Variational quantum circuits for machine learning. An application for the detection of weak signals

[EN] Featured Application Quantum classifier to detect weak signals. Quantum computing is a new paradigm for a multitude of computing applications. This study presents the technologies that are currently available for the physical implementation of qubits and quantum gates, establishing their main advantages and disadvantages and the available frameworks for programming and implementing quantum circuits. One of the main applications for quantum computing is the development of new algorithms for machine learning. In this study, an implementation of a quantum circuit based on support vector machines (SVMs) is described for the resolution of classification problems. This circuit is specially designed for the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers that are currently available. As an experiment, the circuit is tested on a real quantum computer based on superconducting qubits for an application to detect weak signals of the future. Weak signals are indicators of incipient changes that will have a future impact. Even for experts, the detection of these events is complicated since it is too early to predict this impact. The data obtained with the experiment shows promising results but also confirms that ongoing technological development is still required to take full advantage of quantum computing.Griol-Barres, I.; Milla, S.; Cebrián Ferriols, AJ.; Mansoori, Y.; Millet Roig, J. (2021). Variational quantum circuits for machine learning. An application for the detection of weak signals. Applied Sciences. 11(14):1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11146427S122111

Detecting Weak Signals of the Future: A System Implementation Based on Text Mining and Natural Language Processing

[EN] Organizations, companies and start-ups need to cope with constant changes on the market which are difficult to predict. Therefore, the development of new systems to detect significant future changes is vital to make correct decisions in an organization and to discover new opportunities. A system based on business intelligence techniques is proposed to detect weak signals, that are related to future transcendental changes. While most known solutions are based on the use of structured data, the proposed system quantitatively detects these signals using heterogeneous and unstructured information from scientific, journalistic and social sources, applying text mining to analyze the documents and natural language processing to extract accurate results. The main contributions are that the system has been designed for any field, using different input datasets of documents, and with an automatic classification of categories for the detected keywords. In this research paper, results from the future of remote sensors are presented. Remote sensing services are providing new applications in observation and analysis of information remotely. This market is projected to witness a significant growth due to the increasing demand for services in commercial and defense industries. The system has obtained promising results, evaluated with two different methodologies, to help experts in the decision-making process and to discover new trends and opportunities.This research is partially supported by EIT Climate-KIC of the European Institute of Technology (project EIT Climate-KIC Accelerator-TC_3.1.5_190607_P066-1A) and InnoCENS from Erasmus + (573965-EPP-1-2016-1-SE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP).Griol-Barres, I.; Milla, S.; Cebrián Ferriols, AJ.; Fan, H.; Millet Roig, J. (2020). Detecting Weak Signals of the Future: A System Implementation Based on Text Mining and Natural Language Processing. 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A new method for manufacturing dry electrodes on textiles. Validation for wearable ECG monitoring

[EN] This paper presents a new dry ECG electrode printed on a textile substrate. The proposed manufacturing process permits cost-effective mass production. The ECG dry electrode is obtained through screen printing a conductive silver ink coated with a biocompatible carbon layer. Three different designs combining two shapes (circular and square) and two sizes were developed. The resulting measured impedances are similar to those obtained via a conventional electrode. The prototypes were attached to a bracelet and used with a commercial electrocardiogram (ECG) device to register ECG signals. The dry electrodes were validated via ECG monitoring and compared with a conventional wet electrode. The clinical interest intervals reported similar results and the QRS morphology presented slight differences. Noise evaluation showed no notable differences for all the analyzed parameters.The work presented was funded by the Conselleria d'Economia Sostenible, Sectors Productius i Treball, through IVACE. HYBRID II Project, IMAMCI/2021/1. This work was also supported by PID2019-109547RB-I00 (National Research Program, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion, Spanish Government) & CIBERCV CB16/11/00486 (Instituto de Salud Carlos III)Ferri, J.; Llinares Llopis, R.; Segarra, I.; Cebrián Ferriols, AJ.; Garcia-Breijo, E.; Millet Roig, J. (2022). A new method for manufacturing dry electrodes on textiles. Validation for wearable ECG monitoring. Electrochemistry Communications. 136:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2022.1072441813

Flexible Hybrid Electrodes for Continuous Measurement of the Local Temperature in Long-Term Wounds

[EN] Long-term wounds need a continuous assessment of different biophysical parameters for their treatment, and there is a lack of affordable biocompatible devices capable of obtaining that uninterrupted flow of data. A portable prototype that allows caregivers to know the local temperature behavior of a long-term wound over time and compare it with different reference zones has been developed. Alternative flexible substrates, screen-printing techniques, polymeric inks, and an embedded system have been tested to achieve potential indicators of the status and evolution of chronic wounds. The final system is formed by temperature sensors attached to a flexible and stretchable medical-grade substrate, where silver conductive tracks have been printed as interconnections with the data-acquisition unit. In addition, a specific datalogger has been developed for this system. The whole set will enable health personnel to acquire the temperature of the wound and its surroundings in order to make decisions regarding the state and evolution of the wound.This research was supported by the Spanish Government/FEDER funds (RTI2018-100910B-C43) (MINECO/FEDER). The work presented also was funded by the Conselleria d'Economia Sostenible, Sectors Productius i Treball, through IVACE (Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial). HYBRID II Project-Application No.: IMAMCI/2021/1.Rodes-Carbonell, AM.; Torregrosa-Valls, J.; Guill Ibáñez, A.; Tormos Ferrando, Á.; Juan Blanco, MA.; Cebrián Ferriols, AJ. (2021). Flexible Hybrid Electrodes for Continuous Measurement of the Local Temperature in Long-Term Wounds. Sensors. 21(8):1-24. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21082741S12421

Mini Peltier Cell Array System for the Generation of Controlled Local Epicardial Heterogeneities

[EN] The present study aims to design and fabricate a system capable of generating heterogeneities on the epicardial surface of an isolated rabbit heart perfused in a Langendorff system. The system consists of thermoelectric modules that can be independently controlled by the developed hardware, thereby allowing for the generation of temperature gradients on the epicardial surface, resulting in conduction slowing akin to heterogeneities of pathological origin. A comprehensive analysis of the system's viability was performed through modeling and thermal simulation, and its practicality was validated through preliminary tests conducted at the experimental cardiac electrophysiology laboratory of the University of Valencia. The design process involved the use of Fusion 360 for 3D designs, MATLAB/Simulink for algorithms and block diagrams, LTSpice and Altium Designer for schematic captures and PCB design, and the integration of specialized equipment for animal experimentation. The objective of the study was to efficiently capture epicardial recordings under varying conditions.Clinical relevance- The proposed system aims to induce local epicardial heterogeneities to generate labeled correct signals that can serve as a golden standard for improving algorithms that identify and characterize fibrotic substrates. This improvement will enhance the efficacy of ablation processes and potentially reduce the ablated surface area.This work was supported by PID2019-109547RB-I00 (National Research Program, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion, Spanish Government) and CIBERCV CB16/11/00486 (Instituto de Salud Carlos III).Segarra, I.; Cebrián Ferriols, AJ.; Ruiperez-Campillo, S.; Tormos Ferrando, Á.; Chorro, FJ.; Castells, F.; Alberola, A.... (2023). Mini Peltier Cell Array System for the Generation of Controlled Local Epicardial Heterogeneities. IEEE. 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1109/EMBC40787.2023.103403691