Case-Based and Quantum Classification for ERP-Based Brain-Computer Interfaces.

Low transfer rates are a major bottleneck for brain-computer interfaces based on electroencephalography (EEG). This problem has led to the development of more robust and accurate classifiers. In this study, we investigated the performance of variational quantum, quantum-enhanced support vector, and hypergraph case-based reasoning classifiers in the binary classification of EEG data from a P300 experiment. On the one hand, quantum classification is a promising technology to reduce computational time and improve learning outcomes. On the other hand, case-based reasoning has an excellent potential to simplify the preprocessing steps of EEG analysis. We found that the balanced training (prediction) accuracy of each of these three classifiers was 56.95 (51.83), 83.17 (50.25), and 71.10% (52.04%), respectively. In addition, case-based reasoning performed significantly lower with a simplified (49.78%) preprocessing pipeline. These results demonstrated that all classifiers were able to learn from the data and that quantum classification of EEG data was implementable; however, more research is required to enable a greater prediction accuracy because none of the classifiers were able to generalize from the data. This could be achieved by improving the configuration of the quantum classifiers (e.g., increasing the number of shots) and increasing the number of trials for hypergraph case-based reasoning classifiers through transfer learning.

Practice effects in performance outcome measures in patients living with neurologic disorders - A systematic review.

Background: In this systematic review we sought to characterize practice effects on traditional in-clinic or digital performance outcome measures commonly used in one of four neurologic disease areas (multiple sclerosis; Huntington's disease; Parkinson's disease; and Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment and other forms of dementia), describe mitigation strategies to minimize their impact on data interpretation and identify gaps to be addressed in future work. Methods: Fifty-eight original articles (49 from Embase and an additional 4 from PubMed and 5 from additional sources; cut-off date January 13, 2021) describing practice effects or their mitigation strategies were included. Results: Practice effects observed in healthy volunteers do not always translate to patients living with neurologic disorders. Mitigation strategies include reliable changes indices that account for practice effects or a run-in period. While the former requires data from a reference sample showing similar practice effects, the latter requires a sufficient number of tests in the run-in period to reach steady-state performance. However, many studies only included 2 or 3 test administrations, which is insufficient to define the number of tests needed in a run-in period. Discussion: Several gaps have been identified. In particular the assessment of practice effects on an individual patient level as well as the temporal dynamics of practice effects are largely unaddressed. Here, digital tests, which allow much higher testing frequency over prolonged periods of time, can be used in future work to gain a deeper understanding of practice effects and to develop new metrics for assessing and accounting for practice effects in clinical research and clinical trials.

Relationship between procalcitonin values and infection in brain-dead organ donors.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: An association between the inflammatory reactions estimated by several biomarkers and organ dysfunction has been reported in brain-dead organ donors (BDOD). Procalcitonin (PCT), a biomarker of inflammation due to bacterial infection, is increased among BDOD. However, is not known whether infection changes PCT values in BDOD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 82 BDOD including several demographic and clinical parameters, bacterial culture results, antibiotics prescription, and plasma values of PCT measured before organ harvesting. Infection was diagnosed to be either a positive bacterial culture (restricted definition) and/or prescription of antibiotics (extended definition). RESULTS: The median PCT value was 1.5 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.4 to 6.9; range, 0 to 526 ng/mL; n=82). Thirty-eight (46%) and 24 (29%) patients had PCT values>2 ng/mL and >5 ng/mL, respectively. Median PCT values among infected (1.18; IQR, 0.27 to 6.55 ng/mL) versus noninfected (1.57; IQR, 0.53 to 7.15 ng/mL) BDOD (restricted definition) were not different (P=.36). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve using PCT to predict infection (restricted definition) was 0.52. Specificity of PCT to predict infection was above 80% at PCT values>9 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed PCT values are increased in BDOD, suggesting that this was not related to an infectious cause (whatever definition was used) unless PCT values are high.

Saving time: rural Honduran women working for change.

PIP: The author discusses some recommendations that arose out of field research in northern Honduras. The research included policy recommendations to the International Development Research Center Project for Participatory Research in Central America (IPCA) on gender issues. The IPCA aims to build the research capacity of small hillside farmers by involving them in the design and evaluation of appropriate agricultural technologies. The author states that women are not an "underused asset" as Ostergard (1992) contends. Women are heavily burdened workers who provide in their reproductive roles essential services for maintaining agricultural production and for sustaining the family for the next agricultural cycle and the next generations. Women's housework is hard and time-consuming. There is a need for time- and energy-saving technology for domestic chores if living conditions are to be improved. IPCA programs must develop flexible programs to fit women's needs and to include women fully in the participatory process. Useful technologies could be community mills for grinding corn and improved stoves. Cooking and grinding corn are both labor-intensive tasks. In another community outside the study area, women travel to a community mill under private ownership for corn grinding that costs about 30 cents per day. The women reported that the cost is worth the time and energy saved. The mill also serves as a community gathering place. Women could potentially pool resources and operate a cooperative mill service. Lorena stoves are popular due to reduced fuel consumption, time saved in collecting wood, savings in cooking time, and fewer respiratory problems. Decisions would need to be made about venting smoke outside or continuing to use the smoke to dry grains in lofts overhead. Men need to be made aware of women's needs and women's opportunities to engage in income generation activities owing to the time saved.^ieng

Anthropometric design criteria: correction variables for military aircraft.

Significant errors in the application of dimensional anthropometric design criteria for tactical military aircraft cockpits have been identified. These errors result from insufficient consideration of previously undefined variables relative to posture, restraint system items, and aviators' personal protection equipment as discussed by McConville and Laubach in 1978.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of Sipple syndrome in children.

The diagnosis and management of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type IIA and type IIB are of special challenge to pediatric surgeons. Patients characteristically present early in life with significant intestinal symptoms at a time when the characteristic phenotypic features of MEN IIB are frequently absent. We are reporting 12 patients with MEN type II (9 with type IIA and 3 type IIB or Sipple's syndrome), all of whom presented with gastrointestinal manifestations. All 12 patients had signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction during the neonatal period. An unusual association of Hirschsprung's disease and MEN IIA was noted in our nine patients found among a kindred of 92 individuals. All three patients with Sipple's syndrome (MEN IIB) had severe gastrointestinal symptoms since birth, including recurrent pseudoobstruction. The possibility of MEN type II should be considered in all cases of bowel obstruction in the newborn period. Screening for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid must be carried out from infancy. A detailed family history is very important to avoid unnecessary surgery for bowel obstruction in Sipple's syndrome.

Ménétrier's disease in children: report of a patient and review of sixteen other cases.

Ménétrier's disease is one of the rarer causes of protein-losing enteropathies seen in childhood. At onset of symptoms, the present case and 15 others reported so far were younger than 10 yr of age. Edema was usually more conspicuous than gastrointestinal symptoms. In contrast to the usual chronicity of the disease in adults, the illness is self-limited, transient, and benign.