On the black-box complexity of Sperner's Lemma

We present several results on the complexity of various forms of Sperner's Lemma in the black-box model of computing. We give a deterministic algorithm for Sperner problems over pseudo-manifolds of arbitrary dimension. The query complexity of our algorithm is linear in the separation number of the skeleton graph of the manifold and the size of its boundary. As a corollary we get an $O(\sqrt{n})$ deterministic query algorithm for the black-box version of the problem {\bf 2D-SPERNER}, a well studied member of Papadimitriou's complexity class PPAD. This upper bound matches the $\Omega(\sqrt{n})$ deterministic lower bound of Crescenzi and Silvestri. The tightness of this bound was not known before. In another result we prove for the same problem an $\Omega(\sqrt[4]{n})$ lower bound for its probabilistic, and an $\Omega(\sqrt[8]{n})$ lower bound for its quantum query complexity, showing that all these measures are polynomially related.Comment: 16 pages with 1 figur

Hidden Translation and Translating Coset in Quantum Computing

We give efficient quantum algorithms for the problems of Hidden Translation and Hidden Subgroup in a large class of non-abelian solvable groups including solvable groups of constant exponent and of constant length derived series. Our algorithms are recursive. For the base case, we solve efficiently Hidden Translation in $\Z_{p}^{n}$, whenever $p$ is a fixed prime. For the induction step, we introduce the problem Translating Coset generalizing both Hidden Translation and Hidden Subgroup, and prove a powerful self-reducibility result: Translating Coset in a finite solvable group $G$ is reducible to instances of Translating Coset in $G/N$ and $N$, for appropriate normal subgroups $N$ of $G$. Our self-reducibility framework combined with Kuperberg's subexponential quantum algorithm for solving Hidden Translation in any abelian group, leads to subexponential quantum algorithms for Hidden Translation and Hidden Subgroup in any solvable group.Comment: Journal version: change of title and several minor update

Frequency Shifts and Linewidth Changes of Infrared-Active Phonons in Double-Layered High-Temperature Superconductors

We calculate frequency shifts and changes in linewidths of infrared-active phonons within a shell model for the bare phononic system coupled to an electronic double-layer structure with inter-layer charge transfer. The theoretical concept is applied to YBaCuO yielding a good description of experimental results in the normal state as well as at the transition to the superconducting state.Comment: 8 pages, LaTex, SISSA-CM-93-00

The Grothendieck group of polytopes and norms

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Fieber und Lymphadenopathie: Bericht über 4Tularämiefälle

Zusammenfassung: Wir berichten über 4Patienten, die in der Schweiz oder dem grenznahen Ausland an unterschiedlichen Formen der Tularämie erkrankten. Als Gemeinsamkeiten zeigten alle Patienten ein febriles Zustandsbild mit mäßiger bis ausgeprägter laborchemischer Entzündungsreaktion und eine lokoregionäre Lymphadenopathie. Zusätzlich führte bei 3Patienten eine empirisch begonnene Therapie mit β-Laktam-Antibiotika zu keiner Verbesserung der Klinik. Als Infektionsquelle konnte bei 2Patienten eine eindeutige, in einem Fall eine mögliche Korrelation mit einem Zeckenstich eruiert werden. Bei der vierten Patientin blieb der Ursprung der Tularämie ungeklärt. Die Diagnose stützte sich auf eine positive Serologie, eine positive Polymerase-Kettenreaktion (PCR) aus einem Gewebeaspirat oder auf positive Blutkulturen. Die Therapie erfolgte bei 3erwachsenen Patienten mit Ciprofloxacin p.o. über 3Wochen, wobei die Dosierung zwischen 500 und 750mg 2-mal täglich variierte. Bei einem pädiatrischen Patienten wurde die Therapie mit Gentamicin 4mg/kgKG i.v. 1-mal täglich für eine Woche und mit Ciprofloxacin 15mg/kgKG p.o. 2-mal täglich für 2weitere Wochen durchgeführt. Unter adäquater Therapie kam es bei allen Patienten zu einem erfreulichen Krankheitsverlauf mit vollständiger Ausheilung. Bei Patienten mit Fieber und Lymphknotenvergrößerung - insbesondere nach Zeckenstich - muss auch in der Schweiz eine Tularämie in die Differenzialdiagnose einbezogen werden. Als Therapie empfehlen wir eine Medikation mit Ciprofloxacin p.o. für 14-21Tag

