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There is an increasing interest in incorporating information literacy (IL) instruction into undergraduate curricula in higher education (HE) as a stand alone specialism, "a soft applied discipline" on its own. However, diverse and conflicting views exist about whether information use and evaluation can be taught as discrete activities in isolation from disciplinary content and context, and who, faculty or librarians, should be teaching information literacy. This article seeks to shed additional light on these issues by empirically exploring how literature evaluation and use is taught by faculty in four fields: physics, medicine, social politics and social work, and literature. Using Becher's (1989) characterizations of academic fields along the dimensions hard-soft and pure-applied, convergent and divergent, rural and urban, we explore the relationships between the nature of knowledge production within the fields studied and their practices of teaching literature use and evaluation. The findings indicate that IL is best conceived as something that can not be meaningfully approached or taught as separate from disciplinary contents and contexts. Information skills must be taught in ways that are wholly integrated with the ways literature is searched, used, and evaluated within disciplines.

This paper aims to address challenges in strategic management and tries to find ways to make a breakthrough. Strategic management theorists and practitioners need new scientific theories. In the modern turbulent environment, the extant strategic management research (SMR) and strategic management theories can neither satisfy the practical needs nor the theoretical developmental needs of strategic management.

The paper uses critique viewpoints that are unfolded according to the logic of how theories will satisfy the practical and theoretical needs. Physics and mathematics are regarded as the most beautiful and perfect scientific research fields, which help predict physical phenomena such as solar eclipse precisely. Therefore, the paper uses physics and mathematics as benchmarks to explore how SMR should make efforts to push the research further.

The paper provides a different viewpoint that will help strategic theorists and practitioners investigate and understand strategic phenomena more holistically. SMR should contribute to strategic theoretical and practical progress and not just to the game of academic game play. For the goal, the paper summarizes and refines the definition of strategic management in an alternative but practical and innovative perspective, and then delineates the criteria for SMR topic choice; identifies the dilemmas and challenges the SMR faces; and points out the new approaches the strategic management researchers should explore.

The paper challenges the mainstream of SMR by identifying the shortcomings, dilemmas, and challenges of the current SMR, and then highlights new ways to make breakthrough in SMR. The study will make strategic management scholars rethink their research and do meaningful research from the perspectives of theoretical contribution and practical guidance.

The purpose of the paper is to showcase the significant achievements of Egypt's scientists in the 20th century across various fields of study such as medicine, physics, chemistry, biology, math, geology, astronomy and engineering. The paper highlights the struggles and successes of these scientists, as well as the cultural, social and political factors that influenced their lives and work. The aim is to inspire young people to pursue careers in science and make their own contributions to society by presenting these scientists as role models for hard work and dedication. Ultimately, the paper seeks to promote the importance of science and its impact on society.

The purpose of this review is to present the scientific biographies of Egypt's most distinguished scientists, primarily in the field of Natural Sciences, in a balanced and comprehensive manner. The work is objective, honest and abstract, avoiding any bias or exaggeration. The author provides a clear and concise methodology, including a brief introduction to the scientist and their field of study, an explanation of their major contributions, the impact of their work on society, any challenges or obstacles faced during their career and their lasting legacy. The aim is to showcase the important achievements of these scientists, their impact on their respective fields and to inspire future generations to pursue scientific careers.

The group of outstanding scientists in 20th century Egypt were shaped by various factors, including familial upbringing, education, society, political and cultural atmosphere and state support for scientific research. These scientists made significant contributions to various academic disciplines, including medicine, physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and engineering. Their impact on their communities and cultures has received international acclaim, making them role models for future generations of scientists and researchers. The history of these scientists highlights the importance of educational investments and supporting scientific research to foster innovation and social progress. The encyclopedia serves as a useful tool for students, instructors and education professionals, preserving Egypt's scientific heritage and honouring the scientists' outstanding accomplishments.

The encyclopedia preserves Egypt's scientific heritage, which has been overlooked for political or other reasons. It is a useful tool for a variety of readers, including students, instructors and education professionals, and it offers insights into universally relevant scientific success factors as well as scientific research methodologies. The encyclopedia honours the outstanding scientific accomplishments of Egyptian researchers and their contributions to the world's scientific community.

The practical implications of this paper are several. First, it highlights the importance of education, family upbringing and societal support for scientific research in fostering innovation and social progress. Second, it underscores the need for continued funding and support for scientific research to maintain and build upon the accomplishments of past generations of scientists. Third, it encourages young people to pursue scientific careers and make their own contributions to society. Fourth, it preserves the scientific heritage of Egypt and honors the contributions of its outstanding scientists. Finally, it serves as a useful tool for students, instructors and education professionals seeking to understand the factors underlying scientific success and research methodologies.

The social implications of the paper include promoting national pride and cultural identity, raising awareness of the importance of education and scientific research in driving social progress, inspiring future generations of scientists and researchers, reducing socioeconomic disparities and emphasizing the role of society, politics and culture in shaping scientific researchers' personalities and interests.

The paper's originality/value lies in its comprehensive documentation of the scientific biographies of Egypt's most prominent scientists in the 20th century, providing unique insights into the factors that contributed to their development and their impact across various academic disciplines. It preserves Egypt's scientific heritage and inspires future generations of scientists and researchers through the promotion of educational investments and scientific research. The encyclopedia serves as a useful tool for education professionals seeking to understand scientific success factors and research methodologies, emphasizing the importance of supportive and inclusive environments for scientific development.

