On-The-Fly Syntheziser Programming with Fuzzy Rule Learning.

This manuscript explores fuzzy rule learning for sound synthesizer programming within the performative practice known as live coding. In this practice, sound synthesis algorithms are programmed in real time by means of source code. To facilitate this, one possibility is to automatically create variations out of a few synthesizer presets. However, the need for real-time feedback makes existent synthesizer programmers unfeasible to use. In addition, sometimes presets are created mid-performance and as such no benchmarks exist. Inductive rule learning has shown to be effective for creating real-time variations in such a scenario. However, logical IF-THEN rules do not cover the whole feature space. Here, we present an algorithm that extends IF-THEN rules to hyperrectangles, which are used as the cores of membership functions to create a map of the input space. To generalize the rules, the contradictions are solved by a maximum volume heuristics. The user controls the novelty-consistency balance with respect to the input data using the algorithm parameters. The algorithm was evaluated in live performances and by cross-validation using extrinsic-benchmarks and a dataset collected during user tests. The model's accuracy achieves state-of-the-art results. This, together with the positive criticism received from live coders that tested our methodology, suggests that this is a promising approach.

[Reminiscence program supported by artificial intelligence and based on intangible cultural heritage aimed at the elderly: A pilot study]. / Programa de reminiscencia apoyado en inteligencia artificial y basado en el patrimonio cultural inmaterial dirigido a personas mayores: un estudio piloto.

INTRODUCTION: Technological applications are an innovative way of providing reminiscence therapy and must meet the users' needs. Intangible cultural heritage as a basis for such therapy has not been explored yet. We evaluated the applicability of a new technological application supported by artificial intelligence for reminiscence therapy based on intangible cultural heritage aimed at older people. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was carried out with people aged 65 or over, without cognitive impairment and with mild and moderate cognitive impairment who attended six centers for older people in Spain and Portugal. Participants tested the first prototype of the individualized LONG-REMI program in four consecutive weekly sessions. The usability and satisfaction of the experience were evaluated using the VAS scale at the end of the intervention. Emotions were evaluated using the PANAS scale before and at the end of the intervention. RESULTS: Data from 56 participants were analysed. For all participants, usability and satisfaction were highly perceived, with scores of 7.75±1.88 and 8.38±1.57, respectively. The positive affect subscale PANAS showed significant changes (28.86±8.88 before the intervention versus 36.70±9.43 post intervention, Z = -4.18, P = 0.000). There were no significant changes in the PANAS negative affect subscale. CONCLUSIONS: The first prototype of the LONG-REMI technological application can be used by older people both with and without cognitive impairment. This has the potential to be an instrument for future cognitive therapies with stimulating activities and benefits for emotions.

LONG-REMI: An AI-Based Technological Application to Promote Healthy Mental Longevity Grounded in Reminiscence Therapy.

Reminiscence therapy (RT) consists of thinking about one's own experiences through the presentation of memory-facilitating stimuli, and it has as its fundamental axis the activation of emotions. An innovative way of offering RT involves the use of technology-assisted applications, which must also satisfy the needs of the user. This study aimed to develop an AI-based computer application that recreates RT in a personalized way, meeting the characteristics of RT guided by a therapist or a caregiver. The material guiding RT focuses on intangible cultural heritage. The application incorporates facial expression analysis and reinforcement learning techniques, with the aim of identifying the user's emotions and, with them, guiding the computer system that emulates RT dynamically and in real time. A pilot study was carried out at five senior centers in Barcelona and Portugal. The results obtained are very positive, showing high user satisfaction. Moreover, the results indicate that the high frequency of positive emotions increased in the participants at the end of the intervention, while the low frequencies of negative emotions were maintained at the end of the intervention.

