Analysis and visualization of the dynamics of research groups in terms of projects and co-authored publications : A case study of library and information science in Argentina

Objective: The present study offers a novel methodological contribution to the study of the configuration and dynamics of research groups, through a comparative perspective of the projects funded (inputs) and publication co-authorships (output). Method: A combination of bibliometric techniques and social network analysis was applied to a case study: the Departmento de Bibliotecología (DHUBI), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina, for the period 2000-2009. The results were interpreted statistically and staff members of the department, were interviewed. Results: The method makes it possible to distinguish groups, identify their members and reflect group make-up through an analytical strategy that involves the categorization of actors and the interdisciplinary and national or international projection of the networks that they configure. The integration of these two aspects (input and output) at different points in time over the analyzed period leads to inferences about group profiles and the roles of actors. Conclusions: The methodology presented is conducive to micro-level interpretations in a given area of study, regarding individual researchers or research groups. Because the comparative input-output analysis broadens the base of information and makes it possible to follow up, over time, individual and group trends, it may prove very useful for the management, promotion and evaluation of science

Analysis and visualization of the dynamics of research groups in terms of projects and co-authored publications : A case study of library and information science in Argentina

Objective: The present study offers a novel methodological contribution to the study of the configuration and dynamics of research groups, through a comparative perspective of the projects funded (inputs) and publication co-authorships (output). Method: A combination of bibliometric techniques and social network analysis was applied to a case study: the Departmento de Bibliotecología (DHUBI), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina, for the period 2000-2009. The results were interpreted statistically and staff members of the department, were interviewed. Results: The method makes it possible to distinguish groups, identify their members and reflect group make-up through an analytical strategy that involves the categorization of actors and the interdisciplinary and national or international projection of the networks that they configure. The integration of these two aspects (input and output) at different points in time over the analyzed period leads to inferences about group profiles and the roles of actors. Conclusions: The methodology presented is conducive to micro-level interpretations in a given area of study, regarding individual researchers or research groups. Because the comparative input-output analysis broadens the base of information and makes it possible to follow up, over time, individual and group trends, it may prove very useful for the management, promotion and evaluation of science

Offshore stereo measurements of gravity waves: classical epipolar and novel variational techniques

Stereo video techniques are effective for estimating the space-time wave dynamics over an area of the ocean. Indeed, a stereo camera view allows retrieval of both spatial and temporal data whose statistical content is richer than that of time series data retrieved from point wave probes. Classical epipolar techniques and modern variational methods are reviewed to reconstruct the sea surface from the stereo pairs sequentially in time. Current improvements of the variational methods are presented.

Metadata Visualization of Cultural Heritage Information within a Collaborative Environment

Cultural content on the Web is available in various domains (cultural objects, datasets, geospatial data, moving images, scholarly texts and visual resources), concerns various topics, is written in different languages, targeted to both laymen and experts, and provided by different communities (libraries, archives museums and information industry) and individuals (Figure 1). The integration of information technologies and cultural heritage content on the Web is expected to have an impact on everyday life from the point of view of institutions, communities and individuals. In particular, collaborative environment scan recreate 3D navigable worlds that can offer new insights into our cultural heritage (Chan 2007). However, the main barrier is to find and relate cultural heritage information by end-users of cultural contents, as well as by organisations and communities managing and producing them. In this paper, we explore several visualisation techniques for supporting cultural interfaces, where the role of metadata is essential for supporting the search and communication among end-users (Figure 2). A conceptual framework was developed to integrate the data, purpose, technology, impact, and form components of a collaborative environment, Our preliminary results show that collaborative environments can help with cultural heritage information sharing and communication tasks because of the way in which they provide a visual context to end-users. They can be regarded as distributed virtual reality systems that offer graphically realised, potentially infinite, digital information landscapes. Moreover, collaborative environments also provide a new way of interaction between an end-user and a cultural heritage data set. Finally, the visualisation of metadata of a dataset plays an important role in helping end-users in their search for heritage contents on the Web.

