Situation of Aoudad–Ammotragus lervia (Pallas, 1777)–in Sierra de Mariola (Southeast Spain): Distribution and ecological aspects

L’objectiu principal d’aquesta recerca és conèixer els aspectes ecològics i la distribució de l’arruí — Ammotragus lervia (Pallas, 1777)— dins la serra de Mariola. L’àrea d’estudi és un parc natural de 17.500 hectàrees situat al sud de la Comunitat Valenciana. Un millor coneixement de la seva distribució serà d’interès per a la definició de mesures de gestió de fauna del parc. El 2009, utilitzant tècniques de parany fotogràfic, es van recopilar 29.941 imatges amb algun contacte animal. D’aquestes imatges, el 0,09% de les fotografies registrades són d’arruí i se n’ha detectat la presència en 7 de las 63 quadrícules (2 × 2 km) del Parc Natural de la Serra de Mariola (l’11,11%). El període de mostreig es va prolongar des de l’agost de 2008 fins al maig de 2010. Aquest estudi ha permès integrar la informació recopilada al camp amb les bases de dades existents per confirmar la colonització i l’expansió de l’arruí a la serra de MariolaEl principal objetivo de esta investigación es conocer aspectos ecológicos y distribución del arruí — Ammotragus lervia (Pallas, 1777)— dentro de la sierra de Mariola. El área de estudio es un parque natural de 17.500 hectáreas situado en el sur de la Comunidad Valenciana. Un mejor conocimiento de su distribución será de interés para la definición de medidas de gestión de fauna del parque. En 2009, utilizando técnicas de fototrampeo, se recopilaron 29.941 imágenes con algún contacto animal. De estas imágenes, el 0,09% de las fotografías registradas son de arruí y se ha detectado su presencia en 7 de las 63 cuadrículas (2 × 2 km) del Parque Natural de la Sierra de Mariola (el 11,11%). El periodo de muestreo se prolongó desde agosto de 2008 hasta mayo de 2010. Este estudio ha permitido integrar la información recopilada en campo con las bases de datos existentes para confirmar la colonización y la expansión del arruí en la sierra de Mariola.The main objective of this research was to determine the ecological aspects and distribution of Ammotragus lervia (Pallas, 1777) in the Sierra de Mariola. The study area is a natural park with 17,500 hectares located in the southern region of Valencia. Better knowledge of their distribution will aid in defining management measures in the natural park. In 2009, camera traps were used to collect 29,941 images of animal contact. A total of 0.09% ofthese registered photographs are of Barbary sheep, whose presence was detected in 7 of the 63 grids (2 × 2 km) of Sierra de Mariola (11.11%). Sampling was performed from August 2008 to May 2010. The study has allowed us to integrate the information collected in the field with existing databases and confirm the colonization and expansion of Barbary sheep in the Sierra de Mariola

New results on the sign of the Green function of a two-point n-th order linear boundary value problem

[EN] This paper provides conditions for determining the sign of all the partial derivatives of the Green functions of n-th order boundary value problems subject to a wide set of homogeneous two-point boundary conditions, removing restrictions of previous results about the distance between the two extremes that define the problem. To do so, it analyzes the sign of the derivatives of the solutions of related two-point n-th order boundary value problems subject to n ¿ 1 boundary conditions by introducing a new property denoted by `hyperdisfocality¿Almenar-Belenguer, P.; Jódar Sánchez, LA. (2022). New results on the sign of the Green function of a two-point n-th order linear boundary value problem. Boundary Value Problems. 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13661-022-01631-z12

The Effectiveness of Alert Sounds for Electric Vehicles Based on Pedestrians' Perception

