Structure function and Multifractal spectrum applied to Digital Elevation Model

A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) provides the information basis used for many geographic applications such as topographic and geomorphologic studies, landscape through GIS (Geographic Information Systems) among others. The DEM capacity to represent Earth?s surface depends on the surface roughness and the resolution used. Each DEM pixel depends on the scale used characterized by two variables: resolution and extension of the area studied. DEMs can vary in resolution and accuracy by the production method, although there are statistical characteristics that keep constant or very similar in a wide range of scales. Based on this property, several techniques have been applied to characterize DEM through multiscale analysis directly related to fractal geometry: multifractal spectrum and the structure function. The comparison of the results by both methods is discussed. The study area is represented by a 1024 x 1024 data matrix obtained from a DEM with a resolution of 10 x 10 m each point, which correspond with a region known as ?Monte de El Pardo? a property of Spanish National Heritage (Patrimonio Nacional Español) of 15820 Ha located to a short distance from the center of Madrid. Manzanares River goes through this area from North to South. In the southern area a reservoir is found with a capacity of 43 hm3, with an altitude of 603.3 m till 632 m when it is at the highest capacity. In the middle of the reservoir the minimum altitude of this area is achieved.

Localización óptima de una planta de bioetanol a partir de tubérculos de pataca (Helianthus tuberosus l.) en la Cuenca del Duero

