Solving Stable Matching Problems via Cooperative Parallel Local Search

International audienceStable matching problems and its variants have several practical applications, like the Hospital/Residents problem, stable roommates problem or bipartite market sharing. An important generalization problem is the SMTI which allows for incompleteness and ties in the user's preference lists. Finding a maximal size stable matching for SMTI is compu-tationally difficult. We developed a Local Search method to solve SMTI using the Adaptive Search algorithm and present experimental evidence that this approach is much more efficient than state-of-the-art exact and approximate methods (in terms of both computational effort required and quality of solution). We also tried a parallel version of our algorithm. For this we reused the Cooperative Parallel Local Search framework (CPLS) we designed. CPLS is a highly parametric framework for the execution in parallel of local search solvers allowing them to cooperate though communication. The cooperative parallel version of our local search algorithm improves performance so much that very large and hard instances can be solved quickly

Biodiversity of phytoparasitic nematodes associated with Musaceae and fruit crops in Colombia

Wide distributions of economically important plant-parasitic nematodes belonging to the genera Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus and Radopholus have been recorded in plantain and fruit crops in Colombia. Despite of significant economic losses, taxonomic research on these taxa in Colombia is limited. This thesis focuses mainly on two composition components of biodiversity (species and genes) as a contribution to the analyses of biodiversity of economically important plant-parasitic nematodes in Colombia. Samples were taken from 16 different regions of the country. Identification, characterization, and description of known and new nematode species should be based on a combination of as many data as possible, using different approaches. Morphometrical and morphological studies were based on LM and SEM observations, combined with other taxonomical methods such as analyses of proteins and use of species-specific primers (only for Meloidogyne populations), molecular analyses of sequences and phylogenetic analyses. In the current study, morphometric and/or morphological features allowed to separate populations into small species groups as a first step towards identification. Hereby, features of perineal pattern of females or head shape of males in Meloidogyne; head annulation number in Pratylenchus and tail length of Radopholus were the most helpful features at species level and reduced the number of species to be taken into account. From the combination of these analyses it turned out that several species ocurred together in the field. Thus, purification of populations is recommended as a second step in the identification process. In this study, only three Meloidogyne “populations” could be successfully purified. However, to overcome the mixed species problem for all other species, Meloidogyne identification was based on a single young egg-laying female (protein analysis) and DNA (for species-specific PCR and sequence analyses) was always extracted from a single juvenile. The highest diversity was analyzed in the genus Meloidogyne since a large number of populations (24) were available for this study. Six Meloidogyne species: M. incognita, M. javanica, M. arenaria, M. hapla, M. paranaensis and M. konaensis were found associated with four fruit crops and plantain in Colombia. The last two species had never been recorded previously in Colombia but since they show morphological features of M. incognita, they were probably misidentified in the past. Only the use of combined methods allows accurate identification to species level. Analyses of esterase and malate dehydrogenase resulted in a profile that is typical of both species, P1 fitted both M. paranaensis and M. konaensis. Though, the morphological feature, number of projections protruding from the stylet shaft of males allowed their separation. Isozyme analysis also recovered phenotypes that could not be connected to known Meloidogyne species. E3N1, E3N2 phenotypes were found in populations P5a, P19a and P19b. These phenotypes represent a new species that is currently under investigation based on populations from Iran, Africa, Chile and Brazil by Karssen, Carneiro and collaborators (personal communication; December 10, 2007). Furthermore, the phenotype E1bN1b (population P14a) matched with M. hapla but the Mdh band was very slow and morphological features of this population agreed with M. javanica. Populations P3a, P10 and P11 yielded two esterase bands (E2N2): one slow band, and one fast band with a migration rate largely similar to the I1 band of the M. incognita phenotype. E1bN1b and phenotypes probably represent a new species. However additional specimens are needed for accurate morphological and morphometrical studies. Analyses of Colombian Meloidogyne populations (based on 65 nematode specimens) in combination with Meloidogyne populations from GenBank at different rDNA regions (D2D3, 18S and ITS1-5.8-ITS2) yielded phylogenetic trees with similar topologies. All of the generated trees contained three identical clades, strongly supported by high PP values. Meloidogyne populations containing mainly temperate