[EN] One of the largest problems with electric vehicles is that they often go unnoticed by pedestrians due to the absence of noticeable noise generated by electric motors, which is a potential cause of accidents and collisions. Surprisingly, this positive property in terms of reducing the noise pollution is in fact becoming a road safety problem. In addition, with the promotion of electric traction vehicles due to new environmental policies and the current proliferation of personal mobility vehicles, this problem could even be increased in the coming years. Therefore, the future global road regulation has included aspects on noise and warning sounds that electric vehicles must emit in the years to come. However, despite the requirements, no specific signal type or many other features have been established. Only the emission levels have been set (56-75 dB). Consequently, within the framework of this problem, this article evaluates the acoustic characteristics of the sound that should he emitted by electric vehicles so that pedestrians can easily detect them and the optimal sound pressure level they should emit to not unnecessarily raise noise pollution levels, concluding that the emission limits established are excessive in certain scenarios and that optimal warning sounds must be focused on electronically imitating combustion engine noises.This work was supported by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia through its Internal Project Equipos de deteccion, regulacion e informacion en el sector de los sistemas inteligentes de transporte (ITS)-(20170764). The Associate Editor for this article was S. Hamdar.Mocholí Belenguer, F.; Martinez-Millana, A.; Castells, F.; Mocholí Salcedo, A. (2022). The Effectiveness of Alert Sounds for Electric Vehicles Based on Pedestrians' Perception. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems. 23(4):2956-2965. https://doi.org/10.1109/TITS.2020.30254992956296523

Vehicle modeling for the analysis of the response of detectors based on inductive loops

