The Highly Oscillatory Behavior of Automorphic Distributions for SL(2)

Automorphic distributions for SL(2) arise as boundary values of modular forms and, in a more subtle manner, from Maass forms. In the case of modular forms of weight one or of Maass forms, the automorphic distributions have continuous first antiderivatives. We recall earlier results of one of us on the Holder continuity of these continuous functions and relate them to results of other authors; this involves a generalization of classical theorems on Fourier series by S. Bernstein and Hardy-Littlewood. We then show that the antiderivatives are non-differentiable at all irrational points, as well as all, or in certain cases, some rational points. We include graphs of several of these functions, which clearly display a high degree of oscillation. Our investigations are motivated in part by properties of "Riemann's nondifferentiable function", also known as "Weierstrass' function".Comment: 27 pages, 6 Figures; version 2 corrects misprints and updates reference

Real time motion estimation using a neural architecture implemented on GPUs

This work describes a neural network based architecture that represents and estimates object motion in videos. This architecture addresses multiple computer vision tasks such as image segmentation, object representation or characterization, motion analysis and tracking. The use of a neural network architecture allows for the simultaneous estimation of global and local motion and the representation of deformable objects. This architecture also avoids the problem of finding corresponding features while tracking moving objects. Due to the parallel nature of neural networks, the architecture has been implemented on GPUs that allows the system to meet a set of requirements such as: time constraints management, robustness, high processing speed and re-configurability. Experiments are presented that demonstrate the validity of our architecture to solve problems of mobile agents tracking and motion analysis

Effects of herbaceous covers and mineral fertilizers on the nutrient stocks and fluxes in a Mediterranean olive grove

Altres ajuts: acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICThe preservation of nutrient capital, soil fertility, and carbon (C) sequestration capacity in Mediterranean olive groves requires evaluation of agricultural practices beyond short-term productivity. We aim to contribute with a mechanistic understanding on the effects that the preservation of herbaceous cover and the use of chemical fertilizers have on the performance of olive trees and on the biogeochemical cycles of the agroecosystem. We compared nutrient fluxes and aboveground leafy stocks in an olive grove that had been organically managed for more than 60 years, in a treatment in which the annual spontaneous herbaceous cover was maintained (H), and after two years of shift to conventional management treatments in which the growth of herbaceous vegetation was avoided by the use of herbicides (NH), and where exclusion of the herbaceous cover is also combined with the supply of mineral fertilizers (NHF). Maintenance of herbaceous vegetation in H contributed to the retention of a high aboveground capital of C and nutrients, particularly nitrogen, (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) that were about 2.9, 3.9 and 7.4 times greater than in NH, respectively. The permanence of herbaceous cover stimulated olive tree leaf litter decomposition rates by about 86 % and increased nutrient release. However, the H treatment led to a 37 % decrease in olive yield and lowered olive foliar N and P content as negative short-term effects. The addition of fertilizers (N, P, K, and Mg) in mineral and solid form in NHF resulted inefficient to improve olive tree nutritional status and olive production, and decelerated olive tree litter decomposition rates by 21 % and nutrient release. The nutrient retention in organic forms in the fast-growing species of herbaceous covers and the progressive nutrient release as litter decomposes may contribute to regulate and better adapt nutrient availability to the nutrient requirements of olive trees

Higher levels of physical fitness are associated with a reduced risk of suffering sarcopenic obesity and better perceived health among elderly. The EXERNET multi-center study

Objective: To evaluate the associations between physical fitness levels, health related quality of life (HRQoL) and sarcopenic obesity (SO) and to analyze the usefulness of several physical fitness tests as a screening tool for detecting elderly people with an increased risk of suffering SO. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of a population-based sample. Setting: Non-institutionalized Spanish elderly participating in the EXERNET multi-centre study. Participants: 2747 elderly subjects aged 65 and older. Measurements: Body weight, height and body mass index were evaluated in each subject. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance. Four SO groups were created based on percentage of body fat and relative muscle mass; 1) normal group, 2) sarcopenic group, 3) obesity group and 4) SO group. Physical fitness was evaluated using 8 tests (balance, lower and upper body strength, lower and upper body flexibility, agility, walking speed and aerobic capacity). Three tertiles were created for each test based on the calculated scores. HRQoL was assessed using the EuroQol visual analogue scale. Results: Participants with SO showed lower physical fitness levels compared with normal subjects. Better balance, agility, and aerobic capacity were associated to a lower risk of suffering SO in the fittest men (odds ratio < 0.30). In women, better balance, walking speed, and aerobic capacity were associated to a lower risk of suffering SO in the fittest women (odds ratio < 0.21) Superior perceived health was associated with better physical fitness performance. Conclusions: Higher levels of physical fitness were associated with a reduced risk of suffering SO and better perceived health among elderly. SO elderly people have lower physical functional levels than healthy counterparts

