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Computing nonlinear functions over multilinear forms is a general problem with applications in risk analysis. For instance in the domain of energy economics, accurate and timely risk management demands for efficient simulation of millions of scenarios, largely benefiting from computational speedups. We develop a novel hybrid quantum-classical algorithm based on polynomial approximation of nonlinear functions and compare different implementation variants. We prove a quadratic quantum speedup, up to polylogarithmic factors, when forms are bilinear and approximating polynomials have second degree, if efficient loading unitaries are available for the input data sets. We also enhance the bidirectional encoding, that allows tuning the balance between circuit depth and width, proposing an improved version that can be exploited for the calculation of inner products. Lastly, we exploit the dynamic circuit capabilities, recently introduced on IBM Quantum devices, to reduce the average depth of the Quantum Hadamard Product circuit. A proof of principle is implemented and validated on IBM Quantum systems.

Practical quantum computing applications to power grids are nonexistent at the moment. This paper investigates how a fundamental grid problem, namely DC power flow, can be solved using quantum computing. Power flow is the most widely used power system analysis technique, either as a stand-alone application or embedded in other applications; therefore, its fast and accurate solution is of utmost significance for grid operators. We base our studies on the Harrow-Hassidim-Lloyd (HHL) quantum algorithm, which has a proven theoretical speedup over classical algorithms in solving a system of linear equations. Practical studies on a quantum computer are conducted using the WSCC 9-bus system.

In this article, we calculate the classical vortex solution of a spontaneously broken gauge theory interacting with gravity in (2+1)-dimension. We also calculate the conditions for the formation of a (2+1)-dimensional black hole due to magnetic vortex (a Nielsen-Olesen vortex). The semiclassical Hawking temperature for this black hole is calculated, where we see that the temperature of a BTZ black hole increases or decreases without changing the size of the horizon if we insert the magnetic vortex fields in the black hole. Finally, the first law of black hole thermodynamics is described for this particular solution, which shows that the additional work terms from the scalar and gauge fields compensate the change in the temperature relative to its usual value for the BTZ solution., Comment: 14 pages, no figures

The main aim of this paper is to facilitate small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt environmental management (EM) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. The study reveals SMEs‟ motivation, pressure, targets and methods for EM and CSR practices. Additionally, the paper investigates how these variables relate to employee number, turnover and geographical locations. The outcomes of the research will add value to SMEs decision-making processes in both strategic and policy levels (e.g. supplier selection) and policymakers‟ initiatives to make SMEs environment and socially friendly. Although there are studies on EM and CSR practices of SMEs, they mainly focus on impact of EM and CSR practices on business performance, and SMEs‟ motivation for adopting EM and CSR practices in specific country. Studies that reveal SMEs‟ motivation, pressure, targets and methods for EM and CSR practices and their relationship with their characteristics (e.g. size, turn over, and geographical location) are scant. This research bridges this gap. Our data originates from 223 carefully selected representative SMEs in the West Midlands, UK (105) and Kolkata, India (118) covering manufacturing and process industries. The relevant data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) methods. The results reveal that perceptions of SMEs‟ motivation, pressure, targets and methods of EM and CSR practices vary considerably with respect to size, turn over and geographical location. The findings are significant to policymakers, client organizations and individual SME for improving EM and CSR practices.

The main aim of this paper is to facilitate small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt environmental management (EM) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. The study reveals SMEs‟ motivation, pressure, targets and methods for EM and CSR practices. Additionally, the paper investigates how these variables relate to employee number, turnover and geographical locations. The outcomes of the research will add value to SMEs decision-making processes in both strategic and policy levels (e.g. supplier selection) and policymakers‟ initiatives to make SMEs environment and socially friendly. Although there are studies on EM and CSR practices of SMEs, they mainly focus on impact of EM and CSR practices on business performance, and SMEs‟ motivation for adopting EM and CSR practices in specific country. Studies that reveal SMEs‟ motivation, pressure, targets and methods for EM and CSR practices and their relationship with their characteristics (e.g. size, turn over, and geographical location) are scant. This research bridges this gap. Our data originates from 223 carefully selected representative SMEs in the West Midlands, UK (105) and Kolkata, India (118) covering manufacturing and process industries. The relevant data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) methods. The results reveal that perceptions of SMEs‟ motivation, pressure, targets and methods of EM and CSR practices vary considerably with respect to size, turn over and geographical location. The findings are significant to policymakers, client organizations and individual SME for improving EM and CSR practices.

The main aim of this paper is to facilitate small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt environmental management (EM) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. The study reveals SMEs‟ motivation, pressure, targets and methods for EM and CSR practices. Additionally, the paper investigates how these variables relate to employee number, turnover and geographical locations. The outcomes of the research will add value to SMEs decision-making processes in both strategic and policy levels (e.g. supplier selection) and policymakers‟ initiatives to make SMEs environment and socially friendly. Although there are studies on EM and CSR practices of SMEs, they mainly focus on impact of EM and CSR practices on business performance, and SMEs‟ motivation for adopting EM and CSR practices in specific country. Studies that reveal SMEs‟ motivation, pressure, targets and methods for EM and CSR practices and their relationship with their characteristics (e.g. size, turn over, and geographical location) are scant. This research bridges this gap. Our data originates from 223 carefully selected representative SMEs in the West Midlands, UK (105) and Kolkata, India (118) covering manufacturing and process industries. The relevant data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) methods. The results reveal that perceptions of SMEs‟ motivation, pressure, targets and methods of EM and CSR practices vary considerably with respect to size, turn over and geographical location. The findings are significant to policymakers, client organizations and individual SME for improving EM and CSR practices.