species (as obtained from GenBank) were consistently placed as a separate clade (clade 0). Clade 1 contained M. hapla populations; clade 2 grouped six populations (P1, P2, P5a, P15, P22 and P23) not identified at species level and therefore with unknown reproductive strategies, and clade 3 contained M. incognita, M. javanica and M. arenaria. These topologies agreed with morphological and morphometric data, protein analyses and species-specific PCR. However, populations P1 and P15 formed exceptions. The tree topology and analyses of individual sequences showed that species-specific PCR results of populations P1 and P15 were wrong. For the latter populations the absence of autapomorphic characters typical of M. hapla species allowed to recognize the error. Only one Pratylenchus population was obtained, but morphological analyses were completed with comprehensive molecular divergence and phylogenetic analyses (based on eight nematode specimens from Colombia and additional Genbank material). Their outcome resulted in the description of a new species, indicated here as Pratylenchus sp. n. The new species is closely related to three Pratylenchus species but clearly differs from the other species within genus. It shares with P. coffeae, P. loosi and P. jaehni morphology features: amphimictic lesion nematodes with two lip annuli, and lip sectors fused together and also fused with the oral disc to a smooth face. Molecular distinctions between Pratylenchus n. sp., P. coffeae, P. jaehni and P. loosi are more clear-cut than are morphological differences. The sequence comparison of the D2D3 rDNA expansion region clearly separates the new species from P. jaehni, P. loosi and P. coffeae. Pratylenchus n. sp. had a sister relation with P. jaehni. P. loosi and P. coffeae were more distinctly related. Clear autapomorphic characters of the new species were present in all specimens studied, differentiating its D2D3 expansion region of 28S rDNA from the observations of its sister species P. jaehni. Our results fulfill the requirements of the evolutionary species concept and phylogenetic species concept sensu Adams (1998). Additionally, our new species is a typological morphospecies compared with most species included in the genus; morphometric characters overlap only with P. jaehni and P. loosi. In general, Pratylenchus species are polyphagous, but differences in host preference occur among the species. Type host for Pratylenchus n. sp. is Musa ABB (plantain, hartón cultivar), a host also reported for P. coffeae. So far, P. jaehni and P. loosi have not yet been recorded on Musa plants. Morphological data of two obtained Radopholus populations were supplemented with sequence divergence and phylogenetic analyses (D2D3, 18S and ITS1-5.8-ITS2) based on 23 specimens of nematodes of Colombia and additional Genbank material. All specimens were identified as R. similis. With respect to morphological characters and morphometric data, Colombian populations of R. similis females only slightly extend the inferior limits of the other R. similis populations described from different localities around the world, particularly with respect to body length, diameter at mid body and anus, length of the neck region, hyaline part of tail and length of the ovaries. The topology of ITS1-5.8-ITS tree positioned Colombian populations of R. similis together with populations from different countries and hosts in the same clade. Percentage of divergence yielded similar results except for the Costa Rican population which showed 11.7% divergence with respect to Colombian populations from the same clade. The populations of R. similis did not cluster together according to geographical distribution, nor did they for host. For example, accessions from the same host (banana plants) and from the same country (Sudan) were positioned in different clades and showed the largest differences in percentage of divergence. The populations analyzed by Elbadri (2000) from Sudan, Uganda, Cuba and Germany and sharing clade with Colombian populations in phylogenetic tree, were found to be the most pathogenic populations for banana among all the tested populations by this author. The phylogenetic position of Radopholus species in the ITS1-5.8-ITS tree, more particularly of R. arabocoffee, P. duriophilus, R. similis from Sudan and Belgium suggests that “R. similis” could represent a species complex; more research is needed to unravel these relationships. In conclusion, all retrieved Meloidogyne species were widely distributed and present in most of the fruit crops. R. similis and Pratylenchus n. sp. were restricted to Musa plants, but an incomplete distribution picture related to flawed sampling/transported processing can not be excluded for the Pratylenchidae. Correct species identification is crucial for reliable crop management because of differences in host range and virulence between species. Our results suggest that if more hosts and localities would be included in future studies, the number of new species, not only of Meloidogyne but also of other plant parasitic nematodes, will increase in correspondence with the high biodiversity of fauna and flora in Colombia. Additionally, studies on biodiversity represent a long-term multidisciplinary task, including descriptions of the new species, data on distribution, host associations, potential damage and relationships with other ecosystem components

