A Speed Planner Approach Based On Bézier Curves Using Vehicle Dynamic Constrains and Passengers Comfort

This paper presents a speed profile generation approach for longitudinal control of automated vehicles, based on quintic Bézier curves. The described method aims to increase comfort level of passengers based on the ISO2631-1 specification, while taking into account vehicle dynamics and traffic rules to keep high safety levels. The algorithm has been tested in an in-house tool for high accuracy vehicle dynamics simulations, called Dynacar. The considered scenario is a closed circuit inside Tecnalia facilities. The resulting profile has better properties (for example, rate of change) than a raw input based on traffic speed limits. When used as reference for the speed controller, it improves both comfort and safety.This work is partly supported by the H2020 project UnCoVerCPS with grant number 643921, and the H2020 Project STEVE with proposal identification number 769944

Adaptable Emergency Braking Based on a Fuzzy Controller and a Predictive Model

This work presents the implementation of an adaptable emergency braking system for low speed collision avoidance, based on a frontal laser scanner for static obstacle detection, using a D-GPS system for positioning. A fuzzy logic decision process performs a criticality assessment that triggers the emergency braking system and modulates its behavior. This criticality is evaluated through the use of a predictive model based on a kinematic estimation, which modulates the decision to brake. Additionally a critical study is conducted in order to provide a benchmark for comparison, and evaluate the limits of the predictive model. The braking decision is based on a parameterizable braking model tuned for the target vehicle, that takes into account factors such as reaction time, distance to obstacles, vehicle velocity and maximum deceleration. Once activated, braking force is adapted to reduce vehicle occupants discomfort while ensuring safety throughout the process. The system was implemented on a real vehicle and proper operation is validated through extensive testing carried out at Tecnalia facilities.This project has received funding from the Electronic Component Systems for European Leadership Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No 692480. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Unions Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Slovakia

Impact of a Web-Based Exercise and Nutritional Education Intervention in Patients Who Are Obese With Hypertension: Randomized Wait-List Controlled Trial

Background: Internet-based interventions are a promising strategy for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. These have a tremendous potential for delivering electronic health interventions in scalable and cost-effective ways. There is strong evidence that the use of these programs can lead to weight loss and can lower patients’ average blood pressure (BP) levels. So far, few studies have investigated the effects of internet-based programs on patients who are obese with hypertension (HTN). Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the short- and long-term efficacy, in terms of body composition and BP parameters, of a self-administered internet-based intervention involving different modules and learning techniques aimed at promoting lifestyle changes (both physical activity and healthy eating) in patients who are obese with HTN. Methods: A randomized wait-list controlled trial design was used. We recruited 105 adults with HTN who were overweight or obese and randomly assigned them to either a 3-month internet-based intervention group (n=55) or the wait-list control group (n=50). We assessed BMI (primary outcome), body fat mass (BFM), systolic (S)BP and diastolic (D)BP, blood glucose and insulin levels, physical activity levels, and functional capacity for aerobic exercise at Time 0 (preintervention) and Time 1 (postintervention). All the patients in the wait-list control group subsequently received the intervention, and a secondary within-group analysis, which also included these participants, was conducted at Time 2 (12-month follow-up). Results: A 2-way mixed analysis of covariance showed a significant decrease in BMI, BFM, and blood glucose at 3 months in the internet-based intervention group; the effect size for the BMI and BFM parameters was moderate to large, and there was also a borderline significant trend for DBP and insulin. These results were either maintained or improved upon at Time 2 and showed significant changes for BMI (mean difference −0.4, 95% CI −0.1 to −0.6; P=.005), BFM (mean difference −2.4, 95% CI −1.1 to −3.6; P<.001), DBP (mean difference −1.8, 95% CI −0.2 to −3.3; P=.03), and blood glucose (mean difference −2, 95% CI 0 to −4; P=.04). Conclusions: Implementation of our self-administered internet-based intervention, which involved different learning techniques aimed to promote lifestyle changes, resulted in positive short- and long-term health benefits in patients who are obese with HTN

