Bio-Inspired Stereo Vision Calibration for Dynamic Vision Sensors

Many advances have been made in the eld of computer vision. Several recent research trends have focused on mimicking human vision by using a stereo vision system. In multi-camera systems, a calibration process is usually implemented to improve the results accuracy. However, these systems generate a large amount of data to be processed; therefore, a powerful computer is required and, in many cases, this cannot be done in real time. Neuromorphic Engineering attempts to create bio-inspired systems that mimic the information processing that takes place in the human brain. This information is encoded using pulses (or spikes) and the generated systems are much simpler (in computational operations and resources), which allows them to perform similar tasks with much lower power consumption, thus these processes can be developed over specialized hardware with real-time processing. In this work, a bio-inspired stereovision system is presented, where a calibration mechanism for this system is implemented and evaluated using several tests. The result is a novel calibration technique for a neuromorphic stereo vision system, implemented over specialized hardware (FPGA - Field-Programmable Gate Array), which allows obtaining reduced latencies on hardware implementation for stand-alone systems, and working in real time.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2016-77785-PMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2016-80644-

Aplicações digitais para a inclusão. O projeto europeu DEPIT

This article discusses the relevance of personalization and inclusion as key aspects of teaching planning and emphasizes the suitability of technologies to support this perspective. An app, called DEPIT (Designing for Personalization and Inclusion with Technologies), whose purpose is to support teacher planning and programming, is presented and evaluated from the perspective of the teaching staff. The information is collected from teachers regarding their attitude towards the DEPIT app, as well as its usefulness in teaching practice. The applied value of the app is collected through a discussion forum. The quantitative analysis of the data carried out by means of the statistical program SPSS v.24, identifies positive attitudes of the teaching staff in relation to the use of digital tools to elaborate the teaching programming. The qualitative analysis, carried out through the software Atlas.ti v.8, records aspects that teachers value in the application of DEPIT, among others: “Its adaptation and versatility to diverse educational contexts”, “It facilitates interaction and communication” and “It promotes freedom, independence and autonomy”.The results allow us to conclude that teachers assume a proactive and positive attitude towards the incorporation of technological tools for their teaching and put in value the potential of the DEPIT App for teacher programming.En esta aportación se plantea la relevancia de la personalización y la inclusión como aspectos clave de la planificación de la enseñanza y se incide en la idoneidad de las tecnologías para apoyar esta perspectiva. Se presenta y evalúa desde la perspectiva del profesorado, el potencial de la herramienta DEPIT (Designing for Personalization and Inclusion with Technologies) cuya finalidad es apoyar la planificación y programación docente, atendiendo a la inclusión y personalización. Se recoge información del profesorado sobre su actitud hacia DEPIT, así como sobre su utilidad en la praxis docente. El valor aplicado de DEPIT se recaba a través de un foro de discusión. El análisis cuantitativo de los datos llevado a cabo mediante el programa estadístico SPSS v.24, identifica actitudes positivas del profesorado en relación al uso de herramientas digitales para elaborar la programación docente. El análisis cualitativo, realizado mediante el programa Atlas.Ti V.8, registra aspectos que los docentes valoran de la aplicación DEPIT, entre otros: “Adaptación y versatilidad a contextos educativos diversos” “Facilita la interacción y la comunicación” y “Potencia la libertad, independencia y autonomía”. De los resultados obtenidos se concluye que el profesorado asume una actitud proactiva y positiva hacia la incorporación de herramientas tecnológicas para su docencia y ponen en valor el potencial de DEPIT para la programación docente.   [1] DEPIT (Designing for Personalization and Inclusion with Technologies) forma parte de un proyecto cofinanciado por el programa Erasmus+ de la Unión Europea, en el que participan diferentes universidades europeas. Web del proyecto: http://depit.euNesta aportação se propõe a relevância da personalização e à inclusão como aspectos chave da planificação do ensino e se incide na idoneidade das tecnologias para apoiar esta perspectiva. Se apresenta e avalia desde a perspectiva do professorado, o potencial da ferramenta DEPIT (Designing for Personalization and Inclusion with Technologies) cuja finalidade e apoiar a planificação e programação docente, atendendo a inclusão e personalização. Colhendo informação do professorado sobre sua atitude com DEPIT, assim como sobre sua utilidade na práxis docente.  O valor aplicado do DEPIT se consegue através de um fórum de discussão. A analises quantitativa dos dados estudados mediante o programa estatístico SPSS v.24, identifica atitudes positivas do professorado em relação ao uso de ferramentas digitais para elaborara a programação docente. A analises qualitativa, realizada mediante o programa Atlas.Ti V.8, registra aspectos que os docentes avaliam da aplicação DEPIT, entre outros: “adaptação e versatilidade a contextos educativos diversos” “Facilita a interação e a comunicação” e “potência a liberdade, independência e autonomia”. Dos resultados obtidos se conclui que o professorado assume uma atitude proativa e positiva para a incorporação de ferramentas tecnológicas para sua docência e põe em valor o potencial do DEPIT para programação docente

