Basics on design and analysis of SE experiments: widespread shortcomings

Keynote speech about experimental design

Study and analysis of the Leap Motion sensor and the Software Development Kit (SDK) for the implementation of visual Human Computer Interfaces

En este proyecto, se presenta un informe técnico sobre la cámara Leap Motion y el Software Development Kit correspondiente, el cual es un dispositivo con una cámara de profundidad orientada a interfaces hombre-máquina. Esto es realizado con el propósito de desarrollar una interfaz hombre-máquina basada en un sistema de reconocimiento de gestos de manos. Después de un exhaustivo estudio de la cámara Leap Motion, se han realizado diversos programas de ejemplo con la intención de verificar las capacidades descritas en el informe técnico, poniendo a prueba la Application Programming Interface y evaluando la precisión de las diferentes medidas obtenidas sobre los datos de la cámara. Finalmente, se desarrolla un prototipo de un sistema de reconocimiento de gestos. Los datos sobre la posición y orientación de la punta de los dedos obtenidos de la Leap Motion son usados para describir un gesto mediante un vector descriptor, el cual es enviado a una Máquina Vectores Soporte, utilizada como clasificador multi-clase.

High-brightness all semiconductor laser at 1.57 µm for space-borne lidar measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide: device design and analysis of requirements

The availability of suitable laser sources is one of the main challenges in future space missions for accurate measurement of atmospheric CO2. The main objective of the European project BRITESPACE is to demonstrate the feasibility of an all-semiconductor laser source to be used as a space-borne laser transmitter in an Integrated Path Differential Absorption (IPDA) lidar system. We present here the proposed transmitter and system architectures, the initial device design and the results of the simulations performed in order to estimate the source requirements in terms of power, beam quality, and spectral properties to achieve the required measurement accuracy. The laser transmitter is based on two InGaAsP/InP monolithic Master Oscillator Power Amplifiers (MOPAs), providing the ON and OFF wavelengths close to the selected absorption line around 1.57 µm. Each MOPA consists of a frequency stabilized Distributed Feedback (DFB) master oscillator, a modulator section, and a tapered semiconductor amplifier optimized to maximize the optical output power. The design of the space-compliant laser module includes the beam forming optics and the thermoelectric coolers.The proposed system replaces the conventional pulsed source with a modulated continuous wave source using the Random Modulation-Continuous Wave (RM-CW) approach, allowing the designed semiconductor MOPA to be applicable in such applications. The system requirements for obtaining a CO2 retrieval accuracy of 1 ppmv and a spatial resolution of less than 10 meters have been defined. Envelope estimated of the returns indicate that the average power needed is of a few watts and that the main noise source is the ambient noise.

Estudio y análisis para la elaboración de un modelo de certificado de calidad cinegética en España = Study and analysis for the development of a model of hunting quality certificate in Spain

Con esta tesis doctoral se pretende elaborar un modelo de Certificado de Calidad Cinegética independiente, de adhesión voluntaria y aplicable a todo tipo de espacios cinegéticos, de forma que posteriormente pueda convertirse en una metodología que sea empleada como instrumento válido de medición de la Calidad Cinegética y normalizada a través de una familia de Normas aprobadas por un organismo de normalización reconocido a nivel nacional o internacional. En primer lugar, se procedió a la realización de un riguroso y exhaustivo estudio de justificación siguiendo la metodología propuesta por la Norma UNE 66172:2003 IN, Directrices para la justificación y desarrollo de sistemas de gestión (equivalente a la Norma Internacional GUIA ISO/IEC 72:2001). A continuación, se procedió a la identificación y desarrollo de los parámetros de Ordenación Cinegética comunes a cualquier espacio cinegético en España y a la conceptualización de la Calidad Cinegética. Finalmente, se desarrolló un modelo estructurado en nueve Criterios y treinta y cuatro Indicadores de Calidad Cinegética, y un proyecto de familia de Normas para la Certificación de la Calidad Cinegética. ABSTRACT This doctoral thesis aims to produce a model of Hunting Quality Certificate independent, of voluntary adherence and applicable to all types of hunting areas, so that later it can become a methodology to be used as a valid instrument for measuring Hunting Quality and standardized through a family of standards approved by an organization of standardization recognized at a national or an international level. First, we proceeded to carry out a rigorous and comprehensive justification study following the methodology proposed by the UNE 66172: 2003 IN, Guidelines for the justification and development of management systems standards (equivalent to the International Standard GUIA ISO / IEC 72: 2001). Then, we proceeded to the identification and development of Hunting Management parameters common to any hunting area in Spain and the conceptualization of Hunting Quality. Finally, a model structured into nine Criteria and thirty-four Indicators of Hunting Quality and a draft of a family of standards for Hunting Quality Certification were developed.

Occurrence and analysis of selected pharmaceutical compounds in soil from Spanish agricultural fields

This work describes the analysis of 15 pharmaceutical compounds, belonging to different therapeutic classes (anti-inflammatory/analgesics, lipid regulators, antiepileptics, ?-blockers and antidepressants) and with diverse physical?chemical properties, in Spanish soils with different farmland uses. The studied compounds were extracted from soil by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and determined, after derivatization, by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC?MS). The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.14 ng g?1 (naproxen) to 0.65 ng g?1 (amitriptyline). At least two compounds where detected in all samples, being ibuprofen, salicylic acid, and paracetamol, the most frequently detected compounds. The highest levels found in soil were 47 ng g?1 for allopurinol and 37 ng g?1 for salicylic acid. The influence of the type of crop and the sampling area on the levels of pharmaceuticals in soil, as well as their relationship with soil physical?chemical properties, was studied. The frequent and widespread detection of some of these compounds in agricultural soils show a diffuse contamination, although the low levels found do not pose a risk to the environment or the human health.