Quality standards for bone conduction implants.

CONCLUSION Bone conduction implants are useful in patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss for whom conventional surgery or hearing aids are no longer an option. They may also be used in patients affected by single-sided deafness. OBJECTIVES To establish a consensus on the quality standards required for centers willing to create a bone conduction implant program. METHOD To ensure a consistently high level of service and to provide patients with the best possible solution the members of the HEARRING network have established a set of quality standards for bone conduction implants. These standards constitute a realistic minimum attainable by all implant clinics and should be employed alongside current best practice guidelines. RESULTS Fifteen items are thoroughly analyzed. They include team structure, accommodation and clinical facilities, selection criteria, evaluation process, complete preoperative and surgical information, postoperative fitting and assessment, follow-up, device failure, clinical management, transfer of care and patient complaints.

SOMS: SurrOgate MultiStart algorithm for use with nonlinear programming for global optimization

SOMS is a general surrogate-based multistart algorithm, which is used in combination with any local optimizer to ���nd global optima for computationally expensive functions with multiple local minima. SOMS differs from previous multistart methods in that a surrogate approximation is used by the multistart algorithm to help reduce the number of function evaluations necessary to identify the most promising points from which to start each nonlinear programming local search. SOMS���s numerical results are compared with four well-known methods, namely, Multi-Level Single Linkage (MLSL), MATLAB���s MultiStart, MATLAB���s GlobalSearch, and GLOBAL. In addition, we propose a class of wavy test functions that mimic the wavy nature of objective functions arising in many black-box simulations. Extensive comparisons of algorithms on the wavy testfunctions and on earlier standard global-optimization test functions are done for a total of 19 different test problems. The numerical results indicate that SOMS performs favorably in comparison to alternative methods and does especially well on wavy functions when the number of function evaluations allowed is limited.

ERP Software Selection Processes: A Case Study in the Metal Transformation Sector

When a firm decides to implement ERP softwares, the resulting consequences can pervade all levels, includ- ing organization, process, control and available information. Therefore, the first decision to be made is which ERP solution must be adopted from a wide range of offers and vendors. To this end, this paper describes a methodology based on multi-criteria factors that directly affects the process to help managers make this de- cision. This methodology has been applied to a medium-size company in the Spanish metal transformation sector which is interested in updating its IT capabilities in order to obtain greater control of and better infor- mation about business, thus achieving a competitive advantage. The paper proposes a decision matrix which takes into account all critical factors in ERP selection.

Survey and brain storming studies about machines, constructions, human and environmental risk consideration in the careers of the Universidad Polit��cnica of Madrid

The Universidad Polit��cnica of Madrid (UPM) includes schools and faculties that were for engineering degrees, architecture and computer science, that are now in a quick EEES Bolonia Plan metamorphosis getting into degrees, masters and doctorate structures. They are focused towards action in machines, constructions, enterprises, that are subjected to machines, human and environment created risks. These are present in actions such as use loads, wind, snow, waves, flows, earthquakes, forces and effects in machines, vehicles behavior, chemical effects, and other environmental factors including effects of crops, cattle and beasts, forests, and varied essential economic and social disturbances. Emphasis is for authors in this session more about risks of natural origin, such as for hail, winds, snow or waves that are not exactly known a priori, but that are often considered with statistical expected distributions giving extreme values for convenient return periods. These distributions are known from measures in time, statistic of extremes and models about hazard scenarios and about responses of man made constructions or devices. In each engineering field theories were built about hazards scenarios and how to cover for important risks. Engineers must get that the systems they handle, such as vehicles, machines, firms or agro lands or forests, obtain production with enough safety for persons and with decent economic results in spite of risks. For that risks must be considered in planning, in realization and in operation, and safety margins must be taken but at a reasonable cost. That is a small level of risks will often remain, due to limitations in costs or because of due to strange hazards, and maybe they will be covered by insurance in cases such as in transport with cars, ships or aircrafts, in agro for hail, or for fire in houses or in forests. These and other decisions about quality, security for men or about business financial risks are sometimes considered with Decision Theories models, using often tools from Statistics or operational Research. The authors have done and are following field surveys about risk consideration in the careers in UPM, making deep analysis of curricula taking into account the new structures of degrees in the EEES Bolonia Plan, and they have considered the risk structures offered by diverse schools of Decision theories. That gives an aspect of the needs and uses, and recommendations about improving in the teaching about risk, that may include special subjects especially oriented for each career, school or faculty, so as to be recommended to be included into the curricula, including an elaboration and presentation format using a multi-criteria decision model.

