Exploiting Wireless Sensors: a gateway for 868MHz sensors

[ANGLÈS] The great interest in monitoring everything around us has increased the number of sensors that we utilize in our daily lives. Furthermore, the evolution of wireless technologies has facilitated their ubiquity. Moreover, is in locations such as homes and offices where exploitation of the data from these sensors has been more important. For example, we want to know if the temperature in our home is adequate, otherwise we want to turn on the heating (or cooling) system automatically and we want to be able to monitor the environment of the home or office remotely. The knowledge from these sensors and the ability to actuate devices, summon human assistance, and adjust contracts for electrical power, heating, cooling, etc. can facilitate a myriad of ways to improve the quality of our life and potentially even reduce resource consumption. This master?s thesis project created a gateway that sniffs wireless sensor traffic in order to collect data from existing sensors and to provide this data as input to various services. These sensors work in the 868 MHz band. Although these wireless sensors are frequently installed in homes and offices, they are generally not connected to any network. We designed a gateway capable of identifying these wireless sensors and decoding the received messages, despite the fact that these messages may use a vendor?s proprietary protocol. This gateway consists of a microcontroller, a radio transceiver (868-915 MHz), and an Ethernet controller. This gateway enables us to take advantage of all the data that can be captured. Thinking about these possibilities, imultaneously acquiring data from these various sensors could open a wide range of alternatives in different fields, such as home automation, industrial controlling? Not only can the received data be interesting by itself; but when different sensors are located in the same environment we can exploit this data using sensor fusion. For example, time differences in arrival and differences in signal strength as measured t multiple receivers could be used to locate objects. The final aim of this thesis project is to support diverse applications that could be developed using the new gateway. This gateway creates a bridge between the information that is already around us and our ability to realize many new potential services. A wide range of opportunities could be realized by exploiting the wireless sensors we already have close to us.[CASTELLÀ] El gran interés en el seguimiento de todo lo que nos rodea ha incrementado el número de sensores que utilizamos en nuestra vida diaria. Por otra parte, la evolución de la tecnología inalámbrica ha facilitado su instalación. Es en lugares como casas y oficinas donde el aprovechamiento de los datos de estos sensores ha sido más importante. Por ejemplo, si queremos saber si la temperatura en casa es la adecuada para activar el sistema de calefacción (o refrigeración) de forma automática. La capacidad para accionar dispositivos externos y ajustar los contratos de energía eléctrica, calefacción, refrigeración, etc. puede facilitar una gran variedad de formas de mejorar la calidad de nuestra vida y, potencialmente, incluso reducir el consumo de recursos. Este proyecto de tesis ha creado una gateway que detecta el tráfico de sensores inalámbricos con el fin de recoger datos de los sensores existentes y proporcionarlos como entrada a varios servicios. Estos sensores funcionan en la banda de 868 MHz. A pesar de que estos sensores inalámbricos son frecuentemente instalados en hogares y oficinas, generalmente no están conectados a ninguna red. Hemos diseñado una gateway capaz de identificar estos sensores inalámbricos y descodificar los mensajes recibidos, aunque estos mensajes pueden utilizar un protocolo exclusivo del propietario. Esta gateway consta de un microcontrolador, un transceptor de radio (868-915 MHz) y un controlador Ethernet. Esta gateway nos permite tomar ventaja de todos los datos que se pueden capturar. Pensando en todas estas posibilidades a la vez, la adquisición de los datos de estos diversos sensores podría abrir una amplia gama de alternativas en diferentes campos, como la automatización del hogar, control industrial ... No sólo los datos recibidos pueden ser interesantes, sino que los diferentes sensores que se encuentran en el mismo entorno pueden explotar estos datos mediante la fusión de sensores. Por ejemplo, las diferencias de tiempo en la llegada y las diferencias en intensidad de la señal, según lo que determina múltiples receptores también podría ser utilizado para localizar objetos. El objetivo final de este proyecto de tesis es dar apoyo a las diversas aplicaciones que pueden ser desarrolladas utilizando la nueva gateway. Esta gateway crea un puente entre la información que ya está a nuestro alrededor y nuestra capacidad de realizar muchos nuevos servicios potenciales. Una amplia gama de posibilidades puede ser generada mediante la explotación red de sensores inalámbricos que ya están presentes en nuestro alrededor.[CATALÀ] El gran interès en el seguiment de tot el que ens envolta ha incrementat el nombre de sensors que utilitzem en la nostra vida diària. D'altra banda, l'evolució de la tecnologia sense fils ha facilitat la seva instal·lació. És en llocs com cases i oficines on l'aprofitament de les dades d'aquests sensors ha estat més important. Per exemple, si volem saber si la temperatura a casa és l'adequada per activar el sistema de calefacció (o refrigeració) de forma automàtica. La capacitat per accionar dispositius externs i ajustar els contractes d'energia elèctrica, calefacció, refrigeració, etc. pot facilitar una gran varietat de formes de millorar la qualitat de la nostra vida i, potencialment, fins i tot reduir el consum de recursos. Aquest projecte de tesi ha creat una gateway que ensuma el tràfic de sensors sense fils amb la finalitat de recollir dades dels sensors existents i proporcionar-les com a entrada de diversos serveis. Aquests sensors funcionen a la banda de 868 MHz. Malgrat aquests sensors sense fils són sovint instal·lats en llars i oficines, generalment no estan connectats a cap xarxa. Hem dissenyat una gateway capaç d'identificar aquests sensors sense fil i descodificar el missatges rebuts, tot i que aquests missatges poden utilitzar un protocol exclusiu del propietari. Aquesta gateway consta d'un microcontrolador, un transceptor de ràdio (868-915 MHz) i un controlador Ethernet. Aquesta gateway ens permet prendre avantatge de totes les dades que es poden capturar. Pensant en totes aquestes possibilitats a la vegada, l'adquisició de les dades d'aquests diversos sensors podria obrir una àmplia gamma d'alternatives en diferents camps, com ara l'automatització de la llar, control industrial ... No només les dades rebudes poden ser interessants, sinó que els diferents sensors que es troben en el mateix entorn poden explotar aquestes dades mitjançant la fusió de sensors. Per exemple, les diferències de temps en l'arribada i les diferències en intensitat del senyal segons el que determina múltiples receptors també podria ser utilitzat per localitzar objectes. L'objectiu final d'aquest projecte de tesi és donar suport a les diverses aplicacions que poden ser desenvolupades utilitzant la nova gateway. Aquesta gateway crea un pont entre la informació que ja està al nostre voltant i la nostra capacitat de realitzar nous serveis potencials . Una àmplia gamma de possibilitats pot ser generada mitjançant l'explotació de la xarxa de sensors sense fils que ja tenim a prop nostre

