MAPAGEOLÓGICO-GEOTÉCNICO DA BACIA DO RIO BACANGA – SÃO LUÍS (MA)

Este trabalho apresenta as características do meio físico da Bacia do Rio Bacanga, localizada na cidade de São Luís (MA). Dentro da compartimentação geomorfológica regional, a área insere-se no Golfão Maranhense, sendo caracterizada por duas unidades de relevo: colinas dissecadas a partir dos tabuleiros e planícies flúvio-marinhas. Os estudos objetivaram a elaboração de um mapa geológico- geotécnico, fundamentado no método do detalhamento progressivo, sendo integradas as informações geológicas, geomorfológicas e de solos em uma base topográfica na escala de 1:20.000. Para esses estudos foi utilizada como ferramenta principal a fotointerpretação detalhada, associada ao controle de campo e ensaio in situ. No mapa resultante foram caracterizadas seis unidades geológico-geotécnicas: Unidade I – depósitos construídos; Unidade II – áreas planas de fundo de vales; Unidade III – terrenos associados à fácies arenosa da Formação Barreiras; Unidade IV – fácies areno-argilosa da Formação Barreiras; Unidade V – área de domínio da fácies areno-argilosa da Formação Barreiras; Unidade VI – domínio da Formação Itapecuru. Nas unidades foram identificados os processos geológicos e os problemas ambientais que compõem a dinâmica da bacia do Rio Bacanga. O mapa elaborado é uma das ferramentas indispensáveis para subsidiar o planejamento do uso e ocupação do solo. Palavras-chave: mapeamento geológico-geotécnico, relevo de tabuleiro, Rio Bacanga, São Luís (MA).

Result on speech perception after conversion from Spectra (R) to Freedom (R)

New technology in the Freedom (R) speech processor for cochlear implants was developed to improve how incoming acoustic sound is processed; this applies not only for new users, but also for previous generations of cochlear implants. Aim: To identify the contribution of this technology - the Nucleus 22 (R) - on speech perception tests in silence and in noise, and on audiometric thresholds. Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study was undertaken. Seventeen patients were selected. The last map based on the Spectra (R) was revised and optimized before starting the tests. Troubleshooting was used to identify malfunction. To identify the contribution of the Freedom (R) technology for the Nucleus22 (R), auditory thresholds and speech perception tests were performed in free field in soundproof booths. Recorded monosyllables and sentences in silence and in noise (SNR = 0dB) were presented at 60 dBSPL. The nonparametric Wilcoxon test for paired data was used to compare groups. Results: Freedom (R) applied for the Nucleus22 (R) showed a statistically significant difference in all speech perception tests and audiometric thresholds. Conclusion: The reedom (R) technology improved the performance of speech perception and audiometric thresholds of patients with Nucleus 22 (R).

Thermal relaxation for particle systems in interaction with several bosonic heat reservoirs

The present thesis is concerned with the study of a quantum physical system composed of a small particle system (such as a spin chain) and several quantized massless boson fields (as photon gasses or phonon fields) at positive temperature. The setup serves as a simplified model for matter in interaction with thermal "radiation" from different sources. Hereby, questions concerning the dynamical and thermodynamic properties of particle-boson configurations far from thermal equilibrium are in the center of interest. We study a specific situation where the particle system is brought in contact with the boson systems (occasionally referred to as heat reservoirs) where the reservoirs are prepared close to thermal equilibrium states, each at a different temperature. We analyze the interacting time evolution of such an initial configuration and we show thermal relaxation of the system into a stationary state, i.e., we prove the existence of a time invariant state which is the unique limit state of the considered initial configurations evolving in time. As long as the reservoirs have been prepared at different temperatures, this stationary state features thermodynamic characteristics as stationary energy fluxes and a positive entropy production rate which distinguishes it from being a thermal equilibrium at any temperature. Therefore, we refer to it as non-equilibrium stationary state or simply NESS. The physical setup is phrased mathematically in the language of C*-algebras. The thesis gives an extended review of the application of operator algebraic theories to quantum statistical mechanics and introduces in detail the mathematical objects to describe matter in interaction with radiation. The C*-theory is adapted to the concrete setup. The algebraic description of the system is lifted into a Hilbert space framework. The appropriate Hilbert space representation is given by a bosonic Fock space over a suitable L2-space. The first part of the present work is concluded by the derivation of a spectral theory which connects the dynamical and thermodynamic features with spectral properties of a suitable generator, say K, of the time evolution in this Hilbert space setting. That way, the question about thermal relaxation becomes a spectral problem. The operator K is of Pauli-Fierz type. The spectral analysis of the generator K follows. This task is the core part of the work and it employs various kinds of functional analytic techniques. The operator K results from a perturbation of an operator L0 which describes the non-interacting particle-boson system. All spectral considerations are done in a perturbative regime, i.e., we assume that the strength of the coupling is sufficiently small. The extraction of dynamical features of the system from properties of K requires, in particular, the knowledge about the spectrum of K in the nearest vicinity of eigenvalues of the unperturbed operator L0. Since convergent Neumann series expansions only qualify to study the perturbed spectrum in the neighborhood of the unperturbed one on a scale of order of the coupling strength we need to apply a more refined tool, the Feshbach map. This technique allows the analysis of the spectrum on a smaller scale by transferring the analysis to a spectral subspace. The need of spectral information on arbitrary scales requires an iteration of the Feshbach map. This procedure leads to an operator-theoretic renormalization group. The reader is introduced to the Feshbach technique and the renormalization procedure based on it is discussed in full detail. Further, it is explained how the spectral information is extracted from the renormalization group flow. The present dissertation is an extension of two kinds of a recent research contribution by Jakšić and Pillet to a similar physical setup. Firstly, we consider the more delicate situation of bosonic heat reservoirs instead of fermionic ones, and secondly, the system can be studied uniformly for small reservoir temperatures. The adaption of the Feshbach map-based renormalization procedure by Bach, Chen, Fröhlich, and Sigal to concrete spectral problems in quantum statistical mechanics is a further novelty of this work.

