Experimentació amb un receptor software GPS-Galileo d'alta sensibilitat per a entorns interiors

Este proyecto se centra en el análisis de señales GPS, utilizando un receptor software desarrollado con Matlab en un proyecto de investigación para la Agencia Espacial Europea (ESA), llevado a cabo por parte del departamento de Telecomunicaciones e Ingeniería de Sistemas de la ETSE. Este software utiliza técnicas de procesado de señal de alta sensibilidad (HS-GNSS) que permite al usuario determinar su posición en entornos de difícil propagación como puede ser el caso de los escenarios interiores. Los datos experimentales se analizan en función del nivel de multipath que afecta a la señal de cada uno de los satélites, y la degradación que los escenarios interiores provocan en las señales, a causa del mobiliario, paredes, personas, etc. Para analizar los datos experimentales, se ha utilizado una métrica presentada en el congreso internacional EuCAP 2009, con la que es posible caracterizar las señales en función del nivel de multipath.

Análisis de prestaciones de sistemas de comunicaciones inalámbricas en aplicaciones de robótica: sistema software

Una característica importante de la robótica es la comunicación entre sistema base y robot que puede establecerse de forma remota. Ello representa la base del proyecto que se describe a continuación, el cual se descompone de dos partes, una por cada miembro del proyecto: sistema software y sistema hardware. En el sistema software analizaremos las diferentes tecnologías inalámbricas (características, funcionamiento, seguridad, etc.), se realizará una comparativa de los diferentes módulos de comunicación y finalmente decidiremos aquellos que nos interesa para la implementación en Radiofrecuencia (RF) y Bluetooth. En este sistema también estudiaremos la interfaz gráfica que se utilizará, así como los programas creados en este entorno para realizar las implementaciones. En el sistema hardware trataremos de realizar el control de dos periféricos de forma independiente, un servomotor y un sonar, que nos servirán como ejemplo para analizar una posible comunicación entre varios robots y un PC. Por lo tanto, en este apartado analizaremos a fondo los diferentes componentes que harán posible tanto la comunicación, vía RF y Bluetooth, como el control de los diferentes dispositivos.

MSight: an image analysis software for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Images obtained from high-throughput mass spectrometry (MS) contain information that remains hidden when looking at a single spectrum at a time. Image processing of liquid chromatography-MS datasets can be extremely useful for quality control, experimental monitoring and knowledge extraction. The importance of imaging in differential analysis of proteomic experiments has already been established through two-dimensional gels and can now be foreseen with MS images. We present MSight, a new software designed to construct and manipulate MS images, as well as to facilitate their analysis and comparison.

Estimation of dynamic latent variable models using simulated nonparametric moments

Abstract. Given a model that can be simulated, conditional moments at a trial parameter value can be calculated with high accuracy by applying kernel smoothing methods to a long simulation. With such conditional moments in hand, standard method of moments techniques can be used to estimate the parameter. Because conditional moments are calculated using kernel smoothing rather than simple averaging, it is not necessary that the model be simulable subject to the conditioning information that is used to define the moment conditions. For this reason, the proposed estimator is applicable to general dynamic latent variable models. It is shown that as the number of simulations diverges, the estimator is consistent and a higher-order expansion reveals the stochastic difference between the infeasible GMM estimator based on the same moment conditions and the simulated version. In particular, we show how to adjust standard errors to account for the simulations. Monte Carlo results show how the estimator may be applied to a range of dynamic latent variable (DLV) models, and that it performs well in comparison to several other estimators that have been proposed for DLV models.

Dynamic stackelberg game with risk-averse players: optimal risk-sharing under asymmetric information

The objective of this paper is to clarify the interactive nature of the leader-follower relationship when both players are endogenously risk-averse. The analysis is placed in the context of a dynamic closed-loop Stackelberg game with private information. The case of a risk-neutral leader, very often discussed in the literature, is only a borderline possibility in the present study. Each player in the game is characterized by a risk-averse type which is unknown to his opponent. The goal of the leader is to implement an optimal incentive compatible risk-sharing contract. The proposed approach provides a qualitative analysis of adaptive risk behavior profiles for asymmetrically informed players in the context of dynamic strategic interactions modelled as incentive Stackelberg games.

Nash equilibrium strategies in discrete-time finite-horizon dynamic games with risk-and effort-averse players

The objective of this paper is to re-examine the risk-and effort attitude in the context of strategic dynamic interactions stated as a discrete-time finite-horizon Nash game. The analysis is based on the assumption that players are endogenously risk-and effort-averse. Each player is characterized by distinct risk-and effort-aversion types that are unknown to his opponent. The goal of the game is the optimal risk-and effort-sharing between the players. It generally depends on the individual strategies adopted and, implicitly, on the the players' types or characteristics.

