This book contains peer-reviewed papers presented at the Frontiers of Fundamental Physics (FFP 8) Eighth International Symposium, held in Madrid, Spain, in October 2006. Topics discussed include: high energy physics including string theory and quantum gravity; astro-particle physics; theoretical physics; applied mathematics; astrophysics and cosmology; alternative theories.
In a knowledge-based society, research into fundamental physics plays a vital role not only in the enhancement of human knowledge but also in the development of new technology that affects everyday life.The international symposium series Frontiers of Fundamental Physics (FFP) regularly brings together eminent scholars and researchers working in various areas in physics to exchange expertise, ideas, results, and new research perspectives. The twelfth such symposium, FFP12, took place at the University of Udine, Italy, and covered diverse fields of research: astrophysics, high energy physics and particle physics, theoretical physics, gravitation and cosmology, condensed matter physics, statistical physics, computational physics, and mathematical physics. Importantly, it also devoted a great deal of attention to physics education research, teacher training in modern physics, and popularization of physics. The high scientific level of FFP12 was guaranteed by the careful selection made by scientific coordinators from among 250 submissions from 28 countries across the world. During the three days of the conference, nine general talks were delivered in plenary sessions, 29 invited talks were given in specific topic areas, and 59 oral presentations were made. This book presents a selection of the best contributions at FFP12 with the aim of acquainting readers with the most important recent advances in fundamental physics and in physics education and teacher development.
'Cosmic Paradoxes' was an outcome of a Conference-Summer Course on 'Astrophysical Cosmology: Frontier Questions' held at El Escorial, Madrid, on August 16-19, 1993. The Scientific Directors were John C Mather, Director of NASA's COBE (Cosmic Background Radiation Explorer), and Jose M Torroja, Secretary of the Spanish Academy of Sciences. Julio A Gonzalo, UAM, was in charge of coordinating the event. The first speaker was Ralph A Alpher, one of the pioneers who predicted very early the CBR (Cosmic Background Radiation). The CBR was observed by A Penzias and R Wilson, Bell Telephone Labs, in 1965. Thereafter it was measured with unprecedented precision by the COBE in 1989, characterizing the Planck spectral distribution of the CBR (J C Mather) and detecting its minute anisotropies (G Smoot). In 2003 the WMAP, NASA's satellite successor of the COBE, confirmed COBE's results, and gave an excellent quantitative estimate of the 'age' of the universe as 13.7 ± 0.2 Gyrs, in support of the Big Bang theory of cosmic origins.In the Third Edition of this book, almost coincident with the launch reports of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), includes recent work discussing evidence in favor of an open finite universe. A further discussion of the Heisenberg-Lemaitre time (Appendix D) takes into consideration that the cosmic expansion velocity at very early times is Ṙ(yHL)≫c and reviews in more detail the thermal history of the universe.
This conference was devoted to fundamental questions raised by quantum mechanics, especially in quantum information theory. As has become customary in our series of conference in Växjö, we were glad to welcome a fruitful assembly of theoretical physicists, experimentalists, mathematicians and even philosophers interested in the foundations of probability and physics. This conference belongs to the series of Växjö conferences in foundations of quantum mechanics (especially probabilistic foundations) combined of two subseries, Foundations of Probability and Physics: 2000, 02, 04, 06, 08, and Quantum Theory: Reconsideration of Foundations: 2001, 03, 05, 07. We also mention the first Växjö conference: Bohmian mechanics 2000. This is definitely the longest series of conferences on foundations in the history of quantum mechanics.
The ICNF conference is a biennial event that brings together researchers interested in theoretical and experimental aspects of fluctuations across a wide spectrum of scientific and technological fields, ranging from heartbeat analysis to mesoscopic phsyics, to noise optimization of electron devices, to the variations of stock prices.
The material in this new Springer publication has arisen from a conference devoted to the 80 years of the Copenhagen Interpretation, and to the question of the relevance of the Copenhagen interpretation for the present understanding of quantum mechanics. The nature of quantum fluctuations---in the form of Stochastic Electrodynamics and other approaches to stochastic quantum mechanics---was, among others, a central topic discussed during the conference, especially during debates.
Long respected as the most comprehensive nurse anesthesia resource available, this new edition continues the tradition of bringing together leading experts to create a balanced reference that applies scientific principles to today’s clinical anesthesia practice. Inside you’ll find a solid introduction to the equipment and patient care techniques unique to nurse anesthesia side-by-side with the cutting-edge research and application of evidence necessary to prepare you for tomorrow. Over 700 tables and boxes highlight the most essential information in a quick, easy-to-reference format. An easy-to-use organization with basic principles covered first, followed by individual chapters for each surgical specialty, ensures you have the information you need to build your knowledge. Over 650 figures of anatomy, nurse anesthesia procedures, and equipment enhance your understanding of complex information. Expert CRNA authors provide the most up-to-date and relevant clinical information you’ll use in daily practice. The latest pharmacology information on pharmacokinetics, drug delivery systems, opiate antagonists, and key induction drugs to keep you up-to-date. Thoroughly updated references make finding the latest and most important research in the field quick and simple. New chapters address legal issues, neonatal anesthesia, anesthesia education, clinical monitoring, regional anesthesia, unexpected complications, and more. Expanded coverage of chemistry and physics as well as immunology makes these difficult fundamental topics easier to understand and apply to everyday practice. Over 100 new images enhance your understanding of difficult anesthesia concepts.
