Machine learning techniques to predict different levels of hospital care of CoVid-19

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade da Coruña/CISUG[Abstract] In this study, we analyze the capability of several state of the art machine learning methods to predict whether patients diagnosed with CoVid-19 (CoronaVirus disease 2019) will need different levels of hospital care assistance (regular hospital admission or intensive care unit admission), during the course of their illness, using only demographic and clinical data. For this research, a data set of 10,454 patients from 14 hospitals in Galicia (Spain) was used. Each patient is characterized by 833 variables, two of which are age and gender and the other are records of diseases or conditions in their medical history. In addition, for each patient, his/her history of hospital or intensive care unit (ICU) admissions due to CoVid-19 is available. This clinical history will serve to label each patient and thus being able to assess the predictions of the model. Our aim is to identify which model delivers the best accuracies for both hospital and ICU admissions only using demographic variables and some structured clinical data, as well as identifying which of those are more relevant in both cases. The results obtained in the experimental study show that the best models are those based on oversampling as a preprocessing phase to balance the distribution of classes. Using these models and all the available features, we achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 76.1% and 80.4% for predicting the need of hospital and ICU admissions, respectively. Furthermore, feature selection and oversampling techniques were applied and it has been experimentally verified that the relevant variables for the classification are age and gender, since only using these two features the performance of the models is not degraded for the two mentioned prediction problems.This research has been supported by GAIN (Galician Innovation Agency) and the Regional Ministry of Economy, Employment and Industry, Xunta de Galicia grant COV20/00604 through the ERDF Funds. Also, it has been possible thanks to the support of the Xunta de Galicia (Dirección Xeral de Saúde Pública) by providing the anonymous patient data. Also, it has been supported by the Xunta de Galicia (Grant ED431C 2018/34 and IN845D 2020/26 of the Axencia Galega de Innovación) with European Union ERDF funds. CITIC, as Research Center accredited by Galician University System, is funded by Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Universidades from Xunta de Galicia, supported in an 80% through ERDF Funds, ERDF Operational Programme Galicia 2014-2020, and the remaining 20% by Secretaría Xeral de Universidades (Grant ED431G 2019/01). Finally, we would also like to thank Prof. Ricardo Cao, as Chairman of the Committee of Experts for Mathematical Action against Coronavirus, for his kind request to collaborate in this projectXunta de Galicia; COV20/00604Xunta de Galicia; ED431C 2018/34Xunta de Galicia; IN845D 2020/26Xunta de Galicia; ED431G 2019/0

A comparison of performance of K-complex classification methods using feature selection

The final publication is available at ScienceDirect via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ins.2015.08.022[Abstract] The main objective of this work is to obtain a method that achieves the best accuracy results with a low false positive rate in the classification of K-complexes, a kind of transient waveform found in the Electroencephalogram. With this in mind, the capabilities of several machine learning techniques were tried. The inputs for the models were a set of features based on amplitude and duration measurements obtained from waveforms to be classified. Among all the classifiers tested, the Support Vector Machine obtained the best results with an accuracy of 88.69%. Finally, to enhance the generalization capabilities of the classifiers, while at the same time discarding the existing irrelevant features, feature selection methods were employed. After this process, the classification performance was significantly improved. The best result was obtained applying a correlation-based filter, achieving a 91.40% of accuracy using only 36% of the total input features.Xunta de Galicia; 09SIN003CTMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad; TIN2013-40686PMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad; TIN2012-37954Xunta de Galicia; GRC2014/3

Medidas alternativas de tasa de cambio real para Colombia

En este artículo se proponen medidas alternativas de fácil seguimiento para evaluar  periódicamente la evolución de la tasa de cambio real (TCR) y se analiza de forma preliminar qué tan desalineadas están sus distintas variantes respecto de su nivel de largo plazo.El artículo intenta desarrollar una base tanto teórica como práctica que logre dar los fundamentos para el análisis del tipo de cambio real. Esta base consiste, primero en un resumen preliminar de la discusión teórica alrededor de la TCR y un recuento de las metodologías que están siendo  estudiadas en el Observatorio de Tasa de Call1bio Real. A partir de ello, la segunda parte presenta una serie de mediciones alternativas de (ITCR), y evalúa su desalineamiento frente a su valor de largo plazo. Posteriormente, y en un primer intento por explicar las causas fundamentales de la apreciación real de la moneda colombiana, se efectúa un análisis comparativo de productividad frente a los principales socio comerciales. Partiendo de la premisa propuesta por Balassa-Samuelson según la cual los cambios en la TCR son un reflejo de cambios en la productividad de la economía, se definen y evalúan diferentes medidas de productividad, tanto en la economía en general como en sectores específicos. Finalmente se presentan las conclusiones

