Interpretable Machine Learning for Extreme Events detection: An application to droughts in the Po River Basin

The increasing frequency and intensity of drought events—periods of significant decrease in water availability—are among the most alarming impacts of climate change. Monitoring and detecting these events is essential to mitigate their impact on our society. However, traditional drought indices often fail to accurately detect such impacts as they mostly focus on single precursors. In this study, we leverage machine learning algorithms to define a novel data-driven, impact-based drought index reproducing as target the Vegetation Health Index, a satellite signal that directly assesses the vegetation status. We first apply novel dimensionality reduction methods that allow for interpretable spatial aggregation of features related to precipitation, temperature, snow, and lakes. Then, we select the most informative and non-redundant features through filter feature selection. Finally, linear supervised learning methods are considered, given the small number of samples and the aim of preserving interpretability. The experimental setting focuses on ten sub-basins of the Po River basin, but the aim is to design a machine learning-based workflow applicable on a large scale

Pediatric vulvar lichen sclerosus: Does it resolve or does it persist after menarche?

Background and objectives: Although data regarding the rates of remission and progression of the disease are still scarce, it is generally now acknowledged that pediatric vulvar lichen sclerosus (pVLS) can persist beyond puberty. Recent studies reveal that this condition may persist in as many as 75% of cases. The present study aims to answer the following query: how does pVLS evolve after menarche? Methods: This observational retrospective study conducted on premenarchal girls diagnosed with pVLS in our institution between 1990 and 2011 describes 31 patients who returned for multidisciplinary clinical evaluation following menarche. Results: The mean follow-up time was 14 years. At the post-menarche clinical examination, patients were classified as follows: 58% were still affected by VLS, 16% presented with a complete remission of disease, and 26% were completely asymptomatic although with persistent clinical signs of VLS. Conclusions: In our series, pVLS persists following menarche in the majority of patients. These findings suggest the importance of a long-term follow-up even among patients who report resolution of symptoms following menarche

Improving drinking water quality through proficiency testing—the impact of testing method and accreditation status on Escherichia coli detection by Canadian environmental testing laboratories

Water quality testing is crucial for protecting public health, especially considering the number of boil water advisories annually issued across Canada that impact daily life for residents in affected areas. To overcome these challenges, the development of drinking water safety plans and accessibility to regular testing using simple, rapid, and accurate materials are necessary. However, the significance of monitoring the accuracy of environmental microbiology testing laboratories cannot be overlooked. Participation in external quality assessment programs, such as those that include proficiency testing (PT), is a necessary risk management resource that ensures the effectiveness of these testing processes. Proficiency Testing Canada (PTC), in collaboration with the Canadian Microbiological Proficiency Testing (CMPT) program based at the University of British Columbia, have implemented a drinking-water microbiology PT program since 1996. Both PTC and CMPT are ISO/IEC 17043:2010-accredited EQA providers. The drinking water program provided PT challenges to subscribing testing laboratories twice per year. Each challenge consisted of four samples containing unknown concentrations of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enterobacter spp. Results from participants were assessed for accuracy based on the method of testing. This cross-sectional study evaluated 150 rural and metropolitan testing sites across Canada between 2016 and 2022. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the impact of different testing methods and laboratory accreditation status on the proficiency scores. This approach enabled us to assess the association between multiple independent variables and the likelihood of achieving specific proficiency scores, providing insights into how testing methods and accreditation status affect overall performance. After adjusting for rural residence, testing time, and survey year, the membrane filtration method was positively associated with the likelihood of scoring satisfactory results compared to the enzyme-substrate method (OR: 1.75; CI: 1.37–2.24), as well as accreditation status (OR: 1.47; CI: 1.16–1.85). The potential for improvement in environmental laboratory testing performance through the implementation of regulated PT in drinking water safety plans is proposed, along with the need for reliable testing methods applicable to rapid drinking water microbiology testing

Behind the scenes of EQA-characteristics, capabilities, benefits and assets of external quality assessment (EQA):Part IV - Benefits for participant laboratories

The main stakeholders in external quality assessment (EQA) programs are the participants, in whose interests these challenges are ultimately organised. EQA schemes in the medical field contribute to improving the quality of patient care by evaluating the analytical and diagnostic quality of laboratory and point-of-care tests (POCT) by independent third parties and, if necessary, pointing out erroneous measurement results and analytical or diagnostic improvement potential. Other benefits include the option of using EQA samples for other important laboratory procedures, such as the verification or validation of in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVD-MDs), a contribution to the estimation of measurement uncertainty, a means of training and educating laboratory staff through educational EQA programmes or samples, or even for independent and documented monitoring of staff competence, such as on samples with unusual or even exceptional characteristics. Participation in an EQA scheme for beneficiaries like medical, microbiological and histo- and molecular pathology laboratories, users of POCT and self-testing systems as well as National Metrology Institutes, calibration laboratories and reference laboratories that are dedicated to specific tasks and have particular expectations of the EQA scheme are presented here.</p

Comparing COVID-19 test methods employed for the estimated probability of achieving an acceptable test result (estimate) for medium positive samples.

Comparing COVID-19 test methods employed for the estimated probability of achieving an acceptable test result (estimate) for medium positive samples.</p

2021–2022 EQA results–Overall performance per survey.

2021–2022 EQA results–Overall performance per survey.</p

Total number of EQA participants from March 2021 to November 2022.

This chart indicates the enrolled participants and the growth in the number of participants from the first survey in March 2021, to the most recent survey in November 2022. Peak enrolment was observed in July 2022.</p

Comparing COVID-19 test methods employed for the estimated probability of achieving an acceptable test result with a 95% confidence interval (asymp.LCL, asump.UCL), by individual survey for the medium positive samples only.

Comparing COVID-19 test methods employed for the estimated probability of achieving an acceptable test result with a 95% confidence interval (asymp.LCL, asump.UCL), by individual survey for the medium positive samples only.</p

Comparing COVID-19 test methods employed for the estimated probability of achieving an acceptable test result (estimate) for strong positive samples.

Comparing COVID-19 test methods employed for the estimated probability of achieving an acceptable test result (estimate) for strong positive samples.</p