Towards a Conceptualization of Sociomaterial Entanglement

In knowledge representation, socio-technical systems can be modeled as multiagent systems in which the local knowledge of each individual agent can be seen as a context. In this paper we propose formal ontologies as a means to describe the assumptions driving the construction of contexts as local theories and to enable interoperability among them. In particular, we present two alternative conceptualizations of the notion of sociomateriality (and entanglement), which is central in the recent debates on socio-technical systems in the social sciences, namely critical and agential realism. We thus start by providing a model of entanglement according to the critical realist view, representing it as a property of objects that are essentially dependent on different modules of an already given ontology. We refine then our treatment by proposing a taxonomy of sociomaterial entanglements that distinguishes between ontological and epistemological entanglement. In the final section, we discuss the second perspective, which is more challenging form the point of view of knowledge representation, and we show that the very distinction of information into modules can be at least in principle built out of the assumption of an entangled reality

Visual and Olfactory Concealment of Duck Nests: Influence on Nest Site Selection and Success

Selecting a nest site is an important decision for waterfowl. Because most nest failure is due to depredation, the primary selective pressure in choosing a nest site should be to reduce depredation risk. This task is difficult, however, because predators use differing tactics to locate nests, such as olfactory or visual cues. The purpose of this research was to evaluate both the olfactory and visual components of waterfowl nest site selection and nest depredation in North Dakota. We located waterfowl nests, monitored them until termination (hatched or depredated), and collected both visual and olfactory concealment characteristics of nest sites and paired random sites in 2006 and 2007. Waterfowl nest sites and random sites did not differ in their olfactory concealment characteristics. However, waterfowl did select nesting sites with greater lateral concealment than random sites, a visual characteristic. The only difference found between successful and depredated nests consisted of lateral dispersion, an olfactory concealment characteristic. These results indicate that while waterfowl may select nest sites based on visual concealment characteristics, those characteristics were not predictive of nest success. Olfactory concealment characteristics may be more important for nest success in our study area because the dominant nest predators, including raccoons (Procyon lotor) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), primarily utilize olfactory cues to locate nest sites

Relationships and events: towards a general theory of reification and truthmaking.

We propose a novel ontological analysis of relations and relationships based on a re-visitation of a classic problem in the practice of knowledge repre- sentation and conceptual modeling, namely relationship reification. Our idea is that a relation holds in virtue of a relationship's existence. Relationships are therefore truthmakers of relations. In this paper we present a general theory or reification and truthmaking, and discuss the interplay between events and rela- tionships, suggesting that relationships are the focus of events, which emerge from the context (the scene) they occur in

Avaliação da qualidade físico-química e microbiológica de sete marcas de leite padronizados produzidas nos Estados de Goiás e Minas Gerais e comercializadas no Distrito Federal.

Resumo: O leite é um produto rico em proteínas, carboidratos e vitaminas, sendo um alimento de alto valor nutricional. Pela sua composição físico-química, é um meio propício ao desenvolvimento de micro-organismos. A obtenção, o beneficiamento e o armazenamento devem ser feitos de maneira higiênica para garantir a qualidade final do produto. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar a qualidade físico-química e microbiológica de sete marcas de leites padronizados comercializadas no Distrito Federal. As amostras foram oriundas de sete laticínios, cinco do Estado de Goiás, e duas de Minas Gerais. As análises foram realizadas no Laboratório de Análise de Alimentos da Universidade de Brasília seguindo normas do Instituto Adolfo Lutz. Os resultados foram comparados aos limites estabelecidos pela Instrução Normativa n°51 e revelam qualidade satisfatória para os parâmetros físico-químicos para as setes marcas. Entretanto, as análises qualitativas de eficiência da pasteurização e microbiológica indicam leites impróprios para o consumo humano. Não foi detectada presença de antibióticos nas marcas. [Evaluation of physico-chemical and microbiological of seven brands of standardized milk produced in the states of Goiás and Minas Gerais and marketed in the Federal District]. Abstract: Milk is a product rich in protein, carbohydrates and vitamins being a food of high nutritional value. By its physico-chemical composition is a propitious means to the development of microorganisms. Obtaining, processing and storage shall be made in a hygienic manner to ensure the quality of the final product. The aims of this study were to evaluate the physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of the seven brands of standardized milks marketed in the Federal District. The samples were from seven dairy, five State of Goiás and two of Minas Gerais. The analyzes were performed at the Laboratory of Food Analysis, University of Brasilia, following rules of the Institute Adolfo Lutz. The results were compared to the limits established by Normative Instruction No. 51 and show satisfactory quality for physico-chemical parameters for the seven brands. However, qualitative analysis of efficiency of pasteurization and microbiological indicate milks unfit for human consumption. Antibiotics were not detected in all marks

Avaliação qualitativa e quantitativa de leite Tipo A comercializados no Distrito Federal.

