Activity Patterns of Stenocercus iridescens in an Ecuadorian Coastal Agroecosystem: Is Temperature Important?

Circadian rhythms of Neotropical lizards have been poorly studied, which represents a problem when designing ecological studies or monitoring such species based on direct observations. In this work, 1000 m-long transects were established in an agroecosystem area of the Ecuadorian coast region to study the activity patterns of Stenocercus iridescens. The number of individuals (as a response variable) was correlated with local weather conditions: temperature, precipitation, and heliophany (duration of the solar brightness). We carried out the study in both dry and rainy seasons, and during different time ranges. The time range in which the transects were performed was the most important predictor, and the activity peak was established between 16:00 h and 18:00 h. Heliophany negatively affected lizard activity, but only on the days with higher heliophany during the dry season, whereas temperature was not a significant predictor. Our results suggest that in an area where temperature is relatively constant and the solar radiation is high, particularly during the dry season, the heliophany (an indirect measure of solar radiation) can affect ectotherm activity patterns more than temperature, particularly in open habitats such as agroecosystems

Real time architectures for the scale Invariant feature transform algorithm

Feature extraction in digital image processing is a very intensive task for a CPU. In order to achieve real time image throughputs, hardware parallelism must be exploited. The speed-up of the system is constrained by the degree of parallelism of the implementation and this one at the same time, by programmable device size and the power dissipation. In this work, issues related to the synthesis of the Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) algorithm on a FPGA to obtain target processing rates faster than 50 frames per second for VGA images, are analyzed. In order to increase the speedup of the algorithm, the work includes the analysis of feasible simplifications of the algorithm for a tracking application and the results are synthesized on an FPGA.This work has been partially funded by Spanish government projects TEC2015-66878-C3-2-R (MINECO/FEDER, UE) and TEC2015- 66878-C3-3-R (MINECO/FEDER, UE)

Incorporation of ZnO Nanoparticles into Soy Protein-Based Bioplastics to Improve Their Functional Properties

The union of nanoscience (nanofertilization) with controlled release bioplastic systems could be a key factor for the improvement of fertilization in horticulture, avoiding excessive contamination and reducing the price of the products found in the current market. In this context, the objective of this work was to incorporate ZnO nanoparticles in soy protein-based bioplastic processed using injection moulding. Thus, the concentration of ZnO nanoparticles (0 wt%, 1.0 wt%, 2.0 wt%, 4.5 wt%) and mould temperature (70 °C, 90 °C and 110 °C) were evaluated through a mechanical (flexural and tensile properties), morphological (microstructure and nanoparticle distribution) and functional (water uptake capacity, micronutrient release and biodegradability) characterization. The results indicate that these parameters play an important role in the final characteristics of the bioplastics, being able to modify them. Ultimately, this study increases the versatility and functionality of the use of bioplastics and nanofertilization in horticulture, helping to prevent the greatest environmental impact caused.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación of the Spanish Government and FEDER (UE), grant number RTI2018-097100-B-C2

Efeito dos fatores protetores sobre os estilos de vida saudáveis em pacientes com risco cardiovascular: uma análise do caminho crítico

