Robustness of the O(NN) universality class

We calculate the critical exponents for Lorentz-violating O($N$) $\lambda\phi^{4}$ scalar field theories by using two independent methods. In the first situation we renormalize a massless theory by utilizing normalization conditions. An identical task is fulfilled in the second case in a massive version of the same theory, previously renormalized in the BPHZ method in four dimensions. We show that although the renormalization constants, the $\beta$ and anomalous dimensions acquire Lorentz-violating quantum corrections, the outcome for the critical exponents in both methods are identical and furthermore they are equal to their Lorentz-invariant counterparts. Finally we generalize the last two results for all loop levels and we provide symmetry arguments for justifying the latter

Foraging Behaviour and Herbage Intake in the Favourable Tropics/Sub-Tropics

Herbage intake by animals grazing tropical/sub-tropical pastures is directly related to bite mass, as it is for those grazing temperate pastures. Where these swards have low proportions of stem and dead material (controlled swards), herbage intake follows a similar pattern to that of temperate pasture species, but leaf characteristics, such as lamina length play an important role and influence the short-term rate of intake. Sward structural characteristics and behavioural factors are relatively more important than nutritional factors in terms of herbage intake regulation. The feeding value of the herbage produced is potentially adequate to sustain high levels of beef cattle performance under controlled sward conditions, but relatively limited for dairy cows, since nutrient concentration in the forage is not optimal for high levels of daily milk yield. Sward targets for attaining production objectives are now a feasible management practice on tropical pastures and should be evaluated further

Foraging Behaviour and Herbage Intake in the Favourable Tropics/Subtropics

Key points 1. Herbage intake by animals grazing tropical/sub-tropical pastures is directly related to bite mass, as it is for those grazing temperate pastures. 2. Where these swards have low proportions of stem and dead material (controlled swards), herbage intake follows a similar pattern to that of temperate pasture species, but leaf characteristics, such as lamina length play an important role and influence the short-term rate of intake. 3. Sward structural characteristics and behavioural factors are relatively more important than nutritional factors in terms of herbage intake regulation. The feeding value of the herbage produced is potentially adequate to sustain high levels of beef cattle performance under controlled sward conditions, but relatively limited for dairy cows, since nutrient concentration in the forage is not optimal for high levels of daily milk yield. 4. Sward targets for attaining production objectives are now a feasible management practice on tropical pastures and should be evaluated further

Application of radar techniques to the verification of design plans and the detection of defects in concrete bridges

Non-destructive tests (NDT) are an essential tool used in special inspections to gather detailed information about the condition of a bridge. The inspection of bridge decks is a critical task, and, currently, can be successfully carried out using a wide range of NDT techniques. Nevertheless, some of these techniques are excessively expensive and time consuming. One of these techniques, the ground penetrating radar (GPR), has been used for some decades in the non-destructive inspection and diagnosis of concrete bridges. GPR is useful to find general information about the true position of reinforcement and tendon ducts, and check the quality of the construction and materials. A significant number of reinforced and prestressed concrete bridges are deteriorating at a rapid rate and need to be repaired and strengthened. During these rehabilitation processes, designers are often faced with a lack of original design plans and unawareness of the real position of reinforcement and tendon ducts. In this paper, three case studies of the use of GPR techniques for the inspection of concrete bridges are presented and analysed. The main aim of this research is to show the strong need and usefulness of these techniques, which can provide non-visible information about structural geometry and integrity required for strengthening and rehabilitation purposes.L. T. would like to acknowledge the support from the 'Sustainable Bridges' European project, grant number FP6-PLT-01653 (www.sustainablebridges.net). F. M. F. acknowledges the partial funding of this work by the FCT through the scholarship POCTI SFRH/BPD/26706/2005

Análise da sequência do movimento de levantar/sentar, em indivíduos pós AVE: Estudo da relação da activação dos músculos vasto medial oblíquo e vasto lateral

O objectivo deste estudo foi comparar o rácio dos músculos Vasto Medial Oblíquo (VMO) e Vasto Lateral (VL), na sequência de movimento de levantar e sentar, em indivíduos sem patologia e em indivíduos com Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE). Pretendeu-se também verificar a sequência de activação de alguns músculos do membro inferior na sequência de movimento de levantar. Verificou-se existir diferenças significativas para afirmar que, no movimento de levantar, indivíduos com sequelas de AVE apresentam menor rácio VMO/VL no membro predominantemente atingido em relação aos indivíduos sem patologia. Diferentes sequências de activação muscular durante o movimento de levantar foram observadas.The purpose of this study was to compare the ratio of the Vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL), in sit-to-stand movement in subjects without pathology and in individuals with stroke. The article tries to verify the sequence of activation of some muscles of the lower limb during standing up. There are significant differences to argue that, in standing up movement, subjects with sequelae of stroke have a lower ratio VMO / VL in predominantly affected limb compared to subjects without pathology. Different sequences of muscle activation during standing up movement were observed

Production Systems to Integrate Livestock Grazing and Grain Production in Southern Brazil and Midwestern USA

Agriculture in the USA and Brazil has undergone similar and dramatic changes in the past 20 years. In both countries, production systems have become increasingly specialized. Large farms are characterized by single enterprises, simple crop rotations, and livestock production is segregated from grain production. The lack of diversification and high production costs expose producers to risk from economic swings of single enterprises and greater reliance on pesticides and synthetic fertilizers to maintain profitability, along with greater risk of soil erosion from continuous row crop production. Scientists in southern Brazil and Ohio are collaborating to develop no-tillage systems that integrate livestock grazing with cash grain production. The goal is diversified production systems that are profitable as well as biologically and environmentally sound

A platform with combined environmental and physiological wireless data acquisition for AAL applications

http://isami2010.di.uminho.pt/Ambient Assisted Living is based on a set of technologies with the aim to provide an enhanced support to people’s daily life. One important field deals with the offer of new solutions for healthcare. Those solutions intend to improve the population quality of life and reduce costs associated with healthcare. Before that happens, new platforms, hardware and software, must be available in order to acquire and store the required signals, to process and extract information from those signals, and to detect a set of features required to fire alarms and/or electronic assistance. This paper presents a platform (hardware and software) that was designed to acquire data from a subject, or from a device, and send it to a remote hub. It was designed taking into account its size, power autonomy, and quality of sfor one day