Design of a WSN for the sampling of environmental variability in complex terrain

Las mediciones de parámetros ambientales in situ utilizando sistemas de sensores conectados a una red inalámbrica se han generalizado, pero el problema de monitorear áreas grandes y montañosas por medio de una red de sensores inalámbricos (WSN) no está bien resuelto. Las principales razones de esto son: (1) la distribución de la variabilidad ambiental es desconocida en el campo; (2) sin este conocimiento, sería necesario un gran número de sensores para asegurar la cobertura completa de la variabilidad ambiental y (3) los requisitos de diseño de WSN, por ejemplo, la conectividad efectiva (intervisibilidad), las distancias límite y la redundancia controlada por prueba y error. Utilizando la temperatura como variable ambiental objetivo, proponemos: (1) un método para determinar las clases ambientales homogéneas a muestrear utilizando el modelo de elevación digital (DEM) y simulaciones geométricas y (2) un procedimiento para determinar un diseño eficaz de WSN en complejos Terreno en términos de número de sensores, redundancia, coste y distribución espacial. La metodología propuesta, basada en sistemas de información geográfica y programación de números enteros binarios, se puede adaptar fácilmente a una amplia gama de aplicaciones que requieren un monitoreo ambiental exhaustivo y continuo con alta resolución espacial. Los resultados muestran que el diseño WSN es perfectamente adecuado para la topografía y las especificaciones técnicas de los sensores, y proporciona una cobertura completa de la variabilidad ambiental en términos de exposición al sol. Sin embargo, estos resultados aún deben ser validados en el campo y el procedimiento propuesto debe ser refinado.In-situ environmental parameter measurements using sensor systems connected to a wireless network have become widespread, but the problem of monitoring large and mountainous areas by means of a wireless sensor network (WSN) is not well resolved. The main reasons for this are: (1) the environmental variability distribution is unknown in the field; (2) without this knowledge, a huge number of sensors would be necessary to ensure the complete coverage of the environmental variability and (3) WSN design requirements, for example, effective connectivity (intervisibility), limiting distances and controlled redundancy, are usually solved by trial and error. Using temperature as the target environmental variable, we propose: (1) a method to determine the homogeneous environmental classes to be sampled using the digital elevation model (DEM) and geometric simulations and (2) a procedure to determine an effective WSN design in complex terrain in terms of the number of sensors, redundancy, cost and spatial distribution. The proposed methodology, based on geographic information systems and binary integer programming can be easily adapted to a wide range of applications that need exhaustive and continuous environmental monitoring with high spatial resolution. The results show that the WSN design is perfectly suited to the topography and the technical specifications of the sensors, and provides a complete coverage of the environmental variability in terms of Sun exposure. However these results still need be validated in the field and the proposed procedure must be refined.peerReviewe

Una experiencia docente basada en proyecto para la formación en competencias profesionales

El Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior implica que los nuevos ingenieros informáticos deben adquirir una serie de competencias profesionales. Algunas metodologías de aprendizaje como el aprendizaje basado en proyectos (ABP) ayudan a desarrollar estas capacidades. Este trabajo presenta una experiencia docente con ABP durante los últimos 5 años en el grado de Ingeniería Informática, para trabajar competencias profesionales genéricas o transversales, entre otras, el trabajo en equipo, el pensamiento crítico o la planificación del tiempo. Y mientras, los estudiantes aprenden sobre cómo organizar la infraestructura de una red de datos en la capa física a través de los Sistemas de Cableado Estructurado (SCE). Está desarrollado en cuatro fases, para finalizar con la instalación y prueba de su propio SCE piloto. El proyecto está evaluado con una rúbrica de 7 dimensiones: contextualización, satisfacción y motivación, aprendizaje, habilidades, mejora, profesorado y metodología. Con una participación superior al 90%, los estudiantes consideran esta metodología más estimulante, motivadora y provechosa con una valoración muy buena frente a una metodología tradicional expositiva.The European Higher Education Area implies that new computer engineers must acquire a series of professional skills. Some learning methodologies such as project-based learning (PBL) help develop these capabilities. This work presents a teaching experience developed with PBL during the last 5 years in the Computer Engineering degree. While the students learn about how to organize the infrastructure of a data network in the physical layer through Structured Cabling Systems (SCS), acquire professional skills. It is developed in four phases, to finish with the installation and testing of its own pilot SCS. The project is evaluated with a rubric of 7 dimensions. With a participation of more than 90%, students consider this methodology more stimulating, motivating and profitable with a very good evaluation compared to a traditional expository methodology

