Gamifying Machine Teaching: Human-in-the-Loop Approach for Diphthong and Hiatus Identification in Spanish Language

Presented at 27th International Conference on Knowledge Based and Intelligent Information and Engineering Sytems, KES 2023, Athens 6 - 8 September 2023[Abstract]: Human-in-the-Loop Machine Learning (HITL-ML) is a set of techniques that attempt to actively involve experts into the learning loop of machine learning (ML) models. One of these techniques is Machine Teaching (MT) which tries to apply techniques that come from the world of didactics within machine learning (ML), such as sorting the dataset according to its difficulty and presenting the cases to the model in incremental levels of complexity. In this work we propose a new twist to MT: since its foundation is to bring didactic techniques to ML, why not use this technique as a didactic method itself? In this case we propose the creation of an ML model for the identification of diphthongs and hiatuses in the Spanish language. The first step is to develop a deep learning model to identify diphthongs and hiatuses using Curriculum Learning (CL) and a sorted dataset that identifies simple and complex cases. The accuracy of this model identifies the upper limit of efficiency that we can obtain by training the model. The next step is to reset the weights of the model but retain its architecture and offer the model to the students for its training. The idea is that students use MT techniques to make the model learn again, but the ultimate goal is that students learn by teaching in an informal and gamified learning environment. The results show how a HITL strategy can make a model learn iteratively to identify diphthongs and hiatuses and a workflow is proposed to include this technique in the classroom.This work has been supported by the Spanish Government (PID2019-107194GB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) the Xunta de Galicia (ED431C 2022/44), the Centro de Investigación “CITIC” (ED431G 2019/01) with European Union ERDF funds and the “Cátedra de Educación y Tecnologías Emergentes, Gamificación e IA (EduEmer)” of the Universidad Pablo de Olavide.Xunta de Galicia; ED431C 2022/44Xunta de Galicia; ED431G 2019/0

Prevalence of cataract complications in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome in Northwestern Spain

Purpose: To assess the relationship between pseudoexfoliation syndrome and incidence of complications and related clinical factors in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 503 of 551 patients who underwent phacoemulsification surgery over 2 years in a health care district in Northwest Spain. In total, 120 of 681 eyes undergoing the procedure had pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Data on the surgical procedure and associated complications were extracted from the medical record. Complications included any combination of posterior capsular rupture, vitreous loss, zonular dialysis, and nuclear or lens luxation. Results: We found a significant association between pseudoexfoliation syndrome and zonular dialysis (odds ratio [OR], 6.89; 95% CI, 2.27-20.93), intraoperative miosis (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.10-4.22), and lens luxation >1.5 mm (OR, 9.49; 95% CI, 0.85-105.54). However, when adjusting for the overall risk of complications in pseudoexfoliation syndrome patients in consideration of myopia, use of anticoagulants or α-agonists, previous mydriasis, and anterior chamber length, the OR decreased to 1.02 (95% CI, 0.47-2.21) and was therefore not significant. Conclusion: Zonular dialysis and intraoperative miosis were intraoperative complications in cataract surgery patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome when compared to controls

Renal dysfunction after orthotopic heart transplantation: incidence, natural history, and risk factors

[Abstract] Background. Renal dysfunction is a common complication after orthotopic heart transplantation (HT). The importance of factors other than exposure to immunosuppressive drugs is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and natural history of renal dysfunction following heart transplantation, and to evaluate a number of variables as risk factors for this condition. Methods. We examined the creatinine levels at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 60 months in 262 consecutive heart transplant patients who survived at least 1 year. The potential risk factors included pre- and posttransplantation diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, and drugs used to control arterial hypertension. Results. 17.2% of patients showed mild renal dysfunction (creatinine 1.5-2.5 mg/dL) and 1.9% moderate dysfunction (creatinine >2.5 mg/dL) at 1 month; 29.8% showed mild and 1.1% moderate dysfunction at 6 months; 33.2% showed mild and 1.9% moderate dysfunction at 1 year; 40% showed mild, 0.9% moderate and 0.4% severe dysfunction (requiring dialysis or renal transplantation) at 2 years; and 43.6% showed mild, 1.7% moderate and 0.9% severe dysfunction at 5 years. None of the conditions analyzed as possible risk factors showed a significant association with renal dysfunction except the use of diuretics. Conclusion. The incidence of renal dysfunction after orthotopic heart transplantation was 33.6% within the first year after transplant and 44% within the first five years, although more than 95% of cases were mild. The incidence increased with time after transplantation. Renal dysfunction seems likely to be multifactorial in origin, but no individual risk factors were identified

Asp376Glu mutation and enhanced metabolism controlling the resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides in Ixophorus unisetus (J. Presl) Schltdl. from the Bajio, Mexico

