An empirical comparative evaluation of gestUI to include gesture-based interaction in user interfaces

[EN] Currently there are tools that support the customisation of users' gestures. In general, the inclusion of new gestures implies writing new lines of code that strongly depend on the target platform where the system is run. In order to avoid this platform dependency, gestUI was proposed as a model-driven method that permits (i) the definition of custom touch-based gestures, and (ii) the inclusion of the gesture-based interaction in existing user interfaces on desktop computing platforms. The objective of this work is to compare gestUI (a MDD method to deal with gestures) versus a code-centric method to include gesture-based interaction in user interfaces. In order to perform the comparison, we analyse usability through effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction. Satisfaction can be measured using the subjects' perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and intention to use. The experiment was carried out by 21 subjects, who are computer science M.Sc. and Ph.D. students. We use a crossover design, where each subject applied both methods to perform the experiment. Subjects performed tasks related to custom gesture definition and modification of the source code of the user interface to include gesture-based interaction. The data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using non-parametric statistical tests. The results show that gestUI is more efficient and effective. Moreover, results conclude that gestUI is perceived as easier to use than the code-centric method. According to these results, gestUI is a promising method to define custom gestures and to include gesture-based interaction in existing user interfaces of desktop-computing software systems. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.This work has been supported by Department of Computer Science of the Universidad de Cuenca and SENESCYT of Ecuador, and received financial support from the Generalitat Valenciana under "Project IDEO (PROMETEOII/2014/039)" and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the "DataMe Project (TIN2016-80811-P)".Parra-González, LO.; España Cubillo, S.; Panach Navarrete, JI.; Pastor López, O. (2019). An empirical comparative evaluation of gestUI to include gesture-based interaction in user interfaces. Science of Computer Programming. 172:232-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scico.2018.12.001S23226317

Visita de evaluación externa institucional en la modalidad combinada. Visión de los protagonistas

The objective of this article is to analyze the vision of the protagonists (Institutions and Peer Evaluators) who have gone through the institutional evaluation process in the year 2021, about the external evaluation visit in the combined modality, implemented by ANEAES within the framework of the health conjuncture by COVID 19. The External Evaluation visit in the Combined Modality is defined as that visit in which virtual and face-to-face activities are used to assess the different dimensions of institutional management, its undergraduate careers and postgraduate programs. The research is framed within the quantitative approach, non-experimental design and descriptive level, for the collection of information a 16-item Likert scale questionnaire was used. The population consisted of a total of 130 Peer Evaluators and representatives of the 30 institutions evaluated, with a census sample. The results show the high level of agreement of both protagonists regarding, that the modality implemented in the context of the pandemic, allows a transparent, objective process, guarantees the confidentiality of the proceedings, the times allocated for the interviews as well as for the visit in situ and that this did not prove to be an impediment to adequate communication between the members of the Peer Committee, positively valuing the contribution of the Agency's technicians during the process.El objetivo del este artículo es la de analizar la visión de los protagonistas (Instituciones y Pares Evaluadores) que han pasado por el proceso de evaluación institucional en el año 2021, acerca de la visita de evaluación externa en la modalidad combinada, implementada por la ANEAES en el marco de la conjuntura sanitaria por la COVID 19. La visita de Evaluación Externa en la Modalidad Combinada se define como aquella visita en la que se recurre a actividades virtuales y presenciales para valorar las distintas dimensiones de la gestión institucional, sus carreras de grado y programas de postgrados. La investigación se enmarca dentro del enfoque cuantitativo, diseño no experimental y nivel descriptivo, para la recolección de información se recurrió a un cuestionario tipo escala Likert, de 16 ítems. La población estuvo conformada por un total de 130 Pares Evaluadores y representantes de las 30 instituciones evaluadas, con una muestra censal. Los resultados muestran el alto nivel de acuerdo de ambos protagonistas en cuanto a, que la modalidad implementada en el contexto de la pandemia, permite un proceso transparente, objetivo, garantiza la confidencialidad de lo actuado, los tiempos destinados para las entrevistas como para la visita in situ y que esta no resultó ser un impedimento para una adecuada comunicación entre los miembros del Comité de Pares, valorándose positivamente el aporte de los técnicos de la Agencia durante el proceso

Helios 3198 solar simulator adaptation for the characterization of LCPV prototypes

This paper covers the adaptation and experimental verification that has been carried out to the Helios 3198 solar simulator to use it in the characterization of a LCPV prototype. The challenge is to deal with the diffuse light that can distort the measurement of a LCPV prototype because of the larger acceptance angle. A deflector chamber for the flash lamp has been designed and implemented to capture this diffuse light. The experimental verification has proven the reliability of the solution, demonstrating that the inclusion of this element in the equipment is not modifying the spatial uniformity and the angular distribution of the light at the receiver plane. Therefore, this work demonstrates that the Helios 3198 solar simulator, including a deflector chamber for the lamp, can be used for the characterization of a LCPV prototype

Adaptive Road Crack Detection System by Pavement Classification

This paper presents a road distress detection system involving the phases needed to properly deal with fully automatic road distress assessment. A vehicle equipped with line scan cameras, laser illumination and acquisition HW-SW is used to storage the digital images that will be further processed to identify road cracks. Pre-processing is firstly carried out to both smooth the texture and enhance the linear features. Non-crack features detection is then applied to mask areas of the images with joints, sealed cracks and white painting, that usually generate false positive cracking. A seed-based approach is proposed to deal with road crack detection, combining Multiple Directional Non-Minimum Suppression (MDNMS) with a symmetry check. Seeds are linked by computing the paths with the lowest cost that meet the symmetry restrictions. The whole detection process involves the use of several parameters. A correct setting becomes essential to get optimal results without manual intervention. A fully automatic approach by means of a linear SVM-based classifier ensemble able to distinguish between up to 10 different types of pavement that appear in the Spanish roads is proposed. The optimal feature vector includes different texture-based features. The parameters are then tuned depending on the output provided by the classifier. Regarding non-crack features detection, results show that the introduction of such module reduces the impact of false positives due to non-crack features up to a factor of 2. In addition, the observed performance of the crack detection system is significantly boosted by adapting the parameters to the type of pavement

