Abstract:
:Computer algorithms can only produce seemingly random or pseudorandom numbers whereas certain natural phenomena, such as the decay of radioactive particles, can be utilized to produce truly random numbers. In this study, the ability of humans to generate random numbers was tested in healthy adults. Subjects were simply asked to generate and dictate random numbers. Generated numbers were tested for uniformity, independence and information density. The results suggest that humans can generate random numbers that are uniformly distributed, independent of one another and unpredictable. If humans can generate sequences of random numbers then neural networks or forms of artificial intelligence, which are purported to function in ways essentially the same as the human brain, should also be able to generate sequences of random numbers. Elucidating the precise mechanism by which humans generate random number sequences and the underlying neural substrates may have implications in the cognitive science of decision-making. It is possible that humans use their random-generating neural machinery to make difficult decisions in which all expected outcomes are similar. It is also possible that certain people, perhaps those with neurological or psychiatric impairments, are less able or unable to generate random numbers. If the random-generating neural machinery is employed in decision making its impairment would have profound implications in matters of agency and free will.
journal_name
Med Hypothesesjournal_title
Medical hypothesesauthors
Persaud Ndoi
10.1016/j.mehy.2005.02.019keywords:
subject
Has Abstractpub_date
2005-01-01 00:00:00pages
211-4issue
2eissn
0306-9877issn
1532-2777pii
S0306-9877(05)00114-3journal_volume
65pub_type
杂志文章abstract::Rodent studies reveal that oxidative stress, much of it generated via induction/activation of NADPH oxidase, is a key mediator of a number of the pathogenic effects of chronic ethanol overconsumption. The highly reactive ethanol metabolite acetaldehyde is a key driver of this oxidative stress, and doubtless works in o...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2012.12.040
更新日期:2013-04-01 00:00:00
abstract::Knowledge about how information is stored in neurons of animals and in the human brain is still incomplete. A hypothesis related to long-term changes in synaptic efficiency has strong experimental support, but does not seem to be able to explain all observations. It has recently been proposed that magnetite together w...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2018.07.003
更新日期:2018-10-01 00:00:00
abstract::Genetic linkage studies and genome wide analysis have provided insights into complex medical diseases. Mycobacterium avium ss. paratuberculosis (MAP) causes Johne's disease, an important enteric inflammatory disease mostly studied in ruminant animals. MAP is also the putative cause of Crohn's disease. Moreover, MAP ha...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2014.09.025
更新日期:2014-12-01 00:00:00
abstract::Human endometrium is a highly regenerative tissue and contains a low number of cells which have high replicative ability and differentiation efficiency. This has been identified by many scientists. When the fresh growth of tissue and blood vessels is shed during each menstrual cycle, some cells with regenerative capab...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2008.10.021
更新日期:2009-03-01 00:00:00
abstract::One area of relative agreement in schizophrenic research is that there is grey matter volume deficit in various cortical areas associated with this illness. One theory attempting to explain this involves an exaggerated action of the normal CNS pruning process. Various aspects of this process were discussed along with ...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2011.03.038
更新日期:2011-07-01 00:00:00
abstract::Preterm birth is an important perinatal health problem. Several possible mechanisms have been proposed but it may be important to have a testable mechanistic hypothesis that can explain the possible common mechanism for preterm births around the globe. Altered metabolism of micronutrients, like folic acid, vitamin B(1...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2011.08.001
更新日期:2011-11-01 00:00:00
abstract::In the present study, we used the potential of bioinformatics and computational analysis to predict the existence and biological relevance of zinc finger (ZF) motifs in heamagglutinin (HA) protein of Avian Influenza (AI) virus. Sequence data of Avian Influenza (AI) viruses were retrieved from accessible databases (Gen...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109925
更新日期:2020-11-01 00:00:00
abstract::Endophthalmitis following pars-plana procedures such as a vitrectomy vitreo-retinal procedures has been infrequently reported in literature. The cited incidence is about 0.1% to 0.2%. In the 8 cases of endophthalmitis that have been reported in literature, the prognosis has been indicated as very poor due to a delay i...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1054/mehy.2001.1490
更新日期:2002-06-01 00:00:00
abstract::Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a final common pathway to the eventual structural desolation of kidneys. However, the mechanism involved in this phenomenon is still poorly understood, and current therapies are ineffective or only marginally effective. Mast cell has a variety of physiological and pathological functions ...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2006.10.059
更新日期:2007-01-01 00:00:00
abstract::A steady fall in mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has been reported recently in the United States. This study tests the hypothesis that fruits and vegetables had a protective effect against cardiovascular mortality among the American population from 1964-78. Special attention was focused on more spec...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/0306-9877(85)90035-0
更新日期:1985-01-01 00:00:00
abstract::The etiology of sudden-death ischemic heart disease (SDIHD) remains an enigma. Data will be presented which suggest that SDIHD may be due to hypomagnesemia in and around the coronary arterial and arteriolar vessels. We have found that blood vessels (especially arteries and arterioles) deficient with respect to Mg can ...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/0306-9877(79)90074-4
更新日期:1979-08-01 00:00:00
abstract::Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that may be marked by abdominal pain, bloating, fullness, indigestion, belching, constipation and/or diarrhea. IBS symptoms can result from malabsorption of fructose. Fructose is a monosaccharide found naturally in small quantities in fruits and some vegetables, and in muc...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2015.05.019
更新日期:2015-09-01 00:00:00
abstract::A method for fast nucleotide sequencing is described. It is based in the selection of well-known small oligomers able to be hybridized with the unknown target. The selected oligomers are afterwards ordered following a simple statistical approach. The use of capillary electrophoresis for the analysis is emphasized. ...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1054/mehy.1999.1026
更新日期:2000-07-01 00:00:00
