Quantum Random Walks do not need a Coin Toss

Classical randomized algorithms use a coin toss instruction to explore different evolutionary branches of a problem. Quantum algorithms, on the other hand, can explore multiple evolutionary branches by mere superposition of states. Discrete quantum random walks, studied in the literature, have nonetheless used both superposition and a quantum coin toss instruction. This is not necessary, and a discrete quantum random walk without a quantum coin toss instruction is defined and analyzed here. Our construction eliminates quantum entanglement from the algorithm, and the results match those obtained with a quantum coin toss instruction.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, RevTeX (v2) Expanded to include relation to quantum walk with a coin. Connection with Dirac equation pointed out. Version to be published in Phys. Rev.

A study on medication adherence, medication related challenges faced and coping strategies adopted by visually impaired subjects in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Visual impairment poses a significant threat to proper medication practice leading to medication related challenges and some adopted self coping strategies with substantial impact on medication adherence. Visually impaired are potentially more likely to have unsafe medicine related practice which by itself is more rampant in general population. Studies related to them are largely unexplored and can provide data to improve disease management and health related quality of life. Objectives was to study the level of medication adherence, medication related challenges and self adopted coping strategies in visually impaired people.Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study enrolling 204 subjects with VI was done. Medication adherence was assessed using MMAS. Medication related challenges and self-adopted coping strategies was assessed by using pre-validated semi-structured questionnaire.Results: Majority of the subjects showed medium medication adherence with forgetfulness to take medicine as the main reason for non adherence. Difficulty in remembering the instructions, spilling of liquid medicine, taking wrong dose, difficulty in using topical medications were the most common challenges faced by them in daily drug administration. To overcome challenges locating the drugs at different places, finger felt volume for liquid medication, textural feeling of the drug or container, time tracking were the major self adopted coping strategies by the visually impaired subjects.Conclusions: Creating awareness of the medication related problem faced by visually impaired helps to provide adequate assistance to medication use and improve proper health care services in them

Snail Homing and Mating Search Algorithm: A Novel Bio-Inspired Metaheuristic Algorithm

In this paper, a novel Snail Homing and Mating Search (SHMS) algorithm is proposed. It is inspired from the biological behaviour of the snails. Snails continuously travels to find food and a mate, leaving behind a trail of mucus that serves as a guide for their return. Snails tend to navigate by following the available trails on the ground and responding to cues from nearby shelter homes. The proposed SHMS algorithm is investigated by solving several unimodal and multimodal functions. The solutions are validated using standard statistical tests such as two-sided and pairwise signed rank Wilcoxon test and Friedman rank test. The solution obtained from the SHMS algorithm exhibited superior robustness as well as search space exploration capabilities within the less computational cost. The real-world application of SHMS algorithm is successfully demonstrated in the engineering design domain by solving three cases of design and economic optimization shell and tube heat exchanger problem. The objective function value and other statistical results obtained using SHMS algorithm are compared with other well-known metaheuristic algorithms.Comment: 46 Pages, 11 Figures, 24 Table

Altruism, Scepticism, and Collective Decision-Making in Foreign-Born U.S. Residents in a Tuberculosis Vaccine Trial

Background: The current vaccine against tuberculosis, BCG, is effective when given in most TB-endemic countries at birth but has diminished efficacy against pulmonary TB after 15–20 years. As a result, new booster vaccines for adolescents and adults are being developed to realize the World Health Organization target of global elimination of TB by 2035. Multiple TB candidates thus are in active clinical development. Methods: One of these, DAR-901, is advancing in human clinical trials. These clinical trials are conducted in BCG immunized adults with and without HIV infection in order to assess safety and efficacy among the people most in need of a new vaccine. A Phase I dose escalation trial of DAR-901 in BCG-immunized adults with or without HIV infection was conducted between 2014 and 2016. This offered an unusual opportunity to qualitatively examine why foreign-born adults living in the United States – a poorly studied population – decide to participate, or not, in clinical trials. Results: We conducted a qualitative study of individuals who were recruited to participate in this Phase I vaccine trial, interviewing those who agreed and declined to participate. We found diverse motivations for participation or refusal; varied understandings of tuberculosis and vaccines; and complex views about how ‘informed consent’ can be at odds with cultural understandings of power, authority, and medical decision-making. These dynamics included: knowledge (direct or indirect) of tuberculosis, a desire to be altruistic and simultaneous hopes for personal gain as well as concerns over what remuneration for participation could mean, the importance of personal relationships with care providers in shaping volunteerism, concerns over privacy, and evidence of how culture and history shape medical decision-making. Conclusions: This US-based trial, aimed at addressing a crucible global health issue, raises productive questions about the interface between altruism and scepticism regarding clinical research participation

Condensation transition in a model with attractive particles and non-local hops

We study a one dimensional nonequilibrium lattice model with competing features of particle attraction and non-local hops. The system is similar to a zero range process (ZRP) with attractive particles but the particles can make both local and non-local hops. The length of the non-local hop is dependent on the occupancy of the chosen site and its probability is given by the parameter $p$. Our numerical results show that the system undergoes a phase transition from a condensate phase to a homogeneous density phase as $p$ is increased beyond a critical value $p_c$. A mean-field approximation does not predict a phase transition and describes only the condensate phase. We provide heuristic arguments for understanding the numerical results.Comment: 11 Pages, 6 Figures. Published in Journal of Statistical Mechanics: Theory and Experimen

Interaction of Intrinsic and Synaptic Currents Mediate Network Resonance Driven by Layer V Pyramidal Cells.

Cortical oscillations modulate cellular excitability and facilitate neuronal communication and information processing. Layer 5 pyramidal cells (L5 PYs) drive low-frequency oscillations (<4 Hz) in neocortical networks in vivo. In vitro, individual L5 PYs exhibit subthreshold resonance in the theta band (4-8 Hz). This bandpass filtering of periodic input is mediated by h-current (Ih) and m-current (IM) that selectively suppress low-frequency input. It has remained unclear how these intrinsic properties of cells contribute to the emergent, network oscillation dynamics. To begin to close this gap, we studied the link between cellular and network mechanisms of network resonance driven by L5 PYs. We performed multielectrode array recordings of network activity in slices of medial prefrontal cortex from the Thy1-ChR2-eYFP line and activated the network by temporally patterned optogenetic suprathreshold stimulation. Networks driven by stimulation of L5 PYs exhibited resonance in the theta band. We found that Ih and IM play a role in resonant suprathreshold network response to depolarizing stimuli. The action of Ih in mediating resonance was dependent on synaptic transmission while that of IM was not. These results demonstrate how synergistic interaction of synaptic and intrinsic ion channels contribute to the response of networks driven by L5 PYs

Comparative analysis of vaginal misoprostol 400 and 600 single dose for second-trimester termination of pregnancy-a prospective randomized trial

Background: This study was done to compare two dosing schedules of tablet misoprostol single dose 600 µg (M600) versus multiple doses 400 µg (M400), kept per vaginally for second termination of pregnancy and to analyze induction to abortion time, side effects, and failure to achieve termination of pregnancy. Methods: Women admitted for second-trimester pregnancy termination were considered. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed. The women were randomized into two groups, with one group receiving single dose of M600 per vaginal and the other one multiple doses of M400, and the two groups were compared in their outcomes. Results: In the present study no statistical significance was found between the two dosing regimens with regard to induction abortion interval, post-expulsion need for suction, and evacuation. Conclusions: The study revealed that the dose between M400 and M600 has not shown significance compared with two dosing regimens. Single dose M600 can be considered for second-trimester pregnancy termination due to better compliance