Riesgo de hipertensión arterial en población adulta en Matamoros, Tamaulipas, México

RESUMEN Objetivo: conocer el riesgo de hipertensión en la población adulta de la ciudad de Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Método: el diseño fue de tipo descriptivo y transversal, una muestra de 1004 adultos. Se utilizó una cedula de datos sociodemográficos, donde se realizaron 3 mediciones de la presión arterial, de acuerdo a la Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-030-SSA2-2009. Resultados: El género estuvo conformado del 38.7% de hombres y 61.3% de mujeres. Se observó una prevalencia de hipertensión arterial en 8.6% de la población. Fue mayor en el género masculino con 12.3% que el femenino de 6.3%. El grupo de 60 y más años (14.1%) presenta mayor prevalencia de hipertensión, seguido de 50 a 59 (13.8%) y finalmente el de 40 a 49 con 11.7%. El riesgo de hipertensión es de 87 (8,7%) de la muestra total; la alta presión arterial sistólica con 52 (5,1%), y alta presión arterial diastólica con 56 (5,5%) también deben ser consideradas hipertensión. Cuando se analizan en conjunto, los tres criterios de inclusión para hipertensión arterial suman el 19,4% de riesgo. Conclusión: el riesgo de hipertensión arterial en población adulta está latente, la prevalencia se ubica dentro de la más alta a nivel mundial. ABSTRACT Objective: To know the risk of hypertension in the adult population of the city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Method: The design was descriptive and transversal in a sample of 1004 adults. A sociodemographic data questionnaire was used and three blood pressure measurements were performed according to the Official Mexican Standard NOM-030-SSA2-2009. Results: The gender was made up of 38.7% of men and 61,3% of women. A prevalence of hypertension was observed in 8.6% of the population. It was greater in the masculine gender with 12.3% than the feminine one of 6.3%. The group of 60 and over (14.1%) had a higher prevalence of hypertension, followed by 50 to 59 (13.8%) and finally the group of 40 to 49 with 11.7%. The risk of hypertension is 87 (8.7%) of the total sample; high systolic blood pressure with 52 (5.1%), and high diastolic blood pressure with 56 (5.5%) should also be considered hypertension. When analyzed together, the three inclusion criteria for hypertension add up to a 19.4% risk. Conclusion: the risk of hypertension in the adult population is latent, the prevalence is among the highest in the world

Design and rationale of a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effect of vitamin D on ventricular remodelling in patients with anterior myocardial infarction: the VITamin D in Acute Myocardial Infarction (VITDAMI) trial

Introduction:Decreased plasma vitamin D (VD) levels are linked to cardiovascular damage. However, clinical trials have not demonstrated a benefit of VD supplements on left ventricular (LV) remodelling. Anterior ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) is the best human model to study the effect of treatments on LV remodelling. We present a proof-of-concept study that aims to investigate whether VD improves LV remodelling in patients with anterior STEMI. Methods and analysis:The VITamin D in Acute Myocardial Infarction (VITDAMI) trial is a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 144 patients with anterior STEMI will be assigned to receive calcifediol 0.266 mg capsules (Hidroferol SGC)/15 days or placebo on a 2:1 basis during 12 months. Primary objective:to evaluate the effect of calcifediol on LV remodelling defined as an increase in LV end-diastolic volume >= 10\% (MRI). Secondary objectives:change in LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, ejection fraction, LV mass, diastolic function, sphericity index and size of fibrotic area; endothelial function; plasma levels of aminoterminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide, galectin-3 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; levels of calcidiol (VD metabolite) and other components of mineral metabolism (fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), the soluble form of its receptor klotho, parathormone and phosphate). Differences in the effect of VD will be investigated according to the plasma levels of FGF-23 and klotho. Treatment safety and tolerability will be assessed. This is the first study to evaluate the effect of VD on cardiac remodelling in patients with STEMI. Ethics and dissemination: This trial has been approved by the corresponding Institutional Review Board (IRB) and National Competent Authority (Agencia Espanola de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS)). It will be conducted in accordance with good clinical practice (International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use-Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP)) requirements, ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and national laws. The results will be submitted to indexed medical journals and national and international meetings.The VITDAMI trial is an investigator initiated study, sponsored by the Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Fundacion Jimenez Diaz (IIS-FJD). Funding has been obtained from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (PI14/01567; http://www.isciii.es/) and Spanish Society of Cardiology (http://secardiologia.es/). In addition, the study medication has been provided freely by the pharmaceutical Company FAES FARMA S.A. (Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain; http://faesfarma.com/). This company was the only funder who collaborated in study design (IG-H).S

Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4×10184{\times}10^{18} eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding $4{\times}10^{18}$ eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than $60^{\circ}$ detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above $5.3{\times}10^{18}$ eV, the "ankle", the flux can be described by a power law $E^{-\gamma}$ with index $\gamma=2.70 \pm 0.02 \,\text{(stat)} \pm 0.1\,\text{(sys)}$ followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy ($E_\text{s}$) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half of its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find $E_\text{s}=(5.12\pm0.25\,\text{(stat)}^{+1.0}_{-1.2}\,\text{(sys)}){\times}10^{19}$ eV.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO