Methodology to Determine Energy Efficiency Strategies in Buildings Sited in Tropical Climatic Zones; Case Study, Buildings of the Tertiary Sector in the Dominican Republic

The application of energy-efficiency strategies in buildings is a hot topic around the world; in some countries, there are regulations with more or less degree of compliance, but in most countries located in the tropical zone, there are no regulations, and it is not easy to transfer regulations of countries outside of tropical zone. For countries located in tropical zones, the implementation of strategies to reduce the heat flow from outside to inside buildings is a key point. As a case study, the Dominican Republic (DR) was chosen, and during 2020, an analysis focusing on buildings of the tertiary level was carried out with the goal of using scientific methodology focused on tropical climates that allows for a significant reduction in energy consumption by implementing Energy Efficiency Strategies (EESs) that are available, with minimal intrusion into the building and low cost. The study includes, as parts of the proposed methodology, the characterization of building parks, including the climatic zonification of the country, an in-depth study of the building typologies in DR, and a massive survey around the country about the technical characteristics of air conditioning units and their usage; the election and characterization of buildings, including simulation and validation throughout the monitoring of eight different buildings; ananalysis of the measures of energy efficiency and implementation in the models, including the election of a demonstrative building, the election of the most convenient EESs, modeling of EESs, implementing EESs in the building, monitoring, and validation; and ananalysis of the impact of the measures at the region or country level, throughout which important conclusions can be obtained in order to reduce energy consumption in the country. The results show that this methodology is a valid tool for countries situated in tropical areas in order to reduce the energy consumption associated with air conditioning units with low cost, availability, and no intrusive EESs

Crystallized and fluid intelligence are predicted by microstructure of specific white-matter tracts

Studies of the neural basis of intelligence have focused on comparing brain imaging variables with global scales instead of the cognitive domains integrating these scales or quotients. Here, the relation between mean tract‐based fractional anisotropy (mTBFA) and intelligence indices was explored. Deterministic tractography was performed using a regions of interest approach for 10 white‐matter fascicles along which the mTBFA was calculated. The study sample included 83 healthy individuals from the second wave of the Cuban Human Brain Mapping Project, whose WAIS‐III intelligence quotients and indices were obtained. Inspired by the “Watershed model” of intelligence, we employed a regularized hierarchical Multiple Indicator, Multiple Causes model (MIMIC), to assess the association of mTBFA with intelligence scores, as mediated by latent variables summarizing the indices. Regularized MIMIC, used due to the limited sample size, selected relevant mTBFA by means of an elastic net penalty and achieved good fits to the data. Two latent variables were necessary to describe the indices: Fluid intelligence (Perceptual Organization and Processing Speed indices) and Crystallized Intelligence (Verbal Comprehension and Working Memory indices). Regularized MIMIC revealed effects of the forceps minor tract on crystallized intelligence and of the superior longitudinal fasciculus on fluid intelligence. The model also detected the significant effect of age on both latent variables

PROYECTO DE REFORESTACIÓN PARTICIPATIVA PARA EL FORTALECIMIENTO DE LA PRODUCCIÓN DE MIEL, EN EL CONSEJO POPULAR PALMA DEL PERRO, EN EL MUNICIPIO GUISA, PROVINCIA DE GRANMA (Original)

