Thinger.io: an open source platform for deploying data fusion applications in IoT environments

In The Last Two Decades, Data And Information Fusion Has Experienced Significantdevelopment Due Mainly To Advances In Sensor Technology. The Sensors Provide A Continuousflow Of Data About The Environment In Which They Are Deployed, Which Is Received And Processed Tobuild A Dynamic Estimation Of The Situation. With Current Technology, It Is Relatively Simple To Deploya Set Of Sensors In A Specific Geographic Area, In Order To Have Highly Sensorized Spaces. However, Tobe Able To Fusion And Process The Information Coming From The Data Sources Of A Highly Sensorizedspace, It Is Necessary To Solve Certain Problems Inherent To This Type Of Technology. The Challengeis Analogous To What We Can Find In The Field Of The Internet Of Things (Iot). Iot Technology Ischaracterized By Providing The Infrastructure Capacity To Capture, Store, And Process A Huge Amountof Heterogeneous Sensor Data (In Most Cases, From Different Manufacturers), In The Same Way That Itoccurs In Data Fusion Applications. This Work Is Not Simple, Mainly Due To The Fact That There Is Nostandardization Of The Technologies Involved (Especially Within The Communication Protocols Usedby The Connectable Sensors). The Solutions That We Can Find Today Are Proprietary Solutions Thatimply An Important Dependence And A High Cost. The Aim Of This Paper Is To Present A New Opensource Platform With Capabilities For The Collection, Management And Analysis Of A Huge Amount Ofheterogeneous Sensor Data. In Addition, This Platform Allows The Use Of Hardware-Agnostic In A Highlyscalable And Cost-Effective Manner. This Platform Is Called Thinger.Io. One Of The Main Characteristicsof Thinger.Io Is The Ability To Model Sensorized Environments Through A High Level Language Thatallows A Simple And Easy Implementation Of Data Fusion Applications, As We Will Show In This Paper.This work was funded by public research projects of Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity (MINECO), references TEC2017-88048-C2-2-R, TEC2014-57022-C2-2-RRTC-2016-5595-2, RTC-2016-5191-8 and RTC-2016-5059-8

Information fusion as input source for improving multi-agent system autonomous decision-making in maritime surveillance scenarios

Decision making problems are usually referred as a cognitive process resulting in the selection of an action among several alternatives. Autonomous entities taking these actions like multi-agent systems, needs to process and understand its environment state to frequently update its beliefs, and then, select an optimal action. As an environment can be composed by several sources of information, it is useful for a multi-agent system, a way to process integrated information of multiple data which represents the same real-world object. This information can improve the agents knowledge and let select better actions than processing simple raw data. Most information fusion research has had a technical and algorithmic focus, and takes little attention to high level decision making, although some studies relate fusion to human decision making. However, in this paper is proposed the use of fused information as an input source for supporting and improving the decision making capabilities of autonomous agents in maritime surveillance scenarios.This work was supported in part by Projects MINECO TEC2012-37832-C02-01, CICYT TEC2011-28626-C02-02, CAM CONTEXTS (S2009/TIC-1485

ContextCare: Autonomous Video Surveillance System Using Multi-camera and Smartphones

Proceedings of: 1st International Symposium on Management Intelligent Systems (IS-MiS 2012), Salamanca, July 11 -13, 2012.In the future, Ambient Intelligence (AmI) technology could assist people autonomously and interpret their intentions. Current technology can already be used to recognize the presence of a person in a private or public space and trigger an automatic response or reaction depending on the user activity. This work describes ContextCare, an extension for an video surveillance system in a health care scenarios based on activity recognition using sensor smartphones. Both systems are coordinated using ECA parading.This work was supported in part by Projects CICYT TIN2011-28620-C02-01, CICYT TEC2011-28626-C02-02, CAM CONTEXTS (S2009/TIC-1485) and DPS2008-07029-C02-02Publicad

Moss establishment success is determined by the interaction between propagule size and species identity

