Recording from two neurons: second order stimulus reconstruction from spike trains and population coding

We study the reconstruction of visual stimuli from spike trains, recording simultaneously from the two H1 neurons located in the lobula plate of the fly Chrysomya megacephala. The fly views two types of stimuli, corresponding to rotational and translational displacements. If the reconstructed stimulus is to be represented by a Volterra series and correlations between spikes are to be taken into account, first order expansions are insufficient and we have to go to second order, at least. In this case higher order correlation functions have to be manipulated, whose size may become prohibitively large. We therefore develop a Gaussian-like representation for fourth order correlation functions, which works exceedingly well in the case of the fly. The reconstructions using this Gaussian-like representation are very similar to the reconstructions using the experimental correlation functions. The overall contribution to rotational stimulus reconstruction of the second order kernels - measured by a chi-squared averaged over the whole experiment - is only about 8% of the first order contribution. Yet if we introduce an instant-dependent chi-square to measure the contribution of second order kernels at special events, we observe an up to 100% improvement. As may be expected, for translational stimuli the reconstructions are rather poor. The Gaussian-like representation could be a valuable aid in population coding with large number of neurons

Nonequilibrium modeling of an ammonia-water rectifyng column via fundamental thermodynamic and transport relations

A nonequilibrium heat and mass transfer model is presented for the steady-state operation of a rectifying column, employed in ammonia-water absorption refrigeration systems to dehumidify the ammonia vapor leaving the generator. The thermodynamic state relations of the mixture are derived from two equations representing the Gibbs free energy in terms of temperature, pressure and concentration for the liquid and the vapor phases. Two of the transport properties, surface tension and liquid diffusivity required original relations, as presented here in. The resulting nonlinear system of equations is solved by efficient use of the Newton-Raphson code that minimizes the order of the Jacobian matrix without losing any model information or the quadratic order of convergence of the numerical method. Accuracy tests are performed by grid refinement and by comparison with results in the literature. A sensitivity study is presented showing the influence of some alternative methods for estimation of the transport properties on the temperature and concentration profiles.54055

Phase diagrams in kappa-carrageenan/locust bean gum systems

Gelation (Tgel) and melting (Tm) temperatures of kappa-carrageenan gels and 4:1 kappa-carrageenan/locust bean gum mixed gels, at different total potassium concentrations (CT), were determined by means of rheological (dynamic and viscosimetric) measurements. The log CT was linearly related to Tgel−1 and Tm−1. Differences found between both systems are discussed

A new approach for reverse analyses in depth-sensing indentation using numerical simulation

This paper seeks to present a new approach to reverse analysis in depth-sensing indentation which makes use of numerical simulation. This methodology allows the results of experimental hardness tests acquired with single indenter geometry to be used to determine the plastic properties of materials. Forward and reverse analyses of high deformation three-dimensional numerical simulations of Vickers indentation tests are used to determine different mechanical properties of materials: Young's modulus, yield stress and strain-hardening exponent. The Vickers indenter used in the numerical simulations is formulated as a rigid body and takes into account the presence of the most common imperfection of the tip, so-called offset. The contact friction between the Vickers indenter and the deformable body is also considered. The forward analysis uses materials with Young's modulus values from 50 to 600 GPa, yield stress values from 0.3 to 10 GPa and strain-hardening exponents from 0 to 0.6; the Poisson ratio did not vary from 0.3. The representative plastic strain [epsilon]r and the correspondent stress [sigma]r, as previously defined by other authors [Dao M, Chollacoop N, Vliet KJ, Venkatesh TA, Suresh S. Acta Mater 2001;49:3899], were identified by an independent numerical method. The values of the representative plastic strain [epsilon]r obtained for the Vickers indenter confirm those of the above-mentioned authors, despite showing a slight influence from the Young's modulus values. The forward study enables the production of a unique plot of the hardness HIT vs. representative stress [sigma]r, where both are normalized by the Young's modulus E. The proposed reverse analysis provides a unique solution to the representative stress [sigma]r and the strain-hardening exponent, n, given that the Young's modulus is predetermined from the experimental hardness test. Depending on the material properties, the value of n can be more or less sensitive to the scatter of the experimental results obtained using the depth-sensing equipment, particularly the stiffness of the unloading curve. The validity of the proposed reverse analysis method is checked using three real materials: stamping quality steel (DC 06), stainless AISI 304 steel and BK7 glass.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TW8-4M69JXG-1/1/ffe1726f3b7df73e4e01c941d6c4cbe

Convergent and discriminant validities of SCBE-30 questionnaire using correlated trait–correlated method Minus One

Correlated trait–correlated method minus one was used to evaluate convergent and discriminant validity of Social Competence Behavior Evaluation questionnaire (Social Competence, Anger-Aggression, Anxiety-Withdrawal) between multiple raters. A total of 369 children (173 boys and 196 girls; Mage = 55.85, SDage = 11.54) were rated by their mothers, fathers, and teachers. Results showed more convergence between parents than parent-teacher ratings. Mother-teacher share a common view of child behavior that is not shared with father. Parents had more difficulty distinguishing internalizing and externalizing behaviors (especially fathers). Measurement invariance across child sex was explored, results imply that differences between boys and girls were not due to measure. Girls (compare to boys) were described as more social competent by their fathers and teachers, while boys as more aggressive by mothers and teachers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Redesenho de agroecossistemas como inovação social para a construção da sustentabilidade local.

