Enhancing Safety Culture in the Energy Sector
This book addresses maturity of process safety implementation effectiveness based on US PSM OSHA CFR1910 and Canadian CSAZ 767 requirements with integration of human factors performance in energy processing plants. Process safety maturity scales are provided to address incident reduction, organizational learning and leadership behaviors and human factors that undermine or promote process safety sustainability. Useful risk tools and surveys are given that can be easily applied to other processing plants.
RelativityThe Special And General Theory, A Popular Exposition, Authorised Translation By
Relativity: The Special And General Theory, A Popular Exposition, Authorised Translation By Robert W. Lawson (Revised Edition) This book is a result of an effort made by us towards making a contribution to the preservation and repair of original classic literature. In an attempt to preserve, improve and recreate the original content, we have worked towards: 1. Type-setting & Reformatting: The complete work has been re-designed via professional layout, formatting and type-setting tools to re-create the same edition with rich typography, graphics, high quality images, and table elements, giving our readers the feel of holding a 'fresh and newly' reprinted and/or revised edition, as opposed to other scanned & printed (Optical Character Recognition - OCR) reproductions. 2. Correction of imperfections: As the work was re-created from the scratch, therefore, it was vetted to rectify certain conventional norms with regard to typographical mistakes, hyphenations, punctuations, blurred images, missing content/pages, and/or other related subject matters, upon our consideration. Every attempt was made to rectify the imperfections related to omitted constructs in the original edition via other references. However, a few of such imperfections which could not be rectified due to intentional\unintentional omission of content in the original edition, were inherited and preserved from the original work to maintain the authenticity and construct, relevant to the work. We believe that this work holds historical, cultural and/or intellectual importance in the literary works community, therefore despite the oddities, we accounted the work for print as a part of our continuing effort towards preservation of literary work and our contribution towards the development of the society as a whole, driven by our beliefs. We are grateful to our readers for putting their faith in us and accepting our imperfections with regard to preservation of the historical content. HAPPY READING!
The Dynamics of Electrons in Linear Plasma Devices and Its Impact on Plasma Surface Intera
Introduction.- Plasma Wall Transition Dynamics.- Laser Light Scattering as Plasma Diagnostic.- Experimental Setup on PSI-2.- Thomson Scattering Setup.- Data Analysis and Calibration.- Steady State Plasma Results.- Plasma Turbulence Results.- Summary and Conclusion.
The nature of the physical worldThenature of the physical world
This book has been considered by academicians and scholars of great significance and value to literature. This forms a part of the knowledge base for future generations. So that the book is never forgotten we have represented this book in a print format as the same form as it was originally first published. Hence any marks or annotations seen are left intentionally to preserve its true nature.
Geometry of Quantum States
Quantum information theory is a branch of science at the frontier of physics, mathematics, and information science, and offers a variety of solutions that are impossible using classical theory. This book provides a detailed introduction to the key concepts used in processing quantum information and reveals that quantum mechanics is a generalisation of classical probability theory. The second edition contains new sections and entirely new chapters: the hot topic of multipartite entanglement; in-depth discussion of the discrete structures in finite dimensional Hilbert space, including unitary operator bases, mutually unbiased bases, symmetric informationally complete generalized measurements, discrete Wigner function, and unitary designs; the Gleason and Kochen-Specker theorems; the proof of the Lieb conjecture; the measure concentration phenomenon; and the Hastings' non-additivity theorem. This richly-illustrated book will be useful to a broad audience of graduates and researchers interested in quantum information theory. Exercises follow each chapter, with hints and answers supplied.
A Fortunate Universe
Over the last forty years, scientists have uncovered evidence that if the Universe had been forged with even slightly different properties, life as we know it - and life as we can imagine it - would be impossible. Join us on a journey through how we understand the Universe, from its most basic particles and forces, to planets, stars and galaxies, and back through cosmic history to the birth of the cosmos. Conflicting notions about our place in the Universe are defined, defended and critiqued from scientific, philosophical and religious viewpoints. The authors' engaging and witty style addresses what fine-tuning might mean for the future of physics and the search for the ultimate laws of nature. Tackling difficult questions and providing thought-provoking answers, this volumes challenges us to consider our place in the cosmos, regardless of our initial convictions.
Noether’s Theorem and Symmetry
In Noether's original presentation of her celebrated theorem of 1918, allowances were made for the dependence of the coefficient functions of the differential operator which generated the infinitesimal transformation of the Action Integral upon the derivatives of the dependent variable(s), the so-called generalized, or dynamical, symmetries. A similar allowance is to be found in the variables of the boundary function, often termed a gauge function by those who have not read the original paper. This generality was lost after texts such as those of Courant and Hilbert or Lovelock and Rund confined attention to only point transformations. In recent decades, this diminution of the power of Noether's Theorem has been partly countered, in particular, in the review of Sarlet and Cantrijn. In this Special Issue, we emphasize the generality of Noether's Theorem in its original form and explore the applicability of even more general coefficient functions by allowing for nonlocal terms. We also look at the application of these more general symmetries to problems in which parameters or parametric functions have a more general dependence upon the independent variables.
