Mapping out the thermodynamic stability of a QCD equation of state with a critical point using active learning

The Beam Energy Scan Theory (BEST) collaboration's equation of state (EoS) incorporates a 3D Ising model critical point into the Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) equation of state from lattice simulations. However, it contains 4 free parameters related to the size and location of the critical region in the QCD phase diagram. Certain combinations of the free parameters lead to acausal or unstable realizations of the EoS that should not be considered. In this work, we use an active learning framework to rule out pathological EoS efficiently. We find that checking stability and causality for a small portion of the parameters' range is sufficient to construct algorithms that perform with $>$96% accuracy across the entire parameter space. Though in this work we focus on a specific case, our approach can be generalized to any EoS containing a parameter space-class correspondence.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figure

Hospitalización pediátrica evitable en la Comunidad Valenciana y Cataluña

ResumenObjetivoEstimar las tasas de hospitalización pediátrica evitable por áreas en la Comunidad Valenciana y sectores en Cataluña, y analizar su relación con el nivel socioeconómico o el desarrollo de la atención primaria.MétodoSe estudiaron las hospitalizaciones pediátricas evitables (0-14 años) a partir del Conjunto Mínimo de Datos Básicos del Alta Hospitalaria de la Comunidad Valenciana y de Cataluña (1993-1994). Las variables a estudio fueron: edad, género, nivel socioeconómico y cobertura del nuevo modelo de atención primaria. Se calcularon las tasas brutas y estandarizadas por edad y se realizó una descripción de su variación en áreas y sectores. Se analizó la relación entre las tasas y las características socioeconómicas y de la atención primaria.ResultadosLas hospitalizaciones pediátricas evitables representaron el 21% de todas las hospitalizaciones pediátricas en la Comunidad Valenciana y el 15% en Cataluña. Las tasas brutas en las áreas de la Comunidad Valenciana oscilaron entre 5,7 y 12,7 en 1993 y 6,6 y 17,8 en 1994. La razón de tasas fue de 2,2 y el coeficiente de variación de 37% en 1993 y de 2,7 y 48% respectivamente, en 1994. En los sectores de Cataluña oscilaron entre 2,7 y 24,3 en 1993 y 1,4 y 23,8 en 1994; la razón de tasas fue de 9 y el coeficiente de variación de 52% en 1993, y de 7 y 42% en 1994 respectivamente. Las diferencias encontradas fueron significativas (p < 0,005). No hubo correlación significativa entre el nivel socioeconómico y desarrollo de la atención primaria y las tasas de hospitalización pediátrica evitable por áreas o sectores.ConclusionesLas hospitalizaciones pediátricas evitables suponen una proporción importante de las hospitalizaciones pediátricas. Existe variación en las tasas de hospitalización pediátrica evitable por áreas y sectores, no asociada a los indicadores de nivel socioeconómico y atención primaria utilizados.SummaryObjectiveTo estimate the rates of avoidable pediatric hospitalization in the health areas of the Valencian Community and health sectors of Catalonia, and to analyze if they are related to socioeconomic level or development of primary care.MethodAvoilable paediatric (0-14 years old) hospitalizations were analyzed using the Minimum Basic Data Set of Hospital Discharge in two Autonomous Regions: the Valencian Community and Catalonia (1993-1994). Variables analyzed included age, gender, socioeconomic level and coverage by the new model of primary care. Crude and standardized rates for age were calculated and the variation in areas and sectors was assessed. The association between rates and socioeconomic and primary care characteristics was analyzed.ResultsAvoidable paediatric hospitalizations represent 21% of all paediatric hospitalizations in the Valencian Community and 15% in Catalonia. Crude rates for Valencian Community ranged between 5.7 and 12.7 in 1993 and 6.6 and 17.8 in 1994; extremal quotient was 2.2 and coefficient of variation 37% in 1993 and 2.7 and 48% respectively in 1994. For Catalonia they ranged between 2.7 and 24.3 in 1993 and 1.4 and 23.8 in 1994; extremal quotient was 9 and coefficient of variation 52% in 1993, and 7 and 42% in 1994 respectively. All these differences were significant (p < 0.005). There was no significant correlation between socieconomic level and development of primary health care and rates of avoidable paediatric hospitalization by health areas or sectors.ConclusionsAvoidable paediatric hospitalization represent a significant proportion of paediatric hospitalizations. There are differences in avoidable paediatric hospitalization rates by health areas and sectors, not associated with socieconomic level and primary care indicators

Diffraction effects and inelastic electron transport in angle-resolved microscopic imaging applications

