrete family of nonequilibrium universality classes. Remarkably, their dynamical exponents zα are given by ratios of neighboring Fibonacci numbers, starting with either z1=3/2 (if a KPZ mode exist) or z1=2 (if a diffusive mode is present). If neither a diffusive nor a KPZ mode is present, all dynamical modes have the Golden Mean z=(1+5)/2 as dynamical exponent. The universal scaling functions of these Fibonacci modes are asymmetric Lévy distributions that are completely fixed by the macroscopic current density relation and compressibility matrix of the system and hence accessible to experimental measurement. PMID:26424449

Some cross-linguistic evidence for modulation of implicational universals by language-specific frequency effects in phonological development

PubMed Central

Edwards, Jan; Beckman, Mary E.

2009-01-01

While broad-focus comparisons of consonant inventories across children acquiring different language can suggest that phonological development follows a universal sequence, finer-grained statistical comparisons can reveal systematic differences. This cross-linguistic study of word-initial lingual obstruents examined some effects of language-specific frequencies on consonant mastery. Repetitions of real words were elicited from 2- and 3-year-old children who were monolingual speakers of English, Cantonese, Greek, or Japanese. The repetitions were recorded and transcribed by an adult native speaker for each language. Results found support for both language-universal effects in phonological acquisition and for language-specific influences related to phoneme and phoneme sequence frequency. These results suggest that acquisition patterns that are common across languages arise in two ways. One influence is direct, via the universal constraints imposed by the physiology and physics of speech production and perception, and how these predict which contrasts will be easy and which will be difficult for the child to learn to control. The other influence is indirect, via the way universal principles of ease of perception and production tend to influence the lexicons of many languages through commonly attested sound changes. PMID:19890438

"Dissection" of a Hair Dryer

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eisenstein, Stan; Simpson, Jeff

2008-01-01

The electrical design of the common hair dryer is based almost entirely on relatively simple principles learned in introductory physics classes. Just as biology students dissect a frog to see the principles of anatomy in action, physics students can "dissect" a hair dryer to see how principles of electricity are used in a real system. They can…

Physical Principle for Generation of Randomness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zak, Michail

2009-01-01

A physical principle (more precisely, a principle that incorporates mathematical models used in physics) has been conceived as the basis of a method of generating randomness in Monte Carlo simulations. The principle eliminates the need for conventional random-number generators. The Monte Carlo simulation method is among the most powerful computational methods for solving high-dimensional problems in physics, chemistry, economics, and information processing. The Monte Carlo simulation method is especially effective for solving problems in which computational complexity increases exponentially with dimensionality. The main advantage of the Monte Carlo simulation method over other methods is that the demand on computational resources becomes independent of dimensionality. As augmented by the present principle, the Monte Carlo simulation method becomes an even more powerful computational method that is especially useful for solving problems associated with dynamics of fluids, planning, scheduling, and combinatorial optimization. The present principle is based on coupling of dynamical equations with the corresponding Liouville equation. The randomness is generated by non-Lipschitz instability of dynamics triggered and controlled by feedback from the Liouville equation. (In non-Lipschitz dynamics, the derivatives of solutions of the dynamical equations are not required to be bounded.)

Introduction of a pyramid guiding process for general musculoskeletal physical rehabilitation.

PubMed

Stark, Timothy W

2006-06-08

Successful instruction of a complicated subject as Physical Rehabilitation demands organization. To understand principles and processes of such a field demands a hierarchy of steps to achieve the intended outcome. This paper is intended to be an introduction to a proposed pyramid scheme of general physical rehabilitation principles. The purpose of the pyramid scheme is to allow for a greater understanding for the student and patient. As the respected Food Guide Pyramid accomplishes, the student will further appreciate and apply supported physical rehabilitation principles and the patient will understand that there is a progressive method to their functional healing process.

My voice looks like that? A hands-on and textbook free approach to learning physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piacsek, Andrew

2009-05-01

Many physics departments offer a ``Physics of Music'' course that is intended for non-majors. This topic appeals to a broad cross-section of students, in part because people recognize that it represents a rare window into the abstruse world of physics from a familiar vantage point. Conversely, physics educators recognize that an interdisciplinary course such as this offers an important opportunity to convey the methods and habits of scientific thinking (let alone some principles of acoustics) to a population that has shunned math and science since high school. In this presentation, I will describe an effective approach to teaching this topic, which has evolved over the past twelve years at Central Washington University. In particular, I will emphasize three elements that distinguish this approach: the sequence of topics, a computer-intensive lab experience, and the use of the internet in lieu of a traditional textbook. The rewards and pitfalls of including small group research projects as part of the class will also be discussed. Information about PHYS103 at CWU can be found at http://www.cwu.edu/˜physics/courses/103/index.html.

Children's Exploration of Physical Phenomena during Object Play

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Solis, S. Lynneth; Curtis, Kaley N.; Hayes-Messinger, Amani

2017-01-01

Researchers propose that experiencing and manipulating physical principles through objects allows young children to formulate scientific intuitions that may serve as precursors to learning in STEM subjects. This may be especially true when children discover these physical principles through object affordances during play. The present study…

Heat, work and subtle fluids: a commentary on Joule (1850) ‘On the mechanical equivalent of heat’

PubMed Central

Young, John

2015-01-01

James Joule played the major role in establishing the conservation of energy, or the first law of thermodynamics, as a universal, all-pervasive principle of physics. He was an experimentalist par excellence and his place in the development of thermodynamics is unarguable. This article discusses Joule's life and scientific work culminating in the 1850 paper, where he presented his detailed measurements of the mechanical equivalent of heat using his famous paddle-wheel apparatus. Joule's long series of experiments in the 1840s leading to his realisation that the conservation of energy was probably of universal validity is discussed in context with the work of other pioneers, notably Sadi Carnot, who effectively formulated the principle of the second law of thermodynamics a quarter of a century before the first law was accepted. The story of Joule's work is a story of an uphill struggle against a critical scientific establishment unwilling to accept the mounting evidence until it was impossible to ignore. His difficulties in attracting funding and publishing in reputable journals despite the quality of his work will resonate with many young scientists and engineers of the present day. This commentary was written to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. PMID:25750152

Universal properties of galactic rotation curves and a first principles derivation of the Tully-Fisher relation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Brien, James G.; Chiarelli, Thomas L.; Mannheim, Philip D.

2018-07-01

In a recent paper McGaugh, Lelli, and Schombert showed that in an empirical plot of the observed centripetal accelerations in spiral galaxies against those predicted by the Newtonian gravity of the luminous matter in those galaxies the data points occupied a remarkably narrow band. While one could summarize the mean properties of the band by drawing a single mean curve through it, by fitting the band with the illustrative conformal gravity theory with fits that fill out the width of the band we show here that the width of the band is just as physically significant. We show that at very low luminous Newtonian accelerations the plot can become independent of the luminous Newtonian contribution altogether, but still be non-trivial due to the contribution of matter outside of the galaxies (viz. the rest of the visible universe). We present a new empirical plot of the difference between the observed centripetal accelerations and the luminous Newtonian expectations as a function of distance from the centers of galaxies, and show that at distances greater than 10 kpc the plot also occupies a remarkably narrow band, one even close to constant. Using the conformal gravity theory we provide a first principles derivation of the empirical Tully-Fisher relation.

Special Relativity in Week One: 1) The Principle of Relativity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huggins, Elisha

2011-01-01

We like to begin an introductory physics course with a law of physics that applies to everything, has no known exceptions, and whose consequences are already familiar to students. That law is the principle of relativity. By focusing on the principle of relativity itself, and a careful selection of the thought experiments, we can comfortably…

The Phenomenal World of Physics. The Science Club. Ages 10-14. [CD-ROM].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

1999

This CD-ROM allows students to learn about physics principles and the scientists who discovered them through genius or luck. The simplicity of these physical laws and how the discovery of these laws has improved the daily lives of humans is discussed. The computer program explores the physics behind the earth's rotation, Archimedes' Principles,…

Drawings and Ideas of Physics Teacher Candidates Relating to the Superposition Principle on a Continuous Rope

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sengoren, Serap Kaya; Tanel, Rabia; Kavcar, Nevzat

2006-01-01

The superposition principle is used to explain many phenomena in physics. Incomplete knowledge about this topic at a basic level leads to physics students having problems in the future. As long as prospective physics teachers have difficulties in the subject, it is inevitable that high school students will have the same difficulties. The aim of…

Some Surprising Introductory Physics Facts and Numbers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mallmann, A. James

2016-01-01

In the entertainment world, people usually like, and find memorable, novels, short stories, and movies with surprise endings. This suggests that classroom teachers might want to present to their students examples of surprising facts associated with principles of physics. Possible benefits of finding surprising facts about principles of physics are…

On the evolution of the Universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kondratenko, P. O.

2014-12-01

In this paper a model of creation and evolution of the universe in which the laws of physics are performed. The model implies that our Universe is a part of a Super-Universe as a separate layer in the fiber space, and the information communication exists between adjacent layers through the single point. During the formation of Super-Universe it was filled first a one-dimensional World of Field-time, then a two-dimensional (1+1) World was filled with energy and Planck's particles which carry the electric and magnetic charges. Completion of two-dimensional world filling leads to a "transfusion" of energy into the neighboring three-dimensional World which presents a world of known quarks which have the fractional electric charges, color charges, and spins. The next step is a "transfusion" of energy into the four-dimensional (3+1) World and the birth of the particles of this World. Evolution of this World has a completion by the brane creation of five-dimensional World. This evolution is accompanying by the birth of the entire set of stable and unstable heavy nuclei and atoms. A filling of each new layer at the fiber space does not bring the entropy into this space (i.e. cold and completely deterministic start of evolution). The proposed model supports the anthropic principle in the Universe.

Kepler's "War on Mars"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dorsey, William; Orchiston, W.; Stephenson, F. R.

2011-01-01

This paper presents an interpretation of how Johannes Kepler changed the study of astronomy. We propose that in his metaphorical "War on Mars,” the Astronomia Nova, Kepler used a revolutionary rhetoric to bring about the usurpation of seventeenth-century astronomy. We discuss how Kepler approached the well-established conceptual framework within which the hypotheses of Ptolemy, Copernicus and Tycho Brahe functioned, and how he sought comprehensive physical principles that could determine the true cause and form of the known Universe. We examine Kepler's need to redefine reality and his use of rhetoric in shaping his astronomical argument for a new astronomy, and we show that his new `laws’ represent a fusion of physics and geometry based upon astronomical observations. We suggest that although Kepler may have believed in and defended some Copernican ideas, his innovative Astronomia Nova opened up a whole new vista for international astronomy.

Biofield Science: Current Physics Perspectives.

PubMed

Kafatos, Menas C; Chevalier, Gaétan; Chopra, Deepak; Hubacher, John; Kak, Subhash; Theise, Neil D

2015-11-01

This article briefly reviews the biofield hypothesis and its scientific literature. Evidence for the existence of the biofield now exists, and current theoretical foundations are now being developed. A review of the biofield and related topics from the perspective of physical science is needed to identify a common body of knowledge and evaluate possible underlying principles of origin of the biofield. The properties of such a field could be based on electromagnetic fields, coherent states, biophotons, quantum and quantum-like processes, and ultimately the quantum vacuum. Given this evidence, we intend to inquire and discuss how the existence of the biofield challenges reductionist approaches and presents its own challenges regarding the origin and source of the biofield, the specific evidence for its existence, its relation to biology, and last but not least, how it may inform an integrated understanding of consciousness and the living universe.

Standards for Quality? A Citical Appraisal of the Berlin Principles for International Rankings of Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hägg, Ingemund; Wedlin, Linda

2013-01-01

This article discusses the principles developed to assure the quality of international ranking practices for higher education, the so-called Berlin Principles, and the role given to them in the higher education community. While the principles are generally regarded as proper quality assurance principles, they are problematic both in their content…

Balancing model complexity and measurements in hydrology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van De Giesen, N.; Schoups, G.; Weijs, S. V.

2012-12-01

The Data Processing Inequality implies that hydrological modeling can only reduce, and never increase, the amount of information available in the original data used to formulate and calibrate hydrological models: I(X;Z(Y)) ≤ I(X;Y). Still, hydrologists around the world seem quite content building models for "their" watersheds to move our discipline forward. Hydrological models tend to have a hybrid character with respect to underlying physics. Most models make use of some well established physical principles, such as mass and energy balances. One could argue that such principles are based on many observations, and therefore add data. These physical principles, however, are applied to hydrological models that often contain concepts that have no direct counterpart in the observable physical universe, such as "buckets" or "reservoirs" that fill up and empty out over time. These not-so-physical concepts are more like the Artificial Neural Networks and Support Vector Machines of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) community. Within AI, one quickly came to the realization that by increasing model complexity, one could basically fit any dataset but that complexity should be controlled in order to be able to predict unseen events. The more data are available to train or calibrate the model, the more complex it can be. Many complexity control approaches exist in AI, with Solomonoff inductive inference being one of the first formal approaches, the Akaike Information Criterion the most popular, and Statistical Learning Theory arguably being the most comprehensive practical approach. In hydrology, complexity control has hardly been used so far. There are a number of reasons for that lack of interest, the more valid ones of which will be presented during the presentation. For starters, there are no readily available complexity measures for our models. Second, some unrealistic simplifications of the underlying complex physics tend to have a smoothing effect on possible model outcomes, thereby preventing the most obvious results of over-fitting. Thirdly, dependence within and between time series poses an additional analytical problem. Finally, there are arguments to be made that the often discussed "equifinality" in hydrological models is simply a different manifestation of the lack of complexity control. In turn, this points toward a general idea, which is actually quite popular in sciences other than hydrology, that additional data gathering is a good way to increase the information content of our descriptions of hydrological reality.

Applying Universal Design for Learning in Online Courses: Pedagogical and Practical Considerations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dell, Cindy Ann; Dell, Thomas F.; Blackwell, Terry L.

2015-01-01

Inclusion of the universal design for learning (UDL) model as a guiding set of principles for online curriculum development in higher education is discussed. Fundamentally, UDL provides the student with multiple means of accessing the course based on three overarching principles: presentation; action and expression; and engagement and interaction.…

Transitioning an Adult-Serving University to a Blended Learning Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Korr, Jeremy; Derwin, Ellen Baker; Greene, Kimberly; Sokoloff, William

2012-01-01

While many institutions deliver some classes in blended format, Brandman University transitioned all of its face-to-face classes to blended delivery, using a model tailored to the needs of adult learners. This article provides research supporting the ways that blended learning principles align with key principles of andragogy. The article provides…

Beyond Universal Design for Learning: Guiding Principles to Reduce Barriers to Digital & Media Literacy Competence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dalton, Elizabeth M.

2017-01-01

Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework for designing instruction to address the wide range of learner variation in today's inclusive classrooms, can be applied effectively to broaden access, understanding, and engagement in digital and media literacy learning for ALL. UDL supports constructivist learning principles. UDL strategies and…

The principle of finiteness - a guideline for physical laws

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sternlieb, Abraham

2013-04-01

I propose a new principle in physics-the principle of finiteness (FP). It stems from the definition of physics as a science that deals with measurable dimensional physical quantities. Since measurement results including their errors, are always finite, FP postulates that the mathematical formulation of legitimate laws in physics should prevent exactly zero or infinite solutions. I propose finiteness as a postulate, as opposed to a statement whose validity has to be corroborated by, or derived theoretically or experimentally from other facts, theories or principles. Some consequences of FP are discussed, first in general, and then more specifically in the fields of special relativity, quantum mechanics, and quantum gravity. The corrected Lorentz transformations include an additional translation term depending on the minimum length epsilon. The relativistic gamma is replaced by a corrected gamma, that is finite for v=c. To comply with FP, physical laws should include the relevant extremum finite values in their mathematical formulation. An important prediction of FP is that there is a maximum attainable relativistic mass/energy which is the same for all subatomic particles, meaning that there is a maximum theoretical value for cosmic rays energy. The Generalized Uncertainty Principle required by Quantum Gravity is actually a necessary consequence of FP at Planck's scale. Therefore, FP may possibly contribute to the axiomatic foundation of Quantum Gravity.

BOOK REVIEW: Universe or Multiverse?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trimble, Virginia

2008-11-01

More than 2000 years ago, Epicurus taught that there are an infinite number of other worlds, both like and unlike ours, and Aristotle taught that there are none. Neither hypothesis can currently be falsified, and this issue of potential for falsification (that is testability) goes to the heart of many of the chapters in Carr's book. All but one of the 27 chapters, provided by 27 pundits (almost but not quite a one-to-one mapping) are written versions of talks given at one of three meetings, held between 2001 and 2005 at Stanford and Cambridge Universities and partly sponsored by the Templeton Foundation. Every reader will surely find some chapters interesting and informative, some provocative, and some rather vacuous. These will not be the same chapters for all readers. Two 'conflict of interest' statements: first, I spoke at one of these meetings, but was not one of those asked to provide a chapter. And, second, the first time I suggested in a lecture for scientists that 'many universes, either in temporal succession or embedded in higher dimensional space' was a possible explanation of the habitability of ours was fall 1974, shortly after Brandon Carter's first paper on anthropic principles and explanations, but before Bernard Carr and Martin Rees's 1979 Nature paper, which presented all the anthropic arguments then known and divided them into numbers that required no additional physics beyond the four standard forces (like the number of particles in a star) and those that seemed essential for life but not calculable (like the ratio of the electromagnetic to nuclear force constant). My other three possibilities were 'G.d has been very careful' (now called intelligent design), additional physics to be learned, and shear complexity. The core multiverse concept is that our universe (the 4-dimensional spacetime with which we are or could be connected and all its contents) is one of many, perhaps infinitely many, probably with different values of the constants of nature and other physical differences, which cannot communicate with ours even in principle. Such ensembles are predicted by some versions of inflation, string and M-theory. The anthropic principle is the idea that our universe has (or even must have) the structure, physics, chemistry and all required for me to be writing this and you to be reading it (editors are optional). Both concepts have firm supporters and firm opponents among the 26 male and one female authors. The woman, M-theorist Renata Kallosh, is for, and provides hints of how one might calculate, at least, the likelihood of our universe within an ensemble (a sort of testability). Her chapter is fairly heavy going in isolation, and readers who don't normally think about antisymmetric tensor gauge fields might want to start with John Donaghue, who explains what a particle physicist means by 'naturalness' and suggests that the known spectrum of quark and lepton masses might be a signature of multiverse origins. Given the Templeton sponsorship, you might reasonably want to know the extent to which 'progress in spirituality' has conditioned the topics covered. The answer is 'somewhat', in that authors range from the avowedly atheist (Stephen Hawking) to evangelical Christian quantum cosmologist Don Page, with stop-overs among the Jesuits (William Stoeger), philosophers of religion (Robin Collins), and the (I think) teleologists Paul Davies and John Barrow. There is also among the authors strong divergence of opinion on whether Hugh Everett's version of many worlds is (just) a quantum multiverse (Tegmark), almost certainly correct and meaningful (Page), or almost certainly wrong or meaningless (Carter). And two chapters, by Smolin and Weinberg, suggest that even the classic fine-tuning required for carbon to be formed from three helium nuclei may not be anthropically essential for a habitable universe. The last word belongs to Steven Weinberg. On previous occasions, Martin Rees has said that he has enough confidence in the multiverse to bet his dog's life on it, while Andrei Linde said he would bet his own life. Weinberg concludes his contribution by saying that he has just enough confidence in the multiverse to bet the lives of both Andrei Linde and Martin Rees's dog.

The Equation of State and Optical Conductivity of Warm Dense He and H2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brygoo, Stephanie; Eggert, Jon H.; Loubeyre, Paul; McWilliams, Ryan S.; Hicks, Damien G.; Celliers, Peter M.; Boehly, Tom R.; Jeanloz, Raymond; Collins, Gilbert W.

2007-06-01

The determination of the equations of state of helium and hydrogen at very high density is an important problem at the frontier between condensed matter physics and plasma physics with important implications for planetary physics. Due to the limitations of the conventional techniques for reaching extreme densities(static or single shock compression), there are almost no data for the deep interior states of Jupiter. We present here shock compression measurements of helium and hydrogen, precompressed in diamond anvil cells up to 3ρliquid. We report the shock pressure, density and reflectivity up to 2 Mbar for helium and up to 1 Mbar for hydrogen. The data are compared to equations of state models used for astrophysical applications and to recent first principles calculations. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by the University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract No. W-7405-Eng-48.

Recent results and perspectives on cosmology and fundamental physics from microwave surveys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burigana, Carlo; Battistelli, Elia Stefano; Benetti, Micol; Cabass, Giovanni; de Bernardis, Paolo; di Serego Alighieri, Sperello; di Valentino, Eleonora; Gerbino, Martina; Giusarma, Elena; Gruppuso, Alessandro; Liguori, Michele; Masi, Silvia; Norgaard-Nielsen, Hans Ulrik; Rosati, Piero; Salvati, Laura; Trombetti, Tiziana; Vielva, Patricio

2016-04-01

Recent cosmic microwave background (CMB) data in temperature and polarization have reached high precision in estimating all the parameters that describe the current so-called standard cosmological model. Recent results about the integrated Sachs-Wolfe (ISW) effect from CMB anisotropies, galaxy surveys, and their cross-correlations are presented. Looking at fine signatures in the CMB, such as the lack of power at low multipoles, the primordial power spectrum (PPS) and the bounds on non-Gaussianities, complemented by galaxy surveys, we discuss inflationary physics and the generation of primordial perturbations in the early universe. Three important topics in particle physics, the bounds on neutrinos masses and parameters, on thermal axion mass and on the neutron lifetime derived from cosmological data are reviewed, with attention to the comparison with laboratory experiment results. Recent results from cosmic polarization rotation (CPR) analyses aimed at testing the Einstein equivalence principle (EEP) are presented. Finally, we discuss the perspectives of next radio facilities for the improvement of the analysis of future CMB spectral distortion experiments.

Enhancing and targeting nucleic acid delivery by magnetic force.

PubMed

Plank, Christian; Anton, Martina; Rudolph, Carsten; Rosenecker, Joseph; Krötz, Florian

2003-08-01

Insufficient contact of inherently highly active nucleic acid delivery systems with target cells is a primary reason for their often observed limited efficacy. Physical methods of targeting can overcome this limitation and reduce the risk of undesired side effects due to non-target site delivery. The authors and others have developed a novel means of physical targeting, exploiting magnetic force acting on nucleic acid vectors associated with magnetic particles in order to mediate the rapid contact of vectors with target cells. Here, the principles of magnetic drug and nucleic acid delivery are reviewed, and the facts and potentials of the technique for research and therapeutic applications are discussed. Magnetically enhanced nucleic acid delivery - magnetofection - is universally applicable to viral and non-viral vectors, is extraordinarily rapid, simple and yields saturation level transfection at low dose in vitro. The method is useful for site-specific vector targeting in vivo. Exploiting the full potential of the technique requires an interdisciplinary research effort in magnetic field physics, magnetic particle chemistry, pharmaceutical formulation and medical application.

Long-Distance Free Fall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gallant, Joseph

1999-04-01

One of the goals of physics education is to instill a sense of wonder in our students. We hope our natural curiosity will rub off on them and that they will apply the critical thinking skills we teach them to other aspects of their lives outside the classroom. As an example of this, consider the situation described in Milton's epic poem ``Paradise Lost''. Milton wrote that when the devil was cast out of heaven, he fell for nine days before landing in hell. In Milton's universe, hell is a separate place from Earth, but many people place hell at the center of the Earth. Based on these ideas, we can apply Newton's laws of motion to calculate the distance from heaven to Earth. This exercise is an example of the kind of intellectual exercise a physicist (or a physics student) might carry out when confronted with such information. We apply the basic principles of physics to a situation described in work of literature while making no attempt to validate or refute any philosophy, theology or ideology.

Gabriel Weinreich: The life and style

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartmann, William M.

2003-10-01

Gabriel Weinreich (Gabi) was born in Vilna, Poland (now the capitol of Lithuania) one year prior to the founding of the Acoustical Society of America. When the second world war began in central Europe, Gabi's family came, in serial fashion, to New York City-Gabi himself arriving in 1941. Gabi studied physics at Columbia, and received a Ph.D. in 1953 for a thesis on atomic physics directed by the legendary I. I. Rabi. He subsequently worked on fundamental properties of semiconductors, first at Bell Labs, then, starting in 1960, at the University of Michigan. In 1977 he turned his attention to the acoustics of musical instruments, mainly the piano and bowed strings. He studied all phases of the physical elements: string excitation, string vibration, coupling, and radiation. Gabi brought his special style to acoustics-a combination of theory and experiment that imaginatively imports ideas and techniques from one area of physics into another, a willingness to attack traditional problems afresh by returning to first principles, and the ability to present ideas with incisive wit and charm so that information is not only informative but is also entertaining.

An introduction to the physics of high energy accelerators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Edwards, D.A.; Syphers, J.J.

1993-01-01

This book is an outgrowth of a course given by the authors at various universities and particle accelerator schools. It starts from the basic physics principles governing particle motion inside an accelerator, and leads to a full description of the complicated phenomena and analytical tools encountered in the design and operation of a working accelerator. The book covers acceleration and longitudinal beam dynamics, transverse motion and nonlinear perturbations, intensity dependent effects, emittance preservation methods and synchrotron radiation. These subjects encompass the core concerns of a high energy synchrotron. The authors apparently do not assume the reader has much previous knowledgemore » about accelerator physics. Hence, they take great care to introduce the physical phenomena encountered and the concepts used to describe them. The mathematical formulae and derivations are deliberately kept at a level suitable for beginners. After mastering this course, any interested reader will not find it difficult to follow subjects of more current interests. Useful homework problems are provided at the end of each chapter. Many of the problems are based on actual activities associated with the design and operation of existing accelerators.« less

Introduction of a pyramid guiding process for general musculoskeletal physical rehabilitation

PubMed Central

Stark, Timothy W

2006-01-01

Successful instruction of a complicated subject as Physical Rehabilitation demands organization. To understand principles and processes of such a field demands a hierarchy of steps to achieve the intended outcome. This paper is intended to be an introduction to a proposed pyramid scheme of general physical rehabilitation principles. The purpose of the pyramid scheme is to allow for a greater understanding for the student and patient. As the respected Food Guide Pyramid accomplishes, the student will further appreciate and apply supported physical rehabilitation principles and the patient will understand that there is a progressive method to their functional healing process. PMID:16759396

Universal Decoherence under Gravity: A Perspective through the Equivalence Principle.

