On duality of the noncommutative extension of the Maxwell-Chern-Simons model

We study issues of duality in 3D field theory models over a canonical noncommutative spacetime and obtain the noncommutative extension of the Self-Dual model induced by the Seiberg-Witten map. We apply the dual projection technique to uncover some properties of the noncommutative Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory up to first-order in the noncommutative parameter. A duality between this theory and a model similar to the ordinary self-dual model is estabilished. The correspondence of the basic fields is obtained and the equivalence of algebras and equations of motion are directly verified. We also comment on previous results in this subject.Comment: Revtex, 9 pages, accepted for publication PL

Vibro-acoustic mitigation in composite structures using viscoelastic damping and soundproofing poroelastic technologies

This paper presents a numerical approach to study the vibro-acoustic behavior of composite structuresimmersed in a surrounding fluid medium. Such approach consists on the development of a coupled mitigationstrategy aiming either vibration suppression or acoustic attenuation. To this end, viscoelastic damping technologiesare applied to the composite host structure in a standard integrated layer damping configuration whereas surfacemounted poroelastic materials are included to perform the design of the damped and quieter composite structure.A finite element model is developed to model multi-layered structures which is based on the layerwise kinematicassumptions. On the other hand, poroelastic treatments are developed based on the Biot theory of poroelasticity.As a result, using the capabilities of the multi-layered model developed, different vibro-acoustic indicators are analyzed,namely, the mean square velocity and the radiation efficiency of the composite host plate, the transmissionloss of the fluid-plate system and the radiated sound power. In addition, a study addressing the physical couplingbetween both solid and fluid phases of the poroelastic material is performed in order to realise the consequences interms of the sound mitigation performance of the poroelastic treatment owing to the variability in the distributedstiffness of the host composite plate imposed by different fibers orientation

Assessing consumer literacy on financial complex products

Consumer financial education has become an important research topic, due to the growth of a wide range of investment products available in online banking. The individuals are exposed to highly complex financial products without understanding the risk and what product is suitable for them. This study investigates and measured the financial education of individuals in complex financial products. A quiz game was developed for a bank website to measure 1597 bank clients in complex products literacy. The survey also enabled a comparison between the basic and advanced skills of financial literacy knowledge. The results highlight a satisfactory overall financial literacy level. While basic knowledge level between individuals has a higher degree, there are serious concerns in advanced skill level. This study contributes to an understanding of adults’ knowledge about the prediction of the risk of investments in complex financial products, as well as providing value to ongoing financial literacy research.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Gamification to teach and assess financial education: a case study of self-directed bank investors

Financial education has become a popular research topic, due the growth of marketing financial services, and the wide range and complexity of investment products available online. To assess the investment risk, and decide what product is suitable for individuals, it becomes essential to use tools to improve financial education. An educational game may be a possible solution since is a serious game designed to teach adults about a specific subject and to teach them a skill. Games-based learning software are interactive play that helps to solve problems, teaches, and gives the fundamental needs of learning by providing – enjoyment and motivation. This study investigates the financial education of self-directed investors in complex financial products, and portfolio management to answer our research question – how well adult self-directed investors understand financial education about complex financial products and portfolio management – and evaluates the financial education level of self-directed bank investors in complex financial products with high risk. An online quiz game with multiple-choice questions was developed, and deployed on a bank website to assess knowledge across investment product literacy - in addition to sociodemographic characteristics – involving the participation of 1,597 self-directed adult investors. The survey also enabled a comparison between the core and advanced skills of financial education knowledge. To measure and assess the financial education, we calculate the individual score by the amount of correct answers from the three multiple answer quiz questions. The results highlight that participants have a satisfactory overall financial literacy level. While core competencies, knowledge among private investors have a higher degree of general financial education, there are particular areas in which they scored low in advanced skills (i.e., complex financial product questions). This result provides valuable insights, information for further investigation of distance education research through games, which can only continue to grow because of the increasing complexity and importance of financial education in modern societies. This study contributes to an understanding of adults’ knowledge regarding investments in complex financial products, as well as providing a valuable contribution to ongoing financial education research.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Avaliação agronômica de seis híbridos de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench).

