Automated methodology for optimal selection of the minimum electrode subset for accurate EEG source localization based on Genetic Algorithm optimization

High-density Electroencephalography (HD-EEG) has been proven to be the most accurate option to estimate the neural activity inside the brain. Although multiple studies report the effect of electrode number on source localization for specific sources and specific electrode configurations, the electrodes for each configuration have been manually selected to uniformly cover the entire head, going from 32 to 128 electrodes, where electrodes were not selected according to their contribution to accuracy. In this work, an optimization-based study aimed to determine the minimum number of electrodes and identify optimal combinations of electrodes that can keep the localization accuracy of HD-EEG reconstructions. This optimization approach incorporates scalp landmark positions of widely used EEG montages. In this way, a systematic search for the minimum electrode subset is performed for single and multiple source localization problems. The Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) combined with source reconstruction methods is used to formulate a multi-objective optimization problem that minimize (1) the localization error for each source and (2) the number of required EEG electrodes. It can be used for evaluating the source localization quality of low-density EEG systems (consumer-grade wearable EEG). We performed an evaluation over synthetic and real EEG dataset with known ground-truth. The experimental results shown that selected electrode combinations with 6 electrodes can obtain for a single source case, an equal or better accuracy than HD-EEG (with more than 200 channels) when reconstructing a particular brain activity in more than 88% of the cases (in synthetic signals) and 63% (in real signals), and more than 88% and 73% of the cases when considering combinations with 8 channels. For a multiple-source case of three sources (only with synthetic signals), it was found that an equal or better accuracy than HD-EEG with 231 electrodes was attained in at least 58%, 76%, and 82% of the cases, when using optimized combinations of 8, 12, and 16 electrodes, respectively. Additionally, in such electrode numbers a lower mean error and standard deviation than with 231 electrodes was obtained.

Bringing the Family Logic in: From Duality to Plurality in Social Enterprises

Social enterprises combine activities, processes, structures, and meanings associated with multiple institutional logics that may pose conflicting goals, norms, values, and practices. This in-depth multi-source case study of an ecological social enterprise in Malaysia reveals how the enactment of the family logic interacts with the market and ecological logics not only in conflicting but also in synergetic ways. By drawing attention to the institutional logic of the family in social entrepreneurship, this study highlights the heterogeneity of social enterprises. The findings have implications for research with social enterprises and family-owned firms in relation to the ethical obligations of these organizations and the interactions of multiple logics.

COVID-19 Outbreak in a Hemodialysis Center Using Universal Masking and Eye Protection

Background: Up to half of all new SARS-CoV-2 infections are acquired from presymptomatic or asymptomatic individuals. Hemodialysis patients and healthcare providers (HCPs) may be at increased risk for COVID-19 due to the need for extended close contact. Universal masking and eye protection are strategies used to reduce SARS-CoV-2 exposure, particularly from presymptomatic or asymptomatic individuals. We describe an outbreak of COVID-19 in an outpatient hemodialysis center despite universal masking and universal HCP eye protection. Methods: An COVID-19 outbreak investigation was performed in a hemodialysis center where universal masking was in use by all HCPs and patients and universal eye protection (goggles, safety glasses) was in use by all HCPs when directly encountering patients. After a cluster of cases was identified in early November 2020, all patients and HCPs were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) when symptomatic and weekly until the conclusion of the outbreak. Results: From November 12, 2020, through December 7, 2020, 14 (23.3%) of 60 patients and 9 (28.1%) of 32 HCPs tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR (Figure 1). The median ages of the patients and HCPs were 64 years (range, 42–87) and 42 years (range, 29–68), respectively. Also, 5 (5.4%) individuals (3 patients and 2 HCPs) were asymptomatic at the time of testing. Furthermore, 7 (7.6%) individuals (5 patients and 2 HPCs) were hospitalized; 2 patients and no HCPs died. No lapses in universal masking or, for HCPs, eye protection prior to or during the outbreak were identified during the investigation. All HCPs and patients wore medical-grade face masks that were discarded at the end of the day; HCPs wore safety glasses or goggles during patient interactions. Although audits of face mask and eye protection compliance were not performed, independent interviews supported high HCP and patient adherence prior to the outbreak. Neither the staff nor patients shared meals at or outside the hemodialysis center. Most patients and HCPs shared the same hemodialysis shift, suggesting the presence of an index case; however, a source case could not be identified despite an extensive investigation. Conclusions: Universal masking and eye protection have been shown to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from presymptomatic or asymptomatic individuals in the healthcare setting. This report suggests that such measures cannot prevent all outbreaks. We speculate that certain factors associated with hemodialysis care, such as prolonged close patient–HCP contact, may have facilitated this outbreak. Whether nonadherence to universal masking and eye protection or failure of empiric droplet precautions contributed to this outbreak remains unknown.Funding: NoDisclosures: None

Logically Inferred Tuberculosis Transmission (LITT): A Data Integration Algorithm to Rank Potential Source Cases

Understanding tuberculosis (TB) transmission chains can help public health staff target their resources to prevent further transmission, but currently there are few tools to automate this process. We have developed the Logically Inferred Tuberculosis Transmission (LITT) algorithm to systematize the integration and analysis of whole-genome sequencing, clinical, and epidemiological data. Based on the work typically performed by hand during a cluster investigation, LITT identifies and ranks potential source cases for each case in a TB cluster. We evaluated LITT using a diverse dataset of 534 cases in 56 clusters (size range: 2–69 cases), which were investigated locally in three different U.S. jurisdictions. Investigators and LITT agreed on the most likely source case for 145 (80%) of 181 cases. By reviewing discrepancies, we found that many of the remaining differences resulted from errors in the dataset used for the LITT algorithm. In addition, we developed a graphical user interface, user's manual, and training resources to improve LITT accessibility for frontline staff. While LITT cannot replace thorough field investigation, the algorithm can help investigators systematically analyze and interpret complex data over the course of a TB cluster investigation.Code available at:https://github.com/CDCgov/TB_molecular_epidemiology/tree/1.0; https://zenodo.org/badge/latestdoi/166261171.

