Dynamically Scalable NoC Architecture for Implementing Run-Time Reconfigurable Applications.

The paper proposes two architectures for a dynamically scalable network-on-chip (NoC) for dynamically reconfigurable intellectual properties (IPs) to save power. The first architecture is a run-time scalable column-based NoC, where the columns of the NoC are scaled up and down at run-time depending on the demands to connect reconfigurable IPs. The second architecture is an extension of the first, where both the rows and columns of the NoC are dynamically scaled up and down on demand. A robust control manager is developed to control the IP and sub-NoC reconfigurations by optimizing the reconfiguration costs. The proposed architectures have been implemented and tested in actual prototypes on a Virtex 6 FPGA mounted on the ML605 board. The results show that dynamically scalable architectures are capable of significant power reduction as compared to traditional static architectures for the same size of the NoC. It is anticipated that the scalable NoC can be very useful for sharing the FPGA resources among IPs at runtime.

A Systematic Review of Machine Learning and IoT Applied to the Prediction and Monitoring of Cardiovascular Diseases.

According to the Pan American Health Organization, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. This paper presents a systematic review to highlight the use of IoT, IoMT, and machine learning to detect, predict, or monitor cardiovascular disease. We had a final sample of 164 high-impact journal papers, focusing on two categories: cardiovascular disease detection using IoT/IoMT technologies and cardiovascular disease using machine learning techniques. For the first category, we found 82 proposals, while for the second, we found 85 proposals. The research highlights list of IoT/IoMT technologies, machine learning techniques, datasets, and the most discussed cardiovascular diseases. Neural networks have been popularly used, achieving an accuracy of over 90%, followed by random forest, XGBoost, k-NN, and SVM. Based on the results, we conclude that IoT/IoMT technologies can predict cardiovascular diseases in real time, ensemble techniques obtained one of the best performances in the accuracy metric, and hypertension and arrhythmia were the most discussed diseases. Finally, we identified the lack of public data as one of the main obstacles for machine learning approaches for cardiovascular disease prediction.

Real-time instance segmentation of surgical instruments using attention and multi-scale feature fusion.

Precise instrument segmentation aids surgeons to navigate the body more easily and increases patient safety. While accurate tracking of surgical instruments in real-time plays a crucial role in minimally invasive computer-assisted surgeries, it is a challenging task to achieve, mainly due to: (1) a complex surgical environment, and (2) model design trade-off in terms of both optimal accuracy and speed. Deep learning gives us the opportunity to learn complex environment from large surgery scene environments and placements of these instruments in real world scenarios. The Robust Medical Instrument Segmentation 2019 challenge (ROBUST-MIS) provides more than 10,000 frames with surgical tools in different clinical settings. In this paper, we propose a light-weight single stage instance segmentation model complemented with a convolutional block attention module for achieving both faster and accurate inference. We further improve accuracy through data augmentation and optimal anchor localization strategies. To our knowledge, this is the first work that explicitly focuses on both real-time performance and improved accuracy. Our approach out-performed top team performances in the most recent edition of ROBUST-MIS challenge with over 44% improvement on area-based multi-instance dice metric MI_DSC and 39% on distance-based multi-instance normalized surface dice MI_NSD. We also demonstrate real-time performance (>60 frames-per-second) with different but competitive variants of our final approach.

Monitoring the Emotional Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Sentiment Analysis: A Case Study in Mexico.

The world is facing the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to an unprecedented change in the lifestyle routines of millions. Beyond the general physical health, financial, and social repercussions of the pandemic, the adopted mitigation measures also present significant challenges in the population's mental health and health programs. It is complex for public organizations to measure the population's mental health in order to incorporate it into their own decision-making process. Traditional survey methods are time-consuming, expensive, and fail to provide the continuous information needed to respond to the rapidly evolving effects of governmental policies on the population's mental health. A significant portion of the population has turned to social media to express the details of their daily life, rendering this public data a rich field for understanding emotional and mental well-being. This study aims to track and measure the sentiment changes of the Mexican population in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, we analyzed 760,064,879 public domain tweets collected from a public access repository to examine the collective shifts in the general mood about the pandemic evolution, news cycles, and governmental policies using open sentiment analysis tools. Sentiment analysis polarity scores, which oscillate around -0.15, show a weekly seasonality according to Twitter's usage and a consistently negative outlook from the population. It also remarks on the increased controversy after the governmental decision to terminate the lockdown and the celebrated holidays, which encouraged the people to incur social gatherings. These findings expose the adverse emotional effects of the ongoing pandemic while showing an increase in social media usage rates of 2.38 times, which users employ as a coping mechanism to mitigate the feelings of isolation related to long-term social distancing. The findings have important implications in the mental health infrastructure for ongoing mitigation efforts and feedback on the perception of policies and other measures. The overall trend of the sentiment polarity is 0.0001110643.

