Physical Basis Research Articles

A grand unified theory for the unification of physics, life, information and cognition (mind).

The modern scientific world view was built on the incommensurability between cognition (mind) and physics (matter) and later life and physics (the autonomy of biology). Fuelled by Boltzmann's view of the second law of thermodynamics as a 'law of disorder', the idea of 'two opposing rivers', the river of physics 'flowing down' to disorder and the river of life and mind 'flowing up' to higher states of order became a cornerstone of contemporary thinking. The deleterious result of this paradigmatic separation of physics, life and mind has been to considerably incapacitate each by bracketing many of the deepest problems of science, including the very nature of life itself and its cognitive capabilities, outside the theoretical reach of contemporary science. An expanded view of physics, notably the addition of the fourth law of thermodynamics (LMEP), or the law of maximum entropy production, coupled with first law time-translation symmetry, and the self-referencing circularity of the relational ontology of autocatakinetic systems, provides the basis for a grand unified theory unifying physics, life, information and cognition (mind). This dissolves the dysfunctional myth of the two rivers, and solves the previously insoluble problems at the foundations of modern science associated with it. This article is part of the theme issue 'Thermodynamics 2.0: Bridging the natural and social sciences (Part 1)'.

Thermodynamics, organisms and behaviour.

The physical origin of behaviour in biological organisms is distinct from those of non-living systems in one significant way: organisms exhibit intentionality or goal-directed behaviour. How may we understand and explain this important aspect in physical terms, grounded in laws of physics and chemistry? In this article, we discuss recent experimental and theoretical progress in this area and future prospects of this line of thought. The physical basis for our investigation is thermodynamics, though other branches of physics and chemistry have an important role. This article is part of the theme issue 'Thermodynamics 2.0: Bridging the natural and social sciences (Part 1)'.

Protein Ca2+-Sites Prone to Sr2+ Substitution: Implications for Strontium Therapy.

Strontium (Sr), an alkali metal with properties similar to calcium, in the form of soluble salts is used to treat osteoporosis. Despite the information accumulated on the role of Sr2+ as a Ca2+ mimetic in biology and medicine, there is no systematic study of how the outcome of the competition between the two dications depends on the physicochemical properties of (i) the metal ions, (ii) the first- and second-shell ligands, and (iii) the protein matrix. Specifically, the key features of a Ca2+-binding protein that enable Sr2+ to displace Ca2+ remain unclear. To address this, we studied the competition between Ca2+ and Sr2+ in protein Ca2+-binding sites using density functional theory combined with the polarizable continuum model. Our findings indicate that Ca2+-sites with multiple strong charge-donating protein ligands, including one or more bidentately bound Asp-/Glu- that are relatively buried and rigid are protected against Sr2+ attack. On the other hand, Ca2+-sites crowded with multiple protein ligands may be prone to Sr2+ displacement if they are solvent-exposed and flexible enough so that an extra backbone ligand from the outer shell can bind to Sr2+. In addition, solvent-exposed Ca2+ sites with only a few weak charge-donating ligands that can rearrange to fit the strontium's coordination requirements are susceptible to Sr2+ displacement. We provide the physical basis of these results and discuss potential novel protein targets of therapeutic Sr2+.

Performance assessment of charge plasma based hetero‐structure VTFET biosensor for linearity enhancement

AbstractThis paper examines a charge plasma‐based hetero‐structure full gate vertical tunnel field effect transistor (CP‐FG‐VTFET) as a dielectrically modulated biosensor. It is also compared with a charge plasma‐based short gate vertical TFET (CP‐SG‐VTFET) biosensor and a charge plasma‐based asymmetrical vertical TFET (CP‐AS‐VTFET) biosensor with identical dimensions. We examine the basic physics of these biosensors and compare their ability to recognize charged and neutral molecules. It has been noted that these designs, which use GaSb as the n‐type TFET source material, are suitable for supply voltages lower than 1.2 V. The short gate device has a lower miller capacitance and a higher drive current because it has a narrow bandgap source material. Additionally, the left and right gate alignment of asymmetrical gate architectures has a considerable impact on the sensitivity of the device. Therefore, a simulation is conducted to assess the effects of gate misalignment on biosensor surface potential and drain current sensitivity. In addition, various figures of merits (FOMs) are computed for the device utilizing the dielectric constant range of 1–12, including linearity, sensitivity, and evaluation of noise characteristics. The widely available Silvaco TCAD was employed to simulate the proposed VTFET biosensors. A comprehensive evaluation of the FOM values showed that the CP‐FG‐VTFET is a promising device in terms of linearity and sensitivity.

