Influence of Refractory Periods in the Hopfield model

We study both analytically and numerically the effects of including refractory periods in the Hopfield model for associative memory. These periods are introduced in the dynamics of the network as thresholds that depend on the state of the neuron at the previous time. Both the retrieval properties and the dynamical behaviour are analyzed.Comment: Revtex, 7 pages, 7 figure

Cipher, A Polarimeter Telescope Concept for Hard X-Ray Astronomy

Abstract The polarisation of astrophysical source emission in the energy range from a few tens of keV up to the MeV region is an almost unexplored field of high-energy astrophysics. Till date, polarimetry in astrophysics–in the energy domain from hard X-rays up to soft ?-rays–has not been pursued due to the difficulties involved in obtaining sufficient sensitivity. Indeed for those few instruments that are capable of performing this type of measurement (e.g. the COMPTEL instrument on the Compton Gamma-ray Observatory and the IBIS instrument on INTEGRAL), polarimetry itself plays a secondary role in the mission objectives, as the efficiencies (0.5% and 10% maximum, respectively) and polarimetric Q factors (0.1 and 0.3, respectively) are relatively limited. In order to perform efficient polarimetric measurements for hard X-ray and soft gamma-ray sources, with an instrument of relatively robust and simple design, a CdTe based telescope (CIPHER: Coded Imager and Polarimeter for High Energy Radiation) is under study. This instrument is based on a thick (10 mm) CdTe position-sensitive spectrometer comprising four modules of 32 32 individual pixels, each with a surface area of 2 2 mm2 (about 160 cm2 total detection area). The polarimetric performance and design optimisation of the CIPHER detection surface have been studied by use of a Monte Carlo code. This detector, due to its intrinsic geometry, can allow efficient polarimetric measurements to be made between 100 keV and 1 MeV. In order to predict the polarimetric performance and to optimise the design and concept of the CIPHER detection plane, a Monte Carlo code based on GEANT4 library modules was developed to simulate the detector behaviour under a polarised photon flux. The Compton double event efficiency, as well bi-dimensional double event distribution maps and the corresponding polarimetric modulation factor will be presented and discussed. Modulation Q factors better than 0.50 and double event total efficiencies greater than 10% were calculated in the energy range between 100 keV and 1 MeV. Herein we will present and discuss the general problems that affect polarimetric measurements in space, such as the inclination of the source with respect to the telescope optical axis and background radiation. Q factor calculations for several beam inclinations as well as for background together with simulated astronomical sources will be presented and discussed

Hard X-ray polarimetry with Caliste, a high performance CdTe based imaging spectrometer

Since the initial exploration of soft gamma-ray sky in the 60's, high-energy celestial sources have been mainly characterized through imaging, spectroscopy and timing analysis. Despite tremendous progress in the field, the radiation mechanisms at work in sources such as neutrons stars and black holes are still unclear. The polarization state of the radiation is an observational parameter which brings key additional information about the physical process. This is why most of the projects for the next generation of space missions covering the tens of keV to the MeV region require a polarization measurement capability. A key element enabling this capability is a detector system allowing the identification and characterization of Compton interactions as they are the main process at play. The hard X-ray imaging spectrometer module, developed in CEA with the generic name of Caliste module, is such a detector. In this paper, we present experimental results for two types of Caliste-256 modules, one based on a CdTe crystal, the other one on a CdZnTe crystal, which have been exposed to linearly polarized beams at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. These results, obtained at 200-300 keV, demonstrate their capability to give an accurate determination of the polarization parameters (polarization angle and fraction) of the incoming beam. Applying a selection to our data set, equivalent to select 90 degrees Compton scattered interactions in the detector plane, we find a modulation factor Q of 0.78. The polarization angle and fraction are derived with accuracies of approximately 1 degree and 5%. The modulation factor remains larger than 0.4 when essentially no selection is made at all on the data. These results prove that the Caliste-256 modules have performances allowing them to be excellent candidates as detectors with polarimetric capabilities, in particular for future space missions.Comment: 17 pages, 14 figures, 2 tables in Experimental Astronomy, 201

As catadoras de mangaba: problemas e reivindicações.