Evaluation and understanding of automated urinary stone recognition methods.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential of automated machine-learning methods for recognizing urinary stones in endoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surface and section images of 123 urinary calculi (109 ex vivo and 14 in vivo stones) were acquired using ureteroscopes. The stones were more than 85% 'pure'. Six classes of urolithiasis were represented: Groups I (calcium oxalate monohydrate, whewellite), II (calcium oxalate dihydrate, weddellite), III (uric acid), IV (brushite and struvite stones), and V (cystine). The automated stone recognition methods that were developed for this study followed two types of approach: shallow classification methods and deep-learning-based methods. Their sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were evaluated by simultaneously using stone surface and section images to classify them into one of the main morphological groups (subgroups were not considered in this study). RESULTS: Using shallow methods (based on texture and colour criteria), relatively high sensitivity, specificity and PPV for the six classes were attained: 91%, 90% and 89%, respectively, for whewellite; 99%, 98% and 99% for weddellite; 88%, 89% and 88% for uric acid; 91%, 89% and 90% for struvite; 99%, 99% and 99% for cystine; and 94%, 98% and 99% for brushite. Using deep-learning methods, the sensitivity, specificity and PPV for each of the classes were as follows: 99%, 98% and 97% for whewellite; 98%, 98% and 98% for weddellite; 97%, 98% and 98% for uric acid; 97%, 97% and 96% for struvite; 99%, 99% and 99% for cystine; and 94%, 97% and 98% for brushite. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic stone recognition is challenging, and few urologists have sufficient expertise to achieve a diagnosis performance comparable to morpho-constitutional analysis. This work is a proof of concept that artificial intelligence could be a solution, with promising results achieved for pure stones. Further studies on a larger panel of stones (pure and mixed) are needed to further develop these methods.

Assessing YOLACT++ for real time and robust instance segmentation of medical instruments in endoscopic procedures.

Image-based tracking of laparoscopic instruments plays a fundamental role in computer and robotic-assisted surgeries by aiding surgeons and increasing patient safety. Computer vision contests, such as the Robust Medical Instrument Segmentation (ROBUST-MIS) Challenge, seek to encourage the development of robust models for such purposes, providing large, diverse, and high-quality datasets. To date, most of the existing models for instance segmentation of medical instruments were based on two-stage detectors, which provide robust results but are nowhere near to the real-time, running at 5 frames-per-second (fps) at most. However, for the method to be clinically applicable, a real-time capability is utmost required along with high accuracy. In this paper, we propose the addition of attention mechanisms to the YOLACT architecture to allow real-time instance segmentation of instruments with improved accuracy on the ROBUST-MIS dataset. Our proposed approach achieves competitive performance compared to the winner of the 2019 ROBUST-MIS challenge in terms of robustness scores, obtaining 0.313 ML_DSC and 0.338 MLNSD while reaching real-time performance at >45 fps.

Prevalencia del deterioro cognitivo en personas mayores de 60 años, en un consultorio médico de la región de Altahabana (Cuba), perteneciente al Municipio Boyeros. Año 2020 / Prevalence of cognitive impairment in people over 60 years old at a medical office in the region of Altahabana (Cuba), belonging to the Boyeros Municipality. Year 2020

El deterioro cognitivo es un problema de salud a nivel mundial, el cual se ha convertido en uno de las mayores demandas de atención médica en las personas mayores. Con el objetivo de determinar la prevalencia del deterioro cognitivo en las personas mayores de 60 años, se realizó un estudio descriptivo, con carácter retrospectivo de corte transversal a 323 adultos mayores en el Consultorio Médico de la Familia # 20, ubicado en la región de Altahabana, perteneciente al Policlínico Universitario "Federico Capdevila" del Municipio Boyeros (Cuba). El estudio se realizó entre enero y diciembre de 2020. Se encontró que el 31% de las personas mayores, pertenecen al grupo de edades de 65 a 69 años, con un predominio del género femenino en un 61%. El nivel de escolaridad universitario estuvo presente en un 57,5%. El deterioro cognitivo de las personas mayores prevaleció en un 14%; la hipertensión arterial, en un 64,8% fue la enfermedad crónica no transmisible que más se asoció al deterioro cognitivo.

Cognitive impairment is a global health problem, which has become one of the greatest demands for medical care in older people. In order to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment in people over 60 years of age, a descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out on 323 older adults in the Family Medical Clinic # 20, located in the Altahabana region, belonging to the "Federico Capdevila" University Polyclinic of the Boyeros Municipality (Cuba). The study was carried out between January and December 2020. It was found that 31% of the elderly belong to the 65 to 69 age group, with a 61% predominance of the female gender. The level of university education was present in 57.5%. Cognitive impairment in the elderly prevailed in 14%; arterial hypertension, in 64.8%, was the chronic non-communicable disease that was most associated with cognitive deterioration.

