Hierarchy of inequalities for quantitative duality

We derive different relations quantifying duality in a generic two-way interferometer. These relations set different upper bounds to the visibility V of the fringes measured at the output port of the interferometer. A hierarchy of inequalities is presented which exhibits the influence of the availability to the experimenter of different sources of which-way information contributing to the total distinguishability D of the ways. For mixed states and unbalanced interferometers an inequality is derived, V^2+ Xi^2 \leq 1, which can be more stringent than the one associated with the distinguishability (V^2+ D^2 \leq 1).Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

A spatial contrast retina with on-chip calibration for neuromorphic spike-based AER vision systems

We present a 32 32 pixels contrast retina microchip that provides its output as an address event representation (AER) stream. Spatial contrast is computed as the ratio between pixel photocurrent and a local average between neighboring pixels obtained with a diffuser network. This current-based computation produces an important amount of mismatch between neighboring pixels, because the currents can be as low as a few pico-amperes. Consequently, a compact calibration circuitry has been included to trimm each pixel. Measurements show a reduction in mismatch standard deviation from 57% to 6.6% (indoor light). The paper describes the design of the pixel with its spatial contrast computation and calibration sections. About one third of pixel area is used for a 5-bit calibration circuit. Area of pixel is 58 m 56 m, while its current consumption is about 20 nA at 1-kHz event rate. Extensive experimental results are provided for a prototype fabricated in a standard 0.35- m CMOS process.Gobierno de España TIC2003-08164-C03-01, TEC2006-11730-C03-01European Union IST-2001-3412

Assessing the effects of global change on the performance of Iberian firs using carbon

17 páginas, 8 figuras, 1 tabla.[EN]: Assessing the effects of global change on the performance of Iberian firs using carbon isotopes analyses in tree rings. Drought is the main tree-growth limiting factor in the Mediterranean basin. It has been suggested that, in water-limited ecosystems, the global atmospheric CO2 rise might to compensate an increasing drought-induced stomatal closure, without a significant drop in the production rates. In this paper we show data of secondary growth and intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi) for Abies alba and A. pinsapo trees. We compared populations with and without external decline symptoms. Since the early eighties of the 20th century, the rate of WUEi increase has declined in the sites with decline symptoms, being currently below the rate of CO2 increase. Our data show a good relationship between the time the rate of WUEi increase falls below the CO2 increase, the regional mean temperature increase, the occurrence of several extreme droughts, and generalised radial growth decline.[ES]: Evaluando los efectos del cambio global sobre el funcionamiento de los abetos ibéricos mediante análisis de isótopos de carbono en los anillos de crecimiento. La sequía es el principal factor limitante del crecimiento en las especies forestales de la cuenca mediterránea. Se ha propuesto que en ecosistemas limitados por el agua, el incremento global de CO2 atmosférico puede compensar el mayor cierre estomático inducido por la sequía sin reducirse notablemente las tasas de producción. En este trabajo se muestran las tasas de crecimiento secundario y la eficiencia intrínseca de uso de agua (WUEi) de poblaciones de Abies alba y A. pinsapo. Se han comparado poblaciones con y sin síntomas externos de decaimiento. Desde comienzos de los años ochenta del pasado siglo la tasa de incremento de la WUEi en los sitios que presentan síntomas de decaimiento ha descendido hasta colocarse por debajo de la tasa de incremento de CO2. Nuestros datos muestran una buena correlación entre el momento en que el incremento de WUEi cae por debajo del incremento del CO2, el incremento regional de la temperatura media, la ocurrencia de varias sequías extremas, y la reducción de crecimiento radial.Peer reviewe

New Burnout Evaluation Model Based on the Brief Burnout Questionnaire: Psychometric Properties for Nursing

Health care personnel are considered one of the worker sectors most exposed to heavier workloads and work stress. One of the consequences associated with the exposure to chronic stress is the development of burnout syndrome. Given that evaluating this syndrome requires addressing the context in which they are to be used, the purpose of this work was to analyze the psychometric properties and structure of the Burnout Brief Questionnaire (CBB), and to propose a more suitable version for its application to health professionals, and more specifically nurses. The final study sample was made up of 1236 working nursing professionals. An exploratory factorial analysis was carried out and a new model was proposed through a confirmatory factorial analysis. Thus, validation of the CBB questionnaire for nursing health care personnel showed an adequate discrimination of the items and a high internal consistency of the scale. With respect to the factorial analysis, four factors were extracted from the revised model. Specifically, these new factors, called job dissatisfaction, social climate, personal impact, and motivational abandonment, showed an adequate index of adjustment. Thus, the Brief Burnout Questionnaire Revised for nursing staff has favorable psychometric properties, and this model can be applied to all health care professionals

