A Preprocessing Perspective for Quantum Machine Learning Classification Advantage in Finance Using NISQ Algorithms.

Quantum Machine Learning (QML) has not yet demonstrated extensively and clearly its advantages compared to the classical machine learning approach. So far, there are only specific cases where some quantum-inspired techniques have achieved small incremental advantages, and a few experimental cases in hybrid quantum computing are promising, considering a mid-term future (not taking into account the achievements purely associated with optimization using quantum-classical algorithms). The current quantum computers are noisy and have few qubits to test, making it difficult to demonstrate the current and potential quantum advantage of QML methods. This study shows that we can achieve better classical encoding and performance of quantum classifiers by using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) during the data preprocessing step. As a result, the Variational Quantum Algorithm (VQA) shows a gain of performance in balanced accuracy with the LDA technique and outperforms baseline classical classifiers.

Doppler evaluation of the posterior cerebral artery in normally grown and growth restricted fetuses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Doppler parameters of the two segments of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) in normally grown and growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses. METHODS: Normal reference values of the pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and time-averaged maximum velocity from the two segments of the PCA (segment one, PCA-S1; segment two, PCA-S2) were constructed in 350 pregnant women from 20 to 40 weeks of gestation. The association of the two PCA segments with the middle cerebral artery (MCA), and with the umbilical artery was evaluated in 50 IUGR fetuses. RESULTS: In normal fetuses, Doppler parameters from PCA-S1 and PCA-S2 showed similar behavior throughout gestation. In IUGR fetuses, the PI of the two PCA segments was significantly reduced with no differences between them. PCA-S2 PI showed a higher correlation with the MCA-PI (r = 0.73) than PCA-S1 PI (r = 0.63; p = 0.001). IUGR fetuses showed vasodilatation in the PCA earlier than in the MCA disregarding the umbilical artery-PI value. CONCLUSION: In IUGR fetuses, the two segments of the PCA show signs of vasodilatation earlier than the MCA. As IUGR fetuses deteriorate, the two segments of the PCA and the MCA behave similarly.

Low serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone and cortisol in human diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania mexicana.

Low levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol hormones produced by the suprarenal cortex have been associated with diseases involving chronic inflammation, low interferon (IFN)-gamma, and high interleukin (IL)-6. Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DL), a long-lasting intracellular parasitic infectious disease, can spread unknown levels of DHEA and cortisol. Serum concentrations of both were measured in 5 patients with DL, in 15 patients with localized lesions produced by Leishmania (LL), and in 20 healthy volunteers. Leishmania mexicana mexicana was identified as the causal agent in patients with DL and LL. Hormone levels were lower in DL compared with controls and LL. Furthermore, we detected a lower percentage of IFN-gamma-positive cells with higher levels of IL-6 and higher titers of anti-Leishmania antibodies in patients with DL, whereas patients with LL were similar to controls. These data suggest that patients with DL may be good candidates for DHEA and cortisol supplementation.