Training a HyperDimensional Computing Classifier using a Threshold on its Confidence

Hyperdimensional computing (HDC) has become popular for light-weight and energy-efficient machine learning, suitable for wearable Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and near-sensor or on-device processing. HDC is computationally less complex than traditional deep learning algorithms and achieves moderate to good classification performance. This article proposes to extend the training procedure in HDC by taking into account not only wrongly classified samples, but also samples that are correctly classified by the HDC model but with low confidence. As such, a confidence threshold is introduced that can be tuned for each dataset to achieve the best classification accuracy. The proposed training procedure is tested on UCIHAR, CTG, ISOLET and HAND dataset for which the performance consistently improves compared to the baseline across a range of confidence threshold values. The extended training procedure also results in a shift towards higher confidence values of the correctly classified samples making the classifier not only more accurate but also more confident about its predictions

El sedentarismo y la actividad física en relación a la salud cardiovascular en Aragón

Introducción y objetivo: Analizar el grado de seguimiento de las recomendaciones sobre actividad física difundidas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud en la población adulta trabajadora aragonesa, incluyendo a aquellas personas que presentan algún factor de riesgo cardiovascular (HTA, DM, dislipemia) y describir las características socio-demográficas, clínicas y de estilo de vida de las aquellas personas que cumplen con dichas recomendaciones. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado sobre 2561 voluntarios, pertenecientes a la cohorte del Aragon Workers´ Health Study. Se obtuvieron datos acerca del cumplimiento de las recomendaciones de AF mediante la versión española validada del cuestionario de práctica de actividades utilizado en el Nurses’ Health Study y el Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study. Se consideró que cumplían las recomendaciones aquellos trabajadores que reportaron una práctica de 150 minutos semanales de AF aeróbica moderada o bien 75 minutos semanales de AF aeróbica vigorosa o bien una combinación de ambas, durante el tiempo de ocio, los desplazamientos o el trabajo. Se analizaron mediante cuestionarios características sociodemográficas y de estilo de vida, y se obtuvieron datos bioquímicos y antropométricos. Resultados: el 47% de los trabajadores cumplían las recomendaciones de AF. El cumplimiento era mayor en los trabajadores con estudios superiores, en los que desempeñaban un trabajo de tipo administrativo y en aquellos con un horario laboral a turno fijo. No se hallaron diferencias significativas en relación al sexo, a la estructura familiar o al estado civil. El cumplimiento de las recomendaciones se asociaba a menor IMC y circunferencia abdominal, menores niveles de TG y Apolipoproteína B100 y mayores de HDL y Apolipoproteína A1, valores más bajos de glucosa en ayunas, insulinemia, HbA1c, resistencia a la insulina y PCR. El número de personas con diagnóstico y/o tratamiento de HTA, DM, dislipemia y Síndrome metabólico era menor en el grupo de los cumplidores. Los trabajadores que siguen las recomendaciones presentaban un estilo de vida menos sedentario y una alimentación más saludable. El cumplimiento fue del 39,7% en hipertensos, 38,7% en dislipémicos y 32,7% en diabéticos. Conclusiones: menos de la mitad de los trabajadores adultos aragoneses cumple con las recomendaciones de AF, siendo menor este cumplimiento en aquellos con factores de riesgo CV. El cumplir con las recomendaciones se asocia con una mejor alimentación, un menor hábito tabáquico, menor comportamiento sedentario, mayor nivel de estudios, trabajo administrativo a turno fijo, mejor perfil lipídico y glucémico, menores parámetros inflamatorios, menor prevalencia de diagnóstico y tratamiento de HTA, DM, dislipemia y Síndrome Metabólico. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction and objectives: To analyze the adherence of World Health Organization´s physical activity recommendations in the Aragon´s working adult population, including those with cardiovascular risk factors. Another objective is to describe the sociodemographic, clinic and lifestyle characteristics of those who meet the recommendations. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out in a sample of 2561 volunteers belonging to the Aragon Workers´ Health Study. Adhesion data were obtained using the Nurses´ Health Study and the Health Professionals´ Follow-up Study Spanish version questionnaire. It was considered that the worker complied with the recommendation when practiced at least 150 minutes per week of aerobic physical activity of moderate intensity or 75 minutes per week of aerobic physical activity of vigorous intensity or a combination of both of at least 10 minutes, through activities in leisure time, transports and work. We also analyzed sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics associated with the adherence using several questionnaires. To analyze clinical variables we obtained anthropometric and laboratory data. Results: Adherence was 47% of workers. It was higher in those with higher education, paperwork and fixed shift. No significant differences were found about gender, family members or civil status. Adherence was associated with lower BMI and waist circumference, lower triglycerides and Apolipoprotein B100, higher HDL and Apolipoprotein A1 levels, lower fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR an C reactive protein. The prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and metabolic syndrome´ s diagnosis and treatment was lower in the group of those with comply with the recommendations. Adherence was associated with lower sedentary lifestyle and more healthy dietary. Among people with any cardiovascular risk factor, adherence was less prevalent: 39,7% in Hypertensives, 38,7% in people with dyslipidemia and 32,7% in Diabetics. Conclusions: Less than half of adults workers in Aragón comply with the physical activity recommendations, and the prevalence is lower in those with cardiovascular risk factors. Adherence is associated with a better dietary, less sedentary behavior and smoking habit, higher study level, office work and fixed shift. Those who meet the recommendations presents better lipid profile and glycaemia, lower inflammatory parameters and lower prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and metabolic syndrome diagnosis and treatment

