Radiological Consequences Modelling for a Land Based Operations Environment

Radiological Dispersive Devices (RDD) are often portrayed as weapons used by radical (asymmetric) forces, however they can also be used in a regular war. In this study, a hypothetical scenario where an asymmetric force contaminates the battlefield, by detonating an RDD prior to the soldier’s arrival without being detected, is simulated. The software HotSpot was used due to its speed and conservative results which can help inform the decisions made by the commanding officers. HotSpot performs a Gaussian simulation of the radioactive dispersion in the environment. The plumes that arise from the explosion are considered to be affected by the atmospheric conditions. In this study, those conditions are represented by the Pasquill-Gifford stability classes. The results of the simulation show that remaining stationary, if the contaminated area size is not affected by the PG class variation, may increase the radiological risk. It is better to move the soldiers around in order to avoid additional exposure, however that may also be a challenge for various reasons including changes in the shape of the contaminated area. Nevertheless, the variations in local PG classes gain importance as the distance from the release point increases

Longitudinal attenuation in political polarization: evidence from COVID-19 vaccination adherence in Brazil

Background: While political polarization in policy opinions, preferences, and observance is well established, little is known about whether and how such divisions evolve, and possibly attenuate, over time. Using the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil as the backdrop, we examine the longitudinal evolution of a highly relevant and polarizing policy: adherence to the COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: Studies 1 (N = 3346) and 2 (N = 10,214) use nationwide surveys to document initial differences and subsequent changes in vaccination adherence between conservatives ("Bolsonaristas") and non-conservatives ("non-Bolsonaristas"). Study 3 (N = 742) uses an original dataset to investigate belief changes among conservatives and their association with asymmetric changes in vaccination adherence. Results: Despite substantial differences at the early stages of rollout, the gap in vaccination adherence between conservatives and non-conservatives significantly decreased with the passage of time, driven essentially by a much faster uptake among the initially most skeptic—the conservatives. Study 3 demonstrates that the asymmetric changes in vaccination adherence were associated with meaningful belief changes among the conservatives, especially about the perceived effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines and the expected adherence of peers to the vaccination campaign. Conclusions: Together, these studies show that, in a context where the superiority of the promoted policy becomes clear over time and individuals have the opportunity to revisit prior beliefs, even intense political polarization can be attenuated

The divergence and curl in arbitrary basis

In this work, the divergence and curl operators are obtained using the coordinate free non rigid basis formulation of differential geometry. Although the authors have attempted to keep the presentation self-contained as much as possible, some previous exposure to the language of differential geometry may be helpful. In this sense the work is aimed to late undergraduate or beginners graduate students interested in mathematical physics. To illustrate the development, we graphically present the eleven coordinate systems in which the Laplace operator is separable. We detail the development of the basis and the connection for the cylindrical and paraboloidal coordinate systems. We also present in [1] codes both in Maxima and Maple for the spherical orthonormal basis, which serves as a working model for calculations in other situations of interest. Also in [1] the codes to obtain the coordinate surfaces are given

A dimensão cultural do espaço edificado na Rocinha

The article suggests a discussion on the cultural dimension of the built space, wich was taken from a research carried through January 2000, in Rocinha. This favela is specially interesting to this study because it turned into a quarter in 1986. We intend to point out the differences that characterizes the built space, showing the exclusion that are submitted the dwellers who do not live in spaces under building legislation. This work also allows an analysis of the discussion of space in favelas, its legal questions and limitations, that can be managed by initiatives like the “Balcão de Direitos” and the “Posto of Orientação Técnica” (POT). These agencies have activities directed to the confrontation of some questions related to built space in Rocinha

Uma nova abordagem para modelagem e controle de sistemas não-lineares via inclusões diferenciais lineares limitadas por norma

