Predicción ordinal utilizando metodologías de aprendizaje automático: Aplicaciones

Artificial Intelligence is part of our everyday life, not only as consumers but also in most of the productive areas since companies can optimize most of their processes with all the different tools that it can provide. There is one topic that has been especially useful in the artificial intelligence implementation process which is machine learning, as it can be used in most of the practical applications that appear in real-life problems. Machine learning is the part of artificial intelligence that focuses on developing models that are able to learn a function that transforms input data into a desired output. One of the most important parts in machine learning is the model, and one of the most successful models in the state-of-the-art approaches is the artificial neural network. This is why the current thesis, for its first challenge, will study how to improve them to be able to learn more complex problems without needing to apply computationally costly training algorithms. The next important step to improve the model’s performance is to optimize the algorithms that are used to let them learn how to transform the inputs into the desired outputs, and the second challenge of this thesis is to optimize the computational cost of evolutionary algorithms, which are one of the best options to optimize ANNs due to their flexibility when training them. Ordinal classification (also known as ordinal regression) is an area of machine learning that can be applied to many real-life problems since it takes into account the order of the classes, which is an important fact in many real-life problems. In the area of social sciences, we will study how potential countries are helping the poorer ones the most, and then we will perform a deeper study to classify the level of globalisation of a country. These studies will be performed by applying the models and algorithms that were developed in the first stage of the thesis. After these first works, continuing with the ordinal classification approaches, we focused on the area of medicine, where there are many examples of applications of these techniques, e.g., any disease that may have progression is usually classified in different stages depending on its severity from low to high. In our case, this thesis will study how a treatment (liver transplantation) can affect different patients (survival time of the graft), and therefore decide which patient is the most appropriate for that specific treatment. The last chapter of the thesis will delve in ordinal classification to achieve ordinal prediction of time series. Time series have been usually processed with classical statistical techniques since machine learning models that focused on time series were too costly. However, currently, with the arrival of powerful computation machines together with the evolution of models such as recurrent neural networks, classic statistical techniques can hardly be competitive versus machine learning. In areas such as economics, social sciences, meteorology or medicine, time series are the main source of information, and they need to be correctly processed to be useful. The most common consideration when dealing with time series is to learn from past values to predict future ones, and the works in this last chapter will focus on performing ordinal predictions of WPREs in wind farms, creating novel models and methodologies. The thesis will conclude with a work that implements a deep neural network to predict WPREs in multiple wind farms at the same time; therefore, this model would allow predicting WPREs in a global area instead of in a specific geographical point

Juan Martínez Montañés and the ‘Guzmanes’: The Virgin and Child of the Cathedral of Huelva (1616)

El objetivo de este trabajo es dar a conocer la libranza que documenta la Virgen con el Niño que preside el altar mayor de la catedral de Huelva como obra del escultor Juan Martínez Montañés (1568-1649), pues hasta ahora se trataba de una obra atribuida. Asimismo, se aporta la cronología exacta de dicha escultura, que se revela como un nuevo ejemplo del fecundo patrocinio artístico ejercido por el VIII duque de Medina Sidonia, don Manuel de Guzmán y Silva.The aim of this work is to make known a document that proves that the sculptor Juan Martínez Montañés (1568-1649) was the author of the Virgin and Child that presides the cathedral of Huelva. Formerly, this sculpture had been attributed to the aforementioned artist because of stylistic reasons, but now we have the documentary evidence. This document provides us the exact chronology of the work and the name of the nobleman who commissioned the sculpture, who was the 8th Duke of Medina Sidonia

A new Saint Didacus of Alcalá attributed to Juan Martínez Montañés

Este estudio da a conocer una nueva imagen escultórica de San Diego de Alcalá, atribuyéndola a Juan Martínez Montañés y datándola, en base a varias evidencias, en torno a 1590-1591, por lo que podría ser una de las primeras obras conservadas del artista. La obra se localiza en Sanlúcar de Barrameda, en la antigua Iglesia del Convento de San Francisco. Asimismo, se relaciona la nueva escultura con otras obras de la misma iconografía vinculadas a dicho autor.This paper presents a new sculpture of Saint Didacus of Alcalá preserved in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, at the Church of the Convent of Saint Francis, which is attributed here fo r the first time to Juan Martínez Montañés. The new work is analyzed in comparison with other works of the sa me iconography related to the aforementioned artist. In addition, based on various evidences, a chronology around 1590-1591 is proposed, which makes this new sculpture one of the artist's earliest preserved works

Antonio Mateo Borrego (1660-1746): perfilando la figura de un pintor semidesconocido

