Integration of multi-sensorial effects in synchronised immersive hybrid TV scenarios

[EN] Traditionally, TV media content has exclusively involved 2D or 3D audiovisual streams consumed by using a simple TV device. However, in order to generate more immersive media consumption experiences, other new types of content (e.g., omnidirectional video), consumption devices (e.g., Head Mounted Displays or HMD) and solutions to stimulate other senses beyond the traditional ones of sight and hearing, can be used. Multi-sensorial media content (a.k.a. mulsemedia) facilitates additional sensory effects that stimulate other senses during the media consumption, with the aim of providing the consumers with a more immersive and realistic experience. They provide the users with a greater degree of realism and immersion, but can also provide greater social integration (e.g., people with AV deficiencies or attention span problems) and even contribute to creating better educational programs (e.g., for learning through the senses in educational content or scientific divulgation). Examples of sensory effects that can be used are olfactory effects (scents), tactile effects (e.g., vibration, wind or pressure effects), and ambient effects (e.g., temperature or lighting). In this paper, a solution for providing multi-sensorial and immersive hybrid (broadcast/broadband) TV content consumption experiences, including omnidirectional video and sensory effects, is presented. It has been designed, implemented, and subjectively evaluated (by 32 participants) in an end-to-end platform for hybrid content generation, delivery and synchronised consumption. The satisfactory results which were obtained regarding the perception of fine synchronisation between sensory effects and multimedia content, and regarding the users' perceived QoE, are summarised and discussed.This work was supported in part by the "Vicerrectorado de Investigacion de la Universitat Politecnica de Valencia'' under Project PAID-11-21 and Project PAID-12-21.Marfil, D.; Boronat, F.; González-Salinas, J.; Sapena Piera, A. (2022). Integration of multi-sensorial effects in synchronised immersive hybrid TV scenarios. IEEE Access. 10:79071-79089. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2022.319417079071790891

Iberian red deer: Paraphyletic nature at mtDNA but nuclear markers support its genetic identity

British Ecological Society Special Feature: Demography Beyond the Population.Red deer populations in the Iberian glacial refugium were the main source for postglacial recolonization and subspecific radiation in north-western Europe. However, the phylogenetic history of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) and its relationships with northern European populations remain uncertain. Here, we study DNA sequences at the mitochondrial control region along with STR markers for over 680 specimens from all the main red deer populations in Spain and other west European areas. Our results from mitochondrial and genomic DNA show contrasting patterns, likely related to the nature of these types of DNA markers and their specific processes of change over time. The results, taken together, bring support to two distinct, cryptic maternal lineages for Iberian red deer that predated the last glacial maximum and that have maintained geographically well differentiated until present. Haplotype relationships show that only one of them contributed to the northern postglacial recolonization. However, allele frequencies of nuclear markers evidenced one main differentiation between Iberian and northern European subspecies although also supported the structure of both matrilines within Iberia. Thus, our findings reveal a paraphyletic nature for Iberian red deer but also its genetic identity and differentiation with respect to northern subspecies. Finally, we suggest that maintaining the singularity of Iberian red deer requires preventing not only restocking practices with red deer specimens belonging to other European populations but also translocations between both Iberian lineages.This work was partly supported by project CGL2010-17163/BOS from the Spanish MInistry of Science and by Extremadura and Andalusian Regional Goverments.Peer Reviewe

Phenomenological aspects of the fermion and scalar sectors of a S4S_4 flavored 3-3-1 model

We propose a viable and predictive model based on the $SU(3)_C \times SU(3)_L \times U(1)_X$ gauge symmetry, supplemented by the global $U(1)_{Lg}$ symmetry, the $S_4$ family symmetry and several auxiliary cyclic symmetries, which successfully reproduces the observed SM fermion mass and mixing pattern. The SM charged fermion mass and quark mixing hierarchy is caused by the spontaneous breaking of the discrete symmetries, whereas the tiny active neutrino masses are generated through an inverse seesaw mechanism mediated by right-handed Majorana neutrinos. The model is consistent with the SM fermion masses and mixings and successfully accommodates the current Higgs diphoton decay rate constraints as well as the constraints arising from oblique $S$, $T$ and $U$ parameters and meson oscillations.Comment: 23 pages, 7 figure

Active Control of Greenhouse Climate Enhances Papaya Growth and Yield at an Affordable Cost

Papaya is a tropical fruit crop that in subtropical regions depends on protected cultivation to fulfill its climate requirements and remain productive. The aim of this work was to compare the profitability of different climate control strategies in greenhouses located in subtropical areas of southeast Spain. To do so, we compared papayas growing in a greenhouse equipped with active climate control (ACC), achieved by cooling and heating systems, versus plants growing in another greenhouse equipped with passive climate control (PCC), consisting of only natural ventilation through zenithal and lateral windows. The results showed that ACC favored papaya plant growth; flowering; fruit set; and, consequently, yields, producing more and heavier fruits at an affordable cost. Climate control strategies did not significantly improve fruit quality, specifically fruit skin color, acidity, and total soluble solids content. In conclusion, in the current context of prices, an active control of temperature and humidity inside the greenhouse could be a more profitable strategy in subtropical regions where open-air cultivation is not feasible

Design and assessment of a scalable and customizable low-cost tiled display system

