Modeling River Runoff Temporal Behavior through a Hybrid Causal-Hydrological (HCH) Method

The uncertainty in traditional hydrological modeling is a challenge that has not yet been overcome. This research aimed to provide a new method called the hybrid causal-hydrological (HCH) method, which consists of the combination of traditional rainfall-runoff models with novel hydrological approaches based on artificial intelligence, called Bayesian causal modeling (BCM). This was implemented by building nine causal models for three sub-basins of the Barbate River Basin (SW Spain). The models were populated by gauging (observing) short runoff series and from long and short hydrological runoff series obtained from the Temez rainfall-runoff model (T-RRM). To enrich the data, all series were synthetically replicated using an ARMA model. Regarding the results, on the one hand differences in the dependence intensities between the long and short series were displayed in the dependence mitigation graphs (DMGs), which were attributable to the insufficient amount of data available from the hydrological records and to climate change processes. The similarities in the temporal dependence propagation (basin memory) and in the symmetry of DMGs validate the reliability of the hybrid methodology, as well as the results generated in this study. Consequently, water planning and management can be substantially improved with this approach

Multi-agent location system in wireless networks

In this paper we propose a flexible Multi-Agent Architecture together with a methodology for indoor location which allows us to locate any mobile station (MS) such as a Laptop, Smartphone, Tablet or a robotic system in an indoor environment using wireless technology. Our technology is complementary to the GPS location finder as it allows us to locate a mobile system in a specific room on a specific floor using the Wi-Fi networks. The idea is that any MS will have an agent known at a Fuzzy Location Software Agent (FLSA) with a minimum capacity processing at its disposal which collects the power received at different Access Points distributed around the floor and establish its location on a plan of the floor of the building. In order to do so it will have to communicate with the Fuzzy Location Manager Software Agent (FLMSA). The FLMSAs are local agents that form part of the management infrastructure of the Wi-Fi network of the Organization. The FLMSA implements a location estimation methodology divided into three phases (measurement, calibration and estimation) for locating mobile stations (MS). Our solution is a fingerprint-based positioning system that overcomes the problem of the relative effect of doors and walls on signal strength and is independent of the network device manufacturer. In the measurement phase, our system collects received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements from multiple access points. In the calibration phase, our system uses these measurements in a normalization process to create a radio map, a database of RSS patterns. Unlike traditional radio map-based methods, our methodology normalizes RSS measurements collected at different locations on a floor. In the third phase, we use Fuzzy Controllers to locate an MS on the plan of the floor of a building. Experimental results demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed method. From these results it is clear that the system is highly likely to be able to locate an MS in a room or adjacent room

Propuesta de prevención de la violencia juvenil en centros escolares en El Salvador

El presente trabajo trata de analizar la situación actual de El Salvador, en cuanto a la violencia juvenil y a las maras se refiere. El trabajo se centrará en la propuesta de intervención para lo que se analizará: la evolución que han sufrido las maras, desde sus inicios hasta la actualidad; los motivos que empujan a los jóvenes a afiliarse a una mara y los factores que influyen, así como la organización de las dos maras más expandidas y con más poder que se encuentran en El Salvador, la Mara Salvatrucha y la Mara 18. Se repasarán las distintas medidas que desde el gobierno se han llevado a cabo para combatir la problemática de la violencia. Para poder reducir el número de jóvenes que acaban formando parte de las maras, desde los centros escolares se deben impulsar medidas enfocadas en los y las jóvenes. Para que estas medidas puedan tener el efecto que se pretende y se persigue, se debe contar con la participación y colaboración tanto de los padres y madres de familia, la comunidad, la alcaldía entre otros. Todas aquellas medidas que se enfocan desde una perspectiva preventiva, tienden a ser más efectivas y eficaces, a medio o largo plazo, se podrán obtener óptimos resultados, a diferencia de las medidas represivas, que no hacen otra cosa que empeorar la situación

Precipitation Variability and Drought Assessment Using the SPI: Application to Long-Term Series in the Strait of Gibraltar Area

