Keystroke Biometrics in Response to Fake News Propagation in a Global Pandemic

This work proposes and analyzes the use of keystroke biometrics for content de-anonymization. Fake news have become a powerful tool to manipulate public opinion, especially during major events. In particular, the massive spread of fake news during the COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments and companies to fight against missinformation. In this context, the ability to link multiple accounts or profiles that spread such malicious content on the Internet while hiding in anonymity would enable proactive identification and blacklisting. Behavioral biometrics can be powerful tools in this fight. In this work, we have analyzed how the latest advances in keystroke biometric recognition can help to link behavioral typing patterns in experiments involving 100,000 users and more than 1 million typed sequences. Our proposed system is based on Recurrent Neural Networks adapted to the context of content de-anonymization. Assuming the challenge to link the typed content of a target user in a pool of candidate profiles, our results show that keystroke recognition can be used to reduce the list of candidate profiles by more than 90%. In addition, when keystroke is combined with auxiliary data (such as location), our system achieves a Rank-1 identification performance equal to 52.6% and 10.9% for a background candidate list composed of 1K and 100K profiles, respectively.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2004.0362

One-pot synthesis of lignin-based electrospun oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts

Owing to their adequate combination of high surface area, electrical conductivity and electrochemical resistance, carbon fibers has been used for a long time as a catalyst supports and gas diffusion layers in the electrodes of fuel cells. However, the use of high amounts of noble metals in the cathode is hampering the commercial utilization of fuel cells. We have recently demonstrated that the electrospinning of lignin, a widely available and non-expensive biopolymer, allows the production of porous carbon cloths, which have been already utilized as electrodes for methanol oxidation and supercapacitors. In this work, we propose the electrospinning of lignin and noble/non-noble metal precursors for one-pot production of ORR catalysts. Fe, Co, Pd and Pt salts have been incorporated onto lignin-ethanol solutions and have been electrospun in microsized, metal-decorated lignin fibers. The stabilization and carbonization of these fibers have produced carbon electrodes with supported metallic nanoparticles up to 10 % wt. loading, avoiding the use of further impregnation steps. In addition, the incorporation of metal precursors in the lignin solution enhances the development of mesoporosity in the resulting carbon fibers, a desirable feature for increasing mass transfer rate when used as electrocatalyst, without compromising their electrical conductivity. The electrochemical characterization has confirmed that these carbon cloths are promising ORR catalysts that could be useful for the reducing the amount of noble metals in the electrodes or for allowing the use of non-noble metals as catalysts.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. MINECO/FEDER CTQ2015-68654-R MINECO/FEDER CTQ2015-66080-R MINECO PTA2015-11464-

Morphological signatures of mergers in the TNG50 simulation and the Kilo-Degree Survey: the merger fraction from dwarfs to Milky Way-like galaxies

Using the TNG50 cosmological simulation and observations from the Kilo-Degree Survey (KiDS), we investigate the connection between galaxy mergers and optical morphology in the local Universe over a wide range of galaxy stellar masses ($8.5\leqslant\log(M_\ast/\text{M}_\odot)\leqslant11$). To this end, we have generated over 16,000 synthetic images of TNG50 galaxies designed to match KiDS observations, including the effects of dust attenuation and scattering, and used the $\mathrm{\mathtt{statmorph}}$ code to measure various image-based morphological diagnostics in the $r$-band for both data sets. Such measurements include the Gini-$M_{20}$ and concentration-asymmetry-smoothness statistics. Overall, we find good agreement between the optical morphologies of TNG50 and KiDS galaxies, although the former are slightly more concentrated and asymmetric than their observational counterparts. Afterwards, we trained a random forest classifier to identify merging galaxies in the simulation (including major and minor mergers) using the morphological diagnostics as the model features, along with merger statistics from the merger trees as the ground truth. We find that the asymmetry statistic exhibits the highest feature importance of all the morphological parameters considered. Thus, the performance of our algorithm is comparable to that of the more traditional method of selecting highly asymmetric galaxies. Finally, using our trained model, we estimate the galaxy merger fraction in both our synthetic and observational galaxy samples, finding in both cases that the galaxy merger fraction increases steadily as a function of stellar mass.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Development of an Application for the Automatic Evaluation of the Quality of 3D CAD Models

[EN] In the 3D modeling of products, the use of an adequate methodology that ensures the capture of the design intention is very important. The sequence of operations is key, like for instance, the sketches have to be completely restricted and the references of the modelling functions have to be correctly chosen without generating unwanted dependency relationships, among others. In the best of cases, the team leader dictates best practice manuals and then supervises the design work, ensuring that quality, which will facilitate future modifications or new designs based on existing models. However, this is not an established process, causing multiple failures in cascade when modifying or reusing the models is approached. This work has consisted of the development of an application that allows the automation of the quality analysis process in the models and has been developed for the Autodesk Inventor application using its iLogic tool. This work is the result of a Master¿s Thesis, where for the evaluation of the developed application, the examination models of the students of the subject of Graphic Engineering of the 4th year of the Degree in Engineering in Industrial Technologies of the Universitat Politècnica de València have been used.Pou Schmidt, I.; Rodriguez Ortega, A.; Albert Gil, FE.; Aleixos Borrás, MN. (2022). Development of an Application for the Automatic Evaluation of the Quality of 3D CAD Models. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering (Online). 337-344. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92426-3_3933734

