Analysis of the relationship between coastal development and the alteration of beach shorelines: a retrospective view based on spatial indicators

The construction of port infrastructures in urbanized coastal territories causes a great impact in the short and long term. The analysis of this impact is a very complex field due to the high number of variables involved. The criteria for analyzing these phenomena are usually based on the characteristics of the infrastructure to be built, but in the case of highly urbanized areas, there are other variables that are not normally taken into account. With the aim of giving an alternative approach to traditional analysis methods and relating the maximum number of possible variables, our study is given a multiparametric and retrospective approach based on GIS indicators. For this, the coastal area of the southeast of Spain is analyzed with the cartographic information that we have from the last 50 years. The changes suffered in the coastline caused by the construction of ports are analyzed in two dimensions and the statistical correlation of the different variables studied and the impact suffered on the coast are studied, such as the formation of tombolos and hemitombolos or salients, as well as coastal regression, even generation of sludge due to imbalances in sedimentary dynamics. The results can be used to enrich and improve the traditional analysis models for singular cases such as those studied

Asymptotic rejection of sinusoidal disturbances based voltage balance control in back-to-back power converters

This paper addresses the imbalance problem of the dc-link capacitor voltages in the three-level diode-clamped back-to-back power converter. In order to cope with it, a mathematical analysis of the capacitor voltage difference dynamics, based on a continuous model of the converter, is first carried out. It leads to an approximated model which contains explicitly several sinusoidal functions of time. In view of this result, the voltage imbalance phenomenon can be addressed as an output regulation problem, considering the sinusoidal functions as exogenous disturbances. Thus, a novel approach to deal with the mentioned problem in the back- to-back converter is presented. Then, the particular features of the disturbances are used to design several controllers. They all follow an asymptotic disturbance rejection approach. In this way, the estimations of the disturbances are used to apply a control law that cancels them while regulating the capacitor voltage balance as well. Finally, the performance of the proposed control laws is evaluated, presenting the simulation results obtained when the different controllers are implemented.MICINN-FEDER DPI2009-0966

Obtención Automática de Derivadas con Formulaciones cursivas en Simulación de Sistemas Multicuerpo

La Diferenciación Automática (DA) es una nueva técnica que permite obtener, de forma au-tomática y exacta, las derivadas de funciones definidas mediante código de ordenador. En este trabajo la DA se ha aplicado al cálculo de las Jacobianas de las ecuaciones de restric-ción. Como ejemplos concretos se presentan los casos de un robot y de un turismo

Diferenciación Automática Aplicada en Simulación Multicuerpo

La Diferenciación Automática (DA) es una nueva técnica que permite obtener, de forma automática y exacta, las derivadas de funciones definidas mediante código de ordenador. En este trabajo la DA se ha aplicado al cálculo de las Jacobianas de las ecuaciones de restric-ción. Como ejemplos concretos se presentan los casos de un robot y de un turismo

Checking complex networks indicators in search of singular episodes of the photochemical smog

A set of indicators derived from the analysis of complex networks have been introduced to identify singularities on a time series. To that end, the Visibility Graphs (VG) from three different signals related to photochemical smog (O3, NO2 concentration and temperature) have been computed. From the resulting complex network, the centrality parameters have been obtained and compared among them. Besides, they have been contrasted to two others that arise from a multifractal point of view, that have been widely used for singularity detection in many fields: the Hölder and singularity exponents (specially the first one of them). The outcomes show that the complex network indicators give equivalent results to those already tested, even exhibiting some advantages such as the unambiguity and the more selective results. This suggest a favorable position as supplementary sources of information when detecting singularities in several environmental variables, such as pollutant concentration or temperature

El uso de recursos multimedia en la docencia de la Ecología en Ciencias Experimentales: los ecosistemas polares como caso de estudio

En este trabajo se presentan las experiencias realizadas en el seno de un proyecto de Innovación Docente financiado por el Secretariado de Innovación Docente de la Universidad de Jaén. Los objetivos planteados en dicho proyecto consistieron en acercar a los alumnos la investigación realizada en distintos campos de la Ecología en ecosistemas polares (Ártico y Antártida), así como incorporar nuevas metodologías docentes en la docencia práctica de la asignaturas relacionadas con la Ecología en las Licenciaturas de Biología y Ciencias Ambientales. Durante el desarrollo del proyecto se realizaron videoconferencias con investigadores desplazados a la Antártida, visionado de vídeos realizados durante campañas de investigación en ecosistemas polares y una mesa redonda donde se intercambiaron experiencias entre los investigadores y el alumnado, dentro del marco de las actividades de la Semana de la Ciencia 2010 organizada por la Unidad de Cultura Científica de la Universidad de Jaén, estando todas estas actividades abiertas al conjunto de la Comunidad Universitaria

Quiste odontogénico calcificante asociado con odontoma complejo: presentación de un caso y revisión bibliográfica

