Constraining Galileon inflation

In this short paper, we present constraints on the Galileon inflationary model from the CMB bispectrum. We employ a principal-component analysis of the independent degrees of freedom constrained by data and apply this to the WMAP 9-year data to constrain the free parameters of the model. A simple Bayesian comparison establishes that support for the Galileon model from bispectrum data is at best weak

Quantum walks: a comprehensive review

Quantum walks, the quantum mechanical counterpart of classical random walks, is an advanced tool for building quantum algorithms that has been recently shown to constitute a universal model of quantum computation. Quantum walks is now a solid field of research of quantum computation full of exciting open problems for physicists, computer scientists, mathematicians and engineers. In this paper we review theoretical advances on the foundations of both discrete- and continuous-time quantum walks, together with the role that randomness plays in quantum walks, the connections between the mathematical models of coined discrete quantum walks and continuous quantum walks, the quantumness of quantum walks, a summary of papers published on discrete quantum walks and entanglement as well as a succinct review of experimental proposals and realizations of discrete-time quantum walks. Furthermore, we have reviewed several algorithms based on both discrete- and continuous-time quantum walks as well as a most important result: the computational universality of both continuous- and discrete- time quantum walks.Comment: Paper accepted for publication in Quantum Information Processing Journa

Size Doesn't Matter: Towards a More Inclusive Philosophy of Biology

notes: As the primary author, O’Malley drafted the paper, and gathered and analysed data (scientific papers and talks). Conceptual analysis was conducted by both authors.publication-status: Publishedtypes: ArticlePhilosophers of biology, along with everyone else, generally perceive life to fall into two broad categories, the microbes and macrobes, and then pay most of their attention to the latter. ‘Macrobe’ is the word we propose for larger life forms, and we use it as part of an argument for microbial equality. We suggest that taking more notice of microbes – the dominant life form on the planet, both now and throughout evolutionary history – will transform some of the philosophy of biology’s standard ideas on ontology, evolution, taxonomy and biodiversity. We set out a number of recent developments in microbiology – including biofilm formation, chemotaxis, quorum sensing and gene transfer – that highlight microbial capacities for cooperation and communication and break down conventional thinking that microbes are solely or primarily single-celled organisms. These insights also bring new perspectives to the levels of selection debate, as well as to discussions of the evolution and nature of multicellularity, and to neo-Darwinian understandings of evolutionary mechanisms. We show how these revisions lead to further complications for microbial classification and the philosophies of systematics and biodiversity. Incorporating microbial insights into the philosophy of biology will challenge many of its assumptions, but also give greater scope and depth to its investigations

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

Fish oil supplement use modifies the relationship between dietary oily fish intake and plasma omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels: An analysis of the UK Biobank

Observational evidence linking dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake and health outcomes is limited by a lack of robust validation of dietary intake using blood omega-3 PUFA levels and potential confounding by fish oil supplement (FOS) use. We investigated the relationship between oily fish intake, FOS use, and plasma omega-3 PUFA levels in 121,650 UK Biobank (UKBB) participants. Ordinal logistic regression models, adjusted for clinical and lifestyle factors, were used to quantify the contribution of dietary oily fish intake and FOS use to plasma omega-3 PUFA levels (measured by NMR spectroscopy). Oily fish intake and FOS use were reported by 38% and 31% of participants, respectively. Increasing oily fish intake was associated with a higher likelihood of FOS use (P<0.001). Oily fish intake ≥twice a week was the strongest predictor of high total omega-3 PUFAs (odds ratio [OR] 6.7 [95% confidence interval 6.3-7.1]) and DHA levels (6.6 [6.3-7.1). FOS use was an independent predictor of high plasma omega-3 PUFA levels (2.0 [2.0-2.1]) with a similar OR to that associated with eating oily fish <once a week (1.9 [1.8-2.0]). FOS use was associated with plasma omega-3 PUFA levels that were similar to individuals in the next highest oily fish intake category. In conclusion, FOS use is more common in frequent fish consumers and modifies the relationship between oily fish intake and plasma omega-3 PUFA levels in UKBB participants. If unaccounted for, FOS use may confound the relationship between dietary omega-3 PUFA intake, blood levels of omega-3 PUFAs, and health outcomes

Shortest path forest with topological ordering: An algorithm description in SDL

This short note presents a formal description of a fast and robust shortest path algorithm. Modeled on an algorithm of Pape (1974), it requires less memory store than most algorithms and at the same time permits arc lengths to range between -[chi] and +[chi]. It is described in a machine processable language called SDL. The note opens with a brief introduction to SDL syntax.