Colonization of new habitat patches is a key aspect of metacommunity dynamics, particularly for sessile organisms. Mosses can establish in new patches through fragmentation, with different vegetative structures acting as propagules. Despite the importance of these propagules for successful colonization the specific aspects that favour moss colonization by vegetative propagules remain poorly understood, including the effect of propagule size. We examine the intra- and interspecific variation of establishment and colonization success in culture of propagules of different sizes in six widespread soil moss species of contrasting growth form (Dicranum scoparium, Homalothecium aureum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Ptychostomum capillare, Syntrichia ruralis and Tortella squarrosa). We obtained three different size classes of propagules from artificially fragmented vegetative material, and assessed their establishment under controlled light and temperature conditions. We characterize the size, shape, apparent viability, morphological type and size changes due to hydration states of the propagules, all of them traits with potentially significant influence in their dispersal pattern and establishment. Then we assess the effect of these traits on moss establishment, using indicators of surface establishment (number of established shoots and colonized surface) and biomass production (viable biomass) as proxies of colonization success. The establishment indicators related to colonization surface and biomass production differ among species and propagule sizes. The magnitude of the interspecific differences of all indicators of establishment success was larger at the smaller propagule size class. T. squarrosa was the most successful species, and D. scoparium showed the lowest performance. We also found interspecific differences in the hydration dynamics of the propagules. The process of establishment by vegetative fragments operates differently among moss species. Besides, differences between hydration states in propagules of some species could be part of syndromes for both dispersal and establishment. This study unveils several functional traits relevant for moss colonization, such as wet versus dry area and length of fragments, which may improve our understanding of their spatial dynamic

Impact of targeting Kt instead of Kt/V

Producción CientíficaBackground. Patients must receive an adequate dialysis dose in each hemodialysis (HD) session. Ionic dialysance (ID) enables the dialysis dose to be monitored in each session. The aim of this study was to compare the achievement of Kt versus eKt/V values and to analyse the main impediments to reaching the dialysis dose. Methods. Of 5316 patients from 54 Fresenius Medical Care centers in Spain undergoing their usual HD regime, 3275 received ID and were included in the study. Results. The minimum prescribed dose of eKt/V was reached in 91.2% of the patients, while the minimum recommended dose of Kt was reached in only 66.8%. Patients not receiving the minimum Kt dose were older, had spent 7 months less on dialysis, had a dialysis duration of 6 min less, had 5.7 kg more of body weight and Qb was 47 mL/min lower. The target Kt was not reached by 62% of patients with catheters and by 37% of women. With each quintile increase of body weight, eKt/V decreased and Kt increased. Of patients with a body weight >80 kg, 1.4%, mostly men, reached the target Kt but not prescribed eKt/V. Conclusions. The impact of monitoring the dose with Kt instead of Kt/V is that identifies 25.8% of patients who did not reach the minimum Kt while achieving Kt/V. The main impediments to achieving an adequate dialysis dose were catheter use, female sex, advanced age, greater body weight, shorter dialysis time and lower Qb

From famine foods to delicatessen: Interpreting trends in the use of wild edible plants through cultural ecosystem services

TheMillenniumEcosystemAssessment found a general decline in the consumption and gathering of wild edible plants, but some studies also observe a localized increase. Using information frominterviews (n=1133) in seven sites in the Iberian Peninsula and one in the Balearic Islands,we 1) identify current trends in the consumption and gathering ofwild edible plants (n=56 plant-uses) and 2) analyze howcultural ecosystemservices relate to such trends. Our data show a generalized decrease in the consumption and gathering of wild edible plants, although the trend changes significantly across plant-uses. Specifically, we found that –despite the overall decreasing trend– uses of wild edible plants that simultaneously relate to foods with high cultural appreciation and the recreational function of gathering remain popular. Our results signal that cultural services and values associated to the gathering and consumption of some wild edible plants are important factors explaining divergent trends across plant species. This finding reinforces the notion that cultural ecosystem services are deeply intertwined with other categories of services which can combine in complex, non-linear ways producing a variety of interdependent benefits

