Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology has been used in the investigation of human brain functionality and assist in brain disease diagnosis. While fMRI can be used to model both spatial and temporal brain functionality, the analysis of the fMRI images and the discovery of patterns for certain brain diseases is still a challenging task in medical imaging. Deep learning has been used more and more in medical field in an effort to further improve disease diagnosis due to its effectiveness in discovering high-level features in images. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) is a class of deep learning algorithm that have been successfully used in medical imaging and extract spatial hierarchical features. The application of CNNs in fMRI and the extraction of brain functional patterns is an open field for research. This project focuses on how fMRIs can be used to improve Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) detection and diagnosis with 3D resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) images. ASDs are a range of neurodevelopment brain diseases that mostly affect social function. Some of the symptoms include social and communicating difficulties, and also restricted  and repetitive  behaviors. The  symptoms appear on early childhood and tend to develop in time thus an early diagnosis is required. Finding a proper model for identifying between ASD and healthy subject is a challenging task and involves a lot of hyper-parameter tuning. In this project a grid search approach is followed in the quest of the optimal CNN architecture. Additionally, regularization and augmentation techniques are implemented in an effort to further improve the models performance.

Rapid technological advances in artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, big data, the semantic web, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud and mobile computing have given rise to a new generation of AI-driven recommendation agents (RAs). These agents continue to evolve and offer potential for use in a variety of application domains. However, extant information systems (IS) research has predominantly focused on user perceptions and evaluations of traditional non-intelligent product-brokering recommendation agents (PRAs), supported by empirical studies on custom-built experimental RAs that heavily rely on explicit user preference elicitations. To address the lack of research in the new generation of intelligent RAs (RAs 2.0), this dissertation aims to study consumer responses to AI-driven RAs using an affordance perspective. Notably, this research is the first in the IS discourse to link RA design artifacts, RA affordances, RA outcomes, and user continuance. It examines how actualized RA affordances influence user engagements with and evaluations of these highly personalized systems, which increasingly focus on user experiences and long-term relationships. This three-essay dissertation, consisting of one theory-building paper and two empirical studies, conceptually defines "RAs 2.0," proposes a comprehensive theoretical framework with testable propositions, and conducts two empirical studies guided by smaller carved-out models to test the validity of the comprehensive framework. The research is expected to enrich the IS literature on RAs and identify potential areas for future research. Moreover, it offers key implications for industry professionals regarding the effective system development of the new generation of intelligent RAs. / Doctor of Philosophy / Rapid technological advances in artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, big data, the semantic web, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud and mobile computing have given rise to a new generation of AI-driven recommendation agents (RAs). These agents continue to evolve and offer potential for use in a variety of application domains. This three-essay dissertation, consisting of one theory-building paper and two empirical studies, conceptually defines "RAs 2.0," proposes a comprehensive theoretical framework with testable propositions, and conducts two empirical studies guided by smaller carved-out models to test the validity of the comprehensive framework. The research is expected to enrich the IS literature on RAs and identify potential areas for future research. Moreover, it offers key implications for industry professionals regarding the effective system development of the new generation of intelligent RAs.

<p>This thesis aims to design and develop the spatial adaptation approach through spatial transformers to improve the accuracy of human keypoint recognition models. We have studied different model types and design choices to gain an accuracy increase over models without spatial transformers and analyzed how spatial transformers increase the accuracy of predictions. A neural network called Widenet has been leveraged as a specialized network for providing the parameters for the spatial transformer. Further, we have evaluated methods to reduce the model parameters, as well as the strategy to enhance the learning supervision for further improving the performance of the model. Our experiments and results have shown that the proposed deep learning framework can effectively detect the human key points, compared with the baseline methods. Also, we have reduced the model size without significantly impacting the performance, and the enhanced supervision has improved the performance. This study is expected to greatly advance the deep learning of human key points and movement dynamics. </p>

Denna uppsats presenterar resultaten av en kvalitativ undersökning som syftar till att ge en djupare förståelse för användningen av AI inom radiologi, dess framtida påverkan på yrket och hur det används idag. Genom att genomföra tre intervjuer med personer som arbetar inom radiologi, har datainsamlingen fokuserat på att identifiera de positiva och negativa aspekterna av AI i radiologi, samt dess potentiella konsekvenser på yrket. Resultaten visar på en allmän acceptans för AI inom radiologi och dess förmåga att förbättra diagnostiska processer och effektivisera arbetet. Samtidigt finns det en viss oro för att AI kan ersätta människor och minska behovet av mänskliga bedömningar. Denna uppsats ger en grundläggande förståelse för hur AI används inom radiologi och dess möjliga framtida konsekvenser. / This essay presents the results of a qualitative study aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiology, its potential impact on the profession and how it’s used today. By conducting three interviews with individuals working in radiology, data collection focused on identifying the positive and negative aspects of AI in radiology, as well as its potential consequences on the profession. The results show a general acceptance of AI in radiology and its ability to improve diagnostic processes and streamline work. At the same time, there is a certain concern that AI may replace humans and reduce the need for human judgments. This report provides a basic understanding of how AI is used in radiology and its possible future consequences.

