IDT-3D: Identification and tracking in controlled environments using a 3D unified user interface

Identification and tracking of objects in specific environments such as harbors or security areas is a matter of great importance nowadays. With this purpose, numerous systems based on different technologies have been developed, resulting in a great amount of gathered data displayed through a variety of interfaces. Such amount of information has to be evaluated by human operators in order to take the correct decisions, sometimes under highly critical situations demanding both speed and accuracy. In order to face this problem we describe IDT-3D, a platform for identification and tracking of vessels in a harbour environment able to represent fused information in real time using a Virtual Reality application. The effectiveness of using IDT-3D as an integrated surveillance system is currently under evaluation. Preliminary results point to a significant decrease in the times of reaction and decision making of operators facing up a critical situation. Although the current application focus of IDT-3D is quite specific, the results of this research could be extended to the identification and tracking of targets in other controlled environments of interest as coastlines, borders or even urban areas.

Death of Dr Francisco Javier Ayala-Carcedo, Spanish INHIGEO Member, at Burgos, Spain, 28 November 2004

Death of Dr Francisco Javier Ayala-Carcedo, Spanish lNHIGEO Member, at Burgos, Spain, 28 November 2004

Methodology for the metric restoration of the historical cartography applied to Francisco Coello's cartografic series of the Royal Site of Aranjuez

Hojas Kilométricas (Kilometric Sheets). Specifically, the study focuses on those sheets referring to the city centre and surrounding area of the Royal Site of Aranjuez, a town in the south of the Province of Madrid. The aim of this study is to restore the actual size and measurements of scanned images of the Hojas Kilométricas. This would allow us, among other things, to reestablish both the format and scale of the original plans. To achieve this goal it is necessary to rectify and then georeference these images, i.e. assign them a geographic reference system. This procedure is essential in the overlaying and comparison of the Hojas Kilométricas of the Royal Site with other historical cartography as well as other sources related to the same area from different time periods. Subsequent research would allow us, for example, to reconstruct the time-evolution of the urban area, to spot new construction and to pinpoint the locations of any altered or missing buildings or architectural features. In addition, this would allow us to develop and integrate databases for GIS models applicable to the management of our cultural heritage.

Clima, zonificación y tipicidad del vino en regiones vitivinícolas Iberoamericanas

El texto presenta el Sistema de Clasificación Climática Multicritério Geovitícola. Incluye los conceptos, metodologías y indices climáticos vitícolas, la página web internacional del Sistema CCM y aun bibliografías con diferenciados usos en el ámbito mundial. El Sistema ha sido utilizado para los estudios de los climas de las regiones vitícolas de los países iberoamericanos. En la pagina web del sistema http://www.cnpuv.embrapa.br/tecnologias/c cm/ se puede encontrar la información de referencia del Sistema.

Red GNSS de InlandGEO en la Comunidad de Madrid: Aplicaciones en Tiempo Real

Se exponen aquí los desarrollos llevados a cabo para instalar y hacer operativa una red de Estaciones Permanentes GNSS, en la Comunidad de Madrid, con el fin de generalizar la disponibilidad pública, en todo el ámbito geográfico de la CAM, de las correcciones diferenciales de GNSS, contribuir a la densificación del Marco de Referencia ETRS89, y disponer de una Red GPS de altas prestaciones (GPS, GLONASS y la paulatina entrada GALILEO) con una idónea geometría, para proyectos de investigación en el marco de la CAM, tanto en Postproceso como en Tiempo Real. Se comentan aquí los pasos realizados para su instalación y entrada en operación, el cálculo preciso de sus coordenadas con el software BERNESE, análisis de precisiones y el desarrollo de un test de calidad a fin de comprobación las soluciones que da la red en tiempo real, comprobación de las soluciones en postproceso y comprobación del alcance de precisión del sistema. Crear un entorno de precisión sobre nuevas aplicaciones de Redes GPS de TOPCON en Agricultura de Precisión, Control de Maquinaria y posicionamiento de equipos topográficos para empresas, organismos y particulares de la CAM.

Cubic and hexagonal InGaAsN dilute arsenides by unintentional homogeneous incorporation of As into InGaN

Arsenic alloying is observed for epitaxial layers nominally intended to be In0.75Ga0.25N. Voids form beneath their interfaces with GaAs substrates, acting as sources of Ga + As out-diffusion into the growing epilayers. As a result, heteroepitaxial single-phase quaternary InxGa1-xAsyN1-y, films are formed with x similar to 0.55 and 0.05 menor que y menor que 0,10. While an undoped epilayer retains the wurtzite structure, a Mn-doped sample showed randomly spaced dopant segregations, which, together with a slightly higher As concentration, led to a transformation from the hexagonal to the twinned cubic phase.

