From impact refugees to deterritorialized states: Foresighting extreme legal-policy cases in asteroid impact scenarios

Throughout recorded history, humans have crossed national borders to seek safety in nearby countries. The reasons for displacement have been generated by phenomena of terrestrial origin, but exposure to unexpected extra-terrestrial threats poses a different scenario. An asteroid impact warning implies a change of paradigm which would represent a historic precedent. In this regard, the analogies with natural disasters must be considered, along with multiple possible scenarios, and legal aspects related to (a) the legal framework to regulate this situation; (b) the action and responsibility of the states; and (c) the definition of impact refugee and the reconfiguration of traditional concepts such as deterritorialized states. In addition, the decision-making process and the actors involved must be led by a cooperative effort to improve international law. These new circumstances should be established with a consideration of inequalities between the states, and an aim of protecting humanity through democratic solutions using the safest, most effective techniques

The added value of implementing the Planet Game scenario with Collage and Gridcole

This paper discusses the suitability and the added value of Collage and Gridcole when contrasted with other solutions participating in the ICALT 2006 workshop titled “Comparing educational modelling languages on a case study.” In this workshop each proposed solution was challenged to implement a Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning situation (CSCL) posed by the workshop’s organizers. Collage is a pattern-based authoring tool for the creation of CSCL scripts compliant with IMS Learning Design (IMS LD). These IMS LD scripts can be enacted by the Gridcole tailorable CSCL system. The analysis presented in the paper is organized as a case study which considers the data recorded in the workshop discussion as well the information reported in the workshop contributions. The results of this analysis show how Collage and Gridcole succeed in implementing the scenario and also point out some significant advantages in terms of design reusability and generality, user-friendliness, and enactment flexibility

Residuo cerámico útil para la elaboración de cementos, procedimiento de obtención y cementos que lo comprende

La presente invención describe un residuo cerámico obtenido a partir de residuos de construcción y demolición como componente puzolánico de cementos. Se presenta además un método de obtención de estos residuos cerámicos y otro procedimiento de fabricación de cementos utilizando estos residuos. Este tipo de residuos, son recogidos en plantas de reciclado, donde se realiza su gestión, con esta invención se podría facilitar una posible salida comercial.Peer reviewedConsejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasB1 Patente sin examen previ

Residuo cerámico útil para la elaboración de cementos, procedimiento de obtención y cementos que lo comprende

La presente invención describe un residuo cerámico obtenido a partir de residuos de construcción y demolición como componente puzolánico de cementos. Se presenta además un método de obtención de estos residuos cerámicos y otro procedimiento de fabricación de cementos utilizando estos residuos. Este tipo de residuos, son recogidos en plantas de reciclado, donde se realiza su gestión, con esta invención se podría facilitar una posible salida comercial.Peer reviewedConsejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasA1 Solicitud de patente con informe sobre el estado de la técnic

Diseño de nuevas matrices cementantes basadas en residuos de construcción y demolición

En este trabajo se va a estudiar la posible reutilización de los residuos de construcción y demolición (RCD) centrando especial atención en su empleo como adición activa al cemento. Los residuos son recogidos de diversas plantas de gestión españolas de distintas localizaciones. Es importante conocer las características de estos residuos y de esta manera conocer su comportamiento como adición en el cemento. Estas características van a depender del material original, del tratamiento en la planta de gestión y también de la posibilidad de que contenga productos indeseables como pintura, mortero, grasa u otros. Este estudio muestra la caracterización de los residuos recogidos, desde el punto de vista químico, mineralógico y su actividad puzolánica, así como la caracterización de las mezclas obtenidas por la sustitución del cemento por el residuo en porcentajes determinados. Los resultados revelan un buen comportamiento y una composición similar a otros residuos que normalmente son usados como adiciones activas en los cementos

Deep machine learning for meteor monitoring: advances with transfer learning and gradient-weighted class activation mapping

In recent decades, the use of optical detection systems for meteor studies has increased dramatically, resulting in huge amounts of data being analyzed. Automated meteor detection tools are essential for studying the continuous meteoroid incoming flux, recovering fresh meteorites, and achieving a better understanding of our Solar System. Concerning meteor detection, distinguishing false positives between meteor and non-meteor images has traditionally been performed by hand, which is significantly time-consuming. To address this issue, we developed a fully automated pipeline that uses Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to classify candidate meteor detections. Our new method is able to detect meteors even in images that contain static elements such as clouds, the Moon, and buildings. To accurately locate the meteor within each frame, we employ the Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) technique. This method facilitates the identification of the region of interest by multiplying the activations from the last convolutional layer with the average of the gradients across the feature map of that layer. By combining these findings with the activation map derived from the first convolutional layer, we effectively pinpoint the most probable pixel location of the meteor. We trained and evaluated our model on a large dataset collected by the Spanish Meteor Network (SPMN) and achieved a precision of 98\%. Our new methodology presented here has the potential to reduce the workload of meteor scientists and station operators and improve the accuracy of meteor tracking and classification.Comment: Accepted in Planetary and Space Scienc

