Research activities of Spanish antenna groups

When we look at the history of electricity and electromagnetism in Spain we discover that the most important Spanish researchers are generally out of the official institutions or stable research groups until the 20th century [1] [2]. In the 20th century most of the scientific research is done in stable research institutions and universities and the most important electromagnetism research centres in Spain are located in the Faculty of Physics of the most important universities, the National Scientific Research Council (CSIC) and the School for Telecommunication Engineering created in 1923. But the greatest impulse of research in the antenna and radiowave propagation field is done after 1960 reaching the first national URSI conference in 1980. After that year, the relation between groups and the number of research groups is continuously growing and the relation to industry is also increasing. When Spain joins the European research organizations (COST, ERC...) and the European Union in 1985 the research support experience a fast growing and the participation in the European research structures. In the antenna design field, there exist some specializations although most of the groups have dome specific projects in almost all the antenna analysis and design fields. Here, we have selected the most important and characteristic area related to each of the research groups and institutions. The easiest way to classify the research work in antennas is the selection between antenna analysis, design and measurement. After that the selected frequency bands technology, the type of antennas and the related circuits can be a good criterion to describe the variety of research work and specialization between groups.

Análisis biomecánico del segmento de la carrera a pie de la competición en triatlón

El principal objetivo de la presente investigación fue el conocer el perfil de rendimiento técnico de los triatletas, desde un punto de vista biomecánica, en el segmento carrera a pie durante la competición en triatlón. Asimismo, como el genero y el nivel deportivo del triatleta podrían influir en su respuesta motriz durante la competicion. Para ello, se necesitaba desarrollar y validar una técnica experimental que fuera lo suficientemente precisa (validez interna), con una alta fiabilidad y con una gran validez externa (ecologica) debido al entorno de la competicion. La muestra la formaron un total de 64 deportistas: 32 triatletas participantes en la Copa del Mundo de Triatlon de Madrid-2008 (16 hombres y 16 mujeres) y 32 triatletas participantes en el Clasificatorio del Campeonato de Espana Elite (16 hombres y 16 mujeres). El análisis de la técnica de carrera de los deportistas se realizo mediante un sistema fotogramétrico en 2d que permitió calcular las coordenadas (x,y) de los centros articulares con un error de 1.66% en el eje x y de un 2.10% en el eje y. Las imágenes fueron obtenidas por una cámara que filmaba el movimiento en un plano antero-posterior del triatleta. Algoritmos basados en la DLT (Abdel-Aziz & Karara, 1971) permitieron conocer las coordenadas reales a partir de las coordenadas digitalizadas en el plano y posteriormente las distintas variables analizadas. El análisis biomecánica de la carrera se realizo en 4 ocasiones diferentes durante la competición, correspondiendo con cada una de las vueltas de 2,5 km, que el triatleta tenía que realizar. La velocidad de carrera resulto estar íntimamente ligada al nivel deportivo del triatleta. Del mismo modo, 3 de los 4 grupos analizados presentaron valores inferiores a 3 minutos 30 segundos por kilometro recorrido, poniendo de manifiesto el altísimo nivel de los sujetos analizados. Del mismo modo parece que las chicos consiguen una mayor velocidad gracias a una mayor longitud de ciclo en relación a las chicas, ya que estas muestran valores mayores en cuanto a frecuencia de zancada. La frecuencia de zancada presento los valores más altos en la primera vuelta en todos los deportistas analizados. Asimismo, los triatletas de nivel internacional y las chicas fueron los que mostraron los mayores valores. La longitud de zancada presento distintas tendencias en función del nivel y el género del deportista. Así pues, en los deportistas internacionales y en los chicos los mayores valores se encontraron en la primera vuelta mientras que la tendencia fue al descenso, siendo probablemente la fatiga acumulada la causante de dicha tendencia. En cambio, aquellos deportistas de nivel nacional y las chicas mostraron valores mayores en la segunda vuelta que en la primera, evidenciando que además de la fatiga, el ciclismo previo tiene una incidencia directa sobre su rendimiento. Los tiempos de vuelo permanecieron constantes durante toda la carrera, encontrando cierta evolución en los tiempos de apoyo, la cual provoca una modificación en los porcentajes relativos en los tiempos de vuelo. Los tiempos de apoyo más bajos se encontraron en la primera vuelta. Del mismo modo, los deportistas de nivel internacional y los chicos mostraron valores inferiores. También, estos grupos fueron más constantes en sus valores a lo largo de las vueltas. Por el contrario, se encontraron tendencias al aumento en los triatletas de nivel nacional y en las chicas, los cuales no fueron capaces de mantener el mismo rendimiento debido seguramente a su menor nivel deportivo. La oscilación vertical de la cadera se mostro constante en los triatletas de mayor nivel, encontrándose tendencias al aumento en los de menor nivel. Del mismo modo, los valores más altos correspondieron a las chicas y a los deportistas de nivel nacional. La distancia de la cadera al apoyo permaneció constante a lo largo de las vueltas en todos los grupos, obteniéndose valores mayores en los triatletas de nivel internacional y en los chicos. El ángulo de la rodilla apoyada en el momento del despegue no mostro una tendencia clara. Los deportistas de nivel internacional y los chicos presentaron los valores más bajos. El ángulo de la rodilla libre en el momento del despegue mostro una correlación muy alta con la velocidad de carrera. Del mismo modo, los ángulos más pequeños se encontraron en los triatletas internacionales y en los chicos, debido seguramente a los mayores valores de velocidad registrados por ambos grupos. Los ángulos de los tobillos no mostraron ninguna tendencia clara durante la competición analizada. Los cuatro grupos de población presentaron valores similares, por lo que parece que no representan una variable que pueda incidir sobre el rendimiento biomecánica del triatleta. Los resultados obtenidos en el presente estudio de investigación avalan la utilización de la fotogrametría-video en 2d para el análisis de la técnica de carrera durante la competición en triatlón. Su aplicación en una competición de máximo nivel internacional ha posibilitado conocer el perfil técnico que presentan los triatletas a lo largo del segmento de carrera a pie. Del mismo modo, se ha podido demostrar como los estudios realizados en laboratorio no reflejan la realidad competitiva de un triatlón de máximo nivel. The aim of this research was to determine the running technique profile during a triathlon competition from a biomechanical perspective. Also, to analyze the triathlete gender’s and level of performance’s influence on this profile in competition. An accurate (internal validity) and reliable methodology with a high external validity (ecological) had to be developed to get those aims in competition. Sixty-four triathletes were analyzed. 32 (16 males, 16 females) took part in the Madrid 2008 Triathlon World Cup and 32 (16 males and 16 females) took part in the Spanish Triathlon National Championships. The biomechanical analyses were carried out by a photogrammetric system that allow to calculate the landmarks coordinates (x,y) with a 1.66% error in x axis, and a 2.10% error in y axis. The frames were obtained with a camera situated perpendicular to the triathletes’ trajectory, filming the saggittal plane. DLT based algorithms (Abdel-Aziz & Karara, 1971) were used to calculate the real coordinates from the digitalized ones and the final variables afterwards. The biomechanical analisys itself was performed in four different moments during the competition, according to each 2.5 km lap the triathletes had to do. Running speed was highly related to performance level. Also, 3 of the 4 analyzed groups showed speed values under the 3 minutes and 30 seconds per kilometer. It demonstrated the very high performance level of the analized triathletes. Furthermore, it seems that men get higher speeds because their longer stride length, while women shows higher stride frequency values. The highest stride frequency values were found in the first lap. Women and the international level triathletes showed the highest values. Stride length showed different tendencies according to the gender and level of performance. Men and international level triathletes showed the highest level in the first lap and a decreasing tendency after that. The accumulated fatigue was probably the reason of this tendency. On the other hand, higher values than in first lap were found in the second one in women and national level triathletes. It demonstrated the previous cycling can affect to those groups in terms of biomechanics. Flight times remained constant during the running part, while the contact times showed an increasing tendency that caused a variation in flight times percents. The lowest contact times were found in the first lap and in men and international triathletes’ values. Also, these two groups were more consistent during the whole running. On the other hand, increasing tendencies were found in women and national level triathletes, who were not able to maintain the same values probably due to their lower level of performance. Higher level triathletes showed more consistent hip vertical oscillation values than lower level triathletes, who presented increasing tendencies. The highest values were found in women and national level triathletes. The horizontal distance hip-toe cap remained constant among the laps in all the groups. Men and international level triathletes showed the highest values. The support knee angle at toe-off did not show a clear tendency. The lowest values were found in men and international level triathletes. A high correlation was found between the non-support knee angle and the running speed. Furthermore, men and international level triathletes showed the smallest values, due to the higher velocities reached by these two groups. Ankles angles did not show any tendency during the running part. Similar values were found in the four analyzed groups, so this variable does not seem to represent an important one within the triathlete’s performance. The results obtained in the present research support the use of the bidimensional photogrammetric video-system to analyze the running technique during a triathlon competition. Its application in international triathlon meetings has allowed determining the triathletes’ technique profile during the running part. Also, it has been demonstrated the laboratory-based studies does not reproduce a top-level competition.

