cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12851445.v3
title: Causal Inference With Interference and Noncompliance in Two-Stage Randomized Experiments

description: In many social science experiments, subjects often interact with each other and as a result one unit’s treatment influences the outcome of another unit. Over the last decade, a significant progress has been made toward causal inference in the presence of such interference between units. Researchers have shown that the two-stage randomization of treatment assignment enables the identification of average direct and spillover effects. However, much of the literature has assumed perfect compliance with treatment assignment. In this article, we establish the nonparametric identification of the complier average direct and spillover effects in two-stage randomized experiments with interference and noncompliance. In particular, we consider the spillover effect of the treatment assignment on the treatment receipt as well as the spillover effect of the treatment receipt on the outcome. We propose consistent estimators and derive their randomization-based variances under the stratified interference assumption. We also prove the exact relationships between the proposed randomization-based estimators and the popular two-stage least squares estimators. The proposed methodology is motivated by and applied to our own randomized evaluation of India’s National Health Insurance Program (RSBY), where we find some evidence of spillover effects. The proposed methods are implemented via an open-source software package. Supplementary materials for this article, including a standardized description of the materials available for reproducing the work, are available as an online supplement.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12851445.v2
title: Causal Inference With Interference and Noncompliance in Two-Stage Randomized Experiments

description: In many social science experiments, subjects often interact with each other and as a result one unit’s treatment influences the outcome of another unit. Over the last decade, a significant progress has been made toward causal inference in the presence of such interference between units. Researchers have shown that the two-stage randomization of treatment assignment enables the identification of average direct and spillover effects. However, much of the literature has assumed perfect compliance with treatment assignment. In this article, we establish the nonparametric identification of the complier average direct and spillover effects in two-stage randomized experiments with interference and noncompliance. In particular, we consider the spillover effect of the treatment assignment on the treatment receipt as well as the spillover effect of the treatment receipt on the outcome. We propose consistent estimators and derive their randomization-based variances under the stratified interference assumption. We also prove the exact relationships between the proposed randomization-based estimators and the popular two-stage least squares estimators. The proposed methodology is motivated by and applied to our own randomized evaluation of India’s National Health Insurance Program (RSBY), where we find some evidence of spillover effects. The proposed methods are implemented via an open-source software package. Supplementary materials for this article, including a standardized description of the materials available for reproducing the work, are available as an online supplement.
DOI: 10.1285/i9788883051616p5
title: Saluto del Magnifico Rettore
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12851376
title: Model-Free Feature Screening and FDR Control With Knockoff Features

description: This article proposes a model-free and data-adaptive feature screening method for ultrahigh-dimensional data. The proposed method is based on the projection correlation which measures the dependence between two random vectors. This projection correlation based method does not require specifying a regression model, and applies to data in the presence of heavy tails and multivariate responses. It enjoys both sure screening and rank consistency properties under weak assumptions. A two-step approach, with the help of knockoff features, is advocated to specify the threshold for feature screening such that the false discovery rate (FDR) is controlled under a prespecified level. The proposed two-step approach enjoys both sure screening and FDR control simultaneously if the prespecified FDR level is greater or equal to 1/<i>s</i>, where <i>s</i> is the number of active features. The superior empirical performance of the proposed method is illustrated by simulation examples and real data applications. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12851457
title: Bayesian Copula Density Deconvolution for Zero-Inflated Data in Nutritional Epidemiology

description: Estimating the marginal and joint densities of the long-term average intakes of different dietary components is an important problem in nutritional epidemiology. Since these variables cannot be directly measured, data are usually collected in the form of 24-hr recalls of the intakes, which show marked patterns of conditional heteroscedasticity. Significantly compounding the challenges, the recalls for episodically consumed dietary components also include exact zeros. The problem of estimating the density of the latent long-time intakes from their observed measurement error contaminated proxies is then a problem of deconvolution of densities with zero-inflated data. We propose a Bayesian semiparametric solution to the problem, building on a novel hierarchical latent variable framework that translates the problem to one involving continuous surrogates only. Crucial to accommodating important aspects of the problem, we then design a copula based approach to model the involved joint distributions, adopting different modeling strategies for the marginals of the different dietary components. We design efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms for posterior inference and illustrate the efficacy of the proposed method through simulation experiments. Applied to our motivating nutritional epidemiology problems, compared to other approaches, our method provides more realistic estimates of the consumption patterns of episodically consumed dietary components. Supplementary materials for this article, including a standardized description of the materials available for reproducing the work, are available as an online supplement.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12851457.v1
title: Bayesian Copula Density Deconvolution for Zero-Inflated Data in Nutritional Epidemiology

