22,619 research outputs found
Can biological quantum networks solve NP-hard problems?
There is a widespread view that the human brain is so complex that it cannot
be efficiently simulated by universal Turing machines. During the last decades
the question has therefore been raised whether we need to consider quantum
effects to explain the imagined cognitive power of a conscious mind.
This paper presents a personal view of several fields of philosophy and
computational neurobiology in an attempt to suggest a realistic picture of how
the brain might work as a basis for perception, consciousness and cognition.
The purpose is to be able to identify and evaluate instances where quantum
effects might play a significant role in cognitive processes.
Not surprisingly, the conclusion is that quantum-enhanced cognition and
intelligence are very unlikely to be found in biological brains. Quantum
effects may certainly influence the functionality of various components and
signalling pathways at the molecular level in the brain network, like ion
ports, synapses, sensors, and enzymes. This might evidently influence the
functionality of some nodes and perhaps even the overall intelligence of the
brain network, but hardly give it any dramatically enhanced functionality. So,
the conclusion is that biological quantum networks can only approximately solve
small instances of NP-hard problems.
On the other hand, artificial intelligence and machine learning implemented
in complex dynamical systems based on genuine quantum networks can certainly be
expected to show enhanced performance and quantum advantage compared with
classical networks. Nevertheless, even quantum networks can only be expected to
efficiently solve NP-hard problems approximately. In the end it is a question
of precision - Nature is approximate.Comment: 38 page
Endogenous distributions in multi-agents models: the example of endogenization of ends and time constants
Multi-agents modelers recurrently face the problem of the choice of their parameters' values while most of them are exogenous. In this paper we address the issue of endogenization of these parameters when it makes sense in a social learning perspective within the formalism of metamimetic games. We first show how its is possible to endogeneize the agents' ends distribution with a spatial prisoner's dilemma as case study. Then we apply the method to endogenization of time constants in the model, each agent having its own subjective perception of time. In this perspective, the values of endogenous parameters are the outcome of a dynamical process characterized by agent's cognitive capacities and environmental constraints.parameters endogenization, endogenous distributions, spatial games, time constants, evolution of cooperation, metamimetic games
Fractals in the Nervous System: conceptual Implications for Theoretical Neuroscience
This essay is presented with two principal objectives in mind: first, to
document the prevalence of fractals at all levels of the nervous system, giving
credence to the notion of their functional relevance; and second, to draw
attention to the as yet still unresolved issues of the detailed relationships
among power law scaling, self-similarity, and self-organized criticality. As
regards criticality, I will document that it has become a pivotal reference
point in Neurodynamics. Furthermore, I will emphasize the not yet fully
appreciated significance of allometric control processes. For dynamic fractals,
I will assemble reasons for attributing to them the capacity to adapt task
execution to contextual changes across a range of scales. The final Section
consists of general reflections on the implications of the reviewed data, and
identifies what appear to be issues of fundamental importance for future
research in the rapidly evolving topic of this review
The evolutionary approach to understand human low fertility phenomenon
Is it possible to reverse the low total fertility rate (TFR) in the developed
world? Using a hypothetical model of population we have analysed the decline of
the TFR which have took place in the background of ongoing global economic
changes, and a liberalization process after the end of the Cold War. These
phenomena have affected more than 110 millions of inhabitants of Central Europe
and the Baltics and approximately 80 millions of inhabitants in Germany. The
model has features of complex and evolving system of interacting individuals,
and it enables to investigate a broad spectrum of input factors on individual
decisions to limit the offspring. In the case of the TFR <1.5, our initial
analysis show a need of radical changes of the global economy that will
stimulate series of self-regulations of demographic processes and evolution
toward the safe TFR>2.1. The changes should stimulate more uniform spatial
distribution of wealth, capital and usage. They will increase a number of
self-sufficient and cooperative territories, to decrease the income inequality,
to decrease labour and social mobilities. Societies should investigate the
impacts of economic regulations and actions on the TFR trends in advance and
take into account a biological nature of women more responsible
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