Early dysfunction of functional connectivity in healthy elderly with subjective memory complaints

It is still an open question whether subjective memory complaints (SMC) can actually be considered to be clinically relevant predictors for the development of an objective memory impairment and even dementia. There is growing evidence that suggests that SMC are associated with an increased risk of dementia and with the presence of biological correlates of early Alzheimer's disease. In this paper, in order to shed some light on this issue, we try to discern whether subjects with SMC showed a different profile of functional connectivity compared with subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy elderly subjects. In the present study, we compare the degree of synchronization of brain signals recorded with magnetoencephalography between three groups of subjects (56 in total): 19 with MCI, 12 with SMC and 25 healthy controls during a memory task. Synchronization likelihood, an index based on the theory of nonlinear dynamical systems, was used to measure functional connectivity. Briefly, results show that subjects with SMC have a very similar pattern of connectivity to control group, but on average, they present a lower synchronization value. These results could indicate that SMC are representing an initial stage with a hypo-synchronization (in comparison with the control group) where the brain system is still not compensating for the failing memory networks, but behaving as controls when compared with the MCI subjects.

Foundations of a New Interaction Paradigm for Immersive 3D Multimedia

Immersion and interaction have been identified as key factors influencing the quality of experience in stereoscopic video systems. The work presented here aims to create a new paradigm for 3D Multimedia consumption exploiting these factors in order to increase user involvement. We use a 5-sided CAVETM environment to support 3D panoramic video reproduction, real-time insertion of synthetic objects into the three-dimensional scene and real-time user interaction with the inserted elements. In this paper we describe our system requirements, functionalities, conceptual design and preliminary implementation results emphasizing the most relevant challenges accomplished. The focus is on three main issues: the generation of stereoscopic video panoramas; the synchronous reproduction of immersive 3D video across multiple screens; and, the real-time insertion algorithm implemented for the integration of synthetic objects into the stereoscopic video. These results have been successfully integrated into the graphic engine managing the operation of the CAVETM infrastructure.

Estimation of daily global solar radiation from measured temperatures at Cañada de Luque, Córdoba, Argentina

Solar radiation is the most important source of renewable energy in the planet; it's important to solar engineers, designers and architects, and it's also fundamental for efficiently determining irrigation water needs and potential yield of crops, among others. Complete and accurate solar radiation data at a specific region are indispensable. For locations where measured values are not available, several models have been developed to estimate solar radiation. The objective of this paper was to calibrate, validate and compare five representative models to predict global solar radiation, adjusting the empirical coefficients to increase the local applicability and to develop a linear model. All models were based on easily available meteorological variables, without sunshine hours as input, and were used to estimate the daily solar radiation at Cañada de Luque (Córdoba, Argentina). As validation, measured and estimated solar radiation data were analyzed using several statistic coefficients. The results showed that all the analyzed models were robust and accurate (R2 and RMSE values between 0.87 to 0.89 and 2.05 to 2.14, respectively), so global radiation can be estimated properly with easily available meteorological variables when only temperature data are available. Hargreaves-Samani, Allen and Bristow-Campbell models could be used with typical values to estimate solar radiation while Samani and Almorox models should be applied with calibrated coefficients. Although a new linear model presented the smallest R2 value (R2 = 0.87), it could be considered useful for its easy application. The daily global solar radiation values produced for these models can be used to estimate missing daily values, when only temperature data are available, and in hydrologic or agricultural applications.

Experimental Prototype Merging Stereo Panoramic Video and Interactive 3D Content in a 5-sided CAVETM

Immersion and interaction have been identified as key factors influencing the quality of experience in stereoscopic video systems. An experimental prototype designed to explore the influence of these factors in 3D video applications is described here1. The focus is on the real-time insertion algorithm of new 3D models into the original video streams. Using this algorithm, our prototype is aimed to explore a new interaction paradigm ? similar to the augmented reality approach ? with 3D video applications.