MISSION-ORIENTED HETEROGENEOUS ROBOT COOPERATION BASED ON SMART RESOURCES EXECUTION

Home environments are changing as more technological devices are used to improve daily life. The growing demand for high technology in our homes means that robot integration will soon arrive. Home devices are evolving in a connected paradigm in which data flows to perform efficient home task management. Heterogeneous home robots connected in a network can establish a workflow that complements their capabilities and so increases performance within a mission execution. This work addresses the definition and requirements of a robot-group mission in the home context. The proposed solution relies on a network of smart resources, which are defined as cyber-physical systems that provide high-level service execution. Firstly, control middleware architecture is introduced as the execution base for the Smart resources. Next, the Smart resource topology and its integration within a robotic platform are addressed. Services supplied by Smart resources manage their execution through a robot behavior architecture. Robot behavior execution is hierarchically organized through a mission definition that can be established as an individual or collective approach. Environment model and interaction tasks characterize the operation capabilities of each robot within a mission. Mission goal achievement in a heterogeneous group is enhanced through the complement of the interaction capabilities of each robot. To offer a clearer explanation, a full use case is presented in which two robots cooperate to execute a mission and the previously detailed steps are evaluated. Finally, some of the obtained results are discussed as conclusions and future works is introduced.Los entornos domésticos se encuentran sometidos a un proceso de cambio gracias al empleo de dispositivos tecnológicos que mejoran la calidad de vida de las personas. La creciente demanda de alta tecnología en los hogares señala una próxima incorporación de la robótica de servicio. Los dispositivos domésticos están evolucionando hacia un paradigma de conexión en el cual la información fluye para ofrecer una gestión más eficiente. En este entorno, robots heterogéneos conectados a la red pueden establecer un flujo de trabajo que ofreciendo nuevas soluciones y incrementando la eficiencia en la ejecución de tareas. Este trabajo aborda la definición y los requisitos necesarios para la ejecución de misiones en grupos de robots heterogéneos en entornos domésticos. La solución propuesta se apoya en una red de Smart resources, que son definidos como sistemas ciber-físicos que proporcionan servicios de alto nivel. En primer lugar, se presenta la arquitectura del middleware de control en la cual se basa la ejecución de los Smart resources. A continuación se detalla la topología de los Smart resources, así como su integración en plataformas robóticas. Los servicios proporcionados por los Smart resources gestionan su ejecución mediante una arquitectura de comportamientos para robots. La ejecución de estos comportamientos se organiza de forma jerárquica mediante la definición de una misión con un objetivo establecido de forma individual o colectiva a un grupo de robots. Dentro de una misión, las tareas de modelado e interacción con el entorno define las capacidades de operación de los robots dentro de una misión. Mediante la integración de un grupo heterogéneo de robots sus diversas capacidades son complementadas para el logro un objetivo común. A fin de caracterizar esta propuesta, los mecanismos presentados en este documento se evaluarán en detalle a lo largo de una serie experimentos en los cuales un grupo de robots heterogéneos ejecutan una misión colaborativa para alcanzar un objetivo común. Finalmente, los resultados serán discutidos a modo de conclusiones dando lugar el establecimiento de un trabajo futuro.Els entorns domèstics es troben sotmesos a un procés de canvi gràcies a l'ocupació de dispositius tecnològics que milloren la qualitat de vida de les persones. La creixent demanda d'alta tecnologia a les llars assenyala una propera incorporació de la robòtica de servei. Els dispositius domèstics estan evolucionant cap a un paradigma de connexió en el qual la informació flueix per oferir una gestió més eficient. En aquest entorn, robots heterogenis connectats a la xarxa poden establir un flux de treball que ofereix noves solucions i incrementant l'eficiència en l'execució de tasques. Aquest treball aborda la definició i els requisits necessaris per a l'execució de missions en grups de robots heterogenis en entorns domèstics. La solució proposada es recolza en una xarxa de Smart resources, que són definits com a sistemes ciber-físics que proporcionen serveis d'alt nivell. En primer lloc, es presenta l'arquitectura del middleware de control en la qual es basa l'execució dels Smart resources. A continuació es detalla la tipologia dels Smart resources, així com la seva integració en plataformes robòtiques. Els serveis proporcionats pels Smart resources gestionen la seva execució mitjançant una arquitectura de comportaments per a robots. L'execució d'aquests comportaments s'organitza de forma jeràrquica mitjançant la definició d'una missió amb un objectiu establert de forma individual o col·lectiva a un grup de robots. Dins d'una missió, les tasques de modelatge i interacció amb l'entorn defineix les capacitats d'operació dels robots dins d'una missió. Mitjançant la integració d'un grup heterogeni de robots seves diverses capacitats són complementades per a l'assoliment un objectiu comú. Per tal de caracteritzar aquesta proposta, els mecanismes presentats en aquest document s'avaluaran en detall mitjançant d'una sèrie experiments en els quals un grup de robots heterogenis executen una missió col·laborativa per aconseguir un objectiu comú. Finalment, els resultats seran discutits a manera de conclusions donant lloc a l'establiment d'un treball futur.Munera Sánchez, E. (2017). MISSION-ORIENTED HETEROGENEOUS ROBOT COOPERATION BASED ON SMART RESOURCES EXECUTION [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/88404TESI

