Search

This paper describes the design of a new teaching-learning sequence on quantum physics aimed at upper secondary school students. In this teaching-learning sequence, GeoGebra simulations and interactive screen experiments are used to investigate the behaviour of a single photon at beam splitter and single photon interference in a Michelson interferometer. We propose a minimal formalism using Dirac notation, which avoids complex numbers and elaborate vector calculus, to make a quantitative description of the quantum optics experiments accessible to secondary school students. With this new educational pathway, we take into account findings from physics education research, which suggest that the introduction of a mathematical formalism tailored to students' abilities might help them to overcome naive-realist views of quanta or space-time descriptions of quantum phenomena, while at the same time facilitating a transition to a functional understanding of quantum models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The connection between contextuality and graph theory has paved the way for numerous advancements in the field. One notable development is the realization that sets of probability distributions in many contextuality scenarios can be effectively described using well-established convex sets from graph theory. This geometric approach allows for a beautiful characterization of these sets. The application of geometry is not limited to the description of contextuality sets alone; it also plays a crucial role in defining contextuality quantifiers based on geometric distances. These quantifiers are particularly significant in the context of the resource theory of contextuality, which emerged following the recognition of contextuality as a valuable resource for quantum computation. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the geometric aspects of contextuality. Additionally, we use this geometry to define several quantifiers, offering the advantage of applicability to other approaches to contextuality where previously defined quantifiers may not be suitable. This article is part of the theme issue 'Quantum contextuality, causality and freedom of choice'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topics of identity, individuality and indiscernibility had already entered the domain of the philosophy of physics, mainly in what respects the philosophy of quantum theories. In this paper, I present the main ideas of an underlying metaphysics that considers the basic entities of quantum physics as non-individuals, that is, as entities to which the standard theory of identity of classical logic and standard mathematics (set theory) does not apply. Two things must be emphasized: the first is that we pursue Erwin Schrödinger's ideas that the notion of identity (or sameness) does not apply to quantum things; the second is to follow Heinz Post's claim that the non-individuality of quantum entities 'must be introduced right at the start' and not by taking individuals and making them pretend to be non-individuals 'by hand', say by confining them to non-rigid structures. Thus, this paper should be regarded as an attempt to justify the metaphysics of non-individuals and the logical systems that cope with them, although these systems are here only referred to. We also answer some criticisms that have been directed to such a view. The paper is directed to an audience of both physicists interested in foundations and philosophers of physics. This article is part of the theme issue 'Identity, individuality and indistinguishability in physics and mathematics'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a reinterpretation of the Chinese worldview on equilibrium/nonequilibrium and yin-yang in the context of science and draws the correlative aspects with irreversible thermodynamics and quantum reality, such as instability, nonlinearity, nonequilibrium, and temporality. The paper argues that Prigogine's expressions on dissipative structures and their role in thermodynamic systems far from equilibrium, complexity, and irreversibility resonate with the principles in Yijing. Instability, far-from-equilibrium, irreversibility, probability, bifurcation, and self-organisation are intrinsic properties of nature appearing at all levels. Information is the basis of all changes. The agency of change is the human with a consciousness interpreting the information existing in the probability space between heaven and earth. The paper outlines a modelling approach with the self-organising human in the centre between heaven and earth, representing living systems as discrete dynamical systems presented with binary yin-yang choices. The concepts of yin-yang and information causality are central to Yijing's understanding of change and are clarified in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This three-part paper comprises: (i) a critique by Halvorson of Bell's (1973) paper 'Subject and Object'; (ii) a comment by Butterfield; (iii) a reply by Halvorson. An Appendix gives the passage from Bell that is the focus of Halvorson's critique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soliton wave solutions to the (2+1)-dimensional Heisenberg ferromagnetic spin chain (ℋ ℱ ) problem are explored in this paper. The (2+1)-dimensional ℋ ℱ equation describes the nonlinear spin dynamics of Heisenberg ferromagnetic spin chains in the semiclassical limit. This formula is based on the spin-chain of the Heisenberg field. The bilinear and anisotropic interactions are accounted for in this equation. Even ferromagnetism may be explained by this paradigm, since it describes the propagation of waves inside a substance (the magnetic ordering in ferromagnetic materials). To construct a new soliton wave solution and validate its correctness, modern analytical and approximative schemes are utilized such as the Khater II and Adomian decomposition methods. Numerous interpretations for solitary waves are shown by various plots such as polar plots, contour plots, two-dimensional plots, and three-dimensional plots. The study's novelty may be appreciated by contrasting our findings with those presented in previously published research publications. Most of the many computational simulations used are performed with the aid of a program called Mathematica 13.1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physics education has been identified as one of the public sectors that are mostly influenced by technological developments. This paper adopted the quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design to assess the effects of multimedia-aided technologies (MAT) on undergraduate students' performance in quantum physics (QP) at the University of Rwanda College of Education (UR-CE). The researcher used purposive sampling to get 385 undergraduate students. Participants were randomly allocated into experimental (group A) and control (group B) groups. Group A (187 students) students were taught