The aim of this paper is to make known to History of Art the figure of Antonio Mateo Borrego (1660-1746), a semi-unknown painter from the Sevillian school, born in Antequera, trained in Seville and active in Sanlúcar de Barrameda between 1692 and 1742. This study is based on unpublished documents and paintings.A través de documentos y de obras inéditas, el objetivo de este trabajo es dar a conocer para la Historia del Arte la figura de Antonio Mateo Borrego (1660-1746), un pintor de escuela sevillana semidesconocido, nacido en Antequera, formado en Sevilla y activo en Sanlúcar de Barrameda entre 1692 y 1742

Building Suitable Datasets for Soft Computing and Machine Learning Techniques from Meteorological Data Integration: A Case Study for Predicting Significant Wave Height and Energy Flux

Meteorological data are extensively used to perform environmental learning. Soft Computing (SC) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques represent a valuable support in many research areas, but require datasets containing information related to the topic under study. Such datasets are not always available in an appropriate format and its preparation and pre-processing implies a lot of time and effort by researchers. This paper presents a novel software tool with a user-friendly GUI to create datasets by means of management and data integration of meteorological observations from two data sources: the National Data Buoy Center and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and for Atmospheric Research Reanalysis Project. Such datasets can be created using buoys and reanalysis data through customisable procedures, in terms of temporal resolution, predictive and objective variables, and can be used by SC and ML methodologies for prediction tasks (classification or regression). The objective is providing the research community with an automated and versatile system for the casuistry that entails well-formed and quality data integration, potentially leading to better prediction models. The software tool can be used as a supporting tool for coastal and ocean engineering applications, sustainable energy production, or environmental modelling; as well as for decision-making in the design and building of coastal protection structures, marine transport, ocean energy converters, and well-planned running of offshore and coastal engineering activities. Finally, to illustrate the applicability of the proposed tool, a case study to classify waves depending on their significant height and to predict energy flux in the Gulf of Alaska is presented

Short communication. In vitro oocyte maturation and fertilization rates in the Spanish Lidia bovine breed

The Lidia bovine breed is the most successful cattle breed on the Iberian Peninsula, also considered a hallmark of Spanish tradition and image around the world. The aims of the study were to characterize the oocyte recovery rates and to evaluate the effect of two standard in vitro maturation protocols on oocyte maturation (cumulus expansion and nuclear maturation) and fertilization rates after in vitro fertilization in this breed. For this purpose, 261 ovaries from Lidia cows were processed obtaining 1,125 viable cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs). The oocyte recovery rate obtained (4.31 viable COCs per ovary) was lower than those described previously in other studied breeds. Maturation rates were evaluated in two different oocyte maturation media with (M1) and without (M2) hormonal supplementation. The percentage of COCs with expanded cumulus cells was significantly lower in M1 (74.35%) compared with M2 (82.25%). Metaphase II (MII) rates (67.75% in M1 and 73.18% in M2) were similar to previous studies in different cattle populations. M2 significantly improved the percentage of COCs with their cumulus cells expanded (p < 0.01) and nuclear maturation rates (p < 0.05), but it did not affect the fertilization percentages obtained in this experiment. In conclusion, our study suggests that oocytes of the Lidia cattle breed can be obtained, matured and fertilized following standard protocols previously used in other cattle breeds

Escrotal circumference and skin flush sexual in florida male goat

Escrotal circumference (CE) by orquimetry and skin flush sexual (SFS) by observation in the inguino-escrotal skin in four Florida male goats were studied for 14 months. Seasonal variation was observed in CE, that was minor in autumn (30.84±0.24 cm) and maximun in spring (32.79 ±0.22 cm). Also, seasonal pattern was observed in SFS, with pale skin during winter (p<0.001). Light hours and temperature shown significant correlation with CE and SFS.En un grupo de cuatro machos cabríos de raza Florida se estudiaron las variaciones de la circunferencia escrotal (CE) y el grado de hiperemia inguino-escrotal o skin flush sexual (SFS) durante un periodo de 14 meses. Los resultados revelan una ligera variación estacional de la CE que es menor en otoño (30,84 ±0,24 cm.) y máxima en primavera (32,79±0,22 cm). El SFS presentó una distribución estacional, de manera que la coloración inguino-escrotal de la piel era más pálida durante el invierno (p<0,001). Tanto las horas de luz como la temperatura mostraron correlación significativa respecto a la CE y SFS