Metodolog��a de evaluaci��n de la eficiencia de los servicios de autob��s urbano : aplicaci��n a las grandes ciudades espa��olas en el per��odo 2004-2009

En estos tiempos de crisis se hace imperativo lograr un consumo de recursos p��blicos lo m��s racional posible. El transporte p��blico urbano es un sector al que se dedican grandes inversiones y cuya prestaci��n de servicios est�� fuertemente subvencionada. El incremento de la eficiencia t��cnica del sector, entendida como la relaci��n entre producci��n de servicios y consumo de recursos, puede ayudar a conseguir una mejor gesti��n de los fondos p��blicos. Un primer paso para que se produzca una mejora es el desarrollo de una metodolog��a de evaluaci��n de la eficiencia t��cnica de las compa����as de transporte p��blico. Existen diferentes m��todos para la evaluaci��n t��cnica de un conjunto de compa����as pertenecientes a un sector. Uno de los m��s utilizados es el m��todo frontera, en el que se encuentra el an��lisis envolvente de datos (Data Envelopment Analysis, DEA, por sus siglas en ingl��s). Este m��todo permite establecer una frontera de eficiencia t��cnica relativa a un determinado grupo de compa����as, en funci��n de un n��mero limitado de variables. Las variables deben cuantificar, por un lado, la prestaci��n de servicios de las distintas compa����as (outputs), y por el otro, los recursos consumidos en la producci��n de dichos servicios (inputs). El objetivo de esta tesis es analizar, mediante el uso del m��todo DEA, la eficiencia t��cnica de los servicios de autobuses urbanos en Espa��a. Para ello, se estudia el n��mero de variables m��s adecuado para conformar los modelos con los que se obtienen las fronteras de eficiencia. En el desarrollo de la metodolog��a se utilizan indicadores de los servicios de autob��s urbano de las principales ciudades de las ��reas metropolitanas espa��olas, para el periodo 2004-2009. In times of crisis it is imperative achieve a consumption of public resources as rational as possible. Urban public transport is a sector devoted to large investments and whose services are heavily subsidized. Increase the technical efficiency of the sector, defined as the ratio of service output and resource consumption, can help achieve a better management of public funds. One step to produce an improvement is the development of a methodology for evaluating the technical efficiency of the public transport companies. There are different methods for the technical evaluation of a set of companies within an industry. One of the most widely used methods is the frontier method, in particular the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). This method allows the calculation of a technical efficiency frontier on a specific group of companies, based on a limited number of variables. Variables must quantify, on the one hand, the provision of services of different companies (outputs), and on the other hand, the resources consumed in the production of such services (inputs). The objective of this thesis is to analyze, using the DEA method, the technical efficiency of urban bus services in Spain. For this purpose, it is studied the more suitable variables that can be used in the models to obtain the efficiency frontiers. In developing the methodology are used indicators of urban bus services in major cities of the Spanish metropolitan areas for the period 2004-2009.

Advances in the Simultaneous Multiple Surface optical design method for imaging and non-imaging applications

