Nanostructured Ti thin films by magnetron sputtering at oblique angles

The growth of Ti thin films by the magnetron sputtering technique at oblique angles and at room temperature is analysed from both experimental and theoretical points of view. Unlike other materials deposited in similar conditions, the nanostructure development of the Ti layers exhibits an anomalous behaviour when varying both the angle of incidence of the deposition flux and the deposition pressure. At low pressures, a sharp transition from compact to isolated, vertically aligned, nanocolumns is obtained when the angle of incidence surpasses a critical threshold. Remarkably, this transition also occurs when solely increasing the deposition pressure under certain conditions. By the characterization of the Ti layers, the realization of fundamental experiments and the use of a simple growth model, we demonstrate that surface mobilization processes associated to a highly directed momentum distribution and the relatively high kinetic energy of sputtered atoms are responsible for this behaviourJunta de Andalucía P12-FQM- 2265Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CSD2008- 00023, MAT2013-42900-P, MAT2013-40852-R, MAT2014-59772-C2-1, MAT2011- 2908

A bilevel approach to enhance prefixed traffic signal optimization

The segmentation of multivariate temporal series has been studied in a wide range of applications. This study investigates a challenging segmentation problem on traffic engineering, namely, identification of time-of-day breakpoints for pre-fixed traffic signal timing plans. A large number of urban centres have traffic control strategies based on time-of-day intervals. We propose a bilevel optimization model to address simultaneously the segmentation problems and the traffic control problems over these time intervals. Efficient memetic algorithms have been developed for the bilevel model based on the hybridization of the particle swarm optimization, genetic algorithms or simulated annealing with the Nelder–Mead method. Numerically the effectiveness of the algorithms using real and synthetic data sets is demonstrated. We address the problem of automatically estimating the number of time-of-day segments that can be reliably discovered. We adapt the Bayesian Information Criterion, the PETE algorithm and a novel oriented-problem approach. The experiments show that this last method gives interpretable results about the number of reliably necessary segments from the traffic-engineering perspective. The experimental results show that the proposed methodology provides an automatic method to determine the time-of-day segments and timing plans simultaneously.La segmentación de series temporales multivariadas ha sido estudiada en una amplia gama de aplicaciones. Este estudio investiga un problema de segmentación desafiante en la ingeniería de tráfico, a saber, la identificación de puntos de interrupción de la hora del día para planes de sincronización de señales de tráfico prefijados. Un gran número de centros urbanos tienen estrategias de control de tráfico basadas en intervalos de tiempo del día. Proponemos un modelo de optimización binivel para abordar simultáneamente los problemas de segmentación y los problemas de control de tráfico en estos intervalos de tiempo. Se han desarrollado algoritmos meméticos eficientes para el modelo binivel basados ​​en la hibridación de la optimización del enjambre de partículas , algoritmos genéticos o recocido simulado con el método Nelder-Mead. Numéricamente se demuestra la eficacia de los algoritmos utilizando conjuntos de datos reales y sintéticos. Abordamos el problema de estimar automáticamente la cantidad de segmentos de hora del día que se pueden descubrir de manera confiable. Adaptamos el Criterio de Información Bayesiano, el algoritmo PETE y un enfoque novedoso orientado al problema. Los experimentos muestran que este último método da resultados interpretables sobre el número de segmentos fiablemente necesarios desde la perspectiva de la ingeniería de tráfico. Los resultados experimentales muestran que la metodología propuesta proporciona un método automático para determinar los segmentos de tiempo del día y los planes de tiempo simultáneament

Antibacterial Nanostructured Ti Coatings by Magnetron Sputtering: From Laboratory Scales to Industrial Reactors

Based on an already tested laboratory procedure, a new magnetron sputtering methodology to simultaneously coat two-sides of large area implants (up to ~15 cm2) with Ti nanocolumns in industrial reactors has been developed. By analyzing the required growth conditions in a laboratory setup, a new geometry and methodology have been proposed and tested in a semi-industrial scale reactor. A bone plate (DePuy Synthes) and a pseudo-rectangular bone plate extracted from a patient were coated following the new methodology, obtaining that their osteoblast proliferation efficiency and antibacterial functionality were equivalent to the coatings grown in the laboratory reactor on small areas. In particular, two kinds of experiments were performed: Analysis of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, and osteoblasts–bacteria competitive in vitro growth scenarios. In all these cases, the coatings show an opposite behavior toward osteoblast and bacterial proliferation, demonstrating that the proposed methodology represents a valid approach for industrial production and practical application of nanostructured titanium coatings.EU-FEDER and the MINECO-AEI 201560E055EU-FEDER and the MINECO-AEI MAT2014-59772-C2-1-PEU-FEDER and the MINECO-AEI MAT2016-75611-REU-FEDER and the MINECO-AEI MAT2016-79866-REU-FEDER and the MINECO-AEI MAT2015-69035-REDCUniversity of Seville (Spain) V and VI PPIT-USMINECO CSIC13-4E-179

Open Source Robot Localization for Non-Planar Environments

The operational environments in which a mobile robot executes its missions often exhibit non-flat terrain characteristics, encompassing outdoor and indoor settings featuring ramps and slopes. In such scenarios, the conventional methodologies employed for localization encounter novel challenges and limitations. This study delineates a localization framework incorporating ground elevation and inclination considerations, deviating from traditional 2D localization paradigms that may falter in such contexts. In our proposed approach, the map encompasses elevation and spatial occupancy information, employing Gridmaps and Octomaps. At the same time, the perception model is designed to accommodate the robot's inclined orientation and the potential presence of ground as an obstacle, besides usual structural and dynamic obstacles. We have developed and rigorously validated our approach within Nav2, and esteemed open-source framework renowned for robot navigation. Our findings demonstrate that our methodology represents a viable and effective alternative for mobile robots operating in challenging outdoor environments or intrincate terrains