PubMed

Pang, Belinda H; Chen, Yanbei; Khalili, Farid Ya

2016-08-26

Pikovski et al. [Nat. Phys. 11, 668 (2015)] show that a composite particle prepared in a pure initial quantum state and propagated in a uniform gravitational field undergoes a decoherence process at a rate determined by the gravitational acceleration. By assuming Einstein's equivalence principle to be valid, we analyze a physical realization of the (1+1)D thought experiment of Pikovski et al. to demonstrate that the dephasing between the different internal states arises not from gravity but rather from differences in their rest mass, and the mass dependence of the de Broglie wave's dispersion relation. We provide an alternative view to the situation considered by Pikovski et al., where we propose that gravity plays a kinematic role by providing a relative velocity to the detector frame with respect to the particle; visibility can be easily recovered by giving the screen an appropriate uniform velocity. We then apply this insight to their thought experiment in (1+1)D to draw a direct correspondence, and obtain the same mathematical result for dephasing. We finally propose that dephasing due to gravity may in fact take place for certain modifications to the gravitational potential where the equivalence principle is violated.

Friedman's thesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samaroo, Ryan

2015-11-01

This essay examines Friedman's recent approach to the analysis of physical theories. Friedman argues against Quine that the identification of certain principles as 'constitutive' is essential to a satisfactory methodological analysis of physics. I explicate Friedman's characterization of a constitutive principle, and I evaluate his account of the constitutive principles that Newtonian and Einsteinian gravitation presuppose for their formulation. I argue that something close to Friedman's thesis is defensible.

Commentary: “An Evaluation of Universal Grammar and the Phonological Mind”—UG Is Still a Viable Hypothesis

PubMed Central

Berent, Iris

2016-01-01

Everett (2016b) criticizes The Phonological Mind thesis (Berent, 2013a,b) on logical, methodological and empirical grounds. Most of Everett’s concerns are directed toward the hypothesis that the phonological grammar is constrained by universal grammatical (UG) principles. Contrary to Everett’s logical challenges, here I show that the UG hypothesis is readily falsifiable, that universality is not inconsistent with innateness (Everett’s arguments to the contrary are rooted in a basic confusion of the UG phenotype and the genotype), and that its empirical evaluation does not require a full evolutionary account of language. A detailed analysis of one case study, the syllable hierarchy, presents a specific demonstration that people have knowledge of putatively universal principles that are unattested in their language and these principles are most likely linguistic in nature. Whether Universal Grammar exists remains unknown, but Everett’s arguments hardly undermine the viability of this hypothesis. PMID:27471480

Biomechanical Concepts for the Physical Educator

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strohmeyer, H. Scott

2004-01-01

The concepts and principles of biomechanics are familiar to the teacher of physical science as well as to the physical educator. The difference between the two instructors, however, is that one knows the language of science and the other provides an experientially rich environment to support acquisition of these concepts and principles. Use of…

Design and Implementation of a Resistance Training Program for Physical Educators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murray, Alison Morag; Murray-Hopkin, Pamella; Woods, George; Patel, Bhavin; Paluseo, Jeff

2013-01-01

Fitness development in physical education is most often attained via implementation of fitness training principles into school based settings. It is seldom attained via adherence to developmentally appropriate principles. The program presented in this article provides the physical educator with a method and the tools to attain both. This program…

Enhanced Color Mercury Map

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

This colorful view of Mercury was produced by using images from the color base map imaging campaign during MESSENGER's primary mission. These colors are not what Mercury would look like to the human eye, but rather the colors enhance the chemical, mineralogical, and physical differences between the rocks that make up Mercury's surface. This specific color combination places the second principle component in the red channel, the first principle component in the green channel, and the ratio of the 430 nm/1000 nm filters in the blue channel. The MESSENGER spacecraft is the first ever to orbit the planet Mercury, and the spacecraft's seven scientific instruments and radio science investigation are unraveling the history and evolution of the Solar System's innermost planet. During the first two years of orbital operations, MESSENGER acquired over 150,000 images and extensive other data sets. MESSENGER is capable of continuing orbital operations until early 2015. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Gravitational astrophysics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hendry, Martin; Woan, Graham

2007-02-01

Like the surface of a busy swimming pool, spacetime is awash with waves generated by the local and distant motions of mass and, in principle, much of this activity can be reconstructed by analysing the waveforms. However, instrumentation with a reasonable chance of directly detecting these gravitational waves has only become available within the past year, with the LIGO detectors now running at design sensitivity. Here we review the burgeoning field of observational gravitational astrophysics: using gravitational wave detectors as telescopes to help answer a wide range of astrophysical questions from neutron-star physics to cosmology. The next generation of ground-based telescopes should be able to make extensive gravitational observations of some of the more energetic events in our local universe. Looking only slightly further ahead, the space-based LISA observatory will reveal the gravitational universe in phenomenal detail, supplying high-quality data on perhaps thousands of sources, and tackling some of the most fascinating questions in contemporary astronomy.

General theory of the multistage geminate reactions of the isolated pairs of reactants. II. Detailed balance and universal asymptotes of kinetics.

PubMed

Kipriyanov, Alexey A; Doktorov, Alexander B

2014-10-14

The analysis of general (matrix) kinetic equations for the mean survival probabilities of any of the species in a sample (or mean concentrations) has been made for a wide class of the multistage geminate reactions of the isolated pairs. These kinetic equations (obtained in the frame of the kinetic approach based on the concept of "effective" particles in Paper I) take into account various possible elementary reactions (stages of a multistage reaction) excluding monomolecular, but including physical and chemical processes of the change in internal quantum states carried out with the isolated pairs of reactants (or isolated reactants). The general basic principles of total and detailed balance have been established. The behavior of the reacting system has been considered on macroscopic time scales, and the universal long-term kinetics has been determined.

The quantum universe: philosophical foundations and oriental medicine.

PubMed

Kafatos, Menas C; Yang, Keun-Hang

2016-12-01

The existence of universal principles in both science and medicine implies that one can explore their common applicability. Here we explore what we have learned from quantum mechanics, phenomena such as entanglement and nonlocality, the role of participation of the observer, and how these may apply to oriental medicine. The universal principles of integrated polarity, recursion, and creative interactivity apply to all levels of existence and all human activities, including healing and medicine. This review examines the possibility that what we have learned from quantum mechanics may provide clues to better understand the operational principles of oriental medicine in an integrated way. Common to both is the assertion that Consciousness is at the foundation of the universe and the inner core of all human beings. This view goes beyond both science and medicine and has strong philosophical foundations in Western philosophy as well as monistic systems of the East.

Automated Systematic Generation and Exploration of Flat Direction Phenomenology in Free Fermionic Heterotic String Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greenwald, Jared

Any good physical theory must resolve current experimental data as well as offer predictions for potential searches in the future. The Standard Model of particle physics, Grand Unied Theories, Minimal Supersymmetric Models and Supergravity are all attempts to provide such a framework. However, they all lack the ability to predict many of the parameters that each of the theories utilize. String theory may yield a solution to this naturalness (or self-predictiveness) problem as well as offer a unifed theory of gravity. Studies in particle physics phenomenology based on perturbative low energy analysis of various string theories can help determine the candidacy of such models. After a review of principles and problems leading up to our current understanding of the universe, we will discuss some of the best particle physics model building techniques that have been developed using string theory. This will culminate in the introduction of a novel approach to a computational, systematic analysis of the various physical phenomena that arise from these string models. We focus on the necessary assumptions, complexity and open questions that arise while making a fully-automated at direction analysis program.

Coordinating an IPLS class with a biology curriculum: NEXUS/Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Redish, Edward

2014-03-01

A multi-disciplinary team of scientists has been reinventing the Introductory Physics for Life Scientists (IPLS) course at the University of Maryland. We focus on physics that connects elements common to the curriculum for all life scientists - molecular and cellular biology - with building general scientific competencies, such as mathematical modeling, reasoning from core principles, and multi-representation translation. The prerequisites for the class include calculus, chemistry, and biology. In addition to building the basic ideas of the Newtonian framework, electric currents, and optics, our prerequisites allow us to include topics such as atomic interactions and chemical bonding, random motion and diffusion, thermodynamics (including entropy and free energy), and spectroscopy. Our chemical bonding unit helps students link the view of energy developed in traditional macroscopic physics with the idea of chemical bonding as a source of energy presented in their chemistry and biology classes. Education research has played a central role in our design, as has a strong collaboration between our Discipline-Based Education and the Biophysics Research groups. These elements permit us to combine modern pedagogy with cutting-edge insights into the physics of living systems. Supported in part by a grant from HHMI and the US NSF grant #1122818/.

Designing for Success: Developing Engineers Who Consider Universal Design Principles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bigelow, Kimberly Edginton

2012-01-01

Engineers must design for a diverse group of potential users of their products; however, engineering curricula rarely include an emphasis on universal design principles. This research article details the effectiveness of a design project implemented in a first-year engineering course in an effort to raise awareness of the need for engineers to be…

Finding "Meaning" in Psychology: A Lay Theories Approach to Self-Regulation, Social Perception, and Social Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Molden, Daniel C.; Dweck, Carol S.

2006-01-01

Much of psychology focuses on universal principles of thought and action. Although an extremely productive pursuit, this approach, by describing only the "average person," risks describing no one in particular. This article discusses an alternate approach that complements interests in universal principles with analyses of the unique psychological…

Mobility Principle among Japanese Professors: Based on the Example of Professors in the Economics Field

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yano, Masaharu; Tomita, Junichi

2006-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the actual conditions of Japanese professors' mobility and to carry out an analysis of the principle on which university researcher mobility is based and of the relationship between mobility and research performance. Design/methodology/approach: Using the Japanese university researcher database…

A Reply on Behalf of the Relativist to Mark Mason's Justification of Universal Ethical Principles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacKenzie, Jim

2007-01-01

Mark Mason, in his "A Justification, After the Postmodern Turn, of Universal Ethical Principles and Educational Ideals" Educational Philosophy and Theory, 37 (2005), attempts to justify transcultural multiculturalism. In this paper I argue that he fails to refute moral relativism, and that multiculturalism as he interprets it is not morally…

The University of New Hampshire Engaged Scholars Academy: Instilling in Faculty Principles of Effective Partnership

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

French, Charles; Williams, Julie E.; Tang, Judy; Abrams, Eleanor; Townson, Lisa; Sabin, Mihaela; Sandmann, Lorilee R.; Wake, Cameron

2013-01-01

Over the last decade, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) has promoted mutually beneficial partnerships between faculty and community partners vis-à-vis the Engaged Scholars Academy (ESA), a faculty development program aimed at enhancing faculty understanding of the principles of partnership and engaged scholarship. This research seeks to…

The Student Disciplinary Process in the Private College and University: Is the Music Beginning to Change?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Habecker, Eugene B.

A brief historical review of the student disciplinary process in private colleges and universities, as well as a discussion of current practices and principles of student discipline, provide background for discussion of future possibilities. The analysis of current practices and principles includes a brief theoretical discussion about the legal…

Organizational and Pedagogical Fundamentals of Professional Training of Engineers in the Field of Nanoelectronics in UK Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mykhailiuk, Maryna

2014-01-01

The article deals with the organizational and pedagogical principles of the professional training of future nanoelectronics engineers in UK universities. There has been substantiated a number of general didactic and specific principles of the professional training of future nanoelectronics engineers, which facilitate the concretization of content,…

Bernoulli's Principle

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hewitt, Paul G.

2004-01-01

Some teachers have difficulty understanding Bernoulli's principle particularly when the principle is applied to the aerodynamic lift. Some teachers favor using Newton's laws instead of Bernoulli's principle to explain the physics behind lift. Some also consider Bernoulli's principle too difficult to explain to students and avoid teaching it…

Quantum Physics Principles and Communication in the Acute Healthcare Setting: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Helgeson, Heidi L; Peyerl, Colleen Kraft; Solheim-Witt, Marit

This pilot study explores whether clinician awareness of quantum physics principles could facilitate open communication between patients and providers. In the spirit of action research, this study was conceptualized with a holistic view of human health, using a mixed method design of grounded theory as an emergent method. Instrumentation includes surveys and a focus group discussion with twelve registered nurses working in an acute care hospital setting. Findings document that the preliminary core phenomenon, energy as information, influences communication in the healthcare environment. Key emergent themes include awareness, language, validation, open communication, strategies, coherence, incoherence and power. Research participants indicate that quantum physics principles provide a language and conceptual framework for improving their awareness of communication and interactions in the healthcare environment. Implications of this pilot study support the feasibility of future research and education on awareness of quantum physics principles in other clinical settings. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Physical Regulation of the Self-Assembly of Tobacco Mosaic Virus Coat Protein

PubMed Central

Kegel, Willem K.; van der Schoot, Paul

2006-01-01

We present a statistical mechanical model based on the principle of mass action that explains the main features of the in vitro aggregation behavior of the coat protein of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). By comparing our model to experimentally obtained stability diagrams, titration experiments, and calorimetric data, we pin down three competing factors that regulate the transitions between the different kinds of aggregated state of the coat protein. These are hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions, and the formation of so-called “Caspar” carboxylate pairs. We suggest that these factors could be universal and relevant to a large class of virus coat proteins. PMID:16731551

Selective laser sintering in biomedical engineering.

PubMed

Mazzoli, Alida

2013-03-01

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a solid freeform fabrication technique, developed by Carl Deckard for his master's thesis at the University of Texas, patented in 1989. SLS manufacturing is a technique that produces physical models through a selective solidification of a variety of fine powders. SLS technology is getting a great amount of attention in the clinical field. In this paper the characteristics features of SLS and the materials that have been developed for are reviewed together with a discussion on the principles of the above-mentioned manufacturing technique. The applications of SLS in tissue engineering, and at-large in the biomedical field, are reviewed and discussed.

The new lunar ephemeris INPOP17a and its application to fundamental physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viswanathan, V.; Fienga, A.; Minazzoli, O.; Bernus, L.; Laskar, J.; Gastineau, M.

2018-05-01

We present here the new INPOP lunar ephemeris, INPOP17a. This ephemeris is obtained through the numerical integration of the equations of motion and of rotation of the Moon, fitted over 48 yr of lunar laser ranging (LLR) data. We also include the 2 yr of infrared LLR data acquired at the Grasse station between 2015 and 2017. Tests of the universality of free-fall are performed. We find no violation of the principle of equivalence at the (-3.8 ± 7.1) × 10-14 level. A new interpretation in the frame of dilaton theories is also proposed.

Extended forms of the second law for general time-dependent stochastic processes.

PubMed

Ge, Hao

2009-08-01

The second law of thermodynamics represents a universal principle applicable to all natural processes, physical systems, and engineering devices. Hatano and Sasa have recently put forward an extended form of the second law for transitions between nonequilibrium stationary states [Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 3463 (2001)]. In this paper we further extend this form to an instantaneous interpretation, which is satisfied by quite general time-dependent stochastic processes including master-equation models and Langevin dynamics without the requirements of the stationarity for the initial and final states. The theory is applied to several thermodynamic processes, and its consistence with the classical thermodynamics is shown.

Classical Physics and the Bounds of Quantum Correlations.

PubMed

Frustaglia, Diego; Baltanás, José P; Velázquez-Ahumada, María C; Fernández-Prieto, Armando; Lujambio, Aintzane; Losada, Vicente; Freire, Manuel J; Cabello, Adán

2016-06-24

A unifying principle explaining the numerical bounds of quantum correlations remains elusive, despite the efforts devoted to identifying it. Here, we show that these bounds are indeed not exclusive to quantum theory: for any abstract correlation scenario with compatible measurements, models based on classical waves produce probability distributions indistinguishable from those of quantum theory and, therefore, share the same bounds. We demonstrate this finding by implementing classical microwaves that propagate along meter-size transmission-line circuits and reproduce the probabilities of three emblematic quantum experiments. Our results show that the "quantum" bounds would also occur in a classical universe without quanta. The implications of this observation are discussed.

A Comparison of Principles of Economics Curriculum across U.S. Colleges and Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prante, Gerald

2016-01-01

This paper compares principles of economics curriculum in 2015-16 academic catalogues among the Princeton Review's "The Best 380 Colleges 2016 Edition." The paper finds that 76 percent of schools on the list offer separate principles courses for microeconomics and macroeconomics, while 25 percent offer a single principles course covering…

Efficient and Effective Change Principles in Active Videogames

PubMed Central

Fenner, Ashley A.; Howie, Erin K.; Feltz, Deborah L.; Gray, Cindy M.; Lu, Amy Shirong; Mueller, Florian “Floyd”; Simons, Monique; Barnett, Lisa M.

2015-01-01

Abstract Active videogames have the potential to enhance population levels of physical activity but have not been successful in achieving this aim to date. This article considers a range of principles that may be important to the design of effective and efficient active videogames from diverse discipline areas, including behavioral sciences (health behavior change, motor learning, and serious games), business production (marketing and sales), and technology engineering and design (human–computer interaction/ergonomics and flow). Both direct and indirect pathways to impact on population levels of habitual physical activity are proposed, along with the concept of a game use lifecycle. Examples of current active and sedentary electronic games are used to understand how such principles may be applied. Furthermore, limitations of the current usage of theoretical principles are discussed. A suggested list of principles for best practice in active videogame design is proposed along with suggested research ideas to inform practice to enhance physical activity. PMID:26181680

Efficient and Effective Change Principles in Active Videogames.

PubMed

Straker, Leon M; Fenner, Ashley A; Howie, Erin K; Feltz, Deborah L; Gray, Cindy M; Lu, Amy Shirong; Mueller, Florian Floyd; Simons, Monique; Barnett, Lisa M

2015-02-01

Active videogames have the potential to enhance population levels of physical activity but have not been successful in achieving this aim to date. This article considers a range of principles that may be important to the design of effective and efficient active videogames from diverse discipline areas, including behavioral sciences (health behavior change, motor learning, and serious games), business production (marketing and sales), and technology engineering and design (human-computer interaction/ergonomics and flow). Both direct and indirect pathways to impact on population levels of habitual physical activity are proposed, along with the concept of a game use lifecycle. Examples of current active and sedentary electronic games are used to understand how such principles may be applied. Furthermore, limitations of the current usage of theoretical principles are discussed. A suggested list of principles for best practice in active videogame design is proposed along with suggested research ideas to inform practice to enhance physical activity.

Separation and sorting of cells in microsystems using physical principles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Gi-Hun; Kim, Sung-Hwan; Ahn, Kihoon; Lee, Sang-Hoon; Park, Joong Yull

2016-01-01

In the last decade, microfabrication techniques have been combined with microfluidics and applied to cell biology. Utilizing such new techniques, various cell studies have been performed for the research of stem cells, immune cells, cancer, neurons, etc. Among the various biological applications of microtechnology-based platforms, cell separation technology has been highly regarded in biological and clinical fields for sorting different types of cells, finding circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and blood cell separation, amongst other things. Many cell separation methods have been created using various physical principles. Representatively, these include hydrodynamic, acoustic, dielectrophoretic, magnetic, optical, and filtering methods. In this review, each of these methods will be introduced, and their physical principles and sample applications described. Each physical principle has its own advantages and disadvantages. The engineers who design the systems and the biologists who use them should understand the pros and cons of each method or principle, to broaden the use of microsystems for cell separation. Continuous development of microsystems for cell separation will lead to new opportunities for diagnosing CTCs and cancer metastasis, as well as other elements in the bloodstream.

Report of the Polymer Core Course Committee: Polymer Principles in the Undergraduate Physical Chemistry Course, Part 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Journal of Chemical Education, 1985

1985-01-01

Demonstrates, with a set of definitive examples, how polymer principles can be introduced into the first undergraduate physical chemistry course in a very natural way. The intent is to encourage introduction of polymer-related material into conventional physical chemistry courses without sacrificing any rigor associated with such courses. (JN)

Metaphysics of the principle of least action

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Terekhovich, Vladislav

2018-05-01

Despite the importance of the variational principles of physics, there have been relatively few attempts to consider them for a realistic framework. In addition to the old teleological question, this paper continues the recent discussion regarding the modal involvement of the principle of least action and its relations with the Humean view of the laws of nature. The reality of possible paths in the principle of least action is examined from the perspectives of the contemporary metaphysics of modality and Leibniz's concept of essences or possibles striving for existence. I elaborate a modal interpretation of the principle of least action that replaces a classical representation of a system's motion along a single history in the actual modality by simultaneous motions along an infinite set of all possible histories in the possible modality. This model is based on an intuition that deep ontological connections exist between the possible paths in the principle of least action and possible quantum histories in the Feynman path integral. I interpret the action as a physical measure of the essence of every possible history. Therefore only one actual history has the highest degree of the essence and minimal action. To address the issue of necessity, I assume that the principle of least action has a general physical necessity and lies between the laws of motion with a limited physical necessity and certain laws with a metaphysical necessity.

The scope of the LeChatelier Principle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

George M., Lady; Quirk, James P.

2007-07-01

LeChatelier [Comptes Rendus 99 (1884) 786; Ann. Mines 13 (2) (1888) 157] showed that a physical system's “adjustment” to a disturbance to its equilibrium tended to be smaller as constraints were added to the adjustment process. Samuelson [Foundations of Economic Analysis, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 1947] applied this result to economics in the context of the comparative statics of the actions of individual agents characterized as the solutions to optimization problems; and later (1960), extended the application of the Principle to a stable, multi-market equilibrium and the case of all commodities gross substitutes [e.g., L. Metzler, Stability of multiple markets: the hicks conditions. Econometrica 13 (1945) 277-292]. Refinements and alternative routes of derivation have appeared in the literature since then, e.g., Silberberg [The LeChatelier Principle as a corollary to a generalized envelope theorem, J. Econ. Theory 3 (1971) 146-155; A revision of comparative statics methodology in economics, or, how to do comparative statics on the back of an envelope, J. Econ. Theory 7 (1974) 159-172], Milgrom and Roberts [The LeChatelier Principle, Am. Econ. Rev. 86 (1996) 173-179], W. Suen, E. Silberberg, P. Tseng [The LeChatelier Principle: the long and the short of it, Econ. Theory 16 (2000) 471-476], and Chavas [A global analysis of constrained behavior: the LeChatelier Principle ‘in the large’, South. Econ. J. 72 (3) (2006) 627-644]. In this paper, we expand the scope of the Principle in various ways keyed to Samuelson's proposed means of testing comparative statics results (optimization, stability, and qualitative analysis). In the optimization framework, we show that the converse LeChatelier Principle also can be found in constrained optimization problems and for not initially “conjugate” sensitivities. We then show how the Principle and its converse can be found through the qualitative analysis of any linear system. In these terms, the Principle and its converse also may be found in the same system at the same time with respect to the imposition of the same constraint. Based upon this, we expand the cases for which the Principle can be found based upon the stability hypothesis.

Physical principles and current status of emerging non-volatile solid state memories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, L.; Yang, C.-H.; Wen, J.

2015-07-01

Today the influence of non-volatile solid-state memories on persons' lives has become more prominent because of their non-volatility, low data latency, and high robustness. As a pioneering technology that is representative of non-volatile solidstate memories, flash memory has recently seen widespread application in many areas ranging from electronic appliances, such as cell phones and digital cameras, to external storage devices such as universal serial bus (USB) memory. Moreover, owing to its large storage capacity, it is expected that in the near future, flash memory will replace hard-disk drives as a dominant technology in the mass storage market, especially because of recently emerging solid-state drives. However, the rapid growth of the global digital data has led to the need for flash memories to have larger storage capacity, thus requiring a further downscaling of the cell size. Such a miniaturization is expected to be extremely difficult because of the well-known scaling limit of flash memories. It is therefore necessary to either explore innovative technologies that can extend the areal density of flash memories beyond the scaling limits, or to vigorously develop alternative non-volatile solid-state memories including ferroelectric random-access memory, magnetoresistive random-access memory, phase-change random-access memory, and resistive random-access memory. In this paper, we review the physical principles of flash memories and their technical challenges that affect our ability to enhance the storage capacity. We then present a detailed discussion of novel technologies that can extend the storage density of flash memories beyond the commonly accepted limits. In each case, we subsequently discuss the physical principles of these new types of non-volatile solid-state memories as well as their respective merits and weakness when utilized for data storage applications. Finally, we predict the future prospects for the aforementioned solid-state memories for the next generation of data-storage devices based on a comparison of their performance. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Scale-invariant entropy-based theory for dynamic ordering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mahulikar, Shripad P., E-mail: spm@iitmandi.ac.in, E-mail: spm@aero.iitb.ac.in; Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076; Kumari, Priti

2014-09-01

Dynamically Ordered self-organized dissipative structure exists in various forms and at different scales. This investigation first introduces the concept of an isolated embedding system, which embeds an open system, e.g., dissipative structure and its mass and/or energy exchange with its surroundings. Thereafter, scale-invariant theoretical analysis is presented using thermodynamic principles for Order creation, existence, and destruction. The sustainability criterion for Order existence based on its structured mass and/or energy interactions with the surroundings is mathematically defined. This criterion forms the basis for the interrelationship of physical parameters during sustained existence of dynamic Order. It is shown that the sufficient conditionmore » for dynamic Order existence is approached if its sustainability criterion is met, i.e., its destruction path is blocked. This scale-invariant approach has the potential to unify the physical understanding of universal dynamic ordering based on entropy considerations.« less

Biofield Science: Current Physics Perspectives

PubMed Central

Chevalier, Gaétan; Chopra, Deepak; Hubacher, John; Kak, Subhash; Theise, Neil D.

