Nature of the learning algorithms for feedforward neural networks

The neural network model (NN) comprised of relatively simple computing elements, operating in parallel, offers an attractive and versatile framework for exploring a variety of learning structures and processes for intelligent systems. Due to the amount of research developed in the area many types of networks have been defined. The one of interest here is the multi-layer perceptron as it is one of the simplest and it is considered a powerful representation tool whose complete potential has not been adequately exploited and whose limitations need yet to be specified in a formal and coherent framework. This dissertation addresses the theory of generalisation performance and architecture selection for the multi-layer perceptron; a subsidiary aim is to compare and integrate this model with existing data analysis techniques and exploit its potential by combining it with certain constructs from computational geometry creating a reliable, coherent network design process which conforms to the characteristics of a generative learning algorithm, ie. one including mechanisms for manipulating the connections and/or units that comprise the architecture in addition to the procedure for updating the weights of the connections. This means that it is unnecessary to provide an initial network as input to the complete training process.After discussing in general terms the motivation for this study, the multi-layer perceptron model is introduced and reviewed, along with the relevant supervised training algorithm, ie. backpropagation. More particularly, it is argued that a network developed employing this model can in general be trained and designed in a much better way by extracting more information about the domains of interest through the application of certain geometric constructs in a preprocessing stage, specifically by generating the Voronoi Diagram and Delaunav Triangulation [Okabe et al. 92] of the set of points comprising the training set and once a final architecture which performs appropriately on it has been obtained, Principal Component Analysis [Jolliffe 86] is applied to the outputs produced by the units in the network's hidden layer to eliminate the redundant dimensions of this space

EFECTIVIDAD DE LAS INFILTRACIONES DE TOXINA BOTULÍNICA A COMO TRATAMIENTO PARA LA MARCHA DE PUNTILLAS IDIOPÁTICA: REVISIÓN BIBLIOGRÁFICA

Caminar de puntillas es una alteración de la marcha caracterizada por la ausencia de apoyo de talón en la fase inicial de la marcha. Se considera patológica cuando persiste a partir de los 3 años de edad y cuando se descartan causas neurológicas u ortopédicas se considera marcha de puntillas idiopática o idiopathic toe walking (ITW). Objetivo. El objetivo principal de esta revisión bibliográfica es determinar la evidencia de la efectividad de las infiltraciones de toxina botulínica A como tratamiento para la marcha de puntillas idiopática y comparar la efectividad de los distintos tratamientos. Métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos Pubmed, Cochrane Library y Scopus desde el 2000 al 2018. Conclusión. No hemos encontrado evidencia de la eficacia de la toxina botulínica A ni de las otras opciones de tratamient

Tamaño del cupo e importe, intensidad y calidad de la prescripción de los médicos de familia

ResumenObjetivosConocer la relación entre algunas características de la prescripción (importe, intensidad y calidad) de los médicos de familia de un departamento de salud y el tamaño de sus cupos, y se controla por eventuales confusores. Analizar la intensidad prescriptora de determinados grupos terapéuticos según el tamaño del cupo.DiseñoEstudio cuantitativo de consumo de medicamentos.EmplazamientoDepartamento de Salud N.o 20 de la Agencia Valenciana de Salud.ParticipantesTodos cupos de médicos de familia (n=122) del modelo reformado de atención primaria del departamento en 2007.Mediciones y resultadosSe analiza toda la prescripción en receta oficial del SNS en los 122 cupos en 2007. Se definen variables referidas al cupo y al importe, a la intensidad y a la calidad de la prescripción. Se analiza la relación entre el tamaño del cupo y las características de la prescripción y se ajusta por posibles confusores. Se analiza la intensidad de la prescripción de los 35 grupos terapéuticos más representativos (el 81% de la prescripción) según el tamaño del cupo. De forma estadísticamente significativa, en los pacientes activos de los cupos más numerosos se detecta un menor importe de la prescripción por persona (β=–0,22) y por receta (β=–0,26), y una menor intensidad prescriptora de algunos grupos terapéuticos, como antihipertensivos (r=–0,23), antidiabéticos (r=–0,29) y antiagregantes plaquetarios (r=–0,19).ConclusionesSe plantea la hipótesis de que los pacientes activos de los cupos más numerosos estarían infradiagnosticados o infratratados de determinados procesos como la hipertensión, la diabetes o la prevención del riesgo cardiovascular, lo que contribuye a un menor importe de la prescripción en estos cupos.AbstractObjectivesTo determine the relationship between some characteristics (cost, intensity, quality) of prescriptions issued by general practitioners in a health district and their patient loads, controlling for possible confounders. To analyze the intensity of prescription of certain groups of therapeutic drugs according to the patient load.DesignQuantitative study of consumption of medicines.SettingHealth District n° 20 of the Valencian Health Agency.ParticipantsAll patients on the lists of general practitioners (n=122) in the reformed model of primary healthcare in the Health District in 2007.Measurements and resultsAll official prescriptions issued in 2007 to patients on the 122 lists were analysed. We defined variables relating to the patient load and the cost, intensity and quality of the prescription. The relationship between patient load and prescription characteristics was analysed, adjusting for possible confounders. The intensity of prescription of the 35 most representative groups of therapeutic drugs (81% of prescriptions) was analysed according to patient load. With statistical significance, a lower prescription cost by person (beta=−0,22) and by prescription (beta=−0,26),was found in active patients of the largest patient loads and a lower intensity of prescription of some drugs groups such as antihypertensives (r=−0.23), antidiabetics (r=−0.29) and antiaggregates (r=−0.19).ConclusionsWe put forward the hypothesis that the active patients in the largest patient loads may be under-diagnosed or undertreated for certain disorders, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or the prevention of cardiovascular risk, thereby contributing to the lower prescription cost in such patient loads

