Lunar impact flashes from Geminids, analysis of luminous efficiencies and the flux of large meteoroids on Earth

We analyze lunar impact flashes recorded by our team during runs in December 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014. In total, 12 impact flashes with magnitudes ranging between 7.1 and 9.3 in V band were identified. From these, 9 events could be linked to the Geminid stream. Using these observations the ratio of luminous energy emitted in the flashes with respect to the kinetic energy of the impactors for meteoroids of the Geminid stream is estimated. By making use of the known Geminids meteoroid flux on Earth we found this ratio to be 2.1x10$^{-3}$ on average. We compare this luminous efficiency with other estimations derived in the past for other meteoroid streams and also compare it with other estimations that we present here for the first time by making use of crater diameter measurements. We think that the luminous efficiency has to be revised downward, not upward, at least for sporadic impacts. This implies an increase in the influx of kilogram-sized and larger bodies on Earth that has been derived thus far through the lunar impact flash monitoring technique

Computational Models to Detect Radiation in Urban Environments: An Application of Signal Processing Techniques and Neural Networks to Radiation Data Analysis

Radioactive sources, such as uranium-235, are nuclides that emit ionizing radiation, and which can be used to build nuclear weapons. In public areas, the presence of a radioactive nuclide can present a risk to the population, and therefore, it is imperative that threats are identified by radiological search and response teams in a timely and effective manner. In urban environments, such as densely populated cities, radioactive sources may be more difficult to detect, since background radiation produced by surrounding objects and structures (e.g., buildings, cars) can hinder the effective detection of unnatural radioactive material. This article presents a computational model to detect radioactive sources in urban environments, which uses signal processing techniques to identify radiation signatures. Moreover, the model uses artificial neural networks to identify types of radiation sources, classifying them as innocuous or harmful, and discerning between weapons-grade material and radioactive isotopes used in medical or industrial settings

Educational academics and intellectuals in the democratic reconstruction of Argentina discussions around a modern scientific program

In 1983, at the very end of the dictatorial period in Argentina, the reconstitution of the spaces in which knowledge was produced in education reopened interrupted debates on both modernization and the future of national education. The intention of consolidating a series of consensual processes aimed to strengthen the educational discourse and the state capacities. Through the analysis of documents and interventions produced by intellectuals, the positions of the educational academics in Argentina, in their struggle to re-establish a state expert layer, are discussed by exposing both the tensions and possibilities that they implied. The conclusions let us consider three major tensions: (i) the technical-bureaucratic and statistical weakness of the education system, (ii) the lack of cohesion of this professional space and (iii) the difficulty to establish a modern and scientific program that could reach the ways in which state decisions were made283199216No final da ditadura na Argentina, em 1983, a reconstituição dos espaços de produção de conhecimento em educação mereceu uma série de debates sobre a modernização interrompida e o futuro da educação nacional. Estava em disputa a intenção de consolidar consensos que fortalecessem o discurso e as capacidades educacionais do Estado. Ao analisar os documentos e intervenções intelectuais, discuto tanto as tensões quanto as possibilidades que se apresentam nos depoimentos dos acadêmicos da Educação na Argentina, na luta para o fortalecimento de uma burocracia estatal especializada. As conclusões permitem considerar três tensões: (i) a debilidade técnico-burocrática e estatística do sistema educativo; (ii) a falta de coesão deste espaço profissional; e (iii) a dificuldade para estabelecer um programa científico moderno, com acesso a posições de poder no Estad

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY

Nowadays the companies live in a constant changing world where customers demand better products, higher quality and shorter delivery times. To achieve these customers requirements companies rely on Continuous Improvement to reach their goals but without having a clear strategy for it. In this paper it is discussed in a literature review, the origin, definition and most used tools of CI. Then it is analyzed if the Learning School for strategy fits with CI to help in the creation of a strategy for CI

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY

Nowadays the companies live in a constant changing world where customers demand better products, higher quality and shorter delivery times. To achieve these customers requirements companies rely on Continuous Improvement to reach their goals but without having a clear strategy for it. In this paper it is discussed in a literature review, the origin, definition and most used tools of CI. Then it is analyzed if the Learning School for strategy fits with CI to help in the creation of a strategy for CI

Dual band TPR radiometer for Snow Water Content determination

Drone-based Dual band TPR radiometer for Snow Water Content determinatio