In vitro growth of human urinary tract smooth muscle cells on laminin and collagen type I-coated membranes under static and dynamic conditions.

This study investigates in vitro growth of human urinary tract smooth muscle cells under static conditions and mechanical stimulation. The cells were cultured on collagen type I- and laminin-coated silicon membranes. Using a Flexcell device for mechanical stimulation, a cyclic strain of 0-20% was applied in a strain-stress-time model (stretch, 104 min relaxation, 15 s), imitating physiological bladder filling and voiding. Cell proliferation and alpha-actin, calponin, and caldesmon phenotype marker expression were analyzed. Nonstretched cells showed significant better growth on laminin during the first 8 days, thereafter becoming comparable to cells grown on collagen type I. Cyclic strain significantly reduced cell growth on both surfaces; however, better growth was observed on laminin. Neither the type of surface nor mechanical stimulation influenced the expression pattern of phenotype markers; alpha-actin was predominantly expressed. Coating with the extracellular matrix protein laminin improved in vitro growth of human urinary tract smooth muscle cells.

Dynamic of population-dynamics in a medically important snail species Lymnaea (Radix) Luteola (Lamarck)

The life-cycle parameters of the snail Lymnaea (Radix) luteola and the factors influencing the same have been studied under laboratory conditions. Ins each month, from July 1990 to June 1991, a batch of 100 zero-day old individual were considered for studies. The snails of April batch survived for 19.42 days while those in December batch survived for 87.45 days. The May batch individual though survived for 65.67 days gained maximum shell size (15.84 mm in length) and body weight (419.87 mg). All individuals of April batch died prior to attainment of sexual maturity. In the remaining 11 batches the snails became sexually mature between 32 and 53 days. At this stage, they were with varying shell lengths, 9.3 mm to 13,11 mm in respect to batches. The reproduction period varied from 1-67 days. An individual laid, on an average, 0,25 (March batch) to 443.67 (May batch) eggs in its life-span. A batch of such snails would leave 24312, 22520, 720268, 80408, 76067, 418165, 214, 9202, 0, 0, 2459386 and 127894 individuals at the end of 352nd day. Since the environmental conditions were almost similar the 'dynamic' of population dynamics seems to be involved with the 'strain' of the snail individuals of the batches concerned.

Creación de una aplicación web basada en software libre para la visualización y consulta de información catastral del Ajuntament de Cerdanyola del Vallès

La aplicación web creada tiene como objetivo convertirse en un instrumento útil para la consulta de información catastral del municipio de Cerdanyola del Vallès, ampliando el alcance de la información al personal del Ajuntament. Entre esta información, se incluye cartografía catastral urbana y rústica de diferentes años y la posibilidad de efectuar una serie de consultas alfanuméricas sencillas sobre la misma.

Dynamic calibration of our sense of time.

An accurate sense of time contributes to functions ranging from the perception and anticipation of sensory events to the production of coordinated movements. However, accumulating evidence demonstrates that time perception is subject to strong illusory distortion. In two experiments, we investigated whether the subjective speed of temporal perception is dependent on our visual environment. By presenting human observers with speed-altered movies of a crowded street scene, we modulated performance on subsequent production of "20s" elapsed intervals. Our results indicate that one's visual environment significantly contributes to calibrating our sense of time, independently of any modulation of arousal. This plasticity generates an assay for the integrity of our sense of time and its rehabilitation in clinical pathologies.

3D visualization software to analyze topological outcomes of topoisomerase reactions.

The action of various DNA topoisomerases frequently results in characteristic changes in DNA topology. Important information for understanding mechanistic details of action of these topoisomerases can be provided by investigating the knot types resulting from topoisomerase action on circular DNA forming a particular knot type. Depending on the topological bias of a given topoisomerase reaction, one observes different subsets of knotted products. To establish the character of topological bias, one needs to be aware of all possible topological outcomes of intersegmental passages occurring within a given knot type. However, it is not trivial to systematically enumerate topological outcomes of strand passage from a given knot type. We present here a 3D visualization software (TopoICE-X in KnotPlot) that incorporates topological analysis methods in order to visualize, for example, knots that can be obtained from a given knot by one intersegmental passage. The software has several other options for the topological analysis of mechanisms of action of various topoisomerases.