Técnica de Inversión Temporal para la Mejora del Enfocado de Imágenes SAR en Entornos Urbanos

Conventional SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) techniques only consider a single reflection of transmitted waveforms from targets. Nevertheless, today?s new applications force SAR systems to work in much more complex scenes such as urban environments. As a result, multiple-bounce returns are additionally superposed to direct echoes. We refer to these as ghost images, since they obscure true target image and lead to poor resolution. By applying Time Reversal concept to SAR imaging (TR-SAR), it is possible to reduce considerably ?or almost mitigate? ghosting artifacts, recovering the lost resolution due to multipath effects. Furthermore, some focusing indicators such as entropy (E), contrast (C) and Rényi entropy (RE) provide us a good focusing criterion when using TR-SAR.

Modelización del cálculo de Indicadores Ambientales, a partir de sensores ópticos de alta resolución temporal a bordo de satélite

La presente tesis doctoral tiene por objeto el estudio y análisis de técnicas y modelos de obtención de parámetros biofísicos e indicadores ambientales, de manera automatizada a partir de imágenes procedentes de satélite de alta resolución temporal. En primer lugar se revisan los diferentes programas espaciales de observación del territorio, con especial atención a los que proporcionan dicha resolución. También se han revisado las metodologías y procesos que permiten la obtención de diferentes parámetros cuantitativos y documentos cualitativos, relacionados con diversos aspectos de las cubiertas terrestres, atendiendo a su adaptabilidad a las particularidades de los datos. En segundo lugar se propone un modelo de obtención de parámetros ambientales, que integra información proveniente de sensores espaciales y de otras fuentes auxiliares utilizando, en cierta medida, las metodologías presentadas en apartados anteriores y optimizando algunas de las referidas o proponiendo otras nuevas, de manera que se permita dicha obtención de manera eficiente, a partir de los datos disponibles y de forma sistemática. Tras esta revisión de metodologías y propuesta del modelo, se ha procedido a la realización de experimentos, con la finalidad de comprobar su comportamiento en diferentes casos prácticos, depurar los flujos de datos y procesos, así como establecer las situaciones que pueden afectar a los resultados. De todo ello se deducirá la evaluación del referido modelo. Los sensores considerados en este trabajo han sido MODIS, de alta resolución temporal y Thematic Mapper (TM), de media resolución espacial, por tratarse de instrumentos de referencia en la realización de estudios ambientales. También por la duración de sus correspondientes misiones de registro de datos, lo que permite realizar estudios de evolución temporal de ciertos parámetros biofísicos, durante amplios periodos de tiempo. Así mismo. es de destacar que la continuidad de los correspondientes programas parece estar asegurada. Entre los experimentos realizados, se ha ensayado una metodología para la integración de datos procedentes de ambos sensores. También se ha analizado un método de interpolación temporal que permite obtener imágenes sintéticas con la resolución espacial de TM (30 m) y la temporal de MODIS (1 día), ampliando el rango de aplicación de este último sensor. Asimismo, se han analizado algunos de los factores que afectan a los datos registrados, tal como la geometría de la toma de los mismos y los episodios de precipitación, los cuales alteran los resultados obtenidos. Por otro lado, se ha comprobado la validez del modelo propuesto en el estudio de fenómenos ambientales dinámicos, en concreto la contaminación orgánica de aguas embalsadas. Finalmente, se ha demostrado un buen comportamiento del modelo en todos los casos ensayados, así como su flexibilidad, lo que le permite adaptarse a nuevos orígenes de datos, o nuevas metodologías de cálculo. Abstract This thesis aims to the study and analysis of techniques and models, in order to obtain biophysical parameters and environmental indicators in an automated way, using high temporal resolution satellite data. Firstly we have reviewed the main Earth Observation Programs, paying attention to those that provide high temporal resolution. Also have reviewed the methodologies and process flow diagrams in order to obtain quantitative parameters and qualitative documents, relating to various aspects of land cover, according to their adaptability to the peculiarities of the data. In the next stage, a model which allows obtaining environmental parameters, has been proposed. This structure integrates information from space sensors and ancillary data sources, using the methodologies presented in previous sections that permits the parameters calculation in an efficient and automated way. After this review of methodologies and the proposal of the model, we proceeded to carry out experiments, in order to check the behavior of the structure in real situations. From this, we derive the accuracy of the model. The sensors used in this work have been MODIS, which is a high temporal resolution sensor, and Thematic Mapper (TM), which is a medium spatial resolution instrument. This choice was motivated because they are reference sensors in environmental studies, as well as for the duration of their corresponding missions of data logging, and whose continuity seems assured. Among the experiments, we tested a methodology that allows the integration of data from cited sensors, we discussed a proposal for a temporal interpolation method for obtaining synthetic images with spatial resolution of TM (30 m) and temporal of MODIS (1 day), extending the application range of this one. Furthermore, we have analyzed some of the factors that affect the recorded data, such as the relative position of the satellite with the ground point, and the rainfall events, which alter the obtained results. On the other hand, we have proven the validity of the proposed model in the study of the organic contamination in inland water bodies. Finally, we have demonstrated a good performance of the proposed model in all cases tested, as well as its flexibility and adaptability.

