The Risk of Using the Q Heterogeneity Estimator for Software Engineering Experiments

All meta-analyses should include a heterogeneity analysis. Even so, it is not easy to decide whether a set of studies are homogeneous or heterogeneous because of the low statistical power of the statistics used (usually the Q test). Objective: Determine a set of rules enabling SE researchers to find out, based on the characteristics of the experiments to be aggregated, whether or not it is feasible to accurately detect heterogeneity. Method: Evaluate the statistical power of heterogeneity detection methods using a Monte Carlo simulation process. Results: The Q test is not powerful when the meta-analysis contains up to a total of about 200 experimental subjects and the effect size difference is less than 1. Conclusions: The Q test cannot be used as a decision-making criterion for meta-analysis in small sample settings like SE. Random effects models should be used instead of fixed effects models. Caution should be exercised when applying Q test-mediated decomposition into subgroups.

Bio-inspired FPGA Architecture for Self-Calibration of an Image Compression Core based on Wavelet Transforms in Embedded Systems

A generic bio-inspired adaptive architecture for image compression suitable to be implemented in embedded systems is presented. The architecture allows the system to be tuned during its calibration phase. An evolutionary algorithm is responsible of making the system evolve towards the required performance. A prototype has been implemented in a Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA featuring an adaptive wavelet transform core directed at improving image compression for specific types of images. An Evolution Strategy has been chosen as the search algorithm and its typical genetic operators adapted to allow for a hardware friendly implementation. HW/SW partitioning issues are also considered after a high level description of the algorithm is profiled which validates the proposed resource allocation in the device fabric. To check the robustness of the system and its adaptation capabilities, different types of images have been selected as validation patterns. A direct application of such a system is its deployment in an unknown environment during design time, letting the calibration phase adjust the system parameters so that it performs efcient image compression. Also, this prototype implementation may serve as an accelerator for the automatic design of evolved transform coefficients which are later on synthesized and implemented in a non-adaptive system in the final implementation device, whether it is a HW or SW based computing device. The architecture has been built in a modular way so that it can be easily extended to adapt other types of image processing cores. Details on this pluggable component point of view are also given in the paper.

Estudio de los robledales de Q. pedunculata Ehrh., Q. sessiliflora Salisb., zona de Asturias

El presente proyecto comprende el estudio de los montes siguientes: -" Monte de Pomar y San Félix de las Montañas" -" Monte de Fuentes de l a s Montañas" -“Monte de Monasterio de Goto" -" Monte de Vega de Orreo" -" Monte de Combo" -“Monte de Valde buoyes" -" Monte' de M u ñ i d l o s" -" Monte del Pueblo de Rengos" -“Montes de Larony La Viliella " -" Montes de Degaña y Cerredo" -" Monte de Monasterio de Hermo" de los cuales los diez primeros están poblados por roble y el ultimo por haya.

Estudio de los robledales (Q. Pedunculata y Q. Sessiliflora) de la zona montañosa del N. W. de España parte E. y S. E. de Galicia

Comoo proyecto de fin de carrera nos ha sido encomendado el ESTUDIO LOS ROBLEDAIES ( Q. pedunculata Ehrh. y Q. sessiliflora salisb . ) DE ZONA MONTAÑOSA DEL N.W. DE ESPAÑA, PARTE E. Y SE. DE GALICIA. Desde de haber recibido instrucciones del Sr. Ingeniero jefe regional del Centro del Patrimonio Forestal del Estado, D. Antonio González Martín, León, por indicación de éste y del Distrito de León nos dirigimos a Ponferrada, Villafranca del Bierzo y Lugo con el fin de ampliar los datos recibidos en León.

Estudio de los robledales de Q. pedunculata Ehrh., Q. sessiliflora Salisb., provincia de León

Este pequeño trabajo tiene como fin primordial realizar un ligero estudio de las zonas de roble que se encuentran al N.W. de la Provincia de León, y están enclavadas en los términos de Burbia, Villar de Acero, Balouta y Suarbol, lugares que constantemente mencionamos en el transcurso de esta memoria.

On the use of discrete cosine transforms for multicarrier communications

In this correspondence, the conditions to use any kind of discrete cosine transform (DCT) for multicarrier data transmission are derived. The symmetric convolution-multiplication property of each DCT implies that when symmetric convolution is performed in the time domain, an element-by-element multiplication is performed in the corresponding discrete trigonometric domain. Therefore, appending symmetric redun-dancy (as prefix and suffix) into each data symbol to be transmitted, and also enforcing symmetry for the equivalent channel impulse response, the linear convolution performed in the transmission channel becomes a symmetric convolution in those samples of interest. Furthermore, the channel equalization can be carried out by means of a bank of scalars in the corresponding discrete cosine transform domain. The expressions for obtaining the value of each scalar corresponding to these one-tap per subcarrier equalizers are presented. This study is completed with several computer simulations in mobile broadband wireless communication scenarios, considering the presence of carrier frequency offset (CFO). The obtained results indicate that the proposed systems outperform the standardized ones based on the DFT.