Has There Been a Change in the Age of Presentation of Patients With DDH After the Implementation of a Dedicated Ultrasound-screening Program?

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine if the age of patients presenting to a tertiary subspecialty hospital dedicated to pediatric orthopaedics has changed over the last 21 years and determine if a dedicated ultrasound-screening program implemented in 2006 made any difference. METHODS: We reviewed the hospital charts for 9299 patients diagnosed with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and determined the age at the time of presentation; this was a consecutive series of all patients presenting between 1998 and 2019. We determined the diagnosis and age from the chart, 8011 were female (86.15%), and 1288 were male (13.85%). The left hip was affected in 4588 cases (49.34%), the right hip in 1824 cases (19.62%), and there were 2887 bilateral cases (31.05%). RESULTS: Over the 21 years, the mean age of presentation was 2.36 years (range, 0.1 to 17 y). In 1998, the mean age was 2.49 years (range, 0.1 to 16 y). In 2006, a dedicated ultrasound-screening clinic was instituted. The mean age decreased to 1.70 years in 2019 (range, 0.1 to 14 y). The mean age at presentation decreased significantly from 2.65 years, between 1998 and 2005, to 2.19 between 2006 and 2019 (P=0.0067). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a dedicated ultrasound-screening protocol was significantly correlated with a decrease in the mean age of diagnosis of DDH. The results of treatment of DDH are known to be better the sooner the diagnosis is made. Given that the age of presentation remains a challenge, especially in developing countries, a dedicated ultrasound-screening program is one step to improve our ability to detect DDH in patients at a younger age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-diagnostic.

Proposing categories for retrospective secondary research on treatment adherence / Propuesta de categorías para la investigación documental retrospectiva sobre la adherencia al tratamiento / Proposta de categorias para a pesquisa documental retrospectiva sobre a adesão ao tratamento

Abstract: Psychological studies of treatment adherence have established: 1) Indicator models-frequency of consultation, the prevalence of medication Intake over any other treatment, attendance at therapeutic and rehabilitation sessions-; 2) determining models-sex, age, income, level of education, reading comprehension, interpersonal relationships-; 3) mediating models-beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, intentions, and strategies-. Objective: To establish categories for the study of treatment adherence in literature published between 2015-2019, considering the occupational health climate. Method: Secondary research using a selection of 38 indexed sources in Latin American repositories- Dialnet, Latindex, Publindex, Redalyc, and Scielo-and the variables reported in the state of the art. Results: The model specification included four explanatory hypotheses of dependence relationship trajectories of six variables-demands, social support, control, effort, reward, and adherence-taken from the literature review. Discussion: Regarding the indicator, determining, and mediating models, we recommend including the work culture, quality of life, and subjective well-being variables In the specified model to examine the process that goes from the workplace culture to reinserting workers after accidents and diseases. Conclusion: The new model specification would include explanatory hypotheses of variable correlation trajectories to establish differences between organizations that provide social security and companies with workplace flexibility and their effects on their workers' occupational health.

Resumen: Los estudios psicológicos sobre la adherencia al tratamiento han establecido: 1) modelos indicadores (frecuencia de consulta, prevalencia de ingesta de medicamentos sobre cualquier otro tratamiento, asistencia a sesiones terapéuticas y de rehabilitación); 2) modelos determinantes (sexo, edad, ingresos, nivel educativo, comprensión lectora, relaciones interpersonales); y 3) modelos mediadores (creencias, actitudes, conocimientos, intenciones y estrategias). Objetivo: Establecer categorías para el estudio de la adherencia al tratamiento en la literatura publicada entre 2015 y 2019, teniendo en cuenta el clima de salud ocupacional. Método: investigación documental a través de una selección de 38 fuentes indexadas en repositorios latinoamericanos (Dialnet, Latindex, Publindex, Redalyc y Scielo) y las variables enumeradas en el estado del arte. Resultados: La especificación del modelo incluyó cuatro hipótesis explicativas de las trayectorias de las relaciones de dependencia de seis variables (demandas, apoyo social, control, esfuerzo, recompensa y adherencia) extraídas de la revisión de la literatura. Discusión: En cuanto al modelo indicador, determinante y mediador, se recomienda incluir las variables cultura laboral, calidad de vida y bienestar subjetivo en el modelo especificado con el in de examinar el proceso que abarca desde la cultura laboral hasta la reinserción de los trabajadores tras accidentes y enfermedades. Conclusión: La especificación del nuevo modelo incluiría hipótesis explicativas de trayectorias de correlación de variables para establecer diferencias entre organizaciones que brindan seguridad social y empresas con flexibilidad laboral y sus efectos en la salud ocupacional de sus trabajadores.