2015-01-01

This article briefly reviews the biofield hypothesis and its scientific literature. Evidence for the existence of the biofield now exists, and current theoretical foundations are now being developed. A review of the biofield and related topics from the perspective of physical science is needed to identify a common body of knowledge and evaluate possible underlying principles of origin of the biofield. The properties of such a field could be based on electromagnetic fields, coherent states, biophotons, quantum and quantum-like processes, and ultimately the quantum vacuum. Given this evidence, we intend to inquire and discuss how the existence of the biofield challenges reductionist approaches and presents its own challenges regarding the origin and source of the biofield, the specific evidence for its existence, its relation to biology, and last but not least, how it may inform an integrated understanding of consciousness and the living universe. PMID:26665039

Modeling Aspects Of Nature Of Science To Preservice Elementary Teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashcraft, Paul

2007-01-01

Nature of science was modeled using guided inquiry activities in the university classroom with elementary education majors. A physical science content course initially used an Aristotelian model where students discussed the relationship between distance from a constant radiation source and the amount of radiation received based on accepted ``truths'' or principles and concluded that there was an inverse relationship. The class became Galilean in nature, using the scientific method to test that hypothesis. Examining data, the class rejected their hypothesis and concluded that there is an inverse square relationship. Assignments, given before and after the hypothesis testing, show the student's misconceptions and their acceptance of scientifically acceptable conceptions. Answers on exam questions further support this conceptual change. Students spent less class time on the inverse square relationship later when examining electrostatic force, magnetic force, gravity, and planetary solar radiation because the students related this particular experience to other physical relationships.

Spinning the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Mindset: A Modern Physics Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roughani, Bahram

2010-04-01

Topics in Modern Physics course from relativity to quantum mechanics were examined in the context of innovation as part of the recent Kettering University program on ``Entrepreneurship Across Curriculum-EAC.'' The main goals were (a) to introduce innovation and entrepreneurship without eliminating any topics from this course, (b) to use EAC as a vehicle for intentional education that produces graduates with innovative mindsets, (c) to enrich the students learning experience aligned with the desired educational outcomes, and (d) to highlight the impact of scientific innovation in the society, while encouraging students to re-think how entrepreneurship mindset could maximize their impact in the society through innovation. Ideas such as principles behind innovation and innovative ideas, disciplines of innovations, formation of innovation teams, and effective methods for analyzing innovative value propositions were introduced in this course. Most of the implementation were achieved through out of class activities, and communicated through in class presentations, papers or weekly laboratory reports.

Improving physics instruction by analyzing video games

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beatty, Ian D.

2013-01-01

Video games can be very powerful teaching systems, and game designers have become adept at optimizing player engagement while scaffolding development of complex skills and situated knowledge. One implication is that we might create games to teach physics. Another, which I explore here, is that we might learn to improve classroom physics instruction by studying effective games. James Gee, in his book What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy (2007), articulates 36 principles that make good video games highly effective as learning environments. In this theoretical work, I identify 16 themes running through Gee's principles, and explore how these themes and Gee's principles could be applied to the design of an on-campus physics course. I argue that the process pushes us to confront aspects of learning that physics instructors and even physics education researchers generally neglect, and suggest some novel ideas for course design.

The growth of language: Universal Grammar, experience, and principles of computation.

PubMed

Yang, Charles; Crain, Stephen; Berwick, Robert C; Chomsky, Noam; Bolhuis, Johan J

2017-10-01

Human infants develop language remarkably rapidly and without overt instruction. We argue that the distinctive ontogenesis of child language arises from the interplay of three factors: domain-specific principles of language (Universal Grammar), external experience, and properties of non-linguistic domains of cognition including general learning mechanisms and principles of efficient computation. We review developmental evidence that children make use of hierarchically composed structures ('Merge') from the earliest stages and at all levels of linguistic organization. At the same time, longitudinal trajectories of development show sensitivity to the quantity of specific patterns in the input, which suggests the use of probabilistic processes as well as inductive learning mechanisms that are suitable for the psychological constraints on language acquisition. By considering the place of language in human biology and evolution, we propose an approach that integrates principles from Universal Grammar and constraints from other domains of cognition. We outline some initial results of this approach as well as challenges for future research. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Acceleration of neutrons in a scheme of a tautochronous mathematical pendulum (physical principles)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rivlin, Lev A

We consider the physical principles of neutron acceleration through a multiple synchronous interaction with a gradient rf magnetic field in a scheme of a tautochronous mathematical pendulum. (laser applications and other aspects of quantum electronics)

HAVE YOU READ THIS?: Life, the universe(s) and everything

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dobson, Ken

1998-09-01

One of the consequences of belonging to a book club is the pressure it exerts to buy something from each monthly brochure. Paying later by credit card also seems, utterly illogically, less traumatic than forking out real money in a bookshop. So I get to read books that might otherwise pass me by, some of which I even finish reading. The book of the year (1997) for me was undoubtedly The Life of the Cosmos by Lee Smolin. Lee Smolin is a physics professor at Penn State University, and his expertise is in the rarefied field of quantum gravity, an entity that not everyone agrees exists. At the age of 65 going on 16 the first thing that revived my anarchic tendencies was his account of how he came to be a physicist. It all started by his being refused entry to the advanced math (as they say) class at high school, because his teachers thought he wasn't good enough. So he decided to learn maths on his own. One thing led to another, and maths led to architecture, which led to geodesic domes, tensors, Einstein and then a teenage decision to devote his life to physics so that he could sort out the problems of linking quantum theory and gravity. What else was there for a `failed rock-and-roll star' to do? By this time he had been refused entry to the physics class at high school (blame possibly a mixture of rock-and-roll and politics; after all, this was California) so he taught himself enough to get into university anyway. I can understand how some students prosper in spite of their teachers, but this is the only one I have heard of who did so just to spite them. But all this happens in the first few pages. What was really fascinating about the book - which should entrance any sixth-former - is Smolin's ideas in physics. In developing these he avoids all equations and gives us clear and well-written accounts of cosmology, the evolution of stars and the universe, string theory, relativity, quantum physics and gravity, and the `dream of unification'. His approach may be too philosophical for some (see the review by B Carr in Physics World 10 December 1997, p 39) but don't be put off by his adoration of Leibnitz compared, say, with Newton. He is strongly critical of a `mechanical' world view, and a major strand in the book is that physics may be more like biology than most of us might like to think. Smolin's key idea is that universes are created in black holes, a basis on which he builds a cosmology in which relationships are more important than abstract concepts like space and time. When a new universe forms from a black hole the laws and constants are changed: G, e, h and the critical things like the fine-structure constant that cosmic anthropicists put forward as evidence for a purposive universe get changed. Sometimes they change a lot, sometimes in ways too small to have much effect. A kind of Darwinian survival effect takes over: successful universes are good at producing black holes and mature stars that can build up the heavy elements which allow life to develop. So our values of G, e, h etc have evolved. The more black holes they produce, the more likely it is that some of the baby universes are reasonably successful. So our universe is not unique, but just one of a set that has cosmological and physical properties that allow people like us to develop. The improbably anthropic universe we live in is as improbable as an eye or a peacock's tail. Just as Stephen Jay Gould teaches us that life as we know it is not designed but the result of more or less simple rules applied in an accidental, contingent history, so Smolin considers the universe(s). Galaxies have ecologies: `... our life is situated inside a nested hierarchy of self-organized systems that begin with our local ecologies and extend upwards at least to the galaxy.' Our universe is really very young - not much older than a typical star. The theory has testable predictions, to do with the formation of spiral arms in galaxies, supernovae and the rate of production of black holes. What is yet to be shown is exactly what happens in a black hole to make the changes in constants and laws, which is where quantum gravity comes in. Some quotes:

This distinction between an equation that one believes to be a true mirror of nature and a game whose rules capture some observed regularity is often expressed by making a distinction between a theory and a model. The notion of a theory carries with it... the mysticism of the desire to capture reality in symbolic expression. A model is just a game, meant to mimic some aspect of the world whose observed regularities can be posited in some simple rules. ... At present the great question in theoretical physics is whether the desire to invent a beautiful equation that will capture the whole world will in the end succeed. Will there be a final game, and will it be of the kind that Newton, Maxwell and Einstein played? Against this we have the possibility that many questions about the world might be answered by playing games more analogous to those played by biologists.

The existence of a bound on the amount of information that can be contained in a region of space opposes directly one of the basic principles of twentieth-century physics, which is that the world is made of fields.

I must stress that I do not know why Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle is true. Neither, as far as I have been able to tell, does anyone else.

The status of varying constants: a review of the physics, searches and implications.

PubMed

Martins, C J A P

2017-12-01

The observational evidence for the recent acceleration of the universe demonstrates that canonical theories of cosmology and particle physics are incomplete-if not incorrect-and that new physics is out there, waiting to be discovered. A key task for the next generation of laboratory and astrophysical facilities is to search for, identify and ultimately characterize this new physics. Here we highlight recent developments in tests of the stability of nature's fundamental couplings, which provide a direct handle on new physics: a detection of variations will be revolutionary, but even improved null results provide competitive constraints on a range of cosmological and particle physics paradigms. A joint analysis of all currently available data shows a preference for variations of α and μ at about the two-sigma level, but inconsistencies between different sub-sets (likely due to hidden systematics) suggest that these statistical preferences need to be taken with caution. On the other hand, these measurements strongly constrain Weak Equivalence Principle violations. Plans and forecasts for forthcoming studies with facilities such as ALMA, ESPRESSO and the ELT, which should clarify these issues, are also discussed, and synergies with other probes are briefly highlighted. The goal is to show how a new generation of precision consistency tests of the standard paradigm will soon become possible.

The status of varying constants: a review of the physics, searches and implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martins, C. J. A. P.

2017-12-01

The observational evidence for the recent acceleration of the universe demonstrates that canonical theories of cosmology and particle physics are incomplete—if not incorrect—and that new physics is out there, waiting to be discovered. A key task for the next generation of laboratory and astrophysical facilities is to search for, identify and ultimately characterize this new physics. Here we highlight recent developments in tests of the stability of nature’s fundamental couplings, which provide a direct handle on new physics: a detection of variations will be revolutionary, but even improved null results provide competitive constraints on a range of cosmological and particle physics paradigms. A joint analysis of all currently available data shows a preference for variations of α and μ at about the two-sigma level, but inconsistencies between different sub-sets (likely due to hidden systematics) suggest that these statistical preferences need to be taken with caution. On the other hand, these measurements strongly constrain Weak Equivalence Principle violations. Plans and forecasts for forthcoming studies with facilities such as ALMA, ESPRESSO and the ELT, which should clarify these issues, are also discussed, and synergies with other probes are briefly highlighted. The goal is to show how a new generation of precision consistency tests of the standard paradigm will soon become possible.

Lorenz, Gödel and Penrose: new perspectives on determinism and causality in fundamental physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palmer, T. N.

2014-07-01

Despite being known for his pioneering work on chaotic unpredictability, the key discovery at the core of meteorologist Ed Lorenz's work is the link between space-time calculus and state-space fractal geometry. Indeed, properties of Lorenz's fractal invariant set relate space-time calculus to deep areas of mathematics such as Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem. Could such properties also provide new perspectives on deep unsolved issues in fundamental physics? Recent developments in cosmology motivate what is referred to as the 'cosmological invariant set postulate': that the universe ? can be considered a deterministic dynamical system evolving on a causal measure-zero fractal invariant set ? in its state space. Symbolic representations of ? are constructed explicitly based on permutation representations of quaternions. The resulting 'invariant set theory' provides some new perspectives on determinism and causality in fundamental physics. For example, while the cosmological invariant set appears to have a rich enough structure to allow a description of (quantum) probability, its measure-zero character ensures it is sparse enough to prevent invariant set theory being constrained by the Bell inequality (consistent with a partial violation of the so-called measurement independence postulate). The primacy of geometry as embodied in the proposed theory extends the principles underpinning general relativity. As a result, the physical basis for contemporary programmes which apply standard field quantisation to some putative gravitational lagrangian is questioned. Consistent with Penrose's suggestion of a deterministic but non-computable theory of fundamental physics, an alternative 'gravitational theory of the quantum' is proposed based on the geometry of ?, with new perspectives on the problem of black-hole information loss and potential observational consequences for the dark universe.

LeChâtelier's Principle in the Sciences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomsen, Volker B. E.

2000-02-01

LeChâtelier's principle of chemical equilibrium is actually a very general statement about systems in equilibrium and their behavior when subjected to external force or stress. Although one almost never finds mention of his name or law in other sciences, analogous principles and concepts do exist. In this note we examine some of the similar forms taken by this chemical principle in the fields of physics, geology, biology, and economics. Lenz's law in physics is an example of electromagnetic equilibrium and the geological principle of isostatic uplift concerns mechanical equilibrium. Both are strictly consequences of conservation of energy. LeChâtelier's principle deals with thermodynamic equilibrium and involves both the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The concept of homeostasis in biology and the economic law of supply and demand are both equilibrium-like principles, but involve systems in the steady state. However, all these principles involve the stability of the system under consideration and the analogies presented may be useful in the teaching of LeChâtelier's principle.

Children's reasoning about physics within and across ontological kinds.

PubMed

Heyman, Gail D; Phillips, Ann T; Gelman, Susan A

2003-08-01

Reasoning about seven physics principles within and across ontological kinds was examined among 188 5- and 7-year-olds and 59 adults. Individuals in all age groups tended to appropriately generalize what they learned across ontological kinds. However, children also showed sensitivity to ontological kind in their projections: when learning principles with reference to people they were more likely to assume that the principles apply to another person than to an inanimate object, and when learning with reference to an inanimate object they were more likely to assume that the principles apply to another inanimate object than to a person. Five-year-olds, but not 7-year-olds, projected concepts learned about people to a greater extent than principles learned about inanimate objects, closely paralleling the findings of Carey for the biological domain (Carey, S. (1985). Conceptual change in childhood. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press). Results from a separate sample of 22 5-year-olds suggest that the primary findings cannot be explained by response perseveration. The present findings indicate that children understand physics principles that apply to both animate and inanimate objects, but distinguish between these ontological kinds.

Black Hole Mergers as Probes of Structure Formation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alicea-Munoz, E.; Miller, M. Coleman

2008-01-01

Intense structure formation and reionization occur at high redshift, yet there is currently little observational information about this very important epoch. Observations of gravitational waves from massive black hole (MBH) mergers can provide us with important clues about the formation of structures in the early universe. Past efforts have been limited to calculating merger rates using different models in which many assumptions are made about the specific values of physical parameters of the mergers, resulting in merger rate estimates that span a very wide range (0.1 - 104 mergers/year). Here we develop a semi-analytical, phenomenological model of MBH mergers that includes plausible combinations of several physical parameters, which we then turn around to determine how well observations with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will be able to enhance our understanding of the universe during the critical z 5 - 30 structure formation era. We do this by generating synthetic LISA observable data (total BH mass, BH mass ratio, redshift, merger rates), which are then analyzed using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo method. This allows us to constrain the physical parameters of the mergers. We find that our methodology works well at estimating merger parameters, consistently giving results within 1- of the input parameter values. We also discover that the number of merger events is a key discriminant among models. This helps our method be robust against observational uncertainties. Our approach, which at this stage constitutes a proof of principle, can be readily extended to physical models and to more general problems in cosmology and gravitational wave astrophysics.

Chemical Principls Exemplified

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Plumb, Robert C.

1973-01-01

Two topics are discussed: (1) Stomach Upset Caused by Aspirin, illustrating principles of acid-base equilibrium and solubility; (2) Physical Chemistry of the Drinking Duck, illustrating principles of phase equilibria and thermodynamics. (DF)

PREFACE: 4th International Workshop on Statistical Physics and Mathematics for Complex Systems (SPMCS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Alexandre; Abe, Sumiyoshi; Li, Wei

2015-04-01

This volume contains 24 contributed papers presented at the 4th International Workshop on Statistical Physics and Mathematics for Complex Systems (SPMCS) held during October 12-16, 2014 in Yichang, China. Each paper was peer-reviewed by at least one referee chosen from a distinguished international panel. The previous three workshops of this series were organized in 2008, 2010, and 2012, in Le Mans, France, Wuhan, China, and Kazan, Russia, respectively. The SPMCS international workshop series is destined mainly to communicate and exchange research results and information on the fundamental challenges and questions in the vanguard of statistical physics, thermodynamics and mathematics for complex systems. More specifically, the topics of interest touch, but are not limited to, the following: • Fundamental aspects in the application of statistical physics and thermodynamics to complex systems and their modeling • Finite size and non-extensive system • Fluctuation theorems and equalities, quantum thermodynamics • Variational principle for random dynamics • Fractal geometry, fractional mathematics More than 50 participants from 7 countries participated in SPMCS-2014. 35 oral contributions were presented at the workshop. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Scientific Program Committee, many of whom acted as reviewers of the papers and responded promptly. We would also like to thank the organizing committee, the session chairs, the technicians and the students for the smooth running of the whole workshop. Thanks also go to China Three Gorges University who provided generous support for the conference venue, as well as exquisite refreshments for the tea breaks. The workshop was also partially supported by Central China Normal University and the Programme of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities under grant NO. B08033. Special thanks are due to Ms Juy Zhu who has done excellent editing work with great effort.

Lincoln Advanced Science and Engineering Reinforcement

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-01

Chamblee Physics Lincoln University Kelvin Clark Physics Lincoln University Dwayne Cole Mechanical Engineering Howard University Francis Countiss Physics...Mathematics Lincoln University Spencer Lane Mechanical Engineering Howard University Edward Lawerence Physics Lincoln University Cyd Hall Actuarial Science...Pittsburgh Lloyd Hammond Ph.D., Bio-Chemistry Purdue University Timothy Moore M.S., Psychology Howard University * completedI During 1988, three (3

Cultivating the Understanding of a Catholic University's Mission and the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching through a Faculty Service-Learning Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guiry, Michael

2012-01-01

The challenge for faculty teaching in Catholic business schools is how to integrate the University's mission and identity as well as the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) into business school courses. Such integration is necessary if Catholic business schools are to provide students with a unique educational experience. This article…

SLUMLORDS: Aerospace Power in Urban Fights

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-09-01

from the University of Texas, Austin, and a Masters in Organizational Management from George Washington University, Washington, DC. His teaching and...Findings 39 Figures 1. Battlespace Framework 16 2. Urban Terrain Zones 19 3. Urban System Graphic 20 4. Battlespace Framework 26 5. Principles of War... principles of war and military operations other than war (MOOTW). Section Five provides an introduction to operational effects that airmen can

The Effectiveness of Contextual Learning on Physics Achievement in Career Technical Education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arcand, Scott Andrew

The purpose of this casual-comparative study was to determine if students being taught the Minnesota Science Physics Standards via contextual learning methods in Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Principles of Engineering or the PLTW Aerospace Engineering courses, taught by a Career Technical Education (CTE) teacher, achieve at the same rate as students in a physics course taught by a science teacher. The PLTW courses only cover the standards taught in the first trimester of physics. The PLTW courses are two periods long for one trimester. Students who successfully pass the PLTW Principles of Engineering course or the PLTW Engineering Aerospace course earn one-half credit in physics and one-half elective credit. The instrument used to measure student achievement was the district common summative assessment for physics. The Common Summative Assessment scores were pulled from the data warehouse from the first trimester of the 2013-2014 school year. Implications of the research address concepts of contextual learning especially in the Career Technical Education space. The mean score for Physics students (30.916) and PLTW Principles of Engineering students (32.333) was not statistically significantly different. Students in PLTW Principles of Engineering achieved at the same rate as students in physics. Due to the low rate of students participating in the Common Summative Assessment in PTLW Aerospace (four out of seven students), there is not enough data to determine if there is a significant difference in the Physics A scores and PLTW Aerospace Engineering scores.

Implementing Inclusive Design for Learning in an introductory geology laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robert, G.; Merriman, J. D.; Ceylan, G. M.

2013-12-01

As an expansion of universal design for learning, IDL provides a framework for opening up and adapting classroom interaction systems, minimizing barriers through promoting perception, engagement, expression, and accommodation for diverse learners. We implemented an introductory-level laboratory for communicating the concept of magma viscosity using the guidelines and principles of IDL. We developed the lab as a mini-implementation project for an IDL course offered by the University of Missouri (MU) Graduate School. The laboratory was subsequently taught during the summer session of Principles of Geology in our Department of Geological Sciences. Traditional geology laboratories rely heavily on visual aids, either physical (rocks and minerals) or representative (idealized cartoons of processes, videos), with very few alternative representations and descriptions made available to the students. Our main focus for this new lab was to diversify the means of representation available to the students (and instructor) to make the lab as equitable and flexible as possible. We considered potential barriers to learning arising from the physical lab environment, from the means of representation, engagement and expression, and tried to minimize them upfront. We centred the laboratory on the link between volcano shape and viscosity as an applied way to convey that viscosity is the resistance to flow. The learning goal was to have the students observe that more viscous eruptives resulted in steeper-sided volcanoes through experimentation. Students built their own volcanoes by erupting lava (foods of various viscosities) onto the Earth's surface (a piece of sturdy cardboard with a hole for the 'vent') through a conduit (pastry bag). Such a hands on lab exercise allows students to gain a tactile and visual, i.e., physical representation of an abstract concept. This specific exercise was supported by other, more traditional, means of representation (e.g., lecture, videos, cartoons, 3D models, online resources, textbook) in lecture and lab. We will discuss the details of the design, the implementation experience, and the insights for lab improvement in future iterations. This exercise represents the initial steps toward (re)designing introductory geoscience labs to more effectively include diverse learners.

Views from the Center of the Universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abrams, N. E.; Primack, J. R.

2009-08-01

The modern theory of the composition, evolution, and structure of the universe had its origins in the early 1980s, and in the past decade the astronomical evidence for it has become extremely strong. We now know that the vast majority of the universe is invisible dark energy and cold dark matter, with stars, gas, planets, and other visible stuff making up only about 0.5% of the cosmic density. The new cosmology gives us a new perspective on how we fit into the universe. We humans are made of the rarest material in the universe, relatively heavy atoms like oxygen and carbon that are forged in stars. Our size is midway between the largest and smallest sizes, the cosmic horizon and the Planck scale. We also live at the center of time from the perspective of the cosmos, of our solar system, and of life on earth. There is no geographic center of the expanding universe, but we humans are turning out to be central to the principles that underlie the new cosmology. Many of humanity's most dangerous problems arise from our 17th century way of looking at the universe, which is at odds with the principles of modern science that we blithely use in countless technologies. There is an almost total disjunction between the power of our technologies and the wisdom required to use them over the almost unimaginably long periods during which their effects will last. People can't recognize threats that don't make sense in their cosmology, and this is why the new cosmology is such an important contribution to the world at this moment and must be presented to the public in ways they can appreciate. We can learn to do this from earlier cultures' cosmologies, which were presented through stories, images, symbols, and rituals. Those cosmologies were scientifically wrong, but they nevertheless provided a mental homeland that defined a shared reality for their people. The challenge today is to take the new universe picture and present it not just as physics but as a mental homeland for our time -- a homeland where cosmological time is the normal perspective and where global threats that may not get out of hand for another generation or two are as real as a hurricane coming tonight.

A study of the conceptual comprehension of electric circuits that engineer freshmen display

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Wheijen; Shieh, Ruey S.

2018-07-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of students’ conceptual comprehension of electric circuits obtained during their high school years, as opposed to in recent class lectures. A total of 201 first-year university students majoring in Engineering in four introductory physics classes were involved in the study. A lecture demonstration of electric circuits was designed to achieve the study purpose. After observing the demonstration, the students were required to identify the associated phenomena and then explain the underlying physical laws. The students’ reasoning performance was used to examine their conceptual comprehension. Two instructional strategies, group discussion without prior lecture and individual reasoning with prior lecture, were implemented to assess student performance. The findings disclosed that although the students had studied the topic previously, most of them could only identify the key phenomena involving simple principles, but failed to identify those involving profound ones. The models most of them adopted were scientifically acceptable but inappropriate in the given context. The students who engaged in group discussion appeared to have a higher phenomenon identification rate than that of the individual-reasoning group. Contrarily, the individual-reasoning group was found to have adopted the valid principles more effectively than the discussion group, probably due to the prior instruction received in the current class. The topics recently lectured seemed to have guided the students’ cognitive orientations toward selecting principles, regardless of their validity. The study findings reveal that the concepts the students had acquired from their earlier learning were rather limited. That is, sophisticated instructional design is always pivotal, regardless of students’ prior learning experiences. Moreover, when adopting demonstration as a teaching tool, explicit instructional guidance is also crucial.

The Extreme Universe Space Observatory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adams, Jim; Six, N. Frank (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

This talk will describe the Extreme Universe Space Observatory (EUSO) mission. EUSO is an ESA mission to explore the most powerful energy sources in the universe. The mission objectives of EUSO are to investigate EECRs, those with energies above 3x10(exp 19) eV, and very high-energy cosmic neutrinos. These objectives are directly related to extreme conditions in the physical world and possibly involve the early history of the big bang and the framework of GUTs. EUSO tackles the basic problem posed by the existence of these extreme-energy events. The solution could have a unique impact on fundamental physics, cosmology, and/or astrophysics. At these energies, magnetic deflection is thought to be so small that the EECR component would serve as the particle channel for astronomy. EUSO will make the first measurements of EAS from space by observing atmospheric fluorescence in the Earth's night sky. With measurements of the airshower track, EUSO will determine the energy and arrival direction of these extreme-energy events. EUSO will make high statistics observations of CRs beyond the predicted GZK cutoff energy and widen the channel for high-energy neutrino astronomy. The energy spectra, arrival directions, and shower profiles will be analyzed to distinguish the nature of these events and search for their sources. With EUSO data, we will have the possibility to discover a local EECR source, test Z-burst scenarios and other theories, and look for evidence of the breakdown of the relativity principle at extreme Lorentz factors.

Universal Expansion.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McArdle, Heather K.

1997-01-01

Describes a week-long activity for general to honors-level students that addresses Hubble's law and the universal expansion theory. Uses a discrepant event-type activity to lead up to the abstract principles of the universal expansion theory. (JRH)

Inter-categorical intersectionality and leisure-based physical activity in Canada.