[EN] Magnetic loops are one of the most popular and used traffic sensors because of their widely extended technology and simple mode of operation. Nevertheless, very simple models have been traditionally used to simulate the effect of the passage of vehicles on these loops. In general, vehicles have been considered simple rectangular metal plates located parallel to the ground plane at a certain height close to the vehicle chassis. However, with such a simple model, it is not possible to carry out a rigorous study to assess the performance of different models of vehicles with the aim of obtaining basic parameters such as the vehicle type, its speed or its direction in traffic. For this reason and because computer simulation and analysis have emerged as a priority in intelligent transportation systems (ITS), this paper aims to present a more complex vehicle model capable of characterizing vehicles as multiple metal plates of different sizes and heights, which will provide better results in virtual simulation environments. This type of modeling will be useful when reproducing the actual behavior of systems installed on roads based on inductive loops and will also facilitate vehicle classification and the extraction of basic traffic parameters.This research has been funded by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia through its internal project `Detection, regulation and information equipment in the sector of intelligent transport systems (ITS). New models and tests of compatibility and verification of operation ' (20170764), which has been carried out at the ITACA Institute. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Mocholí-Belenguer, F.; Martinez-Millana, A.; Mocholí Salcedo, A.; Milián Sánchez, V. (2019). Vehicle modeling for the analysis of the response of detectors based on inductive loops. PLoS ONE. 14(9):1-28. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218631S128149Anderson, R. L. (1970). Electromagnetic loop vehicle detectors. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 19(1), 23-30. doi:10.1109/t-vt.1970.23428Prucha MJ, and View M. Inductive loop vehicle presence detector. U.S. Patent 3 576 525, Apr. 27, 1971.Koerner RJ, and Park C. Inductive loop vehicle detector. U.S. Patent 3 989 932, Nov. 2, 1976.Patrick HM, and Raymond JL. Vehicle presence loop detector. U.S. Patent 4 472 706, Sep. 18, 1984.Clark MAG. Induction loop vehicle detector. U.S. Patent 4 568 937, Feb. 4, 1986.Liu, K., Jia, J., Zuo, Z., & Ando, R. (2018). Heterogeneity in the effectiveness of cooperative crossing collision prevention systems. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 87, 1-10. doi:10.1016/j.trc.2017.12.013Peng, Y., Jiang, Y., Lu, J., & Zou, Y. (2018). Examining the effect of adverse weather on road transportation using weather and traffic sensors. PLOS ONE, 13(10), e0205409. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0205409Liu, K., Cui, M.-Y., Cao, P., & Wang, J.-B. (2016). Iterative Bayesian Estimation of Travel Times on Urban Arterials: Fusing Loop Detector and Probe Vehicle Data. PLOS ONE, 11(6), e0158123. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0158123Ki, Y.-K., & Baik, D.-K. (2006). Vehicle-Classification Algorithm for Single-Loop Detectors Using Neural Networks. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 55(6), 1704-1711. doi:10.1109/tvt.2006.883726Zheng, Z., Wang, C., Wang, P., Xiong, Y., Zhang, F., & Lv, Y. (2018). Framework for fusing traffic information from social and physical transportation data. PLOS ONE, 13(8), e0201531. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201531Pursula M and Kosonen I. Microprocessor and PC-based vehicle classification equipments using induction loops. Proceedings of the IEEE Second International Conference on Road Traffic Monitoring and Control; pp. 24–28, 1989.Gajda J, Sroka R, Stencel M, Wajda A, and Zeglen T. A vehicle classification based on inductive loop detectors. Proceedings of the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, Budapest; pp. 460–464, 2001.Nihan, N. L. (2000). Evaluation of forced flows on freeways with single-loop detectors. Journal of Advanced Transportation, 34(2), 269-296. doi:10.1002/atr.5670340206Ametha J, Tumer S, and Darbha S. Formulation of a new methodology to identify erroneous paired loop detectors. Proceedings of the IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems, Oakland; pp. 591–596, 2001.Ki, Y.-K., & Baik, D.-K. (2006). Model for Accurate Speed Measurement Using Double-Loop Detectors. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 55(4), 1094-1101. doi:10.1109/tvt.2006.877462Tang, J., Zou, Y., Ash, J., Zhang, S., Liu, F., & Wang, Y. (2016). Travel Time Estimation Using Freeway Point Detector Data Based on Evolving Fuzzy Neural Inference System. PLOS ONE, 11(2), e0147263. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0147263Tok A, Hernandez SV, and Ritchie SG. Accurate individual vehicle speeds from single inductive loop signatures. Proceedings of 88th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, D.C, USA, 2009, paper 09–3512.Hilliard SR. Vehicle speed estimation using inductive vehicle detection systems. United States Patent 6999886, Feb. 2003.Gajda, J., Piwowar, P., Sroka, R., Stencel, M., & Zeglen, T. (2012). Application of inductive loops as wheel detectors. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 21(1), 57-66. doi:10.1016/j.trc.2011.08.010Marszalek Z, Sroka R, Zeglen T. Inductive loop for vehicle axle detection from first concepts to the system based on changes in the sensor impedance components. Proceedings of 20th international conference on methods and models in automation and robotics, 24–27, August 2015, Miedzyzdroje, Poland, pp 765–769.Arroyo Núñez JH, Mocholí Salcedo A, Barrales Guadarrama R, and Arroyo Nuñez A. Communication between magnetic loops. Proceedings of 16th World Road Meeting, Lisbon, Portugal, May 2010.Gajda J and Burnos P. Identification of the spatial impulse response of inductive loop detectors. IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC) Proceedings, 2015, pp. 1997–2002.Klein LA, Gibson DRP, and Mills MK. Traffic Detector Handbook. FHWAHRT-06-108. Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation 2006.Mills MK. Inductive loop system equivalent circuit model. Proceedings of the 39th Vehicular Technology Conference, May 1989, pp. 689–700.Mills MK. Self-Inductance Formulas for Multi- Turn Rectangular Loops Used with Vehicle Detectors. 33rd IEEE VTG Conference Record, May 1983, pp. 64–73.Mocholi-Salcedo, A., Arroyo-Nunez, J. H., Milian-Sanchez, V. M., Palomo-Anaya, M. J., & Arroyo-Nunez, A. (2017). Magnetic Field Generated by the Loops Used in Traffic Control Systems. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 18(8), 2126-2136. doi:10.1109/tits.2016.2632972Mocholí Belenguer, F., Mocholí Salcedo, A., Guill Ibañez, A., & Milián Sánchez, V. (2019). Advantages offered by the double magnetic loops versus the conventional single ones. PLOS ONE, 14(2), e0211626. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0211626Chen, F., Chen, S., & Ma, X. (2018). Analysis of hourly crash likelihood using unbalanced panel data mixed logit model and real-time driving environmental big data. Journal of Safety Research, 65, 153-159. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2018.02.010Ma, X., Chen, S., & Chen, F. (2017). Multivariate space-time modeling of crash frequencies by injury severity levels. Analytic Methods in Accident Research, 15, 29-40. doi:10.1016/j.amar.2017.06.00

Analysis of the finite difference time domain technique to solve the Schrödinger equation for quantum devices

An extension of the finite difference time domain is applied to solve the Schrödinger equation. A systematic analysis of stability and convergence of this technique is carried out in this article. The numerical scheme used to solve the Schrödinger equation differs from the scheme found in electromagnetics. Also, the unit cell employed to model quantum devices is different from the Yee cell used by the electrical engineering community. A bound for the time step is derived to ensure stability. Several numerical experiments in quantum structures demonstrate the accuracy of a second order, comparable to the analysis of electromagnetic devices with the Yee cell.a!Electronic mail: [email protected] b!Electronic mail: [email protected] c!Electronic mail: [email protected] d!Electronic mail: [email protected]

