Evaluating Synthetically Generated Data from Small Sample Sizes: An Experimental Study

In this paper, we propose a method for measuring the similarity low sample tabular data with synthetically generated data with a larger number of samples than original. This process is also known as data augmentation. But significance levels obtained from non-parametric tests are suspect when sample size is small. Our method uses a combination of geometry, topology and robust statistics for hypothesis testing in order to compare the validity of generated data. We also compare the results with common global metric methods available in the literature for large sample size data

Computational Insight into the Selective Allosteric Inhibition for PTP1B versus TCPTP: a molecular modelling study

All over the world, diabetes mellitus type 2 has spread as a problematic pandemic. Despite currently available treatments, approved drugs still show undesirable side effects and loss of efficacy or target symptoms instead of causes. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), since its discovery, has emerged as a very promising target against this disease. Although the information regarding the enzyme is immense, little is known about the selectivity between this enzyme and its closest homologue, lymphocyte T tyrosine phosphatase (TCPTP), which is responsible for complicated side effects. In this study, on the basis of different computational approaches, we are able to highlight the importance of a phenylalanine residue located in PTP1B, but not in TCPTP, as a crucial hotspot that causes selectivity and stability for the whole ligand bound system. These results not only allow to explain the selectivity determinants of PTP1B but also provide a useful guide for the design of new allosteric inhibitors. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarm

Face-to-BMI: Using Computer Vision to Infer Body Mass Index on Social Media

A person's weight status can have profound implications on their life, ranging from mental health, to longevity, to financial income. At the societal level, "fat shaming" and other forms of "sizeism" are a growing concern, while increasing obesity rates are linked to ever raising healthcare costs. For these reasons, researchers from a variety of backgrounds are interested in studying obesity from all angles. To obtain data, traditionally, a person would have to accurately self-report their body-mass index (BMI) or would have to see a doctor to have it measured. In this paper, we show how computer vision can be used to infer a person's BMI from social media images. We hope that our tool, which we release, helps to advance the study of social aspects related to body weight.Comment: This is a preprint of a short paper accepted at ICWSM'17. Please cite that version instea

Pericellular Innervation of Neurons Expressing Abnormally Hyperphosphorylated Tau in the Hippocampal Formation of Alzheimer's Disease Patients

Neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) represent one of the main neuropathological features in the cerebral cortex associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). This neurofibrillary lesion involves the accumulation of abnormally hyperphosphorylated or abnormally phosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau into paired helical filaments (PHF-tau) within neurons. We have used immunocytochemical techniques and confocal microscopy reconstructions to examine the distribution of PHF-tau-immunoreactive (ir) cells, and their perisomatic GABAergic and glutamatergic innervations in the hippocampal formation and adjacent cortex of AD patients. Furthermore, correlative light and electron microscopy was employed to examine these neurons and the perisomatic synapses. We observed two patterns of staining in PHF-tau-ir neurons, pattern I (without NFT) and pattern II (with NFT), the distribution of which varies according to the cortical layer and area. Furthermore, the distribution of both GABAergic and glutamatergic terminals around the soma and proximal processes of PHF-tau-ir neurons does not seem to be altered as it is indistinguishable from both control cases and from adjacent neurons that did not contain PHF-tau. At the electron microscope level, a normal looking neuropil with typical symmetric and asymmetric synapses was observed around PHF-tau-ir neurons. These observations suggest that the synaptic connectivity around the perisomatic region of these PHF-tau-ir neurons was apparently unaltered

Maturidade perceptomotora e suas relações com planejamento, memória imediata e inteligência não verbal