Resumo: Os estudos psicológicos sobre a adesão ao tratamento vêm estabelecendo que: 1) modelos indicadores (frequência de consulta, prevalência de ingesta de medicamentos sobre qualquer outro tratamento, assistência a sessões terapêuticas e de reabilitação); 2) modelos determinantes (sexo, idade, renda, escolaridade, compreensão leitora, relações interpessoais); e 3) modelos mediadores (crenças, atitudes, conhecimentos, intenções e estratégias). Objetivo: Estabelecer categorias para o estudo da adesão ao tratamento na literatura publicada entre 2015 e 2019, considerando o ambiente de saúde ocupacional. Método: pesquisa documental por meio de uma seleção de 38 fontes indexadas em repositórios latino-americanos (Dialnet, Latindex, Publindex, Redalyc e SciELO) e as variáveis enumeradas no estado da arte. Resultados: A especificação do modelo incluiu quatro hipóteses explicativas das trajetórias das relações de dependência de seis variáveis (demandas, apoio social, controle, esforço, recompensa e adesão) extraídas da revisão da literatura. Discussão: Quanto ao modelo indicador, determinante e mediador, é recomendado incluir as variáveis cultura profissional, qualidade de vida e bem-estar subjetivo no modelo especificado a fim de examinar o processo que abrange desde a cultura profissional até a reinserção dos trabalhadores após acidentes e doenças. Conclusão: A especificação do novo modelo incluiria hipóteses explicativas de trajetórias de correlação de variáveis para estabelecer diferenças entre organizações que oferecem seguridade social e empresas com flexibilidade trabalhista e seus efeitos na saúde ocupacional de seus trabalhadores.

Unsupervised color image segmentation: A case of RGB histogram based K-means clustering initialization.

Color-based image segmentation classifies pixels of digital images in numerous groups for further analysis in computer vision, pattern recognition, image understanding, and image processing applications. Various algorithms have been developed for image segmentation, but clustering algorithms play an important role in the segmentation of digital images. This paper presents a novel and adaptive initialization approach to determine the number of clusters and find the initial central points of clusters for the standard K-means algorithm to solve the segmentation problem of color images. The presented scheme uses a scanning procedure of the paired Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) color-channel histograms for determining the most salient modes in every histogram. Next, the histogram thresholding is applied and a search in every histogram mode is performed to accomplish RGB pairs. These RGB pairs are used as the initial cluster centers and cluster numbers that clustered each pixel into the appropriate region for generating the homogeneous regions. The proposed technique determines the best initialization parameters for the conventional K-means clustering technique. In this paper, the proposed approach was compared with various unsupervised image segmentation techniques on various image segmentation benchmarks. Furthermore, we made use of a ranking approach inspired by the Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) method to account for segmentation integrity. The experimental results show that the proposed technique outperforms the other existing clustering techniques by optimizing the segmentation quality and possibly reducing the classification error.

Contrastación de un modelo confirmatorio para el estudio del acoso laboral en climas y redes profesionales de servicios públicos de salud / Contrasting a confirmatory model for the study of workplace harassment in public health professional networks and environments

A menudo, el acoso laboral ha sido observado como parte de un proceso de violencia al interior de las organizaciones que se internaliza en ellas hasta formar perpetradores y víctimas, pero desde la óptica del clima y la red formativa laboral el presente trabajo se propuso especificar un modelo con la finalidad de estudiar el fenómeno en comento en instituciones de salud pública de alta especialidad y dedicadas a la creación del conocimiento, ya que en éstas prevalecen asimetrías entre investigadores y asistentes, así como por su condición de género o área de especialización. De este modo, se llevó a cabo un estudio no experimental con una selección no probabilística de 218 empleados de una institución de salud pública en el centro de México. A partir de un modelo estructural fue posible apreciar que, ante las consecuencias somáticas del acoso laboral, la intervención de la organización fue determinante para su reducción, aunque el porcentaje de la varianza total explicada sugiere la inclusión de otros factores en el modelo, se recomienda una línea de investigación relativa a la formación de redes institucionales para la prevención o atención inmediata de la problemática(AU)

From an organizational climate and workplace training network perspective, this study proposes a model for the purpose of studying workplace harassment in highly specialized public health institutions dedicated to the generation of knowledge because, in these settings, there are asymmetries between researchers and their staff, as well as by gender and area of expertise. We conducted a non-experimental study in a convenience sample of 218 employees at a public health institution in central Mexico. Based on a structural model, we found that, in the presence of somatic consequences of workplace harassment, organizational interventions were decisive in reducing this form of workplace violence, although the percentage of the total variance explained by the model suggests there are other factors playing a role as well To prevent or immediately respond to workplace harassment, we recommend future research that examines the role of institutional networks in relation to this problem(AU)

