On Quantum Algorithms for Noncommutative Hidden Subgroups

Quantum algorithms for factoring and discrete logarithm have previously been generalized to finding hidden subgroups of finite Abelian groups. This paper explores the possibility of extending this general viewpoint to finding hidden subgroups of noncommutative groups. We present a quantum algorithm for the special case of dihedral groups which determines the hidden subgroup in a linear number of calls to the input function. We also explore the difficulties of developing an algorithm to process the data to explicitly calculate a generating set for the subgroup. A general framework for the noncommutative hidden subgroup problem is discussed and we indicate future research directions.Comment: 13 pages, no figures, LaTeX2

A Quantum Observable for the Graph Isomorphism Problem

Suppose we are given two graphs on $n$ vertices. We define an observable in the Hilbert space \Co[(S_n \wr S_2)^m] which returns the answer ``yes'' with certainty if the graphs are isomorphic and ``no'' with probability at least $1-n!/2^m$ if the graphs are not isomorphic. We do not know if this observable is efficiently implementable.Comment: 5 pages, no figure

Evaluation of macrophyte control in 38 Florida lakes using triploid grass carp

Florida’s large number of shallow lakes, warm climate and long growing season have contributed to the development of excessive growths of aquatic macrophytes that have seriously interfered with many water use activities. The introduction of exotic aquatic macrophyte species such as hydrilla ( Hydrilla verticillata ) have added significantly to aquatic plant problems in Florida lakes. The use of grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) can be an effective and economical control for aquatic vegetation such as hydrilla. Early stocking rates (24 to 74 grass carp per hectare of lake area) resulted in grass carp consumption rates that vastly exceeded the growth rates of the aquatic plants and often resulted in the total loss of all submersed vegetation. This study looked at 38 Florida lakes that had been stocked with grass carp for 3 to 10 years with stocking rates ranging from < 1 to 59 grass carp per hectare of lake and 1 to 207 grass carp per hectare of vegetation to determine the long term effects of grass carp on aquatic macrophyte communities. The median PAC (percent area coverage) value of aquatic macrophytes for the study lakes after they were stocked with grass carp was 14% and the median PVI (percent volume infested) value of aquatic macrophytes was 2%. Only lakes stocked with less than 25 to 30 fish per hectare of vegetation tended to have higher than median PAC and PVI values. When grass carp are stocked at levels of > 25 to 30 fish per hectare of vegetation the complete control of aquatic vegetation can be achieved, with the exception of a few species of plants that grass carp have extreme difficulty consuming. If the management goal for a lake is to control some of the problem aquatic plants while maintaining a small population of predominately unpalatable aquatic plants, grass carp can be stocked at approximately 25 to 30 fish per hectare of vegetation

Charles Baxter’s “Gryphon”: A Postmodernist Substitute in a Traditional Classroom

Cet article étudie la nouvelle « Gryphon » de Charles Baxter en la plaçant dans le cadre de l’histoire intellectuelle et pédagogique allant de l’âge des Lumières en Europe au développement du postmodernisme. Le subjectivisme d’Emmanuel Kant est perçu comme le début d’une transition de l’absolu vers le relatif, en ce qui concerne l’évaluation de ce que l’on présente en classe comme des « faits ». Traditionnellement, cette transition kantienne se manifeste bien plus tard, au moment de l’émergence des idées postmodernistes issues de l’échec des théories positivistes, et c’est précisément cette transition qui est au centre des évènements qui constituent le récit. Dans le but d’illustrer la façon dont Baxter se sert de la situation en classe pour décrire une confrontation de perspectives philosophiques et pédagogiques, on s’appuiera ici sur la théorie de la réception. L’histoire de Baxter ne peut être réduite à de simples oppositions de type « noir ou blanc », car l’auteur tente de refléter l’importante subtilité des complexités que l’on rencontre dans les « vraies » classes

Managing Pig Feed Costs in Niche Pork Production

The rising price of corn has created increased interest in alternative feedstuffs by livestock producers, and niche market pork producers are no exception. Unfortunately, there is currently no single replacement for corn in Midwest pig diets, even at today’s market prices. Thus, managing factors that you can more easily control is critical for continued success in pork production

SIVdrl detection in captive mandrills: are mandrills infected with a third strain of simian immunodeficiency virus?

A pol-fragment of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) that is highly related to SIVdrl-pol from drill monkeys (Mandrillus leucophaeus) was detected in two mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) from Amsterdam Zoo. These captivity-born mandrills had never been in contact with drill monkeys, and were unlikely to be hybrids. Their mitochondrial haplotype suggested that they descended from founder animals in Cameroon or northern Gabon, close to the habitat of the drill. SIVdrl has once before been found in a wild-caught mandrill from the same region, indicating that mandrills are naturally infected with a SIVdrl-like virus. This suggests that mandrills are the first primate species to be infected with three strains of SIV: SIVmnd1, SIVmnd2, and SIVdrl

Feeding Bioenergy Coproducts to Swine: Crude Glycerol

Biodiesel can be produced from a variety of fats and oils. Soybean oil is the primary feedstock in Iowa. In general, soybean oil is mixed with an alcohol (usually methanol) and a catalyst. The action of the alcohol and catalyst cause the oil (triacylglyceride) molecules to be broken down into methyl esters (biodiesel) and crude glycerol. Crude glycerol is the principal co-product of biodiesel production. For every gallon of biodiesel produced, 0.7 pounds of crude glycerol are co-generated. Biodiesel sales in the United States have increased rapidly since 1999 and annual production capacity in the U.S. is nearly 1.4 billion gallons. Iowa has 11 operating plants with 3 additional plants expected to be operational by December 2007. Production capacity in Iowa for biodiesel is 318.5 million gallons. Approximately 110,000 tons of crude glycerol could be generated annually by the biodiesel plants within Iowa