Exploring Cognition and Affect during Human-Cobot Interaction

Collaborative robots (Cobots) have recently gained popularity due to their capability to work collaboratively with human operators. This collaborative relationship has been named under the robotics discipline of Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC), in which humans and robots work together to accomplish a common task while also being in the same physical space. An important part of collaboration is the human\u27s decision-making, which is largely affected by their affective and cognitive state. A cobot lacks this fundamental understanding of the human operator. In this research, we utilize a server-client program to communicate the affective states of a human user to a Raspberry Pi installed within the cobot. Furthermore, this research centers on the stress and focus levels of a user to further enhance Human-Robot collaboration within a manufacturing context

O papel da cor no acesso aos descritores estruturais dos objetos

Dissertação de mestrado, Neurociências Cognitivas e Neuropsicologia, Faculdade de Ciências Humanas e Sociais, Universidade do Algarve, 2014O objetivo deste estudo visou esclarecer se a propriedade visual cor facilita o acesso aos descritores estruturais de objetos com alto e baixo nível de diagnosticidade de cor. Foi arquitetada uma tarefa de correspondência entre a parte e o todo de forma a avaliar o estádio de reconhecimento de objetos no qual se acede aos descritores estruturais. Nesta tarefa, foi pedido aos participantes para verificarem se uma propriedade visual (e.g., tromba do elefante) correspondia ou não com um objeto apresentado posteriormente (e.g., elefante). Foram apresentados objetos com alto nível de diagnosticidade de cor e com baixo nível de diagnosticidade de cor. Os objetos foram apresentados a cores e a preto e branco. A amostra foi constituída por 100 estudantes universitários. Os resultados mostraram que a cor facilitou a verificação de ambos os tipos de objetos. No entanto a cor revelou-se especialmente importante para os objetos de alto nível de diagnosticidade da cor e para verificar propriedades não salientes. Este resultado sugere que a cor pode ser um atributo visual importante para aceder aos descritores estruturais dos objetos, especialmente quando os descritores estruturais são pouco salientes

OPENDSS aplicado al modelamiento y simulación dinámica de microrredes

The use of distributed generation including renewable energy sources and energy storage systems has caused changes in the traditional energy distribution systems. Therefore, the present paper aims to analyze the behavior of a microgrid by modeling and simulation under OpenDSS. In order to achieve this goal, the IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder was modified by means of the location of energy storage systems and distributed generation -solar, wind and diesel- at different points in the test system. This allow us analyze the potentialities of this software, as well as the modeling techniques necessary for the optimal operation point. It was verified that the efficiency of the distribution network working as microgrid improves about 51.5%.El uso de la generación distribuida con fuentes de energías renovables no convencionales y de sistemas de almacenamiento de energía ha propiciado el cambio de los sistemas tradicionales de distribución de energía hacia las microrredes eléctricas. La idea principal de esta investigación, es analizar el comportamiento de una microrred por medio de su modelado y simulación usando el programa computacional OpenDSS. Para ello, se modeló el sistema de prueba IEEE de 13 nodos modificado por medio de la ubicación de sistemas de almacenamiento de energía y plantas de generación -solar, eólica y diésel- distribuidas en diferentes puntos de la red de distribución. Lo anterior permite analizar las potencialidades de este software, así como las técnicas de modelado necesarias para su óptimo funcionamiento. Se verifica que el sistema, trabajando como microrred, mejora la eficiencia de la red de distribución en 51.5%

Evaluation of physical-mechanical properties, antibacterial effect, and cytotoxicity of temporary restorative materials