Situaciones problema en la matemática escolar, una estrategia de intervención

El aprendizaje de las matemáticas escolares a través de situaciones problema propicia nuevas relaciones, desde el trabajo cooperativo, entre el docente, los conocimientos y el estudiante. De un lado, transforman las prácticas pedagógicas del maestro y propician el desarrollo de autonomía en el alumno para acceder, haciendo uso de sus saberes previos, a la construcción de conceptos y relaciones. De otro lado, se constituyen en instrumentos que posibilitan la re organización de los conocimientos matemáticos a través de sus diferentes representaciones, las cuales son las encargadas de dotar de significado los aprendizajes conceptuales y procedimentales de los estudiantes

SERS Intensity Correlations to LSPR on Aggregated Au@Ag Systems

The optimal surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) intensity was correlated to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of individual and aggregated gold core/silver shell (Au@Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) in titrations involving the addition of both SERS label (e.g., rhodamine 6G, R6G) and the non-SERS active aggregant (chemical species that triggers the aggregation of NPs) potassium chloride (KCl). Titrating NP solutions with pure SERS label has often resulted in highly non-linear calibrations. In some cases, addition of non-SERS active aggregating agents such as KCl has also resulted in a large increase in SERS signals. An order of initial addition was followed in this report to find any advantage from the initial addition between the SERS label or the aggregant KCl. Interactions between Au@Ag solution and the SERS labels of R6G, 4 mercaptopyridine (MPY) and 4 mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) were followed using spectrophotometric titrations. Evaluations of the role of aggregation in NP solutions were conducted through the micro-titrations using a quartz cuvette and in two separate stages: (1) a single amount of KCl was followed by increasing amounts of SERS label, and (2) a single amount of SERS label was followed by increasing amounts of KCl. The present reports allowed to conclude that the graphs of SERS intensity (λEX = 785nm, corrected for solution absorption) versus aggregate absorptions (λAG = 830 nm) had a correlation between intense SERS and LSPR band extinctions

Virkning av conservation farming og biokull på karbon- og nitrogendynamikk i sandig jord i subtropiske klimasoner

publishedVersio

Application of hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometrics for the non-destructive evaluation of the quality of fruit in postharvest

