Mobile Architecture for Forest Fire Simulation Using PhyFire-HDWind Model

[EN]This article presents the design and implementation of a new visualization system for mobile platforms for the PhyFire-HDWind fire simulation model, called AppPhyFire. It proposes a mobile computing infrastructure, based on ArcGIS Server and REST architecture, which improves the user experience in actions associated with the fire simulation process. The PhyFire-HDWind model, of which the system presented here forms part, is a forest fire propagation simulation tool developed by the SINUMCC research group of the University of Salamanca, based on two own simplified physical models, the PhyFire physical fire propagation model, and the HDWind high definition wind field model, resolved using efficient numerical and computational tools and parallel computing, allowing simulation times shorter than the real time fire propagation, integrated into a Geographical Information System, and accessible through a server by the AppPhyFire. The system presented in this article allows a quick visualization of simulations results in mobile devices. This work presents the detailed operation of the system and its phases of operation

Global sensitivity analysis of fuel-type-dependent input variables of a simplified physical fire spread model

[EN]A new global sensitivity analysis has been conducted of fuel-type-dependent input variables of the simplified physical fire spread model (PhyFire) to understand how the use of spatial averages, that is, fuel models, influences the results of PhyFire with a view to enhancing its understanding and improving its design. The model’s simplicity, the numerical techniques used, and a recent code optimisation, allow undertaking the analysis with very competitive computational times. The fuel data used correspond to grasslands, shrublands and forest in the Spanish region of Galicia. The analysis results validate the flame length sub-model proposed in the paper, which significantly improves the model’s efficiency

MOBEEZE. Natural Interaction Technologies, Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence for Gait Disorders Analysis and Rehabilitation in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is the most common degenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease. Generally affecting elderly groups, it has a strong limiting effect on physical functioning and performance of roles, vitality and general perception of health. Since the disease is progressive, the patient knows he's going to get worse. The deterioration is significant not only in mobility but also in pain, social isolation, and emotional reactions. Freezing is a phenomenon associated with this disease and it is characterized by a motor disorder that leaves the patient literally stuck to the ground. Mobeeze is designed with the main objective of providing health personnel with a tool to analyse, evaluate and monitor the progress of patients’ disorders as well as the personalization and adaptation of rehabilitation sessions in patients with Parkinson's disease. Based on the characteristics measured in real time which will allow the strengthening effects of rehabilitation and help to assimilate them in the long term. The creation of Mobeeze allows the constitution of a system of analysis and evaluation of march disorders in real time, through natural interaction, virtual reality and artificial intelligence. In this project, we will analyse if these non-invasive technologies reduce the stress induced to the patient when he is feeling evaluated

Parallel implementation of a simplified semi-physical wildland re spread model using OpenMP

[EN]We present a parallel 2D version of a simplified semi-physical wildland fire spread model based on conservation equations, with convection and radiation as the main heat transfer mechanisms. This version includes some 3D effects. The OpenMP framework allows distributing the prediction operations among the available threads in a multicore architecture, thereby reducing the computational time and obtaining the prediction results much more quickly. The results from the experiments using data from a real fire in Galicia (Spain) confirm the benefits of using the parallel version.Junta of Castilla y Leó

Neptuno ++: An Adaptive Finite Element Toolbox for Numerical Simulation of Environmental Problems

[EN]In this talk, we show some of the main features of Neptuno++, through several examples. Neptuno++ is a finite element toolbox mainly developed by L. Ferragut at SINUMCC (Group of Numerical Simulation and Scientific Computation) and implemented in C++.Junta de Castilla y León; Fondos FEDE

GIS-integrated environmental models

[EN]In this paper, we present the integration of the mathematical models Physical Forest Fire Spread (PhFFS) and High Definition Wind Model (HDWF), developed by the authors, into a GIS-based interface in order to supply to the end-user a func- tional and efficient tool. The resulting tool automates data acquisition, pre-processes spatial data, launches the aforementioned models, and displays the corresponding results in a unique environment. Our implementation uses the Python language and Esri’s ArcPy library to extend the functionality of ArcMap 10.4. The PhFFS is a simplified 2D physical wildland fire spread model based on conservation equations, with convection and radiation as heat transfer mechanisms. It also includes some 3D effects. The HDWF arises from an asymptotic approximation of the Navier-Stokes equations, and provides a 3D wind velocity field in an air layer above the terrain surface. Both models can be run in standalone or coupled mode. Finally, we confirm that the developed tool is efficient and fully operational presenting some examples of its successful application.Departamento de Educación de la Junta de Castilla y León; Fondos FEDER; Fundación General de la Universidad de Salamanc

PhyFire & HDWind: from the initial ideas to the current tool

[EN]We present a historical review of PhyFire and HDWind, both models developed by the research group on Numerical Simula- tion and Scientific Computation founded by L. Ferragut at the University of Salamanca.Junta de Castilla y León; Fondos FEDE