German-speaking psychologists in English-speaking sources. Reflections on national trends in the history of psychology

The ideal of an universal science without national boundaries, has occasionally obscured the reality of the consistent national trends which have doubtless occurred in research and theorising of different specialities. In our field, according to Ribot, there were a century ago two existing branches of Psychology, in Germany and England respectively, which could be characterized by differentiating traits. This work aims to raise some reflections on the existence of these national trends in the History of Psychology, as regards to most prominent authors in the field. Our aim is to assess the presence and influence of German eminent scientists bom in the past century, in the current Psychology, as well as their possible clustering face to authors of different nationality. Both, a quantitative study of their influence on various selected English-speaking sources, and a qualitative analysis in terms of generation, nationality and scientific activity are included

Managerial Skills to Engineers, an optative subject on last course of grade in the ETSIIV. Results of applying new methodologies for developing managerial skills

[EN] Managerial Skills to Engineers is an optative subject placed on last degree course. Students have passed on second course “Organization Foundations” as only subject about management contents. So, it was proposed with the aim of developing main managerial skills thinking of their professional future, highlighting among them communication skills clearly. On fact, during quotidian engineer’s work on plant they need leading groups, participating on meetings, negotiating with clients, suppliers, etc. Communication constitutes a basic pillar for personnel and professional engineer’s future success. In this paper most relevant results reached during three last years have been gathered up, all of it considering actual constraints have advised us to improve each year step by step consolidating each one before moving forward.Dema Pérez, CM.; Fernández Llatas, C.; Martinez-Miñana, A.; Estelles Miguel, S. (2019). Managerial Skills to Engineers, an optative subject on last course of grade in the ETSIIV. Results of applying new methodologies for developing managerial skills. En INNODOCT/18. International Conference on Innovation, Documentation and Education. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 185-193. https://doi.org/10.4995/INN2018.2018.8864OCS18519

Morphologic matrix application as a tool to spring on creativity. Results in a design master in the U.P.V

[EN] Some years ago our group had the challenge of collaborating on a design master teaching an optative subject of Technology Management Foundations. The challenge was to develop it in an attractive way capable of interesting really students and generating a motivated behaviour in class. Now, seven years later, it is possible to have a complete landscape of this experience. Designers profile was very different from the profile of mechanical, electric, electronics, chemical, ... engineers we usually had in class, and this reality was a problem at the beginning of first edition when we had to resolve it and to define the basis to thenew master editions. Main tool taken from technological forecasting to apply it as a design tool was Morphology. Our group had applied this methodology since many years ago. First on doctorate courses of “Technology Management” and afterwards on postgraduate courses and masters. On this paper we discuss the experience on a design master where this methodology was applied as a tool for developing new products combining with other techniques for spurring creativity as brain storming, lateral thinking, de Bono’s hats, nominal group, etc. Other forecasting methodologies were gap analysis and analogies. Examples of final works have not been included so it is not possible contacting students to ask for permission in order to include them on the paper.Dema Pérez, CM.; Fernández Llatas, C.; Martinez-Miñana, A.; Estelles Miguel, S. (2019). Morphologic matrix application as a tool to spring on creativity. Results in a design master in the U.P.V. En INNODOCT/18. International Conference on Innovation, Documentation and Education. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 195-202. https://doi.org/10.4995/INN2018.2018.8865OCS19520

Análisis y distribución de hidrocarburos policíclicos aromáticos (PAH's) en suelos y aguas de escombreras en Puertollano (Ciudad Real)

The aim of this study was to examine if the soils and waters of Puertollano area are affected by pollution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their quantification. The results show that PAHs concentrations are higher in all samples than the reference levels gathered in the Spanish legislation. The possible actions for the coal waste remediation (re-wash of waste dumps, photodegradation and biorremediation) seems to be unviable in this case because of the large volume of materials affected, the slowness of these processes, and the geomorphological characteristics of the carboniferous Puertollano basin. During the spatial regional planning, maps showing the concentration of PAHs should be made to adapt the soil for its corresponding use. It is proposed to consider as contaminants more PAHs, such as naftalene or fluorantene in waters, and phenanthrene and benzo[ghi] perilene in soils

Analysis of ecosystem services provision in the Colombian Amazon using participatory research and mapping techniques

