2,802 research outputs found
Quantum ground state isoperimetric inequalities for the energy spectrum of local Hamiltonians
We investigate the relationship between the energy spectrum of a local
Hamiltonian and the geometric properties of its ground state. By generalizing a
standard framework from the analysis of Markov chains to arbitrary
(non-stoquastic) Hamiltonians we are naturally led to see that the spectral gap
can always be upper bounded by an isoperimetric ratio that depends only on the
ground state probability distribution and the range of the terms in the
Hamiltonian, but not on any other details of the interaction couplings. This
means that for a given probability distribution the inequality constrains the
spectral gap of any local Hamiltonian with this distribution as its ground
state probability distribution in some basis (Eldar and Harrow derived a
similar result in order to characterize the output of low-depth quantum
circuits). Going further, we relate the Hilbert space localization properties
of the ground state to higher energy eigenvalues by showing that the presence
of k strongly localized ground state modes (i.e. clusters of probability, or
subsets with small expansion) in Hilbert space implies the presence of k energy
eigenvalues that are close to the ground state energy. Our results suggest that
quantum adiabatic optimization using local Hamiltonians will inevitably
encounter small spectral gaps when attempting to prepare ground states
corresponding to multi-modal probability distributions with strongly localized
modes, and this problem cannot necessarily be alleviated with the inclusion of
non-stoquastic couplings
Quantum information in the Posner model of quantum cognition
Matthew Fisher recently postulated a mechanism by which quantum phenomena
could influence cognition: Phosphorus nuclear spins may resist decoherence for
long times, especially when in Posner molecules. The spins would serve as
biological qubits. We imagine that Fisher postulates correctly. How adroitly
could biological systems process quantum information (QI)? We establish a
framework for answering. Additionally, we construct applications of biological
qubits to quantum error correction, quantum communication, and quantum
computation. First, we posit how the QI encoded by the spins transforms as
Posner molecules form. The transformation points to a natural computational
basis for qubits in Posner molecules. From the basis, we construct a quantum
code that detects arbitrary single-qubit errors. Each molecule encodes one
qutrit. Shifting from information storage to computation, we define the model
of Posner quantum computation. To illustrate the model's quantum-communication
ability, we show how it can teleport information incoherently: A state's
weights are teleported. Dephasing results from the entangling operation's
simulation of a coarse-grained Bell measurement. Whether Posner quantum
computation is universal remains an open question. However, the model's
operations can efficiently prepare a Posner state usable as a resource in
universal measurement-based quantum computation. The state results from
deforming the Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) state and is a projected
entangled-pair state (PEPS). Finally, we show that entanglement can affect
molecular-binding rates, boosting a binding probability from 33.6% to 100% in
an example. This work opens the door for the QI-theoretic analysis of
biological qubits and Posner molecules.Comment: Published versio
Impacts of Federal Policies and Programs on Wetlands
Human activities have resulted in the loss of about half of the original 221 million acres of wetlands in the conterminous 48 states. Federal laws, policies, and programs have had major impacts on the nation's wetland resources. Initially, they encouraged and subsidized the draining and filling of wetlands, the flooding of wetlands behind dams, and the diversion and alteration of streamflows to riparian wetlands. More recently, federal policies have been directed to conserving and preventing further net losses. The focus of this study is on the impacts of federal policies on riparian wetlands, i.e., those formed at the interface of rivers and streams and uplands and that require occasional flooding to maintain the health of their ecosystems. The study identifies the trends in wetland acreage, describes the principal federal policies and programs impacting riparian wetlands, summarizes what is currently known or can be deduced from existing research about the impacts of these policies and programs on riparian wetlands, identifies key knowledge gaps, and suggests priorities for additional research. The policies that once directly and indirectly encouraged drainage of wetlands as well as water use and development practices harmful to wetlands have for the most part been abandoned. In some cases they have been replaced by new policies designed to protect the remaining wetlands and to encourage wetland restoration and creation. From the mid-1950s to the early 1990s conversion of wetlands to agriculture accounted for some 70 percent of total conversions. From 1982 to 1992, however, agriculture actually contributed a small net increase in the number of wetland acres. Changes in federal agricultural policies played a major role in this turn around. Overall, net wetland losses have been slowed but not ended since a "no net loss" policy was established in 1989. Several lines of research could contribute to the design and implementation of policies to achieve the "no net loss" goal. Research is needed to understand how farmers' incentives to convert wetlands to agricultural uses would be affected should Swampbuster become toothless as farm subsidies are eliminated or agricultural prices rise. And, if this analysis suggests wetland losses to agriculture would likely accelerate, alternative market-based and regulatory strategies for curbing these losses should be examined. As wetlands are lost to development and other pressures, achieving the no net loss goal requires that these losses be compensated. Research on the physical characteristics and the ability of different wetlands to provide social values such as fish and wildlife habitat, retention of flood waters, and water quality improvements would provide a better basis for determining how much society should invest in protecting, enhancing, restoring, or creating wetlands and whether these investments adequately compensate for the functions of lost wetlands. Research also is needed to determine how mitigation banking might be made more efficient and effective in ensuring social values are adequately compensated when wetlands are lost.
