Brazilian elections: voting for a scaling democracy

The proportional elections held in Brazil in 1998 and 2002 display identical statistical signatures. In particular, the distribution of votes among candidates includes a power-law regimen. We suggest that the rationale behind this robust scaling invariance is a multiplicative process in which the voter's choice for a candidate is governed by a product of probabilities.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Detailed Chemical Abundances of Globular Clusters in Local Group Dwarf Galaxies

We present detailed chemical abundances of Fe, Ca and Ba for 17 globular clusters (GCs) in 5 Local Group dwarf galaxies: NGC 205, NGC 6822, WLM, the SMC and LMC. These abundances are part of a larger sample of over 20 individual elements measured in GCs in these galaxies using a new analysis method for high resolution, integrated light spectra. Our analysis also provides age and stellar population constraints. The existence of GCs in dwarf galaxies with a range of ages implies that there were episodes of rapid star formation throughout the history of these galaxies; the abundance ratios of these clusters suggest that the duration of these burst varied considerably from galaxy to galaxy. We find evolution of Fe, Ca, and Ba with age in the LMC, SMC, and NGC 6822 that is consistent with extended, lower-efficiency SF between bursts, with an increasing contribution of low-metallicity AGB ejecta at late times. Our sample of GCs in NGC 205 and WLM are predominantly old and metal-poor with high [Ca/Fe] ratios, implying that the early history of these galaxies was marked by consistently high SF rates.Comment: 2 pages, To appear in the proceedings of the conference "A Universe of Dwarf Galaxies" (Lyon, June 14-18, 2010

Estimating the trunk transverse surface area to assess swimmer's drag force based on their competitive level

The aim of this study was to compute and validate trunk transverse surface area (TTSA) estimation equations to be used assessing the swimmer’s drag force according to competitive level by gender. One group of 130 swimmers (54 females and 76 males) was used to compute the TTSA estimation equations and another group of 132 swimmers (56 females and 76 males) were used for its validations. Swimmers were photographed in the transverse plane from above, on land, in the upright and hydrodynamic position. The TTSA was measured from the swimmer’s photo with specific software. It was also measured the height, body mass, biacromial diameter, chest sagital diameter (CSD) and the chest perimeter (CP). With the first group of swimmers it was computed the TTSA estimation equations based on stepwise multiple regression models from the selected anthropometrical variables. The TTSA prediction equations were significant and with a prediction level qualitatively considered as moderate. All equations included only the CP and the CSD in the final models. In all prediction models there were no significant differences between assessed and estimated mean TTSA. Coefficients of determination for the linear regression models between assessed and estimated TTSA were moderate and significant. More than 80% of the plots were within the 95% interval confidence for the Bland-Altman analysis in both genders. So, TTSA estimation equations that are easy to be computed by coached and researchers were developed. All equations accomplished the validation criteria adopted

Validação de equações preditivas da área de secção

O objectivo do estudo foi desenvolver e validar equações para estimar a área de secção transversa do tronco (ASTT), em ambos os sexos, de acordo com o nível competitivo, que habitualmente são usadas para avaliar o arrasto hidrodinâmico. Para o sexo feminino, na condição de experts, foi utilizado um grupo de 33 sujeitos para estimar a equação e um grupo de 38 sujeitos para validar a equação, na condição de não experts foi utilizado um grupo de 23 sujeitos para estimar a equação e um grupo de 18 sujeitos para validar a mesma. No caso do sexo masculino, na condição de experts, foi utilizado um grupo de 28 sujeitos para estimar a equação e um grupo de 32 sujeitos para a validar, na condição de não experts, foi utilizado um grupo de 48 sujeitos para estimar a equação e um grupo de 44 sujeitos para validar a equação. Os sujeitos foram fotografados (DSC-T7, Sony, Tóquio, Japão) num plano superior transversal, no meio terrestre, simulando a posição hidrodinâmica. A ASTT foi medida através da foto digital do sujeito com um software específico (Universal Desktop Ruler, v3.3.3268, AVPSoft, E.U.A.). Foram ainda medidas as variáveis antropométricas massa corporal (SECA, 884, Hamburgo, Alemanha), a estatura (SECA, 242, Hamburgo, Alemanha), os diâmetros bi-acromial (DBC) e tóraco-sagital (DTS) com um clip antropométrico (Campbell, 20, RossCraft, Canadá), assim como, o perímetro peitoral (PP) com fita métrica (RossCraft, Canadá). Para sexo feminino experts ASTT=16,498*DTS+10,875*PP-504,705 (R2=0,28; Ra=0,24; p<0,01). Para sexo feminino não experts ASTT=14,836*PP-26,825*DTS-33,149 (R2=0,28; Ra=0,21; p<0,01). Para sexo masculino experts ASTT=19,216*DTS+10,505*PP-575,496 (R2=0,33; Ra=0,27; p<0,01). Para sexo masculino não experts ASTT=30,453*DTS+5,030*PP-371,404 (R2=0,48; Ra=0,45; p<0,01). Em todas as condições, por sexo e nível competitivo, não se verificaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre a média da ASTT medida e da estimada. Os coeficientes de determinação, calculados através da análise de regressão linear, entre a ASTT medida e estimada foram moderados. Para todas as condições, por sexo e nível competitivo, mais de 80% dos plots, na análise de Bland-Altman, encontram-se dentro dos 95% do intervalo de confiança

