A Convolutional Approach to Quality Monitoring for Laser Manufacturing

[Abstract] The extraction of meaningful features from the monitoring of laser processes is the foundation of new non-destructive quality inspection methods for the manufactured pieces, which has been and remains a growing interest in industry. We present ConvLBM, a novel approach to monitor Laser Based Manufacturing processes in real-time. ConvLBM uses a Convolutional Neural Network model to extract features and quality indicators from raw Medium Wavelength Infrared coaxial images. We demonstrate the ability of ConvLBM to represent process dynamics, and predict quality indicators in two scenarios: dilution estimation in Laser Metal Deposition, and location of defects in laser welding processes. Obtained results represent a breakthrough in the 3D printing of large metal parts, and in the quality control of welding processes. We are also releasing the first large dataset of annotated images of laser manufacturing

Xiao's conjecture for general fibred surfaces

We prove that the genus $g$, the relative irregularity $q_f$ and the Clifford index $c_f$ of a non-isotrivial fibration $f$ satisfy the inequality $q_f \leq g-c_f$. This gives in particular a proof of Xiao's conjecture for fibrations whose general fibres have maximal Clifford index

Comparación de los estados de ánimo de alumnos de Educación Primaria en función de su perspectiva sobre la escalada

Se va a tratar de medir y explicar la diferenciación existente entre los alumnos de 4º y 5º de Educación Primaria del colegio Calixto Ariño-Hilario Val sobre las diferentes emociones que pueden experimentar tanto antes como después de practicar un deporte. Nos centraremos en unir la Unidad Didáctica planteada para estos cursos basada en la escalada con la utilización de la escala POMS. Este recurso servirá para comprobar los estados de ánimo y se procederá a la utilización de un cuestionario a completar del 0 al 10 sobre en qué momento se encuentra el propio alumno. Se busca dar explicación a si hay unos resultados diferentes en función del alumno y la edad que tienen. No se han obtenido resultados tan dispares pero si hay algunos cambios en ambos cursos llegando a la conclusión de que, en este estudio, cada clase obtiene distintos resultados en función de las respuestas del alumno.<br /

OpenCLIPER: an OpenCL-based C++ Framework for Overhead-Reduced Medical Image Processing and Reconstruction on Heterogeneous Devices

Medical image processing is often limited by the computational cost of the involved algorithms. Whereas dedicated computing devices (GPUs in particular) exist and do provide significant efficiency boosts, they have an extra cost of use in terms of housekeeping tasks (device selection and initialization, data streaming, synchronization with the CPU and others), which may hinder developers from using them. This paper describes an OpenCL-based framework that is capable of handling dedicated computing devices seamlessly and that allows the developer to concentrate on image processing tasks. The framework handles automatically device discovery and initialization, data transfers to and from the device and the file system and kernel loading and compiling. Data structures need to be defined only once independently of the computing device; code is unique, consequently, for every device, including the host CPU. Pinned memory/buffer mapping is used to achieve maximum performance in data transfers. Code fragments included in the paper show how the computing device is almost immediately and effortlessly available to the users algorithms, so they can focus on productive work. Code required for device selection and initialization, data loading and streaming and kernel compilation is minimal and systematic. Algorithms can be thought of as mathematical operators (called processes), with input, output and parameters, and they may be chained one after another easily and efficiently. Also for efficiency, processes can have their initialization work split from their core workload, so process chains and loops do not incur in performance penalties. Algorithm code is independent of the device type targeted

La ética como generadora de confianza y crecimiento en tiempos de crisis en las PYME del sector TIC de Madrid