A Review of Sensor Technologies for Perception in Automated Driving

After more than 20 years of research, ADAS are common in modern vehicles available in the market. Automated Driving systems, still in research phase and limited in their capabilities, are starting early commercial tests in public roads. These systems rely on the information provided by on-board sensors, which allow to describe the state of the vehicle, its environment and other actors. Selection and arrangement of sensors represent a key factor in the design of the system. This survey reviews existing, novel and upcoming sensor technologies, applied to common perception tasks for ADAS and Automated Driving. They are put in context making a historical review of the most relevant demonstrations on Automated Driving, focused on their sensing setup. Finally, the article presents a snapshot of the future challenges for sensing technologies and perception, finishing with an overview of the commercial initiatives and manufacturers alliances that will show future market trends in sensors technologies for Automated Vehicles.This work has been partly supported by ECSEL Project ENABLE- S3 (with grant agreement number 692455-2), by the Spanish Government through CICYT projects (TRA2015- 63708-R and TRA2016-78886-C3-1-R)

An internet-based self-administered intervention for promoting healthy habits and weight loss in hypertensive people who are overweight or obese: a randomized controlled trial

Background The prevalence of overweight and obesity is on the rise worldwide with severe physical and psychosocial consequences. One of the most dangerous is hypertension. Lifestyle changes related to eating behaviour and physical activity are the critical components in the prevention and treatment of hypertension and obesity. Data indicates that the usual procedures to promote these healthy habits in health services are either insufficient or not efficient enough. Internet has been shown to be an effective tool for the implementation of lifestyle interventions based on this type of problem. This study aims to assess the efficacy of a totally self-administered online intervention programme versus the usual medical care for obese and overweight participants with hypertension (from the Spanish public health care system) to promote healthy lifestyles (eating behaviour and physical activity). Method A randomized controlled trial will be conducted with 100 patients recruited from the hypertension unit of a public hospital. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: a) SII: a self-administered Internet-based intervention protocol; and b) MUC-medical usual care. The online intervention is an Internet-delivered, multimedia, interactive, self-administered programme, composed of nine modules designed to promote healthy eating habits and increase physical activity. The first five modules will be activated at a rate of one per week, and access for modules 5 to 9 will open every two weeks. Patients will be assessed at four points: before the intervention, after the intervention (3 months), and at 6 and 12 months (follow-up). The outcome variables will include blood pressure, and Body Mass Index, as primary outcome measures, and quality of life and other lifestyle and anthropometrical variables as secondary outcome measures. Discussion The literature highlights the need for more studies on the benefits of using the Internet to promote lifestyle interventions. This study aims to investigate the efficiency of a totally self-administered Internet − +based programme for promoting healthy habits and improving the medical indicators of a hypertensive and overweight population.MM is grateful to CAPES/Brazil (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel) for the doctoral scholarship. This project is funded in part by grants PSI2010-17563-PSIC; CIBER Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutricion-ISCIII CB06/03/0052; Red de Excelencia PSI2014-56303-REDT: PROMOSAM: Research in Processes, Mechanisms and Psychological Treatments for Mental Health Promotion, from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (2014)

Prediction of enzyme function by combining sequence similarity and protein interactions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A number of studies have used protein interaction data alone for protein function prediction. Here, we introduce a computational approach for annotation of enzymes, based on the observation that similar protein sequences are more likely to perform the same function if they share similar interacting partners.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The method has been tested against the PSI-BLAST program using a set of 3,890 protein sequences from which interaction data was available. For protein sequences that align with at least 40% sequence identity to a known enzyme, the specificity of our method in predicting the first three EC digits increased from 80% to 90% at 80% coverage when compared to PSI-BLAST.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our method can also be used in proteins for which homologous sequences with known interacting partners can be detected. Thus, our method could increase 10% the specificity of genome-wide enzyme predictions based on sequence matching by PSI-BLAST alone.</p

Functional Impact and Regulation of Alternative Splicing in Mouse Heart Development and Disease.

Alternative splicing (AS) plays a major role in the generation of transcript diversity. In the heart, roles have been described for some AS variants, but the global impact and regulation of AS patterns are poorly understood. Here, we studied the AS profiles in heart disease, their relationship with heart development, and the regulatory mechanisms controlling AS dynamics in the mouse heart. We found that AS profiles characterized the different groups and that AS and gene expression changes affected independent genes and biological functions. Moreover, AS changes, specifically in heart disease, were associated with potential protein-protein interaction changes. While developmental transitions were mainly driven by the upregulation of MBNL1, AS changes in disease were driven by a complex regulatory network, where PTBP1 played a central role. Indeed, PTBP1 over-expression was sufficient to induce cardiac hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction, potentially by perturbing AS patterns.S

