2,897 research outputs found
Simple computer model for the quantum Zeno effect
This paper presents a simple model for repeated measurement of a quantum
system: the evolution of a free particle, simulated by discretising the
particle's position. This model is easily simulated by computer and provides a
useful arena to investigate the effects of measurement upon dynamics, in
particular the slowing of evolution due to measurement (the `quantum Zeno
effect'). The results of this simulation are discussed for two rather different
sorts of measurement process, both of which are (simplified forms of)
measurements used in previous simulations of position measurement. A number of
interesting results due to measurement are found, and the investigation casts
some light on previous disagreements about the presence or absence of the Zeno
effect.Comment: REVTeX; 12 pages including 11 figures; figures reformatted to be more
readable; some small changes made to the description of the mode
Quantum strategies
We consider game theory from the perspective of quantum algorithms.
Strategies in classical game theory are either pure (deterministic) or mixed
(probabilistic). We introduce these basic ideas in the context of a simple
example, closely related to the traditional Matching Pennies game. While not
every two-person zero-sum finite game has an equilibrium in the set of pure
strategies, von Neumann showed that there is always an equilibrium at which
each player follows a mixed strategy. A mixed strategy deviating from the
equilibrium strategy cannot increase a player's expected payoff. We show,
however, that in our example a player who implements a quantum strategy can
increase his expected payoff, and explain the relation to efficient quantum
algorithms. We prove that in general a quantum strategy is always at least as
good as a classical one, and furthermore that when both players use quantum
strategies there need not be any equilibrium, but if both are allowed mixed
quantum strategies there must be.Comment: 8 pages, plain TeX, 1 figur
Non-equilibrium phase transitions in biomolecular signal transduction
We study a mechanism for reliable switching in biomolecular
signal-transduction cascades. Steady bistable states are created by system-size
cooperative effects in populations of proteins, in spite of the fact that the
phosphorylation-state transitions of any molecule, by means of which the switch
is implemented, are highly stochastic. The emergence of switching is a
nonequilibrium phase transition in an energetically driven, dissipative system
described by a master equation. We use operator and functional integral methods
from reaction-diffusion theory to solve for the phase structure, noise
spectrum, and escape trajectories and first-passage times of a class of minimal
models of switches, showing how all critical properties for switch behavior can
be computed within a unified framework
ROTATIONAL-DYNAMICS OF SOLID C-70 - A NEUTRON-SCATTERING STUDY
PMID: 10011126PMID: 10011126 This work at the University of Sussex at supported by the Science and Engineering Research Council, U.K.PMID: 10011126 This work at the University of Sussex at supported by the Science and Engineering Research Council, U.K.PMID: 10011126 This work at the University of Sussex at supported by the Science and Engineering Research Council, U.K.We report the results of neutron-diffraction and low-energy neutron-inelastic-scattering experiments on high-purity solid C-70 between 10 and 640 K. Thermal hysteresis effects are found to accompany structural changes both on cooling and on heating. The observed diffuse scattering intensity does not change with temperature. At 10 K broad librational peaks are observed at 1.82(16) meV [full width at half maximum=1.8(5) meV]. The peaks soften and broaden further with increasing temperature. At and above room temperature, they collapse into a single quasielastic line. At 300 K, the diffusive reorientational motion appears to be somewhat anisotropic, becoming less so with increasing temperature. An isotropic rotational diffusion model, in which the motions of adjacent molecules are uncorrelated, describes well the results at 525 K. The temperature dependence of the rotational diffusion constants is consistent with a thermally activated process having an activation energy of 32(7) meV.This work at the University of Sussex at supported by the Science and Engineering Research Council, U.K
Attentional focus strategies used by regular exercisers and their relationship with perceived exertion, enjoyment, and satisfaction
Individuals can focus their attention in different ways during exercise and different foci may influence psychological states experienced. The present study examined the distribution of attentional focus strategies in exercisers and their relationships with gender, perceived exertion, enjoyment, and satisfaction. Regular exercisers (176 females, 144 males) completed a measure of attentional focus and rated their perceived exertion, enjoyment, and satisfaction during an exercise session. All participants used more than one type of attentional focus during an exercise session. Males spent more time than females attending to task-relevant thoughts and external cues whereas females spent more time attending to task-irrelevant thoughts and external distractions. In females and males, time spent engaging in task-irrelevant thoughts was negatively correlated with perceived exertion and satisfaction with exercise. For females only, time using external distractions was negatively correlated with satisfaction and positively correlated with enjoyment. For males only, time attending to task-relevant external cues was positively correlated with perceived exertion and enjoyment. The observed gender differences in attentional focus preferences and the relationships with psychological states have implications for advice given to exercisers and approaches that aim to promote adherence to exercise programs
Working memory dysfunctions predict social problem solving skills in schizophrenia
The current study aimed to examine the contribution of neurocognition and social cognition to components of social problem solving. Sixty-seven inpatients with schizophrenia and 31 healthy controls were administrated batteries of neurocognitive tests, emotion perception tests, and the Chinese Assessment of Interpersonal Problem Solving Skills (CAIPSS). MANOVAs were conducted to investigate the domains in which patients with schizophrenia showed impairments. Correlations were used to determine which impaired domains were associated with social problem solving, and multiple regression analyses were conducted to compare the relative contribution of neurocognitive and social cognitive functioning to components of social problem solving. Compared with healthy controls, patients with schizophrenia performed significantly worse in sustained attention, working memory, negative emotion, intention identification and all components of the CAIPSS. Specifically, sustained attention, working memory and negative emotion identification were found to correlate with social problem solving and 1-back accuracy significantly predicted the poor performance in social problem solving. Among the dysfunctions in schizophrenia, working memory contributed most to deficits in social problem solving in patients with schizophrenia. This finding provides support for targeting working memory in the development of future social problem solving rehabilitation interventions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved
On the robustness of random Boolean formulae
Random Boolean formulae, generated by a growth process of noisy logical gates are analyzed using the generating functional methodology of statistical physics. We study the type of functions generated for different input distributions, their robustness for a given level of gate error and its dependence on the formulae depth and complexity and the gates used. Bounds on their performance, derived in the information theory literature for specific gates, are straightforwardly retrieved, generalized and identified as the corresponding typical-case phase transitions. Results for error-rates, function-depth and sensitivity of the generated functions are obtained for various gate-type and noise models
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