El objetivo del presente trabajo es determinar la localización óptima de una planta de producción de 30.000 m3/año de bioetanol a partir de tubérculos de pataca (Helianthus tuberosus L.) cultivada en regadío, en tierras de barbecho de la Cuenca Hidrográfica del Duero (CH Duero). Inicialmente se elaboró, a partir de datos bibliográficos, un modelo de producción de pataca en base a una ecuación de regresión que relaciona datos experimentales de rendimientos de variedades tardías con variables agroclimáticas. Así se obtuvo una función de producción basada en la cantidad de agua disponible (precipitación efectiva + dosis de riego) y en la radiación global acumulada en el periodo brotación‐senescencia del cultivo. A continuación se estima la superficie potencial de cultivo de pataca en la CH Duero a partir de la superficie arable en regadío cartografiada por el Sistema de Ocupación del Suelo (SIOSE), a la cual se le aplican, en base a los requerimientos del cultivo, unas restricciones climáticas, edafológicas, topográficas y logísticas mediante el uso de Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG). La proporción de superficie de regadío restringida se cuantifica a escala municipal con el fin de calcular la superficie de barbecho en regadío apta para el cultivo de pataca. A partir de las bases de datos georreferenciadas de precipitación, radiación global, y la dotación de agua para el riego de cultivos no específicos establecida en el Plan Hidrológico de la Cuenca del Duero a escala comarcal, se estimó la producción potencial de tubérculos de pataca sobre la superficie de barbecho de regadío según el modelo de producción elaborado. Así, en las 53.360 ha de barbecho en regadío aptas para el cultivo de pataca se podrían producir 3,8 Mt de tubérculos al año (80 % de humedad) (761.156 t ms/año) de los que se podría obtener 304.462 m3/año de bioetanol, considerando un rendimiento en la transformación de 12,5 kg mf/l de etanol. Se estiman los costes de las labores de cultivo de pataca así como los costes de la logística de suministro a una planta de transformación considerando una distancia media de transporte de 25 km, en base a las hojas de cálculo de utilización de aperos y maquinaria agrícola oficiales del Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente (MAGRAMA). Considerando el balance de costes asociados a la producción de bioetanol (costes de transformación, distribución y transporte del producto, costes estructurales de la planta, ahorro de costes por la utilización de las vinazas generadas en el proceso como fertilizante y un beneficio industrial), se ha estimado que el coste de producción de bioetanol a partir de tubérculos de pataca asciende a 61,03 c€/l. Se calculan los beneficios fiscales para el Estado por el cultivo de 5.522 ha de pataca que suministren la materia prima necesaria para una planta de bioetanol de 30.000 m3/año, en concepto de cotizaciones a la Seguridad Social de los trabajadores, impuestos sobre el valor añadido de los productos consumidos, impuesto sobre sociedades y ahorro de las prestaciones por desempleo. Se obtuvieron unos beneficios fiscales de 10,25 c€ por litro de bioetanol producido. El coste de producción de bioetanol depende del rendimiento de tubérculos por hectárea y de la distancia de transporte desde las zonas de producción de la materia prima hasta la planta. Se calculó la distancia máxima de transporte para que el precio de coste del bioetanol producido sea competitivo con el precio de mercado del bioetanol. Como resultado se determinó que el precio del bioetanol (incluido un beneficio industrial del 15%) de la planta sería igual o inferior al precio de venta en el mercado (66,35 c€/l) con una distancia máxima de transporte de 25 km y un rendimiento mínimo del cultivo de 60,1 t mf/ha. Una vez conocido el área de influencia de la planta según la distancia de transporte máxima, se determinó la localización óptima de la planta de producción de bioetanol mediante un proceso de ubicación‐asignación realizado con SIG. Para ello se analizan los puntos candidatos a la ubicación de la planta según el cumplimiento de unos requerimientos técnicos establecidos (distancia a fuentes de suministro eléctrico y de recursos hídricos, distancia a estaciones de ferrocarril, distancia a núcleos urbanos y existencia de Espacios Naturales Protegidos) que minimizan la distancia de transporte maximizando la cantidad de biomasa disponible según la producción potencial estimada anteriormente. Por último, la superficie destinada al cultivo de pataca en el área de influencia de la planta se determina en base a un patrón de distribución del cultivo alrededor de una agroindustria. Dicho patrón se ha obtenido a partir del análisis del grado de ocupación del cultivo de la remolacha en función de la distancia de transporte a la planta azucarera de Miranda de Ebro (Burgos). El patrón resultante muestra que la relación entre el grado de ocupación del suelo por el cultivo y la distancia de transporte a la planta siguen una ecuación logística. La localización óptima que se ha obtenido mediante la metodología descrita se ubica en el municipio leonés de El Burgo Ranero, donde la producción potencial de tubérculos de pataca en la superficie de barbecho situada en un radio de acción de 25 km es de 375.665 t mf/año, superando las 375.000 t mf requeridas anualmente por la planta de bioetanol. ABSTRACT Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) is a harsh crop with a high potential for biomass production. Its main use is related to bioethanol production from the carbohydrates, inulin mainly, accumulated in its tubers at the end of the crop cycle. The aerial biomass could be used as solid biofuel to provide energy to the bioethanol production process. Therefore, Jerusalem artichoke is a promising crop as feedstock for biofuel production in order to achieve the biofuels consumption objectives established by the Government of Spain (PER 2011‐2020 and RDL 4/2013) and the European Union (Directive 2009/28/EC). This work aims at the determination of the optimal location for a 30,000 m3/year bioethanol production plant from Jerusalem artichoke tubers in the Duero river basin. With this purpose, a crop production model was developed by means of a regression equation that relates experimental yield data of late Jerusalem artichoke varieties with pedo‐climatic parameters from a bibliographic data matrix. The resulting crop production model was based on the crop water availability (including effective rainfall and irrigation water supplied) and on global radiation accumulated in the crop emergence‐senescence period. The crop potential cultivation area for Jerusalem artichoke in the Duero basin was estimated using the georeferenced irrigated arable land from the “Sistema de Ocupación del Suelo” (SIOSE) of Spain. Climatic, soil, slope and logistic restrictions were considered by means of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The limited potential growing area was then applied to a municipality scale in order to calculate the amount of fallow land suitable for Jerusalem artichoke production. Rainfall and global radiation georeferenced layers as well as data of irrigation water supply for crop production (established within the Duero Hydrologic Plan) were use to estimate the potential production of Jerusalem artichoke tubers in the suitable fallow land according to the crop production model. As a result of this estimation, there are 53,360 ha of fallow land suitable for Jerusalem artichoke production in the Duero basin, where 3.8 M t fm/year could be produced. Considering a bioethanol processing yield of 12.5 kg mf per liter of bioethanol, the above mentioned tuber potential production could be processed in 304,462 m3/year of bioethanol. The Jerusalem crop production costs and the logistic supply costs (considering an average transport distance of 25 km) were estimated according to official agricultural machinery cost calculation sheets of the Minister of Agriculture of Spain (MAGRAMA). The bioethanol production cost from Jerusalem artichoke tubers was calculated considering bioethanol processing, transport and structural costs, industrial profits as well as plant cost savings from the use of vinasses as fertilizer. The resulting bioetanol production cost from Jerusalem artichoke tubers was 61.03 c€/l. Additionally, revenues for the state coffers regarding Social Security contributions, added value taxes of consumed raw materials, corporation tax and unemployment benefit savings due to the cultivation of 5,522 ha of Jerusalem artichoke for the 30.000 m3/year bioethanol plant supply were calculated. The calculated revenues amounted to 10.25 c€/l. Bioethanol production cost and consequently the bioethanol plant economic viability are strongly related to the crop yield as well as to road transport distance from feedstock production areas to the processing plant. The previously estimated bioethanol production cost was compared to the bioethanol market price in order to determine the maximum supply transport distance and the minimum crop yield to reach the bioethanol plant economic viability. The results showed that the proposed plant would be economically viable at a maximum transport distance of 25 km and at a crop yield not less than 60.1 t fm/ha. By means of a GIS location‐allocation analysis, the optimal bioethanol plant location was determined. Suitable candidates were detected according to several plant technical requirements (distance to power and water supply sources, distance to freight station, and distance to urban areas and to Natural Protected Areas). The optimal bioethanol plant location must minimize the supply transport distance whereas it maximizes the amount of available biomass according to the previously estimated biomass potential production. Lastly, the agricultural area around the bioethanol plant finally dedicated to Jerusalem artichoke cultivation was planned according to a crop distribution model. The crop distribution model was established from the analysis of the relation between the sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cropping area and the road transport distance from the sugar processing plant of Miranda de Ebro (Burgos, North of Spain). The optimal location was situated in the municipality of ‘El Burgo Ranero’ in the province of León. The potential production of Jerusalem artichoke tubers in the fallow land within 25 km distance from the plant location was 375,665 t fm/year, which exceeds the amount of biomass yearly required by the bioethanol plant.