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have become pivotal in precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and smart healthcare applications. However, the challenges of energy consumption and security, particularly concerning the reliance on large battery-operated nodes, pose significant hurdles for these networks. Energy-harvesting wireless sensor networks (EH-WSNs) emerged as a solution, enabling nodes to replenish energy from the environment remotely. Yet, the transition to EH-WSNs brought forth new obstacles in ensuring reliable and secure data transmission. In our initial study, we tackled the intermittent connectivity issue prevalent in EH-WSNs due to the dynamic behavior of energy harvesting nodes. Rapid shifts between ON and OFF states led to frequent changes in network topology, causing reduced link stability. To counter this, we introduced the hybrid routing method (HRM), amalgamating grid-based and opportunistic-based routing. HRM incorporated a packet fragmentation mechanism and cooperative localization for both static and mobile networks. Simulation results demonstrated HRM's superior performance, enhancing key metrics such as throughput, packet delivery ratio, and energy consumption in comparison to existing energy-aware adaptive opportunistic routing approaches. Our second research focused on countering emerging threats, particularly the malicious energy attack (MEA), which remotely powers specific nodes to manipulate routing paths. We developed intelligent energy attack methods utilizing Q-learning and Policy Gradient techniques. These methods enhanced attacking capabilities across diverse network settings without requiring internal network information. Simulation results showcased the efficacy of our intelligent methods in diverting traffic loads through compromised nodes, highlighting their superiority over traditional approaches. In our third study, we developed a deep learning-based two-stage framework to detect MEAs. Utilizing a stacked residual network (SR-Net) for global classification and a stacked LSTM network (SL-Net) to pinpoint specific compromised nodes, our approach demonstrated high detection accuracy. By deploying trained models as defenses, our method outperformed traditional threshold filtering techniques, emphasizing its accuracy in detecting MEAs and securing EH-WSNs. In summary, our research significantly advances the reliability and security of EH-WSN, particularly focusing on enhancing the network layer. These findings offer promising avenues for securing the future of wireless sensor technologies.

This research study focuses on the application models of Data Mining and Machine Learning covering cellular network traffic, in the objective to arm Mobile Network Operators with full view of performance branches (Services, Device, Subscribers). The purpose is to optimize and minimize the time to detect service and subscriber patterns behaviour. Different data mining techniques and predictive algorithms have been applied on real cellular network datasets to uncover different data usage patterns using specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Quality Indicators (KQI). The following tools will be used to develop the concept: RStudio for Machine Learning and process visualization, Apache Spark, SparkSQL for data and big data processing and clicData for service Visualization. Two use cases have been studied during this research. In the first study, the process of Data and predictive Analytics are fully applied in the field of Telecommunications to efficiently address users’ experience, in the goal of increasing customer loyalty and decreasing churn or customer attrition. Using real cellular network transactions, prediction analytics are used to predict customers who are likely to churn, which can result in revenue loss. Prediction algorithms and models including Classification Tree, Random Forest, Neural Networks and Gradient boosting have been used with an exploratory Data Analysis, determining relationship between predicting variables. The data is segmented in to two, a training set to train the model and a testing set to test the model. The evaluation of the best performing model is based on the prediction accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and the Confusion Matrix on the test set. The second use case analyses Service Quality Management using modern data mining techniques and the advantages of in-memory big data processing with Apache Spark and SparkSQL to save cost on tool investment; thus, a low-cost Service Quality Management model is proposed and analyzed. With increase in Smart phone adoption, access to mobile internet services, applications such as streaming, interactive chats require a certain service level to ensure customer satisfaction. As a result, an SQM framework is developed with Service Quality Index (SQI) and Key Performance Index (KPI). The research