Responsible and Regulatory Conform Machine Learning for Medicine: A Survey of Challenges and Solutions

Machine learning is expected to fuel significant improvements in medical care. To ensure that fundamental principles such as beneficence, respect for human autonomy, prevention of harm, justice, privacy, and transparency are respected, medical machine learning systems must be developed responsibly. Many high-level declarations of ethical principles have been put forth for this purpose, but there is a severe lack of technical guidelines explicating the practical consequences for medical machine learning. Similarly, there is currently considerable uncertainty regarding the exact regulatory requirements placed upon medical machine learning systems. This survey provides an overview of the technical and procedural challenges involved in creating medical machine learning systems responsibly and in conformity with existing regulations, as well as possible solutions to address these challenges. First, a brief review of existing regulations affecting medical machine learning is provided, showing that properties such as safety, robustness, reliability, privacy, security, transparency, explainability, and nondiscrimination are all demanded already by existing law and regulations - albeit, in many cases, to an uncertain degree. Next, the key technical obstacles to achieving these desirable properties are discussed, as well as important techniques to overcome these obstacles in the medical context. We notice that distribution shift, spurious correlations, model underspecification, uncertainty quantification, and data scarcity represent severe challenges in the medical context. Promising solution approaches include the use of large and representative datasets and federated learning as a means to that end, the careful exploitation of domain knowledge, the use of inherently transparent models, comprehensive out-of-distribution model testing and verification, as well as algorithmic impact assessments

Discalculia do desenvolvimento e intervenções: uma análise de pesquisas nacionais e internacionais

Este estudio presenta un análisis de artículos, a nivel nacional e internacional, con el objetivo de analizar propuestas de intervenciones pedagógicas neurocognitivas e informatizado que se puede aplicar a los estudiantes que tienen Discalculia del desarrollo - DD y sus contribuciones. Usa la revisión Sistemática de la Literatura - RSL, como método de investigación, con la pregunta pregunta central: “¿Cuáles son los aportes de las intervenciones realizadas en estudiantes que ¿Tienen DD para aprender Ciencias y Matemáticas? De esta forma, el objetivo es verificar la existencia de capacidades neurocognitivas, pedagógicas y informatizados para ser desarrollados con estos estudiantes, potenciando y rehabilitar las habilidades matemáticas rezagadas en DD. Para seleccionar el producciones, se utilizaron las siguientes bases de datos: EMBASE, Web of Science, ACM Digital Biblioteca, IEEXplore y Revista de la Coordinación para el Perfeccionamiento del Personal Nivel superior. La investigación mostró que Brasil todavía carece de investigación en el área de Educación Matemática que se ocupan de este tema. señala que nuevas intervenciones basadas en software y componentes adaptativos DD subyacente ha sido desarrollado, discutido y mejorado.This study presents an analysis of articles, nationally and internationally, aiming to analyze proposals for neurocognitive, pedagogical interventions and computerized that can be applied to students who have Developmental dyscalculia - DD and its contributions. Use the Review Systematics of Literature - RSL, as a research method, with the question central question: “What are the contributions of interventions carried out in students who do they have DD for learning Science and Mathematics? In this way, the objective is to verify the existence of neurocognitive, pedagogical and computerized to be developed with these students, enhancingand rehabilitating lagging math skills in DD. To select the productions, the following databases were used: EMBASE, Web of Science, ACM Digital Library, IEEXplore and Journal of the Coordination for the Improvement of Personnel Higher level. The research showed that Brazil still lacks research in the área of Mathematics Education that are concerned with this theme. points out that new interventions based on adaptive software and componentsunderlying DD has been developed, discussed and improved.Este estudo apresenta uma análise de artigos, no âmbito nacional e internacional, tendo como objetivo analisar propostas de intervenções neurocognitivas, pedagógicas e computadorizadas que possam ser aplicadas em estudantes que possuem Discalculia do Desenvolvimento - DD e suas contribuições. Utiliza a Revisão Sistemática da Literatura – RSL, como método de pesquisa, tendo como questão central: “Quais as contribuições de intervenções realizadas em estudantes que possuem DD para a aprendizagem de Ciências e Matemática? Desse modo, o objetivo é verificar a existência de propostas neurocognitivas, pedagógicas e computadorizadas para serem desenvolvidas com esses estudantes, potencializando e reabilitando as habilidades matemáticas em defasagem na DD. Para selecionar as produções, utilizou-se as bases de dados: EMBASE, Web of Science, ACM Digital Library, IEEXplore e Periódico da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior. A pesquisa evidenciou que o Brasil ainda carece de pesquisas na área da Educação Matemática que tenham como preocupação essa temática. Aponta que novas intervenções baseadas em softwares adaptativos e em componentes subjacentes à DD vem sendo desenvolvidas, discutidas e aprimoradas