Systems and Systems Thinking
The purpose of this book is to augment a basic reference to define and evaluate the phenomena and events in the world and to perceive them with a system perspective. Nurturing this reference point with the extend of different scientific disciplines would support its explanation and identification ability. In this book, we tried to substantiate this argument by ligurating different disciplines that make up the system view. In the first part of the book, we tried to define the formation of systems thinking within philosophy and logic. In the following parts, we have defined the forms of system thinking, the basic tools and the usage areas of these tools. We worked on practical applications possible in the departments and an exemplary place for these applications. The target audience of this book is people who are curious about understanding the world from all areas. We hope that the book will help the reader perceive the world as a system and help view complex systems vitally. The information provided by the authors with all kinds of selection experience and academic background has been carefully selected to bring the reader to this goal. Good readings...
Pennsylvania Total Eclipse Guide (LARGE PRINT)
The best Total Eclipse Guide for Pennsylvania.Start planning today for your Total Eclipse Experience.- Large Print EditionOn April 8, 2024, a remarkable event will occur over Pennsylvania. A rare total eclipse will pass directly over the state. If you are planning to view the total eclipse in Pennsylvania, you need the Pennsylvania Total Eclipse Guide.This book has everything you need to know about viewing and photographing the eclipse across the state. In it, you will find some of the secret locations locals know.Why Buy the Pennsylvania Total Eclipse Guide?Where should you watch the eclipse from? How will you find these locations? If you have never been to Pennsylvania before, you might get lost. You don't want to be lost on the big day of the eclipse! The book even will tell you exactly where to stand if you want to see the eclipse directly over Pennsylvania. This commemorative official guide has information on lodging, travel and local secrets.PhotographyThe book contains photography exposure settings for your camera. If you're interested in creating a stunning photo of the sun's corona, the book tells you the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings you'll need. You will find a wealth of information about how to safely and successfully photograph this rare total eclipse that will traverse the United States.Kids and parentsThe book also includes a fun total eclipse flip-book in the lower right corner!Guides for the Fifteen States Under the 2024 Total EclipseSee other state eclipse guides, purchase wholesale, or signed author copies at the Sastrugi Press website.If online retailers are out of stock, purchase directly from your local bookstore. This title is also available in large print.Get your copy and prepare for this event today!Aaron Linsdau is the author of: Adventure Expedition One, #1 Amazon bestseller (Feb 2019) Antarctic Tears #1 Amazon bestseller (June 2015) Lost at Windy Corner 2024 Total Eclipse Guide Series 2017 Total Eclipse Guide Series
Selected Papers from 43rd International Conference of Theoretical Physics
Understanding the origins of the Universe and how it works and evolves is the present mission of a large community of physicists. It calls for a large scale vision, involving general relativity, astrophysics, and cosmology. Theoretical physics is presently at an important moment in its history. As predicted by Einstein, gravitational waves have been experimentally proven to exist. With the discovery of the Higgs boson, the set of interactions and elementary particles that is called the "standard model" (SM), is complete. Yet the Higgs boson itself, and how it breaks the electroweak symmetry, remains a fascinating subject requiring further studies and verification. Furthermore, several experimental facts are not accounted for by the SM: (i) the baryon asymmetry of the Universe, (ii) the nature and origin of dark matter, and (iii) the origin of neutrino masses; these have no unique, if any, explanation in the SM and yet will require answers from particle physics. We need to explore further both SM and its extensions. This is a subject of papers included in this book, which gives representation to the topics discussed during the Matter to the Deepest conference in 2019 in Poland (http: //indico.if.us.edu.pl/event/5).
On Gravity
A pithy yet deep introduction to Einstein's general theory of relativity Of the four fundamental forces of nature, gravity might be the least understood and yet the one with which we are most intimate. On Gravity combines depth with accessibility to take us on a compelling tour of Einstein's general theory of relativity. A. Zee begins with the discovery of gravity waves, then explains how gravity can be understood in comparison to other classical field theories, presents the idea of curved spacetime, and explores black holes and Hawking radiation. Zee travels as far as the theory reaches, leaving us with tantalizing hints of the unknown, from the intransigence of quantum gravity to the mysteries of dark matter. Infused with Zee's signature warmth and fresh style, On Gravity opens a unique pathway to comprehending relativity, gravity, spacetime, and the workings of the universe.
Unified SuperStandard Theories for Quaternion Universes & The Octonion Megaverse
In previous books the author has derived the Unified SuperStandard Theory in our 4 dimensional universe. In this book he develops a perfect basis for it in 32 complex quaternion space obtaining the exact symmetries of the SuperStandard Theory. He then developed a 32 dimension complex octonion space version of the SuperStandard Theory that meshes directly with the quaternion universe Theory. He finds our universe at its root is a 3 + 1 dimensions complex quaternion space-time. The octonion Megaverse has a 7 + 1 complex quaternion space-time.