Foram determinadas as produções de matéria seca (MS) e de matéria natural (MN), as proporções de colmo, folhas e panícula em seis híbridos de sorgo, em plantas com o grão em estádio leitoso/pastoso. Usou-se um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro repetições por tratamento (híbrido). A altura dos híbridos variou de 1,0 a 2,7m e a correlação entre altura da planta e porcentagem de acamamento foi de 0,27. A porcentagem de MS do colmo variou de 20,8 a 29,4 e a correlação entre MS no colmo e altura da planta foi de 0,31. Altura e porcentagem de MS do colmo não influenciaram o percentual de acamamento. A produção de MS variou de 4,47 a 7,86 t/ha e a de MN de 13,4 a 31,1 t/ha. A porcentagem de colmo variou de 40,5 a 67%, a de folhas de 12,1 a 21,6%, e a de panícula de 20,9 a 40,6%. Os híbridos de maior produção foram os de maior altura. Houve diferenças significativas entre os tipos de sorgo quanto a matéria seca do colmo e altura da planta, porém essas variáveis não influenciaram o percentual de acamamento das diversas variedades de sorgo. O híbrido BRS701 destacou-se pela altura, baixo percentual de acamamento, elevado teor de matéria seca do colmo, elevada proporção de panícula e produção de MS

Quantum corrections to gravity and their implications for cosmology and astrophysics

The quantum contributions to the gravitational action are relatively easy to calculate in the higher derivative sector of the theory. However, the applications to the post-inflationary cosmology and astrophysics require the corrections to the Einstein-Hilbert action and to the cosmological constant, and those we can not derive yet in a consistent and safe way. At the same time, if we assume that these quantum terms are covariant and that they have relevant magnitude, their functional form can be defined up to a single free parameter, which can be defined on the phenomenological basis. It turns out that the quantum correction may lead, in principle, to surprisingly strong and interesting effects in astrophysics and cosmology.Comment: 15 pages, LaTeX, WS style, contribution to the Proceedings of the QFEXT-2011 conference in the Centro de Ciencias de Benasque Pedro Pasqual, Spai

Sistema de avaliação de impacto social da inovação tecnológica agropecuária (Ambitec-Social).

O sistema de avaliação de impacto social da inovação tecnológica agropecuária (Ambitec- Social) consiste de um conjunto de planilhas eletrônicas que integram quatorze indicadores da contribuição de uma dada inovação tecnológica agropecuária para o bem estar social, no âmbito de um estabelecimento rural. Quatro aspectos essenciais de avaliação são considerados: i. Emprego, ii. Renda, iii. Saúde, e iv. Gestão e Administração. Os indicadores são construídos em matrizes de ponderação nas quais dados obtidos em campo, de acordo com o conhecimento do produtor/administrador do estabelecimento, são automaticamente transformados em índices de impacto expressos graficamente. Os resultados da avaliação permitem, ao produtor/administrador, averiguar quais impactos da tecnologia podem estar desconformes com seus objetivos de bem estar social; ao tomador de decisões a indicação de medidas de fomento ou controle da adoção da tecnologia, segundo planos de desenvolvimento local sustentável e finalmente, proporcionam uma unidade de medida objetiva de impacto, auxiliando na qualificação, seleção e transferência de tecnologias agropecuárias.bitstream/CNPMA/5801/1/boletim_35.pd

Blobs in Wolf-Rayet Winds: Random Photometric and Polarimetric Variability

Some isolated Wolf-Rayet stars present random variability in their optical flux and polarization. We make the assumption that such variability is caused by the presence of regions of enhanced density, i.e. blobs, in their envelopes. In order to find the physical characteristics of such regions we have modeled the stellar emission using a Monte Carlo code to treat the radiative transfer in an inhomogeneous electron scattering envelope. We are able to treat multiple scattering in the regions of enhanced density as well as in the envelope itself. The finite sizes of the source and structures in the wind are also taken into account. Most of the results presented here are based on a parameter study of models with a single blob. The effects due to multiple blobs in the envelope are considered to a more limited extent. Our simulations indicate that the density enhancements must have a large geometric cross section in order to produce the observed photopolarimetric variability. The sizes must be of the order of one stellar radius and the blobs must be located near the base of the envelope. These sizes are the same inferred from the widths of the sub-peaks in optical emission lines of Wolf-Rayet stars. Other early-type stars show random polarimetric fluctuations with characteristics similar to those observed in Wolf-Rayet stars, which may also be interpreted in terms of a clumpy wind. Although the origin of such structures is still unclear, the same mechanism may be working in different types of hot stars envelopes to produce such inhomogeneities.Comment: Accepted to ApJ. 17 pages + 6 figure