Normality of I-V Measurements Using ML

Electrochemistry ecosystems are promising for accelerating the design and discovery of electrochemical systems for energy storage and conversion, by automating significant parts of workflows that combine synthesis and characterization experiments with computations. They require the integration of flow controllers, solvent containers, pumps, fraction collectors, and potentiostats, all connected to an electrochemical cell. These are specialized instruments with custom software that is not originally designed for network integration. We developed network and software solutions for electrochemical workflows that adapt system and instrument settings in real-time for multiple rounds of experiments. We demonstrate this automated workflow by remotely operating the instruments and collecting their measurements to generate a voltammogram (I-V profile) of an electrolyte solution in an electrochemical cell. These measurements are made available at the remote computing system and used for subsequent analysis. In this paper, we focus on a novel, analytically validated machine learning (ML) method for an electrochemistry ecosystem to ensure that I-V measurements are consistent with the normal experimental conditions, and to detect abnormal conditions, such as disconnected electrodes or low cell content volume.Comment: published at eScience 202

The use of a pre-operative scoring system for the prediction of phacoemulsification case difficulty and the selection of appropriate cases to be performed by trainees

Background: To establish whether a previously validated scoring system (Habib) for the prediction of risk or likelihood of posterior capsule rupture during phacoemulsification surgery could be used to: 1. Predict the difficulty of a phacoemulsification case, and 2. Select appropriate phacoemulsification cases for trainees. Methods: The study sample was consecutive phacoemulsification cases undertaken by senior surgeons at a single ophthalmic unit over a three-week period (170 cases). Each case was scored using a potential difficulty scoring system. Immediately post-operatively, each case was given two scores by the operating surgeon (who was masked with regard to the potential complication score). The first score indicated the perceived difficulty of the case, and the second score, the degree of experience that they thought a trainee would require in order to have performed the same case without complication. Results: Using Cuzick's non-parametric test for trend, there was evidence for a trend of increasing perceived difficulty with increasing potential difficulty score (p = 0.05), and of increasing experience required with increasing potential difficulty score (p < 0.001) Conclusion: The authors advocate that Habib's potential difficulty scoring system can be used to inform the surgeon of the likely difficulty of a phacoemulsification case and to aid selection of appropriate cases for trainees prior to surgery

Intravenous erythropoietin in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction - REVEAL: A randomized controlled trial

Context: Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. In experimental models of MI, erythropoietin reduces infarct size and improves left ventricular (LV) function. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single intravenous bolus of epoetin alfa in patients with STEMI. Design, Setting, and Patients: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a dose-escalation safety phase and a single dose (60 000 U of epoetin alfa) efficacy phase; the Reduction of Infarct Expansion and Ventricular Remodeling With Erythropoietin After Large Myocardial Infarction (REVEAL) trial was conducted at 28 US sites between October 2006 and February 2010, and included 222 patients with STEMI who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as a primary or rescue reperfusion strategy. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to treatment with intravenous epoetin alfa or matching saline placebo administered within 4 hours of reperfusion. Main Outcome Measure: Infarct size, expressed as percentage of LV mass, assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging performed 2 to 6 days after study medication administration (first CMR) and again 12±2 weeks later (second CMR). Results: In the efficacy cohort, the infarct size did not differ between groups on either the first CMR scan (n=136; 15.8% LV mass [95% confidence interval {CI}, 13.3-18.2% LV mass] for the epoetin alfa group vs 15.0% LV mass [95% CI, 12.6-17.3% LV mass] for the placebo group; P=.67) or on the second CMR scan (n=124; 10.6% LV mass [95% CI, 8.4-12.8% LV mass] vs 10.4% LV mass [95% CI, 8.5-12.3% LV mass], respectively; P=.89). In a prespecified analysis of patients aged 70 years or older (n=21), the mean infarct size within the first week (first CMR) was larger in the epoetin alfa group (19.9% LV mass; 95% CI, 14.0-25.7% LV mass) than in the placebo group (11.7% LV mass; 95% CI, 7.2-16.1% LV mass) (P=.03). In the safety cohort, of the 125 patients who received epoetin alfa, the composite outcome of death, MI, stroke, or stent thrombosis occurred in 5 (4.0%; 95% CI, 1.31%-9.09%) but in none of the 97 who received placebo (P=.04). Conclusions: In patients with STEMI who had successful reperfusion with primary or rescue PCI, a single intravenous bolus of epoetin alfa within 4 hours of PCI did not reduce infarct size and was associated with higher rates of adverse cardiovascular events. Subgroup analyses raised concerns about an increase in infarct size among older patients. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00378352. ©2011 American Medical Association. All rights reserved