Spatial and Temporal Evolution of the Volcanics and Sediments of the Kenya Rift

New volumetric and mass flux estimates have been calculated for the Kenya Rift. Spatial and temporal histories for volcanic eruptions, lacustrine deposition, and hominin fossil sites are presented, aided by the compilation of a new digital geologic map. Distribution of volcanism over time indicates several periods of southward expansion followed by relative positional stasis. Volcanism occurs throughout the activated rift length, with no obvious abandonment as the rift system migrated. The main exception is a period of volcanic concentration around 10 Ma, when activity was constrained within 2° of the equator. Volumes derived from seismic data indicate a total volume of c. 310,000 km3 (2.47 x 1010 kg/yr ), which is significantly more than the map-derived volumes found here or published previously. Map-based estimates are likely affected by a bias against recognizing small volume events in the older record. Such events are, however, the main driver of erupted volume over the last 5 Ma. A technique developed here to counter this bias results in convergence of the two volume estimation techniques. Relative erupted composition over time is variable. Overall, the erupted material has a mafic to silicic ratio of 0.9:1. Basalts are distinctly more common in the Turkana region, which previously experienced Mesozoic rifting. Despite the near equal ratio of mafic to silicic products, the Kenya Rift otherwise fits the definition of a SLIP. It is proposed that the compositions would better fit the published definition if the Turkana region was not twice-rifted. Lacustrine sedimentation post-dates initial volcanism by about 5 million years, and follows the same volcanic trends, showing south and eastward migration over time. This sedimentation delay is likely related to timing of fault displacements. Evidence of hominin habitation is distinctly abundant in the northern and southern sections of the Kenya Rift, but there is an observed gap in the equatorial rift between 4 and 0.5 million years ago. After 0.5 Ma, sites appear to progress towards the equator. The pattern and timing of hominid site distributions suggests that the equatorial gap in habitation may be the result of active volcanic avoidance.

Relationship between threshold and suprathreshold perception of position and stereoscopic depth.

We seek to determine the relationship between threshold and suprathreshold perception for position offset and stereoscopic depth perception under conditions that elevate their respective thresholds. Two threshold-elevating conditions were used: (1) increasing the interline gap and (2) dioptric blur. Although increasing the interline gap increases position (Vernier) offset and stereoscopic disparity thresholds substantially, the perception of suprathreshold position offset and stereoscopic depth remains unchanged. Perception of suprathreshold position offset also remains unchanged when the Vernier threshold is elevated by dioptric blur. We show that such normalization of suprathreshold position offset can be attributed to the topographical-map-based encoding of position. On the other hand, dioptric blur increases the stereoscopic disparity thresholds and reduces the perceived suprathreshold stereoscopic depth, which can be accounted for by a disparity-computation model in which the activities of absolute disparity encoders are multiplied by a Gaussian weighting function that is centered on the horopter. Overall, the statement "equal suprathreshold perception occurs in threshold-elevated and unelevated conditions when the stimuli are equally above their corresponding thresholds" describes the results better than the statement "suprathreshold stimuli are perceived as equal when they are equal multiples of their respective threshold values."

