2,631 research outputs found

    Quantum theory without Hilbert spaces

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    Quantum theory does not only predict probabilities, but also relative phases for any experiment, that involves measurements of an ensemble of systems at different moments of time. We argue, that any operational formulation of quantum theory needs an algebra of observables and an object that incorporates the information about relative phases and probabilities. The latter is the (de)coherence functional, introduced by the consistent histories approach to quantum theory. The acceptance of relative phases as a primitive ingredient of any quantum theory, liberates us from the need to use a Hilbert space and non-commutative observables. It is shown, that quantum phenomena are adequately described by a theory of relative phases and non-additive probabilities on the classical phase space. The only difference lies on the type of observables that correspond to sharp measurements. This class of theories does not suffer from the consequences of Bell's theorem (it is not a theory of Kolmogorov probabilities) and Kochen- Specker's theorem (it has distributive "logic"). We discuss its predictability properties, the meaning of the classical limit and attempt to see if it can be experimentally distinguished from standard quantum theory. Our construction is operational and statistical, in the spirit of Kopenhagen, but makes plausible the existence of a realist, geometric theory for individual quantum systems.Comment: 32 pages, Latex, 4 figures. Small changes in the revised version, comments and references added; essentially the version to appear in Found. Phy

    Analysis of the Dynamics of Cognitive Processes

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    Jonker, C.M. [Promotor]Treur, J. [Promotor

    Phonetic variability and grammatical knowledge: an articulatory study of Korean place assimilation.

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    The study reported here uses articulatory data to investigate Korean place assimilation of coronal stops followed by labial or velar stops, both within words and across words. The results show that this place-assimilation process is highly variable, both within and across speakers, and is also sensitive to factors such as the place of articulation of the following consonant, the presence of a word boundary and, to some extent, speech rate. Gestures affected by the process are generally reduced categorically (deleted), while sporadic gradient reduction of gestures is also observed. We further compare the results for coronals to our previous findings on the assimilation of labials, discussing implications of the results for grammatical models of phonological/phonetic competence. The results suggest that speakers’ language-particular knowledge of place assimilation has to be relatively detailed and context-sensitive, and has to encode systematic regularities about its obligatory/variable application as well as categorical/gradient realisation

    Deep learning-assisted analysis of automobiles handling performances

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    The luxury car market has demanding product development standards aimed at providing state-of-the-art features in the automotive domain. Handling performance is amongst the most important properties that must be assessed when developing a new car model. In this work, we analyse the problem of predicting subjective evaluations of automobiles handling performances from objective records of driving sessions. A record is a multi-dimensional time series describing the temporal evolution of the mechanical state of an automobile. A categorical variable quantifies the evaluations of handling properties. We describe an original deep learning system, featuring a denoising autoencoder and hierarchical attention mechanisms, that we designed to solve this task. Attention mechanisms intrinsically compute probability distributions over their inputs’ components. Combining this feature with the saliency maps technique, our system can compute heatmaps that provide a visual aid to identify the physical events conditioning its predictions

    City/future in the making: masterplanning London’s Olympic legacy as anticipatory assemblage

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    To understand how the legacy of urban regeneration promised by events like the London 2012 Olympics is constructed, the masterplanning process is analysed as an assemblage of heterogeneous elements that construct futures as knowable and actionable objects in the present. Building on recent applications of actor-network theory to planning studies, the value of the concept of ‘anticipatory assemblage’ is demonstrated. The example of London 2012 masterplanning underlines how masterplanning as an anticipatory activity is performed through networks which are formed through the circulation of expectations and visions as networked ‘intermediaries’. Through these intermediaries, ordered processes are set in motion, and requirements for subsequent activities established. Further, it is shown how this use of concepts of anticipatory assemblages can help understand the political significance of masterplanning in the present, which depends on how organised forms of anticipation re-order social and material relationships in the present, including some actors as participants within anticipatory assemblages and excluding others

    Convergence or Divergence - The Impact of Technology

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    This paper presents an overview and assessment of the theoretical and empirical work on catch-up and growth, with particular emphasis on the impact of technology, and the consequences for developing countries. The point of departure is the neoclassical theory of economic growth, as laid out by Solow and other in the 1950s, and the applied work that followed ("growth accounting"). Then the contributions from economic historians and more heterodox economists, such as Schumpeter, Kaldor and others, are discussed, followed by an account of the most recent theoretical developments in this area ("new growth theory"). Finally an assessment is made of the lessons from the recent surge in empirical (econometric) work in this area.
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