Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minimax Rates in Network Analysis: Graphon Estimation, Community Detection and Hypothesis Testing

This paper surveys some recent developments in fundamental limits and optimal algorithms for network analysis. We focus on minimax optimal rates in three fundamental problems of network analysis: graphon estimation, community detection, and hypothesis testing. For each problem, we review state-of-the-art results in the literature followed by general principles behind the optimal procedures that lead to minimax estimation and testing. This allows us to connect problems in network analysis to other statistical inference problems from a general perspective.
Virtual reality versus master class: a comparative study

The research carried out is based on the implementation of technology based on virtual reality in a subject called "General Laboratory Techniques" of the 1st year of the VET Training Course entitled "Higher Technician in Pathological Anatomy and Cytodiagnosis" at the Universidad Europea de Madrid (UEM). The purpose of this research is to understand the impact on student learning and performance that including technology such as virtual reality in the classroom may have. To this end we have opted for the use of a quasi-experimental design by means of two groups: a first experimental group, that uses a virtual reality application, and a control group that receives a traditionally cut master class. After the quantitative and qualitative analysis carried out, the results show that there are statistically significant differences in the scores of the pretest and posttest tests in favor of the experimental group, that is, of the students who performed the activity with virtual reality. They improved their performance against the students that used the traditional master class methodology. In addition, the results of the user experience survey, passed after using the app, were positive. In most of the cases, the average is above 4 over 5 for the degree of overall satisfaction shown by the students. Being very high/excellent for 60% of students and high for 40%. Due to these factors, we can conclude that the impact of virtual reality activities in the classroom is beneficial for the learning and the academic results of the students, in addition to their motivation.
Macro Analysis on how to Potentiate Experimental Competences Using VISIR

Experimentation is crucial in science and engineering education, regardless the educational level. Nowadays experiments can be performed not only in traditional hands-on labs, but also using online resources, such as simulations and remote labs. This study was carried out, in several Higher Educational Institutions and at a minor extent some Secondary Schools, in Argentina and Brazil, in 25 different courses, where VISIR, a remote lab in the electric and electronics area, was introduced along with other resources. These 39 didactical implementations took place during 2016 and 2017 academic years, yielding 51 teachers and 1563 students. Teachers' perception about student performance in VISIR as well as VISIR usage in course, were cross-analyzed with courses' characteristics. Some important factors arouse teachers should pay extra care designing VISIR tasks accordingly to the learning outcomes/ competences they want their students to develop, taking into consideration if they represent group or individual activities. In fact, students tend to prefer group activities and there seems to be a strong association between this factor and teacher perception about students' satisfaction with the tool. Teacher introduction and support to VISIR along the semester is also an important factor.
Machine Learning Analysis of Heterogeneity in the Effect of Student Mindset Interventions

Abstract:We study heterogeneity in the effect of a mindset intervention on student-level performance through an observational dataset from the National Study of Learning Mindsets (NSLM). Our analysis uses machine learning (ML) to address the following associated problems: assessing treatment group overlap and covariate balance, imputing conditional average treatment effects, and interpreting imputed effects. By comparing several different model families we illustrate the flexibility of both off-the-shelf and purpose-built estimators. We find that the mindset intervention has a positive average effect of 0.26, 95%-CI [0.22, 0.30], and that heterogeneity in the range of [0.1, 0.4] is moderated by school-level achievement level, poverty concentration, urbanicity, and student prior expectations.
Physiological Comparisons of Elite Male Visma Ski Classics and National Level Cross-Country Skiers During Uphill Treadmill Roller Skiing

Longer distance cross-country ski (14–220 km) races such as the Visma Ski Classics (VSC) has recently gained attention in addition to the traditional Olympic distances (5–50 km) associated with cross-country (XC) skiing. These long-distance races are characterized by extensive use of the upper body while double poling (DP). While there is a substantial amount of research on Olympic distance XC skiing, the physiological capacities of VSC skiers has not yet been explored. We recruited seven elite male VSC skiers and seven well-trained national level male XC skiers to undergo three tests in the laboratory: (1) a one repetition maximum (1RM) strength test in a cable pulldown; (2) roller skiing tests on a treadmill (10.5% inclination) for determination of gross efficiency (GE) at submaximal speeds (8 and 10 km·h−1) in DP and diagonal stride (DS); (3) two ramp protocols to exhaustion (15% inclination, starting speed 7 km·h−1) in DP and DS for the assessment of peak and maximal oxygen uptake (V.O2peak and V.O2max), respectively. Compared with the national level XC skiers, the VSC skiers performed similar in the 1RM cable pulldown, displayed 12.2% higher GE in DP at 8 km·h−1 but did not display any difference at 10 km·h−1, and had lower blood lactate concentration and heart rate at both submaximal speeds. The VSC skiers had longer time to exhaustion compared with the national level XC skiers during the two ramp protocols in DS (18%) and in DP (29%). The V.O2max was 10% higher in DS compared with DP, with no differences between the groups. The V.O2peak/V.O2max-ratio of 90% did not differ between the two groups. In conclusion, the main differences were lower cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses at submaximal speeds as well as longer time to exhaustion in VSC skiers compared with national level XC skiers. This suggest efficiency to be the main difference between VSC and national level XC skiers.
Liquid-Level Sensor Based on Reflective Mechanically Induced Long-Period Grating Using Double-Cladding Fiber