Aula matemàtica, 2a. part. : un projecte per a la millora de l'aprenentatge de les matemàtiques a la UAB

El projecte Aula Matemàtica consta de dues parts. 1. Elaborar un material d'autoaprenentatge en suport digital que cobreixi tots els temes de Matemàtiques de 1r. curs de les carreres de Ciències (Biologia, Química, etc.) i les Enginyeries. Aquest material, accessible des de qualsevol ordinador connectat a Internet, és una base de dades de problemes que els alumnes poden utilitzar per a treballar el temes explicats a classe, o be per cobrir deficiències a la seva formació pre-universitària. Al mateix temps, es poden realitzar exàmens, i els alumnes poden practicar amb els problemes d'examen. 2. Durant unes hores cada dia, oferir una (o diverses) aules d'informàtica al campus de la UAB amb presència de personal de suport (professors, o becaris de darrers cursos de matemàtiques o doctorat) per tal que els alumnes que vulguin (o necessitin) puguin practicar amb ajuda, i consultat els dubtes que tinguin. En la fase actual del projecte s’han fet les següents actuacions: 1. S’ha obert una aula d’informàtica amb suport de becaris a la facultat de Ciències, on a més de practicar els alumnes, s’han efectuat exàmens. 2. S’ha treballat en el programa per tal de fer-lo més amigable. 3. S’ha ampliat la base de problemes fins a 1450, i cobrir totes les assignatures de Matemàtiques i Estadística de 1r. curs de la facultat de Ciències i l’Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeries. 4. S’ha començat a treballar per a la utilització del programa a Secundària. 5. S’han fet avanços molt importants per tal d’incorporar problemes amb resposta oberta. 6. El programa és accessible des de qualsevol ordenador amb Internet.

Desarrollo de software para el procesado numérico en tarjetas gráficas

Debido al gran número de transistores por mm2 que hoy en día podemos encontrar en las GPU convencionales, en los últimos años éstas se vienen utilizando para propósitos generales gracias a que ofrecen un mayor rendimiento para computación paralela. Este proyecto implementa el producto sparse matrix-vector sobre OpenCL. En los primeros capítulos hacemos una revisión de la base teórica necesaria para comprender el problema. Después veremos los fundamentos de OpenCL y del hardware sobre el que se ejecutarán las librerías desarrolladas. En el siguiente capítulo seguiremos con una descripción del código de los kernels y de su flujo de datos. Finalmente, el software es evaluado basándose en comparativas con la CPU.

Encoding dysfunctions in a dynamic-static paradigm for visuospatial working memory in first-episode psychosis patients: a 2-year follow-up study.

Aim: To investigate static and dynamic visuospatial working memory (VSWM) processes in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients and explore the validity of such measures as specific trait markers of schizophrenia. Methods: Twenty FEP patients and 20 age-, sex-, laterality- and education-matched controls carried out a dynamic and static VSWM paradigm. At 2-year follow up 13 patients met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (of Mental Health Disorders) - Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for schizophrenia, 1 for bipolar disorder, 1 for brief psychotic episode and 5 for schizotypal personality disorder. Results: Compared with controls, the 20 FEP patients showed severe impairment in the dynamic VSWM condition but much less impairment in the static condition. No specific bias in stimulus selection was detected in the two tasks. Two-year follow-up evaluations suggested poorer baseline scores on the dynamic task clearly differentiated the 13 FEP patients who developed schizophrenia from the seven who did not. Conclusions: Results suggest deficits in VSWM in FEP patients. Specific exploratory analyses further suggest that deficit in monitoring-manipulation VSWM processes, especially involved in our dynamic VSWM task, can be a reliable marker of schizophrenia.

Signaling in Dynamic Contests: Some Impossibility Results

General signaling results in dynamic Tullock contests have been missing for long. The reason is the tractability of the problems. In this paper, an uninformed contestant with valuation vx competes against an informed opponent with valuation, either high vh or low vl. We show that; (i) When the hierarchy of valuations is vh ≥ vx ≥ vl, there is no pooling. Sandbagging is too costly for the high type. (ii) When the order of valuations is vx ≥ vh ≥ vl, there is no separation if vh and vl are close. Sandbagging is cheap due to the proximity of valuations. However, if vh and vx are close, there is no pooling. First period cost of pooling is high. (iii) For valuations satisfying vh ≥ vl ≥ vx, there is no separation if vh and vl are close. Bluffing in the first period is cheap for the low valuation type. Conversely, if vx and vl are close there is no pooling. Bluffing in the first stage is too costly. JEL: C72, C73, D44, D82. KEYWORDS: Signaling, Dynamic Contests, Non-existence, Sandbag Pooling, Bluff Pooling, Separating