An Ensemble Framework Coping with Instability in the Gene Selection Process

[EN] This paper proposes an ensemble framework for gene selection, which is aimed at addressing instability problems presented in the gene filtering task. The complex process of gene selection from gene expression data faces different instability problems from the informative gene subsets found by different filter methods. This makes the identification of significant genes by the experts difficult. The instability of results can come from filter methods, gene classifier methods, different datasets of the same disease and multiple valid groups of biomarkers. Even though there is a wide number of proposals, the complexity imposed by this problem remains a challenge today. This work proposes a framework involving five stages of gene filtering to discover biomarkers for diagnosis and classification tasks. This framework performs a process of stable feature selection, facing the problems above and, thus, providing a more suitable and reliable solution for clinical and research purposes. Our proposal involves a process of multistage gene filtering, in which several ensemble strategies for gene selection were added in such a way that different classifiers simultaneously assess gene subsets to face instability. Firstly, we apply an ensemble of recent gene selection methods to obtain diversity in the genes found (stability according to filter methods). Next, we apply an ensemble of known classifiers to filter genes relevant to all classifiers at a time (stability according to classification methods). The achieved results were evaluated in two different datasets of the same disease (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma), in search of stability according to the disease, for which promising results were achieved

Opioids and Ocular Surface Pathology: A Literature Review of New Treatments Horizons

This review discusses the role of opioids in the corneal surface and the different pathways and therapeutic methods of management. A literature review was performed using PubMed database. For the database search, the main searching words “opioid” and “topical opioid treatment” were used with the descriptors “cornea”, “ocular surface”, “neuropathic corneal pain”, “corneal sensitivity” and “naltrexone”; original scientific articles and reviews were included to achieve the purpose of the review. The endogenous opioid system has relevant functions in the organism, and in daily use, opioids are used as painkillers. However, these drugs may be employed for other indications as opioid pathways have a wide spectrum. The corneal surface for topical treatment is easily accessible, hence sparing the side effects of systemic opioids. Instillation of opioid antagonist substances, such as naltrexone, increases corneal healing rates and stimulates the division of corneal epithelium cells without deleterious effects. The natural modulation of endogenous opioids controls different forms of pain, including inflammatory and neuropathic pain, both in the ocular surface and in the central nervous system. There are diverse methods in controlling pain using opioids, especially in refractory forms. This review attempts to collect the literature about corneal surface and opioid pathways to provide an overview image and a possible direction of the news treatments

Education and Diet in the Scientific Literature: A Study of the Productive, Structural, and Dynamic Development in Web of Science

The authors acknowledge the researchers of the research group AREA (HUM-672), which belongs to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Junta de Andalucía and is registered in the Department of Didactics and School Organization of the Faculty of Education Sciences of the University of GranadaNutrition-related education is necessary to protect and improve the health status of schoolchildren and to minimize the risk of future diseases. The objective of this research was to analyze the trajectory and transcendence of the concepts “education” and “diet” in the Web of Science literature. The methodology focused on bibliometry, analyzing both the performance and the structural and dynamic development of the concepts through a co-word analysis. A total of 1247 documents were analyzed, and the results show that scientific production experienced a turning point in 2009, in comparison to the level of production reported in previous years. The medium of papers and the language of English were the most common. In relation to the research topic, before 2014, scientific production focused on medical and disease-related aspects; however, since 2014, it has focused on disease prevention and feeding. It was therefore concluded that the theme “diet and education” has been researched for more than 20 years, although it is only in the last decade that it has become more relevant—particularly studies focusing on disease prevention and the type of food, specifically fruit, which is presented as the most outstanding issue for researchers in this field of knowledge.research group AREA HUM-672This study was financed by the “Study and analysis of technological resources and innovation in teacher training in the field of Higher Education and its applicability to the development of the Santander Region (Colombia),” in the Framework Cooperation Agreement for the strengthening of research and education, signed between the Corporación Escuela Tecnológica del Oriente, the Secretariat of Education of Santander, and the AreA HUM/672 Research Group of the University of Granada. Code: ISPRS-2017-7202. Period: 2017 to 2021