Analysis of the efficacy of an internet-based self-administered intervention (“Living Better”) to promote healthy habits in a population with obesity and hypertension: An exploratory randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Changes in unhealthy lifestyles are key elements in the prevention and treatment of obesity and hypertension. Internet-based programs offer great potential for the implementation of evidence-based interventions focused on promoting healthy habits. We evaluate the efcacy of an Internet-based self-administered program (“Living Better”) that addresses people diagnosed as being overweight or having type I obesity and hypertension. Methods: The sample was composed of a total of 106 participants (age Mean = 53; 59 males) from a public hospital in Spain, diagnosed as being overweight or having type I obesity and hypertension and randomized into two groups—the intervention group (IG; Internet-based intervention) and the control group (CG; usual medical treatment). The intervention used cognitive-behavioral strategies and psychoeducation to promote healthy habits. Anthropometric data (i.e., Body Mass Index –BMI-, waist circumference, and hip circumference) and lifestyle/psychological data (i.e., quality of life, physical activity, eating styles, motivation, mood, and self-efcacy) were assessed before and after the intervention, and at 6 and 12-month follow-ups. Results: Signifcant differences were observed between the IG and the CG in anthropometrical variables after intervention (i.e., BMI and waist circumference), external eating style, and anxiety and stress scores (p < 0.05). Follow-up data showed that changes were maintained in BMI, waist and hip circumference, and external eating in the IG. After receiving the Internet-based treatment, the CG also improved its clinical condition. Discussion: This study demonstrates that the Internet is a viable alternative for the delivery and dissemination of interventions focused on promoting healthy habits, and a totally self-administered intervention can produce long-term positive results

Efecto de cultivos antecesores y abonos verdes sobre los rendimientos, contenido de nutrientes, antocianinas, fenoles, capacidad antioxidante y parámetros edáficos en batata orgánica

El objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar el efecto de distintas sucesiones agrícolas sobre los rendimientos, concentración foliar de nutrientes, fenoles, antocianinas, y capacidad antioxidante de batata orgánica, y sobre características del suelo. El ensayo se implantó en la EEA San Pedro INTA, en un suelo serie Ramallo, Argiudol vertico. El diseño estadístico fue bloques al azar con cuatro repeticiones y los siguientes tratamientos:1. soja - avena/vicia - batata, avena/vicia-soja-avena/vicia-batata; 2. Maíz-avena/vicia-batata-avena/vicia-maíz –avena/vicia-batata; 3. sorgo de escobas-Avena/vicia-batata-avena/vicia-sorgo de escobas-avena/vicia-batata; 4. trigo-avena/vicia-batata-avena/vicia-trigo-avena/vicia-batata;5. moha-avena/vicia-batata-avena/vicia-moha-avena/vicia-batata. Se registraron los rendimientos de los cultivos, peso promedio raíces y peso de raíces por planta de batata, y se determinó el contenido foliar de N, P, y K. Se realizó el análisis de la varianza y las medias de tratamientos se compararon por test de Duncan 5 %. En muestras de suelo (Ap) se determinó pH potenciométrico; materia orgánica; N total, Ca, Mg y K intercambiables, P disponible y estabilidad estructural.Los rendimientos de batata comercial del tratamiento 5 fueron superiores estadísticamente a los del tratamiento 4 en el primer ciclo. En el segundo cultivo de batata no hubo diferencias significativas de rendimiento, contenido foliar de minerales, o peso medio de raíces entre tratamientos. Tampoco hubo diferencias entre tratamientos en las propiedades del suelo. La capacidad antioxidante, y el contenido de fenoles, de la piel fueron significativamente más altos cuando los antecesores fueron los cultivos de verano (soja, maíz o sorgo de escobas) que cuando el antecesor fue trigo. El contenido de antocianinas de la piel también fue menor cuando el antecesor fue trigo que cuando fue maíz o soja. Los resultados de este experimento no permiten llegar a una conclusión definitiva sobre el efecto del cultivo antecesor sobre las variables analizadas. Es necesario proseguir con los ensayos anuales para determinar si se confirma la tendencia detectada luego de varias campañas. EFFECTS OF PRECEDING CROPS AND GREEN MANURES ON YIELD, NUTRIENT CONTENT, ANTHOCYANINS, FENOLS, ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AND SOIL PARAMETERS ON ORGANICALLY GROWING SWEETPOTATO The objective of this work was to study the effect of various crop sequences on soil properties and on yield, foliar mineral concentration, antioxidant capacity, fenol content, and anthocyanin content of organically grown sweetpotatoes. The experiment was set up at INTA San Pedro Experimental Station, on a Ramallo series, “Argiduol vertico” soil. The statistical design was a randomized blocks with four replication. The treatments were: 1. soybean – oat/hairy vetch – sweetpotato - oat/hairy vetch - soybean - oat/hairy vetch – sweetpotato. 2. corn - oat/hairy vetch – sweetpotato - oat/hairy vetch – corn - oat/hairy vetch – sweetpotato. 3. Sorghum technicum - oat/hairy vetch – sweetpotato - oat/hairy vetch – Sorghum technicum - oat/hairy vetch – sweetpotato. 4. wheat - oat/hairy vetch – sweetpotato -oat/hairy vetch - wheat - oat/hairy vetch – sweetpotato. 5. Foxtail Millet -oat/hairy vetch – sweetpotato - oat/hairy vetch - Foxtail Millet - oat/hairy vetch – sweetpotato. Crop yields, weight of tuberous roots per plant, and average tuberous root weight, foliar N, P, and K were recorded. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the means separated by the Tukey’s test (5%). Soil samples were taken for pH, organic matter, total N, P, exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K, and structural stability. In the first sweetpotato crop, commercial yield of treatment 5 was statistically higher than that of treatment 4, with no differences among the other treatments. There were not differences between treatments for yield, foliar mineral content or soil properties in the second year. The antioxidant capacity and the total fenol content of the skin were higher when the crops preceding sweetpotato were summer crops than when it was wheat. Skin anthocyanin content was also higher when the crop preceding sweetpotato was corn or soybean than when it was wheat. The results of this experiment are not conclusive with respect to the effect of crops sequences on the analyzed sweetpotato and soil variables. It is necessary to continue with the crop sequence for additional cycles to determine if the trends found so far are confirmed.EEA San PedroFil: González, Joaquín. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Martí, Héctor Rubén. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Corbino, Graciela Beatriz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez, Gerardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Andriulo, Adrián Andrés. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino; Argentin