Mortalidad en la enfermedad cerebrovascular en el Hospital General Docente "Enrique Cabrera", La Habana / Mortality in cerebrovascular disease in the General Teaching Hospital "Enrique Cabrera", Havana / Mortalidade por doença cerebrovascular no Hospital Geral de Ensino "Enrique Cabrera", Havana

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y corte transversal de 229 pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos de Ictus del Hospital General Docente "Enrique Cabrera", La Habana, Cuba, en el año 2008, para determinar la mortalidad por Enfermedad Cerebrovascular (ECV). La historia clínica fue la fuente de la cual se obtuvo la información primaria. Se confeccionaron tablas y figuras en donde se expuso la asociación de cada una de las variables y su incidencia sobre el estado al egreso. La mayor mortalidad fue en los pacientes mayores de 70 años, sexo masculino. Se comprobó que los factores de riesgo más frecuentes fueron hipertensión arterial, hábito de fumar y cardiopatía isquémica. Predominó el ictus isquémico. Durante la estadía hospitalaria las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron neumonía y úlceras por presión, que se asocian a una mayor mortalidad. Se describieron las acciones a desarrollar por el personal de Enfermería en el manejo del ictus en la fase aguda, como elemento imprescindible en la recuperación del paciente

was carried out a descriptive, retrospective study in 229 patients who were admitted to hospital in the Intensive Care Unit of Ictus in the hospital Enrique Cabrera in 2008 to determine mortality due to Cerebrovascular Disease. The first information was obtained from patients´ charts .Charts were used to explain the results of the study as well as its incidence when discharging the patients. The higher mortality was in males patients older than 70 years. The most frequent risk factors were hypertension, smoking and isquemic cardiopathy. During admittion to hospital the most common complications were pneumonia and pressure ulcers associated to mortality rate. It was described the nursing procedure when managing ictus in its acute fase as an important aspect to improve the patients´recovery

Foi realizado um estudo descritivo, retrospectivo e de corte transversal de 229 pacientes admitidos na Unidade de Tratamento Intensivo de Ictus do Hospital Geral Escola "Enrique Cabrera", La Habana, Cuba, no ano 2008, para determinar a mortalidade por doença cerebrovascular (DCV). A história clínica foi fonte de informação primária. Elaboraram-se tabelas e figuras onde foram expostas a associação de cada uma das variáveis e sua incidência sobre o estado ao receber alta. A maior mortalidade foi nos pacientes maiores de 70 anos, sexo masculino. Comprovou-se que os fatores de risco mais frequentes foram hipertensão arterial, hábito de fumar e cardiopatia isquêmica. Predominou o ictus isquêmico. Durante a permanência hospitalar as complicações mais frequentes foram pneumonia e úlceras por pressão, que foram associadas a uma maior mortalidade. Foram descritas as ações a serem desenvolvidas pelo pessoal de enfermagem no manejo do ictus na fase aguda, como elemento imprescindível na recuperação do paciente

Nivel de influencia de la televisión en la preferencia por alimentos energéticamente densos en niños de 9 a 12 años de nivel económico medio y bajo de la ciudad de Guatemala / Level of influence of television in preference for energy dense foods in children aged 9 to 12 years of average and low economic level from Guatemala City / Nível de influência da televisão na preferência por alimentos energeticamente densos, em crianças de 9 a 12 anos com nível econômico médio e baixo da cidade de Guatemala

Se considera que la publicidad televisiva es el medio de comunicación con mayor influencia en las preferencias de consumo de alimentos energéticamente densos contribuyendo a la aparición de la obesidad en edades tempranas. Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de influencia de la publicidad televisiva sobre las decisiones o preferencias para consumir alimentos energéticamente densos en niños de edad escolar de nivel económico medio y bajo de la ciudad de Guatemala. Metodología: Investigación cuantitativa, descriptiva transversal, realizada en la Ciudad de Guatemala. El estudio se realizó con niños y niñas pertenecientes a establecimientos educativos públicos y privados. Se relaciona el Índice de masa corporal (IMC) y la Desviación Estándar (DE). Con un estado nutricional normal (IMC +1DE y -2DS), con sobre peso (IMC >de +1DS) u obesidad. Se seleccionaron 303 niños y niñas que se encontraban en el intervalo de edad de 9 a 12 años; se seleccionaron en jornada matutina y los que contaban con la disposición y consentimiento del establecimiento y los padres o tutores para realizar las encuestas. El estudio se realizó en varias fases: 1. Diseño de instrumentos de recolección de datos 2. Validación del instrumento con 6 niños pertenecientes a establecimientos educativos privados y 6 niños de establecimientos públicos. 3. Se pesó y midió a los niños y niñas para seleccionar la muestra 4. Aplicación de la entrevista a 303 niños y niñas. Selección de la información. Los resultados de la entrevista se analizaron con estadística descriptiva. Se ha realizado estudios anteriores para determinar el nivel de influencia de la publicidad como por ejemplo de la radio en las preferencias de alimentos energéticamente densos en niños y niñas de establecimientos educativos de nivel económico medio y bajo, realizado en la Universidad Rafael Landívar por KM Barahona Escobar. Resultados: El Nivel socio-económico (NSE), medio tuvo veinte puntos porcentuales más de obesidad y sobrepeso que el NSE bajo. En el NSE medio y en NSE bajo coincidieron en observar los mismos cuatro canales, los cuales fueron Disney Channel (15.1%), Disney XD (14.8%), Cartoon Network (13.9%), y Nickelodeon (13.5%) Existe diferencia estadísticamente significativa del nivel de influencia de los anuncios entre los niveles socioeconómicos, siendo en el NSE Medio en donde existe más influencia de la publicidad televisiva. En la televisión nacional el 60% de alimentos que se anuncian son ultraprocesados y en la televisión por cable, el 83% también pertenece a este grupo de alimentos. No hay diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre la asociación del nivel de influencia y IMC. No existe diferencia estadísticamente significativa en cuanto al nivel de influencia televisiva según el sexo. Conclusiones: Se observó que las preferencias alimentarias de los niños y niñas de edad escolar, son influenciadas por la publicidad televisiva y este nivel de influencia no varió según estado nutricional y entre niños y niñas, pero sí en cuanto al nivel socioeconómico de la población evaluada

