Grobner Bases for Finite-temperature Quantum Computing and their Complexity

Following the recent approach of using order domains to construct Grobner bases from general projective varieties, we examine the parity and time-reversal arguments relating de Witt and Lyman's assertion that all path weights associated with homotopy in dimensions d <= 2 form a faithful representation of the fundamental group of a quantum system. We then show how the most general polynomial ring obtained for a fermionic quantum system does not, in fact, admit a faithful representation, and so give a general prescription for calcluating Grobner bases for finite temperature many-body quantum system and show that their complexity class is BQP

Excited nucleons with chirally improved fermions

We study positive and negative parity nucleons on the lattice using the chirally improved lattice Dirac operator. Our analysis is based on a set of three operators chi_i with the nucleon quantum numbers but in different representations of the chiral group and with different diquark content. We use a variational method to separate ground state and excited states and determine the mixing coefficients for the optimal nucleon operators in terms of the chi_i. We clearly identify the negative parity resonances N(1535) and N(1650) and their masses agree well with experimental data. The mass of the observed excited positive parity state is too high to be interpreted as the Roper state. Our results for the mixing coefficients indicate that chiral symmetry is important for N(1535) and N(1650) states. We confront our data for the mixing coefficients with quark models and provide insights into the physics of the nucleon system and the nature of strong decays.Comment: Tables added, small modifications in the tex

The effect of business coaching and mentoring on small-to-medium enterprise performance and growth

This thesis establishes the extent to which business coaching is a driver of growth in small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). Business coaching is defined as a collaborative relationship between experienced coaches and entrepreneurial leaders, focussing on business goals, entrepreneur development, and contribution to firm growth. Incorporating four inter-related studies using quantitative and qualitative techniques, this thesis addresses four questions: How does business coaching contribute to entrepreneurs&amp;rsquo; performance and firm growth? What difference, if any, does a structured programme make to entrepreneurs&amp;rsquo; perceptions of business coaching? What contribution, if any, does business coaching directly or indirectly make to firm growth? What have been the experiences of fast-growth entrepreneurs when receiving business coaching? A comprehensive review of literature on coaching, mentoring, business management, consulting, and psychology reveals that these disciplines have a significant influence on, or have been adopted by, business coaching. However, there is a dearth of empirical research on business coaching, with extant investigations being largely case studies involving limited controls to rule out competing factors. Moreover, research to measure systematically the effect of business coaching on performance change, effectiveness, goal achievement, or entrepreneur efficacy has not been undertaken. Study 1 involved interviewing two business coaches, and two entrepreneurs from lifestyle and fast-growth firms to explore the plausibility and classifications of assumptions pertinent to business coaching. Informing the next stage, Study 2 sought to establish measures for business coaching, and answer question relating to start-up entrepreneurs&amp;rsquo; perception of business coaching when coupled with a structured training programme. Findings reveal that a structured training and business coaching programme positively influenced experiences of entrepreneurs who had previously received business coaching, with an important ingredient appearing to be the appropriate matching between business coaches and entrepreneurs. Study 3 comprised 200 fast-growth entrepreneurs, 50% of whom used business coaches. Confirmatory factor analytic methods established clear links between business coaching elements including coaching styles, entrepreneurial level of confidence, and firm growth. The hypothesised model revealed that business coaches acting as sounding boards and effective listeners, tend to focus on vision, goals, strategy, customers, and production, thereby empowering entrepreneur&amp;rsquo; self-efficacy, and ultimately leading to firm growth. In Study 4, 39 fast-growth entrepreneurs identified that rather than focussing on bottom-line results, they seek mainly to absorb business coaches&amp;rsquo; experiences and knowledge, develop leadership and business skills, share points of view or ideas, and gain new perspectives. While apparent that particular coaching styles appeal to different entrepreneurs, having trusting relationships appropriate for their stage of firm growth, leadership need, and personal development are considered paramount. This thesis suggests that specific components of business coaching impact entrepreneurs&amp;rsquo; self-efficacy enabling them to solve problems, find appropriate solutions, and handle situations, resulting in firm growth. Following a systematic and comprehensive method of measuring outcomes, the thesis culminates in a Business Coaching and Firm Growth model. Providing evidence for the positive association between business coaching&amp;rsquo;s effectiveness and firm financial growth, these findings have both practical and theoretical implications, and form the groundwork for future research on outcome-based business coaching

Potential tumour doubling time: determination of Tpot for various canine and feline tumours

Spontaneous tumours in dogs and cats are an excellent model for clinical human research, such as in developing proton conformation radiotherapy for humans. The kinetics of tumour cells can be used effectively to predict prognosis and response to therapy in patients with tumours. Knowledge of the kinetic parameters in these tumours is therefore important. In the present study the kinetic parameters evaluated included the labelling index (LI), relative movement (RM), mitotic index (MI), and potential doubling time (Tpot). These parameters were determined using in vivo labelling with bromodeoxyuridine, flow cytometry and histological preparation. Samples were obtained and evaluated from 72 dogs and 20 cats, presenting as patients in our clinic. Within the groups of epithelial and mesenchymal tumours from dogs and cats, the kinetic parameters LI, RM and MI were compared with Tpot. Significant correlations were observed for the comparison Tpot and LI. No correlation was found between Tpot and R