A reflection-type liquid-level sensor based on mechanically induced long-period fiber grating (MLPFG) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The sensor, acting as a Michelson interferometer, includes MLPFG with double-cladding fiber (DCF) whose end-face is coated with a silver film. DCF is used here in order to be more conducive for interference-spectrum generation. The liquid level can be measured by monitoring the shift of the interference fringes. By theoretical and experimental analysis of the interference characteristics, it is concluded that there are certain relationships between the interference-fringe spacing and the distance from the grating to the reflector, and that the fringe contrast ratio is influenced either by the stress or the position of the MLPFG. After the appropriate parameters are selected for the liquid-level sensor, the sensor sensitivity of 0.03136 nm/mm is obtained, which is considerably superior to that of conventional interferometric liquid-level sensors. In addition, the device has advantages, such as low cost and structural simplicity.
Evaluating the Need for Pediatric Procedural Sedation Training in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship*

Objectives: Pediatric procedural sedation has been increasingly performed by pediatric intensivists over the past decade. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine fellowship guidelines do not specify how fellows obtain proficiency in pediatric procedural sedation. We sought to survey the state of pediatric procedural sedation training during fellowship and whether fellows thought it was sufficient. Design: A 21-question survey gathered data on pediatric procedural sedation training provided to Pediatric Critical Care Medicine fellows. Surveys were sent to fellowship directors with instructions to distribute to second- and third-year fellows or recent graduates. Over 2 months, up to three e-mail reminders were sent to fellowship directors whose program had not completed at least one survey. Subjects: Senior fellows and graduates of 65 active Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Pediatric Critical Care Medicine fellowship programs. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Sixty-five percent of fellowship programs (42/65) returned at least one response. Ninety senior fellows and 27 recent graduates responded. Of respondents, 38% received pediatric procedural sedation training during the fellowship, and 32% reported mandatory training. Nine percent of programs used simulation. Although 61% who received training felt adequately prepared to perform pediatric procedural sedation, 25% needed additional preceptorship to sedate independently. Nearly one third (31%) reported that completion of a predetermined number of cases was required to sedate independently. Forty-eight percent reported a minimum number of cases was required for hospital credentialing. Nearly 45% were allowed to perform pediatric procedural sedation off the unit after receiving credentials. When asked if inadequate pediatric procedural sedation training would be a deterrent to applying for a position that included pediatric procedural sedation, 8.6% replied yes, 52.6% replied no, and 38.8% replied they were unsure. Conclusions: Pediatric procedural sedation lacks a clearly defined training pathway. Most fellows find pediatric procedural sedation a valuable skill set. We propose that all Pediatric Critical Care Medicine fellows receive training that includes pediatric procedural sedation critical incident simulation and cases performed outside the PICU to establish proficiency.
Bayesian Network Model to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment of Sleep Apnea

Objectives The association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and mortality or serious cardiovascular events over a long period of time is not clearly understood. The aim of this observational study was to estimate the clinical effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on an outcome variable combining mortality, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and cerebrovascular insult (CVI) during a follow-up period of 15.5 years (186 ± 58 months). Methods The data set consisted of 978 patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5.0. One-third had used CPAP treatment. For the first time, a data-driven causal Bayesian network (DDBN) and a hypothesis-driven causal Bayesian network (HDBN) were used to investigate the effectiveness of CPAP. Results In the DDBN, coronary heart disease (CHD), congestive heart failure (CHF), and diuretic use were directly associated with the outcome variable. Sleep apnea parameters and CPAP treatment had no direct association with the outcome variable. In the HDBN, CPAP treatment showed an average improvement of 5.3 percentage points in the outcome. The greatest improvement was seen in patients aged ≤55 years. The effect of CPAP treatment was weaker in older patients (>55 years) and in patients with CHD. In CHF patients, CPAP treatment was associated with an increased risk of mortality, AMI, or CVI. Conclusions The effectiveness of CPAP is modest in younger patients. Long-term effectiveness is limited in older patients and in patients with heart disease (CHD or CHF).
Exposure to Household Air Pollution from Biomass Cookstoves and Levels of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) among Honduran Women

