246 research outputs found

    Linguistic prejudice and discrimination in Brazilian Portuguese and beyond : suggestions and recommendations

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    In this article we make a distinction between the prejudice and discrimination towards (a) different languages and their speakers and (b) different non-standard varieties of the same language and their speakers, and argue that while the discrimination and prejudice towards (a) have been denounced by international institutions and both national and international laws are in place to guarantee the rights of speakers of different languages, the same protection has not been afforded to speakers of non-standard varieties of a language. We examine a specific case of this type of linguistic prejudice in Brazil. We discuss the effectiveness of efforts of linguists to combat linguistic prejudice based on the principle of error correction (Labov 1982) and, drawing on work by Cameron (2012) and Bourdieu (1986), suggest that linguistic prejudice cannot be disentangled from other types of prejudice and that linguists need to have a much deeper understanding of and engagement with the values attached to linguistic forms. We conclude with a number of suggestions and recommendations in order to effectively combat linguistic prejudice

    Quantum Characterization of a Werner-like Mixture

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    We introduce a Werner-like mixture [R. F. Werner, Phys. Rev. A {\bf 40}, 4277 (1989)] by considering two correlated but different degrees of freedom, one with discrete variables and the other with continuous variables. We evaluate the mixedness of this state, and its degree of entanglement establishing its usefulness for quantum information processing like quantum teleportation. Then, we provide its tomographic characterization. Finally, we show how such a mixture can be generated and measured in a trapped system like one electron in a Penning trap.Comment: 8 pages ReVTeX, 8 eps figure

    Contractive Schroedinger cat states for a free mass

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    Contractive states for a free quantum particle were introduced by Yuen [Yuen H P 1983 Phys. Rev. Lett. 51, 719] in an attempt to evade the standard quantum limit for repeated position measurements. We show how appropriate families of two- and three component ``Schroedinger cat states'' are able to support non-trivial correlations between the position and momentum observables leading to contractive behavior. The existence of contractive Schroedinger cat states is suggestive of potential novel roles of non-classical states for precision measurement schemes.Comment: 24 pages, 7 encapsulated eps color figures, REVTeX4 style. Published online in New Journal of Physics 5 (2003) 5.1-5.21. Higher-resolution figures available in published version. (accessible at http://www.njp.org/

    Synthesis and characterization of entangled mesoscopic superpositions for a trapped electron

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    We propose a scheme for the generation and reconstruction of entangled states between the internal and external (motional) degrees of freedom of a trapped electron. Such states also exhibit quantum coherence at a mesoscopic level.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, RevTeX (twocolumn

    Accuracy of Hidden Markov Models in Identifying Alterations in Movement Patterns during Biceps-Curl Weight-Lifting Exercise

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    This paper presents a comparison of mathematical and cinematic motion analysis regarding the accuracy of the detection of alterations in the patterns of positional sequence during biceps-curl lifting exercise. Two different methods, one with and one without metric data from the environment, were used to identify the changes. Ten volunteers performed a standing biceps-curl exercise with additional loads. A smartphone recorded their movements in the sagittal plane, providing information on joints and barbell sequential position changes during each lift attempt. An analysis of variance revealed significant differences in joint position (p < 0.05) among executions with three different loads. Hidden Markov models were trained with data from the bi-dimensional coordinates of the joint positional sequence to identify meaningful alteration with load increment. Tests of agreement tests between the results provided by the models with the environmental measurements, as well as those from image coordinates, were performed. The results demonstrated that it is possible to efficiently detect changes in the patterns of positional sequence with and without the necessity of measurement and/or environmental control, reaching an agreement of 86% between each other, and 100% and 86% for each respective method to the results of ANOVA. The method developed in this study illustrates the viability of smartphone camera use for identifying positional adjustments due to the inability to control limbs in an adequate range of motion with increasing load during a lifting task.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    The Pauli Equation for Probability Distributions

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    The "marginal" distributions for measurable coordinate and spin projection is introduced. Then, the analog of the Pauli equation for spin-1/2 particle is obtained for such probability distributions instead of the usual wave functions. That allows a classical-like approach to quantum mechanics. Some illuminating examples are presented.Comment: 14 pages, ReVTe