A systematic approach to model nonlinear systems using norm-bounded linear differential inclusions (NLDIs) is proposed in this paper. The resulting NLDI model is suitable for the application of linear control design techniques and, therefore, it is possible to fulfill certain specifications for the underlying nonlinear system, within an operating region of interest in the state-space, using a linear controller designed for this NLDI model. Hence, a procedure to design a dynamic output feedback controller for the NLDI model is also proposed in this paper. One of the main contributions of the proposed modeling and control approach is the use of the mean-value theorem to represent the nonlinear system by a linear parameter-varying model, which is then mapped into a polytopic linear differential inclusion (PLDI) within the region of interest. To avoid the combinatorial problem that is inherent of polytopic models for medium- and large-sized systems, the PLDI is transformed into an NLDI, and the whole process is carried out ensuring that all trajectories of the underlying nonlinear system are also trajectories of the resulting NLDI within the operating region of interest. Furthermore, it is also possible to choose a particular structure for the NLDI parameters to reduce the conservatism in the representation of the nonlinear system by the NLDI model, and this feature is also one important contribution of this paper. Once the NLDI representation of the nonlinear system is obtained, the paper proposes the application of a linear control design method to this representation. The design is based on quadratic Lyapunov functions and formulated as search problem over a set of bilinear matrix inequalities (BMIs), which is solved using a two-step separation procedure that maps the BMIs into a set of corresponding linear matrix inequalities. Two numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach

Desempenho de sementes de feijão sob diferentes temperaturas

The study evaluated the germination performance of bean seeds (BRS Expedito) from different regions of southern Brazil submitted to different germination temperatures (20, 25 and 30º C). Were evaluated to germination (GER), first germination count (PCG), germination speed index (IVG), shoot dry mass (MSPA) and root dry mass (MSR). The seeds from São Mateus (PR) presented the highest average values for the variables GER, PCG and IVG in the three temperatures tested. The temperature increase (20 to 30 ºC) significantly influenced the dry biomass accumulation in the shoots and seedlings roots. The results indicate the existence of a phenotypic plasticity acquired by the cultivar due to local adaptation of the ecotypes.O estudo avaliou o desempenho germinativo de sementes de feijão (BRS Expedito) de diferentes regiões do sul do Brasil submetidas a diferentes temperaturas de germinação (20, 25 e 30º C). Foram avaliados: germinação (GER), primeira contagem de germinação (PCG), índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG), massa seca da parte aérea (MSPA) e massa seca da raiz (MSR). As sementes de São Mateus (PR) apresentaram os maiores valores médios para as variáveis GER, PCG e IVG nas três temperaturas testadas. O aumento da temperatura (20 a 30 ºC) influenciou significativamente o acúmulo de biomassa seca nas raízes e da parte area das platulas de feijão. Os resultados indicam a existência de uma plasticidade fenotípica adquirida pela cultivar devido à adaptação local dos ecótipos

Funciones cognitivas y desempeño académico en los estudiantes deportistas del gimnasio de la Universidad Técnica de Ambato

