Instruction replication for clustered microarchitectures

This work presents a new compilation technique that uses instruction replication in order to reduce the number of communications executed on a clustered microarchitecture. For such architectures, the need to communicate values between clusters can result in a significant performance loss. Inter-cluster communications can be reduced by selectively replicating an appropriate set of instructions. However, instruction replication must be done carefully since it may also degrade performance due to the increased contention it can place on processor resources. The proposed scheme is built on top of a previously proposed state-of-the-art modulo scheduling algorithm that effectively reduces communications. Results show that the number of communications can decrease using replication, which results in significant speed-ups. IPC is increased by 25% on average for a 4-cluster microarchitecture and by as mush as 70% for selected programs.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

The DLMT hardware implementation. A comparative study with the DCT and the DWT

In the last recent years, with the popularity of image compression techniques, many architectures have been proposed. Those have been generally based on the Forward and Inverse Discrete Cosine Transform (FDCT, IDCT). Alternatively, compression schemes based on discrete "wavelets" transform (DWT), used, both, in JPEG2000 coding standard and in H264-SVC (Scalable Video Coding) standard, do not need to divide the image into non-overlapping blocks or macroblocks. This paper discusses the DLMT (Discrete Lopez-Moreno Transform) hardware implementation. It proposes a new scheme intermediate between the DCT and the DWT, comparing results of the most relevant proposed architectures for benchmarking. The DLMT can also be applied over a whole image, but this does not involve increasing computational complexity. FPGA implementation results show that the proposed DLMT has significant performance benefits and improvements comparing with the DCT and the DWT and consequently it is very suitable for implementation on WSN (Wireless Sensor Network) applications

The DLMT. An alternative to the DCT

In the last recent years, with the popularity of image compression techniques, many architectures have been proposed. Those have been generally based on the Forward and Inverse Discrete Cosine Transform (FDCT, IDCT). Alternatively, compression schemes based on discrete “wavelets” transform (DWT), used, both, in JPEG2000 coding standard and in the next H264-SVC (Scalable Video Coding), do not need to divide the image into non-overlapping blocks or macroblocks. This paper discusses the DLMT (Discrete Lopez-Moreno Transform). It proposes a new scheme intermediate between the DCT and the DWT (Discrete Wavelet Transform). The DLMT is computationally very similar to the DCT and uses quasi-sinusoidal functions, so the emergence of artifact blocks and their effects have a relative low importance. The use of quasi-sinusoidal functions has allowed achieving a multiresolution control quite close to that obtained by a DWT, but without increasing the computational complexity of the transformation. The DLMT can also be applied over a whole image, but this does not involve increasing computational complexity. Simulation results in MATLAB show that the proposed DLMT has significant performance benefits and improvements comparing with the DC

Diseño de un prototipo de vehículo volador

The concept of designing a hybrid car between an aircraft and a ground vehicle is based on finding an effective solution to traffic congestion in major cities around the world, as this generates great controversy in mobility and developing them. This prototype should be able to fly in a short distance range without the need for a runway to take off or land , ie , vertical takeoff and landing . Also, you must be a car for personal transport whose circulation is permitted in the city like any other vehicle. The project is under the supervision of Pedro Meneses , Director of the thesis , together with Creatti Labs SA (Bogota - Colombia ) . Design parameters, which were intended to solve problems of traffic congestion and project ourselves as a society to a near future in which there would be these vehicles were developed.El concepto de diseñar un automóvil hibrido entre una aeronave y un vehículo terrestre se basa en la búsqueda de una solución eficaz para la congestión vehicular en las principales ciudades del mundo, ya que esto genera gran conflicto en la movilidad y desarrollo de las mismas. Este prototipo debe ser capaz de volar en un rango corto de distancia sin la necesidad de una pista para despegar o aterrizar, es decir, despegue y aterrizaje vertical. Además, debe ser un automóvil para transporte personal cuya circulación sea permitida en la ciudad como cualquier otro vehículo. El proyecto se desarrolla bajo la supervisión de Pedro Meneses, Director de la Tesis, en conjunto con Creatti Labs S.A. (Medellin – Colombia). Se desarrollaron parámetros de diseño, los cuales fueron pensados para resolver problemas de congestión vehicular y proyectarnos como sociedad a un futuro cercano en el cual existirían estos vehículos