Classical imaging optics has been developed over centuries in many areas, such as its paraxial imaging theory and practical design methods like multi-parametric optimization techniques. Although these imaging optical design methods can provide elegant solutions to many traditional optical problems, there are more and more new design problems, like solar concentrator, illumination system, ultra-compact camera, etc., that require maximum energy transfer efficiency, or ultra-compact optical structure. These problems do not have simple solutions from classical imaging design methods, because not only paraxial rays, but also non-paraxial rays should be well considered in the design process. Non-imaging optics is a newly developed optical discipline, which does not aim to form images, but to maximize energy transfer efficiency. One important concept developed from non-imaging optics is the ���edge-ray principle���, which states that the energy flow contained in a bundle of rays will be transferred to the target, if all its edge rays are transferred to the target. Based on that concept, many CPC solar concentrators have been developed with efficiency close to the thermodynamic limit. When more than one bundle of edge-rays needs to be considered in the design, one way to obtain solutions is to use SMS method. SMS stands for Simultaneous Multiple Surface, which means several optical surfaces are constructed simultaneously. The SMS method was developed as a design method in Non-imaging optics during the 90s. The method can be considered as an extension to the Cartesian Oval calculation. In the traditional Cartesian Oval calculation, one optical surface is built to transform an input wave-front to an out-put wave-front. The SMS method however, is dedicated to solve more than 1 wave-fronts transformation problem. In the beginning, only 2 input wave-fronts and 2 output wave-fronts transformation problem was considered in the SMS design process for rotational optical systems or free-form optical systems. Usually ���SMS 2D��� method stands for the SMS procedure developed for rotational optical system, and ���SMS 3D��� method for the procedure for free-form optical system. Although the SMS method was originally employed in non-imaging optical system designs, it has been found during this thesis that with the improved capability to design more surfaces and control more input and output wave-fronts, the SMS method can also be applied to imaging system designs and possesses great advantage over traditional design methods. In this thesis, one of the main goals to achieve is to further develop the existing SMS-2D method to design with more surfaces and improve the stability of the SMS-2D and SMS-3D algorithms, so that further optimization process can be combined with SMS algorithms. The benefits of SMS plus optimization strategy over traditional optimization strategy will be explained in details for both rotational and free-form imaging optical system designs. Another main goal is to develop novel design concepts and methods suitable for challenging non-imaging applications, e.g. solar concentrator and solar tracker. This thesis comprises 9 chapters and can be grouped into two parts: the first part (chapter 2-5) contains research works in the imaging field, and the second part (chapter 6-8) contains works in the non-imaging field. In the first chapter, an introduction to basic imaging and non-imaging design concepts and theories is given. Chapter 2 presents a basic SMS-2D imaging design procedure using meridian rays. In this chapter, we will set the imaging design problem from the SMS point of view, and try to solve the problem numerically. The stability of this SMS-2D design procedure will also be discussed. The design concepts and procedures developed in this chapter lay the path for further improvement. Chapter 3 presents two improved SMS 3 surfaces��� design procedures using meridian rays (SMS-3M) and skew rays (SMS-1M2S) respectively. The major improvement has been made to the central segments selections, so that the whole SMS procedures become more stable compared to procedures described in Chapter 2. Since these two algorithms represent two types of phase space sampling, their image forming capabilities are compared in a simple objective design. Chapter 4 deals with an ultra-compact SWIR camera design with the SMS-3M method. The difficulties in this wide band camera design is how to maintain high image quality meanwhile reduce the overall system length. This interesting camera design provides a playground for the classical design method and SMS design methods. We will show designs and optical performance from both classical design method and the SMS design method. Tolerance study is also given as the end of the chapter. Chapter 5 develops a two-stage SMS-3D based optimization