Elementary Particle Level Research Articles

Promoting Origination of Dynamicity of Non-Cellular Cognizers

Dynamic realities exist at the most basic level of elementary particles, which, according to quantum field theory emerge as excitations of fundamental quantum fields. At the same time, the nuclei of cognizers – doers, and their modes -1/2place classifiers and energizers, are also types of dynamic realities. Trying to trace the origin of the dynamicity of doers to the dynamics of particles and fields would help enlighten the origination of classifiers in nature. As a footstep to a positive answer to this question, we provide cases of such interpretation of dynamicity concluding by some hints to generalize the cases.

Biological Homochirality and the Search for Extraterrestrial Biosignatures.

Most amino acids and sugar molecules occur in mirror, or chiral, images of each other, knowns as enantiomers. However, life on Earth is mostly homochiral: proteins contain almost exclusively L-amino acids, while only D-sugars appear in RNA and DNA. The mechanism behind this fundamental asymmetry of life remains unknown, despite much progress in the theoretical and experimental understanding of homochirality in the past decades. We review three potential mechanisms for the emergence of biological homochirality on primal Earth and explore their implications for astrobiology: the first, that biological homochirality is a stochastic process driven by local environmental fluctuations; the second, that it is driven by circularly-polarized ultraviolet radiation in star-forming regions; and the third, that it is driven by parity violation at the elementary particle level. We argue that each of these mechanisms leads to different observational consequences for the existence of enantiomeric excesses in our solar system and in exoplanets, pointing to the possibility that the search for life elsewhere will help elucidate the origins of homochirality on Earth.

FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICAL CONSTANTS c, h, G AND THE PHYSICAL BASIS OF THEIR FORMATION

The work is related to the field of research of fundamental physical constants, in particular – the speed of light in vacuum c, Planck's constant h, gravitational constant G, associated with the foundations of the material world. Therefore, a deeper study of them provides better opportunities for understanding the material world, which is an important and urgent task. It is shown that at the present stage of development of science and technology, these constants are determined at the level of elementary particles and atoms. However, they are formed in the first moments after the emergence of the Universe, when there are still no elementary particles and atoms, which limits the knowledge about of constants. The solution to this problem is the main goal and scientific novelty of the work performed. At the same time, the transition to the Planck values of length, time and mass was applied, on the basis of which the wave and energy parameters of the Unified field of the Universe were determined. This made it possible to obtain mathematical expressions for these constants at the initial level of the material world (before the formation of elementary particles), which deepens scientific knowledge about the Universe.

Blowup of Accidental Images as a Passageway to Discovery: Insights into the Interaction between Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles and Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Despite decades of research into the interaction between cells and nanoparticles, there is a lack of consensus regarding how specific physicochemical characteristics of the nanoparticles, including chemical composition, crystallinity, size, morphology, charge, and aspect ratio, among others, govern their internalization and intracellular fate. Methodological novelties offer new perspectives on the same old problematics, and often translate into an improved understanding of the given topic. Inspired by an analogy with the theme of the movie, Lisbon Story, a conceptually unconventional method for gaining insight into the interaction between nanoparticles and cells is proposed here. It involves the random, “Take 1” capture of an atomic force micrograph showing the interaction of human mesenchymal stem cells and clusters of spherical hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with a broad distribution of sizes and shapes, the blowup of its segments, and their detailed qualitative inspection. This method led to the derivation of three illustrative hypotheses, some of which were refuted and some corroborated. Specifically, the presupposition that there is an inverse relationship between the cellular uptake efficiency and the size of nanoparticle clusters was confirmed, both empirically and through a literature meta-analysis, but the idea that the geometry of these clusters affects the uptake was refuted. The definite presence of morphological determinants of the cellular uptake at the level of elementary particles, not clusters thereof, however, was confirmed in an alternative experiment. Likewise, immunofluorescent studies demonstrated that relatively large and irregularly shaped nanoparticle clusters do get internalized and localized to the perinuclear area, where they engage in an intimate interaction with the cell nucleus. The proposed enhancement of the binding between cells and biomaterials by increasing the surface ruffling consequential to the nanoparticle uptake - in analogy with the enhanced cell adhesion achieved by introducing topographic irregularities to smooth biomaterial surfaces - was also confirmed by showing that the uptake improves the stem cell adhesion. The uptake also augmented the stem cell viability and the proliferative capacity of cells reseeded with this internal nanoparticle cargo on a fresh surface, albeit with moderate levels of statistical significance and the caveat of its presumed dependence on the cell type, the nanoparticle chemistry and dose, and the overall stage in the transition of the multipotent cells toward an osteoprogenitor lineage.