Incidence of Bladder Cancer in Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Radiotherapeutic treatment of prostate cancer has been validated in terms of efficacy, but its relationship with the occurrence of second pelvic primary malignancy and the relevance of radio-induced toxicity is still under debate. This study analyses the occurrence of second pelvic primary malignancy as well as morbidity secondary to radiotherapy treatment in patients treated for prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective consecutive descriptive study of 317 patients who received radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer between 2007 and 2017. Predictor variables, side effects and the appearance of second pelvic primary malignancy during a maximum follow-up of 10 years were collected. We analyse whether there is a significant relationship in the appearance of second pelvic primary malignancy and describe the clinical toxicity presented by the patients. RESULTS: The median age was 62.27 years and the most commonly employed treatment modality was brachytherapy with IMRT (60%). 17 patients (5.4%) developed a second pelvic primary malignancy, with a median time to onset of 58 and 25 months for bladder and colon tumours, respectively. Local recurrence and mortality rates are 8% and 7%, respectively. Statistically significant association is demonstrated for the occurrence of second pelvic primary malignancy and for chronic radioinduced toxicity according to type of radiotherapy χ2 (4) = 16.34; p = 0.003 and χ2 (1) = 6.47; p = 0.011 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, the occurrence of a second pelvic primary malignancy is statistically associated with the modality of radiotherapy administered and occurrence of chronic adverse effects.

Medical treatment for acute renal colic. / Tratamiento médico del cólico renoureteral en su fase aguda.

INTRODUCTION: Renoureteral colic (CRU) is the most common urological emergency, with a wide spectrum of severity that generates high morbidity and high health costs. However, there is no homogeneous scheme of pharmacological treatment in its acutephase. AIMS: The main objective of our work is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety profile of the different drugs used in the treatment of CCR and to propose a practical treatment scheme. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the role of fluid therapy in CRU and the treatment of CRU in pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have carried out a literature search on PubMed using the MeSH terms "renalcolic", "treatment", "anti-inflammatory drugs", "antiemeticdrugs", "fluid therapy" and "pregnant". The most relevant clinical trials, meta-analyses and systematic reviews published from 1 January 2005 to 15 September 2020 in Spanish, English and French were reviewed. RESULTS: In the different studies reviewed, non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) show better pain control, with lower rescue doses and fewer side effects than treatment with opioids. However, fluid therapy has failed to demonstrate an impact on the treatment of CRU. CONCLUSIONS: The initial treatment for CRU is NSAIDs, reserving opioids for successive treatment lines. The control of vegetative cortex can be accomplished with Ondansetron as first choice.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El cólico renoureteral (CRU) es la urgencia urológica más frecuente, con un amplio espectro de gravedad que genera una alta morbilidad y elevados costes sanitarios. Sin embargo, no existe un esquema homogéneo de tratamiento farmacológico en su fase aguda. OBJETIVOS: El objetivo principal de nuestro trabajo es evaluar la efectividad y perfil de seguridad de los distintos fármacos empleados en el tratamiento del CRU y proponer un esquema práctico de tratamiento. Los objetivos secundarios son evaluar el papel de la fluidoterapia en el CRU y el tratamiento del CRU en embarazadas.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Hemos realizado una búsqueda bibliográfica en PubMed utilizando los términos MeSH "renal colic", "treatment", "anti-inflammatory- drugs", "antiemetic drugs", "fluid therapy" y "pregnant". Se revisaron ensayos clínicos, metaanálisis y revisiones sistemáticas de mayor relevancia, publicados desde el 1 de enero de 2005 hasta el 15 de septiembre de 2020, escritos en lengua española, inglesa y francesa. RESULTADOS: En los diferentes estudios revisados los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (AINES) muestran un mejor control del dolor, con menores dosis de rescate y menos efectos secundarios que el tratamiento con opioides. Sin embargo, la fluidoterapia no ha logrado demostrar una repercusión en el tratamiento del CRU. CONCLUSIONES: El tratamiento de primera elección para el CRU son los AINES, reservando los opioides para sucesivas líneas de tratamiento. El control del cortejo vegetativo se puede realizar con ondansetrón comoprimera elección.

[Medical expulsive treatment for ureteral stones.] / Tratamiento médico expulsivo de la litiasis ureteral.