Synovial Cyst in the Posterior Tibial Muscle Tendon. Case Report, Biomechanical Considerations and Literature Review

Se presenta un caso de quiste sinovial localizado en la cara interna del tobillo derecho de una paciente que presenta pies pronados de articulación subastragalina con el antepié patológicamente compensado en supinación. Se describe el procedimiento quirúrgico, el tratamiento postquirúrgico y el estudio anatomopatológico. Al mismo se hacen algunas consideraciones acerca de la etiología patomecánica de los quistes sinoviales y una revisión bibliográfica de los tumores benignos y malignos que afectan a las vainas tendinosas y a las membranas sinoviales.A case of synovial cyst located on the inner side of the right ankle of a patient presenting joint subtalar pronate foot with forefoot pathologically compensated in supination is presented. Describes the surgical procedure, postsurgical treatment and the histopathological study. At the same time which are made some considerations about the pathomechanical etiology of synovial cysts and a literature review of benign and malignant tumors that affect the tendon sheaths and synovial membranes

Tratamiento quirúrgico de neuromas interdigitales múltiples en un mismo pie. Caso clínico y revisión bibliográfica.

It is a singular case of multiple neuromas, in first, second, third and fourth interdigital spaces, associated with hallux abductus valgus/hallux limitus (HAV/HL) and second hammertoe. A description of the tumors, the surgical procedure used for the surgical removal of these and other pathologies of the forefoot, post-operative treatment and the histopathological study. At the same time is a literature review of various studies done about the frequency of multiple interdigital neuromas.Se presenta un singular caso de neuromas múltiples, en primer, segundo, tercer y cuarto espacios interdigitales, asociado a hallux abductus valgus/hallux limitus (HAV/HL) y segundo dedo en martillo. Se hace una descripción de los tumores, el procedimiento quirúrgico utilizado para la extirpación quirúrgica de éstos y de las otras patologías del antepié, el tratamiento post-operatorio y el estudio anatomopatológico. Al mismo tiempo se hace una revisión bibliográfica de los diversos estudios hechos acerca de la frecuencia de los neuromas interdigitales múltiples

La protesta campesina como protesta ambiental, siglos XVIII-XX

This article analyses peasant conflicts from an environmental perspective. First, we show a general theory about environmental conflicts making a clear differentiation among environmental conflicts making a clear differentiation among environmental, environmentalist and green movement conflicts. This differentiation is accomplished using as criterion the goals of the actors in relation to both the agroecosystems sustainability and the types of discourses used in the protests. Second, we analyse the peasant use of agroecosystems and the differences between agricultural systems based on organic energy in contrast with those based on fossil energy. Finally, we identify several types of peasant environmental conflicts between 18th and 20th centuries: environmental peasant protests in Mediterranean Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa; conflicts produced around resources like water, common goods or against pollution, Land Reform, reactions to environmental policies or defence of indigenous territories. As these examples show, attention must be paid to the environmental dimension of the peasant protest in order to understand the conflicts, although sometimes mixed with gender and class dimensions

Custom IMU-Based Wearable System for Robust 2.4 GHz Wireless Human Body Parts Orientation Tracking and 3D Movement Visualization on an Avatar