Editor's Note

Artificial Intelligence has become nowadays one of the main relevant technologies that is driven us to a new revolution, a change in society, just as well as other human inventions, such as navigation, steam machines, or electricity did in our past. There are several ways in which AI might be developed, and the European Union has chosen a path, a way to transit through this revolution, in which Artificial Intelligence will be a tool at the service of Humanity. That was precisely the motto of the 2020 European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (“Paving the way towards Human-Centric AI”), of which these special issue is a selection of the best papers selected by the organizers of some of the Workshops in ECAI 2020

The educational challenge in infectious diseases: analysis of Official Master's degrees in Spain

[EN] Introduction: Infectious diseases are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this way, the Spanish University has increased and complemented postgraduate training with an offer of its own degrees and official master's degrees that seek the most advanced specialization and updating, whether professional or research, in ​​knowledge of infectious diseases. Aim: To know and evaluate the current offer of master's degrees related to infectious diseases in Spanish universities. Methods: Literature review carried out in the months of February-March 2022 for the collection of information on postgraduate studies, specifically Official Master's Degree studies, offered in Health Sciences in Spanish Universities. Results: From the year 2005, when the "Master's Degree in Tropical Parasitic Diseases" was established, until the year 2022, 11 postgraduate studies related to infectious diseases have been implemented in 10 Spanish universities. Most of them have one-year duration and an average teaching load of 70.91±20.23 ECTS-credits. Average number of students per course: 26.27±5.98. Average price: €3,095.8±2,479.4. There are currently master's degrees in 8 autonomous communities, and non-face-to-face formats are gaining notoriety. Conclusions: The exponential growth in the number of master's degrees in Spain in recent years demonstrates the growing interest and updating needs in this area of ​​knowledge. Although the offer is extensive, it is neither homogeneous nor balanced, presenting potential areas for significant improvement. Health organizations and scientific societies should promote the relationship between the different levels of postgraduate training.[ES] Introducción: Las enfermedades infecciosas son una de las principales causas de morbimortalidad. Por ello, la Universidad Española ha incrementado y complementado la formación postgrado con una oferta de Títulos Propios y Másteres Oficiales que buscan la especialización y actualización más avanzada, ya sea profesional o investigadora, en esta área de conocimiento. Objetivo: Conocer y evaluar la oferta actual de másteres relacionados con las enfermedades infecciosas en las universidades españolas. Métodos: Revisión bibliográfica realizada en los meses de febrero-marzo 2022 para recoger información sobre estudios de Postgrado, específicamente estudios de Máster Oficial, en el área de Ciencias de la Salud en las Universidades españolas. Resultados: Desde 2005 en que se instauró el Máster Universitario en Enfermedades Parasitarias Tropicales , hasta 2022, se han implantado 11 estudios de postgrado relacionados con las enfermedades infecciosas en 10 universidades españolas. La mayoría tienen una duración de un año y una carga docente media de 70,91±20,23 créditos-ECTS. Número medio de alumnos: 26,27±5,98. Precio medio: 3.095,8±2.479,4 . Existen actualmente másteres en 8 comunidades autónomas y los formatos no presenciales van adquiriendo notoriedad. Conclusiones: El crecimiento exponencial del número de másteres en España en los últimos años, demuestra el interés creciente y las necesidades de actualización en esta área de conocimiento. Aunque la oferta es extensa, no es homogénea ni equilibrada, presentando áreas potenciales de mejora significativa. Organismos sanitarios y sociedades científicas deberían fomentar la relación entre los diferentes estamentos de la formación de postgrado.Belhassen García, M.; Hernández-Goenaga, J.; Alonso-Sardón, M.; López-Bernús, A.; Rodríguez-Alonso, B.; Pardo-Lledías, J.; Del Olmo, E.... (2023). El reto formativo en enfermedades infecciosas: análisis de los Másteres Oficiales en España. REDU. Revista de Docencia Universitaria. 21(2):117-131. https://doi.org/10.4995/redu.2023.1879211713121