Evaluación de los diferentes índices para cartografiar biocostras a partir de información espectral

Revista oficial de la Asociación Española de Teledetección[EN] Biological soil crusts (BSC) are complex communities formed by a close association of soil particles and cyanobacteria, algae, microfungi, lichens or bryophytes that live within or immediately on top of the uppermost millimeters of the soil surface. These communities cover non vegetated areas in most of the arid and semiarid ecosystems, and modify numerous soil surface properties and ecosystem processes. Given the importance of BSC in ecosystem functioning, accurate and spatially explicit information on the distribution of BSC is mandatory. With this objective, considerable effort has been devoted to identify and map BSC using remote sensing data, and some spectral indices have been developed. These indexes use the spectral differences among BSC and other surface components like vegetation or bare soil to identify the areas dominated by BSC. Our main objective is to test the feasibility of the previous indices published in the literature for mapping different types of BSC in a complex study area, where these index have not been developed, at different spatial scales. Our results showed the low capability of indexes based on multiespectral images to identify areas covered by BSCat field and image spatial scales. Hyperspetral indices, on the other hand, showed better results than those obtained with multispectral indices, with an accuracy around 71% because they analyzed specific absorption features related with photosynthetic pigments like chlorophyll and carotenoids. We can conclude that the spatial heterogeneity of the area and the spectral similarities among BSC, green and dry vegetation or bare soil makes it difficult to correctly distinguish BSC in arid and semiarid ecosystems using only multispectral information, whereas hyperspectral images offer an important tool to map different types of BSC and to discriminate among these and other surface components.[ES] Las biocostras o costras biológicas del suelo (CBS) son comunidades formadas por la asociación de partí-culas de suelo con microorganismos como cianobacterias, algas, hongos, líquenes, hepáticas o briófitos, que viven en la superficie del suelo. Estas comunidades bióticas cubren las áreas desprovistas de vegetación en los ecosistemas áridos y semiáridos, modificando las propiedades del suelo e influyendo en numerosos procesos clave para el funcio-namiento de los ecosistemas. Aunque representan una porción insignificante del perfil del suelo, las CBS regulan el intercambio de gases, agua y nutrientes desde y hacia el suelo, por lo que desempeñan un papel fundamental en los ecosistemas en los que aparecen. Debido al importante papel que ejercen las CBS en los ecosistemas donde aparecen y a su fragilidad frente a las acciones antrópicas, es necesario conocer de forma precisa su distribución espacial. Para ello, recientemente, se han desarrollado varios índices que permiten cartografiarlas a partir de imágenes obtenidas de sensores remotos. Este trabajo tiene por objetivo evaluar los diferentes índices desarrollados para cartografiar CBS, aplicándolos a una zona distinta para las que han sido desarrolladas. Los diferentes índices se evaluarán a dos escalas espaciales diferentes, parcela y ecosistema. A ambas escalas se analizará la fiabilidad de cada uno de los índices para la cartografía de CBS y su capacidad de diferenciar entre diferentes tipos, así como las principales cubiertas presentes en los sistemas áridos y semiáridos. La gran heterogeneidad espacial de la zona y la similitud espectral entre las CBS y la vegetación seca dificultan la correcta cartografía de ecosistemas en los que las CBS son una componente impor-tante utilizando información multiespectral. Sin embargo, los índices basados en información hiperespectral y alta resolución espacial constituyen una herramienta sólida para cartografiar CBS proporcionando una fiabilidad de 71%.Este trabajo ha sido cofinanciado por el proyecto COSTRAS (RNM 3614) de la Junta de Andalucía, y por el Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología a través del proyecto BACARCOS (CGL2011-29429), ambos cofinanciados con fondos FEDER. Los autores ademas agradecen al area de teledeteccion del INTA (Labtel) su inestimable ayAlonso, M.; Rodríguez-Caballero, E.; Chamizo, S.; Escribano, P.; Cantón, Y. (2014). Evaluation of the different spectral indices to map biocrust using spectral information. Revista de Teledetección. (42):79-98. https://doi.org/10.4995/raet.2014.2317SWORD79984

