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On the falsification of the pilot-wave interpretation of quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics has lacked a widely recognized interpretation since its
birth. Many interpretations are under consideration because they are difficult
to disprove experimentally. In this paper, we show that the results of a recent
experiment go against one of them: the pilot-wave interpretation. This is
because the key assumption of this interpretation, particle locality,
contradicts the assumption of wave function nonlocality on which the experiment
is founded. This is a rare example of a quantum model and an experiment not
indifferent to the interpretation of quantum mechanics.Comment: 3 page
Orbital and physical parameters of eclipsing binaries from the All-Sky Automated Survey catalogue - VI. AK Fornacis - a rare, bright K-type eclipsing binary
We present the results of the combined photometric and spectroscopic analysis
of a bright (V=9.14), nearby (d=31 pc), late-type detached eclipsing binary AK
Fornacis. This P=3.981 d system has not been previously recognised as a
double-lined spectroscopic binary, and this is the first full physical model of
this unique target. With the FEROS, CORALIE and HARPS spectrographs we
collected a number of high-resolution spectra in order to calculate radial
velocities of both components of the binary. Measurements were done with our
own disentangling procedure and the TODCOR technique, and were later combined
with the photometry from the ASAS and SuperWASP archives. We also performed an
atmospheric analysis of the component spectra with the Spectroscopy Made Easy
(SME) package. Our analysis shows that AK For consists of two active, cool
dwarfs having masses of and
M and radii of and
R, slightly less metal abundant than the Sun. Parameters of both
components are well reproduced by the models.
AK For is the brightest system among the known eclipsing binaries with K or M
type stars. Its orbital period is one of the longest and rotational velocities
one of the lowest, which allows us to obtain very precise radial velocity
measurements. The precision in physical parameters we obtained places AK For
among the binaries with the best mass measurements in the literature. It also
fills the gap in our knowledge of stars in the range of 0.5-0.8 M, and
between short and long-period systems. All this makes AK For a unique benchmark
for understanding the properties of low-mass stars.Comment: 9 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables, accpeted for publication in A&
Social and Economic Impact of Solar Electricity at Schuchuli Village
Schuchuli, a small remote village on the Papago Indian Reservation in southwest Arizona, is 27 kilometers (17 miles) from the nearest available utility power. Its lack of conventional power is due to the prohibitive cost of supplying a small electrical load with a long-distance distribution line. Furthermore, alternate energy sources are expensive and place a burden on the resources of the villagers. On December 16, 1978, as part of a federally funded project, a solar cell power system was put into operation at Schuchuli. The system powers the village water pump, lighting for homes and other village buildings, family refrigerators and a communal washing machine and sewing machine
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