Cognitive task analysis: a proposal to model reactive behaviours

A tentative analysis and design of behaviours to be implemented in robots has been developed. For that purpose we have analysed the human behaviour of the person who executes the robot task. Afterwards we have transferred this analysis to the robot in charge of the same task. The cognitive task analysis, a powerful tool coming from cognitive psychology, has been used to study the behaviour granularity of the robots. This analysis is of paramount importance because the implementation of more sophisticated robot behaviours depends on the appropriate selection of the basic robot behaviours. The paper introduces a brief explanation of different types of robot architectures, and our motivation, to give, later on, some ideas concerning the cognitive task analysis and the used methods; finally, as an example, the behaviour of a postman is modelled by using those tools to get the necessary behaviours for a robot in charge of that task.     

Nutraceutical Properties of Flour and Tortillas Made with an Ecological Nixtamalization Process

The traditional nixtamalization (TN) process, used for obtaining maize‐based products, negatively affects bioactive compounds because of its highly alkaline pH. Recently, an ecological nixtamalization (EN) process has been developed that retains the pericarp and maintains the nejayote (wastewater) within the acidic‐neutral range. This study examines the effect of pH on the nutraceutical compounds (NC) of maize, such as polyphenolics and anthocyanins (ANT), as well as the effect on the antioxidant capacity (AC). The highest concentration of total phenolics (TP) in the maize kernel was found in the black and yellow genotypes, the highest concentration of ANT in the black genotypes, and the highest concentration of AC in the red and white genotypes. In the flour, TP levels were between 206 to 400 mg GA/100 g, ANT levels were 141 to 4107 mg cyanidin‐3 glucoside/kg, and AC levels were 2544 to 3001 mg AA/kg. In tortillas, TP levels were 255 to 319 mg GA/100 g, ANT levels were 32 to 3420 mg cyanidin‐3 glucoside/kg, and AC levels were from 1513 to 2695 mg AA/kg. The reduced loss of soluble solids, the pH, and the formation of compounds with proteins and carbohydrates from the EN process positively affected NC retention.     

H2 production by PEM electrolysis,assisted by textile effluent treatment and a solar photovoltaic cell

In this paper a new approach for H₂ production by PEM electrolysis, assisted by effluent treatment in the anolyte is proposed. H₂ is produced, in the catholyte, by proton reduction at a Fe-cathode, in an acid medium (1 M H₂SO₄). While in the anolyte, a mixture of Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ is produced from the oxidation of an iron anode. The overall energy required (≤1.00 V) is less than that required by conventional water electrolysis, and is delivered by solar panels. In the anolyte, iron ions can be used in favor of a Fenton-type process, in the presence of H₂O₂. This approach is used in effluent treatment. The oxidation efficiency of dyes reactive black 5 (RB 5) and acid green 25 (AG 25) was investigated, in mild conditions, during H₂ production. The main experimental results show that it is possible to oxidize 0.00024 M RB 5 or 0.0002 M AG 25 in the anolyte, in 20 min.     

Dual Farnesoid X Receptor/Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Modulators Derived from Zafirlukast

The nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) are validated molecular targets to treat metabolic disorders such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Their simultaneous modulation in vivo has demonstrated a triad of anti-NASH effects and thus may generate synergistic efficacy. Here we report dual FXR activators/sEH inhibitors derived from the anti-asthma drug Zafirlukast. Systematic structural optimization of the scaffold has produced favorable dual potency on FXR and sEH while depleting the original cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonism of the lead drug. The resulting polypharmacological activity profile holds promise in the treatment of liver-related metabolic diseases.     

RhII-Catalyzed De-symmetrization of Ethane-1,2-dithiol and Propane-1,3-dithiol Yields Metallo-β-lactamase Inhibitors

Diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) is a rich source for novel lead structures in Medicinal Chemistry. In this study, we present a DOS-compatible method for synthesis of compounds bearing a free thiol moiety. The procedure relies on Rh(II)-catalyzed coupling of dithiols to diazo building blocks. The synthetized library was probed against metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) NDM-1 and VIM-1. Biochemical and biological evaluation led to identification of novel potent MBL inhibitors with antibiotic adjuvant activity.     

Texture analysis of dried papaya (Carica papaya L., cv. Maradol) pretreated with calcium and osmotic dehydration

The application of pretreatments before to convective drying improves the textural characteristics of minimally processed fruits. The aim of this work was to evaluate the texture of papaya (Carica papaya L., cv. Maradol) dried by convection pretreated with calcium hydroxide solutions and osmotic dehydration. Texture profile analysis was performed on fresh and dried cubes by convection at 70?°C not pretreated, as well as on those pretreated with calcium and osmotic solutions. During calcium immersion, the firmness increased, the TSS decreased, and the calcium gain was higher to low temperature. Water loss and solids gain were higher using high concentrations and temperatures during osmosis, resulting in lower values of moisture content and higher values ??of TSS. Calcium and osmotic pretreatments resulted in a product with intermediate moisture, stable color, firm, and minimal shrinkage. The modification of the papaya structure during all treatments caused a change in the textural characteristics. Statistical analysis of textural characteristics of dry cubes pretreated showed a significant difference (α?=?0.05) compared to fresh ones and not pretreated. The pretreatments formed a firm (outer) and a soft (inside) structure that reduced the shrinkage and the deformation of dry cubes and decrease the drying time up to 37% compared to dry cubes no pretreated.     

Molecular recognition imaging using tuning fork-based transverse dynamic force microscopy

We demonstrate simultaneous transverse dynamic force microscopy and molecular recognition imaging using tuning forks as piezoelectric sensors. Tapered aluminum-coated glass fibers were chemically functionalized with biotin and anti-lysozyme molecules and attached to one of the prongs of a 32 kHz tuning fork. The lateral oscillation amplitude of the tuning fork was used as feedback signal for topographical imaging of avidin aggregates and lysozyme molecules on mica substrate. The phase difference between the excitation and detection signals of the tuning fork provided molecular recognition between avidin/biotin or lysozyme/anti-lysozyme. Aggregates of avidin and lysozyme molecules appeared as features with heights of 1–4 nm in the topographic images, consistent with single molecule atomic force microscopy imaging. Recognition events between avidin/biotin or lysozyme/anti-lysozyme were detected in the phase image at high signal-to-noise ratio with phase shifts of 1–2°. Because tapered glass fibers and shear-force microscopy based on tuning forks are commonly used for near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM), these results open the door to the exciting possibility of combining optical, topographic and biochemical recognition at the nanometer scale in a single measurement and in liquid conditions.     

Influence of dielectric and sorption properties on drying behaviour and energy efficiency during microwave convective drying of selected food and non-food inorganic materials

The average energy efficiency of microwave convective drying is strongly related to drying time and thus to drying kinetics. This study investigates the energy efficiency of materials with different material properties and drying rates. Four solid, porous materials (swede, potato, bread, and lightweight concrete) were dried under the same microwave convective drying conditions. Drying behaviour, temperature development, hygroscopicity, dielectric properties, and specific energy consumption were studied. Despite differences in kinetics and product properties, the specific energy consumption (MJ/kg evaporated water) was approximately the same for all materials at intermediate to high moisture contents. When drying was pursued into the hygroscopic region, however, the specific energy consumption increased. The results indicate that a relationship between microwave penetration depth and water activity of the materials may be found. Drying of the food materials was limited by burning either due to temperature runaway in the hygroscopic region or due to development of hot spots, possibly induced by material structure.