Node-node distance distribution for growing networks

We present the simulation of the time evolution of the distance matrix. The result is the node-node distance distribution for various kinds of networks. For the exponential trees, analytical formulas are derived for the moments of the distance distribution.Comment: presented during the 37-th Polish Physicists' Meeting, Gdansk, Poland, 15-19 Sep. 2003, 6 pages, 3 figure

The SOAR Gravitational Arc Survey - I: Survey overview and photometric catalogs

We present the first results of the SOAR (Southern Astrophysical Research) Gravitational Arc Survey (SOGRAS). The survey imaged 47 clusters in two redshift intervals centered at $z=0.27$ and $z=0.55$, targeting the richest clusters in each interval. Images were obtained in the $g'$, $r'$ and $i'$ bands using the SOAR Optical Imager (SOI), with a median seeing of 0.83, 0.76 and 0.71 arcsec, respectively, in these filters. Most of the survey clusters are located within the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Stripe 82 region and all of them are in the SDSS footprint. Photometric calibration was therefore performed using SDSS stars located in our SOI fields. We reached for galaxies in all fields the detection limits of $g \sim 23.5$, $r \sim 23$ and $i \sim 22.5$ for a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) = 3. As a by-product of the image processing, we generated a source catalogue with 19760 entries, the vast majority of which are galaxies, where we list their positions, magnitudes and shape parameters. We compared our galaxy shape measurements to those of local galaxies and concluded that they were not strongly affected by seeing. From the catalogue data, we are able to identify a red sequence of galaxies in most clusters in the lower $z$ range. We found 16 gravitational arc candidates around 8 clusters in our sample. They tend to be bluer than the central galaxies in the lensing cluster. A preliminary analysis indicates that $\sim 10$ of the clusters have arcs around them, with a possible indication of a larger efficiency associated to the high-$z$ systems when compared to the low-$z$ ones. Deeper follow-up images with Gemini strengthen the case for the strong lensing nature of the candidates found in this survey.Comment: 17 pages, 11 figures (most of them multi-panel) MNRAS (2013

Contributos para o estudo da identidade profissional dos psicólogos nas equipas de intervenção precoce: perspetiva dos outros técnicos da equipa

Abordamos neste trabalho as representações dos profissionais da educação e dos técnicos de reabilitação sobre a atividade dos psicólogos nas equipas de Intervenção Precoce. Trata-se de uma investigação qualitativa, com carácter exploratório, na perspectiva da Grounded Theory, visando descrever, relativamente aos psicólogos da IP: a) representação dos membros das equipas acerca do seu papel e funções; b) perceção dos técnicos da equipa acerca da especificidade das suas funções e competências; c) importância que lhe é atribuída no sucesso das intervenções. Os resultados obtidos apontam para uma perceção do psicólogo como intervindo ao nível da criança, família e equipa, sendo o técnico mais habilitado para desenvolver funções ao nível da avaliação e diagnóstico e para intervir em aspetos emocionais e comportamentais, remetendo a sua especificidade para: a) perspetiva holística e sistémica do ser humano; b) utilização de instrumentos psicométricos; c) desenvolvimento emocional do ser humano; d) atitudes e caraterísticas relacionais adequadas ao estabelecimento de uma relação empática e de confiança com todos os intervenientes no processo; e) importância do seu enquadramento numa perspetiva multidisciplinar e transdisciplinar; ABSTRACT: Contributions to the study of psychologist’s professional identity in early intervention teams: perspective of other technical team We approach in this work the representations of professional education and rehabilitation technicians on the activity of psychologists in Early Intervention Teams. This is a qualitative research with exploratory nature, in the perspective of Grounded Theory, aiming to describe, for psychologists in Early Intervention: a) representation of team members about their role and functions, b) perception of the technical team about specificity of their functions and abilities, c) importance that is attributed to it in the success of interventions. The results point to a perception of the psychologist as intervening at the level of the child, family and team, being enabled to develop more technical functions in the evaluation and diagnosis and to engage in emotional and behavioral aspects, referring to its specificity: a) systemic and holistic perspective of the human being, b) use of psychometric instruments c) emotional development of human d) attitudes and relational characteristics appropriate to establish an empathic relationship and trust with all stakeholders in the process, e) importance its framework in a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspective

A compreensão evolutiva do ensino e da aprendizagem como promoção da melhoria da prática docente

