Speeding up Thermalisation via Open Quantum System Variational Optimisation

Optimizing open quantum system evolution is an important step on the way to achieving quantum computing and quantum thermodynamic tasks. In this article, we approach optimisation via variational principles and derive an open quantum system variational algorithm explicitly for Lindblad evolution in Liouville space. As an example of such control over open system evolution, we control the thermalisation of a qubit attached to a thermal Lindbladian bath with a damping rate $\gamma$. Since thermalisation is an asymptotic process and the variational algorithm we consider is for fixed time, we present a way to discuss the potential speedup of thermalisation that can be expected from such variational algorithms.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, comments welcom

DEVELOPING A PERFORMANCE IMPORTANCE MATRIX FOR A PUBLIC SECTOR BUS TRANSPORT COMPANY: A CASE STUDY

This paper presents a study of comparison of the importance attached by the service providers’ and the customers’ with respect to eighteen service characteristics towards the public transportation services provided by a bus company. The survey was conducted in three bus depots in one division of a state road transport undertaking (SRTU) in south India. The importance the SRTU and the customers attach to these characteristics indicates significant differences. This reveals the existence of a gap between customers’ expectations and the service provided by the company. Finally the customer retention and customer development criteria have been. identified.Performance importance matrix, Customer expectations, Public bus transport, Radar chart.

Design of a Partial Resonant Inverter for solar photovoltaic applications

This paper presents a solar-powered Partial Resonant Inverter (PRI) interfaced with an asymmetrical cascaded nine-level inverter. The DC input of the proposed system is obtained using Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) panel. The input DC sources fed to the asymmetrical cascaded nine-level inverter are in the ratio of 1:3. The step modulated nine-level inverter works with a precalculated switching angle for a fixed modulation of 0.7. Compared to the conventional 50 Hz inverter and the multi-output transformer design, the proposed system is more compact because of the high-frequency AC link. The PRI ensures Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) and reduces the switching losses. The proposed scheme has been validated in the MATLAB/ SIMULINK environment and an experimental prototype is built in the laboratory. Based on the investigations the Selective Harmonic Elimination (SHE) method gives superior performance when compared to the Optimal Harmonic Stepped Modulation (OHSM) method. From the results and comparative analysis, the proposed system uses fewer switches to obtain the nine-level output, uses the PRI setup with the multioutput transformer to make the design compact and improves the power quality of the system

The Role of Sensory Experiences and Information on the Willingness to Pay for Organic Wheat Bread

This study examined the size and the determinants of the price premium a sample of Edmonton-area consumers was willing to pay for organic wheat bread. The development of these premiums included consideration of providing information on health or environmental advantages of organic production and consideration of sensory (taste) acceptance. To do this conventional and organic wheat was grown under similar conditions and milled and baked into 60% whole wheat bread under identical conditions. Samples of these breads were presented to consumers for sensory acceptance and a survey of their attitudes, behaviours and characteristics. The survey included a closed-ended contingent valuation question to examine consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) premiums for the organic bread. A trained sensory panel was used to quantify differences in the sensory characteristics of the two breads. The results suggest that in the absence of taste information respondents' WTP when environmental information was provided was greater than WTP when health information was given. When sensory taste information was included, however, the WTP estimates under the health information treatment were about twice those under the environmental information. The trained sensory panel observed the two treatments of bread to differ in texture but not in flavor, aroma or colour characteristics. The implications of these findings are that successful marketing of organic foods depends on circumstance - in the absence of sensory experience the environmental benefits of organic production appear to be more appealing than potential health benefits. Health claims are only viewed positively when the product can be tasted. Sensory scientists should use caution in interpreting WTP estimates in that they must take into account the type of information and placement of WTP questions in their study designs. We also found that sensory variables when included in the regression model had statistically significant effects on WTP estimates. The economic significance of including these variables in the logit model was limited, however. Nevertheless we feel that under some circumstances economists may find it advantageous to include sensory information in their models of food demand.Organic foods, price premium, willingness to pay, taste, health, environment, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Q13, Q18,

A REVIEW ON ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF SUBSTITUTED PYRAZOLINE DERIVATIVES SYNTHESISED FROM CHALCONES

The pyrazoline ring is a ubiquitous structural feature of many natural and synthetic compounds with potent anti-inflammatory activity. The creation of novel pyrazoline derivatives and examination of their chemical and biological behaviour have gained additional focus in the current decade. Pyrazolines and its fused heterocyclic derivatives tested with anti-inflammatory activity constitute a significant class of compounds for novel drug evolution. Pyrazoline nucleus when linked with different substituents like alkyl, aromatic, heterocyclic rings and many other groups at different positions on the ring shows considerable to more effective anti-inflammatory activity. This article presents a comprehensive review of the anti-inflammatory activity of some novel derivatives of pyrazoline ring

Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (Essential EAFM) training and TOT in Sri Lanka

This report presents presentations from representatives of 12 countries, key outcomes and recommendations for the future

Soil and water conservation measures for sustainable coconut production: Impact of interventions under Farmers Participatory Action Research Programme

A study was conducted to analyse the experiences and impact of technological interventions related to soil and water conservation implemented in 105 coconut farmers’ gardens in Kasaragod District of Kerala state during 2009 to 2011 under Farmers Participatory Action Research Programme (FPARP). Participatory assessment of soil and water conservation technologies was done using matrix scoring technique. Impact assessment showed that soil conserved in the coconut basin having half-moon bund around it varied greatly in different farms. Soil collected varied from 0.038 m3 to 0.091 m3 and water conserved varied from 1.2 m3 to 9.6 m3. Soil conserved in a trench varied from 0.35 m3 to 0.082 m3 and water conserved varied from 1.8 m3 to 8.3 m3. The average pre-intervention yield was 54 nuts per palm per year. The post intervention yield was increased to 64 nuts per palm thereby indicating an average yield increase by 19 per cent. Based on the matrix scoring, mulching coconut basins was ranked first compared to other soil and water conservation technologies. Simple and comparatively low cost soil and water conservation technologies could be replicated in a substantial number of farm holdings through the farmer participatory watershed-based decentralized development schemes of local self governments with the support of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme under MGNREGA thus indicating the replicability and horizontal spread of technologies demonstrated under the FPARP project. Analysis of impact of technological interventions under FPARP in farmers’ field revealed the efficacy of soil and water conservation technologies for water saving/water use efficiency and yield enhancement in coconut besides enhancement in knowledge about soil and water conservation measures

Puzzlements in an evolving commodity chain: The case of tender coconut market in Kerala

Not AvailableThe tender coconut market in the Kasaragod district is a perfect example of multiple market formations at different regions of the district. Apparently there were no entry barriers or price discrimination in the market. We could observe the coexistence of all theoretically possible market behavior patterns, which evidently reflects an evolving commodity market. For instance in Kasaragod, major share of the tender coconut supply was found to be provided by three traders, and on the other hand at certain regions we could observe perfect competition in the supply side which enhanced the bargaining position of the retailer/vendor

Coconut sector in India experiencing a new regime of trade and policy environment: A critical analysis

Of late, Indian coconut sector is facing unprecedented crises on account of various macro and micro level factors. The productivity of the crop is constrained by low input use efficiency in conjunction with other biotic and abiotic stresses, which are priority areas of research. The aspect of mechanization also deserves adequate importance, considering the scarcity of skilled labour. Above all, the most important facet is value addition, which should be strengthened to mitigate the issue of low profitability of the sector. The post-World Trade Agreement (WTA) and ASEAN Treaty regime witnessed integration of plantation economies across the globe that resulted in fierce competition among producing countries. This paper addresses the pertinent issues on various facets of coconut economy by employing appropriate economic tools of analysis. The facets covered include trade aspects, global competitiveness, production economics, price analysis, policy level impediments and marketing issues. We have found that as far as the export markets of coconut value added products are concerned, India is comparatively a very small player with paltry export market shares. However, in recent times, Indian export sector has become vibrant with very high growth rate since Coconut Development Board (CDB) has been upgraded to the status of Export Promotion Council (EPC). Indian coconut sector has huge domestic demand, comparatively higher productivity, strong research support and technology delivery systems. In spite of these positive aspects, concerted efforts are lacking to effectively utilize the possible linkages between them for increasing the production and marketing efficiencies and enter the high value global chains. Sustainable coconut economy could only be achieved through integrated development of cultivation and industry coupled with a stable market

Analyzing the Information Sharing Practices and Barriers in Supply Chain of Automotive Industries

Information sharing and technology remain one of the key factors of coordination amongst the parties in a supply chain. Supply chain efficiency is highly important as today�s competition is no longer between companies, but between supply chains. Information sharing can increase supply chain efficiency by reducing inventories and smoothing the production. The purpose of this study is to assess the status of the supply chain information sharing practices in Indian automotive industries. This study is focused on identifying the types of information shared, determining the level of information sharing , usage of Information Technology (IT) tools and identifying the barriers of information sharing. Data for this study is collected from the respondents of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 Indian automobile industries. Frequency analysis is employed to derive the results from the survey