Household air pollution is estimated to be responsible for nearly three million premature deaths annually. Measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) may improve the limited understanding of the association of household air pollution and airway inflammation. We evaluated the cross-sectional association of FeNO with exposure to household air pollution (24-h average kitchen and personal fine particulate matter and black carbon; stove type) among 139 women in rural Honduras using traditional stoves or cleaner-burning Justa stoves. We additionally evaluated interaction by age. Results were generally consistent with a null association; we did not observe a consistent pattern for interaction by age. Evidence from ambient and household air pollution regarding FeNO is inconsistent, and may be attributable to differing study populations, exposures, and FeNO measurement procedures (e.g., the flow rate used to measure FeNO).
Potential combination topical therapy of anal fissure: development, evaluation, and clinical study†

Abstract To treat anal fissure, internal anal sphincterotomy may be associated with surgical risks and incidence of incontinence. Botulinum toxin injection into the anal sphincter is invasive and expensive. Headache and hypotension hindered topical treatment with glyceryl trinitrate. Greater patient compliance, potentiated efficacy, reduced side effects, and lower cost are the major advantages offered by the combination therapy. Therefore, combination topical gels of nifedipine (NIF), lidocaine hydrochloride (LDH) and betamethasone valerate (BMV) were prepared and evaluated regarding viscosity, pH, drug content, and in vitro release. Compatibility study of drug–drug and drug-excipient mixtures preceded the formulation. Stability study was performed. A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted for six weeks to assess the efficacy of the optimized formula in the treatment of anal fissure either acute (AAF, 37 patients) or chronic (CAF, 34 patients) in comparison with three single drug market products. The compatibility was indicated except in case of LDH with each of poloxamer 407 (P407), methylparaben, and propylparaben as well as BMV with P407. The gels showed acceptable viscosity ranges, tolerated pH values, and drugs content limits complying with the pharmacopeial limit. The gel containing 10% Transcutol® (F2) was selected as optimized formula due to the significant (p < 0.05) enhancement in NIF release. The recommended storage temperature was 8 °C. In comparison with the market products, the optimized gel can be represented as a potential combination therapy of acute and chronic anal fissures as suggested by significantly increased healing% and significantly reduced pain, bleeding, anal discharge and itching without side effects.
Latest developments on the highly granular Silicon-Tungsten Electromagnetic Calorimeter technological prototype for the International Large Detector.

High precision physics at future colliders requires unprecedented highly granular calorimeters for the application of the Particle Flow (PF) algorithm. The physical proof of concept was given in the previous campaign of beam tests of physic prototypes within the CALICE collaboration. We present here the latest beam and laboratory test results and R&D developments for the Silicon-Tungsten Electromagnetic Calorimeter technological prototype with fully embedded very front-end (VFE) electronics for the International Large Detector at the International Linear Collider project.
Bit-Interleaved Coded SCMA With Iterative Multiuser Detection: Multidimensional Constellations Design

This paper investigates the constellation/codebook design of a promising uplink multiple access technique, sparse code multiple access (SCMA), proposed for the fifth generation mobile networks. The application of bit-interleaved coded modulation with iterative multiuser detection is considered for uplink SCMA over fading channels. Extrinsic information transfer chart is used to aid the analysis and the design of multidimensional constellations, and the design criteria for multidimensional constellations and labelings optimization are thus established. Furthermore, a new and simple approach of multi-stage optimization for the multidimensional constellation design is proposed for SCMA, to improve the bit-error rate performance and alleviate the complexity of turbo multiuser detection. Numerical and simulation results are also provided to demonstrate the performance and verify the efficiency of the proposed scheme, compared with the state of the art.
Auditory Reasoning Skills of Cochlear Implant Users.

