Physics

Recognizing the imperiled status of biodiversity and its benefit to human well-being, the world's governments committed in 2010 to take effective and urgent action to halt biodiversity loss through the Convention on Biological Diversity's "Aichi Targets". These targets, and many conservation programs, require monitoring to assess progress toward specific goals. However, comprehensive and easily understood information on biodiversity trends at appropriate spatial scales is often not available to the policy makers, managers, and scientists who require it. We surveyed conservation stakeholders in three geographically diverse regions of critical biodiversity concern (the Tropical Andes, the African Great Lakes, and the Greater Mekong) and found high demand for biodiversity indicator information but uneven availability. To begin to address this need, we present a biodiversity "dashboard"--a visualization of biodiversity indicators designed to enable tracking o...

Coherent-population-trapping resonances within the degenerate two-level system of the F=2→F'=1 transition of the 87 Rb D1 line were investigated in an uncoated Rb vapor cell by means of level-crossing-type experiments. Tuning over the two-photon resonance is achieved sweeping a magnetic field around zero value. The influence of transverse magnetic fields on the amplitude and the width of the resonances, recorded in fluorescence and absorption, were investigated in the cases of excitation with linear, circular, and elliptical laser light polarization. A theoretical analysis was performed for the case of linearly polarized excitation, the results of which are in good agreement with the experiment.

We introduce the concept of bi-conformal transformation, as a generalization of conformal ones, by allowing two orthogonal parts of a manifold with metric g to be scaled by different conformal factors. In particular, we study their infinitesimal version, called bi-conformal vector fields. We show that these are characterized by the differential conditions £ ξ P ∝ P and £ ξ Π ∝ Π where P and Π are orthogonal projectors (P + Π = g). Keeping P and Π fixed, the set of bi-conformal vector fields is a Lie algebra which can be finite or infinite dimensional according to the dimensionality of the projectors. We determine (i) when an infinite-dimensional case is feasible and its properties, and (ii) a normal system for the generators in the finite-dimensional case. Its integrability conditions are also analyzed, which in particular provides the maximum number of linearly independent solutions. We identify the corresponding maximal spaces, and show a necessary geometric condition for a metric tensor to be a doubletwisted product. More general "breakable" spaces are briefly considered. Many known symmetries are included, such as conformal Killing vectors, Kerr-Schild vector fields, kinematic self-similarity, causal symmetries, and rigid motions.

The activation of the G-protein transducin (Gt) by rhodopsin (Rho) has been intensively studied for several decades. It is the best understood example of GPCR activation mechanism and serves as a template for other GPCRs. The structure of the Rho/G protein complex, which is transiently formed during the signaling reaction, is of particular interest. It can help understanding the molecular details of how retinal isomerization leads to the G protein activation, as well as shed some light on how GPCR recognizes its cognate G protein. The native Rho/Gt complex isolated from bovine retina suffers from low stability and loss of the retinal ligand. Recently, we reported that constitutively active mutant of rhodopsin E113Q forms a Rho/Gt complex that is stable in detergent solution. Here, we introduce methods for a large scale preparation of the complex formed by the thermo-stabilized and constitutively active rhodopsin mutant N2C/M257Y/D282C(RhoM257Y) and the native Gt purified from bovine...

In recent years the topic of intuition has become an important focus of attention in psychology. It is often assumed to be a unitary construct however recent research suggests that intuition is multi-faceted. This paper disaggregates intuition by: discriminating between domain-general mechanisms and domain-specific processes of intuiting, and primary types of intuition and secondary types of intuition.

