University of Alcalá

About: University of Alcalá is a education organization based out in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Receptor. The organization has 10795 authors who have published 20718 publications receiving 410089 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Alcala & University of Alcala de Henares.

Support vector machines in engineering: an overview

Abstract: This paper provides an overview of the support vector machine SVM methodology and its applicability to real-world engineering problems. Specifically, the aim of this study is to review the current state of the SVM technique, and to show some of its latest successful results in real-world problems present in different engineering fields. The paper starts by reviewing the main basic concepts of SVMs and kernel methods. Kernel theory, SVMs, support vector regression SVR, and SVM in signal processing and hybridization of SVMs with meta-heuristics are fully described in the first part of this paper. The adoption of SVMs in engineering is nowadays a fact. As we illustrate in this paper, SVMs can handle high-dimensional, heterogeneous and scarcely labeled datasets very efficiently, and it can be also successfully tailored to particular applications. The second part of this review is devoted to different case studies in engineering problems, where the application of the SVM methodology has led to excellent results. First, we discuss the application of SVR algorithms in two renewable energy problems: the wind speed prediction from measurements in neighbor stations and the wind speed reconstruction using synoptic-pressure data. The application of SVMs in noninvasive cardiac indices estimation is described next, and results obtained there are presented. The application of SVMs in problems of functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI data processing is further discussed in the paper: brain decoding and mental disorder characterization. The following application deals with antenna array processing, namely SVMs for spatial nonlinear beamforming, and the SVM application in a problem of arrival angle detection. Finally, the application of SVMs to remote sensing image classification and target detection problems closes this review. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2014, 4:234-267. doi: 10.1002/widm.1125

A Color Vision-Based Lane Tracking System for Autonomous Driving on Unmarked Roads

Abstract: This work describes a color Vision-based System intended to perform stable autonomous driving on unmarked roads. Accordingly, this implies the development of an accurate road surface detection system that ensures vehicle stability. Although this topic has already been documented in the technical literature by different research groups, the vast majority of the already existing Intelligent Transportation Systems are devoted to assisted driving of vehicles on marked extra urban roads and highways. The complete system was tested on the BABIECA prototype vehicle, which was autonomously driven for hundred of kilometers accomplishing different navigation missions on a private circuit that emulates an urban quarter. During the tests, the navigation system demonstrated its robustness with regard to shadows, road texture, and weather and changing illumination conditions.

Rationale, Design and Methodology of the Computerized Registry of Patients with Venous Thromboembolism (RIETE).

Abstract: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a preventable cause of in-hospital death, and one of the most prevalent vascular diseases. There is a lack of knowledge with regards to contemporary presentation, management and outcomes of patients with VTE. Many clinically important subgroups (including the elderly, those with recent bleeding and pregnant patients) have been under-represented in clinical trials. Furthermore, design of clinical trials is challenging in some scenarios, such as in those with hemodynamically unstable PE. RIETE (Registro Informatizado Enfermedad TromboEmbolica) is a large prospective multinational ongoing registry, designed to address these unmet needs using representative data from multiple centres. Initiated in Spain in 2001, RIETE currently includes 179 centres in 24 countries and has enrolled more than 72,000 patients. RIETE has helped characterize the pattern of presentation and outcomes of VTE, including the aforementioned understudied subgroups. RIETE has recently expanded to collect long-term outcome data, and has broadened its inclusion criteria to enrol other forms of venous thrombosis (such as cerebral vein thrombosis and splanchnic vein thrombosis). The RIETE platform is also being used to conduct pragmatic comparative effectiveness studies, including randomized trials. Future steps would focus on collaboration with additional centres across the world, and efforts to ensure the quality and expansion of the registry. In conclusion, RIETE is a large ongoing registry of patients with VTE and other thrombotic conditions. Its results could be helpful for improving our understanding of the epidemiology, patterns of care and outcomes of patients with thrombotic disease.

Androgen excess is associated with the increased carotid intima-media thickness observed in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract: BACKGROUND: We evaluated carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as an early marker of atherosclerosis, as well as its main determinants among androgen excess, obesity and insulin resistance, in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: We selected 40 PCOS patients and 20 non-hyperandrogenic women who were similar in terms of age and grade of obesity. Complete clinical, metabolic and hormonal profiles and left common CIMT measurements were obtained. RESULTS: Patients with PCOS presented with increased mean CIMT values when compared with controls (F 5 8.575; P 5 0.005), and this was independent of obesity. Five PCOS patients but no controls had increased CIMT values. CIMT correlated directly with serum total and free testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate levels and mean 24-h heart rate (HR), and inversely with the insulin sensitivity index (ISI), but no correlation was observed with the body mass index (BMI). Multiple stepwise linear regression models showed that in PCOS patients, the main determinants of CIMT were serum total testosterone or androstenedione concentrations, with no influence of ISI or the mean 24-h HR. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with control women, PCOS patients present with an increased CIMT, independent of obesity and related directly to androgen excess; this suggests that hyperandrogenism is associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk in these women.