Physical-based optimization for non-physical image dehazing methods

Images captured under hazy conditions (e.g. fog, air pollution) usually present faded colors and loss of contrast. To improve their visibility, a process called image dehazing can be applied. Some of the most successful image dehazing algorithms are based on image processing methods but do not follow any physical image formation model, which limits their performance. In this paper, we propose a post-processing technique to alleviate this handicap by enforcing the original method to be consistent with a popular physical model for image formation under haze. Our results improve upon those of the original methods qualitatively and according to several metrics, and they have also been validated via psychophysical experiments. These results are particularly striking in terms of avoiding over-saturation and reducing color artifacts, which are the most common shortcomings faced by image dehazing methods

Marco teórico y Propuesta de Unidad Didáctica para la Educación Intercultural desde el Área de Educación Plástica y Visual

Sin resume

Kinematic Analysis of a Flexible Tensegrity Robot

Conference Paper presented at The Joint International Conference of the XII International Conference on Mechanisms and Mechanical Transmissions (MTM) and the XXIII International Conference on Robotics (Robotics ’16)In the field of parallel kinematics few designs use highly deformable elements to obtain the end effector movement. Most compliant mechanisms rely on notches or shape changes to simulate a standard kinematic joint. In this work a kinematic model of a simple parallel continuum mechanism that combines a deformable element and cable is presented. The kinematic model is used to study the workspace of the manipulator and is validated by experimental measurements of a prototype.The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support received from the Spanish Government through the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Project DPI2015-64450-R) and the Regional Government of the Basque Country through the Departamento de Educación, Universidades e Investigación (Project IT445-10) and UPV/EHU under program UFI 11/29

Northwestern Statues-menhir in context: connectivity and material connections during the Late Bronze Age

Este artículo analiza las estatuas-menhir noroccidentales que se distribuyen en el área comprendida entre los valles del río Duero y el río Miño, pero que descubrimientos recientes han extendido a regiones fuera de este área nuclear. Partiendo de tres aspectos claves para su interpretación (la cronología, su relación con el paisaje y su sentido iconográfico), se examinan las relaciones entre estas formas materiales y un paisaje socio-material de acción específico (las formas socio-materiales de interacción propias del Bronce final atlántico). Para ello, se tiene en cuenta diferentes conexiones materiales (presencia, encuentro, coexistencia, hibridación, etc.) que permiten contextualizar las estatuasmenhir dentro de un proceso histórico particular: la integración del noroeste de la península Ibérica en un contexto de relaciones mediterráneo-atlánticas, en la segunda mitad del II milenio a.C.This paper examines the northwestern staute-menhirs which are distributed in the area between the valleys of the river Duero and the river Miño, but that recent findings have extended to other regions outside that core area. Taking three key issues on the interpretation of them (chronology, landscape and image) as a starting point, this analysis focuses on the material relations between these material forms and a specific socio-material landscape of action (the sociomaterial forms of interaction characteristic to Atlantic Late Bronze Age). To this end, it takes into account different material connections (such as presence, encounter, coexistence, hybridization, etc.) that enable to contextualize the statues-menhir as part of a specific historical process: the integration of the northwestern Iberia in the interaction contexts between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic since the end of the 2nd millennium BC

Theory and interpretation in archeology of death

La arqueología de la muerte y la identidad es clave para comprender las sociedades pretéritas. A través de los restos de rituales funerarios, los arqueólogos estudian no solo las actitudes y sentimientos que los individuos en el pasado desarrollaron en relación a la muerte y el Más Allá, sino también su cultura, sistema social y visión del mundo. Este artículo proporciona una visión y síntesis de uno de los campos de estudio más relevantes en la investigación, centrándose especialmente en las cuestiones teóricas que han alentado las diferentes aproximaciones al tema a lo largo del tiempo.The archaeology of death and identity is crucial to our attempts to understand past societies. Through the remains of funerary rituals, archaeologists study not only ancient people’s attitudes and feelings toward death and the afterlife but also about their culture, social system, and world view. This paper provides an overview and synthesis of one of the most revealing fields of research into the past, focusing on the theoretical issues that have encouraged the different approaches over the time

Kinematic Analysis of a Continuum Parallel Robot

Conference Paper presented at EUCOMES 2016 held in Nantes, France, from 20 to 23 September 2016Continuum Parallel Robots are mechanical devices with closed loops where kinematic pairs have been eliminated and motion is obtained by large deformations of certain elements. Most compliant mechanisms use notches in thick elements to produce the effect of kinematic pairs. A few are designed so that slender elements can deform and produce the desired motion. Some microelectromechanical systems have used this principle to create bistable planar mechanisms. The purpose of this work is to extend such principle in the field of macro mechanisms for manipulation. The aim is to design the counterparts to some classical parallel manipulators solving the corresponding kinematic problems. In doing this, the authors will have to work out the most efficient way to solve a position problem where geometry and forces are involved. Such compliant mechanisms could be combined in the future with tensegrity systems to enhance the available workspace. In this first report, we will focus on the simplest planar parallel mechanism of two degrees of freedomThe authorswish to acknowledge the financial support received fromthe Spanish Government through theMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad (Project DPI2015-64450-R) and the Regional Government of the Basque Country through the Departamento de Educación, Universidades e Investigación (Project IT445-10) and UPV/EHU under program UFI 11/29. Also, the support of ERASMUS program is gratefully acknowledged by the fourth autho

Aplicación del aprendizaje basado en problemas en la asignatura contabilidad financiera superior: ventajas y desventajas

La metodología del Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (ABP) favorece el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, desarrollando la capacidad del estudiante de “aprender a aprender” como vía necesaria en su propio aprendizaje, gestionando el tiempo y la información de manera eficaz. El planteamiento de la asignatura Contabilidad Financiera Superior, se ha desarrollado para que el alumnado pueda recibir la docencia en dos modalidades: metodología ABP, donde se fomenta el autoaprendizaje y la implementación de los conocimientos de una manera independiente, y el sistema tradicional, donde el alumnado se convierte en sujeto pasivo que recibe explicaciones y resoluciones de problemas. Los resultados obtenidos, muestran cómo la mayoría prefiere un sistema mixto, porque aunque más de la mitad de los alumnos declaran entender mejor la asignatura con la metodología tradicional, afirman que para estar mejor preparados ante un examen, es más recomendable el modelo ABP. Se puede concluir que es un buen sistema que requiere un gran esfuerzo por parte del alumno y por ello hay que adaptar los contenidos para no sobrecargar al alumnado.The Problem-Based Learning methodology (PBL) contributes to the teachinglearning process by developing the student’s capacity to “learn to learn” as a necessary channel for their own learning. PBL helps students manage time and information efficiently. Two methods are deployed when teaching the Advanced Financial Accounting subject. The first method is the PBL approach wherein students are encouraged to deal with the areas of self-learning and acquisition of knowledge in an autonomous way. The second method deployed at the University is the more traditional, teacher-fronted, lecture approach. The results of the current study indicate that students prefer a mixed-system. More than half those students asked that they understood the subject better when the traditional method was deployed. However, a large body of students stated that in order to be better prepared to sit an exam PBL method was more appropriate. As a preliminary conclusion, it would seem that the PBL is an effective system that demands significant effort from students. It is therefore suggested that the subject syllabus be modified in order to avoid over-burdening the students