PubMed

Abichahine, Hayfa; Veenstra, Gerry

2017-08-01

Leisure-based physical activity is socially stratified in Canada. To date, inequalities in physical activity by race or ethnicity, gender, class or sexual orientation, in Canada and elsewhere, have largely been investigated as distinct, additive phenomena. Informed by intersectionality theory, this paper examines whether racial identity, gender, class and sexuality 'intersect' with one another to predict physical activity in data from Cycles 2.1 and 3.1 of the Canadian Community Health Survey (n= 149 574). In particular, we apply the intersectional principle of multiplicativity which suggests that people's experiences of their gender identities are raced, classed and sexualized; their racial experiences are gendered, classed and sexualized, and so forth. We find that the positive effect of income on being physically active is strong among visible minority men, of moderate strength among White men and women and weak to non-existent among visible minority women. We also find that a lesbian, gay or bisexual orientation corresponds with a higher likelihood of being physically active among women (especially among less educated women) but not among men. These multiplicative findings undermine additive approaches to investigating social inequalities in leisure-based physical activity and pave the way for future intersectional analyses of axes of inequality and their diverse, intersecting effects. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Cosmological Models and Stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andersson, Lars

Principles in the form of heuristic guidelines or generally accepted dogma play an important role in the development of physical theories. In particular, philosophical considerations and principles figure prominently in the work of Albert Einstein. As mentioned in the talk by Jiří Bičák at this conference, Einstein formulated the equivalence principle, an essential step on the road to general relativity, during his time in Prague 1911-1912. In this talk, I would like to discuss some aspects of cosmological models. As cosmology is an area of physics where "principles" such as the "cosmological principle" or the "Copernican principle" play a prominent role in motivating the class of models which form part of the current standard model, I will start by comparing the role of the equivalence principle to that of the principles used in cosmology. I will then briefly describe the standard model of cosmology to give a perspective on some mathematical problems and conjectures on cosmological models, which are discussed in the later part of this paper.

Quantum Mechanics and the Principle of Least Radix Economy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garcia-Morales, Vladimir

2015-03-01

A new variational method, the principle of least radix economy, is formulated. The mathematical and physical relevance of the radix economy, also called digit capacity, is established, showing how physical laws can be derived from this concept in a unified way. The principle reinterprets and generalizes the principle of least action yielding two classes of physical solutions: least action paths and quantum wavefunctions. A new physical foundation of the Hilbert space of quantum mechanics is then accomplished and it is used to derive the Schrödinger and Dirac equations and the breaking of the commutativity of spacetime geometry. The formulation provides an explanation of how determinism and random statistical behavior coexist in spacetime and a framework is developed that allows dynamical processes to be formulated in terms of chains of digits. These methods lead to a new (pre-geometrical) foundation for Lorentz transformations and special relativity. The Parker-Rhodes combinatorial hierarchy is encompassed within our approach and this leads to an estimate of the interaction strength of the electromagnetic and gravitational forces that agrees with the experimental values to an error of less than one thousandth. Finally, it is shown how the principle of least-radix economy naturally gives rise to Boltzmann's principle of classical statistical thermodynamics. A new expression for a general (path-dependent) nonequilibrium entropy is proposed satisfying the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

Principles of control for decoherence-free subsystems.

PubMed

Cappellaro, P; Hodges, J S; Havel, T F; Cory, D G

2006-07-28

Decoherence-free subsystems (DFSs) are a powerful means of protecting quantum information against noise with known symmetry properties. Although Hamiltonians that can implement a universal set of logic gates on DFS encoded qubits without ever leaving the protected subsystem theoretically exist, the natural Hamiltonians that are available in specific implementations do not necessarily have this property. Here we describe some of the principles that can be used in such cases to operate on encoded qubits without losing the protection offered by the DFSs. In particular, we show how dynamical decoupling can be used to control decoherence during the unavoidable excursions outside of the DFS. By means of cumulant expansions, we show how the fidelity of quantum gates implemented by this method on a simple two physical qubit DFS depends on the correlation time of the noise responsible for decoherence. We further show by means of numerical simulations how our previously introduced "strongly modulating pulses" for NMR quantum information processing can permit high-fidelity operations on multiple DFS encoded qubits in practice, provided that the rate at which the system can be modulated is fast compared to the correlation time of the noise. The principles thereby illustrated are expected to be broadly applicable to many implementations of quantum information processors based on DFS encoded qubits.

International University Co-operation: Summary Record of a Working Party on International University Co-operation. Papers-9.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

International Association of Universities, Paris (France).

This report delineates areas, patterns, effects, and purposes of international university cooperation. Areas of international university cooperation encompass teaching and study, research, university administration and organization. Patterns of cooperation include the basic principles of governing agreements, methods for full university…

Beyond Training: New Ideas for Military Forces Operating beyond War

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cornell-d'Echert, Blaise, Jr.

2012-01-01

Most adult education practitioners will understand the special requirements educators should attend to when educating adults. While Malcolm Knowles's adult education principles might not meet the strictest definition of principles, their universal adoption and acceptance by adult educators affords them the same weight as principles. So, as Knowles…

The Real and the Mathematical in Quantum Modeling: From Principles to Models and from Models to Principles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plotnitsky, Arkady

2017-06-01

The history of mathematical modeling outside physics has been dominated by the use of classical mathematical models, C-models, primarily those of a probabilistic or statistical nature. More recently, however, quantum mathematical models, Q-models, based in the mathematical formalism of quantum theory have become more prominent in psychology, economics, and decision science. The use of Q-models in these fields remains controversial, in part because it is not entirely clear whether Q-models are necessary for dealing with the phenomena in question or whether C-models would still suffice. My aim, however, is not to assess the necessity of Q-models in these fields, but instead to reflect on what the possible applicability of Q-models may tell us about the corresponding phenomena there, vis-à-vis quantum phenomena in physics. In order to do so, I shall first discuss the key reasons for the use of Q-models in physics. In particular, I shall examine the fundamental principles that led to the development of quantum mechanics. Then I shall consider a possible role of similar principles in using Q-models outside physics. Psychology, economics, and decision science borrow already available Q-models from quantum theory, rather than derive them from their own internal principles, while quantum mechanics was derived from such principles, because there was no readily available mathematical model to handle quantum phenomena, although the mathematics ultimately used in quantum did in fact exist then. I shall argue, however, that the principle perspective on mathematical modeling outside physics might help us to understand better the role of Q-models in these fields and possibly to envision new models, conceptually analogous to but mathematically different from those of quantum theory, helpful or even necessary there or in physics itself. I shall suggest one possible type of such models, singularized probabilistic, SP, models, some of which are time-dependent, TDSP-models. The necessity of using such models may change the nature of mathematical modeling in science and, thus, the nature of science, as it happened in the case of Q-models, which not only led to a revolutionary transformation of physics but also opened new possibilities for scientific thinking and mathematical modeling beyond physics.

Emergent Knowledge of a Universal Phonological Principle in the L2 Acquisition of Vowel Harmony in Turkish: A "Four"-Fold Poverty of the Stimulus in L2 Acquisition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Özçelik, Öner; Sprouse, Rex A.

2017-01-01

A significant body of theoretically motivated research has addressed the role of Universal Grammar (UG) in the nonnative acquisition of morphosyntax and properties of the syntax-semantics interface, but very little research has addressed the role of phonological principles of UG in nonnative language acquisition. Turkish has a regular and…

Statistical Irreversible Thermodynamics in the Framework of Zubarev's Nonequilibrium Statistical Operator Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luzzi, R.; Vasconcellos, A. R.; Ramos, J. G.; Rodrigues, C. G.

2018-01-01

We describe the formalism of statistical irreversible thermodynamics constructed based on Zubarev's nonequilibrium statistical operator (NSO) method, which is a powerful and universal tool for investigating the most varied physical phenomena. We present brief overviews of the statistical ensemble formalism and statistical irreversible thermodynamics. The first can be constructed either based on a heuristic approach or in the framework of information theory in the Jeffreys-Jaynes scheme of scientific inference; Zubarev and his school used both approaches in formulating the NSO method. We describe the main characteristics of statistical irreversible thermodynamics and discuss some particular considerations of several authors. We briefly describe how Rosenfeld, Bohr, and Prigogine proposed to derive a thermodynamic uncertainty principle.

Parton distributions in the LHC era

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Del Debbio, Luigi

2018-03-01

Analyses of LHC (and other!) experiments require robust and statistically accurate determinations of the structure of the proton, encoded in the parton distribution functions (PDFs). The standard description of hadronic processes relies on factorization theorems, which allow a separation of process-dependent short-distance physics from the universal long-distance structure of the proton. Traditionally the PDFs are obtained from fits to experimental data. However, understanding the long-distance properties of hadrons is a nonperturbative problem, and lattice QCD can play a role in providing useful results from first principles. In this talk we compare the different approaches used to determine PDFs, and try to assess the impact of existing, and future, lattice calculations.

An Introduction to the Gas Phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vallance, Claire

2017-11-01

'An Introduction to the Gas Phase' is adapted from a set of lecture notes for a core first year lecture course in physical chemistry taught at the University of Oxford. The book is intended to give a relatively concise introduction to the gas phase at a level suitable for any undergraduate scientist. After defining the gas phase, properties of gases such as temperature, pressure, and volume are discussed. The relationships between these properties are explained at a molecular level, and simple models are introduced that allow the various gas laws to be derived from first principles. Finally, the collisional behaviour of gases is used to explain a number of gas-phase phenomena, such as effusion, diffusion, and thermal conductivity.

Scale Invariance in Lateral Head Scans During Spatial Exploration.

PubMed

Yadav, Chetan K; Doreswamy, Yoganarasimha

2017-04-14

Universality connects various natural phenomena through physical principles governing their dynamics, and has provided broadly accepted answers to many complex questions, including information processing in neuronal systems. However, its significance in behavioral systems is still elusive. Lateral head scanning (LHS) behavior in rodents might contribute to spatial navigation by actively managing (optimizing) the available sensory information. Our findings of scale invariant distributions in LHS lifetimes, interevent intervals and event magnitudes, provide evidence for the first time that the optimization takes place at a critical point in LHS dynamics. We propose that the LHS behavior is responsible for preprocessing of the spatial information content, critical for subsequent foolproof encoding by the respective downstream neural networks.

Scale Invariance in Lateral Head Scans During Spatial Exploration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadav, Chetan K.; Doreswamy, Yoganarasimha

2017-04-01

Universality connects various natural phenomena through physical principles governing their dynamics, and has provided broadly accepted answers to many complex questions, including information processing in neuronal systems. However, its significance in behavioral systems is still elusive. Lateral head scanning (LHS) behavior in rodents might contribute to spatial navigation by actively managing (optimizing) the available sensory information. Our findings of scale invariant distributions in LHS lifetimes, interevent intervals and event magnitudes, provide evidence for the first time that the optimization takes place at a critical point in LHS dynamics. We propose that the LHS behavior is responsible for preprocessing of the spatial information content, critical for subsequent foolproof encoding by the respective downstream neural networks.

Structural interpretation in composite systems using powder X-ray diffraction: applications of error propagation to the pair distribution function.

PubMed

Moore, Michael D; Shi, Zhenqi; Wildfong, Peter L D

2010-12-01

To develop a method for drawing statistical inferences from differences between multiple experimental pair distribution function (PDF) transforms of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) data. The appropriate treatment of initial PXRD error estimates using traditional error propagation algorithms was tested using Monte Carlo simulations on amorphous ketoconazole. An amorphous felodipine:polyvinyl pyrrolidone:vinyl acetate (PVPva) physical mixture was prepared to define an error threshold. Co-solidified products of felodipine:PVPva and terfenadine:PVPva were prepared using a melt-quench method and subsequently analyzed using PXRD and PDF. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used as an additional characterization method. The appropriate manipulation of initial PXRD error estimates through the PDF transform were confirmed using the Monte Carlo simulations for amorphous ketoconazole. The felodipine:PVPva physical mixture PDF analysis determined ±3σ to be an appropriate error threshold. Using the PDF and error propagation principles, the felodipine:PVPva co-solidified product was determined to be completely miscible, and the terfenadine:PVPva co-solidified product, although having appearances of an amorphous molecular solid dispersion by DSC, was determined to be phase-separated. Statistically based inferences were successfully drawn from PDF transforms of PXRD patterns obtained from composite systems. The principles applied herein may be universally adapted to many different systems and provide a fundamentally sound basis for drawing structural conclusions from PDF studies.

Playing with Quantum Toys: Julian Schwinger's Measurement Algebra and the Material Culture of Quantum Mechanics Pedagogy at Harvard in the 1960s

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gauvin, Jean-François

2018-03-01

In the early 1960s, a PhD student in physics, Costas Papaliolios, designed a simple—and playful—system of Polaroid polarizer filters with a specific goal in mind: explaining the core principles behind Julian Schwinger's quantum mechanical measurement algebra, developed at Harvard in the late 1940s and based on the Stern-Gerlach experiment confirming the quantization of electron spin. Papaliolios dubbed his invention "quantum toys." This article looks at the origins and function of this amusing pedagogical device, which landed half a century later in the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments at Harvard University. Rendering the abstract tangible was one of Papaliolios's demonstration tactics in reforming basic teaching of quantum mechanics. This article contends that Papaliolios's motivation in creating the quantum toys came from a renowned endeavor aimed, inter alia, at reforming high-school physics training in the United States: Harvard Project Physics. The pedagogical study of these quantum toys, finally, compels us to revisit the central role playful discovery performs in pedagogy, at all levels of training and in all fields of knowledge.

Relativistic covariance of Ohm's law

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Starke, R.; Schober, G. A. H.

2016-04-01

The derivation of Lorentz-covariant generalizations of Ohm's law has been a long-term issue in theoretical physics with deep implications for the study of relativistic effects in optical and atomic physics. In this article, we propose an alternative route to this problem, which is motivated by the tremendous progress in first-principles materials physics in general and ab initio electronic structure theory in particular. We start from the most general, Lorentz-covariant first-order response law, which is written in terms of the fundamental response tensor χμ ν relating induced four-currents to external four-potentials. By showing the equivalence of this description to Ohm's law, we prove the validity of Ohm's law in every inertial frame. We further use the universal relation between χμ ν and the microscopic conductivity tensor σkℓ to derive a fully relativistic transformation law for the latter, which includes all effects of anisotropy and relativistic retardation. In the special case of a constant, scalar conductivity, this transformation law can be used to rederive a standard textbook generalization of Ohm's law.

Assessing participants' perceptions on group-based principles for action in community-based health enhancing physical activity programmes: The APEF tool.

PubMed

Herens, Marion; Wagemakers, Annemarie

2017-12-01

In community-based health enhancing physical activity (CBHEPA) programmes, group-based principles for action such as active participation, enjoyment, and fostering group processes are widely advocated. However, not much is known about participants' perceptions of these principles as there are no assessment tools available. Therefore, this article describes the development of the APEF (Active Participation, Enjoyment, and Fostering group processes) tool and reports on its implementation in a Dutch CBHEPA programme. Indicators for the principles have been identified from literature research, interviews with professionals, and secondary analysis of three group interviews with 11 practitioners. To address the identified indicators, the APEF tool was developed, pretested, and used in 10 focus groups with 76 participants. The APEF tool consists of eight statements about group-based principles for action, on which CBHEPA participants vote, followed by in-depth discussion. The voting procedure engages participants. Spider diagrams visualise participants' perceptions of group-based principles. The APEF tool addresses the challenge of relating group level outcomes to individual outcomes such as physical activity behaviour. The tool facilitates as well as evaluates group-based principles for action, it stimulates dialogue and is culturally sensitive, but it needs strong facilitating skills to manage group dynamics. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Applied oceanography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bishop, J.M.

This book combines oceanography principles and applications such as marine pollution, resources, and transportation. It is divided into two main parts treating the basic principles of physical oceanography, and presenting a unique systems framework showing how physical oceanography, marine ecology, economics, and government policy may be combined to define the newly developing field of applied oceanography.

Modified Universal Design Survey: Enhancing Operability of Launch Vehicle Ground Crew Worksites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blume, Jennifer L.

2010-01-01

Operability is a driving requirement for next generation space launch vehicles. Launch site ground operations include numerous operator tasks to prepare the vehicle for launch or to perform preflight maintenance. Ensuring that components requiring operator interaction at the launch site are designed for optimal human use is a high priority for operability. To promote operability, a Design Quality Evaluation Survey based on Universal Design framework was developed to support Human Factors Engineering (HFE) evaluation for NASA s launch vehicles. Universal Design per se is not a priority for launch vehicle processing however; applying principles of Universal Design will increase the probability of an error free and efficient design which promotes operability. The Design Quality Evaluation Survey incorporates and tailors the seven Universal Design Principles and adds new measures for Safety and Efficiency. Adapting an approach proven to measure Universal Design Performance in Product, each principle is associated with multiple performance measures which are rated with the degree to which the statement is true. The Design Quality Evaluation Survey was employed for several launch vehicle ground processing worksite analyses. The tool was found to be most useful for comparative judgments as opposed to an assessment of a single design option. It provided a useful piece of additional data when assessing possible operator interfaces or worksites for operability.

Confinement and hadron-hadron interactions by general relativistic methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Recami, Erasmo

By postulating covariance of physical laws under global dilations, one can describe gravitational and strong interactions in a unified way. Namely, in terms of the new discrete dilational degree of freedom, our cosmos and hadrons can be regarded as finite, similar systems. And a discrete hierarchy of finite ``universes'' may be defined, which are governed by fields with strengths inversally proportional to their radii; in each universe an Equivalence Principle holds, so that the relevant field can be there geometrized. Scaled-down Einstein equations -with cosmological term- are assumed to hold inside hadrons (= strong micro-cosmoses); and they yield in a natural way classical confinement, as well as ``asymptotic freedom'', of the hadron constituents. In other words, the association of strong micro-universes of Friedmann type with hadrons (i.e., applying the methods of General Relativity to subnuclear particle physics) allows avoiding recourse to phenomenological models such as the Bag Model. Inside hadrons we have to deal with a tensorial field (= strong gravity), and hadron constituents are supposed to exchange spin-2 ``gluons''. Our approach allows us also to write down a tensorial, bi-scale field theory of hadron-hadron interactions, based on modified Einstein-type equations here proposed for strong interactions in our space. We obtain in particular: (i) the correct Yukawa behaviour of the strong scalar potential at the static limit and for r>~l fm; (ii) the value of hadron radii. As a byproduct, we derive a whole ``numerology'', connecting our gravitational cosmos with the strong micro-cosmoses (hadrons), such that it does imply no variation of G with the epoch. Finally, since a structute of the ``micro-universe'' type seems to be characteristic even of leptons, a hope for the future is including also weak interactions in our classical unification of the fundamental forces.

``Dissection'' of a Hair Dryer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eisenstein, Stan; Simpson, Jeff

2008-12-01

The electrical design of the common hair dryer is based almost entirely on relatively simple principles learned in introductory physics classes. Just as biology students dissect a frog to see the principles of anatomy in action, physics students can "dissect" a hair dryer to see how principles of electricity are used in a real system. They can discover how engineers solve problems such as how to vary between low and high heat and fan speed by simply moving the position of a single switch. Principles of alternating versus direct current, series and parallel circuits, electrical safety, voltage dividing, ac rectification, power, and measurement of resistance and continuity all come in to play.

Leo Szilard Lectureship Award Talk - Universal Scaling Laws from Cells to Cities; A Physicist's Search for Quantitative, Unified Theories of Biological and Social Structure and Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

West, Geoffrey

2013-04-01

Many of the most challenging, exciting and profound questions facing science and society, from the origins of life to global sustainability, fall under the banner of ``complex adaptive systems.'' This talk explores how scaling can be used to begin to develop physics-inspired quantitative, predictive, coarse-grained theories for understanding their structure, dynamics and organization based on underlying mathematisable principles. Remarkably, most physiological, organisational and life history phenomena in biology and socio-economic systems scale in a simple and ``universal'' fashion: metabolic rate scales approximately as the 3/4-power of mass over 27 orders of magnitude from complex molecules to the largest organisms. Time-scales (such as lifespans and growth-rates) and sizes (such as genome lengths and RNA densities) scale with exponents which are typically simple multiples of 1/4, suggesting that fundamental constraints underlie much of the generic structure and dynamics of living systems. These scaling laws follow from dynamical and geometrical properties of space-filling, fractal-like, hierarchical branching networks, presumed optimised by natural selection. This leads to a general framework that potentially captures essential features of diverse systems including vasculature, ontogenetic growth, cancer, aging and mortality, sleep, cell size, and DNA nucleotide substitution rates. Cities and companies also scale: wages, profits, patents, crime, disease, pollution, road lengths scale similarly across the globe, reflecting underlying universal social network dynamics which point to general principles of organization transcending their individuality. These have dramatic implications for global sustainability: innovation and wealth creation that fuel social systems, left unchecked, potentially sow the seeds for their inevitable collapse.

Analysis of Unit Costs in a University. The Fribourg Example. Program on Institutional Management in Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pasquier, Jacques; Sachse, Matthias

Costing principles are applied to a university by estimating unit costs and their component factors for the university's different inputs, activities, and outputs. The information system used is designed for Fribourg University but could be applicable to other Swiss universities and could serve Switzerland's universities policy. In general, it…

What is the uncertainty principle of non-relativistic quantum mechanics?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riggs, Peter J.

2018-05-01

After more than ninety years of discussions over the uncertainty principle, there is still no universal agreement on what the principle states. The Robertson uncertainty relation (incorporating standard deviations) is given as the mathematical expression of the principle in most quantum mechanics textbooks. However, the uncertainty principle is not merely a statement of what any of the several uncertainty relations affirm. It is suggested that a better approach would be to present the uncertainty principle as a statement about the probability distributions of incompatible variables and the resulting restrictions on quantum states.

Laser principles.

PubMed

Bogdan Allemann, Inja; Kaufman, Joely

2011-01-01

Since the construction of the first laser in the 1960s, the role that lasers play in various medical specialities, including dermatology, has steadily increased. However, within the last 2 decades, the technological advances and the use of lasers in the field of dermatology have virtually exploded. Many treatments have only become possible with the use of lasers. Especially in aesthetic medicine, lasers are an essential tool in the treatment armamentarium. Due to better research and understanding of the physics of light and skin, there is now a wide and increasing array of different lasers and devices to choose from. The proper laser selection for each indication and treatment requires a profound understanding of laser physics and the basic laser principles. Understanding these principles will allow the laser operator to obtain better results and help avoid complications. This chapter will give an in-depth overview of the physical principles relevant in cutaneous laser surgery. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The 'four principles of bioethics' as found in 13th century Muslim scholar Mawlana's teachings

PubMed Central

Aksoy, Sahin; Tenik, Ali

2002-01-01

Background There have been different ethical approaches to the issues in the history of philosophy. Two American philosophers Beachump and Childress formulated some ethical principles namely 'respect to autonomy', 'justice', 'beneficence' and 'non-maleficence'. These 'Four Principles' were presented by the authors as universal and applicable to any culture and society. Mawlana, a great figure in Sufi tradition, had written many books which not only guide people how to worship God to be close to Him, but also advise people how to lead a good life to enrich their personality, as well as to create a harmonious society and a peaceful world. Methods In this study we examined the major works of Mawlana to find out which of these 'Four Principles of Bioethics' exist in Mawlana's ethical understanding. Results We have found in our study that all these principles exist in Mawlana's writings and philosophy in one form or another. Conclusions We have concluded that, further to Beachump and Childress' claim that these principles are universal and applicable to any culture and society, these principles have always existed in different moral traditions in different ways, of which Mawlana's teaching might be presented as a good example. PMID:12370082

Principles of Work Sample Testing. 4. Generalizability

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-04-01

ARI TECHNICAL REPORT TR-79-A11 Principles of Work Sample Testing: IV. Generallzability , by ,lobert M. Guion Gail H. Ironson BOWLING GREEN STATE...UNIVERSITY Bowling Green , Ohio 43403 April 1979 or -Contract DAHC 19-77-C-0007 d CD, LUa.J Prepared for -_J ;=U.S. ARMY RESEARCH INSTITUTE for the...ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. PROG RAM ELEMENT. PROJECT, TASK A REA & WORK UNIT NUMBERS Bowling Green State University __ Bowling Green , Ohio 43403

Three Case Studies in Making Fair Choices on the Path to Universal Health Coverage.

PubMed

Voorhoeve, Alex; Edejer, Tessa T T; Kapiriri, Lydia; Norheim, Ole F; Snowden, James; Basenya, Olivier; Bayarsaikhan, Dorjsuren; Chentaf, Ikram; Eyal, Nir; Folsom, Amanda; Tun Hussein, Rozita Halina; Morales, Cristian; Ostmann, Florian; Ottersen, Trygve; Prakongsai, Phusit; Saenz, Carla; Saleh, Karima; Sommanustweechai, Angkana; Wikler, Daniel; Zakariah, Afisah

2016-12-01

The goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) can generally be realized only in stages. Moreover, resource, capacity, and political constraints mean governments often face difficult trade-offs on the path to UHC. In a 2014 report, Making fair choices on the path to UHC , the WHO Consultative Group on Equity and Universal Health Coverage articulated principles for making such trade-offs in an equitable manner. We present three case studies which illustrate how these principles can guide practical decision-making. These case studies show how progressive realization of the right to health can be effectively guided by priority-setting principles, including generating the greatest total health gain, priority for those who are worse off in a number of dimensions (including health, access to health services, and social and economic status), and financial risk protection. They also demonstrate the value of a fair and accountable process of priority setting.

Three Case Studies in Making Fair Choices on the Path to Universal Health Coverage

PubMed Central

Edejer, Tessa T.T.; Kapiriri, Lydia; Norheim, Ole F.; Snowden, James; Basenya, Olivier; Bayarsaikhan, Dorjsuren; Chentaf, Ikram; Eyal, Nir; Folsom, Amanda; Tun Hussein, Rozita Halina; Morales, Cristian; Ostmann, Florian; Ottersen, Trygve; Prakongsai, Phusit; Saenz, Carla; Saleh, Karima; Sommanustweechai, Angkana; Wikler, Daniel; Zakariah, Afisah

2016-01-01

Abstract The goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) can generally be realized only in stages. Moreover, resource, capacity, and political constraints mean governments often face difficult trade-offs on the path to UHC. In a 2014 report, Making fair choices on the path to UHC, the WHO Consultative Group on Equity and Universal Health Coverage articulated principles for making such trade-offs in an equitable manner. We present three case studies which illustrate how these principles can guide practical decision-making. These case studies show how progressive realization of the right to health can be effectively guided by priority-setting principles, including generating the greatest total health gain, priority for those who are worse off in a number of dimensions (including health, access to health services, and social and economic status), and financial risk protection. They also demonstrate the value of a fair and accountable process of priority setting. PMID:28559673

Cosmological Simulations with Molecular Astrochemistry: Water in the Early Universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiggins, Brandon K.; Smidt, Joseph

2018-01-01

Water is required for the rise of life as we know it throughout the universe, but its origin and the circumstances of its first appearance remain a mystery. The abundance of deuterated water in solar system bodies cannot be explained if all the water in the solar system were created in the protoplanetary disk (Cleeves et al. 2014), suggesting that as much of half of Earth’s water predates the Sun. Water has been observed as early as one sixth the current universe’s age in MG J0414+0534 (Imprellizzeri et al. 2008). It was recently shown that water could, in principle, appear in hot halos barely enriched with heavy elements such as oxygen and carbon (Bialy et al. 2015). So far, no self-consistent calculation of cosmology physics carried out in line with a large chemical reaction network has been carried out to study the first sites of water formation in the universe. We present initial results the first such series of cosmological calculations with a 26 species low metallicity molecular chemical reaction network with Enzo (Bryan et al. 2014) to understand the role of hydrodynamics and radiative feedback on molecule formation in the early universe and to shed light on the cosmological history of this life-giving substance.