selected topics of quantum physics (blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, Compton effect, wave aspects of particles, De Broglie's hypothesis, diffraction, interference and double-slit experiment, model of the atom, uncertainty relations, wave function, and Schrodinger equations) for 6 weeks using multimedia-aided technologies and engage, predict, observe, and explain (EPOE) method, whereas group B (187 students) was taught same topics during the same period with a lecture method. The results of ANCOVA revealed that the group's performance was the same (p >.05) before learning with no effect size (.000), while they diverged after learning with different teaching interventions. The significance was very high and statistically different (p <.001) with a large effect size (>.5). This implies that students taught with multimedia-aided technologies (experimental group) outperformed those students taught with lecture teaching methods (control group). Thus, the study recommends that educators should adapt teaching using MAT and EPOE strategy not only in QP but also in other domains of physics to improve active engagement, understanding levels, and academic achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the consequences of discretization of space in quantum mechanics. Specifically, I show that under normal conditions in space where the wave function is uniform across a quantum of space, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle is identically satisfied, where the “normal conditions” are defined as p x Δ x / ħ ≪ 1 with Δ x characterizing the size of a quantum of position space or equivalently Δ p x x / ħ ≪ 1 with Δ p x characterizing the size of a quantum of momentum space (this limiting behavior is also at the core of Nyquist sampling theorem; see Jerri (1977); Vaidyanathan (IEEE Trans. Circ. Syst. I Fundam. Theory Appl. 48(9), 1094–1109, 2001); Ozaktas et al. (2001)). Moreover, I derive an equation similar to Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle which imposes a constraint on the minimum values of “precision” of space (i.e. the maximum values for Δ x and Δ p x ). Additionally, I show that in discretized space the simultaneous minimum position and minimum momentum uncertainties are unphysical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we introduce the (unipolar) pressureless Euler–Poisswell equation for electrons as the O (1 / c) semi-relativistic approximation and the (unipolar) pressureless Euler–Darwin equation as the O (1 / c 2) semi-relativistic approximation of the (unipolar) pressureless Euler–Maxwell equation. In the "infinity-ion-mass" limit, the unipolar Euler–Maxwell equation arises from the bipolar Euler–Maxwell equation, describing a coupled system for a plasma of electrons and ions. The non-relativistic limit c → ∞ of the Euler–Maxwell equation is the repulsive Euler–Poisson equation with electric force. We propose that the Euler–Poisswell equation, where the Euler equation with electric force is coupled to the magnetostatic O (1 / c) approximation of Maxwell's equations, is the correct semi-relativistic O (1 / c) approximation of the Euler–Maxwell equation. In the Euler–Poisswell equation the fluid dynamics are decoupled from the magnetic field since the Lorentz force reduces to the electric force. The first non-trivial interaction with the magnetic field is at the O (1 / c 2) level in the Euler–Darwin equation. This is a consistent and self-consistent model of order O (1 / c 2) and includes the full Lorentz force, which is relativistic at O (1 / c 2). The Euler–Poisswell equation also arises as the semiclassical limit of the quantum Pauli–Poisswell equation, which is the O (1 / c) approximation of the relativistic Dirac–Maxwell equation. We also present a local wellposedness theory for the Euler–Poisswell equation. The Euler–Maxwell system couples the non-relativistic Euler equation and the relativistic Maxwell equations and thus it is not fully consistent in 1 / c. The consistent fully relativistic model is the relativistic Euler–Maxwell equation where Maxwell's equations are coupled to the relativistic Euler equation – a model that is neglected in the mathematics community. We also present the relativistic Euler–Darwin equation resulting as a O (1 / c 2) approximation of this model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article highlights synergies between quantum information science (QIS) and operations research for QIS-curious operations researchers (and vice versa), and the author challenges the community to discover more. History: This "Challenge" paper was invited by the Editor in Chief and based on the topics raised by the author at his plenary address at the 2022 INFORMS Computing Society Conference in Tampa, Florida. Funding: This material is based on work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Accelerated Research in Quantum Computing, Fundamental Algorithmic Research for Quantum Computing. This article has been authored by an employee of National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, under Contract DE-NA0003525 with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimulated by the European project "QTEdu CSA", within the flagship "Quantum Technologies", a community of researchers active in the fields of quantum technologies and physics education has designed and implemented an extracurricular course on quantum physics concepts and quantum technologies applications for high school. The course, which featured eight interactive lectures, was organized online between March and May 2021 and attended by about 250 students from all over Italy. In this paper, we describe the main tenets and activities of the course. Moreover, we report on the effectiveness of the course on students' knowledge of the basic concepts of quantum physics and students' views about epistemic aspects and applications of quantum technologies. Results show that the designed activities were effective in improving students' knowledge about fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics and familiarizing them with quantum technology applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative absolute temperature has a wide range of applications, such as high-efficiency quantum heat engines, quantum refrigerators, and quantum simulation. In a recent paper (2018 Phys. Rev. Lett. 120 060403), the authors proposed two spin ensembles coupled to the same reservoir collectively; one ensemble relaxes to negative temperature since the two ensembles have unbalanced spin sizes. However, the coherent coupling mediated by the common environment is not considered. Here, we discuss negative temperature in a system where two qubit-ensembles are coupled to the same 1D waveguide. In the limit of Markovian approximation, by investigating the coherent coupling and non-cross (cross) collective decay between two qubit-ensembles, we find that the duration of the negative temperature state depends