Classification of healthy, Alzheimer and Parkinson populations with a multi-branch neural network

Signal processing, for delimitation of the target events and parametrization, is usually required when instrumented assessment is conducted to determine an individual’s functional status. However, these procedures may rule out relevant information obtained by sensors. To prevent this, the use of models based on neural networks that automatically extract relevant features from the raw signal may improve the characterization of the functional status. Thus, the aim of the study was to determine the classification accuracy of a multi-head convolutional layered neural network (CNN) using a simple functional mobility test in people with different conditions. The raw data from an inertial sensor embedded in a smartphone worn by 90 volunteers (i.e. 30 volunteers with Alzheimer’s disease, 30 with Parkinson’s disease and 30 healthy elderly people) was obtained. The CNN classification accuracy was compared to that of the two parametric classifiers, namely, linear discriminant analysis and multilayer perceptron, a neural network-based classifier. As a result, the validation process revealed that the CNN classifier correctly assigned 100% of the participants to each group. The best accuracy in pathology classification for the two parametric classifiers ranged from 55% to 88%. Therefore, the CNN model provided enhanced classification accuracy as compared to the parametric approaches, even better than the neural network-based classifier. Non parametrization may increase relevant information, thus enhancing pathology impact characterization

Numerical model of the inhomogeneous scattering by the human lens

We present in this work a numerical model for characterizing the scattering properties of the human lens. After analyzing the scattering properties of two main scattering particles actually described in the literature through FEM (finite element method) simulations, we have modified a Monte Carlo's bulk scattering algorithm for computing ray scattering in non-sequential ray tracing. We have implemented this ray scattering algorithm in a layered model of the human lens in order to calculate the scattering properties of the whole lens. We have tested our algorithm by simulating the classic experiment carried out by Van der Berg et al for measuring "in vitro" the angular distribution of forward scattered light by the human lens. The results show the ability of our model to simulate accurately the scattering properties of the human lens

Classification of Parkinson's disease stages with a two-stage deep neural network

IntroductionParkinson's disease is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases. In the most advanced stages, PD produces motor dysfunction that impairs basic activities of daily living such as balance, gait, sitting, or standing. Early identification allows healthcare personnel to intervene more effectively in rehabilitation. Understanding the altered aspects and impact on the progression of the disease is important for improving the quality of life. This study proposes a two-stage neural network model for the classifying the initial stages of PD using data recorded with smartphone sensors during a modified Timed Up & Go test.MethodsThe proposed model consists on two stages: in the first stage, a semantic segmentation of the raw sensor signals classifies the activities included in the test and obtains biomechanical variables that are considered clinically relevant parameters for functional assessment. The second stage is a neural network with three input branches: one with the biomechanical variables, one with the spectrogram image of the sensor signals, and the third with the raw sensor signals.ResultsThis stage employs convolutional layers and long short-term memory. The results show a mean accuracy of 99.64% for the stratified k-fold training/validation process and 100% success rate of participants in the test phase.DiscussionThe proposed model is capable of identifying the three initial stages of Parkinson's disease using a 2-min functional test. The test easy instrumentation requirements and short duration make it feasible for use feasible in the clinical context

Life-Campus: herramienta virtual para el aprendizaje de la biodiversidad del Campus Ciudad Universitaria

Depto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y EvoluciónFac. de Ciencias BiológicasFALSEsubmitte

Justificación de las excepciones al Reglamento (CE) 1967/2006 en lo referente a luz de malla, así como de la distancia a costa y profundidad marina mínima para la pesca del chanquete en la Región de Murcia.

Transparent goby fishing is an artisanal, traditional and sustainable fishery with a high economic impact for the small gear sector of the Region of Murcia. The morphological and ecological characteristics of the target species require the use of fishing gear and slaughter maneuvers not permitted in Regulation 1967/2006. For this reason, the European Commission was asked for certain exceptions for this fishery and a Management Plan was implemented. After 3 periods of exception and after 11 years of application of the Management Plan for the transparent goby fishery in the Region of Murcia, the present work demonstrates and justifies, based on the scientific data obtained in the monitoring plan, the need to the exception to Regulation (EC) 1967/2006 in relation to mesh size as well as distance to coast and minimum sea depth.La pesca del chanquete es una pesquería artesanal, tradicional y sostenible con un elevado impacto económico para el sector de artes menores de la Región de Murcia. Las características morfológicas y ecológicas de la especie objetivo exigen el uso de un arte de pesca y unas maniobras de faenado no permitidas en el Reglamento 1967/2006. Por tal motivo, se solicitó a la Comisión Europea determinadas excepciones para esta pesquería en lo referente a luz de malla, así como de la distancia a costa y profundidad marina mínima, implementándose un Plan de Gestión. Después de 3 periodos de excepción y tras 11 años de aplicación del Plan de Gestión de la pesca del chanquete en la Región de Murcia, el presente trabajo demuestra y justifica, en base a los datos científicos obtenidos en el plan de monitorización, la necesidad de la excepción al Reglamento (CE) 1967/2006 en lo referente a luz de malla, así como de la distancia a costa y profundidad marina mínima

Extracellular vesicles from pristane-treated CD38-deficient mice express an antiinflammatory neutrophil protein signature, which reflects the mild lupus severity elicited in these mice

