Shipbuilding 4.0 Index Approaching Supply Chain

The shipbuilding industry shows a special interest in adapting to the changes proposed by the industry 4.0. This article bets on the development of an index that indicates the current situation considering that supply chain is a key factor in any type of change, and at the same time it serves as a control tool in the implementation of improvements. The proposed indices provide a first definition of the paradigm or paradigms that best fit the supply chain in order to improve its sustainability and a second definition, regarding the key enabling technologies for Industry 4.0. The values obtained put shipbuilding on the road to industry 4.0 while suggesting categorized planning of technologies

High-performance functional renormalization group calculations for interacting fermions

We derive a novel computational scheme for functional Renormalization Group (fRG) calculations for interacting fermions on 2D lattices. The scheme is based on the exchange parametrization fRG for the two-fermion interaction, with additional insertions of truncated partitions of unity. These insertions decouple the fermionic propagators from the exchange propagators and lead to a separation of the underlying equations. We demonstrate that this separation is numerically advantageous and may pave the way for refined, large-scale computational investigations even in the case of complex multiband systems. Furthermore, on the basis of speedup data gained from our implementation, it is shown that this new variant facilitates efficient calculations on a large number of multi-core CPUs. We apply the scheme to the $t$,$t'$ Hubbard model on a square lattice to analyze the convergence of the results with the bond length of the truncation of the partition of unity. In most parameter areas, a fast convergence can be observed. Finally, we compare to previous results in order to relate our approach to other fRG studies.Comment: 26 pages, 9 figure

Inkjet printing of functional materials for optical and photonic applications

Inkjet printing, traditionally used in graphics, has been widely investigated as a valuable tool in the preparation of functional surfaces and devices. This review focuses on the use of inkjet printing technology for the manufacturing of different optical elements and photonic devices. The presented overview mainly surveys work done in the fabrication of micro-optical components such as microlenses, waveguides and integrated lasers; the manufacturing of large area light emitting diodes displays, liquid crystal displays and solar cells; as well as the preparation of liquid crystal and colloidal crystal based photonic devices working as lasers or optical sensors. Special emphasis is placed on reviewing the materials employed as well as in the relevance of inkjet in the manufacturing of the different devices showing in each of the revised technologies, main achievements, applications and challenges

Optimizing algorithms for thresholding segmentation applied to weed detection on UAV remote images.

En este trabajo se ha buscado la implementación de una alternativa al método de Otsu (1979) desarrollada por Hui-Fuang Ng (2006), el cual maximiza la diferencia entre varianzas espectrales y realiza una búsqueda multiumbral. En el estudio se emplearon imágenes procedentes de vehículos aéreos no tripulados (UAVs) tomadas en cultivos de maíz y girasol. Con una única ejecución del algoritmo en un entorno de análisis orientado a objetos, se discriminan aquellos objetos correspondientes a la fracción vegetal del suelo desnudo y se estima un umbral diferenciador entre cultivo y malas hierbas que contribuya a un subsiguiente proceso de clasificación. La técnica de Hui-Fuang detectó un mayor porcentaje de vegetación en todos los casos estudiados, oscilando el incremento entre un 3% y un 20%.This works aimed to implement an alternative to Otsu’s method (1979) developed by Hui- Fuang Ng (2006), which maximizes the difference between spectral variances and performs a multithreshold seeking. Unmanned aerial images taken in maize and sunflower crops were used in the research. In a single algorithm execution applied to an Object Based Image Analysis environment, the objects corresponding to both the vegetation fraction and bare soil are discriminated and a threshold to separate crop from weeds was also estimated, making easier a subsequent classification process. Fui-Huang’s technique provides a higher percentage of vegetation detection in all the cases, with an improvement which ranges from 3% to 20%

Approach of the naval industry towards industry 4.0

One of the most relevant industrial sectors worldwide is the naval sector, being involved in multiple commercial activities. According to data from UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) [1], it is important to have a large enough naval fleet to meet maritime needs. This includes the shipbuilding sector, which is responsible for the manufacture and repair of the different types of ships and structures in order to respond to the commercial activities that make up this industry

Effect of zinc intake on growth in infants: A meta-analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn) intake on growth in infants. Out of 5500 studies identified through electronic searches and reference lists, 19 RCTs were selected after applying the exclusion/inclusion criteria. The influence of Zn intake on growth was considered in the overall meta-analysis. Other variables were also taken into account as possible effect modifiers: doses of Zn intake, intervention duration, nutritional status, and risk of bias. From each select growth study, final measures of weight, length, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), head circumference, weight for age z-score (WAZ), length for age z-score (LAZ), and weight for length z-score (WLZ) were assessed. Pooled β and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Additionally, we carried out a sensitivity analysis. Zn intake was not associated with weight, length, MUAC, head circumference, and LAZ in the pooled analyses. However, Zn intake had a positive and statistically effect on WAZ (β = 0.06; 95%CI 0.02 to 0.10) and WLZ (β = 0.05; 95%CI 0.01 to 0.08). The dose–response relationship between Zn intake and these parameters indicated that a doubling of Zn intake increased WAZ and WLZ by approximately 4%. Substantial heterogeneity was present only in length analyses (I2 = 45%; p = 0.03). Zn intake was positively associated with length values at short time (four to 20 weeks) (β = 0.01; CI 95% 0 to 0.02) and at medium doses of Zn (4.1 to 8 mg/day) (β = 0.003; CI 95% 0 to 0.01). Nevertheless, the effect magnitude was small. Our results indicate that Zn intake increases growth parameters of infants. Nonetheless, interpretation of these results should be carefully considered