A study was carried out to determine the ALS (acetolactate synthase)-inhibitor herbicide resistance in the Mexican grass Ixophorus unisetus, a troublesome weed in corn crops in Mexico. First, the resistance was confirmed in field screening assays. Eight populations that survived nicosulfuron treatment at a field rate of 40 g ai ha−1 were labeled as putative-resistant. Dose–response trials demonstrated a high resistance in the eight populations (GR50 from 140.33 to 245.46 g ai ha−1). The synergism of malathion plus nicosulfuron demonstrated that the non-target-site resistance (NTSR) mechanism based on cytochrome P450 (Cyt-P450) was involved in five populations of I. unisetus. Molecular studies revealed that a single-nucleotide change occurs in the amino acid at position 376 (from GAT to GAG), which codifies from Asp-376 to Glu-376. This is the first time that Asp-376-Glu has been reported in this species. Assays in vitro and in vivo demonstrated I. unisetus cross-resistance to flucarbazone, penoxsulam, bispyribac-Na, and imazamox. No multiple resistance was found in two resistant populations exposed to different herbicides. Our results indicate that the lack of good control over Mexican grass in corn with ALS inhibitors is due to target-site mutation and NTSR mechanisms (Cyt-P450-mediated metabolism). A strategy should be established in Mexican fields to continue controlling this weed, including mechanical control practices and a good combination of the available pre- and post-emergence herbicides

On Stringy Thresholds in SYM/AdS Thermodynamics

We consider aspects of the role of stringy scales and Hagedorn temperatures in the correspondence between various field theories and AdS-type spaces. The boundary theory is set on a toroidal world-volume to enable small scales to appear in the supergravity backgrounds also for low field-theory temperatures. We find that thermodynamical considerations tend to favour background manifolds with no string-size characteristic scales. The gravitational dynamics censors the reliable exposure of Hagedorn physics on the supergravity side, and the system does not allow the study of the Hagedorn scale by low-temperature field theories. These results are obtained following some heuristic assumptions on the character of stringy modifications to the gravitational backgrounds. A rich phenomenology appears on the supergravity side, with different string backgrounds dominating in different regions, which should have field-theoretic consequences. Six-dimensional world volumes turn out to be borderline cases from several points of view. For lower dimensional world-volumes, a fully holographic behaviour is exhibited to order 1/N^2, and open strings in their presence are found to have a thermodynamical Hagedorn behaviour similar to that of closed strings in flat space.Comment: 49 pages, harvmac, seven Postscript figure

Morphology and characterisation of the relict facies on the internal continental shelf in the Gulf of Cadiz, between Ayamonte and Huelva (southern Iberian Peninsula)

The objectives of the present paper are the determination of the morphologic characteristics of the superficial Quaternary relict facies on the internal continental shelf in the Gulf of Cadiz, between Ayamonte and Huelva (southern Spain), their characterisation, and their evolution in the final phases of the last eustatic hemicycle. The study area extends from the mouth of the Guadiana River to the mouth of the Tinto-Odiel River, and from the 6 m isobath to the 56 m isobath. High-resolution seismic profiles (3.5 kHz and Geopulse, 175 J), sonographic profiles (SSS, 100 kHz), and bathymetric profiles (Echotrac sounder) were used in this study. Sediment samples were obtained using Van Veen and Shipek drags. Bathymetric, physiographic, lithologic and morphologic analyses were performed to determine the superficial sediment distribution, relict facies distribution, and thickness of the unconsolidated sediment cover. Analysis of the data obtained indicated that the relict facies beaches and coastal barriers associated with coastal spits located in the ancient outlets of the rivers. Relict facies were grouped into well-differentiated depths, indicating that their position on the continental shelf is influenced by the still-stands and the periods of rapid sea-level changes. The nature of the outcropping relict facies shows that their final configuration can be related to the shelf construction processes, as well as to the most important Holocene transgressive phases.Los objetivos de este trabajo son la determinación de las características morfológicas, la caracterización de las facies relictas cuaternarias superficiales y el estudio de su evolución con relación a las fases finales del último hemiciclo eustático en la plataforma continental interna del golfo de Cádiz, entre Ayamonte y Huelva. El área de estudio abarca desde la desembocadura del río Guadiana hasta la del río Tinto-Odiel y desde los 6 m hasta 56 m de profundidad. Se utilizó gran cantidad de material geofísico, en el que se encuentran perfiles sísmicos de alta resolución (3.5 kHz y Geopulse, 175 J), perfiles sonográficos y perfiles batimétricos, además de muestras de sedimentos obtenidas con dragas Van Veen y Shipek. Con esta información se han realizado análisis batimétricos, fisiográficos, litológicos y morfológicos, además de determinar la distribución de los sedimentos superficiales y de las facies relictas y de cuantificar la potencia de la cobertera sedimentaria. Con todos los datos obtenidos se ha determinado que las facies relictas son interpretadas como playas y cordones litorales asociados a flechas litorales situadas en las antiguas desembocaduras de los ríos. Las formas descritas están agrupadas en zonaciones batimétricas bien diferenciadas, lo que indica que su posición en la plataforma continental está influida por las paradas y etapas de movimiento rápido del nivel del mar. Las características de las facies relictas aflorantes indican que su configuración final puede estar relacionada con los procesos de edificación de la plataforma a partir de las mayores fases transgresivas holocenas.Instituto Español de Oceanografí

