Landscape Assessment via Regression Analysis

This paper presents a methodology for assessing the visual quality of agricultural landscapes through direct and indirect techniques of landscape valuation. The first technique enables us to rank agricultural landscapes on the basis of a survey of public preferences. The latter weighs the contribution of the elements and attributes contained in the picture to its overall scenic beauty via regression analysis. The photos used in the survey included man-made elements, positive and negative, agricultural fields, mainly of cereals and olive trees, and a natural park. The results show that perceived visual quality increases, in decreasing order of importance, with the degree of wilderness of the landscape, the presence of well-preserved man-made elements, the percentage of plant cover, the amount of water, the presence of mountains and the colour contrast.landscape assessment, visual quality, landscape elements, landscape value, Land Economics/Use, H41, Q21, Q26,

Setting rents in residential real estate: a methodological proposal using multiple criteria decision analysis

The real estate sector has been negatively affected by the recent economic recession, which has forced structural changes that impact property value and price. Recent pressures have also motivated reduced liquidity and access to credit, causing a drop in property sales and, thus, boosting the rental housing market. It is worth noting, however, that the rental housing segment is not with-out difficulties and complexity, namely in terms of legislation and rental value revaluation. In light of this reasoning, this study aims to develop a multiple criteria decision support system for calculation of residential rents. By integrating cognitive maps and the measuring attractiveness by a categorical based evaluation technique (MACBETH), we also aim to introduce simplicity and transparency in the decision making framework. The practical implications, advantages and shortfalls of our proposal are also analyzed

Alternative structures and bi-Hamiltonian systems on a Hilbert space

We discuss transformations generated by dynamical quantum systems which are bi-unitary, i.e. unitary with respect to a pair of Hermitian structures on an infinite-dimensional complex Hilbert space. We introduce the notion of Hermitian structures in generic relative position. We provide few necessary and sufficient conditions for two Hermitian structures to be in generic relative position to better illustrate the relevance of this notion. The group of bi-unitary transformations is considered in both the generic and non-generic case. Finally, we generalize the analysis to real Hilbert spaces and extend to infinite dimensions results already available in the framework of finite-dimensional linear bi-Hamiltonian systems.Comment: 11 page

Analysis of Serve and Serve-Return Strategies in Elite Male and Female Padel

This aim of this study was to analyze serve and return statistics in elite padel players regarding courtside and gender. The sample contained 668 serves and 600 returns of serves from 14 matches (7 male and 7 female) of the 2019 Masters Finals World Padel Tour. Variables pertaining to serve (number, direction, court side and effectiveness), return of serve (direction, height, stroke type and effectiveness) and point outcome were registered through systematic observation. The main results showed that the serving pair had an advantage in rallies, under 8 shots in women and under 12 shots in men. Statistical differences according to gender and court side were found. Female players execute more backhand and cross-court returns and use more lobs than men. On the right court, serves are more frequently aimed at the "T" and more down the line returns are executed when compared to the left side. Such knowledge could be useful to develop appropriate game strategies and to design specific training exercises based on actual competition context