Molonglo Observatory: Building the Cross and MOST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McAdam, Bruce

2008-03-01

When Bernard Mills left the GSIRO in 1960 to establish a radio astronomy group in the School of Physics, University of Sydney, he had not only invented the principle of cross-type radio telescopes but proved their great efficiency at surveying the positions, intensity and structure of radio sources. He had ambitious plans for a second generation Cross - a radio telescope with arms one mile long. This paper describes the circumstances of Mills' appointment as Professor of Astrophysics and the recruitment of an international Department that achieved his vision with the Molonglo Cross: The construction involved interaction with many colleagues - engineers in other university departments and government agencies, and with the contracting firms. Formal links were set up with the Electrical Engineering Department through The Radio Astronomy Centre in the University of Sydney and then with Arecibo Observatory through the Cornell-Sydney University Astronomy Center. When the Molonglo Cross completed its main survey in 1978 after eleven years, it was switched off and the EW arm was then converted to the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope. Many of the staff involved with the MOST are now challenged by SKAMP, testing systems for the Square Kilometre Array with cylindrical geometry in the Molonglo Prototype. These two later developments out of the original Cross telescope are described briefly.

Testing Our Fundamental Assumptions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohler, Susanna

2016-06-01

Science is all about testing the things we take for granted including some of the most fundamental aspects of how we understand our universe. Is the speed of light in a vacuum the same for all photons regardless of their energy? Is the rest mass of a photon actually zero? A series of recent studies explore the possibility of using transient astrophysical sources for tests!Explaining Different Arrival TimesArtists illustration of a gamma-ray burst, another extragalactic transient, in a star-forming region. [NASA/Swift/Mary Pat Hrybyk-Keith and John Jones]Suppose you observe a distant transient astrophysical source like a gamma-ray burst, or a flare from an active nucleus and two photons of different energies arrive at your telescope at different times. This difference in arrival times could be due to several different factors, depending on how deeply you want to question some of our fundamental assumptions about physics:Intrinsic delayThe photons may simply have been emitted at two different times by the astrophysical source.Delay due to Lorentz invariance violationPerhaps the assumption that all massless particles (even two photons with different energies) move at the exact same velocity in a vacuum is incorrect.Special-relativistic delayMaybe there is a universal speed for massless particles, but the assumption that photons have zero rest mass is wrong. This, too, would cause photon velocities to be energy-dependent.Delay due to gravitational potentialPerhaps our understanding of the gravitational potential that the photons experience as they travel is incorrect, also causing different flight times for photons of different energies. This would mean that Einsteins equivalence principle, a fundamental tenet of general relativity (GR), is incorrect.If we now turn this problem around, then by measuring the arrival time delay between photons of different energies from various astrophysical sources the further away, the better we can provide constraints on these fundamental assumptions.A recent focus set in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, titled Focus on Exploring Fundamental Physics with Extragalactic Transients, consists of multiple published studies doing just that.Testing General RelativitySeveral of the articles focus on the 4th point above. By assuming that the delay in photon arrival times is only due to the gravitational potential of the Milky Way, these studies set constraints on the deviation of our galaxys gravitational potential from what GR would predict. The study by He Gao et al. uses the different photon arrival times from gamma-ray bursts to set constraints at eVGeV energies, and the study by Jun-Jie Wei et al. complements this by setting constraints at keV-TeV energies using photons from high-energy blazar emission.Photons or neutrinos from different extragalactic transients each set different upper limits on delta gamma, the post-Newtonian parameter, vs. particle energy or frequency. This is a test of Einsteins equivalence principle: if the principle is correct, delta gamma would be exactly zero, meaning that photons of different energies move at the same velocity through a vacuum. [Tingay Kaplan 2016]S.J. Tingay D.L. Kaplan make the case that measuring the time delay of photons from fast radio bursts (FRBs; transient radio pulses that last only a few milliseconds) will provide even tighter constraints if we are able to accurately determine distances to these FRBs.And Adi Musser argues that the large-scale structure of the universe plays an even greater role than the Milky Way gravitational potential, allowing for even stricter testing of Einsteins equivalence principle.The ever-narrower constraints from these studies all support GR as a correct set of rules through which to interpret our universe.Other Tests of Fundamental PhysicsIn addition to the above tests, Xue-Feng Wu et al. show that FRBs can be used to provide severe constraints on the rest mass of the photon, and S. Croft et al. even touches on what we might learn from transients using multi-messenger astrophysics (astrophysics involving observations of particles besides photons, such as neutrinos or gravitational waves).In general, extragalactic transients provide a rich prospect for better understanding the laws that govern the universe. Check out the entire focus set below to learn more about the tests of fundamental physics that can be done with observations of extragalactic transients!CitationFocus Set: Focus on Exploring Fundamental Physics With Extragalactic TransientsHe Gao et al. 2015 ApJ 810 121. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/810/2/121Jun-Jie Wei et al. 2016 ApJ 818 L2. doi:10.3847/2041-8205/818/1/L2S. Croft et al. 2016 ApJ 820 L24. doi:10.3847/2041-8205/820/2/L24S. J. Tingay and D. L. Kaplan 2016 ApJ 820 L31. doi:10.3847/2041-8205/820/2/L31Adi Nusser 2016 ApJ 821 L2. doi:10.3847/2041-8205/821/1/L2Xue-Feng Wu et al. 2016 ApJ 822 L15. doi:10.3847/2041-8205/822/1/L15

Using Physics Principles in the Teaching of Chemistry.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gulden, Warren

1996-01-01

Presents three examples that show how students can use traditional physics principles or laws for the purpose of understanding chemistry better. Examples include Coulomb's Law and melting points, the Faraday Constant, and the Rydberg Constant. Presents a list of some other traditional topics in a chemistry course that could be enhanced by the…

Analysis of physical activity mass media campaign design.

PubMed

Lankford, Tina; Wallace, Jana; Brown, David; Soares, Jesus; Epping, Jacqueline N; Fridinger, Fred

2014-08-01

Mass media campaigns are a necessary tool for public health practitioners to reach large populations and promote healthy behaviors. Most health scholars have concluded that mass media can significantly influence the health behaviors of populations; however the effects of such campaigns are typically modest and may require significant resources. A recent Community Preventive Services Task Force review on stand-alone mass media campaigns concluded there was insufficient evidence to determine their effectiveness in increasing physical activity, partly due to mixed methods and modest and inconsistent effects on levels of physical activity. A secondary analysis was performed on the campaigns evaluated in the Task Force review to determine use of campaign-building principles, channels, and levels of awareness and their impact on campaign outcomes. Each study was analyzed by 2 reviewers for inclusion of campaign building principles. Campaigns that included 5 or more campaign principles were more likely to be successful in achieving physical activity outcomes. Campaign success is more likely if the campaign building principles (formative research, audience segmentation, message design, channel placement, process evaluation, and theory-based) are used as part of campaign design and planning.

Experiences from Participants in Large-Scale Group Practice of the Maharishi Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi Programs and Parallel Principles of Quantum Theory, Astrophysics, Quantum Cosmology, and String Theory: Interdisciplinary Qualitative Correspondences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Svenson, Eric Johan

Participants on the Invincible America Assembly in Fairfield, Iowa, and neighboring Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa, practicing Maharishi Transcendental Meditation(TM) (TM) and the TM-Sidhi(TM) programs in large groups, submitted written experiences that they had had during, and in some cases shortly after, their daily practice of the TM and TM-Sidhi programs. Participants were instructed to include in their written experiences only what they observed and to leave out interpretation and analysis. These experiences were then read by the author and compared with principles and phenomena of modern physics, particularly with quantum theory, astrophysics, quantum cosmology, and string theory as well as defining characteristics of higher states of consciousness as described by Maharishi Vedic Science. In all cases, particular principles or phenomena of physics and qualities of higher states of consciousness appeared qualitatively quite similar to the content of the given experience. These experiences are presented in an Appendix, in which the corresponding principles and phenomena of physics are also presented. These physics "commentaries" on the experiences were written largely in layman's terms, without equations, and, in nearly every case, with clear reference to the corresponding sections of the experiences to which a given principle appears to relate. An abundance of similarities were apparent between the subjective experiences during meditation and principles of modern physics. A theoretic framework for understanding these rich similarities may begin with Maharishi's theory of higher states of consciousness provided herein. We conclude that the consistency and richness of detail found in these abundant similarities warrants the further pursuit and development of such a framework.

Physics of the Mind.

PubMed

Perlovsky, Leonid I

2016-01-01

Is it possible to turn psychology into "hard science"? Physics of the mind follows the fundamental methodology of physics in all areas where physics have been developed. What is common among Newtonian mechanics, statistical physics, quantum physics, thermodynamics, theory of relativity, astrophysics… and a theory of superstrings? The common among all areas of physics is a methodology of physics discussed in the first few lines of the paper. Is physics of the mind possible? Is it possible to describe the mind based on the few first principles as physics does? The mind with its variabilities and uncertainties, the mind from perception and elementary cognition to emotions and abstract ideas, to high cognition. Is it possible to turn psychology and neuroscience into "hard" sciences? The paper discusses established first principles of the mind, their mathematical formulations, and a mathematical model of the mind derived from these first principles, mechanisms of concepts, emotions, instincts, behavior, language, cognition, intuitions, conscious and unconscious, abilities for symbols, functions of the beautiful and musical emotions in cognition and evolution. Some of the theoretical predictions have been experimentally confirmed. This research won national and international awards. In addition to summarizing existing results the paper describes new development theoretical and experimental. The paper discusses unsolved theoretical problems as well as experimental challenges for future research.

Physics of the Mind

PubMed Central

Perlovsky, Leonid I.

2016-01-01

Is it possible to turn psychology into “hard science”? Physics of the mind follows the fundamental methodology of physics in all areas where physics have been developed. What is common among Newtonian mechanics, statistical physics, quantum physics, thermodynamics, theory of relativity, astrophysics… and a theory of superstrings? The common among all areas of physics is a methodology of physics discussed in the first few lines of the paper. Is physics of the mind possible? Is it possible to describe the mind based on the few first principles as physics does? The mind with its variabilities and uncertainties, the mind from perception and elementary cognition to emotions and abstract ideas, to high cognition. Is it possible to turn psychology and neuroscience into “hard” sciences? The paper discusses established first principles of the mind, their mathematical formulations, and a mathematical model of the mind derived from these first principles, mechanisms of concepts, emotions, instincts, behavior, language, cognition, intuitions, conscious and unconscious, abilities for symbols, functions of the beautiful and musical emotions in cognition and evolution. Some of the theoretical predictions have been experimentally confirmed. This research won national and international awards. In addition to summarizing existing results the paper describes new development theoretical and experimental. The paper discusses unsolved theoretical problems as well as experimental challenges for future research. PMID:27895558

Models of baryogenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auriemma, G.

2005-06-01

The origin of the asymmetry between matter and antimatter that is evident in our part of the Universe is one of the open questions in cosmology, because the CPT symmetry between matter and antimatter seems to be absolutely conserved at microscopic level. We repeat here the classical proofs which exclude the viability of a Universe baryon symmetric on the average, or the observed asymmetry as an initial condition. The current understanding is that the asymmetry should have been dynamically generated before nucleosynthesis, by B, C, and CP-violating processes, acting out of thermodynamical equilibrium, as suggested by Sakharov in the 70's. The physical realizations of these conditions would be possible, in principle, also in the framework of the Standard Model of elementary particles, but the present limits on the mass of the Higgs particle exclude this possibility. Finally we present the model of baryogenesis through leptogenesis, which is allowed by a minimal extension of the Standard Model, which has the appeal of being testable in future long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments.

Stable carbon isotopes: possible clues to early life on Mars.

PubMed

Schidlowski, M

1992-01-01

Organic and inorganic carbon in terrestrial near-surface environments are characterized by a marked difference in their 13C/12C ratios which can be traced back in the Earth's sedimentary record over almost 4 billion years. There is no doubt that the bias in favour of 12C displayed by biogenic matter derives, for the most part, from the isotope-selecting properties of the carbon-fixing enzyme (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase) that is operative in the principal photosynthetic pathway and promotes most of the carbon transfer from the non-living to the living realm. Postulating a universality of biological principles in analogy to the proven universality of the laws of physics and chemistry, we may expect enzymatic reactions in exobiological systems to be beset with B similar kinetic fractionation effects. Hence, the retrieval from the oldest Martian sediments of isotopic fractionations between reduced and oxidized (carbonate) carbon may substantially constrain current conjectures on the possible existence of former life on Mars.

Adiabatic quantum computation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albash, Tameem; Lidar, Daniel A.

2018-01-01

Adiabatic quantum computing (AQC) started as an approach to solving optimization problems and has evolved into an important universal alternative to the standard circuit model of quantum computing, with deep connections to both classical and quantum complexity theory and condensed matter physics. This review gives an account of the major theoretical developments in the field, while focusing on the closed-system setting. The review is organized around a series of topics that are essential to an understanding of the underlying principles of AQC, its algorithmic accomplishments and limitations, and its scope in the more general setting of computational complexity theory. Several variants are presented of the adiabatic theorem, the cornerstone of AQC, and examples are given of explicit AQC algorithms that exhibit a quantum speedup. An overview of several proofs of the universality of AQC and related Hamiltonian quantum complexity theory is given. Considerable space is devoted to stoquastic AQC, the setting of most AQC work to date, where obstructions to success and their possible resolutions are discussed.

Using an isomorphic problem pair to learn introductory physics: Transferring from a two-step problem to a three-step problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Shih-Yin; Singh, Chandralekha

2013-12-01

In this study, we examine introductory physics students’ ability to perform analogical reasoning between two isomorphic problems which employ the same underlying physics principles but have different surface features. 382 students from a calculus-based and an algebra-based introductory physics course were administered a quiz in the recitation in which they had to learn from a solved problem provided and take advantage of what they learned from it to solve another isomorphic problem (which we call the quiz problem). The solved problem provided has two subproblems while the quiz problem has three subproblems, which is known from previous research to be challenging for introductory students. In addition to the solved problem, students also received extra scaffolding supports that were intended to help them discern and exploit the underlying similarities of the isomorphic solved and quiz problems. The data analysis suggests that students had great difficulty in transferring what they learned from a two-step problem to a three-step problem. Although most students were able to learn from the solved problem to some extent with the scaffolding provided and invoke the relevant principles in the quiz problem, they were not necessarily able to apply the principles correctly. We also conducted think-aloud interviews with six introductory students in order to understand in depth the difficulties they had and explore strategies to provide better scaffolding. The interviews suggest that students often superficially mapped the principles employed in the solved problem to the quiz problem without necessarily understanding the governing conditions underlying each principle and examining the applicability of the principle in the new situation in an in-depth manner. Findings suggest that more scaffolding is needed to help students in transferring from a two-step problem to a three-step problem and applying the physics principles appropriately. We outline a few possible strategies for future investigation.

On the Front Lines: Presidents Build Institutional Image.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Justiz, Manuel J.; And Others

1986-01-01

The principles used by college presidents in enhancing their institutions' images are outlined and illustrated in profiles of the presidents' roles at the University of South Carolina, Trinity University, Tuskegee University, and the Community College of Philadelphia. (MSE)

Interventional bioethics: epistemology for peripheral countries.

PubMed

Garrafa, Volnei; Porto, Dora

2008-01-01

Principlism, which originated in the United States based on four supposedly universal principles, brought international visibility to the field of bioethics over the final years of the twentieth century. Nevertheless, from 1990 onwards, criticism regarding the universal applicability of these principles emerged, especially concerning their limitations in dealing with collective macroproblems--social, sanitary and environmental--that are seen in poor developing countries every day. In this respect, the idea of Intervention Bioethics was presented at the University of Brasília, Brazil, in 1998, and was subsequently expanded to encompass other Latin American countries. From the outset, this epistemological proposal of third-world construction and perspective advocated politicisation of the international bioethics agenda, and this aim was achieved through the content of UNESCO's Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, which was adopted in 2005. Grounded in a utilitarian and consequentialistic approach, Intervention Bioethics gives priority, ahead of vulnerabilities relating to gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and similar considerations, to the fields of social and sanitary justice in order to defend the poorest and most disempowered populations in the asymmetrical contemporary world.

Collisions of Culture: Academic Culture in the Neoliberal University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LeCompte, Margaret D.

2014-01-01

This article describes how different constituencies in a major research university tried to initiate change despite disagreements over common goals, norms and principles. The context was a culture war. The university administration wanted to impose a corporatising and privatising philosophy which it felt was crucial to preserving the university's…

Financial Report of Ontario Universities, 1993-94. Volume I - Universities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council of Ontario Universities, Toronto.

This report provides detailed financial information for provincially-assisted colleges and universities in Ontario (Canada) for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1994. It describes university accounting procedures, principles for reporting financial data, and definitions. Nine tables provide summary information on revenue, expenses, fund balances,…

On Building a Web-Based University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Constantinescu, Dana; Stefansson, Gunnar

2010-01-01

This paper describes some of the principles for building a freely available web-based university with open content. The "tutor-web" is an international project for web-assisted education, including such free and open access. This project was initiated by the University of Iceland in partnership with many universities around the world,…

Supporting and Evaluating Transitional Learning for International University Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Owens, Alison

2011-01-01

In 2007, as part of its response to the continuing diversification of students, Central Queensland University introduced a for-credit undergraduate course, "The Principles of University Learning", focusing on "learning to learn" in the Australian university context. The aim was to support the transition of learners with diverse…

Applying Universal Design for Learning to Instructional Lesson Planning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McGhie-Richmond, Donna; Sung, Andrew N.

2013-01-01

Universal Design for Learning is a framework for developing inclusive instructional lesson plans. The effects of introducing Universal Design for Learning Principles and Guidelines in a university teacher education program with pre-service and practicing teachers were explored in a mixed methods approach. The results indicate that the study…

Financial Report of Ontario Universities 1996-97. Volume I-Universities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council of Ontario Universities, Toronto.

This annual report presents 1996-97 financial information on 20 degree-granting universities and related institutions in Ontario, Canada. The report first explains the general guidelines and reporting requirements used in compiling the report, including university accounting procedures, the principles of fund accounting involved, and definitions…

The European System for Electing University Presidents and University Governance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ma, Huaide

2014-01-01

The system of electing university presidents in Spain, Switzerland, Italy, and the United Kingdom has distinctive characteristics. Almost all university presidents are elected by teachers and students, either directly or indirectly through elections with government approval of the appointment a mere formality. Principles of these elections include…

Detection of dim targets in multiple environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mirsky, Grace M.; Woods, Matthew; Grasso, Robert J.

2013-10-01

The proliferation of a wide variety of weapons including Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA), rockets, and small arms presents a substantial threat to both military and civilian aircraft. To address this ever-present threat, Northrop Grumman has assessed unguided threat phenomenology to understand the underlying physical principles for detection. These principles, based upon threat transit through the atmosphere, exploit a simple phenomenon universal to all objects moving through an atmosphere comprised of gaseous media to detect and track the threat in the presence of background and clutter. Threat detection has rapidly become a crucial component of aircraft survivability systems that provide situational awareness to the crew. It is particularly important to platforms which may spend a majority of their time at low altitudes and within the effective range of a large variety of weapons. Detection of these threats presents a unique challenge as this class of threat typically has a dim signature coupled with a short duration. Correct identification of each of the threat components (muzzle flash and projectile) is important to determine trajectory and intent while minimizing false alarms and maintaining a high detection probability in all environments.

Scaled equation of state parameters for gases in the critical region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sengers, J. M. H. L.; Greer, W. L.; Sengers, J. V.

1976-01-01

In the light of recent theoretical developments, the paper presents an accurate characterization of anomalous thermodynamic behavior of xenon, helium 4, helium 3, carbon dioxide, steam and oxygen in the critical region. This behavior is associated with long range fluctuations in the system and the physical properties depend primarily on a single variable, namely, the correlation length. A description of the thermodynamic behavior of fluids in terms of scaling laws is formulated, and the two successfully used scaled equations of state (NBS equation and Linear Model parametric equation) are compared. Methods for fitting both equations to experimental equation of state data are developed and formulated, and the optimum fit for each of the two scaled equations of the above gases are presented and the results are compared. By extending the experimental data for the above one-component fluids to partially miscible binary liquids, superfluid liquid helium, ferromagnets and solids exhibiting order-disorder transitions, the principle of universality is concluded. Finally by using this principle, the critical regions for nine additional fluids are described.

Maximization of the connectivity repertoire as a statistical principle governing the shapes of dendritic arbors

PubMed Central

Wen, Quan; Stepanyants, Armen; Elston, Guy N.; Grosberg, Alexander Y.; Chklovskii, Dmitri B.

2009-01-01

The shapes of dendritic arbors are fascinating and important, yet the principles underlying these complex and diverse structures remain unclear. Here, we analyzed basal dendritic arbors of 2,171 pyramidal neurons sampled from mammalian brains and discovered 3 statistical properties: the dendritic arbor size scales with the total dendritic length, the spatial correlation of dendritic branches within an arbor has a universal functional form, and small parts of an arbor are self-similar. We proposed that these properties result from maximizing the repertoire of possible connectivity patterns between dendrites and surrounding axons while keeping the cost of dendrites low. We solved this optimization problem by drawing an analogy with maximization of the entropy for a given energy in statistical physics. The solution is consistent with the above observations and predicts scaling relations that can be tested experimentally. In addition, our theory explains why dendritic branches of pyramidal cells are distributed more sparsely than those of Purkinje cells. Our results represent a step toward a unifying view of the relationship between neuronal morphology and function. PMID:19622738

Dark Energy and Dark Matter as w = -1 Virtual Particles and the World Hologram Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarfatti, Jack

2011-04-01

The elementary physics battle-tested principles of Lorentz invariance, Einstein equivalence principle and the boson commutation and fermion anti-commutation rules of quantum field theory explain gravitationally repulsive dark energy as virtual bosons and gravitationally attractive dark matter as virtual fermion-antifermion pairs. The small dark energy density in our past light cone is the reciprocal entropy-area of our future light cone's 2D future event horizon in a Novikov consistent loop in time in our accelerating universe. Yakir Aharonov's "back-from-the-future" post-selected final boundary condition is set at our observer-dependent future horizon that also explains why the irreversible thermodynamic arrow of time of is aligned with the accelerating dark energy expansion of the bulk 3D space interior to our future 2D horizon surrounding it as the hologram screen. Seth Lloyd has argued that all 2D horizon surrounding surfaces are pixelated quantum computers projecting interior bulk 3D quanta of volume (Planck area)Sqrt(area of future horizon) as their hologram images in 1-1 correspondence.

Agreement between University of Cincinnati and AAUP, University of Cincinnati Chapter, September 1, 1986 to August 31, 1989.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American Association of Univ. Professors, Washington, DC.

The collective bargaining agreement between the University of Cincinnati and the university chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) covering the period September 1, 1986 through August 31, 1989 is presented. The 42 articles, grouped into seven categories, cover the following: (1) basic principles (recognition and…

The Explanation of Michelson's Experiment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klinaku, Shukri

In this paper we will prove that the Lorentz factor doesn't exist on the relative motion. In fact this factor is the result of a wrong calculation of Michelson. His mistake was approved by Lorentz and other physicists, including Einstein. Michelson in order to implement his idea with his interferometer in 1881, made the following mistake: he made the calculation according to the only principle of relativity which was known by physics--the Galileo principle, but he didn't faithfully apply this principle. In this paper, the principle of Galileo will be implemented exactly to Michelson's experiment and the result will showmore » us that physics doesn't need the postulates of the year 1905.« less

Dynamic principle for ensemble control tools.

PubMed

Samoletov, A; Vasiev, B

2017-11-28

Dynamical equations describing physical systems in contact with a thermal bath are commonly extended by mathematical tools called "thermostats." These tools are designed for sampling ensembles in statistical mechanics. Here we propose a dynamic principle underlying a range of thermostats which is derived using fundamental laws of statistical physics and ensures invariance of the canonical measure. The principle covers both stochastic and deterministic thermostat schemes. Our method has a clear advantage over a range of proposed and widely used thermostat schemes that are based on formal mathematical reasoning. Following the derivation of the proposed principle, we show its generality and illustrate its applications including design of temperature control tools that differ from the Nosé-Hoover-Langevin scheme.

Physics architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konopleva, Nelly

2017-03-01

Fundamental physical theory axiomatics is closely connected with methods of experimental measurements. The difference between the theories using global and local symmetries is explained. It is shown that symmetry group localization leads not only to the change of the relativity principle, but to the fundamental modification of experimental programs testing physical theory predictions. It is noticed that any fundamental physical theory must be consistent with the measurement procedures employed for its testing. These ideas are illustrated by events of my biography connected with Yang-Mills theory transformation from an ordinary phenomenological model to a fundamental physical theory based on local symmetry principles like the Einsteinian General Relativity. Baldin position in this situation is demonstrated.

How the Principles of Green Chemistry Changed the Way Organic Chemistry Labs Are Taught at the University of Detroit Mercy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mio, Matthew J.

2017-02-01

Many logistic and instructional changes followed the incorporation of the 12 principles of green chemistry into organic chemistry laboratory courses at the University of Detroit Mercy. Over the last decade, institutional limitations have been turned into green chemical strengths in many areas, including integration of atom economy metrics into learning outcomes, replacing overly toxic equipment and reagents, and modifying matters of reaction scale and type.

A collaborative learning approach for service-oriented introductory physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Michael R.

