Towards Multimodal Machine Learning Prediction of Individual Cognitive Evolution in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) manifests heterogeneously among persons suffering from it, making its disease course highly challenging to predict. At present, prognosis mostly relies on biomarkers that are unable to predict disease course on an individual level. Machine learning is a promising technique, both in terms of its ability to combine multimodal data and through the capability of making personalized predictions. However, most investigations on machine learning for prognosis in MS were geared towards predicting physical deterioration, while cognitive deterioration, although prevalent and burdensome, remained largely overlooked. This review aims to boost the field of machine learning for cognitive prognosis in MS by means of an introduction to machine learning and its pitfalls, an overview of important elements for study design, and an overview of the current literature on cognitive prognosis in MS using machine learning. Furthermore, the review discusses new trends in the field of machine learning that might be adopted for future studies in the field.

Was Chagas disease responsible for Darwin’s illness? The overlooked eco-epidemiological context in Chile

The source of Darwin’s illness has been a contentious issue in the literature for almost 70 years. Different causal factors have been invoked to account for his symptoms, including Chagas disease. The Chagas hypothesis is based upon Darwin’s diary, in which he narrates his experience with kissing bugs, the main vector of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. In this contribution, we examine the consistency of the “Chagas disease hypothesis” in the light of current ecological and epidemiological knowledge of the disease in Chile. According to his diary and letters, during his overland trips, Darwin slept in rural houses and outdoors for 128 days in a “hyperendemic” area for Chagas disease, more than exposing him to kissing bugs. This observation conveys a likely additional source of infection than previously considered, which might reinforce the idea that Chagas disease contributed to Darwin’s manifest physical deterioration.

Concrete Performance in Cold Regions: Understanding Concrete’s Resistance to Freezing/Thawing Cycles

This Chapter provides a detailed better understanding of the freeze/thaw effect on concrete, it is discussing the attack mechanism for both types of freeze/thaw deterioration: Internal frost damage and Surface scaling. Freeze/thaw attack is a serious problem for concrete but the most common physical deterioration type that shortening the life of concrete in cold environments. An Air-entraining agent is one of the solutions for reducing the effect of freeze/thaw cycles on concrete. Meanwhile Using supplementary cementitious materials in the production of concrete has different effects on the behavior of concrete exposed to freeze/thaw cycles. This chapter is discussing five of the common supplementary cementitious materials and their effect on concrete resistance to freeze/thaw cycles.

A Study of Flexible Flow Shop Scheduling Problem with Various Heterogeneous Labors

This study considers the necessity of hiring heterogeneous labors. So far, many studies focus more on manufacturing of equipment and control systems in the intelligent production planning. In fact, the regular labors’ processing time may be affected by the external factors and the disabled labors by the mentally handicapped. Therefore, this study sets the processing time of the two types of labors as fuzzy sets. The extra processing time from overtime generated by physical deterioration of old-aged labors is equal to the processing time of regular labors multiplied by the physical deterioration rate of old-aged labors on machine. The coefficient of the cost function is the stepwise function of cost structure. Besides, the dispatching rule based on floating time utilizes ant colony optimization to minimize the makespan. The data test results indicate that the proposed algorithm can efficiently dispatch and schedule the operations, with the average improvement ratio about 11.76%, and demonstrates high capability for the intelligent production planning

Ageing Effects in Mounting Media of Microscope Slide Samples from Natural History Collections: A Case Study with Canada Balsam and PermountTM

Microscope slide collections represent extremely valuable depositories of research material in a natural history, forensic, veterinary, and medical context. Unfortunately, most mounting media of these slides deteriorate over time, with the reason for this not yet understood at all. In this study, Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, and different types of light microscopy were used to investigate the ageing behaviour of naturally aged slides from museum collections and the experimentally aged media of Canada balsam and PermountTM, representing a natural and a synthetic resin, respectively, with both being based on mixtures of various terpenes. Whereas Canada balsam clearly revealed chemical ageing processes, visible as increasing colouration, PermountTM showed physical deterioration recognisable by the increasing number of cracks, which even often impacted a mounted specimen. Noticeable changes to the chemical and physical properties of these mounting media take decades in the case of Canada balsam but just a few years in the case of PermountTM. Our results question whether or not Canada balsam should really be regarded as a mounting medium that lasts for centuries, if its increasing degree of polymerisation can lead to a mount which is no longer restorable.