Noncontact Laser Ultrasonic Inspection of Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs)

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are poised to revolutionize jet engine technology by enabling operation temperatures well beyond those possible with current superalloys, while reducing active cooling requirements and engine weight. Manufacturing of parts formed by silicon-carbide (SiC) fibers in a SiC matrix is now well advanced, with the first non-structural static components entering service in 2017 with the CFM Leap® engine that features SiC/SiC turbine shrouds. In order to expand the scope of application of CMCs to rotating parts, such as turbine blades, much work is being conducted to understand and characterize the modes of failure of these materials at temperatures beyond 1,000 °C. In this context, the ability of nondestructively monitoring the formation and progression of damage in CMCs specimens during high-temperature mechanical testing is critical. However, the elevated temperature precludes the possibility of using sensors placed in direct contact with the specimen and therefore severely restricts the range of available NDE techniques. This paper provides the first experimental assessment of the feasibility of noncontact laser ultrasonic inspection of SiC/SiC flat coupons. An Nd:Yag laser is used to excite ultrasonic waves on one side of the specimen while a Michelson interferometer detects the signals emerging on the other side at the epicenter position. The lasers are mounted on synchronized linear stages to form C-scans as in conventional immersion ultrasonics while ablation damage to the surface of the specimen is prevented by operating the lasers at low power density. Despite the complex microstructure of the SiC/SiC material it is found that the measured waveforms are remarkably similar to those observed when conducting the same tests in aluminum specimens. Moreover, it is shown that it is possible to: a) image interlaminar defects caused by impacts, and b) monitor crack opening under tensile load. Finally, very good signal stability is observed when temperature is increased from 25 to 1,250 °C which confirms the feasibility of laser monitoring at high temperature and is consistent with the excellent thermal stability of CMC mechanical properties

Glasspalace "Schunck" Heerlen:casestudy

The Glasspalace is built in 1935 in the centre of Heerlen and is designed as a department store by the architect F.P.J. Peutz. The building was originally surrounded by a façade of huge glass sheets mounted in thin steel profiles explaining its nickname "Glasspalace". It was quite revolutionary for that time. Currently the building occupies a position in the top 1000 list of the worlds most important architectural buildings. However during the transformation of the building into a shopping centre in 1972 most of its unique architectural qualities was lost. Because of poor maintenance in the 80's and 90's the situation got even worse. Nowadays the building is completely desolated and is a meeting place for drug-users. In 1997 the City of Heerlen decided to acquire the building and restore its original appearance to counteract the imminent deterioration of the city centre of Heerlen and to house a new set of users. Meanwhile a combination of architects has been commissioned to make a new design for the Glasspalace. However, the way the architects demand to work and the obliged regulations of the European Community are stipulating some specific conditions to the projects that brings in some complexities in the managerial context. This report will discuss the main bottlenecks of the existing process and will propose a new process design. The report is set up in two parts: the first part will deal with the existing process design; the second part is about the redesign proposed by the ADMS-group

Towards a 3-D tomographic retrieval for the air-borne limb-imager GLORIA

GLORIA (Gimballed Limb Observer for Radiance Imaging of the Atmosphere) is a new remote sensing instrument essentially combining a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer with a two-dimensional (2-D) detector array in combination with a highly flexible gimbal mount. It will be housed in the belly pod of the German research aircraft HALO (High Altitude and Long Range Research Aircraft). It is unique in its combination of high spatial and state-of-the art spectral resolution. Furthermore, the horizontal view angle with respect to the aircraft flight direction can be varied from 45° to 135°. This allows for tomographic measurements of mesoscale events for a wide variety of atmospheric constituents. <br><br> In this paper, a tomographic retrieval scheme is presented, which is able to fully exploit the manifold radiance observations of the GLORIA limb sounder. The algorithm is optimized for massive 3-D retrievals of several hundred thousands of measurements and atmospheric constituents on common hardware. The new scheme is used to explore the capabilities of GLORIA to sound the atmosphere in full 3-D with respect to the choice of the flightpath and to different measurement modes of the instrument using ozone as a test species. It is demonstrated that the achievable resolution should approach 200 m vertically and 20 km–30 km horizontally. Finally, a comparison of the 3-D inversion with conventional 1-D inversions using the assumption of a horizontally homogeneous atmosphere is performed