An Evaluation of Mathematical Models and Stability Analysis of Learning Based on Reaction Kinetics

Human cognition and consciousness are perhaps the most confounding mystery. Somehow it has a linkage to the process of learning and storage of short-term and long-term memory in the form of knowledge. This paper examines a brief background of early models in learning presented by Atkinson and Shriffrin (1965) and related stochastic models utilizing probability functions. Each of these learning models capture certain facets of the learning process but are ineffective in describing the physical basis in which learning occurs. For this reason, this paper explores analogous mathematical models based on reaction kinetics that have been shown to represent chemical reactions found in nature. Six learning models are presented of unitary, binary, reversible binary, reversible binary with mass action, and enzyme learning model reactions with and without decay. Preliminary analysis of time series plots, phase line diagrams, and phase plane plots were conducted to illustrate equilibrium conditions and stability of the models. Each model is examined in terms of its limitations in the philosophy and inability to capture certain elements that are understood about the learning process. Finally, this paper concludes that the feasibility of understanding behavior such as stability through the tools of applied mathematics and thereby illuminating certain layers of human cognition and learning is a useful tool in examining the suitability of a possible deterministic model that could describe the learning process. Further analysis with empirical data would validate the suitability of the presented models.

Metal-Insulator Transition of Single-Crystal V2O3 through van der Waals Interface Engineering.

Strongly correlated electron materials harbor interesting materials physics, such as high-Tc superconductivity, colossal magnetoresistance, and metal-insulator transition. These physical properties can be greatly influenced by the dimensionality and geometry of the hosting materials and their interaction strengths with underlying substrates. In a classic strongly correlated oxide vanadium sesquioxide (V2O3), the coexistence of a metal-insulator and paramagnetic-antiferromagnetic transitions at ∼150 K makes this material an excellent platform for exploring basic physics and developing future devices. So far, most studies have been focused on epitaxial thin films in which the strongly coupled substrate has a pronounced effect on V2O3, leading to the observations of intriguing phenomena and physics. In this work, we unveil the kinetics of a metal-insulator transition of V2O3 single-crystal sheets at nano and micro scales. We show the presence of triangle-like alternating metal/insulator phase patterns during phase transition, which is drastically different from the epitaxial film. The observation of single-stage metal-insulator transition in V2O3/graphene compared to the multistage in V2O3/SiO2 evidence the importance of sheet-substrate coupling. Harnessing the freestanding form of the V2O3 sheet, we show that the phase transition of V2O3 sheet can generate a large dynamic strain to monolayer MoS2 and tune its optical property based on the MoS2/V2O3 hybrid structure. The demonstration of the capability in tuning phase transition kinetics and phase patterns using designed hybrid structure of varied sheet-substrate coupling strengths suggests an effective knob in the design and operation of emerging Mott devices.

Application of E-Module to Identify Students' Science Process Skills in the Practicum of Refraction on Prisms

Research Objectives: The objective of this research is to determine the level of science process skills of Physics Education students at the University of Masumus in the practice of habituation in basic physics prisms towards the use of e-modules. Methodology: This research is a descriptive research type. The approach used in this research is a quantitative approach. The implementation of this research was conducted in October 2019. The number of samples in this study were all 2018 physics education students, totaling 40 people. This study used a sampling technique, namely total sampling. Main Findings: The results of research conducted by researchers, it is known. In the Science Process Skills Research of Physics Education Students at the University of Masumus in the prism refraction practicum using the e-module, the results were very good, this can be seen from the percentage results for each indicator. the use of e-modules can increase the level of student process skills in carrying out practicum activities. Novelty/Originality of Research: Novelty in research is in the form of analyzing the science process skills possessed by physics education students at the University Masumus.

Statistics of carrier-cargo complexes.

We explore the statistics of assembling soft-matter building blocks to investigate the uptake and encapsulation of cargo particles by carriers engulfing their load. While the such carrier-cargo complexes are important for many applications out of equilibrium, such as drug delivery and synthetic cell encapsulation, we uncover here the basic statistical physics in minimal hard-core-like models for particle uptake. Introducing an exactly solvable equilibrium model in one dimension, we demonstrate that the formation of carrier-cargo complexes can be largely tuned by both the cargo concentration and the carriers' interior size. These findings are intuitively explained by interpreting the internal free space (partition function) of the cargo inside a carrier as its engulfment strength, which can be mapped to an external control parameter (chemical potential) of an additional effective particle species. Assuming a hard carrier membrane, such a mapping can be exactly applied to account for multiple cargo uptake involving various carrier or cargo species and even attractive uptake mechanisms, while soft interactions require certain approximations. We further argue that the Boltzmann occupation law identified within our approach is broken when particle uptake is governed by nonequilibrium forces. Speculating on alternative occupation laws using effective parameters, we put forward a Bose-Einstein-like phase transition associated with polydisperse carrier properties.

Experimental study on the shear creep characteristics of joints under wetting-drying cycles

To better understand the shear creep characteristics of joints under wetting-drying cycles, multi-stage shear creep experiments are firstly conducted on the joints subjected to different wetting-drying cycles. Then, the shear creep damage characteristics of joints are investigated from the microscopic and macroscopic perspectives through wave velocity tests, scanning electron microscope observations, and failure morphologies. The investigation demonstrates that the increasing wetting-drying cycles lead to a porous and disintegrated microstructure of joints, which further results in increases in the shear deformation and steady-creep rate, and decreases in the failure strength and long-term strength. With increasing wetting-drying cycles, the wear rate of joints decreases and the damaged region of joints becomes smaller and invisible. Furthermore, a classification of the shear creep process of joints containing four stages is firstly proposed based on the test results. It is found that the presence of asperities on the rough joints is the physical basis of the existence of strengthening and cutting stages of the shear creep process. Finally, based on the experimental results, a new fractional-order damage creep model of joints considering wetting-drying cycles is proposed.

News Article

Book, “X-Ray Spectroscopy for Chemical State Analysis” (Jun Kawai, Springer, 2023) Professor Jun Kawai (Kyoto University, Japan) has published an interesting and useful book on materials characterization methods using X-ray emission, absorption, and photoelectron spectroscopies. Readers will be able to learn about basic X-ray physics topics such as “Particle and Wave Duality of X-rays” (Chapter 1), “Profile Change of X-Ray Spectra” (Chapter 2), and “Chemical Effects of Multiply Ionized Satellites” (Chapter 3). They can also gain some practical knowledge on instrumentation, including “Pyroelectric X-Ray Emission” (Chapter 4), “Small-Size and Low-Power X-Ray Instruments” (Chapter 5), “Synchrotron Radiation Experiments” (Chapter 6), and “Quantitative Analysis Using XRF and SEM” (Chapter 7). The book includes some interesting historical episodes, such as Professor Yoneda's discovery of enhanced diffuse scattering at the total reflection critical angle (now often called the Yoneda peak or Yoneda wing in grazing-incidence small angle X-ray scattering) and TXRF. The author also describes his own experience - how he has achieved novel experiments. The book consists of 243 pages. Overall, this book seems to provide a good overview of X-ray spectroscopy methods and their applications. The inclusion of historical context and the author's experiences helps to give readers insight into how these techniques were developed and applied in practice. For further information of the book, see the following page, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7361-1

Effectiveness of Contextual Phenomena-Based Learning to Improve Science Literacy

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of contextual phenomena-based learning to increase scientific literacy in three Basic Physics materials.. Method: This research method is descriptive and quantitative with the type of Pre-Experimental research. The subjects of this study were 27 students of Physics Education class A at Surabaya State University class of 2022. Result: The results of the data analysis showed that learning based on contextual phenomena to increase scientific literacy was an excellent category to apply. This is shown by implementing learning on the three materials with suitable criteria. Student activities for each material are in very good criteria. Moreover, the average N-gain value obtained through the Pre-test and Post test scores on the third material is in the high category. As well as the results of the average student response to the learning that is applied is also in the high category and gets a positive response from students. From the four results of data analysis, it can be interpreted that learning based on contextual phenomena effectively increases scientific literacy. Novelty: The application of contextual phenomena-based learning in the materials on Works and Energy, Momentum, and Fluids at the college level to improve scientific literacy

Radiative forcing due to carbon dioxide decomposed into its component vibrational bands†

AbstractThe radiative forcing (RF) of climate change due to increases in carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is primarily in the wavenumber region 500–850 cm−1 (wavelengths of approximately 12 to 20 μm). It originates from absorption and emission of infrared radiation due to vibrational–rotational transitions of the CO2 molecule. While this RF has been the subject of intense and detailed study, to date, the contribution of different vibrational transitions to this forcing has not been explored. This article presents an analysis of radiative transfer calculations that quantify the role of different vibrational transitions and illustrates that while the fundamental bending mode contributes nearly 90% of the total infrared intensity, it contributes less than half of the RF at present‐day CO2 concentrations; this is because the absorption at the centre of this fundamental band is so intense that the effect of additional CO2 is strongly muted. By successively adding in additional CO2 bands to the calculations, it is demonstrated that a key spectroscopic phenomenon, known as Fermi Resonance (an interaction between excited states of the bending and the symmetric stretching modes of CO2) leads to a significant spreading of the infrared intensity to both higher and lower wavenumbers, where the fundamental bending mode is less important. The Fermi Resonance transitions contribute only about 4% of the total infrared intensity in this spectral region but cause more than half of the present‐day RF. The less‐abundant isotopologues of CO2 have little impact on the spectrally integrated RF, but this small contribution results from a compensation between more significant positive and negative contributions to the spectral RF. This work does not alter the results of detailed RF calculations available in the literature; rather, it helps explain the physical basis of that forcing.