Se presenta un caso de quiste odontogénico calcificante asociado con odontoma (QOCaO) y con un canino permanente incluido en maxilar superior, en un paciente varón de 19 años. El Quiste Odontogénico Calcificante (QOC) fue descrito por primera vez cómo una entidad patológica por Gorlin y col. en 1962. Se trata de un tumor benigno odontogénico mixto,y aunque la mayoria de estas lesiones presentan características quísticas en algunos casos se presenta como una masa sólida (15 %), y su transformación maligna está bien documentada. El QOC se presenta en ocasiones asociado a otros tumores odontogénicos, el más común es el odontoma al que aparece relacionado en el 24% de los casos. Para esta asociación se ha sugerido el término de 'Quiste Odontogénico Odontocalcificante'. Radiológicamente es una lesión mixta, bien definida y que histológicamente consiste en un gran quiste en cuya parte central existe un área sólida con acúmulos de esmalte y dentina distribuidos irregularmente en algunas zonas y en otros lugares adopta un aspecto organoide bien definido. Se efectúa una revisión de la literatura y se discute su patogénesis.We report a calcifying odontogenic cyst associated with odontoma (COCaO) and an included permanent canine in the superior maxilla, in a 19 year-old-man. The calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) was first described as a distinct entity by Gorlin et al in 1962. The lesion is a mixed odontogenic benign tumor, and although most of the cases present cystic characteristics, a few are of the solid type (15%), and its rare malignant transformation is well documented. The COC may occur in association with other odontogenic tumors, the most common is the odontoma, occurring in about 24% of the cases. For this association the term Odontocalcifying odontogenic cyst has been suggested. Radiographically is a well defined mixed lesion and histologically consists of a large cyst. In the central area of the cyst enamel and dentin deposits can be found, irregularly distributed in areas and in other parts it takes on a well defined organoid aspect. A thorough review of literature takes place and the pathogenesis is discussed

Relationships between Reference Evapotranspiration and Meteorological Variables in the Middle Zone of the Guadalquivir River Valley Explained by Multifractal Detrended Cross-Correlation Analysis

The multifractal relationship between reference evapotranspiration (ET0), computed by the Penmann-Monteith equation (PM), relative humidity (RH) and mean surface temperature (Tmean) was studied in the middle zone of the Guadalquivir River Valley (south Spain) in a previous study. This work extends that study to the average wind speed (U2) and solar radiation (SR), focusing on more recent years. All agro-meteorological variables were analyzed by multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MFCCA) and multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MFDFA). The outcomes revealed persistent long-term autocorrelations, with Tmean and RH having the highest persistence (H>0.75). More precise results of multifractal properties than in the previous study were obtained for ET0, Tmean, and RH due to the elimination of trends in the signals. Only medium and large fluctuations in ET0 showed multifractal cross-correlations with its controlling factors, except for U2. Moreover, joint scaling exponents differed from individual exponents. These phenomena contrast with what has been observed in previous cross-correlation studies, revealing that some differences exist in the dynamics of multifractality among the analyzed variables. On the other hand, the Tmean–ET0 relation showed that extreme events in ET0 are mainly ruled by high temperature fluctuations, which match conclusions drawn in the previous study

Preliminary study on the performance of biomorphic silicon carbide as substrate for diesel particulate filters

This paper presents the results of a preliminary experimental study to assess the performance of biomorphic silicon carbide when used for the abatement of soot particles in the exhaust of Diesel engines. Given its optimal thermal and mechanical properties, silicon carbide is one of the most popular substrates in commercial diesel particulate filters. Biomorphic silicon carbide is known for having, besides, a hierarchical porous microstructure and the possibility of tailoring that microstructure through the selection of a suitable wood precursor. An experimental rig was designed and built to be integrated within an engine test bench that allowed to characterizing small lab-scale biomorphic silicon carbide filter samples. A particle counter was used to measure the particles distribution before and after the samples, while a differential pressure sensor was used to measure their pressure drop during the soot loading process. The experimental campaign yielded promising results: for the flow rate conditions that the measuring devices imposed (1 litre per minute; space velocity = 42,000 L/h), the samples showed initial efficiencies above 80%, pressure drops below 20 mbar, and a low increase in the pressure drop with the soot load which allows to reach almost 100% efficiency with an increase in pressure drop lower than 15%, when the soot load is still less than 0.01 g/L. It shows the potential of this material and the interest for advancing in more complex diesel particle filter designs based on the results of this workMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad (España) MAT2013-41233-R DPI2013-46485-C3-3-RFondos FEDER MAT2013-41233-R DPI2013-46485-C3-3-RUniversidad de Sevilla VI Plan Propio I.3B - C.I. 24/05/2017 MAT2016-76526-

Software architecture for customized physical exercise prescription

En la actualidad existe una gran cantidad de aplicaciones para la realización de ejercicio físico. En este artículo se presenta una arquitectura software para una aplicación que permite la prescripción de ejercicios físicos personalizados. Esta arquitectura incluye dos funcionalidades, la funcionalidad para el especialista que prescribe el ejercicio y la funcionalidad para el usuario que debe seguir esta prescripción. La interacción entre el especialista y el usuario se realiza mediante el envío de eventos. Especialistas (médicos/fisioterapeutas/educadores físicos) pueden indicar los ejercicios adecuados en cada caso. Esta aplicación permitirá a los usuarios con demanda de atención personalizada mejorar la condición física y la calidad de vida. Los usuarios podrán realizar el ejercicio físico de forma autónoma, sin tener que realizar desplazamientos y en un horario flexible.Currently there is a lot of available applications to do physical exercise. This article describes the software architecture for an application that allows customized exercise prescription. This architecture includes two functionalities, the functionality that allows specialists to prescribe physical exercises and the functionality for users who must follow this prescription. Interactions between specialists and users are allowed by means of sending events. Specialists (doctors, physiotherapists and physical educators) can indicate appropriate exercises in each case. This application will allow users with demand for personalized attention to improve their fitness and quality of life. Users can perform physical exercise autonomously, without having to travel and in a flexible schedule