Tratamiento de im��genes de mineral acarreado post-voladura. An��lisis de curvas granulom��tricas y comparativa mediante sistemasplit on-line y Split desktop: autom��tico y manual

En este proyecto se han analizado distintas im��genes de fragmentos de rocas de distintas granulometr��as correspondientes a una serie de voladuras de una misma cantera. Cada una de las voladuras se componen de 20 im��genes. A posteriori utilizando el programa Split Desktop en su versi��n 3.1, se delimitaron los fragmentos de roca de los que est�� compuesta la imagen, obteni��ndose posteriormente la curva granulom��trica correspondiente a dicha imagen. Una vez se calculan las curvas granulom��tricas correspondientes a cada imagen, se calcula la curva media de todas ellas, pudi��ndose considerar por tanto la curva media de cada voladura. Se han utilizado las distintas soluciones del software, manual, online y autom��tico, para realizar los an��lisis de dichas im��genes y a posteriori comparar sus resultados. Dichos resultados se muestran a trav��s de una serie de gr��ficos y tablas que se explican con detalle para la comprensi��n del estudio. De dichos resultados es posible afirmar que, el tratamiento de im��genes realizado de manera online y autom��tico por Split, desemboca en el mismo resultado, al no haber una diferencia estad��stica significativa. Por el contrario, el sistema manual es diferente de los otros dos, no pudi��ndose afirmar cual es mejor de los dos. El manual depende del operario que trabaje las im��genes y el online de los ajustes realizados y por tanto, ambos tienen ciertas incertidumbres dif��ciles de solucionar. Abstract In this project, different images of rock fragments of different grain sizes corresponding to a series of blasts from the same quarry have been analyzed. To study each blast, 20 images has been used and studied with the software Split Desktop 3.1. Rock fragments from each image has been delimitated with the software, obtaining a grading curve of each one. Once these curves are calculated, the mean curve of these data set is obtained and can be considered the mean curve of each blast. Different software solutions as manual, online and automatic, has been used for the analysis of these images. Then the results has been compared between them. These results are shown through a series of graphs and tables, that are explained in detail, to enhance the understanding of the study. From these results, it can be said that the image processing with online and automatic options from Split, leads to the same result, after an statistical study. On the contrary, the manual Split mode is different from the others; however is not possible to assert what will be the best. The manual Split mode depends on the operator ability and dedication, although the online mode depends on the software settings, so therefore, both have some uncertainties that are difficult to solve.

Novel educational assessment for building structures: Automatic evaluation of on-line graphics

This article presents a new automatic evaluation for on-line graphics, its application and the numerous advantages achieved applying this developed correcting method. The software application developed by the Innovation in Education Group ���E4���, from the Technical University of Madrid, is oriented for the online self-assessment of the graphic drawings that students carry out as continuous training. The adaptation to the European Higher Educational Area is an important opportunity to research about the possibilities of on-line education assessment. In this way, a new software tool has been developed for continuous self-testing by undergraduates. Using this software it is possible to evaluate the graphical answer of the students. Thus, the drawings made on-line by students are automatically corrected according to the geometry (straight lines, sloping lines or second order curves) and by sizes (depending on the specific values which define the graphics).

Cursos de formaci��n continua on-line de la SEM. Cinco a��os de actividad.

Se presentan los objetivos y las actividades llevadas a cabo en el ��rea de formaci��n continua on-line de la Sociedad Espa��ola de Microbiolog��a (SEM).

New On-Line Excitation-System Ground Fault Location Method Tested in a 106 MVA Synchronous Generator

In this paper, a novel excitation-system ground-fault location method is described and tested in a 106 MVA synchronous machine. In this unit, numerous rotor ground-fault trips took place always about an hour after the synchronization to the network. However, when the field winding insulation was checked after the trips, there was no failure. The data indicated that the faults in the rotor were caused by centrifugal forces and temperature. Unexpectedly, by applying this new method, the failure was located in a cable between the excitation transformer and the automatic voltage regulator. In addition, several intentional ground faults were performed along the field winding with different fault resistance values, in order to test the accuracy of this method to locate defects in rotor windings of large generators. Therefore, this new on-line rotor ground-fault detection algorithm is tested in high-power synchronous generators with satisfactory results.

Creating and modelling personal socio-economic networks in on-line banking

The banking industry is observing how new competitors threaten its millennial business model by targeting unbanked people, offering new financial services to their customer base, and even enabling new channels for existing services and customers. The knowledge on users, their behaviour, and expectations become a key asset in this new context. Well aware of this situation, the Center for Open Middleware, a joint technology center created by Santander Bank and Universidad Polit��cnica de Madrid, has launched a set of initiatives to allow the experimental analysis and management of socio-economic information. PosdataP2P service is one of them, which seeks to model the economic ties between the holders of university smart cards, leveraging on the social networks the holders are subscribed to. In this paper we describe the design principles guiding the development of the system, its architecture and some implementation details.

