On the persistence of the ether as absolute space

We present a novel -- fully relational -- definition of inertial systems based in the No Arbitrariness Principle, that eliminates the need for absolute inertial frames of reference in order to formulate Newtonian mechanics. This approach allows for a class of inertial systems larger than what traditionally comes out of the equivalence principle. We begin by discussing the relevance of the phenomenological map in order to relate observations and predicted observations with the mathematical structure of physical theories. After revisiting the concept of inertial frames in Classical Mechanics, we attempt to identify the phenomenological map of Special Relativity (SR) in order to establish its contact points with Classical Mechanics. SR actually inherits Lorentz' use of the ether, developed in his interpretation of Maxwell's electrodynamics. In summary, velocities in the Lorentz transformations must be \textcolor{black}{expressed from a distinguished reference frame}\textcolor{brown}{{} }if the theory is not to fall apart for being inconsistent. The consistency problem is not in the exposed part of the theory but in the supporting phenomenological map which, rather than being constructed anew, it transports concepts of Classical Mechanics by habit, without revising their validity in the context of SR.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figur

On the symmetries of electrodynamic interactions

While mechanics was developed under the idea of reciprocal action (interactions), electromagnetism, as we know it today, takes a form more akin to unilateral action. Interactions call for spatial relations, unilateral action calls for space, just one reference centre. In contrast, interactions are matters of relations that require at least two centres. The development of the relational electromagnetism encouraged by Gauss appears to stop around 1870 for reasons that are not completely clear but are certainly not solely scientific. By the same time, Maxwell recognised the equivalence in formulae of his electromagnetism and the one advocated by Gauss and called for an explanation of why such theories so differently conceived have such a large part in common. In this work we reconstruct and update the relational electromagnetism up to the contributions of Lorentz guided by the non-arbitrariness principle (NAP) that requests arbitrary choices to be accompanied by groups of symmetries. We show that a-priori there must be two more symmetries in electromagnetism, one related to the breaking (in the description) of the relation source/detector and one relating all the perceptions of the same source by detectors moving with different (constant) relative velocities. We show that the idea of electromagnetic waves put forward in concept by Lorenz (1861-1863) before Maxwell (1865) and in formulae (1867) just after Maxwell, together with the ``least action principle'' proposed by Lorentz are enough to derive Maxwell's equations, the continuity equation and the Lorentz' force, and that there is a dual formulation in terms of fields of the receiver (as opposed to fields of the source). While Galilean transformations are associated with removing the arbitrariness implied in the election of a reference space, they will not explicitly appear in a formulation based upon a relational space although we occasionally mention their usefulness. In contrast, Lorentz' transformations will emerge in this formulation involving the relations between the perceived fields of different receivers. Moreover, the role of the full Poincaré-Lorentz group as a group of transformations of the perceived actions is elucidated. In summary, we answer Maxwell's philosophical question showing how the same theory in formulae can be abduced using different inferred entities. Each form of abduction implies as well an interpretation and a facilitation of the theoretical construction. This work relies heavily on logical concepts as abduction put forward by C. Peirce, needed for the construction of theories

Dinámica variacional en el problema de muchos cuerpos : El tratamiento de las simetrías

Fil:Solari, Hernán Gustavo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

Controlling vectors: Do we need normal or post-normal science?

Is there just one science, the one we have, the given? Or on the contrary, are there several possible sciences? In the later case: which are their differences? Are they compatible? Complementary? Opposite? I will try to persuade the audience that at least three sciences can be distinguished: original blend, techno-science (normal science) and science of the postnormal age (call it transcendent science as it needs to go outside its field into the realm of decision making). I will distinguish the three at the epistemological level (arguably the deepest level) so that it may happen that what is scientific knowledge for one is not so for another.Sociedad Latinoamericana de Ecología de Vectore

Dynamics of solid growth under a gravitational field: Influence of the formation of a diffusive layer

We discuss the gravitational sedimentation of particles in terms of a stochastic model considering, in view of experimental evidence, that the aggregation to the growing surface (deposit) is mediated by the formation of a layer of suspended particles subject to gravitational forces, thermal agitation, as well as aggregation (contact) forces. The aggregation of such partially buoyant particles is ruled by the rates of occurrence of the different stochastic events: incorporation to the layer of suspended particles, sedimentation, and gravitationally biased diffusion. The model introduces bridges across different standard solid on solid deposition models which can be considered as limit cases of the present one. Analytical and numerical results show that for finite (realistic) deposits there are different regimes of aggregation including situations in which the deposit is grown completely during the transient time of the system.Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicada

On abduction, dualities and reason

We integrate dualistic conceptions of the real with Peirce's perspectives about reality and abduction, emphasizing the concept of reason underlying Peirce's thoughts. Peirce's abduction is related to the notions of retrogression and grounding in Hegel, later re-encountered in Hansonian-abduction. Abduction in turn is considered in relation to abstraction acquiring its fullest sense as a stage in the process of producing a theory. The process is iterative and self improving, it incorporates ``turbid thinking'' making it increasingly ``clear'' at successive iterations that incorporate the lessons taught by failed predictions, i.e., refutations. The cycle of thoughts promoted by doubts comes to rest when belief is reached. We discuss how this coming to rest depends on a criterion for cessation of doubts. The observation is illustrated with two different criteria, one proposed by Mach that only demands analogy and the criteria of dualists such as Goethe and Whewell that inspire the present work. Hence, it is possible to produce, and socially accept, imperfect theories unless we demand the highest level of rationality, avoiding any leftover of the turbid thoughts that have been used in the early developments. This work rests upon the existence of some objective form of reason. Influenced by a constructivist, Piagetian, perspective of science, we propose and discuss a small number of conditions that we identify as characteristics of rational abduction: rules for the rational construction of theories. We show how a classical example of belief that satisfies today's most common definition of abduction does not match the standards of rational retroduction. We further show how the same rules indicate the partial detachment of Special Relativity from the observable world, a fact actually known to Einstein. We close arguing that there is an urgent need to develop a critical epistemology incorporating dualistic perspectives

Logical structures underlying quantum computing

In this work we advance a generalization of quantum computational logics capable of dealing with some important examples of quantum algorithms. We outline an algebraic axiomatization of these structures.Fil: Holik, Federico Hernán. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Sergioli, Giuseppe. Università Degli Studi Di Cagliari.; ItaliaFil: Freytes Solari, Hector Carlos. Università Degli Studi Di Cagliari.; Italia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Plastino, Ángel Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; Argentin

Modeling Dengue Outbreaks

We introduce a dengue model (SEIR) where the human individuals are treated on an individual basis (IBM) while the mosquito population, produced by an independent model, is treated by compartments (SEI). We study the spread of epidemics by the sole action of the mosquito. Exponential, deterministic and experimental distributions for the (human) exposed period are considered in two weather scenarios, one corresponding to temperate climate and the other to tropical climate. Virus circulation, final epidemic size and duration of outbreaks are considered showing that the results present little sensitivity to the statistics followed by the exposed period provided the median of the distributions are in coincidence. Only the time between an introduced (imported) case and the appearance of the first symptomatic secondary case is sensitive to this distribution. We finally show that the IBM model introduced is precisely a realization of a compartmental model, and that at least in this case, the choice between compartmental models or IBM is only a matter of convenience.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures, submited to Mathematical Bioscience