12 research outputs found
The Thermodynamics of Network Coding, and an Algorithmic Refinement of the Principle of Maximum Entropy
The principle of maximum entropy (Maxent) is often used to obtain prior
probability distributions as a method to obtain a Gibbs measure under some
restriction giving the probability that a system will be in a certain state
compared to the rest of the elements in the distribution. Because classical
entropy-based Maxent collapses cases confounding all distinct degrees of
randomness and pseudo-randomness, here we take into consideration the
generative mechanism of the systems considered in the ensemble to separate
objects that may comply with the principle under some restriction and whose
entropy is maximal but may be generated recursively from those that are
actually algorithmically random offering a refinement to classical Maxent. We
take advantage of a causal algorithmic calculus to derive a thermodynamic-like
result based on how difficult it is to reprogram a computer code. Using the
distinction between computable and algorithmic randomness we quantify the cost
in information loss associated with reprogramming. To illustrate this we apply
the algorithmic refinement to Maxent on graphs and introduce a Maximal
Algorithmic Randomness Preferential Attachment (MARPA) Algorithm, a
generalisation over previous approaches. We discuss practical implications of
evaluation of network randomness. Our analysis provides insight in that the
reprogrammability asymmetry appears to originate from a non-monotonic
relationship to algorithmic probability. Our analysis motivates further
analysis of the origin and consequences of the aforementioned asymmetries,
reprogrammability, and computation.Comment: 30 page
What Cancer Is
The problem of cancer is examined from the metaphysical standpoint of essence and ground. An essentialist definition of cancer is assumed that would be valid in all possible worlds in which cancer could logically exist. The grounds of cancer are then examined and elucidated. Two grounding cancer properties are identified and discussed: symmetry- breaking and computational intelligence. Each examination leads to concrete conclusions for novel therapeutic approaches and a more fundamental understanding of what cancer is at bottom. Other possible cancer grounding properties related to evolution, adaptability and stochastic features are identified for future work. This approach is novel and offers new solutions to the problem of cancer