Variabilidad genética de tres especies cubanas del género peltophryne (anura: bufonidae)

The genus Peltophryne is represented in Cuba with eight endemic species. In this paper, 10 populations of P. peltocephala, two of P. fustiger, and one of P. florentinoi are analyzed. For the genetic relations analysis, the genetic distances among populations and species were calculated by using Nei´s index (1972). Electrophoresis in starch gel was made for five enzymes and total muscle proteins which are codified for 12 loci. Six of them were monomorphic and fixed for the same allele in all of the species and populations, four were polymorphic and two with a diagnostic character. The four polymorphic systems were in HardyWeinberg´s equilibrium in every population and geographic area. The highest values of heterozigosity (Hobs = 0.117 y 0.077) for P. peltocephala were obtained from the Isla de la Juventud (youth island). The cluster obtained from the enzymatic and protein variability showed that P. peltocephala and P. fustiger differed with an average value of D = 0.098 while P. florentinoi differed from the two above with D = 0.197. P. florentinoi showed a fixed allele (LDH-B) and an unique allele (PT-B). The populations of P. peltocephala from the Isla de la Juventud (youth island) differed from the rest with an average value of D = 0.019, what suggests that they could be recognized as subspecies.El género Peltophryne está representado en Cuba por ocho especies, todas endémicas. En este trabajo se analizan 10 poblaciones de P. peltocephala, dos de P. fustiger y una de P. florentinoi. Para el análisis de las relaciones genéticas, se calcularon las distancias genéticas entre poblaciones y especies según el índice de Nei (1972). Se realizó la electroforesis en gel de almidón para cinco enzimas y las proteínas totales del músculo, las cuales están codificadas para 12 loci. Seis loci resultaron monomórficos y fijados para el mismo alelo en todas las poblaciones y especies, cuatro polimórficos y dos con carácter diagnóstico. Los cuatro sistemas polimórficos se encuentran en equilibrio de Hardy-Weinberg en cada población y área geográfica. En la Isla de la Juventud se encuentran los mayores valores de heterocigosidad (Hobs = 0.117 y 0.077) para P. peltocephala. El dendrograma derivado de la variación enzimática y proteínica mostró que P. fustiger y P. peltocephala difieren con un valor promedio de D = 0.098, mientras P. florentinoi difiere de ambos en una D = 0.197. P. florentinoi presentó un alelo fijado (LDH-B) y un alelo único (PT-B). Las poblaciones de P. peltocephala de la Isla de la Juventud se separan del resto, en un valor promedio de D = 0.019 y estos resultados sugieren que pudieran ser tratadas como subespecies

Biocrust restoration: a key tool to recover degraded arid ecosystem functioning

peer reviewedBiocrusts are autotroph and heterotroph communities that cover 12% of the Earth land’s surface, where they act as ecosystem engineers. They are very vulnerable to climate change and disturbance caused by different anthropic activities. In this work, we revise the impacts of both disturbance types, which negatively affect biogeochemical cycles and water and energy balances, accelerate erosion processes and dust emissions, and decrease biodiversity, reducing ecosystem ability to provide services. We also explore the ability of these communities to recover after disturbance, which in general requires long time periods for the most developed communities. Because of this, new biotechnologies have emerged to accelerate their restoration, based on the inoculation of biocrust-forming organisms. Results from two main strategies according to the origin of the biocrust propagules used are revised: a) translocation of biocrust fragments from a donor area to the degraded area. This strategy is recommended for planned activities in which the existing biocrust before disturbance is applied; b) large-scale cultivation of biocrust-forming organisms (cyanobacteria, lichens, mosses or the whole community) in laboratory or greenhouse conditions for their later inoculation in the degraded area. Finally, we identify future challenges to maximize restoration success and biocrust conservation