Using the Social-Local-Mobile App for Smoking Cessation in the SmokeFreeBrain Project: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Smoking is considered the main cause of preventable illness and early deaths worldwide. The treatment usually prescribed to people who wish to quit smoking is a multidisciplinary intervention, combining both psychological advice and pharmacological therapy, since the application of both strategies significantly increases the chance of success in a quit attempt. Objective: We present a study protocol of a 12-month randomized open-label parallel-group trial whose primary objective is to analyze the efficacy and efficiency of usual psychopharmacological therapy plus the Social-Local-Mobile app (intervention group) applied to the smoking cessation process compared with usual psychopharmacological therapy alone (control group). Methods: The target population consists of adult smokers (both male and female) attending the Smoking Cessation Unit at Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Seville, Spain. Social-Local-Mobile is an innovative intervention based on mobile technologies and their capacity to trigger behavioral changes. The app is a complement to pharmacological therapies to quit smoking by providing personalized motivational messages, physical activity monitoring, lifestyle advice, and distractions (minigames) to help overcome cravings. Usual pharmacological therapy consists of bupropion (Zyntabac 150 mg) or varenicline (Champix 0.5 mg or 1 mg). The main outcomes will be (1) the smoking abstinence rate at 1 year measured by means of exhaled carbon monoxide and urinary cotinine tests, and (2) the result of the cost-effectiveness analysis, which will be expressed in terms of an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Secondary outcome measures will be (1) analysis of the safety of pharmacological therapy, (2) analysis of the health-related quality of life of patients, and (3) monitoring of healthy lifestyle and physical exercise habits. Results: Of 548 patients identified using the hospital’s electronic records system, we excluded 308 patients: 188 declined to participate and 120 did not meet the inclusion criteria. A total of 240 patients were enrolled: the control group (n=120) will receive usual psychopharmacological therapy, while the intervention group (n=120) will receive usual psychopharmacological therapy plus the So-Lo-Mo app. The project was approved for funding in June 2015. Enrollment started in October 2016 and was completed in October 2017. Data gathering was completed in November 2018, and data analysis is under way. The first results are expected to be submitted for publication in early 2019. Conclusions: Social networks and mobile technologies influence our daily lives and, therefore, may influence our smoking habits as well. As part of the SmokeFreeBrain H2020 European Commission project, this study aims at elucidating the potential role of these technologies when used as an extra aid to quit smoking

Dimensioning Optimization of the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator for Direct Drive Wind Turbines

In the present work, a methodology that allows optimizing the permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) design by establishing limit values of magnet radius and length that maximize efficiency for the nominal parameters of the wind turbine is developed. The methodology consists of two fundamental models. One model calculates the generator parameters from the radius of the magnet base, and the other optimization model determines two optimum generators according to the optimization criteria of maximum efficiency and maximum efficiency with minimum weight starting from the axial length and the radius of the magnet base. For the optimization, the numerical method of the golden section was used. The model was validated from a 10 kW PMSG and the results of two optimum generators are presented according to the optimization criteria. In addition, when the obtained results are compared with the reference electric generator, an increase in efficiency of 1.15% and 0.81% and a reduction in weight of 30.79% and 39.15% of the optimized generators are obtained for maximum efficiency and minimum weight, respectively. Intermediate options between the maximum efficiency generator and the minimum weight generator allows for the selection of the optimum dimensioning for the electric generator as a function of the parameters from the wind turbine design