Effect of inbreeding depression on bull sperm quality and field fertility

The present study investigated the effect of inbreeding depression on sperm quality using automated and objective methods and subsequent effects on beef bull field fertility. Individual inbreeding coefficient (F) values and field fertility data were determined using a dataset of AI bulls belonging to the Spanish Retinta Breeders Association (Asociación Nacional de Criadores de Ganado Vacuno Selecto de Raza Retinta (ANCRE)). Animals were clustered in two groups according to the F values as follows: (1) a high inbreeding group (HI; F≥13.5%, mean 16.3); and (2) a non-inbreeding group (NI; F≤0%). In total, 17 different assessments were performed in both experimental groups, including evaluation of sperm morphology, acrosomal and DNA status, sperm plasma membrane integrity and function (hypo-osmotic swelling test), 10 kinetic parameters and the structure of sperm subpopulations. Sperm morphology, acrosomal and DNA status and osmotic tolerance were similar in both groups. Three velocity parameters (curvilinear velocity, straight line velocity and average path velocity) and the amplitude of lateral head displacement were higher in HI (P<0.05). Cluster analysis of kinematic parameters revealed three different sperm subpopulations (sP1, sP2 and sP3), with the proportion of the sP1 population (highly active but non-progressive spermatozoa) being significantly (P<0.05) higher in the HI group. Field fertility was assessed using two calving record datasets. In a smaller database including only bulls evaluated in the present study, there was a significant increase in the calving interval of cows sired with HI bulls. Conversely, in an extended genetic analysis of the ANCRE database, inbreeding only explained a small part of the variation in calving interval, and the results of regression analysis were not significant among bulls. The findings of the present study suggest that high inbreeding levels have a moderate effect on bull semen quality, with an increased percentage of highly active but non-progressive spermatozoa, but only when F values reached a certain threshold. This motility pattern could explain, in part, the higher calving interval produced by inbred bulls under field conditions.Fil: Dorado, Jesús. Universidad de Córdoba; EspañaFil: Morales Cid, Rosa. Universidad de Córdoba; EspañaFil: Molina, Antonio. Universidad de Córdoba; EspañaFil: Hidalgo, Manuel. Universidad de Córdoba; EspañaFil: Ariza, Julia. Universidad de Córdoba; EspañaFil: Moreno Millán, Miguel. Universidad de Córdoba; EspañaFil: Demyda-peyrás, Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria; Argentin

Effect of inbreeding depression on bull sperm quality and field fertility

The present study investigated the effect of inbreeding depression on sperm quality using automated and objective methods and subsequent effects on beef bull field fertility. Individual inbreeding coefficient (F) values and field fertility data were determined using a dataset of AI bulls belonging to the Spanish Retinta Breeders Association (Asociación Nacional de Criadores de Ganado Vacuno Selecto de Raza Retinta (ANCRE)). Animals were clustered in two groups according to the F values as follows: (1) a high inbreeding group (HI; F≥13.5%, mean 16.3); and (2) a non-inbreeding group (NI; F≤0%). In total, 17 different assessments were performed in both experimental groups, including evaluation of sperm morphology, acrosomal and DNA status, sperm plasma membrane integrity and function (hypo-osmotic swelling test), 10 kinetic parameters and the structure of sperm subpopulations. Sperm morphology, acrosomal and DNA status and osmotic tolerance were similar in both groups. Three velocity parameters (curvilinear velocity, straight line velocity and average path velocity) and the amplitude of lateral head displacement were higher in HI (P<0.05). Cluster analysis of kinematic parameters revealed three different sperm subpopulations (sP1, sP2 and sP3), with the proportion of the sP1 population (highly active but non-progressive spermatozoa) being significantly (P<0.05) higher in the HI group. Field fertility was assessed using two calving record datasets. In a smaller database including only bulls evaluated in the present study, there was a significant increase in the calving interval of cows sired with HI bulls. Conversely, in an extended genetic analysis of the ANCRE database, inbreeding only explained a small part of the variation in calving interval, and the results of regression analysis were not significant among bulls. The findings of the present study suggest that high inbreeding levels have a moderate effect on bull semen quality, with an increased percentage of highly active but non-progressive spermatozoa, but only when F values reached a certain threshold. This motility pattern could explain, in part, the higher calving interval produced by inbred bulls under field conditions.Instituto de Genética Veterinari

Extractions without eliminating anticoagulant treatment : a literature review.

To establish whether there is a high enough risk of bleeding in patients who take oral anticoagulants, such that it would justify not using oral anticoagulants when performing a dental extraction, as well as if the reason for and anatomical location of the extraction increases such risk. Study We performed a bibliographic search in order to carry out a meta-analytic study using descriptive statistics. We compiled a sample of 1194 patients from the articles selected. Of these patients, a total of 2392 simple, serial surgical extractions were performed; none of the patients interrupted their anticoagulant treatment with warfarin sodium. Of the sample, 83 patients presented a certain degree of bleeding; in 77 of such cases, the bleeding was controlled with local hemostasis, whereas 6 patients required their dose of oral anticoagulants to be adjusted. There was a higher incidence of bleeding in patients presenting a periodontal pathology, compared to deep caries and pericoronitis. Patients being treated with oral anticoagulants represent a risk that we should be aware of, but local hemostasis has proven to be effective when performing extractions, provided that the INR value is less than 4. There is an increased incidence of bleeding in patients with periodontal problems, due to the greater presence of inflammation in the soft tissues. If the extraction is performed in the maxilla, the incidence of hemorrhagic complications is slightly higher than in the mandible, although this difference is considered to be insignificant