In this study, we determine spectral characteristics and amplitude decays of wind turbine induced seismic signals in the far field of a wind farm (WF) close to Uettingen/Germany. Average power spectral densities (PSD) are calculated from 10 min time segments extracted from (up to) 6-months of continuous recordings at 19 seismic stations, positioned along an 8 km profile starting from the WF. We identify 7 distinct PSD peaks in the frequency range between 1 Hz and 8 Hz that can be observed to at least 4 km distance; lower-frequency peaks are detectable up to the end of the profile. At distances between 300 m and 4 km the PSD amplitude decay can be described by a power law with exponent b. The measured b-values exhibit a linear frequency dependence and range from b = 0.39 at 1.14 Hz to b = 3.93 at 7.6 Hz. In a second step, the seismic radiation and amplitude decays are modeled using an analytical approach which approximates the surface-wave field. Since we observe temporally varying phase differences between seismograms recorded directly at the base of the individual wind turbines (WTs), source-signal phase information is included in the modeling approach. We show that phase differences between source signals have significant effects on the seismic radiation pattern and amplitude decays. Therefore, we develop a phase-shift-eliminationmethod to handle the challenge of choosing representative source characteristics as an input for the modeling. To optimize the fitting of modeled and observed amplitude decay curves, we perform a grid search to constrain the two model parameters, i.e., the seismic shear wave velocity and quality factor. The comparison of modeled and observed amplitude decays for the 7 prominent frequencies shows very good agreement and allows to constrain shear velocities and quality factors for a two-layer model of the subsurface. The approach is generalized to predict amplitude decays and radiation patterns for WFs of arbitrary geometry.

Since the advent of quantum mechanics, our fundamental physical descriptions of the universe have included a strong element of randomness. While this randomness goes against aspirations to comprehend a fundamental, deterministic order underlying science, physicists have mostly learned to accept randomness, fashioning a picture of the universe according to which order and chance are two sides of the same coin, and which all we know appears subject to physical descriptions combining rules and randomness. Broader cultural understandings of science, however, have not yet come to terms with the randomness in physics. Debates concerning science and religion, in particular, have been slow in accepting the consequences of fundamental randomness, partly because these are difficult to reconcile with religious intuitions about design and purpose.

Many authors noted that the principle of relativity together with space-time homogeneity and isotropy restrict the form of the coordinate transformations from one inertial frame to another to being Lorentz-like. A free parameter in these equations, k, plays the part of c −2 in special relativity. It is usual to claim that k is determined by experiment and hence, that special relativity does not need the postulate of constancy of the speed of light. I analyze how one would go about determining k empirically and find that all methods suffer from severe problems without further assumptions, none as simple and elegant as the postulate of constancy of the speed of light. I conclude that while the formal structure of the transformation equations can be determined without appeal to the second postulate, the theory is left without physical content if we ignore this postulate. Specifically, evaluating k requires creating a signal that travels identically in opposite directions or ensuring th...

We describe a new curriculum for the final two years of a B.S. program in Physics. Case studies in the junior year provide concrete examples or Paradigms as pillars to support systematic Capstone lectures in the senior year. In each of nine three-week Paradigms, the junior progresses from a descriptive lower-division understanding to an advanced analysis of a topic defined by phenomenon rather than discipline. Students generally view the new format with favor. They are better at visualization and make important connections among physics disciplines. Independent assessment is ongoing.

This paper presents a method of calculating the possible striking points of lightning and their probabilities. The calculations are based on a dynamic electromagnetic model. This model is based on the Wave-Pair concept which is presented as an analytical model for calculating the electric field strengths at a desired observation point. Based on that model the electric field strength values are calculated at certain chosen points. When those fields exceed critical field strength, an up going discharge starts from each point. When one of these up going discharges meets the down going Leader the path is made for the Return Stroke. This method is compared with the Rolling Sphere Method, and the comparison yield evidence that the proposed model is more accurate results. A study case of calculating the probability of lightning stroke to a complex of buildings and installations is also given.

Galileo once said that one cannot understand the universe without comprehending its language: mathematics. Unfortunately, most individuals will approach physical sciences with dread, due in part to the difficulty with speaking the language of the universe, and for this reason may fail to perceive its breathtaking beauty. When we look deeper than the letter of reason, we encounter a flow of imagination that appears to be integral to the cosmos. The Enlightenment of the 18th century was an Age of Reason that deeply shaped our modern society. By following the movement of ideas from classical physics to quantum mechanics, passing by chaos theory and Einstein’s special and general relativity, it is argued that a new Enlightenment might be in sight, an Age of Imagination, wherein the creatures that we are will consciously re-enter the flow of imagination. This exploration concerns classical physics and its repression of imagination; the difficult emergence of deterministic chaos is viewed as a return of what was left behind, so to speak: the shadow of reason.

