Backscatter Transponder Based on Frequency Selective Surface for FMCW Radar Applications

This paper describes an actively-controlled frequency selective surface (FSS) to implement a backscatter transponder. The FSS is composed by dipoles loaded with switching PIN diodes. The transponder exploits the change in the radar cross section (RCS) of the FSS with the bias of the diodes to modulate the backscattered response of the tag to the FMCW radar. The basic operation theory of the system is explained here. An experimental setup based on a commercial X-band FMCW radar working as a reader is proposed to measure the transponders. The transponder response can be distinguished from the interference of non-modulated clutter, modulating the transponder’s RCS. Some FSS with different number of dipoles are studied, as a proof of concept. Experimental results at several distances are provided

Estabilidad estructural y erosión en suelos de uso agrícola de la Plana de Vic

Se estudia la relaci6n entre erosibn y estabilidad estructural del horizonte Ap en una toposecuencia de suelos cultivados de Osona. Se evidencia la contribución del ca2+ a la estabilidad de estructura (método de Hénin) y en consecuencia, la disminucidn de perdidas por arroyada difusa

Smart grids for rural conditions and e-mobility - Applying power routers, batteries and virtual power plants

Significant reductions of greenhouse gas emission by use of renewable energy sources belong to the common targets of the European Union. Smart grids address intelligent use and integration of conventional and renewable generation in combination with controllable loads and storages. Two special aspects have also to be considered for smart grids in future: rural conditions and electric vehicles. Both, the increasing share of renewable energy sources and a rising demand for charging power by electrical vehicles lead to new challenges of network stability (congestion, voltage deviation), especially in rural distribution grids. This paper describes two lighthouse projects in Europe (“Well2Wheel” and “Smart Rural Grid”) dealing with these topics. The link between these projects is the implementation of the same virtual power plant technology and the approach of cellular grid cells. Starting with an approach for the average energy balance in 15 minutes intervals in several grid cells in the first project, the second project even allows the islanded operation of such cells as a microgrid. The integration of renewable energy sources into distribution grids primary takes place in rural areas. The lighthouse project “Smart Rural Grid”, which is founded by the European Union, demonstrates possibilities to use the existing distribution system operator infrastructure more effectively by applying an optimised and scheduled operation of the assets and using intelligent distribution power routers, called IDPR. IDPR are active power electronic devices operating at low voltage in distribution grids aiming to reduce losses due to unbalanced loads and enabling active voltage and reactive power control. This allows a higher penetration of renewable energy sources in existing grids without investing in new lines and transformers. Integrated in a virtual power plant and combined with batteries, the IDPR also allows a temporary islanded mode of grid cells. Both projects show the potential of avoiding or postponing investments in new primary infrastructure like cables, transformers and lines by using a forward-looking operation which controls generators, loads and batteries (mobile and stationary) by using new grid assets like power routers. While primary driven by physical restrictions as voltage-band violations and energy balance, these cells also define and allow local smart markets. In consequence the distribution system operators could avoid direct control access by giving an incentive to the asset owners by local price signals according to the grid situation and forecasted congestions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

¿Hacia la adquisición de competencias con actividades MBL?

La distribución a los centros de Cataluña de los equipamientos necesarios ha contribuido a un cierto desarrollo en la utilización de sistemas de captación de datos (MBL) en las aulas de secundaria. Los datos de los que se dispone sugieren que la utilización del equipamiento por parte del profesorado de secundaria es baja a pesar de haberse proporcionado ocasiones para la formación. Una de las posibles causas de esta situación puede ser la falta de reflexión sobre como deberían ser diseñadas las actividades con MBL para favorecer la adquisición de competencias científicas, así como cuál debería ser la gestión del aula para conseguir un aprendizaje más eficaz. En esta comunicación presentaremos los aspectos que, a partir de nuestra experiencia como formadoras y como participantes en el proyecto Comenius The effective use of ICT in science education, creemos tendrían que ser tenidos en cuenta a la hora de planificar actividades con MBL