strategy for a 2 freeform mirrors imaging system. In the first optimization phase, the SMS-3D method is integrated into the optimization process to construct the two mirrors in an accurate way, drastically reducing the unknown parameters to only few system configuration parameters. In the second optimization phase, previous optimized mirrors are parameterized into Qbfs type polynomials and set up in code V. Code V optimization results demonstrates the effectiveness of this design strategy in this 2-mirror system design. Chapter 6 shows an etendue-squeezing condenser optics, which were prepared for the 2010 IODC illumination contest. This interesting design employs many non-imaging techniques such as the SMS method, etendue-squeezing tessellation, and groove surface design. This device has theoretical efficiency limit as high as 91.9%. Chapter 7 presents a freeform mirror-type solar concentrator with uniform irradiance on the solar cell. Traditional parabolic mirror concentrator has many drawbacks like hot-pot irradiance on the center of the cell, insufficient use of active cell area due to its rotational irradiance pattern and small acceptance angle. In order to conquer these limitations, a novel irradiance homogenization concept is developed, which lead to a free-form mirror design. Simulation results show that the free-form mirror reflector has rectangular irradiance pattern, uniform irradiance distribution and large acceptance angle, which confirm the viability of the design concept. Chapter 8 presents a novel beam-steering array optics design strategy. The goal of the design is to track large angle parallel rays by only moving optical arrays laterally, and convert it to small angle parallel output rays. The design concept is developed as an extended SMS method. Potential applications of this beam-steering device are: skylights to provide steerable natural illumination, building integrated CPV systems, and steerable LED illumination. Conclusion and future lines of work are given in Chapter 9. Resumen La ��ptica de formaci��n de imagen cl��sica se ha ido desarrollando durante siglos, dando lugar tanto a la teor��a de ��ptica paraxial y los m��todos de dise��o pr��cticos como a t��cnicas de optimizaci��n multiparam��tricas. Aunque estos m��todos de dise��o ��ptico para formaci��n de imagen puede aportar soluciones elegantes a muchos problemas convencionales, siguen apareciendo nuevos problemas de dise��o ��ptico, concentradores solares, sistemas de iluminaci��n, c��maras ultracompactas, etc. que requieren m��xima transferencia de energ��a o dimensiones ultracompactas. Este tipo de problemas no se pueden resolver f��cilmente con m��todos cl��sicos de dise��o porque durante el proceso de dise��o no solamente se deben considerar los rayos paraxiales sino tambi��n los rayos no paraxiales. La ��ptica anid��lica o no formadora de imagen es una disciplina que ha evolucionado en gran medida recientemente. Su objetivo no es formar imagen, es maximazar la eficiencia de transferencia de energ��a. Un concepto importante de la ��ptica anid��lica son los ���rayos marginales���, que se pueden utilizar para el dise��o de sistemas ya que si todos los rayos marginales llegan a nuestra ��rea del receptor, todos los rayos interiores tambi��n llegar��n al receptor. Haciendo uso de este principio, se han dise��ado muchos concentradores solares que funcionan cerca del l��mite te��rico que marca la termodin��mica. Cuando consideramos m��s de un haz de rayos marginales en nuestro dise��o, una posible soluci��n es usar el m��todo SMS (Simultaneous Multiple Surface), el cu��l dise��a simult��neamente varias superficies ��pticas. El SMS naci�� como un m��todo de dise��o para ��ptica anid��lica durante los a��os 90. El m��todo puede ser considerado como una extensi��n del c��lculo del ��valo cartesiano. En el m��todo del ��valo cartesiano convencional, se calcula una superficie para transformar un frente de onda entrante a otro frente de onda saliente. El m��todo SMS permite transformar varios frentes de onda de entrada en frentes de onda de salida. Inicialmente, s��lo era posible transformar dos frentes de onda con dos superficies con simetr��a de rotaci��n y sin simetr��a de rotaci��n, pero esta limitaci��n ha sido superada recientemente. Nos referimos a ���SMS 2D��� como el m��todo orientado a construir superficies con simetr��a de rotaci��n y llamamos ���SMS 3D��� al m��todo para construir superficies sin simetr��a de rotaci��n o free-form. Aunque el m��todo originalmente fue aplicado en el dise��o de sistemas anid��licos, se ha observado que gracias a su capacidad para dise��ar m��s superficies y controlar m��s frentes de onda de entrada y de salida, el SMS tambi��n es posible aplicarlo a sistemas de formaci��n de imagen proporcionando una gran ventaja sobre los m��todos de dise��o