Spanish SMEs production systems have been mostly based on rigid management models that have a little relationship with employee´s moral values, because the feeling that these aspects had no influence or direct contribution into productivity results. In crisis times, not only in the economical aspect but also in terms of moral weakness values, such as the one that Spain is living, it is demanded by Groups of Interest (society, customers, workforce…) substantial changes in the way that companies operate, giving special attention to ethic and morality in terms of decision making. A good performance in business activity basing its decisions on strong moral principles, is not only compatible, but also through this ethical-productivity binomial could be generated a trust atmosphere that becomes an invaluable asset for the company. The application of a proper business culture that prioritizes ethical and moral behavior of their workforce, can help to the achievement of significant economic results, specially in the business network made up by SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in the Information Technologies and Communication Technologies sector (ICT) of strategic value for a economic country development.&nbsp;Los sistemas empresariales de las PYME españolas mayoritariamente se han basado en rígidos modelos productivos que poco o nada han tenido en cuenta parcelas relacionadas con la Ética o los valores morales de sus trabajadores, ya que se consideraba que éstos no tenían una influencia ni aporte directo a la mejora ni crecimiento de la productividad empresarial. En momentos de crisis, no solo económica sino de valores como el que se vive en España, cada vez más se van demandando por parte de los grupos de interés (sociedad, trabajadores, accionistas, clientes, proveedores…) cambios sustanciales en el modo de operar de las empresas, otorgando mayor valor a la ética y moral a la hora de la toma de decisiones. El desempeño de una buena actividad económica que base sus decisiones en sólidos principios morales, no sólo es compatible, sino que a través de este binomio ética-productividad se puede generar un ambiente de confianza que se convierte en un activo de incalculable valor para la empresa. La aplicación de una Cultura empresarial apropiada que priorice los comportamientos Éticos y morales de sus trabajadores, podría ayudar a lograr mejoras significativas en los resultados económicos, especialmente en lo concerniente al tejido empresarial constituido por PYME del sector de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC), de importancia estratégica para el desarrollo económico de un país.&nbsp; ABSTRACT Spanish SMEs production systems have been mostly based on rigid management models that have a little relationship with employee´s moral values, because the feeling that these aspects had no influence or direct contribution into productivity results. In crisis times, not only in the economical aspect but also in terms of moral weakness values, such as the one that Spain is living, it is demanded by Groups of Interest (society, customers, workforce…) substantial changes in the way that companies operate, giving special attention to ethic and morality in terms of decision making. A good performance in business activity basing its decisions on strong moral principles, is not only compatible, but also through this ethical-productivity binomial could be generated a trust atmosphere that becomes an invaluable asset for the company. The application of a proper business culture that prioritizes ethical and moral behavior of their workforce, can help to the achievement of significant economic results, specially in the business network made up by SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in the Information Technologies and Communication Technologies sector (ICT) of strategic value for a economic country development.&nbsp

Genetic Deletion of NOD1 Prevents Cardiac Ca2+ Mishandling Induced by Experimental Chronic Kidney Disease

© 2020 by the authors.Risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases considerably as renal function declines in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1) has emerged as a novel innate immune receptor involved in both CVD and CKD. Following activation, NOD1 undergoes a conformational change that allows the activation of the receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 2 (RIP2), promoting an inflammatory response. We evaluated whether the genetic deficiency of Nod1 or Rip2 in mice could prevent cardiac Ca2+ mishandling induced by sixth nephrectomy (Nx), a model of CKD. We examined intracellular Ca2+ dynamics in cardiomyocytes from Wild-type (Wt), Nod1−/− and Rip2−/− sham-operated or nephrectomized mice. Compared with Wt cardiomyocytes, Wt-Nx cells showed an impairment in the properties and kinetics of the intracellular Ca2+ transients, a reduction in both cell shortening and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ load, together with an increase in diastolic Ca2+ leak. Cardiomyocytes from Nod1−/−-Nx and Rip2−/−-Nx mice showed a significant amelioration in Ca2+ mishandling without modifying the kidney impairment induced by Nx. In conclusion, Nod1 and Rip2 deficiency prevents the intracellular Ca2+ mishandling induced by experimental CKD, unveiling new innate immune targets for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to reduce cardiac complications in patients with CKD.This work was supported by Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and European Regional Development Fund (SAF-2017-84777R), Institute of Health Carlos III (PI17/01093 and PI17/01344), Sociedad Española de Cardiología, Proyecto Traslacional 2019, Fundación Renal Íñigo Álvarez de Toledo (FRIAT), Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), FSE, and CIBER-CV, a network funded by ISCIII. M.F.-V. is Miguel Servet II researcher of ISCIII (MSII16/00047 Carlos III Health Institute). G.R.-H. is Miguel Servet I researcher of ISCIII (CP15/00129 Carlos III Health Institute). M.T. is a PhD student funded by the FPU program of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (FPU17/06135). A.R. was supported by Fondo SEP-Cinvestav project #601410 FIDSC 2018/2; and Fondo SEP-Conacyt Ciencia Básica A1-S-9082

SANAA, Rolex Learning Center

En el curso 2012-2013 el Laboratorio de Crítica centró su atención en el Rolex Learning Center de l´Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne en Suiza, obra de indudable interés del estudio japonés SANAA que constituye en sí misma un auténtico experimento y, consecuentemente, un objeto de observación apropiado para el estudio dentro del Laboratorio. En octubre de 2012 se realizó un viaje para visitar el edificio y, posteriormente, se realizaron por parte de los alumnos, ejercicios críticos y experimentos de los que en esta publicación aparece una muestra representativa. También se recogen en este libro, publicado gracias al apoyo de la ETSAM dentro de su colección de Texto Académicos, algunas aportaciones externas como el escrito y los dibujos del arquitecto Javier Aguilera, así como otros textos de antiguos alumnos del Laboratorio como Rosa Ballester, Berta González Salinero o Daniel Sacristán que, además han contribuido decisivamente en la edición. Se incluye, asimismo, un artículo de Eider Holgado, alumna de doctorado que está realizando su tesis, dentro del G.I. ARKRIT

