2,568 research outputs found
Quantum Sampling Problems, BosonSampling and Quantum Supremacy
There is a large body of evidence for the potential of greater computational
power using information carriers that are quantum mechanical over those
governed by the laws of classical mechanics. But the question of the exact
nature of the power contributed by quantum mechanics remains only partially
answered. Furthermore, there exists doubt over the practicality of achieving a
large enough quantum computation that definitively demonstrates quantum
supremacy. Recently the study of computational problems that produce samples
from probability distributions has added to both our understanding of the power
of quantum algorithms and lowered the requirements for demonstration of fast
quantum algorithms. The proposed quantum sampling problems do not require a
quantum computer capable of universal operations and also permit physically
realistic errors in their operation. This is an encouraging step towards an
experimental demonstration of quantum algorithmic supremacy. In this paper, we
will review sampling problems and the arguments that have been used to deduce
when sampling problems are hard for classical computers to simulate. Two
classes of quantum sampling problems that demonstrate the supremacy of quantum
algorithms are BosonSampling and IQP Sampling. We will present the details of
these classes and recent experimental progress towards demonstrating quantum
supremacy in BosonSampling.Comment: Survey paper first submitted for publication in October 2016. 10
pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl
Advanced Fenton processing of aqueous phenol solutions:a continuous system study including sonication effects
Our previous report based on a batch reactor system for the Advanced Fenton Process (AFP) showed that pH, hydrogen peroxide and the organic substances treated are among the most important factors affecting the oxidation efficiency. As an extended study towards its commercialisation, this paper reports the effects of the main process parameters including those relating to a new AFP flow-through system. In order to systemise and correlate the results, the Taguchi experimental design method was used. Total organic carbon (TOC) removal was utilised as the measure of the oxidation efficiency and it was found that the removal of phenol from aqueous solution at pH 2.0 and 2.5 was very similar but hydrogen peroxide supply significantly affected the TOC removal with the change of flow rate from 14.4 mL/hr to 60 mL/hr. Also, the initial concentration of phenol was a highly significant factor, with higher concentrations resulting in a lower TOC removal rate. The temperature effects in the range of 14 °C to 42 °C were investigated and it was found that there was accelerated oxidation of phenol in the early stages but after 90 minutes there was no significant difference between the results. Sonication with a bath type sonicator resulted in relatively small enhancements of TOC removal but further studies with cup-horn and probe type sonicators showed that TOC removal increased with higher intensity of sonication on additional input of hydrogen peroxide
A patient preference study that evaluated fluticasone furoate and mometasone furoate nasal sprays for allergic rhinitis
Background: Corticosteroid nasal sprays are the mainstay of treatment for allergic rhinitis. These sprays have sensory attributes such as scent and/or odor, taste and aftertaste, and run down the throat and/or the nose, which, when unpleasant, can affect patient preference for, and compliance with, treatment.
Objective: This study examined patient preference for fluticasone furoate nasal spray (FFNS) or mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) based on their sensory attributes after administration in patients with allergic rhinitis.
Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, cross-over study. Patient preferences were determined by using three questionnaires (Overall Preference, Immediate Attributes, and Delayed Attributes).
Results: Overall, 56% of patients stated a preference for FFNS versus 32% for MFNS (p _ 0.001); the remaining 12% stated no preference. More patients stated a preference for FFNS versus MFNS for the attributes of âless drip down the throatâ (p _ 0.001), âless run out of the noseâ (p _ 0.05), âmore soothingâ (p _ 0.05), and âless irritatingâ (p _ 0.001). More patients responded in favor of FFNS versus MFNS for the immediate attributes, ârun down the throatâ (p _ 0.001), and ârun out of the noseâ (p _ 0.001), and, in the delayed attributes, ârun down the throatâ (p _ 0.001), ârun out of the noseâ (p _ 0.01), âpresence of aftertasteâ (p _ 0.01), and âno nasal irritationâ (p _ 0.001).
Conclusion: Patients with allergic rhinitis preferred FFNS versus MFNS overall and based on a number of individual attributes, including âless drip down the throat,â âless run out of the nose,â and âless irritating.â Greater preference may improve patient adherence and thereby improve symptom management of the patientâs allergic rhinitis
The partially alternating ternary sum in an associative dialgebra
The alternating ternary sum in an associative algebra, , gives rise to the partially alternating ternary sum in an
associative dialgebra with products and by making the
argument the center of each term: . We use computer algebra to determine the polynomial identities in
degree satisfied by this new trilinear operation. In degrees 3 and 5 we
obtain and ; these identities define a new variety of partially alternating ternary
algebras. We show that there is a 49-dimensional space of multilinear
identities in degree 7, and we find equivalent nonlinear identities. We use the
representation theory of the symmetric group to show that there are no new
identities in degree 9.Comment: 14 page
Understanding temporal social dynamics in zoo animal management: an elephant case study
Zoo animal management procedures which lead to changes to social groups can cause disruption in social hierarchies and the temporary breakdown of social relationships. Animals have different roles in social networks. Understanding individual positions in social networks is important for effective management and ensuring positive welfare for all animals. Using elephants as a case study, the aim of this research was to investigate temporal social dynamics in zoo animals. Behavioural data were collected between January 2016 and February 2017 from 10 African and 22 Asian elephants housed at seven zoos and safari parks in the UK and Ireland. Social interactions were defined as positive physical, positive non-physical, negative physical or negative non-physical. Social network analysis explored social relationships including the fluidity of networks over time and dyadic reciprocity. Social interaction networks were found to be fluid but did not follow a seasonal pattern. Positive interaction networks tended to include the entire social group whereas negative interactions were restricted to specific individuals. Unbalanced ties were observed within dyads, suggesting potential inequalities in relationships. This could impact on individual experiences and welfare. This research highlights subtle temporal dynamics in zoo elephants with the potential for species-level differences. Similar temporal dynamics may also be present in other socially housed zoo species. This research thus provides evidence for the importance of understanding the social networks of zoo animals over longer periods of time. Understanding social networks enables pro-active and evidence-based management approaches. Further research should seek to identify the minimum sampling efforts for social networks in a range of species, to enable the implementation of regular monitoring of social networks and thus improve the welfare of social species under human care
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a novel, group self-management course for adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain: study protocol for a multicentre, randomised controlled trial (COPERS)
Introduction: Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a
common condition that often responds poorly to
treatment. Self-management courses have been
advocated as a non-drug pain management
technique, although evidence for their effectiveness
is equivocal. We designed and piloted a
self-management course based on evidence for
effectiveness for specific course components and
characteristics.
