Marcaje digital láser aplicado a la decoración de frontales de lavavajillas

La tecnología del marcaje digital láser está siendo cada vez más desarrollada e implementada en la industria. Su uso anteriormente se restringía al marcaje de códigos de piezas cuya finalidad era únicamente la del seguimiento de los productos a lo largo de la línea de montaje, y no consistían por tanto en una parte estética para el cliente sino meramente funcional para los procesos industriales de fabricación. Con el desarrollo de esta tecnología el uso del láser se expande a campos nuevos como puede ser los productos alimenticios, donde las tintas tienen su uso restringido por motivos de salud; la joyería, y también el campo donde se trabajará en este proyecto: los electrodomésticos. En este proyecto se va a realizar un estudio enfocado a la implantación de la tecnología de marcaje digital láser en la cadena de producción de lavavajillas de BSH Lódz, Polonia. El alcance de este trabajo va a ser la realización de pruebas que permitan optimizar los parámetros de funcionamiento del láser adecuados para su uso. El marcaje conllevará la necesidad de una calidad suficiente, produciendo una serie de requerimientos técnicos y estéticos. Los requerimientos técnicos vendrán dados por las normativas internas de la propia compañía y los estéticos serán examinados por los diseñadores encargados de evaluar su calidad. El objetivo final es la sustitución de los métodos de tampografiado y serigrafiado de los frontales de los lavavajillas producidos en Lódz, por un proceso de marcaje láser más limpio, económico y flexible. En este trabajo nos centraremos esencialmente en los lavavajillas de la compañía y, de éstos, en la parte frontal del mismo, de acero inoxidable. El marcaje en acero inoxidable tiene múltiples usos como son la fabricación de redes de difracción por procesos de “engraving” en la superficie del material, la producción de marcas de agua o bajo contraste, muy usada en cubertería, por procesos de “anealing” en la superficie, o la producción de marcas de alto contraste, lo cual se consigue tanto con procesos de “anealing” como de “engraving” y tiene un valor puramente estético y cuyo uso es la reproducción de símbolos, letras, logos, imágenes, etc. Esta última aplicación es la que interesa para este proyecto ya que se pretende reproducir la simbología del frontal de todo lavavajillas producido en la fábrica. Es comprensible por tanto que los requerimientos estéticos sean críticos, ya que su incumplimiento supondría la incorrecta visualización de la decoración por parte del usuario. Se realizará un estudio posterior para comprender la fenomenología de este proceso de marcaje láser en acero inoxidable. Para tal fin se llevarán a cabo experimentos y mediciones para obtener una información más científica de los procesos internos del acero al ser tratado con láser. Finalmente, tras haber estudiado todas las posibilidades contempladas de marcaje láser en acero con los equipos disponibles se harán todos los ensayos pertinentes para asegurar el cumplimiento de los requisitos necesarios para que esta tecnología pueda ser implantada en la cadena de montaje de la fábrica de Lódz

Un sistema de Realidad Virtual distribuido basado en la gestión de recursos federados

The vast majority of distributed virtual environments use ad-hoc protocols to share resources and synchronize the interaction of multiple users on a shared virtual world. In this scenario, it is difficult to incorporate new interaction devices if they have not been taken into account from the beginning of the design of the virtual environment. This article shows how to manage virtual reality devices as federate resources in a virtual world using the standard architecture HLARTI. This approach has been used as a framework to build simulators for the training of operators in civil engineering.La gran mayoría de los entornos virtuales distribuidos utilizan protocolos ad-hoc para compartir recursos y sincronizar la interacción de varios usuarios sobre un mundo virtual común. En este escenario, es difícil incorporar nuevos dispositivos de interacción si desde el principio del diseño del entorno virtual no se han tenido en cuenta. En este artículo se muestra cómo gestionar dispositivos de Realidad Virtual como recursos federados en un mundo virtual utilizando la arquitectura estándar HLARTI. Esta aproximación se ha utilizado como marco de trabajo para construir simuladores para el entrenamiento de operarios en ingeniería civil

Tau protein modulates an epigenetic mechanism of cellular senescence in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