In higher education there are always conditions and factors that condition academic performance and therefore hinder student learning, one of them is the poor development of cognitive functions. Cognitive functioning undergoes important changes in athletic university students. The University should not be limited only to scientific and technical education; If not, it must go further, seek the cognitive, personal, and integral development of the young student's person. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between cognitive functions and the academic performance of students at the Technical University of Ambato. Methodology. A qualitative and quantitative mixed approach is applied. The research modality is field and bibliographic because the information was collected from primary sources. It is also descriptive, correlational, longitudinal, with a non-experimental and cross-sectional design. Results. Among the cognitive functions affected in university students, attention, working memory and executive functions constitute an essential factor that influences different cognitive elements within academic skills, study habits and therefore academic performance. In the evaluation of cognitive functions, it is found that 75.68% of the people evaluated have "normal" attention and executive functions; however, globally, it is found that 23.42% present a slight alteration. Conclusion. In the correlational analysis with Kendall's Tau-b coefficient, it is found that there is a mean and inverse correlation between cognitive functions and academic performance, that is, while there is more alteration in memory, attention and executive functions, lower academic performance in the college students. It is necessary to implement and apply adequate methods in virtual classes, for better academic performance in students.En la educación superior siempre existen condiciones y factores que condicionan el desempeño académico y por ende obstaculizan el aprendizaje de los estudiantes, uno de ellos es el poco desarrollo de las funciones cognitivas. El funcionamiento cognitivo experimenta cambios importantes en estudiantes universitarios deportistas. La Universidad no debe limitarse sólo a la educación científica y técnica; sino debe ir más allá, buscar el desarrollo cognitivo, personal e integral de la persona del joven estudiante. El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar la relación entre funciones cognitivas y el desempeño académico de los estudiantes de la Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Metodología. Se aplica un enfoque mixto cuali cuantitativo. La modalidad de investigación es de campo y bibliográfica, porque la información fue recolectada de fuentes primarias. Además, tiene el carácter descriptivo, correlacional, de corte longitudinal, con un diseño no experimental y transversal. Resultados. Dentro de las funciones cognitivas afectadas en los estudiantes universitarios, la atención, la memoria de trabajo y funciones ejecutivas, constituye en un factor esencial que influye en distintos elementos cognitivos dentro de las habilidades académicas, hábitos de estudio y por ende en desempeño académico. En la evaluación de funciones cognitivas, se constata que el 75,68% de personas evaluadas poseen una atención y funciones ejecutivas “normal”; sin embargo, a nivel global se constata que un 23,42% presentan una alteración leve. Conclusión. En el análisis correlacional con el coeficiente Tau-b de Kendall se constata que existe una correlación media e inversa entre las funciones cognitivas y el desempeño académico, es decir mientras se constate más alteración en la memoria, atención y funciones ejecutivas, menor desempeño académico en los estudiantes universitarios. Es necesario la implementación y aplicación de métodos adecuados en las clases virtuales, para un mejor desempeño académico en los estudiantes

Sistema Acessível para o Gerenciamento e Apoio ao Centro de Formação de Treinadores e Instrutores de Cães Guia do IFC

Resumo. Durante o processo de formação do cão-guia é realizado uma série de etapas, no entanto muitas dessas etapas não são informatizadas acarretando uma grande quantidade de documentos em papel. Como forma de centralizar e aproveitar melhor as informações propõem-se o desenvolvimento de um sistema de gerenciamento de usuários com foco na 3ª etapa do processo de formação de cães-guia.Palavras-chave: Cão-guia, Acessibilidade, Sistema.Abstract. During the process of training the guide dog is carried out a series of steps, however many of these steps are not computerized carrying a large amount of paper documents. As a way to centralize and take better advantage of the information proposes the development of a system of management of users focused on the third stage of the process of formation of guide dogs.Keywords: Guide-dog, Accessibility, System

As doenças parasitárias e a pobreza no Brasil: uma análise multidimensional e interdisciplinar

Este artigo investiga as doenças tropicais negligenciadas de etiologia parasitária no Brasil, e sua relação com o sistema endócrino e a vulnerabilidade social da população. Foram utilizados dados bibliográficos e estatísticos sobre as principais doenças listadas pelo boletim epidemiológico da secretaria de vigilância em saúde de 2021, incluindo seus agentes causais, seus vetores ou meios de contaminação, sua possível alteração endócrina, distribuição geográfica no país, sua correlação com os indicadores de pobreza e desenvolvimento humano. Os resultados mostraram que as doenças parasitárias são um grave problema de saúde pública no Brasil, afetando principalmente a população carente, que vive em condições precárias de saneamento, educação e acesso a serviços de saúde, promovendo a morbimortalidade, e  gerando um ciclo vicioso de exclusão e sofrimento. Além disso, essas doenças são negligenciadas pelo governo, indústrias farmacêuticas e comunidade internacional, recebendo pouca atenção e investimento. Apesar dos danos endócrinos serem considerados incomuns, recomenda-se que a federação invista tanto em pesquisa especializada quanto em políticas públicas integradas, que visem não apenas o tratamento da doença, mas que também invista na prevenção da enfermidade