on the distance between the two ensembles. The decrease in negative temperature duration is due to the coherent coupling between the two ensembles that will hybridize the unitary evolution of the system. Some optimal points produce the longest duration of negative temperature, but this could not occur since the distance is out of the range of the appropriate regions. The negative temperature subensemble plays the role of a reservoir in the quantum Otto heat engine, which takes place beyond the Otto limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For general complex or real 1-parameter matrix flows A(t)n, n and for static matrices A ∈ ℂ n , n alike, this paper considers ways to decompose matrix flows and single matrices globally via one constant matrix similarity Cn, n as A(t) = C− 1 ⋅ diag(A1(t),...,Aℓ(t)) ⋅ C or A = C− 1 ⋅diag(A1,...,Aℓ) ⋅ C with each diagonal block Ak(t) or Ak square and their number ℓ exceeding 1 if this is possible. The theory behind our proposed algorithm is elementary and uses the concept of invariant subspaces for the MATLAB eig computed 'eigenvectors' of one associated flow matrix B(ta) to find the coarsest simultaneous block structure for all flow matrices B(tb). The method works efficiently for all time-varying matrix flows A(t), be they real or complex, normal, with Jordan structures or repeated eigenvalues, differentiable, continuous, or discontinuous in t, and likewise for all fixed entry matrices A. Our intended aim is to discover unitarily diagonal-block decomposable flows as they originate in real-time from sensor given data for time-varying matrix problems that are unitarily invariant. Then, the complexities of their numerical treatments decrease by adopting 'divide and conquer' methods for their diagonal blocks. In the process, we discover and study k-normal fixed entry matrix classes that can be decomposed under unitary similarities into various k-dimensional block-diagonal forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photosynthesis is that primary reaction by which the first molecule of organic matter (glucose) from carbon dioxide and water is produced, in the presence of solar energy, in the form of photons, respectively electrons and protons (light wavelengths). Within 3 billion years, the mineral world has been partially transformed into the living world, including in green world, which works on biochemical synthesis using chlorophyll pigments, carotenoids and others. Today's biochemistry considers photosynthesis as a deterministic process, in which the chemicalmathematical equations of processes are well known, as a result of the thousands of researchers working in some of the most modern laboratories. In this paper, data are given on both the chemistry and the mathematics of the photosynthesis algorithm. Data are also presented on the efficiency of the first process of natural biochemical production at the Earth level, from which it results that the energy entered in the process of biosynthesis of photosynthesis through its acceptors is used in 100% percent, which doesn't happen with any other energy system. Researchers in quantum physics have observed this anomaly and have come to the conclusion that both the "photosynthesis" form, as well as other biochemical forms take place after a quantum morphogenesis whereby photons enter through the mass of the antenna on multiple paths, depositing as much energy as the system accepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study a regularized version of Van Hove's 1952 model, in which a quantum field interacts linearly with sources of finite width lying at fixed positions. We show that the central result of Van Hove's 1952 paper on the foundations of Quantum Field Theory, the orthogonality between the spaces of state vectors which correspond to different values of the parameters of the theory, disappears when a well-defined model is considered. We comment on the implications of our results for the contemporary relevance of Van Hove's article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term soul is used in the traditional literature as a synonym for one’s true Self and is associated with the subjective essence of one’s living. Since, we don’t have any means to quantify it, the science has ruled out this idea from its investigations. But, in a recent study, Ceylan et al. (2017) has reintroduced the word soul to scientific literature and examined the possibility of the study of the soul through scientific modalities. The primary focus of their study is to find and understand the scientific analog of the soul as quoted and discussed in the traditional literature. In the present paper, we examine the idea of a soul that uses a novel approach; integrating neuroscience and quantum physics, as proposed in Ceylan et al. (2017). For this purpose, we make use of findings from neuroscientific studies on meditation to understand the concepts of soul and consciousness in terms of inhibition mechanisms. In this context, this paper serves as an attempt to call for more studies to discuss and expand the hypothesis about the soul as uninhibited mental activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jung's paper 'Synchronicity - an acausal connecting principle', defining the phenomenon as a 'meaningful' coincidence depending on archetypal activation, was published in 1952, together with a conceptually related piece by physicist and Nobel Laureate Wolfgang Pauli entitled, 'The influence of archetypal ideas on the scientific theories of Kepler'. Slavoj Žižek, in The Indivisible Remainder: On Schelling and Related Matters, suggests that, in contrast to any notion of a 'pre-modern Jungian harmony', the main lesson of quantum physics was that not only was the psychoanalytic, empty subject of the signifier constitutively out-of-joint with respect to the world, but that the Real in itself was already incomplete, out-of-joint, 'not-all'. Yet while Žižek frequently tries to separate Jung from his own ontology, this paper shows that his ontology is not as different as he suggests. Consistent with our earlier publications on Jung and Zizek, a closer investigation reveals an underlying congruence of both of their approaches. In this paper we show that this affinity lies in the rejection by both Jung and Žižek of the ideology of reductive materialism, a rejection that demonstrably draws on quantum physics in similar ways. While Jung posits an inherently meaningful universe, Žižek attempts to salvage the freedom of human subjectivity by opposing his Lacanian 'dialectical materialism' to reductive materialism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Philosopher of Education, Gert Biesta, presented at the 18th ICPIC conference in Madrid and published his paper in this same Special Issue. In this paper, I put these in the context of current transdisciplinary conversations in academia about posthuman subjectivity. By paying close attention to the self/world relationality implied