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

Quantum attacks on Bitcoin, and how to protect against them

The key cryptographic protocols used to secure the internet and financial transactions of today are all susceptible to attack by the development of a sufficiently large quantum computer. One particular area at risk are cryptocurrencies, a market currently worth over 150 billion USD. We investigate the risk of Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies, to attacks by quantum computers. We find that the proof-of-work used by Bitcoin is relatively resistant to substantial speedup by quantum computers in the next 10 years, mainly because specialized ASIC miners are extremely fast compared to the estimated clock speed of near-term quantum computers. On the other hand, the elliptic curve signature scheme used by Bitcoin is much more at risk, and could be completely broken by a quantum computer as early as 2027, by the most optimistic estimates. We analyze an alternative proof-of-work called Momentum, based on finding collisions in a hash function, that is even more resistant to speedup by a quantum computer. We also review the available post-quantum signature schemes to see which one would best meet the security and efficiency requirements of blockchain applications.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figures. For a rough update on the progress of Quantum devices and prognostications on time from now to break Digital signatures, see https://www.quantumcryptopocalypse.com/quantum-moores-law

Quantum search algorithms on a regular lattice

Quantum algorithms for searching one or more marked items on a d-dimensional lattice provide an extension of Grover's search algorithm including a spatial component. We demonstrate that these lattice search algorithms can be viewed in terms of the level dynamics near an avoided crossing of a one-parameter family of quantum random walks. We give approximations for both the level-splitting at the avoided crossing and the effectively two-dimensional subspace of the full Hilbert space spanning the level crossing. This makes it possible to give the leading order behaviour for the search time and the localisation probability in the limit of large lattice size including the leading order coefficients. For d=2 and d=3, these coefficients are calculated explicitly. Closed form expressions are given for higher dimensions

Effect of seed treatments on seed germination and seedling parameters in the F2 generation of mundu chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

Germination in chilli seeds is poor and the duration taken for the germination is long. In order to overcome their problems in germination, the seeds were to be subjected to seed treatments, So that the germination would be effective. The experiment was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Science HC & RI, Tami Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Periyakulam to study the effect of seed treatment views on the seedling character of mundu chilli. The experiment was laid in FCRD design with three replications. In this study, four F2 crosses viz., PKM CA 20 X PKM CA 08 (C1), PKM CA 32 X PKM CA 33 (C2), PKM CA 32 X PKM CA 20 (C3), PKM CA 38 X PKM CA 33 (C4) and seven treatments namely, Control (T0), Seed treatment with KNO3 0.5% (T1), Seed treatment GA3 50 ppm (T2), Seed treatment with NAA 100 ppm (T3), Hot water seed treatment at 60° C for 15 minutes (T4), Seed treatment with cow urine (T5), Seed treatment with Trichoderma viride (T6). Among all F2 crosses, PKM CA 38 X PKM CA 33 (C4) was most responsive to seed treatments in terms of the percent of seed germination and vigor index, followed by progeny PKM CA 32 X PKM CA 33 (C2) for root length and PKM CA 32 X PKM CA 20 (C3) for shoot length. The statistical analysis of the data showed the superiority of all the seed treatments over the control. The GA₃ treatment resulted in the maximum percentage of seed germination, root length, shoot length and vigor index followed by KNO3.    GA3 breaks the dormancy in the seeds and induces seed germination rapidly. Thus GA3 finds its way as the seed treatment agent in chilli.

RESEARCH TRENDS IN GLOBAL OUTPUT OF COSMIC RAYS: A SCIENTOMETRIC ANALYSIS

This paper attempts to highlight the publication status and growth of global cosmic rays research output of Web of Science during 2004-2013. A total of 20395 publications were published on cosmic rays during this period. The average number of publications per year is 2039.5 and the highest number of publications 2565 was published in 2009. The scientometric parameters studied in this paper include forms of publications, annual growth rate, relative growth rate and doubling time of publications, authorship pattern, identification of most prolific authors, country wise distribution of publications, identification of highly productive institutions, language wise distribution of publications and highly preferred source titles for publications

Association of fibroblast growth factor 21 with oxidative stress and lipid profile in type 2 diabetes

