Deep Neural Networks for the Recognition and Classification of Heart Murmurs Using Neuromorphic Auditory Sensors

Auscultation is one of the most used techniques for detecting cardiovascular diseases, which is one of the main causes of death in the world. Heart murmurs are the most common abnormal finding when a patient visits the physician for auscultation. These heart sounds can either be innocent, which are harmless, or abnormal, which may be a sign of a more serious heart condition. However, the accuracy rate of primary care physicians and expert cardiologists when auscultating is not good enough to avoid most of both type-I (healthy patients are sent for echocardiogram) and type-II (pathological patients are sent home without medication or treatment) errors made. In this paper, the authors present a novel convolutional neural network based tool for classifying between healthy people and pathological patients using a neuromorphic auditory sensor for FPGA that is able to decompose the audio into frequency bands in real time. For this purpose, different networks have been trained with the heart murmur information contained in heart sound recordings obtained from nine different heart sound databases sourced from multiple research groups. These samples are segmented and preprocessed using the neuromorphic auditory sensor to decompose their audio information into frequency bands and, after that, sonogram images with the same size are generated. These images have been used to train and test different convolutional neural network architectures. The best results have been obtained with a modified version of the AlexNet model, achieving 97% accuracy (specificity: 95.12%, sensitivity: 93.20%, PhysioNet/CinC Challenge 2016 score: 0.9416). This tool could aid cardiologists and primary care physicians in the auscultation process, improving the decision making task and reducing type-I and type-II errors.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2016-77785-

NAVIS: Neuromorphic Auditory VISualizer Tool

This software presents diverse utilities to perform the first post-processing layer taking the neuromorphic auditory sensors (NAS) information. The used NAS implements in FPGA a cascade filters architecture, imitating the behavior of the basilar membrane and inner hair cells and working with the sound information decomposed into its frequency components as spike streams. The well-known neuromorphic hardware interface Address-Event-Representation (AER) is used to propagate auditory information out of the NAS, emulating the auditory vestibular nerve. Using the information packetized into aedat files, which are generated through the jAER software plus an AER to USB computer interface, NAVIS implements a set of graphs that allows to represent the auditory information as cochleograms, histograms, sonograms, etc. It can also split the auditory information into different sets depending on the activity level of the spike streams. The main contribution of this software tool is that it allows complex audio post-processing treatments and representations, which is a novelty for spike-based systems in the neuromorphic community and it will help neuromorphic engineers to build sets for training spiking neural networks (SNN).Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2012-37868-C04-0

Stereo Matching in Address-Event-Representation (AER) Bio-Inspired Binocular Systems in a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)

In stereo-vision processing, the image-matching step is essential for results, although it involves a very high computational cost. Moreover, the more information is processed, the more time is spent by the matching algorithm, and the more ine cient it is. Spike-based processing is a relatively new approach that implements processing methods by manipulating spikes one by one at the time they are transmitted, like a human brain. The mammal nervous system can solve much more complex problems, such as visual recognition by manipulating neuron spikes. The spike-based philosophy for visual information processing based on the neuro-inspired address-event-representation (AER) is currently achieving very high performance. The aim of this work was to study the viability of a matching mechanism in stereo-vision systems, using AER codification and its implementation in a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Some studies have been done before in an AER system with monitored data using a computer; however, this kind of mechanism has not been implemented directly on hardware. To this end, an epipolar geometry basis applied to AER systems was studied and implemented, with other restrictions, in order to achieve good results in a real-time scenario. The results and conclusions are shown, and the viability of its implementation is proven.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2016-77785-

The field schools in the national institute of forestry, agricultural and livestock research: As escolas de campo do instituto nacional de pesquisa florestal, agrícola e pecuária

One of the objectives of the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP) is to promote and support the transfer of forestry, agricultural and livestock knowledge and technologies, according to the priority needs and demands of producers and society, as well as How to contribute to the training of human resources. To achieve this goal, according to Cadena et al 2015, INIFAP has implemented 14 technology transfer models, from those linear schemes from abroad, to participatory methods, such as the Livestock Groups Technology Validation and Transfer model (GGAVATT) and Experimental Producer, among others. He highlights that, in the southeastern region of Mexico, a paradigm shift has been marked with the Field Schools. Regarding this last model, this article describes the process by which the INIFAP research staff began to use the Field Schools model in the training of technicians and producers and the process of methodological adaptation to be used as a model of training, as well as some experiences of its use in different entities and contexts, and finally the perspectives that are displayed with its application

Multilayer Spiking Neural Network for Audio Samples Classification Using SpiNNaker

