Novel parallel approaches to efficiently solve spatial problems on heterogeneous CPU-GPU systems

Addressing this task is difficult as (i) it requires analysing large databases in a short time, and (ii) it is commonly addressed by combining different methods with complex data dependencies, making it challenging to exploit parallelism on heterogeneous CPU-GPU systems. Moreover, most efforts in this context focus on improving the accuracy of the approaches and neglect reducing the processing time—the most accurate algorithm was designed to process the fingerprints using a single thread. We developed a new methodology to address the latent fingerprint identification problem called “Asynchronous processing for Latent Fingerprint Identification” (ALFI) that speeds up processing while maintaining high accuracy. ALFI exploits all the resources of CPU-GPU systems using asynchronous processing and fine-coarse parallelism to analyse massive fingerprint databases. We assessed the performance of ALFI on Linux and Windows operating systems using the well-known NIST/FVC databases. Experimental results revealed that ALFI is on average 22x faster than the state-of-the-art identification algorithm, reaching a speed-up of 44.7x for the best-studied case. In terrain analysis, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are relevant datasets used as input to those algorithms that typically sweep the terrain to analyse its main topological features such as visibility, elevation, and slope. The most challenging computation related to this topic is the total viewshed problem. It involves computing the viewshed—the visible area of the terrain—for each of the points in the DEM. The algorithms intended to solve this problem require many memory accesses to 2D arrays, which, despite being regular, lead to poor data locality in memory. We proposed a methodology called “skewed Digital Elevation Model” (sDEM) that substantially improves the locality of memory accesses and exploits the inherent parallelism of rotational sweep-based algorithms. Particularly, sDEM applies a data relocation technique before accessing the memory and computing the viewshed, thus significantly reducing the execution time. Different implementations are provided for single-core, multi-core, single-GPU, and multi-GPU platforms. We carried out two experiments to compare sDEM with (i) the most used geographic information systems (GIS) software and (ii) the state-of-the-art algorithm for solving the total viewshed problem. In the first experiment, sDEM results on average 8.8x faster than current GIS software, despite considering only a few points because of the limitations of the GIS software. In the second experiment, sDEM is 827.3x faster than the state-of-the-art algorithm considering the best case. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with multiple onboard sensors has grown enormously in tasks involving terrain coverage, such as environmental and civil monitoring, disaster management, and forest fire fighting. Many of these tasks require a quick and early response, which makes maximising the land covered from the flight path an essential goal, especially when the area to be monitored is irregular, large, and includes many blind spots. In this regard, state-of-the-art total viewshed algorithms can help analyse large areas and find new paths providing all-round visibility. We designed a new heuristic called “Visibility-based Path Planning” (VPP) to solve the path planning problem in large areas based on a thorough visibility analysis. VPP generates flyable paths that provide high visual coverage to monitor forest regions using the onboard camera of a single UAV. For this purpose, the hidden areas of the target territory are identified and considered when generating the path. Simulation results showed that VPP covers up to 98.7% of the Montes de Malaga Natural Park and 94.5% of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park, both located in the province of Malaga (Spain). In addition, a real flight test confirmed the high visibility achieved using VPP. Our methodology and analysis can be easily applied to enhance monitoring in other large outdoor areas.In recent years, approaches that seek to extract valuable information from large datasets have become particularly relevant in today's society. In this category, we can highlight those problems that comprise data analysis distributed across two-dimensional scenarios called spatial problems. These usually involve processing (i) a series of features distributed across a given plane or (ii) a matrix of values where each cell corresponds to a point on the plane. Therefore, we can see the open-ended and complex nature of spatial problems, but it also leaves room for imagination to be applied in the search for new solutions. One of the main complications we encounter when dealing with spatial problems is that they are very computationally intensive, typically taking a long time to produce the desired result. This drawback is also an opportunity to use