As catadoras de mangabe: problemas e reivindicações. As conquistas das quebradeiras de coco-babaçu no Maranhão. O que dizem as pessoas e os dados sobre o extrativismo da mangaba em Sergipe?.Resultados dos trabalhos de grupo das catadoras de mangaba. O que dizem as instituições sobre a problemática do extrativismo e das catadoras em Sergipe?. Reivindicações das catadoras de mangaba. Síntese do encerramento e deliberações. Depoimentos das catadoras de mangaba sobre o evento.bitstream/item/19006/1/Doc-310.pdfVersão eletrônica. 1ª impressão: 2009

As catadoras de mangaba: problemas e reivindicações.

Apresenta a reflexão coletiva das catadoras de mangaba e a sítese das pesquisas realizadas, debates políticos e o que lhes afeta.bitstream/item/34983/1/Doc-310.pd

The Ferromagnetic Potts model under an external magnetic field: an exact renormalization group approach

The q-state ferromagnetic Potts model under a non-zero magnetic field coupled with the 0^th Potts state was investigated by an exact real-space renormalization group approach. The model was defined on a family of diamond hierarchical lattices of several fractal dimensions d_F. On these lattices, the renormalization group transformations became exact for such a model when a correlation coupling that singles out the 0^th Potts state was included in the Hamiltonian. The rich criticality presented by the model with q=3 and d_F=2 was fully analyzed. Apart from the Potts criticality for the zero field, an Ising-like phase transition was found whenever the system was submitted to a strong reverse magnetic field. Unusual characteristics such as cusps and dimensional reduction were observed on the critical surface.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures. Accepted to be published in Phys. Rev B (2006

The fraction of cancer attributable to ways of life, infections, occupation, and environmental agents in Brazil in 2020

Many human cancers develop as a result of exposure to risk factors related to the environment and ways of life. The aim of this study was to estimate attributable fractions of 25 types of cancers resulting from exposure to modifiable risk factors in Brazil. The prevalence of exposure to selected risk factors among adults was obtained from population-based surveys conducted from 2000 to 2008. Risk estimates were based on data drawn from metaanalyses or large, high quality studies. Population-attributable fractions (PAF) for a combination of risk factors, as well as the number of preventable deaths and cancer cases, were calculated for 2020. The known preventable risk factors studied will account for 34% of cancer cases among men and 35% among women in 2020, and for 46% and 39% deaths, respectively. The highest attributable fractions were estimated for tobacco smoking, infections, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, excess weight, reproductive factors, and physical inactivity. This is the first study to systematically estimate the fraction of cancer attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors in Brazil. Strategies for primary prevention of tobacco smoking and control of infection and the promotion of a healthy diet and physical activity should be the main priorities in policies for cancer prevention in the country. \ua9 2016 Azevedo e Silva et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Strategies for biofortification in Brazil.

Micronutrient deficiencies in the developing world. Biofortification as an intervention strategy. Brazil's biofortification programs. Progress in some individual crops. Conclusion

Compton polarimetry with a multi-layer CdTe focal plane prototype

In high-energy astrophysics, polarimetry is a promising subject with a wide scientific potential that is relatively unexplored due to the complexity of the design and technical requirements of the sensors. Often gamma-ray telescope proposals are based on multi-layer spectro-imager instruments with polarimetric capabilities. Herein we study a new Compton polarimeter prototype based on a two-layer CdTe pixelized spectro-imager operated in coincidence. The two CdTe detectors are 2 mm thick anode 8 ×8 pixels' segmented matrices with 2 mm pitch. This detection system configuration allows an assessment of the polarimetric potential of multi-layer solution focal planes as well as the polarimetric potential of a possible 3D spectro-imager by analysing the polarimetric performance when varying the distance between the two CdTe detection layers. The polarimetric modulation factors for single-layer (Q ∼0.4) and two-layer (up to 0.13) double-events were measured for 6 mm and for 10 mm distance between planes. The measured polarization angle resolution was lower than 10°. The potential of CdTe spectro-imager focal plane solutions with polarimetric capabilities for the next generation space missions based on both Laue lenses and 3D segmented focal planes is also discussed