OBJECTIVETo explore the advantages of using artificial neural networks (ANNs) to recognize patterns in colposcopy to classify images in colposcopy.PURPOSETransversal, descriptive, and analytical study of a quantitative approach with an emphasis on diagnosis. The training test e validation set was composed of images collected from patients who underwent colposcopy. These images were provided by a gynecology clinic located in the city of Criciúma (Brazil). The image database (n = 170) was divided; 48 images were used for the training process, 58 images were used for the tests, and 64 images were used for the validation. A hybrid neural network based on Kohonen self-organizing maps and multilayer perceptron (MLP) networks was used.RESULTSAfter 126 cycles, the validation was performed. The best results reached an accuracy of 72.15%, a sensibility of 69.78%, and a specificity of 68%.CONCLUSIONAlthough the preliminary results still exhibit an average efficiency, the present approach is an innovative and promising technique that should be deeply explored in the context of the present study.

Background: Bayesian classifiers have the advantage of determining the class to which a given record belongs compared to traditional classifiers, taking as base the probability of an element belonging to a class. Thus, the diagnosis of diseases such as osteoporosis and osteopenia can become faster and precise. This paper presents an assessment of the accuracy of the Bayesian classifiers Bayes Net, Naive Bayes and Averaged One-Dependence Estimators to support diagnoses of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Method: The methodology that guided the development of this research relied on the choice of database, the study of the Bayes Net, Naive Bayes and Averaged One-Dependence Estimators algorithms, and the description of the experiments. Results: The algorithm with the highest specificity was Bayes Net, (53.0±0.27). The highest accuracy was obtained using the AODE classifier (83.0±0.17). Our results showed higher mean instances correctly classified using the Naive Bayes algorithm (82.84±14.42), and the average of incorrectly classified instances was higher for Bayes Net (17.46±14.76). Conclusion: Based on the statistical measures analyzed in the experiments (instances classified correctly and incorrectly, the kappa coefficient, mean absolute error, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, recall, F-measure, and Area Under Curve (AUC)), all classifiers showed good results, thus, given these data, it is possible to produce a reasonably accurate estimate of the diagnosis.

Os resultados positivos demonstrados por diversas pesquisas sobre o uso de novas tecnologias da informação na educação evidenciam novas formas de atrair e engajar estudantes no processo educativo. Uma dessas tecnologias, chamada de Jogos Sérios, propõe a utilização de jogos digitais com finalidades para além do entretenimento do jogador, como educação, marketing e política. Esta pesquisa descreve o desenvolvimento de um jogo sério voltado ao processo de ensino-aprendizagem de normas, procedimentos e termos técnicos sobre sistemas fotovoltaicos. O jogo Phototype foi desenvolvido sob o apoio de metodologias voltadas a jogos educacionais, como o Heuristic Framework e o Learning Mechanics – Game Mechanics; e avaliado por intermédio de um questionário e instrumentos técnicos que observaram a percepção dos estudantes de um curso superior em relação às mecânicas de jogo e aprendizado do jogo digital. Os resultados da pesquisa identificaram uma experiência positiva por parte dos estudantes na utilização do jogo Phototype, sugerindo sua importância como ferramenta educacional e de apoio ao ensino-aprendizagem, complementando o resultado de pesquisas anteriores.