The main aim of this paper is to facilitate small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt environmental management (EM) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. The study reveals SMEs‟ motivation, pressure, targets and methods for EM and CSR practices. Additionally, the paper investigates how these variables relate to employee number, turnover and geographical locations. The outcomes of the research will add value to SMEs decision-making processes in both strategic and policy levels (e.g. supplier selection) and policymakers‟ initiatives to make SMEs environment and socially friendly. Although there are studies on EM and CSR practices of SMEs, they mainly focus on impact of EM and CSR practices on business performance, and SMEs‟ motivation for adopting EM and CSR practices in specific country. Studies that reveal SMEs‟ motivation, pressure, targets and methods for EM and CSR practices and their relationship with their characteristics (e.g. size, turn over, and geographical location) are scant. This research bridges this gap. Our data originates from 223 carefully selected representative SMEs in the West Midlands, UK (105) and Kolkata, India (118) covering manufacturing and process industries. The relevant data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) methods. The results reveal that perceptions of SMEs‟ motivation, pressure, targets and methods of EM and CSR practices vary considerably with respect to size, turn over and geographical location. The findings are significant to policymakers, client organizations and individual SME for improving EM and CSR practices.

There is growing use of FRP composite materials in the civil infrastructure for rehabilitation of deficient bridge components including deck slabs and girders. However assessment of the effectiveness of rehabilitation over time and monitoring the progression of damage or change in load paths at systems level, caused by FRP strengthening of the components, has not been undertaken to date. Investigation was first carried out at "component level" on both unstrengthened and field-rehabilitated slab specimens cut out from a major highway bridge. The slabs were tested to failure and the progression of damage was characterized through instrumentation and NDE. The test data on the failure modes and capacity loads were compared to the available analytical models and design guidelines. The test capacity was also correlated to the bridge deck capacity based on local-global modeling. Research at the "systems level" was then undertaken, in which a three- girder two-span bridge deck system was tested to simulate behavior under field loading in which the deck slabs are found to be susceptible to punching shear type failures and the longitudinal girders are usually found to be deficient in terms of shear demand. The objective of the study was to evaluate damage progression in the FRP composite strengthened deck slabs and the longitudinal girders under simulated truck load and to study the changes in the overall response of structure at systems level caused by strengthening of individual components that might cause other components to reach their critical limit states under the higher load demands which can be resisted by the strengthened components. NDE techniques, including IR thermography and forced vibration based dynamic modal tests, were evaluated as means to quantify the damage localization and progression under simulated field loading as well as to quantitatively monitor, at systems level, changes in the response of the components caused by subsequent modifications of the st

There is growing use of FRP composite materials in the civil infrastructure for rehabilitation of deficient bridge components including deck slabs and girders. However assessment of the effectiveness of rehabilitation over time and monitoring the progression of damage or change in load paths at systems level, caused by FRP strengthening of the components, has not been undertaken to date. Investigation was first carried out at "component level" on both unstrengthened and field-rehabilitated slab specimens cut out from a major highway bridge. The slabs were tested to failure and the progression of damage was characterized through instrumentation and NDE. The test data on the failure modes and capacity loads were compared to the available analytical models and design guidelines. The test capacity was also correlated to the bridge deck capacity based on local-global modeling. Research at the "systems level" was then undertaken, in which a three- girder two-span bridge deck system was tested to simulate behavior under field loading in which the deck slabs are found to be susceptible to punching shear type failures and the longitudinal girders are usually found to be deficient in terms of shear demand. The objective of the study was to evaluate damage progression in the FRP composite strengthened deck slabs and the longitudinal girders under simulated truck load and to study the changes in the overall response of structure at systems level caused by strengthening of individual components that might cause other components to reach their critical limit states under the higher load demands which can be resisted by the strengthened components. NDE techniques, including IR thermography and forced vibration based dynamic modal tests, were evaluated as means to quantify the damage localization and progression under simulated field loading as well as to quantitatively monitor, at systems level, changes in the response of the components caused by subsequent modifications of the st

Thermal correlation functions and the associated effective statistical potential are computed in two- and three-dimensional non-commutative space using an operator formulation that makes no reference to a star product. The corresponding results for the Moyal and Voros star products are then easily obtained by taking the corresponding overlap with Moyal and Voros bases. The forms of the correlation function and the effective potential are found to be the same, except that in the Voros case the thermal length undergoes a non-commutative deformation, ensuring that it has a lower bound of the order of $\sqrt{\theta}$. It is shown that in a suitable basis (called here quasi-commutative) in the multi-particle sector the thermal correlation function coincides with the commutative result both in the Moyal and Voros cases, with an appropriate non-commutative correction to the thermal length in the Voros case, and that the Pauli principle is restored., Comment: 31 pages, 7 figures

Thermal correlation functions and the associated effective statistical potential are computed in two- and three-dimensional non-commutative space using an operator formulation that makes no reference to a star product. The corresponding results for the Moyal and Voros star products are then easily obtained by taking the corresponding overlap with Moyal and Voros bases. The forms of the correlation function and the effective potential are found to be the same, except that in the Voros case the thermal length undergoes a non-commutative deformation, ensuring that it has a lower bound of the order of $\sqrt{\theta}$. It is shown that in a suitable basis (called here quasi-commutative) in the multi-particle sector the thermal correlation function coincides with the commutative result both in the Moyal and Voros cases, with an appropriate non-commutative correction to the thermal length in the Voros case, and that the Pauli principle is restored., Comment: 31 pages, 7 figures