In CD38-deficient (Cd38-/-) mice intraperitoneal injection of pristane induces a lupus-like disease, which is milder than that induced in WT mice, showing significant differences in the inflammatory and autoimmune processes triggered by pristane. Extracellular vesicles (EV) are present in all body fluids. Shed by cells, their molecular make-up reflects that of their cell of origin and/or tissue pathological situation. The aim of this study was to analyze the protein composition, protein abundance, and functional clustering of EV released by peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) in the pristane experimental lupus model, to identify predictive or diagnostic biomarkers that might discriminate the autoimmune process in lupus from inflammatory reactions and/or normal physiological processes. In this study, thanks to an extensive proteomic analysis and powerful bioinformatics software, distinct EV subtypes were identified in the peritoneal exudates of pristane-treated mice: 1) small EV enriched in the tetraspanin CD63 and CD9, which are likely of exosomal origin; 2) small EV enriched in CD47 and CD9, which are also enriched in plasma-membrane, membrane-associated proteins, with an ectosomal origin; 3) small EV enriched in keratins, ECM proteins, complement/coagulation proteins, fibrin clot formation proteins, and endopetidase inhibitor proteins. This enrichment may have an inflammation-mediated mesothelial-tomesenchymal transition origin, representing a protein corona on the surface of peritoneal exudate EV; 4) HDL-enriched lipoprotein particles. Quantitative proteomic analysis allowed us to identify an anti-inflammatory, Annexin A1- enriched pro-resolving, neutrophil protein signature, which was more prominent in EV from pristane-treated Cd38-/- mice, and quantitative differences in the protein cargo of the ECM-enriched EV from Cd38-/- vs WT mice. These differences are likely to be related with the distinct inflammatory outcome shown by Cd38-/- vs WT mice in response to pristane treatment. Our results demonstrate the power of a hypothesis-free and data-driven approach to transform the heterogeneity of the peritoneal exudate EV from pristanetreated mice in valuable information about the relative proportion of different EV in a given sample and to identify potential protein markers specific for the different small EV subtypes, in particular those proteins defining EV involved in the resolution phase of chronic inflammation.Proyecto del plan estatal, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion PT13/0001/011CSIC PT17/0019/0010 PID2020-119567RB-I0

Efectos de la extracción de chaetomorpha linum y ulva spp sobre el estado ecológico del mar menor durante la primavera y verano de 2022

El Mar Menor a diferencia de otras lagunas costeras es de carácter oligotrófico y en las últimas décadas derivado de presiones agrícolas y urbanas, y una planificación litoral de escasa integración ambiental han desencadenado episodios eutróficos que el sistema ha intentado controlar mediante proliferaciones de medusas, algas, fitoplancton y zooplancton, en un intento de favorecer el sistema de producción primaria de arriba-abajo. El Gobierno de la Región de Murcia durante 2022 realiza una retirada de las algas con el fin de evitar la putrefacción y descomposición en zonas someras que generan fangos, y minimizando la incorporación de nutrientes desde el sediment

Aproximación multidisciplinar a la supervisión del practicum en las carreras de educación, medicina, odontología, informática, comunicación y documentación

Memoria ID-035. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2013-2014

Tratamientos psicológicos empíricamente apoyados para adultos: Una revisión selectiva

Antecedentes: los tratamientos psicológicos han mostrado su eficacia, efectividad y eficiencia para el abordaje de los trastornos mentales; no obstante, considerando el conocimiento científico generado en los últimos años, no se dispone de trabajos de actualización en español sobre cuáles son los tratamientos psicológicos con respaldo empírico. El objetivo fue realizar una revisión selectiva de los principales tratamientos psicológicos empíricamente apoyados para el abordaje de trastornos mentales en personas adultas. Método: se recogen niveles de evidencia y grados de recomendación en función de los criterios propuestos por el Sistema Nacional de Salud de España (en las Guías de Práctica Clínica) para diferentes trastornos psicológicos. Resultados: los resultados sugieren que los tratamientos psicológicos disponen de apoyo empírico para el abordaje de un amplio elenco de trastornos psicológicos. El grado de apoyo empírico oscila de bajo a alto en función del trastorno psicológico analizado. La revisión sugiere que ciertos campos de intervención necesitan una mayor investigación. Conclusiones: a partir de esta revisión selectiva, los profesionales de la psicología podrán disponer de información rigurosa y actualizada que les permita tomar decisiones informadas a la hora de implementar aquellos procedimientos psicoterapéuticos empíricamente fundamentados en función de las características de las personas que demandan ayuda. Background: Psychological treatments have shown their efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency in dealing with mental disorders. However, considering the scientific knowledge generated in recent years, in the Spanish context, there are no updating studies about empirically supported psychological treatments. The main goal was to carry out a selective review of the main empirically supported psychological treatments for mental disorders in adults. Method: Levels of evidence and degrees of recommendation were collected based on the criteria proposed by the Spanish National Health System (Clinical Practice Guidelines) for different psychological disorders. Results: The results indicate that psychological treatments have empirical support for the approach to a wide range of psychological disorders. These levels of empirical evidence gathered range from low to high depending on the psychological disorder analysed. The review indicates the existence of certain fields of intervention that need further investigation. Conclusions: Based on this selective review, psychology professionals will be able to have rigorous, up-to-date information that allows them to make informed decisions when implementing empirically based psychotherapeutic procedures based on the characteristics of the people who require help

PhDAY 2020 -FOO (Facultad de Óptica y Optometría)

Por cuarto año consecutivo los doctorandos de la Facultad de Óptica y Optometría de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid cuentan con un congreso propio organizado por y para ellos, el 4º PhDAY- FOO. Se trata de un congreso gratuito abierto en la que estos jóvenes científicos podrán presentar sus investigaciones al resto de sus compañeros predoctorales y a toda la comunidad universitaria que quiera disfrutar de este evento. Apunta en tu agenda: el 15 de octubre de 2020. En esta ocasión será un Congreso On-line para evitar que la incertidumbre asociada a la pandemia Covid-19 pudiera condicionar su celebración