Nancy Cartwright’s most recent monograph: Nature, the Artful Modeler: Lectures on Laws, Science, How Nature Arranges the World and How We Can Arrange It Better presents the state of the art in the philosophy of science literature. Here, we are presented with the most coherent form of Cartwright’s views to date, combining building blocks she and other Cartwrightians have meticulously crafted throughout the last decades. We are thus presented with a book containing not only incredibly rich work on a diversity of topics spanning several decades, but also a number of novel ideas that will leave an impact on the philosophy of science in the decades to come.

Quantum teleportation has been introduced by Benett et al. and dis cussed by a number of authors in the framework of the singlet state. Recentl y, a rigorous formulation of the teleportation problem of arbitrary quantum states by means of quantum channel was given in [IOS] based on the general c hannel theoretical formulation of the quantum gates introduced in [OW]. In t his note we discuss a generalization of the scheme proposed in [IOS] and we give a general method to solve the teleportation problem in spaces of arbitr ary finite dimensions.

O presente trabalho teve por objetivos avaliar a composição de rizomas do lírio-do-bejo (Hedychium coronarium) e isolar e caracterizar seu amido, por meio de análises físicas e físico-químicas. A composição química dos grânulos de amido isolados dos rizomas também foi determinada, bem como o formato, tamanho, distribuição de tamanho de partícula por difração a laser, viscosidade de pasta em analisador rápido de viscosidade, poder de inchamento, índice de solubilidade em água, propriedade térmica por calorimetria diferencial de varredura e cristalinidade por difração de raios X. Observou-se que os rizomas apresentaram elevado teor de água e baixos teores de matéria graxa, carboidratos, cinzas, proteínas e fibras. Os rizomas de lírio-do-brejo apresentam-se inadequados para produção de amido, devido ao baixo teor de matéria seca (17,3%), com 21,97% de amido, bem como fibras longas e látex, que dificultam a extração do amido. O amido extraído apresentou pureza de 99,2%, com 37,2% de ami...

We show that the shape of electroluminescence transients in organic semiconductors can be conveniently used to obtain the diffusion constant D of injected charge carriers, enabling the study of generalized Einstein relationship under nonequilibrium conditions as a function of the electric field. The appearance of peak at the onset of transient is shown to be the signature of diffusive regime of transport. We demonstrate it for two representative materials, Alq 3 and polymer poly [2-methoxy-5-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene], with the focus on the role of hot carriers in transport and their diffusivity.

Introduction: As high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses pose heavy financial burden on the families, Government of India is considering a variety of financing and delivery options to universalize health care services. Hence, an estimate of the cost of delivering universal health care services is needed.

The objective of the study was to determine if low intensity, high frequency vibration training impacted the musculoskeletal system in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, relative to healthy mice. Three-week old wildtype (n = 26) and mdx mice (n = 22) were randomized to non-vibrated or vibrated (45 Hz and 0.6 g, 15 min/d, 5 d/wk) groups. In vivo and ex vivo contractile function of the anterior crural and extensor digitorum longus muscles, respectively, were assessed following 8 wks of vibration. Mdx mice were injected 5 and 1 days prior to sacrifice with Calcein and Xylenol, respectively. Muscles were prepared for histological and triglyceride analyses and subcutaneous and visceral fat pads were excised and weighed. Tibial bones were dissected and analyzed by micro-computed tomography for trabecular morphometry at the metaphysis, and cortical geometry and density at the mid-diaphysis. Three-point bending tests were used to assess cortical bone mechanical properties and a subset of tibiae was processed for dynamic histomorphometry. Vibration training for 8 wks did not alter trabecular morphometry, dynamic histomorphometry, cortical geometry, or mechanical properties (P$ 0.34). Vibration did not alter any measure of muscle contractile function (P$0.12); however the preservation of muscle function and morphology in mdx mice indicates vibration is not deleterious to muscle lacking dystrophin. Vibrated mice had smaller subcutaneous fat pads (P = 0.03) and higher intramuscular triglyceride concentrations (P = 0.03). These data suggest that vibration training at 45 Hz and 0.6 g did not significantly impact the tibial bone and the surrounding musculature, but may influence fat distribution in mice.

