Outcome prediction in prolonged disorders of consciousness (DOC) remains challenging. This can result in either inappropriate withdrawal of treatment or unnecessary prolongation of treatment. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a cheap, portable, and non-invasive device with various opportunities for complex signal analysis. Computational EEG measures, such as EEG connectivity and network metrics, might be ideal candidates for the investigation of DOC, but their capacity in prognostication is still undisclosed. We conducted a meta-analysis aiming to compare the prognostic power of the widely used clinical scale, Coma Recovery Scale-Revised - CRS-R and EEG connectivity and network metrics. We found that the prognostic power of the CRS-R scale was moderate (AUC: 0.67 (0.60-0.75)), but EEG connectivity and network metrics predicted outcome with significantly (p = 0.0071) higher accuracy (AUC:0.78 (0.70-0.86)). We also estimated the prognostic capacity of EEG spectral power, which was not significantly (p = 0.3943) inferior to that of the EEG connectivity and graph-theory measures (AUC:0.75 (0.70-0.80)). Multivariate automated outcome prediction tools seemed to outperform clinical and EEG markers.

The role of vocational education and training system (VET) in addressing the economic and social needs of vulnerable youth from low-income households can be significant. It enables economic empowerment, providing them with a pathway to sustainable employment opportunities; improving their overall well-being and sense of personal identity. This article presents qualitative and quantitative data elucidating different elements of employability issues faced by such youth. It distinguishes and divulges a vulnerable group out of a larger population thereby making a strong case for identifying and addressing their needs. The approach is therefore not a \'one size fits all\' training method. Students from urban Mumbai and New Delhi were mobilized from multiple channels such as self-help groups (SHGs), the National Institute of Open School (NIOS), distance education institutes, local government colleges, night schools and through direct community outreach. After carefully matching for demographic and economic characteristics, a group of 387 students in the age bracket of 18 to 24 years were selected and interviewed. This first set of data was generated for a range of personal, economic, and household characteristics. Data manifests structural barriers, poor human capital endowments and exclusion. To gain further insight into characteristics and to design a targeted intervention for a sub-group of 130 students from the total population, a second dataset is generated through a questionnaire and interview. Of this, two equal groups - an experiment group and a comparison group are formed as part of quasi-research. The third type of data is generated using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire and personal discussions. A total of 2600 responses from the experiment (trained and skilled) and comparison (not trained) groups provides a basis for comparison of scores between the two groups pre-and post-intervention. The entire data collection process is practical, straightforward, and simple. Easy to explain - the dataset can be leveraged to generate evidence-based insights, and informed decisions on resource allocation, program design and strategies to mitigate risk factors. The multifaceted approach of data collection can be adapted to accurately identify vulnerable youth and create a newer framework for skill development and re-skilling. It can be used to develop measurement tools for employability by those involved in VET and in their efforts to create viable employment opportunities for high-potential yet disadvantaged youth.

The primary objective was to assess the effect of prematurity at term-equivalent age on skin conductance and behavioural responses to acute stress. The secondary objective was to explore the reliability of skin conductance in detecting neonatal discomfort in preterm and full-term populations.
Very preterm infants at term-equivalent age and healthy full-term neonates, 34 infants in each group, underwent the hip dysplasia screening test. The acute pain in newborn infants (APN) scale was scored before and 15, 45 and 90 seconds after stimulus. Skin conductance was measured in the 30-second time-lap before and after stimulus.
The APN score was lower in preterm infants after intervention (term: 5.4 ± 2.8 vs. preterm: 3.9 ± 2.2; p = 0.03). Peaks-per-second, a skin conductance parameter, exhibited lower basal values in preterm infants than in term infants, with similar rise induced by stressful challenge. Peaks-per-second values were correlated to the 15-second APN score in both groups (term: r = 0.55, p < 0.001; preterm: r = 0.43, p = 0.01).
Preterm birth changed skin conductance signal and behavioural response to stress at term-equivalent age. The skin conductance device may be an objective tool for a continuous monitoring of acute neonatal stress.

Misdiagnosis rate is high in patients with disorders of consciousness, potentially leading to an inappropriate clinical management of these patients. Sensitive standardised rating scales offer some protections from these diagnostic errors. In this context, the use of the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) has strongly been recommended by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Here, we present the work that has been performed to translate this important diagnostic tool in Chinese.
The scale has been translated from its original English version to Chinese by a team of native Chinese speakers in agreement with an expert highly trained in the use of the original version of the CRS-R and, then, back-translated to English by four independent translators blinded to the original version. The resulting translation has been sent to the original author for final approval.
The Chinese version of the CRS-R is now available for use in clinical practise. Further investigations will nevertheless be needed in order to show that its psychometric properties are identical to the original English version.