Simple environmentally-friendly reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Abstract: 4-nitrophenol is a low molecular-mass organic compound involved in many chemical processes and commonly present in soils and in surface and ground waters, thereby causing severe environmental impact and health risk. Several methods have been proposed for its transformation (bio and chemical degradation). However, these strategies not only produce equally or more toxic aromatic species but also require harsh operating conditions and/or time-consuming treatments. In this context, we report a comprehensive and systematic study of the electrochemical reduction of 4-nitrophenol as a viable alternative. We have explored the electrochemical reduction of this pollutant over different metallic and carbonaceous substrata. Specifically, we have focused on the use of gold and silver working electrodes since they combine a high electrocatalytic activity for 4-nitrophenol reduction and a low electrocatalytic capacity for hydrogen evolution. The influence of the pH, temperature, and applied potential have also been considered as crucial parameters in the overall optimization of the process. While acidic media and high temperatures favor the clean reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol, simultaneous hydrogen evolution results pernicious for this purpose. As a whole, a simple and effective electrochemical method for the transformation of 4-nitrophenol into 4-aminophenolis proposed with virtually no undesired by-products

Programming 1 and sustainability

Computer programming is an essential skill for today's engineers, and sustainability plays a role of growing interest in any of the design phases of an engineering project. The fundamentals of sustainability, with basic concepts such as "carbon intensity", must be covered in any engineering curriculum. We propose a basic computer programming course in which the lab sessions incorporate exercises related to the computation of environmental impacts. For instance, an exercise might request the computation of the carbon footprint of the lab sessions during a whole year. Lab sessions use an automatic evaluation server, so called Jutge.org that assesses about the correctness of the programs submitted by the students. New exercises concerning sustainability topics are included in the Jutge.org course. The course involves the effort of a multidisciplinary team. First, lecturers on basic programming are required. An expert on automatic evaluation of computer programs is essential to prepare the statements and the test sets of the proposed exercises. Finally, the advice of economists and sustainability experts is crucial to guarantee judicious conclusions are drawn from each exercise. Forming a team with this profile is a challenging task. Our Computer Science (CS) department lectures basic programming courses to more than 1700 students/year. The success of this approach could bring a substantial social impact in our ecosystem

Assessment of biowaste composting process for industrial support tool development through macro data approach

This study aims to assess composting efficiency and quality of compost through the study of the parameters of the Catalan Waste Agency (ARC) data-base by developing indicators useful for industrial sector. The study includes 17 composting plants for an 8-years period (2010–2017), the quantities of materials treated and generated in these plants: biowaste, yard trimmings, refuse and compost, as well as chemical characterization of compost: moisture, total organic matter, organic nitrogen, pH, electrical conductivity, self-heating test, pollutants and ammonium. Plant were sorted into 4 size classes depending on size capacity and into 4 technologies employed during thermophilic phasePostprint (updated version

Preparation of benzolactams by Pd(II)-catalyzed carbonylation of N-unprotected arylethylamines

An unprecedented NH2-directed Pd(II)-catalytic carbonylation of quaternary aromatic α -amino esters to yield 6-membered 10 benzolactams has been developed. The reaction shows a strong bias to 6-membered lactams over 5-membered ones. The steric hindrance around the amino group seems to be pivotal for the success of the process

Precise enhancement quantification in post-operative MRI as an indicator of residual tumor impact is associated with survival in patients with glioblastoma