Deep Learning for Automated Experimentation in Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

Machine learning (ML) has become critical for post-acquisition data analysis in (scanning) transmission electron microscopy, (S)TEM, imaging and spectroscopy. An emerging trend is the transition to real-time analysis and closed-loop microscope operation. The effective use of ML in electron microscopy now requires the development of strategies for microscopy-centered experiment workflow design and optimization. Here, we discuss the associated challenges with the transition to active ML, including sequential data analysis and out-of-distribution drift effects, the requirements for the edge operation, local and cloud data storage, and theory in the loop operations. Specifically, we discuss the relative contributions of human scientists and ML agents in the ideation, orchestration, and execution of experimental workflows and the need to develop universal hyper languages that can apply across multiple platforms. These considerations will collectively inform the operationalization of ML in next-generation experimentation.Comment: Review Articl

Retinal Neuronal Loss in Visually Asymptomatic Patients With Myoclonic Epilepsy With Ragged-Red Fibers

BACKGROUND: Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF, OMIM, #545000) is a rare neurological condition mostly caused by the m.8344A&gt;G mitochondrial DNA pathogenic variant, which can variably affect multiple tissues, including the retina and optic nerve. We report detection of visually asymptomatic neuroretinal loss in 3 patients with genetically confirmed MERRF, using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination including assessments of visual acuity, color vision, pupillary reactions, extraocular movements, applanation tonometry, slit-lamp, and dilated fundus examinations. Standard automated perimetry or Goldmann kinetic perimetry was performed, as well as fundus photographs and SD-OCT of the optic nerve head and macula. RESULTS: Despite the absence of visual symptoms in all patients, and normal visual acuity and visual fields in 1 patient, the 3 genetically confirmed patients (point mutations m.8344A&gt;G; age range: 18-62 years) with MERRF-related neurological manifestations, displayed thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer and variable alterations of the macular ganglion cell complex. CONCLUSIONS: Visually asymptomatic patients with genetically confirmed MERRF can display features of structural neuroretinal loss, quantifiable with SD-OCT. Further investigations are needed to establish whether OCT can assess early neurodegeneration in MERRF

Retinal Neuronal Loss in Visually Asymptomatic Patients With Myoclonic Epilepsy With Ragged-Red Fibers

BACKGROUND: Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF, OMIM, #545000) is a rare neurological condition mostly caused by the m.8344A&gt;G mitochondrial DNA pathogenic variant, which can variably affect multiple tissues, including the retina and optic nerve. We report detection of visually asymptomatic neuroretinal loss in 3 patients with genetically confirmed MERRF, using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination including assessments of visual acuity, color vision, pupillary reactions, extraocular movements, applanation tonometry, slit-lamp, and dilated fundus examinations. Standard automated perimetry or Goldmann kinetic perimetry was performed, as well as fundus photographs and SD-OCT of the optic nerve head and macula. RESULTS: Despite the absence of visual symptoms in all patients, and normal visual acuity and visual fields in 1 patient, the 3 genetically confirmed patients (point mutations m.8344A&gt;G; age range: 18-62 years) with MERRF-related neurological manifestations, displayed thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer and variable alterations of the macular ganglion cell complex. CONCLUSIONS: Visually asymptomatic patients with genetically confirmed MERRF can display features of structural neuroretinal loss, quantifiable with SD-OCT. Further investigations are needed to establish whether OCT can assess early neurodegeneration in MERRF

Physical and mental health comorbidity is common in people with multiple sclerosis: nationally representative cross-sectional population database analysis

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt; Comorbidity in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is associated with worse health and higher mortality. This study aims to describe clinician recorded comorbidities in people with MS. &lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Methods&lt;/b&gt; 39 comorbidities in 3826 people with MS aged ≥25 years were compared against 1,268,859 controls. Results were analysed by age, gender, and socioeconomic status, with unadjusted and adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) calculated using logistic regression. &lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results&lt;/b&gt; People with MS were more likely to have one (OR 2.44; 95% CI 2.26-2.64), two (OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.38-1.62), three (OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.69-2.04), four or more (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.47-1.77) non-MS chronic conditions than controls, and greater mental health comorbidity (OR 2.94; 95% CI 2.75-3.14), which increased as the number of physical comorbidities rose. Cardiovascular conditions, including atrial fibrillation (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.36-0.67), chronic kidney disease (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.40-0.65), heart failure (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.45-0.85), coronary heart disease (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.52-0.71), and hypertension (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.59-0.72) were significantly less common in people with MS. &lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt; People with MS have excess multiple chronic conditions, with associated increased mental health comorbidity. The low recorded cardiovascular comorbidity warrants further investigation