Methods/analysis: COPERS (coping with persistent
pain, effectiveness research into self-management) is
a pragmatic randomised controlled trial testing the
effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an intensive,
group, cognitive behavioural-based, theoretically
informed and manualised self-management course
for chronic pain patients against a control of best
usual care: a pain education booklet and a relaxation
CD. The course lasts for 15 h, spread over 3 days,
with a â2 h follow-up session 2 weeks later. We aim
to recruit 685 participants with chronic
musculoskeletal pain from primary, intermediate and
secondary care services in two UK regions. The
study is powered to show a standardised mean
difference of 0.3 in the primary outcome, pain-related
disability. Secondary outcomes include generic
health-related quality of life, healthcare utilisation,
pain self-efficacy, coping, depression, anxiety and
social engagement. Outcomes are measured at 6 and
12 months postrandomisation. Pain self-efficacy is
measured at 3 months to assess whether change
mediates clinical effect.
Ethics/dissemination: Ethics approval was given
by Cambridgeshire Ethics 11/EE/046. This trial will
provide robust data on the effectiveness and
cost-effectiveness of an evidence-based, group
self-management programme for chronic
musculoskeletal pain. The published outcomes will
help to inform future policy and practice around such
self-management courses, both nationally and
internationally.
Trial registration: ISRCTN24426731
Surface-acoustic-wave-driven luminescence from a lateral p-n junction
The authors report surface-acoustic-wave-driven luminescence from a lateral
p-n junction formed by molecular beam epitaxy regrowth of a modulation doped
GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well on a patterned GaAs substrate.
Surface-acoustic-wave-driven transport is demonstrated by peaks in the
electrical current and light emission from the GaAs quantum well at the
resonant frequency of the transducer. This type of junction offers high carrier
mobility and scalability. The demonstration of surface-acoustic-wave
luminescence is a significant step towards single-photon applications in
quantum computation and quantum cryptography.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Validation of Methods to Predict Vibration of a Panel in the Near Field of a Hot Supersonic Rocket Plume
This paper describes the measurement and analysis of surface fluctuating pressure level (FPL) data and vibration data from a plume impingement aero-acoustic and vibration (PIAAV) test to validate NASA s physics-based modeling methods for prediction of panel vibration in the near field of a hot supersonic rocket plume. For this test - reported more fully in a companion paper by Osterholt & Knox at 26th Aerospace Testing Seminar, 2011 - the flexible panel was located 2.4 nozzle diameters from the plume centerline and 4.3 nozzle diameters downstream from the nozzle exit. The FPL loading is analyzed in terms of its auto spectrum, its cross spectrum, its spatial correlation parameters and its statistical properties. The panel vibration data is used to estimate the in-situ damping under plume FPL loading conditions and to validate both finite element analysis (FEA) and statistical energy analysis (SEA) methods for prediction of panel response. An assessment is also made of the effects of non-linearity in the panel elasticity
Coerced Hospital Admission and Symptom Change-A Prospective Observational Multi-Centre Study
PMCID: PMC3227658 Freely available online via CCplosone.org
An Arbitrary Two-qubit Computation In 23 Elementary Gates
Quantum circuits currently constitute a dominant model for quantum
computation. Our work addresses the problem of constructing quantum circuits to
implement an arbitrary given quantum computation, in the special case of two
qubits. We pursue circuits without ancilla qubits and as small a number of
elementary quantum gates as possible. Our lower bound for worst-case optimal
two-qubit circuits calls for at least 17 gates: 15 one-qubit rotations and 2
CNOTs. To this end, we constructively prove a worst-case upper bound of 23
elementary gates, of which at most 4 (CNOT) entail multi-qubit interactions.
Our analysis shows that synthesis algorithms suggested in previous work,
although more general, entail much larger quantum circuits than ours in the
special case of two qubits. One such algorithm has a worst case of 61 gates of
which 18 may be CNOTs. Our techniques rely on the KAK decomposition from Lie
theory as well as the polar and spectral (symmetric Shur) matrix decompositions
from numerical analysis and operator theory. They are related to the canonical
decomposition of a two-qubit gate with respect to the ``magic basis'' of
phase-shifted Bell states, published previously. We further extend this
decomposition in terms of elementary gates for quantum computation.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures. Version 2 gives correct credits for the GQC
"quantum compiler". Version 3 adds justification for our choice of elementary
gates and adds a comparison with classical library-less logic synthesis. It
adds acknowledgements and a new reference, adds full details about the 8-gate
decomposition of topC-V and stealthily fixes several minor inaccuracies.
NOTE: Using a new technique, we recently improved the lower bound to 18 gates
and (tada!) found a circuit decomposition that requires 18 gates or less.
This work will appear as a separate manuscrip
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