The standardized precipitation index (SPI) provides reliable estimations about the intensity, magnitude and spatial extent of droughts in a variety of time scales based on long-term precipitation series. In this work, we assess the evolution of monthly precipitation in the Barbate River basin (S. Iberian Peninsula) between 1910/11 and 2017/18 through the generation of a representative precipitation series for the 108-year period and the subsequent application of the SPI. This extensive series was obtained after processing all the precipitation data (67 stations) available within and nearby the basin and subsequent complex gap-filling stages. The SPI identified 26 periods of drought, 12 of them severe and 6 extreme, with return periods of 9 and 18 years, respectively. Complementary analysis evidenced changes in precipitation cyclicity, with periodicities of 5 and 7-8 years during the first and second half of the study period, respectively. Additionally, the amplitude of pluviometric oscillations increased during the second half of the period, and extreme events were more frequent. While the decade 1940-1950 was very dry, with precipitation 11% below the basin's average, 1960-1970 was very humid, with precipitation 23% above average. Contrary to the results of climate change projections specific to this area, a clear downward trend in precipitation is not detected

Green Foot Syndrome

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Predistorted Ku-band rectangular waveguide input filter

In current Ku-band satellite telecommunication sys- tems usually a working band selection is performed by means of an input filter before the LNA. Moreover, in some architectures more stringent selectivity requirements may be needed in order to reject cross-coupled transmission power signals coming into the reception chain, being necessary an spurious reject filter after the LNA. On the other hand, depending on the near rejection requirements implementing transmission zeros in the filter response maybe needed. However, this also deteriorates in- band response, affecting channels in the extremes of the reception band. In-band response can be improved again by increasing input filter quality factor using predistortion synthesis technique, but at the cost of higher insertion loss and worse reflection response. This work analyses how predistortion technique can be applied to the design of Ku-band rectangular waveguide filters with transmission zeros implemented through cross-couplings in order to improve in-band performances. Moreover, undesired effects arising from applying this technique are also discussed. From authors knowledge, it is the first time this synthesis technique is applied to rectangular waveguide filters with cross- couplings.Agencia Espacial Europe

A Survey on Valdivia Open Question on Nikodým Sets

[EN] Let A be an algebra of subsets of a set W and ba(A) the Banach space of bounded finitely additive scalar-valued measures on A endowed with the variation norm. A subset B of A is a Nikodým set for ba(A) if each countable B-pointwise bounded subset M of ba(A) is norm bounded. A subset B of A is a Grothendieck set for ba(A) if for each bounded sequence in ba(A) the B-pointwise convergence on ba(A) implies its ba(A)*-pointwise convergence on ba(A). A subset B of an algebra A is a strong-Nikodým (Grothendieck) set for ba(A) if in each increasing covering {B_n : n \in N} of B there exists B_m which is a Nikodým (Grothendieck) set for ba(A). The answer of the following open question for an algebra A of subsets of a set W, proposed by Valdivia in 2013, has not yet been found: Is it true that if A is a Nikodým set for ba(A) then A is a strong Nikodým set for ba(A)? In this paper we surveyed some results related to this Valdivia¿s open question, as well as the corresponding problem for strong Grothendieck sets. The new Propositions 1 and 3 provide more simplified proofs, particularly in their application to Theorems 1 and 2, which were the main results surveyed. Moreover, the proofs of almost all other propositions are wholly or partially original.This research was funded by grant PGC2018-094431-B-I00 of Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of Spain for the second named author.López Alfonso, S.; López Pellicer, M.; Moll López, SE.; Sánchez Ruiz, LM. (2022). A Survey on Valdivia Open Question on Nikodým Sets. Mathematics. 10(15):1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/math10152660111101

Spanish forest firesetter profile: An application of inductive criminal profiling

La técnica del perfil criminológico, entendida como el proceso de inferir características identificativas de un delincuente analizando las evidencias obtenidas en la escena del delito que ha cometido, ha recibido críticas por su dudoso carácter científico y su falta de apoyo teórico y empírico. No obstante, en la actualidad ha surgido un modelo que trabaja en la profesionalización del análisis del comportamiento delictivo en los cuerpos policiales mediante la aplicación de los conocimientos de la psicología a la investigación criminal. Una línea de trabajo iniciada por Canter consiste en la aplicación de la estadística multivariante a hechos criminales esclarecidos para crear tipologías (perfilamiento inductivo), de modo que se pueda ver si existen tipos de personas que cometen con más probabilidad determinados tipos de hechos. En este trabajo se utilizó el análisis de conglomerados bietápico en una muestra de 117 incendios ocurridos durante el año 2011 que ofreció una solución de cinco tipos de incendio (perfiles). Dicho modelo mostraría consistencia con el de años anteriores y es fácilmente interpretable por los agentes policiales, por lo que podría utilizarse ante incendios nuevos cuando se desconozca la identidad de sus responsablesThe criminal profiling, understood as the process of inferring identifying offender features by analyzing evidences from the crime scene, has been criticized for its doubtful scientific nature, along with its lack of theoretical and empirical support. However, at present a model has emerged that works on the professionalization of the analysis of criminal behavior in police forces, through a rigorous application of the psychological knowledge to the criminal investigation. This line of working, initiated by Canter, involves the multivariate statistical application to solved criminal acts, thereby creating typologies (inductive profiling). Thus, it is possible to see if there are types of people most likely to commit certain sort of events. In this paper, a two-stage cluster analysis is used in a sample of 117 fires occurred in 2011. The results show five types of fire profiles. This model would show consistence with the results of previous years, and it is easily interpretable by police officers so that it could be used to new fires when the identity of perpetrators is unknow

