SCIDDICA-SS3: a new version of cellular automata model for simulating fast moving landslides

Cellular Automata (CA) are discrete and parallel computational models useful for simulating dynamic systems that evolve on the basis on local interactions. Some natural events, such as some types of landslides, fall into this type of phenomena and lend themselves well to be simulated with this approach. This paper describes the latest version of the SCIDDICA CA family models, specifically developed to simulate debris-flows type landslides. The latest model of the family, named SCIDDICA-SS₃, inherits all the features of its predecessor, SCIDDICA-SS₂, with the addition of a particular strategy to manage momentum. The introduction of the latter permits a better approximation of inertial effects that characterize some rapid debris flows. First simulations attempts of real landslides with SCIDDICA-SS₃ have produced quite satisfactory results, comparable with the previous model.     

Polyhydrosilane Mediated Synthesis of One-Dimensional Gold Nanostructures

This work presents a solution-phase approach for the “one pot” synthesis of polysilane-gold nanorods. The process starts by the reduction of HAuCl₄ to Au^o with a solution of poly[diphenylsilane-co-methyl(H)silane] cooled to 4 °C. The formed small Au nanoparticles (5–15 nm diameter) serve further as seeds for the heterogeneous nucleation and anisotropic growth that takes place at 25 °C and yields crystalline needle-like polymer–gold nanostructures. The evolution of the small spherical nanoparticles to nanorods with length/width aspect ratios up to 10³ has been proved by UV–Vis spectroscopy, polarized light microscopy and AFM. Further insights on the growth mechanism were obtained by SEM, DLS and TEM.     

Influence of the calcium concentration in the presence of organic phosphorus on the physicochemical compatibility and stability of all-in-one admixtures for neonatal use

Background  

Preterm infants need high amounts of calcium and phosphorus for bone mineralization, which is difficult to obtain with parenteral feeding due to the low solubility of these salts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical compatibility of high concentrations of calcium associated with organic phosphate and its influence on the stability of AIO admixtures for neonatal use.     

Consumers' acceptance and quality stability of olive oil flavoured with essential oils of different oregano species

The objective of this study was to evaluate chemical and physical stability and consumers' acceptance of olive oil flavoured with oregano essential oils (EOs; Compacto, Cordobes, Criollo and Mendocino). Samples of olive oil were added with 0.05% EO and stored in dark (D) and light (L) conditions for 126 days. Samples with oregano EO had lower lipid oxidation indicator values [K232, K269, peroxide value (PV) and anisidine value], especially in darkness. Olive oil with Cordobes EO in D had the lowest PV (18.71 meqO₂ kg^?1). Using prediction equations, 20 meqO₂ kg^?1 PV in olive oil should be reached in 34 days in L control sample and in 126 days in the Cordobes EO sample in darkness. Samples with Cordobes and Criollo EOs in darkness had the highest chlorophyll content after 126 days (2.91 and 2.88 mg kg^?1, respectively). Sensory analysis showed that oregano EO addition in olive oil was detected by panellists in discriminative test and affected consumer acceptance.     

A proposal toward the development of accessible e-learning content by human involvement

Most of the existing efforts for supporting the design, preparation, and deployment of accessible e-learning applications propose guidelines that primarily address technical accessibility issues. Little, if any, consideration is given to the real actors involved in the learning experience, such as didactical experts and disabled learners. Moreover, implementing artifacts addressed to the e-learning world requires a wide range of particular skills which are related not only to technical but also to didactical, pedagogical, usability, and accessibility aspects of the produced material. This paper argues that the know-how of a number of stakeholders should be blended into a joint design activity, and that it should be possible to determine the role of each participant in the successive phases of the development lifecycle of e-learning applications. The paper sketches the methodological guidelines of a design framework based on involving the users with disabilities, as well as pedagogical experts, in the development process. The novelty of this proposal mainly stems from being built up around the core of strategies and choices specifically bound to accessibility requirements. Characteristic elements of learner-centered design are then further integrated into processes and methodologies which are typical of participatory and contextual design approaches. Following such guidelines, it will be possible to gain a deeper understanding of the requirements and of the operational context of people needing accessible material, either as learners or educators. The underlying objective is to increase the potential to realize learning systems that better meet different user needs and that provide a more satisfying learning experience. Moreover, when people get involved in the development process, they gain a sense of ownership of the system and are therefore more likely to accept and “promote” it.     

Microwave-assisted photochemical reactor for the online oxidative decomposition and determination of p-hydroxymercurybenzoate and its thiolic complexes by cold vapor generation atomic fluorescence detection

We developed a photochemical method for the online oxidation of p-hydroxymercurybenzoate (PHMB), an organic mercury species widely used for mercaptan and thiolic compound labeling. The method is based on a fully integrated online UV/microwave (MW) photochemical reactor for the digestion of PHMB, followed by cold vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CVG-AFS) detection. The MW/UV process led to the quantitative conversion of PHMB and thiol-PHMB complexes to Hg(II), with a yield between 91% and 98%, without using chemical oxidizing reagents and avoiding the use of toxic carcinogenic compounds. This reaction was followed by the reduction of Hg(II) to Hg(0), performed in a knitted reaction coil with NaBH(4) solution, and AFS detection in an Ar/H(2) miniaturized flame. The low MW power applied (18 W) allowed us to keep constant the temperature of the photochemical reactor (21 ± 1 °C), using a flowing water bath. This avoided peak widening due to diffusion processes generally occurring at high temperatures and in the additional cooling coil. This method has been applied to the determination of thiols in human plasma, blood, and wine.     

Transglutaminase effects on gelation capacity of thermally induced beef protein gels

Transglutaminase (TG) is an enzyme that catalyzes an acyl-transfer reaction between the γ-carboxyamide group of peptide or protein-bound glutaminyl residues, and primary amines. TG action on protein molecules, causes a cross-linking and polymerizing effect of these latter, through ε-(γ-glutamyl)lysine bonds. This TG-mediated protein cross-linking creates drastic physical changes in protein-rich foods.