Low-coherence photonic method of electrochemical processes monitoring

We present an advanced multimodality characterization platform for simultaneous optical and electrochemical measurements of ferrocyanides. Specifically, we combined a fiber-optic Fabry–Perot interferometer with a three-electrode electrochemical setup to demonstrate a proof-of-principle of this hybrid characterization approach, and obtained feasibility data in its monitoring of electrochemical reactions in a boron-doped diamond film deposited on a silica substrate. The film plays the dual role of being the working electrode in the electrochemical reaction, as well as affording the reflectivity to enable the optical interferometry measurements. Optical responses during the redox reactions of the electrochemical process are presented. This work proves that simultaneous opto-electrochemical measurements of liquids are possible.

Análise de formas de representação gráfica dos requisitos projetuais utilizadas no processo de Design de produtos assistivos | Graphical representation of projective analysis of the requirements used in the process design of assistive products

A representação gráfica no processo de desenvolvimento de produtos assistivos é uma área pouco explorada que poderia auxiliar na visualização de aspectos conceituais tornando-os tangíveis. Isto amplia o entendimento das etapas do processo por todos os membros da equipe, formada por profissionais de diferentes áreas. Assim apresenta-se uma caracterização de símbolos gráficos usados nas representações de processos de desenvolvimento de tecnologias assistivas. Para tanto, foram selecionados, na literatura, símbolos gráficos e pictogramas utilizados na área de saúde e posteriormente propostas de design para produtos assistivos que possuíssem alguma representação gráfica do processo apresentado. Foi então proposto um modelo híbrido de caracterização das representações a partir dos modos de simbolização de representações gráficas (verbal; esquemático; e pictórico) e abordagens para o desenho de pictogramas (geons; silhuetas; e observação). Os resultados da caracterização foram discutidos de acordo com as similaridades entre eles identificadas no modelo híbrido e as lacunas encontradas. A avaliação trouxe como resultado a baixa utilização de símbolos gráficos nas representações de processo levantadas, mesmo quando os autores eram designers.AbstractGraphic representation is a little explored technique in the development of assistive products, despite being helpful in the visualization of conceptual aspects, which are then made tangible. This improves the understanding of the process phases by the whole team, which includes practitioners from different areas. Thus, the characterization of graphic symbols used in assistive technology development processes are presented. A literature review was carried out to select: graphic symbols and pictorial images used in health care area; and the design of new proposed methods for assistive products that had some graphic representantion of its processes. From this point the authors developed a preliminar hybrid characterization model based on symbolization of graphical representations (verbal, schematic, and pictorial) and approaches for pictogram design (geons, silhouettes and observation). The results of the characterization were discussed using as reference the hybrid model and the gaps. The assessment showed low use of graphic symbols for design processes representations, even when the authors were designers.

Considerações acerca dos critérios de Identidade Intensional e Extensional na Conceitografia de Frege/Considerations on extensional and intensional identity criteria in Frege’s Begriffsschrift

Neste artigo daremos principal atenção aos dois critérios de identidade de conteúdo conceitual que estão presentes nos §§ 3 e 8 da Conceitografia de Gottlob Frege. Nosso propósito é analisar as características destes critérios da notação conceitual de Frege porque pretendemos delimitar a discussão em torno dos problemas relacionados às noções de identidade intensional e extensional. Dessa forma, pretendemos: (i) analisar os critérios de identidade de conteúdo conceitual presentes nos §§ 3 e 8 da Conceitografia com o objetivo de mostrar que Frege apresentou uma caracterização híbrida da noção de conteúdo conceitual (valor semântico) e (ii) fazer considerações a respeito de relações que podemos estabelecer entre os critérios intensionais e extensionais de Frege e Richard Kirkham presentes no livro Teorias da Verdade: Uma Introdução Crítica. Com tais comparações pretendemos averiguar: (iii) se o critério de identidade do § 8 da Conceitografia é idêntico ao critério extensional de equivalência material de Kirkham e (iv) se o critério de identidade do § 3 da Conceitografia é mais forte, mais fraco ou idêntico aos critérios intensionais de equivalência essencial e de equivalência de sinonímia de Kirkham.Abstract: In this paper we will give primary attention to two identity criteria of conceptual content that are present in §§ 3 and 8 of Gottlob Frege's Begriffsschrift. Our purpose is to analyze the characteristics of these criteria of conceptual notation of Frege because we want to delimit the discussion around problems related to the notions of intensional and extensional identity. Thus, we intend to: (i) analyze the identity criteria of conceptual content present in §§ 3 and 8 of Begriffsschrift aiming to show that Frege introduced a hybrid characterization of the notion of conceptual content (semantic value) and (ii) make considerations about the relationships that we establish between intensional and extensional criteria of Frege and Richard Kirkham present in the book Theories of Truth: A Critical Introduction. With such comparisons we intend to investigate: (iii) if the identity criterion of § 8 of Begriffsschrift is identical to the extensional criterion of material equivalence in Kirkham and (iv) if the identity criterion of § 3 of Begriffsschrift is stronger, weaker or identical to intensional criteria of essential equivalence and of synonyms equivalence of Kirkham. Key words: Identity, Intensional Criterion, Extensional Criterion.

A hybrid characterization framework to determine the visco-hyperelastic properties of a porcine zona pellucida

The zona pellucida (ZP) is a specialized extracellular matrix surrounding the developing oocyte. This thick matrix consists of various types of glycoprotein that play different roles in the fertilization process. Nowadays, several techniques are available for assessing ZP's mechanical response. The basic assumption behind these methods is that the ZP behaves like an elastic body: hence, dissipative forces are neglected and Young's modulus remains unaffected by probe dynamics. However, dissipative forces are strongly regulated by the slippage of ZP chains past one another while reaction forces related to elastic deformations (driven by the ability of each chain to stretch) depend on the ZP structure (i.e. number of cross-links and distances between knots). Although viscous reaction forces generated by the ZP are one of the main factors regulating sperm transit, their peculiar behaviour along the ZP structure remains poorly understood and rarely investigated. In order to overcome this limitation, a novel visco-hyperelastic model describing the porcine ZP reaction forces generated by nanoindentations at different probe rates is developed and verified in this study. Visco-hyperelastic parameters of porcine ZP membranes are determined by means of a hybrid characterization framework combining atomic force microscopy nanoindentation measurements, nonlinear finite-element analysis and nonlinear optimization. Remarkably, it is possible to separate the contributions of hyperelastic and viscous terms to ZP mechanical response and evaluate the error made in the determination of ZP mechanical properties if viscous effects were not considered.