Ensayos de laboratorio para la medida de la tasa de absorción específica (SAR) en dispositivos móviles

El proyecto trata del estudio de la tasa de absorción específica (SAR). En él se estudia la SAR que desprenden distintos dispositivos de comunicaciones inalámbricos. Se ha llevado a cabo en las instalaciones de la SETSI, en el laboratorio de radiofrecuencia situado en El Casar, Guadalajara, que pertenece al Ministerio de Industria Comercio y Turismo. La SAR es una relación entre la energía electromagnética acumulada en una masa de un material o tejido concreto. Por tanto, lo primero es definir la SAR, en la que se exponen sus parámetros. Además, se recogen los límites de exposición fijados por las normas internacionales IEC 62209-1 e IEC 62209-2 en relación a SAR. Posteriormente, acorde con las normas, se realiza una definición detallada de un banco de medidas de SAR, en donde se explica cada uno de los componentes del banco de manera detallada así como los sistemas que intervienen previamente a la realización de la medida, tipos de los sistemas para realizar las verificaciones pertinentes, y también las incertidumbres de ciertos parámetros. También se realiza un proceso completo de medida de SAR en el laboratorio de la SETSI, donde se realizan las comprobaciones necesarias para la realización de una serie de medidas sobre dispositivos de comunicaciones móviles. Éstas medidas se realizan primero sobre un teléfono móvil en las frecuencias de GSM, UMTS y WIFI, en las configuraciones estipuladas por la norma; “tocando” e “inclinada 15°” comparando los valores obtenidos con los límites marcados por las normas internacionales. Por último, en este apartado se realizan ciertas medidas con otras configuraciones que no están recogidas en la norma para intentar obtener los máximos valores de SAR posibles. Después se realiza una comparación entre dos dispositivos tipo “tablet”, para ello se realizan medidas en la banda de WIFI y se comentan los resultados obtenidos, relacionado con el diseño de cada uno de ellos. Posteriormente se realiza un presupuesto de un banco de SAR, donde se detallan todos los componentes que intervienen en la realización de las medidas de SAR, pero no se incluyen en él, los costes de mantenimiento o los costes relacionados con su uso. Por último se explican las conclusiones finales desprendidas de la realización de este proyecto de fin de carrera así como la bibliografía utilizada. ABTRACT This project consists on the study of the specific absorption rate (SAR).It studies the different SAR of several wireless communications devices. It has been held in SETSI’S facilities, in its radio frecuency laboratory located in El Casar, Guadalajara, which belongs to the Ministy of Industry, Trade and Tourism. The SAR is a ratio between the electromagnetic energy accumulated in a mass of concrete material or tissue. Therefore, the SAR is defined first, which sets its parameters. Also lists the exposure limits set by international standards IEC 62209-1 and IEC 62209-2 regarding SAR. Subsequently, according to the guidelines, performing a detailed definition of a SAR measures bench, which explains each of the components in detail of the bench and involved systems prior to the realization of the extent and types of systems to perform the necessary checks, and certain parameters uncertainties. Also performed a complete process for SAR in the SETSI laboratory, located in El Casar, Guadalajara, where the necessary checks are made to carry out a serie of measures on mobile communications devices. These will be carried out first on a mobile phone at frequencies of GSM, UMTS and WiFi, in the configurations set by the standard, "touch" and "tilt 15 °" comparing the values obtained with the limits set by international standards. Finally, this section will perform certain actions with other configurations that are not included in the standard to try to get the maximum possible SAR values. Then a comparison is made between two devices, such as "tablet", this will make measurements in the band WIFI and discussed the results, related to the design of each. Subsequently, a budget of a SAR bench, detailing all components involved in SAR measures, but not included in it, maintenance costs or the costs associated with its use. Finally conclusions are explained detached from the realization of this project as well as the bibliography used on it.

Can Jupiters be found by monitoring Galactic bulge microlensing events from northern sites?

In 1998 the EXPORT team monitored microlensing event light curves using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera on the IAC 0.8-m telescope on Tenerife to evaluate the prospect of using northern telescopes to find microlens anomalies that reveal planets orbiting the lens stars. The high airmass and more limited time available for observations of Galactic bulge sources make a northern site less favourable for microlensing planet searches. However, there are potentially a large number of northern 1-m class telescopes that could devote a few hours per night to monitor ongoing microlensing events. Our IAC observations indicate that accuracies sufficient to detect planets can be achieved despite the higher airmass.

Six not so easy pieces in intermediate band solar cell research

The concept of "intermediate band solar cell" (IBSC) is, apparently, simple to grasp. However, since the idea was proposed, our understanding has improved and we feel now that we can explain better some concepts than we initially introduced. Clarifying these concepts is important, even if they are well-known for the advanced researcher, so that efforts can be driven in the right direction from start. The six pieces of this work are: Does a miniband need to be formed when the IBSC is implemented with quantum dots?; What are the problems of each of the main practical approaches that exist today? What are the simplest experimental techniques to demonstrate whether an IBSC is working as such or not? What is the issue with the absorption coefficient overlap? and Mott's transition? What the best system would be, if any?