Deep neural networks for quantum circuit mapping

AbstractQuantum computers have become reality thanks to the effort of some majors in developing innovative technologies that enable the usage of quantum effects in computation, so as to pave the way towards the design of efficient quantum algorithms to use in different applications domains, from finance and chemistry to artificial and computational intelligence. However, there are still some technological limitations that do not allow a correct design of quantum algorithms, compromising the achievement of the so-called quantum advantage. Specifically, a major limitation in the design of a quantum algorithm is related to its proper mapping to a specific quantum processor so that the underlying physical constraints are satisfied. This hard problem, known as circuit mapping, is a critical task to face in quantum world, and it needs to be efficiently addressed to allow quantum computers to work correctly and productively. In order to bridge above gap, this paper introduces a very first circuit mapping approach based on deep neural networks, which opens a completely new scenario in which the correct execution of quantum algorithms is supported by classical machine learning techniques. As shown in experimental section, the proposed approach speeds up current state-of-the-art mapping algorithms when used on 5-qubits IBM Q processors, maintaining suitable mapping accuracy

Post-operative acute urinary retention after greenlight laser. Analysis of risk factors from a multicentric database

Purpose: Greenlight laser is a mini-invasive technique used to treat Benign Prostatic Obstruction (BPO). Some of the advantages of GreenLight photoselective vaporization (PVP) are shorter catheterization time and hospital stay compared to TURP. Post-operative acute urinary retention (pAUR) leads to patients' discomfort, prolonged hospital stay and increased health care costs. We analyzed risk factors for urinary retention after GreenLight laser PVP. Materials and methods: In a multicenter experience, we retrospectively analyzed the onset of early and late post-operative acute urinary retention in patients undergoing standard or anatomical PVP. The pre-, intra- and post-operative characteristics were compared betweene patients who started to void and the patients who developed post-operative urinary retention. Results: The study included 434 patients suitable for the study. Post-operative acute urinary retention occurred in 39 (9%). Patients with a lower prostate volume (P < .001), an adenoma volume lower than 40 mL (P < .001), and lower lasing time (P = .013) had a higher probability to develop pAUR at the univariate analysis. The multivariate logistic regression confirmed that lower lasing time (95% CI: 0.86-0.99, OR = 0.93, P = .046) and adenoma volume (95% CI: 0.89-0.98, OR = 0.94, P = .006) are correlated to pAUR. Furthermore IPSS ≥ 19 (95% CI: 1.19- 10.75, OR = 2.27, P = .023) and treatment with 5-ARI (95% CI: 1.05-15.03, OR = 3.98, P = .042) are risk factors for pAUR. Conclusion: In our series, post-operative acute urinary retention was related to low adenoma volume and lasing time, pre-operative IPSS ≥ 19 and 5-ARI intake. These data should be considered in deciding the best timing for urethral catheters removal

The Fetal Hypothalamus Has the Potential to Generate Cells with a Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Phenotype

Neurospheres (NS) are colonies of neural stem and precursor cells capable of differentiating into the central nervous system (CNS) cell lineages upon appropriate culture conditions: neurons, and glial cells. NS were originally derived from the embryonic and adult mouse striatum subventricular zone. More recently, experimental evidence substantiated the isolation of NS from almost any region of the CNS, including the hypothalamus. Here we report a protocol that enables to generate large quantities of NS from both fetal and adult rat hypothalami. We found that either FGF-2 or EGF were capable of inducing NS formation from fetal hypothalamic cultures, but that only FGF-2 is effective in the adult cultures. The hypothalamic-derived NS are capable of differentiating into neurons and glial cells and most notably, as demonstrated by immunocytochemical detection with a specific anti-GnRH antibody, the fetal cultures contain cells that exhibit a GnRH phenotype upon differentiation. This in vitro model should be useful to study the molecular mechanisms involved in GnRH neuronal differentiation

Associations between depressive symptoms and disease progression in older patients with chronic kidney disease: results of the EQUAL study

