Possible Experience: from Boole to Bell

Mainstream interpretations of quantum theory maintain that violations of the Bell inequalities deny at least either realism or Einstein locality. Here we investigate the premises of the Bell-type inequalities by returning to earlier inequalities presented by Boole and the findings of Vorob'ev as related to these inequalities. These findings together with a space-time generalization of Boole's elements of logic lead us to a completely transparent Einstein local counterexample from everyday life that violates certain variations of the Bell inequalities. We show that the counterexample suggests an interpretation of the Born rule as a pre-measure of probability that can be transformed into a Kolmogorov probability measure by certain Einstein local space-time characterizations of the involved random variables.Comment: Published in: EPL, 87 (2009) 6000

Multi-order interference is generally nonzero

It is demonstrated that the third-order interference, as obtained from explicit solutions of Maxwell's equations for realistic models of three-slit devices, including an idealized version of the three-slit device used in a recent three-slit experiment with light (U. Sinha et al., Science 329, 418 (2010)), is generally nonzero. The hypothesis that the third-order interference should be zero is shown to be fatally flawed because it requires dropping the one-to-one correspondence between the symbols in the mathematical theory and the different experimental configurations.Comment: Replaced Figs. 4,5 and caption of Fig.

Ground-state properties of the Falicov-Kimball model with correlated hopping in two dimensions

A new numerical method, recently developed to study ground states of the Falicov-Kimball model (FKM), is used to examine the effects of correlated hopping on the ground-state properties of this model in two dimensions. It is shown that the ground-state phase diagram as well as the picture of metal-insulator transitions found for the conventional FKM (without correlated hopping) are strongly changed when the correlated hopping term is added. The effect of correlated hopping is so strong that it can induce the insulator-metal transition, even in the strong-coupling limit, where the ground states of the conventional FKM are insulating for all $f$-electron densities.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, LaTe

Towards a Solution for the Ca II Triplet Puzzle : Results from Dwarf Elliptical Galaxies

We present new estimates of ages and metallicities, based on FORS/VLT optical (4400-5500A) spectroscopy, of 16 dwarf elliptical galaxies (dE's) in the Fornax Cluster and in Southern Groups. These dE's are more metal-rich and younger than previous estimates based on narrow-band photometry and low-resolution spectroscopy. For our sample we find a mean metallicity [Z/H] = -0.33 dex and mean age 3.5 Gyr, consistent with similar samples of dE's in other environments (Local Group, Virgo). Three dE's in our sample show emission lines and very young ages. This suggests that some dE's formed stars until a very recent epoch and were self-enriched by a long star formation history. Previous observations of large near-infrared (~8500A) Ca II absorption strengths in these dE's are in good agreement with the new metallicity estimates, solving part of the so-called Calcium puzzle.Comment: ApJ Letters accepted, 5 pages emulateapj, 2 figure

Effectiveness and tolerability of pegylated interferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C: the PegIntrust Study

Background and study aims : Large international clinical trials conducted in the past 5 years rapidly improved the treatment of chronic hepatitis C; however, it is unclear whether the advances seen in clinical trials are being paralleled by similar improvements in routine clinical practice. PegIntrust is a Belgian community-based trial evaluating the sustained virological response. Patients and Methods : Observational study of 219 patients receiving pegylated interferon alfa-2b (1.5 mu g/kg/wk) and weight. based ribavirin (800-1200 mg/day) for 48 weeks. Primary study end point was sustained virological response (SVR), defined as undetectable HCV RNA 6 months after the completion of treatment. Results : In total, 108 patients (49.3 %) had undetectable HCV RNA at the end of therapy, 91(41.6%) attaining SVR. Of the 111 patients without an end-of-treatment response, 28 were non-responders, and 21 had virological breakthrough. In total, 134 patients attained early virological response (EVR); 88 (65.7%) of those patients attained SVR. In contrast, 82 (96.5 %) of the 85 patients who did not attain EVR also did not attain SVR. Age, fibrosis score and baseline viral load were identified as important predictors of treatment outcome. The most frequently reported serious adverse events resulting in treatment discontinuation were anemia (n = 10), fatigue/asthenia/malaise (n = 6) and fever (n = 3). Conclusion : Our data indicate that treatment of chronic hepatitis C with PEG-IFN alfa-2b plus weight-based ribavirin results in favourable treatment outcomes in a Belgian cohort of patients treated in community-based clinical practice. (Ada gastroenterol. belg., 2010, 73, 5-11)

