Almost Equivalent Paradigms of Contextuality

Various frameworks that generalise the notion of contextuality in theories of physics have been proposed; one is the sheaf-theoretic approach by Abramsky and Brandenburger; an other is the equivalence-based approach by Spekkens. We show that these frameworks are equivalent for scenarios with preparations and measurements, whenever factorizability is justified. This connection gives rise to a categorical isomorphism between suitable categories. We combine the advantages of the two approaches to derive a canonical method for detecting contextuality in such settings.Comment: In Proceedings QPL 2017, arXiv:1802.0973

On the dynamics of chemical reactions of negative ions

This review discusses the dynamics of negative ion reactions with neutral molecules in the gas phase. Most anion-molecule reactions proceed via a qualitatively different interaction potential than cationic or neutral reactions. It has been and still is the goal of many experiments to understand these reaction dynamics and the different reaction mechanisms they lead to. We will show how rate coefficients and cross sections for anion-molecule reactions are measured and interpreted to yield information on the underlying dynamics. We will also present more detailed approaches that study either the transient reaction complex or the energy- and angle-resolved scattering of negative ions with neutral molecules. With the help of these different techniques many aspects of anion-molecule reaction dynamics could be unravelled in the last years. However, we are still far from a complete understanding of the complex molecular interplay that is at work during a negative ion reaction

Phase substitution of spare converter for a failed one of parallel phase staggered converters

Failure detection and substitution of a spare module is provided in a system having a plurality of phase staggered modules connected in parallel to deliver regulated voltage from an unregulated source. Phase control signals applied to the active converter modules are applied to the spare module through NOR gates associated with and disabled by the power output of respective modules such that failure of any one enables its phase control signal to be applied to the spare module, thus controlling the spare module to operate in the phase position of the failed module. A NAND gate detects when any one active module fails and enables a gate in the spare module, thus activating the spare module

A single-system model predicts recognition memory and repetition priming in amnesia

We challenge the claim that there are distinct neural systems for explicit and implicit memory by demonstrating that a formal single-system model predicts the pattern of recognition memory (explicit) and repetition priming (implicit) in amnesia. In the current investigation, human participants with amnesia categorized pictures of objects at study and then, at test, identified fragmented versions of studied (old) and nonstudied (new) objects (providing a measure of priming), and made a recognition memory judgment (old vs new) for each object. Numerous results in the amnesic patients were predicted in advance by the single-system model, as follows: (1) deficits in recognition memory and priming were evident relative to a control group; (2) items judged as old were identified at greater levels of fragmentation than items judged new, regardless of whether the items were actually old or new; and (3) the magnitude of the priming effect (the identification advantage for old vs new items) overall was greater than that of items judged new. Model evidence measures also favored the single-system model over two formal multiple-systems models. The findings support the single-system model, which explains the pattern of recognition and priming in amnesia primarily as a reduction in the strength of a single dimension of memory strength, rather than a selective explicit memory system deficit

The dc-to-dc converters employing staggered-phase power switches with two-loop control

A switched inductor voltage is coupled to a sense winding in each phase, and all sense windings are connected in series to one of two feedback loops to provide a signal that indicates when one of the power switches is on as the principal determinant of switching instants. A sequencer is triggered each time a pulse generator is triggered to turn on a different power switch in sequence at each switching instant

Assessment of the development of aquifer management councils (COTAS) for sustainable groundwater management in Guanajuato, Mexico

Collective groundwater management by water users—self-regulation—is increasingly advocated as a complement to state regulation. This article analyzes the attempts by the Guanajuato State Water Commission (CEAG) in central Mexico to promote user self-regulation through the establishment and development of 14 Consejos Técnicos de Aguas (COTAS; Technical Water Councils). Based on a joint assessment by a former senior CEAG policy-maker and two researchers, Guanajuato’s groundwater-management policy is reviewed to understand why user self-regulation was less successful than expected. It concludes that increasing awareness and improving the knowledge base on groundwater is not enough to trigger self-regulation by groundwater users. A wider delegation of responsibilities to the COTAS is necessary, combined with: (1) functioning mechanisms for enforcing groundwater legislation, especially concerning well permits and pumped volumes, and (2) mechanisms that ensure the legitimacy and accountability of users’ representatives to both users and state agencie