The objective of this study was to compare selective physical-mechanical properties, antibacterial effects and cytotoxicity of seven temporary restorative materials (TRM): five resin-based materials [Bioplic (B), Fill Magic Tempo (FM), Fermit inlay (F), Luxatemp LC (L) and Revotek LC (R)], and zinc oxide-eugenol cement (IRM) and glass ionomer cement (GIC) as the controls. Material and methods: The physical-mechanical properties were evaluated by determining microleakage (ML), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and Shore D hardness (SDH). In addition, the polymerization rate (Pr-1), depth of cure (DC), water sorption and solubility (WS/SL) were evaluated. The antimicrobial effects of the materials were assessed by biofilm accumulation of Streptococcus mutans (BT) and the direct contact test (DCT) by exposure to Enterococcus faecalis for 1 and 24 h, and cytotoxicity by MTT assay. The data were analyzed by ANOVA or Kruskall-Wallis tests, and a complementary post-hoc method (p<0.05). Results: Group B, followed by FM and GIC had significantly lower percentages of microleakage in comparison with the other groups; Groups FM and L showed the highest WS, while Groups R and FM showed the significantly lowest SL values (p<0.05). Group R showed the statistically highest UTS mean and the lowest DC mean among all groups. Group F showed the lowest S. mutans biofilm accumulation (p=0.023). Only the Group L showed continued effect against E. faecalis after 1 h and 24 h in DCT. The L showed statistically lower viability cell when compared to the other groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest the antibacterial effect of the temporary materials Fill Magic and Bioplic against S. mutans, while Luxatemp showed in vitro inhibition of S. mutans biofilm accumulation and E. faecalis growth. Regarding the cell viability test, Luxatemp was the most cytotoxic and Fill Magic was shown to be the least cytotoxic

Incidentaloma in primary health care

Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 39 años de Mali, que consultó por una Gonalgia izquierda y por una masa dura en la parte externa del tercio inferior del muslo. Hay una importante barrera del lenguaje El examen de la rodilla fue anodino con la integridad de todas las estructuras ligamentosas y meniscales y la atención se centró en la palpación de un tumor duro, plano y redondeado a nivel del tercio inferior y la cara externa del muslo izquierdo. Se refiere a haber sido tratado en la sala de emergencias del hospital hace unos meses por un accidente con contusión en la misma pierna. Revisamos la radiología realizada en el hospital donde se observó una imagen calcificada en espiral en el área correspondiente a la lesión palpable, que sería compatible con una forma adulta del nematodo calcificado Dracunculus medinensis.We present the case of a 39-year-old man from Mali, who consulted for a left Gonalgia and for a hard mass on the outside of the lower third of the thigh. There is an important language barrier The examination of the knee was anodyne with integrity of all the ligamentous and meniscal structures and attention was focused on the palpation of a hard, flat and rounded tumor at the level of the lower third and outer face of the left thigh He refers to having been treated in the hospital emergency room a few months ago for an accident with contusion on the same leg. We reviewed the radiology done at the hospital where a spiral calcified image was seen in the area corresponding to the palpable lesion, which would be compatible with an adult form of the calcified nematode Dracunculus medinensis

Development and characterization of a novel bulk-fill elastomeric temporary restorative composite

Objectives: This study investigated the physical and mechanical properties, antibacterial effect and biocompatibility of novel elastomeric temporary resin-based filling materials (TFMs) containing zinc methacrylate (ZM). Material and Methods: Experimental TFMs were prepared by mixing the zinc methacrylate with monomer, co-monomer, photoinitiator and fillers. A ZM concentration of 0 (control), 0.5% (Z0.5); 1% (Z1), 2% (Z2), or 5% (ZM5) wt% was added to the TFMs. Fermit-N (F) was used for comparison with the experimental material. Microleakage, water sorption/solubility, degree of conversion, depth of cure, ultimate tensile strength, and hardness were determined and compared. A modified direct contact test (DCT) with Enterococcus faecalis and a Streptococcus mutans' biofilm accumulation assay was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial effect and cytotoxicity of the assay. Statistical comparisons were performed (α=5%). Results: The results showed that the physical and mechanical properties of the experimental TFMs with ZM are comparable with the properties of the commercial reference and some properties were improved, such as lower microleakage and water sorption, and higher ultimate tensile strength values. TFMs with ZM killed E. faecalis only after 1 h. Biofilm development of S. mutans was not affected by the inclusion of ZM in the experimental TFMs. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that the physical, mechanical and biological properties of the experimental TFMs with ZM are comparable with the properties of the commercial reference. However, some properties were improved, such as lower microleakage and water sorption, and higher ultimate tensile strength values

effect of the silane concentration on the selected properties of an experimental microfilled composite resin