Aplicações digitais para a inclusão. O projeto europeu DEPIT

En esta aportación se plantea la relevancia de la personalización y la inclusión como aspectos clave de la planificación de la enseñanza y se incide en la idoneidad de las tecnologías para apoyar esta perspectiva. Se presenta y evalúa desde la perspectiva del profesorado, el potencial de la herramienta DEPIT (Designing for Personalization and Inclusion with Technologies) cuya finalidad es apoyar la planificación y programación docente, atendiendo a la inclusión y personalización. Se recoge información del profesorado sobre su actitud hacia DEPIT, así como sobre su utilidad en la praxis docente. El valor aplicado de DEPIT se recaba a través de un foro de discusión. El análisis cuantitativo de los datos llevado a cabo mediante el programa estadístico SPSS v.24, identifica actitudes positivas del profesorado en relación al uso de herramientas digitales para elaborar la programación docente. El análisis cualitativo, realizado mediante el programa Atlas.Ti V.8, registra aspectos que los docentes valoran de la aplicación DEPIT, entre otros: “Adaptación y versatilidad a contextos educativos diversos” “Facilita la interacción y la comunicación” y “Potencia la libertad, independencia y autonomía”. De los resultados obtenidos se concluye que el profesorado asume una actitud proactiva y positiva hacia la incorporación de herramientas tecnológicas para su docencia y ponen en valor el potencial de DEPIT para la programación docente.This article discusses the relevance of personalization and inclusion as key aspects of teaching planning and emphasizes the suitability of technologies to support this perspective. An app, called DEPIT (Designing for Personalization and Inclusion with Technologies), whose purpose is to support teacher planning and programming, is presented and evaluated from the perspective of the teaching staff. The information is collected from teachers regarding their attitude towards the DEPIT app, as well as its usefulness in teaching practice. The applied value of the app is collected through a discussion forum. The quantitative analysis of the data carried out by means of the statistical program SPSS v.24, identifies positive attitudes of the teaching staff in relation to the use of digital tools to elaborate the teaching programming. The qualitative analysis, carried out through the software Atlas.ti v.8, records aspects that teachers value in the application of DEPIT, among others: “Its adaptation and versatility to diverse educational contexts”, “It facilitates interaction and communication” and “It promotes freedom, independence and autonomy”.The results allow us to conclude that teachers assume a proactive and positive attitude towards the incorporation of technological tools for their teaching and put in value the potential of the DEPIT App for teacher programming.Nesta aportação se propõe a relevância da personalização e à inclusão como aspectos chave da planificação do ensino e se incide na idoneidade das tecnologias para apoiar esta perspectiva. Se apresenta e avalia desde a perspectiva do professorado, o potencial da ferramenta DEPIT (Designing for Personalization and Inclusion with Technologies) cuja finalidade e apoiar a planificação e programação docente, atendendo a inclusão e personalização. Colhendo informação do professorado sobre sua atitude com DEPIT, assim como sobre sua utilidade na práxis docente. O valor aplicado do DEPIT se consegue através de um fórum de discussão. A analises quantitativa dos dados estudados mediante o programa estatístico SPSS v.24, identifica atitudes positivas do professorado em relação ao uso de ferramentas digitais para elaborara a programação docente. A analises qualitativa, realizada mediante o programa Atlas.Ti V.8, registra aspectos que os docentes avaliam da aplicação DEPIT, entre outros: “adaptação e versatilidade a contextos educativos diversos” “Facilita a interação e a comunicação” e “potência a liberdade, independência e autonomia”. Dos resultados obtidos se conclui que o professorado assume uma atitude proativa e positiva para a incorporação de ferramentas tecnológicas para sua docência e põe em valor o potencial do DEPIT para programação docent