The acquisition of new knowledge depends on the interaction of diverse ability that can facilitate the cognitive processes that underlie learning. The aim of this paper is to verify the relationship between perceptive-motor maturity and planning, visual perception, immediate memory, and non-verbal intelligence, as well as how age and perceptive-motor maturity can predict performance in these variables. Therefore, we used the screening version of the Bender test – Gradual Scoring System, Rey Complex Figure Test, and Human Figure Drawing – Sisto scale. The study included 693 children whose ages range from 6 to 10 years (M = 8.42; DP = 1.38). The results presented statistically significant correlations between all the instruments, indicating that the more developed visual perception and motor coordination, the biggest is the probability that children have succeed in tasks that depend of planning skills, the ability to retain and process information, and the conceptual repertoire.A aquisição de novos conhecimentos dependem da interação de diversas habilidades que podem facilitar os processos cognitivos que são subjacentes à aprendizagem. Assim sendo, objetivou-se verificar a relação da maturidade perceptomotora com o planejamento, a percepção visual, a memória imediata e a inteligência não verbal, bem como verificar o quanto a idade e a maturidade perceptomotora podem predizer o desempenho nessas variáveis. Para tanto, utilizou-se a versão de rastreio do Bender – Sistema de Pontuação Gradual, as Figuras Complexas de Rey e o Desenho da Figura Humana – Escala Sisto. Fizeram parte do estudo 693 crianças com idades entre seis e 10 anos (M = 8,42; DP = 1,38). Os resultados indicaram que quanto mais desenvolvida a percepção visual e a coordenação motora, maior a probabilidade de as crianças obterem êxito nas tarefas que dependem do planejamento, da capacidade de reter e processar informações e do repertório conceitual.La adquisición de nuevos conocimientos depende de la interacción entre diferentes habilidades que pueden facilitar los procesos cognitivos que subyacen en el aprendizaje. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo constatar la relación entre la madurez perceptiva motora y la planificación, la percepción visual, la memoria inmediata y la inteligencia no verbal, así como verificar cuánto la edad y la madurez perceptiva motora pueden predecir el rendimiento en estas variables. Para tal, se utilizó la versión de rastreo del Bender –Sistema de Puntuación Gradual, las Figuras Complejas de Rey y el Dibujo de la Figura Humana– Escala Sisto. Participaron en el estudio 693 niños con edades entre 6 y 10 años (M = 8,42; DT = 1,38). Los resultados mostraron que cuanto más desarrollada la percepción visual y la coordinación motora, mayor es la probabilidad de que los niños tengan éxito en las tareas que dependen de la planificación, de la capacidad de retener y procesar informaciones y del repertorio conceptual

Applying machine learning for healthcare: A case study on cervical pain assessment with motion capture

Given the exponential availability of data in health centers and the massive sensorization that is expected, there is an increasing need to manage and analyze these data in an effective way. For this purpose, data mining (DM) and machine learning (ML) techniques would be helpful. However, due to the specific characteristics of the field of healthcare, a suitable DM and ML methodology adapted to these particularities is required. The applied methodology must structure the different stages needed for data-driven healthcare, from the acquisition of raw data to decision-making by clinicians, considering the specific requirements of this field. In this paper, we focus on a case study of cervical assessment, where the goal is to predict the potential presence of cervical pain in patients affected with whiplash diseases, which is important for example in insurance-related investigations. By analyzing in detail this case study in a real scenario, we show how taking care of those particularities enables the generation of reliable predictive models in the field of healthcare. Using a database of 302 samples, we have generated several predictive models, including logistic regression, support vector machines, k-nearest neighbors, gradient boosting, decision trees, random forest, and neural network algorithms. The results show that it is possible to reliably predict the presence of cervical pain (accuracy, precision, and recall above 90%). We expect that the procedure proposed to apply ML techniques in the field of healthcare will help technologists, researchers, and clinicians to create more objective systems that provide support to objectify the diagnosis, improve test treatment efficacy, and save resources

New records of Pristidactylus nigroiugulus Cei, Scolaro & Videla, 2001 (squamata: Leiosauridae) with a geographic distribution map

We provide new geographic records for Pristidactylus nigroiugulus Cei, Scolaro & Videla, 2001 from Argentina. We present the first record for Santa Cruz province and the southernmost records of the species based on lizards collected in the austral summers of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. Based on a museum specimen, we extend the species distribution to the eastern part of the Somuncurá Plateau. An updated distributional map is included.Fil: Avila, Luciano Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; ArgentinaFil: Minoli, Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Cristian Hernan Fulvio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Marin, Maria Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; ArgentinaFil: Morando, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; Argentin

Structural and physico-mechanical properties of natural rubber/GTR composites devulcanized by microwaves: influence of GTR source and irradiation time

Ground tire rubber from car and truck was modified using microwave irradiation at variable time. The irradiated ground tire rubber was used as filler in composites based on natural rubber. The composites, with high content of ground tire rubber, were prepared using an internal batch mixer and subsequently cross-linked at 160¿. The influence of the ground tire rubber source (car/truck) and irradiation time on structure, physico-mechanical behaviour, thermal properties and morphology of natural rubber/ground tire rubber composites was studied. The interfacial interactions between ground tire rubber and natural rubber as function of ground tire rubber source and irradiation time were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, tensile tests, swelling measurements and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that irradiation of ground tire rubber slightly enhanced tensile properties and cross-link density of natural rubber/ground tire rubber composites. This effect was more evident in the case of ground tire rubbertruck because of its higher content of natural rubber and was reflected in changes in the interfacial adhesion, which were confirmed by the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy analysisPostprint (author's final draft