3D Wavelet-based Fusion Techniques for Biomedical Imaging

Hoy en día las técnicas de adquisición de imágenes tridimensionales son comunes en diversas áreas, pero cabe destacar la relevancia que han adquirido en el ámbito de la imagen biomédica, dentro del cual encontramos una amplia gama de técnicas como la microscopía confocal, microscopía de dos fotones, microscopía de fluorescencia mediante lámina de luz, resonancia magnética nuclear, tomografía por emisión de positrones, tomografía de coherencia óptica, ecografía 3D y un largo etcétera. Un denominador común de todas esas aplicaciones es la constante necesidad por aumentar la resolución y la calidad de las imágenes adquiridas. En algunas de dichas técnicas de imagen tridimensional se da una interesante situación: aunque que cada volumen adquirido no contiene información suficiente para representar el objeto bajo estudio dentro de los parámetros de calidad requeridos por algunas aplicaciones finales, el esquema de adquisición permite la obtención de varios volúmenes que representan diferentes vistas de dicho objeto, de tal forma que cada una de las vistas proporciona información complementaria acerca del mismo. En este tipo de situación es posible, mediante la combinación de varias de esas vistas, obtener una mejor comprensión del objeto que a partir de cada una de ellas por separado. En el contexto de esta Tesis Doctoral se ha propuesto, desarrollado y validado una nueva metodología de proceso de imágenes basada en la transformada wavelet disc¬reta para la combinación, o fusión, de varias vistas con información complementaria de un mismo objeto. El método de fusión propuesto aprovecha la capacidad de descom¬posición en escalas y orientaciones de la transformada wavelet discreta para integrar en un solo volumen toda la información distribuida entre el conjunto de vistas adquiridas. El trabajo se centra en dos modalidades diferentes de imagen biomédica que per¬miten obtener tales adquisiciones multi-vista. La primera es una variante de la micro¬scopía de fluorescencia, la microscopía de fluorescencia mediante lámina de luz, que se utiliza para el estudio del desarrollo temprano de embriones vivos en diferentes modelos animales, como el pez cebra o el erizo de mar. La segunda modalidad es la resonancia magnética nuclear con realce tardío, que constituye una valiosa herramienta para evaluar la viabilidad del tejido miocárdico en pacientes con diversas miocardiopatías. Como parte de este trabajo, el método propuesto ha sido aplicado y validado en am¬bas modalidades de imagen. En el caso de la aplicación a microscopía de fluorescencia, los resultados de la fusión muestran un mejor contraste y nivel de detalle en comparación con cualquiera de las vistas individuales y el método no requiere de conocimiento previo acerca la función de dispersión puntual del sistema de imagen. Además, los resultados se han comparado con otros métodos existentes. Con respecto a la aplicación a imagen de resonancia magnética con realce tardío, los volúmenes fusionados resultantes pre-sentan una mejora cuantitativa en la nitidez de las estructuras relevantes y permiten una interpretación más sencilla y completa de la compleja estructura tridimensional del tejido miocárdico en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica. Para ambas aplicaciones los resultados de esta tesis se encuentran actualmente en uso en los centros clínicos y de investigación con los que el autor ha colaborado durante este trabajo. Además se ha puesto a libre disposición de la comunidad científica la implementación del método de fusión propuesto. Por último, se ha tramitado también una