Gaze and Gestures in Telepresence: multimodality, embodiment, and roles of collaboration

This paper proposes a controlled experiment to further investigate the usefulness of gaze awareness and gesture recognition in the support of collaborative work at a distance. We propose to redesign experiments conducted several years ago with more recent technology that would: a) enable to better study of the integration of communication modalities, b) allow users to freely move while collaborating at a distance and c) avoid asymmetries of communication between collaborators.Comment: Position paper, International Workshop New Frontiers in Telepresence 2010, part of CSCW2010, Savannah, GA, USA, 7th of February, 2010. http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/events/nft2010

Little-Parks oscillations near a persistent current loop

We investigate the Little-Parks oscillations caused by a persistent current loop set on the top edge of a mesoscopic superconducting thin-walled cylinder with a finite height. For a short cylinder the Little-Parks oscillations are approximately the same ones as the standard effect, as there is only one magnetic flux piercing the cylinder. For a tall cylinder the inhomogeneity of the magnetic field makes different magnetic fluxes pierce the cylinder at distinct heights and we show here that this produces two distinct Little-Parks oscillatory regimes according to the persistent current loop. We show that these two regimes, and also the transition between them, are observable in current measurements done in the superconducting cylinder. The two regimes stem from different behavior along the height, as seen in the order parameter, numerically obtained from the Ginzburg-Landau theory through the finite element methodComment: 13 pages, 12 figure

The review and evaluation of the Brazilian maritime education system against the new revised STCW international training and competency standards

This dissertation is research into the Examinations and Certifications of seafarers in Brazil as related to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978, (as amended). The author has attempted to analyze the existing system and propose ways and means to improve the training, examination and certification system taking into account international developments including new technology, methodologies and quality assurance system. An examination is made of management theories on quality and quality assurance. A discussion is made on all the steps necessary for successful implementation of a training, examination and certification system based on the revised STCW 78 Convention in Brazil. This includes analysis, initiating, preparing, documenting, training, examination, certification, monitoring and auditing. The importance of appropriate qualifications for examiners or assessors in maritime administration and the vital role of same in the successful implementation of a quality assurance system in a new examination and certification system is examined. A brief review is made of the maritime education, training, examination and certification system in certain developed countries, noting their advantages and disadvantages with a view to improving the Brazilian maritime examination and certification system in the future. There is a need not only for a supply of new seafarers onboard ships, but also a need for competent persons who meet the requirements of the revised STCW 78 Convention. In this regard, quality assurance is one of the most important factors for examination and certification for seafarers. A number of recommendations are made to improve and enhance the maritime examination and certification system for seafarers in Brazi

Desenvolvimento e avaliação de procedimentos de operação computadorizados para salas de controle avançadas de plantas industriais

O Laboratório de Interfaces Homem-Sistema (LABIHS) é formado por um conjunto de equipamentos e programas de computadores que simulam os processos de uma usina nuclear com 930 MWe de potência, formando um simulador compacto de uma planta nuclear PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor) e constituindo uma sala de controle avançada com várias interfaces gráficas representando os vários sistemas que compõem o reator nuclear. Uma das linhas de pesquisa do LABIHS é o desenvolvimento e avaliação de sistemas de procedimentos computadorizados para salas de controle avançadas de plantas industriais. Este relatório tem como principal objetivo apresentar de maneira sucinta o estado da arte dos sistemas de procedimentos computadorizados, enfatizando a descrição de quatro sistemas implementados. O relatório também apresenta uma descrição dos principais componentes de hardware e software do LABIHS, com ênfase para as ferramentas de desenvolvimento e avaliação de procedimentos computadorizados

MAINTENANCE STRATEGY BASED ON RELIABILITY: CASE STUDY OF A COMPANY IN THE ELECTRIC SECTOR

In the electrical system, it is essential that the equipment remains in good condition in order to guarantee the energy supply and its continuity. Among these pieces of equipment are the circuit reclosers, which are tele-controlled devices that act on temporary faults, reducing the affected area in an occasional network failure and the time needed to restore the supply. Thus, the goal of this article is to propose a strategy based on Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) for circuit reclosers used by an electric energy distributor in the Triângulo Crajubar, region localized in the countryside of Ceará – Brazil. Therefore, data related to time to failure, between failures, and until repair, was collected through the distribution company's management system and with the help of the application Proconf 2000©, it was possible to determine the reliability functions, availability and current reliability of the devices. In addition, through the risk functions, it was determined the stage in the life cycle in which the reclosers were found, making it possible to verify the best maintenance strategy in each case, according to the literature. Then, it was concluded that the most adequate maintenance strategy to reclosers is preventive maintenance at predetermined intervals.

Obesidade na infância e adolescência: uma verdadeira epidemia

Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Pediatria Centro de Atendimento e Apoio ao AdolescenteNutrociencia Assessoria em NutrologiaUniversidade São Marcos Centro de Pesquisas Aplicadas a SaúdeUNIFESP, Depto. de Pediatria Centro de Atendimento e Apoio ao AdolescenteSciEL