Simulation of Chua's Circuit by Means of Interval Analysis

The Chua's circuit is a paradigm for nonlinear scientific studies. It is usually simulated by means of numerical methods under IEEE 754-2008 standard. Although the error propagation problem is well known, little attention has been given to the relationship between this error and inequalities presented in Chua's circuit model. Taking the average of round mode towards $+\infty$ and $-\infty$, we showed a qualitative change on the dynamics of Chua's circuit.Comment: 6th International Conference on Nonlinear Science and Complexity - S\~ao Jos\'e dos Campos, 2016, p. 1-

Statistical Properties of Business Firms Structure and Growth

We analyze a database comprising quarterly sales of 55624 pharmaceutical products commercialized by 3939 pharmaceutical firms in the period 1992--2001. We study the probability density function (PDF) of growth in firms and product sales and find that the width of the PDF of growth decays with the sales as a power law with exponent $\beta = 0.20 \pm 0.01$. We also find that the average sales of products scales with the firm sales as a power law with exponent $\alpha = 0.57 \pm 0.02$. And that the average number products of a firm scales with the firm sales as a power law with exponent $\gamma = 0.42 \pm 0.02$. We compare these findings with the predictions of models proposed till date on growth of business firms

On fermionic tilde conjugation rules and thermal bosonization. Hot and cold thermofields

A generalization of Ojima tilde conjugation rules is suggested, which reveals the coherent state properties of thermal vacuum state and is useful for the thermofield bosonization. The notion of hot and cold thermofields is introduced to distinguish different thermofield representations giving the correct normal form of thermofield solution for finite temperature Thirring model with correct renormalization and anticommutation properties.Comment: 13 page

Driven interfaces in disordered media: determination of universality classes from experimental data

While there have been important theoretical advances in understanding the universality classes of interfaces moving in porous media, the developed tools cannot be directly applied to experiments. Here we introduce a method that can identify the universality class from snapshots of the interface profile. We test the method on discrete models whose universality class is well known, and use it to identify the universality class of interfaces obtained in experiments on fluid flow in porous media.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Innovative on demand international engineering programs

Following the new trends of higher education, COPEC International Institute of Education is offering courses in engineering that are customized not only for enterprises but also for groups of professionals or academia interested in acquiring special knowledge with a valid certification. The programs are dimensioned in accordance with the knowledge and practice that are necessary for the group of professional engineers or academia. They make the requirements and the program is designed to fit their needs. They are partially on class and some content is delivered on line as long as it comprises the amount of hours that are necessary to accomplish the program, focusing in the main goal that is to have a certified course of specialists in a certain field of expertise. The proposed program is an investment that guarantees return by the strategic vision for a successful performance, the higher management capacity and the growth of intellectual capital.This work is funded by FEDER funds through the Operational Program for Competitiveness Factors (COMPETE) and National Funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology under the Project: FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-022674 and PEst-C/CTM/UI0264/2013