Probing exotic phenomena at the interface of nuclear and particle physics with the electric dipole moments of diamagnetic atoms: A unique window to hadronic and semi-leptonic CP violation

The current status of electric dipole moments of diamagnetic atoms which involves the synergy between atomic experiments and three different theoretical areas -- particle, nuclear and atomic is reviewed. Various models of particle physics that predict CP violation, which is necessary for the existence of such electric dipole moments, are presented. These include the standard model of particle physics and various extensions of it. Effective hadron level combined charge conjugation (C) and parity (P) symmetry violating interactions are derived taking into consideration different ways in which a nucleon interacts with other nucleons as well as with electrons. Nuclear structure calculations of the CP-odd nuclear Schiff moment are discussed using the shell model and other theoretical approaches. Results of the calculations of atomic electric dipole moments due to the interaction of the nuclear Schiff moment with the electrons and the P and time-reversal (T) symmetry violating tensor-pseudotensor electron-nucleus are elucidated using different relativistic many-body theories. The principles of the measurement of the electric dipole moments of diamagnetic atoms are outlined. Upper limits for the nuclear Schiff moment and tensor-pseudotensor coupling constant are obtained combining the results of atomic experiments and relativistic many-body theories. The coefficients for the different sources of CP violation have been estimated at the elementary particle level for all the diamagnetic atoms of current experimental interest and their implications for physics beyond the standard model is discussed. Possible improvements of the current results of the measurements as well as quantum chromodynamics, nuclear and atomic calculations are suggested.

On Adiabatic Processes at the Elementary Particle Level

Analysis of adiabatic processes at the elementary particle level and of the manner in which they correlate with the principle of conservation of energy, the principle of least action and entropy. Analysis of the initial and irreversible adiabatic acceleration sequence of newly created elementary particles and its relation to these principles. Exploration of the consequences if this first initial acceleration sequence is not subject to the principle of conservation

ChemInform Abstract: Stereochemistry in Subcomponent Self‐Assembly

AbstractReview: 55 refs.

Stereochemistry in subcomponent self-assembly.

CONSPECTUS: As Pasteur noted more than 150 years ago, asymmetry exists in matter at all organization levels. Biopolymers such as proteins or DNA adopt one-handed conformations, as a result of the chirality of their constituent building blocks. Even at the level of elementary particles, asymmetry exists due to parity violation in the weak nuclear force. While the origin of homochirality in living systems remains obscure, as does the possibility of its connection with broken symmetries at larger or smaller length scales, its centrality to biomolecular structure is clear: the single-handed forms of bio(macro)molecules interlock in ways that depend upon their handednesses. Dynamic artificial systems, such as helical polymers and other supramolecular structures, have provided a means to study the mechanisms of transmission and amplification of stereochemical information, which are key processes to understand in the context of the origins and functions of biological homochirality. Control over stereochemical information transfer in self-assembled systems will also be crucial for the development of new applications in chiral recognition and separation, asymmetric catalysis, and molecular devices. In this Account, we explore different aspects of stereochemistry encountered during the use of subcomponent self-assembly, whereby complex structures are prepared through the simultaneous formation of dynamic coordinative (N → metal) and covalent (N═C) bonds. This technique provides a useful method to study stereochemical information transfer processes within metal-organic assemblies, which may contain different combinations of fixed (carbon) and labile (metal) stereocenters. We start by discussing how simple subcomponents with fixed stereogenic centers can be incorporated in the organic ligands of mononuclear coordination complexes and communicate stereochemical information to the metal center, resulting in diastereomeric enrichment. Enantiopure subcomponents were then incorporated in self-assembly reactions to control the stereochemistry of increasingly complex architectures. This strategy has also allowed exploration of the degree to which stereochemical information is propagated through tetrahedral frameworks cooperatively, leading to the observation of stereochemical coupling across more than 2 nm between metal stereocenters and the enantioselective synthesis of a face-capped tetrahedron containing no carbon stereocenters via a stereochemical memory effect. Several studies on the communication of stereochemistry between the configurationally flexible metal centers in tetrahedral metal-organic cages have shed light on the factors governing this process, allowing the synthesis of an asymmetric cage, obtained in racemic form, in which all symmetry elements have been broken. Finally, we discuss how stereochemical diversity leads to structural complexity in the structures prepared through subcomponent self-assembly. Initial use of octahedral metal templates with facial stereochemistry in subcomponent self-assembly, which predictably gave rise to structures of tetrahedral symmetry, was extended to meridional metal centers. These lower-symmetry linkages have allowed the assembly of a series of increasingly intricate 3D architectures of varying functionality. The knowledge gained from investigating different aspects of the stereochemistry of metal-templated assemblies thus not only leads to new means of structural control but also opens pathways toward functions such as stereoselective guest binding and transformation.

