Digital homotopy with obstacles

AbstractIn (Ayala et al. (Discrete Appl. Math. 125 (1) (2003) 3) it was introduced the notion of a digital fundamental group π1d(O/S;σ) for a set of pixels O in relation to another set S which plays the role of an “obstacle”. This notion intends to be a generalization of the digital fundamental groups of both digital objects and their complements in a digital space. However, the suitability of this group was only checked for digital objects in that paper. As a sequel, we extend here the results in Ayala et al. (2003) for complements of objects. More precisely, we prove that for arbitrary digital spaces the group π1d(O/S;σ) maps onto the usual fundamental group of the difference of continuous analogues |AO∪S|−|AS|. Moreover, this epimorphism turns to be an isomorphism for a large class of digital spaces including most of the examples in digital topology

Variables de influencia en la productividad de biomasa de matorral en la mancomunidad de El Alto Jarama-Atazar

La situación energética actual, caracterizada por la búsqueda de nuevas fuentes de energía, sustitutivas de los combustibles fósiles tradicionales y menos agresivas con el medio ambiente, ha hecho necesaria la puesta en marcha de políticas y acuerdos a nivel mundial, que buscan reducir la contaminación y fomentar las energías renovables. La biomasa, recurso renovable perteneciente a cada país y con un poder calorífico suficientemente alto como para emplearse energéticamente, surge como alternativa a dichos combustibles fósiles. Estos aspectos han convertido el estudio del potencial biomásico de los montes en uno de los pasos previos imprescindibles para cualquier proyecto vinculado al desarrollo de las bioenergías. Sin embargo, la evaluación de la biomasa encierra numerosas dificultades, dado que como recurso vegetal y renovable que es, presenta un carácter variable, cualitativa y cuantitativamente. Este factor, junto a la complejidad de estimar el potencial biomásico de grandes extensiones, provoca que únicamente se calcule la biomasa arbórea, en detrimento de la arbustiva, proporcionando un valor generalmente más bajo del realmente disponible en cada zona. Este estudio establece una metodología más precisa para el cálculo de la biomasa potencial generada por el matorral, en una determinada zona de estudio (Mancomunidad de El Alto Jarama-Atazar).____________________________________The present situation in the energy field is mainly characterized by the constant search of new energy sources, traditional fossil fuel substitutive and less aggressive towards the environment. All this has favoured the implementation of policies and worldwide agreements to reduce pollution and to promote Renewable Energies. The Biomass, a renewable resource belonging to each country and with a sufficiently high heating value to use energetically, arises as an alternative to the above mentioned fossil fuels. These aspects have turned the study of the forestry biomass resources into one of the previous essential steps of any project related to the development of Bioenergy. However, Biomass quantifying has numerous difficulties given that as vegetable and as renewable resource, it presents a changeable character, both qualitatively and quantitatively. In addition the impossibility to estimate the Biomass potential in large extensions causes that only arboreal biomass to be calculated, to the detriment of the bush tree, and therefore, generally the estimation provides a value that is minor than the real one. This study tries to establish a more accurate methodology for the calculation of the potential Biomass generated by the thickets in a specific study zone (Mancomunidad de El Alto Jarama-Atazar)

On The Influence Of Error Model In The Good Performance Of The Hydrological Model For The Right Reasons.