Shift for engineering horizons

Science, Engineering and Technology cross nearly every facet of modern life and, as problem solvers, engineers are perfectly capable of managing entrepreneurial activities, mastering innovative ways of business development, when they spend time and efforts understanding and acting in the field. Engineers rely on science and methods for analysis to ensure the quality and liability of design; nevertheless a pinch of creativity is required in order to find innovative solutions for economic and entrepreneurial problems. So, at present, engineers with technical skills must also learn how to work in interdisciplinary teams, how to develop designs rapidly, how to manufacture sustainably, how to combine art and engineering and how to address global markets. Providing opportunities in the work market for future engineers has become now part of university training, as a way to assure also the future competitiveness of universities. In many places, enterprises and universities have still difficulties in working together, it is up to engineering schools and universities to have the initiative to enhance their programs, to assure the proper training for future professionals that can perform in this mutant work environment of the 21st Century. According to the report “The Engineer of 2020”, developed by the National Academy of Engineering, USA, which paints a picture of a dynamically changing and evolving world: “The successful future engineer will need strong analytical skills, practical ingenuity, creativity, good communication skills, business and management knowledge, leadership, high ethical standards, professionalism, dynamism, agility, resilience, flexibility, and the pursuit of lifelong learning”. Currently, the opportunities for professionals seem to be very narrow, once economic crisis is impacting countries and communities worldwide, as the result of a natural cyclic wave of economy, until a new economic model starts to work somehow. To provide future professionals an opportunity in the work market has now become part of university training as a way to assure the future of university. COPEC – Science and Education Research Council’s education research team has designed and implemented a program for engineering students which is called “Working with Communities Course”, providing 3rd year engineering students the chance to work as consultants for the entrepreneurial community in the city. The goal is to offer a space that has been named “Innovative Office”, to which local entrepreneurs can resort to in order to discuss and to find sustainable solutions for a specific problem or project. The choice of the name working with communities was due to the enticing appeal once as young “green generation” they want to cooperate with society segments in any way. However the true goal is to give them a chance to have a professional experience and also some time of internship although early in the program. As they work using their creativity to design and present solutions within the constraints of ethical practice grounded in science and engineering methods and standards, they can evaluate the reality of professional practice and see if engineering is really what they want to pursue as a career. They have to work using their creativity to design and present solutions within the constraints of ethical practice grounded in science and engineering methods and standards. The process involves face-to-face meetings and discussions with entrepreneurs of the city, from the presentation of the problem until the delivery of the plans. Once engineers are part of society it is important that they have a stronger interaction with the wider public. So the goal of including this course in the program is to provide students the opportunity to work closely with the real local entrepreneurship environment. Apart from this, engineers need to develop broad fundamental understanding of their professional responsibilities, as well as the need to be entrepreneurial in order to understand and contribute in the context of market and business pressures. If engineers can work with the public to explain how engineering can help address their problems, and to help them to decide which are the most effective and affordable ways to address their concerns, the community can make great progress and improvements. It will surely be a great acquisition for the city business community as well as for the students themselves, once they can get a glimpse of what it is to engineer in real world. This project has the chance developed in partnership with a City Hall as a way to improve entrepreneurship in the region, aiming at fostering employment and private initiatives to change community’s profile. It is an immersive period of internship, in real engineering work environment.Competitivity Factors Operational Programme - COMPETE: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007136Competitivity Factors Operational Programme - COMPETE: POCI-010145-FEDER-007043FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/201

Focusing the future of engineering education

The definitions of teacher and student are changing and Education is moving out of episodic experiences at traditional institutions like classrooms and schools into learning flows that course through our daily lives. The use of new technologies in classroom is also an important requirement for a teacher in Higher Education especially in engineering; it is part of teaching environment now. So utilizing emerging technologies to provide expanded learning opportunities is critical to the success of future generations. It is clear that there is a life long learning environment not only for future engineers but also for teachers. This paper describes the "International Engineering Educator" developed by the engineering education research team of COPEC – Science and Education Research Council. It is offered by the International Institute of Education of COPEC, which is a certification organization that certifies in accordance with the Ministry of Education of the Country referring to the National Law of Higher Education, with an international certification.This work is funded by FEDER funds through the Operational Program for Competitiveness Factors (COMPETE) and National Funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology under the Project: FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-022674 and PEst-C/CTM/UI0264/2013

Vortex core size in interacting cylindrical nanodot arrays

The effect of dipolar interactions among cylindrical nanodots, with a vortex-core magnetic configuration, is analyzed by means of analytical calculations. The cylinders are placed in a N x N square array in two configurations - core oriented parallel to each other and with antiparallel alignment between nearest neighbors. Results comprise the variation in the core radius with the number of interacting dots, the distance between them and dot height. The dipolar interdot coupling leads to a decrease (increase) of the core radius for parallel (antiparallel) arrays