Real space mapping of topological invariants using artificial neural networks

Topological invariants allow to characterize Hamiltonians, predicting the existence of topologically protected in-gap modes. Those invariants can be computed by tracing the evolution of the occupied wavefunctions under twisted boundary conditions. However, those procedures do not allow to calculate a topological invariant by evaluating the system locally, and thus require information about the wavefunctions in the whole system. Here we show that artificial neural networks can be trained to identify the topological order by evaluating a local projection of the density matrix. We demonstrate this for two different models, a 1-D topological superconductor and a 2-D quantum anomalous Hall state, both with spatially modulated parameters. Our neural network correctly identifies the different topological domains in real space, predicting the location of in-gap states. By combining a neural network with a calculation of the electronic states that uses the Kernel Polynomial Method, we show that the local evaluation of the invariant can be carried out by evaluating a local quantity, in particular for systems without translational symmetry consisting of tens of thousands of atoms. Our results show that supervised learning is an efficient methodology to characterize the local topology of a system.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

Magnetic transitions in Pr2NiO4 single crystal

The magnetic properties of a stoichiometric Pr2NiO4 single crystal have been examined by means of the temperature dependence of the complex ac susceptibility and the isothermal magnetization in fields up to 200 kOe at T=4.2 K. Three separate phases have been identified and their anisotropic character has been analyzed. A collinear antiferromagnetic phase appears first between TN = 325 K and Tc1 = 115 K, where the Pr ions are polarized by an internal magnetic field. At Tc1 a first modification of the magnetic structure occurs in parallel with a structural phase transition (Bmab to P42/ncm). This magnetic transition has a first‐order character and involves both the out‐of‐plane and the in‐plane spin components (magnetic modes gx and gxcyfz, respectively). A second magnetic transition having also a first‐order character is also clearly identified at Tc2 = 90 K which corresponds to a spin reorientation process (gxcyfz to cxgyaz magnetic modes). It should be noted as well that the out‐of‐phase component of χac shows a peak around 30 K which reflects the coexistence of both magnetic configurations in a wide temperature interval. Finally, two field‐induced transitions have been observed at 4.2 K when the field is directed along the c axis. We propose that the high‐field anomaly arises from a metamagnetic transition of the weak ferromagnetic component, similarly to La2CuO4

Ventajas y desventajas de la aplicación de la técnica de HR-ICP-MS al análisis inorgánico de aguas en terrenos volcánicos

La técnica de ICP-MS ha supuesto un gran avance en el análisis de aguas en los últimos decenios tal y como recogen las normativas al respecto en Europa, Estados Unidos, etc., habiéndose convertido en una técnica de referencia particularmente en el tema de calidad del agua. La alta resolución aplicada a la ICP-MS reduce considerablemente las interferencias y su combinación con detectores aptos para concentraciones mayoritarias hace que se disponga de una herramienta analítica muy competitiva que permite determinar simultáneamente elementos mayoritarios y trazas, incluidos halógenos (Cl, Br, I), y además relaciones isotópicas (ej., Li y B). Estos aproximadamente 60 parámetros geoquímicos permiten una caracterización exhaustiva de las aguas para temas de calidad y también ayudan a discernir más fácilmente el origen y el tránsito de las aguas a través de diferentes terrenos volcánicos. Por otra parte, la HR-ICP-MS es de gran aplicación a la determinación de los aportes geoquímicos volcanogénicos a los balances biogeoquímicos regionales, como por ejemplo de los materiales piroclásticos, a través del análisis de lixiviados procedentes de la simulación de la interacción del agua con estos productos eruptivos. En este trabajo se exponen los pros y contras de la aplicación de la HR-ICP-MS a aguas en problemáticas volcanogénicas a través de diferentes ejemplos (Islandia, Argentina, Chile, etc.). Agradecemos la asistencia del Servicio labGEOTOP (infraestructura cofinanciada por FEDER-UE, Ref. CSIC08-4E-001) del ICTJA-CSIC. La financiación fue proporcionada por QUECA (MINECO, CGL2011-23307). Este estudio se llevó a cabo en el marco del Grupo Reconocido GEOPAM (2014 SGR 869).La financiación fue proporcionada por QUECA (MINECO, CGL2011-23307). Este estudio se llevó a cabo en el marco del Grupo Reconocido GEOPAM (2014 SGR 869).Peer Reviewe

Comparative ergonomic workflow and user experience analysis of MRI versus fluoroscopy-guided vascular interventions:an iliac angioplasty exemplar case study

Purpose A methodological framework is introduced to assess and compare a conventional fluoroscopy protocol for peripheral angioplasty with a new magnetic resonant imaging (MRI)-guided protocol. Different scenarios were considered during interventions on a perfused arterial phantom with regard to time-based and cognitive task analysis, user experience and ergonomics. Methods Three clinicians with different expertise performed a total of 43 simulated common iliac angioplasties (9 fluoroscopic, 34 MRI-guided) in two blocks of sessions. Six different configurations for MRI guidance were tested in the first block. Four of them were evaluated in the second block and compared to the fluoroscopy protocol. Relevant stages’ durations were collected, and interventions were audio-visually recorded from different perspectives. A cued retrospective protocol analysis (CRPA) was undertaken, including personal interviews. In addition, ergonomic constraints in the MRI suite were evaluated. Results Significant differences were found when comparing the performance between MRI configurations versus fluoroscopy. Two configurations [with times of 8.56 (0.64) and 9.48 (1.13) min] led to reduce procedure time for MRI guidance, comparable to fluoroscopy [8.49 (0.75) min]. The CRPA pointed out the main influential factors for clinical procedure performance. The ergonomic analysis quantified musculoskeletal risks for interventional radiologists when utilising MRI. Several alternatives were suggested to prevent potential low-back injuries. Conclusions This work presents a step towards the implementation of efficient operational protocols for MRI-guided procedures based on an integral and multidisciplinary framework, applicable to the assessment of current vascular protocols. The use of first-user perspective raises the possibility of establishing new forms of clinical training and education

Structure-function mapping of a heptameric module in the nuclear pore complex.

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a multiprotein assembly that serves as the sole mediator of nucleocytoplasmic exchange in eukaryotic cells. In this paper, we use an integrative approach to determine the structure of an essential component of the yeast NPC, the ~600-kD heptameric Nup84 complex, to a precision of ~1.5 nm. The configuration of the subunit structures was determined by satisfaction of spatial restraints derived from a diverse set of negative-stain electron microscopy and protein domain-mapping data. Phenotypic data were mapped onto the complex, allowing us to identify regions that stabilize the NPC's interaction with the nuclear envelope membrane and connect the complex to the rest of the NPC. Our data allow us to suggest how the Nup84 complex is assembled into the NPC and propose a scenario for the evolution of the Nup84 complex through a series of gene duplication and loss events. This work demonstrates that integrative approaches based on low-resolution data of sufficient quality can generate functionally informative structures at intermediate resolution