Hydrological models provide extrapolations or predictions, which are not lacking of uncertainty, which reduces the confidence in their results. One phase of the hydrological implementation process, which significantly contributes to that uncertainty, is the calibration phase in which values of the unknown model parameters are tuned by optimizing an objective function. Traditionally, the most commonly used fitting criterion,has been the simple least squares (SLS), regardless of the SLS criterion involves assumptions about the probability distribution of the errors. Failure of these assumptions introduces noise into the estimation of the parameters, which leads to the phenomenon called model divergence, where the errors variance of the (spatially and temporally) forecasted flows, far exceeds the errors variance in the fitting period. In the present paper it has been carried out an estimation of the parameters of TETIS, a distributed hydrological model with a particular split structure of the effective model parameters (Francés et al., 2007). Such an estimate has been performed with the aid of a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm called Dream-ZS (Laloy & Vrugt, 2012). MCMC algorithm quantifies the uncertainty of the parameters by getting the posterior probability distribution, conditioned on the observed flows. The calibration process is performed with three error model assumptions. The greater or lesser suitability of the three parameter sets is evaluated through the temporal, spatial and spatiotemporal validation of each one. It is concluded that hydrological models calibrated with a correct hypothesis of the error model, significantly reduces the model divergence phenomenon. Similarly a global sensitivity analysis (GSA) reveals that the relative influence of each parameter in the hydrological model is not independent of the assumed error model. In conclusion, model divergence phenomenon appears meaningful when it have been achieved a very good hydrological model results during calibration, but for the wrong reasons

Pilot Study: Systemic response after lung SBRT analyzing immune Cells phenotyping

To investigate changes of immune-phenotyping values in patients treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) over the lung in order to evaluate the immune response after radiation therapy

Hydrogeophysics and remote sensing for the design of hydrogeological conceptual models in hard rocks - Sardón catchment (Spain)

Hard rock aquifers are highly heterogeneous and hydrogeologically complex. To contribute to the design of hydrogeological conceptual models of hard rock aquifers, we propose a multi-techniques methodology based on a downward approach that combines remote sensing (RS), non-invasive hydrogeophysics and hydrogeological field data acquisition. The proposed methodology is particularly suitable for data scarce areas. It was applied in the pilot research area of Sardón catchment (80 km2) located west of Salamanca (Spain). The area was selected because of hard-rock hydrogeology, semi-arid climate and scarcity of groundwater resources. The proposed methodology consisted of three main steps. First, we detected the main hydrogeological features at the catchment scale by processing: (i) a high resolution digital terrain model to map lineaments and to outline fault zones; and (ii) high-resolution, multispectral satellite QuickBird and WorldView-2 images to map the outcropping granite. Second, we characterized at the local scale the hydrogeological features identified at step one with: i) ground penetrating radar (GPR) to assess groundwater table depth complementing the available monitoring network data; ii) 2D electric resistivity tomography (ERT) and frequency domain electromagnetic (FDEM) to retrieve the hydrostratigraphy along selected survey transects; iii) magnetic resonance soundings (MRS) to retrieve the hydrostratigraphy and aquifer parameters at the selected survey sites. In the third step, we drilled 5 boreholes (25 to 48 m deep) and performed slug tests to verify the hydrogeophysical interpretation and to calibrate the MRS parameters. Finally, we compiled and integrated all acquired data to define the geometry and parameters of the Sardón aquifer at the catchment scale. In line with a general conceptual model of hard rock aquifers, we identified two main hydrostratigraphic layers: a saprolite layer and a fissured layer. Both layers were intersected and drained by fault zones that control the hydrogeology of the catchment. The spatial discontinuities of the saprolite layer were well defined by RS techniques while subsurface geometry and aquifer parameters by hydrogeophysics. The GPR method was able to detect shallow water table at depth between 1 and 3 m b.g.s. The hydrostratigraphy and parameterization of the fissured layer remained uncertain because ERT and FDEM geophysical methods were quantitatively not conclusive while MRS detectability was restricted by low volumetric water content. The proposed multi-technique methodology integrating cost efficient RS, hydrogeophysics and hydrogeological field investigations allowed us to characterize geometrically and parametrically the Sardón hard rock aquifer system, facilitating the design of hydrogeological conceptual model of the area

Radiological evaluation associated to the mining and concentration of monazite in Central Spain

Trabajo presentado a la 4th International Conference on Environmental Radioactivity: Radionuclides as Tracers of Environmental Processes, celebrada en Vilnius (Lithuania) del 29 de mayo al 2 de junio de 2017.A detailed radiological evaluation (occupational, public and environmental) has been performed associated with the mining and physical concentration of monazite, enriched in different rare earths, in a zone to be exploited commercially which is located 200 km at the south of Madrid (Spain). This evaluation is performed because the rare earth extraction mining and concentration steps are activities recognized in the positive list of NORM activities to be analysed for possible adoption of radiological controls.Peer reviewe