Derived Bedrock Elevations, Strain Rates and Stresses from Measured Surface Elevations and Velocities - Jakobshavns-Isbrae, Greenland

Jakobshavns Isbrae (69 degrees 10'N, 49 degrees 5'W) drains about 6.5% of the Greenland ice sheet and is the fastest ice stream known. The Jakobshavns Isbrae basin of about 10 000 km(2) was mapped photogrammetrically from four sets of aerial photography, two taken in July 1985 and two in July 1986. Positions and elevations of several hundred natural features on the ice surface were determined for each epoch by photogrammetric block-aerial triangulation, and surface velocity vectors were computed from the positions. The two flights in 1985 yielded the best results and provided most common points (716) for velocity determinations and are therefore used in the modeling studies. The data from these irregularly spaced points were used to calculate ice elevations and velocity vectors at uniformly spaced grid paints 3 km apart by interpolation. The field of surface strain rates was then calculated from these gridded data and used to compute the field of surface deviatoric stresses, using the flow law of ice, for rectilinear coordinates, X, Y pointing eastward and northward. and curvilinear coordinates, L, T pointing longitudinally and transversely to the changing ice-flow direction. Ice-surface elevations and slopes were then used to calculate ice thicknesses and the fraction of the ice velocity due to basal sliding. Our calculated ice thicknesses are in fair agreement with an ice-thickness map based on seismic sounding and supplied to us by K. Echelmeyer. Ice thicknesses were subtracted from measured ice-surface elevations to map bed topography. Our calculation shows that basal sliding is significant only in the 10-15 km before Jakobshavns Isbrae becomes afloat in Jakobshavns IsfJord.

Geochemical and isotopic composition of basalts from the axial Mid-Atlantic Ridge, South Atlantic

One of the essential problems of oceanic tectonics is estimation of the influence of plumes of the deep hot mantle on processes in the axial spreading zone. Areas of two giant (St. Helena and Tristan da Cunha) plumes in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) rift zone (South Atlantic) are characterized by the effusion of basalts that differ from typical depleted riftogenic tholeiites by anomalously high contents of lithophile components and specific isotopic compositions. Moreover, the rift valley floor with basalt effusion is significantly uplifted above the adjacent sectors of the rift. The formation of the St. Helena Seamount located 400 km east of the MAR axis is related to magmatism that is active to this day. St. Helena Island is a member of the structural ensemble of large volcanic seamounts (Bonaparte, Bagration, and Kutuzov). Like St. Helena Island, each seamount incorporates a series of smaller rises of different morphologies and dimensions. Thus, a system of subparallel series of NE-trending (~45°) rises extend from the seamount ensemble to the African continent. According to the plate tectonics concept, the seamount series represent hotspots related to a deep mantle plume that can be projected onto the present-day St. Helena Island area (St. Helena plume). At the same time, the inferred topographic map based on satellite altimetry data shows that the seamount series also extend along the opposite southwestern direction (~225°) toward the axial MAR and even intersect the latter structure. This fact cannot be explained by the hotspot hypothesis, which suggests stationary positions of plumes relative to the mobile oceanic plate. In the course of Cruise 10 of the R/V Akademik Ioffe (2002), detailed geological and geophysical investigations were carried out at the junction of one structural series with the MAR rift zone located near the Martin Vaz Fracture Zone (Martin Vaz test area, 19°-20° S). The present communication is devoted to the study of lithology, geochemistry, and isotopy of basalts dredged at the test area.