tradicionales. Uno de los principales objetivos de la presente tesis es extender el m��todo SMS-2D para permitir el dise��o de sistemas con mayor n��mero de superficies y mejorar la estabilidad de los algoritmos del SMS-2D y SMS-3D, haciendo posible combinar la optimizaci��n con los algoritmos. Los beneficios de combinar SMS y optimizaci��n comparado con el proceso de optimizaci��n tradicional se explican en detalle para sistemas con simetr��a de rotaci��n y sin simetr��a de rotaci��n. Otro objetivo importante de la tesis es el desarrollo de nuevos conceptos de dise��o y nuevos m��todos en el ��rea de la concentraci��n solar fotovoltaica. La tesis est�� estructurada en 9 cap��tulos que est��n agrupados en dos partes: la primera de ellas (cap��tulos 2-5) se centra en la ��ptica formadora de imagen mientras que en la segunda parte (cap��tulos 6-8) se presenta el trabajo del ��rea de la ��ptica anid��lica. El primer cap��tulo consta de una breve introducci��n de los conceptos b��sicos de la ��ptica anid��lica y la ��ptica en formaci��n de imagen. El cap��tulo 2 describe un proceso de dise��o SMS-2D sencillo basado en los rayos meridianos. En este cap��tulo se presenta el problema de dise��ar un sistema formador de imagen desde el punto de vista del SMS y se intenta obtener una soluci��n de manera num��rica. La estabilidad de este proceso se analiza con detalle. Los conceptos de dise��o y los algoritmos desarrollados en este cap��tulo sientan la base sobre la cual se realizar��n mejoras. El cap��tulo 3 presenta dos procedimientos para el dise��o de un sistema con 3 superficies SMS, el primero basado en rayos meridianos (SMS-3M) y el segundo basado en rayos oblicuos (SMS-1M2S). La mejora m��s destacable recae en la selecci��n de los segmentos centrales, que hacen m��s estable todo el proceso de dise��o comparado con el presentado en el cap��tulo 2. Estos dos algoritmos representan dos tipos de muestreo del espacio de fases, su capacidad para formar imagen se compara dise��ando un objetivo simple con cada uno de ellos. En el cap��tulo 4 se presenta un dise��o ultra-compacto de una c��mara SWIR dise��ada usando el m��todo SMS-3M. La dificultad del dise��o de esta c��mara de espectro ancho radica en mantener una alta calidad de imagen y al mismo tiempo reducir dr��sticamente sus dimensiones. Esta c��mara es muy interesante para comparar el m��todo de dise��o cl��sico y el m��todo de SMS. En este cap��tulo se presentan ambos dise��os y se analizan sus caracter��sticas ��pticas. En el cap��tulo 5 se describe la estrategia de optimizaci��n basada en el m��todo SMS-3D. El m��todo SMS-3D calcula las superficies ��pticas de manera precisa, dejando s��lo unos pocos par��metros libres para decidir la configuraci��n del sistema. Modificando el valor de estos par��metros se genera cada vez mediante SMS-3D un sistema completo diferente. La optimizaci��n se lleva a cabo variando los mencionados par��metros y analizando el sistema generado. Los resultados muestran que esta estrategia de dise��o es muy eficaz y eficiente para un sistema formado por dos espejos. En el cap��tulo 6 se describe un sistema de compresi��n de la Etendue, que fue presentado en el concurso de iluminaci��n del IODC en 2010. Este interesante dise��o hace uso de t��cnicas propias de la ��ptica anid��lica, como el m��todo SMS, el teselado de las lentes y el dise��o mediante grooves. Este dispositivo tiene un l��mite te��rica en la eficiencia del 91.9%. El cap��tulo 7 presenta un concentrador solar basado en un espejo free-form con irradiancia uniforme sobre la c��lula. Los concentradores parab��licos tienen numerosas desventajas como los puntos calientes en la zona central de la c��lula, uso no eficiente del ��rea de la c��lula al ser ��sta cuadrada y adem��s tienen ��ngulos de aceptancia de reducido. Para poder superar estas limitaciones se propone un novedoso concepto de homogeneizaci��n de la irrandancia que se materializa en un dise��o con espejo free-form. El an��lisis mediante simulaci��n demuestra que la irradiancia es homog��nea en una regi��n rectangular y con mayor ��ngulo de aceptancia, lo que confirma la viabilidad del concepto de dise��o. En el cap��tulo 8 se presenta un novedoso concepto para el dise��o de sistemas afocales din��micos. El objetivo del dise��o es realizar un sistema cuyo haz de rayos de entrada pueda llegar con ��ngulos entre ��45�� mientras que el haz de rayos a la salida sea siempre perpendicular al sistema, variando ��nicamente la posici��n de los elementos ��pticos lateralmente. Las aplicaciones potenciales de este dispositivo son varias: tragaluces que proporcionan iluminaci��n natural, sistemas de concentraci��n fotovoltaica integrados en los edificios o iluminaci��n direccionable con LEDs. Finalmente, el ��ltimo cap��tulo contiene las conclusiones y las l��neas de investigaci��n futura.