Dysfunctional profile for patients in physical neurorehabilitation of upper limb

This paper proposes a first approach to Objective Motor Assessment (OMA) methodology. Also, it introduces the Dysfunctional profile (DP) concept. DP consists of a data matrix characterizing the Upper Limb (UL) physical alterations of a patient with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) during the rehabilitation process. This research is based on the comparison methology of UL movement between subjects with ABI and healthy subjects as part of OMA. The purpose of this comparison is to classify subjects according to their motor control and subsequently issue a functional assessment of the movement. For this purpose Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) have been used to classify patients. Different network structures are tested. The obtained classification accuracy was 95.65%. This result allows the use of ANNs as a viable option for dysfunctional assessment. This work can be considered a pilot study for further research to corroborate these results.

Proceso metodológico para optimizar la toma de decisiones en el proyecto de envolventes arquitectónicas multicapa = Methodological process for the optimization of the decision making in multilayer building envelope projects

La presente tesis doctoral se enmarca dentro del concepto de la sistematización del conocimiento en arquitectura, más concretamente en el campo de las construcciones arquitectónicas y la toma de decisiones en la fase de proyecto de envolventes arquitectónicas multicapa. Por tanto, el objetivo principal es el establecimiento de las bases para una toma de decisiones informadas durante el proyecto de una envolvente multicapa con el fin de colaborar en su optimización. Del mismo modo que la historia de la arquitectura está relacionada con la historia de la innovación en construcción, la construcción está sujeta a cambios como respuesta a los fracasos anteriores. En base a esto, se identifica la toma de decisiones en la fase de proyecto como el estadio inicial para establecer un punto estratégico de reflexión y de control sobre los procesos constructivos. La presente investigación, conceptualmente, define los parámetros intervinientes en el proyecto de envolventes arquitectónicas multicapa a partir de una clasificación y sistematización de todos los componentes (elementos, unidades y sistemas constructivos) utilizados en las fachadas multicapa. Dicha sistematización se materializa en una hoja matriz de datos en la que, dentro de una organización a modo de árbol, se puede acceder a la consulta de cada componente y de su caracterización. Dicha matriz permite la incorporación futura de cualquier componente o sistema nuevo que aparezca en el mercado, relacionándolo con aquellos con los que comparta ubicación, tipo de material, etc. Con base en esa matriz de datos, se diseña la sistematización de la toma de decisiones en la fase de proyecto de una envolvente arquitectónica, en concreto, en el caso de una fachada. Operativamente, el resultado se presenta como una herramienta que permite al arquitecto o proyectista reflexionar y seleccionar el sistema constructivo más adecuado, al enfrentarse con las distintas decisiones o elecciones posibles. La herramienta se basa en las elecciones iniciales tomadas por el proyectista y se estructura, a continuación y sucesivamente, en distintas aproximaciones, criterios, subcriterios y posibilidades que responden a los distintos avances en la definición del sistema constructivo. Se proponen una serie de fichas operativas de comprobación que informan sobre el estadio de decisión y de definición de proyecto alcanzados en cada caso. Asimismo, el sistema permite la conexión con otros sistemas de revisión de proyectos para fomentar la reflexión sobre la normalización de los riesgos asociados tanto al proprio sistema como a su proceso constructivo y comportamiento futuros. La herramienta proporciona un sistema de ayuda para ser utilizado en el proceso de toma de decisiones en la fase de diseño de una fachada multicapa, minimizando la arbitrariedad y ofreciendo una cualificación previa a la cuantificación que supondrá la elaboración del detalle constructivo y de su medición en las sucesivas fases del proyecto. Al mismo tiempo, la sistematización de dicha toma de decisiones en la fase del proyecto puede constituirse como un sistema de comprobación en las diferentes fases del proceso de decisión proyectual y de definición de la envolvente de un edificio. ABSTRACT The central issue of this doctoral Thesis is founded on the framework of the concept of the systematization of knowledge in architecture, in particular, in respect of the field of building construction and the decision making in the design stage of multilayer building envelope projects. Therefore, the main objective is to establish the bases for knowledgeable decision making during a multilayer building envelope design process, in order to collaborate with its optimization. Just as the history of architecture is connected to the history of innovation in construction, construction itself is subject to changes as a response to previous failures. On this basis, the decisions made during the project design phase are identified as the initial state to establish an strategic point for reflection and control, referred to the constructive processes. Conceptually, this research defines the parameters involving the multilayer building envelope projects, on the basis of a classification and systematization for all the components (elements, constructive units and constructive systems) used in multilayer façades. The mentioned systematization is materialized into a data matrix sheet in which, following a tree‐like organization, the access to every single component and its characterization is possible. The above data matrix allows the future inclusion of any new component or system that may appear in the construction market. That new component or system can be put into a relationship with another, which it shares location, type of material,… with. Based on the data matrix, the systematization of the decision making process for a building envelope design stage is designed, more particularly in the case of a façade. Putting this into practice, it is represented as a tool which allows the architect or the designer, to reflect and to select the appropriate building system when facing the different elections or the different options. The tool is based on the initial elections taken by the designer. Then and successively, it is shaped on the form of different operative steps, criteria, sub‐criteria and possibilities which respond to a different progress in the definition of the building construction system. In order to inform about the stage of the decision and the definition reached by the project in every particular case, a range of operative sheets are proposed. Additionally, the system allows the connection with other reviewing methods for building projects. The aim of this last possibility is to encourage the reflection on standardization of the associated risks to the building system itself and its future performance. The tool provides a helping system to be used during the decision making process for a multilayer façade design. It minimizes the arbitrariness and offers a qualification previous to the quantification that will be done with the development of the construction details and their bill of quantities, that in subsequent project stages will be executed. At the same time, the systematization of the mentioned decision making during the design phase, can be found as a checking system in the different stages of the decision making design process and in the different stages of the building envelope definition.

