Electromagnetism and multiple-valued loop-dependent wave functionals

We quantize the Maxwell theory in the presence of a electric charge in a "dual" Loop Representation, i.e. a geometric representation of magnetic Faraday's lines. It is found that the theory can be seen as a theory without sources, except by the fact that the wave functional becomes multivalued. This can be seen as the dual counterpart of what occurs in Maxwell theory with a magnetic pole, when it is quantized in the ordinary Loop Representation. The multivaluedness can be seen as a result of the multiply-connectedness of the configuration space of the quantum theory.Comment: 5 page

Control of pool boiling incipience in confined space: dynamic morphing of the wall effect

This paper was presented at the 3rd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2011), which was held at the Makedonia Palace Hotel, Thessaloniki in Greece. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Thessaly, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute.A new active heat transfer enhancement and control technique is proposed in this work. One of the major aims of the technique is to decrease pool boiling incipience temperature by dynamic morphing imposed to confinement wall. Dynamic deformation generates variation of pressure which increases the fluid metastability level. An experimental device was built to evaluate boiling incipience temperature. Experimental results were compared with hydrodynamic and nucleation models.CNRS Energie CITAMPE PR09-3.1.3-2 and FNRAE SYRTIP

Fuzzy logic as a decision-making support system for the indication of bariatric surgery based on an index (OBESINDEX) generated by the association between body fat and body mass index

Background: A Fuzzy Obesity Index (OBESINDEX) for use as an alternative in bariatric surgery indication (BSI) is presented. The search for a more accurate method to evaluate obesity and to indicate a better treatment is important in the world health context. BMI (body mass index) is considered the main criteria for obesity treatment and BSI. Nevertheless, the fat excess related to the percentage of Body Fat (%BF) is actually the principal harmful factor in obesity disease that is usually neglected. This paper presents a new fuzzy mechanism for evaluating obesity by associating BMI with %BF that yields a fuzzy obesity index for obesity evaluation and treatment and allows building up a Fuzzy Decision Support System (FDSS) for BSI.

Methods: Seventy-two patients were evaluated for both BMI and %BF. These data are modified and treated as fuzzy sets. Afterwards, the BMI and %BF classes are aggregated yielding a new index (OBESINDEX) for input linguistic variable are considered the BMI and %BF, and as output linguistic variable is employed the OBESINDEX, an obesity classification with entirely new classes of obesity in the fuzzy context as well is used for BSI.

Results: There is a gradual, smooth obesity classification and BSI when using the proposed fuzzy obesity index when compared with other traditional methods for dealing with obesity.

Conclusion: The BMI is not adequate for surgical indication in all the conditions and fuzzy logic becomes an alternative for decision making in bariatric surgery indication based on the OBESINDEX

Interacting Particles and Strings in Path and Surface Representations

Non-relativistic charged particles and strings coupled with abelian gauge fields are quantized in a geometric representation that generalizes the Loop Representation. We consider three models: the string in self-interaction through a Kalb-Ramond field in four dimensions, the topological interaction of two particles due to a BF term in 2+1 dimensions, and the string-particle interaction mediated by a BF term in 3+1 dimensions. In the first case one finds that a consistent "surface-representation" can be built provided that the coupling constant is quantized. The geometrical setting that arises corresponds to a generalized version of the Faraday's lines picture: quantum states are labeled by the shape of the string, from which emanate "Faraday`s surfaces". In the other models, the topological interaction can also be described by geometrical means. It is shown that the open-path (or open-surface) dependence carried by the wave functional in these models can be eliminated through an unitary transformation, except by a remaining dependence on the boundary of the path (or surface). These feature is closely related to the presence of anomalous statistics in the 2+1 model, and to a generalized "anyonic behavior" of the string in the other case.Comment: RevTeX 4, 28 page

Slip behavior in liquid films on surfaces of patterned wettability: Comparison between continuum and molecular dynamics simulations