description: Estimating the marginal and joint densities of the long-term average intakes of different dietary components is an important problem in nutritional epidemiology. Since these variables cannot be directly measured, data are usually collected in the form of 24-hr recalls of the intakes, which show marked patterns of conditional heteroscedasticity. Significantly compounding the challenges, the recalls for episodically consumed dietary components also include exact zeros. The problem of estimating the density of the latent long-time intakes from their observed measurement error contaminated proxies is then a problem of deconvolution of densities with zero-inflated data. We propose a Bayesian semiparametric solution to the problem, building on a novel hierarchical latent variable framework that translates the problem to one involving continuous surrogates only. Crucial to accommodating important aspects of the problem, we then design a copula based approach to model the involved joint distributions, adopting different modeling strategies for the marginals of the different dietary components. We design efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms for posterior inference and illustrate the efficacy of the proposed method through simulation experiments. Applied to our motivating nutritional epidemiology problems, compared to other approaches, our method provides more realistic estimates of the consumption patterns of episodically consumed dietary components. Supplementary materials for this article, including a standardized description of the materials available for reproducing the work, are available as an online supplement.
DOI: 10.1285/i9788883051616p7
title: Saluto del Delegato alla Didattica
DOI: 10.1285/i9788883051616p9
title: Ringraziamenti
DOI: 10.1285/i9788883051616p11
title: Introduzione
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12851612.v1
title: Expression of microRNAs in human platelet-poor plasma: analysis of the factors affecting their expression and association with proximal genetic variants

description: To translate circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) into the clinic, a deeper understanding of the factors affecting their expression is needed. In this study, we explored the features affecting the expression of miRNAs and their genetic regulation using the expression data of 103 miRNAs obtained by qPCR in the platelet-poor plasma of 104 subjects. The principal components (PCs) of the expression of the miRNAs were associated with technical and biological features (e.g., synthetic controls or sex) and with blood cell counts. Also, the associations with proximal genetics variants were analysed. We found that haemolysis marker (dCt hsa-miR-23a-3p-hsa-miR-451a) was correlated strongly (β = 0.84, p = 2.07x10<sup>−29</sup>) with the second PC, which explained 10.1% of the overall variability. Thus, we identified haemolysis as a source of variability for miRNA expression even in mild hemolyzed samples (haemolysis marker dCt &lt;5). In addition to hsa-miR-23a-3p and hsa-miR-451a, the miRNAs most stable and most susceptible to haemolysis were identified. Then, we discovered that the expression of miRNAs in platelet-poor plasma was not biased by any blood cell count, and thus, our results supported their role as biomarkers of tissue-specific conditions. Finally, we identified 1,323 genetic variants that corresponded to 158 miRNA expression quantitative trait loci for 14 miRNAs (FDR &lt;0.2), which were enriched in promoter regions (p = 0.03). This enrichment corresponded to a range of specific tissues (e.g., breast or fat) although not to blood tissue, supporting the concept that the expression of circulating miRNAs is under the genetic control of different tissues.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12851663.v1
title: Genome-wide DNA methylation differences and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure in a US population

description: Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), an endocrine-disrupting compound, is ubiquitous despite decades-old bans on the manufacture and use of PCBs. Increased exposure to PCBs is associated with adverse health consequences throughout life, including type 2 diabetes and cancer. PCB exposure is also associated with alterations in epigenetic marks and gene transcription, which could lead to adverse health outcomes, but many of these are population-specific. To further investigate the association between PCB and epigenetic marks, DNA methylation was measured at 787,684 CpG sites in 641 peripheral blood samples from the Michigan Polybrominated Biphenyl (PBB) Registry. 1345 CpGs were associated with increased total PCB level after controlling for age, sex, and 24 surrogate variables (FDR &lt; 0.05). These CpGs were enriched in active promoter and transcription associated regions (p
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12851669.v1
title: Expression of UDP Glucuronosyltransferases <i>2B15</i> and <i>2B17</i> is associated with methylation status in prostate cancer cells

description: Studies have suggested that abrogated expression of detoxification enzymes, UGT2B15 and UGT2B17, are associated with prostate tumour risk and progression. We investigated the role of EGF on the expression of these enzymes since it interacts with signalling pathways to also affect prostate tumour progression and is additionally associated with decreased DNA methylation. The expression of <i>UGT2B15, UGT2B17</i>, <i>de novo</i> methyltransferases, <i>DNMT3A</i> and <i>DNMT3B</i> was assessed in prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) treated with EGF, an EGFR inhibitor PD16893, and the methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-azacytidine, respectively. The results showed that EGF treatment decreased levels of expression of all four genes and that their expression was reversed by PD16893. Treatment with 5-azacytidine, markedly decreased expression of <i>UGT2B15</i> and <i>UGT2B17</i> over 85% as well as significantly decreased expression of <i>DNMT3B</i>, but not the expression of <i>DNMT3A. DNMT3B</i> siRNA treated LNCaP cells had decreased expression of <i>UGT2B15</i> and <i>UGT2B17</i>, while <i>DNMT3A</i> siRNA treated cells had only moderately decreased <i>UGT2B15</i> expression. Treatment with DNMT methyltransferase inhibitor, RG108, significantly decreased <i>UGT2B17</i> expression. Additionally, methylation differences between prostate cancer samples and benign prostate samples from an Illumina 450K Methylation Array study were assessed. The results taken together suggest that hypomethylation of the <i>UGT2B15</i> and <i>UGT2B17</i> genes contributes to increased risk of prostate cancer and may provide a putative biomarker or epigenetic target for chemotherapeutics. Mechanistic studies are warranted to determine the role of the methylation marks in prostate cancer.
DOI: 10.17045/sthlmuni.12845876.v1
title: Integration of Verbal Cues with Visual and Olfactory Stimuli

