Optimizing Quantum Adiabatic Algorithm

In quantum adiabatic algorithm, as the adiabatic parameter $s(t)$ changes slowly from zero to one with finite rate, a transition to excited states inevitably occurs and this induces an intrinsic computational error. We show that this computational error depends not only on the total computation time $T$ but also on the time derivatives of the adiabatic parameter $s(t)$ at the beginning and the end of evolution. Previous work (Phys. Rev. A \textbf{82}, 052305) also suggested this result. With six typical paths, we systematically demonstrate how to optimally design an adiabatic path to reduce the computational errors. Our method has a clear physical picture and also explains the pattern of computational error. In this paper we focus on quantum adiabatic search algorithm although our results are general.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

Quantum Algorithm for Approximating Maximum Independent Sets

We present a quantum algorithm for approximating maximum independent sets of a graph based on quantum non-Abelian adiabatic mixing in the sub-Hilbert space of degenerate ground states, which generates quantum annealing in a secondary Hamiltonian. For both sparse and dense graphs, our quantum algorithm on average can find an independent set of size very close to $\alpha(G)$, which is the size of the maximum independent set of a given graph $G$. Numerical results indicate that an $O(n^2)$ time complexity quantum algorithm is sufficient for finding an independent set of size $(1-\epsilon)\alpha(G)$. The best classical approximation algorithm can produce in polynomial time an independent set of size about half of $\alpha(G)$

The Positionality and the Promise of Architecture(s)

Architecture as a discipline entangles multiple interactions between the physical world, technology, and the organisation of the cultural and social environment of the profession, but its multidisciplinary character is not the only multi-dimension to be investigated. In the era of post-architecture, moving towards an autonomous subjectivity, opening up the field, and questioning the plurality of the discipline is crucial: not just Architecture but Architecture(s). Furthermore, European Schools of Architecture offer a wide variety of meanings of the term Architecture in their curricula. For all these reasons, it is urgent to discuss a broadening of the term itself to understand the positioning of architectural education in the contemporary global world. The conference is an invitation to think differently, reflecting upon the context of the discipline to understand the knowledge of the future, focusing on the question: what is Architecture in the age often described as post-architecture

On the New Development of Chinese Folk Dance

Chinese folk dance originated from people’s working life and is a deduction of local people’s life, customs and spirit. It is created and performed independently by the people and gradually developed into a traditional culture with local characteristics. From the perspective of multi-culture, the traditional folk dance has been impacted to a certain extent, especially in the youth stage. In order to change this situation and promote the new development of folk dance, certain measures must be taken to inherit and carry forward the folk dance based on the actual situation. This paper discusses the origin and development of Chinese folk dance, briefly outlines the inheritance and development strategies of Chinese folk dance, and promotes the new development of Chinese folk dance based on protection

A unified methodology of maintenance management for repairable systems based on optimal stopping theory

This dissertation focuses on the study of maintenance management for repairable systems based on optimal stopping theory. From reliability engineering’s point of view, all systems are subject to deterioration with age and usage. System deterioration can take various forms, including wear, fatigue, fracture, cracking, breaking, corrosion, erosion and instability, any of which may ultimately cause the system to fail to perform its required function. Consequently, controlling system deterioration through maintenance and thus controlling the risk of system failure becomes beneficial or even necessary. Decision makers constantly face two fundamental problems with respect to system maintenance. One is whether or when preventive maintenance should be performed in order to avoid costly failures. The other problem is how to make the choice among different maintenance actions in response to a system failure. The whole purpose of maintenance management is to keep the system in good working condition at a reasonably low cost, thus the tradeoff between cost and condition plays a central role in the study of maintenance management, which demands rigorous optimization. The agenda of this research is to develop a unified methodology for modeling and optimization of maintenance systems. A general modeling framework with six classifying criteria is to be developed to formulate and analyze a wide range of maintenance systems which include many existing models in the literature. A unified optimization procedure is developed based on optimal stopping, semi-martingale, and lambda-maximization techniques to solve these models contained in the framework. A comprehensive model is proposed and solved in this general framework using the developed procedure which incorporates many other models as special cases. Policy comparison and policy optimality are studied to offer further insights. Along the theoretical development, numerical examples are provided to illustrate the applicability of the methodology. The main contribution of this research is that the unified modeling framework and systematic optimization procedure structurize the pool of models and policies, weed out non-optimal policies, and establish a theoretical foundation for further development