Single Events in a COTS Soft-Error Free SRAM at Low Bias Voltage Induced by 15-MeV Neutrons

This paper presents an experimental study of the sensitivity to 15-MeV neutrons of Advanced Low Power SRAMs (A-LPSRAM) at low bias voltage little above the threshold value that allows the retention of data. This family of memories is characterized by a 3D structure to minimize the area penalty and to cope with latchups, as well as by the presence of integrated capacitors to hinder the occurrence of single event upsets. In low voltage static tests, classical single event upsets were a minor source of errors, but other unexpected phenomena such as clusters of bitflips and hard errors turned out to be the origin of hundreds of bitflips. Besides, errors were not observed in dynamic tests at nominal voltage. This behavior is clearly different than that of standard bulk CMOS SRAMs, where thousands of errors have been reported

A Survey on Dietary Supplement Consumption in Amateur and Professional Rugby Players

Purpose: the aim of the present study was to analyse the pattern of dietary supplements (DS) consumption on federated rugby players, including the analysis of differences based on the sex and competitive level (professional vs. amateurs). Material and methods: 144 rugby players (83 male and 61 female), of whom 69 were professionals and 75 amateurs, were recruited for the study. All the participants filled out a specific questionnaire about DS consumption including questions related to the consumption of DS and their effects on sport performance and health status. Results: 65.3% of participants declared consuming at least one DS, with a higher prevalence in males than females (77.1% vs. 49.2%) and in professionals thanin amateur players (79.7% vs. 52.0%). The main reason for consumption was to enhance sport performance (62.3%) with differences only based on sex (74.3% males vs. 43.2% females). The most common purchase sites were the Internet (45.6%) and specialised stores (39.8%). As to the moment of ingestion, professionals did this most frequently during competition and training (56.4% vs. 28.2%), whereas amateur players did so only during competition (20.5% vs. 3.6%). Moreover, professional player intake most frequently in post-exercise (65.5% vs. 35.9%), whereas amateur during pre-exercise (30.8% vs. 5.5%). The DS most consumed included whey protein (44%), caffeine (42%), sports drinks (38%), energy bars (34%) and creatine monohydrate (31%), with a higher prevalence in male and professional players of whey protein and creatine monohydrate. Conclusions: The main reason for DS consumption is for enhancing sports performance). Professional players more frequently purchase them on the Internet and consume DS during training and competition period and in the post-exercise, whereas amateur players consume during competition and pre-exercise. Related to the main form of DS consumption, it is observed that a moderate consumption of DS could be considered ergogenic, such as whey protein, sport bar and creatine, while an absence of other DS could be considered ergogenic

Velocity-space sensitivity and tomography of scintillator-based fast-ion loss detectors

A simple model for the instrument function of scintillator-based fast-ion loss detectors (FILD) has been developed which accounts for the orbit trajectories in the 3D detector geometry and for the scintillator response. It allows us to produce synthetic FILD signals for a direct comparison between experiments and simulations. The model uses a weight function formalism to relate the velocity-space distribution of fast-ion losses reaching the detector pinhole to the scintillator pattern obtained experimentally, which can be understood as a distortion of the velocity-space distribution due to the finite resolution of the system. The tool allows us to recover the undistorted velocity-space distribution of the absolute flux of fast-ion losses reaching the detector pinhole from an experimental measurement using tomographic inversion methods, which can reveal additional details of the velocity-space distribution of the lost ions.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness FIS2015-69362-P (MINECO/ FEDER,UE), RYC-2011-09152 and ENE2012-31087Marie Curie FP7 Integration Grant (No. PCIG11-GA-2012-321455)EUROfusion Consortium 63305

Laboratorio experimental de Expresión Gráfica Arquitectónica y Construcción LeEGA+C. Estrategias, técnicas y modelo de aprendizaje integrado.