Una experiencia en docencia virtual

Con este trabajo, pretendemos hacer un resumen de una asignatura cursada íntegramente de forma telemática, que para nosotros ha constituido nuestra primera experiencia de docencia virtual completa. Por un lado, presentamos todos los datos numéricos que pensamos pueden ser de utilidad para futuros trabajos que comparen metodologías de eseñanza telemática, y por otro, intentamos describir la metodología de enseñanza‐aprendizaje utilizada en la misma. Hemos realizado la descripción cronológica de la asignatura, desde su concepción hasta la evaluación de la misma, y dentro de esta cronología detallamos de forma especial todo el desarrollo llevado a cabo durante el cuatrimestre en que ha tnido lugar su estudio por parte de los estudiantes. Los apartados principales del trabajo (asignatura, Plataforma, Metodología, Profesorado y Alumnado) encuadran los datos básicos de cada uno de ellos, con el objetivo de hacer una descripción pormenorizada de los mismos en el conjunto de esta experiencia virtual o telemática. En primer lugar, se presenta el contexto de la actividad; a continuación se describe la plataforma que se ha utilizado en esta experiencia de docencia virtual, y se realizan algunos comentarios positivos y negativos sobre la misma. El apartado siguiente describe al equipo docente. Posteriormente, se presenta la metodología de trabajo que se ha empleado, destacando los aspectos favorables y desfavorables de la misma. Por último, se describen las características más interesantes del grupo de alumnos que ha cursado la asignatura, y se presentan datos estadísticos referentes a su grado de implicación con la misma.With this work, we try to make a summary of a subject taught in a complete telematic way, which has been for us the first experience in full virtual teaching. On one side, we show all numeric data that we think can be useful for future works which compare teaching methodologies throughout telematic means, and on the other hand, we try to describe the teaching‐learning methodology used in such subject. We have made the chronological description of the subject, from the very first conception to the evaluation of it, and, within this chronology, we detail in special way the whole development carried out during the four month period in which these studies have been taken by students. The main sections of this work (Subject, Platform, Methodology, Teaching Team and Pupils) contain basic data of each one, with the main goal of making a detailed description of such sections of this virtual or telematic experience. Firstly, the context of the activity appears; next, we describe the platform that has been used in this experience of virtual teaching, and some positive and negative commentaries have been made on it. The following section describes the Teaching Team. Later, it is described the work methodology that has been used, emphasizing the favourable and unfavourable aspects of it. Finally, the most interesting characteristics of the group of students who has taken the subject, are described, and showing statistical data according to their degree of implication with the subject

Diversity and selection of wild food plants in six regions of Northwestern Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal).

Resumo publicado de comunicação oral apresentada no painel Ethnobotanical Studies of Wild Plant Foods do IVth International Congress of EthnobotanyWe discuss and compare the traditional knowledge and use of wild edible plants in six rural regions of the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. The data indicate that a high percentage of species are used in most regions (15 species are used in 5 regions). According to the similarity of the species gathered, the six regions can be grouped in two clusters. Therefore, affinity seems to be linked to closeness. The Portuguese region is the most dissimilar due to a very high number and frequency of wild condiments

Dry drilling of alloy Ti-6Al-4V

This work is focused on the combined study of the evolution of tool wear, quality of machined holes and surface integrity of work-piece, in the dry drilling of alloy Ti–6Al–4V. Tool wear was studied with optical microscope and SEM–EDS techniques. The quality of machined holes was estimated in terms of geometrical accuracy and burr formation. Surface integrity involves the study of surface roughness, metallurgical alterations and microhardness tests. The end of tool life was reached because of catastrophic failure of the drill, but no significant progressive wear in cutting zone was observed previously. High hole quality was observed even near tool catastrophic failure, evaluated from the point of view of dimensions, surface roughness and burr height. However, microhardness measurements and SEM–EDS analysis of work-piece showed important microstructural changes related with a loss of mechanical properties. Depending on the application of the machined component, the state of the work-piece could be more restrictive than the tool wear, and the end of tool life should be established from the point of view of controlled damage in a work-piece.Microstructural studies and microhardness tests were developed at Department of Materials Science of Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. This work was supported in part by project DPI2001-3747 and a grant from the Foundation Ramón Areces, Spain.Publicad