Risk factors for graft loss and mortality after renal transplantation according to recipient age: a prospective multicentre study

Producción CientíficaBackground. To describe the causes of graft loss, patient death and survival figures in kidney transplant patients in Spain based on the recipient’s age. Methods. The results at 5 years of post-transplant cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients, taken from a database on CVD, were prospectively analysed, i.e. a total of 2600 transplanted patients during 2000–2002 in 14 Spanish renal transplant units, most of them receiving their organ from cadaver donors. Patients were grouped according to the recipient’s age: Group A: 60 years. The most frequent immunosuppressive regimen included tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids. Results. Patients were distributed as follows: 25.85% in Group A (>40 years), 50.9% in Group B (40–60 years) and 23.19% in Group C (>60). The 5-year survival for the different age groups was 97.4, 90.8 and 77.7%, respectively. Death-censored graft survival was 88, 84.2 and 79.1%, respectively, and non death-censored graft survival was 82.1, 80.3 and 64.7%, respectively. Across all age groups, CVD and infections were the most frequent cause of death. The main causes of graft loss were chronic allograft dysfunction in patients 1 g at 6 months post-transplantation were statistically significant in the three age groups. The patient survival multivariate analysis did not achieve a statistically significant common factor in the three age groups. Conclusions. Five-year results show an excellent recipient survival and graft survival, especially in the youngest age group. Death with functioning graft is the leading cause of graft loss in patients >40 years. Early improvement of renal function and proteinuria together with strict control of cardiovascular risk factors are mandatory

Renal transplantation in the modern immunosuppressive era in Spain: four-year results from a multicenter database focus on post-transplant cardiovascular disease

Producción CientíficaTo evaluate cardiovascular disease (CVD) after renal transplantation we established a CVD database (no-intervention) including all patients transplanted among 2000–2002 in 14 hospitals from Spain (Renal Forum Group) (n¼2600). They were prospective followed annually thereafter and we present herein the most important results concerning survival figures and CVD at four years. Mean recipient age was 49.7±13.7 years: 16% retransplanted and 12.5% hyperimmunized. Tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids was used in 63%. Acute rejection (AR) rate at 1 year was 14.8%. Graft and patient survival at 48 months were 85.6% (death censored) and 91.7% respectively. The first cause of graft loss was vascular in the first year, death with function during the 2–3 years, and chronic allograft nephropathy at the 4th year. Donor age, time on dialysis, acute tubular necrosis (ATN), AR, SCr at 6 months, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers in the first year, and systolic blood pressure at 24 months were independent risk factors for graft loss at 4th year. The first cause of death was CVD (predominantly ischemic heart disease (IHD) in the first year). Recipient age, ATN, and SCr at 6 months were independent predictors of mortality. Despite worsening of donor age, comorbidity, and advanced age of recipients, survival figures at four years are considered good in our Spanish non-selected population. Cardiovascular mortality is the most important cause of death and graft loss particularly, IHD in the first year. Therefore, to decrease post-transplant mortality a careful cardiovascular evaluation and treatment in the waiting list and a close follow-up of patients after transplantation is mandatory

Population-based multicase-control study in common tumors in Spain (MCC-Spain): rationale and study design