Three-Dimensional Analysis of Spiny Dendrites Using Straightening and Unrolling Transforms

Current understanding of the synaptic organization of the brain depends to a large extent on knowledge about the synaptic inputs to the neurons. Indeed, the dendritic surfaces of pyramidal cells (the most common neuron in the cerebral cortex) are covered by thin protrusions named dendritic spines. These represent the targets of most excitatory synapses in the cerebral cortex and therefore, dendritic spines prove critical in learning, memory and cognition. This paper presents a new method that facilitates the analysis of the 3D structure of spine insertions in dendrites, providing insight on spine distribution patterns. This method is based both on the implementation of straightening and unrolling transformations to move the analysis process to a planar, unfolded arrangement, and on the design of DISPINE, an interactive environment that supports the visual analysis of 3D patterns.

Rural tourism quality in Spain. The "Q" mark.

The Spanish tourism stakchoiders (State Tourism Administration, public tourism agencies, hospitality sector, recreational sector, travel operators, other touristic business, etc.) have developed a very powerful and practical quality certification system for all the actors in the tourism sector, including all those actors and activities in the rural tourism sector, which traditionally do not have a proper tourism system. In this framework the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality (ICTE) administers, manages and monitors the "Spanish Tourism Quality" "Q" Mark, as an exclusive brand that announces the quality of the activity and service provided by the certified tourist business.

Laser Shock Microforming of Thin Metal Sheets with Q-Switched ns Lasers

The increasing demands in MEMS fabrication are leading to new requirements in production technology. Especially the packaging and assembly require high accuracy in positioning and high reproducibility in combination with low production costs. Conventional assembly technology and mechanical adjustment methods are time consuming and expensive. Each component of the system has to be positioned and fixed. Also adjustment of the parts after joining requires additional mechanical devices that need to be accessible after joining.

On the Absence of Carrier Drift in Two-Terminal Devices and the Origin of Their Lowest Resistance per Carrier RK= h/q^2

After a criticism on today’s model for electrical noise in resistors, we pass to use a Quantum-compliant model based on the discreteness of electrical charge in a complex Admittance. From this new model we show that carrier drift viewed as charged particle motion in response to an electric field is unlike to occur in bulk regions of Solid-State devices where carriers react as dipoles against this field. The absence of the shot noise that charges drifting in resistors should produce and the evolution of the Phase Noise with the active power existing in the resonators of L-C oscillators, are two effects added in proof for this conduction model without carrier drift where the resistance of any two-terminal device becomes discrete and has a minimum value per carrier that is the Quantum resistance RK/(2pi)

Solution of optimal continuous low-thrust transfer using Lie transforms

This paper addresses the problem of optimal constant continuous low-thrust transfer in the context of the restricted two-body problem (R2BP). Using the Pontryagin’s principle, the problem is formulated as a two point boundary value problem (TPBVP) for a Hamiltonian system. Lie transforms obtained through the Deprit method allow us to obtain the canonical mapping of the phase flow as a series in terms of the order of magnitude of the thrust applied. The reachable set of states starting from a given initial condition using optimal control policy is obtained analytically. In addition, a particular optimal transfer can be computed as the solution of a non-linear algebraic equation. Se investiga el uso de series y transformadas de Lie en problemas de optimización de trayectorias de satélites impulsados por motores de bajo empuje

Experimento de propagación en banda Q con Alphasat: Técnicas para la compensación del desapuntamiento

El grupo de investigación GTIC-Radiocomunicaciones de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) participa en uno de los experimentos de propagación de APEX (Alphasat Propagation Experiment), denominado Alphasat propagation experiment by measuring the copolar level of the Q-Band beacon at 39.4 GHz. El experimento comenzó en abril de 2014, midiendo la señal de 39,4 GHz. Durante los primeros meses hasta septiembre de 2014, se hicieron medidas con apuntamiento fijo. El satélite no es geoestacionario sino que tiene una cierta inclinación, por lo que su posición aparente no es fija, describiendo una pequeña elipse en el cielo. Como consecuencia de esto se produce una variación sistemática en el nivel de la señal recibida que hay que eliminar. El presente Trabajo fin de Grado recoge técnicas útiles para llevar a cabo la compensación del desapuntamiento producido por el apuntamiento fijo configurado en el receptor diseñado por el grupo de investigación GTIC-Radiocomunicaciones de la UPM. El conjunto de datos utilizado, ha sido preprocesado con anterioridad llevándose a cabo un proceso de marcado y sincronización de los datos obtenidos a través de la baliza a 39,4 GHz enviada desde el Alphasat. A lo largo del documento se interpretarán y compararán los resultados obtenidos mediante gráficas elaboradas tras la aplicación de las técnicas que se describen en el desarrollo del mismo.