Die andere Seite der Lichtgeschwindigkeit
Ein Physikbuch der geringf羹gig anderen Art. Ein Forschungsbericht. Harter Stoff. Thema ist die Physik des Lichts mit vielen bisher ungenannten und unbekannten Facetten. Es werden aber auch diverse andere Wissenschaftsbereiche direkt ber羹hrt. Zum Beispiel die Metrologie, die Kosmologie, die Geologie u.v.a.m. Der komplette Inhalt ist 羹berpr羹f- und reproduzierbar. Daran 瓣ndert auch nichts, dass der Schreibstil ein wenig lockerer und das Quellenverzeichnis etwas knapper gefasst sind, als es bei vergleichbaren Arbeiten der Fall ist. Sofern es die 羹berhaupt gibt. Hauptziel des Buches ist es, der Wissenschaft Physik ein neues Lichtmodell zur Verf羹gung zu stellen. Es soll dabei als Diskussionsgrundlage dienen. Das Kugel-Lichtmodell ist interaktiv. Es zeigt und erkl瓣rt die Physik als eine Art Schachspiel. Einerseits strenge Logik, andererseits wei? man nie so ganz genau, was der n瓣chste Zug bringen wird. Das macht den Reiz und den Nutzen des Modells aus. Es ver瓣ndert die Blickwinkel auf l瓣ngst, bekannt Geglaubtes'. Dadurch kann seine Verwendung sehr n羹tzlich sein. Sowohl f羹r die Wissenschaft, als auch f羹r die breite Allgemeinheit. Dabei geht es 羹berwiegend um neues Wissen, weniger um allgemeines und altbekanntes. Weder Fibonacci, noch Einstein werden widerlegt, aber vielleicht ein wenig erg瓣nzt. Sch瓣tzungsweise h瓣tten beide ihre helle Freude daran und w瓣ren schmunzelnd verbl羹fft. Zielgruppe des Buches sind alle, die sich f羹r die Physik des Lichts interessieren: Von Wissenschaftlern aller Coleur, 羹ber K羹nstler und Licht-Fetischisten, bis zum Geheimb羹ndler. Und falls mal ein Physikstudent seinen Professor 羹berraschen oder gar 瓣rgern will, dann ist er hier genau richtig. Vor allem geht es jedoch um die Provokation der Wissenschaft, um sie zu neuen H繹chstleistungen herauszufordern und anzuspornen. Ein Buch, Drei Teile, 111 (+ 3) Kapitel, 700 Seiten, 116 SW-Abbildungen, 羹ber eine Million Zeichen
The Unifying Theory
The Unifying Theory is about true knowledge through search and research of the physical world and not through abstract ideas or imaginary worlds or even invented science. No PhD required, not even a doctorate or a master's degree to really enjoy these very important and beneficial discoveries. The Unifying Theory is for every conscious being no matter how great or how tall his consciousness or his mental abilities because true knowledge is for every conscious being no matter what his conscious or mental abilities. True knowledge or confirmation is need for birth or beginning or even creation and true acknowledgement or reconfirmation is need for rebirth or for continuation or to refresh creation. If there is no acknowledgement thus time stops and the universe ends with an implosion, a physical implosion and not an abstract one. Tags: unifying, search, research, consciousness, universe, creation, physics, atom, black hole, implosion, matter, brain, big bang!
Coastal Acoustic Tomography
Coastal Acoustic Tomography begins with the specifics required for designing a Coastal Acoustic Tomography (CAT) experiment and operating the CAT system in coastal seas. Following sections discuss the procedure for data analyses and various application examples of CAT to coastal/shallow seas (obtained in various locations). These sections are broken down into four kinds of methods: horizontal-slice inversion, vertical-slice inversion, modal expansion method and data assimilation. This book emphasizes how dynamic phenomena occurring in coastal/shallow seas can be analyzed using the standard method of inversion and data assimilation. The book is relevant for physical oceanographers, ocean environmentalists and ocean dynamists, focusing on the event being observed rather than the intrinsic details of observational processes. Application examples of successful dynamic phenomena measured by coastal acoustic tomography are also included.
Gamma-Ray DensitometryTemperature and Energy Dependent Gamma-Ray Attenuation
Doctoral Thesis / Dissertation from the year 2014 in the subject Physics - Thermodynamics, grade: 9.9, language: English, abstract: This book mainly deals with a systematic study on the determination of multi energetic photon interaction parameters at different γ-energies, density and thermal expansion as a function of temperature of 17 alkali halides using γ-ray attenuation technique. This technique has been applied to alkali halides for the first time to measure thermophysical properties and linear attenuation coefficient as a function of temperature. The results of experimental determination of attenuation coefficient, density and thermal expansion at high temperatures are presented in this book. The study of photon interaction parameters of these materials at different photon energies has also been included in this book. Though there are considerable reports on the determination of thermal expansion of alkali halides, but the studies on variation of density and linear attenuation coefficient with temperature are lacking. The knowledge of photon interaction parameters of different materials is very useful in various fields.
Nuclear Experiments Using A Geiger Counter
This book illustrates a variety of nuclear experiments one can perform using a Geiger Counter. The experiments teach the fundamentals of nuclear science and particle physics. Beginning with an introduction to ionizing radiation and Geiger counters. The book explains the different types of radiation Geiger counters can detect and measure. The book explains the functions and reading available from the Geiger counter. How to read CPS and CPM measurements and use PC graphing software. The first experiment is on measuring background radiation. How to calculate the mean and standard deviation of the background radiation. The second experiment continues on to the Poisson distribution. Other experiments illustrate the difference between alpha, beta, x-ray and gamma radiation, shielding for radiation, detecting radioactivity in food, detecting radon in a closed environment, inverse square law, deflecting beta particles using magnetic and more.