Low-temperature plasma physics and technology are diverse and interdisciplinary fields. The plasma parameters can span many orders of magnitude and applications are found in quite different areas of daily life and industrial production. As a consequence, the trends in research, science and technology are difficult to follow and it is not easy to identify the major challenges of the field and their many sub-fields. Even for experts the road to the future is sometimes lost in the mist. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics is addressing this need for clarity and thus providing guidance to the field by this special Review article, The 2012 Plasma Roadmap.

Näkymätön tulee esiin -kohti uutta informaatiolle, kontekstiriippuvuudelle ja vuorovaikutukselle rakentuvaa maailmankuvaa 2 Abstract Invisible becoming visible towards a new world view based on information, context-dependence and interaction Keywords: boundary conditions, context, inner and outer information, world view Every world view, be it a world view of an individual or of a culture, is in principle invisible. It represents the way things are thought to be without questioning. To make it visible one should see both reality and the framework through which one sees reality. Usually there is no need for this as long as the framework functions satisfactorily. This study is guided by the idea that our scientific world view, whose basic features were adopted at the turn of the modern era, is in a state of change. One of the key questions concerns the relation between physical laws and boundary conditions. Physical laws are universal laws, independent of contextual features. Boundary conditions are needed to harness these universal laws. This problem already arises in quantum physics, in connection with quantum measurement, and also, as one tries to find out what is the meaning of the basic concept of quantum mechanics, the wave function.

This paper updates earlier thoughts by the author on a putative propulsion system. The concept was based around static electromagnetic momentum, as expounded in the "Feynman Disk" and experimentally verified by Graham and Lahoz. That said, naïve static electromagnetic momentum schemes to achieve linear translation are defeated by "hidden momentum" mechanisms, so too are simple arrangements just cycling the fields; we shall survey the flaws in their arguments. It may however be possible to achieve linear translation by means of arrangements of torques with a novel mechanism to break the symmetry of forces (or torques) on the second half of the cycle as the field is switched off. At the time of earlier presentation no mechanism could be found to explain the momentum balance for the process but it was believed that momentum was being given to the zero-point of the field. We show that it is possible to dump angular momentum and thence linear momentum to the ground state by standard quantum analysis of the EM field. None of this violates the conservation of momenergy.

The history of the Jewish Diaspora dates back to the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests in the Levant, followed by complex demographic and migratory trajectories over the ensuing millennia which pose a serious challenge to unraveling population genetic patterns. Here we ask whether phylogenetic analysis, based on highly resolved mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) phylogenies can discern among maternal ancestries of the Diaspora. Accordingly, 1,142 samples from 14 different non-Ashkenazi Jewish communities were analyzed. A list of complete mtDNA sequences was established for all variants present at high frequency in the communities studied, along with high-resolution genotyping of all samples. Unlike the previously reported pattern observed among Ashkenazi Jews, the numerically major portion of the non-Ashkenazi Jews, currently estimated at 5 million people and comprised of the Moroccan, Iraqi, Iranian and Iberian Exile Jewish communities showed no evidence for a narrow founder effect, which did however characterize the smaller and more remote Belmonte, Indian and the two Caucasus communities. The Indian and Ethiopian Jewish sample sets suggested local female introgression, while mtDNAs in all other communities studied belong to a well-characterized West Eurasian pool of maternal lineages. Absence of sub-Saharan African mtDNA lineages among the North African Jewish communities suggests negligible or low level of admixture with females of the host populations among whom the African haplogroup (Hg) L0-L3 sub-clades variants are common. In contrast, the North African and Iberian Exile Jewish communities show influence of putative Iberian admixture as documented by mtDNA Hg HV0 variants. These findings highlight striking differences in the demographic history of the widespread Jewish Diaspora.

messenger Muhammad peace be upon him. First and the foremost, I would like to extend my most profound gratitude and deepest thanks to my principle supervisor Professor Ir. Dr. Mahyuddin Ramli, Universiti Sains Malaysia, for his guidance, commitment and encouragement throughout the entire period of the research project . His dedication and continuous guidance enabled me to remain focused on the research investigation from the beginning of the project to the very end for all the time spent on coordinating and supervising the whole thesis. Without his constant support and timely interventions, without Allah and then him, none of this would have been possible. I would also like to convey my sincere thanks to Dr. Mohd Rodzi Bin Ismail as the co-supervisor for the project.