Engaging in Awkward Social Interactions in a Virtual Environment Designed for Exposure-Based Psychotherapy for People with Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder: An International Multisite Study

The effectiveness of in virtuo exposure-based treatment of performance-only social anxiety disorder (SAD) has been demonstrated in several studies. However, few studies have validated virtual environments with participants suffering from generalized SAD. The goal of this study is to confirm the potential of a virtual environment in inducing anxiety in adults suffering from generalized SAD, compared to adults without SAD, when engaged in awkward social interactions. Differences between participants from two different countries were also explored. The sample consisted of 15 participants with SAD from Canada, 17 participants without SAD from Canada, 16 participants with SAD from Spain, and 21 participants without SAD from Spain. All participants were immersed in a control virtual environment and in an experimental virtual environment considered potentially anxiety-inducing for individuals with generalized SAD. As hypothesized, results showed that the experimental virtual environment induced a higher level of anxiety than the control environment among participants with SAD compared to those without SAD. The impact on anxiety of each socially threatening task performed during the experimental immersion was statistically significant. In terms of anxiety responses, no significant differences were found between participants from Canada and Spain. However, spatial presence and ecological validity were higher in Canadians than in Spaniards. Unwanted negative side effects induced by immersions in virtual reality were higher in the SAD group. This study highlights the importance for therapists to engage people with SAD in clinically relevant tasks while immersed in VR psychotherapeutic applications

High performance silicon photonic devices based on practical metamaterials

Robert Halir, et al., "High performance silicon photonic devices based on practical metamaterials," OECC/PSC, 7-12 July 2019, Fukuoka (Japan)Subwavelength grating metamaterials are enabling a new generation of high-performance silicon photonic devices. Here we discuss the fundamental physics along with some of the latest advances in this rapidly expanding field.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Programa Estatal de Investigación Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad (cofinanciado FEDER) – TEC2016-80718-R, TEC2015-71127-C2-1-R (FPI BES-2016-077798) and IJCI-2016-30484; Community of Madrid – S2018/NMT-4326, Marie Sklodowska-Curie –734331, Czech Science Foundation – 1900062

Machine Learning-Based Integration of Prognostic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biomarkers for Myometrial Invasion Stratification in Endometrial Cancer

[EN] Background: Estimation of the depth of myometrial invasion (MI) in endometrial cancer is pivotal in the preoperatively staging. Magnetic resonance (MR) reports suffer from human subjectivity. Multiparametric MR imaging radiomics and parameters may improve the diagnostic accuracy. Purpose: To discriminate between patients with MI ¿ 50% using a machine learning-based model combining texture features and descriptors from preoperatively MR images. Study Type: Retrospective. Population: One hundred forty-three women with endometrial cancer were included. The series was split into training (n = 107, 46 with MI ¿ 50%) and test (n = 36, 16 with MI ¿ 50%) cohorts. Field Strength/Sequences: Fast spin echo T2-weighted (T2W), diffusion-weighted (DW), and T1-weighted gradient echo dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) sequences were obtained at 1.5 or 3 T magnets. Assessment: Tumors were manually segmented slice-by-slice. Texture metrics were calculated from T2W and ADC map images. Also, the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), wash-in slope, wash-out slope, initial area under the curve at 60 sec and at 90 sec, initial slope, time to peak and peak amplitude maps from DCE sequences were obtained as parameters. MR diagnostic models using single-sequence features and a combination of features and parameters from the three sequences were built to estimate MI using Adaboost methods. The pathological depth of MI was used as gold standard. Statistical Test: Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, precision and recall were computed to assess the Adaboost models performance. Results: The diagnostic model based on the features and parameters combination showed the best performance to depict patient with MI ¿ 50% in the test cohort (accuracy = 86.1% and AUROC = 87.1%). The rest of diagnostic models showed a worse accuracy (accuracy = 41.67%¿63.89% and AUROC = 41.43%¿63.13%). Data Conclusion: The model combining the texture features from T2W and ADC map images with the semi-quantitative parameters from DW and DCE series allow the preoperative estimation of myometrial invasion. Evidence Level: 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3This study received funding from the Global Investigator Initiated Research Committee (GIIRC) research program by Bracco S.p.A (2015/0724). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis and preparation of the manuscript.Rodriguez Ortega, A.; Alegre, A.; Lago, V.; Carot Sierra, JM.; Ten-Esteve, A.; Montoliu, G.; Domingo, S.... (2021). Machine Learning-Based Integration of Prognostic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biomarkers for Myometrial Invasion Stratification in Endometrial Cancer. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 54(3):987-995. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.27625S98799554

