Introductory Notes to Algebraic Statistics

These are the notes of a short course on algebraic statistics, a new discipline across the fields of statistical modeling and computational commutativa algebra. The basics of the theory are provided together with brief reference to applications to design of experiments, to exponential and graphical models, and to computational biology

Education Curriculum on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: The Evolving Role of Simulation Training

Continuing education is essential for the success and safety of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) programme. However, it is challenging due to the intrinsic characteristic of ECMO—a complex, high-risk, low-volume clinical activity which require teamwork, inter-professional communication, critical decision and rapid response especially in emergency. Thus, simulation is a rapidly evolving teaching methodology in ECMO education to address those training needs that cannot be entirely addressed by traditional teaching modalities. The development of a simulation programme requires commitment on resources for equipment, environment setup and training of personnel. Knowledge on ECMO management, education science and debriefing technique forms the cornerstone of successful ECMO simulation facilitators and hence the simulation programme. Currently, researches have already shown that ECMO simulation can improve individual and team performance despite that its impact on patient outcome is still unknown. In the future, the role of simulation will increase importantly in multicentre research, certifying specialists and credentialing if standardization of training curriculum can be achieved

Refined system parameters and TTV study of transiting exoplanetary system HAT-P-20

This work is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China through grants No. U1531121, No. 10873031 and No. 11473066.We report new photometric observations of the transiting exoplanetary system HAT-P-20, obtained using CCD cameras at Yunnan Observatories and Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre, China, from 2010 to 2013, and Observatori Ca l'Ou, Sant Marti Sesgueioles, Spain, from 2013 to 2015. The observed data are corrected for systematic errors according to the coarse de-correlation and SYSREM algorithms, so as to enhance the signal of the transit events. In order to consistently model the star spots and transits of this exoplanetary system, we develop a highly efficient tool STMT based on the analytic models of Mandel & Agol and Montalto et al. The physical parameters of HAT-P-20 are refined by homogeneously analyzing our new data, the radial velocity data, and the earlier photometric data in the literature with the Markov chain Monte Carlo technique. New radii and masses of both host star and planet are larger than those in the discovery paper due to the discrepancy of the radius among K-dwarfs between predicted values by standard stellar models and empirical calibration from observations. Through the analysis of all available mid-transit times calculated with the normal model and spotted model, we conclude that the periodic transit timing variations in these transit events revealed by employing the normal model are probably induced by spot crossing events. From the analysis of the distribution of occulted spots by HAT-P-20b, we constrain the misaligned architecture between the planetary orbit and the spin of the host star.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Beauty and the beast

El objetivo de esta serie es desarrollar en los niños las habilidades para la lectura y la comprensión de textos, a lo largo de doce niveles y mediante la narración de una historia distinta en cada uno de los libros que la componen. Se refuerza el vocabulario relacionado con el contenido de la historia y se acompaña de distintas actividades. En ésta, se narra el cuento de la Bella y la Bestia, y se incluye en el nivel ocho.SCBiblioteca de Educación del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; Calle San Agustín, 5 - 3 planta; 28014 Madrid; Tel. +34917748000; [email protected]

Factors affecting teacher's attitude and integration of ICT in education

published_or_final_versionEducationMasterMaster of Science in Information Technology in Educatio

Light-based therapy for acne vulgaris

Acne is a disorder of the pilosebaceous unit often complicated by scarring. Five studies were performed to test the hypothesis that acne is common among Chinese and that the use of laser and light source is safe and effective for the treatment of acne and acne scars in Asians. The self-reported prevalence of acne in Hong Kong was assessed using a questionnaire among a randomised sample of 522 persons aged 15-25 years. The prevalence was 91.3% with a point prevalence of 52.2%, and acne scars and pigmentation were reported by 52.6%. The existing topical and oral anti-acne medications are limited by their efficacy, adverse effects and patient compliance. Light can target the pilosebaceous unit and reduce the growth of Propionibacterium acnes, for which lasers or light sources have been explored as therapeutic options. The aim of this study was to determine whether lower fluence and shorter cooling of the 1450-nm diode laser would improve acne while minimising post-laser hyperpigmentation in Asians. A total of 26 Chinese subjects received four treatments of three passes with this laser at a fluence of 8 J/cm2 with dynamic cooling of 25 ms. A 40% reduction (p<0.03) in mean lesion count was observed 6 months after treatment with a significant improvement in sebum production and a hyperpigmentation rate of 3.8%. A split-face, controlled study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of intense pulsed light (IPL) alone or in combination with short-contact 16% methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (PDT) in 30 Chinese subjects with acne. Among the PDT-treated group, 25% withdrew due to treatment discomfort. No significant differences in the reduction of inflammatory lesions were observed between the intervention groups and the control group. A delayed effect with reductions in non-inflammatory lesions was observed in the PDT-treated (38%; p=0.05) and IPL-treated (43%; p=0.01) groups 12 weeks after treatment. Liposome was used to deliver 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) into the pilosebaceous unit to lower the concentration of 5-ALA by 40-fold during PDT. The study aimed to investigate the tolerability and efficacy of PDT with IPL using 0.5% liposomal 5-ALA for inflammatory acne. A mean reduction of 65% in the inflammatory lesion count was observed after 6 months (p=0.043) in 12 Chinese subjects. No dropout or significant side effects were observed. The treatment of acne scars has often been complicated by Asian skin phototypes regarding the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Fractionated radiofrequency induces deep dermal heating with less epidermal disruption. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of combined bipolar radiofrequency and fractional diode 915 nm laser followed by fractional radiofrequency in 24 Chinese subjects with acne scars. The mean grade improved by 29% (p<0.001), and 52% subjects were rated as having at least a moderate global improvement at 3 months. Subjective improvement was moderate to significant in 36.8%. Hyperpigmentation occurred after 6.5% of the treatments. In conclusion, the studies indicated that laser and light source can be used effectively and safely for the treatment of acne and acne scars commonly found in Asians.published_or_final_versionMedicineMasterDoctor of Medicin