Flexible fastener allows thermal expansion

A flexible fastener permits thermal expansion of model skin sections which are rigidly attached to supporting structures in wind tunnel tests. The device uses a modified ball joint contact between the fastener and a skin section

Quantum theory allows for absolute maximal contextuality

Contextuality is a fundamental feature of quantum theory and a necessary resource for quantum computation and communication. It is therefore important to investigate how large contextuality can be in quantum theory. Linear contextuality witnesses can be expressed as a sum $S$ of $n$ probabilities, and the independence number $\alpha$ and the Tsirelson-like number $\vartheta$ of the corresponding exclusivity graph are, respectively, the maximum of $S$ for noncontextual theories and for the theory under consideration. A theory allows for absolute maximal contextuality if it has scenarios in which $\vartheta/\alpha$ approaches $n$. Here we show that quantum theory allows for absolute maximal contextuality despite what is suggested by the examination of the quantum violations of Bell and noncontextuality inequalities considered in the past. Our proof is not constructive and does not single out explicit scenarios. Nevertheless, we identify scenarios in which quantum theory allows for almost absolute maximal contextuality.Comment: REVTeX4, 6 pages, 1 figur

Reflection-less device allows electromagnetic warp drive

One of the striking properties of artificially structured materials is the negative refraction, an optical feature that known natural materials do not exhibit. Here, we propose a simple design, composed of two parallel layers of materials with different refraction indices $n_1=-n_2$, that constructs perfect reflection-less devices. The electromagnetic waves can tunnel from one layer to the other, a feature that resembles a truncation of the physical space leading to an electromagnetic warp drive. Since the refractive indices do not require any large values, this method demonstrates for the first time the practical feasibility of guiding electromagnetic fields in complete absence of reflection phenomena and without degradation of transmission efficiency at all.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Tool post modification allows easy turret lathe cutting-tool alignment

Modified tool holder and tool post permit alignment of turret lathe cutting tools on the center of the spindle. The tool is aligned with the spindle by the holder which is kept in position by a hydraulic lock in feature of the tool post. The tool post is used on horizontal and vertical turret lathes and other engine lathes

Rhythmic inhibition allows neural networks to search for maximally consistent states

Gamma-band rhythmic inhibition is a ubiquitous phenomenon in neural circuits yet its computational role still remains elusive. We show that a model of Gamma-band rhythmic inhibition allows networks of coupled cortical circuit motifs to search for network configurations that best reconcile external inputs with an internal consistency model encoded in the network connectivity. We show that Hebbian plasticity allows the networks to learn the consistency model by example. The search dynamics driven by rhythmic inhibition enable the described networks to solve difficult constraint satisfaction problems without making assumptions about the form of stochastic fluctuations in the network. We show that the search dynamics are well approximated by a stochastic sampling process. We use the described networks to reproduce perceptual multi-stability phenomena with switching times that are a good match to experimental data and show that they provide a general neural framework which can be used to model other 'perceptual inference' phenomena