Quantum Weakly Nondeterministic Communication Complexity

We study the weakest model of quantum nondeterminism in which a classical proof has to be checked with probability one by a quantum protocol. We show the first separation between classical nondeterministic communication complexity and this model of quantum nondeterministic communication complexity for a total function. This separation is quadratic.Comment: 12 pages. v3: minor correction

A common algebraic description for probabilistic and quantum computations

AbstractThrough the study of gate arrays we develop a unified framework to deal with probabilistic and quantum computations, where the former is shown to be a natural special case of the latter. On this basis we show how to encode a probabilistic or quantum gate array into a sum-free tensor formula which satisfies the conditions of the partial trace problem, and vice-versa; that is, given a tensor formula F of order n×1 over a semiring S plus a positive integer k, deciding whether the kth partial trace of the matrix valSn,n(F·FT) fulfills a certain property. We use this to show that a certain promise version of the sum-free partial trace problem is complete for the class pr- BPP (promise BPP) for formulas over the semiring (Q+,+,·) of the positive rational numbers, for pr-BQP (promise BQP) in the case of formulas defined over the field (Q+,+,·), and if the promise is given up, then completeness for PP is shown, regardless whether tensor formulas over positive rationals or rationals in general are used. This suggests that the difference between probabilistic and quantum polytime computers may ultimately lie in the possibility, in the latter case, of having destructive interference between computations occurring in parallel. Moreover, by considering variants of this problem, classes like ⊕P, NP, C=P, its complement co-C=P, the promise version of Valiant's class UP, its generalization promise SPP, and unique polytime US can be characterized by carrying the problem properties and the underlying semiring

Fretting fatigue of zinc coated low carbon steel EN H320 M

The object of the present study was to investigate the influence of zinc coatings on steel sheets during fretting fatigue and fatigue tests. The influence of the fatigue stress range, normal pressure and amplitude of slip, on the fracture life was studied for both coated and uncoated EN H320 M steel. The wear produced by fretting was measured and compared with the fracture life evolution for different values of slip amplitude. The wear scars and the fracture surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy to identify the degradation mechanism. Although zinc films do not influence the fatigue life of the tested steel, when fretting is superposed on to a fatigue stress the coating markedly improves the fracture life.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V57-41P170J-3/1/28c47c72d1819449bc588ed21bd53a2

Sobrevivência em viveiro de mudas de espécies nativas retiradas da regeneração natural de remanescente florestal Survival in nursery of native species saplings obtained from natural regeneration of forest fragments

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a sobrevivência em viveiro de plântulas retiradas da regeneração natural de remanescente de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, localizado em Bofete, SP. Indivíduos com até 30 cm de espécies arbustivo-arbóreos foram coletados em parcelas instaladas previamente em remanescente florestal, transplantados para viveiro sob sombrite 50%, e avaliados periodicamente durante nove meses. Ao todo foram transferidos para o viveiro 2.424 indivíduos, pertencentes a 110 espécies. A taxa média de sobrevivência foi de 69%, com variação nos resultados para as diferentes espécies, famílias e classes de altura dos indivíduos. Embora espécies pioneiras tenham apresentado taxa de sobrevivência significativamente maior que não pioneiras, várias espécies não pioneiras apresentaram elevada taxa de sobrevivência. Muitas das espécies sobreviventes não são encontradas nos viveiros florestais do Estado de São Paulo. A produção de mudas por meio da transferência da regeneração natural de áreas naturais é uma estratégia complementar viável, que eleva a riqueza de espécies dos viveiros florestais.<br>Seedling survival was evaluated regarding transplanted saplings obtained from natural regeneration of a Semideciduous Seasonal Forest fragment, located at Bofete, São Paulo State, Brazil. Shrub and trees species seedlings up to 30 cm height were collected from samples sited on a forest remnant, transplanted to a nursery under 50% shade tissue, and evaluated periodically during nine months. A total of 2,424 seedlings, belonging to 110 species were transferred to the nursery. Average survival reached 69%, although this survival rate was quite variable according to the species, families and height classes of the evaluated individuals. In spite of the fact that pioneer species presented higher survival rate, several non-pioneer species also obtained high values of survival. Besides, many of the survivor species are usually not available in forest nurseries of the São Paulo State. The transference of seedlings from natural regeneration of forest fragments to forest nurseries seems to be a complementary and a viable method in order to produce saplings of native species, increasing diversity within nurseries with forest restoration purposes

Digestibility and microbial efficiency in steers fed diets based on corn silage hybrids and concentrate levels

A trial involving a 2x2 factorial design was conducted to evaluate the effect of corn silage hybrids and concentrate levels (25 and 50%) on intake and digestibility of nutrients, ruminal characteristics and microbial efficiency in steers. Four ruminal and abomasal cannulated steers (512±25kg of birth weight), were used in a 4×4 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of 75% silage A + 25% concentrate; 50% silage A + 50% concentrate; 75% silage B + 25% concentrate; and 50% silage B + 50% concentrate on dry matter (DM) basis. There were no differences in the intakes of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein, and ether extract. The intake of non fiber carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients were positively affected by concentrate levels. The digestibility of DM and OM were also positively affected by concentrate levels. There were no effects of treatments on ruminal pH values, ruminal ammonia-N, and microbial efficiency