An error accounting algorithm for electron counting experiments

Electron counting experiments attempt to provide a current of a known number of electrons per unit time. We propose architectures utilizing a few readily available electron-pumps or turnstiles with modest error rates of 1 part per $10^4$ with common sensitive electrometers to achieve the desirable accuracy of 1 part in $10^8$. This is achieved not by counting all transferred electrons but by counting only the errors of individual devices; these are less frequent and therefore readily recognized and accounted for. Our proposal thereby eases the route towards quantum based standards for current and capacitance.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Builds on and extends white paper arXiv:0811.392

Non-closure of constraint algebra in N=1 supergravity

The algebra of constraints arising in the canonical quantization of N=1 supergravity in four dimensions is investigated. Using the holomorphic action, the structure functions of the algebra are given and it is shown that the algebra does not close formally for two chosen operator orderings.Comment: 10 pages, no figures, LaTeX; minor changes: more clear exposition of eq. (14): \omega^{AB}_i = ..., extension of discussion with regard to the interpretation of unregularized calculations, emphasis on the fact that this method also yields the structure functions of the classical algebra, minor typographical changes; published in Int.J.Mod.Phys.D, Vol. 6, No. 1 (1997), 107-117, posted with kind permission of World Scientific Publishing C

Shares in the EMCA : the time is ripe for true no par value shares in the EU, and the 2nd directive is not an obstacle

The most interesting proposal in the draft European Model Companies Act ( EMCA) concerning shares and the focus of this Article is the recommendation to introduce true no par value shares, as they have been in use in the US for many years and were introduced in Australia, New Zealand but also Finland more recently. Contrary to what has often been assumed, the 2nd EU Company Law Directive does not preclude no par value shares. There is nothing in the wording of the Directive to suggest otherwise, and the reference in the Directive to shares without a nominal value is a reference to Belgian law, which has allowed true no par value shares in all but name since at least 1913. EU member states could therefore introduce such shares even for public companies. True no par value shares offer a far more flexible framework in case of capital increases or mergers, but since under a no par value system there is no link between par value and shareholder rights, additional disclosure about these rights might be warranted under a no par value system. Traditional par value shares offer no protection to creditors, shareholders or other stakeholders, so that their abolition should not be mourned. The threat of new share issues at an unacceptably high discount is more efficiently countered by disclosure and shareholder decision rights

A possible effect of atmospheric circulation in the daily variation of the earth's magnetic field. II.

Seasonal features that are not related in a simple way to solar declination occur in the daily variation of the horizontal intensity of the earth's magnetic field at Tucson, as at Honolulu studied previously. They are studied here in quiet-day data averaged over 11 years. The nature of these features suggests that they may arise from the seasonal variation of the large-scale air circulation in the lower ionosphere, and that they may offer the possibility of utilizing regular geomagnetic observations in meteorological research

A possible effect of atmospheric circulation in the daily variation of the earth's magnetic field

The daily variation of the horizontal intensity of the earth's magnetic field at Honolulu exhibits seasonal features that are not related in a simple way to solar declination. These are illustrated here in monthly curves of the daily variation for quiet days averaged over a considerable number of years. It is believed that these features may arise from the seasonal variation of the large-scale air circulation in the lower ionosphere. It is suggested that a study of the daily magnetic records against large-scale features of daily meteorological maps of the upper stratosphere might find related changes occurring at the two levels and might make possible the use in this way of abundant geomagnetic data in meteorological research

Foundations of a Theory of Prominence in the Decimal System - Part I: Numerical Response as a Process, Exactness, Scales, and Structure of Scales

Starting point of the theory of prominence is the observation that the selection of a numerical response is performed by a process of stepwise refinement of a reasonable answer until the available information does not permit a further specification. The procedure starts with a sufficiently high number, and stepwise decides whether to add, subtract or not use the next finer of the set of full step numbers for the presentation, where the full step numbers are {a*10^i: a in {1,2,5}, i integer}. The result is the presentation of a number as sum of full step numbers with coefficients +1, -1, or 0, where every full step number is 'used' at most once. For instance 17=20-5+2, or 24=20+5-1. This presentation is not necessarily unique. Important is the finest full step number used by a presentation. It is denoted as the exactness of the presentation. The exactness of a number is the finest exactness among all presentations of the number. It informs about the crudest level of exactness on which the number can be perceived, i.e. constructed by a response process. - Central tools for the analysis of numerical responses are two types of scales. S(r,a)-scales are based on the observation that subjects adjust relative exactness r, and absolute exactness a to a given type problem or situation. M(i,a)-scales are constructed by starting with the full step numbers, and stepwise inserting the respective 'crudest number' as 'midpoint' between any two neighboured numbers of the preceding scale. Accordingly one obtains scales on the full step, half step, ... level. Both types of scales permit to define perception functions by assuming that the distances of any two neighboured numbers of a scale are equal, i. e. by applying usual interpolation principles. Several lemmata concerning the structure of scales are given.

Disarmament as a Chance for Human Development: Is there a Peace Dividend?

human development, disarmanent, peace