Die Verteilung von Induktionswirkungen Lagrange Koh瓣renter Objekte. Zur Topographie und Ko
Wissenschaftlicher Aufsatz aus dem Jahr 2020 im Fachbereich Physik - Biophysik, Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: Zirkulationsbehaftete Lagrange Koh瓣rente Objekte sind in der Lage, das Geschwindigkeitsgeb瓣rden in einem Str繹mungsfeld zu organisieren. Die Untersuchung geht der Frage nach, welche Beschaffenheit eine optimale Verteilung von Induktionswirkungen innerhalb der Systemgrenzen eines theoretischen Str繹mungsraums aufweist. Das Str繹mungsfeld soll zirkulationsbehaftete Lagrange Koh瓣rente Objekte enthalten. Der Aufsatz kl瓣rt zun瓣chst das Konzept der aus einem Lagrange Koh瓣renten Wirbelfaden zu einer Wirbelspirale formierten Struktur und er繹rtert Deformationen die bei nat羹rlichen Wirbelsystemen beobachtet werden. Die Untersuchungen finden vor dem ph瓣nomenologischen Hintergrund statt, dass wirbelige Lagrange Koh瓣rente Systeme (LCS) verschiedene Zustandsformen annehmen k繹nnen. Die Impulswirksamkeit unterschiedlicher topographischer Konstellationen Geschwindigkeit induzierender Quellen im Str繹mungsfeld wird sodann mit einem potentialtheoretischen Ansatz beschrieben und die Komponenten der induzierten Geschwindigkeit im Feld f羹r einen allgemeinen Fall ermittelt. Auch hier konstatiert der Autor ph瓣nomenologisch, dass die Verteilung in einem Str繹mungsfeld frei, aber nicht beliebig sei. Die lokale Suche nach g羹nstigen Konstellationen erfolgt mit einem phylogenetischen Algorithmus, der zun瓣chst dargestellt, beschrieben und mithilfe einer Ersatzfunktion kalibriert wird. Anschlie?end wird der Code auf die Konditionierungsaufgabe der Verteilung Lagrange Koh瓣renter Objekte im Str繹mungsfeld angesetzt. Innerhalb des Codes werden Matrizen-Methoden verwendet, die das Verfahren beschleunigen. Der phylogenetische Algorithmus und der auf den sogenannten "Moor'schen Verfahren" basierende zellul瓣re Ansatz werden er繹rtert. Abschlie?end werden Optimierungssimulationen ausgef羹hrt und die konditionierte Verteilung von Induktionswirkungen in einem Str繹mungsfeld dokumentiert und diskutiert.
Spectral Line Shapes in Astrophysics and Related Topics
Spectral lines, widths, and shapes are powerful tools for emitting/absorbing gas diagnostics in different astrophysical objects (from the solar system to the most distant objects in the universe--quasars). On the other hand, experimental and theoretical investigations of laboratory plasma have been applied in spectroscopic astrophysical research, especially in research on atomic data needed for line shape calculations. Data on spectral lines and their profiles are also important for diagnostics, analysis, and the modelling of fusion plasma, laser-produced plasma, laser design and development, and various plasmas in industry and technology, like light sources based on plasmas or the welding and piercing of metals by laser-produced plasma. The papers from this book can be divided into four groups: 1. stark broadening data for astrophysical and laboratory plasma investigations; 2. applications of spectral lines for astrophysical and laboratory plasma research; 3. spectral line phenomena in extragalactic objects, and 4. laboratory astrophysics results for spectra investigation. The reviews and research papers, representing new research on the topics presented in this book, are of interest for specialists and PhD students. We hope that the present book will be useful and interesting for scientists interested in the investigation of spectral line shapes and will contribute to the education of young researchers and PhD students.
Does the Atom have a Designer?
Could Atoms have originated from random events?"Does the Atom have Designer?" is a first-of-its-kind analysis that critically examines if the complexity and functionalities of the Atomic System arose from random or chance events. This book, written by a secular researcher searching for answers, examines in depth quantum behaviors such as quark-gluon interactions within the atomic nucleus, and electron-photon interactions within atomic orbitals, as well as their role in realizing the many functionalities of the Atom.Aristotle's four causes are used to investigate the Why Questions to explore the causality of the Atom. The answer to the question: "Does your kitchen table have a Designer?" does not require a Scientific or a Mathematical explanation; it requires a Logical one. Aristotle's theory of causality was developed to show that four related causes (or explanations) are needed to explain change in the world: a material, a formal, an efficient, and a final cause. A complete explanation of any material change will use all four causes. The Why Questions related to the Atom are investigated in great depth using this approach toward causality. The commonly-cited objection: "Then who designed the Designer?" is also addressed in the book. The controversial and unverified Multiverse hypothesis, often used against a Design argument, is also discussed. The book does not discuss any particular traditional religious belief, but it does define God in the context of the Atom and Quantum Physics.And yes, your kitchen table does have a Designer.(Note that this is an argument based on Design, and not on fine tuning.) #Creator #Atom #Quantum Physics #purpose #irreducible complexity #function #underlying intelligence #meta physics #Thomas Aquinas #causality
The Globular Star Clusters of the Andromeda Galaxy
This book presents a brief compilation of results from nearly a century of research on the globular star clusters in the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). It explores the techniques and limitations of the observations, the successes and challenges of the models, and the paradigm for the formation of M31 that has gradually emerged. These results will eventually be superseded by new data, better analysis techniques, and more complex models. However, the emphasis of this book is on the techniques, thought processes, and connections with other studies.
Symmetry in Special and General Relativity
The development of special and general relativity has relied significantly on ideas of symmetry. Similarly, modern efforts to test these theories have often sought either violations or extensions of the symmetries seen, and symmetry is regularly used a tool in seeking new applications. In this Special Issue of symmetry, we explore some contemporary research related to symmetry in special and general relativity.