1997-03-01

I have taught algebra-based introductory physics for six years to liberal arts students. It was primarily a service course for students majoring in Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Geology, Biology, and Pre-Med. The typical student was characterized by having a minimal math and problem-solving proficiency. There also was a pattern of students being predisposed to memorizing facts and formulas, and attempting to solve problems by finding the correct formula and "plugging in" numbers to get an answer. The students seemed to have a minimal ability in deductive reasoning and problem solving, starting from basic principles. It is no wonder that they entered the introductory physics service course with extreme trepidation, based upon a strongly perceived physics phobia. A standard lecture format was used for the class size of approximately 25-30 students; and an attempt was always made to engage the students through the Socratic approach, by asking leading questions during the course of the lecture. The students were relatively unprepared and couldn't participate in the class, and often responded antagonistically. They indicated they didn't want to be asked to think about an issue, but would rather just be told the facts so they could take specific notes for subsequent memorization. It was clear from the results of the open book exams given during the semester that the majority of students could not approach problem solving using deductive reasoning based on basic principles, but relied on attempting to force-fit the problem into a worked example in the text (often out of context, with illogical results). The absentee rate in the classroom was usually around 30-40%. The academic administration of my liberal arts university has the policy of formal course evaluations by the students at the end of each semester. The evaluation questionnaire appears to be primarily a measurement of the stress level of the student during the course, and the evaluation score I received for the service physics course was typically on the order of 3 out of a possible 5; a score considered unsatisfactory by the administration.

The principle of phase stability and the accelerator program at Berkeley, 1945--1954

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lofgren, E.J.

1994-07-01

The discovery of the Principle of Phase Stability by Vladimir Veksler and Edwin McMillian and the end of the war released a surge of accelerator activity at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (then The University of California Radiation Laboratory). Six accelerators incorporating the Principle of Phase Stability were built in the period 1945--1954.

Applying the Seven Principles of Good Practice: Technology as a Lever--In an Online Research Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Sherryl

2014-01-01

This article provides an overview of the seven principles of good practice with emphasis on the implementation of technology in an online healthcare research class in a southwest Georgia (United States) university. The seven principles are outlined using various elements of the online course. Historical and philosophical reasoning are applied to…

A Justification, after the Postmodern Turn, of Universal Ethical Principles and Educational Ideals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mason, Mark

2005-01-01

The implementation of education programmes in different cultures invites the question whether we are justified in doing so in cultures that may reject the programmes' underlying principles. Are there indeed ethical principles and educational ideals that can be justified as applicable to all cultures? After a consideration of Zygmunt Bauman's…

Appeals That Pack a Punch.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Friesen, Patricia

1993-01-01

College alumni association mailings can be made more successful by targeting the audiences, delivering a strong proposition to readers, choosing a forceful format, and creating impressive copy. Efforts of the University of Minnesota, University of Iowa, and Southern Methodist University illustrate these principles. (MSE)

The Net-Enhanced University.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sederburg, William A.

2002-01-01

Using the example of Ferris State University, discusses how a "net-enhanced" university functions and offers guiding principles: serve the core activity, recognize the limits to technology, create a policy structure, provide technical infrastructure, provide personnel infrastructure, build communities, digitize, and don't duplicate. (EV)

Universal ethical principles in a diverse universe: a commentary on Monshi and Zieglmayer's case study.

PubMed

DuBois, James M

2004-01-01

Monshi and Zieglmayer's case study presents Sri Lankan participants as having views on the privacy of health information that differ radically from those commonly found in Western nations. This article explores 2 questions that their case study raises for the ethical review of research in international settings: First, are allegedly universal ethical principles--of the sort promulgated in the Belmont Report (National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, 1978)--useful in international settings?, and second, how should research oversight bodies address the challenges that arise in international behavioral and social science research?

Exploring participant appreciation of group-based principles for action in community-based physical activity programs for socially vulnerable groups in the Netherlands.

PubMed

Herens, Marion; Wagemakers, Annemarie; Vaandrager, Lenneke; Koelen, Maria

2015-11-25

Physical inactivity is a core risk factor for non-communicable diseases. In the Netherlands, socially vulnerable groups are relatively less active than groups with higher socio-economic status. Community-based health-enhancing physical activity (CBHEPA) programs aim to empower socially vulnerable groups by improving participants' health and wellbeing through physical activity. CBHEPA programs often revolve around group-based principles for action, such as active participation, enjoyment, and fostering group processes. As such principles are rarely made explicit, our study aims to identify which of the group-based principles for action are considered important by participants. Respondents (n = 76) from ten focus groups scored their individual appreciation of group-based principles for action - active participation, enjoyment, and fostering group processes - on a three-point, statement-based scale. Opinions were further discussed in the focus group. Focus group discussions were transcribed and analysed by a team of investigators. The coding procedures, identifying elements appreciated in group-based principles for action, were thematic and data driven. Statements about participatory programming generated much less consensus in appreciation among respondents than statements about enjoyment and fostering group processes. To some extent, group members participated in the development of program content. Participation in group formation or community initiatives was less frequently perceived as something within group members' control. Enjoyment, expressed as physical and emotional experiences, was found to be an individual driver of group exercise. Fostering group processes, expressed as social support, was found to contribute to enjoyment and learning achievements. Responsive leadership, ensuring responsive guidance, by an enthusiastic exercise trainer acting as a role model, were identified as additional necessary principles for action. Group-based principles for action in CBHEPA programs are not clearly demarcated. Fostering group processes is an overarching principle, conditional for the spin-off in terms of enjoyment and active participation. This, in turn, leads to a sense of ownership among participants, who take up responsibility for the exercise group as well as their individual activity behaviour. CBHEPA programs thrive on participants having fun together and exercise trainers' leadership skills. A professional, competent, responsive exercise trainer plays a key role in the organisation and maintenance of CBHEPA programs.

Unified Technical Concepts--Phase II. Expand Application to Industrial Technologies and Adult Education. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Technical Education Research Center, Waco, TX.

A project was conducted to develop a laboratory-based instructional system in physics for two-year technician programs that emphasizes both the analogies between basic physical principles and the applications of the principles in modern technology. The Unified Technical Concepts (UTC) system that was developed is (1) a reorganization of physics…

Faraday's Principle and Air Travel in the Introductory Labs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abdul-Razzaq, Wathiq; Thakur, Saikat Chakraborty

2017-01-01

We all know that we must improve the quality of teaching in science at all levels. Not only physicists but also many students from other areas of study take the introductory physics courses in college. Physics introductory laboratories (labs) can be one of the best tools to help these students understand applications of scientific principles that…

The Impact of Human Rights on Universalizing Health Care in Vermont, USA.

PubMed

MacNaughton, Gillian; Haigh, Fiona; McGill, Mariah; Koutsioumpas, Konstantinos; Sprague, Courtney

2015-12-10

In 2010, Vermont adopted a new law embracing human rights principles as guidelines for health care reform, and in 2011, Vermont was the first state in the US to enact framework legislation to establish a universal health care system for all its residents. This article reports on the Vermont Workers' Center's human rights-based approach to universal health care and the extent to which this approach influenced decision makers. We found the following: (1) by learning about the human right to health care and sharing experiences, Vermonters were motivated to demand universal health care; (2) mobilizing Vermonters around a unified message on the right to health care made universal health care politically important; (3) using the human rights framework to assess new proposals enabled the Vermont Workers' Center to respond quickly to new policy proposals; (4) framing health care as a human right provided an alternative to the dominant economics-based discourse; and (5) while economics continues to dominate discussions among Vermont leaders, both legislative committees on health care use the human rights principles as guiding norms for health care reform. Importantly, the principles have empowered Vermonters by giving them more voice in policymaking and have been internalized by legislators as democratic principles of governance. Copyright © 2015 MacNaughton, Haigh, McGill, Koutsioumpas, Sprague. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Physical Premium Principle: A New Way for Insurance Pricing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darooneh, Amir H.

2005-03-01

In our previous work we suggested a way for computing the non-life insurance premium. The probable surplus of the insurer company assumed to be distributed according to the canonical ensemble theory. The Esscher premium principle appeared as its special case. The difference between our method and traditional principles for premium calculation was shown by simulation. Here we construct a theoretical foundation for the main assumption in our method, in this respect we present a new (physical) definition for the economic equilibrium. This approach let us to apply the maximum entropy principle in the economic systems. We also extend our method to deal with the problem of premium calculation for correlated risk categories. Like the Buhlman economic premium principle our method considers the effect of the market on the premium but in a different way.

Flinders University Electric Vehicle Project

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Atkinson, D. A.

1973-01-01

Outlines the specifications and principles involved in the operation of an electric car developed by the Institute of Solar and Electochemical Energy Conversion at Flinders University in South Australia. (JR)

A LabVIEW® based generic CT scanner control software platform.

PubMed

Dierick, M; Van Loo, D; Masschaele, B; Boone, M; Van Hoorebeke, L

2010-01-01

UGCT, the Centre for X-ray tomography at Ghent University (Belgium) does research on X-ray tomography and its applications. This includes the development and construction of state-of-the-art CT scanners for scientific research. Because these scanners are built for very different purposes they differ considerably in their physical implementations. However, they all share common principle functionality. In this context a generic software platform was developed using LabVIEW® in order to provide the same interface and functionality on all scanners. This article describes the concept and features of this software, and its potential for tomography in a research setting. The core concept is to rigorously separate the abstract operation of a CT scanner from its actual physical configuration. This separation is achieved by implementing a sender-listener architecture. The advantages are that the resulting software platform is generic, scalable, highly efficient, easy to develop and to extend, and that it can be deployed on future scanners with minimal effort.

Advanced imaging systems for diagnostic investigations applied to Cultural Heritage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peccenini, E.; Albertin, F.; Bettuzzi, M.; Brancaccio, R.; Casali, F.; Morigi, M. P.; Petrucci, F.

2014-12-01

The diagnostic investigations are an important resource in the studies on Cultural Heritage to enhance the knowledge on execution techniques, materials and conservation status of a work of art. In this field, due to the great historical and artistic value of the objects, preservation is the main concern; for this reason, new technological equipment has been designed and developed in the Physics Departments of the Universities of Ferrara and Bologna to enhance the non-invasive approach to the study of pictorial artworks and other objects of cultural interest. Infrared (IR) reflectography, X-ray radiography and computed tomography (CT), applied to works of art, are joined by the same goal: to get hidden information on execution techniques and inner structure pursuing the non-invasiveness of the methods, although using different setup and physical principles. In this work transportable imaging systems to investigate large objects in museums and galleries are presented. In particular, 2D scanning devices for IR reflectography and X-ray radiography, CT systems and some applications to the Cultural Heritage are described.

Deriving principles of microbiology by multiscaling laws of molecular physics.

PubMed

Ortoleva, Peter; Adhangale, P; Cheluvaraja, S; Fontus, Max; Shreif, Zeina

2009-01-01

It has long been an objective of the physical sciences to derive principles of biology from the laws of physics. At the angstrom scale for processes evolving on timescales of 10(-14) s, many systems can be characterized in terms of atomic vibrations and collisions. In contrast, biological systems display dramatic transformations including self-assembly and reorganization from one cell phenotype to another as the microenvironment changes. We have developed a framework for understanding the emergence of living systems from the underlying atomic chaos.

Laboratory Modelling of Volcano Plumbing Systems: a review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galland, Olivier; Holohan, Eoghan P.; van Wyk de Vries, Benjamin; Burchardt, Steffi

2015-04-01

Earth scientists have, since the XIX century, tried to replicate or model geological processes in controlled laboratory experiments. In particular, laboratory modelling has been used study the development of volcanic plumbing systems, which sets the stage for volcanic eruptions. Volcanic plumbing systems involve complex processes that act at length scales of microns to thousands of kilometres and at time scales from milliseconds to billions of years, and laboratory models appear very suitable to address them. This contribution reviews laboratory models dedicated to study the dynamics of volcano plumbing systems (Galland et al., Accepted). The foundation of laboratory models is the choice of relevant model materials, both for rock and magma. We outline a broad range of suitable model materials used in the literature. These materials exhibit very diverse rheological behaviours, so their careful choice is a crucial first step for the proper experiment design. The second step is model scaling, which successively calls upon: (1) the principle of dimensional analysis, and (2) the principle of similarity. The dimensional analysis aims to identify the dimensionless physical parameters that govern the underlying processes. The principle of similarity states that "a laboratory model is equivalent to his geological analogue if the dimensionless parameters identified in the dimensional analysis are identical, even if the values of the governing dimensional parameters differ greatly" (Barenblatt, 2003). The application of these two steps ensures a solid understanding and geological relevance of the laboratory models. In addition, this procedure shows that laboratory models are not designed to exactly mimic a given geological system, but to understand underlying generic processes, either individually or in combination, and to identify or demonstrate physical laws that govern these processes. From this perspective, we review the numerous applications of laboratory models to understand the distinct key features of volcanic plumbing systems: dykes, cone sheets, sills, laccoliths, caldera-related structures, ground deformation, magma/fault interactions, and explosive vents. Barenblatt, G.I., 2003. Scaling. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Galland, O., Holohan, E.P., van Wyk de Vries, B., Burchardt, S., Accepted. Laboratory modelling of volcanic plumbing systems: A review, in: Breitkreuz, C., Rocchi, S. (Eds.), Laccoliths, sills and dykes: Physical geology of shallow level magmatic systems. Springer.

Universal Design: Process, Principles, and Applications

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burgstahler, Sheryl

2009-01-01

Designing any product or environment involves the consideration of many factors, including aesthetics, engineering options, environmental issues, safety concerns, industry standards, and cost. Typically, designers focus their attention on the average user. In contrast, universal design (UD), according to the Center for Universal Design," is…

Universal Playground Design.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ensign, Arselia, Ed.

1993-01-01

This publication presents principles of universal playgrounds, designed to maximize accessibility for all children, with and without disabilities. First, the rationale for the universal playground is given including the importance of play and the value of integration. Next current guidelines for playground design are discussed including safety,…

Universal Design in Higher Education: From Principles to Practice. Second Edition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burgstahler, Sheryl E., Ed.

2015-01-01

This second edition of the classic "Universal Design in Higher Education" is a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute guide for creating fully accessible college and university programs. The second edition has been thoroughly revised and expanded, and it addresses major recent changes in universities and colleges, the law, and technology. As…

Frustration of resonant preheating by exotic kinetic terms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rahmati, Shohreh; Seahra, Sanjeev S., E-mail: srahmati@unb.ca, E-mail: sseahra@unb.ca

2014-10-01

We study the effects of exotic kinetic terms on parametric resonance during the preheating epoch of the early universe. Specifically, we consider modifications to the action of ordinary matter fields motivated by generalized uncertainty principles, polymer quantization, as well as Dirac-Born-Infeld and k-essence models. To leading order in an ''exotic physics'' scale, the equations of motion derived from each of these models have the same algebraic form involving a nonlinear self-interaction in the matter sector. Neglecting spatial dependence, we show that the nonlinearity effectively shuts down the parametric resonance after a finite time period. We find numeric evidence that themore » frustration of parametric resonance persists to spatially inhomogenous matter in (1+1)-dimensions.« less

A Bayesian perspective on magnitude estimation.

PubMed

Petzschner, Frederike H; Glasauer, Stefan; Stephan, Klaas E

2015-05-01

Our representation of the physical world requires judgments of magnitudes, such as loudness, distance, or time. Interestingly, magnitude estimates are often not veridical but subject to characteristic biases. These biases are strikingly similar across different sensory modalities, suggesting common processing mechanisms that are shared by different sensory systems. However, the search for universal neurobiological principles of magnitude judgments requires guidance by formal theories. Here, we discuss a unifying Bayesian framework for understanding biases in magnitude estimation. This Bayesian perspective enables a re-interpretation of a range of established psychophysical findings, reconciles seemingly incompatible classical views on magnitude estimation, and can guide future investigations of magnitude estimation and its neurobiological mechanisms in health and in psychiatric diseases, such as schizophrenia. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Universal Plausibility Metric (UPM) & Principle (UPP).

PubMed

Abel, David L

2009-12-03

Mere possibility is not an adequate basis for asserting scientific plausibility. A precisely defined universal bound is needed beyond which the assertion of plausibility, particularly in life-origin models, can be considered operationally falsified. But can something so seemingly relative and subjective as plausibility ever be quantified? Amazingly, the answer is, "Yes." A method of objectively measuring the plausibility of any chance hypothesis (The Universal Plausibility Metric [UPM]) is presented. A numerical inequality is also provided whereby any chance hypothesis can be definitively falsified when its UPM metric of xi is < 1 (The Universal Plausibility Principle [UPP]). Both UPM and UPP pre-exist and are independent of any experimental design and data set. No low-probability hypothetical plausibility assertion should survive peer-review without subjection to the UPP inequality standard of formal falsification (xi < 1).

Cosmic design from a Buddhist perspective.

PubMed

Thuan, T X

2001-12-01

The Buddhist view of the origin of the universe is discussed. One of the basic tenets of Buddhism is the concept of interdependence which says that all things exist only in relationship to others, and that nothing can have an independent and autonomous existence. The world is a vast flow of events that are linked together and participate in one another. Thus there can be no First Cause, and no creation ex nihilo of the universe, as in the Big Bang theory. Since the universe has neither beginning nor end, the only universe compatible with Buddhism is a cyclic one. According to Buddhism, the exquisitely precise fine-tuning of the universe for the emergence of life and consciousness as expressed in the "anthropic principle" is not due to a Creative Principle, but to the interdependence of matter with flows of consciousness, the two having co-existed for all times.

Principles of Work Sample Testing. 2. Evaluation of Personnel Testing Programs

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-04-01

i ARI TECHNICAL REPORT VE TR-79-A9 Principles of Work Sample Testing: II. Evaluation of Personnel Testing Programs by Robert M. Guion BOWLING GREEN ...STATE UNIVERSITY .Bowling Green , Ohio 43403 April 1979 Contract DAHC 19-77-C-0007 UK 0-. Prepared for C-, LA. U.S. ARMY RESEARCH INSTITUTE w for the...NAME AND ADDRESS V.PROGRAM ELEMENT. PROJECT. TASK Bowl iiq Green ’tate UniversityV Bowlilnq Green , Ohio 4 340i3 11. CONTROLLING OFFICE NAME AND ADDRESS

Principles of Work Sample Testing. 1. A Non-Empirical Taxonomy of Test Uses

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-04-01

ARI TECHNICAL REPORT TR-79-A8 Principles of Work Sample Testingi I. A Non-Empirical Taxonomy of Test Uses b y Robert M. Guion BOWLING GREEN STATE...UNIVERSITY % ’ Bowling Green , Ohio 43403 e April 1979 Contract DAHC 19-77-C-0007 Cj Prepared for U.S. ARMY RESEARCH INSTITUTEfor the BEHAVIORAL and...M./io DAlICl9-77-Cji11J7 * 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT. PROJECT, TASK Bowling Green State UniversityAEAWOKUINMER

The Physics of a Gymnastics Flight Element

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Contakos, Jonas; Carlton, Les G.; Thompson, Bruce; Suddaby, Rick

2009-09-01

From its inception, performance in the sport of gymnastics has relied on the laws of physics to create movement patterns and static postures that appear almost impossible. In general, gymnastics is physics in motion and can provide an ideal framework for studying basic human modeling techniques and physical principles. Using low-end technology and basic principles of physics, we analyzed a high-end gymnastics skill competed in by both men and women. The comprehensive goal of the examination is to scientifically understand how a skill of this magnitude is actually physically possible and what must a gymnast do to successfully complete the skill. The examination is divided into three sections, each of which is comprehensive enough to be a separate assignment or small group project.

On the Essence of Space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalanov, Temur Z.

2003-04-01

A new theory of space is suggested. It represents the new point of view which has arisen from the critical analysis of the foundations of physics (in particular the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics), mathematics, cosmology and philosophy. The main idea following from the analysis is that the concept of movement represents a key to understanding of the essence of space. The starting-point of the theory is represented by the following philosophical (dialectical materialistic) principles. (a) The principle of the materiality (of the objective reality) of the Nature: the Nature (the Universe) is a system (a set) of material objects (particles, bodies, fields); each object has properties, features, and the properties, the features are inseparable characteristics of material object and belong only to material object. (b) The principle of the existence of material object: an object exists as the objective reality, and movement is a form of existence of object. (c) The principle (definition) of movement of object: the movement is change (i.e. transition of some states into others) in general; the movement determines a direction, and direction characterizes the movement. (d) The principle of existence of time: the time exists as the parameter of the system of reference. These principles lead to the following statements expressing the essence of space. (1) There is no space in general, and there exist space only as a form of existence of the properties and features of the object. It means that the space is a set of the measures of the object (the measure is the philosophical category meaning unity of the qualitative and quantitative determinacy of the object). In other words, the space of the object is a set of the states of the object. (2) The states of the object are manifested only in a system of reference. The main informational property of the unitary system researched physical object + system of reference is that the system of reference determines (measures, calculates) the parameters of the subsystem researched physical object (for example, the coordinates of the object M); the parameters characterize the system of reference (for example, the system of coordinates S). (3) Each parameter of the object is its measure. Total number of the mutually independent parameters of the object is called dimension of the space of the object. (4) The set of numerical values (i.e. the range, the spectrum) of each parameter is the subspace of the object. (The coordinate space, the momentum space and the energy space are examples of the subspaces of the object). (5) The set of the parameters of the object is divided into two non intersecting (opposite) classes: the class of the internal parameters and the class of the non internal (i.e. external) parameters. The class of the external parameters is divided into two non intersecting (opposite) subclasses: the subclass of the absolute parameters (characterizing the form, the sizes of the object) and the subclass of the non absolute (relative) parameters (characterizing the position, the coordinates of the object). (6) Set of the external parameters forms the external space of object. It is called geometrical space of object. (7) Since a macroscopic object has three mutually independent sizes, the dimension of its external absolute space is equal to three. Consequently, the dimension of its external relative space is also equal to three. Thus, the total dimension of the external space of the macroscopic object is equal to six. (8) In general case, the external absolute space (i.e. the form, the sizes) and the external relative space (i.e. the position, the coordinates) of any object are mutually dependent because of influence of a medium. The geometrical space of such object is called non Euclidean space. If the external absolute space and the external relative space of some object are mutually independent, then the external relative space of such object is the homogeneous and isotropic geometrical space. It is called Euclidean space of the object. Consequences: (i) the question of true geometry of the Universe is incorrect; (ii) the theory of relativity has no physical meaning.

Maximizing the Adjacent Possible in Automata Chemistries.

PubMed

Hickinbotham, Simon; Clark, Edward; Nellis, Adam; Stepney, Susan; Clarke, Tim; Young, Peter

2016-01-01

Automata chemistries are good vehicles for experimentation in open-ended evolution, but they are by necessity complex systems whose low-level properties require careful design. To aid the process of designing automata chemistries, we develop an abstract model that classifies the features of a chemistry from a physical (bottom up) perspective and from a biological (top down) perspective. There are two levels: things that can evolve, and things that cannot. We equate the evolving level with biology and the non-evolving level with physics. We design our initial organisms in the biology, so they can evolve. We design the physics to facilitate evolvable biologies. This architecture leads to a set of design principles that should be observed when creating an instantiation of the architecture. These principles are Everything Evolves, Everything's Soft, and Everything Dies. To evaluate these ideas, we present experiments in the recently developed Stringmol automata chemistry. We examine the properties of Stringmol with respect to the principles, and so demonstrate the usefulness of the principles in designing automata chemistries.

Effective Principles in Designing E-Course in Light of Learning Theories

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Afifi, Muhammad K.; Alamri, Saad S.

2014-01-01

The researchers conducted an exploratory study to determine the design quality of some E-courses delivered via the web to a number of colleagues at the university. Results revealed a number of shortcomings in the design of these courses, mostly due to the absence of effective principles in the design of these E-courses, especially principles of…

Ideological principles of Neo-Byurakan Cosmogony

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poghosyan, Samvel

2015-07-01

There exists an insurmountable antagonism between the Classical and the Byurakan approaches on the origins of celestial bodies. The Classical approach states that celestial bodies arise from the condensation of gases, gravitational compression; and according to the Byurakan conception, they come into existence due to the explosions, differentiation of compact, superdense bodies. Rejecting each other, the supporters of these two polarized views do not accept that those two trends, differentiation and integration, dispersion and unity are interconnected and mutually conditioned processes: there are always cases of dispersion and differentiation in integration and unity and vice versa. Neo-Byurakan theory distinguishes two types of physical symmetries: substantial and relational symmetries. The types of substantial symmetry are: Symmetry of positive and negative gravitational charges (masses), Symmetry of particles and antiparticles (matter and antimatter). The types of relational symmetry are: Symmetry of differentiation and integration, Symmetry of homogeneity and inhomogeneity, Symmetry of statics (or stationarity) and dynamics, Symmetry of great unity, of strong and electroweak forces and interactions, Symmetry of electroweak unity, of weak and electromagnetic forces. As the above mentioned examples show, substantial symmetries are related to the basic types of matter; and relational symmetries to the interactions of these types. Both types can be explicit and implicit. Neo-Byurakan cosmogony puts forward a range of new ideas: 1.Being a part of Gc?? Cosmology, it differentiates and identifies the concepts of "Eternal Universe", "our Universe" and "Metagalaxy". Viewing Metagalaxy as a subsystem of our universe, as a unity of all galaxies and their clusters, it defines the basic equations which express the basic physical parameters of Metagalaxy, describes its structure, giving a physical explanation to the homogeneity of the large-scale structure of Metagalaxy, mentioning the laws and peculiarities of its origination and evolution. 2.Admitting the fact of its expansion, Neo-Byurakan theory considers that during evolution all physical parameters of Metagalaxy change, including not only the volume and average density but also the mass of Metagalaxy. And it means that the Friedman-Gamow theory of Fireball cannot be ascribed to Metagalaxy, especially to our Universe. A hypothesis is put forward, according to which the concept of Fireball or Big Bang refers to and accurately describes the differentiation and evaluation of compact, superdense superclusters of galaxies through explosion. The immediate components of the large-scale homogeneity of Metagalaxy are superclusters of galaxies. They are similar physical systems belonging to the same class, which have similar structures, and though they arise at different times, they undergo similar phases of evolution.

Quantum correlations are tightly bound by the exclusivity principle.

PubMed

Yan, Bin

2013-06-28

It is a fundamental problem in physics of what principle limits the correlations as predicted by our current description of nature, based on quantum mechanics. One possible explanation is the "global exclusivity" principle recently discussed in Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 060402 (2013). In this work we show that this principle actually has a much stronger restriction on the probability distribution. We provide a tight constraint inequality imposed by this principle and prove that this principle singles out quantum correlations in scenarios represented by any graph. Our result implies that the exclusivity principle might be one of the fundamental principles of nature.