Tool wear in the dry drilling of TÍ-6AI-4V: a SEM/EDS study

En este artículo se estudia el proceso de taladrado sin fluido de corte, de la aleación Ti6A14V, comparando dos condiciones de mecanizado, con y sin enfriamiento de herramienta y material entre taladros. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la influencia en el desgaste de la herramienta y en la calidad del agujero, del diferente incremento de temperatura originado por trabajar en una u otra condición. Para ello, se realizará análisis SEM/EDS y microscopía óptica de la broca e inspección visual del material.This paper is focused on dry drilling of Ti6Al4V. In absence of cutting fluid, high temperatures are reached. Two different cutting conditions are studied in order to analyse the influence of temperature. In first condition, tests with no pause between drilled holes were carried out. In second condition, tests were performed cooling the tool with air between consecutively holes. Tool wear was studied with optical microscope and SEM-EDS techniques. The quality of machined holes was estimated in terms of optical inspection. Significantly differences in tool wear evolution were observed between both cutting conditions analysed.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por la Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología (CICYT) proyecto DPI2001-3747, por AIRBUS España, S.L. y por la Junta de Andalucía. Los autores agrádecen al Departamento de Ciencia de los Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid su ayuda y la disponibilidad de sus equipos para la realización de los estudios de microscopía óptica y SEM/EDS.Publicad

Long-term surveillance of the feline leukemia virus in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Andalusia, Spain (2008-2021)

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection is considered one of the most serious disease threats for the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) Over 14 years (2008-2021), we investigated FeLV infection using point-of-care antigen test and quantitative real-time TaqMan qPCR for provirus detection in blood and tissues in lynxes from Andalusia (Southern Spain). A total of 776 samples from 586 individuals were included in this study. The overall prevalence for FeLV antigen in blood/serum samples was 1.4% (5/360) (95% CI: 0.2-2.6), FeLV proviral DNA prevalence in blood samples was 6.2% (31/503) (95% CI: 4.1-8.6), and FeLV proviral DNA in tissues samples was 10.2% (34/333) (95% CI: 7-13.5). From a subset of 129 longitudinally sampled individuals, 9.3% (12/129) PCR-converted during the study period. Our results suggest that FeLV infection in the Andalusian population is enzootic, with circulation of the virus at low levels in almost all the sampling years. Moreover, since only one viremic individual succumbed to the infection, this study suggests that lynxes may therefore control the infection decreasing the possibility of developing a more aggressive outcome. Although our results indicate that the FeLV infection in the Iberian lynx from Andalusia tends to stay within the regressive stage, continuous FeLV surveillance is paramount to predict potential outbreaks and ensure the survival of this population

Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal): a comparative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We compare traditional knowledge and use of wild edible plants in six rural regions of the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula as follows: Campoo, Picos de Europa, Piloña, Sanabria and Caurel in Spain and Parque Natural de Montesinho in Portugal.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data on the use of 97 species were collected through informed consent semi-structured interviews with local informants. A semi-quantitative approach was used to document the relative importance of each species and to indicate differences in selection criteria for consuming wild food species in the regions studied.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>The most significant species include many wild berries and nuts (e.g. <it>Castanea sativa, Rubus ulmifolius, Fragaria vesca</it>) and the most popular species in each food-category (e.g. fruits or herbs used to prepare liqueurs such as <it>Prunus spinosa</it>, vegetables such as <it>Rumex acetosa</it>, condiments such as <it>Origanum vulgare</it>, or plants used to prepare herbal teas such as <it>Chamaemelum nobile</it>). The most important species in the study area as a whole are consumed at five or all six of the survey sites.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Social, economic and cultural factors, such as poor communications, fads and direct contact with nature in everyday life should be taken into account in determining why some wild foods and traditional vegetables have been consumed, but others not. They may be even more important than biological factors such as richness and abundance of wild edible flora. Although most are no longer consumed, demand is growing for those regarded as local specialties that reflect regional identity.</p