Resumo: A construção de uma nova perspectiva para o semiárido rural nordestino deverá estar amparada em abordagens com enfoque multidisciplinar, em que o contexto seja a referência e que promova o rompimento com o padrão convencional da modernização agrícola. Este estudo objetivou demonstrar aportes metodológicos de abordagem no meio rural, com a finalidade de construir elementos de resistência ao modelo tradicional por meio da mediação social para o redesenho de agroecossistemas. A metodologia foi orientada pela abordagem teórica da Perspectiva Orientada aos Atores. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida na comunidade Sítio Areias, Sobral, CE, local onde foi realizado o redesenho de um agroecossistema. A utilização da metodologia possibilitou a interface entre saberes, com o surgimento de novas práticas, com os agricultores familiares exercendo sua condição de agência na utilização de novos domínios para a produção de novidades referentes à construção de uma agricultura sustentável no semiárido. Tais inovações sociais poderão constituir elementos basilares para um novo processo de desenvolvimento rural sustentável e solidário, com novas formas de inovações no meio rural. Abstract: Building a new perspective to the rural northeastern semiarid should be supported by approaches with a multidisciplinary focus, that has the context as a reference and promotes rupture with the conventional pattern of agricultural modernization. This study aimed to demonstrate methodological contributions of approach in rural areas, with the aim of constructing elements of resistance to the traditional model through social mediation for the redesign of agroecosystems. The methodology was guided by the theoretical approach of the Oriented Perspective by Actors. The research was conducted in the community Sítio Areias, Sobral, CE, where was conducted the redesign of one agroecosystem. Using the methodology enabled the interface between knowledges, with the emergence of new practices, with family farmers exerting their agency conditions on the use of new domains for the novelty production relative the construction of sustainable agriculture in semiarid. These social innovations may constitute basic elements for a new process of sustainable rural development and solidarity, with new forms of innovation in rural areas

Early father-child and mother-child attachment relationships: contributions to preschoolers’ social competence

The main goal of this study was to explore the contributions of early father-child and mother-child attachment relationships to children’s later social competence with their preschool peers; possible unique and shared contributions were tested. Using a multi-method design and focusing on direct observation, attachment was assessed at home at age 3 with the Attachment Behavior Q-sort (AQS) and two years later social competence was assessed at classrooms of 5-year-olds using a set of seven measurement indicators that are part of the Hierarchical Model of Social Competence. Results show that attachment to each parent made unique and significant contributions to children’s social competence and suggested the possibility that each caregiver may have somewhat different patterns of influence on the different indicators of children’s social competence. Findings also suggest the possibility that a secure attachment with one parent may buffer the impact of having an insecure relationship with the other. Due to sample size these results should be seen as a starting point to generate new and larger studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Germinação de sementes de melancia armazenadas em câmara fria submetidas a tratamentos para superação da dormência.

Sementes armazenadas de melancia foram submetidas a tratamentos de superação de dormÍncia com o objetivo de verificar o efeito desses na germinação de diferentes cultivares (Crymson sweet, Charleston grey e Emperor) e diferentes perÌodos de armazenamento (6 a 42 meses). AlÈm do controle, os tratamentos foram: 1) germinação empapel mata-borrão embebido em soluÁ„o de KNO3 0,2%; (2) germinaÁ„o em papel toalha embebido em soluÁ„o de GA3100 mg.L -1 ; (3) maceração em água destilada por 6 horas (Brasil, 1992); (4) escarificação mecinica com lixa. Os resultados indicam que a cv. Crymson sweet, mesmo apÛs longos perÌodos de armazenamento apresenta alta germinação e que os melhores tratamentos para superaÁ„o da dormÍncia foram escarificaÁ„o e KNO3 (0,2%) e que o pior foi GA3.Suplemento. Edição do 43 Congresso Brasileiro de Olericultura, Recife, jul. 2003

Germinação de sementes de melancia armazenadas em câmara fria submetidas a tratamentos para superação da dormência.

Suplemento 1. Edição dos Resumos do 43 Congresso Brasileiro de Olericultura, Recife, 200