Soft matter research in India

Research on soft matter and biological physics has grown tremendously in India over the past decades. In this editorial, we summarize the twenty-three research papers that were contributed to the special issue on Soft matter research in India. The papers in this issue highlight recent exciting advances in this rapidly expanding research area and include theoretical studies and numerical simulations of soft and biological systems, the synthesis and characterization of novel, functional soft materials and experimental investigations of their complex flow behaviours.

Preface

The 10th International Conference on Mathematical Modeling in Physical Sciences (IC-MSQUARE) due to the international conditions regarding the pandemic Covid-19 was held online and in addition to the lectures and presentations that took place in real time, it also had a large collection of pre-recorded presentations that were available to the participants through the conference website. The Conference was attended by more than 180 participants and hosted about 250 oral and virtual presentations while counted more than 600 pre-registered authors. The 10th IC-MSQUARE consisted of different and diverging workshops and thus covered various research fields where Mathematical Modeling is used, such as Theoretical/Mathematical Physics, Neutrino Physics, Non-Integrable Systems, Dynamical Systems, Computational Nanoscience, Biological Physics, Computational Biomechanics, Complex Networks, Stochastic Modeling, Fractional Statistics, DNA Dynamics, Macroeconomics etc. The scientific program was rather heavy, however, according to all attendees, the program was excellent with high level of talks and the scientific environment was fruitful, thus all attendees had a creative time. The Conference Chairman Dimitrios Vlachos University of Peloponnese List of International Scientific Committee, Organizing Committee are available in the pdf.

СУЧАСНІ ПІДХОДИ ДО СТВОРЕННЯ ПІДРУЧНИКА З МЕДИЧНОЇ ТА БІОЛОГІЧНОЇ ФІЗИКИ ДЛЯ СТУДЕНТІВ МЕДИЧНОГО УНІВЕРСИТЕТУ

The proposed article analyzes the role of physics in the development of modern medicine. The principles of effective teaching of medical and biological physics are considered. The conditions which provide formation of positive motivation of educational activity in the course of training to medical physics are opened. Defining the main pedagogical functions of the textbook in the educational process. The analysis of some problems of the existing textbooks on medical physics for higher medical educational institutions is made and the possible ways of their decision are offered. The structural-logical analysis of the educational text of the content module «Bioacoustics. Biophysics of the senses. Fundamentals of audiometry», The statement of the content of the theory in the textbook «Medical and biological physics» Chaly O. V. is analyzed. The description of the basic structural elements of the textbook on medical physics developed by us is given. Modern approaches to the organization of the educational process using an electronic textbook on medical physics are considered. It is concluded that the reduction of the textbook due to the reduction of mathematical calculations and calculations should not lead to the exclusion from the educational process of work on this material. We consider it expedient to transfer calculations and conclusions of laws and formulas to the collection for practical classes. In our opinion, the combination of electronic textbooks with programs that control knowledge, supplemented by communication between teacher and student in real time have great potential for effective learning, including distance learning. Key words: medical physics, biomedical research, medical technologies, learning efficiency, electronic textbook.

Evaluation of the parameters of pulse signals applied in electrical stimulation using a new experimental device in the course of Medical and Biological Physics

Objective. To develop an experimental device, an algorithm for visual and analytical evaluation of the parameters of pulse signals used in electrical stimulation for further application in the course of Medical and Biological Physics.Materials and methods. The data obtained with the help of the experimental device were used as research materials. The analysis of the obtained results (characteristics of the pulse signal) was carried out with the analytical and numerical methods.Results. The proposed experimental device for receiving and analyzing pulse signals applied in electrical stimulation in education allows mastering the methods of the determination of the parameters of pulse signals, studying the methods to alter the characteristics of pulse signals used in electrical stimulation.Conclusion. The application of the experimental device makes it possible to acquire skills to evaluate the parameters and characteristics of difference pulse signals through their visualization and analytical evaluation.