Planetary sociology starts out from the supposition that sociology as a discipline emerged in the context and out of an interest in the fate of modern “national” societies. Yet, as a discipline, it emerged with tools designed to identify, track, and analyze processes and forms of organization which today are playing out and observable at the planetary level. For sociology to be in the position to make important contributions to the challenges modern societies are facing in the twenty-first century, it must apply the tools it developed over the course of more than a century, to processes and phenomena that are transforming and applying to planetary civilization and Earth's ecosystem. The necessary starting point is the critical investigation of the interconnected structuring principles that have been shaping both societies and individual identities, and how they reinforce patterns which thwart both sociology's ability to make increasingly necessary contributions, and modern societies' ability to embrace qualitative rather than quantitative forms of progress. A reinvigorated enlightenment will be necessary to increase the probability that sociology will be well-positioned to provide decision-makers and actors with the insights, tools, and knowledge needed to confront impending challenges and crises constructively.

This paper aims at studying implicit knowledge management practices in research groups using a theoretical model of knowledge creation. The goal is to identify factors that contribute to high knowledge productivity. Based on the findings of a study of German research groups, implications for developing countries shall be discussed.

A total of 15 in‐depth face‐to‐face interviews with heads of German academic research groups in the field of physics were conducted. The questions referred to the current practices of knowledge creation and knowledge management and to the subjective assessments of these practices.

The study identified human resource management as the weakness of the German knowledge management practice. There seems to be an inherent contradiction between the goals of attracting promising students to a career in science and securing mobility. Knowledge management and infrastructure otherwise seems well‐developed and the heads of research groups consider themselves very important for knowledge productivity.

Because of the small sample‐size and the limitation to only one research field and one country the results cannot be generalized. The survey thus has to be regarded as a pilot study.

The paper provides useful information on factors influencing knowledge productivity in research groups.

The purpose of this paper is to study the magnetic properties and the hysteresis behavior of a ferrimagnetic cubic Ising nanowire with mixed spins S = 3/2 and S = 5/2 in which the atoms are placed alternately.

In order to investigate the effects of the exchange interactions and crystal field on the magnetic properties and hysteresis behavior of the nanowire, we have used the Monte Carlo simulation. More precisely, we have plotted the thermal variations of the sublattice and total magnetizations for different values of the Hamiltonian parameters, and we have presented the corresponding phase diagrams. In addition, the influence of an external magnetic field is examined by plotting the variations of hysteresis loops with the change of temperature and crystal field.

All phase transition found in this study are of second-order and the critical temperatures increase linearly with the increase of the exchange interactions. The compensation temperatures appear only for some domains of crystal field D and exchange interaction J_B of the sublattice (B). Moreover, when studying the hysteresis behavior, the system can show one or double hysteresis loops.

The authors consider that this research is consistent with the scientific axis of the journal which benefits a great esteem in our country and in the world. In addition, the results are of technological interest.

The fragmentation of knowledge poses serious threats to a survival when scientific and technological know‐how constantly outrun understanding of societies and individuals. A significant problem associated with this state of affairs is the unquestioned separation of facts and values. This paper has two immediate aims. The first is to argue that there is knowledge of values. The second is to look at some issues in the social sciences and to show this conclusion bears on the possibilities for the reunification of knowledge. Issues in economics, sociology, and anthropology are examined kin terms of detailed examples.

The Hungarian Academy of Sciences is supported by the Hungarian Ministry of Informatics and Communications (RMKI). RMKI started a research and development project in 2003 with the aim of studying the knowledge management methods for long duration space research projects and to develop an information system providing a base for saving and using the knowledge gathered. The aim of this article is to investigate the RMKI research and development project.

This article first describes the environment of the project, details the questions identified by the project staff, and gives some characteristics of the solutions when found.

The article finds that the outcomes identified by a knowledge management project grow fast and have a tendency to become unmanageable very quickly, even if technical questions are taken into consideration when starting. The main question remains whether an acceptable solution exists in the area covered by the economical resources.

This article focuses on the technical aspects of knowledge management projects and identifies a mechanism for setting up an information system with the capacity to support knowledge preservation for at least a decade, which is considered to be a long period.

The purpose of this paper is to propose that conceptions of time and future that are currently in use restrict the possibilities for framing decision making. By privileging the notion of present moment over that of linear time, a more comprehensive framing of what it means to consider what influences our judgements. The ontology of the present moment provides a theoretical context for knowing what we can of the future in a more comprehensive way.

A review of ways of knowing the future that extends beyond linear assumptions of time leads to consideration of anticipatory systems and of the relationship between purpose and causality. It leads further into conjecture that the present moment is more ontologically fundamental than what we customarily refer to as past, present and future.

On this foundation, examination of experience of now reveals a multidimensionality which can include retrocausality, the possibility of the future influencing the present and the importance of latent patterning in determining events.

The notion of the present moment has much in common with second order cybernetics and indicates a possible way of bringing systems thinking, especially boundary critique, to futures thinking and strategic decision making.

Although basically a theoretical paper, the framework does suggest possibilities for redesigning futures practice through using the present moment as a meta‐framing critique technique to reveal more clearly underlying assumptions in both futures studies and systems thinking.

In the context of a world where serious inability to see what is coming is pervasive in management and governance, a fresh look at fundamental assumptions may reveal flawed decision thinking and indicate ways of improvement.

A survey of inquiries addressed to the Information Office of the Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE), Harwell, is described. The objects of the survey were to collect facts about such inquiries, the work involved and methods used in answering them, and the nature of the answers obtained; to discover useful generalizations from these facts and to apply relevant generalization to the improvement of the information service at Harwell.

