Mapping Wide Row Crops with Video Sequences Acquired from a Tractor Moving at Treatment Speed

This paper presents a mapping method for wide row crop fields. The resulting map shows the crop rows and weeds present in the inter-row spacing. Because field videos are acquired with a camera mounted on top of an agricultural vehicle, a method for image sequence stabilization was needed and consequently designed and developed. The proposed stabilization method uses the centers of some crop rows in the image sequence as features to be tracked, which compensates for the lateral movement (sway) of the camera and leaves the pitch unchanged. A region of interest is selected using the tracked features, and an inverse perspective technique transforms the selected region into a bird’s-eye view that is centered on the image and that enables map generation. The algorithm developed has been tested on several video sequences of different fields recorded at different times and under different lighting conditions, with good initial results. Indeed, lateral displacements of up to 66% of the inter-row spacing were suppressed through the stabilization process, and crop rows in the resulting maps appear straight

Teaching innovation in mathematics for architecture

En aquest article es mostren diversos materials per a la docència de les matemàtiques dels estudis d’arquitectura. Es presenten recursos web, lliçons i qüestionaris en format Moodle tots ells incloent-hi imatges, videos, gràfics, calculadora i editor Wiris, etc. amb un enfocament geomètric i visual que fa més pràctics i atractius aquests continguts a l’estudiantat d’arquitectura. Bàsicament s’han fet servir les eines que proporciona la plataforma Atenea, intranet docent de la UPC basada en Moodle.In this paper, various materials focused on the teaching of mathematics for the studies of architecture are shwon. We present web resources, lessons and quizzes in Moodle format including images, videos, graphics, Wiris editor and calculator, etc. with a geometrical and visual approach which makes the contents more attractive and practical to students of architecture. Basically the tools provided by the platform Atenea, which is the UPC on-line teaching campus based on Moodle, have been used.Peer Reviewe

Elaboració i disseny de material docent per a l'autoaprenentatge i suport a la docència de matemàtiques per a l'arquitectura

Peer Reviewe

Quantum multiple hypothesis testing based on a sequential discarding scheme

We consider the quantum multiple hypothesis testing problem, focusing on the case of hypothesis represented by pure states. A sequential adaptive algorithm is derived and analyzed first. This strategy exhibits a decay rate in the error probability with respect to the expected value of measurements greater than the optimal decay rate of the fixed-length methods. A more elaborated scheme is developed next, by serially concatenating multiple implementations of the first scheme. In this case each stage considers as a priori hypothesis probability the a posteriori probability of the previous stage. We show that, by means of a fixed number of concatenations, the expected value of measurements to be performed decreases considerably. We also analyze one strategy based on an asymptotically large concatenation of the initial scheme, demonstrating that the expected number of measurements in this case is upper bounded by a constant, even in the case of zero average error probability. A lower bound for the expected number of measurements in the zero error probability setting is also derived.This work was supported in part by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, of the Spanish Government, under Grant RED2018-102668-T and Grant PID2019-104958RB-C41; in part by the Catalan Government under Grant 2017 SGR 578 AGAUR; and in part by the QuantumCAT within the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Program of Catalunya under Grant 001-P-001644.Postprint (published version

Real-time image processing for crop/weed discrimination in maize fields

This paper presents a computer vision system that successfully discriminates between weed patches and crop rows under uncontrolled lighting in real-time. The system consists of two independent subsystems, a fast image processing delivering results in real-time (Fast Image Processing, FIP), and a slower and more accurate processing (Robust Crop Row Detection, RCRD) that is used to correct the first subsystem's mistakes. This combination produces a system that achieves very good results under a wide variety of conditions. Tested on several maize videos taken of different fields and during different years, the system successfully detects an average of 95% of weeds and 80% of crops under different illumination, soil humidity and weed/crop growth conditions. Moreover, the system has been shown to produce acceptable results even under very difficult conditions, such as in the presence of dramatic sowing errors or abrupt camera movements. The computer vision system has been developed for integration into a treatment system because the ideal setup for any weed sprayer system would include a tool that could provide information on the weeds and crops present at each point in real-time, while the tractor mounting the spraying bar is movin

Anomalías craneofaciales y dentales en una población de escolares nacidos pretérmino