The aim of this study was to verify the influence of individual factors such as age, sex, socioeconomic status, and protective factors like resilience, generalized self-efficacy, and social support perceived on healthy lifestyles in people with cardiovascular risk in addition to their possible interactions. We used a sample of 290 people, consisting of 140 men and 150 women, aged between 35 and 65 years. Through path analysis, we found that the most predictive variables on the healthy lifestyle were perceived social support, specifically friends’ and resilience. We also found that self-efficacy significantly influences resilience, and perceived social support is a significant predictor of the former. In conclusion, the psychological content variables can predict a healthy lifestyle, directly and indirectly. It can also be differentiated depending on the specific dimension of the predicted variable and the number of variables that relate jointly.El objetivo de la presente investigación fue verificar la influencia de factores individuales como la edad, el sexo, el nivel socioeconómico, y factores protectores como la resiliencia, la autoeficacia generalizada y el apoyo social percibido sobre los estilos de vida saludable, en personas con riesgo cardiovascular, además de sus posibles interacciones. Se utilizó una muestra de 290 personas, compuesta por 140 hombres y 150 mujeres, con edades comprendidas entre 35 y 65 años. A través de un análisis de ruta, se obtuvo que las variables con mayor predicción sobre el estilo de vida saludable fueron el apoyo social percibido, específicamente de amigos, y la resiliencia. Así mismo, se encontró que la autoeficacia influye significativamente sobre la resiliencia, y el apoyo social percibido es un predictor relevante para la primera. En conclusión, el estilo de vida saludable se puede predecir en gran medida por variables de contenido psicológico, de forma directa e indirecta. Además, puede verse diferenciado dependiendo de la dimensión específica de la variable predicha y el número de variables que se relacionen en conjunto.O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi verificar a influência dos fatores individuais como a idade, o sexo, o nível socioeconômico e os fatores protetores como a resiliência, a auto-eficácia generalizada e o apoio so- cial percebido sobre os estilos de vida saudável, em pessoas com risco cardiovascular, para além de suas possíveis interações. Utilizou-se uma amostra de 290 pessoas, composta por 140 homens e 150 mulheres, com idades compreendidas entre 35 e 65 anos. Através de uma análise do caminho crítico, obtivera-se que as variáveis com maior predição sobre o estilo de vida saudável foram o apoio social percebido, especificamente o apoio de amigos, e a resiliência. Igualmente, encontrou-se que a auto-eficácia inclui significativamente sobre a resiliência, e o apoio social percebido é um preditor significativo para a auto-eficácia. Em conclusão, o estilo de vida saudável pode-se predizer em grande medida por variáveis de conteúdo psicológico, de forma direta e indireta. Para além disso, pode se ver diferenciado dependendo da dimensão específica da variável predita e o número de variáveis que se relacionem em conjunto

FOOD PRODUCT ACCEPTANCE AND PREFERENCE PREDECTION THROUGH AUTOMATED FACIAL EXPRESSION ANALYSIS (MEDICIÓN DE ACEPTACIÓN Y PREFERENCIA DE PRODUCTOS ALIMENTICIOS MEDIANTE ANÁLISIS AUTOMATIZADO DE EXPRESIONES FACIALES)

ResumenSe presenta un sistema para determinar la aceptación y las preferencias de usuarios en productos alimenticios a través del reconocimiento de emociones. Los cambios en expresiones faciales de 80 sujetos mientras probaban cinco distintos productos alimenticios fueron capturados con el sensor Microsoft Kinect. Las expresiones faciales se contrastaron con las evaluaciones sensoriales de los consumidores. Para el reconocimiento de expresiones faciales en cada cuadro del video, se entrenó una red neuronal y se utilizaron diferentes técnicas de aprendizaje supervisado (como máquinas de soporte vectorial, perceptrón multicapa y árboles de regresión) para determinar que sabores podrían ser aceptados y rechazados por el consumidor.  Se decidió utilizar la red neuronal, y al observar la matriz de confusión se obtiene un porcentaje de reconocimiento adecuado para las siguientes emociones: neutral 94%, sorpesa 98%, felicidad 99% y disgusto 94%. La aplicación industrial es relevante en el sector de Investigación y Desarrollo de la industria de alimentos.Palabras Claves: aceptación de consumidores, análisis sensorial, aprendizaje de máquina, expresiones faciales, Kinect, visualización.AbstractThis paper presents a system for determining consumer acceptance and preferences of food products through emotion recognition. Changes in facial expressions of 80 test subjects while tasting five different food samples were captured using the Microsoft Kinect sensor. The expressions were compared to the consumers’ sensory evaluations. To determine the facial expressions in every video frame, a neural network was trained and different supervised learning techniques (such as support vector machines, multilayer perceptron and regression trees) were used to predict which of the different tastes could be accepted or rejected. A neuronal net was used, when observing the confusion matrix a percentage of adequate recognition was obtained for the following emotions: neutral (94%), surprise (98%), happiness (99%) and disgust (94%). The industrial application of the proposed system is relevant for the Food Industry Research and Development (R&D) by allowing the sampling of a product by potential consumers and analyzing their emotions before launching into market.Keywords: consumer’s acceptance, sensory analysis, facial expressions, Kinect, machine learning, visualization