Imprints of management history on hemiboreal forest ecosystems in the Baltic States

In the Baltic States region, anthropogenic disturbances at different temporal and spatial scales mostly determine dynamics and development phases of forest ecosystems. We reviewed the state and condition of hemiboreal forests of the Baltic States region and analyzed species composition of recently established and permanent forest (PF). Agricultural deforestation and spontaneous or artificial conversion back to forest is a scenario leading to ecosystems designated as recent forest (RF, age up to two hundred years). Permanent forest (PF) was defined as areas with no records of agricultural activity during the last 200 yr, including mostly forests managed by traditional even-aged (clear-cut) silviculture and salvage after natural disturbances. We hypothesized that RF would have distinctive composition, with higher dominance by hardwoods (e.g., aspen and birch), compared to PF. Ordination revealed divergence in the RF stands; about half had the hypothesized composition distinct from PF, with a tight cluster of stands in the part of the ordination space with high hardwood dominance, while the remaining RF stands were scattered throughout the ordination space occupied by PF with highly variable species composition. Planting of conifers, variability in site quality, and variability in spatial proximity to PF with relatively natural ecosystem legacies likely explained the variable compositions of this latter group of RF. We positioned the observations of RF in a classic quantification of site type conditions (based on Estonian forest vegetation survey previously carried out by LA mu hmus), which indicated that RF was more likely to occur on areas of higher soil fertility (in ordination space). Climatic and anthropogenic changes to RF create complex dynamic trends that are difficult to project into the future. Further research in tracing land use changes (using pollen analysis and documented evidence) should be utilized to refine the conceptual framework of ecosystem legacy and memory. Occurrence and frequency of deforestation and its characteristics as a novel disturbance regime are of particular interest.Peer reviewe

Pibid e as aprendizagens sobre a docência na relação universidade e escola

This paper introduces partial results of a research project funded by CNPq. We were interested in initial education processes in contemporary teaching production, and our investigative locus was the Programa Institucional de Bolsa de Iniciação à Docência (Pibid), where we sought to answer ‘what do these institutional actors learn about teaching?’, and ‘ on which governmental logics is this learning based?’ As methodology we used the analysis of questionnaires and blogs, guided by reference to the studies of Foucault and studies on teaching. Preliminary results point to three groups of enunciations that are synthetically presented through the following expressions: Mobilization (1) Innovation (2), Partnership and collective work (3).Este artículo presenta los resultados parciales de un estudio financiado por el CNPq. Este desglose analiza las prácticas de enseñanza y experiencias sobre el Programa Institucional de Beca de Iniciación a la Docencia (Pibid), buscando responder a las preguntas: “¿qué aprenden sobre la docencia esos actores institucionales?” y “¿en qué lógica gubernamental están basados tales aprendizajes?”. Como metodología utilizar el análisis de los cuestionarios y blogs, guiado por referencia de los estudios de Foucault y os estudios sobre la enseñanza. Los resultados preliminares apuntan a tres grupos de enunciados que presentan sintéticamente a través de las siguientes expresiones: Movilización (1) Innovación (2), de Asociación y de Trabajo colectivo (3).O artigo apresenta resultados parciais de uma pesquisa financiada pelo CNPq. Nesse recorte analisamos as práticas pedagógicas e experiências vivenciadas no Programa Institucional de Bolsa de Iniciação à Docência (Pibid), buscando responder “o que aprendem sobre a docência esses atores institucionais?” e “em que lógica governamental estão ancoradas tais aprendizagens?” Como metodologia utilizamos a análise de questionários e blogs, orientada pelo referencial dos estudos foucaultianos e estudos sobre a docência. Resultados preliminares apontam para três grupos de enunciações que sinteticamente apresentamos através das seguintes expressões: Mobilização(1), Inovação(2), Parceria e trabalho coletivo(3)