Multi-agent location system in wireless networks

In this paper we propose a flexible Multi-Agent Architecture together with a methodology for indoor location which allows us to locate any mobile station (MS) such as a Laptop, Smartphone, Tablet or a robotic system in an indoor environment using wireless technology. Our technology is complementary to the GPS location finder as it allows us to locate a mobile system in a specific room on a specific floor using the Wi-Fi networks. The idea is that any MS will have an agent known at a Fuzzy Location Software Agent (FLSA) with a minimum capacity processing at its disposal which collects the power received at different Access Points distributed around the floor and establish its location on a plan of the floor of the building. In order to do so it will have to communicate with the Fuzzy Location Manager Software Agent (FLMSA). The FLMSAs are local agents that form part of the management infrastructure of the Wi-Fi network of the Organization. The FLMSA implements a location estimation methodology divided into three phases (measurement, calibration and estimation) for locating mobile stations (MS). Our solution is a fingerprint-based positioning system that overcomes the problem of the relative effect of doors and walls on signal strength and is independent of the network device manufacturer. In the measurement phase, our system collects received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements from multiple access points. In the calibration phase, our system uses these measurements in a normalization process to create a radio map, a database of RSS patterns. Unlike traditional radio map-based methods, our methodology normalizes RSS measurements collected at different locations on a floor. In the third phase, we use Fuzzy Controllers to locate an MS on the plan of the floor of a building. Experimental results demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed method. From these results it is clear that the system is highly likely to be able to locate an MS in a room or adjacent room.

Explotación de servicios de la Infraestructura de Datos Espaciales de España (IDEE) en dispositivos móviles

En los últimos años el número de dispositivos móviles y smartphones ha aumentado drásticamente, así como el número de aplicaciones destinadas a estos. Los desarrolladores siempre se han visto frenados en la creación de estas aplicaciones debido a la complejidad que supone la diversidad de sistemas operativos (Android, iOS, Windows Phone, etc), que utilizan lenguajes de programación diferentes, haciendo que, para poder desarrollar una aplicación que funcione en estas plataformas, en verdad haya que implementar una aplicación independiente para cada una de las plataformas. Para solucionar este problema han surgido frameworks, como Appcelerator Titanium, que permiten escribir una sola vez la aplicación y compilarla para las diferentes plataformas móviles objetivo. Sin embargo, estos frameworks están aún en estado muy temprano de desarrollo, por lo que no resuelven toda la problemática ni dan una respuesta completa a los desarrolladores. El objetivo de este Trabajo de Fin de Grado ha sido contribuir a la evolución de estos frameworks mediante la creación de un módulo para Appcelerator Titanium que permita construir de manera ágil aplicaciones multiplataforma que hagan uso de visualizadores de información geográfica. Para ello se propone el desarrollo de un módulo de mapa con soporte para capas WMS, rutas y polígonos en WKT, KML y GeoJSON. Se facilitará además que estas aplicaciones puedan acceder a capacidades del hardware como la brújula y el GPS para realizar un seguimiento de la localización, a la vez que se hace uso de la aceleración por el hardware subyacente para mejorar la velocidad y fluidez de la información visualizada en el mapa. A partir de este módulo se ha creado una aplicación que hace uso de todas sus características y posteriormente se ha migrado a la plataforma Wirecloud4Tablet como componente nativo que puede integrarse con otros componentes web (widgets) mediante técnicas de mashup. Gracias a esto se ha podido fusionar por un lado todas las ventajas que ofrece Wirecloud para el rápido desarrollo de aplicaciones sin necesidad de tener conocimientos de programación, junto con las ventajas que ofrecen las aplicaciones nativas en cuanto a rendimiento y características extras. Usando los resultados de este proyecto, se pueden crear de manera ágil aplicaciones composicionales nativas multiplataforma que hagan uso de visualización de información geográfica; es decir, se pueden crear aplicaciones en pocos minutos y sin conocimientos de programación que pueden ejecutar diferentes componentes (como el mapa) de manera nativa en múltiples plataformas. Se facilita también la integración de componentes nativos (como es el mapa desarrollado) con otros componentes web (widgets) en un mashup que puede visualizarse en dispositivos móviles mediante la plataforma Wirecloud. ---ABSTRACT---In recent years the number of mobile devices and smartphones has increased dramatically as well as the number of applications targeted at them. Developers always have been slowed in the creation of these applications due to the complexity caused by the diversity of operating systems (Android, iOS, Windows Phone, etc), each of them using different programming languages, so that, in order to develop an application that works on these platforms, the developer really has to implement a different application for each platform. To solve this problem frameworks such as Appcelerator Titanium have emerged, allowing developers to write the application once and to compile it for different target mobile platforms. However, these frameworks are still in very early stage of development, so they do not solve all the difficulties nor give a complete solution to the developers. The objective of this final year dissertation is to contribute to the evolution of these frameworks by creating a module for Appcelerator Titanium that permits to nimbly build multi-platform applications that make use of geographical information visualization. To this end, the development of a map module with support for WMS layers, paths, and polygons in WKT, KML, and GeoJSON is proposed. This module will also facilitate these applications to access hardware capabilities such as GPS and compass to track the location, while it makes use of the underlying hardware acceleration to improve the speed and fluidity of the information displayed on the map. Based on this module, it has been created an application that makes use of all its features and subsequently it has been migrated to the platform Wirecloud4Tablet as a native component that can be integrated with other web components (widgets) using mashup techniques. As a result, it has been fused on one side all the advantages Wirecloud provides for fast application development without the need of programming skills, along with the advantages of native apps, such as performance and extra features. Using the results of this project, compositional platform native applications that make use of geographical information visualization can be created in an agile way; ie, in a few minutes and without having programming skills, a developer could create applications that can run different components (like the map) natively on multiple platforms. It also facilitates the integration of native components (like the map) with other web components (widgets) in a mashup that can be displayed on mobile devices through the Wirecloud platform.

