Rod-like Polyelectrolytes in Presence of Monovalent Salt

We investigate the properties of rigid polyelectrolyte solutions in presence of monovalent salt. The free energy within the Debye-H\"uckel-Bjerrum (DHBj) theory [M. E. Fisher and Y. Levin, {\it Phys. Rev. Lett.} 71, 3826 (1993)] is constructed. It is found that at thermodynamic equilibrium the polyelectrolyte solution consists of clusters composed of one polyion and various counterions. The distribution of the cluster densities is determined by finding the minimum of the Helmholtz free energy. The osmotic pressure and the average charge of the cluster are found and their dependence on Manning parameter $\xi$ is elucidated. A good agreement with the experimental results is obtained.Comment: 11 pages, Revtex (using twocolumn style), 15 figures and postscript file. Submitted to Macromomelecule

The Ohlson Model of Evaluation of Companies:Tutorial for Use

The article analyzes the structuring and applicability of the Ohlson Model (OM). The methodology used considered: (i) exploratory research as to the objectives of the study; (ii) bibliographical research as to the procedures applied; and (iii) qualitative research as to the addressing of the problem. The review of the literature covered both the origin (discount of dividends, evaluation by the residual profit etc) and the underlying theory of the model. In relation to the internal consistency of the OM, the structuring of the linear informational dynamics was discussed (DIL) and the formula of evaluation as well as the establishing of the entries demanded (parameters and variables). An example was also developed that illustrates the interaction between the coefficients, variables and parameters of the Ohlson modeling. The example permitted the exploration of fundamental concepts and premises for the operating of the Ohlson model, underlying the equations of the DIL (self-regressive models, parameters of persistence etc), to the behavior of the profits (persistence and ability to forecast), to the scenario of evaluation and to some aspects of the accounts model (role of the net worth etc). The study concluded that: (1) there is no consensus in the academic literature about the appropriate method of measuring the parameters of persistence; (2) there are propositions for perfecting the original conception of the OM by means of extensions to the model; (3) the Ohlson model propitiated a series of contributions in the academic literature about capital markets.evaluation of companies, Ohlson Model.

Adaptive scheduling based on self-organized holonic swarm of schedulers

Scheduling plays an important role in the companies’ competiveness, dealing with complex combinatorial problems subject to uncertainty and emergence. In particular, in the ramp-up phase of small lot-sizes of complex products, scheduling is more demanding, e.g. due to late requests and immature technology products and processes. This paper presents the principles of a distributed scheduling architecture based on holonic and swarm principles and implemented using multi-agent system technology. In particular, it is described the coordination among the network of the swarm of schedulers and analysed the impact of embedded self-organization mechanisms.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7 ARUM project, under grant agreement n° 314056.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Disturbance detection, recover and prediction in holonic manufacturing control

Indexado ao ISIDisturbance handling is a crucial issue in the development of intelligent and reconfigurable manufacturing control systems, supporting the fast and promptly response to the occurrence of unexpected disturbances. In holonic manufacturing control systems, the disturbance handling functions are distributed by the several autonomous control units. In this paper, a predictive disturbance handling approach is presented, transforming the traditional “fail and recover” practices into “predict and prevent” practices, allowing improving the control system performance

Building a robotic cyber-physical production component

Cyber-physical systems are a network of integrated computational decisional com-ponents and physical elements. The integration of computational decisional components with the heterogeneous physical automation systems and devices is not transparent and constitutes a critical challenge for the success of this approach. The objective of the paper is to describe an approach to establish standard interfaces based on the use of the ISO 9506 Manufacturing Mes-sage Specification international standard. The proposed approach is exemplified by the con-struction of a robotic cyber-physical production component that is plug-in in a cyber-physical system for a small-scale production system based on Fischertechnik systems.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Agent-based strategic planner for the production of samll lots of complex products: theoretical and practical perspectives

This paper presents a strategic planner that assists the decision-makers to take strategic decisions on short term to respond faster and efficiently to unexpected events in the ramp-up production of complex and highly customized products, namely in situations of peak of demand, late change requests and immature technology. This tool combines the flexibility of multi-agent systems with the optimization capability of mathematical optimization solvers. The application of the strategic planner is illustrated by playing iterative what-if games supporting implementation of mitigation strategies addressing a real use case of a peak demand of a specific product.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Frame-work Programme FP7 ARUM project, under grant agreement n° 314056info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Religião e Estado Laico: Uma abordagem sociológica a partir de escolas de educação básica em Foz do Iguaçu / PR

Até meados do século XVIII, o Estado, dentre suas funções, controlava a atividade eclesiástica na colônia, se responsabilizava pelo sustento da Igreja católica e impede a entrada de outros cultos no Brasil, em troca, recebia por parte da Igreja, reconhecimento e obediência. Após a proclamação da República, em 1890, ocorre a separação entre a Igreja e o Estado, ficando assim garantida a liberdade religiosa e a laicidade do Estado. Aqueles que são a favor e defendem a laicidade da educação, afirmam que a oferta de uma disciplina de ensino religioso, nas escolas públicas, fere frontalmente, o princípio constitucional da separação entre Estado e religião. Por outro lado, é importante que se diga que a presença da religião, dentro do espaço escolar, não está restrita ao ensino religioso da forma como estamos acostumados a ver; é possível perceber a religião presente de diversas maneiras, por exemplo, a escola pública pesquisada tem o nome de um padre que foi um dos primeiros professores da cidade. E a simples negação do sagrado ou inutilidade do mesmo não faz com que a religião esteja destinada ao aspecto privado ou até mesmo secundário da vida cotidiana do ambiente escolar. Este trabalho tem por objetivo, demonstrar através de pesquisa em uma escola pública e duas escolas confessionais particulares em Foz do Iguaçu, como a religião está presente e se manifesta dentro do espaço escolar público e privado em um Estado laico e secularizado.Until the middle of the eighteenth century, the State, among its functions, controlled the activity in the colony, was responsible for the support of the Catholic Church and prevented of other cults in Brazil, in return, received from the Church, recognition and obedience. After the proclamation of the Republic in 1890, the separation between the Church and the State took place, thus ensuring religious freedom and the laity of the State. Those who are in favor and defend the secularity of education, affirm that the provision of a teaching discipline in public schools, it frontally injures the constitutional principle of separation. between state and religion. On the other hand, it is important to say that the presence of religion, within the school space, is not restricted to religious teaching in the way we are accustomed to seeing; it is possible to perceive the present religion in various ways, for example, the researched public school has the name of a priest who was one of the first teachers of the City. And the simple negation of the sacred or uselessness of it does not make religion is intended for the private or even secondary aspect of the daily life of the environment school. This work aims to demonstrate through research in a public school and two private confessional schools in Foz do Iguaçu, as the religion is present and manifest within the public and private school space in a secular and secular stat