The TURis System for Transurethral Resection of the Prostate: A NICE Medical Technology Guidance

The transurethral resection in saline (TURis) system was notified by the company Olympus Medical to the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE’s) Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme. Following selection for medical technologies guidance, the company developed a submission of clinical and economic evidence for evaluation. TURis is a bipolar surgical system for treating men with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement. The comparator is any monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (mTURP) system. Cedar, a collaboration between Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff University and Swansea University in the UK, acted as an External Assessment Centre (EAC) for NICE to independently critique the company’s submission of evidence. Eight randomised trials provided evidence for TURis, demonstrating efficacy equivalent to that of mTURP for improvement of symptoms. The company presented meta-analyses of key outcome measures, and the EAC made methodological modifications in response to the heterogeneity of the trial data. The EAC analysis found that TURis substantially reduced the relative risks of transurethral resection syndrome (relative risk 0.18 [95 % confidence interval 0.05–0.62]) and blood transfusion (relative risk 0.35 [95 % confidence interval 0.19–0.65]). The company provided a de novo economic model comparing TURis with mTURP. The EAC critiqued the model methodology and made modifications. This found TURis to be cost saving at £70.55 per case for existing Olympus customers and cost incurring at £19.80 per case for non-Olympus customers. When an additional scenario based on the only available data on readmission (due to any cause) from a single trial was modelled, the estimated cost saving per case was £375.02 for existing users of Olympus electrosurgery equipment and £284.66 per case when new Olympus equipment would need to be purchased. Meta-analysis of eight randomised trials showed that TURis is associated with a statistically significantly reduced risk of transurethral resection syndrome and a reduced need for blood transfusion—two factors that may drive cost saving for the National Health Service. The clinical data are equivocal as to whether TURis shortens the hospital stay. Limited data from a single study suggest that TURis may reduce the rate of readmission after surgery. The NICE guidance supports adoption of the TURis technology for performing transurethral resection of the prostate in men with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargemen

Deriving Metallicities From the Integrated Spectra of Extragalactic Globular Clusters Using the Near-Infrared Calcium Triplet

The Ca triplet (CaT) feature in the near-infrared has been employed as a metallicity indicator for individual stars as well as integrated light of Galactic globular clusters (GCs) and galaxies with varying degrees of success, and sometimes puzzling results. Using the DEIMOS multi-object spectrograph on Keck we obtain a sample of 144 integrated light spectra of GCs around the brightest group galaxy NGC 1407 to test whether the CaT index can be used as a metallicity indicator for extragalactic GCs. Different sets of single stellar population models make different predictions for the behavior of the CaT as a function of metallicity. In this work, the metallicities of the GCs around NGC 1407 are obtained from CaT index values using an empirical conversion. The measured CaT/metallicity distributions show unexpected features, the most remarkable being that the brightest red and blue GCs have similar CaT values despite their large difference in mean color. Suggested explanations for this behavior in the NGC 1407 GC system are: 1) the CaT may be affected by a population of hot blue stars, 2) the CaT may saturate earlier than predicted by the models, and/or 3) color may not trace metallicity linearly. Until these possibilities are understood, the use of the CaT as a metallicity indicator for the integrated spectra of extragalactic GCs will remain problematic.Comment: 14 pages, 18 figures, accepted for publication in A

Effect of air distribution and spray liquid distribution of a cross-flow fan orchard sprayer on spray deposition in fruit trees