The Soviet historian and philosopher of science Boris Hessen (English spelling also Gessen) is well known for the paper “On the Social and Economic Roots of Newton’s Principia” he gave in 1931 to the Second International Congress of the History of Science in London. Its focus on the socio-economic aspects of the development of science – later called “externalism”– was regarded as groundbreaking. We present here an English translation of a lecture he gave in Moscow in April 1936, recently discovered in Russian archives, and believed to be one of his last works. He was arrested in August that year, admitting to “participation in counter-revolutionary Trotskyist activity” and “animosity toward Comrade Stalin”.  He was subject to torture and eventually executed in December, after denying “creating a terrorist cell at Moscow State University”. The lecture shows that despite being under enormous psychological pressure he coninued working on the history of physics but also returned to the philosophical questions of his earlier writings. We give a brief introduction to the lecture, attempting to place it in its context, and linking to his earlier work on the philosophy of physics from a Marxist standpoint which we have previously translated into English.

A logical physical ontology is code theory, wherein reality is neither deterministic nor random. In light of Conway and Kochens' free will theorem and strong free will theorem, we discuss the plausibility of a third axiomatic option-geometric language; the code theoretic axiom. We suggest free will choices at the syntactically free steps of a geometric language of space-time form the code theoretic substrate upon which particle and gravitational physics emerge.

Introducao: O termo disturbios respiratorios do sono (DRS) refere-se a padroes de respiracao anormal ou reducao anormal da troca gasosa que ocorrem durante o sono. Incluem a apneia obstrutiva do sono, a hipoventilacao e a apneia central do sono. Quando nao diagnosticados e nao tratados, os DRS constituem um grave problema de saude publica, dada a sua alta prevalencia e suas graves consequencias para a saude. A pressao positiva na via aerea (PAP) e o tratamento de primeira linha para os DRS moderados a graves. Muitas vezes, o uso da PAP requer a associacao de outras estrategias ventilatorias, ou ate mesmo o uso de oxigenoterapia suplementar por doencas concomitantes aos DRS. Objetivo: abordar aspectos importantes dos DRS, incluindo: conceitos, implicacoes clinicas, metodos diagnosticos e opcoes de tratamentos. Resultados e Conclusoes: O papel do fisioterapeuta, dentro da equipe multidisciplinar que atua para o tratamento dos DRS, e discutido amplamente, inclusive como sendo o profiss...

Background: Arachidonic acid (AA; C20:4 n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6 n-3) are important long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in maintaining pancreatic beta-cell structure and function. Newborns of gestational diabetic mothers are more susceptible to the development of type 2 diabetes in adulthood. It is not known whether low circulating AA or DHA is involved in perinatally ''programming'' this susceptibility. This study aimed to assess whether circulating concentrations of AA, DHA and other fatty acids are associated with fetal insulin sensitivity or beta-cell function, and whether low circulating concentrations of AA or DHA are involved in compromised fetal insulin sensitivity in gestational diabetic pregnancies.

What does this little equation have to do with the LHC?