A Mobile Health Solution Complementing Psychopharmacology-Supported Smoking Cessation: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Smoking cessation is a persistent leading public health challenge. Mobile health (mHealth) solutions are emerging to improve smoking cessation treatments. Previous approaches have proposed supporting cessation with tailored motivational messages. Some managed to provide short-term improvements in smoking cessation. Yet, these approaches were either static in terms of personalization or human-based nonscalable solutions. Additionally, long-term effects were neither presented nor assessed in combination with existing psychopharmacological therapies. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the long-term efficacy of a mobile app supporting psychopharmacological therapy for smoking cessation and complementarily assess the involved innovative technology. Methods: A 12-month, randomized, open-label, parallel-group trial comparing smoking cessation rates was performed at Virgen del Rocío University Hospital in Seville (Spain). Smokers were randomly allocated to a control group (CG) receiving usual care (psychopharmacological treatment, n=120) or an intervention group (IG) receiving psychopharmacological treatment and using a mobile app providing artificial intelligence–generated and tailored smoking cessation support messages (n=120). The secondary objectives were to analyze health-related quality of life and monitor healthy lifestyle and physical exercise habits. Safety was assessed according to the presence of adverse events related to the pharmacological therapy. Per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses were performed. Incomplete data and multinomial regression analyses were performed to assess the variables influencing participant cessation probability. The technical solution was assessed according to the precision of the tailored motivational smoking cessation messages and user engagement. Cessation and no cessation subgroups were compared using t tests. A voluntary satisfaction questionnaire was administered at the end of the intervention to all participants who completed the trial. Results: In the IG, abstinence was 2.75 times higher (adjusted OR 3.45, P=.01) in the per-protocol analysis and 2.15 times higher (adjusted OR 3.13, P=.002) in the intention-to-treat analysis. Lost data analysis and multinomial logistic models showed different patterns in participants who dropped out. Regarding safety, 14 of 120 (11.7%) IG participants and 13 of 120 (10.8%) CG participants had 19 and 23 adverse events, respectively (P=.84). None of the clinical secondary objective measures showed relevant differences between the groups. The system was able to learn and tailor messages for improved effectiveness in supporting smoking cessation but was unable to reduce the time between a message being sent and opened. In either case, there was no relevant difference between the cessation and no cessation subgroups. However, a significant difference was found in system engagement at 6 months (P=.04) but not in all subsequent months. High system appreciation was reported at the end of the study. Conclusions: The proposed mHealth solution complementing psychopharmacological therapy showed greater efficacy for achieving 1-year tobacco abstinence as compared with psychopharmacological therapy alone. It provides a basis for artificial intelligence–based future approaches. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03553173; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03553173 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/12464H2020 European Commission research and innovation program grant agreement 68112

Platform for the automatic extraction and coding of concepts within the scope of Oncohematology (COCO Project)

El proyecto COCO tiene como objetivo diseñar, desarrollar y validar un sistema de extracción de conocimiento que, a partir de los textos de la Historia de Salud Electrónica, codifique automáticamente los diagnósticos de Oncohematología mediante Tecnologías del Lenguaje basada en un estándar de pipeline interoperable. La necesidad de normalizar el conocimiento de la Historia Clínica constituye un gran desafío. Puesto que la CIE-10 presenta limitaciones para representar esta información, se desarrolló la norma CIE-O-3, para dar soporte a este tipo de patologías. Se propone desarrollar el primer pipeline de Procesamiento del Lenguaje Natural de componentes interoperables, así como, el primer codificador automático CIE-O-3 y CIE-10. Nuestro sistema servirá de apoyo a la decisión, investigación y gestión clínica en este campo.The COCO project aims to design, develop and validate a knowledge extraction system that, based on the texts of the Electronic Health Record, automatically codes Oncohematology diagnostics using Language Technologies based on an interoperable pipeline standard. The need to standardize knowledge of the Electronic Health Record is a major challenge. Since ICD-10 has limitations in representing this information, ICD-O-3 was developed to support this type of pathology. It is proposed to develop the first Natural Language Processing pipeline of interoperable components, as well as the first ICD-O-3 and ICD-10 automatic encoder. Our system will support clinical decision making, research and management in this field.Esta investigación ha sido financiada en parte por la Plataforma de Innovación en Tecnologías Médicas y Salud (Plataforma ITEMAS, PT13/0006/0036) financiado por el Instituto de Salud Carlos III y por el proyecto COCO (PIN-0121-2017) financiado por la consejería de Salud de la Junta de Andalucía ambos cofinanciados a través de los Fondos Europeos de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)

A Clinical Decision Support System (KNOWBED) to Integrate Scientific Knowledge at the Bedside: Development and Evaluation Study

[Background] The evidence-based medicine (EBM) paradigm requires the development of health care professionals’ skills in the efficient search of evidence in the literature, and in the application of formal rules to evaluate this evidence. Incorporating this methodology into the decision-making routine of clinical practice will improve the patients’ health care, increase patient safety, and optimize resources use.[Objective] The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate a new tool (KNOWBED system) as a clinical decision support system to support scientific knowledge, enabling health care professionals to quickly carry out decision-making processes based on EBM during their routine clinical practice.[Methods] Two components integrate the KNOWBED system: a web-based knowledge station and a mobile app. A use case (bronchiolitis pathology) was selected to validate the KNOWBED system in the context of the Paediatrics Unit of the Virgen Macarena University Hospital (Seville, Spain). The validation was covered in a 3-month pilot using 2 indicators: usability and efficacy.[Results] The KNOWBED system has been designed, developed, and validated to support clinical decision making in mobility based on standards that have been incorporated into the routine clinical practice of health care professionals. Using this tool, health care professionals can consult existing scientific knowledge at the bedside, and access recommendations of clinical protocols established based on EBM. During the pilot project, 15 health care professionals participated and accessed the system for a total of 59 times.[Conclusions] The KNOWBED system is a useful and innovative tool for health care professionals. The usability surveys filled in by the system users highlight that it is easy to access the knowledge base. This paper also sets out some improvements to be made in the future.This project has received funding from the Andalusian Ministry of Health from Spain (reference PIN-0213-2016), and FEDER funds.Peer reviewe