Deep machine learning for meteor monitoring : Advances with transfer learning and gradient-weighted class activation mapping

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABIn recent decades, the use of optical detection systems for meteor studies has increased dramatically, resulting in huge amounts of data being analyzed. Automated meteor detection tools are essential for studying the continuous meteoroid incoming flux, recovering fresh meteorites, and achieving a better understanding of our Solar System. Concerning meteor detection, distinguishing false positives between meteor and non-meteor images has traditionally been performed by hand, which is significantly time-consuming. To address this issue, we developed a fully automated pipeline that uses Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to classify candidate meteor detections. Our new method is able to detect meteors even in images that contain static elements such as clouds, the Moon, and buildings. To accurately locate the meteor within each frame, we employ the Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) technique. This method facilitates the identification of the region of interest by multiplying the activations from the last convolutional layer with the average of the gradients across the feature map of that layer. By combining these findings with the activation map derived from the first convolutional layer, we effectively pinpoint the most probable pixel location of the meteor. We trained and evaluated our model on a large dataset collected by the Spanish Meteor Network (SPMN) and achieved a precision of 98%. Our new methodology presented here has the potential to reduce the workload of meteor scientists and station operators and improve the accuracy of meteor tracking and classification

Integral Planetary Defense. A new security concept for the Anthropocene

The entry of human populations into the Anthropocene calls for a rethinking of the meaning of planetary security. At the theoretical intersection of Gaia, Anthropocene and Planetary Defense studies, we propose a new concept of Integral Planetary Defense that includes ecological threats and cosmic threats from a coherent philosophical, legal and political approach. Thus, we claim the need to overcome, on the one hand, the anthropocentrism of “human security” strategies and, on the other hand, the epistemological reductionism of traditional planetary defense. To this end, the Anthropocene is first presented as a new horizon of belonging, the main ecological and cosmic threats affecting the integrity of the biosphere are analyzed, and finally, the actors, instruments, and antecedents that can serve the objectives of the Integral Planetary Defense are identified. In this way, we inaugurate a dialogue between philosophy, ecology, astrophysics, and legal sciences for the exploration of a new strategic notion of planetary security

Reutilización de árido mixto reciclado procedente de los residuos de la construcción y demolición en la fabricación de hormigones

Este artículo recoge el estudio de la viabilidad de la utilización de árido grueso mixto reciclado procedente de los residuos de la construcción y demolición como sustituto parcial del árido grueso natural, en la fabricación de hormigones con una resistencia característica de 30 MPa. El árido mixto reciclado utilizado tiene una calidad media – baja, debido a que el contenido de asfalto y partículas flotantes es elevado. La propiedades físicas (densidad y trabajabilidad) y mecánicas (resistencia a compresión y tracción) fueron estudiadas en los hormigones reciclados con un porcentaje de sustitución del 50% en peso de árido natural, con y sin partículas flotantes. Los resultados obtenidos, muestran que la incorporación de este árido reciclado no tiene un efecto negativo en la trabajabilidad de los hormigones en estado fresco. Respecto a la densidad y las propiedades mecánicas, se observa como disminuyen estas propiedades a medida que aumenta el contenido de árido mixto reciclado y de partículas flotantes. Finalmente, a la luz de estos resultados se puede señalar que estos áridos mixtos reciclados pueden emplearse en la fabricación de hormigones destinados a la edificación u otras aplicaciones

Automated astronaut traverses with minimum metabolic workload : Accessing permanently shadowed regions near the lunar south pole

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABThe Artemis exploration zone is a topographically complex impact-cratered terrain. Steep undulating slopes pose a challenge for walking extravehicular activities (EVAs) anticipated for the Artemis III and subsequent missions. Using 5 m/pixel Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) measurements of the surface, an automated Python pipeline was developed to calculate traverse paths that minimize metabolic workload. The tool combines a Monte Carlo method with a minimum-cost path algorithm that assesses cumulative slope over distances between a lander and stations, as well as between stations. To illustrate the functionality of the tool, optimized paths to permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) are calculated around potential landing sites 001, nearby location 001(6), and 004, all within the Artemis III 'Connecting Ridge' candidate landing region. We identified 521 PSRs and computed (1) traverse paths to accessible PSRs within 2 km of the landing sites, and (2) optimized descents from host crater rims into each PSR. Slopes are limited to 15° and previously identified boulders are avoided. Surface temperature, astronaut body illumination, regolith bearing capacity, and astronaut-to-lander direct view are simultaneously evaluated. Travel times are estimated using Apollo 12 and 14 walking EVA data. A total of 20 and 19 PSRs are accessible from sites 001 and 001(6), respectively, four of which maintain slopes <10°. Site 004 provides access to 11 PSRs, albeit with higher EVA workloads. From the crater rims, 94 % of PSRs can be accessed. All round-trip traverses from potential landing sites can be performed in under 2 h with a constant walk. Traverses and descents to PSRs are compiled in an atlas to support Artemis mission planning