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Quantum computing is an emerging field that has had a significant impact on optimization. Among the diverse quantum algorithms, quantum gradient descent has become a prominent technique for solving unconstrained optimization (UO) problems. In this paper, we propose a quantum spectral Polak–Ribiére–Polyak (PRP) conjugate gradient (CG) approach. The technique is considered as a generalization of the spectral PRP method which employs a q-gradient that approximates the classical gradient with quadratically better dependence on the quantum variable q. Additionally, the proposed method reduces to the classical variant as the quantum variable q approaches closer to 1. The quantum search direction always satisfies the sufficient descent condition and does not depend on any line search (LS). This approach is globally convergent with the standard Wolfe conditions without any convexity assumption. Numerical experiments are conducted and compared with the existing approach to demonstrate the improvement of the proposed strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a modification of the q-BFGS method for nonlinear unconstrained optimization problems. For this modification, we use a simple symmetric positive definite matrix and propose a new q-quasi-Newton equation, which is close to the ordinary q-quasi-Newton equation in the limiting case. This method uses only first order q-derivatives to build an approximate q-Hessian over a number of iterations. The q-Armijo-Wolfe line search condition is used to calculate step length, which guarantees that the objective function value is decreasing. This modified q-BFGS method preserves the global convergence properties of the q-BFGS method, without the convexity assumption on the objective function. Numerical results on some test problems are presented, which show that an improvement has been achieved. Moreover, we depict the numerical results through the performance profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: The ongoing pandemic of the novel Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an unprecedented challenge to global health, never experienced before. Objective: This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted to Mercy Hospitals. Design and methods: Retrospective, observational cohort study designed to include every COVID-19 subject aged 18 years or older admitted to Mercy Saint (St) Vincent, Mercy St Charles, and Mercy St Anne's hospital in Toledo, Ohio from January 1, 2020 through June 15th, 2020. Primary Outcome Measure was mortality in the emergency department or as an in-patient. Results: 470 subjects including 224 males and 246 females met the inclusion criteria for the study. Subjects with the following characteristics had higher odds (OR) of death: Older age [OR 8.3 (95% CI 1.1–63.1, p = 0.04)] for subjects age 70 or more compared to subjects age 18–29); Hypertension [OR 3.6 (95% CI 1.6–7.8, p = 0.001)]; Diabetes [OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.7–5.6, p<0.001)]; COPD [OR 3.4 (95% CI 1.8–6.3, p<0.001)] and CKD stage 2 or greater [OR 2.5 (95% CI 1.3–4.9, p = 0.006)]. Combining all age groups, subjects with hypertension had significantly greater odds of the following adverse outcomes: requiring hospital admission (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4–3.4, p<0.001); needing respiratory support in 24 hours (OR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.7–3.7, p<0.001); ICU admission (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.7–4.4, p<0.001); and death (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.6–7.8, p = 0.001). Hypertension was not associated with needing vent in 24 hours (p = 0.07). Conclusion: Age and hypertension were associated with significant comorbidity and mortality in Covid-19 Positive patients. Furthermore, people who were older than 70, and had hypertension, diabetes, COPD, or CKD had higher odds of dying from the disease as compared to patients who hadn't. Subjects with hypertension also had significantly greater odds of other adverse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seizures are the commonest manifestation of brain parenchymal cysticercosis. In terms of pathophysiological basis and prognostic significance of the seizures, a distinction might be applied between viable cysts, solitary cysticercus granuloma and calcific cysticerci. A number of uncertainties shroud the management of seizures in people with neurocysticercosis (NCC). Although antihelminthic treatment is effective in eliminating viable cysts and possibly cysticercus granulomas, its effect on seizure outcome remains uncertain. Corticosteroids and combinations of antihelminthic and corticosteroid treatments reduce the incidence of seizures in the short term at least. Although antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are routinely employed in the treatment of seizures associated with NCC, there is no clear consensus regarding the choice and optimal duration of AED treatment. Long-term AED treatment is warranted in people with calcific residue following involution of brain parenchymal cysticercosis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled “Neurocysticercosis and Epilepsy". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]