Session 4. Technological means to assist remote sensing training. Short contributions

Visual and digital analysis of TM-Sensor Landsat-5 miniscene resulted in the identification of a ring-shaped structure of a presumably structural origin overprinted on various geological sets in the Spanish Central Ranges. This particular ring has not yet been observed by conventional methods (aerial photographs or fieldwork). In such areas, with a rather complex geological structure, tectonic phases faults, blocks and folds, and with an economically marginal character, since the 1960s the use of satellite imagery has proven quite useful for thematic cartography, although further fieldwork is required.     

Mapping of salt‐affected soils using TM images

Landsat images supply significant information on the different aspects of the physical environment necessary to determine the distribution of salty soils. This work centres on the La Mancha area (Central Spain) which, due to its flat topography, exhibits ideal conditions to show surface and groundwater movement, as well as sediment distribution. Combination of these factors is essential for development. The main goal of this study is to derive information on the distribution of salt‐affected soils, as well as the area subject to flood risk. Multitemporal Landsat TM images selected from the 1990s have been used for this purpose. TM images are useful for delineation of mesozoic sediments rich in salts and/or areas with high humidity content. These images have been geo‐referenced to the UTM coordinate system and have been digitally enhanced. Principal components, NDVI and supervised classification were computed. Therefore, it is quite possible to predict with a high degree of probability the development of saline soils, but their precise classification is not always possible, owing to the fact that they are usually associated with other soil groups: calcisols, regosols, luvisols and kastanozems. Salt‐affected soils have been found to be associated with clayish mesozoic sediments, hollows, flood plain area and subsurface and groundwater movements. Complementary fieldwork is necessary in order to confirm digital values.     

Detection of bacteria based on the thermomechanical noise of a nanomechanical resonator: origin of the response and detection limits

We have measured the effect of bacteria adsorption on the resonant frequency of microcantilevers as a function of the adsorption position and vibration mode. The resonant frequencies were measured from the Brownian fluctuations of the cantilever tip. We found that the sign and amount of the resonant frequency change is determined by the position and extent of the adsorption on the cantilever with regard to the shape of the vibration mode. To explain these results, a theoretical one-dimensional model is proposed. We obtain analytical expressions for the resonant frequency that accurately fit the data obtained by the finite element method. More importantly, the theory data shows a good agreement with the experiments. Our results indicate that there exist two opposite mechanisms that can produce a significant resonant frequency shift: the stiffness and the mass of the bacterial cells. Based on the thermomechanical noise, we analyse the regions of the cantilever of lowest and highest sensitivity to the attachment of bacteria. The combination of high vibration modes and the confinement of the adsorption to defined regions of the cantilever allows the detection of single bacterial cells by only measuring the Brownian fluctuations. This study can be extended to smaller cantilevers and other biological systems such as proteins and nucleic acids.     

Molecular cloning, functional characterization and mRNA expression analysis of the murine chemokine receptor CCR6 and its specific ligand MIP-3alpha

We have cloned the murine CCR6 receptor and its ligand, the beta-chemokine mMIP-3alpha. Calcium mobilization assays performed with mCCR6 transfectants showed significant responses upon addition of mMIP-3alpha. Murine MIP-3alpha RNA is expressed in thymus, small intestine and colon, whereas mCCR6 RNA is expressed in spleen and lymph nodes. RT-PCR analysis of FACS-sorted lymphoid and antigen presenting cell subsets showed mCCR6 expression mainly in B cells, CD8- splenic dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells. The cloning and functional characterization of the mCCR6 and mMIP-3alpha will allow the study of the role of these proteins in mouse models of inflammation and immunity.     

Automatic tutoring system to support cross-disciplinary training in Big Data

During the last decade, Big Data has emerged as a powerful alternative to address latent challenges in scalable data management. The ever-growing amount and rapid evolution of tools, techniques, and technologies associated to Big Data require a broad skill set and deep knowledge of several domains—ranging from engineering to business, including computer science, networking, or analytics among others—which complicate the conception and deployment of academic programs and methodologies able to effectively train students in this discipline. The purpose of this paper is to propose a learning and teaching framework committed to train masters’ students in Big Data by conceiving an intelligent tutoring system aimed to (1) automatically tracking students’ progress, (2) effectively exploiting the diversity of their backgrounds, and (3) assisting the teaching staff on the course operation. Obtained results endorse the feasibility of this proposal and encourage practitioners to use this approach in other domains.