Semantics for variational Quantum programming

We consider a programming language that can manipulate both classical and quantum information. Our language is type-safe and designed for variational quantum programming, which is a hybrid classical-quantum computational paradigm. The classical subsystem of the language is the Probabilistic FixPoint Calculus (PFPC), which is a lambda calculus with mixed-variance recursive types, term recursion and probabilistic choice. The quantum subsystem is a first-order linear type system that can manipulate quantum information. The two subsystems are related by mixed classical/quantum terms that specify how classical probabilistic effects are induced by quantum measurements, and conversely, how classical (probabilistic) programs can influence the quantum dynamics. We also describe a sound and computationally adequate denotational semantics for the language. Classical probabilistic effects are interpreted using a recently-described commutative probabilistic monad on DCPO. Quantum effects and resources are interpreted in a category of von Neumann algebras that we show is enriched over (continuous) domains. This strong sense of enrichment allows us to develop novel semantic methods that we use to interpret the relationship between the quantum and classical probabilistic effects. By doing so we provide a very detailed denotational analysis that relates domain-theoretic models of classical probabilistic programming to models of quantum programming.

Vibration control of an unbalanced system using a quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolator with fluidic actuators and composite material: An experimental study

In this study, a new type of vibration isolator based on fluidic actuators and a composite slab was tested experimentally with an unbalanced disturbance. Quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolation techniques are advanced and provide effective isolation performance for non-nominal loads. The isolation performance of the proposed isolator was compared to that of a nonlinear vibration isolator equipped with fluidic actuators and a mechanical coil spring (NLVIFA). The NLVIFA system is better suited to non-nominal loads; however, the mechanical spring axial deflection leads to limited amplitude reduction in the system. To address this issue, a cross buckled slab was developed to replace a mechanical coil spring for absorbing vertical deflection by transverse bending, which is made of a specially developed composite material of Basalt fiber reinforced with epoxy resin and enhanced with graphene nano pellets. This current study was concerned with the theoretical analysis and experimental investigations of the proposed nonlinear vibration isolator with fluidic actuators and composite material (NLVIFA-CM), which performs under quasi-zero stiffness characteristics. Because of its reduced axial deflection, the theoretical and experimental results show that the NLVIFA-CM system outperforms the NLVIFA system and other linear type vibration isolators in terms of isolation performance. Furthermore, the proposed vibration isolator makes a significant contribution to low-frequency vibration.

Does precipitation pattern foretell climatic shift over Punjab state ?

ABSTRACT. Statistical analysis of 82-years (1901-1982) record of precipitation from 27 rain-recording stations in Punjab state of lndia has been carried out to assess the climate shift if any in the state. The central part of the study is the trend and spectrum analysis of annual. monsoon and winter rainfall of different stations in the region. It is seen that frequency distribution of 19 rainfall series out of 81 series is normally distributed. Maikov linear type of persistence is observed in some of the rainfall series. Marin-Kendall test indicates the decreasing trend in winter rainfall of all the stations and is found to be significant in case of Amritsar, Taran Taran, Tanda, Ludhiana and Ranike. Low-pass filter reveals that trend is not linear but oscillatory consisting of periods of 10 years or more. It is seen that winter rainfall of most of the stations exhibits the decreasing trend from 1935-40 to 1965-70. It is also revealed by the low-pass filter curves that winter rainfall of all t1le sla1ions remained below average from 1960 till the end of the study period. The spectral analysis indicates a significant cycle of 4.1 to 27 years in some of the stations and Quasi-Biennial Oscillations (QBO) over many stations.

Different Meta-Heuristic Optimization Techniques and Their Application in Solar Photovoltaic Field

A method of optimization is used to resolve issues smartly by selecting the better option from various existing possibilities. Many optimization problems are possessing characteristics, namely nonlinearity, complexity, multimodal approach, and incompatible objective functions. Sometimes even for individual simple and linear type objective functions, a solution that is optimal and does not exist, there is uncertainness of obtaining the best solution. The aim of finding methods that can resolve various issues in a defined manner potentially has found the concentration of different researchers responsible for performing the advancement of a new “intelligent” technique called meta-heuristics technique. In the last few years, there is an advancement of various meta-heuristics techniques in different areas or various fields. Meta-heuristics are a demanded thrust stream of research that showed important advancement in finding the answer to problems that are optimized. The chapter gives the guidance for enhancing research more meaningfully.

TRENDS AND PERIODICITIES OF SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURE OF DELHI

Seasonal and annual surface air temperature of Delhi has been analysed for 90-year period (1901-1990) for finding trends and periodicities. The analysis revealed that frequency distribution of all the four seasons as well as of annual time series is normal. Markov linear-type of persistence is observed in pre and post-monsoon seasons. Recent period {1961-1990) averages of temperature are significantly lower than the long period means in respect of annual, monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons. Decreasing trend is noticed in monsoon and annual temperature time series. Low-pass filter analysis suggests that the trend is not linear but oscillatory consisting periods of 10 years or more.