Echinoid assemblage in Messinian calcarenitic facies from Alcalá de Guadaíra (Sevilla, SW Spain

The echinoid assemblage from the Messinian calcarenitic deposits of Alcalá de Guadaíra (Sevilla, SW Spain) has been studied. Six species have been recognised; Schizechinus duciei and Plagiobrissus costae are rather common. This association and its taphonomic signature suggest a shallow marine depositional environment in the infralittoral, characterised by coarse detritic bottoms and variable hidrodynamic energy. This echinoid association corroborates the attribution of the studied sediments to the Messinia

Kinetic Energy-induced Growth Regimes of Nanocolumnar Ti Thin Films Deposited by Evaporation and Magnetron Sputtering

We experimentally analyze different growth regimes of Ti thin films associated to the existence of kinetic energy-induced relaxation mechanisms in the material's network when operating at oblique geometries. For this purpose, we have deposited different films by evaporation and magnetron sputtering under similar geometrical arrangements and at low temperatures. With the help of a well-established growth model we have found three different growth regimes: (i) low energy deposition, exemplified by the evaporation technique, carried out by species with typical energies in the thermal range, where the morphology and density of the film can be explained by solely considering surface shadowing processes, (ii) magnetron sputtering under weak plasma conditions, where the film growth is mediated by surface shadowing mechanisms and kinetic-energy-induced relaxation processes, and (iii) magnetron sputtering under intense plasma conditions, where the film growth is highly influenced by the plasma, and whose morphology is defined by nanocolumns with similar tilt than evaporated films, but with much higher density. The existence of these three regimes explains the variety of morphologies of nanocolumnar Ti thin films grown at oblique angles under similar conditions in the literature.EU-FEDER and MINECO-AEI 201560E055EU-FEDER and MINECO-AEI MAT2014-59772-C2-1-PEU-FEDER and MINECO-AEI MAT2016-79866-REU-FEDER and MINECO-AEI MAT2015-69035-REDCUniversity of Seville V and VI PPIT-U

Intervención sobre la familia desde la figura del terapeuta-tutor del niño con necesidad de Atención Primaria

La necesidad de fomentar y planificar cambios en los servicios de Atención Temprana (AT), encaminados a conseguir mayor calidad en ellos, nos lleva a la necesidad de replantear y especificar objetivos de intervención hacia la familia, orientados éstos a satisfacer sus necesidades como cliente sin por ello dejar de atender criterios técnicos de intervención. En este trabajo, se resume un conjunto de reflexiones sobre algunos objetivos de intervención que el Terapeuta tutor del niño debe plantearse conseguir con la familia así como posibles estrategias para su consecución. Estos objetivos se concentran, aunque no exclusivamente, en el esfuerzo por reforzar la capacidad de la familia para el manejo de fuentes de estrés y la toma de decisiones. Hacen referencia a una intervención no clínica, desarrollada en el contacto continuado entre el Terapeuta tutor (figura que normalmente recae en el Terapeuta de Estimulación Sensoriomotriz del niño) y la familia. Antes, se reflexiona sobre los roles de la familia en los Programas Individualizados de Intervención en AT (cliente, responsable/tutor del niño, recurso imprescindible y agente de AT). Todo ello desde la filosofía de trabajo de un Modelo Integral de Actuación en AT y desde la reflexión sobre las demandas realizadas por las familias como clientes directos de nuestros servicios

Theoretical and experimental characterization of TiO2 thin films deposited at oblique angles

The microstructural features of amorphous TiO2 thin films grown by the electron beam physical vapour deposition technique at oblique angles have been experimentally and theoretically studied. The microstructural features of the deposited films were characterized by considering both, the column tilt angle and the increase of the column thickness with height. A Monte Carlo model of the film growth has been developed that takes into account surface shadowing, short-range interaction between the deposition species and the film surface, as well as the angular broadening of the deposition flux when arriving at the substrate. The good match between simulations and experimental results indicates the importance of these factors in the growth and microstructural development of thin films deposited at oblique angles.Ministerio de Innovación, MAT 2007-65764, CONSOLIDER INGENIO 2010-CSD2008-00023, PIE 200960I132Junta de Andalucía TEP2275, TEP5283, P07-FQM-03298, FQM-690

Modelo emprendedor sustentable: Marco jurídico

El presente artículo tiene como finalidad mostrar el marco jurídico de un modelo emprendedor sustentable, dirigido a la localidad denominada Morelos ubicada en el municipio de Zaragoza, Puebla, es un modelo específico para lograr la sustentabilidad con el uso racional de las aguas residuales a través de un humedal artificial. El marco jurídico resulta de gran valía para tener éxito en la implementación y puesta en marcha de un Modelo Emprendedor de Carácter Sustentable, con la finalidad de lograr en un futuro el aprovechamiento de nuestros recursos de manera más eficaz, en concordancia con la legislación nacional e internacional, en México el máximo instrumento legal es la Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, después le siguen los convenios o tratados internacionales, en seguida las leyes federales, los reglamentos y al final las normas