Foundations of Control Engineering
The book presents the core theory of control engineering, together with its foundations in signals and systems. These foundations include continuous-time systems using the Laplace transform, discrete-time systems using the z-transform, and sampled-data systems connecting the two domains. The classical theory of control covers the analysis of the dynamic response of linear time-invariant systems, root-locus techniques for feedback design, and the frequency-domain analysis of closed-loop systems. Control engineering is strongly related to signal processing and communications, and the book includes a discussion of phase-locked loops as an example of feedback control. To the extent possible, the origin of the theoretical results is explained, and the technical details needed to reach a more complete understanding of the concepts are included. On the other hand, the book does not present design studies or specialized topics, for which the reader is referred to the bibliography. Material complementing the book is available through the author's web page, including solutions to selected problems and virtual lab experiments.
Icrp Publication 142
The purpose of this Publication is to provide guidance on radiological protection in industries involving NORM. These industries may give rise to multiple hazards and the radiological hazard is not necessarily dominant. The industries are diverse and may involve exposure to people and the environment where protective actions need to be considered. In some cases, there is a potential for significant routine exposure to workers and members of the public if suitable control measures are not considered.
Must Know High School Physics
A UNIQUE NEW APPROACH THAT'S LIKE A LIGHTNING BOLT TO THE BRAINYou know that moment when you feel as though a lightning bolt has hit you because you finally get something? That's how this book will make you react. (We hope!) Each chapter makes sure that what you really need to know is clear right off the bat and sees to it that you build on this knowledge. Where other books ask you to memorize stuff, we're going to show you the must know ideas that will guide you toward success in physics. You will start each chapter learning what the must know ideas behind a physics subject are, and these concepts will help you solve the physics problems that you find in your classwork and on exams.Dive into this book and find: - 250+ practice questions that mirror what you will find in your classwork and on exams- A bonus app with 100+ flashcards that will reinforce what you've learned- Extensive examples that drive home essential concepts- An easy-access setup that allows you to jump in and out of subjects- Physics topics aligned to national and state education standards- Special help for more challenging physics subjects, including electromagnetism, projectile motion, and energy transfer. We're confident that the must know ideas in this book will have you up and solving physics problems in no time--or at least in a reasonable amount of time!
The Energetics of Computing in Life and Machines
Why do computers use so much energy? What are the fundamental physical laws governing the relationship between the precise computation run by a system, whether artificial or natural, and how much energy that computation requires? Can we learn how to improve efficiency in computing by examining how biological computers manage to be so efficient? The time is ripe for a new synthesis of nonequilibrium physics, computer science, and biochemistry.This volume integrates pure and applied concepts from these diverse fields, with the goal of cultivating a modern, nonequilibrium thermodynamics of computation.
How Cosmologists Explain the Universe to Friends and Family
This fascinating book provides an accessible and up-to-date overview of modern cosmology. In particular, the book discusses the formation of the Cosmic Microwave Background and the evolution of large scale structures in the universe, the distribution of galaxies and clusters of galaxies on very large distance scales.Following a brief introduction, the authors describe the scientific method - how science is done. They then discuss observational cosmology, the instruments and what observations can be done with them, and what is derived from those observations. After discussing the constituents of the universe, including dark matter and dark energy, the authors provide an outline of the forces that shape the universe, with particular emphasis on gravitation. Following this, the reader is taken on a journey in time from the present day back to the very beginning of the universe, a period called inflation, which sets the initial conditions for the subsequent evolution of the universe. The book ends with a brief chapter on what lies beyond. Written by two experts, the book is aimed at the interested lay-person with little or no physics background, but an interest in modern cosmology.
Inertial Guidance
What if I told you that the symbolism we see is actually rooted in truth? Imagine for a moment that you now have the ability to understand what is taught in the ancient schools of mysticism? That I can show you how everything in the entire Universe correlates to each other... Come, Take a ride with me, you will be amazed!
Wizards, Aliens, and Starships
Explaining the science behind science fiction and fantasy-from the probable to the impossible From space elevators to interstellar travel, science fiction and fantasy writers have come up with some brilliant, innovative ideas. Yet how plausible are these ideas-for instance, could Mr. Weasley's flying car in the Harry Potter books really exist? Which concepts might happen, and which ones wouldn't work? From the works of Ursula K. Le Guin to Star Trek and Avatar, this book delves into the most extraordinary details in science fiction and fantasy-such as time warps, shape changing, and rocket launches-and shows readers the physics and math behind the phenomena.
Polymer Clay Nano-composites
This Special Issue focuses on the current state-of-the-art of "Polymer Clay Nano-Composites" for biomedical, anticorrosion, antibacterial, and other applications. Clay-polymer composite nanomaterials represent an emerging area of research. Loading polymers with clay particles essentially enhances the composite strength features. Of particular interest are different nano-assembly methods, such as silane mono and multilayers, polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer assembly, and others. An important development was reached for tubular and fibrous clay nanoparticles, such as halloysite, sepiolite, and imogolite. Polymer clay nanoparticles can be prepared as sheets with 1-nm thickness and width of a few hundred nm (e.g., kaolin and montmorillonite). Fibrous clays significantly reinforce the nano-composites in the assembly with biopolymers and other green polymers, leading to functional hybrid bio nano-composites. The scope of this Special Issue comprehensively includes the synthesis and characterization of polymer clay nano-composites used for several applications, including nano-clay polymer composites and hybrid nano-assemblies.
