Personality Trait Inference Via Mobile Phone Sensors: A Machine Learning Approach

This study provides evidence that personality can be reliably predicted from activity data collected through mobile phone sensors. Employing a set of well informed indicators calculable from accelerometer records and movement patterns, we were able to predict users' personality up to a 0.78 F1 score on a two class problem. Given the fast growing number of data collected from mobile phones, our novel personality indicators open the door to exciting avenues for future research in social sciences. Our results reveal distinct behavioral patterns that proved to be differentially predictive of big five personality traits. They potentially enable cost effective, questionnaire free investigation of personality related questions at an unprecedented scale. We show how a combination of rich behavioral data obtained with smartphone sensing and the use of machine learning techniques can help to advance personality research and can inform both practitioners and researchers about the different behavioral patterns of personality. These findings have practical implications for organizations harnessing mobile sensor data for personality assessment, guiding the refinement of more precise and efficient prediction models in the future.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure

The not so innocent bystander:an unusual cause of progressive breathlessness

This case report discusses a 76-year-old man who presented with symptomatic diffuse alveolar-septal and tracheobronchial amyloidosis with a low-grade monoclonal gammopathy. This patient had a combination of both symptomatic diffuse alveolar-septal interstitial disease and tracheobronchial amyloidosis, features that contradict the widely accepted presentations seen in this disease. First, tracheobronchial amyloidosis has been documented as localised disease without systemic involvement. Second, diffuse alveolar-septal interstitial disease is rarely identified with clinical symptoms unless there is significant cardiac involvement. This case highlights a number learning points in the diagnosis and management of systemic amyloid light chain amyloidosis;(1) There is a need for a high index of suspicion for diagnosis due to the potential subtlety of a plasma cell clone underlying AL amyloidosis, requiring serum-free light chain assays to increase sensitivity; (2) Haematological response and recovery of organ dysfunction are not a linear relationship due to the slower reversal of amyloid deposition; therefore, ongoing monitoring is required to identify those in need of repeated therapy. However, haematological response is a marker of overall survival and (3) Multisystem assessment and multidisciplinary collaboration are critical in optimising the care of patients with systemic AL amyloidosis.</p

The prognostic value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in interstitial lung disease:a systematic review

The heterogeneity of interstitial lung disease (ILD) results in prognostic uncertainty concerning end of life discussions and optimal timing for transplantation. Effective prognostic markers and prediction models are needed. Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) provides a comprehensive assessment of the physiological changes in the respiratory, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems in a controlled laboratory environment. It has shown promise as a prognostic factor for other chronic respiratory conditions. We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of CPET in predicting outcomes in longitudinal studies of ILD . Medline, Embase and Cochrane systematic review databases were used to identify studies reporting prognostic value of CPET in predicting outcomes in longitudinal studies of ILD. Study quality was assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Study risk of bias tool.Thirteen studies were included that reported the prognostic value of CPET in ILD. All studies reported at least one CPET parameter predicting clinical outcomes in ILD; with survival being the principle outcome assessed. Maximum oxygen consumption, reduced ventilatory efficiency and exercise induced hypoxaemia were all reported to have prognostic value in ILD. Issues with study design (primarily due to inherent problems of retrospective studies, patient selection and presentation of numerous CPET parameters), insufficient adjustment for important confounders and inadequate statistical analyses limits the strength of conclusions that can be drawn at this stage.There is insufficient evidence to confirm the value of CPET in facilitating ‘real-world’ clinical decisions in ILD. Additional prospective studies are required to validate the putative prognostic associations reported in previous studies in carefully phenotyped patient populations. <br/

Visual analogue scales for interstitial lung disease:a prospective validation study

Rationale: Visual analogue scales (VAS) are simple symptom assessment tools which have not been validated in interstitial lung disease (ILD). Simple measures of ILD disease burden would be valuable for non-specialist clinicians monitoring disease away from ILD specialist centres.Objective: To validate VAS to assess change in dyspnoea, cough and fatigue in ILD, and to define the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for change in these.METHODS:64 patients with ILD completed VAS for dyspnoea, cough and fatigue. Baseline King's Brief ILD questionnaire (K-BILD) scores, lung function and 6-minute walk test results were collected. Tests were repeated 3-6 months later, in addition to a 7-point Likert scale. The MCID was estimated using median change in VAS in patients who reported "small but just worthwhile change" in symptoms at follow-up. Methods were repeated in a validation cohort of 31 ILD patients to confirm findings.Results: VAS scores were significantly higher for patients who reported a "small but just worthwhile change" in symptoms versus "no change" or "not worthwhile change" (p &lt; 0.01). The MCID for VAS Dyspnoea was estimated as 22.0mm and 14.5mm for VAS Fatigue. These results were reproducible in the validation cohort. Results were not significant for VAS Cough. Change in VAS Dyspnoea correlated with change in K-BILD (r=-0.51, p &lt; 0.01), forced vital capacity (r=-0.32, p = 0.01) and 6-minute walking distance (r=-0.37, p = 0.01).Conclusion: The VAS is valid for assessing change in dyspnoea and fatigue in ILD. The MCID is estimated as 22.0mm for dyspnoea and 14.5mm for fatigue. This could be used to monitor disease in settings away from ILD specialist revie

Migration of northern Yellowstone elk: implications of spatial structuring

Migration can enhance survival and recruitment of mammals by increasing access to higher-quality forage or reducing predation risk, or both. We used telemetry locations collected from 140 adult female elk during 2000– 2003 and 2007–2008 to identify factors influencing the migration of northern Yellowstone elk. Elk wintered in 2 semidistinct herd segments and migrated 10–140 km to at least 12 summer areas in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and nearby areas of Montana. Spring migrations were delayed after winters with increased snow pack, with earlier migration in years with earlier vegetation green-up. Elk wintering at lower elevations outside YNP migrated an average of 13 days earlier than elk at higher elevations. The timing of autumn migrations varied annually, but elk left their summer ranges at about the same time regardless of elevation, wolf numbers, or distance to their wintering areas. Elk monitored for multiple years typically returned to the same summer (96% fidelity, n 5 52) and winter (61% fidelity, n 5 41) ranges. Elk that wintered at lower elevations in or near the northwestern portion of the park tended to summer in the western part of YNP (56%), and elk that wintered at higher elevations spent summer primarily in the eastern and northern parts of the park (82%). Elk did not grossly modify their migration timing, routes, or use areas after wolf restoration. Elk mortality was low during summer and migration (8 of 225 elk-summers). However, spatial segregation and differential mortality and recruitment between herd segments on the northern winter range apparently contributed to a higher proportion of the elk population wintering outside the northwestern portion of YNP and summering in the western portion of the park. This change could shift wolf spatial dynamics more outside YNP and increase the risk of transmission of brucellosis from elk to cattle north of the park

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF):An Overview

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease characterised by chronic, progressive scarring of the lungs and the pathological hallmark of usual interstitial pneumonia. Current paradigms suggest alveolar epithelial cell damage is a key initiating factor. Globally, incidence of the disease is rising, with associated high morbidity, mortality, and economic healthcare burden. Diagnosis relies on a multidisciplinary team approach with exclusion of other causes of interstitial lung disease. Over recent years, two novel antifibrotic therapies, pirfenidone and nintedanib, have been developed, providing treatment options for many patients with IPF, with several other agents in early clinical trials. Current efforts are directed at identifying key biomarkers that may direct more customized patient-centred healthcare to improve outcomes for these patients in the future