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The choice of a good topology for a deep neural network is a complex task, essential for any deep learning project. This task normally demands knowledge from previous experience, as the higher amount of required computational resources makes trial and error approaches prohibitive. Evolutionary computation algorithms have shown success in many domains, by guiding the exploration of complex solution spaces in the direction of the best solutions, with minimal human intervention. In this sense, this work presents the use of genetic algorithms in deep neural networks topology selection. The evaluated algorithms were able to find competitive topologies while spending less computational resources when compared to state-of-the-art methods.

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Many people worldwide have been experimenting a decrease in their mobility as a result of aging, accidents and degenerative diseases. In many cases, a Powered Wheelchair (PW) is an alternative help. Currently in Brazil, patients can receive a PW from the Unified Health System, following prescription criteria. However, they do not have an appropriate previous training for driving the PW. Consequently, users might suffer accidents since a customized training protocol is not available. Nevertheless, due to financial and/or health limitations, many users are unable to attend a rehabilitation center. To overcome these limitations, we developed an Augmented Reality Telerehabilitation System Architecture based on the Power Mobility Road Test (PMRT) for supporting PW user's training. In this system, the therapists can remotely customize and evaluate training tasks and the user can perform the training in safer conditions. The video stream and data transfer between each environment were made possible through UDP (User Datagram Protocol). To evaluate and present the system architecture potential, a preliminary test was conducted with 3 spinal cord injury participants. They performed 3 basic training protocols defined by a therapist. The following metrics were adopted for evaluation: number of control commands; elapsed time; number of collisions; biosignals. Also, a questionary was used to evaluate system features. Preliminary results demonstrated the specific needs of individuals using a PW thanks to adopted metrics (qualitative and emotional). Results have shown the need for a training system with customizable protocols to fulfill these needs. User's evaluation demonstrates that the combination of AR techniques with PMRT adaptations, increases user's well-being after training sessions. Furthermore, a training experience helps users to overcome their displacement problems, as well as for appointing challenges before large scale use. This system architecture allows further studies on telerehabilitation of PW users training.

Voice analysis is an important tool in the diagnosis of laryngeal disorders. Among distinct signal processing techniques employed for voice analysis, the spectrogram is commonly used, as it allows for a visualization of the variation of the energy of the signal as a function of both time and frequency. In this context, this study investigates the use of the global energy of the signal, estimated through the spectrogram, as a tool for discrimination between signals obtained from healthy and pathological subjects. This research has also exploited the potential use of the global energy of the voice signal to discriminate distinct laryngeal disorders. In total, 94 subjects were involved in this study, from which 46 were dysphonic and 48 normal. The diagnosis of laryngeal disorders was confirmed by means of a videolaryngoscopic examination. Participants were also subjected to a clinical examination of vocal acoustic through the recording of the sustained vowel /ε/. The global energy allowed the discrimination between normal and dysphonic voice. Furthermore, this technique could discriminate the voice signal of patients suffering from left vocal fold paralysis from those suffering from other investigated disorders. The results suggest the global energy of the signal as an auxiliary and alternative tool for the diagnosis between normal and dysphonic voice.