On Realism and Quantum Mechanics

A discussion of the quantum mechanical use of superposition or entangled states shows that descriptions containing only statements about state vectors and experiments outputs are the most suitable for Quantum Mechanics. In particular, it is shown that statements about the undefined values of physical quantities before measurement can be dropped without changing the predictions of the theory. If we apply these ideas to EPR issues, we find that the concept of non-locality with its 'instantaneous action at a distance' evaporates. Finally, it is argued that usual treatments of philosophical realist positions end up in the construction of theories whose major role is that of being disproved by experiment. This confutation proves simply that the theories are wrong; no conclusion about realism (or any other philosophical position) can be drawn, since experiments deal always with theories and these are never logical consequences of philosophical positions.Comment: 13 pages. Accepted for publication in Il Nuovo Cimento

Quasi-periodic solutions for quasi-linear generalized KdV equations

We prove the existence of Cantor families of small amplitude, linearly stable, quasi-periodic solutions of quasi-linear autonomous Hamiltonian generalized KdV equations. We consider the most general quasi-linear quadratic nonlinearity. The proof is based on an iterative Nash-Moser algorithm. To initialize this scheme, we need to perform a bifurcation analysis taking into account the strongly perturbative effects of the nonlinearity near the origin. In particular, we implement a weak version of the Birkhoff normal form method. The inversion of the linearized operators at each step of the iteration is achieved by pseudo-differential techniques, linear Birkhoff normal form algorithms and a linear KAM reducibility scheme.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1404.3125, arXiv:1508.02007, arXiv:1602.02411 by other author

The Structure of Cluster Knowledge Networks Uneven, not Pervasive and Collective

This study focuses on the relationship between industrial clustering and innovation. It contributes to this literature by showing two empirical properties of the cluster learning process: first, that the structure of the knowledge network in a cluster is related with the heterogeneous distribution of firm knowledge bases and, second, that business interactions and inter-firm knowledge flows are not highly co-occurring phenomena. In particular, this paper highlights how the heterogeneity of firms’ knowledge bases generates uneven distribution of knowledge and selective inter-firm learning. This study has been based on empirical evidence collected at firm level in three wine clusters in Italy and Chile. Methods of social network analysis have been applied to process the data.Industrial clusters, knowledge flows, business interactions, networks.

Multinational Corporations, Technology Spillovers and Human Rights's Impacts on Developing Countries

This paper stems from the recognition that, in the current globalized world, the achievement of economic development goals is not necessarily accompanied by improved social conditions, or respect of people?s human rights more generally. Through their internal resources and capabilities, which often exceed those of many developing countries, Multinational Corporations (MNCs) can either positively or negatively condition their route towards development. While there are reported cases of positive economic effects generated by MNCs operations in developing countries, there is also plenty of evidence about MNCs involvement in human rights' abuses in these countries. To date, no scholarly research has analysed the factors that favour a positive (negative) MNC effect on host developing countries, by looking jointly at economic and human rights? impacts. This paper is a first attempt to take into account and integrate evidence coming from two distinct streams of literature, which have so far poorly interacted -- i.e. studies on MNCs' economic impact with a focus on technology spillovers; and studies on MNCs' human rights? impact on host developing countries.Multinational corporations, development, human rights, technology spillovers

Exchange energy and generalized polarization in the presence of spin-orbit coupling in two dimensions

We discuss a general form of the exchange energy for a homogeneous system of interacting electrons in two spatial dimensions which is particularly suited in the presence of a generic spin-orbit interaction. The theory is best formulated in terms of a generalized fractional electronic polarization. Remarkably we find that a net generalized polarization does not necessarily translate into an increase in the magnitude of the exchange energy, a fact that in turn favors unpolarized states. Our results account qualitatively for the findings of recent experimental investigations

Two exact properties of the perturbative expansion for the two-dimensional electron liquid with Rashba or Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling

We have identified two useful exact properties of the perturbative expansion for the case of a two-dimensional electron liquid with Rashba or Dresselhaus spin-orbit interaction and in the absence of magnetic field. The results allow us to draw interesting conclusions regarding the dependence of the exchange and correlation energy and of the quasiparticle properties on the strength of the spin-orbit coupling which are valid to all orders in the electron-electron interaction.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figur