An intelligent support system for automatic detection of cerebral vascular accidents from brain CT images

Objective: This paper presents a Radial Basis Functions Neural Network (RBFNN) based detection system, for automatic identification of Cerebral Vascular Accidents (CVA) through analysis of Computed Tomographic (CT) images. Methods: For the design of a neural network classifier, a Multi Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) framework is used to determine the architecture of the classifier, its corresponding parameters and input features by maximizing the classification precision, while ensuring generalization. This approach considers a large number of input features, comprising first and second order pixel intensity statistics, as well as symmetry/asymmetry information with respect to the ideal mid-sagittal line. Results: Values of specificity of 98% and sensitivity of 98% were obtained, at pixel level, by an ensemble of non-dominated models generated by MOGA, in a set of 150 CT slices (1,867,602 pixels), marked by a NeuroRadiologist. This approach also compares favorably at a lesion level with three other published solutions, in terms of specificity (86% compared with 84%), degree of coincidence of marked lesions (89% compared with 77%) and classification accuracy rate (96% compared with 88%). (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.FCTIDMECLAETA [UID/EMS/50022/2013

Wireless sensors and IoT platform for intelligent HVAC control

Energy consumption of buildings (residential and non-residential) represents approximately 40% of total world electricity consumption, with half of this energy consumed by HVAC systems. Model-Based Predictive Control (MBPC) is perhaps the technique most often proposed for HVAC control, since it offers an enormous potential for energy savings. Despite the large number of papers on this topic during the last few years, there are only a few reported applications of the use of MBPC for existing buildings, under normal occupancy conditions and, to the best of our knowledge, no commercial solution yet. A marketable solution has been recently presented by the authors, coined the IMBPC HVAC system. This paper describes the design, prototyping and validation of two components of this integrated system, the Self-Powered Wireless Sensors and the IOT platform developed. Results for the use of IMBPC in a real building under normal occupation demonstrate savings in the electricity bill while maintaining thermal comfort during the whole occupation schedule.QREN SIDT [38798]; Portuguese Foundation for Science & Technology, through IDMEC, under LAETA [ID/EMS/50022/2013

Prediction of the solar radiation using RBF neural networks and ground-to-sky images

In this study, Artificial Neural Networks are applied to multistep long term solar radiation prediction. The networks are trained as one-step-ahead predictors and iterated over time to obtain multi-step longer term predictions. Auto-regressive and Auto-regressive with exogenous inputs solar radiationmodels are compared, considering cloudiness indices as inputs in the latter case. These indices are obtained through pixel classification of ground-to-sky images. The input-output structure of the neural network models is selected using evolutionary computation methods

Prediction of the solar radiation evolution using computational intelligence techniques and cloudiness indices

In this paper, Artificial Neural Networks are applied for multi-step long term solar radiation prediction. The input-output structure of the neural network models is selected using evolutionary computation methods. The networks are trained as onestep- ahead predictors and iterated over time to obtain multi-step longer term predictions. Auto-regressive and auto-regressive with exogenous inputs models are compared, considering cloudiness indices as inputs in the latter case. These indices are obtained through pixel classification of ground-to-sky images, captured by a CCD camera

A soft-computing approach for non-invasive temperature estimation

The domain of thermal therapies applications can be improved with the development of accurate non-invasive timespatial temperature models. These models should represent the non-linear tissue thermal behaviour and be capable of tracking temperature at both time-instant and spatial position. If such estimators exist then efficient controllers for the therapeutic instrumentation could be developed, and the desired safety and effectiveness reached

The Crossfire Rhetoric. Success in Danger vs. Unsustainable Growth. Analysis of Tourism Skateholder's Narratives in the Spanish Press

Tourism has always stood out in terms of economic opportunities and personal enjoyment. However, the problem of overtourism has emerged in recent years in urban contexts of cities with diversified economies. Overtourism has become—to a much greater extent than any other variable challenging the sustainability of the tourism model—an object of public debate and the media reflect this debate, which, in the case of Spain, is concentrated in the term “tourismphobia.” This paper aims to analyse the two main opposing narratives reflected in the Spanish media on the emergence of the problem of tourismphobia and that defined what was happening to influence both public opinion and public policymakers themselves. The methodological approach used is the narrative policy framework (NPF), which considers public policies as a social construct, shaped by particular ideologies, values, and worldviews that are structured in narratives. The conclusions point to the fact that even though the “success in danger” narrative was the winner, for the first time the sustainability of the country’s tourism model is being broadly questioned and by very diverse actors. It is also clear that in order to change the trajectory of consolidated tourism policies, it is necessary to build tangible public policy alternatives that can be articulated and implemented by public actors. Based on the findings of the paper, future lines of research could use the “Narrative Policy Framework” for the analysis of sustainable tourism policies or for the study of overtourism in different countries from a comparative perspective.Fac. de Ciencias Políticas y SociologíaTRUEpu

