Emergence of Life in an Inflationary Universe
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Intelligent Design, Abiogenesis, and Learning from History: Dennis R
Author Exchange Intelligent Design, Abiogenesis, and Learning from History: Dennis R. Venema A Reply to Meyer Dennis R. Venema Weizsäcker’s book The World View of Physics is still keeping me very busy. It has again brought home to me quite clearly how wrong it is to use God as a stop-gap for the incompleteness of our knowledge. If in fact the frontiers of knowledge are being pushed back (and that is bound to be the case), then God is being pushed back with them, and is therefore continually in retreat. We are to find God in what we know, not in what we don’t know; God wants us to realize his presence, not in unsolved problems but in those that are solved. Dietrich Bonhoeffer1 am thankful for this opportunity to nature, is the result of intelligence. More- reply to Stephen Meyer’s criticisms over, this assertion is proffered as the I 2 of my review of his book Signature logical basis for inferring design for the in the Cell (hereafter Signature). Meyer’s origin of biological information: if infor- critiques of my review fall into two gen- mation only ever arises from intelli- eral categories. First, he claims I mistook gence, then the mere presence of Signature for an argument against bio- information demonstrates design. A few logical evolution, rendering several of examples from Signature make the point my arguments superfluous. Secondly, easily: Meyer asserts that I have failed to refute … historical scientists can show that his thesis by not providing a “causally a presently acting cause must have adequate alternative explanation” for the been present in the past because the origin of life in that the few relevant cri- proposed candidate is the only known tiques I do provide are “deeply flawed.” cause of the effect in question. -
Opportunities for Catalysis in the 21St Century
Opportunities for Catalysis in The 21st Century A Report from the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE SUBPANEL WORKSHOP REPORT Opportunities for Catalysis in the 21st Century May 14-16, 2002 Workshop Chair Professor J. M. White University of Texas Writing Group Chair Professor John Bercaw California Institute of Technology This page is intentionally left blank. Contents Executive Summary........................................................................................... v A Grand Challenge....................................................................................................... v The Present Opportunity .............................................................................................. v The Importance of Catalysis Science to DOE.............................................................. vi A Recommendation for Increased Federal Investment in Catalysis Research............. vi I. Introduction................................................................................................ 1 A. Background, Structure, and Organization of the Workshop .................................. 1 B. Recent Advances in Experimental and Theoretical Methods ................................ 1 C. The Grand Challenge ............................................................................................. 2 D. Enabling Approaches for Progress in Catalysis ..................................................... 3 E. Consensus Observations and Recommendations.................................................. -
Astro2020 Science White Paper Unlocking the Secrets of Late-Stage Stellar Evolution and Mass Loss Through Radio Wavelength Imaging
Astro2020 Science White Paper Unlocking the Secrets of Late-Stage Stellar Evolution and Mass Loss through Radio Wavelength Imaging Thematic Areas: Planetary Systems Star and Planet Formation Formation and Evolution of Compact Objects Cosmology and Fundamental Physics 7 Stars and Stellar Evolution Resolved Stellar Populations and their Environments Galaxy Evolution Multi-Messenger Astronomy and Astrophysics Principal Author: Name: Lynn D. Matthews Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Haystack Observatory Email: [email protected] Co-authors: Mark J Claussen (National Radio Astronomy Observatory) Graham M. Harper (University of Colorado - Boulder) Karl M. Menten (Max Planck Institut fur¨ Radioastronomie) Stephen Ridgway (National Optical Astronomy Observatory) Executive Summary: During the late phases of evolution, low-to-intermediate mass stars like our Sun undergo periods of extensive mass loss, returning up to 80% of their initial mass to the interstellar medium. This mass loss profoundly affects the stellar evolutionary history, and the resulting circumstellar ejecta are a primary source of dust and heavy element enrichment in the Galaxy. However, many details concerning the physics of late-stage stellar mass loss remain poorly understood, including the wind launching mechanism(s), the mass loss geometry and timescales, and the mass loss histories of stars of various initial masses. These uncertainties have implications not only for stellar astrophysics, but for fields ranging from star formation to extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. Observations at centimeter, millimeter, and submillimeter wavelengths that resolve the radio surfaces and extended atmospheres of evolved arXiv:1903.05592v1 [astro-ph.SR] 13 Mar 2019 stars in space, time, and frequency are poised to provide groundbreaking new insights into these questions in the coming decade. -
