HST Proper Motion confirms the optical identification of the nearby pulsar PSR 1929+10

We report on the proper motion measurement of the proposed optical counterpart of the X-ray/radio pulsar PSR 1929+10. Using images obtained with the HST/STIS (average epoch 2001.73) we computed a yearly displacement of +97 +/- 1 mas yr^{-1} in RA and +46 +/- 1 mas yr^{-1} in Dec since the epoch (1994.52) of the original HST/FOC detection. Both the magnitude and direction of the optical proper motion components are found to be fully consistent with the most recent VLBA radio measurements. This result provides an unambiguous confirmation of the pulsar optical identification. In addition, we have used the combined STIS/FOC datasets to derive information on the pulsar spectrum, which seems characterized by a power law component, apparently unrelated to the X-ray emission.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, submitted to ApJ Letter

Assessing creativity independently of language: A language-independent remote associate task (LI-RAT)

Most creativity measures are either complex or language-dependent, hindering cross-cultural creativity assessment. We have therefore developed and tested a simple, language-independent insight task based on pictures in the style of the widely used verbal remote associate task (RAT). We demonstrate that the language-independent RAT (LI-RAT) allows assessment of different aspects of insight across large samples with different languages. It also correlates with other creativity and general problem-solving tasks. The entire stimulus set, including its preliminary normative data, is made freely available. This information can be used to select items based on accuracy, mean solution time, likelihood to produce an insight, or conceptual and perceptual similarity between the pictures per item.Peer Reviewe

Between automatic and control processes: How relationships between problem elements interact to facilitate or impede insight

Solving a problem requires relating the pieces of information available to each other and to the solution. We investigated how the strength of these relationships determines the likelihood of solving insight tasks based on remote associates. In these tasks, the solver is provided with several cues (e.g., drop, coat, summer) and has to find the solution that matches those cues (e.g., rain). We measured the semantic similarity between the cues and the solution (cue–solution similarity) as well as between cues (cue–cue similarity). We assume those relationships modulate two basic processes underlying insight problem-solving. First, there is an automatic activation process whereby conceptual activation spreads across a semantic network from each cue node to their associated nodes, potentially reaching the node of the solution. Thus, in general, the higher cue–solution similarity, the more likely the solution will be found (Prediction 1). Second, there is a controlled search process focused on an area in semantic space whose radius depends on competing cue–cue similarity. High cue–cue similarity will bias a search for the solution close to the provided cues because the associated nodes shared by both cues are highly coactivated. Therefore, high cue–cue similarity will have a beneficial effect when the cue–solution similarity is high but a detrimental effect when cue–solution similarity is low (Prediction 2). Our two predictions were confirmed using both verbal and pictorial remote association tasks, supporting the view that insight is dependent on an interaction of meaningful relationships between cues and solutions, and clarify the mechanisms of insight problem solving in remote associates.Peer Reviewe

The Process of Formation and Development of Organizational Competences in a Brazilian Public Sector Institution

The study of organizational competences has shown that, even according to the Resource-Based View – RBV - which characterizes itself for the most proficient convergence of studies about the collective and synergetic perspective of the relationship between resources and capability, we find little empirical research that investigates the internal configuration and dynamic of these elements. In this study we have tried to emphasize the composition and the relational dynamic of the organizational competences (OCs). From the presentation and analysis of different frameworks that comprise the theoretical basis for this article, the main focus was on the analysis of the formation and development process of organizational competences in a Judiciary Institution. The method used is the case study with an exploratory approach. The results of the research identify three important organizational competences in the institution as well as the elements that comprise them. In addition, the analysis emphasizes the interrelationship between these elements and the competences, which leads to the mapping of the formation and development of these competences throughout the time. Using this mapping technique, together with the theoretical fundament, a new framework is proposed. This new framework defines the composition of the subject OCs identified in the study in a way that is intended for empirical and theoretical application

The influence of insight on risky decision making and nucleus accumbens activation

The article processing charge was funded by the Open Access Publication Fund of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.During insightful problem solving, the solution appears unexpectedly and is accompanied by the feeling of an AHA!. Research suggests that this affective component of insight can have consequences beyond the solution itself by motivating future behavior, such as risky (high reward and high uncertainty) decision making. Here, we investigate the behavioral and neural support for the motivational role of AHA in decision making involving monetary choices. The positive affect of the AHA! experience has been linked to internal reward. Reward in turn has been linked to dopaminergic signal transmission in the Nucleus Accumbens (NAcc) and risky decision making. Therefore, we hypothesized that insight activates reward-related brain areas, modulating risky decision making. We tested this hypothesis in two studies. First, in a pre-registered online study (Study 1), we demonstrated the behavioral effect of insight-related increase in risky decision making using a visual Mooney identification paradigm. Participants were more likely to choose the riskier monetary payout when they had previously solved the Mooney image with high compared to low accompanied AHA!. Second, in an fMRI study (Study 2), we measured the effects of insight on NAcc activity using a similar Mooney identification paradigm to the one of Study 1. Greater NAcc activity was found when participants solved the Mooney image with high vs low AHA!. Taken together, our results link insight to enhanced NAcc activity and a preference for high but uncertain rewards, suggesting that insight enhances reward-related brain areas possibly via dopaminergic signal transmission, promoting risky decision making.Peer Reviewe

