Playing on a holo-stage: towards the interaction between real and virtual performers

This paper presents a number of ongoing projects that will be valuable to the development of technologies for digital theatre and performance. This paper describes an EU ACTS project called RESOLV which develops an integrated system to capture real 3D environments using laser and video. Current research on motion tracking, statistical behaviour modelling and simulation is presented, and possible applications, both for visual augmentation and audio generation, are discussed. The projects presented were not originally designed in the domain of theatre and performance, however their results and output seem to be well suited to be applied in this area.     

Shrimp processing residue as an alternative ingredient for new product development

Shrimp residues were dried (65 °C), grounded, and posteriorly used as an ingredient to the production of ‘spiced shrimp flour’ and ‘shrimp flavoured biscuits’. Both products were packed in modified atmosphere (100% N₂) and stored for 180 days (25 °C) for shelf life evaluation. The centesimal composition, physicochemical, microbiological and sensory analyses were carried out in triplicate. The microbiological analysis (residue and shrimp flour) was within the limits of the legislation, confirming the hygienic–sanitary care during processing. The protein content was the most outstanding (40.13% for the spiced shrimp flour and 20.52% for the shrimp flavoured biscuits). The microbiological evaluation for the ‘spiced shrimp flour’ and ‘shrimp flavoured biscuits’ was below the legal limit, and both products were accepted by sensory analysis. The shelf life evaluation demonstrated stability for 6 months. Thus, we concluded that the Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp residue is a promising ingredient in the food industry.     

Microencapsulation of cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale,L.) juice using a new chitosan–commercial bovine whey protein isolate system in spray drying

The aim of this work was to obtain a new stable food product from cashew apple juice encapsulated by spray-drying technique using chitosan–whey protein isolate systems. The materials were evaluated according to their physicochemical stability during storage at different conditions and characterized with respect to their particle size distribution and structure. Encapsulated commercial and natural juices showed homogenous and unimodal particle size distribution with diameters ranging from 0.2 to 5.0 μm and from 0.2 to 40.0 μm, respectively. Both juices demonstrated higher physicochemical stability for vitamin C and color measurements than their respective non-encapsulated juices. X-ray diffractograms evidenced that the powder juices after the 140th day of storage were still in amorphous state. These results indicate that the new product was effective in protecting sensitive compounds present in the food matrix and it was also able to remain stable throughout the study period.     

Extensional rheology of raw natural rubber from new clones of Hevea brasiliensis

Natural rubber (NR) is a biopolymer whose properties depend on the molecular structure of the 1,4‐cis polyisoprene chains, nonrubber constituents, environmental conditions, etc. NR has been characterized by Mooney viscosity, Wallace plasticity, nitrogen content (%N). However, these cannot effectively account for clone's differences. The aim of this work is to use extensional rheology to characterize and differentiate NR samples as for clone type and the season of the year in comparison to the traditional characterizations. Three IAC 300 series and RRIM 600 clones of Hevea brasiliensis tapped between October 2006 (Oct_06) and August 2008 (Aug_08) were investigated. IAC 329 clones showed the least susceptibility to seasonal changes, whereas RRIM 600 was the most influenced. An opposite trend between extensional viscosity (η_E) and %N was established. The former was very sensitive to changes in the molecular structure of NR, being fundamental for monitoring purposes and strategic development of new rubber tree clones. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Evaluation of the peptide profile with a view to authenticating buffalo mozzarella cheese

Electrophoretic and chromatographic techniques were used to determine water‐soluble peptide profiles aiming to identify the adulteration of buffalo milk mozzarella cheese by the addition of cow's milk. Thus, cheeses were produced with contents of cow's milk varying from 0% to 100%, and the peptides extracted after production and after 20 days of refrigeration. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS‐PAGE) identified a potential peptide marker of exclusively bovine origin with a size of about 21 kDa for the addition of cow's milk above 30%. Reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) indicated the existence of two potential peptides present in higher concentrations in buffalo milk and one exclusive for cow's milk, the latter making it possible to estimate the addition of cow's milk to buffalo milk. Six commercial brands of buffalo mozzarella cheese were evaluated, and indications of adulteration found in four of them.     

Mobile touchscreen user interfaces: bridging the gap between motor-impaired and able-bodied users

Touchscreen mobile devices are highly customizable, allowing designers to create inclusive user interfaces that are accessible to a broader audience. However, the knowledge to provide this new generation of user interfaces is yet to be uncovered. The goal was to thoroughly study mobile touchscreen interfaces and provide guidelines for informed design. The paper presents an evaluation performed with 15 tetraplegic and 18 able-bodied users that allowed to identify their main similarities and differences within a set of interaction techniques (Tapping, Crossing, and Directional Gesturing) and parameterizations. Results show that Tapping and Crossing are the most similar and easy to use techniques for both motor-impaired and able-bodied users. Regarding Tapping, error rates start to converge at 12 mm, showing to be a good compromise for target size. As for Crossing, it offered a similar level of accuracy; however, larger targets (17 mm) are significantly easier to cross for motor-impaired users. Directional Gesturing was the least inclusive technique. Regarding position, edges showed to be troublesome. For instance, they have shown to increase Tapping precision for disabled users, while decreasing able-bodied users’ accuracy when targets are too small (7 mm). It is argued that despite the expected error rate disparity, there are clear resemblances between user groups, thus enabling the development of inclusive touch interfaces. Tapping, a traditional interaction technique, was among the most effective for both target populations, along with Crossing. The main difference concerns Directional Gesturing that in spite of its unconstrained nature shows to be inaccurate for motor-impaired users.     

Effect of Vertical Misfit on Screw Joint Stability of Implant-Supported Crowns

The passive fit between prosthesis and implant is a relevant factor for screw joint stability and treatment success. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of vertical misfit in abutment-implant interface on preload maintenance of retention screw of implant-supported crowns. The crowns were fabricated with different abutments and veneering materials and divided into 5 groups (n = 12): Gold UCLA abutments cast in gold alloy veneered with ceramic (Group I) and resin (Group II), UCLA abutments cast in titanium veneered with ceramic (Group III) and resin (Group IV), and zirconia abutments with ceramic veneering (Group V). The crowns were attached to implants by gold retention screws with 35-N cm insertion torque. Specimens were submitted to mechanical cycling up to 10⁶ cycles. Measurements of detorque and vertical misfit in abutment-implant interface were performed before and after mechanical cycling. ANOVA revealed statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) among groups for vertical misfit measured before and after mechanical cycling. The abutments cast in titanium exhibited the highest misfit values. Pearson correlation test did not demonstrate significant correlation (P > 0.05) between vertical misfit and detorque value. It was concluded that vertical misfit did not influence torque maintenance and the abutments cast in titanium exhibited the highest misfit values.     

Analysis on the feasibility of biomass power plants adding to the electric power system – Economic,regulatory and market aspects – State of Pará, Brazil

This paper presents an analysis of the feasibility of implementing biomass power plants, through thermoelectric power generation, and adding such plants to the electric system of the local electric utility by means of independent power production. Economic, regulatory, and market issues are also addressed.The biomass being considered is produced by the lumber sector, since that is one of the industrial sectors generating the largest amount of residues in a concentrated manner in the region under study, and also considering the fact that the disposal of such residues is currently difficult for the lumber companies.The locations with the largest production of residues, as well as the size of potential plants, are identified, the generation costs of the plants calculated, and the feasibility for implementing the plants is evaluated considering the market and the regulation of the Brazilian electric power sector.