Soil moisture modeling review

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hildreth, W. W.

1978-01-01

A determination of the state of the art in soil moisture transport modeling based on physical or physiological principles was made. It was found that soil moisture models based on physical principles have been under development for more than 10 years. However, these models were shown to represent infiltration and redistribution of soil moisture quite well. Evapotranspiration has not been as adequately incorporated into the models.

Physical Principles of the Method for Determination of Geometrical Characteristics and Particle Recognition in Digital Holography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dyomin, V. V.; Polovtsev, I. G.; Davydova, A. Yu.

2018-03-01

The physical principles of a method for determination of geometrical characteristics of particles and particle recognition based on the concepts of digital holography, followed by processing of the particle images reconstructed from the digital hologram, using the morphological parameter are reported. An example of application of this method for fast plankton particle recognition is given.

Fundamental Physics with Antihydrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hangst, J. S.

Antihydrogen—the antimatter equivalent of the hydrogen atom—is of fundamental interest as a test bed for universal symmetries—such as CPT and the Weak Equivalence Principle for gravitation. Invariance under CPT requires that hydrogen and antihydrogen have the same spectrum. Antimatter is of course intriguing because of the observed baryon asymmetry in the universe—currently unexplained by the Standard Model. At the CERN Antiproton Decelerator (AD) [1], several groups have been working diligently since 1999 to produce, trap, and study the structure and behaviour of the antihydrogen atom. One of the main thrusts of the AD experimental program is to apply precision techniques from atomic physics to the study of antimatter. Such experiments complement the high-energy searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. Antihydrogen is the only atom of antimatter to be produced in the laboratory. This is not so unfortunate, as its matter equivalent, hydrogen, is one of the most well-understood and accurately measured systems in all of physics. It is thus very compelling to undertake experimental examinations of the structure of antihydrogen. As experimental spectroscopy of antihydrogen has yet to begin in earnest, I will give here a brief introduction to some of the ion and atom trap developments necessary for synthesizing and trapping antihydrogen, so that it can be studied.

Principles of Lightning Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazur, Vladislav

2016-12-01

Principles of Lightning Physics presents and discusses the most up-to-date physical concepts that govern many lightning events in nature, including lightning interactions with man-made structures, at a level suitable for researchers, advanced students and well-educated lightning enthusiasts. The author's approach to understanding lightning-to seek out, and show what is common to all lightning flashes-is illustrated by an analysis of each type of lightning and the multitude of lightning-related features. The book examines the work that has gone into the development of new physical concepts, and provides critical evaluations of the existing understanding of the physics of lightning and the lexicon of terms and definitions presently used in lightning research.

An Experimental Introduction to Acoustics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Black, Andy Nicholas; Magruder, Robert H.

2017-11-01

Learning and understanding physics requires more than studying physics texts. It requires doing physics. Doing research is a key opportunity for students to connect physical principles with their everyday experience. A powerful way to introduce students to research and technique is through subjects in which they might find interest. Presented is an experiment that serves to introduce an advanced undergraduate or high school student to conducting research in acoustics via an experiment involving a standard dreadnought acoustic guitar, recording industry-related equipment, and relevant industrial analysis software. This experimental process is applicable to a wide range of acoustical topics including both acoustic and electric instruments. Also, the student has a hands-on experience with relevant audio engineering technology to study physical principles.

Intuitive Physics: Current Research and Controversies.

PubMed

Kubricht, James R; Holyoak, Keith J; Lu, Hongjing

2017-10-01

Early research in the field of intuitive physics provided extensive evidence that humans succumb to common misconceptions and biases when predicting, judging, and explaining activity in the physical world. Recent work has demonstrated that, across a diverse range of situations, some biases can be explained by the application of normative physical principles to noisy perceptual inputs. However, it remains unclear how knowledge of physical principles is learned, represented, and applied to novel situations. In this review we discuss theoretical advances from heuristic models to knowledge-based, probabilistic simulation models, as well as recent deep-learning models. We also consider how recent work may be reconciled with earlier findings that favored heuristic models. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Openness That Closes: Allan Bloom and the Contemporary University.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Orwin, Clifford; Forbes, H. D.

1991-01-01

Discusses the contemporary university in Canada, focusing on Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind" which analyzes problems in today's education. The paper calls Bloom's book an unrivaled diagnosis of the impasse of the university, and it examines Bloom's relativistic principles. (SM)

Introductory Remarks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavroglu, Kostas

Practitioners of many (sub)-disciplines in the sciences are, at times, confronted with an apparent bliss which often turns into a nightmare: they are stuck with too good and too fertile a theory. 'Normal' science is surely a rewarding practice-but for that very reason it may, at times, also become boring. Theories or theoretical schemata may make successful predictions, may clarify 'mechanisms', they may show the way to further developments, and they may be amenable to non-controversial approximations. If one is really lucky, they may even-at least in principle-be able to answer all questions. There have-especially in the history of physics-been many such theories. Laplacian physics, ether physics and superstrings have historically defined the frameworks for such utopias where everything could be answerable, at least in principle. But one is truly at a loss when one is confronted with this in principle. In principle but not in practice? In principle but never? Confronted with the deadlocks that are implicit in such utopias, scientists started to collectively display a Procrustean psychopathology. They would prepare the beds and, yet, the theories would manage to trick the tricksters: almost all theories appeared to be fitting to any Procrustean bed. They were short and tall and normal at the same time.

Naturalness in the Standard Model and beyond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papaioannou, Anastasios Yiannaki

After an introduction to the Standard Model of particle physics and the unresolved question of naturalness posed by its treatment of electroweak symmetry breaking, we consider several different theoretical approaches that attempt to answer this question. First, we present work in which we consider the possibility that the Higgs boson, the long-sought hypothetical particle intimately associated with electroweak symmetry breaking, has a much larger mass than is usually assumed. Absent direct experimental evidence for a light Higgs boson (m ˜ O (100 GeV)), and precision electroweak data consistent with a light Higgs notwithstanding, we propose a heavier (m ˜ O (500 GeV)), thus more natural, Higgs boson. This heavy Higgs can be made consistent with the precision electroweak data if we also extend the Standard Model via the inclusion of new fermionic states near the weak energy scale. These new states, in addition to bringing the heavy Higgs boson in line with the precision data, also serve as a candidate for the elusive dark matter that pervades the universe. From there we go on to consider the problem of naturalness from the perspective of supersymmetry, one of the most popular candidates for physics beyond the Standard Model. In particular, the theory of the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (NMSSM) has found favor in its ability to solve the problem of naturalness posed by the Standard Model, in its hints at unification of the strong, weak, and electromagnetic interactions at high energies, and in its ability to provide supersymmetric particles as dark matter candidates. The NMSSM, however, requires rather large superpartner masses in order to accommodate a Higgs boson heavier than current experimental bounds while still maintaining gauge unification at high energies. We explore the possibility of new supersymmetric states at intermediate energies between the weak scale and the unification scale, which preserve gauge unification and allow a heavier Higgs, with only moderately heavy superpartners. Finally, we explore the possibility that previous attempts to resolve the naturalness problem may be too limited in scope. Perhaps the anthropic principle can instead provide a new way to answer such questions. We consider the intriguing scenario in which our observed universe is but one region of a much larger multi-verse, and the "constants" of nature are not constant after all, but take on a range of values. The anthropic principle's unique answer to the problem of naturalness is that only those regions of the multiverse with unnatural or "fine-tuned" parameters can give rise to the physical processes and structures that are necessary for our very existence; those regions with more natural values are dead universes where life is impossible. In particular, we examine an implementation of a unified physical theory, the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM), within this multi-verse framework, and its consequences for the naturalness of electroweak symmetry breaking.

Focal colors across languages are representative members of color categories.

PubMed

Abbott, Joshua T; Griffiths, Thomas L; Regier, Terry

2016-10-04

Focal colors, or best examples of color terms, have traditionally been viewed as either the underlying source of cross-language color-naming universals or derived from category boundaries that vary widely across languages. Existing data partially support and partially challenge each of these views. Here, we advance a position that synthesizes aspects of these two traditionally opposed positions and accounts for existing data. We do so by linking this debate to more general principles. We show that best examples of named color categories across 112 languages are well-predicted from category extensions by a statistical model of how representative a sample is of a distribution, independently shown to account for patterns of human inference. This model accounts for both universal tendencies and variation in focal colors across languages. We conclude that categorization in the contested semantic domain of color may be governed by principles that apply more broadly in cognition and that these principles clarify the interplay of universal and language-specific forces in color naming.

Focal colors across languages are representative members of color categories

PubMed Central

Abbott, Joshua T.; Griffiths, Thomas L.; Regier, Terry

2016-01-01

Focal colors, or best examples of color terms, have traditionally been viewed as either the underlying source of cross-language color-naming universals or derived from category boundaries that vary widely across languages. Existing data partially support and partially challenge each of these views. Here, we advance a position that synthesizes aspects of these two traditionally opposed positions and accounts for existing data. We do so by linking this debate to more general principles. We show that best examples of named color categories across 112 languages are well-predicted from category extensions by a statistical model of how representative a sample is of a distribution, independently shown to account for patterns of human inference. This model accounts for both universal tendencies and variation in focal colors across languages. We conclude that categorization in the contested semantic domain of color may be governed by principles that apply more broadly in cognition and that these principles clarify the interplay of universal and language-specific forces in color naming. PMID:27647896

Towards a Universal Biology: Is the Origin and Evolution of Life Predictable?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rothschild, Lynn J.

2017-01-01

The origin and evolution of life seems an unpredictable oddity, based on the quirks of contingency. Celebrated by the late Stephen Jay Gould in several books, "evolution by contingency" has all the adventure of a thriller, but lacks the predictive power of the physical sciences. Not necessarily so, replied Simon Conway Morris, for convergence reassures us that certain evolutionary responses are replicable. The outcome of this debate is critical to Astrobiology. How can we understand where we came from on Earth without prophesy? Further, we cannot design a rational strategy for the search for life elsewhere - or to understand what the future will hold for life on Earth and beyond - without extrapolating from pre-biotic chemistry and evolution. There are several indirect approaches to understanding, and thus describing, what life must be. These include philosophical approaches to defining life (is there even a satisfactory definition of life?), using what we know of physics, chemistry and life to imagine alternate scenarios, using different approaches that life takes as pseudoreplicates (e.g., ribosomal vs non-ribosomal protein synthesis), and experimental approaches to understand the art of the possible. Given that: (1) Life is a process based on physical components rather than simply an object; (2). Life is likely based on organic carbon and needs a solvent for chemistry, most likely water, and (3) Looking for convergence in terrestrial evolution we can predict certain tendencies, if not quite "laws", that provide predictive power. Biological history must obey the laws of physics and chemistry, the principles of natural selection, the constraints of an evolutionary past, genetics, and developmental biology. This amalgam creates a surprising amount of predictive power in the broad outline. Critical is the apparent prevalence of organic chemistry, and uniformity in the universe of the laws of chemistry and physics. Instructive is the widespread occurrence of convergent or parallel evolution, which suggests that under certain conditions similar solutions are arrived at independently.

Analyzing educational university students' conceptions through smartphone-based PDEODE*E tasks on magnetic field in several mediums

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zulfikar, Aldi; Girsang, Denni Yulius; Saepuzaman, Duden; Samsudin, Achmad

2017-05-01

Conceptual understanding is one of the most important aspects in the study of Physics because of it useful to understand principles behind certain phenomenon which happened. An innovative method was needed to strengthen and enhance student's conceptual understanding, especially regarding the abstract subject such as magnetic field. For this reason, worksheet and exploration sheet based on PDEODE*E (Predict, Discuss, Explain, Observe, Discuss, Explore, and Explain) that uses Gauss Meter application as the smartphone technology has been designed to answer the problem. The magnetic field strength in different mediums is the physics subject which covered in this research. The research was conducted with the aim to know how effective smartphone technology-based PDEODE*E could be implemented as a physics learning strategy. The result of this research shows that students could show improvements in conceptual understanding that shown by the conclusion that was constructed during the learning process. Based on this result, PDEODE*E could become a solution to strengthen students' conceptual understanding regarding physics subject, especially those that requires abstract thinking. This result also has shown that the application ofsmartphone technology could be used to support physics learning processes in the classroom, such as Gauss Meter in this research which used to measure the magnetic field, Light Meter which could be used in the concept of light, and Harmonicity Meter for the context of the sound wave.

Quantum Mechanics predicts evolutionary biology.

PubMed

Torday, J S

2018-07-01

Nowhere are the shortcomings of conventional descriptive biology more evident than in the literature on Quantum Biology. In the on-going effort to apply Quantum Mechanics to evolutionary biology, merging Quantum Mechanics with the fundamentals of evolution as the First Principles of Physiology-namely negentropy, chemiosmosis and homeostasis-offers an authentic opportunity to understand how and why physics constitutes the basic principles of biology. Negentropy and chemiosmosis confer determinism on the unicell, whereas homeostasis constitutes Free Will because it offers a probabilistic range of physiologic set points. Similarly, on this basis several principles of Quantum Mechanics also apply directly to biology. The Pauli Exclusion Principle is both deterministic and probabilistic, whereas non-localization and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle are both probabilistic, providing the long-sought after ontologic and causal continuum from physics to biology and evolution as the holistic integration recognized as consciousness for the first time. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toward Instructional Design Principles: Inducing Faraday's Law with Contrasting Cases

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kuo, Eric; Wieman, Carl E.

2016-01-01

Although physics education research (PER) has improved instructional practices, there are not agreed upon principles for designing effective instructional materials. Here, we illustrate how close comparison of instructional materials could support the development of such principles. Specifically, in discussion sections of a large, introductory…

Universal Design for Learning and Instruction: Perspectives of Students with Disabilities in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Black, Robert D.; Weinberg, Lois A.; Brodwin, Martin G.

2015-01-01

Universal design in education is a framework of instruction that aims to be inclusive of different learning preferences and learners, and helps to reduce barriers for students with disabilities. The principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) were used as the framework for this study. The purposes…

Influence of High School Physical Education on University Student's Physical Activity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kimball, Jessica; Jenkins, Jayne; Wallhead, Tristan

2009-01-01

The purpose of this study was to use the Lifelong Physical Activity (LLPA) framework to examine the influence of high school physical education (PE) on university students' level of physical activity (PA). Participants included 365 undergraduate students from the Rocky Mountain West of the USA enrolled in a university physical activity course.…

Universal Design in Postsecondary Education: Process, Principles, and Applications

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burgstahler, Sheryl

2009-01-01

Designing any product or environment involves the consideration of many factors, including aesthetics, engineering options, environmental issues, safety concerns, industry standards, and cost. Typically, designers focus their attention on the average user. In contrast, universal design (UD), according to the Center for Universal Design, "is…

The 1907 Admission of Land-Grant University Depository Libraries: A 90-Year Perspective.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chapman, Bert

1999-01-01

This presentation of how land grant university libraries became federal depository libraries in 1907 examines the principle legislative statutes creating the land grant university system. Discusses government information distribution and management problems; 1980 Paperwork Reduction Act; the National Performance Review; Congressional reform…

The Power of the Stage and the Dignity of the Academic Calling in Imperial Germany: The Writings of Max Weber on University Problems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Minerva, 1973

1973-01-01

Contains Max Weber's writings on the problems of the German university in the face of political and bureaucratic authority and on the fundamental principles of university autonomy and academic freedom. (PG)

New Educational Modules Using a Cyber-Distribution System Testbed

DOE PAGES

Xie, Jing; Bedoya, Juan Carlos; Liu, Chen-Ching; ...

2018-03-30

At Washington State University (WSU), a modern cyber-physical system testbed has been implemented based on an industry grade distribution management system (DMS) that is integrated with remote terminal units (RTUs), smart meters, and a solar photovoltaic (PV). In addition, the real model from the Avista Utilities distribution system in Pullman, WA, is modeled in DMS. The proposed testbed environment allows students and instructors to utilize these facilities for innovations in learning and teaching. For power engineering education, this testbed helps students understand the interaction between a cyber system and a physical distribution system through industrial level visualization. The testbed providesmore » a distribution system monitoring and control environment for students. Compared with a simulation based approach, the testbed brings the students' learning environment a step closer to the real world. The educational modules allow students to learn the concepts of a cyber-physical system and an electricity market through an integrated testbed. Furthermore, the testbed provides a platform in the study mode for students to practice working on a real distribution system model. Here, this paper describes the new educational modules based on the testbed environment. Three modules are described together with the underlying educational principles and associated projects.« less

Light, Imaging, Vision: An interdisciplinary undergraduate course

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelson, Philip

Students in physical and life science, and in engineering, need to know about the physics and biology of light. In the 21st century, it has become increasingly clear that the quantum nature of light is essential both for the latest imaging modalities and even to advance our knowledge of fundamental processes, such as photosynthesis and human vision. But many optics courses remain rooted in classical physics, with photons as an afterthought. I'll describe a new undergraduate course, for students in several science and engineering majors, that takes students from the rudiments of probability theory to modern methods like fluorescence imaging and Förster resonance energy transfer. After a digression into color vision, students then see how the Feynman principle explains the apparently wavelike phenomena associated to light, including applications like diffraction limit, subdiffraction imaging, total internal reflection and TIRF microscopy. Then we see how scientists documented the single-quantum sensitivity of the eye seven decades earlier than `ought' to have been possible, and finally close with the remarkable signaling cascade that delivers such outstanding performance. A new textbook embodying this course will be published by Princeton University Press in Spring 2017. Partially supported by the United States National Science Foundation under Grant PHY-1601894.

Tests of the Weak Equivalence Principal Below Fifty Microns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leopardi, Holly; Hoyle, C. D.; Smith, Dave; Cardenas, Crystal; Harter, Andrew Conrad

2014-03-01

Due to the incompatibility of the Standard Model and General Relativity, tests of gravity remain at the forefront of experimental physics research. The Weak Equivalence Principle (WEP), which states that in a uniform gravitational field all objects fall with the same acceleration regardless of composition, total mass, or structure, is fundamentally the result of the equality of inertial mass and gravitational mass. The WEP has been effectively studied since the time of Galileo, and is a central feature of General Relativity; its violation at any length scale would bring into question fundamental aspects of the current model of gravitational physics. A variety of scenarios predict possible mechanisms that could result in a violation of the WEP. The Humboldt State University Gravitational Physics Laboratory is using a torsion pendulum with equal masses of different materials (a ``composition dipole'' configuration) to determine whether the WEP holds below the 50-micron distance scale. The experiment will measure the twist of a torsion pendulum as an attractor mass is oscillated nearby in a parallel-plate configuration, providing a time varying torque on the pendulum. The size and distance dependence of the torque variation will provide means to determine deviations from accepted models of gravity on untested distance scales. P.I.

New Educational Modules Using a Cyber-Distribution System Testbed

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xie, Jing; Bedoya, Juan Carlos; Liu, Chen-Ching

At Washington State University (WSU), a modern cyber-physical system testbed has been implemented based on an industry grade distribution management system (DMS) that is integrated with remote terminal units (RTUs), smart meters, and a solar photovoltaic (PV). In addition, the real model from the Avista Utilities distribution system in Pullman, WA, is modeled in DMS. The proposed testbed environment allows students and instructors to utilize these facilities for innovations in learning and teaching. For power engineering education, this testbed helps students understand the interaction between a cyber system and a physical distribution system through industrial level visualization. The testbed providesmore » a distribution system monitoring and control environment for students. Compared with a simulation based approach, the testbed brings the students' learning environment a step closer to the real world. The educational modules allow students to learn the concepts of a cyber-physical system and an electricity market through an integrated testbed. Furthermore, the testbed provides a platform in the study mode for students to practice working on a real distribution system model. Here, this paper describes the new educational modules based on the testbed environment. Three modules are described together with the underlying educational principles and associated projects.« less

Let's Make Physical Education More Physical and More Educational

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Duncan, Charles Arthur; Bellar, David M.

2015-01-01

Historically, physical education has a stereotypical image as being neither very physical nor educational. NASPE [National Standards for Physical Education] Standard 2 indicates that students in physical education classes should be able to demonstrate understanding and movement concepts, principles, and tactics as they apply to physical activity.…

Practice Oriented Master's in Optics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dimmock, John O.

1997-01-01

This award provides support for the development and initial implementation of an interdisciplinary Master's Program with a concentration in Optics and Photonics Technology. This program is a collaboration between the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama A&M University, Northwest Shoals Community College, the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, the U. S. Army Missile Command, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the National Institute for Standards and Technology, Advanced Optical Systems Inc., Dynetics, Inc., Hughes Danbury Optical Systems, Inc., Nichols Research Corp., SCI Inc., and Speedring Inc. These organizations have been participating fully in the design, development and implementation of the program. This program is directed at both traditional students as well as government and defense workers who desire specialty education in practical optics and optical systems design and manufacturing. It is intended to produce highly trained graduates who can solve practical problems, and includes an on-site practicum at a manufacturing location. The broad curriculum of this program emphasizes the fundamentals of optics, optical systems manufacturing and testing, and the principles of design and manufacturing-to-cost for commercial optical products. The degrees offered are the MS in Physics and the MSE in Electrical Engineering with concentration in Optics and Photonics Technology through the Physics and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments of UAH with support from and in consultation with the Steering Committee composed of representatives from each of the participating organizations plus a student representative.

Practice Oriented Master's in Optics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dimmock, John O.

1996-01-01

This award provides support for the development and initial implementation of an interdisciplinary Master's Program with a concentration in Optics and Photonics Technology. This program is a collaboration between the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama A and M University, Northwest Shoals Community College, the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, the U.S. Army Missile Command, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the National Institute for Standards and Technology, Advanced Optical Systems Inc., Dynetics, Inc., Hughes Danbury Optical Systems, Inc., Nichols Research Corp., SCI Inc., and Speedring Inc. These organizations have been participating fully in the design, development and implementation of the program. This program is directed at both traditional students as well as government and defense workers who desire specialty education in practical optics and optical systems design and manufacturing. It is intended to produce highly trained graduates who can solve practical problems, and includes an on-site practicum at a manufacturing location. The broad curriculum of this program emphasizes the fundamentals of optics, optical systems manufacturing and testing, and the principles of design and manufacturing-to-cost for commercial optical products. The degrees offered are the MS in Physics and the MSE in Electrical Engineering with concentration in Optics and Photonics Technology through the Physics and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments of UAH with support from and in consultation with the Steering Committee composed of representatives from each of the participating organizations plus a student representative.

Novel Principles and the Charge-Symmetric Design of Dirac's Quantum Mechanics: I. Enhanced Eriksen's Theorem and the Universal Charge-Index Formalism for Dirac's Equation in (Strong) External Static Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kononets, Yu. V.

2016-12-01

The presented enhanced version of Eriksen's theorem defines an universal transform of the Foldy-Wouthuysen type and in any external static electromagnetic field (ESEMF) reveals a discrete symmetry of Dirac's equation (DE), responsible for existence of a highly influential conserved quantum number—the charge index distinguishing two branches of DE spectrum. It launches the charge-index formalism (CIF) obeying the charge-index conservation law (CICL). Via its unique ability to manipulate each spectrum branch independently, the CIF creates a perfect charge-symmetric architecture of Dirac's quantum mechanics (DQM), which resolves all the riddles of the standard DE theory (SDET). Besides the abstract CIF algebra, the paper discusses: (1) the novel accurate charge-symmetric definition of the electric-current density; (2) DE in the true-particle representation, where electrons and positrons coexist on equal footing; (3) flawless "natural" scheme of second quantization; and (4) new physical grounds for the Fermi-Dirac statistics. As a fundamental quantum law, the CICL originates from the kinetic-energy sign conservation and leads to a novel single-particle physics in strong-field situations. Prohibiting Klein's tunneling (KT) in Klein's zone via the CICL, the precise CIF algebra defines a new class of weakly singular DE solutions, strictly confined in the coordinate space and experiencing the total reflection from the potential barrier.

Genomic potential hypothesis of evolution: a concept of biogenesis in habitable spaces of the universe.

PubMed

Schwabe, Christian

2002-11-01

The new hypothesis of evolution establishes a contiguity of life sciences with cosmology, physics, and chemistry, and provides a basis for the search for life on other planets. Chemistry is the sole driving force of the assembly of life, under the subtle guidance exerted by bonding orbital geometry. That phenomenon leads to multiple origins that function on the same principles but are different to the extent that their nucleic acid core varies. Thus, thoughts about the origins of life and the development of complexity have been transferred from the chance orientation of the past to the realm of atomic structures, which are subject to the laws of thermodynamics and kinetics. Evolution is a legitimate subject of basic science, and the complexity of life will submit to the laws of chemistry and physics as the problem is viewed from a new perspective. The paradigm connects life to the big events that formed every sphere of our living space and that keeps conditions fine-tuned for life to persist, perhaps a billion years or more. The "genomic potential" hypothesis leads to the prediction that life like ours is likely to exist in galaxies that are as distant from the origin of the universe as the Milky Way, and that the habitable zone of our galaxy harbors other living planets as well. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

A Flush Toilet Model for the Transistor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Organtini, Giovanni

2012-04-01

In introductory physics textbooks, diodes working principles are usually well described in a relatively simple manner. According to our experience, they are well understood by students. Even when no formal derivation of the physics laws governing the current flow through a diode is given, the use of this device as a check valve is easily accepted. This is not true for transistors. In most textbooks the behavior of a transistor is given without formal explanation. When the amplification is computed, for some reason, students have difficulties in identifying the basic physical mechanisms that give rise to such an effect. In this paper we give a simple and captivating illustration of the working principles of a transistor as an amplifier, tailored to high school students even with almost no background in electronics nor in modern physics. We assume that the target audience is familiar with the idea that a diode works as a check valve for currents. The lecture emphasis is on the illustration of physics principles governing the behavior of a transistor, rather than on a formal description of the processes leading to amplification.

Reionization and its imprint of the cosmic microwave background

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dodelson, Scott; Jubas, Jay M.

