Bring on them zombies!

WHEN ZOMBIES ATTACK!: MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF AN OUTBREAK OF ZOMBIE INFECTION

Philip Munz1 ∗, Ioan Hudea1 †, Joe Imad2 ‡, Robert J. Smith?3 §
1
School of Mathematics and Statistics, Carleton University,
1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
2
Department of Mathematics, The University of Ottawa,
585 King Edward Ave, Ottawa ON K1N 6N5, Canada
2
Department of Mathematics and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Ottawa,
585 King Edward Ave, Ottawa ON K1N 6N5, Canada

Abstract

Zombies are a popular figure in pop culture/entertainment and they are usually
portrayed as being brought about through an outbreak or epidemic. Consequently,
we model a zombie attack, using biological assumptions based on popular zombie
movies. We introduce a basic model for zombie infection, determine equilibria and
their stability, and illustrate the outcome with numerical solutions. We then refine the
model to introduce a latent period of zombification, whereby humans are infected, but
not infectious, before becoming undead. We then modify the model to include the
effects of possible quarantine or a cure. Finally, we examine the impact of regular,
impulsive reductions in the number of zombies and derive conditions under which
eradication can occur. We show that only quick, aggressive attacks can stave off the
doomsday scenario: the collapse of society as zombies overtake us all.

Not stopping anytime soon, I guess...

Abstaining from alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of depression according to a new study published in Addiction journal.

It has long been recognised that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to poor physical and mental health. However, there has been mounting evidence that low levels of alcohol consumption may also be associated with poor mental health possibly due to abstainers having other health problems or being reformed heavy drinkers.

The study utilised data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT Study) based in Norway. This provided information on the drinking habits and mental health of over 38,000 individuals. Using this data the authors were able to show that those individuals who reported drinking no alcohol over a two week period were more likely than moderate drinkers to report symptoms of depression. Those individuals who additionally labelled themselves as “abstainers” were at the highest risk of depression. Other factors, such as age, physical health problems and number of close friends could explain some, but not all of this increased risk. The authors also had access to reported levels of alcohol consumption 11 years prior to the main survey. This showed that fourteen percent of current abstainers had previously been heavy drinkers, but this did not explain all of the increased risk of depression amongst abstainers.

The authors conclude that in societies where some use of alcohol is the norm, abstinence may be associated with being socially marginalised or particular personality traits that may also be associated with mental illness.

It should also be noted that alcohol use is associated with many physical health problems, with excessive alcohol consumption being estimated to contribute to over 33,000 death in the UK each year and many more injuries. The current guidance is for men to drink no more than three to four units each day, and women to drink no more than two to three units.

Skogen J. C., Harvey S. B., Henderson M., Stordal E., Mykletun A. Anxiety and depression among abstainers and low-level alcohol consumers. Addiction 2009; 104: 1519-1529

When the time comes...

In case I have enough friends or actually leave some money (highly unlikely), this is to where you should donate my body. In any circumstance, keep the priest away. Recommended reading: Death's acre.

Teaching the ABC

The music is not really necessary.

A Day in the Life

Actually, just my window.

LOL

That's a really cool dude!

I hung my head - Sting

"Works every time"

On orgasm. Very interesting.

Are you a trekkie?

Trekkies Bash New Star Trek Film As 'Fun, Watchable'

Nice song, nice video

Nice live performance

"I woke up sucking a lemon..."

Some Steve Reich to start the day

Catchy

But never quit reading

Jessica Hagy does it again! What a brain!

Neat

Nice web application to waste some time and don't feel too bad.

A bit of self promotion

My latest presentation.

Who cares if it is photoshopped?

Today's game is:

Find the secret service agents:


(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Try it here. too.

Young ears

Created by Train Horns

And proud of it

Your morality is 0% in line with that of the bible.

 

Damn you heathen! Your book learnin' has done warped your mind. You shall not be invited next time I sacrifice a goat.

Do You Have Biblical Morals?
Take More Quizzes

Knocking on your door on Sunday morning is not enough... watch out

Police - Ohio Man Held Woman Captive, Read Bible - NYTimes.com

What I am going to do in my new job

What it will be more precisely, I stll don't have any clue, but I'm up to it!

Organizar, dirigir e executar atividades referentes à formulação e execução de políticas institucionais de gestão da educação, gestão de programas, gestão da avaliação de cursos e programas; planejamento financeiro, elaboração e execução orçamentária, controle da situação financeira e patrimonial; controle contábil financeiro, liberação de recursos, análise e aprovação de prestações de contas; gestão de pessoas, de materiais, de recursos informatizados, do processo produtivo; organização e realização de licitações; realização de pesquisas de mercado, apoio no desenvolvimento mercadológico de novos programas, divulgação e promoção dos programas e atividades da CAPES, comunicação interna e externa; e executar as demais atividades definidas em normas da CAPES.

