Classical statistical distributions can violate Bell-type inequalities

We investigate two-particle phase-space distributions in classical mechanics characterized by a well-defined value of the total angular momentum. We construct phase-space averages of observables related to the projection of the particles' angular momenta along axes with different orientations. It is shown that for certain observables, the correlation function violates Bell's inequality. The key to the violation resides in choosing observables impeding the realization of the counterfactual event that plays a prominent role in the derivation of the inequalities. This situation can have statistical (detection related) or dynamical (interaction related) underpinnings, but non-locality does not play any role.Comment: v3: Extended version. To be published in J. Phys.

On knottings in the physical Hilbert space of LQG as given by the EPRL model

We consider the EPRL spin foam amplitude for arbitrary embedded two-complexes. Choosing a definition of the face- and edge amplitudes which lead to spin foam amplitudes invariant under trivial subdivisions, we investigate invariance properties of the amplitude under consistent deformations, which are deformations of the embedded two-complex where faces are allowed to pass through each other in a controlled way. Using this surprising invariance, we are able to show that in the physical Hilbert space as defined by the sum over all spin foams contains no knotting classes of graphs anymore.Comment: 22 pages, 14 figure

Adding value? A review of the international literature on the role of higher education in police training and education

This paper reviews the current English-language literature on developments in police training and education in order to identify common areas where higher education ‘adds value’ to police learning and development. Reforms in training and education are constituent parts of the ongoing shift to a service-oriented professional police in a number of countries. A comparative analysis of the literature on police training and education is provided here which focuses primarily on the USA, the European Union, Australia and India. The review provides a contribution to international policy debates about future developments in this area

A New Silicone Structure for uSkin—A Soft, Distributed, Digital 3-Axis Skin Sensor and Its Integration on the Humanoid Robot iCub

Tactile sensing is one important element that can enable robots to interact with an unstructured world. By having tactile perception, a robot can explore its environment by touching objects. Like human skin, a tactile sensor that can provide rich information such as distributed normal and shear forces with high density can help the robot to recognize objects. In previous work, we introduced uSkin, a soft skin with distributed 3-axis force-sensitive elements and a center-to-center distance between the 3-axis load cells of 4.7 mm for the flat version. This letter presents a new structure for the distributed soft force transducer that reduces the crosstalk between the components of the 3-axis force measurements. Three dimensionally (3-D) printing the silicone structure eased the prototype production. However, the 3-D printed material has a higher hysteresis than the previously used Ecoflex. Microcontroller boards originally developed for the skin of iCub were implemented for uSkin, increasing the readout frequency and reducing the space requirements and number of wires. The sensor was installed on iCub and successfully used for shape exploration

Manifestations of Culture in Website Design

The web is a global phenomenon and its reach and influence ignores political and cultural boundaries. However, the web’s global presence and easy accessibility does not also mean there are no issues related to the understanding and interpretations of its content. Of particular interest to us is to find out whether there is any effect of culture on web design. In this paper, we report on our research into the identification of elements that can be attributed to culture on website design. We examined and compared South Korean and UK’s charity websites and identified these elements of the websites. The findings suggest that there are some differences and preferences in the website design that are mostly related to whether the websites employ multimedia and provide facilities for user input. <!--EndFragment--

Reconstruction of scalar potentials in two-field cosmological models

We study the procedure of the reconstruction of phantom-scalar field potentials in two-field cosmological models. It is shown that while in the one-field case the chosen cosmological evolution defines uniquely the form of the scalar potential, in the two-field case one has an infinite number of possibilities. The classification of a large class of possible potentials is presented and the dependence of cosmological dynamics on the choice of initial conditions is investigated qualitatively and numerically for two particular models.Comment: final version, to appear in JCA

Statistical Study of the Energetic Proton Environment at Titan’s Orbit From the Cassini Spacecraft

A statistical study of the energetic proton environment at Titan’s orbit as captured by the MIMI/LEMMS and MIMI/CHEMS instruments is performed. The data analyzed cover all the dedicated flybys of Titan by Cassini as well as the orbit crossings that happen far from the moon. The energetic environment is found to be highly variable on timescales comparable to that of the duration of a flyby. Analysis of H+ ion fluxes reveals a weak asymmetry in Saturn local time with the highest fluxes occurring in the premidnight sector of the magnetosphere. A correlation between the energetic ion fluxes and the location of Cassini in the magnetosphere with respect to the center of the current sheet can be observed. Finally, an empirical model of proton spectra for energies above 20 keV is derived based on fits to Kappa distribution functions. This model can be used to better understand the interaction of Titan with the magnetosphere and the energy deposition by energetic particles below the main ionospheric peak.Key PointsEnergetic particle environment at Titan’s orbit is highly variableIon data present SLT asymmetry with higher fluxes in the premidnight sectorDerivation of empirical model of ion spectra based on Kappa distribution function is presentedPeer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145346/1/jgra54321_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145346/2/jgra54321.pd

Maturation of the angiotensin II cardiovascular response in the embryonic White Leghorn chicken (Gallus gallus)

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is an important regulator of cardiovascular function in adult vertebrates. Although its role in regulating the adult system has been extensively investigated, the cardiovascular response to Ang II in embryonic vertebrates is relatively unknown. We investigated the potential of Ang II as a regulator of cardiovascular function in embryonic chickens, which lack central nervous system control of cardiovascular function throughout the majority of incubation. The cardiovascular response to Ang II in embryonic chickens was investigated over the final 50% of their development. Ang II produced a dose-dependent increase in arterial pressure on each day of development studied, and the response increased in intensity as development progressed. The Ang II type-1 receptor nonspecific competitive peptide antagonist [Sar1 ile8] Ang II blocked the cardiovascular response to subsequent injections of Ang II on day 21 only. The embryonic pressure response to Ang II (hypertension only) differed from that of adult chickens, in which initial hypotension is followed by hypertension. The constant level of gene expression for the Ang II receptor, in conjunction with an increasing pressure response to the peptide, suggests that two Ang II receptor subtypes are present during chicken development. Collectively, the data indicate that Ang II plays an important role in the cardiovascular development of chickens; however, its role in maintaining basal function requires further study

The influence of salinity on the effects of Multi-walled carbon nanotubes on polychaetes

Salinity shifts in estuarine and coastal areas are becoming a topic of concern and are one of the main factors influencing nanoparticles behaviour in the environment. For this reason, the impacts of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) under different seawater salinity conditions were evaluated on the common ragworm Hediste diversicolor, a polychaete species widely used as bioindicator of estuarine environmental quality. An innovative method to assess the presence of MWCNT aggregates in the sediments was used for the first time. Biomarkers approach was used to evaluate the metabolic capacity, oxidative status and neurotoxicity of polychaetes after long-term exposure. The results revealed an alteration of energy-related responses in contaminated polychaetes under both salinity conditions, resulting in an increase of metabolism and expenditure of their energy reserves (lower glycogen and protein contents). Moreover, a concentration-dependent toxicity (higher lipid peroxidation, lower ratio between reduced and oxidized glutathione and activation of antioxidant defences and biotransformation mechanisms) was observed in H. diversicolor, especially when exposed to low salinity. Additionally, neurotoxicity was observed by inhibition of Cholinesterases activity in organisms exposed to MWCNTs at both salinities.publishe