description: There are 69 .csv files included in this dataset. Each raw data .csv file contains the raw data for a single participant. An R file was then used to combine the raw data and condense it for analyses. The R file is included with the data and is called ObjectCategoryAnalysis.Rmd. Additionally, there is a ReadMe file titled DataSharingREADME.txt.<br>DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Each raw data file.<br>1. Number of variables: 11<br>2. Number of cases/rows: 192 x 69 = 13248<br>3. Variable List:<br>Participant: 101-169<br>Block: Their are 4 blocktypes: VisualStimulus (blocks with object-cues and visual targets), VisualCategory (blocks with category-cues and visual targets), OlfactoryStimulus (blocks with object-cues and olfactory targets), OlfactoryCategory (blocks with category-cues and olfactorytargets).<br>Cue: One of six possible auditory cues participants heard prior to target onset: "lavender", "lilac", "pear", "lemon", "flower", "fruit".<br>Target: One of four possible targets presented to each participant. These can either be visual or olfactory: lavender, lilac, pear, lemon.<br>Match: Informs about whether the Cue and Target matched (yes) or were different (no).<br>Accuracy: 1 if participant answered correctly, 0 if participant answered incorrectly.<br>ReactionTime: Response latency on that particular trial.<br>Modality: Whether the target was Visual or Olfactory.<br>CueType: Whether the cue was object-based (Object) or category-based (Category).<br>Congruency: Provides the same information as Match. If cue and target match it says Congruent, if cue and target do not match it says Incongruent.<br>LogRT: Reaction Times on a logarithmic scale.<br><br>R InformationThe analysis uses both R and R Studio (although only R is required to run the .Rmd file.)R reference: https://www.r-project.org/<br>R Studio: https://rstudio.com/
DOI: 10.1285/i9788883051616p15
title: La didattica come oggetto di ricerca

description: Le società evolute hanno come obiettivo la scolarizzazione di tutti. Tra gli strumenti che si possono utilizzare per raggiungere tale obiettivo vi è la didattica nell'attività scolastica, didattica intesa non solo come trasmissione delle conoscenze, ma come l'insieme delle modalità attraverso le quali i singoli studenti vengono coinvolti nel processo di formazione. Questo è un punto nuovo della didattica, che responsabilizza chi studia e lo fa diventare un cittadino attivo nella società. La didattica deve essere materia della ricerca universitaria e di una permanente sperimentazione dell'efficacia nella scuola.
DOI: 10.1285/i9788883051616p19
title: La corresponsabilità nei processi educativi

description: Si propongono alcune considerazioni riguardo a due questioni, la consapevolezza di quello che sta accadendo e il fondamento di una corresponsabilità di tutti coloro che si occupano di educazione e quindi della rete che è stata creata durante l'anno di impegno. Occorre precisare che si tiene conto dei processi educativi nella loro globalità, e non quindi in modo tecnico, dell'istruzione/apprendimento o della formazione culturale.
DOI: 10.1285/i9788883051616p23
title: Una formazione qualificata degli insegnanti secondari connessa al reclutamento: sarà la volta buona?

description: Nella letteratura internazionale ci si riferisce sistematicamente al docente come a un reflective practitionner, impegnato in un processo continuo tra teoria, esperienze sul campo da essa orientate, ritorno 'di riflessione' e ulteriori percorsi avanti-indietro. Nel percorso formativo attuale i 24 CFU, previsti come conoscenze educative di base per presentarsi ai concorsi, sono divenuti la sola formazione all'insegnamento, aggiuntiva rispetto all'acquisizione delle conoscenze disciplinari. Per valutarne l'assoluta insufficienza si deve osservare che sono 'occasionali', non rientrano in una programmazione didattica. Nel Decreto del 2017, che conteneva delle indicazioni positive, che però non hanno avuto corso, il triennio formativo prevedeva nel primo anno un Corso universitario e nel successivo biennio attività in sede scolastica. Fermo restando che, come è ovvio, la gestione organizzativa del Corso è responsabilità di un Ateneo e quella del biennio compete a una struttura scolastica, va sancito che università e scuola devono progettare congiuntamente la formazione affinché questa costituisca un percorso pienamente integrato.
DOI: 10.1285/i9788883051616p29
title: Alcuni temi trascurati nella formazione degli insegnanti della scuola secondaria