in what Biesta proposes (a shift from 'I' before the world, to 'I' called into the world), I show how critical posthumanism produces a more radical ontological shift ('I' as part of the world), with implications for the subjectivity assumed in philosophy with children (P4C), and education more generally. Through Karen Barad's feminist reading of Quantum Theory, I expose the political (western) nature of the 'I' as transcendental signifier and by including nonhuman bodies, the 'non-egological' education Biesta proposes is decentred. I conclude that learning does not take place in a subject (which Biesta is also concerned about), nor in between two or more human subjects and the world, but that it is a process of materialdiscursive world-making: a 'worlding' (Haraway, 2016). I illustrate my proposal for a worlding way of working in P4C through an example of the concept 'pet'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes a counter-secularization hypothesis based on a holistic approach to the world, as suggested by contemporary physics. Such a representation defuses the negative correlation between intelligence and religiosity. Thus, the paper highlights the main dimensions of contemporary religiosity, as well as those of the relation between religiosity and secularisation. Moreover, it critically approaches the countersecularization hypothesis that is anchored in the genetic determination of intelligence, religiosity and fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vast and growing number of publications in all disciplines of science cannot be comprehended by a single human researcher. As a consequence, researchers have to specialize in narrow subdisciplines, which makes it challenging to uncover scientific connections beyond the own field of research. Thus, access to structured knowledge from a large corpus of publications could help push the frontiers of science. Here, we demonstrate a method to build a semantic network from published scientific literature, which we call SEMNET. We use SEMNET to predict future trends in research and to inspire personalized and surprising seeds of ideas in science. We apply it in the discipline of quantum physics, which has seen an unprecedented growth of activity in recent years. In SEMNET, scientific knowledge is represented as an evolving network using the content of 750,000 scientific papers published since 1919. The nodes of the network correspond to physical concepts, and links between two nodes are drawn when two concepts are concurrently studied in research articles. We identify influential and prize-winning research topics from the past inside SEMNET, thus confirming that it stores useful semantic knowledge. We train a neural network using states of SEMNET of the past to predict future developments in quantum physics and confirm high-quality predictions using historic data. Using network theoretical tools, we can suggest personalized, out-of-the-box ideas by identifying pairs of concepts, which have unique and extremal semantic network properties. Finally, we consider possible future developments and implications of our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spectral projectors of second order differential operators play an important role in quantum physics and other scientific and engineering applications. In order to resolve local features and to obtain converged results, typically the number of degrees of freedom needed is much larger than the rank of the spectral projector. This leads to significant cost in terms of both computation and storage. In this paper, we develop a method to construct a basis set that is adaptive to the given differential operator. The basis set is systematically improvable, and the local features of the projector is built into the basis set. As a result the required number of degrees of freedom is only a small constant times the rank of the projector. The construction of the basis set uses a randomized procedure and only requires applying the differential operator to a small number of vectors on the global domain, while each basis function itself is supported on strictly local domains and is discontinuous across the global domain. The spectral projector on the global domain is systematically approximated from such a basis set using the discontinuous Galerkin method. The global construction procedure is very flexible and allows a local basis set to be consistently constructed even if the operator contains a nonlocal potential term. We verify the effectiveness of the globally constructed adaptive local basis set using one-, two- and three-dimensional linear problems with local potentials, as well as a one dimensional nonlinear problem with nonlocal potentials resembling the Hartree--Fock problem in quantum physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Quantum physics challenges our views of the physical world and describes phenomena that cannot be directly observed. The use of language is hence essential in the teaching of quantum physics. With a sociocultural view of learning, we investigate characteristics of preuniversity students’ small‐group discussions and their potential for enhancing understanding of quantum physics. The empirical data are 96 small‐group discussions about two fundamental dilemmas: whether light can be both waves and particles, and whether the cat in Schrödinger's thought experiment can be considered to be both dead and alive. The discussions were analyzed by means of a framework of four categories, grouped as productive and nonproductive for learning, where “productive” means that students build constructively on each other's utterances and take the peers’ ideas into account. Results show that a total of 70% of the discussions were productive, indicating that small‐group discussions have a potential for enhancing understanding in quantum physics. This potential is constituted by leading students to (i) articulate conceptual difficulties, (ii) deepen their understanding through exchange of views, and (iii) formulate new questions. The paper concludes with a discussion on how the learning potential of small‐group discussions may be realized by combining dialogic and authoritative approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the state of the art of teaching of quantum physics, based on which we were able to identify seven (7) trends, which may be useful for future research related to the improvement of teaching and learning processes in this field of scientific knowledge. We followed a hermeneutic- interpretative-qualitative methodology, which involved documentary search to later elaborate categories of analysis and, based on that, encouraging the organization, interpretation, comparison and identification of common and differentiating characteristics. From this study, it is concluded that the absence of conceptual reflection on quantum physics generates difficulties in the education process of the students, since the foundations of