A methodological approach to the evaluation of obsolescence of residential buildings

The co-authors have proven that the analysis of values of obsolescence indicators applicable to buildings and other facilities in the urban environment allows to make resource-saving decisions in terms of their integrated renovation.At the same time, the need to develop a methodology for evaluating the functional obsolescence of a residential building is also substantiated, as it is the most important component of the concept of comfort of a residential building. A brief analysis of the concepts of “comfort” and “accessibility” in relation to residential buildings is performed. The characteristic of comfort is proposed to be defined using the consolidated indicator of functional obsolescence and physical deterioration of a building. A specific mathematical formula for calculating the parameters of comfort is provided, depending on the consolidated characteristics of indicators of physical deterioration and obsolescence of a building.The proposed analysis of principal obsolescence evaluation methods, applicable to residential buildings, allows toidentify the main weaknesses of currently used methods.As a methodological approach to evaluating the obsolescence of a residential building, a systematic approach is proposed that allows a comprehensive, structural and quantitative assessment of obsolescence indicators through the use of mathematical methods, including the method of expert assessments and a modified verbal-numerical scale, initially developed by Harrington.A systematic hierarchical relationship between general and specific indicators of obsolescence of a building is identified. A systematic approach is employed to develop a procedure for identifying the integral obsolescence of a building with regard taken of the hierarchical relationship between its specific and general indicators.Pie and bar charts are used to analyze alternative building obsolescence evaluation methodologies. A detailed description of the proposed option is provided in the form of specific examples. Acknowledgement. This research was supported by Project No. 3.1.1.1 within the 2021–2023 Plan of Fundamental Research of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering and Ministry of Civil Engineering and Public Utilities of the Russian Federation.

Using quality improvement to standardise and enhance the use of the national early warning score (NEWS) in an old age psychiatry inpatient setting

AimsWithin an inpatient old-age psychiatry setting, there is an increased risk of acute physical deterioration secondary to age, comorbidities and reduced physiological reserve. Numerous recent clinical incidents highlighted late recognition of physical deterioration within this population. We assessed the use of the NEWS, a system for scoring physiological measurements, in an old-age psychiatry ward and subsequently attempted to improve performance of obtaining physical health observations in this cohort of patients.MethodRetrospective pre- and post- quality improvement study in a twenty bed Old Age Psychiatry Ward in East Lothian Community Hospital, Haddington, Scotland. Data were collected from 12th October – 16th November, 2020 (pre- period) and from 16th November 2020 to 15th February, 2021 (post- period). The primary process measure was ensuring all patients had at least one full set of physical observations at least once a week, or more frequent as deemed clinically appropriate. Secondary measures included ensuring NEWS scores were accurately calculated and improved documentation. This was tracked using a run chart. Improvement activities focused on increased awareness, effective training, key stakeholder buy-in and reviewing trust policy.ResultThe percentage of NEWS documented for all patients at least once a week improved from a mean of 28.7% (31/108) in the 6 weeks prior to intervention, to a mean of 71.4% (125/175) in the following 13 weeks. The minimum required physical observations required to accurately calculate a NEWS improved from 51.6% (16/31) pre-intervention to 95.2% (119/125) post-intervention and NEWS being calculated correctly increased from 80.6% (25/31) to 96% (120/125). Documentation of a reason why physical observations were not taken increased from 2.5% (2/77) to 62% (31/50) pre- and post- intervention respectively.ConclusionThis quality improvement project highlighted that recording of physical observations and use of NEWS was inadequate in this setting, increasing the risk of a delay in identification of acute physical deterioration and thus increase morbidity and mortality. Introducing simple measures and standardising the NEWS assessment process, along with senior nursing and medical oversight, greatly enhanced acquiring and recording of physical observations and NEWS scores. This quality improvement project has shown that practical solutions and staff education can increase efficacy and are hoping further input can consolidate the gains achieved and lead to continued improvements.

Experiences of caregivers of boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disease that leads to progressive and fatal physical deterioration. The progression of this disease requires frequent or permanent care that implies high levels of demand for the caregivers of children who have developed DMD. Certainly, this disease affects diagnosed children and their caregivers as well. The support from the health system is scarce for both, which translates into an intense burden for the mothers and women of the family who care the person diagnosed with DMD during their lifetime. This qualitative study with phenomenological approach aimed to analyze the meaning of the experience of being a caregiver for boys and young men living with DMD in Colombia. After obtaining their informed consent, caregivers were interviewed and a thematic analysis of their narratives was performed to determine three key topics that endow their experiences with meaning: (1) finding out about the disease, (2) living according to the needs of boys and young men, and (3) providing a new meaning to life. The results show that the meaning of DMD is strongly associated with intense suffering and psychological stress, with a high negative burden, especially during the initial years after diagnosis. The study suggests that it is important to assimilate and process these experiences and findings to learn how to live with DMD and identify the certainty of a child’s premature death.