Simulation of kernel development and assimilate partitioning in maize

A simulation model of maize kernel growth was developed. The model mechanically simulates endosperm differentiation and starch granule growth at the cellular level. Simulation begins with silking and ends when growth substrate (assimilatory and reserve) is exhausted;Endosperm differentiation is simulated on the basis of an empirical growth curve synthesized from various published sources. Meristematic and amyliferous cell proliferation are modeled separately. Starch and protein synthesis are modeled on the basis of published assimilate uptake rates, observed stoichiometry of C and N uptake in developing kernels, and published metabolic construction costs. A whole maize ear is simulated as a rectangular array addressed by position. Each position is simulated independently and an effect of position on kernel development is implemented;On the basis of the flux of C and N required by kernels to maintain cellular processes and starch granule growth, an assimilate sink demand is calculated. Currently, whole-crop maize simulators do not include an explicit sink component during the reproductive growth phase. This model would be a useful addition to these simulators

Beltrami flow structure in a diffuser. Quasi-cylindrical approximation

We determine the flow structure in an axisymmetric diffuser or expansion region connecting two cylindrical pipes when the inlet flow is a solid body rotation with a uniform axial flow of speeds Omega and U, respectively. A quasi-cylindrical approximation is made in order to solve the steady Euler equation, mainly the Bragg-Hawthorne equation. As in our previous work on the cylindrical region downstream [R Gonz\'alez et al., Phys. Fluids 20, 24106 (2008); R. Gonz\'alez et al., Phys. Fluids 22, 74102 (2010), R Gonz\'alez et al., J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 296, 012024 (2011)], the steady flow in the transition region shows a Beltrami flow structure. The Beltrami flow is defined as a field v_B that satisfies omega_B=nabla v_B= gamma v_B, with gamma = constant. We say that the flow has a Beltrami flow structure when it can be put in the form v = U e_z + Omega r e_theta + v_B, being U and Omega constants, i.e it is the superposition of a solid body rotation and translation with a Beltrami one. Therefore, those findings about flow stability hold. The quasi-cylindrical solutions do not branch off and the results do not depend on the chosen transition profile in view of the boundary conditions considered. By comparing this with our earliest work, we relate the critical Rossby number vartheta_cs (stagnation) to the corresponding one at the fold vartheta_cf [J. D. Buntine et al., Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 449, 139 (1995)].Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Nonlinear regression model checking via local polynomial smoothing

A goodness-of-fitt test statistic for nonlinear regression models based on local polynomial estimation is proposed in this paper. The criterion used to construct the test is the distance between the parametric fitt and the nonparametric regression estimation. The good performance of the test is shown via a simulation study. The method is applied to check a logistic mixture regression model for real data coming from a thermal analysis problem.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia; MTM2005-0042

Internationalization strategy: Dom Pedro Hotel Group - São Paulo

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and EconomicsThis paper has the purpose of study the possible entry of Dom Pedro Hotels in São Paulo. Resources and capabilities of the company were scrupulously assessed and the research revealed that Dom Pedro needs to review its strategic approach and professionalize its internal processes to succeed in its internationalization plans. The internal scanning of Dom Pedro together with an environmental and hotel industry analysis helps the company to find out the best opportunity on the market. A detailed analysis determined the most suitable mode of entry and an implementation plan was recommended. Opening a hotel in São Paulo can be a good investment opportunity, but it should be the first step for a bigger expansion plan in Brazil

Informática forense: cuando el delito hace uso de la tecnología

El crimen ha evolucionado a la misma velocidad que la tecnología. El fraude, el engaño e incluso la violación y el asesinato pueden ser cometidos usando la tecnología. Es necesario que la evidencia digital considerada en los procedimientos judiciales para resolver muchos de estos casos considerados insolubles

Experiencias en la automatización de la construcción de circuitos impresos con máquina CNC de código abierto

En este artículo se describen las experiencias obtenidas producto de la automatización del proceso de fabricación de placas de circuito impreso (PCB) por medio de una máquina CNC de código abierto. Se describen las ventajas y desventajas respecto al uso de químicos corrosivos, el impacto en el medio ambiente y su implementación en la academia

Gesture based persuasive interfaces for public ambient displays

Dissertação de Mestrado em Engenharia Informática 2º Semestre, 2011/2012This Master thesis studies how Public Ambient Displays (PAD) can be used as a tool to achieve behaviour change, through persuasive technology. In order to reach the goals of the thesis, an interactive public ambient display system called Motion-based Ambient Interactive Display (MAID) was developed. MAID is driven to motivate behaviour changes regarding domestic energy consumption, through a persuasive game interface based on gesture recognition technology. The developed prototype guides players through the different rooms of a house, where they have to find out what is wrong and practice the correct actions to save energy, using similar gestures to the ones they would use in real life to achieve the same goals. The system provides feedback regarding the consequences of each action, in order to make users aware of the consequences of their actions. The implementation of MAID is based on a purpose built, highly configurable and modular framework. It allows the administrator to fine tune and tweak the application to the necessities of the setup location constraints, by adjusting basic display properties, change image content or even modify the scripted gameplay itself. The scripted game system is flexible enough to allow the repurposing of the framework, beyond the previously defined theme, for future studies. The MAID was subjected to user testing, in order to show that it is possible to create a persuasive PAD interface, using seamless interaction methods, with the currently available technology, and use it to spread awareness of a cause, leading to behaviour change.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - project DEAP (PTDC/AAC-AMB/104834/2008); CITI/DI/FCT/UNL (PEst-OE/EEI/UI0527/201