    The changing rationale for governance choices: early vs. late adopters of global services sourcing

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    This article studies how the logic of firm governance choices varies as a function of the time of adoption of particular sourcing practices. Using data on the diffusion of global business services sourcing as a management practice from early experiments in the 1980s through 2011, we show that the extent to which governance choices are affected by process commoditization, availability of external service capabilities, and past governance choices depends on whether firms are early or late adopters. Findings inform research on governance choice dynamics specifically in highly diverse and evolving firm populations

    Clinical and kidney structural characteristics of living kidney donors with nephrolithiasis and their long-term outcomes

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    Background: Nephrolithiasis in living kidney donors is concerning due to the potential impact on long-term postdonation kidney function. Methods: We performed a cohort study of living kidney donors from 2 centers with a baseline computed tomography scan and implantation renal biopsy. Donors (\u3e5 y since donation) completed a follow-up survey or underwent chart review to assess eGFR and incident hypertension. Stone formers were classified as symptomatic if they had a past symptomatic episode or asymptomatic if only incidental radiographic kidney stones were identified during donor evaluation. We compared baseline clinical, imaging, and biopsy characteristics by stone former status including review of metabolic evaluations in stone formers. Long-term risks of renal complications (low eGFR and hypertension) by stone former status were evaluated. Results: There were 12 symptomatic and 76 asymptomatic stone formers among 866 donors. Overall, baseline clinical characteristics and implantation biopsy findings were similar between stone formers and non-stone formers. After a median follow-up of 10 y, stone former status was not associated with eGFR \u3c60 mL/min/1.73 m2, eGFR \u3c45 mL/min/1.73 m Conclusions: Both asymptomatic and symptomatic SF have favorable histology findings at baseline. Long-term kidney outcomes were favorable in select stone formers with no evident increased long-term risk for decreased kidney function or hypertension after donation

    Desenvolvimento de ontologias e linguagem de domínio específico para análises de complexidade semântica em nanotecnologia agrícola.

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    A Nanotecnologia consiste no conjunto de técnicas utilizadas para visualização, caracterização, produção e manipulação da matéria na escala de átomos e moléculas (escala nano). As vantagens e aplicações são inúmeras, por isso estratégias de mineração e análises textuais são relevantes para a elaboração de estruturas de genealogia acadêmica para elaboração de grafos que permitam identificar os limites da fronteira do conhecimento e estabelecer métricas para definição de estratégias e políticas de incentivo à pesquisa. Nesse contexto foram empregadas ferramentas de busca acadêmica orientadas a ampliar e analisar um número maior de artigos científicos para permitir a seleção e sistematização das informações técnicas mais relevantes para a Nanotecnologia na Agricultura, para as bases de ontologias agrícolas. Na área de Nanotecnologia foram realizadas buscas em bases científicas internacionais, além de relatório institucionais. Para o desenvolvimento das ontologias foi utilizada a ferramenta Protege utilizando o plugin de OWL e algumas ontologias foram representadas utilizando (CMap). A ontologia final dos descritores da Nanotecnologia para agricultura gerou um mapa conceitual com um framework de organização para os dados de riscos mais relevantes para a liberação e uso da tecnologia. ?- Nanotechnology consists of the set of techniques used for visualization, characterization, production and manipulation of matter at the scale of atoms and molecules (nano scale). The advantages and applications are numerous, so data mining strategies and textual analysis are relevant for the proposition of academic genealogy structures and for the formulation of graphs that allow to identify the limits of the knowledge frontier and to establish metrics for the definition of strategies and policies to encourage search. In this context, academic search tools were used to expand and analyze a larger number of scientific articles to allow the selection and systematization of the most relevant technical information for Nanotechnology in Agriculture, in agricultural ontologies issue. In the area of nanotechnologies it was carried out searches on international scientific bases, as well as institutional reports. For the development of the ontology the Protege tool was used using the OWL plugin and some indicators were showed using the CMap toll. The final ontology of the descriptors of nanotechnology for agriculture generated a conceptual map with an organization framework for the most relevant risk data for the release and use of technology
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