Role of NOD1 in heart failure progression via regulation of Ca2+ handling

Instituto de Salud Carlos III; CP11/00080Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI14/01078Ministerio de Economía y competitividad; SAF2014-52492RMinisterio de Economía y competitividad; SAF2014-57190RMinisterio de Economía y competitividad; RTC2015-374

Association between serum copper levels and risk of cardiovascular disease: a nested case-control study in the PREDIMED trial

Background and aim: Certain trace elements have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum copper (SeCu) levels and the risk of a first event of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a population of older adults with high cardiovascular risk. Methods and results: We conducted a case-control study nested within the PREDIMED trial. During a median follow-up of 4.8 years, a total of 207 incident cases diagnosed with CVD were matched for sex, age, and intervention group with 436 controls. Personal interviews, reviews of medical records, and validated questionnaires were used to assess known CVD risk factors. Biological serum samples were collected annually. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis was used to determine SeCu levels. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated using multivariate conditional logistic regression models. All participants had SeCu levels within the reference values, 750 mg/L to 1450 mg/L. Among men, but not among women, the mean SeCu concentration was higher in cases 1014.1 mg/L than in controls 959.3 mg/L; (p Z 0.004). In men, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio for CVD was 2.36 (95% CI 1.07e5.20 for the comparison of the highest vs. the lowest quartile; p for trend Z 0.02), in women, it was 0.43 (95% CI 0.11 e1.70; p for trend Z 0.165). Conclusion: In older Spanish men with high cardiovascular risk, a significant association was observed between high SeCu levels, but still within the reference values, and an increased risk of a first event of CVD. Our findings suggest a sex difference in CVD risk and SeCu levels. To confirm this relationship and to analyze the differences observed between men and women, further studies are needed.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA. This research was funded by the official funding agency for biomedical research of the Spanish government, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), through grants provided to research networks specifically developed for the trial (RTIC G03/140; RTIC RD 06/0045 “PREDIMED”), and JR14/00008, and through Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), and by grants from Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC06/2007), the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria–Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (Proyecto de Investigación (PI04-2239, PI05/2584, CP06/00100, PI07/0240, PI07/1138, PI07/0954, PI 07/0473, PI10/01407, PI10/02658, PI11/01647, P11/02505 and PI13/00462), the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Recursos y teconologia agroalimentarias (AGL)-2009-13906-C02 and AGL2010-22319-C03 and AGL2013-49083C3-1-R), the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad-Fondos FEDER-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (UNGR15-CE-3380), the Fundación Mapfre 2010, the Consejería de Salud de la Junta de Andalucía (PI0105/2007), the Public Health Division of the Department of Health of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, the Generalitat Valenciana (Generalitat Valenciana Ayuda Complementatia GVACOMP) 06109, GVACOMP2010-181, GVACOMP2011-151), Conselleria de Sanitat y AP; Atención Primaria (CS) 2010-AP-111, and CS2011-AP-042), Regional Government of Navarra (P27/2011), and Centre Català de la Nutrició de l'Institut d'Estudis Catalans. Hojiblanca and Patrimonio Communal Olivarero donated extra-virgin olive oil; the California Walnut Commission donated walnuts; Borges donated almonds; La Morella Nuts donated hazelnuts

Serum Selenium and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) Trial: Nested Case-Control Study

Background: Selenium is an essential trace mineral with potential interest for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention owing to its antioxidant properties. Epidemiological data on selenium status and CVD remain inconsistent. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether low serum selenium (SSe) concentrations are related to an increased risk of a first CVD event in a population at high cardiovascular risk. Methods: We undertook a case-control study nested within the PREvencion con DIeta MEDiterranea (PREDIMED) trial. A total of 207 participants diagnosed with CVD (myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death) during the follow-up period (2003-2010) were matched by sex, age, and intervention group to 436 controls by incidence density sampling. Median time between serum sample collection and subsequent CVD event occurrence was 0.94 years. SSe levels were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis. Covariates were assessed through validated questionnaires, in-person interviews, and medical record reviews. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs). Results: Among women, the mean SSe concentration was lower in cases than in controls (98.5 mu g/L vs. 103.8 mu g/L; p = 0.016). In controls, SSe levels were directly associated with percentage of total energy intake from proteins and fish intake (p for linear trend < 0.001 and 0.049, respectively), whereas SSe concentrations were inversely associated with age, body mass index, and percentage of total energy intake from carbohydrates (p for linear trend < 0.001, 0.008 and 0.016 respectively). In the total group, we observed an inverse dose-response gradient between SSe levels and risk of CVD in the fully-adjusted model (highest vs. lowest quartile: OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27-0.81; ptrend = 0.003). Conclusions: Among elderly individuals at high cardiovascular risk, high SSe concentrations within population reference values are associated with lower first CVD incidence