A Kolmogorov Extension Theorem for POVMs

We prove a theorem about positive-operator-valued measures (POVMs) that is an analog of the Kolmogorov extension theorem, a standard theorem of probability theory. According to our theorem, if a sequence of POVMs G_n on $\mathbb{R}^n$ satisfies the consistency (or projectivity) condition $G_{n+1}(A\times \mathbb{R}) = G_n(A)$ then there is a POVM G on the space $\mathbb{R}^\mathbb{N}$ of infinite sequences that has G_n as its marginal for the first n entries of the sequence. We also describe an application in quantum theory.Comment: 6 pages LaTeX, no figure

Relativistic state reduction dynamics

A mechanism describing state reduction dynamics in relativistic quantum field theory is outlined. The mechanism involves nonlinear stochastic modifications to the standard description of unitary state evolution and the introduction of a relativistic field in which a quantized degree of freedom is associated to each point in spacetime. The purpose of this field is to mediate in the interaction between classical stochastic influences and conventional quantum fields. The equations of motion are Lorentz covariant, frame independent, and do not result in divergent behavior. It is shown that the mathematical framework permits the specification of unambiguous local properties providing a connection between the model and evidence of real world phenomena. The collapse process is demonstrated for an idealized example.Comment: 20 pages, 2 figures, replacement with minor correction

Quantum open systems and turbulence

We show that the problem of non conservation of energy found in the spontaneous localization model developed by Ghirardi, Rimini and Weber is very similar to the inconsistency between the stochastic models for turbulence and the Navier-Stokes equation. This sort of analogy may be useful in the development of both areas.Comment: to appear in Physical Review

Quantum to Classical Transition from the Cosmic Background Radiation

We have revisited the Ghirardi-Rimini-Weber-Pearle (GRWP) approach for continuous dynamical evolution of the state vector for a macroscopic object. Our main concern is to recover the decoupling of the state vector dynamics for the center-of-mass (CM) and internal motion, as in the GRWP model, but within the framework of the standard cosmology. In this connection we have taken the opposite direction of the GRWP argument, that the cosmic background radiation (CBR) has originated from a fundamental stochastic hitting process. We assume the CBR as a clue of the Big Bang, playing a main role in the decoupling of the state vector dynamics of the CM and internal motion. In our model, instead of describing a continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) of a system of massive particles as proposed by Ghirardi, Pearle and Rimini, the It\^{o} stochastic equation accounts for the intervention of the CBR on the system of particles. Essentially, this approach leads to a pre-master equation for both the CBR and particles degrees of freedom. The violation of the principle of energy conservation characteristic of the CSL model is avoided as well as the additional assumption on the size of the GRWP's localization width necessary to reach the decoupling between the collective and internal motions. Moreover, realistic estimation for the decoherence time, exhibiting an interesting dependence on the CBR temperature, is obtained. From the formula for the decoherence time it is possible to analyze the transition from micro to macro dynamics in both the early hot Universe and the nowadays cold one. The entropy of the system under decoherence is analyzed and the emergent `pointer basis' is discussed. In spite of not having imposed a privileged basis, in our model the position still emerges as the preferred observable as in the CSL model.Comment: 14 pages, no figure. To appear in Phys. Rev.

Curso agroecologia e cidadania: uma experiência de formação por alternância no Nordeste Paraense, Brasil.

O artigo mostra aspectos do curso Agroecologia e Cidadania, ministrado em regime de alternância, na Escola de Formação para Jovens Agricultores de Comunidades Rurais Amazônicas (ECRAMA), município de Santa Luzia do Pará, Nordeste Paraense. O curso é uma iniciativa da Rede Bragantina de Economia Solidária Artes e Sabores, em parceria com instituições públicas e organizações não governamentais. As atividades são divididas em tempo escola e tempo comunidade. O público alvo são jovens agricultores de comunidades rurais do Nordeste Paraense. Objetivando contribuir para o avanço do processo de desenvolvimento local sustentável, bem como a capacitação dos agricultores e agricultoras familiares, para que conduzam com eficiência a gestão dos agroecossistemas nos estabelecimentos familiares, bem como nos empreendimentos associativos da Rede Bragantina e na difusão de boas práticas de economia solidária nos municípios. Em 2016 foram realizados quatro módulos de tempo escola e em 2017 estão previsto 5 módulos, um a mais que em 2016. Os módulos presenciais do tempo escola adotam estratégias pedagógicas variadas, incluindo círculo de cultura, construção de trajetórias e relatos de experiências. As atividades do tempo comunidade complementam os conteúdos teóricos, incorporando elementos da realidade vivenciada pelos treinandos em seus estabelecimentos, comunidades e territórios.Edição dos anais do VI Congresso Latino-Americano (CLAA), X Congresso Brasileiro (CBA), V Seminário do DF e Entorno (SEMDF), 12-15 setembro de 2017, a Brasília, DF, Brasil