We analyze the signal formation process for scanning electron microscopic imaging applications on crystalline specimens. In accordance with previous investigations, we find nontrivial effects of incident beam diffraction on the backscattered electron distribution in energy and momentum. Specifically, incident beam diffraction causes angular changes of the backscattered electron distribution which we identify as the dominant mechanism underlying pseudocolor orientation imaging using multiple, angle-resolving detectors. Consequently, diffraction effects of the incident beam and their impact on the subsequent coherent and incoherent electron transport need to be taken into account for an in-depth theoretical modeling of the energy and momentum distribution of electrons backscattered from crystalline sample regions. Our findings have implications for the level of theoretical detail that can be necessary for the interpretation of complex imaging modalities such as electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) of defects in crystals. If the solid angle of detection is limited to specific regions of the backscattered electron momentum distribution, the image contrast that is observed in ECCI and similar applications can be strongly affected by incident beam diffraction and topographic effects from the sample surface. As an application, we demonstrate characteristic changes in the resulting images if different properties of the backscattered electron distribution are used for the analysis of a GaN thin film sample containing dislocations

Tree mortality across biomes is promoted by drought intensity, lower wood density and higher specific leaf area

Drought events are increasing globally, and reports of consequent forest mortality are widespread. However, due to a lack of a quantitative global synthesis, it is still not clear whether drought-induced mortality rates differ among global biomes and whether functional traits influence the risk of drought-induced mortality. To address these uncertainties, we performed a global meta-analysis of 58 studies of drought-induced forest mortality. Mortality rates were modelled as a function of drought, temperature, biomes, phylogenetic and functional groups, and functional traits. We identified a consistent global-scale response, where mortality increased with drought severity (log mortality (trees trees-1 year-1) increased 0.46 (95% CI=0.2-0.7) with one SPEI unit drought intensity). We found no significant differences in the magnitude of the response depending on forest biomes or between angiosperms and gymnosperms or evergreen and deciduous tree species. Functional traits explained some of the variation in drought responses between species (i.e. increased from 30 to 37% when wood density and specific leaf area were included). Tree species with denser wood and lower specific leaf area showed lower mortality responses. Our results illustrate the value of functional traits for understanding patterns of drought-induced tree mortality and suggest that mortality could become increasingly widespread in the future

Effectiveness of a telephone-based intervention for smoking cessation in patients with severe mental disorders: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: up to 75% of inpatients with mental disorders smoke, and their life expectancy is decreased by up to 25 years compared to the general population. Hospitalized patients without monitoring after discharge quickly return to prehospitalization levels of tobacco use. The aim of the 061 QuitMental study is to assess the effectiveness of a multicomponent and motivational telephone-based intervention to stop smoking through a quitline addressed to smokers discharged from mental health hospital wards. Methods: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial, single blinded, will include 2:1 allocation to the intervention group (IG) and the control group (CG). The IG will receive telephone assistance to quit smoking (including psychological and psychoeducational support, and pharmacological treatment advice if required) proactively for 12 months, and the CG will receive only brief advice after discharge. The sample size, calculated with an expected difference of 15 points on smoking abstinence between groups (IG, 20% and CG, 5%), α = 0.05, β = 0.10, and 20% loss, will be 334 participants (IG) and 176 participants (CG). Participants are adult smokers discharged from psychiatric units of five acute hospitals. Measurements include dependent variables (self-reported 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence (carbon monoxide verified), duration of abstinence, number of quit attempts, motivation, and self-efficacy to quit) and independent variables (age, sex, and psychiatric diagnoses). In data analysis, IG and CG data will be compared at 48 h and 1, 6, and 12 months post discharge. Multivariate logistic regression (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval) of dependent variables adjusted for potential confounding variables will be performed. The number needed to treat to achieve one abstinence outcome will be calculated. We will compare the abstinence rate of enrolled patients between groups. Discussion: this trial evaluates an innovative format of a quitline for smokers with severe mental disorders regardless of their motivation to quit. If effective, the pragmatic nature of the study will permit transfer to routine clinical practice in the National Health System

Effectiveness of a telephone-based intervention for smoking cessation in patients with severe mental disorders : Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Up to 75% of inpatients with mental disorders smoke, and their life expectancy is decreased by up to 25 years compared to the general population. Hospitalized patients without monitoring after discharge quickly return to prehospitalization levels of tobacco use. The aim of the 061 QuitMental study is to assess the effectiveness of a multicomponent and motivational telephone-based intervention to stop smoking through a quitline addressed to smokers discharged from mental health hospital wards. Methods: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial, single blinded, will include 2:1 allocation to the intervention group (IG) and the control group (CG). The IG will receive telephone assistance to quit smoking (including psychological and psychoeducational support, and pharmacological treatment advice if required) proactively for 12 months, and the CG will receive only brief advice after discharge. The sample size, calculated with an expected difference of 15 points on smoking abstinence between groups (IG, 20% and CG, 5%), α = 0.05, β = 0.10, and 20% loss, will be 334 participants (IG) and 176 participants (CG). Participants are adult smokers discharged from psychiatric units of five acute hospitals. Measurements include dependent variables (self-reported 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence (carbon monoxide verified), duration of abstinence, number of quit attempts, motivation, and self-efficacy to quit) and independent variables (age, sex, and psychiatric diagnoses). In data analysis, IG and CG data will be compared at 48 h and 1, 6, and 12 months post discharge. Multivariate logistic regression (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval) of dependent variables adjusted for potential confounding variables will be performed. The number needed to treat to achieve one abstinence outcome will be calculated. We will compare the abstinence rate of enrolled patients between groups. Discussion: This trial evaluates an innovative format of a quitline for smokers with severe mental disorders regardless of their motivation to quit. If effective, the pragmatic nature of the study will permit transfer to routine clinical practice in the National Health System. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03230955. Registered on 24 July 2017

