A novel distributed architecture for IoT image processing using low-cost devices and open internet standards

Industry 4.0 can be defined as the integration of computers and automation to current industrial processes, with addition of smart and autonomous systems leveraged by machine learning techniques. In this scenario, a compact, dependable and fast controller is desired, featuring low energy consumption, easily programming and maintenance, with no mobile parts. Nowadays, computing power in single board computers, e.g. the Raspberry Pi among others, has been increased at a very important rate. In just three generations, Pi computers offer almost a two-fold speed gain, when compared to first models. Its design, an underlying video driver with general capabilities of regular OSes, makes them quite suitable to build image processing systems at very low cost, with no mobile parts and low energy consumption. However, designing such a system for industrial image processing is a tough challenge, since it implies to integrate cameras, image processing libraries, database servers and application software with graphical user interface, in an already resource constrained device. This work presents a new architecture for this kind of systems, by means of open internet standards, using a self-contained, high performance web server to publish a RESTful API and a set of web pages that use latest HTML5 capabilities to manage USB webcams and system data. This proposal also integrates OpenCV as a compiled script on client-side using the new WASM paradigm, with an optimized storage for images using -industry-standard RDBMS and a modular design that can target Windows and Linux as well.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

Quantitative approaches to study retinal neurogenesis

The study of the development of the vertebrate retina can be addressed from several perspectives: from a purely qualitative to a more quantitative approach that takes into account its spatio-temporal features, its three-dimensional structure and also the regulation and properties at the systems level. Here, we review the ongoing transition toward a full four-dimensional characterization of the developing vertebrate retina, focusing on the challenges at the experimental, image acquisition, image processing and quantification. Using the developing zebrafish retina, we illustrate how quantitative data extracted from these type of highly dense, three-dimensional tissues depend strongly on the image quality, image processing and algorithms used to segment and quantify. Therefore, we propose that the scientific community that focuses on developmental systems could strongly benefit from a more detailed disclosure of the tools and pipelines used to process and analyze images from biological sample

A comparison of mechanical and ultrasonic anemometers for ampacity thermal rating in overhead lines

CIGRE TB601 guide for thermal rating calculations recommends the use of ultrasonic anemometers over mechanical devices [1]. This paper aims to compare the mechanical and ultrasonic wind speed measurement technologies for the purpose of dynamic ampacity rating. The comparison consists of applying the measurements of both anemometers (placed in the same spot) to the computation of ampacity in the same overhead line, and evaluating the diferences at different speed ranges.This work was supported by the Spanish Government under the R+D initiative INNPACTO with reference IPT- 2011-1447-920000 and Spanish R+D initiative with reference ENE2013-42720-R. The authors of this article would also like to acknowledge Viesgo for its continuous support to the dynamic ampacity rating line of investigation

Advances in phase change materials for thermal solar power plants quality

Thermal solar energy offers a huge opportunity to reduce fuel dependency and environmental impact created by fossil fuel consumption. One of the main disadvantages of this renewable energy is its intermittence which decreases thermal solar power plants performance. In order to reduce cost electricity is necessary to create thermal solar plants which include thermal storage. There are different options of thermal storage: sensible, latent and chemical heat. It has been demonstrated that latent heat could store large amount of energy per unit mass. Moreover, latent heat storage could store fusion heat at a constant temperature which is the phase transition temperature of the phase change materials (PCM). However, these materials have a critical limitation that needs to be resolved in order to reduce operation cost of solar plants. This limitation is their low heat conductivity. This paper gathers the main solutions that are being analyzed in order to increase the possibilities to use PCMs in a high temperature thermal storage that is essential to develop optimum thermal solar power plants

Influence of a physical exercise until exhaustion in normothermic and hyperthermic conditions on serum, erythrocyte and urinary concentrations of magnesium and phosphorus

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the performance of a maximal exercise test until exhaustion in normothermic and hyperthermic conditions on body concentrations of magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P). Methods: 19 adult males (age: 22.58 ± 1.05 years) performed two maximum incremental exercise tests on a cycloergometer separated by 48 h. The first was performed in normothermia (22 ± 2 °C) and the second in hyperthermic conditions induced with a sauna (42 ± 2 °C). Blood and urine samples were taken before and after each test. Results: The tests in hyperthermia did not produce ergospirometric alterations or a noticeable cardiovascular drift. Serum Mg concentrations underwent a reduction after the stress test in hyperthermia (p > 0.05) but not in normothermia. Nevertheless, urinary and erythrocyte concentrations of Mg, and urinary, erythrocyte and serum concentrations of P did not undergo alterations in either conditions. Conclusions: It seems that exercise in hyperthermic conditions induces a tissue redistribution of Mg in the body, a fact which was not observed in normothermic conditions

Eventos ciclónicos y potencial de precipitación en los cabos, México: efectos urbanos

La península del estado de Baja California Sur en México, es la más afectada por eventos ciclónicos, sin embargo, es el que presenta la precipitación media anual más baja del país. En este sentido, debido a que el municipio de Los Cabos cuenta con un gran número de estaciones pluviométricas, se propone un estudio estadístico de los registros pluviométricos disponibles de los eventos ciclónicos comprendidos entre 1950 y 2013, con el objetivo de estimar la precipitación a través de la correlación de la intensidad (velocidad de vientos) y la distancia al punto del estudio (radio de afectación). Los resultados sugieren, que no existe una relación directa entre la precipitación que genera una tormenta ciclónica, la intensidad de la misma y el radio de afectación, no obstante, se precisa que las máximas precipitaciones anuales in situ están relacionadas con eventos ciclónicos, los cuales han ocasionado importantes efectos adversos en la homeostasia del sistema urbano

Comparative study of two cogeneration systems based on energy recovery of fumes from a casting process

This paper develops the comparison of two cogeneration systems that are suitable to perform heat energy recovery of the smoke produced by a casting process.The authors would like to thank the financial support of Government of Cantabria and NISSAN under the INVESNOVA research project and to the Council on Research and Technological Development of the University of Cantabria by their administrative assistance