Fundamental thresholds of realistic quantum error correction circuits from classical spin models

Mapping the decoding of quantum error correcting (QEC) codes to classical disordered statistical mechanics models allows one to determine critical error thresholds of QEC codes under phenomenological noise models. Here, we extend this mapping to admit realistic, multi-parameter noise models of faulty QEC circuits, derive the associated strongly correlated classical spin models, and illustrate this approach for a quantum repetition code with faulty stabilizer readout circuits. We use Monte-Carlo simulations to study the resulting phase diagram and benchmark our results against a minimum-weight perfect matching decoder. The presented method provides an avenue to assess fundamental thresholds of QEC circuits, independent of specific decoding strategies, and can thereby help guiding the development of near-term QEC hardware.

“Merely to see and touch it”: On Service, McCrae, and Literary Tourism in Canada

Long dismissed as a “critical error” ( Booth 2016 ) and still capable of inciting “embarrassment palpable” ( Watson 2006 ) among scholars otherwise happy to emphasize the material contexts that inform the circulation of texts, literary tourism has recently become the focus of serious academic inquiry. Recent work has begun to disaggregate the various forms of literary tourist sites ( Fawcett and Cormack 2001 ), but continues to have a methodological gap surrounding the specifically literary aspects of the practice itself, and—with the notable exception of Green Gables (Squire 1992; Devereux 2001 )—has left Canada predictably unexamined. This essay begins with a brief introduction to literary tourism in Canada before moving into a comparative analysis of two National Historic Sites associated with Canadian literary authors: the Robert Service cabin in Dawson City, Yukon, and the John McCrae House in Guelph, Ontario. The sites offer a compelling comparison as the former homes of two of the best-known Canadian poets of the early twentieth century whose works have become popularly synonymous with two of Canada’s most heavily mythologized eras. The enduring popularity of poems like “The Cremation of Sam McGee” reflect not only Service’s central role in mythologizing Canada’s north but also a strategic “cultural commoditization” of the area’s gold rush heritage ( Jarvenpa 1994 ; Grace 2001 ), while McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields” retains its status not only as the “most popular poem” of the First World War in Canada and beyond ( Fussell 2000 ), but as also as a primary example of the ideological function of Great War literature within Canada ( Holmes 2005 ; Gordon 2014 ). Although the two author houses may initially appear a study in contrasts, I draw on recent work in literary tourist studies to argue they are linked in their function as “materialized fictions” ( Hendrix 2008 ), or concrete interpretative frames that aim to offer tangible evidence of the Canadian myths their former inhabitants helped to fashion.

Improving Manufacturing Applications of Machine Learning by Understanding Defect Classification and the Critical Error Threshold

Machine learning (ML) is unlocking patterns and insight into data to provide financial value and knowledge for organizations. Use of machine learning in manufacturing environments is increasing, yet sometimes these applications fail to produce meaningful results. A critical review of how defects are classified is needed to appropriately apply machine learning in a production foundry and other manufacturing processes. Four elements associated with defect classification are proposed: Binary Acceptance Specifications, Stochastic Formation of Defects, Secondary Process Variation, and Visual Defect Inspection. These four elements create data space overlap, which influences the bias associated with training supervised machine learning algorithms. If this influence is significant enough, the predicted error of the model exceeds a critical error threshold (CET). There is no financial motivation to implement the ML model in the manufacturing environment if its error is greater than the CET. The goal is to bring awareness to these four elements, define the critical error threshold, and offer guidance and future study recommendations on data collection and machine learning that will increase the success of ML within manufacturing.

INTREPID: single- versus multiple-inhaler triple therapy for COPD in usual clinical practice

IntroductionReal-world trial data comparing single- with multiple-inhaler triple therapy (MITT) in COPD patients are currently lacking. The effectiveness of once-daily single-inhaler fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) and MITT were compared in usual clinical care.MethodsINTREPID was a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase IV effectiveness study comparing FF/UMEC/VI 100/62.5/25 µg via the ELLIPTA inhaler with a clinician's choice of any approved non-ELLIPTA MITT in usual COPD clinical practice in five European countries. Primary endpoint was proportion of COPD Assessment Test (CAT) responders (≥2-unit decrease in CAT score from baseline) at Week 24. Secondary endpoints in a subpopulation included change from baseline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and percentage of patients making ≥1 critical error in inhalation technique at Week 24. Safety was also assessed.Results3092 patients were included (FF/UMEC/VI N=1545; MITT N=1547). The proportion of CAT responders at Week 24 was significantly greater with FF/UMEC/VI versus non-ELLIPTA MITT (odds ratio: 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13, 1.51; p<0.001) and mean change from baseline in FEV1 was significantly greater with FF/UMEC/VI (77 mL versus 28 mL; treatment difference [95% CI] 50 mL [26, 73]; p<0.001). The percentage of patients with ≥1 critical error in inhalation technique was low in both groups (FF/UMEC/VI 6%, non-ELLIPTA MITT 3%). Safety profiles, including incidence of pneumonia serious adverse events, were similar between treatments.ConclusionsIn a usual clinical care setting, treatment with once-daily single-inhaler FF/UMEC/VI resulted in significantly more patients gaining health status improvement and greater lung function improvement versus non-ELLIPTA MITT.