The Institutional Logic of Digitalism: Exploring The Aftermath of Large-Scale Technology In Healthcare Organisations

Background: Healthcare organisations experience organisational difficulties and inertia in the implementation of large-scale information and communication technology (ICT). The ongoing discussion concerns the full understanding of these changes and the interplay between ICT, innovation and organisational change.Methods: We introduce ‘digitalism’ as a new institutional logic in healthcare organisations, alongside managerialism and professionalism. To develop our argument, we combine organisational and institutional logic theory with information systems research into enterprise architecture and large-scale ICT systems. We illustrate our arguments with a multi-source case study of a process of organisational development before and after the implementation of centralised large-scale ICT systems at a large Norwegian university hospital in 2015. Conclusion: Understanding of digitalism, blending and competing with traditional institutional logics in healthcare organisations, gives insight into how large-scale technology and organisations are tied together and can contribute to effective healthcare management and prevent organisational inertia.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of childhood TB identified using active and passive case finding

BACKGROUND: Childhood TB cases can be found using passive case finding (PCF), i.e., by diagnosing children presenting with symptoms, or using active case finding (ACF), i.e., by identifying children with TB through contact tracing. Our study determined epidemiologic, clinical, and radiographic differences between these groups.DESIGN/METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of children aged 0–19 years diagnosed with TB from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2019 at a U.S. TB clinic, comparing clinical, radiographic, microbiologic, and epidemiological characteristics of children identified using PCF and ACF.RESULTS: Of 178 eligible patients, 99 (55.6%) were diagnosed using PCF. Children identified using PCF were older (mean 8.9 vs. 6.1 years, P = 0.003), more often non-US-born (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.12–4.67), had more extrapulmonary disease (44.4% vs. 3.8%, OR 20.27, 95% CI 5.98–68.64) and severe intrathoracic findings (39.4% vs. 10.1%, OR 5.77, 95% CI 2.50–13.29). Children identified using ACF were often asymptomatic, had isolated hilar/mediastinal adenopathy, but had more availability of drug susceptibility data from a link to a source case.CONCLUSION: Children identified using PCF had more severe manifestations, while those identified using ACF had greater availability of drug susceptibility data. Clinicians should be aware that clinical and radiographic presentations in children identified using PCF and those identified using ACF differ, and that the latter may be eligible for shorter treatment regimens.

A case-based reasoning method for discriminating damage levels in ancient wood components based on fuzzy similarity priority

In order to rapidly identify internal damage levels accurately in ancient wood components, stress wave detection technology was used to perform simulated damage tests on pine specimens. Based on the detected wave velocity data, the diameter of the specimen, the attenuation coefficient, and the ratio of the wave velocities on the four paths were selected as the discriminant factors for identifying the level of internal damage in the specimens. A case-based reasoning method for discriminating internal damage levels in ancient wood components based on fuzzy similarity priority was proposed. A fuzzy similarity priority relationship between the target case and the source case was established. By introducing the idea of variable weights, the weight of each discriminant factor was determined via the “penalize-excitation” variable weight function. The comprehensive similarity sequences between the target case and the source case were obtained. The source case that was most similar to the target case was used to determine the damage level of the target case. The results showed that this method can quickly and accurately identify the damage levels in ancient wood components, which provides a new method for the safe evaluation of ancient wood buildings.

Case grammar in film “the Professor and the Madman” based on Charles J. Fillmore’s Perspective

The sentences spoken by the actors in the dialogue contained in the film “the Professor and the Madman” consist of a variety of structures that form a grammatical construction, so that the sentences can be understood and the dialogue can run well and smoothly. In the context of Charles J. Fillmore’s case grammar, the various structures that form a grammatical construction in a sentence are called modality and proposition. In a line with that background, the purposes of the research are: (1) to reveal the modality in film “the Professor and the Madman” based on the perspective of Charles J. Fillmore; (2) to describe the proposition in film “the Professor and the Madman” based on the perspective of Charles J. Fillmore. This research is qualitative, descriptive and literary research. The data source in this research is film “the Professor and the Madman” directed by P.B. Shemran. The data collection techniques in this research use watching, reading-listening and taking note. The data analysis techniques consist of three stages, namely: (1) choosing and classifying data based on modality and its forms; and proposition and its forms; (2) illustrating and writing down case grammar elements and their forms on the table, explaining them sequentially and interpreting them based on Charles J. Fillmore’s perspective; and (3) conducting the induction of interpretation summary to obtain substantive and formative conclusions. The results are: (1) modality has types, including tense: past, present and future; mode: desiderative, imperative, indicative, and interrogative; negation: no and not; adverb: frequency, manner, degree, quantity, and explanatory; (2) there are several types of proposition. They are agentive case (A): first personal pronoun, second pronoun, and third pronoun; experiential case (E): verb (basic) and verb (modal); instrumental case (I): noun and sense; objective case (O): human and thing; source case (S): noun phrase and noun; goal case (G): human and place; locative case (L): area, part of house, and office; time case (T): part of the day, year, and century; collateral case (C): with + noun; and benefactive case: for + noun. Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that if a sentence is viewed from the case grammar theory, then it must have an inner structure consisting of modality and or proposition. Modality and proposition consist of types and each of types has the various forms.