Trapping Phenomenon Attenuates the Consequences of Tipping Points for Limit Cycles

We would like to thank the partial support of this work by the Brazilian agencies FAPESP (processes: 2011/19296-1, 2013/26598-0, and 2015/20407-3), CNPq and CAPES. MSB acknowledges EPSRC Ref. EP/I032606/1.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Discrimination of two mixed quantum states with maximum confidence and minimum probability of inconclusive results

We study an optimized measurement that discriminates two mixed quantum states with maximum confidence for each conclusive result, thereby keeping the overall probability of inconclusive results as small as possible. When the rank of the detection operators associated with the two different conclusive outcomes does not exceed unity we obtain a general solution. As an application, we consider the discrimination of two mixed qubit states. Moreover, for the case of higher-rank detection operators we give a solution for particular states. The relation of the optimized measurement to other discrimination schemes is also discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Sign-speaking: The structure of simultaneous bimodal utterances

We present data from a bimodal trilingual situation involving Indian Sign Language (ISL), Hindi and English. Signers are co-using these languages while in group conversations with deaf people and hearing non-signers. The data show that in this context, English is an embedded language that does not impact on the grammar of the utterances, while both ISL and Hindi structures are realised throughout. The data show mismatches between the simultaneously expressed ISL and Hindi, such that semantic content and/or syntactic structures are different in both languages, yet are produced at the same time. The data also include instances of different propositions expressed simultaneously in the two languages. This under-documented behaviour is called “sign-speaking” here, and we explore its implications for theories of multilingualism, code-switching, and bilingual language production

Ordered Array of Single Au Adatoms with Remarkable Thermal Stability: Au/Fe3O4(001)

We present a Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) investigation of gold deposited at the magnetite Fe3O4(001) surface at room temperature. This surface forms a reconstruction with (\surd2\times\surd2)R45{\deg} symmetry, where pairs of Fe and neighboring O ions are slightly displaced laterally, forming undulating rows with 'narrow' and 'wide' adsorption sites. At fractional monolayer coverages, single Au adatoms adsorb exclusively at the narrow sites, with no significant sintering up to annealing temperatures of 400 {\deg}C. The strong preference for this site is possibly related to charge and orbital ordering within the first subsurface layer of the reconstructed Fe3O4(001) surface. Because of their high thermal stability, the ordered Au atoms at Fe3O4(001)- (\surd2\times\surd2)R45{\deg} could provide useful for probing the chemical reactivity of single atomic species.Comment: Duplicate entry, newer version at 1205.0915. http://arxiv.org/abs/1205.091

Sanitation Realities in Peri-Urban Communities: Unfreedoms, Capabilities and the Conscious Mind - A Case of Chennai, India

This thesis assesses sanitation realities experienced by peri-urban slum dwellers in Chennai, India, to investigate whether rapid economic growth translates into pervasive safe sanitation, otherwise a threat to human security. This is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of ‘leaving no one behind’. The empirical methodology consists of qualitative comparative case studies approached through rapid appraisal. At least 5 interviews at each of the 10 different slum settlement locations within the Chennai Metropolitan area were conducted. Both the locations and the settlers were conveniently sampled. The settlements were chosen as they mostly lay in a rapidly urbanizing area. The selection of interviewee was determined by availability, yet leaning towards women who are more vulnerable when lacking safe sanitation facilities, and who are the primary caregivers in the household. The research found that out of the 10 settlements visited, 5 habitually practiced open defecation, as no sanitation facilities were available. Hence some settlers were restricted in their freedom to be safe from emotional or physical harm: threatened by dangerous pathogens released into the environment, and insecurities due to lack of privacy. Conceptually the thesis applies an understanding of how affecting influences in individual history and living environment impact upon an individual’s conscious mind, connecting the capability approach to consciousness research. The thesis argues how settlers, overlooked by public services, and subjected to the dangerous and humiliating practice of open defecation, are faced with mental health issues and a diminished likelihood to productively engage, and exercise agency for human growth

eine Analyse deutscher Pressekommentare zum EU‐Beitritt der Türkei

Trotz der erfolgreichen politischen und wirtschaftlichen Regimebildung der Europäischen Union gab es bislang keine umfassendere gesellschaftliche Debatte über die Frage, welche Art von Gemeinwesen die EU in den Augen der breiteren Öffentlichkeit sein soll. Dies änderte sich mit der Auseinandersetzung über den möglichen EU-Beitritt der Türkei. Dort prallten erstmals auch öffentlich unterschiedliche Vorstellungen über die mögliche Ausgestaltung der EU aufeinander. Der vorliegende Artikel rekonstruiert auf Basis einer Analyse der Kommentare deutscher Leit-Printmedien das inhaltliche Spektrum dieser Vorstellungen. Er kann zeigen, dass sich diesbezüglich eine Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Entwürfe der EU finden lässt, die u.a. auf politische und kulturelle Traditionslinien, ökonomische und weltpolitische Interessenlagen sowie auf die geografische Lage der Türkei verweisen. Zudem wird verdeutlicht, dass diese unterschiedlichen Entwürfe von Zeitungen mit unterschiedlichen weltanschaulichen Positionen in verschiedener Weise verwendet werden, und dass sie mit differierenden Bewertungen des EU-Beitritts der Türkei einhergehen