INTRODUCTION: Medical Expulsive Treatment (MET) for ureteral stones has been questioned for the last few years. OBJECTIVES: The main goal of our study is to define the indications of MET, the different drugs that are used and their effectiveness and to propose a follow-up strategy. Secondary objectives include the effectiveness of MET in some special subgroups such as pregnant women and children and to assess aspects of MET cost-effectiveness compared with other options for ureteral lithiasis treatment (ureterorenoscopy or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have reviewed the most relevant clinical trials and meta-analysis evaluating the impact of the different drugs available for MET. For the research we used some keywords like "medical expulsive treatment/therapy", "ureteral lithiasis", "urolithiasis", "effectiveness", "alpha-blockers" and "calcium-antagonists". MEDLINE database was used for there search (using the portal web Pubmed). RESULTS: Highest quality studies currently availables how significant methodological limitations leading to heterogeneous and restricted evidence, which is only applicable to patients and lithiasis with specific conditions. Nevertheless, in general terms, it seems that MET can play a certain role in the expulsion of lithiasis ≥ 5mm y ≤ 10 mm located in the distal ureter, although it has not been possible to demonstrate that any of the drugs used may have special superiority in terms of effectiveness. In pregnancy and children, the recommendations of MET are also irregular. Finally, MET seemsto be an alternative cost-effective compared to active options of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Higher quality clinical trials are needed to reliably advice MET. With the current evidence, it appears that MET can improve the expulsion of distal ureteral lithiasis ≥ 5 mm and ≤ 10 mm, even though we have not found differences between the drugs that are available for MET.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El Tratamiento Médico Expulsivo (TME) para litiasis ureterales ha sido puesto en cuestión durante los últimos años. OBJETIVOS: El objetivo principal de nuestro trabajo es definir las indicaciones del TME, los fármacos empleados y su efectividad y proponer un esquema de seguimiento. Los objetivos secundarios son analizar la efectividad del TME en algunos subgrupos especiales de la población como son las embarazadas y los niños y valorar aspectos de coste-efectividad del TME en comparación con otras opciones de tratamiento de litiasis ureterales (ureterorrenoscopia o litotricia extracorpórea por ondas de choque). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Hemos realizado una revisión de los ensayos clínicos y metaanálisis de mayor relevancia que valoran la efectividad de los diferentes fármacos disponibles para el TME. Para la búsqueda bibliográfica hemos utilizado algunos términos como medical expulsive treatment/therapy", "ureteral lithiasis", "urolithiasis","effectiveness", "alpha-blockers" y "calcium-antagonists",siendo la principal base de datos consultada MEDLINE (a través del portal web PubMed). RESULTADOS: Aún los estudios de mayor calidad presentan importantes limitaciones metodológicas, lo que condiciona que la evidencia obtenida sea heterogénea y restringida a pacientes y litiasis que cumplan determinadas condiciones. En líneas generales, el TME puede tener cierto papel en la expulsión de litiasis de tamaño ≥5 mm y ≤10 mm localizadas en uréter distal, aunqueno se ha logrado demostrar que alguno de los fármacos utilizados pueda tener especial superioridad en términos de efectividad. En gestantes y niños las indicaciones delTME tampoco estan estandarizadas. Por último, el TME en comparación con opciones de tratamiento, parece ser una alternativa más coste-efectiva y la preferida por los pacientes según estudios sobre QoL. CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario realizar ensayos clínicos de mayor calidad para poder indicar el TME con unmayor nivel de evidencia. Con la evidencia actual, parece que el TME puede favorecer la expulsión de litiasis localizadas en uréter distal y con un tamaño ≥5 mm y ≤10 mm. A pesar de ello no se han podido encontrar diferencias entre las distintas opciones farmacológicas disponibles.

Modeling the control of the central nervous system over the cardiovascular system using support vector machines.

The control of the central nervous system (CNS) over the cardiovascular system (CS) has been modeled using different techniques, such as fuzzy inductive reasoning, genetic fuzzy systems, neural networks, and nonlinear autoregressive techniques; the results obtained so far have been significant, but not solid enough to describe the control response of the CNS over the CS. In this research, support vector machines (SVMs) are used to predict the response of a branch of the CNS, specifically, the one that controls an important part of the cardiovascular system. To do this, five models are developed to emulate the output response of five controllers for the same input signal, the carotid sinus blood pressure (CSBP). These controllers regulate parameters such as heart rate, myocardial contractility, peripheral and coronary resistance, and venous tone. The models are trained using a known set of input-output response in each controller; also, there is a set of six input-output signals for testing each proposed model. The input signals are processed using an all-pass filter, and the accuracy performance of the control models is evaluated using the percentage value of the normalized mean square error (MSE). Experimental results reveal that SVM models achieve a better estimation of the dynamical behavior of the CNS control compared to others modeling systems. The main results obtained show that the best case is for the peripheral resistance controller, with a MSE of 1.20e-4%, while the worst case is for the heart rate controller, with a MSE of 1.80e-3%. These novel models show a great reliability in fitting the output response of the CNS which can be used as an input to the hemodynamic system models in order to predict the behavior of the heart and blood vessels in response to blood pressure variations.

A model for continuous monitoring of patients with major depression in short and long term periods.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Major depressive disorder causes more human suffering than any other disease affecting humankind. It has a high prevalence and it is predicted that it will be among the three leading causes of disease burden by 2030. The prevalence of depression, all of its social and personal costs, and its recurrent characteristics, put heavy constraints on the ability of the public healthcare system to provide sufficient support for patients with depression. In this research, a model for continuous monitoring and tracking of depression in both short-term and long-term periods is presented. This model is based on a new qualitative reasoning approach. METHOD: This paper describes the patient assessment unit of a major depression monitoring system that has three modules: a patient progress module, based on a qualitative reasoning model; an analysis module, based on expert knowledge and a rules-based system; and the communication module. These modules base their reasoning mainly on data of the patient's mood and life events that are obtained from the patient's responses to specific questionnaires (PHQ-9, M.I.N.I. and Brugha). The patient assessment unit provides synthetic and useful information for both patients and physicians, keeps them informed of the progress of patients, and alerts them in the case of necessity. RESULTS: A set of hypothetical patients has been defined based on clinically possible cases in order to perform a complete scenario evaluation. The results that have been verified by psychiatrists suggest the utility of the platform. CONCLUSION: The proposed major depression monitoring system takes advantage of current technologies and facilitates more frequent follow-up of the progress of patients during their home stay after being diagnosed with depression by a psychiatrist.

Programa de reminiscencia apoyado en inteligencia artificial y basado en el patrimonio cultural inmaterial dirigido a personas mayores: un estudio piloto / Reminiscence program supported by artificial intelligence and based on intangible cultural heritage aimed at the elderly: A pilot study

Introducción: Las aplicaciones tecnológicas son una forma innovadora de brindar la terapia de reminiscencia (TR) y deben satisfacer las necesidades de las personas usuarias. El patrimonio cultural inmaterial (PCI) como tópico para dicha terapia no ha sido todavía explorado. Evaluamos la disponibilidad de una nueva aplicación apoyada en inteligencia artificial (IA) para la TR basada en el PCI dirigida a personas mayores. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional prospectivo realizado con personas de 65 años o más, sin deterioro cognitivo y con deterioro cognitivo leve y moderado que acudían a seis centros de mayores en España y Portugal. Las personas participantes testaron el primer prototipo del programa individualizado LONG-REMI en cuatro sesiones semanales consecutivas. La usabilidad y la satisfacción de la experiencia fueron evaluadas mediante la Escala visual analógica (EVA) al finalizar la intervención. Las emociones se evaluaron mediante la escala de afecto positivo y afecto negativo (PANAS) antes y al finalizar la intervención. Resultados: Se analizaron datos de 56 personas, la usabilidad y la satisfacción fueron altamente percibidas, con puntuaciones de 7,75±1,88 y 8,38±1,57, respectivamente. La subescala de subafecto positivo PANAS mostró cambios significativos (28,86±8,88 antes de la intervención vs. 36,70±9,43 post intervención, Z = -4,18, p = 0,000). No hubo cambios significativos en la subescala de afecto negativo PANAS. Conclusiones: El primer prototipo de la aplicación tecnológica LONG-REMI puede ser usado en personas mayores sin y con deterioro cognitivo. Este puede ser un instrumento potencial para futuras terapias cognitivas con actividades estimulantes y beneficio en las emociones. (AU)

