Gravitational lensing and dynamics in SL2S\,J02140-0535: Probing the mass out to large radius

We aim to probe the mass of SL2S\,J02140-0535, a galaxy group at $z$ = 0.44 from the Strong Lensing Legacy Survey (SL2S). We combine strong lensing modeling and dynamical constraints. The strong lensing analysis is based on multi-band HST/ACS observations exhibiting strong lensing features that we have followed-up spectroscopically with VLT/FORS2. To constrain the scale radius of an NFW mass profile that cannot be constrained by strong lensing, we propose a new method by taking advantage of the large-scale dynamical information provided by VLT/FORS2 and KECK/LRIS spectroscopy of group members. In constrast to other authors, we show that the observed lensing features in SL2S\,J02140-0535 belong to different background sources: one at $z$ = 1.7 $\pm$ 0.1 produces three images, while the other at $z$ = 1.023 $\pm$ 0.001 has only a single image. Our unimodal NFW mass model reproduces these images very well. It is characterized by a concentration parameter $c_{200}$ = 6.0 $\pm$ 0.6, which is slightly greater than the value expected from $\Lambda$CDM simulations for a mass of M$_{200}$ $\approx$ 1 $\times$ 10$^{14}$ M_{\sun}. The spectroscopic analysis of group members also reveals a unimodal structure that exhibits no evidence of merging. We compare our dynamic mass estimate with an independent weak-lensing based mass estimate finding that both are consistent. Our combined lensing and dynamical analysis of SL2S\,J02140-0535 demonstrates the importance of spectroscopic information in reliably identifying the lensing features. Our findings argue that the system is a relaxed, massive galaxy group where mass is traced by light. This work shows a potentially useful method for constraining large-scale properties inaccessible to strong lensing, such as the scale radius of the NFW profile.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&

The Brightest Cluster Galaxy in Abell 85: The Largest Core Known so far

We have found that the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) in Abell~85, Holm 15A, displays the largest core so far known. Its cusp radius, $r_{\gamma} = 4.57 \pm 0.06$ kpc ($4.26^{\prime\prime}\pm 0.06^{\prime\prime}$), is more than 18 times larger than the mean for BCGs, and $\geq1$ kpc larger than A2261-BCG, hitherto the largest-cored BCG (Postman, Lauer, Donahue, et al. 2012) Holm 15A hosts the luminous amorphous radio source 0039-095B and has the optical signature of a LINER. Scaling laws indicate that this core could host a supermassive black hole (SMBH) of mass $M_{\bullet}\thicksim (10^{9}-10^{11})\,M_{\odot}$. We suggest that cores this large represent a relatively short phase in the evolution of BCGs, whereas the masses of their associated SBMH might be set by initial conditions.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figure, 2 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ Letters on October 6th, 2014, replacement of previous manuscript submitted on May 30th, 2014 to astro-p

Neonatal Infant Pain Scale: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation in Brazil

Context: The Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), initially developed in Canada, has been previously used but not adequately adapted and validated for use in Brazil. Objectives: The goal of the present study was to perform a cross-cultural adaptation and clinical validation of the NIPS for use in the Brazilian population. Methods: The instrument was adapted based on the method outlined by Beaton et al., including the production and combination of translated versions, back-translation, committee review, and pilot testing. The psychometric properties of the adapted instrument, including its validity, reliability, and internal consistency, were tested in a clinical validation study. The sample comprised 60 at-term newborns who were evaluated by six nurses as they experienced vaccination. Psychometric properties were evaluated using Student's t-tests, prevalence-adjusted and bias-adjusted kappa scores, the Bland-Altman method, and Cronbach's alpha coefficients. Results: The Brazilian version of the NIPS (Escala de Dor no Recém-Nascido [NIPS-Brazil]) demonstrated excellent interobserver and intraobserver reliability. Total NIPS-Brazil scores yielded prevalence-adjusted and bias-adjusted kappa scores of 0.93, whereas the Bland-Altman method revealed interobserver and intraobserver reliability values of 95% and 90%, respectively. The NIPS-Brazil had adequate internal consistency, as evidenced by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.762. Conclusion: The NIPS was successfully adapted for use in Brazil and is now available for use in the assessment of acute pain in at-term newborns in Brazil

