Complex Network Tools to Understand the Behavior of Criminality in Urban Areas

Complex networks are nowadays employed in several applications. Modeling urban street networks is one of them, and in particular to analyze criminal aspects of a city. Several research groups have focused on such application, but until now, there is a lack of a well-defined methodology for employing complex networks in a whole crime analysis process, i.e. from data preparation to a deep analysis of criminal communities. Furthermore, the "toolset" available for those works is not complete enough, also lacking techniques to maintain up-to-date, complete crime datasets and proper assessment measures. In this sense, we propose a threefold methodology for employing complex networks in the detection of highly criminal areas within a city. Our methodology comprises three tasks: (i) Mapping of Urban Crimes; (ii) Criminal Community Identification; and (iii) Crime Analysis. Moreover, it provides a proper set of assessment measures for analyzing intrinsic criminality of communities, especially when considering different crime types. We show our methodology by applying it to a real crime dataset from the city of San Francisco - CA, USA. The results confirm its effectiveness to identify and analyze high criminality areas within a city. Hence, our contributions provide a basis for further developments on complex networks applied to crime analysis.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, 14th International Conference on Information Technology : New Generation

Differences of Pathophysiology in Experimental Meningitis Caused by Three Strains of Streptococcus Pneumoniae

Differences in cytochemical and pathophysiologic abnormalities in experimental meningitis caused by pneumococcal strains A, B, and C were determined. Strain C produced the most severe abnormalities of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of lactate (P < .01), protein (P < .02), and glucose (P < .01), CSF white blood cell count (P < .04), cerebral blood flow (P < .02), and clinical signs (P < .05). Brain edema occurred only with strains A and C, with no association with disease severity; intracranial hypertension was also independent of disease severity. Strain B, not C, achieved the highest bacterial titers in the CSF (P < .005). The widely different abilities of strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae to induce intracranial abnormalities suggest that virulence determinants affect not only evasion of defense during colonization and invasion, as shown in other models, but also determine the course of disease once infection has been established. Differences of cell-wall metabolism among pneumococcal strains may playa role in this latter phase of the development of meningiti

Neurolinguística Discursiva: contribuições para discutir a relação entre Linguagem e Pobreza

Este artigo tem como proposta discutir as contribuições da Neurolinguística Discursiva para repensarmos os efeitos que perspectivas estritamente biológicas têm construído sobre a relação entre linguagem e pobreza. Analisamos criticamente como a pobreza tem sido interpretada como sinal de fracasso, ou mesmo como doença (distúrbios de linguagem e cognitivos, por exemplo), em vários estudos, principalmente nas neurociências. No que diz respeito à linguagem, os procedimentos descontextualizados objetificam os sujeitos, lhes retiram sua voz, seus discursos, desconsideram violentamente as diferentes práticas de linguagem nas quais estão inseridos e transformam dificuldades, por vezes próprias da exclusão social, em déficits. Apontamos como os estudos da ND, especialmente aqueles desenvolvidos por Maria Irma Hadler Coudry desde seu trabalho pioneiro em Diário de Narciso: discurso e afasia, podem contribuir para desconstruir visões preconceituosas sobre linguagem, sujeito e pobreza

The role of attention in the perception of music structure

Existing models of the perception of musical structure mostly do not account for the fact that listeners’ hearings are known to vary substantially: the same passage can be interpreted differently by different listeners, or by the same listener at different times. Attention””the deliberate or unconscious focus a listener may place on a particular aspect of the music, such as its melody or rhythm””seems to play a role in the perception of structure, but whether it is an important cause of grouping preferences or the product of them is unclear. We study how paying attention to musical features (including harmony, melody, rhythm and timbre) influences grouping decisions. The experiments use composed musical stimuli exhibiting changes in particular features by design; some stimuli exhibit a single change, while others exhibit changes in different features at different times, leading to ambiguous segment boundaries and groupings.We first tested whether our subjects were able to correctly associate changes with musical features, to establish that their understanding of the stimuli was multidimensional and not purely holistic. Second, we tested whether an explicit instruction to focus on a feature increased the salience of boundaries marked by a change in that feature. Finally, we tested whether focusing on a feature would make groupings according to that feature preferable. To do so, we asked subjects to perform a distractor pattern-detection task that directed their attention to a particular feature. They then heard ambiguous stimuli, which had structure AAB and ABB with respect to two different features, and indicated their preferred grouping.The results showed that listeners were skilled at identifying changes, that correctly-directed attention boosted the salience of changes, and that focusing on a feature could indeed cause a listener to prefer one grouping over another. Whereas one’s level of musical training greatly impacted how one responded on the first two experiments, its impact was not significant in the third task, suggesting that attention is a general mechanism in guiding grouping preferences

