On the probabilistic min spanning tree Problem

We study a probabilistic optimization model for min spanning tree, where any vertex vi of the input-graph G(V,E) has some presence probability pi in the final instance G′ ⊂ G that will effectively be optimized. Suppose that when this “real” instance G′ becomes known, a spanning tree T, called anticipatory or a priori spanning tree, has already been computed in G and one can run a quick algorithm (quicker than one that recomputes from scratch), called modification strategy, that modifies the anticipatory tree T in order to fit G ′. The goal is to compute an anticipatory spanning tree of G such that, its modification for any G ′ ⊆ G is optimal for G ′. This is what we call probabilistic min spanning tree problem. In this paper we study complexity and approximation of probabilistic min spanning tree in complete graphs under two distinct modification strategies leading to different complexity results for the problem. For the first of the strategies developed, we also study two natural subproblems of probabilistic min spanning tree, namely, the probabilistic metric min spanning tree and the probabilistic min spanning tree 1,2 that deal with metric complete graphs and complete graphs with edge-weights either 1, or 2, respectively

Automated Design of Common-Mode Suppressed Balanced Wideband Bandpass Filters by Means of Aggressive Space Mapping

The automated and unattended design of balanced microstrip wideband bandpass filters by means of aggressive space mapping (ASM) optimization is reported in this paper. The proposed filters are based on multisection mirrored stepped impedance resonators (SIRs) coupled through quarter-wavelength transmission lines, acting as admittance inverters.This work was supported by MINECO-Spain (projects TEC2013-47037-C5-1-R, TEC2013-40600-R, TEC2013-49221-EXP), Generalitat de Catalunya (project 2014SGR-157), Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avancats (who awarded Ferran Martin), and by FEDER funds.Sans, M.; Selga, J.; Velez, P.; Rodriguez Perez, AM.; Bonache Albacete, J.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Martin, F. (2015). Automated Design of Common-Mode Suppressed Balanced Wideband Bandpass Filters by Means of Aggressive Space Mapping. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques. 63(12):3896-3908. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMTT.2015.2495180S38963908631

Evanescent-Mode Ridge-Waveguide Radiating Filters for Space Applications

[EN] This paper describes a new family of all-metallic radiators based on below-cutoff apertures fed by evanescentmode ridge waveguide filters. The pass band of the filters and the polarization of the apertures are configured to radiate orthogonal signals at different center frequencies. The simultaneous operation of these radiators in an array configuration results in interleaved apertures producing overlapped fields. This strategy reduces the volume and weight of the antenna system, which is a specially appealing characteristic in satellite antennas. Each isolated evanescent-mode filter ends in a small-size aperture and is designed following a novel synthesis procedure. Next, the radiating elements are combined, and the resulting array is analyzed as a multiplexer from the input ports to the freespace region thus accounting for all mutual couplings between different apertures. To validate the theoretical formulations, a prototype has also been manufactured. The results obtained show very good agreement between simulation and measurements in terms of reflection coefficient, side-lobe level and realized gain, thereby fully validating the new family of radiating arrays.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economics and Competitiveness under Project TEC2016-79700-C2-1-R, Project TEC2016-78028-C3-3-P, Project TEC2013-47037-C5-1-R, and Project TEC2016-75934-C4-1-R.Sánchez-Escuderos, D.; Ruiz-Garnica, J.; Baquero Escudero, M.; Soto Pacheco, P.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Tosso, G.; Angeletti, P.... (2019). Evanescent-Mode Ridge-Waveguide Radiating Filters for Space Applications. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 67(10):6286-6297. https://doi.org/10.1109/TAP.2019.2920272S62866297671

Automated synthesis of transmission lines loaded with complementary split ring resonators (CSRRs) and open complementary split ring resonators (OCSRRs) through aggressive space mapping (ASM)

This paper is focused on the application of space mapping optimization to the automated synthesis of transmission lines loaded with complementary split ring resonators (CSRRs) and open complementary split ring resonators (OCSRRs). These structures are of interest for the implementation of resonant-type metamaterial transmission lines and for the design of planar microwave circuits based on such complementary resonators. The paper presents a method to generate the layouts of CSRR- and OCSRR-loaded microstrip lines from the elements of their equivalent circuit models. Using the so-called aggressive space mapping, a specific implementation that uses quasi-Newton type iteration, we have developed synthesis algorithms that are able to provide the topology of these CSRR and OCSRR-loaded lines in few steps. The most relevant aspect, however, is that this synthesis process is completely automatic, i.e., it does not require any action from the designers, other than initiating the algorithm. Moreover, this technique can be translated to other electrically small planar elements described by lumped element equivalent circuit models.This work has been partially supported by MICIIN-Spain (Projects TEC2010-17512 METATRANSFER, TEC2010-21520-C04-01 AVANSAT, CONSOLIDER EMET CSD2008-00066, and Grant AP2008-04707), Generalitat de Catalunya (Project 2009SGR-421), and MITyC-Spain (Project TSI-020100-2010-169 METASINTESIS). Ferran Martin is in debt to ICREA for supporting his work through an ICREA Academia Award (calls 2008 and 2013).Selga, J.; Rodríguez Pérez, AM.; Orellana, M.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Martín, F. (2014). Automated synthesis of transmission lines loaded with complementary split ring resonators (CSRRs) and open complementary split ring resonators (OCSRRs) through aggressive space mapping (ASM). Applied Physics A. 117(2):557-565. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-014-8703-xS5575651172G.V. Eleftheriades, K.G. 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García-García, J. Martel, F. Martín, Composite right/left handed (CRLH) metamaterial transmission lines based on complementary split rings resonators (CSRRs) and their applications to very wide band and compact filter design. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech. 55, 1296–1304 (2007)S. Lim, C. Caloz, T. Itoh, Metamaterial-based electronically-controlled transmission line structure as a novel leaky-wave antenna with tunable angle and beamwidth. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech. 52(12), 2678–2690 (2004)G. Zamora, S. Zuffanelli, F. Paredes, F. Javier Herraiz-Martínez, F. Martín, J. Bonache, Fundamental mode leaky-wave-antenna (LWA) using slot line and split-ring-resonator (SRR) based metamaterials. IEEE Antennas Wirel. Propag. Lett. 12, 1424–1427 (2013)A.K. Iyer, G.V. Eleftheriades, Negative refractive index metamaterials supporting 2-D waves. in IEEE-MTT Int’l Microwave Symposium, vol 2, Seattle, WA, pp. 412–415 (2002)A.A. 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Predicting global invasion risks: a management tool to prevent future introductions