Biophysical reviews top five: atomic force microscopy in biophysics

Since its invention in the late 1980s, atomic force microscopy (AFM), in which a nanometer-sized tip is used to physically interrogate the properties of a surface at high resolution, has brought about scientific revolutions in both surface science and biological physics. In response to a request from the journal, I have prepared a top-five list of scientific papers that I feel represent truly landmark developments in the use of AFM in the biophysics field. This selection is necessarily limited by number (just five) and subjective (my opinion) and I offer my apologies to those not appearing in this list.

EXPERIMENTAL TEST OF EFFICIENCY OF TECHNOLOGY OF TRAINING AND PROBLEM SOLVING IN MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PHYSICS

The article presents the results of research on the introduction of the technological model of professionally oriented tasks in medical and biological physics in the educational process of higher medical institutions (2015 – 2020).The effectiveness of the developed technology for solving professionally oriented problems and tasks, which are based on the method of scientific knowledge, was tested by empirical (assessment of academic achievement, questionnaires, surveys, observations and more) and theoretical (induction, deduction, systems approach, modelling and more) methods of research. The effectiveness of the technological model in the educational process was confirmed by the educational research and the elements of scientific research of students. During the pedagogical experiment were detected problems and contradictions in the process of professional training of future doctors, were described criteria for assessing the academic achievements of students in the discipline of medical and biological physics, including problem solving. The observational experiment showed the insufficiency of the level of formation of natural science and professional competence of students. Control and formative stage of the experiment to assess the effectiveness of the proposed technological content-structural model of solving problems in medical and biological physics, showed the effectiveness of the impact of technology of solving problems in medical and biological physics on the level of positive motivation, level of knowledge, level of educational research and scientific research of students.During the search experiment, technology of solving the tasks, which was confirmed by updated educational and methodical support, was developed. An expert assessment of the effectiveness of the educational process, solving tasks of different levels, levels of skills, and expediency of introduction of educational and methodical support was conducted. The analysis of the results of pedagogical experiment showed the expediency of introduction of developed technology of solving the tasks and training methodical model of support in the educational process. By means of experiment was proved the effectiveness and efficiency of the model of training a specialist in the medical field, in which the leading role belongs to the technological approach to the formation of professional competencies by means of tasks in medical physics, aimed at implementing educational and research activities of students.

USE OF THE CASE METHOD DURING THE STUDY OF THE DISCIPLINE “MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PHYSICS”

The article is devoted to the important issues of modern education and increasing the level of modern medical professionals’ training. The article covers the use of educational cases for practical classes in the discipline «Medical and Biological Physics» in natural sciences cycle for students of the first year of study in specialty “Medicine». The authors present the general structure of the case, which is used to consider most of the topics in practical classes. Pedagogical research (case studies and student interviews) found that students are willing to work in a team, often resorting to in-depth search for information to look more effective as a doctor, which in the future allows them to participate in conferences by presenting scientific reviews; willing to test a decision-making model that can be used in real life; gain confidence that the acquired knowledge will allow them to orientate themselves quickly in clinical cases that will be considered in the future. Such techniques also help students to move easily from the techniques used in secondary education to professional oriented teaching methods. The article presents the results of the survey on the effectiveness of the use of the case method and its perception by students. The results of the study allow the authors to conclude that the consideration of a possible clinical case in the study of clinical disciplines in senior years allows medical students to master a sufficient level of professional competencies in the study of fundamental disciplines, including «Medical and Biological Physics». The case designed to study the course of medical and biological physics, given its specifics, may contain the following types of questions of a professionally oriented nature: 1) manifestations of physical phenomena and processes in the human body and the possibility of their study; 2) basic methods of determining physical quantities in medical practice; 3) principles of functioning of devices in diagnostic and medical practice; 4) the consequences of the interaction of physical factors with biological environments; 5) prevention of adverse effects of external physical factors on the human body and counteraction to occupational diseases. Problem-based learning in general and the case method in particular is a good tactical pedagogical tool that plays a strategic role in the training of a competent specialist and is adequately perceived in the student environment. Students are willing to work on cases to become more effective in the role of a doctor, which in the future allows them to participate in conferences by presenting scientific reviews. Such techniques also help students to move easily from the techniques used in secondary education to professional oriented teaching methods.