Modal contribution and state space order selection in operational modal analysis

The estimation of modal parameters of a structure from ambient measurements has attracted the attention of many researchers in the last years. The procedure is now well established and the use of state space models, stochastic system identification methods and stabilization diagrams allows to identify the modes of the structure. In this paper the contribution of each identified mode to the measured vibration is discussed. This modal contribution is computed using the Kalman filter and it is an indicator of the importance of the modes. Also the variation of the modal contribution with the order of the model is studied. This analysis suggests selecting the order for the state space model as the order that includes the modes with higher contribution. The order obtained using this method is compared to those obtained using other well known methods, like Akaike criteria for time series or the singular values of the weighted projection matrix in the Stochastic Subspace Identification method. Finally, both simulated and measured vibration data are used to show the practicability of the derived technique. Finally, it is important to remark that the method can be used with any identification method working in the state space model.

Metodolog��a para maximizar la rentabilidad de una terminal mar��tima de contenedores a trav��s de la optimizaci��n de su grado de automatizaci��n

Son generalmente aceptadas las tendencias actuales de maximizaci��n de la automatizaci��n para la adaptaci��n de las terminales mar��timas de contenedores a las cada vez mayores exigencias competitivas del negocio de transporte de contenedores. En esta investigaci��n, se somete a consideraci��n dichas tendencias a trav��s de un an��lisis que tenga en cuenta la realidad global de la terminal pero tambi��n su propia realidad local que le permita aprovechar sus fortalezas y minimizar sus debilidades en un mercado continuamente en crecimiento y cambio. Para lo cual se ha desarrollado un modelo de an��lisis en el que se tengan en cuenta los par��metros t��cnicos, operativos, econ��micos y financieros que influyen en el dise��o de una terminal mar��tima de contenedores, desde su concepci��n como ente dependiente para generar negocio, todos ellos dentro de un per��metro definido por el mercado del tr��fico de contenedores as�� como las limitaciones f��sicas introducidas por la propia terminal. Para la obtenci��n de dicho modelo ha sido necesario llevar a cabo un proceso de estudio del contexto actual del tr��fico de contenedores y su relaci��n con el dise��o de las terminales mar��timas, as�� como de las metodolog��as propuestas hasta ahora por los diferentes autores para abordar el proceso de dimensionamiento y dise��o de la terminal. Una vez definido el modelo que ha de servir de base para el dise��o de una terminal mar��tima de contenedores desde un planteamiento multicriterio, se analiza la influencia de las diversas variables explicativas de dicho modelo y se cuantifica su impacto en los resultados econ��micos, financieros y operativos de la terminal. Un paso siguiente consiste en definir un modelo simplificado que vincule la rentabilidad de una concesi��n de terminal con el tr��fico esperado en funci��n del grado de automatizaci��n y del tipo de terminal. Esta investigaci��n es el fruto del objetivo ambicioso de aportar una metodolog��a que defina la opci��n ��ptima de dise��o de una terminal mar��tima de contenedores apoyada en los pilares de la optimizaci��n del grado de automatizaci��n y de la maximizaci��n de la rentabilidad del negocio que en ella se desarrolla. It is generally accepted current trends in automation to maximize the adaptation of maritime container terminals to the growing competitive demands of the business of container shipping. In this research, is submitted to these trends through an analysis taking into account the global reality of the terminal but also their own local reality it could exploit its strengths and minimize their weaknesses in a market continuously growing and changing. For which we have developed a model analysis that takes into account the technical, operational, financial and economic influence in the design of a container shipping terminal, from its conception as being dependent to generate business, all within a perimeter defined by the market of container traffic and the physical constraints introduced by the terminal. To obtain this model has been necessary to conduct a study process in the current context of container traffic and its relation to the design of marine terminals, as well as the methodologies proposed so far by different authors to address the process sizing and design of the terminal. Having defined the model that will serve as the basis for the design for a container shipping terminal from a multi-criteria approach, we analyze the influence of various explanatory variables of the model and quantify their impact on economic performance, financial and operational of the terminal. A next step is to define a simplified model that links the profitability of a terminal concession with traffic expected on the basis of the degree of automation and the kind of terminal. This research is the result of the ambitious target of providing a methodology to define the optimal choice of designing a container shipping terminal on the pillars of automation optimizing and maximizing the profitability of the business that it develops.

