The Mode of Computing

The Turing Machine is the paradigmatic case of computing machines, but there are others, such as Artificial Neural Networks, Table Computing, Relational-Indeterminate Computing and diverse forms of analogical computing, each of which based on a particular underlying intuition of the phenomenon of computing. This variety can be captured in terms of system levels, re-interpreting and generalizing Newell's hierarchy, which includes the knowledge level at the top and the symbol level immediately below it. In this re-interpretation the knowledge level consists of human knowledge and the symbol level is generalized into a new level that here is called The Mode of Computing. Natural computing performed by the brains of humans and non-human animals with a developed enough neural system should be understood in terms of a hierarchy of system levels too. By analogy from standard computing machinery there must be a system level above the neural circuitry levels and directly below the knowledge level that is named here The mode of Natural Computing. A central question for Cognition is the characterization of this mode. The Mode of Computing provides a novel perspective on the phenomena of computing, interpreting, the representational and non-representational views of cognition, and consciousness.Comment: 35 pages, 8 figure

Dynamical Sieve of Eratosthenes

In this document, prime numbers are related as functions over time, mimicking the Sieve of Eratosthenes. For this purpose, the mathematical representation is a uni-dimentional time line depicting the number line for positive natural numbers N, where each number n represents a time t. In the same way as the Eratosthenes' sieve, which iteratively mark as composite the multiples of each prime, starting at each prime. This dynamical prime number function P(s) zero-cross all composite numbers departing from primes, following a linear progression over time.Comment: 9 page

Studies on Maltese Consanguinity

The possible genetic consequences of consanguinity have been known from ancient times, though different societies have held varying views. Some have encouraged consanguinity as desirable and the classic examples are the sister brother marriages of the Egyptian Pharaohs and also of the ancient Irish and Inca Royal families. Mother-son, father-daughter marriages are only said to occur occasionally among the primitive tribes such as the Minahassa of Celebes. In certain countries, consanguinous marriages are very common. The Japanese population of nearly 100 million has a remarkable degree of inbreeding, reaching a consanguinity rate of approximately 20% in many districts, while in Central and Southern India many populated areas are claimed to have a 60% consanguinity rate. Inbreeding is typically common in isolate population, and small island communities or `closed' populations are most frequently associated with this phenomenon.peer-reviewe

The effects of bicarbonate and mineral surfaces on uranium immobilization under anaerobic conditions

For four decades, from 1940 through 1980, the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) extensively mined and processed uranium at various sites. As a result, widespread uranium contamination exists in subsurface sediments and aquifers. In subsurface environments, uranium primarily exists as U(VI) or U(IV), oxidized and reduced species, respectively. U(VI) is highly soluble and toxic, U(IV), while relatively toxic, is insoluble which greatly reduces its exposure pathways. We seek to examine the role of ferric iron on U(VI) reduction by adsorbing U(VI) onto ferric and non-ferric mineral surfaces in the presence of a reductant. Further, we seek to understand the role that NaHCO3, a natural groundwater buffer, has in the reductive geochemical transformations of U(VI) adsorbed on ferric and non-ferric mineral surfaces. Bench top studies were performed using 100 uM U(VI) and the reductant AHQDS, in the presence and absence of Fe-Gel (amorphous ferric oxyhydroxide) and gamma-Al2O3. In the presence of a HEPES buffer at pH 8, results demonstrate direct homogeneous reduction in several hours in the absence of Fe-Gel or gamma-Al2O3, and reduction within a 48-hour period in the presence Fe-Gel or gamma-Al2O3. While adsorbed to both ferric and non-ferric mineral surfaces, U(VI) reduction is inhibited. U(VI) reduction in the presence of NaHCO3 buffer also inhibits U(VI) reduction