Classical and quantum ergodicity on orbifolds

We extend to orbifolds classical results on quantum ergodicity due to Shnirelman, Colin de Verdi\`ere and Zelditch, proving that, for any positive, first-order self-adjoint elliptic pseudodifferential operator P on a compact orbifold X with positive principal symbol p, ergodicity of the Hamiltonian flow of p implies quantum ergodicity for the operator P. We also prove ergodicity of the geodesic flow on a compact Riemannian orbifold of negative sectional curvature.Comment: 14 page

Un curso de formación centrado en la gestión de actividades MBL y basado en la reflexión sobre la práctica docente

La comunicación explica el diseño y evaluación del curso “Uso eficaz de las TIC en la Educación científica” para profesorado de secundaria, fruto de nuestra participación en el proyecto Comenius “Effective use of ICT in Science Education”, 2005-2008. El diseño del curso se basa en las conclusiones del análisis de los factores que hay que tener en cuenta para una utilización eficaz de actividades con sensores y en numerosos aspectos de la metodología de la práctica reflexiva y los antecedentes recientes de formación TIC en Catalunya. El objetivo del curso es proporcionar al profesorado un entorno de trabajo que favorezca la reflexión y le ayude a mejorar la planificación y la gestión de actividades TIC como el uso de sensores (MBL). Se describen las características del curso, sus objetivos y su valoración por parte de formadores y participantes

Los seminarios de innovación en ciencias en Cataluña : un modelo de formación basado en la práctica reflexiva

El Programa de formación en ciencias para la ESO en Cataluña se inició en el curso 2003-04. Durante los cursos 2004-05 y 2005-06 se realizaron cursos de formación que intentaban promover nuevas maneras de enseñar ciencias a partir de la presentación de secuencias didácticas contextualizadas y la elaboración y experimentación de mini-secuencias similares por parte de los profesores participantes. En el curso 2006-07 el programa sufre un cambio de enfoque, adoptando un modelo de formación basado en la reflexión sobre la propia práctica. La presente comunicación describe las bases de este nuevo enfoque, los Seminarios de Innovación en Ciencias realizados y los resultados obtenidos en los dos últimos cursos

ISO 50001: 2018 and Its Application in a Comprehensive Management System with an Energy-Performance Focus

[EN] Business progress and human development are linked to the efficient management of energy resources. The research in this paper contributes to the generalized application of good practices that reduce the vulnerability of companies. The research focuses on energy efficiency through comprehensive management systems (CMS), and "thought based on risks and opportunities", considering the discussion about the revision of ISO 50001:2018, the basic approach of the model and the route to implement CMS for quality, safety and health in the workplace, environmental management, energy efficiency, and other risk components. This implementation route, with the acronym CMS QHSE3+, places special emphasis on the functions of strategic planning, operational and risk management, and controls, as well as on deliverables and references to examples, templates, standards, and documents, to facilitate its application general in small and medium enterprises and in the management of energy efficiency.We express our gratitude for the support received, to CAJACOPI ATLÁNTICO, QUARA Group, ASTEQ Technology, Simón Bolivar University, the Universitat Politècnica de València, SANTO TORIBIO Business Group, and to all the personalities and companies who offered us their contributions and their valuable points of view.Poveda-Orjuela, PP.; García-Díaz, JC.; Pulido-Rojano, A.; Cañón-Zabala, G. (2019). ISO 50001: 2018 and Its Application in a Comprehensive Management System with an Energy-Performance Focus. 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Energy, Sustainability and Society, 1(1). doi:10.1186/2192-0567-1-2Calvillo, C. F., Sánchez-Miralles, A., & Villar, J. (2016). Energy management and planning in smart cities. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 55, 273-287. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2015.10.133Blaauwbroek, N., Nguyen, P. H., Konsman, M. J., Shi, H., Kamphuis, R. I. G., & Kling, W. L. (2015). Decentralized Resource Allocation and Load Scheduling for Multicommodity Smart Energy Systems. IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, 6(4), 1506-1514. doi:10.1109/tste.2015.2441107Mao, M., Jin, P., Hatziargyriou, N. D., & Chang, L. (2014). Multiagent-Based Hybrid Energy Management System for Microgrids. IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, 1-1. doi:10.1109/tste.2014.2313882Carli, R., & Dotoli, M. (2019). Decentralized control for residential energy management of a smart users microgrid with renewable energy exchange. IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica, 6(3), 641-656. doi:10.1109/jas.2019.1911462The ISO 27k Forumhttps://www.iso27001 security.com/html/iso27000.htmlIntroduction to the Basic Concepts of General Systems Theory. Cinta de Moebiohttp://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=10100306Von Bertalanffy, L. (1950). The Theory of Open Systems in Physics and Biology. Science, 111(2872), 23-29. doi:10.1126/science.111.2872.23Hernandis Ortuño, B., & Briede Westermeyer, J. C. (2009). AN EDUCATIONAL APPLICATION FOR A PRODUCT DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SYSTEMS USING INTEGRATED CONCEPTUAL MODELS. Ingeniare. Revista chilena de ingeniería, 17(3). doi:10.4067/s0718-33052009000300017Howard, T. J., Culley, S. J., & Dekoninck, E. (2008). Describing the creative design process by the integration of engineering design and cognitive psychology literature. 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Development and external validation of predictive models for prevalent and recurrent atrial fibrillation: a protocol for the analysis of the CATCH ME combined dataset