Sistema de biorremediaci��n on-line para la eliminaci��n de radion��clidos en aguas radiactivas

En estudios previos desarrollados en la central Nuclear de cofrentes (Valencia) se ha observado que los microorganismos presentes en las aguas radiactivas de las piscinas de almacenamiento de combustible nuclear gastado son capaces de colonizar las superficies met��licas de las paredes y conducciones y formar biopel��culas sobre ��stas. Estas biopel��culas retienen los radion��clidos de las aguas contributyendo a su descontaminaci��n. En este proyecto se ha dise��ado una planta piloto para la biodescontaminaci��n de las aguas radiactivas. Actualmente el agua radiactiva procedente de las piscinas de combustible se hace pasar por resinas de intercambio i��nico que posteriormente tienen que ser gestionadas como residuos radiactivos. En este proyecto, el agua se hace pasar por un biorreactor que contiene ovillos de acero inoxidable capaces de ser colonizados por los microorganismos existentes en dichas aguas. A su paso por el biorreactor, el agua entra en contacto con el material del ovillo, form��ndose una biopel��cula que retiene los radiois��topos presentes en el agua. La biopel��cula es f��cilmente eliminada por cualquier procedimiento convencional de descontaminaci��n radioqu��mica de materiales y los radion��clidos se pueden concentrar en un volumen peque��o de eluyente para su recuperaci��n, disposici��n final o contenci��n. A continuaci��n, el material del biorreactor puede ser gestionado como material no radiactivo.

Dise��o y evaluaci��n de un procedimiento on-line para la biorremediaci��n de aguas radiactivas en centrales nucleares

Recientemente se ha demostrado la existencia de microorganismos en las piscinas de almacenamiento de combustible nuclear gastado en las centrales nucleares utilizando t��cnicas convencionales de cultivo en el laboratorio. Estudios posteriores han puesto de manifiesto que los microorganismos presentes eran capaces de colonizar las paredes de acero inoxidable de las piscinas formando biopel��culas. Adicionalmente se ha observado la capacidad de estas biopel��culas de retener radion��clidos, lo que hace pensar en la posibilidad de utilizarlas en la descontaminaci��n de las aguas radiactivas de las piscinas. En la presente tesis se plantea conocer m��s profundamente la biodiversidad microbiana de las biopel��culas utilizando t��cnicas de biolog��a molecular como la clonaci��n, adem��s de desarrollar un sistema de descontaminaci��n a escala piloto con el objetivo de valorar si el proceso podr��a resultar escalable a nivel industrial. Para ello se dise��aron y fabricaron dos biorreactores en acero inoxidable compatibles con las condiciones espec��ficas de seguridad s��smica y protecci��n frente a la radiaci��n en la zona controlada de una central nuclear. Los biorreactores se instalaron en la Central Nuclear de Cofrentes (Valencia) en las proximidades de las piscinas de almacenamiento de combustible nuclear gastado y precediendo a las resinas de intercambio i��nico, de forma que reciben el agua de las piscinas permitiendo el an��lisis in situ de la radiaci��n eliminada del agua de las mismas. Se conect�� una l��mpara de luz ultravioleta a uno de los biorreactores para poder comparar el desarrollo de bipel��culas y la retenci��n de radiactividad en ambas condiciones. En estos biorreactores se introdujeron ovillos de acero inoxidable y de titanio que se extrajeron a diversos tiempos, hasta 635 d��as para los ovillos de acero inoxidable y hasta 309 d��as para los ovillos de titanio. Se analizaron las biopel��culas desarrolladas sobre los ovillos por microscop��a electr��nica de barrido y por microscop��a de epifluorescencia. Se extrajo el ADN de las biopel��culas y, tras