A rain and scintillation Ka-band channel simulator

This paper describes the implementation of a Ka-band satellite channel simulator with emphasis on the synthesis of scintillation processes. The problem becomes one of generating a given probability density function, the Moulsley-Vilar distribution, with a specified power spectral density using aWiener model based on orthogonal Hermite polynomials for the nonlinearity. A numerical procedure is devised to calculate the filter and non-linearity coefficients of the Wiener model. The generation of rain processes conforms to the Maseng-Bakken model.Postprint (published version

Addressing the data bottleneck in medical deep learning models using a human-in-the-loop machine learning approach

[Abstract]: Any machine learning (ML) model is highly dependent on the data it uses for learning, and this is even more important in the case of deep learning models. The problem is a data bottleneck, i.e. the difficulty in obtaining an adequate number of cases and quality data. Another issue is improving the learning process, which can be done by actively introducing experts into the learning loop, in what is known as human-in-the-loop (HITL) ML. We describe an ML model based on a neural network in which HITL techniques were used to resolve the data bottleneck problem for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. We first augmented the dataset using synthetic cases created by a generative adversarial network. We then launched an active learning (AL) process involving human experts as oracles to label both new cases and cases by the network found to be suspect. This AL process was carried out simultaneously with an interactive ML process in which feedback was obtained from humans in order to develop better synthetic cases for each iteration of training. We discuss the challenges involved in including humans in the learning process, especially in relation to human–computer interaction, which is acquiring great importance in building ML models and can condition the success of a HITL approach. This paper also discusses the methodological approach adopted to address these challenges.This work has been supported by the State Research Agency of the Spanish Government (Grant PID2019-107194GB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and by the Xunta de Galicia (Grant ED431C 2022/44), supported in turn by the EU European Regional Development Fund. We wish to acknowledge support received from the Centro de Investigación de Galicia CITIC, funded by the Xunta de Galicia and the European Regional Development Fund (Galicia 2014–2020 Program; Grant ED431G 2019/01).Xunta de Galicia; ED431C 2022/44Xunta de Galicia; ED431G 2019/0

Recent therapeutic advances in urothelial carcinoma : A paradigm shift in disease management

Altres ajuts: Pfizer.Management of first-line advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) has consisted during the past three decades in the administration of platinum-based chemotherapy followed by observation. Despite moderate to high response rates to first-line treatment, most patients will relapse shortly after and the outcomes with subsequent therapies are poor with 5-year overall survival rates of 5% in the pre-immunotherapy era. Nonetheless, recent therapeutic developments including the paradigm shift of first-line maintenance therapy with avelumab after response or stabilization on platinum-based chemotherapy, along with the incorporation of new drug classes in further lines of treatment such as antibody drug-conjugates and fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitors have reshaped the field leading to better outcomes in this patient population. This article reviews the current state of the art with an overview on UC management, recent advances, and the upcoming strategies currently in development in advanced UC with an insight into the biology of this disease

Factores asociados a las neoplasias quísticas del páncreas en pacientes atendidos en el Hospital “Arnaldo Milián Castro”. 2004-2014

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las neoplasias quísticas del páncreas son tumores cuya incidencia ha ido incrementándose en las últimas décadas. No abundan las investigaciones enfocadas en identificar factores que permitan distinguir entre las neoplasias quísticas del páncreas y lesiones quísticas pancreáticas no neoplásicas.OBJETIVO: Identificar los factores asociados a las neoplasias quísticas del páncreas en los pacientes atendidos en el Hospital “Arnaldo Milián Castro”.MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio analítico de tipo casos y controles en el Hospital “Arnaldo Milián Castro” en el período 2004-2014. Conformaron el grupo caso 15 pacientes con neoplasias quísticas pancreáticas y el grupo control 30 pacientes con lesiones quísticas pancreáticas no neoplásicas.RESULTADOS: Predominó el sexo femenino (93.3%) y el color de piel blanca (66.7%), la edad promedio en el grupo caso fue de 38.9 años; en ellos fue significativamente mayor la presencia de hábito de fumar (OR=2.471;IC=1.068-5.717), diabetes mellitus (OR=2.333;IC=1.094-4.975), pérdida de peso (OR=5.250;IC=2.462-11.193), anorexia (OR=3.532;IC=1.664-7.499), ausencia de síntomas (OR=2.909;IC=1.493-5.670) y la localización de la lesión en la cola del páncreas (OR=3.692;IC=1.647-8.277). Se presentó con mayor frecuencia en el grupo caso el cistoadenoma mucinoso (53.3%). Se identificaron como factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de neoplasias quísticas pancreáticas a la edad entre 20 y 40 años (OR=1.21; IC=1.256-3.995), el sexo femenino (OR=1.81; IC=1.658-5.009) y el hábito de fumar (OR=1.95; IC=1.336-9.455).CONCLUSIONES: Fueron identificados los factores que con mayor fuerza se asociaron a la presencia de neoplasias quísticas pancreáticas. Su reconocimiento en la práctica clínica diaria podría contribuir a distinguir entre lesiones quísticas pancreáticas neoplásicas y no neoplásicas.