Dielectric Elastomer Fiber Actuators with Aqueous Electrode

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are one of the promising actuation technologies for soft robotics. This study proposes a fiber-shaped DEA, namely dielectric elastomer fiber actuators (DEFAs). The actuator consisted of a silicone tube filled with the aqueous electrode (sodium chloride solution). Furthermore, it could generate linear and bending actuation in a water environment, which acts as the ground side electrode. Linear-type DEFA and bending-type DEFA were fabricated and characterized to prove the concept. A mixture of Ecoflex 00–30 (Smooth-On) and Sylgard 184 (Dow Corning) was employed in these actuators for the tube part, which was 75.0-mm long with outer and inner diameters of 6.0 mm and 5.0 mm, respectively. An analytical model was constructed to design and predict the behavior of the devices. In the experiments, the linear-type DEFA exhibited an actuation strain and force of 1.3% and 42.4 mN, respectively, at 10 kV (~20 V/µm) with a response time of 0.2 s. The bending-type DEFA exhibited an actuation angle of 8.1° at 10 kV (~20 V/µm). Subsequently, a jellyfish-type robot was developed and tested, which showed the swimming speed of 3.1 mm/s at 10 kV and the driving frequency of 4 Hz. The results obtained in this study show the successful implementation of the actuator concept and demonstrate its applicability for soft robotics.

Lenticulostriate Vasculopathy in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Preterm Infants: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

Background: The pathogenesis and clinical significance of lenticulostriate vasculopathy (LSV) are unclear. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence, presentation, and evolution of LSV, and the perinatal risk factors associated with LSV among very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants. Methods: One-hundred-and-thirty VLBW preterm infants were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Serial cranial ultrasound examinations were performed regularly from birth until a corrected age of 1 year. Infants with LSV were assigned to early-onset (≤10 postnatal days) and late-onset (>10 postnatal days) groups. Data describing the infants’ perinatal characteristics, placental histopathology, and neonatal morbidities were collected, and the groups were compared. Results: Of the VLBW infants, 39.2% had LSV before they were 1 year old. Linear-type LSV was the most common presentation, and >50% of the infants had bilateral involvement. LSV was first detected at 112 ± 83 postnatal days, and its detection timing correlated negatively with gestational age (GA) (R2 = 0.153, p = 0.005) and persisted for 6 months on average. The infants with and without LSV had similar perinatal characteristics, placental pathologies, cytomegalovirus infection rates, and clinical morbidities. The late-onset LSV group comprised 45 (88.2%) infants who had a significantly higher rate of being small for gestational age (SGA) and used oxygen for longer than the infants without LSV. After adjusting a multivariable regression model for GA and SGA, analysis showed that the duration of oxygen usage was an independent risk factor for late-onset LSV development in VLBW infants (odds ratio: 1.030, p = 0.032). Conclusion: LSV may be a nonspecific marker of perinatal insult to the developing brains of preterm infants. Prolonged postnatal oxygen usage may predispose VLBW preterm infants to late-onset LSV development. The long-term clinical impacts of LSV should be clarified.

Growth of Palm Trees and Woods in the Urban Environment

Trees in the urban environment provide several ecosystem benefits to the population, such as decreasing temperature, increasing humidity, shading, improving air quality, as well as physical and mental well-being. These can be enhanced through the knowledge of the growth of the trees in function of the characteristics of the place where they are inserted. Thus, the objective was to estimate the growth in diameter, height and volume of forest species in the urban environment, in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. For this, woody individuals and palm trees present in the urban afforestation of the headquarters campus of the Federal University of Viçosa were selected based on age and had their diameter, breast height and height measured. Allometric equations specific to the study site were used to estimate their volume, and through the relationship with age, the average annual increment was obtained. Woody individuals showed a growth rate in volume of 0,0279 ± 0,0274 m³ year-1 and palm trees, 0,0139 ± 0,0119 m³ year-1. The differences in the average annual increase in volume found between woody individuals and palm trees may be due to morphological differences that affect the secondary growth of individuals. The growth rate of trees in the urban environment is higher when compared to those in forest fragments and experimental plantings. The decrease in growth rates with increasing age was expected due to the relationship between them being of the non-linear type, following a sigmoidal model.

The main results of a cameral inventory of protective forest plantations on agricultural land in the steppe regions of the republic of Crimea

The article presents the results of a cameral inventory of protective forest plantations of a linear type for any purpose for the steppe agricultural territories of the Crimean Peninsula in 2009 and 2019. As a result of the work, more than 20 thousand objects were identified, a geodatabase was compiled with a set of attributive information for each of the identified objects, indicating the length and quality characteristics of each object. An overview of the data obtained is presented for each of the diagrams, as well as a comparative analysis of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the identified objects for 2009 and 2019. It was revealed that from 2009 to 2019, 386 objects of the linear type corresponding to the parameters of protective forest plantations in agricultural areas, with a total length of 3.9 thousand were completely destroyed. That is, well-read forest stripes are present in the images for 2009, in the images of 2019 they are already missing.