Generalized Quantum Search with Parallelism

We generalize Grover's unstructured quantum search algorithm to enable it to use an arbitrary starting superposition and an arbitrary unitary matrix simultaneously. We derive an exact formula for the probability of the generalized Grover's algorithm succeeding after n iterations. We show that the fully generalized formula reduces to the special cases considered by previous authors. We then use the generalized formula to determine the optimal strategy for using the unstructured quantum search algorithm. On average the optimal strategy is about 12% better than the naive use of Grover's algorithm. The speedup obtained is not dramatic but it illustrates that a hybrid use of quantum computing and classical computing techniques can yield a performance that is better than either alone. We extend the analysis to the case of a society of k quantum searches acting in parallel. We derive an analytic formula that connects the degree of parallelism with the optimal strategy for k-parallel quantum search. We then derive the formula for the expected speed of k-parallel quantum search.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figure

Internet Access and Use by Farm Households

The Internet is a strategic technology because it has found application across virtually all sectors of the economy. The Internet has become an everyday part of rural life and is an important new technology in U.S. agriculture. This study uses information collected through the 2004 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) to explore the adoption of computers with Internet access and Internet use by farm households. Results from this study suggest that adoption of computers with Internet access is positively related to age and educational level of the operator, off-farm business income, presence of a spouse, and regional location of the farm. Further, large farms and part-owner farms are more likely to adopt computers with Internet access. Internet use for the farm, household, or both is strongly related to the educational level of the operator and spouse, presence of teenagers in the household, farm size, and regional location of the farm.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

The Changing Debt Maturity Structure of U.S. Farms

The objectives of this paper are to examine the debt maturity structure of farm businesses and to investigate the determinants of the farm businesses’ choice of the maturity structure. Based on 2008 ARMS data, our findings indicate that size, asset maturity, financial risk, region, and type of farm operation influenced the debt maturity structure in 2008.Debt maturity structure, farm debt, tobit, Agricultural Finance, G10,

Technology Adoption, Management Practices, and Financial Performance of New and Beginning Farmers: Evidence from a National Survey

More than 50 percent of current farmers are over age 55, and the number of new farmers replacing them has fallen. This paper examines factors that contribute to the financial performance of new and beginning farmers in the U.S. A weighted regression analysis was used on data from the 2005 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) to measure new and beginning farmers financial performance given farm and operator characteristics, production and marketing, and risk management strategies. Particular attention was given to the impact of technology adoption and management strategy on financial performance. Results indicate the adoption of Genetically Modified (GM) crops, having a written business plan, controlling variable costs, participation in coupled farm program payment, and participation in marketing contracts lead to higher financial performance while education, age, and off-farm work lowered financial performance for new and beginning farmers.financial performance, technology adoption, Genetically Modified (GM) crops, Business plan, new and beginning farmers, contracting, coupled farm program payments, Farm Management, Productivity Analysis,

Internet Access and Internet Purchasing Patterns of Farm Households

The Internet is becoming an increasingly important management tool in production agriculture. Using data from the 2004 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) and a double-hurdle estimation approach, we explore the adoption of computers with Internet access by and Internet purchasing patterns of farm households. Adoption of the Internet is positively related to age and education of the operator, off-farm work, presence of spouse, participation in government programs, farm size, and regional location of the farm. Internet purchasing patterns of farm households are positively related to the education of the operator and spouse, presence of teenagers, and regional location of the farm. Finally, farm businesses and their households are more likely to purchase a greater percentage of non-durable goods through the Internet as distances to markets increase.adoption of Internet, education, farm size, farm households, Internet, double-hurdle model, farm business, major household items, minor farm inputs, Agricultural Finance, Consumer/Household Economics, Farm Management,