New Global Referencing Approach in a Camera-LCD Micro Positioning System

The authors want to thank the cadet Guillaume Azzopardi for the assistance with the programming and test.In any precision manufacturing process, positioning systems play a very important role in achieving a quality product. As a new approach to current systems, camera-LCD positioning systems are a new technology that can provide substantial improvements enabling better accuracy and repeatability. However, in order to provide stability to the system a global positioning system is required. This paper presents an improvement of a positioning system based on the treatment of images on an LCD in which a new algorithm with absolute reference has been implemented. The method is based on basic geometry and linear algebra applied to computer vision. The algorithm determines the spiral center using an image taken at any point. Consequently, the system constantly knows its position and does not lose its reference. Several modifications of the algorithm are proposed and compared. The simulation and test of the algorithm provide an important improvement in the reliability and stability of the positioning system providing errors of microns for the calculation of the global position used by the algorithm

Live Demonstration: On the distance estimation of moving targets with a Stereo-Vision AER system

Distance calculation is always one of the most important goals in a digital stereoscopic vision system. In an AER system this goal is very important too, but it cannot be calculated as accurately as we would like. This demonstration shows a first approximation in this field, using a disparity algorithm between both retinas. The system can make a distance approach about a moving object, more specifically, a qualitative estimation. Taking into account the stereo vision system features, the previous retina positioning and the very important Hold&Fire building block, we are able to make a correlation between the spike rate of the disparity and the distance.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TEC2009-10639-C04-0

SVITE: A Spike-Based VITE Neuro-Inspired Robot Controller

This paper presents an implementation of a neuro-inspired algorithm called VITE (Vector Integration To End Point) in FPGA in the spikes domain. VITE aims to generate a non-planned trajectory for reaching tasks in robots. The algorithm has been adapted to work completely in the spike domain under Simulink simulations. The FPGA implementation consists in 4 VITE in parallel for controlling a 4-degree-of-freedom stereo-vision robot. This work represents the main layer of a complex spike-based architecture for robot neuro-inspired reaching tasks in FPGAs. It has been implemented in two Xilinx FPGA families: Virtex-5 and Spartan-6. Resources consumption comparative between both devices is presented. Results obtained for Spartan device could allow controlling complex robotic structures with up to 96 degrees of freedom per FPGA, providing, in parallel, high speed connectivity with other neuromorphic systems sending movement references. An exponential and gamma distribution test over the inter spike interval has been performed to proof the approach to the neural code proposed.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2012-37868-C04-0

Analysis of the Risk and Protective Roles of Work-Related and Individual Variables in Burnout Syndrome in Nurses

Aims: Burnout syndrome is a phenomenon that is becoming ever more widespread, especially in workers such as nurses who have heavy workloads and time pressures. The progression of burnout syndrome has been shown to be related to both individual and work-related variables. The objective of this study is to examine the risk and protective roles played by work-related and personal variables, both sociodemographic and psychological, in the development of burnout in nurses. Method: The sample was composed of 1236 nurses aged between 21 and 57 years, with a mean age of 31.50 years (SD = 6.18). Women accounted for 84.5% (n = 1044), and the remaining 15.5% (n = 192) were men. Exploratory tests were performed to understand the relationships between burnout and other variables, and a binary logistic regression was conducted to understand the roles of these variables in the incidence of this syndrome. Lastly, a regression tree was constructed. Results: The results show that the sociodemographic variables examined are not related to the level of burnout in nurses. However, certain work-related variables, such as spending more time with colleagues and patients and reporting good-quality relationships, exhibit a negative relationship with the occurrence of burnout. Of the psychological variables, the stress factors conflict-social acceptance and irritability-tension-fatigue, as well as informative communication, are shown to be risk factors for the appearance of burnout in nurses. In contrast, the communication skills factor, empathy, and energy-joy exert a protective function. Conclusion: Identifying the variables that influence the occurrence of burnout syndrome and understanding the manner in which they exert their influence are key elements in the development of effective prevention and intervention of burnout in nursing

Case analysis for automatic transcription of ancient books at the Library of the Universidad de Seville

The Library of the University of Seville owns a rich collection of antique works that are being scanned. In order to make the access to information easier, they need the full text of these books. An automated transcription solution is sought since the task is too time-consuming for humans. To achieve this, different existing solutions are analyzed, such as veteran open source programs and cutting-edge neural networks technologies. After the research, a concrete solution is provided to the Library, along with guidelines for its execution.Universidad de Sevilla. Grado en Ingeniería de las Tecnologías de Telecomunicació