Innovation in eating disorders research and practice: Expanding our community and perspectives at the 2018 International Conference on Eating Disorders: Editorial to accompany IJED Virtual Issue in honor of the 2018 International Conference on Eating Diso

© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Objective: This virtual issue of the International Journal of Eating Disorders (IJED) highlights the excellent and innovative research and practice discussed at the 2018 International Conference on Eating Disorders held in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Method and Results: The virtual issue contains a series of articles recently published in IJED, which we have curated to reflect and expand on the insights delivered during the conference keynote and plenary presentations. Discussion: In line with the conference theme of Innovation in Research and Practice: Expanding our Community and Perspectives, we hope this collection of articles will spark new ideas for research, practice, and collaboration to accelerate knowledge on eating disorder risk factors and recovery, and the reach and impact of evidence-based treatment, prevention, and policy efforts

Estoque de segurança aplicado a curva ABC de demanda

TCC (graduação) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Sócio Econômico, Curso de Administração.Este artigo apresenta um estudo de caso aplicado, com o objetivo de analisar e atribuir níveis de estoque de segurança à itens com classificação ABC em uma empresa que atua no ramo de revestimentos cerâmicos. Foi realizada uma análise de demanda e um cálculo de níveis desejados de estoque. Através da análise da demanda de cada produto, foram definidas as curvas e os níveis de estoque, considerando os parâmetros informados pela organização. Assim, foram obtidos os resultados em níveis de estoque de segurança, metas e quantidade reservada de estoque em valores absolutos e percentuais por produto

Sistema de Registro de Preço no Planejamento e na qualidade do gasto público : uma análise comparativa de processos licitatórios nos municípios de Novo Hamburgo, Canoas e Porto Alegre

Em virtude da atualidade do assunto Planejamento e na Qualidade do Gasto Público, este trabalho visa, através de uma análise comparativa entre licitações com e sem a utilização do Sistema de Registro de Preços determinar se este mecanismo desempenha um papel importante no Planejamento e na Qualidade do Gasto Público. Este mecanismo do processo licitatório é utilizado para a fixação de preços entre o fornecedor e o órgão público, dispensando a realização de uma nova licitação em caso de uma eventual compra adicional, respeitando o período de tempo fixado na Ata de Registro de preços. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, que por meio de análises comparativas, avaliou 29 processos de licitatórios de compras e serviços nos municípios de Novo Hamburgo, Canoas e Porto Alegre, fazendo uma comparação entre os Valores de Referência, Valor Mínimo, Valor Médio, Valor Mínimo Orçado e Valor Médio Orçado com o lance vencedor do item na licitação analisada, de maneira a verificar se os lances vencedores são de fato o menor valor possível a ser alcançado pelo órgão público, dadas as condições da licitação. Os dados obtidos permitiram identificar que, apesar de uma paridade entre os resultados obtidos entre licitações que utilizam ou não o Sistema de Registro de Preços, este mecanismo deve ser utilizado quando não é possível determinar a quantidade de aquisição de determinado objeto, e que os resultados apresentados pelas licitações que não utilizam o Sistema de Registro de Preços, em comparação com os valores mínimos e médios obtidos de orçamentos solicitados a diversas empresas, apresentam semelhanças em comparação com as que utilizam o Sistema de Registro de Preços

Setting of an endoscopic nasal reference point for surgical access to the anterior base through an anatomical study on cadavers

AbstractIntroductionDiseases of paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, and skull base can be treated by endonasal operations using a nasal rigid endoscope. When conducting this kind of surgery, anatomical references are critical for safety.ObjectiveTo measure the distance from the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus to the skull base, according to socio-demographic characteristics, and to detail an anatomical reference point for paranasal sinus operations and for an access to the anterior skull base, comparing anatomical variations between right and left sides, gender, height, weight, age, and ethnicity in cadavers.MethodsMeasures were taken from the 90° angle (the starting point where deflection of the skull base begins to form the anterior wall of the sphenoid, also known as Δ90°) to the upper, middle, and lower points of the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus. This study used 60 cadavers aged over 17 years, and evaluated these bodies with respect to age, height, BMI, weight, gender, and ethnicity, comparing measurements of right and left sides.ResultsThe measurements were >1.5cm in all cadavers and did not vary with age, height, weight, gender, and ethnicity on their right and left sides. The lack of association between the measurement from Δ90° to the upper, middle, and lower posterior walls of the maxillary sinus (categorical or quantitative) is noteworthy, considering the characteristics studied.ConclusionThe methodology defined the nasal point of reference, considering an absence of variation in the cadavers’ characteristics