Effect of concentrate feeding level in winter and turnout date to pasture in spring on biological and economical performance of weanling cattle in suckler beef production systems
peer-reviewedThree experiments were carried out to determine the effects of supplementary concentrate feeding level (Low, LC; High, HC) to grass silage and/or turnout date to pasture in spring (Early, ET; Late, LT) for a second grazing season on performance to slaughter of spring-born, weaned beef calves (n = 188). Experiment 1 comprised of two concentrate levels (0.5 and 1.5 kg/day). Experiment 2 comprised of two turnout dates (19 March, 9 April). Experiment 3 comprised of two concentrate levels (0.5 kg and 2.0 kg/day) and two turnout dates (22 March, 12 April). In Experiment 1, live-weight gain during the indoor winter period was 25 kg higher (P 0.05) total live-weight gain for both treatments. In Experiment 2, live weight at turnout to pasture was 11 kg lower (P 0.05), subsequently. In Experiments 1 and 2, live-weight gain during the finishing period and carcass weight, conformation and fat scores did not differ (P > 0.05) between the treatments. In Experiment 3, at turnout to pasture, HC were 35 kg heavier (P < 0.001) than LC, and ET were 12 kg lighter (P < 0.05) than LT, whereas 8 days after late turnout, ET were 13 kg heavier (P < 0.05) than LT.
There was a concentrate level Ă— turnout date interaction (P < 0.05) for live weight at the
end of the grazing season, whereby the LC, LT treatment were lighter than the other
treatments, which did not differ. Live weight at slaughter and carcass weight did not differ (P > 0.05) between the concentrate levels, whereas they were higher (P < 0.05) for ET than LT. Economic and stochastic analysis of Experiment 3 indicated that, in the context of whole-farm systems, (i) feeding HC was dependent on date of sale such that only where progeny were sold at the start of the second grazing season, net farm margin (NFM) was increased, (ii) ET only increased NFM where progeny were retained through to finish and, (iii) taking progeny through to finish was more profitable than selling earlier in the animals’ lifetime. In conclusion, subsequent compensatory growth at pasture diminishes the growth and economic advantage from concentrate supplementation or early turnout to pasture, of young late-maturing cattle
Bioeconomic modelling of male Holstein-Friesian dairy calf-to-beef production systems on Irish farms
peer-reviewedWith the abolition of milk quota in 2015 and increase in the use of Holstein-Friesian
sires in recent years there is predicted to be an increase in the number of male
Holstein-Friesian animals available for beef production. In broad terms, farmers have
two options for finishing these animals; as bulls or steers. In either case, Irish beef
cattle systems are based on maximising lifetime live-weight gain from grass-based
diets. Managing the relationship between the supply and demand for grazed grass is
complicated in these pasture-based systems due to the seasonal variability in grass
growth. The Grange Dairy Beef Systems Model (GDBSM) was used to simulate the
relationship between grazed grass supply and demand and then determine the profitability
of Holstein-Friesian male animals finished as bulls at 16 (B16), 19 (B19) and 22
(B22) months of age and steers at 24 (S24) months of age. Combinations of these cattle
finishing options were also evaluated. The most profitable system was S24. All systems
were very sensitive to variations in beef and concentrate prices and less sensitive to calf price changes with fertiliser price changes having very little effect. Bull systems were more sensitive than the steer system to variation in beef, calf and concentrate prices. There was no advantage of combination systems in terms of utilisation of grass grown or net margin
The impact of livestock and fisheries on food availability and demand in 2020
People in developed countries consume about 3 to 4 times as much meat and fish, and 5 to 6 times as much milk products per capita as in developing Asia and Africa. Yet, meat, milk, and fish consumption per capita has barely grown in the developed countries as a whole over the past 20 years. Growth in per capita consumption and production has occurred in developing regions such as developing Asia, where income has increased from a low level and urbanization is rapid. By 2020, according to projections by IFPRI's IMPACT model, the share of the developing countries in total world meat consumption will rise from 47 percent currently to 64 percent. The net impact on food access for the poor of the world will depend on their role as producers of meat, milk, and fish, their role as consumers, and their need for protein. The amount of cereals per capita consumed directly by rural people will decline as they diversify their diets into animal proteins, but feed use will increase greatly. Available evidence suggests that on balance poor consumers in developing countries will probably be better off.Livestock productivity Sudan. ,Fishery production. ,Food consumption Developing countries. ,Food consumption forecasting. ,
Vanishing Point: An examination of some consequences of globalization for contemporary Irish film
In the following article, some films produced with the support of Bord Scannán na hÉireann (The Irish Film Board) since its reconstitution in 1993 are examined in light of the work of global anthropologist Arjun Appadurai and his theory of global cultural flows. I suggest that cinema, primarily of Hollywood origin, has had a notable influence on the development of Irish society and Irish film. Contemporary Irish film itself also reflects the failure of Irish history to excite the imagination of Ireland’s youth as effectively as the seductive depictions of America’s past as mediated through the Western and gangster films. Indeed, films made in Ireland today reflect the influence of both these genres. However, as the key to the Hollywood continuity style of film-making is its own self-effacement, this has sometimes been reflected in the effacement of people, politics and place in contemporary Irish film as film-makers endeavor to attract a global audience for their work
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