Science and the history and future of humanity
This book considers how our human journey to where we are today, and where humanity will go in the future, are driven by consequences of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics. It puts into perspective how the human population has exploded to take over the Earth, and how the "bronze age" and "iron age" transformed civilisation. It helps us to understand what happens in our own atmosphere, and the atmospheres of other planets. It provides guidance on how technology might address water scarcity affecting many parts of the world, and how food production might be sustained and expanded in a period of changing climate and an expanding global population.
Exploring Science Through Science Fiction
How does Einstein's description of space and time compare with Doctor Who? Can James Bond really escape from an armor-plated railroad car by cutting through the floor with a laser concealed in a wristwatch? What would it take to create a fully intelligent android, such as Star Trek's Commander Data? Exploring Science Through Science Fiction addresses these and other intriguing questions, using science fiction as a springboard for discussing fundamental science concepts and cutting-edge science research. It includes references to original research papers, landmark scientific publications and technical documents, as well as a broad range of science literature at a more popular level. The revised second edition includes expanded discussions on topics such as gravitational waves and black holes, machine learning and quantum computing, gene editing, and more. In all, the second edition now features over 220 references to specific scenes in more than 160 sci-fi movies and TV episodes, spanning over 100 years of cinematic history. Designed as the primary text for a college-level course, this book will appeal to students across the fine arts, humanities, and hard sciences, as well as any reader with an interest in science and science fiction.Praise for the first edition: "This journey from science fiction to science fact provides an engaging and surprisingly approachable read..." (Jen Jenkins, Journal of Science Fiction, Vol. 2 (1), September 2017)
Symmetries of Nonlinear PDEs on Metric Graphs and Branched Networks
This Special Issue focuses on recent progress in a new area of mathematical physics and applied analysis, namely, on nonlinear partial differential equations on metric graphs and branched networks. Graphs represent a system of edges connected at one or more branching points (vertices). The connection rule determines the graph topology. When the edges can be assigned a length and the wave functions on the edges are defined in metric spaces, the graph is called a metric graph. Evolution equations on metric graphs have attracted much attention as effective tools for the modeling of particle and wave dynamics in branched structures and networks. Since branched structures and networks appear in different areas of contemporary physics with many applications in electronics, biology, material science, and nanotechnology, the development of effective modeling tools is important for the many practical problems arising in these areas. The list of important problems includes searches for standing waves, exploring of their properties (e.g., stability and asymptotic behavior), and scattering dynamics. This Special Issue is a representative sample of the works devoted to the solutions of these and other problems.
Close Encounters of Art and Physics
Close Encounters of Art and Physics is a voyage in time through the abstract ideas harboured in the minds of humans, starting from the graffiti art of cave dwellers and extending to the street art of contemporary men and women. In seeking parallels with science, the author looks far back to the first geometric ideas of our ancestors as well as ahead to the contemporary science of present-day physicists. The parallelism and analogies between these two fields bear witness to a real entanglement in the human brain. The second part of the book contains about 25 colour images showing the author's stunning glass artwork representing ideas such as dark matter, quantum entanglement, cellular automata and many others that are almost impossible to capture in words. Furthermore, many of the physicists who have themselves made major contributions in these fields provide their comments and analysis of the works. The book provides entertaining and informative reading, not only for practicing artists and physicists, but also anyone curious about art and physics.
Time’s Pendulum
A perfect balance of science, history, and sociology, Time's Pendulum traces the important developments in humankind's epic quest to measure the hours, days, and years with accuracy, and how our concept of time has changed with each new technological breakthrough. Written in an easy-to-follow chronological format and illustrated with entertaining anecdotes, author Jo Ellen Barnett's history of timekeeping covers everything from the earliest sundials and water clocks, to the pendulum and the more recent advances of battery-powered, quartz-regulated wrist watches and the powerful radioactive "clock," which loses only a few billionths of a second per day, making it nearly ten billion times more accurate than the pendulum clock. A tour of the discoveries and the inventors who endeavored to chart and understand time, Time's Pendulum also explains how each new advance gradually transformed our perception of the world.
Brighter Than a Thousand Suns
An account of the remarkable scientists who discovered that nuclear fission was possible and then became concerned about its implications. Index. Translated by James Cleugh.
An Anthology of Visual Double Stars
Modern telescopes of even modest aperture can show thousands of double stars. Many are faint and unremarkable but hundreds are worth searching out. Veteran double-star observer Bob Argyle and his co-authors take a close-up look at their selection of 175 of the night sky's most interesting double and multiple stars. The history of each system is laid out from the original discovery to what we know at the present time about the stars. Wide-field finder charts are presented for each system along with plots of the apparent orbits and predicted future positions for the orbital systems. Recent measurements of each system are included which will help you to decide whether they can be seen in your telescope, as well as giving advice on the aperture needed. Double star observers of all levels of experience will treasure the level of detail in this guide to these jewels of the night sky.
A Beginner's View of Our Electric Universe
Most people just accept that our universe is ruled by gravity; an assumption that is wrong. Evidence instead shows that the force responsible for all of the objects and events we observe throughout the universe is the electric force that enables current flow and therefore magnetic fields to exist. If we consider that the electric force is fundamentally one thousand, billion, billion, billion, billion times more powerful than gravity and that the universe consists of 99.99% plasma; charged matter through which electric currents flow, then you have good reason to open your mind and read what this book has to say.