In a 4-year ongoing research programme in the Netherlands, we focus to maximise spray deposition in pome fruit trees and minimise spray deposition underneath the trees on the ground and minimise spray drift. For a cross-flow fan orchard sprayer we therefore measured spray deposition in the tree as an effect of different air settings and nozzle types. Nozzle types chosen were the Albuz ATR lilac (as a reference) and the Albuz TVI8001, both sprayed at 7 bar spray pressure. The orchard sprayer was a Munckhof cross-flow fan sprayer with a 2.75 m high cross-flow construction on top of the axial fan, equipped with 8 nozzles on both sides. At a forward speed of 6.5 km/h the spray volume was 200 L/ha and 290 L/ha, for respectively the Albuz lilac and Albuz TVI8001 nozzles. Air settings were: High air setting - 540 rpm PTO; and Low air setting - 540 rpm, 400 rpm, and 300 rpm PTO. Liquid distributions were measured with an AAMS-Salvarani Vertical patternator with discs, and air distribution was measured with a self-constructed measuring device equipped with ultrasonic anemometers and a handheld vane-anemometer. Liquid distribution in the apple trees (cv. Elstar) was measured in the full leaf growing stage (following ISO 22522). First results show a good correlation between air distribution and liquid distribution. Vertical liquid distribution measured on the liquid measuring device correlates also very good with the liquid distribution at different heights in the tree. However, air distribution and especially air speed of the orchard sprayer showed that decreasing air assistance increased the spray deposition in the fruit trees. Showing that air assistance is an important parameter to be taken up in the advice to fruit growers.In a 4-year ongoing research programme in the Netherlands, we focus to maximise spray deposition in pome fruit trees and minimise spray deposition underneath the trees on the ground and minimise spray drift. For a cross-flow fan orchard sprayer we therefore measured spray deposition in the tree as an effect of different air settings and nozzle types. Nozzle types chosen were the Albuz ATR lilac (as a reference) and the Albuz TVI8001, both sprayed at 7 bar spray pressure. The orchard sprayer was a Munckhof cross-flow fan sprayer with a 2.75 m high cross-flow construction on top of the axial fan, equipped with 8 nozzles on both sides. At a forward speed of 6.5 km/h the spray volume was 200 L/ha and 290 L/ha, for respectively the Albuz lilac and Albuz TVI8001 nozzles. Air settings were: High air setting - 540 rpm PTO; and Low air setting - 540 rpm, 400 rpm, and 300 rpm PTO. Liquid distributions were measured with an AAMS-Salvarani Vertical patternator with discs, and air distribution was measured with a self-constructed measuring device equipped with ultrasonic anemometers and a handheld vane-anemometer. Liquid distribution in the apple trees (cv. Elstar) was measured in the full leaf growing stage (following ISO 22522). First results show a good correlation between air distribution and liquid distribution. Vertical liquid distribution measured on the liquid measuring device correlates also very good with the liquid distribution at different heights in the tree. However, air distribution and especially air speed of the orchard sprayer showed that decreasing air assistance increased the spray deposition in the fruit trees. Showing that air assistance is an important parameter to be taken up in the advice to fruit growers

Hidden assumptions in the derivation of the Theorem of Bell

John Bell's inequalities have already been considered by Boole in 1862. Boole established a one-to-one correspondence between experimental outcomes and mathematical abstractions of his probability theory. His abstractions are two-valued functions that permit the logical operations AND, OR and NOT and are the elements of an algebra. Violation of the inequalities indicated to Boole an inconsistency of definition of the abstractions and/or the necessity to revise the algebra. It is demonstrated in this paper, that a violation of Bell's inequality by Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen type of experiments can be explained by Boole's ideas. Violations of Bell's inequality also call for a revision of the mathematical abstractions and corresponding algebra. It will be shown that this particular view of Bell's inequalities points toward an incompleteness of quantum mechanics, rather than to any superluminal propagation or influences at a distance