Key words:    hierarchy of energy, Gordon's Theory of Everything, " smallest something " , Ruby Slipper Conundrum, Gordon Omnipresent Dot, GOD entities, the GOD Equation, the Gordon Model, Gordon Energy States, equi-energy position, primordial photon, parallel planar universe

PT. Kaleng Raya adalah sebuah perusahaan yang bergerak pada bidang pembuatan kaleng makanan. PT. Kaleng Raya merupakan perusahaan no 1 di Indonesia dalam hal memproduksi kaleng makanan. Semua urusan proses produksi yang ada di perusahaan tersebut terletak di daerah raya pilang, kota Siodarjo. Akibat banyaknya konsumen yang bekerja sama pada perusahaan ini, membuat perusahaan harus tepat waktu dalam mengirimkan produknya tersebut. Akan hal tersebut membuat perusahaan harus mempunyai persediaan bahan baku yang mencukupi agar proses produksi tetap dapat berjalan tanpa harus kehabisan bahan baku. Dalam menghadapi hal ini membuat perusahaan harus mempunyai dasar perencanaan persediaan yang baik, agar tidak terjadi penumpukan bahan baku serta mengantisipasi adanya kehabisan bahan baku. Terdapat dua metode untuk dapat membantu perusahaan dalam perencanaan persedian yaitu metode adalah Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), dan Periodic Review System (PRS). Kedua metode tersebut dapat bisa saling d...

In this paper, a study on the batch processing and characterization of microcellular foamed high-density polyethylene (HDPE/iPP) blends is reported. A microcellular plastic is a foamed polymer with a cell density greater than 109 cells/cm3 and fully grown cells smaller than 10 µm. Recent studies have shown that the morphology and crystallinity of semicrystalline polymers have a great influence on the solubility and diffusivity of the blowing agent and on the cellular structure of the resulting foam in microcellular batch processing. In this research, blends of HDPE and iPP were used to produce materials with variety of crystalline and phase morphologies to enhance the subsequent microcellular foaming. It was possible to produce much finer and more uniform foams with the blends than with neat HDPE and iPP. Moreover, the mechanical properties and in particular the impact strength of the blends were significantly improved by foaming.
(citation # 293)

Minkowski famously introduced the concept of a space-time continuum in 1908, merging the three dimensions of space with an imaginary time dimension $ i c t $, with the unit imaginary producing the correct spacetime distance $ x^2 - c^2 t^2 $, and the results of Einstein's then recently developed theory of special relativity, thus providing an explanation for Einstein's theory in terms of the structure of space and time. As an alternative to a planar Minkowski space-time of two space dimensions and one time dimension, we replace the unit imaginary $ i = \sqrt{-1} $, with the Clifford bivector $ \iota = e_1 e_2 $ for the plane that also squares to minus one, but which can be included without the addition of an extra dimension, as it is an integral part of the real Cartesian plane with the orthonormal basis $ e_1 $ and $ e_2 $. We find that with this model of planar spacetime, using a two-dimensional Clifford multivector, the spacetime metric and the Lorentz transformations follow immediately as properties of the algebra. This also leads to momentum and energy being represented as components of a multivector and we give a new efficient derivation of Compton's scattering formula, and a simple formulation of Dirac's and Maxwell's equations. Based on the mathematical structure of the multivector, we produce a semi-classical model of massive particles, which can then be viewed as the origin of the Minkowski spacetime structure and thus a deeper explanation for relativistic effects. We also find a new perspective on the nature of time, which is now given a precise mathematical definition as the bivector of the plane.

For many years the Fermilab physics program has been dominated by the superconducting Tevatron accelerator producing beams for many fixed target and the proton-antiproton colliding beam experiments CDF and D0. More recently, major experiments have used beam from intermediate accelerators. The MiniBooNE and MINOS experiments use 8 and 120 GeV beam respectively for neutrino oscillation studies. Several other experiments and test beams have also used 120 GeV beam. This paper describes the control system for the accelerator complex that was originally developed for the start of Tevatron operation in 1983. This system is common to all accelerators in the chain, and has been successfully evolved to accommodate new hardware, new software platforms, new accelerators, and increasingly complex modes of operation.

An efficient and new but non-intrusive method to detect the fluctuation in gear load may be the motor current signature analysis (MCSA). In this paper, a multi-stage transmission gearbox (with and without defects) has been studied in order to replace the conventional vibration monitoring by MCSA. It has been observed through FFT analysis that low frequencies of the vibration signatures have sidebands across line frequency of the motor current whereas high frequencies of vibration signature are difficult to be detected. Hence, discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is suggested to decompose the current signal, and FFT analysis is carried out with the decomposed current signal to trace the sidebands of the high frequencies of vibration