Facile solventless synthesis of a nylon-6,6/silver nanoparticles composite and its XPS study

SINTESIS DE NANOPARTICULASSilver nanoparticles were synthesized and supported on thin nylon membranes by means of a simple method of impregnation and chemical reduction of Ag ions at ambient conditions. Particles of less than 10nm were obtained using this methodology, in which the nylon fibers behave as constrained nanoreactors. Pores on nylon fibres along with oxygen and nitrogen from amide moieties in nylon provide effective sites for in situ reduction of silver ions and for the formation and stabilization of Ag nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that silver nanoparticles are well dispersed throughout the nylon fibers. Furthermore, an interaction betweenUAEME

Untargeted MS-Based Metabolomics Analysis of the Responses to Drought Stress in Quercus ilex L. Leaf Seedlings and the Identification of Putative Compounds Related to Tolerance

The effect and responses to drought stress were analyzed in Quercus ilex L. seedlings using a nontargeted metabolomic approach, implementing the approaches of previous studies in which other -omics platforms, transcriptomics, and proteomics were employed. This work aimed to characterize the Q. ilex leaf metabolome, determining possible mechanisms and molecular markers of drought tolerance and identifying putative bioactive compounds. Six-month-old seedling leaves subjected to drought stress imposed by water withholding under high-temperature and irradiance conditions were collected when leaf fluorescence decreased by 20% (day 17) and 45% (day 24) relative to irrigated seedlings. A total of 3934 compounds were resolved, with 616 being variable and 342 identified, which belonged to five chemical families. Out of the identified compounds, 33 were variable, mostly corresponding to amino acids, carboxylic acids, benzenoids, flavonoids and isoprenoids. Epigallocatechin, ellagic acid, pulegone, indole-3-acrylic acid and dihydrozeatin-O-glucoside were up-accumulated under drought conditions at both sampling times. An integrated multi-omics analysis of phenolic compounds and related enzymes was performed, revealing that some enzymes involved in the flavonoid pathways (chalcone synthase, anthocyanidin synthase and anthocyanidin reductase) were up-accumulated at day 24 in non-irrigated seedlings. Some putative markers of tolerance to drought in Q. ilex are proposed for assisting breeding programs based on the selection of elite genotypes

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: analysis of the economic impact generated by surgical treatment

Objective: To evaluate the economic impact generated by surgical treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in the tertiary care level. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a prevalent entity. The economic impact it generates is mainly due to the need for repeated surgical interventions throughout its progression, in addition to the morbidity it causes to the patient. Materials and methods: This retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study was carried out at the Specialty Hospital No. 2, National Medical Center of the Northwest, Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), using a non-probability sampling by consecutive case series. In the general description of the study, clinical records of patients diagnosed with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis treated at this institution from January 2010 to January 2012 were reviewed. Data such as age, gender, surgical management and/or adjuvant therapy, and cost generated by exclusive surgical care, were collected. Results: Out of a total of 103 reviewed files, only 39 were complete and met the inclusion criteria: 16 (41%) were female and 23 (59%) were male. Twenty-seven (27) cases (69%) were juvenile patients and 12 (30.8%) were adults. Only 19 cases (48.7%) received adjuvant therapy. Tracheotomy was performed in 15 cases (38.5%). The direct cost for resection surgery was $322,943.92 (22,190 USD) in the juvenile group and$55,225.33 (3,790 USD) in the adult group. Conclusions: Surgical treatment for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis represents a financial burden and great morbidity for both health institutions and the family

