Energy Efficient Smartphone-Based Activity Recognition Using Fixed-Point Arithmetic

In this paper we propose a novel energy efficient approach for the recog- nition of human activities using smartphones as wearable sensing devices, targeting assisted living applications such as remote patient activity monitoring for the disabled and the elderly. The method exploits fixed-point arithmetic to propose a modified multiclass Support Vector Machine (SVM) learning algorithm, allowing to better pre- serve the smartphone battery lifetime with respect to the conventional floating-point based formulation while maintaining comparable system accuracy levels. Experiments show comparative results between this approach and the traditional SVM in terms of recognition performance and battery consumption, highlighting the advantages of the proposed method

Effects of Gamma Irradiation on Curcumin

In this study, remnants concentrations of curcumin in Curcuma longa (organic turmeric powder) were determined after it was exposed to irradiation doses of 1, 2 and 3 kGy. Curcumin analysis was performed using the analyte-sensitive impulse differential polarography technique (LOD: 0.621 ppm and LOQ: 2.130 ppm). The results obtained showed a decreasing concentration of curcumin as a function of the irradiation dose. This reduction is low in terms of affecting the product’s quality with respect to its concentration

Balance energético del cultivo de pimiento (capsicum annuum l.) Bajo condiciones protegidas en el periodo 2017-2018 (Original)

The investigation was developed in the Unit of Base “Protected Cultivations and protected” Semi belonging to the Agricultural Company “Paquito Rosales Benítez" of Veguita, municipality Yara, county Granma. The objective of the work was to evaluate through the methodology proposed by Bowers (1992) the energy balance of the pepper cultivation (Capsicum annuum L.) in Fluvisol, in the understood period of november 2017 to march 2018. The energy of direct use in T2 superior behaved in 5,9 GJ ha-1 to T1; the highest consumptions were associated to the human force related with the activities of cultural attentions representing respectively for T2 and T1 the 75,1 and 59,6 % of the total. The energy of indirect use corresponded T1 superior in 1,2 GJ ha-1 to T2, highlighting that for both treatments the biggest quantity was associated the use of fertilizers with value of 7,6 GJ ha-1. The energy relationship (ratio) and the coefficient of energy efficiency (NER) in T2 with values of 2,3 and 1,3 respectively, they were superior in 1,9 and 1,2 to those obtained by T1. The emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere in the treatments T1 and T2 were of 0,1 and 1,3 kg and the coefficient of efficiency of reduction of the emissions of dioxide of carbon they indicated values of 1,3 and 2,3 respectively. The relationship expense-revenues of the production of the pepper cultivation favored T2, contributing a gain of 6 733,8 CUP, superior in 6 062,7 CUP with relationship to T1.La investigación se desarrolló en la Unidad Empresarial de Base ‟Cultivos Protegidos y Semiprotegidos” perteneciente a la Empresa Agropecuaria ‟Paquito Rosales Benítez” de Veguita, municipio Yara, provincia Granma. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar a través de la metodología propuesta por Bowers (1992) el balance energético del cultivo de pimiento (Capsicum annuum L.) en Fluvisol, en el periodo comprendido de noviembre 2017 a marzo 2018. La energía de uso directo en T2 se comportó superior en 5,9 GJ ha-1 a T1; los consumos más elevados estuvieron asociados a la fuerza humana relacionada con las actividades de atenciones culturales representando para T2 y T1 el 75,1 y 59,6 % del total respectivamente. La energía de uso indirecto correspondió a T1 superior en 1,2 GJ ha-1 a T2, destacando que para ambos tratamientos la mayor cuantía estuvo asociada al uso de fertilizantes con valor de 7,6 GJ ha-1. La relación energética (ratio) y el coeficiente de eficiencia energética (NER) en T2 con valores de 2,3 y 1,3 respectivamente, fueron superiores en 1,9 y 1,2 a los obtenidos por T1. Las emisiones de CO2 a la atmósfera en los tratamientos T1 y T2 fueron de 0,1 y 1,3 kg y el coeficiente de eficiencia de reducción de las emisiones de dióxido de carbono indicaron valores de 1,3 y 2,3 respectivamente. La relación gastos-ingresos de la producción del cultivo de pimiento favoreció a T2, aportando una ganancia de 6 733,8 CUP, superior en 6 062,7 CUP con relación a T1

Dynamical Processing of Geophysical Signatures based on SPOT-5 Remote Sensing Imagery

An intelligent post-processing computational paradigm based on the use of dynamical filtering techniques modified to enhance the quality of reconstruction of geophysical signatures based on Spot-5 imagery is proposed. As a matter of particular study, a robust algorithm is reported for the analysis of the dynamic behavior of geophysical indexes extracted from the real-world remotely sensed scenes. The simulation results verify the efficiency of the approach as required for decision support in resources management

The Role of Spirituality Healing with Perceptions of the Medical Encounter among Latinos

Little is known about the relationship between spirituality healing and perceptions about the medical encounter among Latinos. To examine the association between spirituality healing and attitudes of self-reported perceptions about the medical encounter. A cross-sectional telephone survey. 3,728 Latinos aged ≥18 years residing in the United States from Wave 1 of the Pew Hispanic Center/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Latino Health Survey. Dependent variables were ever prayed for healing (yes/no), ever asked others to pray for healing (yes/no), considered important spiritual healing (very vs. somewhat or not important), and ever consulted a ‘curandero’ (folk healer in Latin America) (yes/no). The primary independent variables were feelings about the last time seeing a Doctor (confused by information given, or frustrated by lack of information) and perception of quality of medical care (excellent, good, fair or poor) within the past 12 months. Six percent of individuals reported that they had ever consulted a curandero, 60% prayed for healing, 49% asked others to pray for healing, and 69% considered spiritual healing as very important. In multivariable analyses, feeling confused was associated with increased odds of consulting a curandero (OR = 1.58; 95% CI, 1.02–2.45), praying for healing (OR = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.03–1.64), asking others to pray for healing (OR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03–1.62), and considering spiritual healing as very important (OR = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.01–1.66). Feeling frustrated by a lack of information was associated with asking others to pray for healing (OR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.04–1.60). A better perception of quality of medical care was associated with lower odds of consulting a curandero (OR = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.70–0.98). Feelings about the medical encounter were associated with spirituality healing, praying for healing, and asking others to pray for healing. Feeling confused and perception of poor quality of medical care were associated with consulting a curandero

Spectroscopy and Orbital Analysis of Bright Bolides Observed over the Iberian Peninsula from 2010 to 2012

We present the analysis of the atmospheric trajectory and orbital data of four bright bolides observed over Spain, one of which is a potential meteorite dropping event. Their absolute magnitude ranges from -10 to -11. Two of these are of sporadic origin, although a Geminid and a kappa-Cygnid fireball are also considered. These events were recorded in the framework of the continuous fireball monitoring and spectroscopy campaigns developed by the SPanish Meteor Network (SPMN) between 2010 and 2012. The tensile strength of the parent meteoroids is estimated and the abundances of the main rock-forming elements in these particles are calculated from the emission spectrum obtained for three of these events. This analysis revealed a chondritic nature for these meteoroids.Comment: Manuscript in press in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Societ