Bootstrap testing for cross-correlation under low firing activity

A new cross-correlation synchrony index for neural activity is proposed. The index is based on the integration of the kernel estimation of the cross-correlation function. It is used to test for the dynamic synchronization levels of spontaneous neural activity under two induced brain states: sleep-like and awake-like. Two bootstrap resampling plans are proposed to approximate the distribution of the test statistics. The results of the first bootstrap method indicate that it is useful to discern significant differences in the synchronization dynamics of brain states characterized by a neural activity with low firing rate. The second bootstrap method is useful to unveil subtle differences in the synchronization levels of the awake-like state, depending on the activation pathway.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figure

Characterisation of the Interaction among Oil-In-Water Nanocapsules and Mucin

Mucins are glycoproteins present in all mucosal surfaces and in secretions such as saliva. Mucins are involved in the mucoadhesion of nanodevices carrying bioactive molecules to their target sites in vivo. Oil-in-water nanocapsules (NCs) have been synthesised for carrying N,N′-(di-m-methylphenyl)urea (DMTU), a quorum-sensing inhibitor, to the oral cavity. DMTU-loaded NCs constitute an alternative for the treatment of plaque (bacterial biofilm). In this work, the stability of the NCs after their interaction with mucin is analysed. Mucin type III from Sigma-Aldrich has been used as the mucin model. Mucin and NCs were characterised by the multi-detection asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation technique (AF4). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and ζ-potential analyses were carried out to characterise the interaction between mucin and NCs. According to the results, loading DMTU changes the conformation of the NC. It was also found that the synergistic interaction between mucin and NCs was favoured within a specific range of the mucin:NC ratio within the first 24 h. Studies on the release of DMTU in vitro and the microbial activity of such NCs are ongoing in our lab

Artificial Intelligence for Student Assessment: A Systematic Review

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being implemented in more and more fields, including education. The main uses of AI in education are related to tutoring and assessment. This paper analyzes the use of AI for student assessment based on a systematic review. For this purpose, a search was carried out in two databases: Scopus and Web of Science. A total of 454 papers were found and, after analyzing them according to the PRISMA Statement, a total of 22 papers were selected. It is clear from the studies analyzed that, in most of them, the pedagogy underlying the educational action is not reflected. Similarly, formative evaluation seems to be the main use of AI. Another of the main functionalities of AI in assessment is for the automatic grading of students. Several studies analyze the differences between the use of AI and its non-use. We discuss the results and conclude the need for teacher training and further research to understand the possibilities of AI in educational assessment, mainly in other educational levels than higher education. Moreover, it is necessary to increase the wealth of research which focuses on educational aspects more than technical development around AI

Interaction Between Chitosan and Mucin: Fundamentals and Applications

The term chitosan (CS) refers to a family of aminopolysaccharides derived from chitin. Among other properties, CS is nontoxic, mucoadhesive and can be used for load and transport drugs. Given these and other physicochemical and biological properties, CS is an optimal biopolymer for the development of transmucosal drug delivery systems, as well as for the treatment of pathologies related to mucosal dysfunctions. Mucins are glycoprotein macromolecules that are the major components of mucus overlaying epithelia. CS interacts with mucin and adsorbs on and changes the rheology of mucus. However, CS and mucins denote families of polymers/macromolecules with highly variable chemical structure, properties, and behavior. To date, their interactions at the molecular level have not been completely unraveled. Also, the properties of complexes composed of CS and mucin vary as a function of the sources and preparation of the polymers. As a consequence, the mucoadhesion and drug delivery properties of such complexes vary as well. The breadth of this review is on the molecular interactions between CS and mucin. In particular, in vitro and ex vivo characterization methods to investigate both the interactions at play during the formation of CS-mucin complexes, and the advances on the use of CS for transmucosal drug delivery are addressed

Validation of the IOLF5C instrument for the efficacy of shooting on goal in football for the blind