A matrix pencil approach to the existence of compactly supported reconstruction functions in average sampling

The aim of this work is to solve a question raised for average sampling in shift-invariant spaces by using the well-known matrix pencil theory. In many common situations in sampling theory, the available data are samples of some convolution operator acting on the function itself: this leads to the problem of average sampling, also known as generalized sampling. In this paper we deal with the existence of a sampling formula involving these samples and having reconstruction functions with compact support. Thus, low computational complexity is involved and truncation errors are avoided. In practice, it is accomplished by means of a FIR filter bank. An answer is given in the light of the generalized sampling theory by using the oversampling technique: more samples than strictly necessary are used. The original problem reduces to finding a polynomial left inverse of a polynomial matrix intimately related to the sampling problem which, for a suitable choice of the sampling period, becomes a matrix pencil. This matrix pencil approach allows us to obtain a practical method for computing the compactly supported reconstruction functions for the important case where the oversampling rate is minimum. Moreover, the optimality of the obtained solution is established.

Characterization and Test of a Data Acquisition System for PET

A small Positron Emission Tomography demonstrator based on LYSO slabs and Silicon Photomultiplier matrices is under construction at the University and INFN of Pisa. In this paper we present the characterization results of the read-out electronics and of the detection system. Two SiPM matrices, composed by 8 × 8 SiPM pixels, 1.5 mm pitch, have been coupled one to one to a LYSO crystals array. Custom Front-End ASICs were used to read the 64 channels of each matrix. Data from each Front-End were multiplexed and sent to a DAQ board for the digital conversion; a motherboard collects the data and communicates with a host computer through a USB port. Specific tests were carried out on the system in order to assess its performance. Futhermore we have measured some of the most important parameters of the system for PET application.