heterogeneous systems to address spatial problems more efficiently. Heterogeneous systems give the developer greater freedom to speed up suitable algorithms by increasing the parallel programming options available, making it possible for different parts of a program to run on the dedicated hardware that suits them best. Several of the spatial problems that have not been optimised for heterogeneous systems cover very diverse areas that seem vastly different at first sight. However, they are closely related due to common data processing requirements, making them suitable for using dedicated hardware. In particular, this thesis provides new parallel approaches to tackle the following three crucial spatial problems: latent fingerprint identification, total viewshed computation, and path planning based on maximising visibility in large regions. Latent fingerprint identification is one of the essential identification procedures in criminal investigations. Addressing this task is difficult as (i) it requires analysing large databases in a short time, and (ii) it is commonly addressed by combining different methods with complex data dependencies, making it challenging to exploit parallelism on heterogeneous CPU-GPU systems. Moreover, most efforts in this context focus on improving the accuracy of the approaches and neglect reducing the processing time—the most accurate algorithm was designed to process the fingerprints using a single thread. We developed a new methodology to address the latent fingerprint identification problem called “Asynchronous processing for Latent Fingerprint Identification” (ALFI) that speeds up processing while maintaining high accuracy. ALFI exploits all the resources of CPU-GPU systems using asynchronous processing and fine-coarse parallelism to analyse massive fingerprint databases. We assessed the performance of ALFI on Linux and Windows operating systems using the well-known NIST/FVC databases. Experimental results revealed that ALFI is on average 22x faster than the state-of-the-art identification algorithm, reaching a speed-up of 44.7x for the best-studied case. In terrain analysis, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are relevant datasets used as input to those algorithms that typically sweep the terrain to analyse its main topological features such as visibility, elevation, and slope. The most challenging computation related to this topic is the total viewshed problem. It involves computing the viewshed—the visible area of the terrain—for each of the points in the DEM. The algorithms intended to solve this problem require many memory accesses to 2D arrays, which, despite being regular, lead to poor data locality in memory. We proposed a methodology called “skewed Digital Elevation Model” (sDEM) that substantially improves the locality of memory accesses and exploits the inherent parallelism of rotational sweep-based algorithms. Particularly, sDEM applies a data relocation technique before accessing the memory and computing the viewshed, thus significantly reducing the execution time. Different implementations are provided for single-core, multi-core, single-GPU, and multi-GPU platforms. We carried out two experiments to compare sDEM with (i) the most used geographic information systems (GIS) software and (ii) the state-of-the-art algorithm for solving the total viewshed problem. In the first experiment, sDEM results on average 8.8x faster than current GIS software, despite considering only a few points because of the limitations of the GIS software. In the second experiment, sDEM is 827.3x faster than the state-of-the-art algorithm considering the best case. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with multiple onboard sensors has grown enormously in tasks involving terrain coverage, such as environmental and civil monitoring, disaster management, and forest fire fighting. Many of these tasks require a quick and early response, which makes maximising the land covered from the flight path an essential goal, especially when the area to be monitored is irregular, large, and includes many blind spots. In this regard, state-of-the-art total viewshed algorithms can help analyse large areas and find new paths providing all-round visibility. We designed a new heuristic called “Visibility-based Path Planning” (VPP) to solve the path planning problem in large areas based on a thorough visibility analysis. VPP generates flyable paths that provide high visual coverage to monitor forest regions using the onboard camera of a single UAV. For this purpose, the hidden areas of the target territory are identified and considered when generating the path. Simulation results showed that VPP covers up to 98.7% of the Montes de Malaga Natural Park and 94.5% of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park, both located in the province of Malaga (Spain). In addition, a real flight test confirmed the high visibility achieved using VPP. Our methodology and analysis can be easily applied to enhance monitoring in other large outdoor areas