Tesis por compendio[ES] El objetivo de esta tesis doctoral es evaluar la técnica de imagen hiperespectral en el rango visible e infrarrojo cercano, en combinación con técnicas quimiométricas para la evaluación de la calidad de la fruta en poscosecha de manera eficaz y sostenible. Con este fin, se presentan diferentes estudios en los que se evalúa la calidad de algunas frutas que por su valor económico, estratégico o social, son de especial importancia en la Comunidad Valenciana como son el caqui 'Rojo Brillante', la granada 'Mollar de Elche', el níspero 'Algerie' o diferentes cultivares de nectarina. En primer lugar se llevó a cabo la monitorización de la calidad poscosecha de nectarinas 'Big Top' y 'Magique' usando imagen hiperespectral en reflectancia y transmitancia. Al mismo tiempo se evaluó la transmitancia para la detección de huesos abiertos. Se llevó a cabo también un estudio para distinguir los cultivares 'Big Top' y "Diamond Ray", los cuales poseen un aspecto muy similar pero sabor diferente. En cuanto al caqui 'Rojo Brillante', la imagen hiperespectral fue estudiada por una parte para monitorear su madurez, y por otra parte para evaluar la astringencia de esta fruta, que debe ser completamente eliminada antes de su comercialización. Las propiedades físico-químicas de la granada 'Mollar de Elche' fueron evaluadas usando imagen de color e hiperespectral durante su madurez usando la información de la fruta intacta y de los arilos. Finalmente, esta técnica se usó para caracterizar e identificar los defectos internos y externos del níspero 'Algerie'. En la predicción de los índices de calidad IQI y RPI usando imagen en reflectancia y transmitancia se obtuvieron valores de R2 alrededor de 0,90 y en la discriminación por firmeza, una precisión entorno al 95 % usando longitudes de onda seleccionadas. En cuanto a la detección de huesos abiertos, el uso de la imagen hiperespectral en transmitancia obtuvo un 93,5 % de clasificación correcta de frutas con hueso normal y 100 % con hueso abierto usando modelos PLS-DA y 7 longitudes de onda. Los resultados obtenidos en la clasificación de los cultivares 'Big Top' y 'Diamond Ray' mostraron una fiabilidad superior al 96,0 % mediante el uso de modelos PLS-DA y 14 longitudes de onda seleccionadas, superando a la imagen de color (56,9 %) y a un panel entrenado (54,5 %). Con respecto al caqui, los resultados obtenidos indicaron que es posible distinguir entre tres estados de madurez con una precisión del 96,0 % usando modelos QDA y se predijo su firmeza obteniendo un valor de R2 de 0,80 usando PLS-R. En cuanto a la astringencia, se llevaron a cabo dos estudios similares en los que en el primero se discriminó la fruta de acuerdo al tiempo de tratamiento con altas concentraciones de CO2 con una precisión entorno al 95,0 % usando QDA. En el segundo se discriminó la fruta de acuerdo a un valor de contenido en taninos (0,04 %) y se determinó qué área de la fruta era mejor para realizar esta discriminación. Así se obtuvo una precisión del 86,9 % usando la zona media y 23 longitudes de onda. Los resultados obtenidos para la granada indicaron que la imagen de color e hiperespectral poseen una precisión similar en la predicción de las propiedades fisicoquímicas usando PLS-R y la información de la fruta intacta. Sin embargo, cuando se usó la información de los arilos, la imagen hiperespectral fue más precisa. En cuanto a la discriminación del estado de madurez usando PLS-DA, la imagen hiperespectral ofreció mayor precisión, 95,0 %, usando la información de la fruta intacta y del 100 % usando la de los arilos. Finalmente, los resultados obtenidos para el níspero indicaron que la imagen hiperespectral junto con el método de clasificación XGBOOST pudo discriminar entre muestras con y sin defectos con una precisión del 97,5 % y entre muestras sin defectos o con defectos internos o externos con una precisión del 96,7 %. Además fue posible distinguir entre los dife[CA] L'objectiu de la present tesi doctoral se centra en avaluar la capacitat de la imatge hiperespectral en el rang visible i infraroig pròxim, en combinació amb mètodes quimiomètrics, per a l'avaluació de la qualitat de la fruita en post collita de manera eficaç i sostenible. A aquest efecte, es presenten diferents estudis en els quals s'avalua la qualitat d'algunes fruites que pel seu valor econòmic, estratègic o social, són d'especial importància a la Comunitat Valenciana com són el caqui 'Rojo Brillante', la magrana 'Mollar de Elche', el nispro 'Algerie' o diferents cultivares de nectarina. En primer lloc es va dur a terme la monitorització de la qualitat post collita de nectarines 'Big Top' i 'Magique' per mitjà d'imatge hiperespectral en reflectància i trasnmitancia. Així mateix es va avaluar la transmitància per a la detecció d'ossos oberts. Es va dur a terme també un estudi per distingir els cultivares 'Big Top' i 'Diamond Ray', els quals posseeixen un aspecte molt semblant però sabor diferent. Pel que fa al caqui 'Rojo Brillante', la imatge hiperespectral va ser estudiada d'una banda per a monitoritzar la seua maduresa, i per un altre costat per avaluar l'astringència, que ha de ser completament eliminada abans de la seua comercialització. Les propietats fisicoquímiques de la magrana 'Mollar de Elche' van ser avaluades per la imatge de color i hiperespectral durant la seua maduresa usant la informació de la fruita intacta i els arils. Finalment, aquesta tècnica es va fer servir per caracteritzar i identificar els defectes interns i externs del nispro 'Algerie'. En la predicció dels índexs de qualitat IQI i RPI usant imatge en reflectància com en trasnmitancia es van obtindre valors de R2 al voltant de 0,90 i en la discriminació per fermesa una precisió entorn del 95,0 % utilitzant longituds d'ona seleccionades. Pel que fa a la detecció d'ossos oberts, l'ús de la imatge hiperespectral en transmitància va obtindre un 93,5 % classificació correcta de fruites amb os normal i 100 % amb os obert usant models PLS-DA i 7 longituds d'ona. Els resultats