The authors considere that the television publicity is the means of communication with more influence in the preferences of consumption of foods energily dense, contributing to the appearance of the obesity in early ages. Objective: to determine the level of influence of the television publicity on the decisions or preferences to consume foods energily dense in children of school age of half and low economic level of the city of Guatemala. Methodology: Transversal descriptive ,quantitative investigation carried out in the City of Guatemala. The study was carried out with children and girls belonging to educational publics and private establishments, it is related the Index of corporal mass (IMC) and the Standard Deviation (OF). With a normal nutritional state (IMC +1DE and -2DS), with overweight (IMC >de +1DS or obesity, 303 children and girls were selected that were in the age interval from 9 to 12 years, they were selected in morning day and those that had the disposition and consent of the establishment and the parents or tutors to carry out the surveys. The study was carried out in several phases: 1. design of instruments of gathering of data 2. Validation of the instrument with 6 children belonging to private educational establishments and 6 children of public establishments. 3. it was weighed and it measured the children and girls to select the sample 4. Application of the interview to 303 children and girls. Selection of the information. The results of the interview were analyzed with descriptive statistic. It has been carried out previous studies to determine the level of influence of the publicity like for example of the radio in the preferences of foods energily dense in children and girls of educational establishments of half and low economic level, carried out by the University Rafael Landívar, by KM Barahona Escobar. Results: The socio-economic Level (NSE), middle had twenty percentage points more than obesity and overweight that the low NSE. In the half NSE and in NSE under it coincided in observing the same four channels, which were Disney Channel (15.1%), Disney XD (14.8%), Cartoon Network (13.9%), and Nickelodeon (13.5%). There is a difference statistically significant of the level of influence of the announcements among the socioeconomic levels, being in the Half NSE where more influence of the television publicity exists. In national television 60% of foods that are announced is extraprocessing and in television for cable, 83% also belongs to this group of foods. There is not difference statistically significant between the association of the influence level and the Index of Corporal mass (IMC). There is not diference statistically significant for the level of television influence according to the sex. Conclusions: It was observed that the alimentary preferences of the children and girls of school age, it is influenced by the television publicity and this influence level didn't vary according to nutritional state and between children and girls, but it varied according to the population's socioeconomic level evaluated