Bayesian Analysis of the Astrobiological Implications of Life's
Bayesian analysis of the astrobiological implications of life's early emergence on Earth David S. Spiegel ∗ y, Edwin L. Turner y z ∗Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ 08540,yDept. of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton Univ., Princeton, NJ 08544, USA, and zInstitute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, The Univ. of Tokyo, Kashiwa 227-8568, Japan Submitted to Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Life arose on Earth sometime in the first few hundred million years Any inferences about the probability of life arising (given after the young planet had cooled to the point that it could support the conditions present on the early Earth) must be informed water-based organisms on its surface. The early emergence of life by how long it took for the first living creatures to evolve. By on Earth has been taken as evidence that the probability of abiogen- definition, improbable events generally happen infrequently. esis is high, if starting from young-Earth-like conditions. We revisit It follows that the duration between events provides a metric this argument quantitatively in a Bayesian statistical framework. By (however imperfect) of the probability or rate of the events. constructing a simple model of the probability of abiogenesis, we calculate a Bayesian estimate of its posterior probability, given the The time-span between when Earth achieved pre-biotic condi- data that life emerged fairly early in Earth's history and that, billions tions suitable for abiogenesis plus generally habitable climatic of years later, curious creatures noted this fact and considered its conditions [5, 6, 7] and when life first arose, therefore, seems implications. -
Science Georgia Standards of Excellence SCIENCE - Zoology
Science Georgia Standards of Excellence SCIENCE - Zoology The Science Georgia Standards of Excellence are designed to provide foundational knowledge and skills for all students to develop proficiency in science. The Project 2061’s Benchmarks for Science Literacy and the follow up work, A Framework for K-12 Science Education were used as the core of the standards to determine appropriate content and process skills for students. The Science Georgia Standards of Excellence focus on a limited number of core disciplinary ideas and crosscutting concepts which build from Kindergarten to high school. The standards are written with the core knowledge to be mastered integrated with the science and engineering practices needed to engage in scientific inquiry and engineering design. Crosscutting concepts are used to make connections across different science disciplines. The Science Georgia Standards of Excellence drive instruction. Hands-on, student-centered, and inquiry-based approaches should be the emphasis of instruction. The standards are a required minimum set of expectations that show proficiency in science. However, instruction can extend beyond these minimum expectations to meet student needs. Science consists of a way of thinking and investigating, as well a growing body of knowledge about the natural world. To become literate in science, students need to possess sufficient understanding of fundamental science content knowledge, the ability to engage in the science and engineering practices, and to use scientific and technological information correctly. Technology should be infused into the curriculum and the safety of the student should always be foremost in instruction. In this course, students will recognize key features of the major body plans that have evolved in animals and how those body plans have changed over time resulting in the diversity of animals that are evident today. -
Dehydrogenation by Heterogeneous Catalysts
Dehydrogenation by Heterogeneous Catalysts Daniel E. Resasco School of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science University of Oklahoma Encyclopedia of Catalysis January, 2000 1. INTRODUCTION Catalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes is an endothermic reaction, which occurs with an increase in the number of moles and can be represented by the expression Alkane ! Olefin + Hydrogen This reaction cannot be carried out thermally because it is highly unfavorable compared to the cracking of the hydrocarbon, since the C-C bond strength (about 246 kJ/mol) is much lower than that of the C-H bond (about 363 kJ/mol). However, in the presence of a suitable catalyst, dehydrogenation can be carried out with minimal C-C bond rupture. The strong C-H bond is a closed-shell σ orbital that can be activated by oxide or metal catalysts. Oxides can activate the C-H bond via hydrogen abstraction because they can form O-H bonds, which can have strengths comparable to that of the C- H bond. By contrast, metals cannot accomplish the hydrogen abstraction because the M- H bonds are much weaker than the C-H bond. However, the sum of the M-H and M-C bond strengths can exceed the C-H bond strength, making the process thermodynamically possible. In this case, the reaction is thought to proceed via a three centered transition state, which can be described as a metal atom inserting into the C-H bond. The C-H bond bridges across the metal atom until it breaks, followed by the formation of the corresponding M-H and M-C bonds.1 Therefore, dehydrogenation of alkanes can be carried out on oxides as well as on metal catalysts. -