this knowledge are generally contrary to the students' intuition and, for this reason, they see quantum physics as an abstract and difficult type of knowledge. On the other hand, there is a strong emphasis on teaching approaches based on algorithmic issues with little analysis, which deepens the learning difficulties, since in many cases students do not possess the required mathematical knowledge. The solutions to the difficulties of teaching quantum physics are not definitive; however, there is a certain recognition of the scope of the nature of sciences as an alternative to rethink their teaching and the initial and continued training of science teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the new mathematical correlation of two quantum systems that were initially allowed to interact and then separated is being formulated and analyzed. These correlations are illustrated by many examples and are also connected with fractals at a certain level. The main idea of the paper arises from the EPR paradox, the paradox of Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen that occurs when the measurement of a physical observable performed on one system has an immediate effect on the other separate system being entangled with it. That is a physical phenomenon, especially when the particles are separated by a large distance. In this paper, we define distant correlations as the advanced method for the exact interpretation of strong connection and influence among those particles even when they are widely separated. On the given topological space (X , τ) , we define a notion of τ-metric such that the set X is a τ-metric space and we prove some properties of these spaces. By using this new proposed model, we nullify the contradiction that appears in the EPR paradox. An illustrative example involving fractals is given. This innovative mathematical approach to this physical phenomenon may be attractive for future research in the field of quantum physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a new account of inter-theory relations in physics, which I call the conceptual strategies account. Using the example of a multiscale computer simulation model of nanoscale crack propagation in silicon, I illustrate this account and contrast it with existing reductive, emergent, and handshaking approaches. The conceptual strategies account develops the notion that relations among physical theories, and among their models, are constrained but not dictated by limitations from physics, mathematics, and computation, and that conceptual reasoning within those limits is required both to generate and to understand the relations between theories. Conceptual strategies result in a variety of types of relations between theories and models. These relations are themselves epistemic objects, like theories and models, and as such are an under-recognized part of the epistemic landscape of science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physicalism as a worldview and framework for a mechanistic and materialist science seems not to have integrated the tectonic shift created by the rise of quantum physics with its notion of the personal equation of the observer. Psyche had been deliberately removed from a post-Enlightenment science. This paper explores a post-materialist science within a dual-aspect monist conception of nature in which both the mental and the physical exist in a relationship of complementarity so that they mutually exclude one another and yet are together necessary to explain Reality while being irreducible to one another. Both mind and matter emerge from an underlying holistic domain known as the unus mundus in the Jung-Pauli formulation or as the analogous implicate order in the framing of physicist David Bohm and his colleagues. Kuhnian anomalies such as the role of reflective consciousness in evolution, and phenomena including so-called "near death experiences" (NDEs), are considered from the perspective of dual-aspect monism in conjunction with an emerging evolutionary panentheism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is an effort to describe, in neuroscientific terms, one of the most ambiguous concepts of the universe-the soul. Previous efforts to understand what the soul is and where it may exist have accepted the soul as a subjective and individual entity. We will make two additions to this view: (1) The soul is a result of uninhibited mental activity and lacks spatial and temporal information; (2) The soul is an undivided whole and, to become divided, the soul has to be reduced into unconscious and conscious mental events. This reduction process parallels the maturation of the frontal cortex and GABA becoming the main inhibitory neurotransmitter. As examples of uninhibited mental activity, we will discuss the perceptual differences of a newborn, individuals undergoing dissociation, and individuals induced by psychedelic drugs. Then, we will explain the similarities between the structure of the universe and the structure of the brain, and we propose that consideration of the rules of quantum physics is necessary to understand how the soul is reduced into consciousness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers a contribution to the history of scientific ideas by proposing an epistemological argument supporting the assumption made by Miller whereby Niels Bohr has been influenced by cubism (Jean Metzinger) when he developed his non-intuitive complementarity principle. More specifically, this essay will identify the Bergsonian durée as the conceptual bridge between Metzinger and Bohr. Beyond this conceptual link between the painter and the physicist, this paper aims to emphasize the key role played by art in the development of human knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A conjecture connected with quantum physics led N. Katz to discover some amazing mixed character sum identities over a field of q elements, where q is a power of a prime p > 3 . His proof required deep algebro-geometric techniques, and he expressed interest in finding a more straightforward direct proof. Such a proof has been given by Evans and Greene in the case q ≡ 3 ( mod 4 ) , and in this paper we give a proof for the remaining case q ≡ 1 ( mod 4 ) . Moreover, we show that the identities are valid for all characteristics p > 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we discuss the implementation of 2-qubit quantum state transfer (QST) in inhomogeneous spin chains where the sender and the receiver blocks are coupled through the bulk channel via weak links. The fidelity and the typical timescale of the QST are discussed as a function of the parameters of the weak links. Given the possibility of implementing with cold atoms in optical lattices a variety of condensed matter systems, including spin systems, we also discuss the possible implementation of the discussed 2-qubit QST with cold gases with weak links, together with a discussion of the applications