En el marco de la dimensión cuyo objetivo es la promoción en la investigación sobre prácticas docentes y su transferencia, el PID LeEGA+C implementa la programación experimental de un método que proporciona al alumnado los recursos imprescindibles para resolver, con criterios solventes, la obligada expresión tangible de la materialidad del modelo arquitectónico propuesto con técnicas y sistemas constructivos básicos. La metodología propuesta en este proyecto pivota sobre un modelo común de experimentación para el aprendizaje, previamente consensuado por el profesorado participante, seleccionado de entre las obras de algún gran maestro de la arquitectura, con la declarada intención de provocar la estimulación proactiva en la reflexión acerca de la naturaleza de las ideas y la traducción material del pensamiento de estos arquitectos/as referentes bajo el prisma de las diferentes disciplinas que ha de dominar el futuro profesional, proveyendo al alumnado novel de una visión generalista y comprometida de la Arquitectura como un proceso culto asociado a cuestiones sociales, de contexto, espacio, forma, función y técnica. Cumplidas todas las fases programadas en el PID 22/216, el trabajo colectivo se ha basado en la creación de subgrupos de trabajo desarrollados en talleres tutorizados completamente integrados en la docencia práctica habitual de grupos de primer curso de Grado en Estudios de Arquitectura: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1 y C2 de la asignatura EGA 2 y de los grupos C y D de la asignatura Introducción a la Construcción. Simultáneamente se ha integrado la participación de profesores de otras áreas y cursos superiores (Análisis de Formas, Proyectos Arquitectónicos, Composición Arquitectónica e Instalaciones) que han fomentado la labor en equipo, favoreciendo así la transferencia del conocimiento de una manera transversal entre diferentes asignaturas, manteniendo una estructura de intercambio vertical y horizontal. Todo lo anterior ha adquirido una dimensión internacional con la participación de profesores invitados procedentes de la Escuela de Arquitectura de Reggio Calabria. La puesta en práctica de esta eficaz experiencia docente con carácter teórico y practico, ha permitido al alumnado comprender el modelo arquitectónico propuesto (casa E-1027 de la arquitecta Eileen Gray, representativa de la reivindicación del papel de la mujer en la arquitectura mundial), en un contexto de continuidad temporal y con un permanente hábito de retroalimentación entre las distintas facetas que han colaborado en la elaboración y definición del mencionado arquetipo. Dibujo, maquetación, cálculo, método, materialidad y proporción, se convierten en aspectos tangibles de un mismo procedimiento. Ninguna vertiente resulta excluyente en el proceso constructivo. Ninguna, en el proyectual.Within the framework of the dimension aimed at promoting research on teaching practices and their transfer, the PID LeEGA+C implements the experimental programming of a method that provides students with the essential resources to solve, with reliable criteria, the necessary tangible expression of the materiality of the selected architectural model, using basic construction techniques and systems. The methodology proposed in this project revolves around a common model of experimentation for learning, previously agreed upon by the participating teachers, selected from the works of a great master of architecture, with the declared intention of provoking proactive stimulation in reflection on the nature of ideas and the material translation of the thinking of these referenced architects, under the prism of the different disciplines that the future professional must master, providing novice students with a comprehensive and committed overview of architecture as a process associated with social, contextual, spatial, formal, functional, and technical issues. Having completed all the planned phases in PID 22/216, the collective work has been based on the creation of working subgroups developed in supervised workshops fully integrated into the regular practical teaching of the first-year groups in the Bachelor's Degree in Architectural Studies, A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, and C2 of the EGA 2 subject, and the C and D groups of the Introduction to Construction subject. Simultaneously, the participation of teachers from other areas and higher-level courses (Form Analysis, Architectural Projects, Architectural Composition, and Installations) has been integrated, fostering teamwork and promoting knowledge transfer in a cross-cutting manner among different subjects, maintaining a structure of both vertical and horizontal exchange. All of the above has acquired an international dimension with the participation of professors from other universities such as the School of Architecture in Reggio Calabria. The implementation of this effective theoretical and practical teaching experience has allowed students to understand the proposed architectural model (E-1027 House by architect Eileen Gray, representative of the advocacy for women's role in world architecture) within a context of temporal continuity and with a constant habit of feedback among the different facets that have collaborated in the development and definition of the aforementioned archetype. Drawing, layout, calculation, method, materiality, and proportion become tangible aspects of the same procedure. No aspect is exclusive in the construction process. None in the design process.Programa de Innovación y Buenas prácticas docentes (PIBPD) de la Unidad de calidad, innovación docente y prospectiva de la Universidad de Granada en la Convocatoria 2022-2023