This study tested the hypothesis that the vocabulary of a discipline whose major emphasis is on concrete phenomena will, on the average, have fewer synonyms per concept than will the vocabulary of a discipline whose major emphasis is on abstract phenomena. Subject terms from each of two concrete disciplines and two abstract disciplines were analysed. Results showed that there was a significant difference at the ·05 level between concrete and abstract disciplines but that the significant difference was attributable to only one of the abstract disciplines. The other abstract discipline was not significantly different from the two concrete disciplines. It was concluded that although there is some support for the hypothesis, at least one other factor has a stronger influence on terminological consistency than the phonomena with which a subject deals.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the research in a project aimed at developing manufacturing techniques for integrated optical and electronic interconnect printed circuit boards (OPCB) including the motivation for this research, the progress, the achievements and the interactions between the partners.

Several polymer waveguide fabrication methods were developed including direct laser write, laser ablation and inkjet printing. Polymer formulations were developed to suit the fabrication methods. Computer‐aided design (CAD) tools were developed and waveguide layout design rules were established. The CAD tools were used to lay out a complex backplane interconnect pattern to meet practical demanding specifications for use in a system demonstrator.

Novel polymer formulations for polyacrylate enable faster writing times for laser direct write fabrication. Control of the fabrication parameters enables inkjet printing of polysiloxane waveguides. Several different laser systems can be used to form waveguide structures by ablation. Establishment of waveguide layout design rules from experimental measurements and modelling enables successful first time layout of complex interconnection patterns.

The complexity and length of the waveguides in a complex backplane interconnect, beyond that achieved in this paper, is limited by the bend loss and by the propagation loss partially caused by waveguide sidewall roughness, so further research in these areas would be beneficial to give a wider range of applicability.

The paper gives an overview of advances in polymer formulation, fabrication methods and CAD tools, for manufacturing of complex hybrid‐integrated OPCBs.

Dirk Ahlers studied computer science at the Carl-von-Ossietzky-University Oldenburg, Germany. In 2005, he started working as a research assistant at the OFFIS Institute for Information Technology, Oldenburg where he conducted projects in mobility and geospatial retrieval. While working at OFFIS, he also pursued his PhD with a topic in geographic information retrieval. He is currently working at UNITEC, a private university in Tegucigalpa, Honduras where he researches potential for local search for the case of a country with little Web coverage, challenging informal address schemes, and uncertain location data. His research interests are geospatial Web information retrieval, search engines, location-based services, Web technology, mobility, and everything geo. E-mail: dirk@dhere.de

This paper aims to propose a new concept of product manufacturing mode which takes physical manufacturing theory as the basic starting point. In this work, the authors intend to systematically define the basic connotation and extension of physical manufacturing, and sort out the typical characteristics of physical manufacturing, in order to propose the general concept of physical manufacturing.

How to study the combination of physics, mathematics, mechanics and other disciplines with the manufacturing disciplines, and how to elevate modern manufacturing science to a new height, has always been a problem for scientists in the field of manufacturing and engineering construction people to deeply think about. Therefore, on the basis of tracing the development of physics and combining the attributes and functions of manufacturing, the authors propose the basic concept of physical manufacturing. On this basis, the authors further clarify the connotation and extension, theoretical basis and technical system of physical manufacturing, reveal the basic problem domain of research and construct the theoretical foundation of physical manufacturing research, which are of great theoretical value and practical significance to adjust and optimize the manufacturing industry structure, improve the quality of manufacturing industry development and promote the green development of manufacturing industry.

The research on the basic theory and technical system of physical manufacturing will therefore broaden the way of thinking and make a better understanding of manufacturing science and technology, which will promote the development of manufacturing industry to some extent.

On the basis of continuous improvement of the basic theory and conceptual system of physical manufacturing, the physical manufacturing technology will become more and more perfect; physical manufacturing system and intelligent manufacturing system will become the mainstream of next-generation manufacturing system.

Bose-Einstein condensation is a scientific innovation in experimental physics whose realisation required considerable time and resources. Its diffusion varied considerably between and within five countries that were comparatively studied. Differences between countries can be explained by the variation in the national communities’ absorptive capacities, while within-country differences are due to the impact of authority relations on researchers’ opportunities to build protected space for their change of research practices. Beginning experimental research on Bose-Einstein condensation required simultaneous access to the university infrastructure for research and to grants. The former is largely limited to professors, while the latter made researchers vulnerable to the majority opinion and decision practices of their national scientific community.

The fractional complex transform is used to convert the fractional differential equation to its differential partner and the exp-function method is to solve the resultant equation. The exact solutions for the equation are successfully established. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Use the chain rule of the local fractional derivative and the exp-function method.

Some new exact solutions for the fractional differential equation are successfully established, and the process of the solution is extremely simple and remarkably accessible.

The fractional complex transform is used to convert the fractional differential equation to its differential partner and the exp-function method is to solve the resultant equation.

Presents the scientific methodology from the enlarged cybernetical perspective that recognizes the anisotropy of time, the probabilistic character of natural laws, and the entry that the incomplete determinism in Nature opens to the occurrence of innovation, growth, organization, teleology communication, control, contest and freedom. The new tier to the methodological edifice that cybernetics provides stands on the earlier tiers, which go back to the Ionians (c. 500 BC). However, the new insights reveal flaws in the earlier tiers, and their removal strengthens the entire edifice. The new concepts of teleological activity and contest allow the clear demarcation of the military sciences as those whose subject matter is teleological activity involving contest. The paramount question “what ought to be done”, outside the empirical realm, is embraced by the scientific methodology. It also embraces the cognitive sciences that ask how the human mind is able to discover, and how the sequence of discoveries might converge to a true description of reality.