A Multingual Web-based Educational System for Professional Musicians

This paper presents the main results of the eContent HARMOS project. The project has developed a webbased educational system for professional musicians. The main idea of the project consists of recording master classes taught by highly recognised maestros and annotate this multimedia material using an educational musical taxonomy and automatic annotation tools. Users of the system access a multi-criteria search engine that allows them to find and play video segments according to a combination of criteria, which include instrument, teacher, composer, composition, movement and pedagogical concept. In order to preserve teachers and students rights, a DRM and protection system has been developed. The system is being publicly exploited. This model preserves musical heritage, since these valuable master classes are usually not recorded and it also provides a sustainable model for musical institutions.

Learning and Assessing Competencies: New challenges for Mathematics in Engineering Degrees in Spain.

The introduction of new degrees adapted to the European Area of Higher Education (EAHE) has involved a radically different approach to the curriculum. The new programs are structured around competencies that should be acquired. Considering the competencies, teachers must define and develop learning objectives, design teaching methods and establish appropriate evaluation systems. While most Spanish universities have incorporated methodological innovations and evaluation systems different from traditional exams, there is enough confusion about how to teach and assess competencies and learning outcomes, as traditionally the teaching and assessment have focused on knowledge. In this paper we analyze the state-of-the-art in the mathematical courses of the new engineering degrees in some Spanish universities.

The analytic hierarchy process to support decision-making processes in infrastructure projects with social impact

There is an increasing awareness among all kinds of organisations (in business,government and civil society) about the bene���ts of jointly working with stakeholders to satisfy both their goals and the social demands placed upon them. This is particularly the case within corporate social responsibility (CSR) frameworks. In this regard, multi-criteria tools for decision-making like the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) described in the paper can be useful for the building relationships with stakeholders. Since these tools can reveal decision-maker���s preferences, the integration of opinions from various stakeholders in the decision-making process may result in better and more innovative solutions with signi���cant shared value. This paper is based on ongoing research to assess the feasibility of an AHP-based model to support CSR decisions in large infrastructure projects carried out by Red Electrica de Espa��a, the sole transmission agent and operator of the Spanishelectricity system.

Analyzing climate change adaptation in the agriculture and water sectors: screening risks and opportunities.

As part of the Mediterranean area, the Guadiana basin in Spain is particularly exposed to increasing water stress due to climate change. Future warmer and drier climate will have negative implications for the sustainability of water resources and irrigation agriculture, the main socio- economic sector in the region. This paper illustrates a systematic analysis of climate change impacts and adaptation in the Guadiana basin based on a two-stage modeling approach. First, an integrated hydro-economic modeling framework was used to simulate the potential effects of regional climate change scenarios for the period 2000-2069. Second, a participatory multi-criteria technique, namely the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), was applied to rank potential adaptation measures based on agreed criteria. Results show that, in the middle-long run and under severe climate change, reduced water availability, lower crop yields and increased irrigation demands might lead to water shortages, crop failure, and up to ten percent of income losses to irrigators. AHP results show how private farming adaptation measures, including improving irrigation efficiency and adjusting crop varieties, are preferred to public adaptation measures, such as building new dams. The integrated quantitative and qualitative methodology used in this research can be considered a socially-based valuable tool to support adaptation decision-making.

Dominance intensity measure within fuzzy weight oriented MAUT: an application

We introduce a dominance intensity measuring method to derive a ranking of alternatives to deal with incomplete information in multi-criteria decision-making problems on the basis of multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) and fuzzy sets theory. We consider the situation where there is imprecision concerning decision-makers��� preferences, and imprecise weights are represented by trapezoidal fuzzy weights.The proposed method is based on the dominance values between pairs of alternatives. These values can be computed by linear programming, as an additive multi-attribute utility model is used to rate the alternatives. Dominance values are then transformed into dominance intensity measures, used to rank the alternatives under consideration. Distances between fuzzy numbers based on the generalization of the left and right fuzzy numbers are utilized to account for fuzzy weights. An example concerning the selection of intervention strategies to restore an aquatic ecosystem contaminated by radionuclides illustrates the approach. Monte Carlo simulation techniques have been used to show that the proposed method performs well for different imprecision levels in terms of a hit ratio and a rank-order correlation measure.