Aerial Coverage Path Planning applied to Mapping

In the last decade we have seen how small and light weight aerial platforms - aka, Mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (MUAV) - shipped with heterogeneous sensors have become a 'most wanted' Remote Sensing (RS) tool. Most of the off-the-shelf aerial systems found in the market provide way-point navigation. However, they do not rely on a tool that compute the aerial trajectories considering all the aspects that allow optimizing the aerial missions. One of the most demanded RS applications of MUAV is image surveying. The images acquired are typically used to build a high-resolution image, i.e., a mosaic of the workspace surface. Although, it may be applied to any other application where a sensor-based map must be computed. This thesis provides a study of this application and a set of solutions and methods to address this kind of aerial mission by using a fleet of MUAVs. In particular, a set of algorithms are proposed for map-based sampling, and aerial coverage path planning (ACPP). Regarding to map-based sampling, the approaches proposed consider workspaces with different shapes and surface characteristics. The workspace is sampled considering the sensor characteristics and a set of mission requirements. The algorithm applies different computational geometry approaches, providing a unique way to deal with workspaces with different shape and surface characteristics in order to be surveyed by one or more MUAVs. This feature introduces a previous optimization step before path planning. After that, the ACPP problem is theorized and a set of ACPP algorithms to compute the MUAVs trajectories are proposed. The problem addressed herein is the problem to coverage a wide area by using MUAVs with limited autonomy. Therefore, the mission must be accomplished in the shortest amount of time. The aerial survey is usually subject to a set of workspace restrictions, such as the take-off and landing positions as well as a safety distance between elements of the fleet. Moreover, it has to avoid forbidden zones to y. Three different algorithms have been studied to address this problem. The approaches studied are based on graph searching, heuristic and meta-heuristic approaches, e.g., mimic, evolutionary. Finally, an extended survey of field experiments applying the previous methods, as well as the materials and methods adopted in outdoor missions is presented. The reported outcomes demonstrate that the findings attained from this thesis improve ACPP mission for mapping purpose in an efficient and safe manner.

Aerial Coverage Path Planning applied to Mapping

In the last decade we have seen how small and light weight aerial platforms - aka, Mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (MUAV) - shipped with heterogeneous sensors have become a 'most wanted' Remote Sensing (RS) tool. Most of the off-the-shelf aerial systems found in the market provide way-point navigation. However, they do not rely on a tool that compute the aerial trajectories considering all the aspects that allow optimizing the aerial missions. One of the most demanded RS applications of MUAV is image surveying. The images acquired are typically used to build a high-resolution image, i.e., a mosaic of the workspace surface. Although, it may be applied to any other application where a sensor-based map must be computed. This thesis provides a study of this application and a set of solutions and methods to address this kind of aerial mission by using a fleet of MUAVs. In particular, a set of algorithms are proposed for map-based sampling, and aerial coverage path planning (ACPP). Regarding to map-based sampling, the approaches proposed consider workspaces with different shapes and surface characteristics. The workspace is sampled considering the sensor characteristics and a set of mission requirements. The algorithm applies different computational geometry approaches, providing a unique way to deal with workspaces with different shape and surface characteristics in order to be surveyed by one or more MUAVs. This feature introduces a previous optimization step before path planning. After that, the ACPP problem is theorized and a set of ACPP algorithms to compute the MUAVs trajectories are proposed. The problem addressed herein is the problem to coverage a wide area by using MUAVs with limited autonomy. Therefore, the mission must be accomplished in the shortest amount of time. The aerial survey is usually subject to a set of workspace restrictions, such as the take-off and landing positions as well as a safety distance between elements of the fleet. Moreover, it has to avoid forbidden zones to y. Three different algorithms have been studied to address this problem. The approaches studied are based on graph searching, heuristic and meta-heuristic approaches, e.g., mimic, evolutionary. Finally, an extended survey of field experiments applying the previous methods, as well as the materials and methods adopted in outdoor missions is presented. The reported outcomes demonstrate that the findings attained from this thesis improve ACPP mission for mapping purpose in an efficient and safe manner.