Computerized Application for Analysing the Time and lnstructional Paranteters in Sport Coaching and Physical Education Teaching

A software made in Visual Basic® is presented here, attending two important competencies in the ftrst formation of any preservice Physical Education (PE) teacher or any sport coach: l) time management available to develop the contents in a school or in the training sessions, and 2)feedback administra/ion for both students and athletes. Time management and feedback administration have been shown as two impottant parameters when evaluating the teaching quality. Because of the utilization of these two parameters, motor learning in schools, skill automation in sport and, at the end, the effectiveness in PE classes and sport training, can be better reached with the enhanced use of time and the correct orientation of the instructions given by teachers and coaches. There are severa! studies that conclude the importance of both indexes: Barret (2000) and Momodu (2000), for time management or AL T-PE -Academic Learning Time in Physical Education-, Johnson and Ward (2001), for feedback administration in PE, or Hastíe (1994), for comparing the influence between the two parameters.Universidad de Granada. Departamento de Educación Física y Deportiva

Neddylation inhibits CtIP-mediated resection and regulates DNA double strand break repair pathway choice

DNA double strand breaks are the most cytotoxic lesions that can occur on the DNA. They can be repaired by different mechanisms and optimal survival requires a tight control between them. Here we uncover protein deneddylation as a major controller of repair pathway choice. Neddylation inhibition changes the normal repair profile toward an increase on homologous recombination. Indeed, RNF111/UBE2M-mediated neddylation acts as an inhibitor of BRCA1 and CtIP-mediated DNA end resection, a key process in repair pathway choice. By controlling the length of ssDNA produced during DNA resection, protein neddylation not only affects the choice between NHEJ and homologous recombination but also controls the balance between different recombination subpathways. Thus, protein neddylation status has a great impact in the way cells respond to DNA breaks.España , Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad SAF2010-1487

Control automatizado de instalaciones domóticas

La introducción de la tecnología en los edificios de uso no residencial ha sido mucho más temprana que en las viviendas. Lo que ocurre es que hasta no hace muchos años, coincidiendo con la fuerte implantación de las telecomunicaciones y sobre todo de la informática, las instalaciones en los edificios eran gestionadas de forma individual y siempre con soluciones de tipo industrial. Es a finales de los años 70, cuando las empresas empiezan a desarrollar algunos productos pensando en la edificación. El grado de desarrollo actual de la Domótica en España y el mundo, es considerable sobre todo si se tiene en cuenta su reciente historia. Es posible destacar hoy la existencia de un buen número de sistemas y productos con prestaciones domóticas para el hogar que evidencian la evolución seguida por este mercado. Aunque el número no parezca, a priori, demasiado elevado, se estima su novedad como muy significativo. La oferta actual se caracteriza por ser suficientemente atractiva y por adaptarse a cualquier tipología de edificio. En este trabajo se mostrará un análisis de los diferentes buses, estándares, protocolos o tecnologías más representativos del mundo Domótico / Inmótico, de manera que se muestre el estado del arte de las mismas, en un sector claramente emergente, como es la inclusión de la tecnología en la edificació

Enantioselective amination of 4-substituted pyrazolones catalyzed by oxindole-containing thioureas and by a recyclable linear-polymer-supported analogue in a continuous flow process

Producción CientíficaA highly efficient organocatalytic amination of 4-substituted pyrazolones with azodicarboxylates mediated by a novel quinine-derived thiourea with a 3,3-diaryl-oxindole scaffold is reported. This synthetic method furnished 4-amino-5-pyrazolones in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97:3 er) at room temperature in short reaction times. Moreover, a linear-polymer-supported bifunctional thiourea, synthesized by reacting a bifunctional aromatic monomer (biphenyl) with isatin in superacidic media and further derivatization, was proven to be also an efficient heterogeneous organocatalyst for this α-amination reaction. The practical value of this process was demonstrated by the use of the immobilized catalyst in recycling experiments, maintaining the activity without additional reactivation, and in flow processes, allowing the synthesis of 4-amino-pyrazolone derivatives in a gram scale with high yield and enantioselectivity.Agencia Estatal de Investigación- FEDER-UE (PID2020-118547GB-I00)Junta de Castilla y León (VA224P20

La gestión de la colección de libros electrónicos en las bibliotecas de las universidades públicas valencianas