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the most prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FBG 21) is an endocrine factor that regulates glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and obesity. Blood levels of FGF21 are elevated in patients with atherosclerosis, macrovascular, and microvascular complications of diabetes, possibly due to a compensatory up regulation. Studies reported that FGF21 is an important regulator of mitochondrial and oxidative stress. The role of FGF21 in chronic diseases and the diminished oxidative stress observed with anti-diabetic therapy has been the target of new studies. Current study aimed to evaluate serum FGF21 levels and its association with oxidative stress and lipid profile levels in type 2 diabetic patients.Methods: 100 controls and 100 diabetic patients on oral hypoglycemic drugs between 35-55 years of age without any cardiac, renal, liver, and thyroid dysfunction were selected for this study. Oxidative stress (MDA), total antioxidant status (FRAP), and FGF21 were measured. FGF21 was analyzed by ELISA methods. Serum MDA was assessed by the method of Yagi  serum total antioxidant status was measured by the method of Benzie et al.Results: FGF21 level was increased in diabetic patients compared with controls. There was a significant positive correlation of FGF21 with MDA (r=0.875, p<0.01) and negative correlation with FRAP observed (r= -0.867 p<0.01). There was also positive correlation of FGF21 with total cholesterol (r=0.499, p<0.01), triglycerides (r=0.648, p<0.01), LDL-cholesterol (r=0.337, p<0.01) and negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol (r= -0.172, p<0.05) were observed.Conclusions: Increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant status were observed in diabetics. This could be due to dyslipidemia and increased generation of free radicals. High levels of FGF21 observed in our study might represent its resistant state and the compensatory response to maintain metabolic homeostasis. Further studies are needed to explore the role of FGF21 as a novel marker in predicting cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients

Account of the Flatfishes of the Mangalore Coast and Notes on their Fishery

12 specimens were studied for morphological and meristic characters. Most characters agreed with earlier descriptions. Dorsal and anal fins were tipped white unlike black as reported by Fischer and Bianchi (1984). Maximum length recorded was 540 mm

MAPPING OF GLOBAL NATURAL HAZARDS RESEARCH PRODUCTIVITY DURING 2006-2015

This paper examines with scientometric tools a total of 7659 publications on natural hazards indexed in web of science database during the period 2006-2015. The average number of publications published per year was 765.9. The highest number of publications (1264) was recorded in the year 2015. The relative growth rates (RGR) has decreased from 2007 (0.72) to 2015 (0.18) in the span of 10 years. The doubling time (DT) has gradually increased from 0.96 in 2007 to 3.85 in 2015. The exponential growth of publications was observed during the study period. Majority of publications were found in English language. Authors from USA have contributed maximum number of publications compared to the other countries and India stood 8th rank in terms of productivity in this period. A total of 7274 different institutions were involved in the productivity, among them Harvard University, USA contributed highest number of 110 articles. The subject Geology contributed the largest share (22.93%) among subjects followed by Environmental science ecology (19.66%), water resources (15.45%) and Meteorology atmospheric sciences (12.43%) etc since the natural hazards are delt by many disciplines

Estuarine Clam Resources of Dakshina Kannada District

The estuarine clam resources of Netravathi-Gurupur, Mulki, Udayavara and Coondapur estuaries were estimated based on a study on the distributin of clams in space and time. T he three commercially important species were Meretrix meretrix, M. casta, and Katelysia opima

Short-course chemotherapy for tuberculosis of the spine : A comparison between ambulant treatment and radical surgery - a ten year report.

We perfomed a randomised, controlled clinical trial to compare ambulant short-course chemotherapy with anterior spinal fusion plus short-course chemotherapy for spinal tuberculosis without paraplegia. Patients with active disease of vertebral bodies were randomly allocated to one of three regimens: a) radical anterior resection with bone grafting plus six months of daily isoniazid plus rifampicin (Rad6); b) ambulant chemotherapy for six months with daily isoniazid plus rifampicin (Amb6); or c) similar to b) but with chemotherapy for nine months (Amb9). Ten years from the onset of treatment, 90% of 78 Rad6, 94% of 78 Amb6 and 99% of 79 Amb9 patients had a favourable status. Ambulant chemotherapy for a period of six months with daily isoniazid plus rifampicin (Amb6) was an effective treatment for spinal tuberculosis except in patients aged less than 15 years with an initial angle of kyphosis of more than 30° whose kyphosis increased substantially