Matias

Personalized federated learning has received an upsurge of attention due to the mediocre performance of conventional federated learning (FL) over heterogeneous data. Unlike conventional FL which trains a single global consensus model, personalized FL allows different models for different clients. However, existing personalized FL algorithms only implicitly transfer the collaborative knowledge across the federation by embedding the knowledge into the aggregated model or regularization. We observed that this implicit knowledge transfer fails to maximize the potential of each client's empirical risk toward other clients...

A pruned VGG19 model subjected to Axial Coronal Sagittal (ACS) convolutions and a custom VGG16 model are benchmarked to predict 3D fabric descriptors from a set of 2D images. The data used for training and testing are extracted from a set of 600 3D biphase microstructures created numerically. Fabric descriptors calculated from the 3D microstructures constitute the ground truth, while the input data are obtained by slicing the 3D microstructures in each direction of space at regular intervals. The computational cost to train the custom ACS-VGG19 model increases linearly with p (the number of images extracted in each direction of space), and increasing p does not improve the performance of the model - or only does so marginally...

BACKGROUND: Anaesthesiology training programs in Europe vary in duration, content, and requirements for completion. This survey-based study conducted by the Trainees Committee of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care explores current anaesthesia training designs across Europe. METHODS: Between May and July 2018, we sent a 41-item online questionnaire to all National Trainee Representatives, members of the National Anaesthesiologists Societies Committee, and Council Representatives of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) of all member countries...

BACKGROUND: Professional licensing bodies are valuable sources for tracking the health workforce, as many skilled health-care providers require formal training, registration, and licensure. Regulatory activities in Ethiopia were not effectively implemented due to poor follow-up and gaps in skilled human resources, budget, and information technology infrastructure. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the lived experiences and challenges faced by health care managers in health professionals' licensure practices in Ethiopia...

Recent studies have expanded the genomic contours of the Acidithiobacillia , highlighting important lacunae in our comprehension of the phylogenetic space occupied by certain lineages of the class. One such lineage is ' Igneacidithiobacillus' , a novel genus-level taxon, represented by ' Igneacidithiobacillus copahuensis' VAN18-1T as its type species, along with two other uncultivated metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) originating from geothermally active sites across the Pacific Ring of Fire. In this study, we investigate the genetic and genomic diversity, and the distribution patterns of several uncharacterized Acidithiobacillia class strains and sequence clones, which are ascribed to the same 16S rRNA gene sequence clade...

RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE: The phase angle (PhA) is a measurement obtained from the resistance and reactance found in the bioelectrical impedance examination and is useful in assessing nutritional status and in assessing cardiometabolic diseases. Therefore, the objective was to correlate the phase angle to the anthropometric variables of cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in children and adolescents. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and neck circumference (NC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and PhA of 1231 children and adolescents aged between 5 and 18 years were assessed...

The Sit-to-Stand (STS) test provides insight into age-related functional capacity; however, there are various variants of STS, and we do not know which of these better discriminates against age-related functional capacity. Our study aimed to compare the age-related functional capacity in older people by evaluating STS power variants, using young individuals as a reference. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 102 adults (57 women) aged 60-80 and 105 adults (54 women) aged 20-30. Participants performed five times STS (5-STS), 30-seconds STS (30s-STS), and 1-minute STS (1min-STS)...

This study explores the potential of propolis from Melipona rufiventris species. With its composition encompassing resin, wax, pollen, and soil, propolis holds historical significance in traditional medicine within tropical regions. This research is driven by the scarcity of information surrounding M. rufiventris propolis, prompting an investigation into its chemical constituents, in vivo toxicity, and antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This exploration could potentially uncover novel applications for this natural product, bolstering both meliponiculture practices and the preservation of native bee populations...

BACKGROUND: Data on the likelihood of left ventricle (LV) recovery in patients with severe LV dysfunction and severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and its prognostic value are limited. AIMS: We aimed to assess the likelihood of LV recovery following TAVI, examine its association with midterm mortality, and identify independent predictors of LV function. METHODS: In our multicentre registry of 17 TAVI centres in Western Europe and Israel, patients were stratified by baseline LV function (ejection fraction [EF] >/≤30%) and LV response: no LV recovery, LV recovery (EF increase ≥10%), and LV normalisation (EF ≥50% post-TAVI)...

The objective of this study was to compare the indirect methods of obtaining digestibility with the direct method of total fecal collection to estimate the apparent digestibility of nutrients in sheep and goats supplemented with non-protein nitrogen. Five goats and five sheep with no defined racial pattern were used, distributed in two 5 × 5 Latin squares, with split plots, considering the diets as plots and the apparent digestibility determination methodologies as subplots. The diets were composed of buffelgrass hay and the addition, via ruminal infusion, of increasing amounts of nitrogen supplementation in order to gradually raise the CP level of the basal diet in intervals of 2% points, that is, + 2, +4, + 6 and + 8%...

