Hidden potentialities

The search for “complexity signatures” in natural laws is a main concern for researchers working in many different fields, going from physics to biology. Very simple laws are able to produce unforeseen behaviors, and from their “simplicity” sometimes it is not possible to predict anything about the potential complexities they are able to produce when applied to random initial conditions. Here elementary cellular automata (ECA) are used to illustrate this idea. In fact, using a recently developed approach to establish a correspondence between ECA rules and logical functions that constitute their structure (logical spectra) we analyzed ECA groups represented by automata 120 and 164. The automaton governed by rule 120 generates complex patterns under certain random initial conditions, whereas the one corresponding to rule 164 is known as a simple law when it is evaluated at random initial conditions. However, slight changes in the initial conditions of both ECA produce dramatic “simplicity–complexity transitions”, as it is shown here. These examples show that complexity, even in very simple formal systems, results from a subtle interplay between the structure of the laws and the initial conditions. Moreover, they draw attention to the importance of investigating if analogous comportments hold in large-scale natural phenomena as the yet enigmatic genotype–phenotype mapping.     

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.     

Evaluation of the quality of collaboration between the client and the therapist in phobia treatments

A growing number of empirical studies evaluate the influence of Mental Health (MH) technology on the clinical effectiveness, the therapeutic relationship (i.e., therapeutic alliance), and usability issues. However, to the authors’ knowledge, no studies have yet been performed regarding the influence of technology on the therapeutic process in terms of collaboration. This study evaluates the quality of collaboration between the client and therapist in Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy (ARET) context and the traditional, In Vivo Exposure Therapy (IVET) context with the Therapeutic Collaborative Scale (TCS). Twenty participants received an intensive session of cognitive behavioral therapy in either a technology-mediated therapeutic context or in a traditional therapeutic context. The results indicate that both therapeutic conditions show high collaboration scores. However, the asymmetry of roles between the therapist and the client under both conditions were detected. Also, a greater level of distraction was observed for therapists in ARET, which affected the quality of the therapists’ involvement in the therapeutic session. The implications of these results are discussed.     

Preliminary Developments of Miniplate-Type Fuel of U-2.5Zr-7.5Nb Alloy Dispersed and Cladded in Zircaloy

Nuclear fuel based on uranium metal alloys is utilized in research and test reactors. For the purpose of the reduction of fuel enrichment, high densities of uranium-235 in this kind of fuel are needed. This can be achieved when uranium alloys are used containing elements such as Zr, Mo and Nb. The construction of fuel element with high-uranium density requires materials with low cross sections for neutron absorption, stability under irradiation and absence of the chemical interactions between the fuel and cladding elements. In case of U-Zr-Nb alloys, Zry （zircaloy） cladding is a better option due to the fact that they have a higher chemical compatibility when compared with the use of aluminum alloys. This study aims to develop plate type nuclear fuel using the U-2.5Zr-7.5Nb alloy dispersed in Zry. Powders of this uranium based alloy and Zry were obtained by hydriding-dehydriding process. These powders were homogenized, compacted in pellet that was sandwiched in plates and frame of Zry. This assembly was hot rolled forming the dispersion fuel miniplate.     

Cross-linked soy protein as material for biodegradable films: Synthesis, characterization and biodegradation

The modification of soy protein isolate (SPI) with different amounts of a naturally occurring cross-linking agent (genipin, Gen) and glycerol used as plasticizer was carried out in this work. The films yielded were cast from heated and alkaline aqueous solution of SPI, glycerol and Gen and then dried in an oven. Total soluble matter, water vapor permeability and mechanical properties were improved by adding small amounts of Gen. These properties were not significantly affected (P ? 0.05) by additions exceeding 2.5% (w/w of SPI). The opacity and cross-linking degree were linearly increased with the addition of Gen, whereas the swelling ratios in water were decreased. All the films were submitted to degradation under indoor soil burial conditions and the weight loss of the films was measured at different times. This study revealed that the film biodegradation time can be controlled or modified from at least 14 to 33 days. The tests performed showed the potential of Gen to improve the SPI film properties, in which the possibility of employing such new films as biodegradable food packaging was raised.     

A novel magneto‐impedance sensor model based on the zeros of Bessel functions

Nowadays, the design of magneto‐impedance (MI) sensors requires the development of lumped circuit models that can be simulated through equivalent impedance circuits relied on Bessel functions. A new impedance model based on Senani's equivalent using the zeros of Bessel functions is developed in this paper. The model allows to describe the impedance as a transfer function that can be easily synthesized by means of current conveyor circuits and passive elements. The mathematical representation was verified under simulation of transfer functions involving different number of poles and zeros. Moreover, the model has been verified using SPICE simulations and measurement results from a fabricated prototype demonstrating its scope and validity. Finally, a study of finite tracking errors of CCIIs used in the implementation of magneto‐impedance sensor has been realized. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.