Nonzero Classical Discord

Quantum discord is the quantitative difference between two alternative expressions for bipartite mutual information, given respectively in terms of two distinct definitions for the conditional entropy. By constructing a stochastic model of shared states, classical discord can be similarly defined, quantifying the presence of some stochasticity in the measurement process. Therefore, discord can generally be understood as a quantification of the system's state disturbance due to local measurements, be it quantum or classical. We establish an operational meaning of classical discord in the context of state merging with noisy measurement and thereby show the quantum-classical separation in terms of a negative conditional entropy.Comment: Replaced by the published versio

Bootstrapping Color Constancy

Bootstrapping provides a novel approach to training a neural network to estimate the chromaticity of the illuminant in a scene given image data alone. For initial training, the network requires feedback about the accuracy of the network’s current results. In the case of a network for color constancy, this feedback is the chromaticity of the incident scene illumination. In the past1, perfect feedback has been used, but in the bootstrapping method feedback with a considerable degree of random error can be used to train the network instead. In particular, the grayworld algorithm2, which only provides modest color constancy performance, is used to train a neural network which in the end performs better than the grayworld algorithm used to train it

Comparison of Liquefaction Triggering Analysis Approaches for an Embankment Dam and Foundation

Success Dam is located on the Tule River, near the city of Porterville, California. The dam is a rolled earth-fill embankment approximately 145 feet high and 3,400 feet long. The embankment is comprised of a central impervious core protected by upstream and downstream outer pervious zones. A majority of the dam is founded on potentially liquefiable Holocene alluvium. Several analytical techniques of varying complexity have been used to determine the liquefaction potential of the foundation Holocene alluvium and the pervious embankment shells. The following analytical techniques were used on the Success Dam Remediation Project: (1) cyclic stress ratio (CSR) evaluation using peak shear stresses obtained from QUAD4M equivalent linear seismic response type analyses, (2) evaluation of QUAD4M element shear stress time histories using a cycle counting approach to approximate the potential excess pore water pressure ratios, and (3) more advanced non-linear dynamic FLAC analyses using UBCSAND to evaluate excess pore water pressure ratios for potentially liquefiable materials. This paper discusses the approaches taken to evaluate the liquefaction potential for the seismic assessment and remediation design of the existing dam. This paper also summarizes the advantages and limitations of each of each analytical approach used to evaluate liquefaction potential of the dam and foundation materials

The importance of circulating tumor products as „liquid biopsies” in colorectal cancer

Liquid biopsies represent an array of plasma analysis tests that are studied to evaluate and identify circulating tumor products, especially circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Examining such biomarkers in the plasma of colorectal cancer patients has attracted attention due to its clinical significance in the treatment of malignant diseases. Given that tissue samples are sometimes challenging to procure or unsatisfactory for genomic profiling from patients with colorectal cancer, trustworthy biomarkers are mandatory for guiding treatment, monitoring therapeutic response, and detecting recurrence. This review considers the relevance of flowing tumor products like circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating messenger RNA (mRNA), circulating micro RNA (miRNA), circulating exosomes, and tumor educated platelets (TEPs) for patients with colorectal cancer

Anticontrol of Chaos Reduces Spectral Emissions

Switch-mode power supplies usually emit electromagnetic interferences at the switching frequency and its harmonics. Inducing chaos in these systems has recently been suggested as a means of reducing these spectral emissions, yet at the expense of aggravating the overall magnitude of the ripple in the output voltage. We propose here a new nonlinear feedback, which induces chaos and which is able at the same time to achieve a low spectral emission and to maintain a small ripple in the output. The design of this new and simple controller is based on the propriety that chaotified nonlinear systems present many independent chaotic attractors of small dimensions

A Study of Comorbidities and Nutritional Supplements Strongly Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of chronic conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two primary types of IBD. Some pathologic ramifications of these diseases include weight loss, diarrhea, anemia, osteoporosis, and malignancies. The purpose of this study was to find potential unestablished associations between comorbidities linked to an inflammatory state, nutritional supplements used to help alleviate inflammation and promote wellbeing, and the psychological toll on patients. A deidentified database of 404 IBD patients built by Binghamton Gastroenterology Associates collected information on demographics, medical treatment, symptoms, and medical problems, including psychological disorders. We used semantic connectivity maps obtained through the Auto-Connectivity Map (CM) system to visualize relationships in our data. We aimed to identify possible associations between nutritional supplements (vitamin D, multivitamins, omega-3, and folic acid) and inflammation related to arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, along with correlations to anxiety and depression. Our results reflect a close association between arthritis and hypertension (LS=0.68). Folic acid is linked to anxiety (LS= 0.74) and CVD (LS= 0.73). A strong association exists between lack of omega-3 intake and both arthritis (LS= 0.85) and depression (LS= 0.85). Depression and vitamin D intake are also associated (LS= 0.80). The association between arthritis, hypertension and CVD could be a direction for future research