Comparison of inhalation technique with the Diskus® and Autohaler® in asthmatic children at home

ObjectiveAsthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood and anti-inflammatory medication is the cornerstone of treatment. Inhalers are frequently used incorrectly when demonstrated in the hospital, suggesting poor technique at home. We aimed to: 1) Compare daily inhalation technique with the Diskus® and Autohaler® in asthmatic children by filming inhalations at home; 2) Compare daily inhalation technique with technique demonstrated in the hospital.MethodsWe performed a randomised study in asthmatic children (6–18 years) from the outpatient clinic of MST hospital from July 2014 to April 2016. Children received inhalation instructions for the Diskus® and Autohaler® and were randomised to use one device in the morning and the other in the evening. During the 28-days study period, inhalations were filmed at home and subsequently demonstrated in the hospital. All inhalations were checked for 7 critical errors per device.ResultsA total of 636 videos with the Diskus® and 663 with the Autohaler® were provided by 27 children. The most common critical error in daily-life was an incorrect device position during preparation of the Diskus® (n=271) and an insufficiently deep inhalation (n=39) using the Autohaler®. Percentage of correct days using the Diskus® was 44%, compared to 96% with the Autohaler® (p<0.001). The two most common errors with the Diskus® were made at least twice as often at home than in the hospital.ConclusionInhalation technique at home was markedly better with the Autohaler® than with the Diskus®. Pediatricians should be aware that hospital-based demonstrations can overestimate daily inhalation technique with the Diskus®.

Critical inhaler technique errors in Swedish patients with COPD: a cross-sectional study analysing video-recorded demonstrations

A correct use of inhaler devices is essential in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment. Critical errors were studied by analysing 659 video-recorded demonstrations of inhaler technique from 364 COPD patients using six different inhaler device models. The majority of the included patients used two (55%) or more (20%) device models. Overall, 66% of the patients made ≥1 critical error with at least one device model. The corresponding numbers for patients using 1, 2 and ≥3 device models were 43%, 70% and 86%, respectively. The only factor associated with making ≥1 critical error was simultaneous use of two (adjusted odds ratios (aOR) 3.17, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.81, 5.64) or three or more (aOR 8.97, 95% CI 3.93, 22.1) device models. In conclusion, the proportion of patients making critical errors in inhaler technique was substantial, particularly in those using several different device models. To obtain optimal COPD treatment, it is important to assess a patient’s inhaler technique and to minimise the number of inhaler device models.

Magisterial Teaching on the Foundation of Sexual Ethics

This article seeks to demonstrate that the perverted faculty argument is at the foundation of magisterial teaching in sexual ethics. Yet new natural law (NNL) theorists have consistently condemned this argument for decades despite their claim that they support the moral teachings of the Catholic Church. This situation is incongruous. Current scholarship indicates that NNL theorists do not accept the rationale for magisterial teaching in sexual ethics because, despite their opposition to proportionalism, they still hold in common its most critical error—an error that Pope St. John Paul II was at pains to condemn in Veritatis splendor

Vendor-Recommended Protocol Is Not Adequate To Verify Analyzer Performance After Probe Replacement

Introduction/Objective To verify performance after probe replacement on Siemens ADVIA® 1800 analyzer, the vendor recommends running 2 levels of quality control (QC) for each analyte; however, this approach provides only a snapshot of analyzer performance. Additional experiments were conducted to determine if the vendor-recommended protocol adequately verifies analyzer performance. Methods Serum from 20 random patients was mixed, centrifuged at 1000 g for 10 min, and supernatant prepared (PPS). Intra-assay precision was assessed by analyzing 20 replicates of 2 levels of QC, and PPS for the following indicator assays (total allowable error [TEa] in parentheses): alanine aminotransferase (20%), calcium (6%), creatinine (15%), immunoglobulin G (25%), and sodium (5 mEq/L). Inter-assay precision over past 30 days was calculated from the values (90 – 114) of 2 levels of QC. Violation of 13s QC rule is most commonly used for detecting critical error (error &gt; TEa). We used TEa/4 and TEa/3 as the acceptability criteria for intra- and inter-assay precision. Inter-assay precision was also compared to the precision claim by the vendor. Bias between the mean of QC values from intra- and inter- assay precision was calculated and TEa/4 used as the acceptability criterion. Results Intra-assay precision for both levels of QC for all analytes was acceptable. Intra-assay precision (5.48%) for only alanine aminotransferase in the PPS was unacceptable, indicating that patient matrix may impact precision for certain analytes. Inter-assay precision (2.24%) for level 1 QC for calcium was unacceptable. For all analytes, inter- assay precision compared to vendor’s claim was found to be significantly higher (32% - 405%). The bias was unacceptable for level 3 QC for sodium (-2.11). Conclusion Increased imprecision and/or bias may be observed if either probe replacement or alignment was not appropriate; or the verification protocol was not adequate. This study demonstrates the need to conduct experiments beyond vendor-recommended protocol to ensure production of clinically acceptable results.