Monitoring Cognitive Load with 3D-Printed EEG Headphones

Real-world cognitive load monitoring promises to be an essential foundation for positive adaptive information systems that foster knowledge workers’ productivity and well- being. Towards this goal, our research combines established EEG load monitoring principles with low-cost, 3D-printed headphones. This provides a means for continuous, unobtrusive, and real-time cognitive load detection. Results from two experiments document strong relationships of cognitive load reports with EEG frequency bands (Theta and Alpha), both around the ears and on top of the head. While limitations with Theta band power sensitivity are observed, Alpha band modulations are robust across sessions, task repetitions, and three tasks. Furthermore, short setup durations are found, and only minimal influences of hairstyle or glasses on setup times and load relationships. With a discussion of the remaining challenges for more naturalistic studies, this article documents the system’s future potential for load sensing during knowledge work

Diagnostic performance of different thyroid imaging reporting and data systems (Kwak-TIRADS, EU-TIRADS and ACR TI-RADS) for risk stratification of small thyroid nodules (≤10 mm)

Due to the widespread use of ultrasound, small thyroid nodules (TNs) ≤ 10 mm are common findings. Standardized approaches for the risk stratification of TNs with Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (TIRADS) were evaluated for the clinical routine. With TIRADS, the risk of malignancy in TNs is calculated by scoring the number or combination of suspicious ultrasound features, leading to recommendations for further diagnostic steps. However, there are only scarce data on the performance of TIRADS for small TNs. The aim was to compare three different TIRADS for risk stratification of small TNs in routine clinical practice. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of TNs ≤ 10 mm and their available histology. Nodules were classified according to three different TIRADS. In the study, 140 patients (n = 113 female) with 145 thyroid nodules (n = 76 malignant) were included. Most of the malignant nodules were papillary carcinoma (97%), and the remaining 3% were medullary carcinoma. For all tested TIRADS, the prevalence of malignancy rose with increasing category levels. The highest negative predictive value was found for ACR TI-RADS and the highest positive predictive value for Kwak-TIRADS. All tested variants of TIRADS showed comparable diagnostic performance for the risk stratification of small TNs. TIRADS seems to be a promising tool to reliably assess the risk of malignancy of small TNs

Analysis of T-DNA integration and generative segregation in transgenic winter triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack)

BACKGROUND: While the genetic transformation of the major cereal crops has become relatively routine, to date only a few reports were published on transgenic triticale, and robust data on T-DNA integration and segregation have not been available in this species. RESULTS: Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of stable transgenic winter triticale cv. Bogo carrying the selectable marker gene HYGROMYCIN PHOSPHOTRANSFERASE (HPT) and a synthetic green fluorescent protein gene (gfp). Progeny of four independent transgenic plants were comprehensively investigated with regard to the number of integrated T-DNA copies, the number of plant genomic integration loci, the integrity and functionality of individual T-DNA copies, as well as the segregation of transgenes in T(1) and T(2) generations, which also enabled us to identify homozygous transgenic lines. The truncation of some integrated T-DNAs at their left end along with the occurrence of independent segregation of multiple T-DNAs unintendedly resulted in a single-copy segregant that is selectable marker-free and homozygous for the gfp gene. The heritable expression of gfp driven by the maize UBI-1 promoter was demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The used transformation method is a valuable tool for the genetic engineering of triticale. Here we show that comprehensive molecular analyses are required for the correct interpretation of phenotypic data collected from the transgenic plants

Diagnostic Performance of Kwak, EU, ACR, and Korean TIRADS as Well as ATA Guidelines for the Ultrasound Risk Stratification of Non-Autonomously Functioning Thyroid Nodules in a Region with Long History of Iodine Deficiency: A German Multicenter Trial