A Hierarchical Hybrid Architecture for Mission-Oriented Robot Control

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03413-3_26In this work is presented a general architecture for a multi physical agent network system based on the coordination and the behaviour management. The system is organised in a hierarchical structure where are distinguished the individual agent actions and the collective ones linked to the whole agent network. Individual actions are also organised in a hybrid layered system that take advantages from reactive and deliberative control. Sensing system is involved as well in the behaviour architecture improving the information acquisition performance.This work has been partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under the CICYT project Mission Based Control (COBAMI): DPI2011-28507-C02-02, under coordinated project High Integrity Partitioned Embedded Systems (Hi-PartES): TIN2011-28567-C03-03, and under the collaborative research project supported by the European Union MultiPARTES Project: FP7-ICT 287702. 2011-14.Muñoz Alcobendas, M.; Munera Sánchez, E.; Blanes Noguera, F.; Simó Ten, JE. (2013). A Hierarchical Hybrid Architecture for Mission-Oriented Robot Control. En ROBOT2013: First Iberian Robotics Conference: Advances in Robotics, Vol. 1. Springer. 363-380. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03413-3_26S363380Aragues, R.: Consistent data association in multi-robot systems with limited communications. Robotics: Science and Systems, 97–104 (2010)Aragues, R., Cortes, J., Sagues, C.: Distributed consensus on robot networks for dynamically merging feature-based maps. IEEE Transactions on Robotics (2012)Arkin, R.C.: Motor schema based mobile robot navigation. The International Journal of Robotics Research 8(4), 92–112 (1989)Asama, H., Habib, M.K., Endo, I., Ozaki, K., Matsumoto, A., Ishida, Y.: Functional distribution among multiple mobile robots in an autonomous and decentralized robot system. In: Proceedings of the 1991 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation. IEEE (1991)Benet, G., Blanes, F., Martínez, M., Simó, J.: A multisensor robot distributed architecture. In: IFAC Conference INCOM 1998 (1998)Brooks, R.: A robust layered control system for a mobile robot. IEEE Journal of Robotics and Automation 2(1), 14–23 (1986)Canas, J.M., Matellán, V.: Dynamic schema hierarchies for an autonomous robot. In: Garijo, F.J., Riquelme, J.-C., Toro, M. (eds.) IBERAMIA 2002. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 2527, pp. 903–912. Springer, Heidelberg (2002)Choset, H., Nagatani, K.: Topological simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM): toward exact localization without explicit localization. IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation 17(2), 125–137 (2001)Fox, D., Burgard, W., Dellaert, F., Thrun, S.: Monte carlo localization: Efficient position estimation for mobile robots. American Association for Artificial Intelligence, 343–349 (1999)Hu, J., Xie, L., Xu, J.: Vision-based multi-agent cooperative target search. In: Control Automation Robotics & Vision (ICARCV), pp. 895–900 (2012)Huq, R., Mann, G.K.I., Gosine, R.G.: Behavior-modulation technique in mobile robotics using fuzzy discrete event system. IEEE Transactions on Robotics 22(5), 903–916 (2006)Jayasiri, A., Mann, G., Gosine, R.G.: Mobile robot behavior coordination using supervisory control of fuzzy discrete event systems. In: IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, IROS 2009, pp. 690–695 (2009)Jayasiri, A., Mann, G.K.I., Gosine, R.G.: Behavior coordination of mobile robotics using supervisory control of fuzzy discrete event systems. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Part B: Cybernetics 41(5), 1224–1238 (2011)Koenig, N., Howard, A.: Gazebo-3d multiple robot simulator with dynamics. Technical report (2006)Lin, F., Ying, H.: Modeling and control of fuzzy discrete event systems. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Part B: Cybernetics 32(4), 408–415 (2002)Madden, J.D.: Multi-robot system based on model of wolf hunting behavior to emulate wolf and elk interactions. In: 2010 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics, ROBIO, pp. 1043–1050 (2010)Mataric, M.J.: Interaction and intelligent behavior. Technical report, DTIC Document (1994)Olivera, V.M., Molina, J.M., Sommaruga, L., et al.: Fuzzy cooperation of autonomous robots. In: Fourth International System on Intelligent Robotics Systems, Lisboa, Portugal (1996)McGann, C., Py, F., Rajan, K., Thomas, H., Henthorn, R., McEwen, R.: A deliberative architecture for auv control. In: IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, ICRA 2008, pp. 1049–1054. IEEE (2008)Munera, E., Muñoz, M., Simó, J., Blanes, F.: Humanoid Robot Self-Location In SPL League. In: Comité Español de Automática (CEA), XXXIII Jornadas de Automatica, 797–804 (2012)Proetzsch, M., Luksch, T., Berns, K.: Development of complex robotic systems using the behavior-based control architecture iB2C. Robotics and Autonomous Systems 58(1), 46–67 (2010)Qiu, D.: Supervisory control of fuzzy discrete event systems: a formal approach. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Part B: Cybernetics 35(1), 72–88 (2005)Aladebaran Robotics. NAO Software Documentation 1.12. Technical report (2012)St-Pierre, M., Gingras, D.: Comparison between the unscented Kalman filter and the extended Kalman filter for the position estimation module of an integrated navigation information system. In: 2004 IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium, pp. 831–835 (2004)Stoytchev, A., Arkin, R.C.: Combining deliberation, reactivity, and motivation in the context of a behavior-based robot architecture. In: Proceedings of the 2001 IEEE International Symposium on Computational Intelligence in Robotics and Automation, pp. 290–295 (2001)Nicolau, V., Muñoz, M., Simó, J.: KertrolBot Platform. SiDiReLi: Distributed System with Limited Resources. Technical report, Institute of Control Systems and Industrial Computing - Polytechnic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain (2011

Safety of etanercept in the treatment of rheumatic disease patients with Hepatitis C virus infection

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influence of steps on the tilting and adsorption dynamics of ordered Pn films on vicinal Ag(111) surfaces

