Adiabatic processes need not correspond to optimal work

Non-cognitive does not work; we need a new name

Are you one of a growing number of medical educators uncomfortable using the term “noncognitive” to describe a cluster of behavioural characteristics, personal attributes and interpersonal skills used for admissions? We are. Do you believe that ethical reasoning, situational judgments, complex communication skills, critical thinking, and even empathy and respect for all people are learned skill...

To work or not to work?

Anomaly detection in adiabatic processes

Anomaly detection algorithm complements human surveillance in that it is capable of handling both very fast and large volume of observations. In this report, it is instead used to evaluate and detect anomalous behavior in video-recorded extremely slow processes, which can be as challenging for human perception. Morphological image processing techniques are used to separate the slowly evolving f...

Hypercomputation with quantum adiabatic processes

Despite the recursive non-computability of Hilbert’s tenth problem, we outline and argue for a quantum algorithm that is based on the Quantum Adiabatic Theorem. It is explained how this algorithm can solve Hilbert’s tenth problem. The algorithm is then considered in the context of several “no-go” arguments against such hypercomputation. Logical arguments are usually based on Cantor’s diagonal t...

Optimal processes for probabilistic work extraction beyond the second law

According to the second law of thermodynamics, for every transformation performed on a system which is in contact with an environment of fixed temperature, the average extracted work is bounded by the decrease of the free energy of the system. However, in a single realization of a generic process, the extracted work is subject to statistical fluctuations which may allow for probabilistic violat...