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the lifecycle honey product in the Consejo popular Palma del Perro, Guisa municipality in the province of Granma.  Magnitudes of the input and output of the product life cycle, and identification of potential environmental impacts were evaluated and the critical issues that affect them, tools such as environmental impact matrix of vester were used, and frame logical latter to analyze the technical feasibility and manage economic and financial feasibility of the project. The analysis showed unstable be havior of the volume of honey as main scale production system output indicating the direct dependence of fuel energy input and raw material forest, affected by human disturbance; in the two pilot sites studied there were conditions for competition in the market for organic honey certified because the production system does not generate a strong potential impact on the environment; also detected that the steady increase in deforestation is the most critical production system groups on the grounds of Palma del Perro problem, and likewise the feasibility was demonstrated from atechnical, environmental and economic - financial reforestation of natural forests for honey strengthening their potential in the popular advice.El propósito de esta investigación fue elaborar un proyecto de innovación con especies melíferas para la producción apícola,  en el consejo popular Palma del Perro, municipio Guisa, provincia de Granma. Se identificaron los impactos ambientales potenciales, y los problemas críticos que lo afectaban, utilizando herramientas como la matriz de impacto ambiental, de vester y de marco lógico, esta última para analizar la factibilidad técnica y gestionar la factibilidad económica- financiera del proyecto. El análisis reveló un comportamiento inestable del volumen de la producción de miel, indicando dependencia directa del consumo energético combustible, existieron condiciones para el concurso en el mercado de mieles ecológicas certificadas, porque el sistema productivo no genera un impacto potencial fuerte sobre el medio ambiente; asimismo se detectó que el incremento sostenido de la deforestación constituye el problema más crítico del sistema de producción de miel en los predios de Palma del Perro, y de igual forma se demostró la factibilidad desde el punto de vista técnico, ambiental y económico - financiero de la reforestación de los bosques naturales para el fortalecimiento de sus potencialidades melíferas en el consejo popular

Critical comments on EEG sensor space dynamical connectivity analysis

any different analysis techniques have been developed and applied to EEG recordings that allow one to investigate how different brain areas interact. One particular class of methods, based on the linear parametric representation of multiple interacting time series, is widely used to study causal connectivity in the brain. However, the results obtained by these methods should be interpreted with great care. The goal of this paper is to show, both theoretically and using simulations, that results obtained by applying causal connectivity measures on the sensor (scalp) time series do not allow interpretation in terms of interacting brain sources. This is because (1) the channel locations cannot be seen as an approximation of a source's anatomical location and (2) spurious connectivity can occur between sensors. Although many measures of causal connectivity derived from EEG sensor time series are affected by the latter, here we will focus on the well-known time domain index of Granger causality (GC) and on the frequency domain directed transfer function (DTF). Using the state-space framework and designing two simulation studies we show that mixing effects caused by volume conduction can lead to spurious connections, detected either by time domain GC or by DTF. Therefore, GC/DTF causal connectivity measures should be computed at the source level, or derived within analysis frameworks that model the effects of volume conduction. Since mixing effects can also occur in the source space, it is advised to combine source space analysis with connectivity measures that are robust to mixing

Fusion of PET / CT neuroimaging using a Wavelet-based and the Haar discrete transform scheme

