A framework to reduce energy consumption in a press shop floor based on industrializable IIoT (I3oT).

This article presents a framework to reduce energy consumption in a floor shop press based on Industrializable Industrial Internet of Things (I3oT). The I3oT proposes the development of IIoT tools using the information available in the system, without adding any additional sensors. Based on this philosophy, we proposed to develop the C360 criterion in our previous works, which allowed to extract all the information available in the stamping presses for the development of I3oT applications. In this article, we propose the development of a framework to optimize the parameters accessible from the C360 criterion for energy saving in the stamping process. Regarding the three parameters that can be modified and that affect energy consumption, that is, counterbalance pressure, tonnage and press speed, we will work with the first two in this paper. At the end of the article, the results obtained from the presses installed at Ford factory in Almussafes (Valencia) are shown based on their adjustment.

Plant biodiversity offsets negative effects of metals and metalloids soil multi-contamination on ecosystem multifunctionality.

Despite increasing metals and metalloids (MM) human-driven soil contamination, how it simultaneously alters biodiversity and ecosystem functioning remains unknown. We used a wide gradient of a 170-year-old MM soil multi-contamination in Mediterranean scrublands to assess the effects of soil multi-contamination on multiple plant biodiversity facets, microbial communities and ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF). We found an overall positive effect of plant biodiversity on EMF mediated by microbial communities, and allowing offsetting the negative impacts of MM soil multi-contamination, especially on soil water holding capacity and nitrogen content. The diversity of distant plant lineages was the key facet promoting EMF by enhancing microbial communities, whereas the subordinate species richness altered EMF. By developing a holistic approach of these complex relationships between soil multi-contamination, plant biodiversity, microbial communities and ecosystem functioning, our results reveal the potential of plant biodiversity, and especially the diversity of evolutionary distant species, to offset the alteration of ecosystem functioning by MM soil multi-contamination. In this worldwide decade of ecosystems restoration, our study helps to identify relevant facets of plant biodiversity promoting contaminated ecosystem functioning, which is crucial to guide and optimize management efforts aiming to restore ecosystems and preserve human health.

Virtual Sensor of Gravity Centres for Real-Time Condition Monitoring of an Industrial Stamping Press in the Automotive Industry.

This article proposes the development of a novel tool that allows real-time monitoring of the balance of a press during the stamping process. This is performed by means of a virtual sensor that, by using the tonnage information in real time, allows us to calculate the gravity centre of a virtual load that moves the slide up and down. The present development follows the philosophy shown in our previous work for the development of industrialised predictive systems, that is, the use of the information available in the system to develop IIoT tools. This philosophy is defined as I3oT (industrializable industrial Internet of Things). The tonnage data are part of a set of new criteria, called Criterion-360, used to obtain this information. This criterion stores data from a sensor each time the encoder indicates that the position of the main axis has rotated by one degree. Since the main axis turns in a complete cycle of the press, this criterion allows us to obtain information on the phases of the process and easily shows where the measured data are in the cycle. The new system allows us to detect anomalies due to imbalance or discontinuity in the stamping process by using the DBSCAN algorithm, which allows us to avoid unexpected stops and serious breakdowns. Tests were conducted to verify that our system actually detects minimal imbalances in the stamping process. Subsequently, the system was connected to normal production for one year. At the end of this work, we explain the anomalies detected as well as the conclusions of the article and future works.

Miniterm, a Novel Virtual Sensor for Predictive Maintenance for the Industry 4.0 Era.

