A 64-channel inductively-powered neural recording sensor array

This paper reports a 64-channel inductively powered neural recording sensor array. Neural signals are acquired, filtered, digitized and compressed in the channels. Additionally, each channel implements a local auto-calibration mechanism which configures the transfer characteristics of the recording site. The system has two operation modes; in one case the information captured by the channels is sent as uncompressed raw data; in the other, feature vectors extracted from the detected neural spikes are transmitted. Data streams coming from the channels are serialized by an embedded digital processor and transferred to the outside by means of the same inductive link used for powering the system. Simulation results show that the power consumption of the complete system is 377μW.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TEC2009-0844

A power efficient neural spike recording channel with data bandwidth reduction

This paper presents a mixed-signal neural spike recording channel which features, as an added value, a simple and low-power data compression mechanism. The channel uses a band-limited differential low noise amplifier and a binary search data converter, together with other digital and analog blocks for control, programming and spike characterization. The channel offers a self-calibration operation mode and it can be configured both for signal tracking (to raw digitize the acquired neural waveform) and feature extraction (to build a first-order PWL approximation of the spikes). The prototype has been fabricated in a standard CMOS 0.13μm and occupies 400μm×400μm. The overall power consumption of the channel during signal tracking is 2.8μW and increases to 3.0μW average when the feature extraction operation mode is programmed.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TEC2009-08447Junta de Andalucía TIC-0281

Estimated profit margins to fund carbon capture projects: Case dry forest of Lambayeque

En función a nuestra experiencia de trabajo El medio ambiente y su protección han tomado una gran importancia en los últimos años, debido al deterioro que está sufriendo nuestro planeta. Los principales causantes de este daño son los gases efecto invernadero (GEI) que son emitidos por los principales países desarrollados e industrializados como residuos de procesos productivos. Éstos países buscan ahora mitigar o reducir la contaminación que causan, generando esto una gran oportunidad para financiar la conservación de áreas de bosque y el mejoramiento del ingreso local en la región y país. Este estudio cuantitativo, exploratorio y descriptivo tuvo como población a las comunidades campesinas, ejecutores de proyectos, entidades financieras, organismos multilaterales y todos los participantes en la elaboración y ejecución de proyectos MDL en la Región Lambayeque; analiza la factibilidad de llevar a cabo estos proyectos en las zonas de bosque seco a través de un análisis de rentabilidad y sensibilidad, estimando la tasa probable de rendimiento y el área mínima requerida para ingresar al mercado financiero y promover su ejecución. Los principios éticos y de rigor científico fueron viables. Se demuestra que es factible y altamente rentable llevar a cabo proyectos de captura de carbono en los bosques secos de nuestra región, generando una oportunidad para aprovechar el potencial natural con el que contamos y mejorar el bienestar social de poblaciones rurales. La rentabilidad de estos proyectos puede ascender a tres millones de soles con una tasa de rentabilidad del 24% para un tamaño de área frecuente en nuestra región.Abstract : The environment and its protection have taken great importance in recent years due to the deterioration that our planet is suffering. The main causes of this damage are the greenhouse gases (GHG) that are issued by major developed and industrialized countries waste production processes. These countries are now seeking to mitigate or reduce the pollution they cause, creating this a great opportunity to finance the conservation of forest areas and the improvement of local income in the region and country. This quantitative study was exploratory and descriptive as population rural communities, project developers, financial institutions, multilateral agencies and all stakeholders in the development and implementation of CDM projects in the Lambayeque Region, analyzes the feasibility of carrying out these projects in dry forest areas through a performance and sensitivity analysis, estimating the likely rate of return and the minimum area required to enter the financial market and promote their implementation. The ethical principles and scientific rigor were viable. It proves to be feasible and highly profitable conduct carbon capture projects in the dry forests of our region, creating an opportunity to exploit the natural potential with which we and improve rural welfare. The profitability of these projects can amount to three million soles with a rate of return of 24% for common area size in our region

Baseband-processor for a passive UHF RFID transponder

This paper describes the design of a digital processor targeting the Class-1 Generation-2 EPC Protocol for UHF RFID transponders, and proposes different techniques for reducing its power consumption. The processor has been implemented in a 0.35μm CMOS technology process using automatic tools for both the logic synthesis and layout. Post-layout simulations confirm the fully functionality of the prototype and predict a worst-case power consumption of only 2.9μA at 1.2V supply.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia TEC2006-03022, TEC2009-08447Junta de Andalucía TIC-0281

Las Musas y la Inspiración del poeta: a propósito de «El Parnaso» de Nicolas Poussin, Museo del Prado.

Sin resume

La financiacion publico-privada (PPP-PPI) como alternativa a la rehabilitacion del patrimonio del estado

En la actualidad, la administración española tiene pocos recursos económicos disponibles para la rehabilitación del patrimonio, para lo cual necesitarían una financiación externa, realizada por fondos privados. La Dirección Integrada de Proyecto (“Project Management“) aplicada al proceso constructivo es una Técnica Metodológica que ayuda a organizar, controlar y gestionar los recursos de los promotores dentro del proceso edificatorio. Cuando los recursos están limitados (que normalmente es la mayoría de las situaciones) gestionarlos de una manera eficiente se convierte en algo muy importante. La financiación público-privada es una forma de no consolidar la deuda dentro del balance de la Administración Pública, según los criterios del SEC-95 EUROSTAT que, transfiriendo dos riesgos de los tres citados a continuación al sector privado puede ser que no se consolide la deuda dentro del balance de la Administración. Los riesgos fundamentales son: - Riesgo de construcción - Riesgo de disponibilidad - Riesgo de demand

Health and safety in the construction : subject pending to be included in the curriculum of architecture in Spain

The art of construction is a risky activity that directly affects the life and physical integrity of persons. Since the approval of Law 31/1995, of November 8, Prevention of Occupational Risks was the first legislation that established the current basis in all sectors and then transposed into Spanish law Directive 92/57/CEE called Royal Decree 1627/1997 of October 24, on minimum safety and health dispositions in construction works, measures have been proposed to develop a mixed body of scientific literature composed of researchers and professionals in the field of occupational safety and health, but even today there is still no clear and firm proposal, showing a lack of awareness in the occupational risk prevention and, therefore, a consolidation of the culture of prevention in society. Therefore, the technicians, who make up the building process, can incur in very high responsibilities, such as: Author of the project, Coordinator of Safety and Health during the preparation of the project and during the execution of works, Site Management: Site Manager. This involves the immediate creation of a general training in prevention for all architects starting when still studying, as well as specific training, appropriate and complementary to all the architects that will be devoted to the specialty of occupational safety and health in construction works. That is, first, we must make the responsible bodies aware of the urgent need to integrate risk prevention in the curricula of architecture and later in the continuing education of the profession. It is necessary that our teaching must conform to the laws on safety and health, due to the fact that the law recognizes our academic degrees and professional qualifications to perform functions in that are