Introduction: We present the protocol of a large population-based case-control study of 5 common tumors in Spain (MCC-Spain) that evaluates environmental exposures and genetic factors. Methods: Between 2008-2013, 10,183 persons aged 20-85 years were enrolled in 23 hospitals and primary care centres in 12 Spanish provinces including 1,115 cases of a new diagnosis of prostate cancer, 1,750 of breast cancer, 2,171 of colorectal cancer, 492 of gastro-oesophageal cancer, 554 cases of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and 4,101 population-based controls matched by frequency to cases by age, sex and region of residence. Participation rates ranged from 57% (stomach cancer) to 87% (CLL cases) and from 30% to 77% in controls. Participants completed a face-to-face computerized interview on sociodemographic factors, environmental exposures, occupation, medication, lifestyle, and personal and family medical history. In addition, participants completed a self-administered food-frequency questionnaire and telephone interviews. Blood samples were collected from 76% of participants while saliva samples were collected in CLL cases and participants refusing blood extractions. Clinical information was recorded for cases and paraffin blocks and/or fresh tumor samples are available in most collaborating hospitals. Genotyping was done through an exome array enriched with genetic markers in specific pathways. Multiple analyses are planned to assess the association of environmental, personal and genetic risk factors for each tumor and to identify pleiotropic effects. Discussion: This study, conducted within the Spanish Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), is a unique initiative to evaluate etiological factors for common cancers and will promote cancer research and prevention in Spain.The study was partially funded by the “Accion Transversal del Cancer”, approved on the Spanish Ministry Council on the 11th October 2007, by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FEDER (PI08/1770, PI08/0533, PI08/1359, PS09/00773, PS09/01286, PS09/01903, PS09/02078, PS09/01662, PI11/01403, PI11/01889, PI11/00226, PI11/01810, PI11/02213, PI12/00488, PI12/00265, PI12/01270, PI12/00715, PI12/00150), by the Fundación Marqués de Valdecilla (API 10/09), by the ICGC International Cancer Genome Consortium CLL, by the Junta de Castilla y León (LE22A10-2), by the Consejería de Salud of the Junta de Andalucía (PI-0571), by the Conselleria de Sanitat of the Generalitat Valenciana (AP 061/10), by the Recercaixa (2010ACUP 00310), by the Regional Government of the Basque Country by European Commission grants FOOD-CT- 2006-036224-HIWATE, by the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) Scientific Foundation, by the The Catalan Government DURSI grant 2009SGR1489

Multi-ancestry GWAS reveals excitotoxicity associated with outcome after ischaemic stroke

During the first hours after stroke onset, neurological deficits can be highly unstable: some patients rapidly improve, while others deteriorate. This early neurological instability has a major impact on long-term outcome. Here, we aimed to determine the genetic architecture of early neurological instability measured by the difference between the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) within 6 h of stroke onset and NIHSS at 24 h. A total of 5876 individuals from seven countries (Spain, Finland, Poland, USA, Costa Rica, Mexico and Korea) were studied using a multi-ancestry meta-analyses. We found that 8.7% of NIHSS at 24 h of variance was explained by common genetic variations, and also that early neurological instability has a different genetic architecture from that of stroke risk. Eight loci (1p21.1, 1q42.2, 2p25.1, 2q31.2, 2q33.3, 5q33.2, 7p21.2 and 13q31.1) were genome-wide significant and explained 1.8% of the variability suggesting that additional variants influence early change in neurological deficits. We used functional genomics and bioinformatic annotation to identify the genes driving the association from each locus. Expression quantitative trait loci mapping and summary data-based Mendelian randomization indicate that ADAM23 (log Bayes factor = 5.41) was driving the association for 2q33.3. Gene-based analyses suggested that GRIA1 (log Bayes factor = 5.19), which is predominantly expressed in the brain, is the gene driving the association for the 5q33.2 locus. These analyses also nominated GNPAT (log Bayes factor = 7.64) ABCB5 (log Bayes factor = 5.97) for the 1p21.1 and 7p21.1 loci. Human brain single-nuclei RNA-sequencing indicates that the gene expression of ADAM23 and GRIA1 is enriched in neurons. ADAM23, a presynaptic protein and GRIA1, a protein subunit of the AMPA receptor, are part of a synaptic protein complex that modulates neuronal excitability. These data provide the first genetic evidence in humans that excitotoxicity may contribute to early neurological instability after acute ischaemic stroke. Ibanez et al. perform a multi-ancestry meta-analysis to investigate the genetic architecture of early stroke outcomes. Two of the eight genome-wide significant loci identified-ADAM23 and GRIA1-are involved in synaptic excitability, suggesting that excitotoxicity contributes to neurological instability after ischaemic stroke.Peer reviewe