The purpose of this paper is to recuperate Heinz von Foerster’s “Quantum Mechanical Theory of Memory” from Cybernetics: Circular, Causal, and Feedback Mechanisms in Biological and Social Systems and John von Neumann’s The Computer and the Brain for present-day, and future, applications in biophysics, theories of information and cognition, and quantum theories; the main objective is to ground cybernetic theory for a critical evaluation of the historical evolution of the Monte Carlo method, with potential for application to quantum computing.

Close-reading of selected texts, historiography, and case studies in current developments in the Monte Carlo method of high-energy particle physics (HEP) for developing a platform for bridging the apparently incommensurable differences between the physical-mathematical and the biological sciences.

First, usefulness of the cybernetic approach for historicizing the Monte Carlo method in relation to digital computing and quantum physics. Second, development of an inter/trans-disciplinary approach to the hard sciences through a critical re-evaluation of the historical texts of von Foerster and von Neumann for application to developments in quantum theory, biophysics, and computing.

This work is largely theoretical and uses dialectical thought experiments to engage between sciences operating across different ontological scales.

Consideration of developments of quantum computing and how that would change one’s perception of information, data, and the way in which analysis is currently performed with big data.

This is the first time that von Neumann and von Foerster have been contrasted and compared in relation to their epistemic compatibility, historical importance, and relevance for producing a creative approach to current scientific epistemology. This paper hopes to change how the authors view trans-disciplinary/inter-disciplinary practices in the sciences and produce new vistas of thought in the history and philosophy of science.

The study aims to examines two aspects of information seeking behaviour of physicists and astronomers including methods applied for keeping up‐to‐date and methods used for finding articles. The relationship between academic status and research field of users with their information seeking behaviour was investigated.

Data were gathered using a questionnaire survey of PhD students and staff of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at University College London; 114 people (47.1 per cent response rate) participated in the survey.

The study reveals differences among subfields of physics and astronomy in terms of information‐seeking behaviour, highlights the need for and the value of looking at narrower subject communities within disciplines for a deeper understanding of the information behaviour of scientists.

The study is the first to deeply investigate intradisciplinary dissimilarities of information‐seeking behaviour of scientists in a discipline. It is also an up‐to‐date account of information seeking behaviour of physicists and astronomers.

This work examines assumptions of positivism and the traditional scientific method.

Insights from quantum mechanics are explored especially as they relate to method, measurement and what is knowable. An argument is made that how social scientists, particularly sociologists, understand the nature of “reality out there” and describe the social world may be challenged by quantum ideas. The benefits of utilized mixed methods, considering quantum insights, cannot be overstated.

It is the proposition of this work that insights from modern physics alter the understanding of the world “out there.” Wheeler suggested that the most profound implication from modern physics is that “there is no out there” (1982; see also Baggott, 1992). Grappling with how modern physics may alter understanding in the social sciences will be difficult; however, that does not mean the task should not be undertaken (see Goswami, 1993). A starting point for the social sciences may be relinquishing an old mechanistic science that depends on the establishment of an objective, empirically based, verifiable reality. Mechanistic science demands “one true reality – a clear-cut reality on which everyone can agree…. Mechanistic science is by definition reductionistic…it has had to try to reduce complexity to oversimplification and process to statis. This creates an illusionary world…that has little or nothing to do with the complexity of the process of the reality of creation as we know, experience, and participate in it” (Goswami, 1993, pp. 64, 66).

Many physicists have popularized quantum ideas for others interested in contemplating the implications of modern physics. Because of the difficulty in conceiving of quantum ideas, the meaning of the quantum in popular culture is far removed from the parent discipline. Thus, the culture has been shaped by the rhetoric and ideas surrounding the basic quantum mathematical formulas. And, over time, as quantum ideas have come to be part of the popular culture, even the link to the popularized literature in physics is lost. Rather, quantum ideas may be viewed as cultural formations that take on a life of their own.

The work allows a critique of positivist method and provides insight on how to frame qualitative methodology in a new way.

The work utilizes popularized ideas in quantum theory: the preeminent theory that describes all matter. Little work in sociology utilizes this perspective in understanding research methods.

Quantum insights have rarely been explored in highlighting limitations in positivism. The current work aims to build on quantum insights and how these may help us better understand the social world around us.

The modelling and prediction of traffic flow is one of the future challenges for science. We present a simulation tool for an urban road network based on real-time traffic data and a cellular automaton model for traffic flow. This tool has been applied to the inner city of Duisburg. The quality of the reproduced traffic states is investigated with regard to vehicle densities and typical features of urban traffic.

The purpose of this paper is to describe a multi‐robot solution to the problem of chemical source localization, in which a team of inexpensive, simple vehicles with short‐range, low‐power sensing, communication, and processing capabilities trace a chemical plume to its source emitter

The source localization problem is analyzed using computational fluid dynamics simulations of airborne chemical plumes. The analysis is divided into two parts consisting of two large experiments each: the first part focuses on the issues of collaborative control, and the second part demonstrates how task performance is affected by the number of collaborating robots. Each experiment tests a key aspect of the problem, e.g. effects of obstacles, and defines performance metrics that help capture important characteristics of each solution.