description: Imparare non è un'operazione passiva, vuol dire aprire la testa degli allievi in modo che loro stessi si approprino del sapere. La scuola italiana ha pensato, erroneamente, che le competenze socio-psico-pedagogiche siano necessarie solo per la scuola dell'infanzia e l'educazione primaria. Ma è proprio nell'arco del primo ciclo della scuola secondaria che si creano i presupposti per i fenomeni di dispersione scolastica. L'insuccesso scolastico può essere dovuto a carenze dell'ambiente nell'identificare, stimolare e valorizzare le capacità. Quando entriamo per la prima volta in un'aula davanti a un gruppo di giovani la prima cosa che dovremmo cercare di capire è su che cosa far leva per fare in modo che i giovani sentano di essere capitati in un ambiente che vuole valorizzare le loro capacità. Per una scuola del sapere e del saper fare sono necessari i laboratori per vari tipi di applicazioni tecniche, le attività ludico-artistico-sportive, le attività di alternanza e di stage, di volontariato. Alcuni temi di natura socio-psico-pedagogica e di didattica generale dovrebbero far parte della fase di tirocinio che segue la formazione universitaria.
DOI: 10.1285/i9788883051616p35
title: Formazione degli insegnanti all'innovazione didattica in fisica

description: La professionalità docente determina la qualità dell'istruzione. La formazione degli studenti in area scientifica ed in fisica in particolare è una sfida a livello europeo determinata dall'esito di indagini a livello internazionale, in cui sono emerse gravi carenze in molti Paesi e dalla decrescente motivazione verso studi scientifici da parte dei giovani. Un grande bisogno di cambiamento negli strumenti e nei metodi didattici in tale area emerge dalle ricerche sull'apprendimento che evidenziano come i modi di apprendere non corrispondano al modo in cui la conoscenza è strutturata nei libri e negli insegnamenti di tipo trasmissivo. Lo studente protagonista della propria conoscenza è inoltre una modalità auspicata perché si sviluppino competenze e non solo conoscenze. Ricerche a livello europeo hanno evidenziato che gli insegnanti non posseggono quella conoscenza concettuale che dovrebbero sviluppare nei loro studenti. La formazione degli insegnanti è quindi una necessità dettata dal cambiamento degli obiettivi scolastici e dalle sfide poste per garantire una cultura globale, anche scientifica, ai cittadini.
DOI: 10.1285/i9788883051616p55
title: Il tema dell'orientamento nella formazione degli insegnanti

description: L'orientamento ormai da anni si configura come un processo che accompagna la crescita di ogni persona e pertanto diventa un aspetto che non può essere tralasciato nella formazione degli insegnanti. L'orientamento diventa quindi un completamento della funzione educativa del docente in quanto permette agli alunni di acquisire competenze decisionali, personali e progettuali necessarie per fare delle scelte non solo in funzione dei percorsi di studio. Tutto ciò trova una cornice teorica nel paradigma del life design, nel quale viene enfatizzata la continua evoluzione dell'individuo e della sua capacità di adattamento, di narrazione e di consapevolezza legata alla costruzione del Sé che lo porta a compiere scelte in modo più consapevole e che gli consentono di sentirsi appagato. L'orientamento entra quindi nei processi di formazione dell'insegnante, inteso come educazione alla progettualità e al consolidamento del sé professionale.
DOI: 10.1285/i9788883051616p61
title: Riflessione e riflessività nella formazione e nello sviluppo professionale degli insegnanti

description: Il profilo culturale e professionale dell'insegnante va definito in riferimento ai compiti e agli impegni dell'istituzione in cui va ad operare e alle sue funzioni. La professionalità docente è stata vista come una professionalità il cui compito è quello di trasmettere conoscenze. Con lo spostamento dell'attenzione sulle competenze l'impegno dei docenti è stato progressivamente orientato verso esiti di apprendimento osservabili e certificabili, il che ha riconfigurato anche la loro identità; da trasmettitore di conoscenza l'insegnante diventa, quindi, una figura professionale che sa accompagnare l'accesso alla conoscenza, mettendosi in gioco come mediatore e facilitatore dei processi di apprendimento. Il lavoro degli insegnanti si inscrive all'interno di sistemi che, come avverte Luhmann, sono caratterizzati da uno specifico tipo di riflessività, intesa come 'struttura antropologica' che sostiene processi di apprendimento, di comprensione, di costruzione della conoscenza.