Using a Logic Programming Framework to Control Database Query Dialogues in Natural Language

We present a natural language question/answering system to interface the University of Évora databases that uses clarification dialogs in order to clarify user questions. It was developed in an integrated logic programming framework, based on constraint logic programming using the GnuProlog(-cx) language [2,11] and the ISCO framework [1]. The use of this LP framework allows the integration of Prolog-like inference mechanisms with classes and inheritance, constraint solving algorithms and provides the connection with relational databases, such as PostgreSQL. This system focus on the questions’ pragmatic analysis, to handle ambiguity, and on an efficient dialogue mechanism, which is able to place relevant questions to clarify the user intentions in a straightforward manner. Proper Nouns resolution and the pp-attachment problem are also handled. This paper briefly presents this innovative system focusing on its ability to correctly determine the user intention through its dialogue capability

Gauge Fluctuations in Superconducting Films

In this paper we consider a superconducting film modeled by the Ginzburg-Landau model, confined between two parallel planes a distance $L$ apart from one another. Our approach is based on the Gaussian effective potential in the transverse unitarity gauge, which allows to treat gauge contributions in a compact form. Using techniques from dimensional and $zeta$-function regularizations, modified by the confinement conditions, we investigate the critical temperature as a function of the film thickness $L$. The contributions from the scalar self-interaction and from the gauge fluctuations are clearly identified. The model suggests the existence of a minimal critical thickness below which superconductivity is suppressed.Comment: 6 pages Revtex, no figure

Bar pattern speed evolution over the last 7 Gyr

The tumbling pattern of a bar is the main parameter characterising its dynamics. From numerical simulations, its evolution since bar formation is tightly linked to the dark halo in which the bar is formed through dynamical friction and angular momentum exchange. Observational measurements of the bar pattern speed with redshift can restrict models of galaxy formation and bar evolution. We aim to determine, for the first time, the bar pattern speed evolution with redshift based on morphological measurements. We have selected a sample of 44 low inclination ringed galaxies from the SDSS and COSMOS surveys covering the redshift range 0 <z< 0.8 to investigate the evolution of the bar pattern speed. We have derived morphological ratios between the deprojected outer ring radius (R_{ring}) and the bar size (R_{bar}). This quantity is related to the parameter {\cal R}=R_{CR}/R_{bar} used for classifiying bars in slow and fast rotators, and allow us to investigate possible differences with redshift. We obtain a similar distribution of $R$ at all redshifts. We do not find any systematic effect that could be forcing this result. The results obtained here are compatible with both, the bulk of the bar population (~70%) being fast-rotators and no evolution of the pattern speed with redshift. We argue that if bars are long-lasting structures, the results presented here imply that there has not been a substantial angular momentum exchange between the bar and halo, as predicted by numerical simulations. In consequence, this might imply that the discs of these high surface-brightness galaxies are maximal.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&

Deep spectroscopic luminosity function of Abell 85: no evidence for a steep upturn of the faint-end slope

We present a new deep determination of the spectroscopic LF within the virial radius of the nearby and massive Abell\,85 (A85) cluster down to the dwarf regime (M* + 6) using VLT/VIMOS spectra for $\sim 2000$ galaxies with m$_r \leq 21$ mag and $\langle \mu_{e,r} \rangle \leq 24$ mag arcsec$^{-2}$. The resulting LF from 438 cluster members is best modelled by a double Schechter function due to the presence of a statistically significant upturn at the faint-end. The amplitude of this upturn ($\alpha_{f} = -1.58^{+0.19}_{-0.15}$), however, is much smaller than that of the SDSS composite photometric cluster LF by Popesso et al. 2006, $\alpha_{f} \sim$ -2. The faint-end slope of the LF in A85 is consistent, within the uncertainties, with that of the field. The red galaxy population dominates the LF at low luminosities, and is the main responsible for the upturn. The fact that the slopes of the spectroscopic LFs in the field and in a cluster as massive as A85 are similar suggests that the cluster environment does not play a major role in determining the abundance of low-mass galaxies.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, accepted at MNRAS lette

Modelos de composteira para compostagem de aves mortas.

bitstream/item/56384/1/publicacao-ct-57.pd

Temperatura superficial de isolantes térmicos e cortinas para a produção animal.

Projeto: 03.07.09.049

Equipamentos alternativos na obtenção de farinha de resíduos de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum).

O tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) é o segundo maior peixe de escama da América, superado apenas pelo pirarucu. Nativo da bacia Amazônica, atualmente vem ganhando destaque na aquicultura familiar da Região Norte, como no Estado do Pará, onde seu consumo vem aumentando gradativamente, principalmente na forma de filés. No entanto, o processo de filetamento de pescado gera um volume de resíduos superior a 50%, que pode se tornar um importante poluente se não tiver um manuseio adequado. Estes resíduos possuem alto teor de proteína e de outros nutrientes que tem grande demanda em outros setores, como na elaboração de farinhas para ração animal, por exemplo. Contudo, as instalações iniciais para o processamento de farinhas é um tanto quanto oneroso. O objetivo deste foi, através da adaptação de utensílios e equipamentos, elaborar um processo em escala piloto para aproveitamento de resíduos de tambaqui que pode ser realizado por pequenos e médios produtores, para produção de farinha e consequente incorporação em suas rações. Com teor de 8% de lipídios e 61% de proteína, o produto elaborado em pequena escala enquadrouse nos padrões de farinhas da RIISPOA e ANFAR