OBJECTIVES This study compared the auditory reasoning skills of school-going children with early and late cochlear implantation and assessed the relationship between auditory reasoning skills, language development, vocabulary knowledge, and communication skills. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this case series study, 90 pre-lingually deaf children aged 7-10 years were assessed. Children were divided into two groups: early-implanted group with children who received cochlear implants before 3 years of age (mean, 23.45; 12-35 months) and late-implanted group with children implanted after 3 years of age (mean, 50.54; 36-84 months). Tests were performed in the auditory-visual condition. Correlational analyses were used to assess the relationships between daily communication skills, language development performances, vocabulary knowledge, and auditory reasoning skills of both the groups. RESULTS Auditory reasoning skills were better in the early-implanted group than in the late-implanted group (Mann-Whitney U test=518, p<0.05). Language performances of the early-implanted group were significantly better than those of the late-implanted group (receptive language performances: Mann-Whitney U=522, p<0.05; expressive language performances: Mann-Whitney U=552, p<0.05). Stepwise regression analysis showed that expressive language performances, vocabulary knowledge, and chronological age could predict 82% of the variance. CONCLUSION Reasoning skills of children with cochlear implants should be supported during the language-learning process.
Pairwise Relational Networks using Local Appearance Features for Face Recognition

We propose a new face recognition method, called a pairwise relational network (PRN), which takes local appearance features around landmark points on the feature map, and captures unique pairwise relations with the same identity and discriminative pairwise relations between different identities. The PRN aims to determine facial part-relational structure from local appearance feature pairs. Because meaningful pairwise relations should be identity dependent, we add a face identity state feature, which obtains from the long short-term memory (LSTM) units network with the sequential local appearance features. To further improve accuracy, we combined the global appearance features with the pairwise relational feature. Experimental results on the LFW show that the PRN achieved 99.76% accuracy. On the YTF, PRN achieved the state-of-the-art accuracy (96.3%). The PRN also achieved comparable results to the state-of-the-art for both face verification and face identification tasks on the IJB-A and IJB-B. This work is already published on ECCV 2018.
Hydrogen-rich medium alleviates high glucose-induced oxidative stress and parthanatos in rat Schwann cells in vitro

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is considered to be the most common cause of microvascular diabetic complications, for which no effective therapies currently exist. Previous studies have identified that oxidative stress is the common pathway in all possible hypotheses for the induction of DPN, and poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymerase-1 (PARP-1)-dependent cell death (parthanatos) is key in the pathogenic mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects and corresponding mechanisms of hydrogen-rich medium (HM) on high glucose (HG)-induced oxidative stress and parthanatos in primary rat Schwann cells (RSCs) in vitro. The RSCs were divided into groups and treated for 48 h. Cell counting kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase assays were used to detect cell viability and cytotoxicity, respectively; intracellular OH− levels were measured using a DCFH-DA assay; concentrations of peroxynitrite (ONOO−) and 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were evaluated with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; relative expression levels of parthanatos-related proteins [PAR, nucleus apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and total AIF] were analyzed using western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence was used to determine the nuclear translocation of AIF. After 48 h, HG was shown to induce severe oxidative stress and promote marked levels of parthanatos in the RSCs. Treatment with HM inhibited HG-induced oxidative stress by reducing the production of OH− and ONOO− and suppressed parthanatos by downregulating the levels of 8-OHdG, the expression of PAR and the nuclear translocation of AIF. HM improved cell viability and inhibited cytotoxicity under the HG condition. These results indicate that HM effectively reduces HG-induced oxidative stress in RSCs and protects them against parthanatos. Therefore, HM may be a novel treatment for DPN.
Cancer Stem Cells: Emergent Nature of Tumor Emergency

A functional analysis of 167 genes overexpressed in Krebs-2 tumor initiating cells was performed. In the first part of the study, the genes were analyzed for their belonging to one or more of the three groups, which represent the three major phenotypic manifestation of malignancy of cancer cells, namely (1) proliferative self-sufficiency, (2) invasive growth and metastasis, and (3) multiple drug resistance. 96 genes out of 167 were identified as possible contributors to at least one of these fundamental properties. It was also found that substantial part of these genes are also known as genes responsible for formation and/or maintenance of the stemness of normal pluri-/multipotent stem cells. These results suggest that the malignancy is simply the ability to maintain the stem cell specific genes expression profile, and, as a consequence, the stemness itself regardless of the controlling effect of stem niches. In the second part of the study, three stress factors combined into the single concept of “generalized cellular stress,” which are assumed to activate the expression of these genes, were defined. In addition, possible mechanisms for such activation were identified. The data obtained suggest the existence of a mechanism for the de novo formation of a pluripotent/stem phenotype in the subpopulation of “committed” tumor cells.