Laser-assisted surface melting of Al2O3-YSZ eutectic ceramics

[ES] Se presenta un procedimiento para la densificación y/o texturado superficial de cerámicas de Al2O3-YSZ (circona estabilizada con itria) con composición eutéctica mediante fusión zonal asistida por láser. Haciendo un barrido con la radiación proveniente de un láser de potencia sobre piezas cerámicas conseguimos modificar la microestructura y densificar completatmente la capa superficial, con un espesor que va de 30 a 1000 μm. Por ejemplo, con línea estrecha de láser de diodo, fluencia de 1.23 kW/cm2 y velocidades de barrido de 0.14 mm/s, solidificamos capas de 560 μm. El resultado es una superficie de baja rugosidad y no porosa. La microestructura de la muestra es fina debido a su composición eutéctica. La interfase sólido-líquido en el proceso de crecimiento determina la orientación de la microestructura. Se estudia la forma de esta interfase tanto en cortes transversales como longitudinales, lo que permite analizar el efecto que sobre la microestructura tiene la superposición de barridos, que es una alternativa para tratar superficies extensas. Macroscópicamente la frontera entre barridos contiguos es suave. Sin embargo, su microestructura presenta discontinuidad en el espaciado entre las fases debido a la evolución microestructural en la región no fundida sometida a altas temperaturas y a la nucleación preferencial de Al2O3 al comenzar el crecimiento cristalino. Se analizan distintas posibilidades para disminuir el choque térmico inherente al proceso y que conduce a la formación de grietas paralelas a la dirección de procesado y de delaminación. Se observa una mejora importante cuando se precalienta la pieza a tratar, de modo que es posible procesar superficies de cerámicas eutécticas 99% densas.[EN] A procedure for surface densification and/or texturing of Al2O3-YSZ (yttria stabilised zirconia) ceramics with eutectic composition by means of laser surface melting is presented. By scanning a high-power laser beam on a ceramic surface, we achieve a textured and fully dense surface layer from 30 to 1000 microns thick. For example, using a thin diode laser line with fluence 1.23 kW/cm2 and 0.14 mm/s scan rate, the solidified layer has 560 μm depth. We get a low roughness and dense surface. The microstructure is fine (micron size) due to the eutectic composition. The orientation of the microstructure is determined by the shape of the solid-liquid interface in the solidification process. We study the shape of this interface in transverse and longitudinal cross-sections in single as well as overlapping scans, which are required to process large surfaces. From the macroscopic point of view, the transition between adjacent scans is smooth. However, the microstructure presents discontinuity in the interphase spacing due to microstructural evolution in the heat affected region as well as the nucleation of an Al2O3 layer at the beginning of the crystal growth. The thermal shock inherent to the procedure generates cracks longitudinal and transverse to the scanning direction, as well as delaminating cracks. We analyse different possibilities to reduce this thermal shock. The best results are obtained by preheating the substrate, allowing us to process surfaces of Al2O3-YSZ eutectic ceramics 99% dense.Financiación del Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología a través de los proyectos MAT2000-1495 y MAT2000-1533-C03-02.Peer reviewe

Implementation of an Artificial Neural Network on the Test Barcelona Workstation As a Predictive Model for the Classification of Normal, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease Subjects Using the Neuronorma Battery

Objective: To develop and implement an online Artificial Neural Network (ANN) that provides the probability of a subject having mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Method: Different ANNs were trained using a sample of 350 controls (CONT), 75 MCI and 93 AD subjects. The ANN structure chosen was the following: (1) an input layer of 33 cognitive variables from the Neuronorma battery plus two sociodemographic variables, age and education. This layer was reduced to a 15 features input vector using Multiple Discriminant Analysis method, (2) one hidden layer with 8 neurons, and (3) three output neurons corresponding to the 3 expected cognitive states. This ANN was defined in a previous study [28]. The ANN was implemented on the web site www.test-barcelona.com (Test Barcelona Workstation) [9]. Results: When comparing CONT, MCI and AD participants, the best ANN correctly classifies up to 94,87% of the study participants. Conclusions: The online implemented ANN, delivers the probabilities (%) of belonging to the CONT, MCI and AD groups of a subject assessed using the 35 characteristics (variables) of the Neuronorma profile. This tool is a good complement for the interpretation of cognitive profiles. This technology improves clinical decision making. Keywords: Artificial Neural Network, Probability, Alzheimer disease, Test Barcelona Workstation

A weed monitoring system using UAV-imagery and the Hough transform

Usually, crops require the use of herbicides as a useful manner of controlling the quality and quantity of crop production. Although there are weed-free areas, the most common approach is to broadcast herbicides entirely over crop fields, resulting in a reduction of profits and increase in environmental risks. Recently, patch spraying has allowed the use of site-specific weed management, allowing precise and timely weed maps at very early phenological stage, either by ground sampling or remote analysis. Remote imagery from piloted planes and satellites are not suitable for this purpose given their low spatial and temporal resolutions, however, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) represent an excellent alternative. This paper presents a new classification framework for weed monitoring via UAV showing promising results and accurate generalisation in different scenariosLos cultivos precisan del uso de herbicidas para controlar la calidad y cantidad de producción. A pesar de que las malas hierbas se distribuyen en rodales, la práctica más extendida es la fumigación de herbicidas en todo el cultivo, resultando en un aumento del coste y de riesgos mediambientales. La pulvericación por parches ha dado lugar al auge de otras técnicas de manejo de malas hierbas, permitiendo su tratamiento en un estado fenológico temprano. Las imágenes remotas de aviones pilotados o satélites no son útiles en este caso debido a su baja resolución espacial y temporal. Sin embargo, este no es el caso de los vehículos aéreos no tripulados. Este artículo presenta un nuevo método para monitorización de malas hierbas usando este tipo de vehículos, mostrando resultados prometedore