We investigate the behavior of the slip length in Newtonian liquids subject to planar shear bounded by substrates with mixed boundary conditions. The upper wall, consisting of a homogenous surface of finite or vanishing slip, moves at a constant speed parallel to a lower stationary wall, whose surface is patterned with an array of stripes representing alternating regions of no-shear and finite or no-slip. Velocity fields and effective slip lengths are computed both from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and solution of the Stokes equation for flow configurations either parallel or perpendicular to the stripes. Excellent agreement between the hydrodynamic and MD results is obtained when the normalized width of the slip regions, $a/\sigma \gtrsim {\cal O}(10)$, where $\sigma$ is the (fluid) molecular diameter characterizing the Lennard-Jones interaction. In this regime, the effective slip length increases monotonically with $a/\sigma$ to a saturation value. For $a/\sigma \lesssim {\cal O}(10)$ and transverse flow configurations, the non-uniform interaction potential at the lower wall constitutes a rough surface whose molecular scale corrugations strongly reduce the effective slip length below the hydrodynamic results. The translational symmetry for longitudinal flow eliminates the influence of molecular scale roughness; however, the reduced molecular ordering above the wetting regions of finite slip for small values of $a/\sigma$ increases the value of the effective slip length far above the hydrodynamic predictions. The strong inverse correlation between the effective slip length and the liquid structure factor representative of the first fluid layer near the patterned wall illustrates the influence of molecular ordering effects on slip in non-inertial flows.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures Web reference added for animations: http://www.egr.msu.edu/~priezjev/bubble/bubble.htm

Species Distribution Models at Regional Scale: Cymodocea nodosa Seagrasses

Despite their ecological and socio-economic importance, seagrasses are often overlooked in comparison with terrestrial ecosystems. In the Canarian archipelago (Spain), Cymodocea nodosa is the best-established species, sustaining the most important marine ecosystem and providing ecosystem services (ES) of great relevance. Nevertheless, we lack accurate and standardized information regarding the distribution of this species and its ES supply. As a first step, the use of species distribution models is proposed. Various machine learning algorithms and ensemble model techniques were considered along with freely available remote sensing data to assess Cymodocea nodosa’s potential distribution. In a second step, we used InVEST software to estimate the ES provision by this phanerogam on a regional scale, providing spatially explicit monetary assessments and a habitat degradation characterization due to human impacts. The distribution models presented great predictive capabilities and statistical significance, while the ES estimations were in concordance with previous studies. The proposed methodology is presented as a useful tool for environmental management of important communities sensitive to human activities, such as C. nodosa meadows.En prensa0,64

Training needs in TQM: the Portuguese perspective

A survey to assess training needs in TQM was developed in several European countries, within the framework of a Leonardo’s project named IMVOCED. Beyond a comparison of the results in each country, a global analysis was performed to design a TQM programme to be delivered by WBL (Work Based Learning). Differences were found between countries, and the Portuguese results also revealed that different approaches to TQM training should be adopted according to the organisation’s dimension. Based on this evidence, two different strategies for TQM training by WBL are proposed and discussed

Utilização do fosfato de tapira em dietas de frangos de corte.

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Recomendações técnicas para criação de cabras leiteiras.

Raças indicadas; Parda Alpina; Toggenburg; Saanen; Anglo-Nubiana;Manejo reprodutivo; Seleção de Reprodutores; Seleção de Matrizes; Puberdade e Maturidade Sexual; Ciclo Estral e Estro; Rufião; Sistema de Acasalamento; Período de Gestação; Cuidados Durante a Gestação; Parto; Manejo das crias; Mamada do Colostro; Tratamento do Umbigo; Identificação; Permanência da Cria com a Mãe; Aleitamento Artificial; Descorna; Desmame e Separação por Sexo; Castração; Alimentação e nutrição; Pastagem Cultivada; Manejo de Utilização de Capineira de Capim Elefante; Irrigação; Formas de Utilização do Capim; Suplementação Alimentar; Banco de Proteína; Leucena (Leucaena leucocephala); Feijão Guandu (Cajanus cajan); Cunhã (Clitoria ternatea L.); Suplementação Mineral; Exigências Nutricionais de Cabras Leiteiras; Manejo sanitário; Endoparasitoses; Helmintoses (verminose gastrintestinal); Eimeriose (coccidiose); Ectoparasitoses; Pediculose (piolho); Miíase (bicheira); Sarnas; Doenças Causadas por Bactérias; Mamite (mastite); Linfadenite caseosa (mal do caroço); Ceratoconjuntivite infecciosa (oftalmia contagiosa); Pododermatite (frieira ou mal do casco); Micoplasmose; Doenças Causadas por Vírus; Ectima contagioso (boqueira); Artrite-encefalite caprina viral (CAEV); Doenças Metabólicas e Carenciais; Urolitíase obstrutiva (cálculo urinário); Toxemia da gestação (acetonemia ou hipoglicemia); Instalações; Aprisco e Chiqueiro; Currais de manejo; Pedilúvio; Cochos para Sal Mineral (Saleiro); Cercas; Área de Isolamento.bitstream/item/35660/1/CIT25.pd