Classical analogy for the deflection of flux avalanches by a metallic layer

Sudden avalanches of magnetic flux bursting into a superconducting sample undergo deflections of their trajectories when encountering a conductive layer deposited on top of the superconductor. Remarkably, in some cases flux is totally excluded from the area covered by the conductive layer. We present a simple classical model that accounts for this behaviour and considers a magnetic monopole approaching a semi-infinite conductive plane. This model suggests that magnetic braking is an important mechanism responsible for avalanche deflection.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure

Management promoting SME’S competitiveness

As microempresas e empresas de pequeno porte (MPEs) possuem elevada relevância socioeconômica nacional, decorrente da quantidade de unidades existentes, massa salarial e empregos por elas gerados. Essas empresas enfrentam graves problemas de competitividade, que ocasionam o encerramento precoce das suas atividades, dentre os quais se destacam as falhas na gestão organizacional, o que estimula a busca de soluções para a questão. A inovação organizacional é vista como uma alternativa para esta situação, por contemplar a execução de novo método de gestão, aplicável nas práticas de negócios da empresa, na organização do local de trabalho ou nas relações externas. Este trabalho tem o objetivo de apresentar oportunidades para incremento da competitividade em 449 MPEs do Rio Grande do Norte, identificadas a partir da aplicação da Matriz de Competitividade. A fundamentação teórica do presente estudo aborda três dimensões: (i) competitividade nas MPEs; (ii) excelência em gestão; (iii) inovação organizacional. São apresentados os procedimentos metodológicos empregados no projeto e os indicadores decorrentes da sua execução operacional. Os resultados da pesquisa são discutidos mediante: identificação das práticas de gestão presentes nas empresas pesquisadas; verificação do alinhamento das práticas de gestão identificadas aos critérios tomados como referência para o diagnóstico; identificação de oportunidades para inovação organizacional. Constatou-se que existem oportunidades para inovação organizacional incremental no universo pesquisado, cuja implantação tende a endereçar as empresas avaliadas ao incremento da competitividade. Destacam-se entre elas a adoção de práticas de elaboração de estratégias, planos e mensuração de resultados pelas MPEs.The small and micro enterprises (SMEs) have high national socio-economic relevance, due to the amount of existing units, wages and jobs they generate. These companies face serious competitiveness problems, which cause premature closure of its activities, among which stand out the flaws in organizational management, which stimulates the search for solutions to the issue. The organizational innovation is seen as an alternative to this, by contemplating the new execution method of management, applicable in the company's business practices, workplace organization or external relations. This work aims to present opportunities for increased competitiveness in 449 Rio Grande do Norte' SMEs, identified through competitiveness matrix. The theoretical basis of this study addresses three dimensions: (i) competitiveness of SMEs; (ii) management excellence; (iii) organizational innovation. The methodological procedures used in the project and the indicators related to current operational performance are presented. The survey results are discussed through: identification of management practices present in the surveyed companies; checking the alignment of the management practices identified criteria used as a reference for diagnosis; identifying opportunities for organizational innovation. It was found that there are opportunities for incremental organizational innovation in the group studied, whose implementation tends to address the companies valued at increasing competitiveness. Outstanding among them the adoption of policy development practices, plans and measurement results by SMEs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Enhancement of Friction between Carbon Nanotubes: An Efficient Strategy to Strengthen Fibers

Interfacial friction plays a crucial role in the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube based fibers, composites, and devices. Here we use molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the pressure effect on the friction within carbon nanotube bundles. It reveals that the intertube frictional force can be increased by a factor of 1.5 ~ 4, depending on tube chirality and radius, when all tubes collapse above a critical pressure and when the bundle remains collapsed with unloading down to atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, the overall cross-sectional area also decreases significantly for the collapsed structure, making the bundle stronger. Our study suggests a new and efficient way to reinforce nanotube fibers, possibly stronger than carbon fibers, for usage at ambient conditions.Comment: revtex, 5 pages, accepted by ACS Nano 10 Dec 200

Magpie: towards a semantic web browser

Web browsing involves two tasks: finding the right web page and then making sense of its content. So far, research has focused on supporting the task of finding web resources through ‘standard’ information retrieval mechanisms, or semantics-enhanced search. Much less attention has been paid to the second problem. In this paper we describe Magpie, a tool which supports the interpretation of web pages. Magpie offers complementary knowledge sources, which a reader can call upon to quickly gain access to any background knowledge relevant to a web resource. Magpie automatically associates an ontologybased semantic layer to web resources, allowing relevant services to be invoked within a standard web browser. Hence, Magpie may be seen as a step towards a semantic web browser. The functionality of Magpie is illustrated using examples of how it has been integrated with our lab’s web resources