Efficacy of MRI data harmonization in the age of machine learning. A multicenter study across 36 datasets

Pooling publicly-available MRI data from multiple sites allows to assemble extensive groups of subjects, increase statistical power, and promote data reuse with machine learning techniques. The harmonization of multicenter data is necessary to reduce the confounding effect associated with non-biological sources of variability in the data. However, when applied to the entire dataset before machine learning, the harmonization leads to data leakage, because information outside the training set may affect model building, and potentially falsely overestimate performance. We propose a 1) measurement of the efficacy of data harmonization; 2) harmonizer transformer, i.e., an implementation of the ComBat harmonization allowing its encapsulation among the preprocessing steps of a machine learning pipeline, avoiding data leakage. We tested these tools using brain T1-weighted MRI data from 1740 healthy subjects acquired at 36 sites. After harmonization, the site effect was removed or reduced, and we measured the data leakage effect in predicting individual age from MRI data, highlighting that introducing the harmonizer transformer into a machine learning pipeline allows for avoiding data leakage.

Deep Learning for Virus-Spreading Forecasting: a Brief Survey

The advent of the coronavirus pandemic has sparked the interest in predictive models capable of forecasting virus-spreading, especially for boosting and supporting decision-making processes. In this paper, we will outline the main Deep Learning approaches aimed at predicting the spreading of a disease in space and time. The aim is to show the emerging trends in this area of research and provide a general perspective on the possible strategies to approach this problem. In doing so, we will mainly focus on two macro-categories: classical Deep Learning approaches and Hybrid models. Finally, we will discuss the main advantages and disadvantages of different models, and underline the most promising development directions to improve these approaches.