concludes with recommendations and future studies around modern technology applications in Telecommunications including Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud and recommender systems. / Cellular networks have evolved and are still evolving, from traditional GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) Circuit switched which only supported voice services and extremely low data rate, to LTE all Packet networks accommodating high speed data used for various service applications such as video streaming, video conferencing, heavy torrent download; and for say in a near future the roll-out of the Fifth generation (5G) cellular networks, intended to support complex technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things), High Definition video streaming and projected to cater massive amount of data. With high demand on network services and easy access to mobile phones, billions of transactions are performed by subscribers. The transactions appear in the form of SMSs, Handovers, voice calls, web browsing activities, video and audio streaming, heavy downloads and uploads. Nevertheless, the stormy growth in data traffic and the high requirements of new services introduce bigger challenges to Mobile Network Operators (NMOs) in analysing the big data traffic flowing in the network. Therefore, Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) turn in to a challenge. Inefficiency in mining, analysing data and applying predictive intelligence on network traffic can produce high rate of unhappy customers or subscribers, loss on revenue and negative services’ perspective. Researchers and Service Providers are investing in Data mining, Machine Learning and AI (Artificial Intelligence) methods to manage services and experience. This research study focuses on the application models of Data Mining and Machine Learning covering network traffic, in the objective to arm Mobile Network Operators with full view of performance branches (Services, Device, Subscribers). The purpose is to optimize and minimize the time to detect service and subscriber patterns behaviour. Different data mining techniques and predictive algorithms will be applied on cellular network datasets to uncover different data usage patterns using specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Quality Indicators (KQI). The following tools will be used to develop the concept: R-Studio for Machine Learning, Apache Spark, SparkSQL for data processing and clicData for Visualization. / Electrical and Mining Engineering / M. Tech (Electrical Engineering)

[ES] Los Cuidados Paliativos (PC) son cuidados médicos especializados cuyo objetivo esmejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes con enfermedades graves. Históricamente,se han aplicado a los pacientes en fase terminal, especialmente a los que tienen undiagnóstico oncológico. Sin embargo, los resultados de las investigaciones actualessugieren que la PC afecta positivamente a la calidad de vida de los pacientes condiferentes enfermedades. La tendencia actual sobre la PC es incluir a pacientes nooncológicos con afecciones como la EPOC, la insuficiencia de funciones orgánicas ola demencia. Sin embargo, la identificación de los pacientes con esas necesidades escompleja, por lo que se requieren herramientas alternativas basadas en datos clínicos. La creciente demanda de PC puede beneficiarse de una herramienta de cribadopara identificar a los pacientes con necesidades de PC durante el ingreso hospitalario.Se han propuesto varias herramientas, como la Pregunta Sorpresa (SQ) o la creaciónde diferentes índices y puntuaciones, con distintos grados de éxito. Recientemente,el uso de algoritmos de inteligencia artificial, en concreto de Machine Learning (ML), ha surgido como una solución potencial dada su capacidad de aprendizaje a partirde las Historias Clínicas Electrónicas (EHR) y con la expectativa de proporcionarpredicciones precisas para el ingreso en programas de PC. Esta tesis se centra en la creación de herramientas digitales basadas en ML para la identificación de pacientes con necesidades de cuidados paliativos en el momento del ingreso hospitalario. Hemos utilizado la mortalidad y la fragilidad como los dos criterios clínicos para la toma de decisiones, siendo la corta supervivencia y el aumento de la fragilidad, nuestros objetivos para hacer predicciones. También nos hemos centrado en la implementación de estas herramientas en entornos clínicos y en el estudio de su usabilidad y aceptación en los flujos de trabajo clínicos. Para lograr estos objetivos, en primer lugar, estudiamos y comparamos algoritmos de ML para la supervivencia a un año en pacientes adultos durante el ingreso hospitalario. Para ello, definimos una variable binaria a predecir, equivalente a la SQ y definimos el conjunto de variables predictivas basadas en la literatura. Comparamos modelos basados en Support Vector Machine (SVM), k-Nearest Neighbours (kNN), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) y Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), atendiendo a su rendimiento, especialmente al Área bajo la curva ROC (AUC ROC). Además, obtuvimos información sobre la importancia de las variables para los modelos basados en árboles utilizando el criterio GINI. En segundo lugar, estudiamos la medición de la fragilidad de la calidad de vida(QoL) en los candidatos a la intervención en PC. Para este segundo estudio, redujimosla franja de edad de la población a pacientes ancianos (≥ 65 años) como grupo objetivo. A continuación, creamos tres modelos diferentes: 1) la adaptación del modelo demortalidad a un año para pacientes ancianos, 2) un modelo de regresión para estimarel número de días desde el ingreso hasta la muerte para complementar los resultadosdel primer modelo, y finalmente, 3) un modelo predictivo del estado de fragilidad aun año. Estos modelos se compartieron con la comunidad académica a través de unaaplicación web b que permite la entrada de datos y muestra la predicción de los tresmodelos y unos gráficos con la importancia de las variables. En tercer lugar, propusimos una versión del modelo de mortalidad a un año enforma de calculadora online. Esta versión se diseñó para maximizar el acceso de losprofesionales minimizando los requisitos de datos y haciendo que el software respondiera a las plataformas tecnológicas actuales. Así pues, se eliminaron las variablesadministrativas específicas de la fuente de datos y se trabajó en un proceso para minimizar las variables de entrada requeridas, manteniendo al mismo tiempo un ROCAUC elevado del modelo. Como resultado, e / [CA] Les Cures Pal·liatives (PC) són cures mèdiques especialitzades l'objectiu de les qualsés millorar la qualitat de vida dels pacients amb malalties greus. Històricament, s'hanaplicat als pacients en fase terminal, especialment als quals tenen un diagnòstic oncològic. No obstant això, els resultats de les investigacions actuals suggereixen que lesPC afecten positivament a la qualitat de vida dels pacients amb diferents malalties. Latendència actual sobre les PC és incloure a pacients no oncològics amb afeccions comla malaltia pulmonar obstructiva crònica, la insuficiència de funcions orgàniques o lademència. No obstant això, la identificació dels pacients amb aqueixes necessitats éscomplexa, per la qual cosa es requereixen eines alternatives basades en dades clíniques. La creixent demanda de PC pot beneficiar-se d'una eina de garbellat per a identificar als pacients amb necessitats de PC durant l'ingrés hospitalari. S'han proposatdiverses eines, com la Pregunta Sorpresa (SQ) o la creació de diferents índexs i puntuacions, amb diferents graus d'èxit. Recentment, l'ús d'algorismes d'intel·ligènciaartificial, en concret de Machine Learning (ML), ha sorgit com una potencial soluciódonada la seua capacitat d'aprenentatge a partir de les Històries Clíniques Electròniques (EHR) i amb l'expectativa de proporcionar prediccions precises per a l'ingrés enprogrames de PC. Aquesta tesi se centra en la creació d'eines digitals basades en MLper a la identificació de pacients amb necessitats de cures pal·liatives durant l'ingréshospitalari. Hem utilitzat mortalitat i fragilitat com els dos criteris clínics per a lapresa de decisions, sent la curta supervivència i la major fragilitat els nostres objectiusa predir. Després, ens hem centrat en la seua implementació en entorns clínics i hemestudiat la seua usabilitat i acceptació en els fluxos de treball clínics.Aquesta tesi se centra en la creació d'eines digitals basades en ML per a la identificació de pacients amb necessitats de cures pal·liatives en el moment de l'ingrés hospitalari. Hem utilitzat la mortalitat i la fragilitat com els dos criteris clínics per ala presa de decisions, sent la curta supervivència i l'augment de la fragilitat, els nostresobjectius per a fer prediccions. També ens hem centrat en la implementació d'aquesteseines en entorns clínics i en l'estudi de la seua usabilitat i acceptació en els fluxos detreball clínics. Per a aconseguir aquests objectius, en primer lloc, estudiem i comparem algorismesde ML per a la supervivència a un any en pacients adults durant l'ingrés hospitalari.Per a això, definim una variable binària a predir, equivalent a la SQ i definim el conjuntde variables predictives basades en la literatura. Comparem models basats en Support Vector Machine (SVM), k-Nearest Neighbours (kNN), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) i Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), atenent el seu rendiment,especialment a l'Àrea sota la corba ROC (AUC ROC). A més, vam obtindre informaciósobre la importància de les variables per als models basats en arbres utilitzant el criteri GINI. En segon lloc, estudiem el mesurament de la fragilitat de la qualitat de vida (QoL)en els candidats a la intervenció en PC. Per a aquest segon estudi, vam reduir