Public support for the deployment of next generation access networks-Common themes, methodological caveats and further research

Next generation telecommunications infrastructures are considered as a principal example of a new technology for sustainable economic growth. From their deployment it is expected that a wealth of innovations – hopefully converted into economic growth – new sources of employment and improved quality of life will result. In line with these prospects, public administrations at supranational, national, regional and local levels have encouraged the development of these new infrastructures. Moreover, in times of economic crisis, public assistance to deploy such networks encompasses the promise of placing a weak economy on the road to prosperity. However, such arguments and political claims clearly require rigorous assessment. In particular, any such assessment must adequately address the appropriate form of modelling that best captures key elements for identifiable progress from next generation access networks (NGAN).

Integration of Virtual Map Rooms as a support tool in historical and social research

At the present time almost all map libraries on the Internet are image collections generated by the digitization of early maps. This type of graphics files provides researchers with the possibility of accessing and visualizing historical cartographic information keeping in mind that this information has a degree of quality that depends upon elements such as the accuracy of the digitization process and proprietary constraints (e.g. visualization, resolution downloading options, copyright, use constraints). In most cases, access to these map libraries is useful only as a first approach and it is not possible to use those maps for scientific work due to the sparse tools available to measure, match, analyze and/or combine those resources with different kinds of cartography. This paper presents a method to enrich virtual map rooms and provide historians and other professional with a tool that let them to make the most of libraries in the digital era.

Integration of research advances in modelling and monitoring in support of WFD river basin management planning in the context of climate change

The integration of scientific knowledge about possible climate change impacts on water resources has a direct implication on the way water policies are being implemented and evolving. This is particularly true regarding various technical steps embedded into the EU Water Framework Directive river basin management planning, such as risk characterisation, monitoring, design and implementation of action programmes and evaluation of the "good status" objective achievements (in 2015). The need to incorporate climate change considerations into the implementation of EU water policy is currently discussed with a wide range of experts and stakeholders at EU level. Research trends are also on-going, striving to support policy developments and examining how scientific findings and recommendations could be best taken on board by policy-makers and water managers within the forthcoming years. This paper provides a snapshot of policy discussions about climate change in the context of the WFD river basin management planning and specific advancements of related EU-funded research projects. Perspectives for strengthening links among the scientific and policy-making communities in this area are also highlighted.