How Poor Workstation Design Causes Musculoskeletal Disorders: Research from QOC Matrix the Workers’ Voice

An ergonomic intervention method based on QOC Matrix the workers’ voice was implemented in a study case. The diagnosis and analysis developed are used in improvement proposals for workstation redesign. The workers’ voice resulting from reports of the employee’ complaints and symptomatology was the base for a standardized method that comprises: (a) QOC questionnaire application, (b) risk factor categorization, (c) determination of unsafe and unhealthy ergonomic metrics, (d) figuring out the task content impact in the workers’ body, and (e) work system diagnosis. Since workers’ voice, the risk identification made included: (1) the task content linked to work method: repetitiveness associated with the sensor activation using the fingers and the repetitive movements include twist and the stretch of wrist, (2) workplace design regarding container height and injuries caused in wrists and elbows due to hits, (3) task developed regarding risk time exposition and workers position, and (4) workplace design regards to housing collector distance from filling area linked to workers position adopted for reach bags. Improvements included redesign of the workstation with a system of 90° exit discharge curve, one elevation system, and a photoelectric sensor in filling nozzle for automatic filling. As an improvement result, the activity called bags provision was eliminated from the task

¿Qué es un DOT? Análisis de casos

[ES] Son claros los efectos negativos del patrón de crecimiento urbano disperso y del enfoque de la planificación del transporte desde la oferta, en vez de hacerlo desde la demanda. Las medidas que buscan un incremento de la oferta de infraestructura viaria (mediante construcción de nuevas o ampliación de las existentes) con el fin de satisfacer la demanda creciente de tráfico motorizado, orientadas a la mejora del desplazamiento en vehículo privado, no sólo son insuficientes para solucionar el problema de la movilidad urbana, sino que, favorecen el crecimiento de los viajes en coche y con ello generan una mayor congestión. La idea del desarrollo sostenible, que propone crecer económicamente con equidad, sin dañar los ecosistemas y superando la pobreza, es una referencia obligada en las diversas actividades y disciplinas. El urbanismo no es la excepción, sobre todo si se considera que la ciudad transforma de manera intensa el medio ambiente. Por lo tanto, el urbanismo tiene una estrecha relación con la propuesta de sostenibilidad. Aparece una nueva tendencia conjuga urbanismo y movilidad, es el denominado DOT: “Desarrollo Urbano Orientado al Transporte Público”. Esta tendencia se basa en el desarrollo urbano en áreas adyacentes a estaciones de transporte masivo con el objetivo de fomentar un mayor uso del sistema de transporte público y a la vez potenciar la sostenibilidad financiera de dicho sistema mediante la concentración de la demanda de usuarios del transporte público a partir de la re /densificación urbana en zonas estratégicas. Los desarrollos DOT se diseñan según ocho principios ligados al urbanismo sostenible: Caminar, Pedalear, Conectar, Transportar, Mezclar, Densificar, Compactar y Cambiar. Se analizan tres experiencias internacionales de DOT estudiando la aplicación de cada uno de los principios DOT a través de un análisis comparativo de buenas y malas prácticas.Cuello León, M.; Sastre González, J.; Álvarez Castillo, D.; Romero Adame, C.; Vaquero Redondo, N. (2016). ¿Qué es un DOT? Análisis de casos. En XII Congreso de ingeniería del transporte. 7, 8 y 9 de Junio, Valencia (España). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1374-1381. https://doi.org/10.4995/CIT2016.2015.3182OCS1374138

Regulation of the transcriptional program by DNA methylation during human αβ T-cell development

© The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research. Thymocyte differentiation is a complex process involving well-defined sequential developmental stages that ultimately result in the generation of mature T-cells. In this study, we analyzed DNA methylation and gene expression profiles at successive human thymus developmental stages. Gain and loss of methylation occurred during thymocyte differentiation, but DNA demethylation was much more frequent than de novo methylation and more strongly correlated with gene expression. These changes took place in CpG-poor regions and were closely associated with T-cell differentiation and TCR function. Up to 88 genes that encode transcriptional regulators, some of whose functions in T-cell development are as yet unknown, were differentially methylated during differentiation. Interestingly, no reversion of accumulated DNA methylation changes was observed as differentiation progressed, except in a very small subset of key genes (RAG1, RAG2, CD8A, PTCRA, etc.), indicating that methylation changes are mostly unique and irreversible events. Our study explores the contribution of DNA methylation to T-cell lymphopoiesis and provides a fine-scale map of differentially methylated regions associated with gene expression changes. These can lay the molecular foundations for a better interpretation of the regulatory networks driving human thymopoiesis.Plan Nacional de [I+D+I 2008–2011]; Instituto de Salud Carlos III [grant number PI12/02587]; Red Española de Investigación Renal (REDinREN) [grant number RD12/0021/0018 and RD12/0021/0021]; Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation [grant number SAF2010- 15106 and PLE2009-0110]; European Union [Fondos FEDER]Peer Reviewe