SU(3) phase states and finite Fourier transform

We describe the construction of SU(3) phase operators using Fourier-like transform on a hexagonal lattice. The advantages and disadvantages of this approach are contrasted with other results, in particular with the more traditional approach based on polar decomposition of operators.Comment: to appear in Physica Script

A simple derivation of Kepler's laws without solving differential equations

Proceeding like Newton with a discrete time approach of motion and a geometrical representation of velocity and acceleration, we obtain Kepler's laws without solving differential equations. The difficult part of Newton's work, when it calls for non trivial properties of ellipses, is avoided by the introduction of polar coordinates. Then a simple reconsideration of Newton's figure naturally leads to en explicit expression of the velocity and to the equation of the trajectory. This derivation, which can be fully apprehended by beginners at university (or even before) can be considered as a first application of mechanical concepts to a physical problem of great historical and pedagogical interest

Transition from discrete to continuous time of arrival distribution for a quantum particle

We show that the Kijowski distribution for time of arrivals in the entire real line is the limiting distribution of the time of arrival distribution in a confining box as its length increases to infinity. The dynamics of the confined time of arrival eigenfunctions is also numerically investigated and demonstrated that the eigenfunctions evolve to have point supports at the arrival point at their respective eigenvalues in the limit of arbitrarilly large confining lengths, giving insight into the ideal physical content of the Kijowsky distribution.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Peculiarities of the Weyl - Wigner - Moyal formalism for scalar charged particles

A description of scalar charged particles, based on the Feshbach-Villars formalism, is proposed. Particles are described by an object that is a Wigner function in usual coordinates and momenta and a density matrix in the charge variable. It is possible to introduce the usual Wigner function for a large class of dynamical variables. Such an approach explicitly contains a measuring device frame. From our point of view it corresponds to the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. It is shown how physical properties of such particles depend on the definition of the coordinate operator. The evolution equation for the Wigner function of a single-charge state in the classical limit coincides with the Liouville equation. Localization peculiarities manifest themselves in specific constraints on possible initial conditions.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figure

Dynamics of dissipative gravitational collapse

The Misner and Sharp approach to the study of gravitational collapse is extended to the dissipative case in, both, the streaming out and the diffusion approximations. The role of different terms in the dynamical equation are analyzed in detail. The dynamical equation is then coupled to a causal transport equation in the context of Israel--Stewart theory. The decreasing of the inertial mass density of the fluid, by a factor which depends on its internal thermodynamics state, is reobtained, at any time scale. In accordance with the equivalence principle, the same decreasing factor is obtained for the gravitational force term. Prospective applications of this result to some astrophysical scenarios are discussed.Comment: Some misprints in eqs.(38) and (39) correcte

Point prevalence of surgical checklist use in Europe: relationship with hospital mortality

Background The prevalence of use of the World Health Organization surgical checklist is unknown. The clinical effectiveness of this intervention in improving postoperative outcomes is debated. Methods We undertook a retrospective analysis of data describing surgical checklist use from a 7 day cohort study of surgical outcomes in 28 European nations (European Surgical Outcomes Study, EuSOS). The analysis included hospitals recruiting >10 patients and excluding outlier hospitals above the 95th centile for mortality. Multivariate logistic regression and three-level hierarchical generalized mixed models were constructed to explore the relationship between surgical checklist use and hospital mortality. Findings are presented as crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results A total of 45 591 patients from 426 hospitals were included in the analysis. A surgical checklist was used in 67.5% patients, with marked variation across countries (0-99.6% of patients). Surgical checklist exposure was associated with lower crude hospital mortality (OR 0.84, CI 0.75-0.94; P=0.002). This effect remained after adjustment for baseline risk factors in a multivariate model (adjusted OR 0.81, CI 0.70-0.94; P<0.005) and strengthened after adjusting for variations within countries and hospitals in a three-level generalized mixed model (adjusted OR 0.71, CI 0.58-0.85; P<0.001). Conclusions The use of surgical checklists varies across European nations. Reported use of a checklist was associated with lower mortality. This observation may represent a protective effect of the surgical checklist itself, or alternatively, may be an indirect indicator of the quality of perioperative care. Clinical trial registration The European Surgical Outcomes Study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT0120360