Data mining applied to the cognitive rehabilitation of patients with acquired brain injury

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world and is associated with high health care costs as a result of the acute treatment and long term rehabilitation involved. Different algorithms and methods have been proposed to predict the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs. In general, research has focused on predicting the overall improvement of patients with ABI. The purpose of this study is the novel application of data mining (DM) techniques to predict the outcomes of cognitive rehabilitation in patients with ABI. We generate three predictive models that allow us to obtain new knowledge to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the cognitive rehabilitation process. Decision tree (DT), multilayer perceptron (MLP) and general regression neural network (GRNN) have been used to construct the prediction models. 10-fold cross validation was carried out in order to test the algorithms, using the Institut Guttmann Neurorehabilitation Hospital (IG) patients database. Performance of the models was tested through specificity, sensitivity and accuracy analysis and confusion matrix analysis. The experimental results obtained by DT are clearly superior with a prediction average accuracy of 90.38%, while MLP and GRRN obtained a 78.7% and 75.96%, respectively. This study allows to increase the knowledge about the contributing factors of an ABI patient recovery and to estimate treatment efficacy in individual patients.

Data mining for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is the most common disease nowadays in all populations and in all age groups. diabetes contributing to heart disease, increases the risks of developing kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage, and blood vessel damage. Diabetes disease diagnosis via proper interpretation of the diabetes data is an important classification problem. Different techniques of artificial intelligence has been applied to diabetes problem. The purpose of this study is apply the artificial metaplasticity on multilayer perceptron (AMMLP) as a data mining (DM) technique for the diabetes disease diagnosis. The Pima Indians diabetes was used to test the proposed model AMMLP. The results obtained by AMMLP were compared with decision tree (DT), Bayesian classifier (BC) and other algorithms, recently proposed by other researchers, that were applied to the same database. The robustness of the algorithms are examined using classification accuracy, analysis of sensitivity and specificity, confusion matrix. The results obtained by AMMLP are superior to obtained by DT and BC.

Novel fast random search clustering approach for mixing matrix identification in MIMO linear blind inverse problems with sparse inputs

In this paper we propose a novel fast random search clustering (RSC) algorithm for mixing matrix identification in multiple input multiple output (MIMO) linear blind inverse problems with sparse inputs. The proposed approach is based on the clustering of the observations around the directions given by the columns of the mixing matrix that occurs typically for sparse inputs. Exploiting this fact, the RSC algorithm proceeds by parameterizing the mixing matrix using hyperspherical coordinates, randomly selecting candidate basis vectors (i.e. clustering directions) from the observations, and accepting or rejecting them according to a binary hypothesis test based on the Neyman–Pearson criterion. The RSC algorithm is not tailored to any specific distribution for the sources, can deal with an arbitrary number of inputs and outputs (thus solving the difficult under-determined problem), and is applicable to both instantaneous and convolutive mixtures. Extensive simulations for synthetic and real data with different number of inputs and outputs, data size, sparsity factors of the inputs and signal to noise ratios confirm the good performance of the proposed approach under moderate/high signal to noise ratios. RESUMEN. Método de separación ciega de fuentes para señales dispersas basado en la identificación de la matriz de mezcla mediante técnicas de "clustering" aleatorio.

A new PET prototype for proton therapy: comparison of data and Monte Carlo simulations

Ion beam therapy is a valuable method for the treatment of deep-seated and radio-resistant tumors thanks to the favorable depth-dose distribution characterized by the Bragg peak. Hadrontherapy facilities take advantage of the specific ion range, resulting in a highly conformal dose in the target volume, while the dose in critical organs is reduced as compared to photon therapy. The necessity to monitor the delivery precision, i.e. the ion range, is unquestionable, thus different approaches have been investigated, such as the detection of prompt photons or annihilation photons of positron emitter nuclei created during the therapeutic treatment. Based on the measurement of the induced β+ activity, our group has developed various in-beam PET prototypes: the one under test is composed by two planar detector heads, each one consisting of four modules with a total active area of 10 × 10 cm2. A single detector module is made of a LYSO crystal matrix coupled to a position sensitive photomultiplier and is read-out by dedicated frontend electronics. A preliminary data taking was performed at the Italian National Centre for Oncological Hadron Therapy (CNAO, Pavia), using proton beams in the energy range of 93–112 MeV impinging on a plastic phantom. The measured activity profiles are presented and compared with the simulated ones based on the Monte Carlo FLUKA package.

Automatic quantification of matrix cracking and fiber rotation by X-ray computed tomography in shear-deformed carbon fiber-reinforced laminates

The deformation and damage mechanisms of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy laminates deformed in shear were studied by means of X-ray computed tomography. In particular, the evolution of matrix cracking, interply delamination and fiber rotation was ascertained as a function of the applied strain. In order to provide quantitative information, an algorithm was developed to automatically determine the crack density and the fiber orientation from the tomograms. The investigation provided new insights about the complex interaction between the different damage mechanisms (i.e. matrix cracking and interply delamination) as a function of the applied strain, ply thickness and ply location within the laminate as well as quantitative data about the evolution of matrix cracking and fiber rotation during deformation