Advantages offered by the double magnetic loops versus the conventional single ones

[EN] Due to their simplicity and operating mode, magnetic loops are one of the most used traffic sensors in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). However, at this moment, their potential is not being fully exploited, as neither the speed nor the length of the vehicles can be surely ascertained with the use of a single magnetic loop. In this way, nowadays the vast majority of them are only being used to measure traffic flow and count vehicles on urban and interurban roads. This is the reason why we presented in a previous paper the double magnetic loop, capable of improving the features and functionalities of the conventional single loop without increasing the cost or introducing additional complexity. In that paper, it was introduced their design and peculiarities, how to calculate their magnetic field and three different methods to calculate their inductance. Therefore, with the purpose of improving the existing infrastructure and providing it with greater potential and reliability, this paper will focus on justifying and demonstrating the advantages offered by these double loops versus the conventional ones. This will involve analyzing the magnetic profiles generated by the passage of vehicles over double loops and comparing them with those already known. Moreover, it will be shown how the vehicle speed, the traffic direction and many other data can be obtained more easily and with less margin of error by using these new inductance signatures.This research has been funded by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia through its internal project 'Equipos de deteccion, regulacion e informacion en el sector de los sistemas inteligentes de transporte (ITS). Nuevos modelos y ensayos de compatibilidad y verificacion de funcionamiento', which has been carried out at the ITACA InstituteMocholí-Belenguer, F.; Mocholí Salcedo, A.; Guill Ibáñez, A.; Milian Sanchez, V. (2019). Advantages offered by the double magnetic loops versus the conventional single ones. PLoS ONE. 14(2):1-24. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211626S12414

Analysis of the principal component algorithm in phase-shifting interferometry

We recently presented a new asynchronous demodulation method for phase-sampling interferometry. The method is based in the principal component analysis (PCA) technique. In the former work, the PCA method was derived heuristically. In this work, we present an in-depth analysis of the PCA demodulation method

Phase-shifting interferometry based on principal component analysis

An asynchronous phase-shifting method based on principal component analysis (PCA) is presented. No restrictions about the background, modulation, and phase shifts are necessary. The presented method is very fast and needs very low computational requirements, so it can be used with very large images and/or very large image sets. The method is based on obtaining two quadrature signals by the PCA algorithm. We have applied the proposed method to simulated and experimental interferograms, obtaining satisfactory results

Evaluation of three methods for biomass estimation in small invertebrates, using three large disparate parasite species as model organisms

Invertebrate biomass is considered one of the main factors driving processes in ecosystems. It can be measured directly, primarily by weighing individuals, but more often indirect estimators are used. We developed two indirect and non-destructive approaches to estimate biomass of small invertebrates in a simple manner. The first one was based on clay modelling and the second one was based on image analysis implemented with open-source software. Furthermore, we tested the accuracy of the widely used geometric approximation method (third method). We applied these three different methods to three morphologically disparate model species, an acanthocephalan worm, a crustacean and a flatworm. To validate our indirect estimations and to test their accuracy, we weighed specimens of the three species and calculated their tissue densities. Additionally, we propose an uncomplicated technique to estimate thickness of individuals under a microscope, a required measurement for two of the three indirect methods tested. The indirect methods proposed in this paper provided the best approximation to direct measurements. Despite its wide use, the geometric approximation method showed the lowest accuracy. The approaches developed herein are timely because the recently increasing number of studies requiring reliable biomass estimates for small invertebrates to explain crucial processes in ecosystems

Beyond counting species : a new way to look at biodiversity

In modern ecology, the traditional diversity indices (usually of richness, abundance, and species evenness) have been highly revealing and useful for monitoring community and ecosystem processes. However, around two decades ago, a pioneering research team noticed that these indices did not completely resolve their open questions. Thus, they suggested changing the way biodiversity was measured. At its base, this new methodology considers the distance between species (in phylogenetic or functional terms) before subsequently applying the appropriate biodiversity indices. Including phylogenetic and functional elements in the evaluation of diversity allows us to approach the concept of biodiversity in a more comprehensive way