Structure of a Luminescent MOF-2 Derivative with a Core of Zn(II)-Terephthalate-Isoquinoline and Its Application in Sensing of Xylenes

Articulo de investigación publicado en revista indexada.A new blue photoluminescent 2D metal–organic framework, 1, with formula {[Zn2( 2-BDC)2 (iQ)2]}1 has been synthesized in a high yield under solvothermal conditions by reacting Zn(II) ions with 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2BDC) and isoquinoline (iQ) in DMF. Compound 1 was thoroughly characterized by single-crystal X-ray di raction, solid-state cross-polarization magic-angle spinning 13C NMR, X-ray powder di raction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and thermoanalysis. The crystal structure of 1 showed interpenetrated 2D frameworks consisting of dinuclear paddle-wheel cores Zn2; moreover, this material possessed thermostability up to 310 C. The CPMAS 13C-NMR spectrum of 1 is consistent with the symmetry of the crystal structure. Luminescence studies showed that 1 strongly enhances its fluorescence emission in the presence of xylene isomers with a pronounced selectivity to p-xylene.Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (Project 4995/2020CIB

Effectiveness of a muticomponent workout program integrated in an evidence based multimodal program in hyperfrail elderly patients: POWERAGING randomized clinical trial protocol

BackgroundShort-term and mid-term comparison of the efficacy of a multimodal program that incorporates a therapeutic workout program, medication review, diet adjustment and health education, in comparison to the standard medical practice in the improvement of the neuromuscular and physiological condition. Furthermore, it is intended to analyse the maintenance of these effects in a long-term follow-up (12months) from the onset of the intervention.MethodsA randomized clinical trial of elderly frail patients drawn from the Clinical Management Unit Tiro de Pichon, Health District of Malaga, will be included in the study (after meeting the inclusion / exclusion criteria) will be randomized in two groups: a control group that will undergo an intervention consistent of medication review + diet adjustment + health education (regular workout recommendations within a complete advice on healthy lifestyles) and an experimental group whose intervention will consist of a multimodal treatment: therapeutic workout program+ medication review+ diet adjustment + health education. The sociodemographic, clinical and tracing variables will be reflected at the beginning of the study. In addition, the follow-up variables will be gathered at the second and sixth months after the beginning of the treatment and at the third and sixth months after the treatment (follow-up). The follow-up variables that will be measured are: body mass index, general health condition, fatigue, frailty, motor control, attention- concentration- memory, motor memory, spatial orientation, grip strength, balance (static, semi-dynamic), gait speed and metabolomics.A descriptive analysis of the sociodemographic variables of the participants will be conducted. One-Factor ANOVA will be used for the Within-Subject analysis and as for the Between-Subject analysis, the outcome variables between both the groups in each moment of the data collection will be compared.DiscussionA multimodal program that incorporates a therapeutic workout program, medication review, diet adjustment and health education may be effective treatment to reduce the functional decline in elderly. The results of the study will provide information on the possible strengths and benefits in multimodal program in elderly.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02772952 registered May 201

Growth Assessment of Native Tree Species from the Southwestern Brazilian Amazonia by Post-AD 1950 14C Analysis: Implications for Tropical Dendroclimatology Studies and Atmospheric 14C Reconstructions

Tree-ring width chronologies of cedro (Cedrela fissilis Vell.) (1875 to 2018), jatobá (Hymenaea courbaril L.) (1840 to 2018) and roxinho Peltogyne paniculata Benth.) (1910 to 2018) were developed by dendrochronological techniques in the southern Amazon Basin. Acceptable statistics for the tree-ring chronologies were obtained, and annual calendar dates were assigned. Due to the lack of long-term chronologies for use in paleoclimate reconstructions in degraded forest areas, dendrochronological dating was validated by14C analysis. Tree-rings selected for analysis corresponded to 1957, 1958, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1971, and 1972. Those are critical calendar years in which atmospheric14C changes were the highest, and therefore their tree-ring cellulose extracts14C signatures when in alignment with existing post-AD 1950 atmospheric14C atmospheric curves would indicate annual periodicity. Throughout our correlated calendar years and post-AD 195014C signatures, we indicate that H. courbaril shows an erratic sequence of wood ages. The other two tree species, C. fissilis and P. paniculata, are annual in nature and can be used successfully as paleoclimate proxies. Moreover, due to the sampling site’s strategic location in relation to the Tropical Low-Pressure Belt over South America, these trees can be used to enhance the limited amount of observational data in Southern Hemisphere atmospheric14C calibration curves.Fil: Santos, Guaciara M.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Ortega Rodriguez, Daigard Ricardo. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; BrasilFil: Barreto, Nathan de Oliveira. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; BrasilFil: Assis Pereira, Gabriel. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; BrasilFil: Barbosa, Ana Carolina. Universidad Federal de Lavras.; BrasilFil: Roig Junent, Fidel Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentina. Universidad Mayor; ChileFil: Tomazello Filho, Mário. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; Brasi