Considera-se que a publicidade na televisão seja o meio de comunicação com maior influência nas preferências de consumo de alimentos energeticamente densos, contribuindo para o aparecimento de obesidade em idade precoce. Objetivo: determinar o nível de influência da publicidade televisiva sobre as decisões ou preferências para consumir alimentos energeticamente densos, nas crianças em idade escolar de nível médio e baixo da Cidade de Guatemala. Metodologia: pesquisa quantitativa descritiva transversal, realizada na Cidade de Guatemala. O estudo foi realizado com crianças pertencentes a instituições de ensino públicas e particulares. Relacionou índice de massa corporal (IMC) e desvio padrão (DE), em estado nutricional normal (IMC +1DE e -2DS), e com sobrepeso (IMC > de +1DS) ou obesidade. Foram selecionadas 303 crianças, meninos e meninas, que se encontravam no intervalo de idade entre 9 e 12 anos, do turno matutino, e que contavam com a disposição e consentimento da instituição e/ou pais ou responsáveis para realizar os questionários. O estudo foi realizado em várias fases: 1)Desenho dos instrumentos de coleta de dados 2) Validação do instrumento com seis meninos pertencentes a colégios particulares e seis meninos de colégios públicos 3) As crianças foram pesadas e medidas para selecionar a amostra 4) Aplicação da entrevista a 303 meninos e meninas. Seleção da informação. Os resultados da entrevista foram analisados com estatística descritiva. Anteriormente, já tinham sido realizados estudos para determinar o nível de influência da publicidade, por exemplo, das emissoras de rádio, nas preferências por alimentos energeticamente densos, em crianças de instituições de ensino de nível econômico médio e baixo, trabalho conduzido por KM Barahona Escobar, da Universidad Rafael Landívar. Resultados: o nível socioeconômico (NSE) médio mostrou 20 pontos percentuais a mais de obesidade e sobrepeso que o NSE baixo. Coincidiu que tanto o NSE médio como o baixo assistiam aos mesmos quatro canais, que eram: Disney Channel (15,1%); Disney XD (14,8%); Cartoon Network (13,9%), e Nickelodeon (13,5%). Há diferença estatisticamente significativa no nível de influência dos anúncios entre esses dois níveis socioeconómicos, sendo que no NSE médio é onde existe maior influência da publicidade televisiva. Na televisão aberta do país, 60% dos alimentos anunciados é ultraprocessado, e na televisão a cabo, 83% também pertence a este grupo de alimentos. Não há diferença estatisticamente significativa da associação entre nível de influência e IMC. Não há diferença estatisticamente significativa quanto ao nível de influência televisiva segundo o sexo. Conclusões: observou-se que as preferências alimentares dos meninos e meninas em idade escolar são influenciadas pela publicidade televisiva e que este nível de influência não varia segundo o estado nutricional ou sexo, mas conforme o nível socioeconômico da população avaliada

Estrategia educativa sobre emergencias y urgencias, dirigida a enfermeros (as) del cuerpo de guardia del Hospital “Enrique Cabrera Cossío”. La Habana / Educational emergency strategy aimed tonurses of the guard of the Hospital “Enrique Cabrera Cossio / Estratégia educativa sobre emergências e urgências orientada aos enfermeiros/as da equipe do plantão do Hospital “Enrique Cabrera Cossío”, La Habana

Se realizó en el año 2013, una investigación cualitativa de desarrollo, la cual tuvo como producto una estrategia educativa sobre Emergencias y Urgencias dirigido a enfermeros (as) del Cuerpo de guardia del Hospital Enrique Cabrera Cossío6. Con este fin se utilizó un sistema de métodos teóricos y empíricos tales como el análisis documental, grupo focal y cuestionario. La información cualitativa se sometió a un análisis valorativo con procedimientos lógicos donde se incluyó la inducción, la deducción y la abstracción. Se identificaron las necesidades de aprendizaje que tenían los enfermeros objeto de estudio. Los datos cuantitativos se procesaron con el Sistema estadístico Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS PC), versión 13.0 para Windows los cuales se plasmaron en tablas y gráficos. La Estrategia Educativa quedó conformada por un curso de capacitación, por un curso posgrado y un folleto sobre urgencias y emergencia clínicas, quirúrgicas y obstétricas el cual tuvo la finalidad de fortalecer y perfeccionar los conocimientos y competencias de los enfermeiros.

It was developed during year 2013, a qualitative research which was to produce an educational strategy aimed at Emergencies and Emergency nurses (as) Guard Corps Enrique Cabrera Hospital. To this end a system of theoretical and empirical methods such as document analysis, focus group and questionnaire was used. Qualitative data was subjected to analysis with logical evaluative procedures which included induction, deduction and abstraction. The learning needs of nurses who were under study were identified. Quantitative data were processed with SPSSPC Statistical System, version 13.0 for Windows which were reflected in tables and graphs. The Education Strategy I stay composed of a training course for a graduate course, and a brochure on emergency and medical, surgical and obstetric emergency which was intended to strengthen and improve the knowledge and skills of nurses.

Foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa de desenvolvimento, que produziu uma estratégia educativa sobre Emergências e Urgências orientada aos enfermeiros/as da equipe do plantão do Hospital “Enrique Cabrera Cossío”.8Com esse objetivo, utilizou-se um sistema de métodos teóricos e empíricos, como análise documental, grupo focal e questionário. A informação qualitativa foi submetida à analise valor ativa, através de procedimentos lógicos que incluíram indução, dedução e abstração. Foram identificadas necessidades de aprendizagem dos enfermeiros alvo de estudo. Os dados quantitativos foram processados com o sistema estatístico Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS PC), versão 13.0 para Windows, e expressos em tabelas e gráficos. A Estratégia Educativa ficou conformada por um curso de capacitação, um curso de pós-graduação e um folheto para urgências e emergência clínicas, cirúrgicas e obstétricas, com a finalidade de fortalecer e aperfeiçoar os conhecimentos e competências dos enfermeiros.