The new empirical simulations confirmed previous theoretical predictions: a physics‐based approach is more effective than the biologically inspired methods in meeting the objectives of the plume‐tracing mission. This gain in performance is consistent across a variety of plume and environmental conditions. This work shows that high success rate can be achieved by robots using strictly local information and a fully decentralized, fault‐tolerant, and reactive control algorithm.

This is the first paper to compare a physics‐based approach against the leading alternatives for chemical plume tracing under a wide variety of fluid conditions and performance metrics. This is also the first presentation of the algorithms showing the specific mechanisms employed to achieve superior performance, including the underlying fluid and other physics principles and their numerical implementation, and the mechanisms that allow the practitioner to duplicate the outstanding performance of this approach under conditions of many robots navigating through obstacle‐dense environments.

Considers two main strands of literature. The first deals with the tension between the falsificationist view of how economic know‐ledge could or should be acquired, and the view that economics is a separate, deductive science. The second concerns the metaphors used in economic analysis, the main contrast being between metaphors which involve homeostasis and time reversibility, and those that involve hysteresis and time irreversibility.

Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is one of the most popular additive manufacturing processes, and is widely used for prototyping and fabricating low-cost customized parts. Current FDM machines have limited techniques to monitor process conditions to minimize process errors, such as nozzle clogging. Nozzle clogging is one of the most significant process errors in current FDM machines, and may cause serious consequences such as print failure. This paper aims to present a physics-based dynamic model suitable for monitoring nozzle clogging in FDM machines.

Liquefier mount of an FDM extruder is analysed as a beam excited by a uniform loading distributed over a partial length. Boundary conditions and applied loads for a direct-type FDM extruder are identified and discussed. Simulation of nozzle clogging was performed by using nozzles of different diameters from 0.5 to 0.2 mm, in step change of 0.1 mm. Sets of experiments were carried out by measuring vibrations of the liquefier block mount during FDM extrusion.

The mount of a liquefier block in an FDM extruder can be used to place a vibration sensor to monitor process errors such as nozzle clogging. Liquefier block mount’s transverse vibration amplitudes increase non-linearly when nozzle starts to block.

The proposed model can be effectively used for monitoring nozzle clogging in FDM machines, as it is based on the physics relating the FDM process parameters and the nozzle blockage.

The novelty of this paper is the unique method of modelling the FDM process dynamics that can be used for monitoring nozzle clogging.

This study aims to find the solution of time-fractional Korteweg–de-Vries (tfKdV) equations which may be used for modeling various wave phenomena using homotopy perturbation transform method (HPTM).

HPTM, which consists of mainly two parts, the first part is the application of Laplace transform to the differential equation and the second part is finding the convergent series-type solution using homotopy perturbation method (HPM), based on He’s polynomials.

The study obtained the solution of tfKdV equations. An existing result “as the fractional order of KdV equation given in the first example decreases the wave bifurcates into two peaks” is confirmed with present results by HPTM. A worth mentioning point may be noted from the results is that the number of terms required for acquiring the convergent solution may not be the same for different time-fractional orders.

Although third-order tfKdV and mKdV equations have already been solved by ADM and HPM, respectively, the fifth-order tfKdV equation has not been solved yet. Accordingly, here HPTM is applied to two tfKdV equations of order three and five which are used for modeling various wave phenomena. The results of third-order KdV and KdV equations are compared with existing results.

In this paper the author aims to sketch a liberal-studies course designed to explore our fundamental problem of thought and life: How can our human world exist and best flourish embedded as it is in the physical universe? The fundamental character of this problem provides one with the opportunity to explore a wide range of issues.

The paper addresses the following questions: what does physics tell us about the universe and ourselves? How do we account for everything physics leaves out? How can living brains be conscious? If everything occurs in accordance with physical law, what becomes of free will? How does Darwin's theory of evolution contribute to the solution to the fundamental problem? What is the history of thought about this problem? What is of most value associated with human life? What kind of civilized world should we seek to help create? Why is the fundamental problem not a part of standard education in schools and universities? What are the most serious global problems confronting humanity? Can humanity learn to make progress towards as good a world as possible?

Taking the fundamental problem as central provides the course with a coherent structure. The course would be conducted as a seminar, and it would respond to queries and suggestions from students.

The paper provides only a sketch of the character of the course.

The course would be conducted as a seminar, and it would respond to queries and suggestions from students.

Taking the fundamental problem as central provides the course with a coherent structure.

Multiple regression models can be used to rank physics journals in approximately the same order as the journals are perceived useful by actual users. Four such regression models are reported here, each having a multiple R value of ·74 or greater. Perceived usefulness, the dependent variable used in constructing the models, was obtained from a survey of 167 physicists in the US and Canada. The independent, or predictor variables include easily obtainable bibliometric statistics such as number of source items published, immediacy index, ratio of citations received to citations made, total citations received, impact factor and others. Regression models that combine certain of these statistics can predict user valuation of the journals better than any single bibliometric predictor alone can do. Their advantage for serials management is in ease of estimating usefulness as judged by users, a much more difficult statistic to obtain. Where these models may not apply, it is relatively simple to construct similar models based upon surveys of other user groups. It appears likely that good models of this type can also be developed for many other disciplines.

This paper presents a reclassification of markers for mixed reality environments that is also applicable to the use of markers in robot navigation systems and 3D modelling. In the case of Augmented Reality (AR) mixed reality environments, markers are used to integrate computer generated (virtual) objects into a predominantly real world, while in Augmented Virtuality (AV) mixed reality environments, the goal is to integrate real objects into a predominantly virtual (computer generated) world. Apart from AR/AV classifications, mixed reality environments have also been classified by reality; output technology/display devices; immersiveness as well as by visibility of markers.