Background Depressive symptoms are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with end-stage kidney disease; however, few small studies have examined this association in patients with earlier phases of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We studied associations between baseline depressive symptoms and clinical outcomes in older patients with advanced CKD and examined whether these associations differed depending on sex. Methods CKD patients (>= 65 years; estimated glomerular filtration rate <= 20 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) were included from a European multicentre prospective cohort between 2012 and 2019. Depressive symptoms were measured by the five-item Mental Health Inventory (cut-off <= 70; 0-100 scale). Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to study associations between depressive symptoms and time to dialysis initiation, all-cause mortality and these outcomes combined. A joint model was used to study the association between depressive symptoms and kidney function over time. Analyses were adjusted for potential baseline confounders. Results Overall kidney function decline in 1326 patients was -0.12 mL/min/1.73 m(2)/month. A total of 515 patients showed depressive symptoms. No significant association was found between depressive symptoms and kidney function over time (P = 0.08). Unlike women, men with depressive symptoms had an increased mortality rate compared with those without symptoms [adjusted hazard ratio 1.41 (95% confidence interval 1.03-1.93)]. Depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with a higher hazard of dialysis initiation, or with the combined outcome (i.e. dialysis initiation and all-cause mortality). Conclusions There was no significant association between depressive symptoms at baseline and decline in kidney function over time in older patients with advanced CKD. Depressive symptoms at baseline were associated with a higher mortality rate in men

A dataset for quantum circuit mapping

Quantum computing is rapidly establishing itself as a new computing paradigm capable of obtaining advantages over its classical counterpart. However, a major limitation in the design of a quantum algorithm is related to the proper mapping of the corresponding circuit to a specific quantum processor so that the underlying physical constraints are satisfied. Moreover, current deterministic mapping algorithms suffer from high run times as the number of qubits to map increases. To bridge the gap in view of the next generation of quantum computers composed of thousands of qubits, this data paper proposes the first datasets that help address the quantum circuit mapping problem as a classification task. Each dataset is composed of random quantum circuits mapped onto a specific IBM quantum processor. In detail, each dataset instance contains some features related to the calibration data of the physical device and others related to the generated quantum circuit. Finally, the instance is labeled with a vector encoding the best mapping among those provided by deterministic mapping algorithms. Considering this, the proposed datasets allow the development of machine learning models capable of achieving mapping similar to those achieved with deterministic algorithms, but in a significantly shorter time

Exploring the relationship between green hotel attributes, guest satisfaction and loyalty

Sustainability in tourism emerged as a critical issue for a long-term strategy of industry’s growth. The accommodation sector is responsible for roughly one-quarter of tourism GHG emission and, since decades, eco-friendly practices have been applied on a voluntary basis. The implementation of these practices is partly a consequence of consumers’ growing awareness toward environmental sustainability. Examining the results of a survey addressed to guests of an Italian hotel awarded with Legambiente Turismo Eco-label, the paper investigates the relationship between guest’s perceptions of hotel green attributes and their satisfaction and loyalty. Variance-based Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) has been employed to test hypothesis. Findings suggest that the environmental practices implemented by the hotel have a positive impact on guest overall satisfaction and loyalty. Moreover, results indicate that the staying at green hotels lead guests to develop a specific loyalty toward the whole range of hotels implementing green practices

“Please Reuse Your Towels” - Guest Insights of Green Practices in the Hotel Industry

In recent years, tourism has experienced continued expansion and diversification to become one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, occupying a prominent role in the European economy. However, the growth of the tourism sector goes hand in hand with its increasing environmental impact. It is, therefore, necessary to find a balance between the tourism sector and its environmental dimension, to increase both the profitability of tourism and the quality of the ecosystem. Over the years, more and more hotels are integrating sustainability practices in the management of their operations. Academic literature shows that hotels go green for many reasons: financial savings, access to public funding, employee commitment, facing public scrutiny, investor relations, and general social good. However, one of the main reasons for hotels to go green is to respond to consumers’ growing green consciousness. Indeed, consumers are increasingly looking for environment-friendly lodging options, but they are also feeling uninformed about whether hotels are truly eco-friendly. Because of consumers’ concern toward environmental sustainability, the hospitality industry is also developing voluntary-based tools to reduce its environmental impacts and to satisfy the increasing market segment of green customers. In this context, third-party certified ecolabels ensure hotel compliance with specific environmental performance criteria and offer reliable communication to their guests. So, understanding how consumers perceive and evaluate the environmental quality and eco-friendly practices in hotels helps to plan and define win-win strategies for tourism sustainable management. Starting with the analysis of literature, we propose a conceptual framework to investigate whether green practices implemented by the Italian “Legambiente Turismo” certified hotels contribute significantly to the formation of guest positive behavioral intention toward green hotels. Even if little research has been conducted on this topic, understanding the role of hotels' environmental practices is pivotal in the hotel decision-making process and strategy. To clarify this point, a survey was conducted with guests of two Italian hotels awarded with the ecolabel, and 335 questionnaires were usable and employed in the analysis, adopting Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the hypotheses. Research findings are valuable for both hotel managers and decision-makers, clarifying the role of environmental communication and guest environmental concern in the guest recognition of hotels' environmental efforts. The study also confirms the relationship between the implementation of green practices and the rise of market awareness and loyalty towards green hotels