Introduction: Technological applications are an innovative way of providing reminiscence therapy and must meet the users’ needs. Intangible cultural heritage as a basis for such therapy has not been explored yet. We evaluated the applicability of a new technological application supported by artificial intelligence for reminiscence therapy based on intangible cultural heritage aimed at older people. Material and methods: A prospective observational study was carried out with people aged 65 or over, without cognitive impairment and with mild and moderate cognitive impairment who attended six centers for older people in Spain and Portugal. Participants tested the first prototype of the individualized LONG-REMI program in four consecutive weekly sessions. The usability and satisfaction of the experience were evaluated using the VAS scale at the end of the intervention. Emotions were evaluated using the PANAS scale before and at the end of the intervention. Results: Data from 56 participants were analysed. For all participants, usability and satisfaction were highly perceived, with scores of 7.75±1.88 and 8.38±1.57, respectively. The positive affect subscale PANAS showed significant changes (28.86±8.88 before the intervention versus 36.70±9.43 post intervention, Z = −4.18, P = 0.000). There were no significant changes in the PANAS negative affect subscale. Conclusions: The first prototype of the LONG-REMI technological application can be used by older people both with and without cognitive impairment. This has the potential to be an instrument for future cognitive therapies with stimulating activities and benefits for emotions. (AU)

Tratamiento médico del cólico renoureteral en su fase aguda / Medical treatment for acute renal colic

INTRODUCCIÓN: El cólico renoureteral (CRU) es la urgencia urológica más frecuente, con un amplio espectro de gravedad que genera una alta morbilidad y elevados costes sanitarios. Sin embargo, no existe un esquema homogéneo de tratamiento farmacológico en su fase aguda. OBJETIVOS: El objetivo principal de nuestro trabajo es evaluar la efectividad y perfil de seguridad de los distintos fármacos empleados en el tratamiento del CRU y proponer un esquema práctico de tratamiento. Los objetivos secundarios son evaluar el papel de la fluidoterapia en el CRU y el tratamiento del CRU en embarazadas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Hemos realizado una búsqueda bibliográfica en PubMed utilizando los términos MeSH "renal colic", "treatment", "anti-inflammatory-drugs", "antiemetic drugs", "fluid therapy" y "pregnant". Se revisaron ensayos clínicos, metaanálisis y revisiones sistemáticas de mayor relevancia, publicados desde el 1 de enero de 2005 hasta el 15 de septiembre de 2020, escritos en lengua española, inglesa y francesa. RESULTADOS: En los diferentes estudios revisados los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (AINES) muestran un mejor control del dolor, con menores dosis de rescate y menos efectos secundarios que el tratamiento con opioides. Sin embargo, la fluidoterapia no ha logrado demostrar una repercusión en el tratamiento del CRU. CONCLUSIONES: El tratamiento de primera elección para el CRU son los AINES, reservando los opioides para sucesivas líneas de tratamiento. El control del cortejo vegetativo se puede realizar con ondansetrón como primera elección

INTRODUCTION: Renoureteral colic (CRU) is the most common urological emergency, with a wide spectrum of severity that generates high morbidity and high health costs. However, there is no homogeneous scheme of pharmacological treatment in its acute phase. AIMS: The main objective of our work is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety profile of the different drugs used in the treatment of CCR and to propose a practical treatment scheme. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the role of fluid therapy in CRU and the treatment of CRU in pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have carried out a literature search on PubMed using the MeSH terms "renal colic", "treatment", "anti-inflammatory drugs", "antiemetic drugs", "fluid therapy" and "pregnant". The most relevant clinical trials, meta-analyses and systematic reviews published from 1 January 2005 to 15 September 2020 in Spanish, English and French were reviewed. RESULTS: In the different studies reviewed, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) show better pain control, with lower rescue doses and fewer side effects than treatment with opioids. However, fluid therapy has failed to demonstrate an impact on the treatment of CRU. CONCLUSIONS: The initial treatment for CRU is NSAIDs, reserving opioids for successive treatment lines. The control of vegetative cortex can be accomplished with Ondansetron as first choice