Quantum measurement in a family of hidden-variable theories

The measurement process for hidden-configuration formulations of quantum mechanics is analysed. It is shown how a satisfactory description of quantum measurement can be given in this framework. The unified treatment of hidden-configuration theories, including Bohmian mechanics and Nelson's stochastic mechanics, helps in understanding the true reasons why the problem of quantum measurement can succesfully be solved within such theories.Comment: 16 pages, LaTeX; all special macros are included in the file; a figure is there, but it is processed by LaTe

The effect of spontaneous collapses on neutrino oscillations

We compute the effect of collapse models on neutrino oscillations. The effect of the collapse is to modify the evolution of the `spatial' part of the wave function, which indirectly amounts to a change on the flavor components. In many respects, this phenomenon is similar to neutrino propagation through matter. For the analysis we use the mass proportional CSL model, and perform the calculation to second order perturbation theory. As we will show, the CSL prediction is very small - mainly due to the very small mass of neutrinos - and practically undetectable.Comment: 24 pages, RevTeX. Updated versio

[Assessment of pulmonary function in a follow-up of premature infants: our experience].

Respiratory diseases are a major cause of morbidity in neonates, especially preterm infants; a long term complication of prematurity such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is particularly relevant today. The exact role of the Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) in this area is not yet well defined; the PFT in newborns and infants - in contrast to what happens in uncooperative children and adults - are routinely used only in a few centers. The assessment of pulmonary function in newborns and infants, however, is nowadays possible with the same reliability that in cooperative patients with the possibility to extend the assessment of polmonary function from bench to bed. The assessment of pulmonary function must be carried out with non invasive and safe methods, at the bedside, with the possibility of continuous monitoring and providing adequate calculation and management of data. The ability to assess lung function helps to define the mechanisms of respiratory failure, improving the treatment and its effects and is therefore a useful tool in the follow-up of newborn and infant with pulmonary disease

Manejo de biomassa para produção de alimentos orgânicos sem uso do fogo.

No ano de 2016 a Escola de Formação para Jovens Agricultores de Comunidades Rurais Amazônicas - ECRAMA através do projeto Homens e Mulheres, protagonistas da educação e desenvolvimento local sustentável ofereceu aos jovens egressos da ECRAMA o curso de Agroecologia e Cidadania. Teve como objetivo principal o plantio do feijão sem o uso do fogo com a introdução de adubação verde e biofertilizantes como alternativas viáveis para os agricultores familiares, assim potencializando a manutenção da biodiversidade, da floresta, dos cursos d?água, sem o uso de produtos industrializados e a necessidade do uso de recursos externos como adubação química, agrotóxicos e mecanização. Após a colheita o feijão obteve-se os seguintes rendimentos: o feijão preto em uma área total de 90 m2 produziu 4Kg, o feijão manteiguinha em uma área total de 90 m2 produziu 8 kg e o feijão bidé em uma área total de 70 m2 produziu 7kg.Edição dos anais do VI Congresso Latino-Americano (CLAA), X Congresso Brasileiro (CBA), V Seminário do DF e Entorno (SEMDF), 12-15 setembro de 2017, a Brasília, DF, Brasil

Apparent wave function collapse caused by scattering

Some experimental implications of the recent progress on wave function collapse are calculated. Exact results are derived for the center-of-mass wave function collapse caused by random scatterings and applied to a range of specific examples. The results show that recently proposed experiments to measure the GRW effect are likely to fail, since the effect of naturally occurring scatterings is of the same form as the GRW effect but generally much stronger. The same goes for attempts to measure the collapse caused by quantum gravity as suggested by Hawking and others. The results also indicate that macroscopic systems tend to be found in states with (Delta-x)(Delta-p) = hbar/sqrt(2), but microscopic systems in highly tiltedly squeezed states with (Delta-x)(Delta-p) >> hbar.Comment: Final published version. 20 pages, Plain TeX, no figures. Online at http://astro.berkeley.edu/~max/collapse.html (faster from the US), from http://www.mpa-garching.mpg.de/~max/collapse.html (faster from Europe) or from [email protected]