Simple Summary In Germany, thyroid nodules can be detected by ultrasound examinations in over 30% of the adult population, mainly as a result of prolonged nutritive iodine deficiency. Although only a small proportion of the nodules are malignant, it is important to have a reliable examination method that not only can detect these few thyroid carcinomas with a high degree of certainty, but also not be unnecessarily invasive for the much larger number of benign nodules. Ultrasound is the method of choice, and ultrasound-based risk stratification systems are important tools in clinical care. However, many different systems have been introduced within the last decade. The aim of this study was to evaluate five common ultrasound risk stratification systems for their diagnostic accuracy of thyroid nodules from an area with long history of iodine deficiency. Abstract Germany has a long history of insufficient iodine supply and thyroid nodules occur in over 30% of the adult population, the vast majority of which are benign. Non-invasive diagnostics remain challenging, and ultrasound-based risk stratification systems are essential for selecting lesions requiring further clarification. However, no recommendation can yet be made about which system performs the best for iodine deficiency areas. In a German multicenter approach, 1211 thyroid nodules from 849 consecutive patients with cytological or histopathological results were enrolled. Scintigraphically hyperfunctioning lesions were excluded. Ultrasound features were prospectively recorded, and the resulting classifications according to five risk stratification systems were retrospectively determined. Observations determined 1022 benign and 189 malignant lesions. The diagnostic accuracies were 0.79, 0.78, 0.70, 0.82, and 0.79 for Kwak Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (Kwak-TIRADS), American College of Radiology (ACR) TI-RADS, European Thyroid Association (EU)-TIRADS, Korean-TIRADS, and American Thyroid Association (ATA) Guidelines, respectively. Receiver Operating Curves revealed Areas under the Curve of 0.803, 0.795, 0.800, 0.805, and 0.801, respectively. According to the ATA Guidelines, 135 thyroid nodules (11.1%) could not be classified. Kwak-TIRADS, ACR TI-RADS, and Korean-TIRADS outperformed EU-TIRADS and ATA Guidelines and therefore can be primarily recommended for non-autonomously functioning lesions in areas with a history of iodine deficiency

О приближенных решениях обратных задач

Приведены результаты исследования вопросов использования приближенных решений обратных задач синтеза и обратных задач измерения. Для получения полезной информации о точном решении обратной задачи измерения принимается гипотеза о свойствах этого решения. Рассмотрены две практические задачи измерения, где используется предложенная гипотеза.Наведено результати дослідження питань застосування наближених розв’язків обернених задач синтезу та обернених задач вимірювання. Для отримання корисної інформації відносно точного розв’язку оберненої задачі приймается гипотеза о властивостях цього розв’язку. Розглянуто дві практичні обернені задачі вимірювання, де застосовуется запропонована гипотеза.The investigation of use questions of approximate solutions of inverse problems are given in work. For obtaining of the useful information about the exact solution of an inverse problem of measurement a hypothesis is offered. Two practical problems of measurement are considered where the offered hypothesis are used

Disease heterogeneity of adult diabetes based on routine clinical parameters at diagnosis: Results from the German/Austrian DPV registry.

AIMS To cluster adults with diabetes using parameters from real-world clinical care at manifestation. MATERIALS AND METHODS We applied hierarchical clustering using Ward's method to 56,869 adults documented in the Prospective Diabetes Follow-up Registry (DPV). Clustering variables included age, sex, BMI, HbA1c, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), components of the metabolic syndrome (hypertension/dyslipidemia/hyperuricemia), and beta-cell antibody status. Time until use of oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD), use of insulin, chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), retinopathy, or neuropathy were assessed using Kaplan Meier analysis and Cox regression models. RESULTS We identified eight clusters: Four clusters comprised early diabetes onset (median age between 40 and 50 years), but differed with regard to BMI, HbA1c, DKA and antibody positivity. Two clusters included adults with diabetes onset in their early 60s who met target HbA1c, but differed in BMI and sex distribution. Two clusters were characterized by late diabetes onset (median age 69 and 77 years) and relatively low BMI, but differences in HbA1c. Earlier insulin use was observed in adults with high HbA1c, and earlier OAD use was observed in those with high BMI. Time until CKD or CVD was shorter in those with late onset, whereas retinopathy occurred earlier in adults with late onset and high HbA1c, and in adults with early onset, but high HbA1c and high percentage of antibody positivity. CONCLUSIONS Adult diabetes is heterogeneous beyond classical type 1/type 2 diabetes, based on easily available parameters in clinical practice using an automated clustering algorithm which allows both continuous and binary variables. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved