Histopathological image analysis for breast cancer diagnosis by ensembles of convolutional neural networks and genetic algorithms

One of the most invasive cancer types which affect women is breast cancer. Unfortunately, it exhibits a high mortality rate. Automated histopathological image analysis can help to diagnose the disease. Therefore, computer aided diagnosis by intelligent image analysis can help in the diagnosis tasks associated with this disease. Here we propose an automated system for histopathological image analysis that is based on deep learning neural networks with convolutional layers. Rather than a single network, an ensemble of them is built so as to attain higher recognition rates, which are obtained by computing a consensus decision from the individual networks of the ensemble. A final step involves the optimization of the set of networks that are included in the ensemble by a genetic algorithm. Experimental results are provided with a set of benchmark images, with favorable outcomes.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Integral measurement of the 12C(n, p)12B reaction up to 10 GeV

The integral measurement of the 12C(n, p)12B reaction was performed at the neutron time-offlight facility n TOF at CERN. The total number of 12B nuclei produced per neutron pulse of the n TOF beam was determined using the activation technique in combination with a time-of-flight technique. The cross section is integrated over the n TOF neutron energy spectrum from reaction threshold at 13.6 MeV to 10 GeV. Having been measured up to 1 GeV on basis of the 235U(n, f) reaction, the neutron energy spectrum above 200 MeV has been re-evaluated due to the recent extension of the cross section reference for this particular reaction, which is otherwise considered a standard up to 200 MeV. The results from the dedicated GEANT4 simulations have been used to evaluate the neutron flux from 1 GeV up to 10 GeV. The experimental results related to the 12C(n, p)12B reaction are compared with the evaluated cross sections from major libraries and with the predictions of different GEANT4 models, which mostly underestimate the 12B production. On the contrary, a good reproduction of the integral cross section derived from measurements is obtained with TALYS-1.6 calculations, with optimized parameters.European Atomic Energy Communitys (Euratom) Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2011-CHANDA (No. 605203)Narodowe Centrum Nauki (NCN)-UMO-2012/04/M/ST2/00700Croatian Science Foundation-No. 168

Encoding generative adversarial networks for defense against image classification attacks

Image classification has undergone a revolution in recent years due to the high performance of new deep learning models. However, severe security issues may impact the performance of these systems. In particular, adversarial attacks are based on modifying input images in a way that is imperceptible for human vision, so that deep learning image classifiers are deceived. This work proposes a new deep neural network model composed of an encoder and a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN). The former encodes a possibly malformed input image into a latent vector, while the latter generates a reconstructed image from the latent vector. Then the reconstructed image can be reliably classified because our model removes the deleterious effects of the attack. The experiments carried out were designed to test the proposed approach against the Fast Gradient Signed Method attack. The obtained results demonstrate the suitability of our approach in terms of an excellent balance between classification accuracy and computational cost.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Measurements of neutron cross sections for advanced nuclear energy systems at n_TOF (CERN)

INPC 2013 – International Nuclear Physics ConferenceThe n_TOF facility operates at CERN with the aim of addressing the request of high accuracy nuclear data for advanced nuclear energy systems as well as for nuclear astrophysics. Thanks to the features of the neutron beam, important results have been obtained on neutron induced fission and capture cross sections of U, Pu and minor actinides. Recently the construction of another beam line has started; the new line will be complementary to the first one, allowing to further extend the experimental program foreseen for next measurement campaign

El rol de la consistencia del mensaje y de la estrategia de marca en el capital de marca de un destino

La estrategia de comunicación seguida para difundir un destino turístico contribuye a su competitividad. El objetivo de esta investigación es conocer la importancia de la consistencia de los mensajes entre medios y de la estrategia de posicionamiento de marca en la difusión de un destino turístico. Con esta finalidad, se ha diseñado un experimento manipulando la consistencia del mensaje (alta consistencia vs baja consistencia de mensajes) y la estrategia de posicionamiento seguida por el destino (marca destino-único vs marca destino-múltiple). Los resultados obtenidos indican que la generación de una comunicación con mensajes altamente consistentes así como un posicionamiento basada en una estrategia de marca-única contribuyen a aumentar el Customer Based Destination Brand Equity. Además, se comprueba que el efecto de posicionamiento puede estar moderado por la consistencia de los mensajes a los que está expuesto el consumidor. Los resultados alcanzados suponen un avance en la literatura académica y una aportación para el sector profesional.A well-implemented communication strategy to raise the profile of a tourist destination contributes to its competitiveness. The aim of the present study is to understand the importance of message consistency across different media, and of the brand positioning strategy, in the promotion of a tourist destination. An experiment is conducted, manipulating (a) the degree of message consistency (high vs. low) and (b) the positioning strategy followed by the destination (sole-destination brand vs. multiple-destination brand). The results of the investigation suggest that communications based on highly consistent messages, and a sole-destination brand positioning strategy, contribute to increasing Customer-Based Destination Brand Equity. Further, the work demonstrates that the effect of positioning may be moderated by the degree of consistency between the messages to which the consumer is exposed. The findings represent a contribution to both the academic literature and to the professional sector.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad ECO-2012-39217Junta de Andalucía P11 SEJ-810

The underlying process of early ecological and genetic differentiation in a facultative mutualistic Sinorhizobium meliloti population

The question of how genotypic and ecological units arise and spread in natural microbial populations remains controversial in the field of evolutionary biology. Here, we investigated the early stages of ecological and genetic differentiation in a highly clonal sympatric Sinorhizobium meliloti population. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that a large DNA region of the symbiotic plasmid pSymB was replaced in some isolates with a similar synteny block carrying densely clustered SNPs and displaying gene acquisition and loss. Two different versions of this genomic island of differentiation (GID) generated by multiple genetic exchanges over time appear to have arisen recently, through recombination in a particular clade within this population. In addition, these isolates display resistance to phages from the same geographic region, probably due to the modification of surface components by the acquired genes. Our results suggest that an underlying process of early ecological and genetic differentiation in S. meliloti is primarily triggered by acquisition of genes that confer resistance to soil phages within particular large genomic DNA regions prone to recombination.España, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad BIO 2014-51953-

Self-reported daily walking time in COPD : relationship with relevant clinical and functional characteristics

Altres ajuts: The FyCEPOC and INSEPOC studies were funded by Laboratorios Esteve SA (Barcelona, Spain). The NEREA study was funded by an unrestricted grant from J Uriach y Compañía SA. The DEPREPOC study was funded by Grupo Ferrer (Barcelona, Spain). The funding bodies have no involvement in the analysis and interpretation of data, the writing of the report, or in the decision to submit the article for publication.Quantifying physical activity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is important as physical inactivity is related to poor health outcomes. This study analyzed the relationship between patients' self-reported daily walking time and relevant characteristics related to COPD severity. Pooled analysis was performed on data from four observational studies on which daily walking time was gathered from a personal interview. Patients were classified as physically inactive if walking time was 3, post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in the first second 4, and CAT score >30. Lower self-reported walking times are related to worse markers of disease severity in COPD

Measurement of the 70Ge(n,γ) cross section up to 300 keV at the CERN n_TOF facility

Neutron capture data on intermediate mass nuclei are of key importance to nucleosynthesis in the weak component of the slow neutron capture processes, which occurs in massive stars. The (n,γ) cross section on 70Ge, which is mainly produced in the s process, was measured at the neutron time-of-flight facility n_TOF at CERN. Resonance capture kernels were determined up to 40 keV neutron energy and average cross sections up to 300 keV. Stellar cross sections were calculated from kT =5 keV tokT =100 keV and are in very good agreement with a previous measurement by Walter and Beer (1985) and recent evaluations. Average cross sectionsareinagreementwithWalterandBeer(1985)overmostoftheneutronenergyrangecovered,whilethey aresystematicallysmallerforneutronenergiesabove150keV.Wehavecalculatedisotopicabundancesproduced in s-process environments in a 25 solar mass star for two initial metallicities (below solar and close to solar). While the low metallicity model reproduces best the solar system germanium isotopic abundances, the close to solar model shows a good global match to solar system abundances in the range of mass numbers A=60–80.Austrian Science Fund J3503Adolf Messer Foundation ST/M006085/1European Research Council ERC2015-StGCroatian Science Foundation IP-2018-01-857

Epidemiological support for genetic variability at hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and serotonergic system as risk factors for major depression

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious, and common psychiatric disorder worldwide. By the year 2020, MDD will be the second cause of disability in the world. The Granad∑p study is the first, to the best of our knowledge, epidemiological study of mental disorders carried out in Andalusia (South Spain), being one of its main objectives to identify genetic and environmental risk factors for MDD and other major psychiatric disorders. In this study, we focused on the possible association of 91 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with MDD.Methods: A total of 711 community-based individuals participated in the Granad∑p study. All individuals were extensively assessed for clinical, psychological, sociodemographic, life style, and other environmental variables. A biological sample was also collected for subsequent genetic analyses in 91 candidate SNPs for MDD. DSM-IV diagnosis of MDD was used as the outcome variable. Logistic regression analysis assuming an additive genetic model was performed to test the association between MDD and the genetic data. The experiment-wide significance threshold adjusted with the SNP spectral decomposition method provided a maximum P-value (8×10-3) required to identify an association. Haplotype analyses were also performed.Results: One SNP (rs623580) located in the tryptophan hydroxylase 1 gene (TPH1; chromosome 11), one intergenic variant (rs9526236) upstream of the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A gene (HTR2A; chromosome 13), and five polymorphisms (rs17689966, rs173365, rs7209436, rs110402, and rs242924) located in the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 gene (CRHR1; chromosome 17), all showed suggestive trends for association with MDD (P<0.05). Within CRHR1 gene, the TATGA haplotype combination was found to increase significantly the risk for MDD with an odds ratio =1.68 (95% CI: 1.16–2.42, P=0.006).Conclusion: Although limited, perhaps due to insufficient sample size power, our results seem to support the notion that the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and serotonergic systems are likely to be involved in the genetic susceptibility for MDD. Future studies, including larger samples, should be addressed for further validation and replication of the present findings.This work was mostly funded by an Andalusian Health System Health Council grant (PI0322/2009) and partially by Astra-Zeneca in agreement with CIBERSAM. It was also supported by a PhD grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education (AP2010-3563), and by the Andalusian Council of Innovation (CTS-6682)