Titius-Bode’s Relation in Exoplanetary Systems

The Titius-Bode’s relation has been historically successful in predicting the location of Ceres in the solar system, while its physical basis remains hidden. In this study, we attempt to answer the question of whether the Titius-Bode’s relation is universally valid for exoplanetary systems with plural exoplanets. For this purpose, we statistically study the distribution of the ratio of the orbiting periods of two planets in 32 exoplanetary systems hosted by a single star. We only consider the period ratios derived from exoplanets orbiting a single star since celestial objects under investigation are kept as simple as possible and free from uncertainties such as the mass of the host star. We find that the distribution of period ratios of two exoplanets appears inconsistent with that derived from the Titius-Bode’s relation using the χ2 test. We also found that the distance distribution in exoplanetary systems unlikely follows the uniform distribution or the Poisson’s distribution. It is noted, however, that more rigorous statistical tests should be carried out to reach a more certain conclusion.

An integral assessment of landslide dams generated by the occurrence of rainfall-induced landslide and debris flow hazard chain

Landslides caused by rainfall are one of the most frequent causes of disasters in tropical countries and mountainous terrain and can block rivers generating landslide dams. This paper presents a methodology for the estimation of the obstruction of water streams generated by rainfall-induced shallow landslides. The spatial distribution of the landslide hazard was estimated in terms of the Factor of Safety (FoS) values using the deterministic method with physical basis SLIDE (Slope - Infiltration - Distributed Equilibrium). The rainfall regimes of the study area were estimated by means of a simple scaling Log Normal Model. Subsequently, the resulting areas with a high hazard level that could detach and reach the riverbed were identified as sources for the simulation of the debris flow runout using the Rapid Mass Movement Simulation model with its debris flow module, (i.e., RAMMS-DF), estimating zones of the riverbed that should be analyzed in detail. Finally, the effects of river channel obstructions generated after debris flow movement were analyzed by means of the Iber, a well-known, physically based 2D hydraulic model and their possible changes on the river hydraulic. In order to generate a workflow that allows the application of the SLIDE methodology and the preparation of inputs for the subsequent processes of debris flow propagation and hydraulic modeling of the river corridor of analysis, a Python-based toolbox was created. Our results highlight the changes in the fluvial dynamics in the corridor of the river of analysis after the landslide dams generated by the occurrence of rainfall-induced landslide and debris flow hazard chain for the different return periods. In all cases, the material deposited in the river channel was sufficient to change the hydraulic regime of the river corridor, showing longer delay times in the transit of the flow, in addition to the decrease in the specific flow. This would imply a water shortage in the study basin of the hydroelectric project; however, in the scope of this project it is not possible to really determine the real effects that could be generated by this event.

Robustness improvement of a nitrogen-vacancy magnetometer by a double driving method.

The nitrogen vacancy (NV) color center in diamonds is an electron spin that can measure magnetic fields with high sensitivity and resolution. Furthermore, the robustness of an NV-based quantum system should be improved for further application in other sensing methods and in the exploration of basic physics. In this work, the robustness of an NV magnetometer is improved by the double driving method. The sensitivity of the NV magnetometer was improved 2.1 times by strengthening the pumping power from 100 to 600 mW. In this process, thermal drift was introduced, which affects the measurement accuracy. The temperature drift of a diamond matrix was measured using an infrared camera, and the temperature change of a diamond host drifted to ∼80K under high laser and microwave power. To address the drift of temperature owing to sensitivity improvement by pumping enhancement, the double driving method was introduced, to suppress the drift of the resonance frequency, to improve the robustness of a continuous-wave NV magnetometer. The magnetic noise density was improved from 10 to 1.2 nT/Hz1/2. This study checked the source of temperature noise in the process of measuring with the NV color centers and proposes a double driving measurement method to track the resonant frequency change due to environmental temperature drift and improve sensitivity. The findings of this study are useful in applying complex pulse protocols in high-level sensing applications based on solid-state spin.

DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHING MATERIALS EDSK (ENERGI DALAM SISTEM KEHIDUPAN) BASED ON 7 COMPONENTS OF EFFECTIVE LEARNING

The Department of Tadris IPA IAIN Ponorogo in the 2020/2021 school year redesigned the curriculum to become the KKNI. The KKNI is applied to students starting in semester 1 of the 2020/2021 academic year. Where the types of courses and learning carried out are of course different from the previous curriculum. Implementation of learning with KKNI is certainly not as easy as expected. One of the obstacles to implementing the KKNI is the unavailability of the KKNI based lecturer and student handbooks that can be used during the learning process. Based on interviews with several science lecturers who were teaching in semester 1, the teaching materials used were still the teaching materials used in the previous curriculum. For example, when teaching the Energy in Living Systems course, the handbook used is the basic physics textbook used to teach students in the previous semester. This is what causes the buildup of material and is not optimal in linking physics material with other fields and teaching it more contextually. This is what underlies researchers to develop a textbook on energy in living systems based on the seven components of effective learning.

Development of Conceptual Understanding Student Tests to The Basic Physics Subject: a Rasch Model Analysis

The use of tests with unknown reliability and validity to measure student achievement was still widely practiced. This study examined the quality tests of conceptual understanding for college students in the basic concept of physics subject. This research was an R&D that used the 4D model. The test consisted of 2 types, namely multiple-choice and true-false tests, which were equipped with reasons. Development stages: 1) defined test grids; 2) designed tests; 3) developed tests; 4) expert validated of the content and construct; and 5) tested the validity, reliability, and level of difficulty. Analysis used the Rasch model assisted by Winstep software. The test results show that 18 multiple-choice and 17 true-false items fit the Rasch model in a range outfit MNSQ of 0.7-1.33 and ZSTD of -0,7-1,9. The reliability test is based on consistency in the range of 0.8-0.91 with good and excellent categories. The difficulty level shows three categories easy, difficult, and very difficult. And based on the results, 15 items are selected for each type of test. This selection is made by considering the similarity of competency outcomes measured by each test item. Both tests can be used for broader data collection to determine the best tests that represent students' conceptual understanding.

Великая теорема Ферма с точки зрения физика

The article is about the fact that the extraordinary beauty and conciseness of the formulation of Fermat's Last Theorem make us look for its visual solution. Let's try to consider Fermat's theorem from the eyes of physicist. Perhaps from this positions Pierre de Fermat found a solution whose main ideas would fit schematically in the fairly wide margins of the book, in a few drawings. Skeptics continue to believe that Pierre de Fermat was probably mistaken. Meanwhile, consistent application of the basic principles of physics, geometry, and engineering make us think differently.

Review on Eutectic-Type Alloys Solidified under Static Magnetic Field

Processing metallic alloys under a static magnetic field (SMF) has garnered significant attention over the past few decades. SMFs can influence both the thermodynamics and kinetics of the solidification process by introducing extra force and energy. Eutectic-type alloys (ETAs) are commonly used as research materials under SMFs due to their featured microstructures. This review aims to present theoretical and experimental results regarding ETAs under SMFs, from post-analysis to in situ observation, to demonstrate the effects of magnetic phenomena such as magnetic braking, thermoelectric magnetic convection, magnetic gradient force, and magnetic energy on the thermodynamics and kinetics of microstructural evolution. In this paper, we adopt a hybrid approach between a review and an overview to comprehensively examine the effect of SMFs on the solidification process. Firstly, we provided a concise review of the historical research on the SMF’s impact on solidification in the literature. Next, we elucidated the basic physical principles of an SMF in material processing, followed by an introduction of numerous laboratory and industrial experiments that have utilized SMFs. Finally, we summarized the effects of SMFs on solidification in the past and provide insights into future research directions.

DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT ON BASIC PHYSICS PRACTICUM

Basic Physics is one of the courses supported by practicum activities to increase students' understanding of the material presented in lectures. So to support the achievement of practical activities, an assessment is required. Where the assessment developed is the Performance Assessment is expected to make lecturers to improve the quality of assessment on the Physics Basic lab. Performance assessment is an assessment done by observing the activities of students in doing something. This assessment is suitable for assessing the competency achievement that requires students to perform certain tasks such as laboratory practice in accordance with the demands of the syllabus. This study aims to develop a Performance Assessment on a valid Physics Basic exercise. This study uses the development of the Plomp model which goes through the following stages: (1) preliminary research, (2) prototyping phase, and (3) test and assessment Phase. At the phase prototyping phase is done performance assessment design on the Physics Basic lab. Performance assessment that has been designed and then validated by 2 validators. Validation results obtained 85.17 with valid categories