Auscultación de presas de hormigón con láser escáner terrestre y modelización de las deformaciones del paramento

Se está produciendo en la geodesia un cambio de paradigma en la concepción de los modelos digitales del terreno, pasando de diseñar el modelo con el menor número de puntos posibles a hacerlo con cientos de miles o millones de puntos. Este cambio ha sido consecuencia de la introducción de nuevas tecnologías como el escáner láser, la interferometría radar y el tratamiento de imágenes. La rápida aceptación de estas nuevas tecnologías se debe principalmente a la gran velocidad en la toma de datos, a la accesibilidad por no precisar de prisma y al alto grado de detalle de los modelos. Los métodos topográficos clásicos se basan en medidas discretas de puntos que considerados en su conjunto forman un modelo; su precisión se deriva de la precisión en la toma singular de estos puntos. La tecnología láser escáner terrestre (TLS) supone una aproximación diferente para la generación del modelo del objeto observado. Las nubes de puntos, producto del escaneo con TLS, pasan a ser tratadas en su conjunto mediante análisis de áreas, de forma que ahora el modelo final no es el resultado de una agregación de puntos sino la de la mejor superficie que se adapta a las nubes de puntos. Al comparar precisiones en la captura de puntos singulares realizados con métodos taquimétricos y equipos TLS la inferioridad de estos últimos es clara; sin embargo es en el tratamiento de las nubes de puntos, con los métodos de análisis basados en áreas, se han obtenido precisiones aceptables y se ha podido considerar plenamente la incorporación de esta tecnología en estudios de deformaciones y movimientos de estructuras. Entre las aplicaciones del TLS destacan las de registro del patrimonio, registro de las fases en la construcción de plantas industriales y estructuras, atestados de accidentes y monitorización de movimientos del terreno y deformaciones de estructuras. En la auscultación de presas, comparado con la monitorización de puntos concretos dentro, en coronación o en el paramento de la presa, disponer de un modelo continuo del paramento aguas abajo de la presa abre la posibilidad de introducir los métodos de análisis de deformaciones de superficies y la creación de modelos de comportamiento que mejoren la comprensión y previsión de sus movimientos. No obstante, la aplicación de la tecnología TLS en la auscultación de presas debe considerarse como un método complementario a los existentes. Mientras que los péndulos y la reciente técnica basada en el sistema de posicionamiento global diferencial (DGPS) dan una información continua de los movimientos de determinados puntos de la presa, el TLS permite ver la evolución estacional y detectar posibles zonas problemáticas en todo el paramento. En este trabajo se analizan las características de la tecnología TLS y los parámetros que intervienen en la precisión final de los escaneos. Se constata la necesidad de utilizar equipos basados en la medida directa del tiempo de vuelo, también llamados pulsados, para distancias entre 100 m y 300 m Se estudia la aplicación del TLS a la modelización de estructuras y paramentos verticales. Se analizan los factores que influyen en la precisión final, como el registro de nubes, tipo de dianas y el efecto conjunto del ángulo y la distancia de escaneo. Finalmente, se hace una comparación de los movimientos dados por los péndulos directos de una presa con los obtenidos del análisis de las nubes de puntos correspondientes a varias campañas de escaneos de la misma presa. Se propone y valida el empleo de gráficos patrón para relacionar las variables precisión o exactitud con los factores distancia y ángulo de escaneo en el diseño de trabajos de campo. Se expone su aplicación en la preparación del trabajo de campo para la realización de una campaña de escaneos dirigida al control de movimientos de una presa y se realizan recomendaciones para la aplicación de la técnica TLS a grandes estructuras. Se ha elaborado el gráfico patrón de un equipo TLS concreto de alcance medio. Para ello se hicieron dos ensayos de campo en condiciones reales de trabajo, realizando escaneos en todo el rango de distancias y ángulos de escaneo del equipo. Se analizan dos métodos para obtener la precisión en la modelización de paramentos y la detección de movimientos de estos: el método del “plano de mejor ajuste” y el método de la “deformación simulada”. Por último, se presentan los resultados de la comparación de los movimientos estacionales de una presa arco-gravedad entre los registrados con los péndulos directos y los obtenidos a partir de los escaneos realizados con un TLS. Los resultados muestran diferencias de