and limitations of the presented results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper begins by mentioning the deep connections between art and science and how these connections, which in certain periods of time had been practically ignored, have recently received much consideration. The present attention comes from specialists in different fields of science and humanities and the conclusions/solutions that they bring can be regarded as means of integrating. The paper briefly refers to examples in the visual arts which illustrate Einstein’s discovery of the double nature of light. Then it focuses on the possible relationships between literature and quantum mechanics. The novels Potiki and Benang, both from the Pacific region, are good examples to help us realize that notions concerning space-time that had been part of indigenous knowledge for centuries are now validated by recent scientific discoveries: the uncertainty principle and the principle of no-locality among others. Thus, native literatures that had been analysed in the frame of the traditions of their respective cultures, or even within the parameters of magic realism, can now acquire a new and stimulating dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper begins by mentioning the deep connections between art and science and how these connections, which in certain periods of time had been practically ignored, have recently received much consideration. The present attention comes from specialists in different fields of science and humanities and the conclusions/solutions that they bring can be regarded as means of integrating. The paper briefly refers to examples in the visual arts which illustrate Einstein's discovery of the double nature of light. Then it focuses on the possible relationships between literature and quantum mechanics. The novels Potiki and Benang, both from the Pacific region, are good examples to help us realize that notions concerning space-time that had been part of indigenous knowledge for centuries are now validated by recent scientific discoveries: the uncertainty principle and the principle of no-locality among others. Thus, native literatures that had been analysed in the frame of the traditions of their respective cultures, or even within the parameters of magic realism, can now acquire a new and stimulating dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A conjecture connected with quantum physics led N. Katz to discover some amazing mixed character sum identities over a field of q elements, where q is a power of a prime $$p >3$$ . His proof required deep algebro-geometric techniques, and he expressed interest in finding a more straightforward direct proof. The first author recently gave such a proof of his identities when $$q \equiv 1 \pmod 4$$ , and this paper provides such a proof for the remaining case $$q \equiv 3 \pmod 4$$ . Our proofs are valid for all characteristics $$p>2$$ . Along the way we prove some elegant new character sum identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper traces the social and cultural dimensions of quantum physics in colonial India where Satyendranath Bose worked. By focusing on Bose's approach towards the quantum and his collaboration with Albert Einstein, I argue that his physics displayed both the localities of doing science in early twentieth century India as well as a cosmopolitan dimension. He transformed the fundamental new concept of the light quantum developed by Einstein in 1905 within the social and political context of colonial India. This cross-pollination of the local with the global is termed here as the locally rooted cosmopolitan nature of Bose's science. The production of new knowledge through quantum statistics by Bose show the co-constructed nature of physics and the transnational nature of the quantum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is divided into two sections. The first section considers the phenomenon of channelling and other transpersonal experiences and concepts in the light of recent research papers on aspects of quantum physics. In the second section, the author discusses research into the possibility that the human capacity for transpersonal experience may be understood from a developmental perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to examine the contributions of research in Science Education and the nature of these contributions to enable the insertion of Quantum Physics in High School, we review scientific papers about the teaching of Quantum Physics at this level of education. Altogether twenty three papers were found in national and international journals. We created five categories to separate the papers according to their goals. Although it has been checked several kinds of contributions, we point to the need for further research in order to mainly support the Physics teacher in High School. After all, he is who can actually mediate the insertion of the Quantum Physics in school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science and religion seem to have been at odds with each other throughout history. This has affected the course of humanity and how society has prejudice towards either science or religion. Atheist scientists believe in what they know because they believe in reason and think that theists are unreasonable. The paper brings the problems facing humanity today between science, religion, and secularism within societies. The followers of each could be fanatics of their own group. The paper tries to reconcile the debate between atheists and theists, under the microscope of science. This study makes an analogy of G-d and gravity. It shows that the power of reason used by scientists to deduce gravity is the exact same reasoning that theists use to believe in G-d. The study goes beyond philosophical arguments and travels deep into the core principles of the human intellect of scientists and theologians to understand what they believe. It unravels the truth behind the reasoning of why different humans believe in what appears to be completely different things. The study uses elements of modern science and its cosmological worldview, such as singularity, spacetime, black holes, and quantum physics. It shows parallelism of modern scientific theories with various world Scriptures, such as Hindu and Islamic texts. This study does not argue the truth of any specific religion, but rather argues the existence of G-d from a broader perspective, using the exact same principles scientists use to formulate their worldview of the universe. This study shows the rationality and irrationality in the argumentative battle between science and religion. It attempts to end the debate and dispute between science and religion by understanding the truths behind them. It concludes that anyone who believes that the other is wrong is irrational, and that in reality science and religion complement one another. A theologian must also be a scientist, and a scientist must also be a theologian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper summarizes the recent state of the art of the following topics presented at the FQMT’04 conference: quantum, mesoscopic and (partly) classical thermodynamics; quantum limits to the Second law of thermodynamics; quantum measurement; quantum decoherence and dephasing; mesoscopic and nano-electro-mechanical systems; classical molecular motors, ratchet systems and rectified motion; quantum Brownian motion and quantum motors; physics of quantum computing; and relevant experiments from the nanoscale to the macroscale. To all these subjects an introduction is given and the recent literature is broadly overviewed. The paper contains some 450 references in total. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract In this paper, the theory and practice of therapeutic touch (TT) is scrutinized from a number of perspectives. Firstly, the alleged close relationship between TT and Martha Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings is evaluated. Secondly, the employment of the language of modern physics in Rogers’ theory and TT is critically examined. The authors then review the research literature on TT's efficacy, completing their critique by discussing the ethical issues involved in the practice of TT. As each of the perspectives considered reveals some concerns, the paper concludes that TT is a questionable intervention, underpinned by a very weak theoretical, clinical and research base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concepts of quantum brain, quantum mind and quantum consciousness have been increasingly gaining currency in recent years, both in scientific papers and in the popular press. In fact, the concept of the quantum brain is a general framework. Included in it are basically four main sub-headings. These are often incorrectly used interchangeably. The first of these and the one which started the quantum mind/consciousness debate was the place of consciousness in the problem of measurement in quantum mechanics. Debate on the problem of quantum measurement and about the place of the conscious observer has lasted almost a century. One solution to this problem is that the participation of a conscious observer in the experiment will radically change our understanding of the universe and our relationship with the outside world. The second topic is that of quantum biology. This topic has become a popular field of research, especially in the last decade. It concerns whether or not the rules of quantum physics operate in biological structures. It has been shown in the latest research on photosynthesis, the sense of smell and magnetic direction finding in animals that the laws of quantum physics may operate in warm-wet-noisy biological structures. The third sub-heading is quantum neurobiology. This topic has not yet gained wide acceptance and is still in its early stages. Its primary purpose is directed to understand whether the laws of quantum physics are effective in the biology of the nervous system or not. A further step in brain neurobiology, toward the understanding of consciousness formation, is the research of quantum laws effects upon neural network functions. The fourth and final topic is quantum psychopathology. This topic takes its basis and its support from quantum neurobiology. It comes from the idea that if quantum physics is involved in the normal working of the brain, diseased conditions of the brain such as depression, anxiety, dementia, schizophrenia and hallucinations can be explained by quantum physical pathology. In this article, these topics will be reviewed in a general framework, and for the first time a general classification will be made for the quantum brain theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we explore the possibility of using Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari’s theories of minor science and literature to examine the role of marginalized sciences, particularly in the United States. We suggest that by combining Deleuze and Guattari’s work on minor sciences and minor literatures that the framework for an anthropology of science which takes alternative and marginalized sciences seriously can be established. To elucidate this model of inquiry, we focus on three aspects defined by Deleuze and Guattari: the political relationship of minor to dominant sciences, the role of science in the state, and the ways that minor sciences reconfigure dominant sciences. As a case study, we examine the science of ‘quantum consciousness’ in the United States. Quantum consciousness research proposes to replace dominant metaphysics in Western science, and its minority status is perpetuated by the power structures that draw on dominant sciences’ relationships to the state and knowledge production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that it is possible, based on the universal principles revealed by Quantum Physics, to construct an energetic profile of a human being, using the ElectroPhotonic Imaging/Gas Discharge Visualisation-camera, where different frequency domains are connected with different clusters of skills, competences, and qualities, and that the amplitude of the energy within these domains indicates how much the specific person manifests these skills, competences, and qualities. Furthermore, this measurement also indicates the persons stress and energy level. In this way it is possible to compare two or more people objectively and quantitatively, which may find use for example in a Recruitment & Selection situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to draw analogies between dreaming and quantum states of the mind and also to make inferences about the relationship between dreaming states, waking states, and memory. That dreaming is intrinsically associated with memory has been an opinion asserted by many researchers including Nielsen and Stenstrom (2005), Fosse, Fosse, Hobson, and Stickgold (2003), and Lee (2010). However, if dreaming is consciously recollected it must be that memory is also active at the time of dreaming, and if this is so, then the use of memory from dreaming must be associated with consciousness in the waking state. If a concept of consciousness is conceived as following from a layering of human perception, cognition, and physiological experience, then the brain may be understood as having the potential to produce quantum states -- indeed the complexity of such brain states may make the experience of consciousness possible. The qualia of thoughts and consciousness, such as those experienced when dreams are recalled, can be likened to fluctuations in quantum states of the mind. Dreaming seems ephemeral yet may have a survival function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares Cassirer's and Bohr's views on symbolic knowledge in quantum physics. Although both of them consider quantum physics as symbolic knowledge, for Cassirer this amounts to a complete