solicitud de patente internacional que cubre el método de visualización desarrollado para la aplicación de Resonancia Magnética Nuclear. Abstract Nowadays three dimensional imaging techniques are common in several fields, but es-pecially in biomedical imaging, where we can find a wide range of techniques including: Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy, Laser Scanning Two Photon Microscopy, Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Positron Emission To-mography, Optical Coherence Tomography, 3D Ultrasound Imaging, etc. A common denominator of all those applications being the constant need for further increasing resolution and quality of the acquired images. Interestingly, in some of the mentioned three-dimensional imaging techniques a remarkable situation arises: while a single volume does not contain enough information to represent the object being imaged within the quality parameters required by the final application, the acquisition scheme allows recording several volumes which represent different views of a given object, with each of the views providing complementary information. In this kind of situation one can get a better understanding of the object by combining several views instead of looking at each of them separately. Within such context, in this PhD Thesis we propose, develop and test new image processing methodologies based on the discrete wavelet transform for the combination, or fusion, of several views containing complementary information of a given object. The proposed fusion method exploits the scale and orientation decomposition capabil¬ities of the discrete wavelet transform to integrate in a single volume all the available information distributed among the set of acquired views. The work focuses in two different biomedical imaging modalities which provide such multi-view datasets. The first one is a particular fluorescence microscopy technique, Light-Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy, used for imaging and gaining understanding of the early development of live embryos from different animal models (like zebrafish or sea urchin). The second is Delayed Enhancement Magnetic Resonance Imaging, which is a valuable tool for assessing the viability of myocardial tissue on patients suffering from different cardiomyopathies. As part of this work, the proposed method was implemented and then validated on both imaging modalities. For the fluorescence microscopy application, the fusion results show improved contrast and detail discrimination when compared to any of the individual views and the method does not rely on prior knowledge of the system’s point spread function (PSF). Moreover, the results have shown improved performance with respect to previous PSF independent methods. With respect to its application to Delayed Enhancement Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the resulting fused volumes show a quantitative sharpness improvement and enable an easier and more complete interpretation of complex three-dimensional scar and heterogeneous tissue information in ischemic cardiomyopathy patients. In both applications, the results of this thesis are currently in use in the clinical and research centers with which the author collaborated during his work. An imple¬mentation of the fusion method has also been made freely available to the scientific community. Finally, an international patent application has been filed covering the visualization method developed for the Magnetic Resonance Imaging application.

Computational methods to create and analyze a digital gene expression atlas of embryo development from microscopy images