Spanish version of the Satisfaction with Epilepsy Care questionnaire: Adaptation and psychometric properties

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to perform a cross-cultural adaption and psychometric evaluation of the Spanish version of the Satisfaction with Epilepsy Care (SEC) questionnaire and analyze patient satisfaction with epilepsy care. METHODS: Transcultural adaptation and validation of the SEC were carried out using translation and back-translation with pilot testing and an expert panel. The SEC-E (Spanish) was analyzed in 213 patients with epilepsy to examine construct and criterion validity and internal consistency. RESULTS: The SEC-E achieved conceptual, semantic, and content equivalence with the original version. For content validity, one question was eliminated from the original questionnaire as it has little relevance in our cultural setting. Positive correlations for criterion validity were obtained using the gold standard measure (Satisfaction in Hospitalized Patients scale). Construct validity replicated the three dimensions of the original questionnaire. The scale showed adequate reliability through internal consistency (Cronbach's α of 0.94) and temporal stability on retest (n = 85). Patients scored (0 to 100) 77.5 [standard deviation (SD): 19.9] for satisfaction with communication, 76.9 (SD: 17) for organization, and 67.2 (SD: 22.1) for information. SIGNIFICANCE: The SEC-E is a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of educational interventions aiming to improve the quality of care in patients with epilepsy in Spanish clinical practice. The results showed a good level of patient satisfaction with epilepsy care

Experiencias de Innovación docente en los Estudios Jurídicos: una visión práctica

Esta publicación se enmarca dentro de las actividades del Grupo de Investigación de la Universidad de Extremadura Fiscalitas & Iuris.Este trabajo surge con el objetivo principal de dar visibilidad y publicidad a las nuevas técnicas docentes en el seno de la Facultad de Derecho de la UEx. Como se sabe, se ha producido un innegable y significativo avance en el uso de nuevas técnicas docentes y también de las TICs aplicadas a la docencia en la Facultad de Derecho, no obstante, aún es necesario profundizar en el uso de las mismas y extenderlas entre todos los miembros del claustro de profesores, y fundamentalmente entre aquellos que llevan más años ejerciendo la docencia a través de la colaboración y la coordinación con los profesores noveles, que son quienes principalmente se sirven en mayor medida de tales instrumentos docentes. De otra parte, también era necesario que los docentes más experimentados pudieran encontrar un foro en el que transmitir y compartir con los noveles cuales son las técnicas e instrumentos docentes que ellos han venido utilizando durante el ejercicio de su magisterio, de modo que, en el marco de una relación sinalagmática, se produjera una interacción entre uno u otro grupo de docentes, a fin de fomentar el necesario debate y el intercambio de experiencias e instrumentos docentes, y en su caso el desarrollo y perfeccionamiento de los mismos; algo que hemos pretendido realizar con este trabajo, y que en buena medida hemos logrado. Las finalidades y objetivos concretos que perseguíamos, en atención a la situación expuesta eran fundamentalmente tres: • En primer lugar, la implementación de un proyecto de innovación docente integrado por una diversidad de actividades coordinadas, cada uno de ellas bajo la directa coordinación de un profesor o profesora de la UEx, aplicado a una o varias asignaturas impartidas en la Facultad de Derecho. • En segundo lugar, el establecimiento en la Facultad de Derecho de un foro de coordinación e intercambio de buenas prácticas docentes sobre la base de cada uno de las actividades coordinadas, en el que pudieran participar profesores noveles y veteranos. Para ello se desarrolló espacio virtual de innovación docente en estudios jurídicos, a través del Campus Virtual de la UEx, en el que los Profesores noveles y veteranos pudieron y puede compartir recursos e informaciones sobre prácticas de innovación. • Y, en tercer lugar, la difusión y consolidación de instrumentos de innovación docente directamente aplicadas a la docencia de los estudios jurídicos, mediante la transferencia de los resultados y la publicación de los mismos; a fin de que esta transferencia sirva de base a futuras profundizaciones en el campo de la innovación docente en los estudios jurídicos.Proyecto “Desarrollo, profundización e intercambio de buenas prácticas de innovación docente en la Facultad de Derecho” (UEx 2015-2016