He is an asshole, but a likable one

For the next time you need to write an abstract

So fucking true...

Kinda true... sometimes.

Maybe most of the time, I know...

2000's suck!

The Uncler w/ Uncle Sam and Alyssa Milano from Alyssa Milano

WTF?!?

Watch out - you could be in a no-kissing zone

Watch out - you could be in a no-kissing zone

These British are kinda nuts. Or are they?

Who's gonna bake the bread?

That's one big ass sausage!
Edit: That didn't come out right... or "That's what she said"

Toddlers' Gesturing Linked To Later Vocabulary And School Readiness

Toddlers' Gesturing Linked To Later Vocabulary And School Readiness

ScienceDaily (Feb. 12, 2009) — Children who convey more meanings with gestures at age 14 months have much larger vocabularies at 54 months than children who convey fewer meanings and are accordingly better prepared for school, according to research at the University of Chicago published in the journal Science on Friday, Feb. 13.

Check your ears or sound system

Great site: www.audiocheck.net.

Green injustice

Fined for illegal clearing, family now feel vindicated

Richard Baker and Nick McKenzie

After suffering court action that cost the family $100,000, Liam Sheahan believes clearing his home and his family.

After suffering court action that cost the family $100,000, Liam Sheahan believes clearing trees saved his home and his family. Photo: Paul Rovere

They were labelled law breakers, fined $50,000 and left emotionally and financially drained.

But seven years after the Sheahans bulldozed trees to make a fire break — an act that got them dragged before a magistrate and penalised — they feel vindicated. Their house is one of the few in Reedy Creek, Victoria, still standing.
[...]

Wht a great voice

Poor CEOs...

Warning: Read at your own risk. Side effects include rage fits, shock, vomiting and permanent lack of hope for mankind.

You Try to Live on 500K in This Town

By ALLEN SALKIN

Published: February 6, 2009
PRIVATE school: $32,000 a year per student.
Mortgage: $96,000 a year.
Co-op maintenance fee: $96,000 a year.
Nanny: $45,000 a year.
We are already at $269,000, and we haven’t even gotten to taxes yet.

Five hundred thousand dollars — the amount President Obama wants to set as the top pay for banking executives whose firms accept government bailout money — seems like a lot, and it is a lot. To many people in many places, it is a princely sum to live on. But in the neighborhoods of New York City and its suburban enclaves where successful bankers live, half a million a year can go very fast.
[...]

Noncompositionality

by Cyanide & Happiness

Would you dare?

Great list from Hugh MacLeod, at gapingvoid.com:

-Getting people to pay $4 for a cup of coffee started off as an act of futility.
-Getting people to give up their horses en masse in exchange for an internal combustion engine started off as an act of futility.
-Getting people to pay for software without any hardware attached to it started off as an act of futility.
-Building a multi-million dollar cottage industry using nothing but blog advertising started off as an act of futility.
-Writing a children's book about wizards in an Edinburgh coffee shop started off as an act of futility.
-Trying to halt the Nazi invasion using nothing but Spitfires started off as an act of futility.
-Stopping the largest army the world had ever seen with just a small phalanx of 300 Spartans started off as an act of futility.
-Trying to blow up the Death Star using nothing but thirty X-Wing fighters started off as an act of futility.
-Convincing the USA to elect an African-American as their President started off as an act of futility.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking...?

A new way to track language change?

Can parasites influence the language we speak?

What do parasites and mountains have in common? They both keep populations apart and drive evolution, say researchers.

In the absence of geographical barriers such as mountains and oceans, parasite "wedges" keep populations of the same species apart, say Corey Fincher and Randy Thornhill of the University of New Mexico in the US. They claim this can provide the opportunity for populations and even new languages to evolve separately.
[...]

That's some high resolution!

Obama's inauguration in extremely high resolution. Check it out who was sleeping during Obama's speech.

Unlikely, but funny

No way, not Spock.

It can always get worse

Where Sweatshops Are a Dream

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

Published: January 14, 2009

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia

Before Barack Obama and his team act on their talk about “labor standards,” I’d like to offer them a tour of the vast garbage dump here in Phnom Penh.

This is a Dante-like vision of hell. It’s a mountain of festering refuse, a half-hour hike across, emitting clouds of smoke from subterranean fires.
[...]

On phonetic transmission

If you are in the UK: ride the atheist bus