milímetros, siendo el mejor de ellos del orden de un milímetro. Se explica la metodología utilizada y se hacen consideraciones respecto a la densidad de puntos de las nubes y al tamaño de las mallas de triángulos. A shift of paradigm in the conception of the survey digital models is taking place in geodesy, moving from designing a model with the fewer possible number of points to models of hundreds of thousand or million points. This change has happened because of the introduction of new technologies like the laser scanner, the interferometry radar and the processing of images. The fast acceptance of these new technologies has been due mainly to the great speed getting the data, to the accessibility as reflectorless technique, and to the high degree of detail of the models. Classic survey methods are based on discreet measures of points that, considered them as a whole, form a model; the precision of the model is then derived from the precision measuring the single points. The terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) technology supposes a different approach to the model generation of the observed object. Point cloud, the result of a TLS scan, must be treated as a whole, by means of area-based analysis; so, the final model is not an aggregation of points but the one resulting from the best surface that fits with the point cloud. Comparing precisions between the one resulting from the capture of singular points made with tachometric measurement methods and with TLS equipment, the inferiority of this last one is clear; but it is in the treatment of the point clouds, using area-based analysis methods, when acceptable precisions have been obtained and it has been possible to consider the incorporation of this technology for monitoring structures deformations. Among TLS applications it have to be emphasized those of registry of the cultural heritage, stages registry during construction of industrial plants and structures, police statement of accidents and monitorization of land movements and structures deformations. Compared with the classical dam monitoring, approach based on the registry of a set of points, the fact having a continuous model of the downstream face allows the possibility of introducing deformation analysis methods and behavior models that would improve the understanding and forecast of dam movements. However, the application of TLS technology for dam monitoring must be considered like a complementary method with the existing ones. Pendulums and recently the differential global positioning system (DGPS) give a continuous information of the movements of certain points of the dam, whereas TLS allows following its seasonal evolution and to detect damaged zones of the dam. A review of the TLS technology characteristics and the factors affecting the final precision of the scanning data is done. It is stated the need of selecting TLS based on the direct time of flight method, also called pulsed, for scanning distances between 100m and 300m. Modelling of structures and vertical walls is studied. Factors that influence in the final precision, like the registry of point clouds, target types, and the combined effect of scanning distance and angle of incidence are analyzed. Finally, a comparison among the movements given by the direct pendulums of a dam and the ones obtained from the analysis of point clouds is done. A new approach to obtain a complete map-type plot of the precisions of TLS equipment based on the direct measurement of time of flight method at midrange distances is presented. Test were developed in field-like conditions, similar to dam monitoring and other civil engineering works. Taking advantage of graphic semiological techniques, a “distance - angle of incidence” map based was designed and evaluated for field-like conditions. A map-type plot was designed combining isolines with sized and grey scale points, proportional to the precision values they represent. Precisions under different field conditions were compared with specifications. For this purpose, point clouds were evaluated under two approaches: the standar "plane-of-best-fit" and the proposed "simulated deformation”, that showed improved performance. These results lead to a discussion and recommendations about optimal TLS operation in civil engineering works. Finally, results of the comparison of seasonal movements of an arc-gravity dam between the registered by the direct pendulums ant the obtained from the TLS scans, are shown. The results show differences of millimeters, being the best around one millimeter. The used methodology is explained and considerations with respect to the point cloud density and to the size of triangular meshes are done.