Análisis de las roturas del anillo de expansión LD

Presentamos la revisión clínica de 17 casos de roturas del anillo de expansión tipo LD implantados en nuestro Servicio entre 1989 y 1994, de un total de 779 prótesis totales de cadera (2,2%). Se realiza un estudio de las posibles causas que produjeron la rotura del material. Predominaron en pacientes con sobrepeso y con una actividad física intensa. En el análisis de las radiografías destacamos como factores favorecedores de la rotura, la cobertura insuficiente del anillo y su movilización en 16 pacientes (94,1%). Estos hechos obligaron a realizar estudios de elementos finitos y mecánicos que llevaron a la modificación del anillo inicial. El nuevo anillo se ha recubierto de hidroxiapatita y se han trasladado hacia la periferia los orificios para los tornillos. También se ha reducido el espesor y el tamaño de las ranuras entre las aletas.We present the clinical study of 17 breakage of the LD expansive metalling ring, of 779 total hip prosthesis (2,2%) implanted in our Service from 1989 to 1994. An analysis was performed to discover the reasons of the breakage. Dominated in patients with a high activity and overweight. In the roentgenographic analysis of the ring, we emphaise insufficient cover and migration of the ring as predisposing factors in 16 patients (94,1%). For these facts we performed a finite and mechanical element analysis that changed the original ring. The new ring is hyrdoxiapatite coated and the hole for the screws have move periferically. The thickness and the space between slits have been also reduced

A CD25− Positive Population of Activated B1 Cells Expresses LIFR and Responds to LIF

B1 B cells defend against infectious microorganisms by spontaneous secretion of broadly reactive “natural” immunoglobulin that appears in the absence of immunization. Among many distinguishing characteristics, B1 B cells display evidence of activation that includes phosphorylated STAT3. In order to identify the origin of pSTAT3 we examined interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression on B1 cells. We found that some (about 1/5) B1a cells express the IL-2R α chain, CD25. Although lacking CD122 and unresponsive to IL-2, B1a cells marked by CD25 express increased levels of activated signaling intermediates, interruption of which results in diminished CD25. Further, CD25+ B1a cells contain most of the pSTAT3 found in the B1a population as a whole. Moreover, CD25+ B1a cells express leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR), and respond to LIF by upregulating pSTAT3. Together, these results define a new subset of B1a cells that is marked by activation-dependent CD25 expression, expresses substantial amounts of activated STAT3, and contains a functional LIFR

3D FDTD analysis of cross-talk in pixelated PA-LCos devices: impact of fill factor and size pixel on S2 and S3 parameters

In the last decades, new technology fabrication developments have permitted increased resolution and reduced pixel size of Liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) microdisplays. However, the pixel size reduction triggers the microdisplay performance degradation due to different phenomena, such as the cross-talk between neighbouring pixels, fringing fields, out-of-plane reorientation of the liquid crystal director, and diffraction effects due to the pixelated grid pattern of the microdisplay. In this work, a full 3D simulation model has been applied to predict the liquid crystal director orientation as a function of space and external voltage. The scheme here considered provides the complete vectorial information of the electromagnetic field distribution produced by one single pixel illuminated by plane waves circularly polarised. This analysis is carried on for several pixel and gap sizes for different external voltages. This research focuses on S2 and S3 Stokes parameters and how their behaviour is affected due to the cross-talk phenomena previously presented.The work was supported by the “Generalitat Valenciana” (IDIFEDER/2021/014 cofunded by FEDER EU pro- gram, and project PROMETEO/2021/006, GRISOLIAP/2021/106), and by “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación” of Spain (projects PID2021-123124OB-I00; PID2019-106601RB-I00)