Duality between a deterministic cellular automaton and a bosonic quantum field theory in 1+1 dimensions

Methods developed in a previous paper are employed to define an exact correspondence between the states of a deterministic cellular automaton in 1+1 dimensions and those of a bosonic quantum field theory. The result may be used to argue that quantum field theories may be much closer related to deterministic automata than what is usually thought possible. Version 2 had a minor typo corrected and notation was made more consistent.Comment: 18 pages (incl. Title page). No figure

The GRA Beam-Splitter Experiments and Particle-Wave Duality of Light

Grangier, Roger and Aspect (GRA) performed a beam-splitter experiment to demonstrate the particle behaviour of light and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer experiment to demonstrate the wave behaviour of light. The distinguishing feature of these experiments is the use of a gating system to produce near ideal single photon states. With the demonstration of both wave and particle behaviour (in two mutually exclusive experiments) they claim to have demonstrated the dual particle-wave behaviour of light and hence to have confirmed Bohr's principle of complementarity. The demonstration of the wave behaviour of light is not in dispute. But we want to demonstrate, contrary to the claims of GRA, that their beam-splitter experiment does not conclusively confirm the particle behaviour of light, and hence does not confirm particle-wave duality, nor, more generally, does it confirm complementarity. Our demonstration consists of providing a detailed model based on the Causal Interpretation of Quantum Fields (CIEM), which does not involve the particle concept, of GRA's which-path experiment. We will also give a brief outline of a CIEM model for the second, interference, GRA experiment.Comment: 24 pages, 4 figure

Ensembles and experiments in classical and quantum physics

A philosophically consistent axiomatic approach to classical and quantum mechanics is given. The approach realizes a strong formal implementation of Bohr's correspondence principle. In all instances, classical and quantum concepts are fully parallel: the same general theory has a classical realization and a quantum realization. Extending the `probability via expectation' approach of Whittle to noncommuting quantities, this paper defines quantities, ensembles, and experiments as mathematical concepts and shows how to model complementarity, uncertainty, probability, nonlocality and dynamics in these terms. The approach carries no connotation of unlimited repeatability; hence it can be applied to unique systems such as the universe. Consistent experiments provide an elegant solution to the reality problem, confirming the insistence of the orthodox Copenhagen interpretation on that there is nothing but ensembles, while avoiding its elusive reality picture. The weak law of large numbers explains the emergence of classical properties for macroscopic systems.Comment: 56 page

The Iowa Homemaker vol.3, no.9

Table of Contents Books – Why Not? by Charles H. Brown, page 3 A Visit to the Bazaars of Stamboul by Eda Lord Murphy, page 4 Glimpses in a Christmas Shop by Helen Brennan, page 4 That Roast Fowl by Viola M. Bell, page 5 Echoes from State Home Economics Convention by Katherine Goeppinger, page 6 Toys That Interest by Bertha Mann, page 7 Christmas Festivities in Foreign Lands by Barbara Dewell, page 8 Christmas Dinner for Two – by Louise Doole, page 9 Italian Hemstitching by Lora Ann Stanke, page 10 Eda Lord Murphy Writes from Constantinople by Eda Lord Murphy, page 10 Who is Responsible for the Child? by Minne Elisabeth Allen, page 11 Holiday Sweets by Alma Riemenschneider, page 12 The Perfect Guest by Lucile Barta, page 12 The Evolution of Home Economics at Iowa State by Ruth Elaine Wilson, page 13 Baskets Which Will Lead Long Useful Lives by Viola Jammer, page 14 Who’s There and Where by Helen I. Putnam, page 1