2010 Hyundai Genesis
2010 HYUNDAI_GENESIS If you’re reading this brochure, chances are you’re the kind of automotive enthusiast who, instead of simply opening your wallet and adding a status trophy to your garage, prefers to open something else: Your mind. It’s a refreshing attitude that often leads you to discover truly rewarding experiences, from new and unexpected sources. Like Genesis, from Hyundai. Nobody was looking for Hyundai to build a luxury car that would challenge the automotive elite. But we did. Nobody expected us to benchmark the industry’s best, then apply the art and science needed to meet those marks. But we did. Nobody thought we’d charm the pants off a jury of North America’s most esteemed automotive journalists, or be named "The Most Appealing Midsize Premium Car" in 2009 by J.D. Power and Associates.1 But we did. And by doing what few people expected of us, we now find ourselves as a car company that a lot of people are starting to think about in a whole new way. It’s 2010. Welcome to Hyundai. 1 The Hyundai Genesis received the highest numerical score among midsize premium cars in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance Execution and Layout Study.SM Study based on responses from 80,930 new-vehicle owners, measuring 245 models and measures opinions after 90 days of ownership. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of owners surveyed in February-May 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. geNesIS 3.8 IN TItaNIUM GRay metallIC MEASURE GENESIS AGAINST OTHER LUXURY SEDANS. -
Cometary Panspermia a Radical Theory of Life’S Cosmic Origin and Evolution …And Over 450 Articles, ~ 60 in Nature
35 books: Cosmic origins of life 1976-2020 Physical Sciences︱ Chandra Wickramasinghe Cometary panspermia A radical theory of life’s cosmic origin and evolution …And over 450 articles, ~ 60 in Nature he combined efforts of generations supporting panspermia continues to Prof Wickramasinghe argues that the seeds of all life (bacteria and viruses) Panspermia has been around may have arrived on Earth from space, and may indeed still be raining down some 100 years since the term of experts in multiple fields, accumulate (Wickramasinghe et al., 2018, to affect life on Earth today, a concept known as cometary panspermia. ‘primordial soup’, referring to Tincluding evolutionary biology, 2019; Steele et al., 2018). the primitive ocean of organic paleontology and geology, have painted material not-yet-assembled a fairly good, if far-from-complete, picture COMETARY PANSPERMIA – cultural conceptions of life dating back galactic wanderers are normal features have argued that these could not into living organisms, was first of how the first life on Earth progressed A SOLUTION? to the ideas of Aristotle, and that this of the cosmos. Comets are known to have been lofted from the Earth to a coined. The question of how from simple organisms to what we can The word ‘panspermia’ comes from the may be the source of some of the have significant water content as well height of 400km by any known process. life’s molecular building blocks see today. However, there is a crucial ancient Greek roots ‘sperma’ meaning more hostile resistance the idea of as organics, and their cores, kept warm Bacteria have also been found high in spontaneously assembled gap in mainstream understanding - seed, and ‘pan’, meaning all. -
Foundations of Complex Life: Evolution, Preservation and Detection on Earth and Beyond
National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA Astrobiology Institute Annual Science Report 2016 Team Report: Foundations of Complex Life: Evolution, Preservation and Detection on Earth and Beyond, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Foundations of Complex Life Evolution, Preservation and Detection on Earth and Beyond Lead Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Team Overview Foundations of Complex Life is a research project investigating the early evolution and preservation of complex life on Earth. We seek insight into the early evolution and preservation of complex life by refining our ability to identify evidence of environmental and biological change in the late Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic eras. Better understanding how signatures of life and environment are preserved will guide how and where to look for evidence for life elsewhere in the universe—directly supporting the Curiosity mission on Mars and helping set strategic goals for future explorations of the Solar System and studies of the early Earth. Our Team pursues these questions under five themes: I. The earliest history of animals: We use methods from molecular biology, experimental taphonomy, and paleontology to explore what caused the early divergence of animals. Principal Investigator: II. Paleontology, sedimentology, and geochemistry: We track the origin of complex Roger Summons protists and animals from their biologically simple origins by documenting the stratigraphy, isotopic records, and microfossil assemblages of well-preserved rock successions from 1200 to 650 million years ago. III. A preservation-induced oxygen tipping point: We investigate how changes in the preservation of organic carbon may have driven the Neoproterozoic oxygenation of the oceans coincident with the appearance of complex life. -