Abstract The creation of atlases, or digital models where information from different subjects can be combined, is a field of increasing interest in biomedical imaging. When a single image does not contain enough information to appropriately describe the organism under study, it is then necessary to acquire images of several individuals, each of them containing complementary data with respect to the rest of the components in the cohort. This approach allows creating digital prototypes, ranging from anatomical atlases of human patients and organs, obtained for instance from Magnetic Resonance Imaging, to gene expression cartographies of embryo development, typically achieved from Light Microscopy. Within such context, in this PhD Thesis we propose, develop and validate new dedicated image processing methodologies that, based on image registration techniques, bring information from multiple individuals into alignment within a single digital atlas model. We also elaborate a dedicated software visualization platform to explore the resulting wealth of multi-dimensional data and novel analysis algo-rithms to automatically mine the generated resource in search of bio¬logical insights. In particular, this work focuses on gene expression data from developing zebrafish embryos imaged at the cellular resolution level with Two-Photon Laser Scanning Microscopy. Disposing of quantitative measurements relating multiple gene expressions to cell position and their evolution in time is a fundamental prerequisite to understand embryogenesis multi-scale processes. However, the number of gene expressions that can be simultaneously stained in one acquisition is limited due to optical and labeling constraints. These limitations motivate the implementation of atlasing strategies that can recreate a virtual gene expression multiplex. The developed computational tools have been tested in two different scenarios. The first one is the early zebrafish embryogenesis where the resulting atlas constitutes a link between the phenotype and the genotype at the cellular level. The second one is the late zebrafish brain where the resulting atlas allows studies relating gene expression to brain regionalization and neurogenesis. The proposed computational frameworks have been adapted to the requirements of both scenarios, such as the integration of partial views of the embryo into a whole embryo model with cellular resolution or the registration of anatom¬ical traits with deformable transformation models non-dependent on any specific labeling. The software implementation of the atlas generation tool (Match-IT) and the visualization platform (Atlas-IT) together with the gene expression atlas resources developed in this Thesis are to be made freely available to the scientific community. Lastly, a novel proof-of-concept experiment integrates for the first time 3D gene expression atlas resources with cell lineages extracted from live embryos, opening up the door to correlate genetic and cellular spatio-temporal dynamics. La creación de atlas, o modelos digitales, donde la información de distintos sujetos puede ser combinada, es un campo de creciente interés en imagen biomédica. Cuando una sola imagen no contiene suficientes datos como para describir apropiadamente el organismo objeto de estudio, se hace necesario adquirir imágenes de varios individuos, cada una de las cuales contiene información complementaria respecto al resto de componentes del grupo. De este modo, es posible crear prototipos digitales, que pueden ir desde atlas anatómicos de órganos y pacientes humanos, adquiridos por ejemplo mediante Resonancia Magnética, hasta cartografías de la expresión genética del desarrollo de embrionario, típicamente adquiridas mediante Microscopía Optica. Dentro de este contexto, en esta Tesis Doctoral se introducen, desarrollan y validan nuevos métodos de procesado de imagen que, basándose en técnicas de registro de imagen, son capaces de alinear imágenes y datos provenientes de múltiples individuos en un solo atlas digital. Además, se ha elaborado una plataforma de visualization específicamente diseñada para explorar la gran cantidad de datos, caracterizados por su multi-dimensionalidad, que resulta de estos métodos. Asimismo, se han propuesto novedosos algoritmos de análisis y minería de datos que permiten inspeccionar automáticamente los atlas generados en busca de conclusiones biológicas significativas. En particular, este trabajo se centra en datos de expresión genética del desarrollo embrionario del pez cebra, adquiridos mediante Microscopía dos fotones con resolución celular. Disponer de medidas cuantitativas que relacionen estas expresiones genéticas con las posiciones celulares y su evolución en el tiempo es un prerrequisito fundamental para comprender los procesos multi-escala característicos de la morfogénesis. Sin embargo, el número de expresiones genéticos que pueden ser simultáneamente etiquetados en una sola adquisición es reducido debido a limitaciones tanto ópticas como del etiquetado. Estas limitaciones requieren la implementación de estrategias de creación de atlas que puedan recrear un multiplexado virtual de expresiones genéticas. Las herramientas computacionales desarrolladas han sido validadas en dos escenarios distintos. El primer escenario es el desarrollo embrionario temprano del pez cebra, donde el atlas resultante permite constituir un vínculo, a nivel celular, entre el fenotipo y el genotipo de este organismo modelo. El segundo escenario corresponde a estadios tardíos del desarrollo del cerebro del pez cebra, donde el atlas resultante permite relacionar expresiones genéticas con la regionalización del cerebro y la formación de neuronas. La plataforma computacional desarrollada ha sido adaptada a los requisitos y retos planteados en ambos escenarios, como la integración, a resolución celular, de vistas parciales dentro de un modelo consistente en un embrión completo, o el alineamiento entre estructuras de referencia anatómica equivalentes, logrado mediante el uso de modelos de transformación deformables que no requieren ningún marcador específico. Está previsto poner a disposición de la comunidad científica tanto la herramienta de generación de atlas (Match-IT), como su plataforma de visualización (Atlas-IT), así como las bases de datos de expresión genética creadas a partir de estas herramientas. Por último, dentro de la presente Tesis Doctoral, se ha incluido una prueba conceptual innovadora que permite integrar los mencionados atlas de expresión genética tridimensionales dentro del linaje celular extraído de una adquisición in vivo de un embrión. Esta prueba conceptual abre la puerta a la posibilidad de correlar, por primera vez, las dinámicas espacio-temporales de genes y células.