Lattice QCD at finite isospin density at zero and finite temperature

We simulate lattice QCD with dynamical $u$ and $d$ quarks at finite chemical potential, $\mu_I$, for the third component of isospin ($I_3$), at both zero and at finite temperature. At zero temperature there is some $\mu_I$, $\mu_c$ say, above which $I_3$ and parity are spontaneously broken by a charged pion condensate. This is in qualitative agreement with the prediction of effective (chiral) Lagrangians which also predict $\mu_c=m_\pi$. This transition appears to be second order, with scaling properties consistent with the mean-field predictions of such effective Lagrangian models. We have also studied the restoration of $I_3$ symmetry at high temperature for $\mu_I > \mu_c$. For $\mu_I$ sufficiently large, this finite temperature phase transition appears to be first order. As $\mu_I$ is decreased it becomes second order connecting continuously with the zero temperature transition.Comment: 23 pages, Revtex, 9 figures. Major revision of sections 3 and 4 to include new analyses of critical scaling which we now find to be in the universality class of mean-field theor

The pseudo-Goldstone spectrum of 2-colour QCD at finite density

We examine the spectrum of 2-colour lattice QCD with 4 continuum flavours at a finite chemical potential ($\mu$) for quark-number, on a $12^3 \times 24$ lattice. First we present evidence that the system undergoes a transition to a state with a diquark condensate, which spontaneously breaks quark number at $\mu=m_\pi/2$, and that this transition is mean field in nature. We then examine the 3 states that would be Goldstone bosons at $\mu=0$ for zero Dirac and Majorana quark masses. The predictions of chiral effective Lagrangians give a good description of the behaviour of these masses for $\mu < m_\pi/2$. Except for the heaviest of these states, these predictions diverge from our measurements, once $\mu$ is significantly greater than $m_\pi/2$. However, the qualitative behaviour of these masses, indicates that the physics is very similar to that predicted by these effective Lagrangians, and there is some indication that at least part of these discrepancies is due to saturation, a lattice artifact.Comment: 32 pages LaTeX/Revtex, 8 Postscript figure

Efficacy of different antifouling treatments for seawater cooling systems

In an industrial seawater cooling system, the effects of three different antifouling treatments, viz. sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), aliphatic amines (Mexel1432) and UV radiation, on the characteristics of the fouling formed were evaluated. For this study a portable pilot plant, as a side-stream monitoring system and seawater cooling system, was employed. The pilot plant simulated a power plant steam condenser, having four titanium tubes under different treatment patterns, where fouling progression could be monitored. The nature of the fouling obtained was chiefly inorganic, showing a clear dependence on the antifouling treatment employed. After 72 days the tubes under treatment showed a reduction in the heat transfer resistance (R) of around 70% for NaClO, 48% for aliphatic amines and 55% for UV, with respect to the untreated tube. The use of a logistic model was very useful for predicting the fouling progression and the maximum asymptotic value of the increment in the heat transfer resistance (DRmax). The apparent thermal conductivity (l) of the fouling layer showed a direct relationship with the percentage of organic matter in the collected fouling. The characteristics and mode of action of the different treatments used led to fouling with diverse physicochemical properties

ОПТИМАЛЬНЕ ЗА ШВИДКОДІЄЮ КЕРУВАННЯ КОМПЕНСАЦІЙНИМИ СИМЕТРУВАЛЬНИМИ ПРИСТРОЯМИ

Обґрунтований алгоритм оптимального за швидкодією керування компенсаційними симетрувальними пристроями, який рекомендується для застосування за умови істотного зниження напруги у вузлі приєднання споживача.Обоснован алгоритм оптимального по быстродействию управления компенсационными симметрирую- щими устройствами, который рекомендуется для применения при условии существенного снижения на- пряжения в узле присоединения потребител

Metabolite and thymocyte development defects in ADA-SCID mice receiving enzyme replacement therapy

Deficiency of adenosine deaminase (ADA, EC3.5.4.4), a housekeeping enzyme intrinsic to the purine salvage pathway, leads to severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) both in humans and mice. Lack of ADA results in the intracellular accumulation of toxic metabolites which have effects on T cell development and function. While untreated ADA-SCID is a fatal disorder, there are different therapeutic options available to restore ADA activity and reconstitute a functioning immune system, including enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Administration of ERT in the form of pegylated bovine ADA (PEG-ADA) has proved a life-saving though non-curative treatment for ADA-SCID patients. However, in many patients treated with PEG-ADA, there is suboptimal immune recovery with low T and B cell numbers. Here, we show reduced thymus cellularity in ADA-SCID mice despite weekly PEG-ADA treatment. This was associated with lack of effective adenosine (Ado) detoxification in the thymus. We also show that thymocyte development in ADA-deficient thymi is arrested at the DN3-to-DN4 stage transition with thymocytes undergoing dATP-induced apoptosis rather than defective TCRβ rearrangement or β-selection. Our studies demonstrate at a detailed level that exogenous once-a-week enzyme replacement does not fully correct intra-thymic metabolic or immunological abnormalities associated with ADA deficiency