Particle-Based Simulations of Electrophoretic Deposition with Adaptive Physics Models

This work represents an extension of mesoscale particle-based modeling of electrophoretic deposition (EPD), which has relied exclusively on pairwise interparticle interactions described by Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory. With this standard treatment, particles continuously move and interact via excluded volume and electrostatic pair potentials under the influence of external fields throughout the EPD process. The physics imposed by DLVO theory may not be appropriate to describe all systems, considering the vast material, operational, and application space available to EPD. As such, we present three modifications to standard particle-based models, each rooted in the ability to dynamically change interparticle interactions as simulated deposition progresses. This approach allows simulations to capture charge transfer and/or irreversible adsorption based on tunable parameters. We evaluate and compare simulated deposits formed under new physical assumptions, demonstrating the range of systems that these adaptive physics models may capture.Comment: 34 pages, 10 figure

Book Reviews

Book Review 1Book Title: Megaherbivores: the influence of very large body size on ecologyBook Author: R.N. Owen-SmithCambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1988. 369 pages.Book Review 2Book Title: Comparative Physiology of the Vertebrate KidneyBook Author: W.H. Dantzler Springer-Verlag 1989.198 pp. (Hardcover).Book Review 3Book Title: Atlas on the Biology of Soil ArthropodsBook Authors: G. Esenbeis &amp; W. Wichard Springer-Verlag, Berlin 1987. 437 pp.Book Review 4Book Title: Primate Vocal CommunicationBook Authors: Edited by D. Todt, P. Goedeking &amp; D. SymmesSpringer Verlag, Berlin (1988)Book Review 5Book Title: The Honey BeeBook Authors: J.L. Gould &amp; C. G. GouldScientific American Ubrary, W.H.Freeman, New York. 239 pp.Book Review 6Book Title: Insect Development Photoperiodic and Temperature ControlBook Author: Victor A. ZaslavskiSpringer-Verlag, Berlin. 187 pp.Book Review 7Book Title: OrganellesBook Author: Mark CarrollMacmillan 1989. 202 pp.Book Review 8Book Title: Comparative Protozoology Ecology, Physiology, Life HistoryBook Author: O. Roger AndersonSpringer-Verlag, Berlin, 1988. 482pp.Book Review 9Book Title: Ecotoxicology: Problems and ApproachesBook Authors: Edited by S.A. Levin, M.A. Harwell, J.R. Kelly &amp; K.D. KimballSpringer Verlag, New York. 547 pp

ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAYS WITH TUNABLE, ANGLE-INDEPENDENT COLOR

Electrophoretic displays (EPDs), which exploit the surface charge of microparticles to control their deposition, have become widely available in consumer electronics, such as e-readers and smartwatches. However, a full-color EPD has yet to be demonstrated and commercialized. Here, we demonstrate colloidal assemblies of engineered quasi-amorphous photonic materials, using pigmentary α-Fe2O3/SiO2 core/shell nanoparticles, exhibiting non- iridescent tunable colors which can be tuned electrophoretically. The observed colors result from combination of colloidal particle arrangements, giving rise to structural color, along with the inherent pigmentary color of the α-Fe2O3/SiO2 nanoparticles. Colloidal particle assemblies of α-Fe2O3/SiO2 core/shell nanoparticles, and therefore the resulting colors, can be manipulated by shell thickness, particle concentration and external electrical stimuli. Dynamic tunability of α-Fe2O3/SiO2 nanomaterials in the visible wavelengths is demonstrated using reversible electrophoretic deposition with a noticeable difference between transmitted and reflected colors. The distinct contrast generated can be exploited for tunable display applications. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. LLNL-ABS-704082

In-situ USAXS/SAXS Investigation of Tunable Structural Color in Amorphous Photonic Crystals during Electrophoretic Deposition

