Non-locality and Gauge Freedom in Deutsch and Hayden’s Formulation of Quantum Mechanics

Deutsch and Hayden have proposed an alternative formulation of quantum mechanics which is completely local. We argue that their proposal must be understood as having a form of ‘gauge freedom’ according to which mathematically distinct states are physically equivalent. Once this gauge freedom is taken into account, their formulation is no longer local.      

Low Dimension Dynamics in the EPRB Experiment with Random Variable Analyzers

The Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen–Bohm (EPRB) experiment performed with random variable and spatially separated analyzers is a milestone test in the controversy between Objective Local Theories (OLT) and Quantum Mechanics (QM). Only a few OLT are still possible. Some of the surviving OLT (specifically, the so called non-ergodic theories) would be undetectable in the averaged statistical values, but they may leave their trace in the time dynamics. For, while QM predicts random processes, the OLT of this kind predict the existence of regularities that may be revealed as a low dimensional object in the phase space. We perform a numerical analysis of the time-resolved data recorded in that experiment to unveil any hypothetical low dimensional dynamics that may be present. We find no consistent indication of such dynamics except for one data file, the longest of all in the real time. The possible causes of these dynamics are discussed.      

Hahn echo and criticality in spin-chain systems

We present a theory to establish a relation between Hahn spin-echo of a spin-1/2 particle and quantum phase transitions in many-body systems. The Hahn echo is calculated and discussed at zero as well as at finite temperatures. On the example of XY model, we show that the critical points of the chain are marked by the extremal values in the Hahn echo, and can influence the Hahn echo in finite temperatures. An explanation for the relation between the echo and criticality is also presented.     

PSP对癌症病人化/放疗毒性反应的数据统计分析

按WHO抗癌药急性及亚急性毒性分级标准 ,对 650例化、放疗肿瘤患者分别作了治疗前后毒性反应的总分值统计。结果加服PSP组 ( 557例 )的疗后总分值为837,低于疗前的 962 ;而 93例阳性对照组 (加服鲨肝醇 )疗前总分为 157,疗后为 2 4 1,疗后总分高于疗前。用Wilcoxon两样本秩和统计法检验 ,PSP组和对照组间具有极显著差异 ,表明PSP对比、放疗药物引起的毒副反应有明显降低效应。     

Rheological properties of fresh and cryopreserved human arteries tested in vitro

Cryopreservation is widely used to preserve blood vessels for a while but is controversially suspected to affect the mechanical behavior of these allografts. The aim of this study was to determine whether differences in the three-dimensional mechanical behavior exist or not between fresh and cryopreserved arteries. Using a previously developed experimental system, in vitro inflation tests were performed on twenty segments of human fresh and cryopreserved arteries, in static conditions. Opening angles were also measured from images of rings in zero-stress state. The initial reference state was chosen as the unloaded state and tests were performed on specimens stretched at natural “in vivo” length. Mechanical measures calculated are “natural” (Hencky) strains (finite deformations), “true” (Cauchy) stresses in radial, circumferential, and longitudinal directions as well as strain energy per unit volume. Tangent moduli are derived from radial and circumferential stress-strain characteristics using non-linear curve fitting. Values of incremental and pressure-strain elastic parameters, wall stiffness, and compliance per unit length are also calculated. Results are presented in terms of characteristics of stresses and strains in the three directions, axial force, tangent moduli vs strains or stresses, and energy per unit volume, for both types of artery, with reference to transmural pressure. Detailed numerical results are given at mean transmural pressure or in the physiological range. Significant differences are indicated by statistic Student T-tests. Results obtained show that significant differences exist between rheological properties of fresh and cryopreserved segments of human artery. Strains, stresses, axial force, strain energy, and wall stiffness values highlight those differences whereas elastic parameters, compliance, and opening angle do not. The usefulness of some parameters to compare the mechanical behavior existing between fresh and cryopreserved arteries is therefore underlined. Received: 3 January 2000 Revision received: 12 April 2000 Accepted: 8 May 2000     

Environmental Effects on the Mechanical Properties of Glass-FRP and Aramid-FRP Rebars

In the paper, the experimental results on the effect of temperature and moisture on the mechanical properties of FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Polymer) reinforcements are presented. FRP rebars made from glass and aramid fibers were subjected to cyclic thermal actions at temperatures ranging between 20 and 70°C, typical of natural hot-climate environments. Tensile tests were also carried out on FRP rebars. The effect of moisture was investigated by cyclic wetting and drying the FRP rebars under laboratory conditions before their testing in tension. Finally, the elastic modulus and tensile strength of the FRP rebars exposed to these cyclic actions were compared with those obtained for unexposed ones, in order to evaluate the mechanical damage caused by environmental conditions.     

Mechanism of interaction of pressure waves at a discrete partial blockage

This paper analyses the mechanism of interaction between an incident pressure wave and blockages of different geometrical characteristics (i.e., a butterfly and a ball valves, two short stretches of pipe with a reduced diameter, and a device simulating a longitudinal body blockage) by means of laboratory and numerical tests. Experiments have shown that the mechanism of interaction with pressure waves is influenced by their path through the device: sinuous because of the device body for partially closed in-line valves (type I mechanism), and straight for the small bore pipe devices (type II mechanism). Type I mechanism is characterized by a rise followed by an almost constant value whereas in type II one a drop occurs after the rise. To complete the investigation the effect of the pre-transient condition is discussed.     

Advanced high-performance liquid chromatography method for highly polar nitroaromatic compounds in ground water samples from ammunition waste sites

An advanced HPLC-photodiode array detection method for the determination of 12 selected highly polar nitroaromatic compounds in ground water samples of ammunition waste sites has been developed and validated. After solid-phase extraction the limits of detection were in the range 0.1–0.5 μg/l. To prove the applicability of the method to other polar nitroaromatic compounds the retention time of another 32 polar compounds under the specified chromatographic conditions were determined and their UV spectra recorded. To review the method, interlaboratory comparisons were performed with a spiked and a real ground water sample.     

Risk perceptions and rationality in measures of risk

Individuals may have biased perceptions of health and safety risks. We conjecture perceptions of mortality risk from various risk measures using parametric and non-parametric methods. We investigate how risk perceptions are measured and what rational explanations can be found for these measures with implication for risk and solvency.     

Application to other fields of techniques used for gravity wave detection

Summary The experimental techniques developed to build a sensitive gravitational wave antenna can find application in many different fields of research. In the present paper we discuss briefly two experiments that we are developing in the Istituto Fisica Spazio Interplanetario of C.N.R. More precisely, a noncryogenic gravity gradiometer to be flown on the subsatellite of the TSS and a cryogenic force sensor which will be used to verify some recent results on the interaction of neutrino with matter are described. To speed up publication the proofs were not sent to the authors and were superivised by the Scientific Committee.