Audio classification has always been an interesting subject of research inside the neuromorphic engineering field. Tools like Nengo or Brian, and hardware platforms like the SpiNNaker board are rapidly increasing in popularity in the neuromorphic community due to the ease of modelling spiking neural networks with them. In this manuscript a multilayer spiking neural network for audio samples classification using SpiNNaker is presented. The network consists of different leaky integrate-and-fire neuron layers. The connections between them are trained using novel firing rate based algorithms and tested using sets of pure tones with frequencies that range from 130.813 to 1396.91 Hz. The hit rate percentage values are obtained after adding a random noise signal to the original pure tone signal. The results show very good classification results (above 85 % hit rate) for each class when the Signal-to-noise ratio is above 3 decibels, validating the robustness of the network configuration and the training step.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2012-37868-C04-02Junta de Andalucía P12-TIC-130

Manual de procesos para un sistema de producción modular, Layuot y Bpm para la compañía de confecciones “Mecb Ltda.” de la ciudad de Atuntaqui del cantón Antonio Ante provincia de Imbabura

Realizar un diagnóstico técnico situacional de la compañía MECB Ltda., para determinar Fortalezas, Oportunidades, Debilidades y Amenazas (FODA).RESUMEN EJECUTIVO. La industria textil de la provincia de Imbabura es reconocida a nivel nacional, por su permanente crecimiento y la calidad de productos, pero estas industrias presentan muchas falencias en el manejo de los recursos. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo principal ser un instrumento y una guía para las tareas que son realizadas diariamente por lo empleados de la compañía “MECB Ltda.”, para que desarrollen su trabajo bajo parámetros de eficiencia, eficacia y calidad. Para el manual de procesos se realizó una investigación donde se puede observar la situación actual de la empresa, en el cual se identificaron las fortalezas, debilidades, amenazas y oportunidades (FODA), además de una estructura organizacional y otras variables que son importantes para el correcto funcionamiento de la misma. Para sustentar y justificar su validez, con la recopilación de información en bases científicas que respalden el desarrollo del manual, esta información básica de conceptos permitirá a los lectores comprender mejor manera los temas expuestos en este trabajo. Debido a las necesidades que tiene la empresa se presentó la propuesta de un manual de procesos, el cual cuando se ponga en marcha permitirá un mejoramiento continuo a través de la simplificación de procesos que se realizan con resultados óptimos y de calidad. El motivo de la creación de este manual es dar a conocer el funcionamiento, con respecto a la descripción de las tareas, ubicación, requerimientos de los puestos y responsables de su ejecución. El manual de procesos tiene como efecto identificar las responsabilidades de cada uno de los trabajadores que laboran en el área de producción, para que, en lo posible se pueda mitigar los riesgos que incurren en ejecución de las actividades y tareas. Al final de este proyecto, se planteará un método de verificación de la propuesta que facilite la comprensión y estimación de su alcance, con determinados puntos estratégicos escogidos en el marco de la aplicación de la propuesta, misma que será presentado a las autoridades de la empresa, quienes validaran y darán su opinión de acuerdo a su las necesidades y requerimientos de la compañía

Pattern of sedimentary infilling of fossil mammal traps formed in pseudokarst at Cerro de los Batallones, Madrid Basin, central Spain.

Fossil mammal sites of late Miocene age (ca 9 Ma) occur in hourglassshaped, non-interconnected cavities up to 15 m deep, hosted in mudstone (mostly sepiolite), chert and carbonate bedrock in Cerro de los Batallones. This paper provides a model for the sedimentary infilling of the cavities, which functioned as traps for vertebrate faunas and contain one of the richest and best preserved Neogene mammal assemblages of the Iberian Peninsula. Generation of the mammal-bearing cavities started with the solution of underlying evaporites, which resulted in fissures that were subsequently enlarged by subsurface piping, a process rarely preserved in the ancient sedimentary record. The system of subterranean cavities evolved into a pseudokarst landscape, resulting in doline-like shafts reaching the ancient land surface. The sedimentary infilling of the cavities comprises both clastic and carbonate lithofacies that were investigated by outcrop observation, standard and scanning electron microscope petrography, mineralogical analysis, and stable isotope geochemistry. Gravel and breccia talus deposits, clast and mud-supported gravel, pebbly sandstone and mudstone are common detrital infill deposits mostly derived by overflow erosion of bedrock. The deposits containing the mammal bones are marls, and occur both in subsurface cavities and doline-like depressions. In the underground cavities, marlstone was mainly of clastic origin and accumulated in ponds scattered over the floor of the cavity. In contrast, marlstone deposits in the surface dolines formed mostly as a result of biochemical carbonate deposition in small shallow lakes subjected to fluctuation of the water level. The d18O and d13C carbonate values indicate different origins for the two kinds of marls. During the final phases of pipe infill the doline marlstone sealed the mammal sites, usually off-lapping the adjacent bedrock