su clonaci��n, se identificaron los microorganismos por t��cnicas independientes de cultivo. Asimismo se determin�� por espectrometr��a gamma la capacidad de las biopel��culas para retener radion��clidos. Los microorganismos radiorresistentes identificados pertenecen a los grupos filogen��ticos Alpha-proteobacteria, Gamma-proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Deinococcus-Thermus y Bacteroidetes. Las secuencias de estos microorganismos se han depositado en el GenBank con los n��meros de acceso KR817260-KR817405. Se ha observado una distribuci��n porcentual ligeramente diferente en relaci��n con el tipo de biorreactor. Las biopel��culas han retenido fundamentalmente radion��clidos de activaci��n. La suma de Co-60 y Mn-54 ha llegado en ocasiones al 97%. Otros radion��clidos retenidos han sido Cr-51, Co-58, Fe-59, Zn-65 y Zr-95. Se sugiere un mecanismo del proceso de retenci��n de radion��clidos relacionado con el tiempo de formaci��n y desaparici��n de las biopel��culas. Se ha valorado que el proceso escalable puede ser econ��micamente rentable. ABSTRACT The existence of microorganisms in spent nuclear fuel pools has been demonstrated recently in nuclear power plants by using conventional microbial techniques. Subsequent studies have revealed that those microorganisms were able to colonize the stainless steel pool walls forming biofilms. Additionally, it has been observed the ability of these biofilms to retain radionuclides, which suggests the possibility of using them for radioactive water decontamination purposes. This thesis presents deeper knowledge of microbial biofilms biodiversity by using molecular biology techniques such as cloning, and develops a decontamination system on a pilot scale, in order to assess whether the process could be scalable to an industrial level. Aiming to demonstrate this was feasible, two stainless steel bioreactors were designed and manufactured, both were compatible with seismic and radiation protection standards in the controlled zone of a nuclear plant. These bioreactors were installed in the Cofrentes Nuclear Power Plant (Valencia) next to the spent nuclear fuel pools and preceding (upstream) ion exchange resins. This configuration allowed the bioreactors to receive water directly from the pools allowing in situ analysis of radiation removal. One ultraviolet lamp was connected to one of the bioreactors to compare biofilms development and radioactivity retention in both conditions. Stainless steel and titanium balls were introduced into these bioreactors and were removed after different time periods, up to 635 days for stainless steel balls and up to 309 days for titanium. Biofilms developed on the balls were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and epifluorescence microscopy. DNA was extracted from the biofilms, was cloned and then the microorganisms were identified by independent culture techniques. Biofilms ability to retain radionuclides was also determined by gamma spectrometry. The identified radioresistant organisms belong to the phylogenetic groups Alphaproteobacteria, Gamma-proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Deinococcus-Thermus and Bacteroidetes. The sequences of these microorganisms have been deposited in GenBank (access numbers KR817260-KR817405). A different distribution of microorganisms was observed in relation to the type of bioreactor. Biofilms have essentially retained activation radionuclides. Sometimes the sum of Co-60 and Mn-54 reached 97%. Cr-51, Co-58, Fe-59, Zn-65 and Zr-95 have also been retained. A radionuclide retention process mechanism related to biofilms formation and disappearance time is suggested. It has been assessed that the scalable process can be economically profitable.