REVISIÓN DE PARÁMETROS PARA EL DISEÑO DE UNA CELDA ELECTROLÍTICA ALCALINA (REVIEW OF PARAMETERS FOR THE DESIGN OF AN ALKALINE ELECTROLYTIC CELL)

En este artículo se presentan algunos parámetros considerados en el diseño de una celda electrolítica alcalina para garantizar una reacción de evolución del hidrógeno (HER por sus siglas en inglés) elevada; en los que se enlistan: composición de electrodos, principalmente por su porcentaje de níquel que trabaja como catalizador en la producción de hidrógeno; geometría de electrodos, donde intervienen sus dimensiones, que incluye espesor y área de trabajo;  separación entre electrodos, una distancia mínima es preferible para mantener una resistencia eléctrica baja; electrolito, es el medio por el cual viajan los electrones haciendo posible la ruptura de la molécula de agua, el álcali usado en la mezcla es de interés porque facilita el paso de corriente eléctrica; condiciones de trabajo, algunas propiedades dependen de la temperatura operación por lo que es importante definir estas variable al valor más óptimo posible; por último, unas observaciones con relación a propiedades, sólo si intervienen materiales además del utilizado en los electrodos. En el presente trabajo se obtuvo un listado de los parámetros de diseño y como afectan la producción de hidrógeno.Palabra(s) Clave: alcalina, celda electrolítica, diseño, parámetros. AbstractThis paper presents some parameters considered in the design of an alkaline electrolytic cell to guarantee a high hydrogen evolution reaction (HER); in which are listed: composition of electrodes, mainly by its percentage of nickel that works as a catalyst in the production of hydrogen; electrode geometry, where its dimensions intervene, which includes thickness and work area; gap between electrodes, a minimum distance is preferable to maintain a low electrical resistance; electrolyte, is the means by which the electrons travel making possible the rupture of the water molecule, the alkali used in the mixture is of interest because it facilitates the passage of electric current; working conditions, some properties depend on the operating temperature so it is important to define this variable at the most optimal value possible; Finally, some observations regarding properties, only if materials are involved in addition to the one used in the electrodes. In the present work a list of the design parameters was obtained and how they affect the production of hydrogen.Keywords: alkaline, design, electrolytic cell, parameters

MODELO DE ESPACIO–ESTADO DE UNA CELDA ALCALINA ELECTROLÍTICA PRODUCTORA DE HIDRÓGENO (STATE–SPACE MODEL OF AN ALKALINE ELECTROLYTIC CELL HYDROGEN PRODUCER)

En base a un estudio de los modelos existentes, se desarrolló en el presente artículo una propuesta de modelo de espacio – estado para una celda alcalina productora de hidrógeno. Para la constitución del modelo se consideró una celda bipolar de domo, tomando como variables de estado la presión y temperatura del sistema y como entrada la corriente de alimentación; consiguiendo con esto un modelo SISO no lineal, susceptible de ser analizado con la teoría de control moderno. El modelo se simuló con la herramienta Simulink de Matlab mostrando correspondencia con las respuestas del sistema presentadas en la bibliografía.Palabra(s) Clave: Electrolizador alcalino, Hidrogeno, Modelo de espacio-estado. AbstractBased on existing models’ study, a State-Space model proposal for a hydrogen-producing alkaline cell was developed in this paper. For the model constitution a bipolar dome cell was considered, taking system pressure and temperature as state variables and the power current as input, getting whit this a nonlinear SISO model susceptible to be analyzed whit modern control theory. The model was simulated whit Simulink, Matlab’s tool, showing correspondence whit system responses presented on the bibliography.Keywords: Alkaline electrolyzer, Hydrogen, State – Space model