Over the last two decades indigenous peoples in the lower Caquetá River basin in Colombia have experienced detrimental changes in the provision of important ecosystem services in ways that have significant implications for the maintenance of their traditional livelihoods. To assess these changes we conducted eight participatory mapping activities and convened 22 focus group discussions. We focused the analysis on two types of change: (1) changes in the location of ecosystem services provisioning areas and (2) changes in the stock of ecosystem services. The focal ecosystem services include services such as provision of food, raw materials and medicinal resources. Results from the study show that in the past two decades the demand for food and raw materials has intensified and, as a result, locations of provisioning areas and the stocks of ecosystem services have changed. We found anecdotal evidence that these changes correlate well with socio-economic factors such as greater need for income generation, change in livelihood practices and consumption patterns. We discuss the use of participatory mapping techniques in the context of marginalized and data-poor regions. We also show how this kind of information can strengthen existing ecosystem-based management strategies used by indigenous peoples in the Colombian Amazon

Relationship between the risk of falling and prescribed medication in community-dwelling elderly subjects.

Abstract Introduction: The risk of falling increases with age. A third of the population over 65 has one or more falls per year. Objetive: to know the relationship between drug prescription and falls in the elderly. Materials and Methods: a study was carried out through a community intervention in individuals ≥ 70 years of age. Results: The sample was composed of 249 participants, 160 women (64%), with a mean age of 74.47 years (SD 5.33). During the 12 months prior to the study, the mean of falls per person was 0.5 (SD 0.94), the mean of the risk factors was 2.73 (SD 1.4) and the mean of the medication prescribed was 4.2 (SD 3.0). The percentage of the reduction of falls after the study was 12%. The amount of medication prescribed correlated with the incidence of falls before and after the study, r=0.193, p=0.002 y r2=0.170, p=0.009, respectively. Prior to the study, the individuals who were prescribed beta-blockers and antidepressants, had a fall incidence of 0.74 (SD 1.14) and 1.22 (SD 1.09), respectively, however after the intervention there was no relationship between drug prescription and falls. Conclusions: the fall prevention community program was effective since it prevented the negative effects of medication on falls. An interdisciplinary community intervention reduces the global incidence of falls and the incidence of falls related to some specific medication

Estudio epidemiológico y factores pronóstico de la infección en artroplastias, durante un periodo de 6 años.

Mediante un sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica de infecciones se estudia la incidencia de infec - ción en prótesis de rodilla y cadera entre los años 2007 y 2012 en nuestro hospital. Los resultados se comparan con otros sistemas de vigilancia en España y Europa (Programa Inclimecc ® , Helics ® y según el Center for Disea - ses Control ). En nuestro hospital se han colocado un total de 3155 prótesis de cadera y rodilla (prótesis de cadera y rodilla por artrosis y prótesis cadera por fractura subcapital) con un total de infecciones registradas de 66 y una tasa media de infección de 2.09. Los factores predisponentes estudiados han sido: diabetes mellitus, obesidad, neoplasia, insuficiencia renal, artritis reumatoide y toma de corticoides, siendo los dos primeros los factores más presentes en los casos de infección (32% y 26 % respectivamente). También se ha visto que las cirugías más lar - gas (más de 110 minutos) presentan más incidencia de infección. En cuanto a la microbiología, Staph. coagulasa negativos, Acinetobacter baumanii , Staph. epidermidis , Enteroc. faecalis , Eschericlia coli, Pseudomona aerugi - nosa han sido los microorganismos predominantes. Las tasas de infección de nuestro hospital se encuentran por debajo de los niveles recomendados por la Sociedad Española de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública y también son inferiores al estándar del programa HELICS ® en España.Through a system of epidemiological surveillance of infections is studied in our hospital the in - fection incidence in hip and knee replacement between 2007 and 2012. The results are compared with other Spanish and European surveillance systems (HELICS ® and Inclimecc ® Program). In our hospital have taken place a total of 3155 hip and knee replacements (hip and knee replacements because of osteoarthritis and, in case of hip replacements, also for subcapital fractures) reporting a total of 66 infections, with infection rate of 2.09. The predisposing factors studied were: diabetes mellitus, obesity, neoplasia, renal failure, rheumatoid arthritis and taking steroids, so the first two factors were present in most cases of infection (32 % and 26 % respectively). It has also been seen that longer surgeries (over 110 minutes) show a higher incidence of infection. In terms of microbiology, Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus , Acinetobacter baumannii and Staph. Epidermidis were the most common until 2009 (4/36 CNS, 4/36 Ac. Baumanii, 3/36 Staph.Epidermidis) and in 2010 had more presence Enteroc. Faecalis (3/12) and Eschericlia coli (3/12), although Acinet. Baumanii (4/12) was still the most common. In 2012 should also be pointed Pseudomonas aeuginosa (2/8) . Infection rates in our hospital are below levels recommended by the Spanish Society of Preventive Medicine and Public Health levels and also lower than the standard infection rate of HELICS ® program in Spain