2,021 research outputs found
A stochastic model for the evolution of the web allowing link deletion
Recently several authors have proposed stochastic evolutionary models for the growth of the web graph and other networks that give rise to power-law distributions. These models are based on the notion of preferential attachment leading to the ``rich get richer'' phenomenon. We present a generalisation of the basic model by allowing deletion of individual links and show that it also gives rise to a power-law distribution. We derive the mean-field equations for this stochastic model and show that by examining a snapshot of the distribution at the steady state of the model, we are able to tell whether any link deletion has taken place and estimate the link deletion probability. Our model enables us to gain some insight into the distribution of inlinks in the web graph, in particular it suggests a power-law exponent of approximately 2.15 rather than the widely published exponent of 2.1
Commuting Quantum Circuits with Few Outputs are Unlikely to be Classically Simulatable
We study the classical simulatability of commuting quantum circuits with n
input qubits and O(log n) output qubits, where a quantum circuit is classically
simulatable if its output probability distribution can be sampled up to an
exponentially small additive error in classical polynomial time. First, we show
that there exists a commuting quantum circuit that is not classically
simulatable unless the polynomial hierarchy collapses to the third level. This
is the first formal evidence that a commuting quantum circuit is not
classically simulatable even when the number of output qubits is exponentially
small. Then, we consider a generalized version of the circuit and clarify the
condition under which it is classically simulatable. Lastly, we apply the
argument for the above evidence to Clifford circuits in a similar setting and
provide evidence that such a circuit augmented by a depth-1 non-Clifford layer
is not classically simulatable. These results reveal subtle differences between
quantum and classical computation.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures; v2: Theorems 1 and 3 improved, proofs modifie
The Kimberley assessment of depression of older Indigenous Australians: prevalence of depressive disorders, risk factors and validation of the KICA-dep scale
This study aimed to develop a culturally acceptable and valid scale to assess depressive symptoms in older Indigenous Australians, to determine the prevalence of depressive disorders in the older Kimberley community, and to investigate the sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical factors associated with depression in this population.
Methods
Cross-sectional survey of adults aged 45 years or over from six remote Indigenous communities in the Kimberley and 30% of those living in Derby, Western Australia. The 11 linguistic and culturally sensitive items of the Kimberley Indigenous Cognitive Assessment of Depression (KICA-dep) scale were derived from the signs and symptoms required to establish the diagnosis of a depressive episode according to the DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10 criteria, and their frequency was rated on a 4-point scale ranging from âneverâ to âall the timeâ (range of scores: 0 to 33). The diagnosis of depressive disorder was established after a face-to-face assessment with a consultant psychiatrist. Other measures included sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, and clinical history.
Results
The study included 250 participants aged 46 to 89 years (mean±SD = 60.9±10.7), of whom 143 (57.2%) were women. The internal reliability of the KICA-dep was 0.88 and the cut-point 7/8 (non-case/case) was associated with 78% sensitivity and 82% specificity for the diagnosis of a depressive disorder. The point-prevalence of a depressive disorder in this population was 7.7%; 4.0% for men and 10.4% for women. Heart problems were associated with increased odds of depression (odds ratio = 3.3, 95% confidence interval = 1.2,8.8).