Aplicación de herramientas gis para la cartografía y correlación de datos de ensayos no destructivos en el diagnóstico de edificios históricos

La presente tesis propone un nuevo método de cartografía de ensayos no destructivos en edificios históricos mediante el uso de técnicas basadas en SIG. Primeramente, se define el método por el cual es posible elaborar y convertir una cartografía 3D basada en nubes de puntos de un elemento arquitectónico obtenida mediante fotogrametría, en cartografía raster y vectorial, legible por los sistemas SIG mediante un sistema de coordenadas particular que referencian cada punto de la nube obtenida por fotogrametría. A esta cartografía inicial la denominaremos cartografía base. Después, se define el método por el cual los puntos donde se realiza un ensayo NDT se referencian al sistema de coordenadas del plano base, lo que permite la generación de cartografías de los ensayos referenciadas y la posibilidad de obtener sobre un mismo plano base diferentes datos de múltiples ensayos. Estas nuevas cartografías las denominaremos cartografías de datos, y se demostrará la utilidad de las mismas en el estudio del deterioro y la humedad. Se incluirá el factor tiempo en las cartografías, y se mostrará cómo este nuevo hecho posibilita el trabajo interdisciplinar en la elaboración del diagnóstico. Finalmente, se generarán nuevas cartografías inéditas hasta entonces consistentes en la combinación de diferentes cartografías de datos con la misma planimetría base. Estas nuevas cartografías, darán pie a la obtención de lo que se ha definido como mapas de isograma de humedad, mapa de isograma de salinidad, factor de humedad, factor de evaporación, factor de salinidad y factor de degradación del material. Mediante este sistema se facilitará una mejor visión del conjunto de los datos obtenidos en el estudio del edificio histórico, lo que favorecerá la correcta y rigurosa interpretación de los datos para su posterior restauración. ABSTRACT This research work proposes a new mapping method of non-destructive testing in historical buildings, by using techniques based on GIS. First of all, the method that makes it possible to produce and convert a 3D map based on cloud points from an architectural element obtained by photogrammetry, are defined, as raster and vector, legible by GIS mapping systems using a particular coordinate system that will refer each cloud point obtained by photogrammetry. This initial mapping will be named base planimetry. Afterwards, the method by which the points where the NDT test is performed are referenced to the coordinate system of the base plane , which allows the generation of maps of the referenced tests and the possibility of obtaining different data from multiple tests on the same base plane. These new maps will be named mapping data and their usefulness will be demonstrated in the deterioration and moisture study. The time factor in maps will be included, and how this new fact will enable the interdisciplinary work in the elaboration of the diagnosis will be proved. Finally, new maps (unpublished until now) will be generated by combining different mapping from the same planimetry data base. These new maps will enable us to obtain what have been called isograma moisture maps, isograma salinity- maps, humidity factor, evaporation factor, salinity factor and the material degradation factor. This system will provide a better vision of all data obtained in the study of historical buildings , and will ease the proper and rigorous data interpretation for its subsequent restoration.

Control of fertilization-independent endosperm development by the MEDEA polycomb gene in Arabidopsis

Higher plant reproduction is unique because two cells are fertilized in the haploid female gametophyte. Egg and sperm nuclei fuse to form the embryo. A second sperm nucleus fuses with the central cell nucleus that replicates to generate the endosperm, a tissue that supports embryo development. To understand mechanisms that initiate reproduction, we isolated a mutation in Arabidopsis, f644, that allows for replication of the central cell and subsequent endosperm development without fertilization. When mutant f644 egg and central cells are fertilized by wild-type sperm, embryo development is inhibited, and endosperm is overproduced. By using a map-based strategy, we cloned and sequenced the F644 gene and showed that it encodes a SET-domain polycomb protein. Subsequently, we found that F644 is identical to MEDEA (MEA), a gene whose maternal-derived allele is required for embryogenesis [Grossniklaus, U., Vielle-Calzada, J.-P., Hoeppner, M. A. & Gagliano, W. B. (1998) Science 280, 446–450]. Together, these results reveal functions for plant polycomb proteins in the suppression of central cell proliferation and endosperm development. We discuss models to explain how polycomb proteins function to suppress endosperm and promote embryo development.

Angiopoietins 3 and 4: Diverging gene counterparts in mice and humans

The angiopoietins have recently joined the members of the vascular endothelial growth factor family as the only known growth factors largely specific for vascular endothelium. The angiopoietins include a naturally occurring agonist, angiopoietin-1, as well as a naturally occurring antagonist, angiopoietin-2, both of which act by means of the Tie2 receptor. We now report our attempts to use homology-based cloning approaches to identify new members of the angiopoietin family. These efforts have led to the identification of two new angiopoietins, angiopoietin-3 in mouse and angiopoietin-4 in human; we have also identified several more distantly related sequences that do not seem to be true angiopoietins, in that they do not bind to the Tie receptors. Although angiopoietin-3 and angiopoietin-4 are strikingly more structurally diverged from each other than are the mouse and human versions of angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2, they appear to represent the mouse and human counterparts of the same gene locus, as revealed in our chromosomal localization studies of all of the angiopoietins in mouse and human. The structural divergence of angiopoietin-3 and angiopoietin-4 appears to underlie diverging functions of these counterparts. Angiopoietin-3 and angiopoietin-4 have very different distributions in their respective species, and angiopoietin-3 appears to act as an antagonist, whereas angiopoietin-4 appears to function as an agonist.