© 2021 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permissíon from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertisíng or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.[EN] In this paper, a scalable hardware and software architecture for low-cost tiled display systems (a.k.a. videowalls), customizable through a dynamic web-based management and configuration service is presented and evaluated both objectively and subjectively. It has been designed for both stored and live broadcast/broadband content, in mosaic or warp distributions. The videowalls can be dynamically configured via web in different ways: the displays can create a single screen of a larger size, or they can be configured in a customized way in order to playout different media contents in different display combinations. As display renderers, low-cost devices are proposed as the main hardware element to obtain affordable videowall systems. As a proof of concept, two prototypes have been implemented, including an accurate synchronization mechanism. To evidence the good performance of the prototypes and configuration service, Both objective and subjective evaluations have been conducted regarding synchronization accuracy and usability of the configuration service, obtaining satisfactory results.This work has been funded by the Generalitat Valenciana, through the R&D Program "Grants for research groups to be consolidated, AICO/2017" under Project AICO/2017/059.Marfil, D.; Boronat, F.; González-Salinas, J.; Vidal Meló, A. (2021). Design and assessment of a scalable and customizable low-cost tiled display system. IEEE Latin America Transactions. 19(5):708-716. https://doi.org/10.1109/TLA.2021.9448284S70871619

Inserción de eje transversal de Riesgo y Cambio Climático en función de los 4 pilares de la educación, en las asignaturas: Economía y Sociología del Desarrollo, Sistemas Agrarios II, Estructura Económica de Nicaragua, Normas Internacionales de Contabilidad y Legislación Industrial, en la FAREM Matagalpa en el I Semestre del año 2012.

Los y las docentes de la Facultad Regional Multidisciplinaria de Matagalpa que participamos en el diplomado sobre gestión de riesgos y cambio climático hemos realizado un proceso de investigación acción para reflexionar sobre la inserción de estas temáticas como ejes transversales en nuestras asignaturas del Primer Semestre del 2012. Desde las carreras de Contabilidad Pública y Finanzas, Ingeniería Agronómica, Ingeniería Industrial y Trabajo Social - cinco asignaturas diferentes- logramos insertar el eje transversal después de realizar un diagnóstico previo que sirvió para alimentar la planificación. Realizamos una reflexión y evaluación de la acción a partir del monitoreo de los indicadores de logros planificados. Identificamos la motivación, el entusiasmo, la creatividad, la posibilidad de trabajar fuera de las aulas como elementos que facilitan transversalizar los ejes

Baroclinic M2 circulation in Algeciras Bay and its implications for the water exchange with the Strait of Gibraltar: Observational and 3-D model results

The M2 tidal circulation in Algeciras Bay (Strait of Gibraltar) is analyzed using a 3-D, nonlinear, baroclinic, hydrodynamic model, in conjunction with observed data series. Results show the influence of the density stratification on the vertical structure of the M2 currents in Algeciras Bay, although its tidal dynamics shows major differences with respect to the Strait of Gibraltar. Whereas the M2 currents in the Strait present mainly barotropic behavior, the baroclinic effects prevail in Algeciras Bay. A notable finding is the presence of a tidal M2 counter-current system between the upper Atlantic and the lower Mediterranean water layers within the Bay, with amplitudes of up to 25 cm s−1. The interface between the two layers oscillates in antiphase relation with respect to the free-surface elevation, with amplitudes of almost 20 m. The presence of the submarine Algeciras Canyon was found to be determinant in the three-dimensional structure of tidal currents within the Bay, strengthening the baroclinic tidal regime of currents. This situation has quantitative consequences for the flow-exchange processes between Algeciras Bay and the outer Strait, with rates 20 times higher than those obtained when considering only the barotropic behavior, as well as inflow/outflow lateral recirculation volumes during half a tidal cycle that account for more than 20% of the net accumulated volume. This flow-exchange system was found to be affected by the nonlinear interaction processes between the first baroclinic period of resonance of Algeciras Bay and the M2 tide

The climate change signal in the Mediterranean Sea in a regionally coupled atmosphere-ocean model

We analyze the climate change signal in the Mediterranean Sea using the regionally coupled model REMO-OASIS-MPIOM (ROM; abbreviated from the regional atmosphere model, the OASIS3 coupler and the Max Planck Institute Ocean Model). The ROM oceanic component is global with regionally high horizontal resolution in the Mediterranean Sea so that the water exchanges with the adjacent North Atlantic and Black Sea are explicitly simulated. Simulations forced by ERA-Interim show an accurate representation of the present Mediterranean climate. Our analysis of the RCP8.5 (representative concentration pathway) scenario using the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model shows that the Mediterranean waters will be warmer and saltier throughout most of the basin by the end of this century. In the upper ocean layer, temperature is projected to have a mean increase of 2.7 degrees C, while the mean salinity will increase by 0.2 psu, presenting a decreasing trend in the western Mediterranean in contrast to the rest of the basin. The warming initially takes place at the surface and propagates gradually to deeper layers. Hydrographic changes have an impact on intermediate water characteristics, potentially affecting the Mediterranean thermohaline circulation in the future

Prostatic cyst: An unusual cause of hemospermia

A 31-year-old man was referred to our service because of recurrent hemospermia over the last 4 years, there were no other symptoms like perineal pain, fever, dysuria, nocturia or urgency; this patient only presented hemospermia with clots. Genital examination was normal. Semen analysis showed no change in volume and pH; however, hemospermia and asthenozoospermia were observed. The semen culture was normal. Ultrasonography only revealed the presence of a cystic lesion adjoining the prostate gland, next to the bladder neck. The retrograde urethrogram was normal. The CT scan revealed only a small calcification in the right seminal vesicle. Endoscopic cistourethroscopy demonstrated 2 cystic dilatations arising on both sides of the prostate gland adjacent to the bladder neck, behind the verumontanum with vessels running over the surface prostatic cyst dilatation. The diagnosis of prostatic gland cystic dilatation was reached and confirmed by pathology that reported fibroconnective tissue with fibrosis and hyalinization. Transurethral unroofing of the cyst was performed separately with a successful outcome