Hutton, Kelvin, and the Great Earth Debates. • the Beginnings of Modern Geology “All Natural Processes That Affect the Earth’S Crust (Erosion, Deposition, • Ca
Chapter 1 The Science of Geology An Introduction to Geology • Geology - the science that pursues an understanding of planet Earth • Physical geology - examines the materials composing Earth and seeks to understand the many processes that operate beneath and upon its surface • Historical geology - seeks an understanding of the origin of “If there is an interesting place you want to go, there is Earth and its development interesting geology that you can study there” through time Mersin ophiolite, (Cappadocia, Central Turkey). Turkey The Science of Geology The Science of Geology 1.3: satellite image of Mt. Vesuvius, Italy. • Some historical views • Geology, people, and the environment of the Earth • Many important relationships exist between • Aristotle, 300 BC; people and the natural environment • James Ussher, ca. 1600, ‘Earth was created in Problems and issues 4004 BC;’ addressed by • Catastrophism geology include • Earth’s features formed through • Natural hazards, sudden and violent resources, world changes. ‘The Dog population growth, of and environmental Pompeii’ issues Dwelling in Goreme, Cappadocia The Science of Geology Hutton, Kelvin, and the great Earth debates. • The beginnings of modern geology “All natural processes that affect the Earth’s crust (erosion, deposition, • ca. 1780, James Huton’s volcanic eruptions, faulting, glaciation Theory of the Earth; etc.) operate with the same intensity • Uniformitarianism: “the and under the same set of physical processes that operate constraints now as in the geologic past.” today have operated in “(as to the age of Earth) we see no the past.” vestige of a beginning, no prospect of • a uniformitarian view of an end.” Earth requires a vast These points are incorrect - why? amount of time…. -
Influence of Chirality on the Electromagnetic Wave Electrical and Computer Engineering
Influence of Chirality on the Electromagnetic Wave Propagation: Unbounded Media And Chirowaveguides Priyá Dilipa Gaunço Dessai Dissertation submitted to obtain the Master Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering Jury President: Professor José Manuel Bioucas Dias Supervisor: Professor Carlos Manuel dos Reis Paiva Co- Supervisor: Professor António Luís da Silva Topa Member Professor Sérgio de Almeida Matos December 2011 Abstract When a chiral medium interacts with the polarization state of an electromag- netic plane wave and couples selectively with either the left or right circularly polarized component, we call this property the optical activity. Since the beginning of the 19th century, the study of complex materials has intensied, and the chiral and bi-isotropic (BI) media have generated one of the most interesting and challenging subjects in the electromagnetic research groups in terms of theoretical problems and potential applications. This dissertation addresses the theoretical interaction between waves and the chiral media. From the study of chiral structures it is possible to observe the eect of the polarization rotation, the propagation modes and the cuto frequencies. The reection and transmission coecients between a simple isotropic media (SIM) and chiral media are also analyzed, as well as the relation between the Brewster angle and the chiral parameter. The BI planar structures are also analyzed for a closed guide, the parallel-plate chirowaveguide, and for a semi-closed guide, the grounded chiroslab. From these structures -
Locally Enhanced and Tunable Optical Chirality in Helical Metamaterials
hv photonics Article Locally Enhanced and Tunable Optical Chirality in Helical Metamaterials Philipp Gutsche 1,*, Raquel Mäusle 1 and Sven Burger 1,2 1 Zuse Institute Berlin, Takustr. 7, 14195 Berlin, Germany; [email protected] (R.M.); [email protected] (S.B.) 2 JCMwave GmbH, Bolivarallee 22, 14050 Berlin, Germany * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +49-30-841-85-203 Received: 31 October 2016; Accepted: 18 November 2016; Published: 23 November 2016 Abstract: We report on a numerical study of optical chirality. Intertwined gold helices illuminated with plane waves concentrate right and left circularly polarized electromagnetic field energy to sub-wavelength regions. These spots of enhanced chirality can be smoothly shifted in position and magnitude by varying illumination parameters, allowing for the control of light-matter interactions on a nanometer scale. Keywords: metamaterials; optical chirality; computational nano-optics 1. Introduction Helical metamaterials strongly impact the optical response of incident circularly (CPL) and linearly polarized light. They serve as efficient circular polarizers [1] and are candidates for chiral near-field sources [2]. Both, advancement of fabrication techniques [3–5] and design which employs fundamental physical properties [6] have significantly increased the performance of these complex structures. Most experimental, numerical and theoretical studies focus on the far-field response of helical metamaterials. Nevertheless, near-field interaction of light and chiral matter is expected to be enhanced in chiral near-fields. Recently, the quantity of optical chirality has been introduced quantifying this phenomenon [7]. In the weak-coupling regime, the interplay of electromagnetic fields and chiral molecules, which are not superimposable with their mirror image, is directly proportional to this near-field measure [8].