abstract::Rheumatoid arthritis is complex and not clear on the mechanism of pathogenesis. On the basis of analysis of the symptom and pathology of rheumatoid arthritis patients, we raised a new hypothesis. The content of the hypothesis is as follows: (A) Collagen II or collagen II-Iike substance in human cartilage is the cross-...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/s0306-9877(02)00143-3
更新日期:2002-10-01 00:00:00
abstract::This paper discusses a mechanism for converting heterochromatin into the more relaxed state of euchromatin. Actuation of such state conversion stems from disassembly of internal vesicles that are incapable of surviving when trapped within the inner chamber of mammalian nuclei. ...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/s0306-9877(02)00233-5
更新日期:2002-11-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Special feet connected to a prosthesis, prosthetic sports feet, enable athletes with a lower limb amputation to run. The selection of a prosthetic sports feet is usually based on body weight and preferred sports performance. The selection of a prosthetic sport feet is also based on clinicians who likely have...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109869
更新日期:2020-10-01 00:00:00
abstract::Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) not only have increased risk of hypothyroidism, they also tend to develop a relatively novel mild form of neonatal hypothyroidism. One problem that may predispose those with trisomy 21 to hypothyroidism is the overexpression of the gene DYRK1A, which may have an affect on the thyroi...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2007.01.068
更新日期:2007-01-01 00:00:00
abstract::Transcendental mediation (TM) is a stylized form of physical and mental relaxation which is associated with changes in the secretion and release of several pituitary hormones. The hormonal changes induced by TM mimic the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is hypothesized that...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/0306-9877(95)90181-7
更新日期:1995-04-01 00:00:00
abstract::Studies have reported an increasing incidence of thyroid cancer worldwide. The reasons are likely related to improved imaging modalities, altered histopathologic criteria for diagnosis of thyroid cancer, and nuclear exposure. However, the classical assumption derived from epidemiological studies is that it should be q...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2009.08.021
更新日期:2010-01-01 00:00:00
abstract::Intrinsic radio-sensitivity is the determinant of differential response of tumours to low LET ionising radiations. The probabilistic DNA fibril both model shows intrinsic radio-sensitivity factor [I] as function of nuclear diameter (Nd) and intra cellular hydrogen ion concentration [H+]. Linking probabilities of letha...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2013.09.031
更新日期:2013-12-01 00:00:00
abstract::Recent advances into the neuroscience research related to pathophysiology of schizophrenia have been impressive. While some are based on pre-existing theories and models, others have explored on a molecular level attempting to integrate the concepts of the past and present. However, given the complex multifactorial et...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1054/mehy.2001.1511
更新日期:2002-02-01 00:00:00
abstract::Metabolic targeting of liver 5-aminolevulinate synthase (5-ALAS) by inhibition of heme utilisation by tryptophan (Trp) 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) or the use of tryptophan is proposed as a therapy of acute hepatic porphyrias. 5-ALAS, the rate-limiting enzyme of heme biosynthesis, is under negative feedback control by a smal...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章,评审
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2019.109314
更新日期:2019-10-01 00:00:00
abstract::Information about the etiology of pressure sores has been contradictory and is inconsistent with the idea that pressure sore formation is due extensively to depriving a tissue region of blood. Based on these observations and on studies done in the cooperating laboratories, an hypothesis has been formulated that integr...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/0306-9877(83)90067-1
更新日期:1983-06-01 00:00:00
abstract::COVID-19 exacts a disproportionate toll on both the elderly and those with diabetes; these patients are more likely to require costly intensive care, longer hospitalisation, and die from complications. Nations would thus find it extremely difficult to either lift or sustain socially, economically, and politically dama...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110374
更新日期:2021-01-01 00:00:00
abstract::Alzheimer's disease (AD) includes etiologically heterogeneous disorders characterized by senile or presenile dementia, extracellular amyloid protein aggregations containing an insoluble amyloid precursor protein derivative, and intracytoplasmic tau protein aggregations. Recent studies also show excess neuronal aneuplo...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2003.12.045
更新日期:2004-01-01 00:00:00
abstract::Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle reflex is a measure of sensorimotor gating that may reflect the biological processes underlying gaiting impairments in schizophrenia. Although PPI is clinically useful, why PPI is inhibited in schizophrenia is largely unknown. Prepulse inhibition is mediated by M2-like mus...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109901
更新日期:2020-10-01 00:00:00
abstract::Sudden cardiac death prematurely claims the lives of some 7 million each year worldwide. It occurs primarily in patients with an underlying structural cardiac abnormality, and regardless of the type of the underlying pathology (heart failure, dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies, myocardial infarction and aging),...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2008.02.018
更新日期:2008-08-01 00:00:00
abstract::Despite extensive research, a link between the assumed mechanisms of death and known risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has not yet been established. Modifiable risk factors such as prone sleeping position, nicotine exposure and thermal stress and non-avoidable risk factors like male gender and some ...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2006.10.019
更新日期:2007-01-01 00:00:00
abstract::Ontogenesis might be considered as the development of phylogenetically consequent genic systems that mainly imply: homoeotic genes and ras protooncogene in segmentation; ras and myc protooncogenes in gastrulation; ras, myc and other nuclear protooncogenes in organogenesis; ras myc, other nuclear and cytomembrane proto...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/0306-9877(89)90033-9
更新日期:1989-12-01 00:00:00
abstract::Pro PSA, the precursor of PSA, is an inactive 244-amino acid protein secreted by prostatic cells. Pro PSA, a distinct molecular form of free PSA in serum, includes native as well as several truncated forms. Clinical studies have recently provided evidence that pro PSA is associated with prostate cancer (PCa). The trun...
journal_title:Medical hypotheses
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2004.06.006
更新日期:2005-01-01 00:00:00