Evaluation of a combined strategy directed towards health-care professionals and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Information and health education feedback for improving clinical monitoring and quality-of-life

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a health problem that is becoming increasingly attended-to in Primary Care (PC). However, there is a scarcity of health-care programs and studies exploring the implementation of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG). The principal objective of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined strategy directed towards health-care professionals and patients to improve the grade of clinical control and the quality-of-life (QoL) of the patients via a feedback on their state-of-health. A training plan for the health-care professionals is based on CPG and health education.</p> <p>Method/Design</p> <p>Multi-centred, before-after, quasi experimental, prospective study involving an intervention group and a control group of individuals followed-up for 12 months. The patients receive attention from urban and semi-urban Primary Care Centres (PCC) within the administrative area of the Costa de Ponent (near Barcelona). All the pacients corresponding to the PCC of one sub-area were assigned to the intervention group and patients from the rest of sub-areas to the group control. The intervention includes providing data to the health-care professionals (clinician/nurse) derived from a clinical history and an interview. A course of training focused on aspects of CPG, motivational interview and health education (tobacco, inhalers, diet, physical exercise, physiotherapy). The sample random includes a total of 801 patients (≥ 40 years of age), recorded as having COPD, receiving attention in the PCC or at home, who have had at least one clinical visit, and who provided written informed consent to participation in the study. Data collected include socio-demographic characteristics, drug treatment, exacerbations and hospital admissions, evaluation of inhaler use, tobacco consumption and life-style and health-care resources consumed. The main endpoints are dyspnoea, according to the modified scale of the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the QoL, evaluated with the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). The variables are obtained at the start and the end of the intervention. Information from follow-up visits focuses on the changes in life-style activities of the patient.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study is conducted with the objective of generating evidence that shows that implementation of awareness programs directed towards health-care professionals as well as patients in the context of PC can produce an increase in the QoL and a decrease in the disease exacerbation, compared to standard clinical practice.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT00922545;</p

Circadian Rhythm and Sleep Disruption: Causes, Metabolic Consequences and Countermeasures.

Circadian (∼ 24 hour) timing systems pervade all kingdoms of life, and temporally optimize behaviour and physiology in humans. Relatively recent changes to our environments, such as the introduction of artificial lighting, can disorganize the circadian system, from the level of the molecular clocks that regulate the timing of cellular activities to the level of synchronization between our daily cycles of behaviour and the solar day. Sleep/wake cycles are intertwined with the circadian system, and global trends indicate that these too are increasingly subject to disruption. A large proportion of the world's population is at increased risk of environmentally-driven circadian rhythm and sleep disruption, and a minority of individuals are also genetically predisposed to circadian misalignment and sleep disorders. The consequences of disruption to the circadian system and sleep are profound and include myriad metabolic ramifications, some of which may be compounded by adverse effects on dietary choices. If not addressed, the deleterious effects of such disruption will continue to cause widespread health problems; therefore, implementation of the numerous behavioural and pharmaceutical interventions that can help restore circadian system alignment and enhance sleep will be important

Telomere dysfunction : A new player in radiation sensitivity

Altres ajuts: Fundació Marató TV3 [TV32005-050110]Human individuals often exhibit important differences in their sensitivity to ionising radiation. Extensive literature links radiation sensitivity with impaired DNA repair which is due to a lack of correct functioning in many proteins involved in DNA-repair pathways and/or in DNA-damage checkpoint responses. Given that ionising radiation is an important and widespread diagnostic and therapeutic tool, it is important to investigate further those factors and mechanisms that underlie individual radiosensitivity. Recently, evidence is accumulating that telomere function may well be involved in cellular and organism responses to ionising radiation, broadening still further the currently complex and challenging scenario. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Enfermedad renal crónica en Atención Primaria: prevalencia y factores de riesgo asociados

