Components as coalgebras: The refinement dimension

This paper characterises refinement of state-based software components modelled as pointed coalgebras for some Set endofunctors. The proposed characterisation is parametric on a specification of the underlying behaviour model introduced as a strong monad. This provides a basis to reason about (and transform) state-based software designs. In particular, it is shown how refinement can be applied to the development of the inequational subset of a calculus of generic software components.     

Synthesis and properties of alkali-activated iron ore tailings blended with metakaolin

In this study, synthesis, microstructural characteristics, mechanical properties, and environmental compatibility of alkali-activated binders derived from iron ore tailings (IOT)—with partial replacement with metakaolin (MK)—were investigated. The binders were produced with a NaOH solution, IOT, and MK. A thermal cure at 100°C was used and the MK was applied as a partial replacement of IOT in three proportions (10, 20, and 30 wt%). The IOT-based specimens presented an average of 98.0 and 18.0 MPa at 7 days age of curing for compressive and flexural strength, respectively. The mechanical properties of the alkali-activated binders with MK decreased as the substitution ratio increased. By the microstructural analysis, it was found a zeolite-type phase in alkali-activated IOT, while in the binders blended with MK, three new mineral phases were identified. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared, quantitative X-ray diffraction, and environmental analysis suggest that the Fe species present in IOT acted in the alkali-activation reaction.     

Recent Advances in Research on Polyphenols: Effects on Microbiota,Metabolism, and Health

Polyphenols have attracted huge interest among researchers of various disciplines because of their numerous biological activities, such as antioxidative, antiinflammatory, antiapoptotic, cancer chemopreventive, anticarcinogenic, and antimicrobial properties, and their promising applications in many fields, mainly in the medical, cosmetics, dietary supplement and food industries. In this review, the latest scientific findings in the research on polyphenols interaction with the microbiome and mitochondria, their metabolism and health beneficial effects, their involvement in cognitive diseases and obesity development, as well as some innovations in their analysis, extraction methods, development of cosmetic formulations and functional food are summarized based on the papers presented at the 13th World Congress on Polyphenol Applications. Future implications of polyphenols in disease prevention and their strategic use as prophylactic measures are specifically addressed. Polyphenols may play a key role in our tomorrow´s food and nutrition to prevent many diseases.     

Twisted Crystalline Organic Semiconductor Photodetectors

Optoelectronic properties of anisotropic crystals vary with direction requiring that the orientation of molecular organic semiconductor crystals is controlled in optoelectronic device active layers to achieve optimal performance. Here, a generalizable strategy to introduce periodic variations in the out-of-plane orientations of 5,11-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)anthradithiophene (TIPS ADT) crystals is presented. TIPS ADT crystallized from the melt in the presence of 16 wt.% polyethylene (PE) forms banded spherulites of crystalline fibrils that twist in concert about the radial growth direction. These spherulites exhibit band-dependent light absorption, photoluminescence, and Raman scattering depending on the local orientation of crystals. Mueller matrix imaging reveals strong circular extinction (CE), with TIPS ADT banded spherulites exhibiting domains of positive or negative CE signal depending on the crystal twisting sense. Furthermore, orientation-dependent enhancement in charge injection and extraction in films of twisted TIPS ADT crystals compared to films of straight crystals is visualized in local conductive atomic force microscopy maps. This enhancement leads to 3.3- and 6.2-times larger photocurrents and external quantum efficiencies, respectively, in photodetectors comprising twisted crystals than those comprising straight crystals.     

Modeling and assessing an intelligent system for safety in human-robot collaboration using deep and machine learning techniques

Multimedia Tools and Applications - The introduction of technological innovations is essential for accident mitigation in work environments. In a human-robot collaboration scenario, the current...     

An automatic fire detection system based on deep convolutional neural networks for low-power,resource-constrained devices

Neural Computing and Applications - Large-scale fires have been increasingly reported in the news media. These events can cause a variety of irreversible damage, what encourages the search for...     

Compression stiffness evaluation of polycaprolactone-amorphous calcium phosphate 3D-designed scaffolds oriented by finite element analysis

Scaffolds are implants used to accelerate bone regeneration process, being a relevant element of research in bone tissue engineering field. In this context, the proposal of this research was to perform a mechanical behavior evaluation, by finite element analysis (FEA), of two different configurations of 3D scaffolds fabricated in a type of composite material of PCL-ACP (polycaprolactone and amorphous calcium phosphate). The numerical results were compared with the experimental data and also, used to determine the compression stiffness of each studied scaffold configuration. Thus, it was possible to conclude that FEA is a tool that helps understand complex problems while being able to reduce time and cost in analysis, resulting in more efficient and less invasive medical procedures and treatments. In addition, the novelty of this multidisciplinary research work contributes as an application in tissue engineering area by relating a PCL-ACP biomaterial with one unprecedented geometry of scaffold faced to FEA mechanical evaluation. Therefore, demonstrating to be a relevant subject for science by not only providing procedures that increases people's life quality but also for being a new application.     

Effect of processing conditions on electromagnetic shielding and electrical resistivity of injection-molded polybutylene terephthalate compounds

This research introduces an analysis of the anisotropic electrical resistivity (ER) and its relation to the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) for two injection-molded carbon-fiber-reinforced polybutylene terephthalates (PBTs). The properties were measured for 2-mm thick injection moldings considering the effect of melt temperature, injection velocity, and flow distance. The results for one compound showed an EMSE in the range of 30–40 dB, while EMSE for a compound with lower filler content is in the range of 45–75 dB. A combination of higher temperature and higher velocity leads to an increase of EMSE for both compounds in the range of 3%–8.5%. However, the increase in flow path reduced the EMSE for both compounds up to 10%. A novel experimental apparatus was used to measure the anisotropic ER in the three directions, that is, parallel, perpendicular, and transversal to flow. It is evident that injection molding induced high anisotropy for both compound specimens, and, depending on the processing conditions, produced similar longitudinal resistivity (0.2–4 Ω.cm) but higher transversal resistivity (8–22 Ω.cm). ER properties were compared with EMSE, evidencing an inverse relation as expected. Furthermore, it was found that the longitudinal resistivity is the main contributor to the specimens shielding.