obtinguts en la classificació dels cultivares 'Big Top' i 'Diamond Ray' van mostrar una fiabilitat superior al 96,0 % per mitjà de l'ús de models PLS-DA i 14 longituds d'ona, superant a la imatge de color (56,9 %) i a un panell sensorial entrenat (54,5 %). Quant al caqui, els resultats obtinguts van indicar que és possible distingir entre tres estats de maduresa amb una precisió del 96,0 % usant models QDA i es va predir la seua fermesa obtenint un valor de R2 de 0,80 usant PLS-R. Pel que fa a l'astringència, es van dur a terme dos estudis similars en què el primer es va discriminar la fruita d'acord al temps de tractament amb altes concentracions de CO2 amb una precisió al voltant del 95,0 % usant QDA. En el segon, es va discriminar la fruita d'acord a un valor de contingut en tanins (0,04 %) i es va determinar quina part de la fruita era millor per a realitzar aquesta discriminació. Així es va obtindre una precisió del 86,9 % usant la zona mitjana i 23 longituds d'ona. Els resultats obtinguts per la magrana van indicar que la imatge de color i hiperespectral posseïxen una precisió semblant a la predicció de les propietats fisicoquímiques usant PLS-R i la informació de la fruita intacta. No obstant això, quan es va usar la informació dels arils, la imatge hiperespectral va ser més precisa. Quant a la discriminació de l'estat de maduresa usant PLS-DA, la imatge hiperespectral va oferir major precisió (95,0 %) usant la informació de la fruita intacta i del 100 % usant la dels arils. Finalment, els resultats obtinguts pel nispro indiquen que la imatge hiperespectral juntament amb el mètode de classificació XGBOOST va poder discriminar entre mostres amb i sense defectes amb una precisió del 97,5 % i entre mostres sense defectes o amb defectes interns o externs amb una precisió del 96,7 %. A més, va ser possible distingir entre[EN] The objective of this doctoral thesis is to evaluate the potential of the hyperspectral imaging in the visible and near infrared range in combination with chemometrics for the assessment of the postharvest quality of fruit in a non-destructive, efficient and sustainable manner. To this end, different studies are presented in which the quality of some fruits is evaluated. Due to their economic, strategic or social value, the selected fruits are of special importance in the Valencian Community, such as Persimmon 'Rojo Brillante', the pomegranate 'Mollar de Elche', the loquat 'Algerie' or different nectarine cultivars. First, the quality monitoring of 'Big Top' and 'Magique' nectarines was carried out using reflectance and transmittance images. At the same time, transmittance was evaluated for the detection of split pit. In addition, a classification was performed to distinguish the 'Big Top' and 'Diamond Ray' cultivars, which look very similar but have different flavour. Whereas that for the 'Rojo Brillante' persimmon, the hyperspectral imaging was studied on the one hand to monitor its maturity, and on the other hand to evaluate the astringency of this fruit, which must be completely eliminated before its commercialization. The physicochemical properties of the 'Mollar de Elche' pomegranate were evaluated by means of hyperspectral and colour imaging during its maturity using the information from the intact fruit and arils. Finally, this technique was used to characterise and identify the internal and external defects of the 'Algerie' loquat. In the prediction of the IQI and RPI quality indexes using reflectance and transmittance images, R2 values around 0.90 were obtained and in the discrimination according to firmness, accuracy around 95.0 % using selected wavelengths was obtained. Regarding the split pit detection, the use of the hyperspectral image in transmittance mode obtained a 93.5 % of fruits with normal bone correctly classified and 100% with split pit using PLS-DA models and 7 wavelengths. The results obtained in the classification of 'Big Top' and 'Diamond Ray' fruits show accuracy higher than 96.0 % by using PLS-DA models and 14 selected wavelengths, higher than the obtained with colour image (56.9 %) and a trained panel (54.5 %). According to persimmon, the results obtained indicated that it is possible to distinguish between three states of maturity with an accuracy of 96.0 % using QDA models and its firmness was predicted obtaining a R2 value of 0.80 using PLS-R. Regarding astringency, two similar studies were carried out. In the first study, the fruit was classified according to the time of treatment with high concentrations of CO2 with a precision of around 95.0 % using QDA. In the second, the fruit was discriminated according to a threshold value of soluble tannins (0.04 %) and was determined what fruit area was better to perform this discrimination. Thus, an accuracy of 86.9 % was obtained using the middle area and 23 wavelengths. The results obtained for the pomegranate indicated that the use of colour and hyperspectral images have a similar precision in the prediction of physicochemical properties using PLS-R and the intact fruit information. However, when the information from the arils was used, the hyperspectral image was more accurate. Regarding the discrimination by the state of maturity using PLS-DA, the hyperspectral image offered greater precision, of 95.0 % using the information from the intact fruit and 100 % using that from the arils. Finally, the results obtained for the 'Algerie' loquat indicated that the hyperspectral image with the XGBOOST classification method could discriminate between sound samples and samples with defects with accuracy of 97.5 % and between sound samples or samples with internal or external defects with an accuracy of 96.7 %. It was also possible to distinguish between the different defects with an accuracy of 95.9 %.Munera Picazo, SM. (2019). Application of hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometrics for the non-destructive evaluation of the quality of fruit in postharvest [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/125954TESISCompendi