The ESPOSALLES database: An ancient marriage license corpus for off-line handwriting recognition

NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Pattern Recognition. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Pattern RecognitionVolume 46, Issue 6, June 2013, Pages 1658–1669 DOI: 10.1016/j.patcog.2012.11.024[EN] Historical records of daily activities provide intriguing insights into the life of our ancestors, useful for demography studies and genealogical research. Automatic processing of historical documents, however, has mostly been focused on single works of literature and less on social records, which tend to have a distinct layout, structure, and vocabulary. Such information is usually collected by expert demographers that devote a lot of time to manually transcribe them. This paper presents a new database, compiled from a marriage license books collection, to support research in automatic handwriting recognition for historical documents containing social records. Marriage license books are documents that were used for centuries by ecclesiastical institutions to register marriage licenses. Books from this collection are handwritten and span nearly half a millennium until the beginning of the 20th century. In addition, a study is presented about the capability of state-of-the-art handwritten text recognition systems, when applied to the presented database. Baseline results are reported for reference in future studies. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Work supported by the EC (FEDER/FSE) and the Spanish MEC/MICINN under the MIPRCV ‘‘Consolider Ingenio 2010’’ program (CSD2007-00018), MITTRAL (TIN2009-14633-C03-01) and KEDIHC ((TIN2009-14633-C03-03) projects. This work has been partially supported by the European Research Council Advanced Grant (ERC-2010-AdG-20100407: 269796-5CofM) and the European seventh framework project (FP7-PEOPLE-2008-IAPP: 230653-ADAO). Also supported by the Generalitat Valenciana under grant Prometeo/2009/014 and FPU AP2007-02867, and by the Universitat Politecnica de Val encia (PAID-05-11). We would also like to thank the Center for Demographic Studies (UAB) and the Cathedral of Barcelona.Romero Gómez, V.; Fornés, A.; Serrano Martínez-Santos, N.; Sánchez Peiró, JA.; Toselli ., AH.; Frinken, V.; Vidal, E.... (2013). The ESPOSALLES database: An ancient marriage license corpus for off-line handwriting recognition. Pattern Recognition. 46(6):1658-1669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patcog.2012.11.024S1658166946