Monitoring Tools in Robust CWM for the Analysis of Crime Data

Robust inference for the Cluster Weighted Model requires the specification of a few hyper-parameters. Their role is crucial for increasing the quality of the estimators, while arbitrary decisions about their value could severely hamper inferential results. To guide the user in the delicate choice of such parameters, a monitoring approach has been introduced in the recent literature, yielding an adaptive method. The approach is here exemplified, via the analysis of a dataset on the effect of punishment regimes on crime rates

Behavior patterns in hormonal treatments using fuzzy logic models

Assisted reproductive technologies are a combination of medical strategies designed to treat infertility patients. Ideal stimulation treatment has to be individualized, but one of the main challenges which clinicians face in the everyday clinic is how to select the best medical protocol for a patient. This work aims to look for behavior patterns in this kind of treatments, using fuzzy logic models with the objective of helping gynecologists and embryologists to make decisions that could improve the process of in vitro fertilization. For this purpose, a real-world dataset composed of one hundred and twenty-three (123) patients and five hundred and fifty-nine (559) treatments applied in relation to such patients provided by an assisted reproduction clinic, has been used to obtain the fuzzy models. As conclusion, this work corroborates some known clinic experiences, provides some new ones and proposes a set of questions to be solved in future experiments.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2013-46928-C3-3-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2016-76956- C3-2-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2015-71938-RED

Foreign language training to stimulate cognitive functions

This study presents the results of the training that is part of the doctoral thesis entitled: “Efecto de un entrenamiento lingüístico-cognitivo con lengua extranjera en la frecuencia del fenómeno de la punta de la lengua, las puntuaciones de la memoria de trabajo y en el tiempo requerido para una tarea de velocidad de procesamiento en personas adultas de 40 a 60 años” (Effect of a foreign language cognitive-linguistic training on the frequency of the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon, working memory scores and the time required for a processing speed task in adults aged 40 to 60 years) under the direction of Mercedes Suárez de la Torre, and the co-direction of Francia Restrepo de Mejía, research professors at the Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, and endorsed by the Bioethics Committee of the same university. In addition, David Facal-Mayo, from the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain, was a permanent advisorAdult development throughout a lifetime implies a series of changes in systems, including cognitive and linguistic functioning. The aim of this article is to study the effect of foreign language training on linguistic processing, particularly the frequency of the tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon and on other cognitive processes such as processing speed and working memory in adults aged 40 to 60 years. Sixty-six healthy Colombian teachers were enrolled in this study. They were then randomly divided into an experimental group (33 healthy adults who underwent a four-week training period) and a passive control group (33 healthy adults who did not undergo any training). All participants performed induction tasks for the TOT phenomenon, working memory and processing speed before and after the four weeks. Results showed more of an effect in the semantic access, phonological access and processing speed measures with a better performance in the experimental group than in the control group. In Colombia, this type of training is still new and little is known to date about programs to prevent cognitive impairments. The need to conduct more studies confirming or refuting these findings is discussed, thus raising awareness about the extent of this type of training to increase the linguistic and cognitive performance of adultsS

Antonio Gramsci’s impact on critical pedagogy

This paper provides an account of Antonio Gramsci’s impact on the area of critical pedagogy. It indicates the Gramscian influence on the thinking of major exponents of the field. It foregrounds Gramsci's ideas and then indicates how they have been taken up by a selection of critical pedagogy exponents who were chosen on the strength of their identification and engagement with Gramsci's ideas, some of them even having written entire essays on Gramsci. The essay concludes with a discussion concerning an aspect of Gramsci's concerns, the question of powerful knowledge, which, in the present author's view, provides a formidable challenge to critical pedagogues.peer-reviewe

AcDc - A new code for the NLTE spectral analysis of accretion discs: application to the helium CV AM CVn

We present a recently developed code for detailed NLTE calculations of accretion disc spectra of cataclysmic variables and compact X-ray binaries. Assuming a radial structure of a standard alpha-disc, the disc is divided into concentric rings. For each disc ring the solution of the radiation transfer equation and the structure equations, comprising the hydrostatic and radiative equilibrium, the population of the atomic levels as well as charge and particle conservation, is done self-consistently. Metal-line blanketing and irradiation by the central object are taken into account. As a first application, we show the influence of different disc parameters on the disc spectrum for the helium cataclysmic variable AM CVn.Comment: 7 pages, 11 figures to be published in A&