Effect of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and chitosan coatings with and without bergamot essential oil on quality and safety of cold-stored grapes

[EN] Biodegradable coatings based on hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) or chitosan (CH) with and without bergamot essential oil were applied to table grapes, cv. Muscatel, in order to find environmentally friendly, healthy treatments with which to better preserve fresh fruit quality and safety during postharvest cold storage. Physicochemical properties (weight loss, °Brix, total phenols, antioxidant activity, colour and texture), respiration rates and microbial counts of samples were determined throughout cold storage. The coatings had a significant effect on the development of quality variables, with the additional effect of essential oil addition as a function of the polysaccharide matrix being especially notable. Although incorporation of essential oil resulted in smaller weight losses and a greater antimicrobial effect, it also led to browner samples when using CH. Chitosan coatings containing bergamot oil were more effective than pure CH and HPMC coatings at inhibiting respiration rates. All the coatings improved the mechanical resistance of the samples at the end of storage. The most recommended coating for Muscatel table grapes is CH containing bergamot oil since, despite only contributing slightly to the sample colour, this showed the highest antimicrobial activity and the greatest control of respiration rates with a reasonably good control of water loss during storage. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia (Project AGL2007-65503).Sánchez González, L.; Pastor Navarro, C.; Vargas, M.; Chiralt, A.; González Martínez, MC.; Cháfer Nácher, MT. (2011). Effect of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and chitosan coatings with and without bergamot essential oil on quality and safety of cold-stored grapes. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 60(1):57-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2010.11.004S576360

Fomento de la participación de los diferentes agentes implicados en el SGIC: actualización del material informativo, mejora del espacio web y creación de plataforma de gestión de reclamaciones, quejas, sugerencias y felicitaciones

Es la memoria del Proyecto de Innovación número 126 de la convocatoria 2021-2022, titulado "Fomento de la participación de los diferentes agentes implicados en el SGIC: actualización del material informativo, mejora del espacio web y creación de plataforma de gestión de reclamaciones, quejas, sugerencias y felicitaciones"

Puesta en marcha del curso on line “Envejecimiento y enfermedades neurodegenerativas” en la plataforma Miriadax

Este informe detalla los objetivos, actividades y métodos llevados a cabo durante la ejecución de un proyecto de innovación docente que tiene como objetivo implementar un curso online en abierto sobre las enfermedades neurodegenerativas y el envejecimiento

Correction : Chaparro et al. Incidence, Clinical Characteristics and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Spain: Large-Scale Epidemiological Study. J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10, 2885

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]

Incidence, Clinical Characteristics and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Spain : Large-Scale Epidemiological Study

(1) Aims: To assess the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Spain, to describe the main epidemiological and clinical characteristics at diagnosis and the evolution of the disease, and to explore the use of drug treatments. (2) Methods: Prospective, population-based nationwide registry. Adult patients diagnosed with IBD-Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) or IBD unclassified (IBD-U)-during 2017 in Spain were included and were followed-up for 1 year. (3) Results: We identified 3611 incident cases of IBD diagnosed during 2017 in 108 hospitals covering over 22 million inhabitants. The overall incidence (cases/100,000 person-years) was 16 for IBD, 7.5 for CD, 8 for UC, and 0.5 for IBD-U; 53% of patients were male and median age was 43 years (interquartile range = 31-56 years). During a median 12-month follow-up, 34% of patients were treated with systemic steroids, 25% with immunomodulators, 15% with biologics and 5.6% underwent surgery. The percentage of patients under these treatments was significantly higher in CD than UC and IBD-U. Use of systemic steroids and biologics was significantly higher in hospitals with high resources. In total, 28% of patients were hospitalized (35% CD and 22% UC patients, p < 0.01). (4) Conclusion: The incidence of IBD in Spain is rather high and similar to that reported in Northern Europe. IBD patients require substantial therapeutic resources, which are greater in CD and in hospitals with high resources, and much higher than previously reported. One third of patients are hospitalized in the first year after diagnosis and a relevant proportion undergo surgery