A Framework for Responsive Environments

In this paper, we define Responsive Environments as adaptive ven- ues that possess context awareness, deliver ubiquitous computing and natural interaction. They also yield a pre-determined User Experience. We propose a framework for the development and assessment of such environments and we discuss applying the framework to some examples. Highlighting benefits and usefulness of the framework

A Framework for Responsive Environments

In this paper, we define Responsive Environments as adaptive ven- ues that possess context awareness, deliver ubiquitous computing and natural interaction. They also yield a pre-determined User Experience. We propose a framework for the development and assessment of such environments and we discuss applying the framework to some examples. Highlighting benefits and usefulness of the framework

A Review of Milling of Gamma Titanium Aluminides

Intermetallic titanium aluminide alloys are used in the high technology engineering field with the goal of achieving weight reduction in different components, exposed to corrosive environments and high temperatures in aeronautical and automotive industries. Despite their attractive properties such as low density, high strength, high stiffness and good corrosion, creep and oxidation resistance, the machinability of titanium aluminide alloys is difficult due to its high hardness, chemical reactivity, and low ductility. This article reviews the state of the art regarding the machinability of titanium aluminide alloys and focuses on the analysis of the milling process, namely the process parameters, surface integrity and cutting tools. The influence of titanium aluminides properties on the machinability is also discussed presenting some current trends and further needed research

A mechanical analysis of polydicyclopentadiene with metal inserts through flexural load

Polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD) is being used in several products with particular success regarding to weight reduction and surface finish improvement. Despite the enough good mechanical properties presented by this thermosetting polymer, it needs to be adequately reinforced in applications requiring extra structural stability. This work studies the improvement of mechanical properties that may be achieved in PDCPD components reinforced with over-moulded steel wires by using the reaction injection moulding (RIM). Specimens, with and without metal inserts, were produced by using a special dedicated developed prototype RIM mould to be submitted to three point bending test, according to EN ISO 178:2003 standard. This paper presents and discusses the results obtained from the flexural tests, which allow concluding that the solution could be industrially used in feasible and advantageous conditions.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)Fundos FEDER, Programa Operacional para Fatores de Competitividade – COMPETE, projeto 1384

SmartEx: a case study on user profiling and adaptation in exhibition booths

An investigation into user profiling and adaptation with exhibition booth as a case study is reported. First a review of the field of exhibitions and trade fairs and a summary introduction to adaptation and profiling are given. We then introduce three criteria for the evaluation of exhibition booth: effectiveness, efficiency and affect. Effectiveness is related the amount of information collected, efficiency is a measurement of the time taken to collect the information, and affect is the perception of the experience and the mood booth visitors have during and after their visit. We have selected these criteria to assess adaptive and profiled exhibition booths, we call smart exhibition (SmartEx). The assessment is performed with an experiment with three test conditions (non-profiled/non adaptive, profiled/non-adaptive and profiled adaptive presentations). Results of the experiment are presented along discussion. While there is significant improvements of effectiveness and efficiency between the two-first test conditions, the improvement is not significant for the last test condition, for reasons explained. As for the affect, the results show that it has an under-estimated importance in people minds and that it should be addressed more carefully

Design and validation of an innovative 3D printer containing a co-rotating twin screw extrusion unit

This paper presents the design and validation of an innovative 3D printer containing a co-rotating twin screw extrusion unit (Co-TSE). Single screw print heads were developed in the mid-2000s as an alternative to filament-based 3D printers, but they have limited process flexibility and mixing capacity. The new design accepts material in powder or micro-pellet form, and its dispersive and distributive mixing capacity can be fine tuned by setting output and screw rotation speed independently. The design combines a miniaturized modular Co-TSE operated under starve-fed conditions with a benchtop Cartesian platform. Numerical calculations were performed to ascertain whether the appropriate thermomechanical environment for polymer processing could be created by the proposed design. A prototype was built and extrusion tests were performed under different operating conditions, using polypropylene and a 90/10 wt% polypropylene/polystyrene blend. Two screw configurations were used, with and without kneading discs, to assess the response of the extrusion unit in terms of flow characteristics and mixing performance. The restriction to flow created by the mixing elements determines the starting melt position, and the average residence times, while their shearing and extensional action enhances homogenization effectiveness. The screw configuration and rotation speed do not affect the output, which depends only on the feed rate. Preliminary deposition tests were conducted to determine the feasible printing parameters. A standard tensile test specimen, a square scaffold and a multicolored rectangular box were successfully printed, validating the innovative design. The mechanical properties of printed test specimens were within the expected values.This work was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), grants 2016-4/442109 and 142348/2018-0, and by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), finance code 001

Measurement of the Z/gamma* + b-jet cross section in pp collisions at 7 TeV

The production of b jets in association with a Z/gamma* boson is studied using proton-proton collisions delivered by the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV and recorded by the CMS detector. The inclusive cross section for Z/gamma* + b-jet production is measured in a sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.2 inverse femtobarns. The Z/gamma* + b-jet cross section with Z/gamma* to ll (where ll = ee or mu mu) for events with the invariant mass 60 < M(ll) < 120 GeV, at least one b jet at the hadron level with pT > 25 GeV and abs(eta) < 2.1, and a separation between the leptons and the jets of Delta R > 0.5 is found to be 5.84 +/- 0.08 (stat.) +/- 0.72 (syst.) +(0.25)/-(0.55) (theory) pb. The kinematic properties of the events are also studied and found to be in agreement with the predictions made by the MadGraph event generator with the parton shower and the hadronisation performed by PYTHIA.Comment: Submitted to the Journal of High Energy Physic