Cosmic Plasmas and Electromagnetic Phenomena
During the past few decades, plasma science has witnessed a great growth in laboratory studies, in simulations, and in space. Plasma is the most common phase of ordinary matter in the universe. It is a state in which ionized matter (even as low as 1%) becomes highly electrically conductive. As such, long-range electric and magnetic fields dominate its behavior. Cosmic plasmas are mostly associated with stars, supernovae, pulsars and neutron stars, quasars and active galaxies at the vicinities of black holes (i.e., their jets and accretion disks). Cosmic plasma phenomena can be studied with different methods, such as laboratory experiments, astrophysical observations, and theoretical/computational approaches (i.e., MHD, particle-in-cell simulations, etc.). They exhibit a multitude of complex magnetohydrodynamic behaviors, acceleration, radiation, turbulence, and various instability phenomena. This Special Issue addresses the growing need of the plasma science principles in astrophysics and presents our current understanding of the physics of astrophysical plasmas, their electromagnetic behaviors and properties (e.g., shocks, waves, turbulence, instabilities, collimation, acceleration and radiation), both microscopically and macroscopically. This Special Issue provides a series of state-of-the-art reviews from international experts in the field of cosmic plasmas and electromagnetic phenomena using theoretical approaches, astrophysical observations, laboratory experiments, and state-of-the-art simulation studies.
Sea Surface Roughness Observed by High Resolution Radar
Changes in sea surface roughness are usually associated with a change in the sea surface wind field. This interaction has been exploited to measure sea surface wind speed by scatterometry. A number of features on the sea surface associated with changes in roughness can be observed by synthetic aperture radar (SAR) because of the change in Bragg backscatter of the radar signal by damping of the resonant ocean capillary waves. With various radar frequencies, resolutions, and modes of polarization, sea surface features have been analyzed in numerous campaigns, bringing various datasets together, thus allowing for new insights into small-scale processes at a larger areal coverage. This Special Issue aims at investigating sea surface features detected by high spatial resolution radar systems, such as SAR.
Observations and Theory of Short GRBs at the Dawn of the Gravitational Wave Era
The book starts with a review of the established facts on the numerical simulations of binary neutron star mergers and simulations of short GRB jets that highlights the issues that need to be revised and further clarified, as the need to understand how the relativistic outflow was launched, what the initial structure of the outflow is, and how it evolved through its interaction with the binary ejecta. Constraints on a local population of faint short duration GRBs are then provided in light of the GW170817/GRB 170817A event at d 40 Mpc by considering statistical limits on a d Fermi Gamma-ray burst monitor data. In particular, it has been found that for 25% of GRBs, the photon index is shallower than -2/3, challenging the standard synchrotron emission scenario. The extent up to which the reverse shock component is detectable for short GRBs in radio wavelengths is analyzed. Results show that early, radio bright reverse shock is expected in many cases, but more rapid follow-up observational campaigns are required in order to test these predictions.
Molecular Basis of Cardiovascular Diseases
The natriuretic peptides (NPs) family includes a class of hormones and their receptors needed for the physiological control of cardiovascular functions. The discovery of NPs provided a fundamental contribution into our understanding of the physiological regulation of blood pressure, and of heart and kidney functions. NPs have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. A fine comprehension of the molecular mechanisms dependent from NPs and underlying the promotion of cardiovascular damage has contributed to improve our understanding of the molecular basis of all major CVDs. Finally, the opportunity to target NPs in order to develop new therapeutic tools for a better treatment of CVDs has been developed over the years. The current Special Issue of the Journal covers all major aspects of the molecular implications of NPs in physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular system, including NP-based therapeutic approaches.
Entropy in Dynamic Systems
In order to measure and quantify the complex behavior of real-world systems, either novel mathematical approaches or modifications of classical ones are required to precisely predict, monitor, and control complicated chaotic and stochastic processes. Though the term of entropy comes from Greek and emphasizes its analogy to energy, today, it has wandered to different branches of pure and applied sciences and is understood in a rather rough way, with emphasis placed on the transition from regular to chaotic states, stochastic and deterministic disorder, and uniform and non-uniform distribution or decay of diversity. This collection of papers addresses the notion of entropy in a very broad sense. The presented manuscripts follow from different branches of mathematical/physical sciences, natural/social sciences, and engineering-oriented sciences with emphasis placed on the complexity of dynamical systems. Topics like timing chaos and spatiotemporal chaos, bifurcation, synchronization and anti-synchronization, stability, lumped mass and continuous mechanical systems modeling, novel nonlinear phenomena, and resonances are discussed.
Einstein’s Shadow
A NEW YORK TIMES EDITOR'S CHOICEEinstein's Shadow follows a team of elite scientists on their historic mission to take the first picture of a black hole, putting Einstein's theory of relativity to its ultimate test and helping to answer our deepest questions about space, time, the origins of the universe, and the nature of realityPhotographing a black hole sounds impossible, a contradiction in terms. But Shep Doeleman and a global coalition of scientists are on the cusp of doing just that. With exclusive access to the team, journalist Seth Fletcher spent five years following Shep and an extraordinary cast of characters as they assembled the Event Horizon Telescope, a virtual radio observatory the size of the Earth. He witnessed their struggles, setbacks, and breakthroughs, and along the way, he explored the latest thinking on the most profound questions about black holes. Do they represent a limit to our ability to understand reality? Or will they reveal the clues that lead to the long-sought Theory of Everything? Fletcher transforms astrophysics into something exciting, accessible, and immediate, taking us on an incredible adventure to better understand the complexity of our galaxy, the boundaries of human perception and knowledge, and how the messy human endeavor of science really works.Weaving a compelling narrative account of human ingenuity with excursions into cutting-edge science, Einstein's Shadow is a tale of great minds on a mission to change the way we understand our universe--and our place in it.