Here we present a structural study of pentacene (Pn) thin films on vicinal Ag(111) surfaces by He atom diffraction measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations supplemented with van der Waals (vdW) interactions. Our He atom diffraction results suggest initial adsorption at the step edges evidenced by initial slow specular reflection intensity decay rate as a function of Pn deposition time. In parallel with the experimental findings, our DFT+vdW calculations predict the step edges as the most stable adsorption site on the surface. An isolated molecule adsorbs as tilted on the step edge with a binding energy of 1.4 eV. In addition, a complete monolayer (ML) with pentacenes flat on the terraces and tilted only at the step edges is found to be more stable than one with all lying flat or tilted molecules, which in turn influences multilayers. Hence our results suggest that step edges can trap Pn molecules and act as nucleation sites for the growth of ordered thin films with a crystal structure similar to that of bulk Pn.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl

A Rapid, Cost-Effective Method of Assembly and Purification of Synthetic DNA Probes >100 bp

Here we introduce a rapid, cost-effective method of generating molecular DNA probes in just under 15 minutes without the need for expensive, time-consuming gel-extraction steps. As an example, we enzymatically concatenated six variable strands (50 bp) with a common strand sequence (51 bp) in a single pool using Fast-Link DNA ligase to produce 101 bp targets (10 min). Unincorporated species were then filtered out by passing the crude reaction through a size-exclusion column (<5 min). We then compared full-length product yield of crude and purified samples using HPLC analysis; the results of which clearly show our method yields three-quarters that of the crude sample (50% higher than by gel-extraction). And while we substantially reduced the amount of unligated product with our filtration process, higher purity and yield, with an increase in number of stands per reaction (>12) could be achieved with further optimization. Moreover, for large-scale assays, we envision this method to be fully automated with the use of robotics such as the Biomek FX; here, potentially thousands of samples could be pooled, ligated and purified in either a 96, 384 or 1536-well platform in just minutes

A functional genomic approach to identify reference genes for human pancreatic beta cell real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis

Exposure of human pancreatic beta cells to pro-inflammatory cytokines or metabolic stressors is used to model events related to type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR is commonly used to quantify changes in gene expression. The selection of the most adequate reference gene(s) for gene expression normalization is an important pre-requisite to obtain accurate and reliable results. There are no universally applicable reference genes, and the human beta cell expression of commonly used reference genes can be altered by different stressors. Here we aimed to identify the most stably expressed genes in human beta cells to normalize quantitative real-time PCR gene expression. We used comprehensive RNA-sequencing data from the human pancreatic beta cell line EndoC-βH1, human islets exposed to cytokines or the free fatty acid palmitate in order to identify the most stably expressed genes. Genes were filtered based on their level of significance (adjusted P-value &gt;0.05), fold-change (|fold-change| &lt;1.5) and a coefficient of variation &lt;10%. Candidate reference genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR in independent samples. We identified a total of 264 genes stably expressed in EndoC-βH1 cells and human islets following cytokines–or palmitate-induced stress, displaying a low coefficient of variation. Validation by quantitative real-time PCR of the top five genes ARF1, CWC15, RAB7A, SIAH1 and VAPA corroborated their expression stability under most of the tested conditions. Further validation in independent samples indicated that the geometric mean of ACTB and VAPA expression can be used as a reliable normalizing factor in human beta cells

KELT-7b: A hot Jupiter transiting a bright V=8.54 rapidly rotating F-star

We report the discovery of KELT-7b, a transiting hot Jupiter with a mass of $1.28 \pm 0.18$ MJ, radius of $1.53_{-0.047}^{+0.046}$ RJ, and an orbital period of $2.7347749 \pm 0.0000039$ days. The bright host star (HD33643; KELT-7) is an F-star with $V=8.54$, Teff $=6789_{-49}^{+50}$ K, [Fe/H] $=0.139_{-0.081}^{+0.075}$, and $\log{g}=4.149 \pm 0.019$. It has a mass of $1.535_{-0.054}^{+0.066}$ Msun, a radius of $1.732_{-0.045}^{+0.043}$ Rsun, and is the fifth most massive, fifth hottest, and the ninth brightest star known to host a transiting planet. It is also the brightest star around which KELT has discovered a transiting planet. Thus, KELT-7b is an ideal target for detailed characterization given its relatively low surface gravity, high equilibrium temperature, and bright host star. The rapid rotation of the star ($73 \pm 0.5$ km/s) results in a Rossiter-McLaughlin effect with an unusually large amplitude of several hundred m/s. We find that the orbit normal of the planet is likely to be well-aligned with the stellar spin axis, with a projected spin-orbit alignment of $\lambda=9.7 \pm 5.2$ degrees. This is currently the second most rapidly rotating star to have a reflex signal (and thus mass determination) due to a planetary companion measured.Comment: Accepted to The Astronomical Journa