Approximate reinforcement learning to control beaconing congestion in distributed networks.

In vehicular communications, the increase of the channel load caused by excessive periodical messages (beacons) is an important aspect which must be controlled to ensure the appropriate operation of safety applications and driver-assistance systems. To date, the majority of congestion control solutions involve including additional information in the payload of the messages transmitted, which may jeopardize the appropriate operation of these control solutions when channel conditions are unfavorable, provoking packet losses. This study exploits the advantages of non-cooperative, distributed beaconing allocation, in which vehicles operate independently without requiring any costly road infrastructure. In particular, we formulate the beaconing rate control problem as a Markov Decision Process and solve it using approximate reinforcement learning to carry out optimal actions. Results obtained were compared with other traditional solutions, revealing that our approach, called SSFA, is able to keep a certain fraction of the channel capacity available, which guarantees the delivery of emergency-related notifications with faster convergence than other proposals. Moreover, good performance was obtained in terms of packet delivery and collision ratios.

Determination of progesterone in saliva using an electrochemical immunosensor and a COTS-based portable potentiostat.

This paper describes the reliable determination of progesterone (P4) in undiluted saliva making use of a disposable amperometric immunosensors implemented on low-cost and portable device/potentiostat constructed with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The immunosensor allows the fast (45 min), selective and sensitive determination (5 pg mL-1 LOD) of P4 using amperometry in stirred solutions. The immunosensor was coupled to the COTS-based potentiostat and amperometry was made into drops of quiescent solutions. No significant differences were apparent between the analytical performance achieved with the immunosensor for P4 using both a conventional and the COST-based potentiostats. The practical applicability of the immunosensor coupled with the COTS-based potentiostat was demonstrated by determining the endogenous P4 content in different undiluted saliva samples with highly variable endogenous contents of the target hormone. The obtained results were in good agreement with those provided by the conventional ELISA methodology and with the contents reported in the literature for samples with similar characteristics. This validated the combined device for the reliable and minimally invasive determination of the target hormone involving a very simple protocol and taking only 45 min.

Necesidad de criterios específicos para la derivación a psicoterapia: una propuesta / Need of specific criteria for psychotherapy referral in the public health system: A proposal

Este trabajo discute acerca de la necesidad de establecer criterios específicos para la derivación a psicoterapia en los servicios públicos. Se cuestiona el uso de la psicoterapia como análogo de la medicación y su equiparación con una relación de ayuda informal. Se hace una propuesta de criterios mínimos para la derivación a partir de un análisis de las condiciones de posibilidad que permiten su ejercicio. Se pretende de este modo contribuir a la mejora de la reputación y de las condiciones de la práctica de la psicoterapia en el sistema público de salud (AU)

This study discusses the need of specific criteria for psychotherapy referral in the public services. The use of psychotherapy as a supplement to traditional medication, and its comparison with informal methods of support, has been questioned. This study proposes the establishment of basic criteria for the integration of psychotherapy, based on an analysis of the conditions that allow it to function. It thus aims to contribute to improving the reputation and the practice conditions of psychotherapy in the public health system (AU)

[Need of specific criteria for psychotherapy referral in the public health system: A proposal]. / Necesidad de criterios específicos para la derivación a psicoterapia: una propuesta.

This study discusses the need of specific criteria for psychotherapy referral in the public services. the use of psychotherapy as a supplement to traditional medication, and its comparison with informal methods of support, has been questioned. This study proposes the establishment of basic criteria for the integration of psychotherapy, based on an analysis of the conditions that allow it to function. It thus aims to contribute to improving the reputation and the practice conditions of psychotherapy in the public health system.