Pseudo-Complex General Relativity
This book explores the role of singularities in general relativity (GR): The theory predicts that when a sufficient large mass collapses, no known force is able to stop it until all mass is concentrated at a point. The question arises, whether an acceptable physical theory should have a singularity, not even a coordinate singularity. The appearance of a singularity shows the limitations of the theory. In GR this limitation is the strong gravitational force acting near and at a super-massive concentration of a central mass. First, a historical overview is given, on former attempts to extend GR (which includes Einstein himself), all with distinct motivations. It will be shown that the only possible algebraic extension is to introduce pseudo-complex (pc) coordinates, otherwise for weak gravitational fields non-physical ghost solutions appear. Thus, the need to use pc-variables. We will see, that the theory contains a minimal length, with important consequences. After that, the pc-GR is formulated and compared to the former attempts. A new variational principle is introduced, which requires in the Einstein equations an additional contribution. Alternatively, the standard variational principle can be applied, but one has to introduce a constraint with the same former results. The additional contribution will be associated to vacuum fluctuation, whose dependence on the radial distance can be approximately obtained, using semi-classical Quantum Mechanics. The main point is that pc-GR predicts that mass not only curves the space but also changes the vacuum structure of the space itself. In the following chapters, the minimal length will be set to zero, due to its smallness. Nevertheless, the pc-GR will keep a remnant of the pc-description, namely that the appearance of a term, which we may call "dark energy", is inevitable. The first application will be discussed in chapter 3, namely solutions of central mass distributions. For a non-rotating massive object it is the pc-Schwarzschild solution, for a rotating massive object the pc-Kerr solution and for a charged massive object it will be the Reissner-Nordstr繹m solution. This chapter serves to become familiar on how to resolve problems in pc-GR and on how to interpret the results. One of the main consequences is, that we can eliminate the event horizon and thus there will be no black holes. The huge massive objects in the center of nearly any galaxy and the so-called galactic black holes are within pc-GR still there, but with the absence of an event horizon! Chapter 4 gives another application of the theory, namely the Robertson-Walker solution, which we use to model different outcomes of the evolution of the universe. Finally the capability of this theory to predict new phenomena is illustrated.
Pseudo-Complex General Relativity
This book explores the role of singularities in general relativity (GR): The theory predicts that when a sufficient large mass collapses, no known force is able to stop it until all mass is concentrated at a point. The question arises, whether an acceptable physical theory should have a singularity, not even a coordinate singularity. The appearance of a singularity shows the limitations of the theory. In GR this limitation is the strong gravitational force acting near and at a super-massive concentration of a central mass. First, a historical overview is given, on former attempts to extend GR (which includes Einstein himself), all with distinct motivations. It will be shown that the only possible algebraic extension is to introduce pseudo-complex (pc) coordinates, otherwise for weak gravitational fields non-physical ghost solutions appear. Thus, the need to use pc-variables. We will see, that the theory contains a minimal length, with important consequences. After that, the pc-GR is formulated and compared to the former attempts. A new variational principle is introduced, which requires in the Einstein equations an additional contribution. Alternatively, the standard variational principle can be applied, but one has to introduce a constraint with the same former results. The additional contribution will be associated to vacuum fluctuation, whose dependence on the radial distance can be approximately obtained, using semi-classical Quantum Mechanics. The main point is that pc-GR predicts that mass not only curves the space but also changes the vacuum structure of the space itself. In the following chapters, the minimal length will be set to zero, due to its smallness. Nevertheless, the pc-GR will keep a remnant of the pc-description, namely that the appearance of a term, which we may call "dark energy", is inevitable. The first application will be discussed in chapter 3, namely solutions of central mass distributions. For a non-rotating massive object it is the pc-Schwarzschild solution, for a rotating massive object the pc-Kerr solution and for a charged massive object it will be the Reissner-Nordstr繹m solution. This chapter serves to become familiar on how to resolve problems in pc-GR and on how to interpret the results. One of the main consequences is, that we can eliminate the event horizon and thus there will be no black holes. The huge massive objects in the center of nearly any galaxy and the so-called galactic black holes are within pc-GR still there, but with the absence of an event horizon! Chapter 4 gives another application of the theory, namely the Robertson-Walker solution, which we use to model different outcomes of the evolution of the universe. Finally the capability of this theory to predict new phenomena is illustrated.
My 36 Years in Space
My 36 Years in Space is a behind-the-scenes view of the exciting career of a pioneer in NASA's manned space programs. It describes the breakthroughs of a young engineer in writing flight software to guide astronauts to the moon, his heart-pounding experience in watching the Apollo 11 launch at the Cape, and his breathtaking moments in NASA's Mission Control Center while Armstrong and Aldrin dealt with computer alarms when they descended to the moon for the first time. His fun-filled relationships with his astronaut neighbors are unique. Kurth's firsthand account of his successful rise to General Manager of the Aerospace Systems Group in the Shuttle and Space Station era contrasts with his sudden fall to the unemployed at age 52. The reader experiences his struggle through the aerospace recession, before pulling himself back up with achievements in the USAF spy satellite programs prior to his retirement with TRW in 1999.