The approach adopted consists of presenting six existing classifications of mixed reality environments and then extending them to define new categories of abstract, blended, virtual augmented, active and smart markers. This is supported with results/examples taken from the joint Mixed Augmented and Virtual Reality Laboratory (MAVRLAB) of the Ulster University, Belfast, Northern Ireland; the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy and Santasco SrL, Regio Emilia/Milan, Italy.

Existing classification of markers and mixed reality environments are mainly binary in nature and do not adequately capture the contextual relationship between markers and their use and application. The reclassification of markers into abstract, blended and virtual categories captures the context for simple use and applications while the categories of augmented, active and smart markers captures the relationship for enhanced or more complex use of markers. The new classifications are capable of improving the definitions of existing simple marker and markerless mixed reality environments as well as supporting more complex features within mixed reality environments such as co-location of objects, advanced interactivity, personalised user experience.

It is thought that applications and devices in mixed reality environments when properly developed and deployed enhances the real environment by making invisible information visible to the user. The current work only marginally covers the use of internet of things (IoT) devices in mixed reality environments as well as potential implications for robot navigation systems and 3D modelling.

The use of these reclassifications enables researchers, developers and users of mixed reality environments to select and make informed decisions on best tools and environment for their respective application, while conveying information with additional clarity and accuracy. The development and application of more complex markers would contribute in no small measure to attaining greater advancements in extending current knowledge and developing applications to positively impact entertainment, business and health while minimizing costs and maximizing benefits.

The originality of this paper lies in the approach adopted in reclassifying markers. This is supported with results and work carried out at the MAV Reality Laboratory of Ulster University, Belfast–UK, the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste-Italy and Santasco SrL, Regio Emilia, Milan–Italy. The value of present research lies in the definitions of new categories as well as the discussions of how they improve mixed reality environments and application especially in the health and education sectors.

To develop an overview of generalized scales based on pansystems‐relative quantification.

This is a discussion paper exploring the key issues surrounding generalized measures.

The concrete contents of the study include generalized measure views, dimension theory, concepts, logic, theories, Einstein's relativity, quality‐quantity‐degree, methodology of physics, theorems in pansystems mathematics and physics explained within the framework of pan‐scale transformations.

Provides an overview of generalized scales based on pansystems‐relative quantification.

Perhaps the greatest peril to civilisation is the fragmentation of knowledge. Science often lends itself to easy application to technology and our economic systems are the result of applying this knowledge to our resources. But our knowledge of how societies work lags significantly, and the economic system frequently multiplies our social problems. At the heart of the problem is the distinction between knowledge of universals – scientific laws for example – and knowledge of people, who are unique particulars. The paper examines some recent disputes in the social sciences and suggests how the gap might be filled and economic systems made more responsive to social problems.

In this chapter, the interplay between the development of the discipline, the development of the field of study, and the emergence of professional fields is examined using the example of mathematics. In connection with the formation of the modern research university, mathematics has emerged as an independent scientific discipline and as an independent field of study. In the process, mathematics attains a high degree of formalization and internal coherence. This is the basis for the penetration of mathematicians into more and more professional fields, even outside science. Real problems or real facts are reduced to aspects that are amenable to mathematical modeling by treating them as quantifiable parameters. As mathematics expands as a field of study, more and more professional sectors become applications of mathematical models. As a consequence, more mathematical fields of study are differentiating themselves, specializing in these application fields. This chapter analyzes this dynamic and its preconditions.

The purpose of this paper is to bring into the public domain converging ways of thinking about reality and human systems, exploring parallels between the theory of Physical Vacuum and the concept of Qi in Medical Qigong science.

The approach adopted in this paper includes: review of the relevant literature; dialogues between the first two authors over an eight-month period; review of the findings and discussion of interpretations by all.

There is evidence for the existence of an ideal information field. This field is a real space-time torsion structure. Qi is a torsion field. It spreads with superluminal velocity and connects the whole Universe. Any entity is in a constant dynamic connection with everything else in the Universe.

This paper offers limited discussion of the wider area of scientific discoveries.

The findings may impact future interdisciplinary research, health/well-being practices and public policy.

There is no known to us publication interpreting the parallels between the theory of the Physical Vacuum and the concept of Qi.

An ecologically sustainable future calls for fruitful dialogues between spirituality, modern science and policymaking at large. What could be that connects them all? We found out that ideas about holism exist across time, space, culture and thinkers – ranging from mathematics, philosophy, sociology, medicine, education, religion and quantum physics to finding its roots in ancient Indian Vedic tradition and later usage in Greek and Roman cultures.

This chapter takes a look at the history and intricacies of two seemingly distinct but interconnected fields – spirituality and modern science, particularly quantum science – with an aim to uncover what these fields can teach us about the idea of holism. This chapter, therefore, highlights one of the most fundamental and profound spiritual principles of the unity and interconnectedness of the entire universe – encapsulated in the concept of holism – and its practical applications in approaching sustainable development. We hope to ignite further research on this topic.

The purpose of this article is to investigate the magnetic properties and the hysteresis loops behavior of a ferrimagnetic cubic nanowire with mixed spins S_A = 3/2 and S_B = 2.

We have used the Monte Carlo simulation to examine the influences of the exchange interaction J_B, the crystal field ∆ and the temperature on the magnetic properties and hysteresis loops of the nanowire. More exactly, we have shown the temperature dependence of the sublattice magnetizations (m_A and m_B) and the total magnetization (M) for several values of the Hamiltonian parameters, as well as the corresponding phase diagrams. Finally, the effect of an external magnetic field is studied by plotting the hysteresis loops of the system for different values of exchange interaction, crystal field and temperature.