A case study on polypharmacy and depression in a 75-year-old woman with visual deficits and charles bonnet syndrome

Depression is one of the most prevalent pathologies in older adults. Its diagnosis and treatment are complex due to different factors that intervene in its development and progression, including intercurrent organic diseases, perceptual deficits, use of drugs, and psycho-social conditions associated with the aging process. We present the case of a 75-year-old woman (who lives in the community) with a diagnosis of major depression with more than 10 years of history, analyzing her evolution and therapeutic approachS

DINÁMICA INTERSECTORIAL PARA LA SOSTENIBILIDAD DE LA ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA COMUNITARIA EN CUBA / INTERSECTORAL DYNAMICS FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF COMMUNITY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CUBA

El punto de partida de esta investigación es el problema que se presenta con la articulación entre los actores locales en el contexto comunitario dado por la limitada participación, integración y liderazgo que repercuten en su actuación, con formas flexibles y adaptables en la actividad física comunitaria. Las causas reveladas apuntan a la necesidad de articular elementos necesarios en su desempeño, por lo que se plantea como objetivo: implementar una Dinámica Intersectorial que ofrezca las herramientas necesarias para su interacción en el contexto de la comunidad. En su construcción se utilizan los métodos del proceso lógico del pensamiento para analizar y sintetizar las concepciones relacionadas con el objeto y el campo, los métodos empíricos y la modelación con un enfoque sistémico estructural funcional. La Dinámica Intersectorial que conduce su implementación tiene como peculiaridad considerar la contextualización del entorno y los factores condicionantes, determinantes y desencadenantes de la intersectorialidad lo que caracteriza su sistematicidad y complejidad para alcanzar los niveles de integración necesarios entre estos. Su aplicación práctica demostró la transformación del proceso de la actividad física en la comunidad como resultado de la mejora en la articulación entre los actores locales

La gestión de la universidad en la articulación de los actores locales

El punto de partida de la investigación es el problema que se presenta con la articulación entre los actores locales dado por la limitada participación, integración y liderazgo en los programas de la actividad física que se desarrollan en la comunidad, lo que repercuten en su actuación, con formas flexibles y adaptables en el proceso. Las causas reveladas apuntan a la necesidad y urgencia en el territorio de nuevas formas de pensar, comprender e intervenir dentro del ámbito. Para alcanzar estos propósitos se plantea la necesidad de identificar los saberes prácticos utilizando indicadores definidos por expertos de la Educación Popular, como una novedosa perspectiva de intervención de los profesionales de la universidad para evaluar el desempeño de los actores locales en su gestión. La evaluación se realiza mediante una encuesta que sobre la base del estudio realizado, presenta los resultados y lecciones aprendidas, para potenciar el impacto de la educación superior sobre el desarrollo territorial, municipal y local y en especial en la actividad física en la comunidad

Care tasks and impact of caring in primary family caregivers: a cross-sectional study from a nursing perspective

Family caregivers of persons with dementia often experience a negative impact on their health. More studies based on nursing theories are needed to improve the provision of careS

Gender impact of caring on the health of caregivers of persons with dementia

Background: Dementia is a brain syndrome that affects a growing number of persons worldwide and generates a strong and progressive demand for care from a family caregiver, usually females. Objective: We aimed to describe the care provided by family caregivers of persons with dementia as well as the impact on their health and its interrelation with gender Patient involvement. This study was carried out in collaboration with the 13 associations of family caregivers of persons with dementia that are part of a Regional Federation. This partnership worked towards bettering patient care and proposing improvements to the public health system. Methods: A multi-institutional cross-sectional study. A total of 462 primary family caregivers of persons with dementia from north-west Spain were included. Data were collected between January and April 2019 with an anonymous self-administered validated questionnaire (ICUB-97) based on Virginia Henderson’s nursing care model. Results: The most affected needs in family caregivers are those related to “recreational activities”, “communication” and “rest and sleep”. Statistically significant differences between male and female participants’ pattern of care and health-related impacts were found, especially in issues related to work and family reconciliation. Discussion: Care plans should be developed taking gender perspective into account. From a nurse model point of view, more research is necessary to reduce health disparities. This study provides an assessment of gender differences in care and the impact on caregivers’ health. Practical value: Regarding the specific health conditions of female caregivers and from a holistic point of view, these findings could provide novel and interesting data that might help to implement gender perspective in nursing care plans, generally invisible in routine clinical practiceS