[EN] In neurosciences, imaging techniques are used to diagnose diseases and assist in surgical interventions to determine the exact location and size of a tumor. International research has used different techniques for the fusion of Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography because it allows us to observe metabolic functions in correlation with anatomical structures. From the study of these techniques and algorithms a software was developed that performs the fusion of neuroimaging, using the fusion scheme based on Wavelet. Bicubic interpolation was used to correct the images. As a discrete Wavelet transform, Haar's was used. An evaluation of the quality of the resulting images was performed, obtaining 512 × 512 × 24 bit resolution images and a signal-to-noise ratio with values greater than 18. It was verified by histograms that the merged image contains more information than the input images independent.[ES] En neurociencias se utilizan técnicas imagenológicas para el diagnóstico de enfermedades y la asistencia en intervenciones quirúrgicas para determinar la ubicación y dimensión exactas de un tumor. Investigaciones a nivel internacional han utilizado diferentes técnicas para la fusión de la Tomografía por Emisión de Positrones y la Tomografía Computarizada debido a que permite observar las funciones metabólicas en correlación con las estructuras anatómicas. A partir del estudio de estas técnicas y algoritmos se desarrolló un software que realiza la fusión de neuroimágenes, utilizando el esquema de fusión basado en Wavelet. Para el corregistro de las imágenes se utilizó la interpolación Bicúbica. Como transformada discreta de Wavelet se utilizó la de Haar. Se realizó una evaluación de la calidad de las imágenes resultantes, obteniendo imágenes de resolución 512 × 512 × 24 bits y una relación señal-ruido con valores superiores a 18. Se comprobó mediante histogramas que la imagen fusionada contiene más información que las imágenes de entrada independientes.Este trabajo ha sido realizado parcialmente gracias al apoyo del Centro de Informática Médica de la Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas de la Habana y el Centro de Neurociencias de Cuba CNEURO, por el apoyo logístico y asesoría especializada en temas de Neuroinformática.Orellana, A.; Rodríguez, R.; Yanes, D.; Valdés-Sosa, P. (2020). Fusión de neuroimágenes de PET/CT utilizando un esquema basado en Wavelet y la transformada discreta de Haar. Revista Iberoamericana de Automática e Informática industrial. 18(1):75-81. https://doi.org/10.4995/riai.2020.12977OJS7581181Huang, H. K. 2010. PACS and imaging informatics: basic principles and applications. 2nd ed. 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Aportación de la imagen PET-CT a la patología oncológica de cabeza y cuello. Acta Otorrinolaringológica Española, 56, 453-458. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-6519(05)78647-7Jadvar, H., Leader, D., Pole, W.S., Bartel, T., Chen, D., Delbeke, D., Esposito, G., Graham, M., Grant, F., Herscovitch, P. and Metzger, R., 2018. SNMMI scientific delegation to Cuba. J Nucl Med, 59, p.15N.Kluetz, P.G., Meltzer, C.C., Villemagne, V.L., Kinahan, P.E., Chander, S., Martinelli, M.A. and Townsend, D.W., 2000. Combined PET/CT imaging in oncology: impact on patient management. Clinical Positron Imaging, 3, 223-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1095-0397(01)00055-3Vaishali P. & kinjal M. 2013. A Review on Different Image Interpolation Techniques for Image Enhancement. International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Applied Science (IJSEAS). 3.Shreyas F. 2014. Image Interpolation Techniques in Digital Image Processing: An Overview. Journal of Engineering Research and Applications. 4, 70-73.Singh Yadav, R.N. & Agarwal H. 2015. Medical Image Fusion Using Wavelet Transform. International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Applied Science (IJSEAS).1. https://doi.org/10.1109/CSNT.2012.36Candmes, E. J. & Donoho, D. L.1999. Ridgelets: The key to higher dimensional intermittency. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.1999.0444Candmes, E. J. & Donoho, D. L. 2000. Curvelets A surprisingly effective non adaptive representation for objects with edges. Saint-Malo Proceedings.Espada, L., Sanjurjo, M., Urrejola, S., Bouzada, F., Rey, G. & Sanchez, A. 2003. Ventajas del análisis Wavelet sobre el análisis de Fourier para la interpretación del ruido electroquímico. Revista de metalurgia. 39, 72-79. https://doi.org/10.3989/revmetalm.2003.v39.iExtra.1100Gonzalez-Audicana, M., Saleta, J.L., Catalan, R.G., Garcia, R., 2004. Fusion of multispectral and panchromatic images using improved IHS and PCA mergers based on wavelet decomposition. 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Programa para el entrenamiento de la actividad cognitiva en el adulto mayor

According to demographic studies it is estimated that in 2020 the proportion of the number of elderly will be 20-25%. This aging of the population causes a notable increase in the diseases linked to aging. It has been suggested that the Cognitive Reserve is a mechanism that links high levels of learning, physical exercise and cognitive activity with a lower risk of suffering from a neurodegenerative process. The research aims to implement a program of study and training of cognitive activity in the elderly. It shows as a result the application of the program for the study and training of cognitive activity in the elderly, causing changes in aspects such as operating memory, attention, and speed of processing and executive function of the participants in the program.Según los estudios demográficos se calcula que en el año 2020 la proporción del número de ancianos será del 20 al 25%. Este envejecimiento de la población provoca un incremento notable de las enfermedades ligadas a la ancianidad. Se ha sugerido que la reserva cognitiva es un mecanismo que vincula los niveles altos de aprendizaje, ejercicio físico y actividad cognitiva con un menor riesgo de padecer un proceso neurodegenerativo. La investigación tiene como objetivo instrumentar un programa de estudio y entrenamiento de la actividad cognitiva en el adulto mayor. Se muestra como resultado la aplicación del programa en el estudio y entrenamiento de la actividad cognitiva en el adulto mayor, provocando cambios en aspectos como la memoria operativa, la atención, la velocidad de procesamiento y la función ejecutiva de los participantes en el programa