The obtained results show the existence of second-order phase transitions, as well as the compensation behavior. Moreover, according to the values of the Hamiltonian parameters, the system can exhibit one, two or three hysteresis loops.

The magnetic nanowires are of great interest in experimental works, but without theoretical explanations, the experimental results cannot be clarified in depth. For this, we contribute through this theoretical study to understand the nanowires, especially those with mixed spins (2, 3/2).

As any attempts at explaining quantum theory in terms of simple, local “cause‐and‐effect” models have remained unsatisfactory, approaches from the perspectives of systems theory seem called for, which is rich in a variety of more complex understandings of causality.

This paper presents one option for such approaches, which the author has introduced previously as “quantum cybernetics”: considering waves (but not “wave functions”!) and “particles” as mutually dependent system components, and thus defining “organizationally closed systems” characterized by a fundamental circular causality. Using such an approach, a new look can be achieved on both classical and quantum physics.

It was found that quantum theory's most fundamental equation, the Schrödinger equation, can actually be derived from classical physics, once the latter is considered anew, i.e. under said approach involving both particles and (Huygens) waves. In fact, the only difference to existing views is that Huygens waves are here considered to be real, physically effective waves in some hypothesized sub‐quantum medium, rather than mere formal tools.

What is particularly new in the present paper is that quantum systems can be described by what Heinz von Foerster has called “nontrivial machines”, whereas the corresponding classical counterparts turn out to behave as “trivial machines”. This should provide enough stimulus for discussing system theoretical issues also in the context of the foundations of quantum theory.

Assessment of a Student's Progress. LABORATORY DIARIES (and reports, when required) are marked only by the demonstrator responsible for that experiment. Subsequently the scientific, and grammatical criticisms are discussed at a tutorial held one evening before the next laboratory class. This need occupy only a few minutes of a student's time each week, but it provides him with an opportunity, while alone with a tutor, to talk over any difficulties. The system also avoids the consequences of inconsistent standards of marking by demonstrators, provided the students attempt the same number of experiments from all the specialised laboratories, e.g. from Electronics, as from Nuclear Physics. The criticism of laboratory diaries and reports must be severe until the required habits are adopted by the students. It is very easy for a demonstrator to pass over superficial mistakes because he recognises unconsciously the intended meaning, rather than what is actually written in the report.

The purpose of this paper is to represent an epistemological analysis of Russian sociological scholarship.

The analytical approach that allows reducing the particular representations within the sum of propositions is the methodological base of the paper. Clearing of propositional attitudes explains the basic communications in a thought of researchers. The circle of grounds available to achievement of intuitively noticed purposes defines the preferences of researchers in general.

The author proves that the theoretical developments in the Russian sociology are possible as a derivative from the development of questions, which are raised nowadays in worldwide science, but possible in a view of original development of questions, which were raised in worldwide science in the past.

The Russian sociology represents a part of the European humanities, which is based on the various forms of theoretical combat or agonality.

The author shows the ways out of the theoretical combat or agonality.

The research clarifies the perspectives for increasing of the knowledge-based society in Russia. The author analyzes the concept of Russia as a paradigmatic society, particularly in the context of transition economies.

In general, the author concludes that the pro-argument with respect to theoretical developments is weaker than the contra-argument with respect to theoretical developments. This paper has revealed the model within which extreme positions can be reconciled.

This paper aims to tackle in turn the merits and limits of Nicholas Georgescu‐Roegen's entropic model, as well as its implications for the methodological discourse in economics. This appraisal of the Georgescu‐Roegen's work emphasizes the emergence of the entropic nature of the economic processes as a paradigm à la Kuhn of explanation in social economics.

This work provides a critical assessment of the entropic model's main conceptual pillars, namely the role of mathematical formalism and the natural imagery of irreversibility. This discussion takes them in turn and develops a critique from a methodological point of view.

The focus of this work is that the proposed epistemological reconstruction of economics is vulnerable to attacks from two methodological objections. The first deals with the change of metaphor from the “pendulum” of mechanics to the “hourglass” of thermodynamics. The second refers to the changes this replacement of metaphors brings about as to the relevance of the formalism of the discipline.

This material has gathered arguments to show that the intellectual concurrence of the arguments onto the field of physics makes the methodological value of the new paradigm of entropy not transcend into a new logic of reasoning in economics. The limits of this approach stems from the same rationale for which it has got its revolutionary stature: what it proposes consists of a scientific discourse based on a mixture of evolutionary biology, economics and thermodynamics, which may open up new original and insightful perspectives, but which has never been justified on terms of economic nature alone.

The emerging research on spirituality, religion and work (SRW) poses concerns for all social scientists. Specifically, the paradigm currently employed for social scientific research, including measurement techniques, data analysis, and even accepted language, is inadequate for scholarship in the emerging inquiry stream. This paper discusses the current positivist model under which scholarly work derives legitimacy, and explores where the model fails to address the needs of SRW researchers from both conceptual and moral standpoints. Taking lessons from the natural sciences, we show how inquiry, modeling, and knowledge made critical leaps utilizing a post‐positivist creativity within a discipline that struggled with many of the same issues we currently face in the SRW research agenda. The paper concludes with implications for a new research methods paradigm and language that would better serve our understanding of the holistic human experience in organizations, including a discussion of the inherently moral underpinning of our work.