Amorphous photonic crystals (APCs) formed via electrophoretic deposition (EPD) exhibit non-iridescent, angle-independent, structural colors believed to arise from changes in the particle-particle interactions and inter-particle spacing, representing a potential new paradigm for display technologies. However, inter-particle dynamics on nanometer length scales that govern (and enable control over) the displayed color, crystallinity, and other characteristics of the photonic structures, are not well understood. Unfortunately, typical lab-based characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM, and Computed Tomography (CT) are generally performed ex-situ once the sample deposit has been dried. In this work, in-situ USAXS/SAXS/WAXS studies of three-dimensional colloidal particle arrays (of varying particle size and concentration) were performed in order to identify their structural response to applied external electric fields. This data was compared to simultaneously acquired UV-Vis spectra to tie the overall electrically induced structure of the APCs directly to the observed changes in visible color. The structural evolution of the APCs provides new information regarding the correlation between nano-scale particle-particle interactions and the corresponding optical response. To our knowledge, there has been no other prior studies examining the structure of APCs during the application of an electric field. This novel, in-situ USAXS study has helped to gain a better fundamental understanding of how the properties of APCs can be controlled for the advancement of optical displays. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. LLNL-ABS-725437-DRAF

Sources of phosphorus on rootstock growth of nursery cultured seringueira

O uso de fontes e doses de fósforo podem influenciar o crescimento do porta-enxerto de seringueira. Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de diferentes fontes de fósforo no crescimento de porta-enxertos de seringueira sob condições de viveiro. Para isso, realizou-se experimento em viveiro telado, em Colina/SP. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de: 1-testemunha (sem aplicação de P); 2- 2,5 kg de superfosfato simples e 186 g de óxido silicatado por m3 de terra; 3- 5,0 kg de superfosfato simples e 372g de óxido silicatado por m3 de terra; 4- 3,1 kg de termofosfato magnesiano por m3 de terra; 5- 6,2 kg de termofosfato magnesiano por m3 de terra. A parcela foi constituída por cinco sacolas plásticas de dimensões de 20x35cm, contendo uma muda de seringueira (clone Tjair). Ao longo do cultivo do porta-enxerto da seringueira, realizou avaliações do crescimento, a partir do diâmetro do caule a 5 cm do solo e a altura das plantas, durante seis épocas (junho/2008, agosto/2008, outubro/2008, janeiro/2009, março/2009 e maio/2009) de cultivo. A aplicação do fósforo incrementou o crescimento das plantas, durante todo o ciclo de crescimento das mudas de seringueira. Para produção de mudas de seringueira indica-se aplicação do fósforo, seja na forma de termofosfato na dose de 3,1 kg por m3 de terra ou na forma do superfosfato simples na dose de 2,5 kg por m3 de terra.Palavras-chave: Hevea brasiliensis; produção de mudas; desenvolvimento; adubação fosfatada. AbstractSources of phosphorus on rootstock growth of nursery cultured seringueira. The use of phosphorous sources and s levels can influence the growth of rubber tree rootstockr. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of application of different phosphorus sources on growth of rubber tree rootstock  under nursery conditions, int an experiment carried out in a greenhouse located in Colina County, São Paulo State, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of: 1-control (no P application), 2 - 2.5 kg superphosphate and 186 g of silicate oxide per m3 of earth, 3 - 5.0 kg of superphosphate and 372g oxide silicate per m3 of earth, 4 - 3.1 kg of thermophosphate per m3 of earth, from 5 to 6.2 kg of thermophosphate per m3 of earth. The plot consisted of five plastic bags of  20x35cm, containing a  rubber trees seedling (clone Tjair). Evaluations of stem diameter and seedling height growths were carried out during six sesaons (June/2008 to May/2009). Phosphorus application increased the plants growth  throughout the seasons. Application of phosphorous is indicated to the rubber tree seedling production,  either in the form of thermophosphate (3.1 kg per m3 of soil) or in the form of single superphosphate  (2.5 kg per m3 of soil).Keywords: Hevea brasiliensis; seedlings; development; phosphate fertilization and thermophosphate.The use of phosphorous sources and s levels can influence the growth of rubber tree rootstockr. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of application of different phosphorus sources on growth of rubber tree rootstock  under nursery conditions, int an experiment carried out in a greenhouse located in Colina County, São Paulo State, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of: 1-control (no P application), 2 - 2.5 kg superphosphate and 186 g of silicate oxide per m3 of earth, 3 - 5.0 kg of superphosphate and 372g oxide silicate per m3 of earth, 4 - 3.1 kg of thermophosphate per m3 of earth, from 5 to 6.2 kg of thermophosphate per m3 of earth. The plot consisted of five plastic bags of  20x35cm, containing a  rubber trees seedling (clone Tjair). Evaluations of stem diameter and seedling height growths were carried out during six sesaons (June/2008 to May/2009). Phosphorus application increased the plants growth  throughout the seasons. Application of phosphorous is indicated to the rubber tree seedling production,  either in the form of thermophosphate (3.1 kg per m3 of soil) or in the form of single superphosphate  (2.5 kg per m3 of soil)