lafranja d'edat de la població a pacients ancians (≥ 65 anys) com a grup objectiu. Acontinuació, creem tres models diferents: 1) l'adaptació del model de mortalitat a unany per a pacients ancians, 2) un model de regressió per a estimar el nombre de dies desde l'ingrés fins a la mort per a complementar els resultats del primer model, i finalment,3) un model predictiu de l'estat de fragilitat a un any. Aquests models es van compartiramb la comunitat acadèmica a través d'una aplicació web c que permet l'entrada dedades i mostra la predicció dels tres models i uns gràfics amb la importància de lesvariables. En tercer lloc, vam proposar una versió del model de mortalitat a un any en formade calculadora en línia. Aquesta versió es va di / [EN] Palliative Care (PC) is specialized medical care that aims to improve patients' quality of life with serious illnesses. Historically, it has been applied to terminally ill patients, especially those with oncologic diagnoses. However, current research results suggest that PC positively affects the quality of life of patients with different conditions. The current trend on PC is to include non-oncological patients with conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), organ function failure or dementia. However, the identification of patients with those needs is complex, and therefore alternative tools based on clinical data are required. The growing demand for PC may benefit from a screening tool to identify patients with PC needs during hospital admission. Several tools, such as the Surprise Question (SQ) or the creation of different indexes and scores, have been proposed with varying degrees of success. Recently, the use of artificial intelligence algorithms, specifically Machine Learning (ML), has arisen as a potential solution given their capacity to learn from the Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and with the expectation to provide accurate predictions for admission to PC programs. This thesis focuses on creating ML-based digital tools for identifying patients with palliative care needs at hospital admission. We have used mortality and frailty as the two clinical criteria for decision-making, being short survival and increased frailty, as our targets to make predictions. We also have focused on implementing these tools in clinical settings and studying their usability and acceptance in clinical workflows. To accomplish these objectives, first, we studied and compared ML algorithms for one-year survival in adult patients during hospital admission. To do so, we defined a binary variable to predict, equivalent to the SQ and defined the set of predictive variables based on literature. We compared models based on Support Vector Machine (SVM), k-Nearest Neighbours (kNN), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), attending to their performance, especially to the Area under the ROC curve (AUC ROC). Additionally, we obtained information on the importance of variables for tree-based models using the GINI criterion. Second, we studied frailty measurement of Quality of Life (QoL) in candidates for PC intervention. For this second study, we narrowed the age of the population to elderly patients (≥ 65 years) as the target group. Then we created three different models: 1) for the adaptation of the one-year mortality model for elderly patients, 2) a regression model to estimate the number of days from admission to death to complement the results of the first model, and finally, 3) a predictive model for frailty status at one year. These models were shared with the academic community through a web application a that allows data input and shows the prediction from the three models and some graphs with the importance of the variables. Third, we proposed a version of the 1-year mortality model in the form of an online calculator. This version was designed to maximize access from professionals by minimizing data requirements and making the software responsive to the current technological platforms. So we eliminated the administrative variables specific to the dataset source and worked on a process to minimize the required input variables while maintaining high the model's AUC ROC. As a result, this model retained most of the predictive power and required only seven bed-side inputs. Finally, we evaluated the Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) web tool on PC with an actual set of users. This evaluation comprised three domains: evaluation of participant's predictions against the ML baseline, the usability of the graphical interface, and user experience measurement. A first evaluation was performed, followed by a period of implementation of improvements and corrections to the pla / Blanes Selva, V. (2022). Clinical Decision Support Systems for Palliative Care Referral: Design and Evaluation of Frailty and Mortality Predictive Models [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/190993