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS courses are expected to provide students with:

The phenomenon of superconductivity has been studied for 90 years, with the latest surge in popularity occurring in the late 1980s, when high‐temperature superconductors were first created. In this time much progress has been made to create commercially viable applications of the technology and understand the theory behind the phenomenon. Furthermore, at a time when national science policy was undergoing close scrutiny, the high‐temperature superconductor boom served as a high‐profile case study of the role of government in spurring the acceptance of new technologies. This bibliography provides resources that chronicle the technological and scientific developments in the field since its discovery and the policy decisions and issues that governments and society made when faced with a possible scientific revolution.

This study aims to explore the influence of Fourier-feature enhanced physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) on effectively solving two-dimensional local time-fractional anomalous diffusion equations with nonlinear thermal diffusivity. By tackling the shortcomings of conventional numerical methods in managing fractional derivatives and nonlinearities, this research addresses a significant gap in the literature regarding efficient solution strategies for complex diffusion processes.

This study uses a quantitative methodology featuring a feed-forward neural network architecture combined with a Fourier feature layer. Automatic differentiation is implemented to ensure precise gradient calculations for fractional derivatives. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is showcased through numerical simulations across various sub-diffusion and super-diffusion scenarios, with fractal space parameters adjusted to examine behavior. In addition, the training process is assessed using the Fisher information matrix to analyze the loss landscape.

The results demonstrate that the Fourier-feature enhanced PINNs effectively capture the dynamics of the anomalous diffusion equation, achieving greater solution accuracy than traditional methods. The analysis using the Fisher information matrix underscores the importance of hyperparameter tuning in optimizing network performance. These findings support the hypothesis that Fourier features improve the model’s capacity to represent complex solution behaviors, providing the relationship between model architecture and diffusion dynamics.

This research presents a novel approach to solving fractional anomalous diffusion equations through Fourier-feature enhanced PINNs. The results contribute to the advancement of computational methods in areas such as thermal engineering, materials science and biological diffusion modeling, while also providing a foundation for future investigations into training dynamics within neural networks.

Identifying the fundamental characteristics of meaning and deriving an automated meaning‐analysis procedure for machine intelligence.

Semantic category theory (SCT) is an original testable scientific theory, based on readily available data: not assumptions or axioms. SCT can therefore be refuted by irreconcilable data: not opinion.

Human language involves four totally independent semantic categories (SC), each of which has its own distinctive form of “Truth”. Any sentence that assigns the characteristics of one SC to another SC involves what is termed here “Semantic Intertwine”. Semantic intertwine often lies at the core of semantic ambiguity, sophistry and paradox: problems that have plagued human reason since antiquity.

SCT is applicable to any endeavour involving human language. Research applications are therefore somewhat extensive. For example, identifying metaphors posing as science, or natural language processing/translation, or solving disparate paradox types, as illustrated by worked examples from: The Liar Group, Sorites Inductive, Russell's Set Theoretic and Zeno's Paradoxes.

To interact successfully with human language, behaviour, and belief systems, as well as their own environment, intelligent machines will need to resolve the semantic component/intertwines of any sentence. Semantic category analysis (SCA), derived from SCT, and also described here, can be used to analyse any sentence or argument, however complex.

Both SCT and SCA are original. Whilst “category error” is an intuitive notion, the observably precise nature, number and modes of interaction of such categories have never previously been presented. With SCT/SCA the rigorous analysis of any argument, whether foisted, valid, or obfuscating, is now possible: by man or machine.

The concept of information is central to several fields of research and professional practice. So many definitions have been put forward that complete inventory is unachievable while authors have failed to reach a consensus. In the face of the present impasse, innovative proposals could rouse information theorists to action, but literature surveys tend to emphasize the common traits of definitions. Reviewers are inclined to iron out originality in information models; thus the purpose of this paper is to discover the creativity of authors attempting to define the concept of information and to stimulate the progress of studies in this field.

Because the present inquiry could be influenced and distorted by personal criteria and opinions, the authors have adopted precise criteria and guidelines. It could be said the present approach approximates a statistical methodology.

The findings of this paper include (1) The authors found 32 original definitions of information which sometimes current surveys have overlooked. (2) The authors found a relation between information theories and advances in information technology. (3) Overall, the authors found that researchers take account of a wide variety of perspectives yet overlook the notion of information as used by computing practitioners such as electronic engineers and software developers.

The authors comment on some limitations of the procedure that was followed. Results 1 and 3 open up new possibilities for theoretical research in the information domain.

This is an attempt to conduct a bibliographical inquiry driven by objective and scientific criteria; its value lies in the fact that final report has not been influenced by personal choice or arbitrary viewpoints.

This paper seeks to outline the central role of concepts in the knowledge universe, and the intertwining roles of works, instantiations, and documents. In particular the authors are interested in ontological and epistemological aspects of concepts and in the question to which extent there is a need for natural languages to link concepts to create meaningful patterns.

The authors describe the quest for the smallest elements of knowledge from a historical perspective. They focus on the metaphor of the universe of knowledge and its impact on classification and retrieval of concepts. They outline the major components of an elementary theory of knowledge interaction.

The paper outlines the major components of an elementary theory of knowledge interaction that is based on the structure of knowledge rather than on the content of documents, in which semantics becomes not a matter of synonymous concepts, but rather of coordinating knowledge structures. The evidence is derived from existing empirical research.

The paper shifts the bases for knowledge organization from a search for a universal order to an understanding of a universal structure within which many context‐dependent orders are possible.