Conclusions
The KICA-dep has robust psychometric properties and can be used with confidence as a screening tool for depression among older Indigenous Australians. Depressive disorders are common in this population, possibly because of increased stressors and health morbidities
Cosmological implications of dwarf spheroidal chemical evolution
The chemical properties of dwarf spheroidals in the local group are shown to
be inconsistent with star formation being truncated after the reionization
epoch (z~8). Enhanced levels of [Ba/Y] in stars in dwarf spheroidals like
Sculptor indicate strong s-process production from low-mass stars whose
lifetimes are comparable with the duration of the pre-reionization epoch. The
chemical evolution of Sculptor is followed using a model with SNeII and SNeIa
feedback and mass- and metallicity-dependent nucleosynthetic yields for
elements from H to Pb. We are unable to reproduce the Ba/Y ratio unless stars
formed over an interval long enough for the low-mass stars to pollute the
interstellar medium with s-elements. This robust result challenges the
suggestion that most of the local group dwarf spheroidals are fossils of
reionization and supports the case for large initial dark matter halos.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ. Minor changes
following referee repor
Evolution and chemical yields of AGB stars: effects of low-temperature opacities
The studies focused on the Thermally-Pulsing Asymptotic Giant Branch phase
experienced by low- and intermediate-mass stars are extremely important in many
astrophysical contexts. In particular, a detailed computation of their chemical
yields is essential for several issues, ranging from the chemical evolution of
galaxies, to the mechanisms behind the formation of globular clusters. Among
all the uncertainties affecting the theoretical modelling of this phase, and
described in the literature, it remains to be fully clarified which results are
severely affected by the use of inadequate low-temperature opacities, that are
in most cases calculated on the basis of the original chemical composition of
the stars, and do not consider the changes in the surface chemistry due to the
occurrence of the third dredge-up and hot-bottom burning. Our investigation is
aimed at investigating this point. By means of full evolutionary models
including new set of molecular opacities computed specifically with the AESOPUS
tool, we highlight which stellar models, among those present in the literature,
need a substantial revision, mainly in relation to the predicted chemical
yields. The interplay among convection, hot bottom burning and the
low-temperature opacity treatment is also discussedComment: 6 pages, 2 figure
The University of Minnesota pathway prediction system: predicting metabolic logic
The University of Minnesota pathway prediction system (UM-PPS, http://umbbd.msi.umn.edu/predict/) recognizes functional groups in organic compounds that are potential targets of microbial catabolic reactions, and predicts transformations of these groups based on biotransformation rules. Rules are based on the University of Minnesota biocatalysis/biodegradation database (http://umbbd.msi.umn.edu/) and the scientific literature. As rules were added to the UM-PPS, more of them were triggered at each prediction step. The resulting combinatorial explosion is being addressed in four ways. Biodegradation experts give each rule an aerobic likelihood value of Very Likely, Likely, Neutral, Unlikely or Very Unlikely. Users now can choose whether they view all, or only the more aerobically likely, predicted transformations. Relative reasoning, allowing triggering of some rules to inhibit triggering of others, was implemented. Rules were initially assigned to individual chemical reactions. In selected cases, these have been replaced by super rules, which include two or more contiguous reactions that form a small pathway of their own. Rules are continually modified to improve the prediction accuracy; increasing rule stringency can improve predictions and reduce extraneous choices. The UM-PPS is freely available to all without registration. Its value to the scientific community, for academic, industrial and government use, is good and will only increas
A relational quantum computer using only two-qubit total spin measurement and an initial supply of highly mixed single qubit states
We prove that universal quantum computation is possible using only (i) the
physically natural measurement on two qubits which distinguishes the singlet
from the triplet subspace, and (ii) qubits prepared in almost any three
different (potentially highly mixed) states. In some sense this measurement is
a `more universal' dynamical element than a universal 2-qubit unitary gate,
since the latter must be supplemented by measurement. Because of the rotational
invariance of the measurement used, our scheme is robust to collective
decoherence in a manner very different to previous proposals - in effect it is
only ever sensitive to the relational properties of the qubits.Comment: TR apologises for yet again finding a coauthor with a ridiculous
middle name [12
Constraints on Early Nucleosynthesis from the Abundance Pattern of a Damped Ly-alpha System at z = 2.626
We have investigated chemical evolution in the young universe by analysing
the detailed chemical enrichment pattern of a metal-rich galaxy at high
redshift. The recent detection of over 20 elements in the gas-phase of a damped
Lyman-alpha absorber (DLA) at z = 2.626 represents an exciting new avenue for
exploring early nucleosynthesis. Given a strict upper age of ~2.5 Gyr and a
gas-phase metallicity about one third solar, we have shown the DLA abundance
pattern to be consistent with the predictions of a chemical evolution model in
which the interstellar enrichment is dominated by massive stars with a small
contribution from Type Ia supernovae. Discrepancies between the empirical data
and the models are used to highlight outstanding issues in nucleosynthesis
theory, including a tendency for Type II supernovae models to overestimate the
magnitude of the "odd-even" effect at subsolar metallicities. Our results
suggest a possible need for supplemental sources of magnesium and zinc, beyond
that provided by massive stars.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figs. Accepted for publication in ApJ (The Astrophysical
Journal
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