Fast optimization of multithreshold entropy linear classifier

Multithreshold Entropy Linear Classifier (MELC) is a density based model which searches for a linear projection maximizing the Cauchy-Schwarz Divergence of dataset kernel density estimation. Despite its good empirical results, one of its drawbacks is the optimization speed. In this paper we analyze how one can speed it up through solving an approximate problem. We analyze two methods, both similar to the approximate solutions of the Kernel Density Estimation querying and provide adaptive schemes for selecting a crucial parameters based on user-specified acceptable error. Furthermore we show how one can exploit well known conjugate gradients and L-BFGS optimizers despite the fact that the original optimization problem should be solved on the sphere. All above methods and modifications are tested on 10 real life datasets from UCI repository to confirm their practical usability

Cognitive impairment in patients with severe psoriasis

Introduction : Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, in which an important role is played by psychological factors. Aim : To evaluate the frontal cognitive functions in patients with psoriasis. Material and methods : The study included 188 subjects (97 patients with psoriasis and 91 healthy controls). To assess the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex functions, the Trail Making Test and the Stroop test were applied. Severity of psoriasis was assessed by means of the PASI index. Results : Compared to healthy subjects, psoriatics scored lower in neuropsychological tests assessing memory and executive functions. Conclusions : Cognitive dysfunction disclosed by neuropsychological assessment of frontal functions was evident in patients with psoriasis

Toxic epidermal necrolysis: a study of 3 cases and review

Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome is a life-threatening adverse skin reaction requiring admission to dermatology wards or intensivecare units. Preceded by fever and general malaise, the condition leads to the separation of the epidermis from the dermis resulting inlarge erosions. Epidermal loss results in loss of fluid and electrolytes as well as an increased risk of infections. The above paper presentsa description of 3 patients treated for toxic epidermal necrolysis. The first patient, in addition to typical skin involvement, had lesions onthe eyes and in the throat, thus the treatments required cooperation with a laryngologist and ophthalmologist. The second patient, dueto his mental disorder, caused numerous difficulties in the ward, which disrupted its work, as the ward does not have doctors on duty24 hours a day. A third patient with cirrhosis had a rapidly progressing disease that did not respond to any form of treatment. For the firsttwo patients, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy proved crucial for recovery, while the third patient died due to a lack of underlyingdisease treatment options. The most common cause of Lyell’s syndrome is medications, mainly antiepileptics, and antibiotics, althoughthe list of substances that can cause the syndrome has been growing in recent years. There are no new global guidelines and current onesemphasize drug withdrawal, topical treatment and early assessment via the SCORTEN scale. The role of systemic steroid therapy, remainsunclear, although recent evidence suggests that it could potentially reduce mortality. Cyclosporine and intravenous immunoglobulinshave been gaining prominence in recent years for the treatment of this condition

The incidence and management of cutaneous adverse events of the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors

Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is found in many cancers, including those of the head and neck area, non-small-cell lung cancer, and colorectal, cervical, prostate, breast, ovary, stomach, and pancreatic cancer. The EGFR inhibitors are used at present in the treatment of such cancers. Skin lesions that develop during and after cancer treatment may be due to specific cytostatics, molecular-targeted drugs, radiation therapy, complementary therapy, or the cancer itself, and hence knowledge is essential to distinguish between them. The mechanism through which skin toxicity arises during treatment with EGFR inhibitors is not well known, but seems to be due to the modification of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signal path associated with its activation, which results in the similarity between the adverse effects of EGFR inhibitors and the treatment of melanoma with BRAF and MEK inhibitors. The most common side effects are pruritus, xerosis, papulopustular rash, hand-foot skin reaction, alopecia and dystrophy of the hair, and paronychia. This work presents options for prevention and suggestions for managing these adverse events, which are of importance in the care of patients undergoing oncological treatment

Fully Automatic Fall Risk Assessment Based on a Fast Mobility Test

This paper presents a fall risk assessment approach based on a fast mobility test, automatically evaluated using a low-cost, scalable system for the recording and analysis of body movement. This mobility test has never before been investigated as a sole source of data for fall risk assessment. It can be performed in a very limited space and needs only minimal additional equipment, yet provides large amounts of information, as the presented system can obtain much more data than traditional observation by capturing minute details regarding body movement. The readings are provided wirelessly by one to seven low-cost micro-electro-mechanical inertial measurement units attached to the subject’s body segments. Combined with a body model, these allow segment rotations and translations to be computed and for body movements to be recreated in software. The subject can then be automatically classified by an artificial neural network based on selected values in the test, and those with an elevated risk of falls can be identified. Results obtained from a group of 40 subjects of various ages, both healthy volunteers and patients with vestibular system impairment, are presented to demonstrate the combined capabilities of the test and system. Labelling of subjects as fallers and non-fallers was performed using an objective and precise sensory organization test; it is an important novelty as this approach to subject labelling has never before been used in the design and evaluation of fall risk assessment systems. The findings show a true-positive ratio of 85% and true-negative ratio of 63% for classifying subjects as fallers or non-fallers using the introduced fast mobility test, which are noticeably better than those obtained for the long-established Timed Up and Go test

Positive Management. Managing the Key Areas of Positive Organisational Potential for Company Success, 366 s.

The book presents the outcomes of the empirical research on strategic management of the key areas of Positive Organisational Potential. The following key areas are studied: corporate governance, leadership, middle managers, trust, interpersonal relationships, talent management, the language of internal communication, organisational citizenship behaviours and corporate social responsibility. The book is focused on four research objectives. First of all, it verifies the assumption that the aforementioned key areas are the constituent components of Positive Organisational Potential. Secondly, it explores antecedents and approaches to develop the key areas of Positive Organisational Potential. Thirdly, it identifies the mechanisms explaining how the key areas of Positive Organisational Potential influence the development of an organisation. Finally, the authors develop a reference model for managing the key areas of Positive Organisational Potential. The concept of Positive Organisational Potential combines the ideas of Positive Organisational Scholarship and Resource Based View. Positive Organisational Potential is a configuration of tangible and intangible resources which determine the emergence of the positive culture and the positive climate, consequently stimulating positive emotions crucial for the pro-developmental employee behaviours. The pro-developmental behaviours are considered to be an undisputed source of organisational development. The development of companies is manifested by the increase in productivity, innovativeness, competitiveness, the quality of business processes and products, the satisfaction of stakeholders, the reputation of a company, its profitability and the growth of value. In order to generate Positive Organisational Potential the configuration of organisational resources should be shaped in a conscious, consistent and organised way within the strategic management process. Organisational resources are a very complex construct. Numerous interactions between their components are observed. They include cause-effect relations where some resources are recognised as the determinants and stimuli of the others. Therefore managers should focus their attention on developing constituent resources which determine the state, level and configuration of other resources. Such resources can be recognised as the key areas of Positive Organisational Potential. The effective development of these key areas is a prerequisite for the development of the whole system of Positive Organisational Potential