1,185 research outputs found
End of a Dark Age?
We argue that dark matter and dark energy phenomena associated with galactic
rotation curves, X-ray cluster mass profiles, and type Ia supernova data can be
accounted for via small corrections to idealized general relativistic spacetime
geometries due to disordered locality. Accordingly, we fit THINGS rotation
curve data rivaling modified Newtonian dynamics, ROSAT/ASCA X-ray cluster mass
profile data rivaling metric-skew-tensor gravity, and SCP Union2.1 SN Ia data
rivaling CDM without non-baryonic dark matter or a cosmological
constant. In the case of dark matter, we geometrically modify proper mass
interior to the Schwarzschild solution. In the case of dark energy, we modify
proper distance in Einstein-deSitter cosmology. Therefore, the phenomena of
dark matter and dark energy may be chimeras created by an errant belief that
spacetime is a differentiable manifold rather than a disordered graph.Comment: This version was accepted for publication in the International
Journal of Modern Physics D; revised version of an essay that won Honorable
Mention in the Gravity Research Foundation 2016 Awards for Essays on
Gravitation. 10 pages, 3 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with
arXiv:1509.0928
The Missing Mass Problem as a Manifestation of GR Contextuality
In Newtonian gravity, mass is an intrinsic property of matter while in
general relativity (GR), mass is a contextual property of matter, i.e., matter
can simultaneously possess two different values of mass when it is responsible
for two different spatiotemporal geometries. Herein, we explore the possibility
that the astrophysical missing mass attributed to non-baryonic dark matter (DM)
actually obtains because we have been assuming the Newtonian view of mass
rather than the GR view. Since an exact GR solution for realistic astrophysical
situations is not feasible, we explore GR-motivated ansatzes relating proper
mass and dynamic mass for one and the same baryonic matter, as justified by GR
contextuality. We consider four GR alternatives and find that the GR ansatz
motivated by metric perturbation theory works well in fitting galactic rotation
curves (THINGS data), the mass profiles of X-ray clusters (ROSAT and ASCA data)
and the angular power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background (CMB, Planck
2015 data) without DM. We compare our galactic rotation curve fits to modified
Newtonian dynamics (MOND), Burkett halo DM and Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) halo
DM. We compare our X-ray cluster mass profile fits to metric skew-tensor
gravity (MSTG) and core-modified NFW DM. We compare our CMB angular power
spectrum fit to scalar-tensor-vector gravity (STVG) and CDM. Overall,
we find our fits to be comparable to those of MOND, MSTG, STVG, CDM,
Burkett, and NFW. We present and discuss correlations and trends for the best
fit values of our fitting parameters. For the most part, the correlations are
consistent with well-established results at all scales, which is perhaps
surprising given the simple functional form of the GR ansatz.Comment: 18 pages text. Twice revised per referee/reviewer comments. Fit of
CMB angular power spectrum and dark matter halo fits adde
Measuring subdiffusion parameters
We propose a method to extract from experimental data the subdiffusion
parameter and subdiffusion coefficient which are defined by
means of the relation where
denotes a mean square displacement of a random walker starting from
at the initial time . The method exploits a membrane system where a
substance of interest is transported in a solvent from one vessel to another
across a thin membrane which plays here only an auxiliary role. Using such a
system, we experimentally study a diffusion of glucose and sucrose in a gel
solvent. We find a fully analytic solution of the fractional subdiffusion
equation with the initial and boundary conditions representing the system under
study. Confronting the experimental data with the derived formulas, we show a
subdiffusive character of the sugar transport in gel solvent. We precisely
determine the parameter , which is smaller than 1, and the subdiffusion
coefficient .Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures, revised, to appear in Phys. Rev.
Development of an e-learning portal for pediatric endocrinology: educational considerations
Background: Global accessibility and dissemination of developments in pediatric endocrinology prompted to examine how to develop an educational interactive e-SPE web portal. Methods: A systematic approach was used to identify the relevant aspects of accessibility and dissemination. An orientation at the big idea was made, executed by an analysis of the needs of student and teacher pediatric endocrinologists, a definition of the learning objectives, a research in educational literature and an exploration of ICT design specifications. Results: The intensive collaboration between medical, educational and information technology disciplines resulted in a portal design. The portal meets requirements of adult learning, stresses interaction between partners in learning and offers direct feedback during the learning process. The portal supports the development of not only knowledge but also competences both at junior and advanced levels. Conclusion: When the e-SPE portal is completed, the options for summative assessment will be examined as a medium for international certification in conjunction with local and national requirements (http://espe.elearning.nl). Copyrigh
The tectum/superior colliculus as the vertebrate solution for spatial sensory integration and action
The superior colliculus, or tectum in the case of non-mammalian vertebrates, is a part of the brain that registers events in the surrounding space, often through vision and hearing, but also through electrosensation, infrared detection, and other sensory modalities in diverse vertebrate lineages. This information is used to form maps of the surrounding space and the positions of different salient stimuli in relation to the individual. The sensory maps are arranged in layers with visual input in the uppermost layer, other senses in deeper positions, and a spatially aligned motor map in the deepest layer. Here, we will review the organization and intrinsic function of the tectum/superior colliculus and the information that is processed within tectal circuits. We will also discuss tectal/superior colliculus outputs that are conveyed directly to downstream motor circuits or via the thalamus to cortical areas to control various aspects of behavior. The tectum/superior colliculus is evolutionarily conserved among all vertebrates, but tailored to the sensory specialties of each lineage, and its roles have shifted with the emergence of the cerebral cortex in mammals. We will illustrate both the conserved and divergent properties of the tectum/superior colliculus through vertebrate evolution by comparing tectal processing in lampreys belonging to the oldest group of extant vertebrates, larval zebrafish, rodents, and other vertebrates including primates
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