El objetivo del estudio es diseñar y validar un instrumento de observación para conocer los Indicadores de Rendimiento Competitivo en Fútbol a 5 para personas ciegas a través de jueces expertos. La muestra se compuso por 12 entrenadores expertos en Fútbol a 5. Tras la realización de un estudio preliminar, el IOLF5C quedó estructurado en dos partes: acciones básicas durante el lanzamiento a portería en situaciones de juego, y durante el penalti. La validez de contenido se realizó a través de la V de Aiken y sus intervalos de confianza. Para comprobar la consistencia interna del instrumento se empleó α de Cronbach. Los resultados indicaron que el IOLF5C dispone de niveles óptimos de validez obteniendo valores superiores a 0,875 en todos los ítems durante el juego y 0,96 en penalti. La consistencia del instrumento fue de 0,894. Por tanto, el IOLF5C es un instrumento válido y fiableThe aim of this study was to design and validate an observational instrument to identify essential competitive performance indicators in Football 5-a-Side for blind and partially sighted players through the assistance of expert evaluators. The sample was comprised of twelve Football 5-a-Side expert coaches. After a preliminary study, the OLF5C instrument was structured to include two groups of actions: basic actions during shots on goal in game situations and shooting actions penalty situations. Aiken's V statistic and confidence interval values were used to assess the content validity and Cronbach' value was used to assess the internal consistency of the instrument. Results indicated that the IOLF5C has good validity indices with obtained values reaching .875 in all items during game situations and 0.96 on penalty shot actions. The overall level of instrument consistency was .894. The IOLF5C is considered to be a valid and reliable instrumen

Forest landscape restoration in the drylands of Latin America

Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) involves the ecological restoration of degraded forest landscapes, with the aim of benefiting both biodiversity and human well-being. We first identify four fundamental principles of FLR, based on previous definitions. We then critically evaluate the application of these principles in practice, based on the experience gained during an international, collaborative research project conducted in six dry forest landscapes of Latin America. Research highlighted the potential for FLR; tree species of high socioeconomic value were identified in all study areas, and strong dependence of local communities on forest resources was widely encountered, particularly for fuelwood. We demonstrated that FLR can be achieved through both passive and active restoration approaches, and can be cost-effective if the increased provision of ecosystem services is taken into account. These results therefore highlight the potential for FLR, and the positive contribution that it could make to sustainable development. However, we also encountered a number of challenges to FLR implementation, including the difficulty of achieving strong engagement in FLR activities among local stakeholders, lack of capacity for community-led initiatives, and the lack of an appropriate institutional and regulatory environment to support restoration activities. Successful implementation of FLR will require new collaborative alliances among stakeholders, empowerment and capacity building of local communities to enable them to fully engage with restoration activities, and an enabling public policy context to enable local people to be active participants in the decision making process. © 2012 by the author(s). Published here under license by the Resilience Alliance

Optical analysis of blast furnace gas combustion in a laboratory premixed burner

The use of blast furnace gas (BFG) as a fuel provides an alternative for waste stream valorization in the steel industry, enhancing the sustainability and decarbonization of its processes. Nevertheless, the implementation of this solution on an industrial scale requires a continuous control of the combustion due to the low calorific value of BFG. This work analyzes the combustion behavior and monitoring of BFG/CH4blends in a laboratory premixed fuel burner. We evaluate several stable combustion conditions by burning different BFG/CH4mixtures at a constant power rate over a wide range of air/fuel equivalence ratios. In addition, relevant image features and chemiluminescence emission spectra have been extracted from flames, using advanced optical devices. BFG combustion causes an increase in CO2and CO emissions, since those fuels are the main fuel components of the mixture. On the other hand, NOxemissions decreased because of the low temperature of combustion of the BFG and its mixtures. Chemiluminescence shows that, in the case of CH4combustion, peaks associated with hydrocarbons are present, while during the substitution of CH4by BFG those peaks are attenuated. Image flame features extracted from both ultraviolet and visible bandwidths show a correlation with the fuel blend and air/fuel equivalence ratio. In the end, methodologies developed in this work have been proven to be valuable alternatives with a high potential for the monitoring and control of BFG cofiring for the steel industry