The powersnakes metaphor of a river current (that is, the AC) being calmed as it enters a large peaceful lake (a quality PC) is a really seductive "explanation" of why PCs make a difference. There are also some interesting scientific explanations from HMS, but I think they are only in German, and there is also a company--CIC (one of the Cs shoud be backward)--that includes a long white paper with all of their products.