PION AND MUON MASS DIFFERENCE: A DETERMINING FACTOR IN ELEMENTARY PARTICLE MASS DISTRIBUTION

The most fundamental to the elementary particles is the mass they possess and it would be of importance to explore a possible relationship amongst their masses. Here, an attempt is made to investigate this important aspect irrespective of their nature or scheme of classification. We show that there exists a striking tendency for successive mass differences between elementary particles to be close integral/half integral multiple of the mass difference between a neutral pion and a muon. Thus indicating discreteness in the nature of the mass occurring at the elementary particle level. Furthermore, this mass difference of 29.318 MeV is found to be common to the mass spectra of leptons and baryons, implying thereby existence of a basic mechanism linking elementary particles responding to different interactions.

A new formulation of the relativistic many-body theory of electric dipole moments of closed shell atoms

The electric dipole moments of closed-shell atoms are sensitive to the parity and time-reversal violating phenomena in the nucleus. The nuclear Schiff moment is one such property, it arises from the parity and time reversal violating quark-quark interactions and the quark-chromo electric dipole moments. We calculate the electric dipole moment of atomic 199Hg arising from the nuclear Schiff moment using the relativistic coupled-cluster theory. This is the most accurate calculation of the quantity to date. Our calculations in combination with the experiment data provide important insights to the P and T violating coupling constants at the elementary particle level. In addition, a new limit on the tensor-pseudo tensor induced atomic EDM, calculated using the relativistic coupled-cluster theory is also presented.

A Short-Range Force

Gravitomagnetic and gravitoelectric forces have been studied for sometime and tests for detecting such forces arising from the earth, are under way. We apply similar considerations at the level of elementary particles in a formulation using General Relativity, and deduce the presence of short range forces. A possible candidate could be the somewhat recently detected but otherwise mysterious short range $B_{(3)}$ force, mediated by massive "photons".

Preon stars: a new class of cosmic compact objects

In the context of the standard model of particle physics, there is a definite upper limit to the density of stable compact stars. However, if a more fundamental level of elementary particles exists, in the form of preons, stability may be re-established beyond this limiting density. We show that a degenerate gas of interacting fermionic preons does allow for stable compact stars, with densities far beyond that in neutron stars and quark stars. In keeping with tradition, we call these objects “preon stars”, even though they are small and light compared to white dwarfs and neutron stars. We briefly note the potential importance of preon stars in astrophysics, e.g., as a candidate for cold dark matter and sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays, and a means for observing them.

On the Physical Principles of Gravitation

As is well known, the general theory of relativity (GTR) proceeds from the so-called equivalence principle according to which the dynamic effects of gravitation are identified with the kinematic effects of accelerated motion. In this theory, gravitation is associated with the Riemannian structure of the pseudo-Euclidean space-time (described by the metric tensor and the Riemannian connectivity and the curvature related with this tensor) specified in the four-dimensional space-time continuum. In the present work, it is first demonstrated that on the level of elementary particles (within the framework of the theory of quantized fields), the equivalence principle is violated. It is established that elementary particles with different masses (for example, electron and proton) move in the external gravitational field with different accelerations. In this connection, a new approach to the problem of gravitational interactions is suggested based on deformations of a latent dynamic system conditionally called ether that underlies elementary particle theory [2].

What does elementary chirality have to do with neutrinos?

Asymmetry at the level of elementary particles is both a wonder and a challenge. Current measurements of violation with respect to simultaneous space reflection and charge conjugation (CP violation) in the decay of B mesons appear to account for the excess of matter over antimatter. However, this particular decay can only be observed after a huge number of B decays. Alternative explanations of the surplus of matter, and perhaps the phenomenon of asymmetry itself, might arise from the violation of other fundamental conservation laws, which have not been considered in the Standard Model of high-energy physics and the rules by which it is constructed. Neutrinos, elusive particles which are difficult to detect, may give a valuable hint toward something new in the Standard Model.

New Developments in the Origins of the Homochirality of Biologically Relevant Molecules The authors would like to thank the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie.

