Abstract
To meet flexibility and reconfigurability requirements, modern production systems need hardware and software solutions which ease the connection and mediation of different and heterogonous industrial cyber-physical components. Following the vision of Industry 4.0, the H2020 PERFoRM project targets, particularly, the seamless reconfiguration of robots and machinery. This paper describes the implementation of a highly flexible, pluggable and distributed architecture solution, focusing on several building blocks, particularly a distributed middleware, a common data model and standard interfaces and technological adapters, which can be used for connecting legacy systems (such as databases) with simulation, visualization and reconfiguration tools. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Abstract
Pumped storage power (PSP) plants are expected to be an important player in modern electrical power systems when dealing with increasing shares of new renewable energies (NRE) such as solar or wind power. The massive penetration of NRE and consequent replacement of conventional synchronous units will significantly affect the controllability of the system. In order to evaluate the capability of variable speed PSP plants participation in the frequency restoration reserve (FRR) provision, taking into account the expected performance in terms of improved ramp response capability, a comparison with conventional hydro units is presented. In order to address this issue, a three area test network was considered, as well as the corresponding automatic generation control (AGC) systems, being responsible for re-dispatching the generation units to re-establish power interchange between areas as well as the system nominal frequency. The main issue under analysis in this paper is related to the benefits of the fast response of variable speed PSP with respect to its capability of providing fast power balancing in a control area.

Abstract

Abstract
The implementation of automatic systems to execute tasks on the automotive industry brings many advantages when compared to humans. The quality, reliability and safety emerge as important advantages in the use of automatic systems. Vehicles such as buses, ambulances and garbage trucks, among others, are produced by smaller companies that are specialised in a certain genre of vehicles. The small quantities of the production series and the high rate of customization per client make it impossible to use fully automated production lines. This study aimed to determine the advantages of using a robotic welding cell to produce bus body structures and to follow its implementation in the production process. In order to make a reliable data comparison, it was chosen a part from the bus's luggage to execute all necessary tests which will be welded using an out of service robot already owned by the company. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Abstract
Background: Neuroimmune axis is central in the physiopathology of hip osteoarthritis (OA), but its specific pathways are still unclear. This systematic review aims to assess the nervous and immune system profile of patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) when compared to healthy controls. Methods: A systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines was conducted. A two-step selection process was completed, and from 609 references 17 were included. The inclusion criteria were: original articles on adult patients with hip OA, with assessment of neuroimmune expression. Articles with other interventions prior to analysis and those without a control group were excluded. Results: Thirty-nine relevant neuroimmune markers were identified, with assessments in bone, cartilage, synovial membrane, synovial fluid, whole blood, serum and/or immune cells. GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, IL-1 alpha, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1 and TNF-alpha presented variable expression among tissues studied when compared between hip OA and controls. VEGFs and TGF-beta isoforms showed similar tendencies among tissues and studies. On nervous expression, CGRP, Tuj-1 and SP were increased in synovial membrane. Overall, patients with hip OA presented a higher number of overexpressed markers. Conclusions: For the first time a systematic review on neuroimmune expression in patients with hip OA found an upregulation of neuroimmune markers, with deregulated balance between pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. However, no clear systematic pattern was found, and few information is available on nervous expression. This highlights the importance of future research with clear methodologies to guide the management of these patients.

Abstract
Aging is a process inherent to the human condition and part of the human being’s life cycle, which can be degraded by the reduction in the individual’s physical and social activity. This problem can be augmented by the context in which the person is aging, e.g., family, health and social bonds. The elderly individuals’ well-being is related to the strength of their social bonds with their family and friends group, which can be difficult to maintain in some stages of the aging process. A, recently- proposed solution is the adoption of autonomous systems capable of autonomous interactions with the elderly. Such systems are designed to be able to interpret the individual’s state of mind and the current context in order to conduct an effective interaction with the elderly person. This study focuses on the interaction design between the autonomous system and the human person, by considering the elderly individual’s context and pursuing the type of interaction that will positively influence the reinforcement or maintenance of the person’s social bonds with the family and friends groups. The study was carried out by interviewing a group of elderly people, currently living in nursing homes and with limited access to their family and friends.