Tratamiento médico expulsivo de la litiasis ureteral / Medical expulsive treatment for ureteral stones

INTRODUCCIÓN: El Tratamiento Médico Expulsivo (TME) para litiasis ureterales ha sido puesto en cuestión durante los últimos años. OBJETIVOS: El objetivo principal de nuestro trabajo es definir las indicaciones del TME, los fármacos empleados y su efectividad y proponer un esquema de seguimiento. Los objetivos secundarios son analizar la efectividad del TME en algunos subgrupos especiales de la población como son las embarazadas y los niños y valorar aspectos de coste-efectividad del TME en comparación con otras opciones de tratamiento de litiasis ureterales (ureterorrenoscopia o litotricia extracorpórea por ondas de choque). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Hemos realizado una revisión de los ensayos clínicos y metaanálisis de mayor relevancia que valoran la efectividad de los diferentes fármacos disponibles para el TME. Para la búsqueda bibliográfica hemos utilizado algunos términos como medical expulsive treatment/therapy", "ureteral lithiasis", "urolithiasis", "effectiveness", "alpha-blockers" y "calcium-antagonists", siendo la principal base de datos consultada MEDLINE (a través del portal web PubMed). RESULTADOS: Aún los estudios de mayor calidad presentan importantes limitaciones metodológicas, lo que condiciona que la evidencia obtenida sea heterogénea y restringida a pacientes y litiasis que cumplan determinadas condiciones. En líneas generales, el TME puede tener cierto papel en la expulsión de litiasis de tamaño ≥ 5 mm y ≤ 10 mm localizadas en uréter distal, aunque no se ha logrado demostrar que alguno de los fármacos utilizados pueda tener especial superioridad en términos de efectividad. En gestantes y niños las indicaciones del TME tampoco estan estandarizadas. Por último, el TME en comparación con opciones de tratamiento, parece ser una alternativa más coste-efectiva y la preferida por los pacientes según estudios sobre QoL. CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario realizar ensayos clínicos de mayor calidad para poder indicar el TME con un mayor nivel de evidencia. Con la evidencia actual, parece que el TME puede favorecer la expulsión de litiasis localizadas en uréter distal y con un tamaño ≥ 5 mm y ≤ 10 mm. A pesar de ello no se han podido encontrar diferencias entre las distintas opciones farmacológicas disponibles

INTRODUCTION: Medical Expulsive Treatment (MET) for ureteral stones has been questioned for the last few years. OBJECTIVES: The main goal of our study is to define the indications of MET, the different drugs that are used and their effectiveness and to propose a follow-up strategy. Secondary objectives include the effectiveness of MET in some special subgroups such as pregnant women and children and to assess aspects of MET cost-effectiveness compared with other options for ureteral lithiasis treatment (ureterorenoscopy or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have reviewed the most relevant clinical trials and meta-analysis evaluating the impact of the different drugs available for MET. For the research we used some keywords like "medical expulsive treatment/therapy", "ureteral lithiasis", "urolithiasis", "effectiveness", "alpha-blockers" and "calcium-antagonists". MEDLINE database was used for the research (using the portal web Pubmed). RESULTS: Highest quality studies currently available show significant methodological limitations leading to heterogeneous and restricted evidence, which is only applicable to patients and lithiasis with specific conditions. Nevertheless, in general terms, it seems that MET can play a certain role in the expulsion of lithiasis ≥ 5 mm y ≤ 10 mm located in the distal ureter, although it has not been possible to demonstrate that any of the drugs used may have special superiority in terms of effectiveness. In pregnancy and children, the recommendations of MET are also irregular. Finally, MET seems to be an alternative cost-effective compared to active options of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Higher quality clinical trials are needed to reliably advice MET. With the current evidence, it appears that MET can improve the expulsion of distal ureteral lithiasis ≥ 5 mm and ≤ 10 mm, even though we have not found differences between the drugs that are available for MET