O presente relatório incide sobre o processo de ensino-aprendizagem, bem como sobre conceitos, abordagens e metodologias no ensino e na aprendizagem, contextualizando a minha experiência prática. Assim, numa primeira fase explano sobre o meu percurso educacional e profissional. São realçadas as dificuldades com que o professor estagiário se depara, como a ausência de experiência prática, a adequação do discurso e das metodologias. Todavia, o experienciar destas dificuldades permite adquirir competências necessárias ao exercício da atividade docente. É também descrita a condição de professora contratada que me permitiu conhecer realidades escolares distintas, ou seja, professores e alunos com caraterísticas e aspirações específicas, contextos sociais, culturais, familiares diversificados, que, de algum modo, se refletiam no ambiente escolar e nas condições de ensinar e de aprender. Seguidamente, é feita uma reflexão sobre o que é ensinar e diferentes abordagens no ensino: tradicional, comportamentalista, humanista, cognitivista, sociocultural e construtivista. O ato de ensinar não deve ser confundido com a mera transmissão de conhecimentos, reservando para o aluno apenas a condição de recetor. Trata-se, antes, de um processo que, além de envolver a troca de informação, implica também, entre outros aspetos, a seleção e utilização das metodologias mais adequadas, tendo em conta os aprendentes, bem como as circunstâncias em que decorre a atividade letiva e o ato de ensinar. Quanto às metodologias de ensino, destaco a pertinência do método expositivo, do demostrativo, do interrogativo e do ativo. Todos têm a sua importância, todavia deverão ser tidas em consideração as motivações e as aptidões dos alunos. Atualmente, os professores têm uma tarefa muito difícil: têm que educar, ensinar, motivar, combater as taxas de insucesso, cumprir metas. Neste contexto, é abordado o papel do professor, métodos e estratégias, tendo sempre em vista a melhoria do desempenho dos alunos. Noutra fase do documento, ocupar-me-ei da aprendizagem, dos paradigmas, das abordagens à aprendizagem e estratégias que os alunos têm ao seu dispor. Segundo Rosário e Almeida (1999), os estudos mais recentes no domínio da aprendizagem privilegiam o papel fundamental do aluno, não descurando a importância dos conteúdos curriculares, dos recursos educativos e das metodologias de ensino por parte dos professores. Desta forma, é pertinente refletir também sobre as estratégias de aprendizagem que os alunos utilizam. Relativamente às abordagens à aprendizagem, Duarte (2000, 2002) considera que as abordagens superficial, profunda e de alto-rendimento transmitem a forma como os alunos experienciam os contextos próprios de aprendizagem, podendo variar entre diferentes abordagens. A análise desta temática permitiu-me refletir sobre os desafios que os professores enfrentam, na tentativa de promover uma aprendizagem compreensiva por parte dos alunos. Com a elaboração deste relatório pude concluir que o processo de ensino-aprendizagem se encontra em mudança e que as abordagens no ensino e as diferentes metodologias podem ser adaptadas às práticas dos professores. Considero que estas reflexões contribuirão para a melhoria da minha postura enquanto professora, tornando-me mais reflexiva e sensível ao processo de aprendizagem dos meus alunos. Saliento, ainda, a importância dos alunos aprenderem a aprender, destacando o papel da metacognição para a aprendizagem e do papel do professor na orientação para o sucesso educativo do processo ensino-aprendizagem.The present work focuses on the process of teaching and learning as well as concepts, approaches and methodologies in teaching and learning, contextualizing my practical experience. In the first part of this work I will discuss my educational and professional background. The difficulties that the trainee teacher is faced as well the lack of practical experience, adjustment of speech and methodologies are highlighted. However, these difficulties allow the acquirement of skills with an important role for teaching practice. The condition of contract teacher is also described, and how it allowed me to face different educational situations like teachers and students with specific social, cultural, family context, characteristics and aspirations, which, somehow, are reflected in the school environment and conditions of teaching and learning. Then, I will reflect about: what is teaching and different approaches to teaching: traditional, behaviorist, humanistic, cognitivist, sociocultural and constructivist. The act of teaching should not be confused with a simple transmission of knowledge, allowing for the student a receiver condition. It is, rather, a process which, besides involving the exchange of information also implies, among other things, the selection of the most appropriate methodologies, taking into account the students and the circumstances in which the act of teaching takes place. Regarding teaching methods, will be enhanced the importance of the expository, demonstrative, interrogative and active methods. Besides the relevance of all, should be taken into consideration the motivations and skills of students. Currently, teachers have a very difficult task: they must educate, teach, motivate, oppose failure rates and accomplish goals. In this context, it will be discussed the teacher role, methods and strategies, to improve student performance. The next part of the document will argue about the approaches to learning, paradigms, and strategies that students have at their disposal. According to Rosario and Almeida (1999), recent studies in the learning field report the importance of the student, not forgetting the importance of curriculum contents and teachers educational resources and teaching methodologies. Thus, it is also pertinent to reflect on the learning strategies that students use. Regarding the approaches to learning, Duarte (2000, 2002) considers that the superficial, deep, high-return approaches reflect how students experience their own learning contexts, and may vary depending on approaches. The analysis of this matter allowed me to reflect on the challenges that teachers face in an attempt to promote a comprehensive learning of students. One can conclude that the teaching and learning process is changing and that the approaches to teaching as well as the different methodologies can be adapted to teacher practices. I believe that these reflections will help improve my position as a teacher, becoming more reflective and sensitive to students’ learning process. Also emphasize the importance of learning to learn by the students, regarding the role of metacognition and the role of the teacher in guidance of the educational success of teaching-learning process