Aprendizaje basado en proyectos: implementación de interfaces gráficas para microcontroladores ARM

Este artículo presenta la metodología empleada para dotar a nuestros alumnos, alumnos de la asignatura Diseño con Microcontroladores en el contexto del Máster de Ingeniería de Computadores y Redes de la Universidad de Sevilla, de la capacidad de diseñar y desarrollar sistemas empotrados integrados con interfaz gráfica. En la actualidad se ha extendido el uso de microcontroladores ARM de 32 bits, existiendo diversas familias y arquitecturas, además se han popularizado las pantallas basadas en la tecnología OLED. Debido a esta popularidad, resulta muy interesante la combinación de ambos dispositivos para la formación de la integración de sistemas empotrados con interfaz gráfica, ya que así se puede proporcionar una interactuación entre este tipo de sistemas y los usuarios. Este módulo didáctico ha sido bien acogido por el alumnado, ya que el manejo de los displays OLED les resulta muy atractivo y se plantean las técnicas de programación necesarias para la implementación de interfaces gráficas más complejas.SUMMARY -- This paper presents the methodology used to provide our students, students of the Design with Microcontrollers subject in the studies of Master of Computer Engineering and Networks at the University of Seville, with the capacity to design and to develop embedded systems with graphical interface. Today, the use of 32-bit ARM microcontrollers has been expanded, giving rise to the evolution of different families and architectures and the popularity of displays based on OLED technology. Because of this popularity, is very interesting the combination of both devices, as this can provide an interaction between these systems and users. This educational module has been well received by students, because the management of OLED displays is very attractive for them, and this module raises the programming techniques necessary for implementing complex graphical interfaces

Aprendizaje progresivo basado en proyectos en el ámbito de la Ingeniería Biomédica: diseño, construcción y programación de un ECG basado en un microcontrolador de bajo coste

En la coyuntura sanitaria y educacional en la que se encuentra la sociedad desde hace unos años, el Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech confeccionó unos planes de estudio para una serie de grados que pretendían cubrir la necesidad del Ingeniero Informático dentro de la rama sanitaria. Estos grados, con un primer ciclo común, se subdividen en el segundo ciclo en tres especialidades. Una de ellas es la denominada Ingeniería Biomédica, que forma a Ingenieros con conocimiento de Informática a nivel de Hardware para el diseño y mantenimiento de maquinaria e instrumentación de aplicación en hospitales y centros sanitarios. Este grado se imparte actualmente en la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática de la Universidad de Sevilla. En este contexto, la asignatura “Instrumentación Biomédica” tiene un papel fundamental para el aprendizaje del funcionamiento y diseño de instrumentos de pequeña y mediana escala dentro del ámbito anteriormente especificado. En este trabajo se plantea un mecanismo escalonado y basado en problemas [1,2] para el aprendizaje de los diversos instrumentos electrónicos de aplicación sanitaria. El objetivo del mecanismo de aprendizaje es aportar al alumnado conocimientos básicos acerca del funcionamiento y diseño de todo tipo de sensores y actuadores electrónicos, a la vez que se les introduce en la programación de un microcontrolador de bajo coste y basado en Arduino para manejar dichos periféricos. De forma progresiva se van integrando los conocimientos de todas las prácticas a lo largo del curso para, finalmente, ser capaces de confeccionar y desarrollar un electrocardiógrafo portátil mediante un microcontrolador, una sonda, un amplificador operacional, un display gráfico, una placa de prototipado y diversos componentes electrónicos básicos tales como potenciómetros, pulsadores y diodos led para el control del funcionamiento del instrumento.SUMMARY -- In the current situation of Health and Education. the Andalusia Tech International Excellence Campus drew up a curriculum for three degrees that are intended to cover the need of Computer Engineer within the healthcare industry. These degrees, with a common first cycle of two years, have three specialties in the second cycle. One of them is the Biomedical Engineering, which trains engineers with knowledge of Computer Hardware level for the design and maintenance of machinery and instrumentation for application in hospitals and health centers. This degree is currently offered at the Technical Superior School of Computer Science at the University of Seville. In this context, the course "Biomedical Instrumentation" has a fundamental role for learning the operation and design of small and medium-scaled instruments. In this paper, a step-by-step and problem-based learning is explained inside the Biomedical Instrumentation course. The main objective of this learning mechanism is to provide basic knowledge about performance and design medical instruments with several types of electronic sensors and actuators, while students are introduced in the programming of a low-cost Arduino-based to handle these peripherals. Progressively they integrate the knowledge of all practices sesions throughout the course to finally be able to prepare and develop a portable electrocardiograph by a microcontroller, a probe, an operational amplifier, a graphical display, a prototyping board and several basic electronic components such as potentiometers, pushbuttons and leds for controlling the operation of the instrument