Predicting regions at risk from introductions of non-native species and the subsequent invasions is a fundamental aspect of horizon scanning activities that enable the development of more effective preventative actions and planning of management measures. The Asian cyprinid fish topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva has proved highly invasive across Europe since its introduction in the 1960s. In addition to direct negative impacts on native fish populations, P. parva has potential for further damage through transmission of an emergent infectious disease, known to cause mortality in other species. To quantify its invasion risk, in regions where it has yet to be introduced, we trained 900 ecological niche models and constructed an Ensemble Model predicting suitability, then integrated a proxy for introduction likelihood. This revealed high potential for P. parva to invade regions well beyond its current invasive range. These included areas in all modelled continents, with several hotspots of climatic suitability and risk of introduction. We believe that these methods are easily adapted for a variety of other invasive species and that such risk maps could be used by policy-makers and managers in hotspots to formulate increased surveillance and early-warning systems that aim to prevent introductions and subsequent invasions

On the Role of Object Information in Action Observation: An fMRI Study

Observing other people’s actions activates a network of brain regions that is also activated during the execution of these actions. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to test whether these “mirror” regions in frontal and parietal cortices primarily encode the spatiomotor aspects or the functional goal-related aspects of observed tool actions. Participants viewed static depictions of actions consisting of a tool object (e.g., key) and a target object (e.g., keyhole). They judged the actions either with regard to whether the objects were oriented correctly for the action to succeed (spatiomotor task) or whether an action goal could be achieved with the objects (function task). Compared with a control condition, both tasks activated regions in left frontoparietal cortex previously implicated in action observation and execution. Of these regions, the premotor cortex and supramarginal gyrus were primarily activated during the spatiomotor task, whereas the middle frontal gyrus was primarily activated during the function task. Regions along the intraparietal sulcus were more strongly activated during the spatiomotor task but only when the spatiomotor properties of the tool object were unknown in advance. These results suggest a division of labor within the action observation network that maps onto a similar division previously proposed for action execution

Intention Understanding in Autism

When we observe a motor act (e.g. grasping a cup) done by another individual, we extract, according to how the motor act is performed and its context, two types of information: the goal (grasping) and the intention underlying it (e.g. grasping for drinking). Here we examined whether children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) are able to understand these two aspects of motor acts. Two experiments were carried out. In the first, one group of high-functioning children with ASD and one of typically developing (TD) children were presented with pictures showing hand-object interactions and asked what the individual was doing and why. In half of the “why” trials the observed grip was congruent with the function of the object (“why-use” trials), in the other half it corresponded to the grip typically used to move that object (“why-place” trials). The results showed that children with ASD have no difficulties in reporting the goals of individual motor acts. In contrast they made several errors in the why task with all errors occurring in the “why-place” trials. In the second experiment the same two groups of children saw pictures showing a hand-grip congruent with the object use, but within a context suggesting either the use of the object or its placement into a container. Here children with ASD performed as TD children, correctly indicating the agent's intention. In conclusion, our data show that understanding others' intentions can occur in two ways: by relying on motor information derived from the hand-object interaction, and by using functional information derived from the object's standard use. Children with ASD have no deficit in the second type of understanding, while they have difficulties in understanding others' intentions when they have to rely exclusively on motor cues

An efficient integral equation technique for the analysis of arbitrarily shaped capacitive waveguide circuits

In this contribution a new and efficient integral equation formulation is presented for the analysis of arbitrarily shaped capacitive waveguide devices. The technique benefits from the symmetry of the structure in order to reduce the dimensions of the problem from three to two dimensions. For the first time, this technique formulates the waveguide capacitive discontinuity problem as a 2-D scattering problem with oblique incidence, combined with an efficient calculation of the parallel plate Green's functions. The numerical method allows the efficient evaluation of the electromagnetic fields inside the analyzed structures. Results for different practical capacitive waveguide devices are successfully compared with commercial software tools for validation of the proposed theory. Finally, a novel low-pass filter implementation based on circular conducting posts has been proposed. The field contour lines in the critical gaps of the new structure are curved due to the use of rounded posts. This could result in improved power handling capabilities with respect to standard corrugated low-pass filters. Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.This work has been developed with financial support from SENECA project reference 08833/PI/08, and CICYT project reference TEC2007-67630-C03.Quesada Pereira, FD.; Vera Castejon, P.; Alvarez Melcon, A.; Gimeno Martinez, B.; Boria Esbert, VE. (2011). An efficient integral equation technique for the analysis of arbitrarily shaped capacitive waveguide circuits. Radio Science. 46:1-11. doi:10.1029/2010RS004458S1114