Matemàtiques i informàtica; Neurologia; OncologiaMatemáticas e informática; Neurología; OncologíaMathematics and computing; Neurology; OncologyGlioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor. Standard therapy consists of maximum safe resection combined with adjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by chemotherapy with temozolomide, however prognosis is extremely poor. Assessment of the residual tumor after surgery and patient stratification into prognostic groups (i.e., by tumor volume) is currently hindered by the subjective evaluation of residual enhancement in medical images (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]). Furthermore, objective evidence defining the optimal time to acquire the images is lacking. We analyzed 144 patients with glioblastoma, objectively quantified the enhancing residual tumor through computational image analysis and assessed the correlation with survival. Pathological enhancement thickness on post-surgical MRI correlated with survival (hazard ratio: 1.98, p < 0.001). The prognostic value of several imaging and clinical variables was analyzed individually and combined (radiomics AUC 0.71, p = 0.07; combined AUC 0.72, p < 0.001). Residual enhancement thickness and radiomics complemented clinical data for prognosis stratification in patients with glioblastoma. Significant results were only obtained for scans performed between 24 and 72 h after surgery, raising the possibility of confounding non-tumor enhancement in very early post-surgery MRI. Regarding the extent of resection, and in agreement with recent studies, the association between the measured tumor remnant and survival supports maximal safe resection whenever possible.This work was supported by the Fundacio La Caixa. R.P.L is supported by a Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award, CRIS Foundation Talent Award (TALENT-05), Fero Foundation, and the Spanish Ministry of Health FIS Program (Instituto de Salud Carlos III-Investigación en Salud PI18/01395). Mr Guillermo Villacampa Javierre kindly provided statistical advice for this manuscript

The impact of improper materials in biowaste on the quality of compost

Separate collection of biodegradable waste provides a better-quality raw material for the production of fertilisers than material obtained from the mechanical separation of municipal solid waste. Source-collected biowaste can be used for the production of compost, and its quality will depend on factors ranging from the presence of improper materials—inter alia, glass, and plastic—to the duration of the treatment process. This project was commissioned by the Catalan Waste Agency (ARC), and was developed by ENT Environment & Management and by the Barcelona School of Agricultural Engineering (ESAB) of the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC). The authors would like to thank Noemí Iglesias Farran and Meri Pous Alo of the ARC for their support in the development of this project, and Raimon Rafols Florenciano for his support in the revision of this paper. This paper contributes to the project DECISIVE (DECentralIzed management Scheme for Innovative Valorization of urban biowastE), which received funding from the European Commission under EU’s Horizon 2020 researchand-innovation program (grant agreement number 68922).Postprint (updated version

Hydrophone installation in the Raia Ocean-Meteorological Observatory Net

An Iclisten hydrophone has been installed in a metocean platform of RAIA Obervatory, as part of the MarRisk project, and data are being uploaded to EMODnet web portal.Peer Reviewe

Economic burden of Cardiac Arrest in Spain: analyzing healthcare costs drivers and treatment strategies cost-effectiveness

Carga económica; Parada cardíaca; RentabilidadEconomic burden; Cardiac arrest; Cost-effectivenessCàrrega econòmica; Aturada cardíaca; RendibilitatBackground Cardiac arrest is a major public health issue in Europe. Cardiac arrest seems to be associated with a large socioeconomic burden in terms of resource utilization and health care costs. The aim of this study is the analysis of the economic burden of cardiac arrest in Spain and a cost-effectiveness analysis of the key intervention identified, especially in relation to neurological outcome at discharge. Methods The data comes from the information provided by 115 intensive care and cardiology units from Spain, including information on the care of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who had a return of spontaneous circulation. The information reported by theses 115 units was collected by a nationwide survey conducted between March and September 2020. Along with number of patients (2631), we also collect information about the structure of the units, temperature management, and prognostication assessments. In this study we analyze the potential association of several factors with neurological outcome at discharge, and the cost associated with the different factors. The cost-effectiveness of using servo-control for temperature management is analyzed by means of a decision model, based on the results of the survey and data collected in the literature, for a one-year and a lifetime time horizon. Results A total of 109 cardiology units provided results on neurological outcome at discharge as evaluated with the cerebral performance category (CPC). The most relevant factor associated with neurological outcome at discharge was ‘servo-control use’, showing a 12.8% decrease in patients with unfavorable neurological outcomes (i.e., CPC3-4 vs. CPC1-2). The total cost per patient (2020 Euros) was €73,502. Only “servo-control use” was associated with an increased mean total cost per hospital. Patients treated with servo-control for temperature management gained in the short term (1 year) an average of 0.039 QALYs over those who were treated with other methods at an increased cost of €70.8, leading to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 1,808 euros. For a lifetime time horizon, the use of servo-control is both more effective and less costly than the alternative. Conclusions Our results suggest the implementation of servo-control techniques in all the units that are involved in managing the cardiac arrest patient from admission until discharge from hospital to minimize the neurological damage to patients and to reduce costs to the health and social security system