HOW CAN WE RESTORE THE BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN MINING AND INDUSTRIAL SITES? Growth responses of Scots pine to climatic factors on reclaimed oil shale mined land

Abstract Afforestation on reclaimed mining areas has high ecological and economic importance. However, ecosystems established on post-mining substrate can become vulnerable due to climate variability. We used tree-ring data and dendrochronological techniques to study the relationship between climate variables and annual growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing on reclaimed open cast oil shale mining areas in Northeast Estonia. Chronologies for trees of different age classes (50, 40, 30) were developed. Pearson's correlation analysis between radial growth indices and monthly climate variables revealed that precipitation in June-July and higher mean temperatures in spring season enhanced radial growth of pine plantations, while higher than average temperatures in summer months inhibited wood production. Sensitivity of radial increment to climatic factors on post-mining soils was not homogenous among the studied populations. Older trees growing on more developed soils were more sensitive to precipitation deficit in summer, while growth indices of two other stand groups (young and middle-aged) were highly correlated to temperature. High mean temperatures in August were negatively related to annual wood production in all trees, while trees in the youngest stands benefited from warmer temperatures in January. As a response to thinning, mean annual basal area increment increased up to 50 %. By managing tree competition in the closed-canopy stands, through the thinning activities, tree sensitivity and response to climate could be manipulated

Desenvolvimento e validação de um questionário de freqüência alimentar (QFA-Porto Alegre) para a população de adolescentes, adultos e idosos do Sul do Brasil

Esse estudo avaliou a validade relativa de questionário de freqüência alimentar (QFA-Porto Alegre), com 135 itens, comparando-o à média de dois recordatórios de 24 horas, entre adolescentes, adultos e indivíduos idosos selecionados aleatoriamente da população. Utilizou-se classificação em quartis de ingestão pelos dois métodos e coeficiente de correlação de Pearson para analisar nutrientes transformados em logaritmo natural e ajustados pela energia. O coeficiente de correlação ajustado de-atenuado médio entre adolescentes foi 0,44 e variou de 0,18 (zinco) a 0,69 (folato), em adultos e idosos, respectivamente, foi 0,42 variando de 0,16 (ferro) a 0,73 (energia) e 0,52 variando de 0,25 (vitamina E) a 0,84 (energia). O percentual médio de classificação no mesmo quartil ou adjacente pelos dois métodos foi 74,6% para adolescentes, 74,9% para adultos, e 81,2% para idosos, com classificação média geral de 75%. O QFA mostrou validade relativa satisfatória para adolescentes e adultos e pode ser usado para analisar a associação entre padrão de dieta e doenças não transmissíveis.This study assessed the validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ-Porto Alegre), covering 135 food items, in comparison with the average of two consecutive 24-hour dietary recall questionnaires for adolescents, adults, and elderly who were randomly selected from a population-based survey. The Pearson correlation coefficients and cross-classification by quartiles of intake were used. The nutrients were log transformed and energy adjusted. The mean of adjusted de-attenuated correlation coefficient for adolescents was 0.44 and ranged from 0.18 (zinc) to 0.69 (folate) and for adult and elderly participants they were, respectively, 0.42, ranging from 0.16 (iron) to 0.73 (energy) and 0.52, ranging from 0.25 (vitamin E) to 0.84 (energy). The average classification percentage into the same or adjacent quartile for the two methods was 74.6% for adolescents, 74.9% for adults, and 81.2% for the elderly population. The FFQ showed fair relative validity for adolescents and adults, and may be used to study the dietary determinants of obesity and non-transmissible diseases in epidemiological surveys