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is caused by different mechanisms but current treatment strategies do not target these mechanisms. Stratified therapy based on mechanistic drivers and biomarkers of AF have the potential to improve AF prevention and management outcomes. We will integrate mechanistic insights with known pathophysiological drivers of AF in models predicting recurrent AF and prevalent AF to test hypotheses related to AF mechanisms and response to rhythm control therapy. Methods: We will harmonise and combine baseline and outcome data from 12 studies collected by six centres from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and the Netherlands which assess prevalent AF or recurrent AF. A Delphi process and statistical selection will be used to identify candidate clinical predictors. Prediction models will be developed in patients with AF for AF recurrence and AF-related outcomes, and in patients with or without AF at baseline for prevalent AF. Models will be used to test mechanistic hypotheses and investigate the predictive value of plasma biomarkers. Discussion: This retrospective, harmonised, individual patient data analysis will use information from 12 datasets collected in five European countries. It is envisioned that the outcome of this analysis would provide a greater understanding of the factors associated with recurrent and prevalent AF, potentially allowing development of stratified approaches to prevention and therapy management

JavaCyte, a novel open-source tool for automated quantification of key hallmarks of cardiac structural remodeling

Many cardiac pathologies involve changes in tissue structure. Conventional analysis of structural features is extremely time-consuming and subject to observer bias. The possibility to determine spatial interrelations between these features is often not fully exploited. We developed a staining protocol and an ImageJ-based tool (JavaCyte) for automated histological analysis of cardiac structure, including quantification of cardiomyocyte size, overall and endomysial fibrosis, spatial patterns of endomysial fibrosis, fibroblast density, capillary density and capillary size. This automated analysis was compared to manual quantification in several well-characterized goat models of atrial fibrillation (AF). In addition, we tested inter-observer variability in atrial biopsies from the CATCH-ME consortium atrial tissue bank, with patients stratified by their cardiovascular risk profile for structural remodeling. We were able to reproduce previous manually derived histological findings in goat models for AF and AV block (AVB) using JavaCyte. Furthermore, strong correlation was found between manual and automated observations for myocyte count (r = 0.94, p < 0.001), myocyte diameter (r = 0.97, p < 0.001), endomysial fibrosis (r = 0.98, p < 0.001) and capillary count (r = 0.95, p < 0.001) in human biopsies. No significant variation between observers was observed (ICC = 0.89, p < 0.001). We developed and validated an open-source tool for high-throughput, automated histological analysis of cardiac tissue properties. JavaCyte was as accurate as manual measurements, with less inter-observer variability and faster throughput