Comunicación presentada en el 13º Workshop de Rebiun sobre proyectos digitales, Los libros electrónicos en las bibliotecas, celebrado en Zamora los días 1 y 2 de octubre de 2014.La popularidad de los libros electrónicos crece exponencialmente gracias a las ventajas que ofrecen. Dichas ventajas son particularmente importantes para los usuarios de las bibliotecas universitarias, que pueden prestarse un libro online sin necesidad de desplazarse a la biblioteca, no han de preocuparse de devolverlos, ni sufren las multas por los retrasos en la devolución. Pueden acceder a los libros en cualquier momento y desde cualquier lugar, todos los días de la semana, a todas horas: una suerte de biblioteca 24 horas, siempre disponible para ellos. En este contexto, las Bibliotecas de las Universidades Públicas Valencianas (UUPPVV) acuerdan crear un grupo de trabajo sobre recursos electrónicos, centrado en el libro electrónico, que inicia su andadura en el mes de julio de 2013. La iniciativa parte de las direcciones de las Bibliotecas con la idea de promover la colaboración para tratar de afrontar los retos que plantea este recurso de información. La variedad de modelos de adquisición -como la compra perpetua, la suscripción, la PDA, el préstamo-; las diferencias entre agregadores y editores; las distintas condiciones de uso y de prestaciones de los portales hacen difícil la gestión de una colección que cada vez es más grande y supone más esfuerzo económico y personal dentro de los flujos de trabajo de las bibliotecas universitarias, no sólo en las secciones de adquisiciones, sino también en el proceso técnico, en la gestión desde los sistemas de bibliotecas, en la formación o en la evaluación de la colección. En el grupo se establecen unos objetivos básicos que se utilizan como base para definir el trabajo conjunto. Las primeras tareas consisten en recoger información y procesarla de forma coordinada para ofrecer una fotografía de la situación actual que viven las Bibliotecas de las UUPPVV. Para ello, se seleccionan cinco aspectos evaluados desde diferentes perspectivas: adquisición, acceso ofrecido por las bibliotecas, evolución de la colección y uso, marketing e influencia en políticas de gestión de la colección. Sobre la adquisición de libros electrónicos se estudian las modalidades de negocio que son utilizadas en las Bibliotecas de las UUPPVV: compras de títulos individuales (Pick and Choose), colecciones, modelos de PDA/EBS, etc. También se muestran los principales proveedores de libros digitales (editores/agregadores), el equilibrio entre la suscripción y la compra a perpetuidad y si se han realizado compras/suscripciones de forma conjunta o individual entre las diferentes bibliotecas. Para evaluar el acceso a los libros electrónicos se han comparado las condiciones y prestaciones que ofrece cada portal: lectura online, descarga, formatos ofertados, etc. Por otra parte se detalla cómo pueden recuperar los usuarios los ebooks, por ejemplo a través del catálogo, una herramienta de descubrimiento, una lista de portales, etc. Además también se describe el procedimiento de catalogación de los ebooks utilizado en cada biblioteca: activación vía SFX, creación de un registro bibliográfico, etc. La evolución de la colección se realiza comparando el número de títulos en los años 2012-2013 y observando su comportamiento en relación con el libro impreso. Además se establece la tipología de libros electrónicos que forman parte de la colección: manuales de texto, monografías, literatura, etc. También se estudia la calidad de los datos sobre el uso que ofrecen los proveedores, el número de descargas y el indicador de coste/descarga para finalmente plantear si es posible la comparación entre las diferentes bibliotecas. En la sección dedicada al marketing se muestran las diferentes acciones emprendidas para potenciar el uso del libro electrónico poniendo especial atención en la disponibilidad de dispositivos de lectura de libro electrónico en préstamo. El último aspecto evaluado es el impacto que tiene el libro electrónico en las políticas de gestión de la colección desde dos puntos de vista. El primero es cómo influye la compra de libros electrónicos en las compras de libros impresos y si eso se ha plasmado en algún documento. El segundo son las preferencias de los usuarios, en especial de los docentes/investigadores, entre los libros electrónicos y los impresos. Se proponen acciones a desarrollar por el grupo de trabajo como el establecimiento de la comunicación con el CSUC con el fin de ampliar el conocimiento de la situación del libro electrónico. También trasladar la importancia del libro electrónico al Club de Compras Canarias-Levante, al que pertenecen las 5 Bibliotecas de las UUPPVV, en las negociaciones con los principales editores científicos para obtener condiciones ventajosas para todas las bibliotecas y tratar de influir en la política de los editores que aún no han dado el salto al formato electrónico, o que lo han hecho pensando sólo en un potencial usuario final individual, esto es, sin desarrollar herramientas de adquisición y acceso adecuadas para las instituciones, y en nuestro caso concreto, adaptadas al marco universitario. Para finalizar, en la comunicación se presentan las conclusiones a las que se ha llegado y los retos que se plantean a las diferentes universidades, muy similares para unas y otras pese a pertenecer a instituciones muy distintas en tamaño o recorrido, y la tarea que queda por hacer. Una experiencia enriquecedora que esperamos pueda ser útil para otras universidades españolas

A mesocosm study of electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation of atrazine-polluted soils