Concentric Characterization and Classification of Complex Network Nodes: Theory and Application to Institutional Collaboration

Differently from theoretical scale-free networks, most of real networks present multi-scale behavior with nodes structured in different types of functional groups and communities. While the majority of approaches for classification of nodes in a complex network has relied on local measurements of the topology/connectivity around each node, valuable information about node functionality can be obtained by Concentric (or Hierarchical) Measurements. In this paper we explore the possibility of using a set of Concentric Measurements and agglomerative clustering methods in order to obtain a set of functional groups of nodes. Concentric clustering coefficient and convergence ratio are chosen as segregation parameters for the analysis of a institutional collaboration network including various known communities (departments of the University of S\~ao Paulo). A dendogram is obtained and the results are analyzed and discussed. Among the interesting obtained findings, we emphasize the scale-free nature of the obtained network, as well as the identification of different patterns of authorship emerging from different areas (e.g. human and exact sciences). Another interesting result concerns the relatively uniform distribution of hubs along the concentric levels, contrariwise to the non-uniform pattern found in theoretical scale free networks such as the BA model.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figure

Influence of Rotations on the Critical State of Soil Mechanics

The ability of grains to rotate can play a crucial role on the collective behavior of granular media. It has been observed in computer simulations that imposing a torque at the contacts modifies the force chains, making support chains less important. In this work we investigate the effect of a gradual hindering of the grains rotations on the so-called critical state of soil mechanics. The critical state is an asymptotic state independent of the initial solid fraction where deformations occur at a constant shear strength and compactness. We quantify the difficulty to rotate by a friction coefficient at the level of particles, acting like a threshold. We explore the effect of this particle-level friction coefficient on the critical state by means of molecular dynamics simulations of a simple shear test on a poly-disperse sphere packing. We found that the larger the difficulty to rotate, the larger the final shear strength of the sample. Other micro-mechanical variables, like the structural anisotropy and the distribution of forces, are also influenced by the threshold. These results reveal the key role of rotations on the critical behavior of soils and suggest the inclusion of rotational variables into their constitutive equations.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, Accepted for publication in Computer Physics Communication

A cultura geracional nas organizações : comunicação interna, motivação e compromisso : estudo de caso : Sheraton Lisboa Hotel&SPA