Cartograf��a local y sistemas de informaci��n geogr��fica participativos como herramientas de consolidaci��n de la identidad local en la planificaci��n urbana y territorial

Una de las caracter��sticas de la cartograf��a y SIG Participativos (SIGP) es incluir en sus m��todos a la sociedad civil para aportar contenidos cualitativos a la informaci��n de sus territorios. Sin embargo no s��lo se trata de datos, sino de los efectos que pueden tener estas pr��cticas sobre el territorio y su sociedad. El acceso a esa informaci��n se ve reducida en contraste con el incremento de informaci��n difundida a trav��s de servicios de visualizaci��n, geoinformaci��n y cartograf��a on-line. Todo esto hace que sea necesario el an��lisis del alcance real de las metodolog��as participativas en el uso de Informaci��n Geogr��fica (IG) y la comparaci��n desde distintos contextos geogr��ficos. Tambi��n es importante conocer los beneficios e inconvenientes del acceso a la informaci��n para el planeamiento; desde la visibilidad de muchos pueblos desapercibidos en zonas rurales y perif��ricas, hasta la influencia en programas de gobierno sobre la gesti��n del territorio pasando por el conocimiento local espacial. El an��lisis se centr�� en los niveles de participaci��n de la sociedad civil y sus grados de accesibilidad a la informaci��n (acceso y uso), dentro del estudio de los SIGP, Participatory Mapping, adem��s se estudi�� de los TIG (Tecnolog��as de Informaci��n Geogr��fica), cartograf��as on-line (geoweb) y plataformas de geovisualizaci��n espacial, como recursos de Neocartograf��a. En este sentido, se realiz�� un trabajo de campo de cartograf��a participativa en Bolivia, se evaluaron distintos proyectos SIGP en pa��ses del norte y sur (comparativa de contextos en pa��ses en desarrollo) y se analizaron los resultados del cruce de las distintas variables.(validaci��n, accesibilidad, verificaci��n de datos, valor en la planificaci��n e identidad) La tesis considera que ambos factores (niveles de participaci��n y grado de accesibilidad) afectan a la (i) validaci��n, verificaci��n y calidad de los datos, la (ii) valor anal��tico en la planificaci��n, y al (iii) modelo de identidad de un lugar, y que al ser tratados de forma integral, constituyen el valor a��adido que los SIGP pueden aportar para lograr una planificaci��n efectiva. Asimismo se comprueba, que la dimensi��n participativa en los SIGP var��a seg��n el contexto, la centralizaci��n de sus actores e intereses sectoriales. La informaci��n resultante de las pr��cticas SIGP tiende a estar restringida por la falta de legislaciones y por la ausencia de formatos est��ndar, que limitan la difusi��n e intercambio de la informaci��n. Todo esto repercute en la efectividad de una planificaci��n estrat��gica y en la viabilidad de la implementaci��n de cualquier proyecto sobre el territorio, y en consecuencia sobre los niveles de desarrollo de un pa��s. Se confirma la hip��tesis de que todos los elementos citados en los SIGP y mapeo participativo actuar��n como herramientas v��lidas para el fortalecimiento y la eficacia en la planificaci��n s��lo si est��n interconectadas y vinculadas entre s��. Se plantea una propuesta metodol��gica ante las formas convencionales de planificaci��n (nueva ruta del planeamiento; que incluye el intercambio de recursos y determinaci��n participativa local antes de establecer la implementaci��n), con ello, se logra incorporar los beneficios de las metodolog��as participativas en el manejo de la IG y los SIG (Sistemas de Informaci��n Geogr��fica) como instrumentos estrat��gicos para el desarrollo de la identidad local y la optimizaci��n en los procesos de planeamiento y estudios del territorio. Por ��ltimo, se fomenta que en futuras l��neas de trabajo los mapas de los SIGP y la cartograf��a participativa puedan llegar a ser instrumentos visuales representativos que transfieran valores identitarios del territorio y de su sociedad, y de esta manera, ayudar a alcanzar un mayor conocimiento, reconocimiento y valoraci��n de los territorios para sus habitantes y sus planificadores. ABSTRACT A feature of participatory mapping and PGIS is to include the participation of the civil society, to provide qualitative information of their territories. However, focus is not only data, but also the effects that such practices themselves may have on the territory and their society. Access to this information is reduced in contrast to the increase of information disseminated through visualization services, geoinformation, and online cartography. Thus, the analysis of the real scope of participatory methodologies in the use of Geographic Information (GI) is necessary, including the comparison of different geographical contexts. It is also important to know the benefits and disadvantages of access to information needed for planning in different contexts, ranging from unnoticed rural areas and suburbs to influence on government programs on land management through local spatial knowledge. The analysis focused on the participation levels of civil society and the degrees of accessibility of the information (access and use) within the study of Participatory GIS (PGIS). In addition, this work studies GIT (Geographic Information Technologies), online cartographies (Geoweb) and platforms of spatial geovisualization, as resources of Neocartography. A participatory cartographic fieldwork was carried out in Bolivia. Several PGIS projects were evaluated in Northern and Southern countries (comparatively with the context of developing countries), and the results were analyzed for each these different variables. (validation, accessibility, verification,value, identity). The thesis considers that both factors (participation levels and degree of accessibility) affect the (i) validation, verification and quality of the data, (ii) analytical value for planning, and (iii) the identity of a place. The integrated management of all the above cited criteria constitutes an added value that PGISs can contribute to reach an effective planning. Also, it confirms the participatory dimension of PGISs varies according to the context, the centralization of its actors, and to sectorial interests. The resulting information from PGIS practices tends to be restricted by the lack of legislation and by the absence of standard formats, which limits in turn the diffusion and exchange of the information. All of this has repercussions in the effectiveness of a strategic planning and in the viability of the implementation of projects about the territory, and consequentially in the land development levels. The hypothesis is confirmed since all the described elements in PGISs and participatory mapping will act as valid tools in strengthening and improving the effectivity in planning only if they are interconnected and linked amongst themselves. This work, therefore, suggests a methodological proposal when faced with the conventional ways of planning: a new planning route which includes the resources exchange and local participatory determination before any plan is established -. With this, the benefits of participatory methodologies in the management of GI and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is incorporated as a strategic instrument for development of local identity and optimization in planning processes and territory studies. Finally, the study outlines future work on PGIS maps and Participatory Mapping, such that these could eventually evolve into visual representative instruments that transfer identity values of the territory and its society. In this way, they would contribute to attain a better knowledge, recognition, and appraisement of the territories for their inhabitants and planners.