Phytoremediation, an ecological remediation technology based on the use of plants, can be combined with electrokinetic treatment for the removal of both inorganic and organic pollutants from soils. Electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation (EKPR) of atrazine was tested in a mesocosm scale experiment using ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Two mock-ups with dimensions of 2.25 (L) × 0.49 (W) × 0.50 (H) m were initially filled with an unpolluted low plasticity clay soil and used to carry out an EKPR test and another electrokinetic remediation (EKR) one after spiking the soil with atrazine at a dose of 2 mg kg−1. Experiments were conducted for 19 days using a DC electrical field of 0.6 V cm−1 applied continuously without changing polarity. Samples of soil, plants and soil pore water corresponding to ten different soil sections of each mock-up were taken and analysed throughout the experiment. Soil pH followed an increasing profile from the anode to the cathode, although it kept moderate values in the range of 7.53–9.62. Electro-osmosis, gravity and plant roots (in the EKPR series) influenced the final distribution of water and atrazine in the soil. Additionally, the electromigration flux had a relevant role in the atrazine residues transport during the EKPR process. Concentration values of atrazine residues remaining in the different soil sections were in good agreement with those of the soil pore water, with most of the atrazine being accumulated in the cathode section. Atrazine was mainly removed from soils by biochemical degradation, which was greatly improved by ryegrass plants; the overall atrazine removal yield was increased from 40.20% (unplanted mock-up) to 61.01% (planted mock-up)

Ultrafine particle formation in the inland sea breeze airflow in Southwest Europe

Studies on ultrafine particles (diameter < 100nm) and air quality have mostly focused on vehicle exhaust emissions and on new particle formation in "clean" ambient air. Here we present a study focused on the processes contributing to ultrafine particle concentrations in a city (Huelva, SW Spain) placed close to a coastal area where significant anthropogenic emissions of aerosol precursors occur. The overall data analysis shows that two processes predominantly contribute to the number of particles coarser than 2.5 nm: vehicle exhaust emissions and new particle formation due to photo-chemical activity. As typically occurs in urban areas, vehicle exhaust emissions result in high concentrations of black carbon (BC) and particles coarser than 2.5 nm (N) during the morning rush hours. The highest N concentrations were recorded during the 11:00–17:00 h period, under the sea breeze regime, when low BC concentrations were registered and photochemical activity resulted in high O3 levels and in new particle formation in the aerosol precursors' rich inland airflow. In this period, it is estimated that about 80% of the number of particles are linked to sulfur dioxide emissions. The contributions to N of "carbonaceous material and those compounds nucleating/condensing immediately after emission" and of the "new particle formation processes in air masses rich gaseous precursors (e.g. SO2)" were estimated by means of a relatively novel method based on simultaneous measurements of BC and N. A comparison with two recent studies suggests that the daily cycles of "new particle formation" during the inland sea breeze is blowing period seem to be a feature of ultrafine particles in coastal areas of South-west Europe.This study has been carried out within the framework of several research projects: AER-REG (P07-RNM- 03125; Department of Innovation, Science and Enterprise of the Andalusian Autonomous Government), GRACCIE (CSD2007- 00067; Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain), SIMAND (P07- RNM-02729; Department of Innovation, Science and Enterprise of the Andalusian Autonomous Government) and EPAU (B026/2007/3-10.1; Ministry of Environment of Spain)

La Cueva de la Güelga: (Cangas de Oní­s, Asturias)

Depto. de Prehistoria, Historia Antigua y ArqueologíaFac. de Geografía e HistoriaTRUEpu

Identification of MiRNAs as Viable Aggressiveness Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer

MiRNAs play a relevant role in PC (prostate cancer) by the regulation in the expression of several pathways’ AR (androgen receptor), cellular cycle, apoptosis, MET (mesenchymal epithelium transition), or metastasis. Here, we report the role of several miRNAs’ expression patterns, such as miR-miR-93-5p, miR-23c, miR-210-3p, miR-221-3p, miR-592, miR-141, miR-375, and miR-130b, with relevance in processes like cell proliferation and MET. Using Trizol® extraction protocol and TaqMan™ specific probes for amplification, we performed miRNAs’ analysis of 159 PC fresh tissues and 60 plasmas from peripheral blood samples. We had clinical data from all samples including PSA, Gleason, TNM, and D’Amico risk. Moreover, a bioinformatic analysis in TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) was included to analyze the effect of the most relevant miRNAs according to aggressiveness in an extensive cohort (n = 531). We found that miR-210-3p, miR-23c, miR-592, and miR-93-5p are the most suitable biomarkers for PC aggressiveness and diagnosis, respectively. In fact, according with our results, miR93-5p seems the most promising non-invasive biomarker for PC. To sum up, miR-210-3p, miR-23c, miR-592, and miR93-5p miRNAs are suggested to be potential biomarkers for PC risk stratification that could be included in non-invasive strategies such as liquid biopsy in precision medicine for PC management.Regional Ministry of Health and Families of the Andalusian Government (ref: PI-0319-2018)FIBAO (Andalusian Public Foundation for Biomedical Research in Eastern Andalusia, “Alejandro Otero”