Perhaps it is the intrinsic chirality at the level of elementary particles that accounts for why relevant biomolecules (proteinogenic amino acids and sugar units in the nucleic acids) are homochiral. This is suggested by new results concerning the difference in energy of enantiomers resulting from parity violation of electroweak interactions and the finding of asymmetric autocatalysis as an efficient model for the amplification of small enantiomeric excesses.

Fractal space, cosmic strings and spontaneous symmetry breaking

The present paper is conceived within the framework of El Naschie's fractal-Cantorian program and proposes to develop a model of the fractal properties of spacetime. We show that, starting from the most fundamental level of elementary particles and rising up to the largest scale structure of the Universe, the fractal signature of spacetime is imprinted onto matter and fields via the common concept for all scales emanating from the physical spacetime vacuum fluctuations. The fractal structure of matter, field and spacetime (i.e. the nature and the Universe) possesses a universal character and can encompass also the well-known geometric structures of spacetime as Riemannian curvature and torsion and includes also, deviations from Newtonian or Einsteinian gravity (e.g. the Rössler conjecture). The leitmotiv of the paper is generated by cosmic strings as a fractal evidence of cosmic structures which are directly related to physical properties of a vacuum state of matter (VSM). We present also some physical aspects of a spontaneous breaking of symmetry and the Higgs mechanism in their relation with cosmic string phenomenology. Superconducting cosmic strings and the presence of cosmic inhomogeneities can induce to cosmic Josephson junctions (weak links) along a cosmic string or in connection with a cosmic string (self) interactions and thus some intermittency routes to a cosmic chaos can be explored. The key aspect of fractals in physics and of fractal geometry is to understand why nature gives rise to fractal structures. Our present answer is: because a fractal structure is a manifestation of the universality of self-organisation processes, as a result of a sequence of spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB). Our conclusion is that it is very difficult to prescribe a certain type of fractal within an empty spacetime. Possibly, a random fractal (like a Brownian motion) characterises the structure of free space. The presence of matter will decide the concrete form of fractalisation. But, what does it mean the presence of matter? Can there exist a spacetime without matter or matter without spacetime? Possibly not, but consider on the other hand a space far removed from usual matter, or a space containing isolated small particles in which a very low density matter can exist. Very low density matter might be influenced by a fractal structure of space, for example in the sense that it is subject also to fluctuations structured by random fractals. Diffraction and diffusion experiments in an empty space and very low density matter could provide evidence of a fractal structure of space. However, at very high (Planck) densities, and a spacetime in which fluctuations represent also the source of matter and fields (which is very resonable within the context of a quantum gravity), we can assert that Einstein's dream of geometrising physics and El Naschie's hope to prove the fractalisation (or Cantorisation) of spacetime are fully realised.

Experiment and the foundations of quantum physics

Quantum physics, a child of the early 20th century, is probably the most successful description of nature ever invented by man. The range of phenomena it has been applied to is enormous. It covers phenomena from the elementary-particle level all me way to the physics of the early universe. Many modern technologies would be impossible without quantum physics—witness, for example, that all information technologies are based on a quantum understanding of solids, particularly of semiconductors, or that the operation of lasers is based on a quantum understanding of atomic and molecular phenomena.

Discussion

The present paper is conceived within the framework of El Naschie's fractal-Cantorian program and proposes to develop a model of the fractal properties of spacetime. We show that, starting from the most fundamental level of elementary particles and rising up to the largest scale structure of the Universe, the fractal signature of spacetime is imprinted onto matter and fields via the common concept for all scales emanating from the physical spacetime vacuum fluctuations. The fractal structure of matter, field and spacetime (i.e. the nature and the Universe) possesses a universal character and can encompass also the well-known geometric structures of spacetime as Riemannian curvature and torsion and includes also, deviations from Newtonian or Einsteinian gravity (e.g. the Rössler conjecture). The leitmotiv of the paper is generated by cosmic strings as a fractal evidence of cosmic structures which are directly related to physical properties of a vacuum state of matter (VSM). We present also some physical aspects of a spontaneous breaking of symmetry and the Higgs mechanism in their relation with cosmic string phenomenology. Superconducting cosmic strings and the presence of cosmic inhomogeneities can induce to cosmic Josephson junctions (weak links) along a cosmic string or in connection with a cosmic string (self) interactions and thus some intermittency routes to a cosmic chaos can be explored. The key aspect of fractals in physics and of fractal geometry is to understand why nature gives rise to fractal structures. Our present answer is: because a fractal structure is a manifestation of the universality of self-organisation processes, as a result of a sequence of spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB). Our conclusion is that it is very difficult to prescribe a certain type of fractal within an empty spacetime. Possibly, a random fractal (like a Brownian motion) characterises the structure of free space. The presence of matter will decide the concrete form of fractalisation. But, what does it mean the presence of matter? Can there exist a spacetime without matter or matter without spacetime? Possibly not, but consider on the other hand a space far removed from usual matter, or a space containing isolated small particles in which a very low density matter can exist. Very low density matter might be influenced by a fractal structure of space, for example in the sense that it is subject also to fluctuations structured by random fractals. Diffraction and diffusion experiments in an empty space and very low density matter could provide evidence of a fractal structure of space. However, at very high (Planck) densities, and a spacetime in which fluctuations represent also the source of matter and fields (which is very resonable within the context of a quantum gravity), we can assert that Einstein's dream of geometrising physics and El Naschie's hope to prove the fractalisation (or Cantorisation) of spacetime are fully realised.