En las últimas décadas hemos podido asistir a un incremento en el número de partos pretérmino como consecuencia de diversos factores tecnológicos y sociales tales como la incorporación de la mujer al mercado laboral, el aumento de la edad media de las gestantes, el desarrollo de las técnicas de reproducción asistida y otros factores locales como la migración que repercute negativamente en las condiciones socioeconómicas y sanitarias de las gestantes. De la misma manera, los importantes avances logrados en las unidades neonatales han permitido la supervivencia de recién nacidos (RN) de edades gestacionales (EG) cada vez más extremas. El uso de corticoides prenatales, la administración de surfactante, los nuevos métodos de ventilación asistida y ventilación no invasiva en el manejo del síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda, así como la inserción periférica de catéteres venosos centrales para la nutrición parenteral precoz, han constituido la base de la modernización generalizada de las unidades neonatales. En el campo de la odontología los estudios de investigación sobre los recién nacido pretérmino (RNPT), se han centrado particularmente en dos aspectos: los defectos de esmalte y las deformaciones del paladar. También se han descrito, en menor medida, alteraciones en forma, número y tamaño dentario. Se han propuesto por un lado factores sistémicos que afectan al RN en el momento en que se está produciendo la formación de los gérmenes dentarios o factores traumáticos que provocan el defecto por presión a nivel local, por ejemplo del laringoscopio

Coordinació d'obres en projectes de rehabilitació a Ciutat Vella

La meva principal motivació a l’escollir un pràcticum a l’hora d’encarar el PFG D’Enginyeria de l’Edificació va ser que volia seguir aprenenent però ara des d’una faceta pràctica. Abans d’estudiar Enginyeria de l’edificació vaig cursar fins a 4t curs d’Arquitectura superior a l’Etsab, i va arribar un moment en què em vaig trobar una mica sobre carregat de tanta teoria. Penso que un treball pràctic ajuda a posar en funció tots els coneixements adquirits durant l’època lectiva (ó els més relevants). Jo vaig ser alumne del DAC en rehabilitació perquè el tema em resultava realment interessant, tot i que no va ser l’únic en què estava interessat. Penso que qualsevol d’ells donava a l’alumne coneixements realment útils per a la vida laboral a la que ens haurem d’enfrentar el dia de demà, més específicament que qualsevol de les altres assignatures que es cursen durant la carrera. Penso que el DAC en rehabilitació és especialment pràctic i d’alguna forma requereix més treball de camp que altres DACS, no obstant em vaig quedar amb la sensació que necessitàvem més temps per assumir o posar en pràctica tots els coneixements adquirits durant el quadrimestre. Per això vaig pensar que la millor idea per a empapar-me bé dels coneixements seria intentar entrar en alguna empresa relacionada amb la rehabilitació i veure la teoria apresa desde una altra perspectiva. Jo ja havia treballat com a becari en altres empreses, durant la meva època d’estudiant d’Arquitectura superior: En una consultoria d’Obra civil que feia obres per l’ajuntament i en un despatx d’Arquitectes que portaven obra nova d’habitatges fora de Barcelona. En tots 2 llocs portava totes les tasques relacionades amb redacció de plànols per a projectes, redacció complerta de projectes.. etc. Al fi i al cap la meva feina era totalment de despatx, i després de gairebé un any em vaig adonar que el que realment m’interessava era coneixer la vessant més pràctica ja que podia arribar a ser fins i tot una mica avorrit estar tot el dia dibuixant i redactant projectes. La feina en sí era molt interessant, però el fet d’estar tot el dia en una oficina pot arribar a ser una mica cansat. Doncs, aquesta experiència em va ajudar a adonar-me que m’interessava provar en la faceta més pràctica d’aquesta professió; L’experiència podria ser positiva o bé negativa, però si més no seria diferent al que estava acostumat. Personalment penso que qualsevol estudiant hauria de fer pràctiques en una empresa durant un temps com a part de la docència durant la carrera, per a poder aconseguir el títol. Ja que és imprescindible veure el món laboral al que s’exposa abans d’acabar la carrera, i segurament és decissiu a l’hora de decidir si realment li pot arribar a agradar o bé no. Bàsicament aquestes son les meves principals motivacions a l’hora de decantar-me per un pràcticum, en comptes d’elaborar un Projecte per la meva compte (el qual també pot arribar a ser interessant), però personalment crec que podia ser més profitós per a mi un Pràcticum