On the possibility of magneto-structural correlations: detailed studies of di-nickel carboxylate complexes

A series of water-bridged dinickel complexes of the general formula [Ni&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;(μ&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;-OH&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;)(μ2- O&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;C&lt;sup&gt;t&lt;/sup&gt;Bu)&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;(O&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;C&lt;sup&gt;t&lt;/sup&gt;Bu)2(L)(L0)] (L = HO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;C&lt;sup&gt;t&lt;/sup&gt;Bu, L0 = HO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;C&lt;sup&gt;t&lt;/sup&gt;Bu (1), pyridine (2), 3-methylpyridine (4); L = L0 = pyridine (3), 3-methylpyridine (5)) has been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The magnetic properties have been probed by magnetometry and EPR spectroscopy, and detailed measurements show that the axial zero-field splitting, D, of the nickel(ii) ions is on the same order as the isotropic exchange interaction, J, between the nickel sites. The isotropic exchange interaction can be related to the angle between the nickel centers and the bridging water molecule, while the magnitude of D can be related to the coordination sphere at the nickel sites

Morphological and Physiological Responses to Drought Stress of European Provenances of Scots Pine

Increased frequency and intensity of drought episodes as a consequence of current and predicted climatic changes require an understanding of the intra-specific variability in structural and physiological characteristics of forest trees. Adaptive plasticity and genotypic variability are considered two of the main processes by which trees can either be selected or can acclimate to changing conditions. We tested for the relative importance of genotypic variability, phenotypic plasticity and their interaction by comparing the growth and physiological performance of 15 provenances of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), under two contrasting irrigation regimes. Selected provenances representing the distribution range of the species in Anatolia, Turkey, were contrasted with seed sources spanning the range from Spain to the UK, in Europe. We found a strong latitudinal differentiation among the 15 provenances for survival after drought, largely the result of the higher mortality of some western and central European provenances. Differentiation in diameter and height growth was also clear with the worst provenance coming from Western Europe (UK). Among the Turkish provenances, the more extreme southern high-elevation populations showed greater survival and lower growth rates overall. Differences in growth and survival were related to differences in photosynthetic pigment and nutrient contents and in the photosynthetic efficiency of photosystem II. Plasticity was strongest for growth characters and pigment contents.WoSScopu

Diffraction effects and inelastic electron transport in angle-resolved microscopic imaging applications

We analyse the signal formation process for scanning electron microscopic imaging applications on crystalline specimens. In accordance with previous investigations, we find nontrivial effects of incident beam diffraction on the backscattered electron distribution in energy and momentum. Specifically, incident beam diffraction causes angular changes of the backscattered electron distribution which we identify as the dominant mechanism underlying pseudocolour orientation imaging using multiple, angle-resolving detectors. Consequently, diffraction effects of the incident beam and their impact on the subsequent coherent and incoherent electron transport need to be taken into account for an in-depth theoretical modelling of the energy- and momentum distribution of electrons backscattered from crystalline sample regions. Our findings have implications for the level of theoretical detail that can be necessary for the interpretation of complex imaging modalities such as electron channelling contrast imaging (ECCI) of defects in crystals. If the solid angle of detection is limited to specific regions of the backscattered electron momentum distribution, the image contrast that is observed in ECCI and similar applications can be strongly affected by incident beam diffraction and topographic effects from the sample surface. As an application, we demonstrate characteristic changes in the resulting images if different properties of the backscattered electron distribution are used for the analysis of a GaN thin film sample containing dislocationsThis work was carried out with the support of EPSRC Grant Nos. EP/J015792/1 and EP/M015181/1 and through support of a Carnegie Trust Research Incentive Grant No. 70483

Control orchestration protocol:unified transport API for distributed cloud and network orchestration

In the context of the fifth generation of mobile technology (5G), multiple technologies will converge into a unified end-to-end system. For this purpose, software defined networking (SDN) is proposed, as the control paradigm will integrate all network segments and heterogeneous optical and wireless network technologies together with massive storage and computing infrastructures. The control orchestration protocol is presented as a unified transport application programming interface solution for joint cloud/network orchestration, allowing interworking of heterogeneous control planes to provide provisioning and recovery of quality of service (QoS)-aware end-to-end services. End-to-end QoS is guaranteed by provisioning and restoration schemes, which are proposed for optical circuit/packet switching restoration by means of signal monitoring and adaptive modulation and adaptive route control, respectively. The proposed solution is experimentally demonstrated in an international multi-partner test bed, which consists of a multi-domain transport network comprising optical circuit switching and optical packet switching domains controlled by SDN/OpenFlow and Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS) control planes and a distributed cloud infrastructure. The results show the dynamic provisioning of IT and network resources and recovery capabilities of the architecture.Grant numbers : This work was partially supported by the Spanish MINECO project DESTELLO (TEC2015-69256-R)