The topology of data hides in quantum thermal states

This is the final version. Available on open access from AIP Publishing via the DOI in this record Data availability: The data that support the findings of this study are available within the article.We provide a quantum protocol to perform topological data analysis (TDA) via the distillation of quantum thermal states. Recent developments in quantum thermal state preparation algorithms reveal their characteristic scaling, defined by the properties of dissipative Lindbladians. This contrasts with protocols based on unitary evolution, which have a scaling depending on the properties of the combinatorial Laplacian. To leverage quantum thermal state preparation algorithms, we translate quantum TDA from a real-time to an imaginary-time picture, shifting the paradigm from a unitary approach to a dissipative one. Starting from an initial state overlapping with the ground state of the system, one can dissipate its energy via channels unique to the dataset, naturally distilling its information. Therefore, calculating Betti numbers translates into a purity estimation. Alternatively, this can be interpreted as the evaluation of the Rényi two-entropy, Uhlmann fidelity, or Hilbert–Schmidt distance relative to thermal states with the embedded topology of simplicial complexes. Our work opens the field of TDA toward a more physical interpretation of the topology of data.Innovate U

Stroke in women — from evidence to inequalities

Stroke is the second largest cause of disability-adjusted life-years lost worldwide. The prevalence of stroke in women is predicted to rise rapidly, owing to the increasing average age of the global female population. Vascular risk factors differ between women and men in terms of prevalence, and evidence increasingly supports the clinical importance of sex differences in stroke. The influence of some risk factors for stroke — including diabetes mellitus and atrial fibrillation — are stronger in women, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy also affect the risk of stroke decades after pregnancy. However, in an era of evidence-based medicine, women are notably under-represented in clinical trials — despite governmental actions highlighting the need to include both men and women in clinical trials — resulting in a reduced generalizability of study results to women. The aim of this Review is to highlight new insights into specificities of stroke in women, to plan future research priorities, and to influence public health policies to decrease the worldwide burden of stroke in women

Optimal Location of PV Powered Smart Charging Facilities With Energy Storage for Electric Vehicles

Increasing charging facilities to service electric vehicles (EVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) leads to increased stress on the existing electric grid. PV integrated charging stations (PVCS) supplemented with energy storage have provided promising results in reducing dependency on the electric grid for charging PHEVs. Despite advances in power electronics used to interface PVCS with the grid, random charging patterns, structural contingencies and intermittency of solar energy creates the inevitable issue of random power penetration and adoption to/from the grid. To maximize the benefits of PVCS they should be integrated into the distribution network at optimum locations. A well planned and operated PVCS would provide several benefits to the distribution network such as reduction in power losses, voltage regulation and reactive power support. This paper proposes a new method for optimally siting PV powered PHEV charging facilities with energy storage in a distribution network under stress due to heavy penetration of PHEVs. The performance of the proposed heuristic method is demonstrated through a case study using an IEEE 30-bus system.Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department o

Satisfaction of Nigerian patients with health services: a protocol for a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Patient-based assessment of health services is becoming popular in measuring the standard of care. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are available. Patient satisfaction surveys are commonly used to record the experiences of patients in hospitals, whereas qualitative designs (e.g., interviews and focus group discussions) are used less frequently. To date, there has been no systematic review published devoted to patient satisfaction with health services in Nigeria. We aim to (1) systematically analyze relevant quantitative studies to pinpoint excellent procedures in measuring patient satisfaction with health services, (2) to investigate if a reference method (gold standard method) exists, and (3) to identify relevant topics which are recognized by patients as important for the delivery of a high-quality health service in Nigeria. METHODS: Searches of eight electronic journal databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AJOL, CDSR, DARE, and HTA will be conducted to identify studies assessing patient satisfaction with health services in Nigeria. The searches will be supported by manual searches in reference lists of relevant primary studies and systematic reviews. The review will be limited to studies published since 2007. After a stepwise screening process by two reviewers, data from included studies will be extracted and reviewed. The COSMIN RoB checklist will be used to critically appraise included studies. We will carry out an extensive data synthesis to answer the review questions. DISCUSSION: The intended systematic review will provide information on how the satisfaction of patients with health services has earlier been described and assessed in Nigerian studies. It will establish if a gold standard method exists and synthesize information on topics which might be of special interest to patients. Review findings will enrich the debate on patient-centered care and overall performance of health quality standards in Nigeria