The aim of present study was evaluate the effect of different percentages of an organo-functionalized silane monomer as adhesion promoter between barium borosilicate glass fillers and (co)monomer blend in experimental dental composite resin. Gamma-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (γ-MPS) was assessed in an experimental luting cement, at the concentrations of 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 (wt%). The experimental resin without fillers was used as control group. The flexural strength (FS) and elastic modulus (E) were obtained by mini-flexural test and expressed in MPa and GPa, respectively. Water sorption (WS) and solubility (SL) were determined based on ISO standard 4049:2000. Kruskal–Wallis and Student–Newman–Keuls test were used for comparisons of FS, E and WS. The comparisons of SL means were performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's method (α = 5 %). The treatment with 3 % silane revealed statistically higher FS, while the group treated with 1 % silane showed statistically higher E than 3 % silane (p < 0.05) and E similar to control. The experimental composite without filler content showed the highest SL (p < 0.05) while the control composite showed the highest WS (p < 0.05). Based on present findings, flexural strength and elastic modulus can sometimes be improved with lower concentrations (1–3 %) rather than higher concentrations (5–7 %) of the silane (γ-MPS) used as coupling agent on barium borosilicate glass filler microparticles of the dental composite resin

Androgens by immunoassay and mass spectrometry in children with 46,XY disorder of sex development

Objective: Steroid measurement is a challenge in pediatric endocrinology. Currently, liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is considered a gold standard for this purpose. The aim of this study was to compare both LC-MS/MS and immunoassay (IA) for androgens before and after human recombinant chorionic gonadotropin (rhCG) stimulus in children with 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD). Methods: Nineteen patients with 46,XY DSD were evaluated; all of them were prepubertal and non-gonadectomized. Testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), DHEA and androstenedione were measured by IA and LC-MS/MS before and 7 days after rhCG injection. The correlation between IA and LC-MS/MS was analyzed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (SCC). For concordance analysis the Passing and Bablok (PB) regression and the Bland and Altman (BA) method were used. Results: Testosterone showed excellent correlation (ICC = 0.960 and SCC = 0.964); DHT showed insignificant and moderate correlations as indicated by ICC (0.222) and SCC (0.631), respectively; DHEA showed moderate correlation (ICC = 0.585 and SCC = 0.716); and androstenedione had poor and moderate correlations in ICC (0.363) and SCC (0.735), respectively. Using the PB method, all hormones showed a linear correlation, but proportional and systematic concordance errors were detected for androstenedione, systematic errors for testosterone and no errors for DHEA and DHT. By the BA method, there was a trend of IA to overestimate testosterone and androstenedione and underestimate DHEA and DHT when compared to LC-MS/MS. Conclusion: Traditional IA should be replaced by LC-MS/MS for the androgens measurement in prepubertal children whenever is possible

BIOMA PAMPA: TEMA GERADOR EM UMA ATIVIDADE INTERDISCIPLINAR PARA EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL

A fim de mostrar que é possível ter uma atividade interdisciplinar com áreas de conhecimento diferentes, este trabalho tem como objetivo principal abordar o bioma pampa dentro de quatro áreas distintas visando contribuir para a Educação Ambiental. Cada profissional descreverá tendo por base a pesquisa bibliográfica, como é possível trabalhar o bioma pampa dentro da sua área de atuação. O biólogo abordará o bioma sob a perspectiva descritiva (localização, extensão, tipo de fauna, flora, animais em extinção, etc.). O professor de filosofia soba perspectiva social, analisando as conseqüências ambientais e sociais das monoculturas e da pecuária extensiva como modelo econômico mantidas sob o bioma pampa. O turismólogo destacará a importância do turismo sustentável para a preservação do bioma pampa, pois ao conhecer o ambiente em que se vive promove-se a relação homem - meio ambiente, podendo conduzir a ações de recuperação, preservação e utilização sustentável dos ambientais naturais, sociais e culturais. O publicitário abordará o papel da imagem, através de um folder, para o público-alvo jovem na divulgação da importância e preservação do bioma pampa. Através do folder pretende-se divulgar o bioma pampa com imagens e informações de sua flora e fauna e os impactos ambientais que vem ocorrendo no mesmo, salientando, assim, a importância da conservação do bioma pampa para a qualidade de vida das atuais e futuras gerações. Conclui-se assim que é possível um projeto interdisciplinar dentro da Educação Ambiental com áreas de conhecimento distintas a partir de uma única temática