Objetivo: Conocer la prevalencia y los estadios de la enfermedad renal crónica según la estimación del filtrado glomerular (eFG), y los factores de riesgo asociados en individuos ≥ 60 años. Diseño: Estudio observacional transversal. Emplazamiento: Atención Primaria. Participantes: Sujetos ≥ 60 años de 40 centros de Atención Primaria con determinación de creatinina sérica entre 1 enero-31 diciembre de 2010. Criterios de exclusión: trasplante renal, atención domiciliaria. Mediciones principales: Variables sociodemográficas, antropométricas, factores de riesgo y enfermedad cardiovascular según registro en historia clínica electrónica, concentración de creatinina sérica según método Jaffé cinético compensado estandarizado y eFG según MDRD-4 IDMS y CKD-EPI. Resultados: Fueron analizados 97.665 individuos (57,3% mujeres, mediana de edad 70,0 [Q1: 65,0; Q3: 77,0]). Prevalencia de eFG-MDRD < 60 = 15,1% (16,6% en mujeres, 13,2% en hombres; p < 0,001) con aumento progresivo con la edad. El análisis multivariante detectó una asociación positiva entre eFG-MDRD < 60 y edad (OR = 1,74; IC 95% 1,70-1,77), HTA (OR = 2,18; IC 95% 2,08-2,30), insuficiencia cardiaca (OR = 2,03; IC 95% 1,83-2,25), fibrilación auricular (OR = 1,57; IC 95% 1,41-1,76), cardiopatía isquémica (OR = 1,40; IC 95% 1,30-1,50), arteriopatía periférica (OR = 1,31; IC 95% 1,09-1,57), dislipidemia (OR = 1,28; IC 95% 1,23-1,33), DM (OR = 1,26; IC 95% 1,17-1,34) y AVC (OR = 1,17; IC 95% 1,09-1,25). El modelo con eFG-CKD-EPI mostró un aumento de la OR con la edad y sexo masculino, que cobró significación como factor de riesgo. Conclusiones: La enfermedad renal crónica presenta una importante prevalencia en pacientes ≥ 60 años atendidos en Atención Primaria, mayor en mujeres que en hombres, y aumentando con la edad. La HTA, más que la DM, fue el principal factor de riesgo cardiovascular asociado

La aportación española en el proyecto EuroGEOSS: Hacia un sistema de observación ambiental de la Tierra

II Jornadas Ibéricas de Infraestructura de Datos Espaciales. Barcelona, novembre 2011EuroGEOSS es un proyecto del 7.º Programa Marco de la Comisión Europea cuyo objetivo es la creación de un Sistema de Observación Ambiental de la Tierra que se desarrollará en las áreas temáticas de Cubierta Forestal, Sequía y Biodiversidad. Este proyecto cumplirá los requisitos de INSPIRE y SEIS, y las normas que aseguran la coherencia entre GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems), INSPIRE (Infraestructure for Spatial Information in Europe) y GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) y se desarrollará en base a sistemas, recursos y servicios ya existentes o que tengan previsto su lanzamiento en breve en Europa. El proyecto persigue la interoperabilidad multidisciplinar, es decir, que la información de diferentes disciplinas sea comparable y compatible, facilitando la toma de decisiones. Así, en el contexto del proyecto se establece una Capacidad Operativa Inicial (IOC - Initial Operating Capacity) en estas tres áreas, que debe evolucionar hacia una Capacidad Operativa Avanzada (AOC - Advanced Operating Capacity). Esta AOC reflejará como resultado la interoperabilidad multidisciplinar entre las tres áreas implicadas, que debe permitir el acceso no sólo a datos sino también a modelos analíticos que puedan ser empleados por científicos de diferentes ámbitos. Entre otros, la AOC contempla el uso de lenguaje natural, estrategias avanzadas de búsqueda y conceptos web 2.0. Este proyecto tiene más de seis millones de euros de presupuesto y en él participan 22 organismos de 10 países distintos. Los socios españoles son la Universidad de Zaragoza, la Universitat Jaume I de Castellón, el Instituto Geográfico Nacional a través del CNIG, la Confederación Hidrográfica del Ebro, el CSIC a través del Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología y el Observatorio de la Sostenibilidad de España. Está estructurado en siete paquetes de trabajo: además de los tres temáticos, hay otros cuatro grupos dedicados a coordinación, interoperabilidad multidisciplinar, evaluación de beneficios y diseminación (figura 1). Lanzado oficialmente en mayo de 2009, su finalización está prevista para abril de 2012.EuroGEOSS - FP7 Project nº 22648