An analysis of electrical impedance measurements applied for plant N status estimation in lettuce (Lactuca sativa).

Nitrogen plays a key role in crop yields. Hence, farmers may apply excessive N fertilizers to crop fields, inducing environmental pollution. Crop N monitoring methods have been developed to improve N fertilizer management, most of them based on leaf or canopy optical-property measurements. However, sensitivity to environmental interference remains an important drawback. Electrical impedance has been applied to determine the physiological and nutritional status of plant tissue, but no studies related to plant-N contents are reported. The objective of this article is to analyze how the electrical impedance response of plants is affected by their N status. Four sets of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) with a different N-source concentrations per set were used. Total nitrogen and electrical impedance spectra (in a 1 to 100 kHz frequency range) were measured five times per set, three times every other day. Minimum phase angles of impedance spectra were detected and analyzed, together with the frequency value in which they occurred, and their magnitude at that frequency. High and positive correlation was observed between plant N content and frequency values at minimum phase angle with no significant variations detected between days of measurement. These results suggest that electrical impedance can be sensitive to plant N status.

A new adaptive self-tuning Fourier coefficients algorithm for periodic torque ripple minimization in permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM).

A New Adaptive Self-Tuning Fourier Coefficients Algorithm for Periodic Torque Ripple Minimization in Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) Torque ripple occurs in Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSMs) due to the non-sinusoidal flux density distribution around the air-gap and variable magnetic reluctance of the air-gap due to the stator slots distribution. These torque ripples change periodically with rotor position and are apparent as speed variations, which degrade the PMSM drive performance, particularly at low speeds, because of low inertial filtering. In this paper, a new self-tuning algorithm is developed for determining the Fourier Series Controller coefficients with the aim of reducing the torque ripple in a PMSM, thus allowing for a smoother operation. This algorithm adjusts the controller parameters based on the component's harmonic distortion in time domain of the compensation signal. Experimental evaluation is performed on a DSP-controlled PMSM evaluation platform. Test results obtained validate the effectiveness of the proposed self-tuning algorithm, with the Fourier series expansion scheme, in reducing the torque ripple.

Automatic carbon dioxide-methane gas sensor based on the solubility of gases in water.

Biogas methane content is a relevant variable in anaerobic digestion processing where knowledge of process kinetics or an early indicator of digester failure is needed. The contribution of this work is the development of a novel, simple and low cost automatic carbon dioxide-methane gas sensor based on the solubility of gases in water as the precursor of a sensor for biogas quality monitoring. The device described in this work was used for determining the composition of binary mixtures, such as carbon dioxide-methane, in the range of 0-100%. The design and implementation of a digital signal processor and control system into a low-cost Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) platform has permitted the successful application of data acquisition, data distribution and digital data processing, making the construction of a standalone carbon dioxide-methane gas sensor possible.

Long-range wireless mesh network for weather monitoring in unfriendly geographic conditions.

In this paper a long-range wireless mesh network system is presented. It consists of three main parts: Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), Base Terminal Units (BTUs) and a Central Server (CS). The RTUs share a wireless network transmitting in the industrial, scientific and medical applications ISM band, which reaches up to 64 Km in a single point-to-point communication. A BTU controls the traffic within the network and has as its main task interconnecting it to a Ku-band satellite link using an embedded microcontroller-based gateway. Collected data is stored in a CS and presented to the final user in a numerical and a graphical form in a web portal.

FPGA-based fused smart-sensor for tool-wear area quantitative estimation in CNC machine inserts.

Manufacturing processes are of great relevance nowadays, when there is a constant claim for better productivity with high quality at low cost. The contribution of this work is the development of a fused smart-sensor, based on FPGA to improve the online quantitative estimation of flank-wear area in CNC machine inserts from the information provided by two primary sensors: the monitoring current output of a servoamplifier, and a 3-axis accelerometer. Results from experimentation show that the fusion of both parameters makes it possible to obtain three times better accuracy when compared with the accuracy obtained from current and vibration signals, individually used.

FPGA-based fused smart sensor for dynamic and vibration parameter extraction in industrial robot links.

Intelligent robotics demands the integration of smart sensors that allow the controller to efficiently measure physical quantities. Industrial manipulator robots require a constant monitoring of several parameters such as motion dynamics, inclination, and vibration. This work presents a novel smart sensor to estimate motion dynamics, inclination, and vibration parameters on industrial manipulator robot links based on two primary sensors: an encoder and a triaxial accelerometer. The proposed smart sensor implements a new methodology based on an oversampling technique, averaging decimation filters, FIR filters, finite differences and linear interpolation to estimate the interest parameters, which are computed online utilizing digital hardware signal processing based on field programmable gate arrays (FPGA).