Neuroendocrine Asymmetry

The information available at present clearly indicates that asymmetry exists from the level of elementary particles to the human cerebral cortex, the latest stage of evolution. Cerebral lateralization is one of the well-known asymmetries. This paper summarizes the data published in the past decades on the asymmetry of the neuroendocrine system. The information on the sided-differences between the gonads, adrenals, and thyroid lobes and that on the lateralization of hypothalamic, limbic, and other brain structures participating in the control of the endocrine glands as well as relevant clinical observations are reviewed here. The innervation of the peripheral endocrine glands is also briefly summarized because the afferent and efferent fibers of these glands may represent one part of the pathway involved in neuroendocrine asymmetry. The data reviewed clearly indicate that some kind of asymmetry (morphological, biochemical, physiological, pathological) is evident at different levels of the neuroendocrine system (at limbic, hypothalamic, peripheral endocrine glands and their innervation) and there are species, sex, and age differences. Most of the information accumulated deals with the CNS–gonadal system. A majority of the observations suggest that in both male and female rats there is a predominance of the right half of brain structures controlling gonadal function. The asymmetry, however, is not restricted to CNS structures: it also exists at the level of the gonads, including their innervation. It appears that the characteristic pattern of the CNS–gonadal system becomes fixed only after sexual maturation. Very few reports are available suggesting some kind of asymmetry of the CNS–adrenal cortex and the CNS–thyroid system. There are convincing findings consistent with the view that in addition to the hypothalamo-adenohypophyseal system acting via the general circulation on the peripheral endocrine glands, there is also a pure neural link between the CNS and the gonads, the CNS and the adrenal gland, and also between the CNS and the thyroid. This link contains afferent and efferent pathways and is able to modulate the functional activity or the responsiveness of the gland. It may also serve as a neural reflex arc. It is assumed that the neuroendocrine asymmetry expresses itself through (i) hypophysiotrophic neurohormones and hormones of the peripheral endocrine glands, (ii) neural pathways, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii). The authors hope that this publication, in addition to providing an overview, will also stimulate research, both basic and clinical, in this exciting area of neuroendocrinology.

Enantioselective autocatalysis. IV. Implications for parity violation effects.

Historically, parity violation at the contemporary biomolecular level (i.e., only L-amino acids in proteins and D-sugars in DNA and RNA) has been postulated to be the inevitable result of parity violations at the elementary particle level, involving either beta-decay electrons or parity violating energy differences (PVEDs) between enantiomers. These two chiral biases have in turn allegedly impressed a small but persistent chirality onto prebiotic chemistry which, after appropriate amplification, has culminated in our contemporary homochiral biopolymers. Experiments and controversies pertaining to the efficacy of these two chiral biases are reviewed briefly, with the conclusions that: a) there is no experimental evidence supporting the capability of beta-decay electrons or other spin-polarized chiral particles to generate chiral molecules, and b) only theoretical calculations, but no experimental evidence, support the allegation of a causal relation between PVEDs and biomolecular homochirality. We here attempt to examine the latter allegation experimentally. Spontaneous resolution under racemization conditions (SRURC) during the crystallization of the bromofluoro-1,4-benzodiazepinooxazole derivative I is capable of affording products of high enantiomeric purity. This process, which involves very efficient stereoselective autocatalysis, has now been examined statistically. If PVED effects are operative, the SRURC of racemic I should provide, either exclusively or with a strong and consistent bias, only one enantiomer of crystalline I. However, crystallization experiments of racemic I showed no bias in its SRURC, leading to the conclusion that PVED effects are ineffective in dictating a preferred chirality in this system. Several earlier experiments in the literature leading to a similar conclusion as to the inefficacy of PVED effects in promoting a preferred chirality are noted.