Solving the Quadratic Assignment Problem with Cooperative Parallel Extremal Optimization

International audienceSeveral real-life applications can be stated in terms of the Quadratic Assignment Problem. Finding an optimal assignment is com-putationally very difficult, for many useful instances. We address this problem using a local search technique, based on Extremal Optimization and present experimental evidence that this approach is competitive. Moreover, cooperative parallel versions of our solver improve performance so much that large and hard instances can be solved quickly

Eco-Efficiency Assessment Of Electric Vehicles In The European Union Countries: The Case Of Mix-Sources Of Energy

European Union (EU) member states have considered the environmental impacts of transportation and have prompted Electric Vehicle (EV) usage as one of the technological advancements that could reduce emissions and energy and water consumption. However, this depends on how EVs react to eco-friendly behaviors during their life cycle. The research utilizes a combined life cycle assessment (LCA) and a principal component analysis (PCA) technique to assess the eco-efficiency performance of EVs in EU member states. Considering the energy mix for electricity generation, three environmental indicators (GHG emission, water consumption, and energy consumption) and one economical (contribution to GDP) indicator were used to compute the eco-efficiency scores for 28 EU member states. First, the values for each environmental and economic indicators were obtained. The eco-efficiency scores for each corresponding EU member states were then calculated and compared. From the results of the eco-efficiency analysis, Belgium was found to have the highest eco-efficiency score, while Estonia was tagged to be the least eco-efficient countr