Large meningiomas extending through the middle cranial fossa, posterior fossa, and foramen magnum (FM) represent a surgical challenge even for experienced skull base surgeons.1 Although decompression may be necessary for offering clinical improvement, surgical risks may involve cranial nerves and vascular injury. We present a case of a sphenocavernopetroclival-FM meningioma, with our surgical plan extending through the sphenoid region, FM, and posterior fossa to the anterior arch of C1. We designed a 2-day, 3-stage surgical strategy to achieve complete surgical resection for offering better long-term prognosis and satisfactory postoperative neurological outcome...

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks expressed protein targets, making therapy development challenging. Hydrogels offer a promising new route in this regard by improving the chemotherapeutic efficacy through increased solubility and sustained release. Moreover, subcutaneous hydrogel administration reduces patient burden by requiring less therapy and shorter treatment times. We recently established the design principles for the supramolecular assembly of single-domain coiled-coils into hydrogels. Using a modified computational design algorithm, we designed Q8, a hydrogel with rapid assembly for faster therapeutic hydrogel preparation...

Shade avoidance syndrome is an important adaptive strategy. Under shade, major transcriptional rearrangements underlie the reallocation of resources to elongate vegetative structures and redefine the plant architecture to compete for photosynthesis. BBX28 is a B-box transcription factor involved in seedling de-etiolation and flowering in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), but its function in shade-avoidance response is completely unknown. Here, we studied the function of BBX28 using two mutant and two transgenic lines of Arabidopsis exposed to white light and simulated shade conditions...

Introducción: La ansiedad ante exámenes es un constructo multidimensional, caracterizado por respuestas fenomenológicas, fisiológicas, conductuales y cognitivas asociadas a una preocupación excesiva sobre posibles consecuencias negativas ante una situación evaluativa. En estudiantes universitarios, presenta tasas de  ocurrencia entre 10 % y 40 %. El objetivo es evaluar la utilidad de un taller grupal y online para el manejo de esta problemática, basado en el Protocolo Unificado...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hexokinase 1 (encoded by HK1 ) catalyzes the first step of glycolysis, the adenosine triphosphate-dependent phosphorylation of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate. Monoallelic HK1 variants causing a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) have been reported in 12 individuals. METHODS: We investigated clinical phenotypes, brain MRIs, and the CSF of 15 previously unpublished individuals with monoallelic HK1 variants and an NDD phenotype. RESULTS: All individuals had recurrent variants likely causing gain-of-function, representing mutational hot spots...

BACKGROUND: Quantitative 3D movement analysis using inertial measurement units (IMUs) allows for a more detailed characterization of motor patterns than clinical assessment alone. It is essential to discriminate between gait features that are responsive or unresponsive to current therapies to better understand the underlying pathophysiological basis and identify potential therapeutic strategies. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to characterize the responsiveness and temporal evolution of different gait subcomponents in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients in their OFF and various ON states following levodopa administration, utilizing both wearable sensors and the gold-standard MDS-UPDRS motor part III...

The recent expansion of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens poses significant challenges in treating healthcare-associated infections. Although antibacterial resistance occurs by numerous mechanisms, active efflux of the drugs is a critical concern. A single species of efflux pump can produce a simultaneous resistance to several drugs. One of the best-studied efflux pumps is the TtgABC: a tripartite resistance-nodulation-division (RND) efflux pump implicated in the intrinsic antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E...

The larval stage of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l) is responsible for cystic echinococcosis (CE), a long-term infection affecting humans and animals worldwide, and constitutes a serious public health concern. If left untreated, CE can cause serious damage to multiple organs, especially the liver and lungs. Regarding the treatment, in the last few years, the use of pharmacological treatment has increased, suggesting that in the future, drug therapy may replace surgery for uncomplicated cysts...

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) share common pathophysiology and pose an additive risk of early mortality. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In adults with type 1 diabetes, 49 metabolites previously associated with either DR or DKD were assessed in relation to presence of DSPN. Metabolites overlapping in significance with presence of all three complications were assessed in relation to microvascular burden severity (additive number of complications-ie, presence of DKD±DR±DSPN) using linear regression models...

Sub-mesoscale and mesoscale (i.e., 1-10 km and 10-200 km, respectively) ocean processes are highly relevant for the understanding of global circulation, mixing of water masses and energy exchange between ocean layers. However, the processes happening at these scales are hard to be characterized using direct measurements of temperature and salinity. Direct measurements are obtained from vertical probes and/or autonomous vehicles, which, despite their high vertical resolution, are sparsely located in space and therefore unable to capture spatial details at these scales...