First comprehensive contribution to medical ethnobotany of Western Pyrenees

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An ethnobotanical and medical study was carried out in the Navarre Pyrenees, an area known both for its high biological diversity and its cultural significance.</p> <p>As well as the compilation of an ethnopharmacological catalogue, a quantitative ethnobotanical comparison has been carried out in relation to the outcomes from other studies about the Pyrenees. A review of all drugs used in the area has also been carried out, through a study of the monographs published by the institutions and organizations responsible for the safety and efficacy of medicinal plants (WHO, ESCOP, and the E Commission of the German Department of Health) in order to ascertain the extent to which the Navarre Pyrenees ethnopharmacology has been officially evaluated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fieldwork was carried out over two years, from November 2004 to December 2006. During that time we interviewed 88 local people in 40 villages. Information was collected using semi-structured ethnobotanical interviews and the data was analyzed using quantitave indexes: Ethnobotonicity Index, Shannon-Wiener's Diversity, Equitability and The Informant Consensus Factor. The official review has been performed using the official monographs published by the WHO, ESCOP and the E Commission of the German Department of Health.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The ethnobotanical and medical catalogue of the Navarre Pyrenees Area comprises 92 species, of which 39 have been mentioned by at least three interviewees. The quantitative ethnobotany results show lower values than those found in other studies about the Pyrenees; and 57.6% of the Pyrenees medical ethnobotany described does not figure in documents published by the above mentioned institutions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results show a reduction in the ethnobotanical and medical knowledge in the area of study, when compared to other studies carried out in the Pyrenees. Nevertheless, the use of several species that may be regarded as possible sources for pharmacological studies is reported here such as the bark of <it>Sambucus nigra</it>, the roots of <it>Fragaria vesca</it>, or the leaves of <it>Scrophularia nodosa</it>. These species are not currently approved by the WHO, ESCOP and the E Commission of the German Department of Health, institutions that, apart from encouraging the greater use of plants for medicinal purposes, may help in the design of development plans for these rural areas by validating their traditional medicine.</p

Diseño y análisis de técnicas de monitorización y cartografía de la temperatura como variable ambiental en zonas de relieve complejo

La cartografía climática está siendo ampliamente utilizada en estudios ambientales de conservación, de la biodiversidad y el cambio climático. Pero los métodos convencionales basados en estaciones meteorológicas sólo son capaces de generar cartografía de baja resolución, habitualmente del orden de 5-10 km. Sin embargo, muchos de esos estudios requieren una resolución espacial mayor, del orden de centenas o incluso decenas de metros. En España, la reducción significativa del número de estaciones meteorológicas ha provocado la necesidad de buscar alternativas para la elaboración de este tipo de cartografía precisa. En esta tesis se desarrollan dos métodos novedosos de seguimiento de la temperatura atendiendo especialmente a su implementación en terrenos de relieve complejo, donde la diversidad microclimática queda sin definir en la metodología habitual de medida y cartografía debido a la escasa resolución espacial de los datos y métodos usados. Así, el problema se abordará desde dos perspectivas: por un lado, con una nueva metodología de diseño para el despliegue de una red inalámbrica de sensores (WSN) adaptada a la diversidad microclimática del terreno para la toma de datos in situ; y por otro, el desarrollo y validación de un nuevo método de reducción de escala (downscaling) que combina datos históricos, variables topográficas y modelos geométricos de exposición a la radiación solar para afinar la resolución espacial de mapas climáticos de temperaturas.Climate mapping is widely used for the environmental conservation studies, biodiversity and climate change. But conventional methods based on weather stations are only capable of generating low resolution cartography, usually on the order of 5-10 km. However, many of these studies require a larger spatial resolution, on the order of hundreds or even tens of meters. In some countries such as Spain, the problem of data inadequacy has worsened over time due to a significant reduction in the number of these stations, which correspondingly reduces the quality of even conventional maps. Consequently, other solutions must be tested. In this thesis two novel methods of temperature monitoring are developed, with particular attention to their implementation in complex terrain, where microclimatic diversity remains undefined in the usual methodology of measurement and mapping due to low spatial resolution of the data and methods used. This problem will be approached from two perspectives: on the one hand, with a new design methodology for the deployment of a wireless sensor network (WSN) adapted to the microclimatic diversity of the terrain for in situ data collection; and on the other, the development and validation of a new downscaling method that combines historical data, topographical variables and geometric models of exposure to solar radiation to fine-tune the spatial resolution of temperature maps