Analysis of the Impact of Learning Folk Dance on College Students

The thesis thoroughly researches the influence of learning folk dance on college students. Through analyzing the concept and characteristics of folk dance, the importance of cultural heritage, the current situation of learning, and the influence on college students’ psychological, physical and cultural identity, it is found that learning folk dance has a positive influence on college students’ comprehensive development. Learning folk dance can improve the comprehensive ability of college students, enrich their personal interests, improve their health and living habits, and enhance their identification with and pride in traditional culture. In addition, learning folk dance can help college students improve their self-knowledge and self-esteem, cultivate their social skills and sense of cooperation, and regulate their emotions and release pressure. Taken together, learning folk dance has a profound positive impact on the comprehensive development of college students, and provides useful support and assistance for the inheritance and development of traditional culture

Determining the Fate of NON-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli in Dairy Compost During Storage using the Optimized Detection Method

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), a member of Enterobacteriaceae family, has been recognized as emerging pathogens. Dairy compost is commonly applied to farmland as a soil amendment. Despite the agricultural benefit of manure-based soil amendment, the inadequately treated compost can contribute to fresh produce contamination on the farm. Moreover, the epidemiological results showed that the non-O157 STEC cases have surpassed those of E. coli O157. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate the behavior of non-O157 STEC strains in the dairy manure-based compost. The objectives of this study were to: 1) optimize a culturing method for detecting non-O157 STEC from dairy compost, 2) determine the growth potential of top six non-O157 STEC serovars in dairy compost, and 3) conduct a persistence study of non-O157 STEC in dairy compost being held at room temperature. First, we optimized a culturing method for detecting STEC during enrichment. Cefixime-tellurite Sorbitol MacConkey Agar supplemented with 5 mg/l novobiocin (CTN-SMAC) was chosen for enumerating non-O157 STEC cells before or after enrichment, as CTN-SMAC is more cost effective than Modified Rainbow Agar (mRBA) and both agar plates enumerated the same level of STEC. The single step selective enrichment recovered ca. 0.54 log CFU/g more cells as compared to the two-step enrichment. In addition, without enrichment step, the detection limit of individual STEC serovar ranged from 250 to 2,500 CFU/g in dairy compost. For STEC O26 and O145, the detection limit by IMS was 2,500 CFU/g, but for other STEC serotypes (O45, O103, O111, and O121), the detection limit was 250 CFU/g. Our results demonstrated that a low level of STEC (ca. 100 CFU/g) could be detected within one day from dairy compost by culturing method through optimized enrichment procedure followed by immunomagnetic beads separation (IMS). Next, we investigated the survival potential of non-O157 STEC in dairy compost during storage at room temperature. A mixture of six non-O157 STEC serovars was inoculated into commercially available dairy compost with 30% moisture content at a final concentration of ca. 5.5 log CFU/g. During storage at room temperature for up to 42 days, STEC counts and other factors such as indigenous microorganism population, moisture contents and pH were analyzed at selected sampling intervals. Both moisture contents and pH values in dairy compost remained unchanged (p\u3e0.05) during the entire duration of trials, and so did the background bacterial level. As for the STEC population, a growth of ca. 0.5 log CFU/g was recorded within the first day post inoculation, followed by a rapid decrease of ca. 1.5 log CFU/g during 14 days of storage. By the end of the experiment, the population level of non-O157 STEC reduced ca. 1.7 logs, and the survival curve displayed an extensive tailing. Randomly selected colonies from the last 3 sampling times were confirmed as STEC by PCR. Our results demonstrated that low-level of STEC could be detected within one day from the finished dairy compost by culturing method through optimized enrichment procedure followed by IMS, and non-O157 STEC persisted in dairy compost for at least 42 days, indicating the long-term survival of non-O157 STEC in the finished dairy compost. Therefore, proper handling and testing of the finished dairy compost as soil amendment is critical for ensuring the microbiological safety of fresh produce and the farm environment