Selection of an indicator to assess a highly modified saline ecosystem

[EN] The Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EC) determines that all water bodies must achieve a good eco-logical status. The solar salterns system of Mata-Torrevieja (Spain) has been designated as Heavily ModifiedWater Bodies (HMWB). This ecosystem is a transitional water body (TW) largely conditioned by socio-economic managementplan and the related human activities that takeplace. Thus, WFD establishesas obligatorythe determination of their ecological potential, and not their ecological status. In order to define the ecologicalpotential, it is necessary to determine previously the chemical and biological conditions of the water body.This paper is focused on the analysis of physical-chemical parameters of a saltern system during 2008¿2016, inorder to establish a starting point for the implementation process of the WFD in this type of ecosystem (TW-HMWB). The behavior of salinity and physical-chemical parameters (temperature, pH, nutrients) has been stud-ied. Salinity was the most relevant parameter studied to define pressures for these water bodies. However, totalphosphorus turned out to be a good potential status indicator. It would be one of the most suitable chemical pa-rameters to propose a methodology for the determination of the ecological potential in the salterns.This research was funded by Instituto de Ingeniería del Agua y Medio Ambiente (IIAMA) from Universitat Politècnica de València and several regional departments (Conselleria d'Educació, Formació i Ocupació; Conselleria d'Infraestructures, Territori i Medi Ambient and Conselleria d'Agricultura, Pesca, Alimentació i Aigua) de la Generalitat Valenciana.Romero Gil, I.; Paches Giner, MAV.; Martínez-Guijarro, MR. (2019). Selection of an indicator to assess a highly modified saline ecosystem. The Science of The Total Environment. 693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133656S69

Model performance of partial least squares in utilizing the visible spectroscopy data for estimation of algal biomass in a photobioreactor

[EN] Spectroscopy technology and statistical methods (Partial Least Squares) have been integrated to develop a model that allows estimating the microalgal biomass in a photobioreactor. The model employing PLS combines the absorption spectrum measurements in the visible range (400-750 nm) with a microalgae cell density in a water sample. First, a calibration model was constructed using a calibration data set, and then, the predictive capacity of the model was determined by cross validation. Finally, an external validation of the predictive performance of the model was carried out with an independent data set. To test the accuracy of the model it was applied to different culture conditions yielding a predictive capacity of 96.7 %. The results achieved are highly satisfactory due to the good lineal adjustment between observed cell densities vs. predicted ones obtained. According to the results obtained, the application of the model is a useful tool for the management and the decision-making process when operating a photobioreactor. Moreover, this model may boost the real-time measurements and may represent a previous step for further technical development in the ¿internet of things¿ applied to the management of the photobioreactor.This research project has been supported by the Spanish Research Foundation (CICYT, projects CTM2011-28595-C02-01 and CTM2011-28595-C02-02), whose support is gratefully acknowledged.Martínez-Guijarro, MR.; Paches Giner, MAV.; Ferrer, J.; Seco Torrecillas, A. (2018). Model performance of partial least squares in utilizing the visible spectroscopy data for estimation of algal biomass in a photobioreactor. Environmental Technology & Innovation. 10:122-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2018.01.005S1221311

Enrichment and contamination level of trace metals in theMediterranean marine sediments of Spain

[EN] Coastal ecosystems are heavily polluted by human activities. These pollutants reach the aquatic environment and accumulate in the sediment. Among the chemical pollutants, metals represent a notable hazard since they are not biodegradable and have the capability to bioaccumulate, resulting in toxic effects in both the short and long term. In this study, the content of metals and As in marine sediments of the Spanish Mediterranean coast was determined. A total of four annual sampling campaigns were carried out along the Valencian Community coastline, where the presence of eight trace elements (Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb, Cu, Hg, Zn and As) was determined. In this area, the presence of the contaminants is due to both natural and anthropogenic sources. The results obtained allowed, first, to establish nearness Reference Values of the area under study, second, to use several pollution indices (Contamination Factor, Enrichment Factor, Geoaccumulation Factor, Nemerow Pollution Index, and Modified Pollution Index) to determine contamination levels in the area, and finally to select the best index to apply in this coastal zone. The best indices to use in this region are EF and MPI since both take into consideration the natural contributions of the elements studied. The results revealed that according to the index used only two studied zones are classified as Heavily and Severely polluted. The remaining zones (between 25 and 29%) were classified as Moderately or Moderately to Heavily polluted and most of the zones (63% to 100%) were classified as Unpolluted/Low Polluted and Unpolluted/Slightly Polluted. The outcomes obtained with this work indicate that in general, the Valencian coast does not present significant levels of pollution due to the studied trace elements.Martínez-Guijarro, MR.; Paches Giner, MAV.; Romero Gil, I.; Aguado García, D. (2019). Enrichment and contamination level of trace metals in theMediterranean marine sediments of Spain. The Science of The Total Environment. 693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.372S69