Recent studies confirm the applicability of Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)-based systems for human motion analysis. Notwithstanding, high-end IMU-based commercial solutions are yet too expensive and complex to democratize their use among a wide range of potential users. Less featured entry-level commercial solutions are being introduced in the market, trying to fill this gap, but still present some limitations that need to be overcome. At the same time, there is a growing number of scientific papers using not commercial, but custom do-it-yourself IMU-based systems in medical and sports applications. Even though these solutions can help to popularize the use of this technology, they have more limited features and the description on how to design and build them from scratch is yet too scarce in the literature. The aim of this work is two-fold: (1) Proving the feasibility of building an affordable custom solution aimed at simultaneous multiple body parts orientation tracking; while providing a detailed bottom-up description of the required hardware, tools, and mathematical operations to estimate and represent 3D movement in real-time. (2) Showing how the introduction of a custom 2.4 GHz communication protocol including a channel hopping strategy can address some of the current communication limitations of entry-level commercial solutions. The proposed system can be used for wireless real-time human body parts orientation tracking with up to 10 custom sensors, at least at 50 Hz. In addition, it provides a more reliable motion data acquisition in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi crowded environments, where the use of entry-level commercial solutions might be unfeasible. This system can be used as a groundwork for developing affordable human motion analysis solutions that do not require an accurate kinematic analysis.This research has been partially funded by a research contract with IVECO Spain SL and by the Department of Employment and Industry of Castilla y León (Spain), under research project ErgoTwyn (INVESTUN/21/VA/0003)

3D Computer Vision and Wireless Sensor Applications in an-experimental Study on Electric Vehicle Driving in Roundabout Negotiation Scenarios

In this paper, a 3D computer vision application and a wireless sensor application are presented. They were used in an experimental study on electric vehicle driving to analyse the influence of age on driving style in roundabout scenarios. The 3D computer vision application uses the Kinect device to achieve face tracking of the driver. From the pith, roll and yaw angles of the face, the gaze can be estimated. Thus in each processed image, the region, from the predefined ROIs, where the driver is gazing at can be estimated. Gaze patterns and transitions in driving situations, particularly while negotiating roundabouts, can be determined. The wireless sensor application uses the gyroscope included in a 9DoF (Degrees of Freedom) sensor from the Shimmer platform. The gyroscope was placed on the steering wheel. The signal corresponding to the turn axis of the steering wheel is obtained so that the direction and speed of any turn can be detected. Besides, the heart rate was monitored and the electric car used in the experiments was equipped with an extensive telemetry system. 28 people took part in the experiments. They drove on the same 13-kilometer on-road route in Sunderland (UK) using a Smart Fortwo electric vehicle and on a route with a Forum 8 driving simulator. Only a brief description of the experiments is included. Results and analysis will be presented in the future. Experimental studies with electric cars are needed to support their progressive penetration in the market

Metodologías de aprendizaje, carga de trabajo y resultados académicos en Programación: percepción del alumno

Se presenta un estudio sobre la asignatura Programación de primer curso de los Grados impartidos en la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Telecomunicación de la Universidad de Valladolid en el curso 2014-2015. Programación se articula en base a actividades semanales presenciales y no presenciales y diferentes apartados de evaluación continua que incentivan el aprendizaje constante semanal del alumno. Para llevar a cabo el estudio, se han utilizado encuestas de carga de trabajo que los alumnos han tenido que entregar semanalmente, indicando el tiempo dedicado a cada actividad propuesta en la asignatura, así como el dedicado al resto de asignaturas cursadas. También, se han utilizado sus opiniones recabadas al final del cuatrimestre sobre los aspectos más significativos de la metodología y los resultados académicos obtenidos teniendo en cuenta las 5 partes que conforman la evaluación, que son los entregables semanales, conocimientos mínimos, habilidades mínimas, proyecto de programación y actitud y participación. La dedicación constante y equilibrada a las actividades semanales es fundamental para desarrollar las competencias de Programación necesarias para superar las distintas partes de la evaluación. Los desequilibrios en la dedicación a las distintas asignaturas deben reducirse a partir de ajustes facilitados por estudios como el presentado