Abstract
Digitalization is transforming the worldwide economy. In such digital transformation the human integration in CPS assumes a crucial importance, complemented with some key enabling technologies like IoT, cloud computing, big data and machine learning. In this context, user interfaces are used to collect data and to monitor and control the systems, being required to use design and ergonomics guidelines, as well as user expirience, for their deployment in industrial enviroments. This paper describes the use of friendly and ergonomic user interfaces to support the human integration at operational and strategic level, aligned with the Industry 4.0 context, for an industrial metal stamping unit.

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The environmental targets set by power sectors throughout the world are the main drivers toward increasing the share of variable renewable energy sources (VRESs). Growth of VRESs will lead to a higher demand for operational flexibility due to their stochastic nature. Traditionally, conventional generation units provide the major share of additional required flexibility that may result in a higher depreciation. Motivated by this challenge, this paper investigates the potential of Demand Response (DR) as an emerging alternative in systems with significant amounts of wind power. To this end, a comprehensive set of DR programs including tariff-based, incentive-based and combinational DR programs are considered in a stochastic network-constrained market clearing framework. Afterwards, various DR programs are prioritized taking into account the system operator's economic, technical, and environmental desires. Moreover, the sensitivity of different DR programs into customer's price elasticity of demand as well as the participation level are evaluated by means of several sensitivity analyses. The obtained results can provide a guideline for the system operators to opt the most effective DR program.

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Objective: Axial motor features are common in Parkinson's disease (PD). These include gait impairment and postural abnormalities, such as camptocormia. The response of these symptoms to deep brain stimulation (DBS) is variable and difficult to assess objectively. For the first time, this study analyzes the treatment outcomes of two PD patients with camptocormia that underwent bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN)-DBS evaluated with disruptive technologies. Patients and methods: Two patients with PD and camptocormia who underwent STN-DBS were included. Gait parameters were quantitatively assessed before and after surgery by using the NeuroKinect system and the camptocormia angle was measured using the camptoapp. Results: After surgery, patient 1 improved 29 points in the UPDRS-III. His camptocormia angle was 68 degrees before and 38 degrees after surgery. Arm and knee angular amplitudes (117.32 +/- 7.47 vs 134.77 +/- 2.70; 144.51 +/- 7.47 vs 169.08 +/- 3.27) and arm swing (3.59 +/- 2.66 vs 5.40 +/- 1.76 cm) improved when compared with his pre-operative measurements. Patient 2 improved 22 points in the UPDRS-III after surgery. Her camptocormia mostly resolved (47 degrees before to 9 degrees after surgery). Gait analysis revealed improvement of stride length (0.29 +/- 0.03 vs 0.35 +/- 0.03 m), stride width (18.25 +/- 1.16 vs 17.9 +/- 0.84 cm), step velocity (0.91 +/- 0.57 vs 1.33 +/- 0.48 m/s), arm swing (4.51 +/- 1.01 vs 7.38 +/- 2.71 cm) and arm and hip angular amplitudes (131.57 +/- 2.45 degrees vs 137.75 +/- 3.18; 100.51 +/- 1.56 vs 102.18 +/- 1.77 degrees) compared with her preoperative results. Conclusion: The gait parameters and camptocormia of both patients objectively improved after surgery, as assessed by the two quantitative measurement systems. STN-DBS might have a beneficial effect on controlling axial posturing and gait, being a potential surgical treatment for camptocormia in patients with PD. However, further studies are needed to derive adequate selection criteria for this patient population.