Comunicación y transparencia en la información de las webs de los ayuntamientos de Cáceres

El estudio se enmarca en el proyecto nacional de investigación “Comunicación pública, transparencia, rendición de cuentas y participación en los gobiernos locales”, en el que participan universidades de casi toda España. En una primera fase se ha realizado la evaluación de los 5 municipios de la provincia de Cáceres más poblados (de más de 10.000 habitantes), en el período comprendido entre enero y abril de 2015 (antes de las elecciones municipales). El objetivo final es el fomento de las buenas prácticas en materia de comunicación e información en las corporaciones municipales, así como la mejora entre los representantes políticos, los técnicos municipales y los periodistas y, por último, facilitar la participación ciudadana en el control de la gestión de los gobiernos. El resultado del proyecto es el Mapa Infoparticip@ (http://mapainfoparticipa.com/es). Se analiza y evalúa cómo se utilizan las tecnologías digitales de las webs municipales con 41 indicadores propios, organizados en cuatro bloques temáticos: sobre quiénes son los representantes políticos, sobre cómo gestionan los recursos colectivos, sobre cómo informan de la gestión de dichos recursos colectivos y sobre qué herramientas ofrecen para la participación ciudadana en el control democrático Los resultados se publican en el Mapa Infoparticip@ y se representan de acuerdo con un infómetro que traduce la puntuación que ha obtenido cada web en un color: blanco, si no ha logrado el 25% de indicadores positivos; amarillo, si ha conseguido entre el 25% y el 50%; y verde, si supera este porcentaje. De este modo, cualquier persona puede contrastar los datos, hacer aportaciones al equipo de investigación y reclamar a los responsables políticos de su municipio las mejoras que considere oportunas. Como conclusión, es fundamental la participación y control por parte de los ciudadanos hacia sus representantes e instituciones municipales; quizás lo más importante sea tener una vía fácil de comunicación con ellos, para que les puedan solucionar sus inquietudes y problemas. También se debe mejorar, en la comunicación de las vías de participación ciudadana, en la elaboración y seguimiento de los planes estratégicos y de los presupuestos municipales

Análisis didáctico del proceso matemático de modelización en alumnos de secundaria

En este trabajo se analiza didácticamente el proceso matemático de modelización en relación con las dificultades y errores de un grupo de alumnos de educación secundaria. Se consideran dos situaciones problemáticas relativas a este proceso, que se estudian desde las perspectivas epistemológica, semiótica y fenomenológica que propone el Enfoque Lógico Semiótico (ELOS) (Socas, 2007). Se concluye relacionando estas dificultades y errores de los alumnos con la organización de la enseñanza de la modelización en la secundaria, mostrando también el papel que juegan en dicho proceso otros como la sustitución formal y la generalización, así como las estructuras y las operaciones matemáticas implicadas en el mismo

Correction: Ferreira, P.M., et al. A neural network based intelligent predictive sensor for cloudiness, solar radiation and air temperature. Sensors 2012, 12, 15750–15777

Accurate measurements of global solar radiation and atmospheric temperature, as well as the availability of the predictions of their evolution over time, are important for different areas of applications, such as agriculture, renewable energy and energy management, or thermal comfort in buildings. For this reason, an intelligent, light-weight and portable sensor was developed, using artificial neural network models as the time-series predictor mechanisms. These have been identified with the aid of a procedure based on the multi-objective genetic algorithm. As cloudiness is the most significant factor affecting the solar radiation reaching a particular location on the Earth surface, it has great impact on the performance of predictive solar radiation models for that location. This work also represents one step towards the improvement of such models by using ground-to-sky hemispherical colour digital images as a means to estimate cloudiness by the fraction of visible sky corresponding to clouds and to clear sky. The implementation of predictive models in the prototype has been validated and the system is able to function reliably, providing measurements and four-hour forecasts of cloudiness, solar radiation and air temperature