Grande parte das organizações atravessam o desafio diário de gerir diferentes maneiras de ver, de ser e de estar no mundo, não só a nível profissional mas também a nível pessoal. As gerações são hoje uma realidade que não se limita à existência de duas ou três gerações, mas sim a uma verdadeira convivência geracional, verificando-se em muitas empresas intervalos geracionais até cinco anos. Em tempos de mudança, torna-se premente garantir a constante atualização das diferentes gerações através de um acompanhamento personalizado, bem como uma convivência inter-geracional promotora de uma aprendizagem mútua. Grande parte do sucesso da gestão de pessoas está na forma como os colaboradores se sentem motivados e comprometidos com a organização, sendo fundamental o papel que a comunicação interna assume neste processo. Perante a existência de várias gerações, a forma de comunicar multiplica-se por tantas vezes quantas as gerações existentes, pelo que é essencial fazer com que esta realidade não seja vista como um problema, mas sim como uma oportunidade de crescimento e vantagem competitiva, à qual o Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa não é alheio. Falar da cultura organizacional do Sheraton Lisboa Hotel&Spa implica necessariamente considerar as cinco gerações que dele fazem parte, desde os tradicionalistas com mais de 40 anos de casa, aos recém-chegados “digital natives” que como o próprio nome indica já só vivem através de uma comunicação digital. Neste contexto, onde predomina uma elevada média de idade e antiguidade, são partilhados determinados valores, crenças, hábitos e comportamentos característicos de cada geração que tornam única a identidade geracional vivida no Sheraton Lisboa Hotel&Spa. Nesta dissertação foi possível concluir que todas as gerações valorizam a comunicação interna como essencial para o seu bom funcionamento, bem como para a motivação e compromisso dos colaboradores. Apesar do cepticismo das gerações mais experientes, e da ânsia de aprender das gerações mais novas, existe uma consciencialização por parte de todas as gerações de que a convivência geracional é uma realidade, e mais que isso uma vantagem desta organização.Most organizations face the daily challenge of managing different ways of seeing and being in the world, not only professionally but also on a personal level. Generations are today a reality that is not limited to the existence of two or three generations, but to a true generational coexistence, that means in many companies intervals up to five years. In times of change, it is imperative to guarantee the constant updating of the different generations through a personalized accompaniment, as well as an intergenerational coexistence that promotes mutual learning. Much of the success of people management is in how employees feel motivated and committed to the organization, and the role that internal communication plays in this process is fundamental. With the existence of several generations, the way of communicating multiplies as often as the existing generations, so it is essential to make this reality not seen as a problem, but as an opportunity for growth and competitive advantage, in which Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa is includeed. Talk about the organizational culture of the Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa necessarily involves considering the five generations that belong to it, from the traditionalists with more than 40 years of home, to the new arrivals "digital natives" that as its name indicates already live only through a digital communication. In this context, where there is an high average age and the seniority predominate, certain values, beliefs, habits and behaviors of each generation are shared which make unique the generational identity lived in the Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa. In this dissertation it was possible to conclude that all the generations value the internal communication as essential for its good functioning, as well as for the motivation and commitment of the associates. Despite the skepticism of the more experienced generations, and the eagerness to learn from the younger generations, there is a generational awareness that generational coexistence is a reality and more than an advantage of this organization

Geometric Phase, Curvature, and Extrapotentials in Constrained Quantum Systems

We derive an effective Hamiltonian for a quantum system constrained to a submanifold (the constraint manifold) of configuration space (the ambient space) by an infinite restoring force. We pay special attention to how this Hamiltonian depends on quantities which are external to the constraint manifold, such as the external curvature of the constraint manifold, the (Riemannian) curvature of the ambient space, and the constraining potential. In particular, we find the remarkable fact that the twisting of the constraining potential appears as a gauge potential in the constrained Hamiltonian. This gauge potential is an example of geometric phase, closely related to that originally discussed by Berry. The constrained Hamiltonian also contains an effective potential depending on the external curvature of the constraint manifold, the curvature of the ambient space, and the twisting of the constraining potential. The general nature of our analysis allows applications to a wide variety of problems, such as rigid molecules, the evolution of molecular systems along reaction paths, and quantum strip waveguides.Comment: 27 pages with 1 figure, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Influência do cimento obturador e de um "plug" na infiltração coronária após preparo para pino

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar "in vitro" a infiltração marginal coronária após obturação de canal e preparo para pino, empregando-se ou não um "plug" protetor. Cem dentes humanos unirradiculares extraídos tiveram suas coroas removidas, e os canais preparados biomecanicamente e obturados pela técnica da condensação lateral com cones de guta-percha e os cimentos CRCS e Endofill. Após preparo para pino, os remanescentes das obturações foram ou não protegidos por 1 mm de um "plug" dos seguintes materiais: Coltosol, Super Bonder, CRCS e Endofill. Após permanecerem 24 horas em soro fisiológico, os espécimes foram imersos em solução de azul de metileno a 2%, em ambiente com vácuo, por 24 horas. Os dentes foram então seccionados longitudinalmente, as infiltrações marginais mensuradas linearmente, e os dados obtidos submetidos à análise de variância e teste de Kruskal-Wallis. Os resultados com os 2 cimentos estudados foram semelhantes entre si e piores (ñThe subject of this paper was to conduct an in vitro study of the coronal leakage after root canal filling and post space preparation. One hundred single-rooted human teeth had their crowns removed and the canals prepared and filled by the lateral condensation technique with gutta-percha points and the sealers CRCS and Endofill (a Grossman cement). After post space preparation, the remainder of the filling was protected or not with 1mm of a plug of the following materials: Coltosol, Super Bonder (cyanoacrylate-ester), CRCS and Endofill. After 24 hours in saline, the specimens were immersed in a 2% methylene blue solution in a vacuum environment for 24 hours. The teeth were then sectioned longitudinally, leakage was evaluated linearly and the obtained data were submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results with the two sealers studied were similar between themselves and worse (