Using clustering techniques for intelligent camera-based user interfaces

The area of Human-Machine Interface is growing fast due to its high importance in all technological systems. The basic idea behind designing human-machine interfaces is to enrich the communication with the technology in a natural and easy way. Gesture interfaces are a good example of transparent interfaces. Such interfaces must identify properly the action the user wants to perform, so the proper gesture recognition is of the highest importance. However, most of the systems based on gesture recognition use complex methods requiring high-resource devices. In this work, we propose to model gestures capturing their temporal properties, which significantly reduce storage requirements, and use clustering techniques, namely self-organizing maps and unsupervised genetic algorithm, for their classification. We further propose to train a certain number of algorithms with different parameters and combine their decision using majority voting in order to decrease the false positive rate. The main advantage of the approach is its simplicity, which enables the implementation using devices with limited resources, and therefore low cost. The testing results demonstrate its high potential.

A silviculture-oriented spatio-temporal model for germination in Pinus pinea L. in the Spanish Northern Plateau based on a direct seeding experiment

Natural regeneration in Pinus pinea stands commonly fails throughout the Spanish Northern Plateau under current intensive regeneration treatments. As a result, extensive direct seeding is commonly conducted to guarantee regeneration occurrence. In a period of rationalization of the resources devoted to forest management, this kind of techniques may become unaffordable. Given that the climatic and stand factors driving germination remain unknown, tools are required to understand the process and temper the use of direct seeding. In this study, the spatio-temporal pattern of germination of P. pinea was modelled with those purposes. The resulting findings will allow us to (1) determine the main ecological variables involved in germination in the species and (2) infer adequate silvicultural alternatives. The modelling approach focuses on covariates which are readily available to forest managers. A two-step nonlinear mixed model was fitted to predict germination occurrence and abundance in P. pinea under varying climatic, environmental and stand conditions, based on a germination data set covering a 5-year period. The results obtained reveal that the process is primarily driven by climate variables. Favourable conditions for germination commonly occur in fall although the optimum window is often narrow and may not occur at all in some years. At spatial level, it would appear that germination is facilitated by high stand densities, suggesting that current felling intensity should be reduced. In accordance with other studies on P. pinea dispersal, it seems that denser stands during the regeneration period will reduce the present dependence on direct seeding.

Characterization of underground cellars in the Duero Basin by GNSS, LIDAR and GPR techniques

The underground cellars of the Duero River basin are part of spread and damaged agricultural landscape which is in danger of disappearing. These architectural complexes are allocated next to small towns. Constructions are mostly dug in the ground with a gallery down or "barrel" strait through which you access the cave or cellar. This wider space is used to make and store wine. Observation and detection of the winery both on the outside and underground is essential to make an inventory of the rural heritage. Geodetection is a non-invasive technique, suitable to determinate with precision buried structures in the ground. The undertaken works include LIDAR survey techniques, GNSS and GPR obtained data. The results are used to identify with centimetric precision construction elements forming the winery. Graphic and cartographic obtained documents allow optimum visualization of the studied field and can be used in the reconstruction of the place.