This article introduces a novel virtual sensor for predictive maintenance called mini-term. A mini-term can be defined as the time it takes for a part of the machine to do its job. Being a technical sub-cycle time, its function has been linked to production. However, when a machine or component gets deteriorated, the mini-term also suffers deterioration, allowing it to be a multifunctional indicator for the prediction of machine failures as well as measurement of production. Currently, in Industry 4.0, one of the handicaps is Big Data and Data Analysis. However, in the case of predictive maintenance, the need to install sensors in the machines means that when the proposed scientific solutions reach the industry, they cannot be carried out massively due to the high cost this entails. The advantage introduced by the mini-term is that it can be implemented in an easy and simple way in pre-installed systems since you only need to program a timer in the PLC or PC that controls the line/machine in the production line, allowing, according to the authors' knowledge, to build industrial Big Data on predictive maintenance for the first time, which is called Miniterm 4.0. This article shows evidence of the important improvements generated by the use of Miniterm 4.0 in a factory. At the end of the paper we show the evolution of TAV (Technical availability), Mean Time To Repair (MTTR), EM (Number of Work order (Emergency Orders/line Stop)) and OM (Labour hours in EM) showing a very important improvement as the number of mini-terms was increased and the Miniterm 4.0 system became more reliable. In particular, TAV is increased by 15%, OM is reduced in 5000 orders, MTTR is reduced in 2 h and there are produced 3000 orders less than when mini-terms did not exist. At the end of the article we discuss the benefits and limitations of the mini-terms and we show the conclusions and future works.

Real-Time Path Planning Based on Harmonic Functions under a Proper Generalized Decomposition-Based Framework.

This paper presents a real-time global path planning method for mobile robots using harmonic functions, such as the Poisson equation, based on the Proper Generalized Decomposition (PGD) of these functions. The main property of the proposed technique is that the computational cost is negligible in real-time, even if the robot is disturbed or the goal is changed. The main idea of the method is the off-line generation, for a given environment, of the whole set of paths from any start and goal configurations of a mobile robot, namely the computational vademecum, derived from a harmonic potential field in order to use it on-line for decision-making purposes. Up until now, the resolution of the Laplace or Poisson equations has been based on traditional numerical techniques unfeasible for real-time calculation. This drawback has prevented the extensive use of harmonic functions in autonomous navigation, despite their powerful properties. The numerical technique that reverses this situation is the Proper Generalized Decomposition. To demonstrate and validate the properties of the PGD-vademecum in a potential-guided path planning framework, both real and simulated implementations have been developed. Simulated scenarios, such as an L-Shaped corridor and a benchmark bug trap, are used, and a real navigation of a LEGO®MINDSTORMS robot running in static environments with variable start and goal configurations is shown. This device has been selected due to its computational and memory-restricted capabilities, and it is a good example of how its properties could help the development of social robots.

A Novel Real-Time MATLAB/Simulink/LEGO EV3 Platform for Academic Use in Robotics and Computer Science.

Over the last years, mobile robot platforms are having a key role in education worldwide. Among others, LEGO Robots and MATLAB/Simulink are being used mainly in universities to improve the teaching experience. Most LEGO systems used in the literature are based on NXT, as the EV3 version is relatively recent. In contrast to the previous versions, the EV3 allows the development of real-time applications for teaching a wide variety of subjects as well as conducting research experiments. The goal of the research presented in this paper was to develop and validate a novel real-time educational platform based on the MATLAB/Simulink package and the LEGO EV3 brick for academic use in the fields of robotics and computer science. The proposed framework is tested here in different university teaching situations and several case studies are presented in the form of interactive projects developed by students. Without loss of generality, the platform is used for testing different robot path planning algorithms. Classical algorithms like rapidly-exploring random trees or artificial potential fields, developed by robotics researchers, are tested by bachelor students, since the code is freely available on the Internet. Furthermore, recent path planning algorithms developed by the authors are also tested in the platform with the aim of detecting the limits of its applicability. The restrictions and advantages of the proposed platform are discussed in order to enlighten future educational applications.

[Combating tumor cells through SIRT3 activation and exercise]. / Combatiendo el metabolismo de las células cancerosas mediante la activación de SIRT3 y el ejercicio físico.