Signal-to-noise ratio of the MEG signal after preprocessing

Background Magnetoencephalography (MEG) provides a direct measure of brain activity with high combined spatiotemporal resolution. Preprocessing is necessary to reduce contributions from environmental interference and biological noise. New method The effect on the signal-to-noise ratio of different preprocessing techniques is evaluated. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was defined as the ratio between the mean signal amplitude (evoked field) and the standard error of the mean over trials. Results Recordings from 26 subjects obtained during and event-related visual paradigm with an Elekta MEG scanner were employed. Two methods were considered as first-step noise reduction: Signal Space Separation and temporal Signal Space Separation, which decompose the signal into components with origin inside and outside the head. Both algorithm increased the SNR by approximately 100%. Epoch-based methods, aimed at identifying and rejecting epochs containing eye blinks, muscular artifacts and sensor jumps provided an SNR improvement of 5���10%. Decomposition methods evaluated were independent component analysis (ICA) and second-order blind identification (SOBI). The increase in SNR was of about 36% with ICA and 33% with SOBI. Comparison with existing methods No previous systematic evaluation of the effect of the typical preprocessing steps in the SNR of the MEG signal has been performed. Conclusions The application of either SSS or tSSS is mandatory in Elekta systems. No significant differences were found between the two. While epoch-based methods have been routinely applied the less often considered decomposition methods were clearly superior and therefore their use seems advisable.

Introducci��n de criterios de sostenibilidad en la elecci��n de emplazamientos industriales mediante modelos multicriterio

(SPA) La elecci��n de localizaciones para la implantaci��n de actividades industriales es un problema complejo, donde a los criterios de coste y eficiencia se han ido a��adiendo otros nuevos relativos tanto al impacto en el medio ambiente como a la imagen de la empresa reflejada en la Responsabilidad Social Empresarial. Los criterios medioambientales han ido adquiriendo gran relevancia en la decisi��n final, hasta convertirse, gracias a la obligaci��n de someter los proyectos a evaluaci��n ambiental, en elementos clave en la decisi��n final. Por ello, resulta relativamente frecuente que los promotores consulten previamente con la Administraci��n sobre la viabilidad de sus proyectos antes de iniciar un dilatado procedimiento administrativo. En este trabajo se plantea la utilizaci��n de indicadores de sostenibilidad y su aplicaci��n, a trav��s de un modelo de decisiones multicriterio, para la ordenaci��n de las distintas opciones de ubicaci��n inicialmente consideradas, de tal forma que se conviertan en instrumento de tanteo y ayuda en la toma de estas decisiones. Para mostrar su utilidad se propone la utilizaci��n de la herramienta de apoyo basada en la metodolog��a PROMETHEE y su aplicaci��n en la ordenaci��n de cinco emplazamientos alternativos para la instalaci��n de una cementera en la Comunidad de Madrid seg��n criterios de sostenibilidad. (ENG) The choice of locations for the implementation of industrial activities is a complex problem where the cost and efficiency criteria have been adding new ones relating to the environment impact and the company���s corporate image reflected in Corporate Social Responsability. The environmental criteria have been getting big importance in the final decision, to become key elements in the final decision, due to the duty of submit of environmental assessment projects. Therefore, promoters, quite often, ask previously to the Administration about the viability of their projects before starting a lengthy administrative procedure. This paper proposes the use of sustainability indicators and their application through a multi-criteria decision model for managing the establishment options initially considered, so that they become an help instrument of estimation in order to making these decisions. To show its usefulness we propose the use of the support tool for decision making based on the PROMETHEE methodology and its application in the management of 5 alternative sites for the installation of a cement factory in the Community of Madrid under sustainability criteria.