Spatio-temporal filtering with morphological operators for robust cell migration estimation in "in-vivo" images

The understanding of the embryogenesis in living systems requires reliable quantitative analysis of the cell migration throughout all the stages of development. This is a major challenge of the "in-toto" reconstruction based on different modalities of "in-vivo" imaging techniques -spatio-temporal resolution and image artifacts and noise. Several methods for cell tracking are available, but expensive manual interaction -time and human resources- is always required to enforce coherence. Because of this limitation it is necessary to restrict the experiments or assume an uncontrolled error rate. Is it possible to obtain automated reliable measurements of migration? can we provide a seed for biologists to complete cell lineages efficiently? We propose a filtering technique that considers trajectories as spatio-temporal connected structures that prunes out those that might introduce noise and false positives by using multi-dimensional morphological operators.

Impact of fire and post-fire management techniques on soil chemical properties

The effects of fire ( Control burned soil) and two emergency stabilisation techniques (grass Seeding and straw Mulching ) on 20 chemical characteristics were evaluated on 0 – 5 cm top-soils sampled 1, 90, 180 and 365 days after an experimental fi re in a steep shrubland of a temperate-humid region (NW Spain). Most part of pH (in H 2 O and KCl) variance was explained by the sampling date. No clear temporal trends were identi fi able for total soil C and N content, likely due to the large SOM pool in these soils; however, changes on soil δ 13 C were explained by the deposition of 13 C-depleted ashes, followed by its progressive erosion, while those on soil δ 15 N were a consequence of fi re induced N outputs. After the fi re, NH 4 + – N, P, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Cu, Zn and B concentrations increased, while those of NO 3 − – N, Al, Fe and Co did not vary significantly. Despite a significant decline with time, concentrations of Mg, Ca and Mn at the end of the study were still higher than in unburned soil, while those of K, Cu, Zn and B were similar to the pre-fire levels and those of NH 4 + – N, P and Na were below pre-fire values. Mulching and Seeding treatments for burned soil emergency stabilisation had significant effects on soil δ 15 N and extractable K, Mg and Ca, while data were inconclusive for their possible effects on the extractable Al, Fe and Co

Generating descriptions that summarize geospatial and temporal data

Effective data summarization methods that use AI techniques can help humans understand large sets of data. In this paper, we describe a knowledge-based method for automatically generating summaries of geospatial and temporal data, i.e. data with geographical and temporal references. The method is useful for summarizing data streams, such as GPS traces and traffic information, that are becoming more prevalent with the increasing use of sensors in computing devices. The method presented here is an initial architecture for our ongoing research in this domain. In this paper we describe the data representations we have designed for our method, our implementations of components to perform data abstraction and natural language generation. We also discuss evaluation results that show the ability of our method to generate certain types of geospatial and temporal descriptions.

AquaData and AquaGIS: Two computer utilities for temporal and spatial simulations of water-limited yield with AquaCrop.

The crop simulation model AquaCrop, recently developed by FAO can be used for a wide range of purposes. However, in its present form, its use over large areas or for applications that require a large number of simulations runs (e.g., long-term analysis), is not practical without developing software to facilitate such applications. Two tools for managing the inputs and outputs of AquaCrop, named AquaData and AquaGIS, have been developed for this purpose and are presented here. Both software utilities have been programmed in Delphi v. 5 and in addition, AquaGIS requires the Geographic Information System (GIS) programming tool MapObjects. These utilities allow the efficient management of input and output files, along with a GIS module to develop spatial analysis and effect spatial visualization of the results, facilitating knowledge dissemination. A sample of application of the utilities is given here, as an AquaCrop simulation analysis of impact of climate change on wheat yield in Southern Spain, which requires extensive input data preparation and output processing. The use of AquaCrop without the two utilities would have required approximately 1000 h of work, while the utilization of AquaData and AquaGIS reduced that time by more than 99%. Furthermore, the use of GIS, made it possible to perform a spatial analysis of the results, thus providing a new option to extend the use of the AquaCrop model to scales requiring spatial and temporal analyses.