Resumo: O leite tipo A é processado em granjas leiteiras. Possui maior valor agregado e menor carga microbiológica. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade do produto comercializado no Distrito Federal. Foram avaliadas duas marcas durante quatro meses. As amostras foram avaliadas em testes de fraude e foram feitas análise físico-química. Ambas as marcas apresentaram índice crioscópico em desacordo com a legislação vigente e presença de sacarose. Esse resultado evidencia a fraude para aumentar o rendimento do produto. Além disso, a marca B apresentou bicarbonato em sua composição e teste de peroxidase negativa em 14,3% das amostras. Esses resultados mostram que a marca B fraudou o leite na tentativa de reduzir a carga microbiana. [Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of type A milk marketed in the Federal District]. Abstract: The type A milk is processed into dairy farms. Has a higher value and lower microbiological load. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of the product marketed in the Federal District. We evaluated two brands during four months. The samples were evaluated in tests of fraud and physicochemical analysis. Both brands had cryoscopic index in disagreement with current legislation and presence of sucrose. This result evidences the fraud to increase product yield. In addition, the type B showed bicarbonate in their composition and peroxidase negative test in 14,3% of samples. These results show that type B defrauded milk in attempt to reduce the microbial load

Joint Contour Net Analysis for Feature Detection in Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics Data

In this paper we demonstrate the use of multivariate topological algorithms to analyse and interpret Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) data. Lattice QCD is a long established field of theoretical physics research in the pursuit of understanding the strong nuclear force. Complex computer simulations model interactions between quarks and gluons to test theories regarding the behaviour of matter in a range of extreme environments. Data sets are typically generated using Monte Carlo methods, providing an ensemble of configurations, from which observable averages must be computed. This presents issues with regard to visualisation and analysis of the data as a typical ensemble study can generate hundreds or thousands of unique configurations. We show how multivariate topological methods, such as the Joint Contour Net, can assist physicists in the detection and tracking of important features within their data in a temporal setting. This enables them to focus upon the structure and distribution of the core observables by identifying them within the surrounding data. These techniques also demonstrate how quantitative approaches can help understand the lifetime of objects in a dynamic system.Comment: 30 pages, 19 figures, 4 table

Drought versus heat: What's the major constraint on Mediterranean green roof plants?

Green roofs are gaining momentum in the arid and semi-arid regions due to their multiple benefits as compared with conventional roofs. One of the most critical steps in green roof installation is the selection of drought and heat tolerant species that can thrive under extreme microclimate conditions. We monitored the water status, growth and survival of 11 drought-adapted shrub species grown on shallow green roof modules (10 and 13cm deep substrate) and analyzed traits enabling plants to cope with drought (symplastic and apoplastic resistance) and heat stress (root membrane stability). The physiological traits conferring efficiency/safety to the water transport system under severe drought influenced plant water status and represent good predictors of both plant water use and growth rates over green roofs. Moreover, our data suggest that high substrate temperature represents a stress factor affecting plant survival to a larger extent than drought per se. In fact, the major cause influencing seedling survival on shallow substrates was the species-specific root resistance to heat, a single and easy measurable trait that should be integrated into the methodological framework for screening and selection of suitable shrub species for roof greening in the Mediterranean

Avaliação da presença de metais pesados em nove méis produzidos e comercializados no Distrito Federal.

Resumo: O mel brasileiro é produzido principalmente por abelhas africanizadas a partir do néctar ou da secreção das plantas e, devido às suas características genéticas dessas espécies de abelhas, dispensa o uso de antibióticos e pesticidas, como acaricidas e fungicidas. A composição das amostras de méis está intimamente relacionada com o tipo de florada utilizada por estas abelhas para a elaboração do produto final. Um dos componentes de grande importância são os minerais presentes no mel que representam de 0,02% a 1%. Dentre estes minerais observamos os chamados metais pesados, que podem indicar tanto a origem geográfica do mel quanto o nível de poluição ambiental por estes metais. Logo, faz-se necessário a pesquisa da presença ou não de metais pesados nas amostras comercializadas. Por isso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar nove amostras provenientes de nove apiários localizados na região do Distrito Federal, quanto à presença de metais de Cádmio, Chumbo, Cobre, Cromo, Níquel e Zinco. As determinações foram realizadas por espectrometria de emissão atômica com plasma acoplado e os resultados demonstraram que as concentrações de Cádmio e Zinco estão em conformidade com a legislação vigente. As concentrações dos demais metais (Chumbo, Cobre, Cromo e Níquel) estão abaixo do limite de detecção. [Evaluation of the presence of heavy metals in nine honeys produced and marketed in the Federal District]. Abstract: The Brazilian honey is mainly produced by Africanized bees that due to their genetic characteristics dispense the use of antibiotics and pesticides, acaricides and fungicides. However, it is necessary to investigate the presence or absence of heavy metals in marketed samples. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze nine samples from nine apiaries located in the Federal District, as the presence of metals Cadmium, Lead, Copper, Chromium, Nickel and Zinc. The determinations were performed by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma and the results showed that the concentrations of Cadmium and Zinc are in accordance with current legislation. The concentrations of other metals (Lead, Copper, Chromium and Nickel) are below the detection limit

Reification and Truthmaking Patterns

Reification is a standard technique in conceptual modeling, which consists of including in the domain of discourse entities that may otherwise be hidden or implicit. However, deciding what should be rei- fied is not always easy. Recent work on formal ontology offers us a simple answer: put in the domain of discourse those entities that are responsible for the (alleged) truth of our propositions. These are called truthmakers. Re-visiting previous work, we propose in this paper a systematic analysis of truthmaking patterns for properties and relations based on the ontolog- ical nature of their truthmakers. Truthmaking patterns will be presented as generalization of reification patterns, accounting for the fact that, in some cases, we do not reify a property or a relationship directly, but we rather reify its truthmakers