Anthropometric Profile Assessed by Bioimpedance and Anthropometry Measures of Male and Female Rugby Players Competing in the Spanish National League

Different rugby positions make different demands on players. It therefore follows that optimum body composition may vary according to the position played. Using anthropometry and bioimpedance analysis (BIA) to assess body composition, the present study aimed to compare the effect of sex and position on body composition variables using anthropometry and BIA methods. A total of 100 competitive rugby players (35 women and 65 men) competing in the First Spanish National League were recruited voluntarily and for convenience for this study. In the laboratory, body composition was assessed by anthropometry, following the recommendations established by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK), and by direct segmental multi-frequency BIA, following the guidelines established by the Spanish Group of Kinanthropometry (GREC) of the Spanish Federation of Sports Medicine (FEMEDE). We found sex-related differences in height, weight, body mass index and body fat (%) by anthropometry and in body lean mass (%) by DSM-BIA, in 4 of the 6 skinfolds assessed (p < 0.05). We also observed position-related differences in all the variables assessed (p < 0.05) except for lean body mass, as measured by both methods of determining body composition, and front thigh skinfold. Body composition and ∑6skinfolds differs according to sex and playing position, backs (16.6 ± 3.8% and 92.3 ± 33.9 mm,) vs. forwards (20.0 ± 6.7 and 115.3 ± 37.6 mm), and the muscle-adipose (meso-endomorphic somatotype) development predominated in both sexes. Thus, forwards of both sexes are taller, heavier and fatter, possibly due to the specific demands of this position. In addition, body composition measurements vary according to the method used (DSM-BIA vs. anthropometry), indicating that anthropometry is probably the best body composition assessment method

Circulating miRNAs as predictive biomarkers of type 2 diabetes mellitus development in coronary heart disease patients fromt he CORDIOPREV study

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as type 2 diabetes biomarkers, and they may be a more sensitive way to predict development of the disease than the currently used tools. Our aim was to identify whether circulating miRNAs, added to clinical and biochemical markers, yielded better potential for predicting type 2 diabetes. The study included 462 non-diabetic patients at baseline in the CORDIOPREV study. After a median follow-up of 60 months, 107 of them developed type 2 diabetes. Plasma levels of 24 miRNAs were measured at baseline by qRT-PCR, and other strong biomarkers to predict diabetes were determined. The ROC analysis identified 9 miRNAs, which, added to HbA1c, have a greater predictive value in early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (AUC = 0.8342) than HbA1c alone (AUC = 0.6950). The miRNA and HbA1cbased model did not improve when the FINDRISC was included (AUC = 0.8293). Cox regression analyses showed that patients with low miR-103, miR-28-3p, miR-29a, and miR-9 and high miR-30a-5p and miR-150 circulating levels have a higher risk of disease (HR = 11.27; 95% CI = 2.61–48.65). Our results suggest that circulating miRNAs could potentially be used as a new tool for predicting the development of type 2 diabetes in clinical practice

First absolute measurements of fast-ion losses in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak

A new diagnostic technique that allows to obtain absolute fluxes of fast-ion losses measured with absolutely calibrated scintillator based fast-ion loss detectors (FILD) is presented here. First absolute fluxes of fast-ion losses have been obtained in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak. An instrument function that includes the scintillator efficiency, collimator geometry, optical transmission and camera efficiency has been constructed. The scintillator response to deuterium ions in the relevant energy range of fast-ions has been characterized using a tandem accelerator. Absolute flux of neutral beam injection (NBI) prompt losses has been obtained in magnetohydrodynamic quiescent plasmas. The temporal evolution of the heat load measured with FILD follows that measured at the FILD entrance obtained with an Infra-Red camera looking at the FILD detector head. ASCOT simulations are in good agreement with the absolute heat load of NBI prompt losses measured with FILD.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad RYC-2011-09152, FIS2015-69362-P, ENE2012-31087EUROfusion Consortium PCIG11-GA-2012- 321455Comunidad Europea de la Energía Atómica 63305