Introduction: Progressive Tau deposition in neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads is the hallmark of tauopathies, a disorder group that includes Alzheimer’s disease. Since Tau is a microtubule-associated protein, a prevalent concept to explain the pathogenesis of tauopathies is that abnormal Tau modification contributes to dissociation from microtubules, assembly into multimeric β-sheets, proteotoxicity, neuronal dysfunction and cell loss. Tau also localizes in the cell nucleus and evidence supports an emerging function of Tau in DNA stability and epigenetic modulation.Methods: To better characterize the possible role of Tau in regulation of chromatin compaction and subsequent gene expression, we performed a bioinformatics analysis of transcriptome data obtained from Tau-depleted human neuroblastoma cells.Results: Among the transcripts deregulated in a Tau-dependent manner, we found an enrichment of target genes for the polycomb repressive complex 2. We further describe decreased cellular amounts of the core components of the polycomb repressive complex 2 and lower histone 3 trimethylation in Tau deficient cells. Among the de-repressed polycomb repressive complex 2 target gene products, IGFBP3 protein was found to be linked to increased senescence induction in Tau-deficient cells.Discussion: Our findings propose a mechanism for Tau-dependent epigenetic modulation of cell senescence, a key event in pathologic aging

Autonomy and Intelligence in the Computing Continuum: Challenges, Enablers, and Future Directions for Orchestration

Future AI applications require performance, reliability and privacy that the existing, cloud-dependant system architectures cannot provide. In this article, we study orchestration in the device-edge-cloud continuum, and focus on AI for edge, that is, the AI methods used in resource orchestration. We claim that to support the constantly growing requirements of intelligent applications in the device-edge-cloud computing continuum, resource orchestration needs to embrace edge AI and emphasize local autonomy and intelligence. To justify the claim, we provide a general definition for continuum orchestration, and look at how current and emerging orchestration paradigms are suitable for the computing continuum. We describe certain major emerging research themes that may affect future orchestration, and provide an early vision of an orchestration paradigm that embraces those research themes. Finally, we survey current key edge AI methods and look at how they may contribute into fulfilling the vision of future continuum orchestration.Comment: 50 pages, 8 figures (Revised content in all sections, added figures and new section

Beta-Blocker Use in Older Hospitalized Patients Affected by Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Italian Survey From the REPOSI Register

Beta (β)-blockers (BB) are useful in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) and concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nevertheless, the use of BBs could induce bronchoconstriction due to β2-blockade. For this reason, both the ESC and GOLD guidelines strongly suggest the use of selective β1-BB in patients with HF and COPD. However, low adherence to guidelines was observed in multiple clinical settings. The aim of the study was to investigate the BBs use in older patients affected by HF and COPD, recorded in the REPOSI register. Of 942 patients affected by HF, 47.1% were treated with BBs. The use of BBs was significantly lower in patients with HF and COPD than in patients affected by HF alone, both at admission and at discharge (admission, 36.9% vs. 51.3%; discharge, 38.0% vs. 51.7%). In addition, no further BB users were found at discharge. The probability to being treated with a BB was significantly lower in patients with HF also affected by COPD (adj. OR, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.37-0.67), while the diagnosis of COPD was not associated with the choice of selective β1-BB (adj. OR, 95% CI: 1.33, 0.76-2.34). Despite clear recommendations by clinical guidelines, a significant underuse of BBs was also observed after hospital discharge. In COPD affected patients, physicians unreasonably reject BBs use, rather than choosing a β1-BB. The expected improvement of the BB prescriptions after hospitalization was not observed. A multidisciplinary approach among hospital physicians, general practitioners, and pharmacologists should be carried out for better drug management and adherence to guideline recommendations

CARB-ES-19 Multicenter Study of Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli From All Spanish Provinces Reveals Interregional Spread of High-Risk Clones Such as ST307/OXA-48 and ST512/KPC-3

ObjectivesCARB-ES-19 is a comprehensive, multicenter, nationwide study integrating whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in the surveillance of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (CP-Kpn) and E. coli (CP-Eco) to determine their incidence, geographical distribution, phylogeny, and resistance mechanisms in Spain.MethodsIn total, 71 hospitals, representing all 50 Spanish provinces, collected the first 10 isolates per hospital (February to May 2019); CPE isolates were first identified according to EUCAST (meropenem MIC > 0.12 mg/L with immunochromatography, colorimetric tests, carbapenem inactivation, or carbapenem hydrolysis with MALDI-TOF). Prevalence and incidence were calculated according to population denominators. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the microdilution method (EUCAST). All 403 isolates collected were sequenced for high-resolution single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing, core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), and resistome analysis.ResultsIn total, 377 (93.5%) CP-Kpn and 26 (6.5%) CP-Eco isolates were collected from 62 (87.3%) hospitals in 46 (92%) provinces. CP-Kpn was more prevalent in the blood (5.8%, 50/853) than in the urine (1.4%, 201/14,464). The cumulative incidence for both CP-Kpn and CP-Eco was 0.05 per 100 admitted patients. The main carbapenemase genes identified in CP-Kpn were blaOXA–48 (263/377), blaKPC–3 (62/377), blaVIM–1 (28/377), and blaNDM–1 (12/377). All isolates were susceptible to at least two antibiotics. Interregional dissemination of eight high-risk CP-Kpn clones was detected, mainly ST307/OXA-48 (16.4%), ST11/OXA-48 (16.4%), and ST512-ST258/KPC (13.8%). ST512/KPC and ST15/OXA-48 were the most frequent bacteremia-causative clones. The average number of acquired resistance genes was higher in CP-Kpn (7.9) than in CP-Eco (5.5).ConclusionThis study serves as a first step toward WGS integration in the surveillance of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in Spain. We detected important epidemiological changes, including increased CP-Kpn and CP-Eco prevalence and incidence compared to previous studies, wide interregional dissemination, and increased dissemination of high-risk clones, such as ST307/OXA-48 and ST512/KPC-3