1995-01-01

Early reionization changes the pattern of anisotropies expected in the cosmic microwave backgrond. To explore these changes, we derive from first principles the equations governing anisotropies, focusing on the interactions of photons with electrons. Vishniac (1987) claimed that second-order terms can be large in a reionized universe, so we derive equations correct to second order in the perturbations. There are many more second-order terms than were considered by Vishniac. To understand the basic physics involved, we present a simple analytic approximation to the first-order equation. Then, turning to the second order equation, we show that the Vishniac term is indeed the only important one. We also present numerical results for a variety of ionization histories (in a standard cold dark matter universe) and show quantitatively how the signal in several experiments depends on the ionization history. The most pronounced indication of a reionized universe would be seen in very small scale experiments; the expected signal in the Owens Valley experiment is smaller by a factor of order 10 if the last scattering surface is at a redshift z approximately = 100 as it would be if the universe were reionized very early. On slightly larger scales, the expected signal in a reionized universe is smaller than it would be with standard recombination, but only a factor of 2 or so. The signal is even smaller in these experiments in the intermediate case where some photons last scattered at the standard recombination epoch.

Screening Health Risk Assessment Burn Pit Exposures, Balad Air Base, Iraq and Addendum Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-05-01

risk uses principles drawn from many scientific disciplines including chemistry , toxicology, physics, mathematics, and statistics. Because the data...uses principles drawn from many scientific disciplines, including chemistry , toxicology, physics, mathematics, and statistics. Because the data...natural chemicals in plants (called flavonoids ) also act on the Ah-receptor and could potentially block the effects of dioxins. One more reason to

Network evaluation: principles, structures and outcomes of the German working group of Health Promoting Universities.

PubMed

Stock, Christiane; Milz, Simone; Meier, Sabine

2010-03-01

With more than 60 participating universities, the German working group of Health Promoting Universities (German HPU network) is the largest and most active network of universities as healthy settings. This study aims at evaluating processes and effects of the German HPU network and at supporting the future development of the network. The evaluation was based on the multi faceted network assessment instrument developed by Broesskamp-Stone (7). We used a document analysis, two expert interviews and a survey among members (n = 33) to collect relevant data for the assessment. The analysis showed that the visions of the network can be regarded as fulfilled in most aspects. The members of the network received network support through trustful and mutual relationships. The network ranked high on general network principles like implementation of mutual relationships, sharing of information, risks and resources, equal access to resources, responsibility and consensus orientation. However, a high degree of centralization was found as a negative indicator. Other critical aspects of the network's structures and processes have been the regional predominance of universities from the northern and middle part of Germany, the low representation of students in the network, and the low proportion of members that could successfully implement health promotion into the guiding principles of their university. Overall, the evaluation has shown that the network has worked effectively, has developed meaningful processes and structures and has formulated practical guidelines. Since its 12 years of existence the German HPU network has been able to adapt and to adequately respond to changing contextual conditions regarding health promotion at universities in Germany. The network should develop strategies to counteract the critical aspects and detected imbalances in order to further increase its impact on universities as healthy settings.

Rowlands' Duality Principle: A Generalization of Noether's Theorem?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karam, Sabah E.

This paper will examine a physical principle that has been used in making valid predictions and generalizes established conservation laws. In a previous paper it was shown how Rowlands' zero-totality condition could be viewed as a generalization of Newton's third law of motion. In this paper it will be argued that Rowlands' Duality Principle is a generalization of Noether's Theorem and that the two principles taken together are truly foundational principles that have tamed Metaphysics.

The Universal Plausibility Metric (UPM) & Principle (UPP)

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Background Mere possibility is not an adequate basis for asserting scientific plausibility. A precisely defined universal bound is needed beyond which the assertion of plausibility, particularly in life-origin models, can be considered operationally falsified. But can something so seemingly relative and subjective as plausibility ever be quantified? Amazingly, the answer is, "Yes." A method of objectively measuring the plausibility of any chance hypothesis (The Universal Plausibility Metric [UPM]) is presented. A numerical inequality is also provided whereby any chance hypothesis can be definitively falsified when its UPM metric of ξ is < 1 (The Universal Plausibility Principle [UPP]). Both UPM and UPP pre-exist and are independent of any experimental design and data set. Conclusion No low-probability hypothetical plausibility assertion should survive peer-review without subjection to the UPP inequality standard of formal falsification (ξ < 1). PMID:19958539

Can Evolutionary Principles Explain Patterns of Family Violence?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Archer, John

2013-01-01

The article's aim is to evaluate the application of the evolutionary principles of kin selection, reproductive value, and resource holding power to the understanding of family violence. The principles are described in relation to specific predictions and the mechanisms underlying these. Predictions are evaluated for physical violence perpetrated…

Microscopic Description of Le Chatelier's Principle

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Novak, Igor

2005-01-01

A simple approach that "demystifies" Le Chatelier's principle (LCP) and simulates students to think about fundamental physical background behind the well-known principles is presented. The approach uses microscopic descriptors of matter like energy levels and populations and does not require any assumption about the fixed amount of substance being…

Applying Brain-Based Learning Principles to Athletic Training Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Craig, Debbie I.

2007-01-01

Objective: To present different concepts and techniques related to the application of brain-based learning principles to Athletic Training clinical education. Background: The body of knowledge concerning how our brains physically learn continues to grow. Brain-based learning principles, developed by numerous authors, offer advice on how to…

Connection of Scattering Principles: A Visual and Mathematical Tour

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Broggini, Filippo; Snieder, Roel

2012-01-01

Inverse scattering, Green's function reconstruction, focusing, imaging and the optical theorem are subjects usually studied as separate problems in different research areas. We show a physical connection between the principles because the equations that rule these "scattering principles" have a similar functional form. We first lead the reader…

The maximum entropy production principle: two basic questions.

PubMed

Martyushev, Leonid M

2010-05-12

The overwhelming majority of maximum entropy production applications to ecological and environmental systems are based on thermodynamics and statistical physics. Here, we discuss briefly maximum entropy production principle and raises two questions: (i) can this principle be used as the basis for non-equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics and (ii) is it possible to 'prove' the principle? We adduce one more proof which is most concise today.

The Principle of the Fermionic Projector: An Approach for Quantum Gravity?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finster, Felix

In this short article we introduce the mathematical framework of the principle of the fermionic projector and set up a variational principle in discrete space-time. The underlying physical principles are discussed. We outline the connection to the continuum theory and state recent results. In the last two sections, we speculate on how it might be possible to describe quantum gravity within this framework.

Music Theory and the Harmony Method in J. Kepler's Work " The harmony of the Universe"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smirnov, V. A.

In Kepler's book The Harmony of the Universe, edited in 1619, the theory of music as a science of that time is presented. Also the investigation of the correspondence between musical proportion and orbital parameters of the planets is presented. Kepler's book The Harmony of the Universe is a work that discloses the basic physical regularities of the developing Universe, which so far had not been definitively formulated. To explain the development process, Kepler introduced the concept of a "productive force" or "forming force" that directs the development of natural phenomena with the principles of world harmony, described by him. In addition to the four known natural interactions is a fifth one, that had never been studied fully. In this way we can explain the development of natural phenomena as alive and nonalive. Arising from the "productive force" that directs the flow of processes with the laws of harmony is an explanation of the existence of "anti-entropy" processes, a contradiction to the second law of thermodynamics, but playing a fundamental part in nature. The "golden section" apparatus defines space and time frames of process flow. The contents of the book give a notion about the way or "program" of development. Which basic law of nature is hiden in the contents of book is yet to be resolved (Kepler, 1939).

Universal design in diabetes care: an idea whose time has come.

PubMed

Williams, Ann S

2009-01-01

The purpose of this article is to introduce diabetes educators to the emerging concept of universal design (UD): the design of products, environments, and services to be used by persons with a wide range of abilities, without needing adaptation or specialized design. Drawing from the use of the term universal design in a variety of types of writing, this article covers the definition of UD, the contrast of average-person design with UD, principles of UD, and implications for diabetes self-management education (DSME). Implications for DSME are (1) diabetes consumer medical devices (such as blood glucose meters and insulin pumps) can be designed using UD principles, with a goal of successful use by the largest number of persons possible, and (2) diabetes educators can use UD principles in the design of diabetes education programs to reach the largest number of learners possible without the need for special accommodations. Adoption of UD principles by designers of diabetes medical devices could benefit persons with disabilities, increase the potential market for the manufacturer, and have unexpected benefits for people of average abilities. Adoption of UD principles for DSME programs would not require a paradigm change because diabetes educators already do many activities that could contribute to UD of an education program. By replacing average-person design of DSME programs with UD, diabetes educators can promote full participation in DSME for individuals with the wide range of abilities normally present in target populations without the need for added adaptations or specialized design.

Organizing for Sustainability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, William M.; Hamburger, Michael W.

2012-01-01

A successful campus sustainability effort catalyzes broad engagement of the campus community and integration of sustainability principles into the academic and operational components of campus life. Although many universities have embraced sustainability as a new core value, others have been more sluggish in adopting sustainability principles to…

Teaching the EPR Paradox at High School?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pospiech, Gesche

1999-01-01

Argues the importance of students at university and in the final years of high school gaining an appreciation of the principles of quantum mechanics. Presents the EPR gedanken experiment (thought experiment) as a method of teaching the principles of quantum mechanics. (Author/CCM)

Preparation for Careers--Not Jobs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Worthy, James C.

1977-01-01

Sangamon State University's experimental management program has demonstrated the fundamental soundness of the generic approach. Application of common principles to a variety of organizational situations contributes to a better understanding of those principles and helps students understand the differences between organizations and how to adapt to…

The Foray into the Neurosciences: Have We Learned Anything Useful Yet?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mollica, Anthony; Danesi, Marcel

1995-01-01

Reviews research on the neuroscientific perspective to second-language acquisition and teaching, focusing on the "critical period" of language acquisition, brain hemispheric mapping, universal grammar theory, the modal directionality principle, and the modal focusing principle. (contains 74 references) (MDM)

Communication Theory.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Penland, Patrick R.

Three papers are presented which delineate the foundation of theory and principles which underlie the research and instructional approach to communications at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Pittsburgh. Cybernetic principles provide the integration, and validation is based in part on a situation-producing…

Academic Freedom: A Global Comparative Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marginson, Simon

2014-01-01

Academic freedom is best understood not as an abstract universal principle or an ideal state of being but as concrete university practices nested in specific relational environments. As such, practices of academic freedom vary across the world, according to variations in political cultures, educational cultures and state-university relations. The…

Governance in Higher Education: The University in a State of Flux.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hirsch, Werner Z., Ed.; Weber, Luc E., Ed.

This book explores the dimensions of university governance in research-intensive universities, seeks to develop cogent governance principles, and offers initiatives and recommendations. Papers were prepared as background for a conference to be held in January 2000 in Del Mar, California. Part 1, Missions and Responsibilities of Research…

Financial Report of Ontario Universities 1995-96. Volume I - Universities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council of Ontario Universities, Toronto.

This report provides 1995-96 financial information on 21 degree granting universities and related institutions which receive grants from the provincial government of Ontario, Canada. The report first explains the general guidelines and reporting requirements used in compiling the information; the principles of fund accounting involved; and the…

Financial Report of Ontario Universities 1991-92, Volume I-Universities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council of Ontario Universities, Toronto.

This report provides financial information on 21 degree granting universities and related institutions which receive grants from the provincial government of Ontario, Canada. The report first explains the general guidelines and reporting requirements used in compiling the information; the principles of fund accounting involved; and the definitions…

Financial Report of Ontario Universities 1990-91, Volume I: Universities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council of Ontario Universities, Toronto.

This report provides financial information on 21 degree granting universities and related institutions which receive grants from the provincial government of Ontario, Canada. The report first explains the general guidelines and reporting requirements used in compiling the information; the principles of fund accounting involved; and the definitions…

Financial Report of Ontario Universities, 1992-93, Volume I-Universities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council of Ontario Universities, Toronto.

This report provides 1992-93 financial information on 21 degree granting universities and related institutions which receive grants from the provincial government of Ontario, Canada. The report first explains the general guidelines and reporting requirements used in compiling the information; the principles of fund accounting involved; and the…

University-Industry Collaboration, Knowledge Management and Enterprise Innovation Performance: An Empirical Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Jin; Wei, Shiyang

2008-01-01

This empirical study is concerned with university-industry collaboration from a knowledge management perspective. The authors introduce the concepts of "enterprise-level core elements" to define the principle status of an enterprise during university-industry collaboration, and "network embeddedness" as an indication of the…

Physics of the gut: How polymers dynamically structure the gut environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Preska Steinberg, Asher; Datta, Sujit; Bogatyrev, Said; Ismagilov, Rustem

While the gut microbiome and biological regulation of the gut environment is being exhaustively studied by the microbiology community, little is known about the rich physics that governs the macro- and microstructure of the gut environment. The mammalian gut abounds in soft materials; ranging from soluble polymers (e.g. dietary fibers, therapeutic polymers and mucins) to colloidal matter (e.g. bacteria, viruses and nanoparticles carrying drugs). We have found experimentally that soluble polymers can dynamically re-structure the colonic mucus hydrogel by modulating its degree of swelling. We implemented a mean-field Flory-Huggins model to reveal that these polymer-mucus interactions can be captured using a simple, first principles thermodynamics model. In this model, the amount of deswelling increases with polymer concentration and size. We then used these physical principles to make predictions about how different polymer solutions affect the structure of mucus. Lastly, we explore applying this framework and similar physical principles to a variety of biological problems in the gut.

Equity Investigation of Attitudinal Shifts in Introductory Physics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Traxler, Adrienne; Brewe, Eric

2015-01-01

We report on seven years of attitudinal data using the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey from University Modeling Instruction (UMI) sections of introductory physics at Florida International University. University Modeling Instruction is a curricular and pedagogical transformation of introductory university physics that engages…

Quantum theory and Aquinas's doctrine on matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grove, Stanley F.

The Aristotelian conception of the material principle, deepened by Aquinas, is today widely misunderstood and largely alien to modern mathematical physics, despite the latter's preoccupation with matter and the spatiotemporal. The present dissertation seeks to develop a coherent understanding of matter in the Aristotelian-Thomistic sense, and to apply it to some key interpretive issues in quantum physics. I begin with a brief historical analysis of the Aristotelian, Newtonian ("classical"), and modern (quantum) approaches to physics, in order to highlight their commonality as well as their differences. Next, matter---especially prime matter---is investigated, in an Aristotelian-Thomistic perspective, under several rationes: as principle of individuation, as principle of extension or spatiality, as principle of corruptibility, as related to essence and existence, and as ground of intelligibility. An attempt is made to order these different rationes according to primordiality. A number of topics concerning the formal structure of hylomorphic being are then addressed: elementarity, virtual presence, the "dispositions of matter," entia vialia, natural minima, atomism, the nature of local motion, the plenum and instantaneous action at a distance---all with a view to their incorporation in a unified account of formed matter at or near the elementary level. Finally I take up several interpretive problems in quantum physics which were introduced early in the dissertation, and show how the material and formal principles expounded in the central chapters can render these problems intelligible. Thus I propose that wave and particle aspects in the quantum realm are related substantially rather than accidentally, and that characteristics of substantial (prime) matter and substantial form are therefore being evidenced directly at this level---in the reversibility of the wave-particle transition, in the spatial and temporal instantaneity of quantum events, and in the probabilism encountered in such phenomena. I offer related hypotheses for Heisenberg uncertainty and for quantum nonlocality. In closing, I address some strengths and weaknesses in others' work on quantum interpretation in the light of Aristotelian principles. Three Appendices explore further aspects of matter as a cosmic principle.

The Role of Geophysics/Geology in the Environmental Discourse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pfannkuch, H. O.

2013-12-01

Environmental problems are created by interaction between the Anthroposphere and Geosphere. Principles and laws governing behavior and interaction between them have to be fully understood to properly address environmental problems. A particular problem arises by inadequate communication between practitioners and/or decision makers in each sphere. A perfect analysis or solution in the Geosphere based solely on geophysical, geochemical principles will go nowhere if institutional, socio economic principles are ignored, or vice versa: no matter how well socio-economic relations are used in the Anthroposphere if they violate basic laws of physics . Two conceptual representations of the environment system are: Nöosphere with three domains: Physical, Institutional, Symbolic and their interactions. It is where environmental problems arise, decisions are made and implemented. The Physical Domain comprises physical, chemical, biological, geopsphere realities. Problems are treated by the scientific method. The Institutional Domain with economy, sociology, administration and political institutions, solves by negotiation (vote, ballot). The elements of the Symbolic Domain. spiritual, moral, religious, esthetic principles are revealed. All are intimately connected and interdependent. Activity in one affects the state of the others. A particularly strong and effective interactive relation exists between the Physical and the Institutional domains with regards to environmental problem definition, analysis and resolution. Hierarchic structure of interaction pyramid. Geosphere, Biosphere and Anthroposphere are open systems and are organized in successive levels forming a pyramid shape or aspect. The Geosphere forms the bottom level, the Anthroposphere the top. One fundamental attribute is that level (n) is limited by the restrictions obtaining in level (n-1), and conversely, level (n) represents the restrictions and limitations for level (n+1). In the environmental discourse this structural aspect is often overlooked which leads to two major sets of fallacies: 1. Discourse takes place across hierarchic levels with the unstated assumption that from the viewpoint of level (n) the same conditions, rules, equations and models hold in level (n-1) as on level (n) and are similarly compatible and follow the same rules. This leads to misunderstanding or misrepresentation of what analysis, modeling and solution methods at this level would be appropriate. 2. The fact that the bottom Geosphere level is the base level onto which all other levels are stacked including the topmost Anthroposphere. Each of the successive layers is restricted by the limitations of the Geosphere layer. Institutional and physical scientific realities both have to realize that solutions or redress are not solely within their domain. No matter what the economic or socio-political preferences might be, they cannot be implemented by violating fundamental physical, geological geo-ecological principles, nor can the physical world ignore currently acceptable principles of the institutional and symbolic realities. The role of Geophysics/Geology in the environmental discourse is to clearly state and apply the physical and thermodynamic principles to the Geosphere and Noösphere.

The Role of Research in Teaching-Oriented Institutions: A Case Study of University Language Centres in Finland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rontu, Heidi; Tuomi, Ulla-Kristiina

2014-01-01

The role of research in university institutions whose primary task is to provide teaching remains ambiguous and controversial. In principle, all university teaching is based on pertinent research. However, for some university units, such as language centres, the basic tasks, and consequently their funding, are very often defined in a manner which…

The Benefits of Intergenerational Learning in Higher Education: Lessons Learned from Two Age Friendly University Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pstross, Mikulas; Corrigan, Trudy; Knopf, Richard C.; Sung, HeeKyung; Talmage, Craig A.; Conroy, Carmel; Fowley, Cathy

2017-01-01

This article focuses on the role of universities in the promotion of intergenerational learning and the facilitation of reciprocal sharing of expertise among learners of all ages. The principles of the Age Friendly University are used as a particular lens for interpreting two university programs, one in the United States and one in Ireland. Though…

Bi-centenary of successes of Fourier theorem: its power and limitations in optical system designs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roychoudhuri, Chandrasekhar

2007-09-01

We celebrate the two hundred years of successful use of the Fourier theorem in optics. However, there is a great enigma associated with the Fourier transform integral. It is one of the most pervasively productive and useful tool of physics and optics because its foundation is based on the superposition of harmonic functions and yet we have never declared it as a principle of physics for valid reasons. And, yet there are a good number of situations where we pretend it to be equivalent to the superposition principle of physics, creating epistemological problems of enormous magnitude. The purpose of the paper is to elucidate the problems while underscoring the successes and the elegance of the Fourier theorem, which are not explicitly discussed in the literature. We will make our point by taking six major engineering fields of optics and show in each case why it works and under what restricted conditions by bringing in the relevant physics principles. The fields are (i) optical signal processing, (ii) Fourier transform spectrometry, (iii) classical spectrometry of pulsed light, (iv) coherence theory, (v) laser mode locking and (vi) pulse broadening. We underscore that mathematical Fourier frequencies, not being physical frequencies, cannot generate real physical effects on our detectors. Appreciation of this fundamental issue will open up ways to be innovative in many new optical instrument designs. We underscore the importance of always validating our design platforms based on valid physics principles (actual processes undergoing in nature) captured by an appropriate hypothesis based on diverse observations. This paper is a comprehensive view of the power and limitations of Fourier Transform by summarizing a series of SPIE conference papers presented during 2003-2007.

Tissue adaptation to physical stress: a proposed "Physical Stress Theory" to guide physical therapist practice, education, and research.

PubMed

Mueller, Michael J; Maluf, Katrina S

2002-04-01

The purpose of this perspective is to present a general theory--the Physical Stress Theory (PST). The basic premise of the PST is that changes in the relative level of physical stress cause a predictable adaptive response in all biological tissue. Specific thresholds define the upper and lower stress levels for each characteristic tissue response. Qualitatively, the 5 tissue responses to physical stress are decreased stress tolerance (eg, atrophy), maintenance, increased stress tolerance (eg, hypertrophy), injury, and death. Fundamental principles of tissue adaptation to physical stress are described that, in the authors' opinion, can be used to help guide physical therapy practice, education, and research. The description of fundamental principles is followed by a review of selected literature describing adaptation to physical stress for each of the 4 main organ systems described in the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice (ie, cardiovascular/pulmonary, integumentary, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular). Limitations and implications of the PST for practice, research, and education are presented.

Reframing conceptual physics: Improving relevance to elementary education and sonography majors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LaFazia, David Gregory

This study outlines the steps taken to reframe the Waves and Periodicity unit within a conceptual physics course. Beyond this unit reframing process, this paper explores the activities that made up the reframed unit and how each was developed and revised. The unit was reframed to improve relevance of the activities to the Elementary Education and Diagnostic Medical Sonography majors who make up the bulk of the course roster. The unit was reframed around ten design principles that were built on best practices from the literature, survey responses, and focused interviews. These principles support the selection of a biology-integrated themed approach to teaching physics. This is done through active and highly kinesthetic learning across three realms of human experience: physical, social, and cognitive. The unit materials were designed around making connections to students' future careers while requiring students to take progressively more responsibility in activities and assessments. Several support strategies are employed across these activities and assessments, including an energy-first, guided-inquiry approach to concept scaffolding and accommodations for diverse learners. Survey responses were solicited from physics instructors experienced with this population, Elementary Education and Sonography program advisors, and curriculum design, learning strategies, and educational technology experts. The reframed unit was reviewed by doctoral-level science education experts and revised to further improve the depth and transparency with which the design principles reframe the unit activities. The reframed unit contains a full unit plan, lesson plans, and full unit materials. These include classroom and online activities, assessments, and templates for future unit and lesson planning. Additional supplemental materials are provided to support Elementary Education and Sonography students and program advisors and also further promote the reframed unit materials and design principles. The unit is designed to be educative in nature and serves as a model for the reframing of other units. A number of the design principles are highly transdisciplinary in nature and may be applied for reframing instructional units outside of the physics and science disciplines.

What Young People Say about Physical Activity: The Children's Sport Participation and Physical Activity (CSPPA) Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tannehill, Deborah; MacPhail, Ann; Walsh, Julia; Woods, Catherine

2015-01-01

The Children's Sport Participation and Physical Activity (CSPPA) study is a unique multi-centre/discipline study undertaken by three Irish institutions, Dublin City University, University of Limerick and University College Cork. The study sought to assess participation in physical activity, physical education and sport (PAPES) among 10-18 year…

Student Performance in Undergraduate Economics Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mumford, Kevin J.; Ohland, Matthew W.

2011-01-01

Using undergraduate student records from six large public universities from 1990 to 2003, the authors analyze the characteristics and performance of students by major in two economics courses: Principles of Microeconomics and Intermediate Microeconomics. This article documents important differences across students by major in the principles course…

Using isomorphic problems to learn introductory physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Shih-Yin; Singh, Chandralekha

2011-12-01

In this study, we examine introductory physics students’ ability to perform analogical reasoning between two isomorphic problems which employ the same underlying physics principles but have different surface features. Three hundred sixty-two students from a calculus-based and an algebra-based introductory physics course were given a quiz in the recitation in which they had to first learn from a solved problem provided and take advantage of what they learned from it to solve another problem (which we call the quiz problem) which was isomorphic. Previous research suggests that the multiple-concept quiz problem is challenging for introductory students. Students in different recitation classes received different interventions in order to help them discern and exploit the underlying similarities of the isomorphic solved and quiz problems. We also conducted think-aloud interviews with four introductory students in order to understand in depth the difficulties they had and explore strategies to provide better scaffolding. We found that most students were able to learn from the solved problem to some extent with the scaffolding provided and invoke the relevant principles in the quiz problem. However, they were not necessarily able to apply the principles correctly. Research suggests that more scaffolding is needed to help students in applying these principles appropriately. We outline a few possible strategies for future investigation.

Theme: Physical Science in Agriscience--The New Ag Mech.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buriak, Phil; And Others

1992-01-01

Seven theme articles discuss strategies for teaching mechanics, physical sciences in the study of foods, scientific principles in the agricultural curriculum, environmental issues in agriculture, and applied physical sciences. (SK)

The AAS Working Group on Accessibility and Disability (WGAD)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monkiewicz, Jacqueline A.; Shanahan, J.; Murphy, Nicholas Arnold; Gilbert, Lauren

2016-06-01

The Working Group on Accessibility and Disability (WGAD) was formed by the Council of the American Astronomical Society in late 2015 in order to monitor and addresses issues of inclusivity in the astronomical community related to disability. WGAD promotes of the principles of universal accessibility and disability justice in both professional astronomy and astronomy education. The short term goals of WGAD for the next two years include producing a set of guidelines for a wide range of activities including supporting improved access to journals, data, and conferences. We will provide information and training regarding universal design as a guiding principle. The longer term goals of WGAD include integrating universal design as primary design strategy across the board in our many aspects of daily work life.

Developing Principles of Physical Education Teacher Education Practice through Self-Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fletcher, Tim

2016-01-01

Background: The articulation of specific principles of teacher education practice allows teacher educators to make explicit the beliefs, values, and actions that shape their practice. Engaging in processes to articulate the principles that guide practice is beneficial not only for teacher educators and their colleagues but also for students. There…

University Students' Attitudes toward Physical Education Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Fengjuan; Chen, Junjun; Baker, Miles

2014-01-01

While there have been many studies into students' attitudes toward Physical Education at the school level, far fewer studies have been conducted at the university level, especially in China. This study explored 949 students' attitudes toward their university Physical Education experiences in four Chinese universities. An intercorrelated model of…