One of the main features of cancer is the high rate of cell proliferation and growth. To do this, cancer cells need to redirect their metabolism mainly towards anaerobic glycolysis and an increased mitochondrial glutamine energy metabolism. Sirtuins are cellular proteins with regulatory functions on metabolic pathways, genomic stability, apoptosis, longevity, inflammation, energy metabolism and oxidative stress. Sirtuins have emerged recently as a potential therapeutic option to treat several chronic diseases including cancer. This review summarizes the tumor suppressor function of Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), highlighting its repressor effect on glycolytic metabolism, promoting mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative stress reduction. SIRT3 activation by exercise is particularly described since it may represent a potent tool for several types of cancer treatment.

Combatiendo el metabolismo de las células cancerosas mediante la activación de SIRT3 y el ejercicio físico / Combating tumor cells through SIRT3 activation and exercise

One of the main features of cancer is the high rate of cell proliferation and growth. To do this, cancer cells need to redirect their metabolism mainly towards anaerobic glycolysis and an increased mitochondrial glutamine energy metabolism. Sirtuins are cellular proteins with regulatory functions on metabolic pathways, genomic stability, apoptosis, longevity, inflammation, energy metabolism and oxidative stress. Sirtuins have emerged recently as a potential therapeutic option to treat several chronic diseases including cancer. This review summarizes the tumor suppressor function of Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), highlighting its repressor effect on glycolytic metabolism, promoting mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative stress reduction. SIRT3 activation by exercise is particularly described since it may represent a potent tool for several types of cancer treatment.

Can compost improve Quercus pubescens Willd establishment in a Mediterranean post-fire shrubland?

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of sewage sludge compost (control, 20 kg m(-2), 40 kg m(-2)) supplied to Quercus pubescens Willd seedlings planted in a post-fire calcareous site in Provence (France). Changes in soil properties, seedling survival, growth and nutrition were monitored 7 months, 1.5 years and 2.5 years after amendment, and possible trace metal contamination of soil and seedlings by compost was also evaluated. Compost improved overall soil fertility by increasing organic matter, cation exchange capacity, total N and exchangeable P, K, Mg and B concentrations, but 40 kg m(-2) induced a more significant and more durable effect than 20 kg m(-2). However, the compost had no effect on seedling survival and growth, but increased foliar P and B concentrations at 40 kg m(-2). No foliar contamination of seedlings by trace metals occurred, although amendment increased exchangeable Cu and Zn concentrations in soil. Compost P and exchangeable Cu and Zn concentrations could induce eutrophication and water pollution, and limit rates that can be applied without environmental hazard.

The use of compost in afforestation of Mediterranean areas: Effects on soil properties and young tree seedlings.

In Mediterranean frequently burnt areas, fire and erosion result in the decrease of soil fertility, so afforestation is a major concern. We carried out an in situ experiment of compost amendment to improve survival and growth of planted tree seedlings. One-year-tree seedlings of native species (Quercus ilex, Pinus halepensis and Pinus pinea) were planted on a frequently burnt calcareous site. Three rates of fresh co-composted sewage sludge and greenwastes (control without compost, 20 and 40 kg m(-2) of compost) were incorporated into the soil at each seedling stem. Changes of soil properties and tree development were studied during 3 years (2001-2003) and 2 years (2002-2003) respectively. The compost improved survival of Quercus ilex and Pinus pinea seedlings in severe drought conditions, but had no effect on Pinus halepensis. For all species seedling length and radial growth and NPK nutrition were increased for both rates of amendment. Amendment improved soil fertility, but available P concentration increased 13 fold in the neighbouring soil of seedlings amended at the maximal rate compared to control. However, amendment did not significantly increase concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb in soils or tree seedlings. It increased Cu and Zn total and available concentrations in soils, while foliar Cu and Zn concentrations in the seedlings remained similar in all plots. Compost can efficiently help afforestation of dry soils with low organic matter content. However, sewage sludge concentrations in P, and to a lesser extent in Cu and Zn, limit rates of application that can be applied without environmental hazard.