Análisis de la disponibilidad operacional y producción en sistemas de equipos en serie, paralelo activo y pasivo, utilizando tecnologías de virtualización

El presente proyecto técnico tuvo como objetivo realizar el análisis de la disponibilidad operacional y producción en sistemas de equipos en serie, paralelo activo y paralelo pasivo utilizando tecnologías de virtualización. Para este propósito se realizó el desarrollo de procesos productivos de mecanizado de tapas o bases usando herramientas informáticas que permitieron desarrollar procesos automatizados, implementar fallas funcionales, recolectar datos de tiempo de disponibilidad e indisponibilidad, contabilizar la producción real y producción alcanzada. Dichos datos fueron registrados según sus características, mediante el desarrollo de una herramienta para la recolección, almacenamiento de la información en una base de datos y la exportación hacia una hoja de cálculo en Excel, lo que permitió realizar el análisis de cómo la indisponibilidad de los equipos afecta a la producción. De este modo se pudo comprobar que la producción alcanzada depende directamente de la disponibilidad del proceso y dicha disponibilidad puede variar de acuerdo con la disponibilidad individual de las etapas que lo componen. El desarrollo de la simulación de los procesos de manera satisfactoria cumple con los requerimientos de entregar un historial de tiempos de disponibilidad, indisponibilidad y producción alcanzada, mediante la extracción de un reporte que ayuda hacer el análisis de manera automática, el cual puede ser extraído de la base de datos según hora y fecha en la que se requiera obtener dicho reporte. Se recomienda el uso de la herramienta desarrollada en este proyecto en el aprendizaje de estudiantes de ingeniería de mantenimiento, para obtener mayor conocimiento sobre la relación entre la disponibilidad operacional y la producción alcanzada.This technical project has as an objective to analyze the operational availability and production in serial equipment systems, active parallel and passive parallel using virtualization technologies. For this purpose, the productive machining processes of covers or bases were developed using computer tools that allowed to carry out automated processes, implement functional failures, collect time data of availability and unavailability, counting the real production and reached production. These data were recorded according to their characteristics, through the development of a data collection tool, storing information in a database and exporting that to a spreadsheet in Excel. It allowed to carry out the analysis of how the unavailability of the equipment affects production. In this way, it was possible to verify that the production achieved depends directly on the availability of the process and this availability may vary according to each stage availability. The improvement of the processes simulation complies satisfactorily the requirements of delivering a history of availability, unavailability and achieved production times, through the extraction of a report that helps making the analysis in an automatic way, which can be extracted from the database according to the time and date desired for this report to be obtained. It is recommended to use this developed tool in the maintenance engineering student learning, to obtain further knowledge on the relationship between operational availability and achieved productio

A computational approach to partial least squares model inversion in the framework of the process analytical technology and quality by design initiatives

In the context of the paradigms founding the Quality by Design and Process Analytical Technology initiatives, the work herein presents a computational approach to support the decision-making process, in particular, about the feasibility of a product defined for some a priori given quality characteristics. The approach is based on the computation of the pareto-optimal front when simultaneously minimizing the expected differences between the predicted and the desired characteristics. Thus, the feasibility is tackled as an optimization problem with the novelty of doing so simultaneously for all the characteristics, preserving the correlation structure, but by separately handling each individual characteristic. With data from a low-density polyethylene production process, with fourteen process variables and five measured characteristics of the final polyethylene, solutions are found to define the Design Space for targeted quality characteristics on the product, and without the need of explicitly inverting the PLS (Partial Least Squares) prediction model fitted to the process.Junta de Castilla y León (BU012P17), and also Spanish MINECO and Agencia Estatal de Investigación under research projects CTQ2014-53157-R, and CTQ2017-88894-