renunciation to intuition in quantum physics, while according to Bohr only spatio-temporal images may provide the mathematical formalism of the theory with physical reference. We show the Kantian roots of Bohr's position and we claim that his Kantian concept of symbol enables Bohr to account for the sensible content of quantum theory as well as for its systematic relation to classical physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes two different proposals, one by Ellis and Brundrit, based on classical relativistic cosmology, the other by Garriga and Vilenkin, based on the DH interpretation of quantum mechanics. Both conclude that, in an infinite universe, planets and beings must be repeated an infinite number of times. We point to possible shortcomings in these arguments and conclude that the idea of an infinite repetition of histories in space cannot be considered, strictly speaking, a consequence of present physics and cosmology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the praise his writing garnered during his lifetime, e.g., from readers such as Einstein and de Broglie, Emile Meyerson has been largely forgotten. The rich tradition of French epistemologie has recently been taken up in some Anglo-American scholarship, but Meyerson--who popularized the term epistemologie through his historical method of analyzing science, and criticized positivism long before Quine and Kuhn--remains overlooked. If Meyerson is remembered at all, it is as a historian of classical science. This paper attempts to rectify both states of affairs by explicating one of Meyerson's last and untranslated works, RÉel et dÉterminisme dans la thÉorie quantique, an opuscule on quantum physics. I provide an overview of Meyerson's philosophy, his critique of Max Planck's interpretation of quantum physics, and then outline and evaluate Meyerson's neo-Kantian alternative. I then compare and contrast this interpretation with Cassirer's neo-Kantian program. Finally I show that, while Meyerson believes the revolutionary new physics requires "profoundly" modifying our conception of reality, ultimately, he thinks, it secures the legitimacy of his thesis: that science seeks explanations in the form of what he calls "identification." 1 hope my research will enable a more general and systematic engagement with Meyerson's work, especially with a view to assessing its viability as a philosophical method today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the praise his writing garnered during his lifetime, e.g., from readers such as Einstein and de Broglie, Émile Meyerson has been largely forgotten. The rich tradition of French épistémologie has recently been taken up in some Anglo-American scholarship, but Meyerson—who popularized the term épistémologie through his historical method of analyzing science, and criticized positivism long before Quine and Kuhn—remains overlooked. If Meyerson is remembered at all, it is as a historian of classical science. This paper attempts to rectify both states of affairs by explicating one of Meyerson׳s last and untranslated works, Réel et déterminisme dans la théorie quantique, an opuscule on quantum physics. I provide an overview of Meyerson׳s philosophy, his critique of Max Planck׳s interpretation of quantum physics, and then outline and evaluate Meyerson׳s neo-Kantian alternative. I then compare and contrast this interpretation with Cassirer׳s neo-Kantian program. Finally I show that, while Meyerson believes the revolutionary new physics requires "profoundly" modifying our conception of reality, ultimately, he thinks, it secures the legitimacy of his thesis: that science seeks explanations in the form of what he calls "identification." I hope my research will enable a more general and systematic engagement with Meyerson׳s work, especially with a view to assessing its viability as a philosophical method today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent literature, it has become clear that quantum physics does not refute Humeanism: Lewis's thesis of Humean supervenience can be literally true even in the light of quantum entanglement. This point has so far been made with respect to Bohm's quantum theory. Against this background, this paper seeks to achieve the following four results: (1) to generalize the option of quantum Humeanism from Bohmian mechanics to primitive ontology theories in general; (2) to show that this option applies also to classical mechanics; (3) to establish that it requires a commitment to matter as primitive stuff, but no commitment to natural properties (physicalism without properties); (4) to point out that by removing the commitment to properties, the stock metaphysical objections against Humeanism from quidditism and humility no longer apply. In that way, quantum physics strengthens Humeanism instead of refuting it. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

• Recursive integration strategies independent of the number of integration variables are proposed. • We show lattice based cubature methods that can improve certain integrals occurring in physics. • We show FFT based methods to efficiently calculate certain integrals occurring in physics. High dimensional integrals are abundant in many fields of research including quantum physics. The aim of this paper is to develop efficient recursive strategies to tackle a class of high dimensional integrals having a special product structure with low order couplings , motivated by models in lattice gauge theory from quantum field theory. A novel element of this work is the potential benefit in using lattice cubature rules. The group structure within lattice rules combined with the special structure in the physics integrands may allow efficient computations based on Fast Fourier Transforms. Applications to the quantum mechanical rotor and compact U (1) lattice gauge theory in two and three dimensions are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, I shall argue that quantum theory can contribute to reconciling evolutionary biology with the creation hypothesis. After giving a careful definition of the theological problem, I will, in a first step, formulate necessary conditions for the compatibility of evolutionary theory and the creation hypothesis. In a second step, I will show how quantum theory can contribute to fulfilling these conditions. More precisely, I claim that (1) quantum probabilities are best understood in terms of ontological indeterminism, but (2) reflect nevertheless causal openness rather than divine indifference or arbitrariness, and (3) such a genuinely creative universe can be considered as the work of a loving Creator. I ask subsequently whether these necessary conditions are also sufficient for the compatibility of evolutionary theory and the creation hypothesis. Finally, I will show that relating evolutionary biology with theology via quantum theory could also shed some light on the nature of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]