Thermal stresses in the Al2O3-ZrO2 (Y2O3) eutectic composite during the growth by the laser floating zone technique

[ES] En este artículo se describen las tensiones térmicas generadas durante el enfriamiento de barras eutécticas de Al2O3/ZrO2 (Y2O3) crecidas por fusión zonal con láser. Se ha calculado el diámetro máximo con el que se pueden crecer las barras sin que se agrieten por los elevados gradientes térmicos presentes durante el crecimiento, siendo este diámetro de 1.2 mm. De forma experimental se ha determinado que, para bajas velocidades de crecimiento (20 mm/h), se pueden obtener barras libres de grietas con diámetros inferiores a 1.3 mm. Este trabajo completa uno anterior en el que se describía la estabilidad de la zona fundida durante el crecimiento de estos materiales.[EN] A study on the thermal stresses induced by the high thermal gradients during the growth by laser floating zone of Al2O3-ZrO2 (Y2O3) bars in the eutectic composition is presented. We have calculated a maximum diameter of 1.2 mm for bars free of cracks very close to the experimental one of 1.3 mm. This work completes a previous one that described the stability conditions of the floating zone during the growth of this material.Agradecemos al Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología español la financiación de este trabajo a través del proyecto MAT2006- 13005-C03-01. Los autores agradecen a V.M. Orera, R.I. Merino, P.B. Oliete y A. Larrea la lectura crítica del manuscrito y sus sugerencias. FJ Ester y D. Sola agradecen respectivamente al CSIC y a la Universidad de Zaragoza, y conjuntamente a BSH Electrodomésticos España, S.A., la financiación de sus contratos.Peer reviewe

Efectos térmicos inducidos durante el crecimiento del compuesto eutéctico Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ (Y₂O₃) por fusión zonal con láser

A study on the thermal stresses induced by the high thermal gradients during the growth by laser floating zone of Al2O3-ZrO2 (Y2O3) bars in the eutectic composition is presented. We have calculated a maximum diameter of 1.2 mm for bars free of cracks very close to the experimental one of 1.3 mm. This work completes a previous one that described the stability conditions of the floating zone during the growth of this material.En este artículo se describen las tensiones térmicas generadas durante el enfriamiento de barras eutécticas de Al2O3-ZrO2 (Y2O3) crecidas por fusión zonal con láser. Se ha calculado el diámetro máximo con el que se pueden crecer las barras sin que se agrieten por los elevados gradientes térmicos presentes durante el crecimiento, siendo este diámetro de 1.2 mm. De forma experimental se ha determinado que, para bajas velocidades de crecimiento (20 mm/h), se pueden obtener barras libres de grietas con diámetros inferiores a 1.3 mm. Este trabajo completa uno anterior en el que se describía la estabilidad de la zona fundida durante el crecimiento de estos materiales

Study of the stability of the molten zone and the stresses induced during the growth of Al2O3–Y3Al5O12 eutectic composite by the laser floating zone technique

8 páginas, 7 figuras.A series of analytical calculations is used to study both the effect of the thermal gradients and the stability of the molten zone in the laser floating zone growth of Al2O3–Y3Al5O12 eutectic composite. The thermal gradients in the solidification interface have been calculated and the axial gradient compared with the experimental one of 4.5 × 105 K/m. For these calculations the coefficients of heat transfer from the molten zone to the ambient at the solid-melt interface have been previously obtained. The thermal stresses generated by the high thermal gradients can induce crack formation during the cooling depending on the rod diameter. The theory predicts that it is possible to grow rods free of cracks up to R = 1.7 mm, at low rates (10 mm/h) in close agreement with the experimental critical radius of 1.6 mm.The dependence of the zone length on the input laser power used to carry out the growth is shown. The study of the floating zone profile allows determining the maximum stable zone length, verifying the stability criterion established by some authors.This work was supported by the European Union through the projectENSEMBLENMP4-2008-213669 and Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation(MAT2009-13979-C03-03).Peer reviewe