Computing and validating trunk transverse surface area equations to assess swimmers drag force

A couple of methods to assess drag force (i.e., computer fluid dynamics and velocity perturbation method) need to include in the data input the trunk transverse surface area (TTSA). TTSA is measured with a planimeter, on screen measure area software of plane 2D digital images or body scan. However the data collection and its treatment are somewhat time consuming and/or expensive

Validação de equações preditivas da área de secção transversa do tronco

O objectivo do estudo foi desenvolver e validar equações preditivas da área de secção transversa do tronco humano, Os modelos foram desenvolvidos para o sexo masculino e de acordo com o nível competitivo, A amostra foi composta por 152 sujeitos, todos praticantes de Natação Pura desportiva, com idades entre os 10 e os 32 anos de idade. Para o desenvolvimento dos modelos foi utilizado um grupo de sujeitos para estimar a equação e um outro para validar. Foram avaliadas as seguintes características antropométricas: (i) massa corporal; (ii) estatura; (iii) diâmetro bi-acromial; (iv) diâmetro tóraco-sagital; (v) perímetro peitoral e (vi) área de secção transversal do tronco. Os modelos preditivos foram desenvolvidos através de análise de regressão linear múltipla passo-a-passo e num dos casos, com recurso ao nível competitivo enquanto variável dummy. Todos os modelos desenvolvidos incluíram como variáveis independentes o diâmetro tóraco-sagital e o perímetro peitoral (0,32 ≤ R2 ≤ 0,48; P 0,05), as regressões lineares simples foram moderadas (0,23 ≤ R2 ≤ 0,39; 0,01 ≤ P ≤ 0,001) e o critério de Bland Altman foi em todos os casos cumprido. Pode concluir-se que os modelos desenvolvidos para nadadores masculinos, e de acordo com o nível competitivo, predizem com validade a área de secção transversa do tronco de nadadores

Morphometric study for estimation and validation of trunk transverse surface area to assess human drag force on water

The aim of this study was to compute and validate estimation equations for the trunk transverse surface area (TTSA) to be used in assessing the swimmer's drag force in both genders. One group of 133 swimmers (56 females, 77 males) was used to compute the estimation equations and another group of 131 swimmers (56 females, 75 males) was used for its validations. Swimmers were photographed in the transverse plane from above, on land, in the upright and hydrodynamic position. The TTSA was measured from the swimmer's photo with specific software. Also measured was the height, body mass, biacromial diameter, chest sagital diameter (CSD) and the chest perimeter (CP). With the first group of swimmers, it was computed the TTSA estimation equations based on stepwise multiple regression models from the selected anthropometrical variables. For males TTSA=6.662*CP+17.019*CSD-210.708 (R2=0.32; Ra2=0.30; P<0.01) and for females TTSA=7.002*CP+15.382*CSD-255.70 (R2=0.34; Ra2=0.31; P<0.01). For both genders there were no significant differences between assessed and estimated mean TTSA. Coefficients of determination for the linear regression models between assessed and estimated TTSA were R2=0.39 for males and R2=0.55 for females. More than 80% of the plots were within the 95% interval confidence for the Bland-Altman analysis in both genders

The evaluation of student-centredness of teaching and learning: a new mixed-methods approach.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to develop and consider the usefulness of a new mixed-methods approach to evaluate the student-centredness of teaching and learning on undergraduate medical courses. An essential paradigm for the evaluation was the coherence between how teachers conceptualise their practice (espoused theories) and their actual practice (theories-in-use). METHODS: The context was a module within an integrated basic sciences course in an undergraduate medical degree programme. The programme had an explicit intention of providing a student-centred curriculum. A content analysis framework based on Weimer's dimensions of student-centred teaching was used to analyze data collected from individual interviews with seven teachers to identify espoused theories and 34h of classroom observations and one student focus group to identify theories-in-use. The interviewees were identified by purposeful sampling. The findings from the three methods were triangulated to evaluate the student-centredness of teaching and learning on the course. RESULTS: Different, but complementary, perspectives of the student-centredness of teaching and learning were identified by each method. The triangulation of the findings revealed coherence between the teachers' espoused theories and theories-in-use. CONCLUSIONS: A mixed-methods approach that combined classroom observations with interviews from a purposeful sample of teachers and students offered a useful evaluation of the extent of student-centredness of teaching and learning of this basic science course. Our case study suggests that this new approach is applicable to other courses in medical education

Texturing methods of abrasive grinding wheels: a systematic review

Creating textures on abrasive wheels is a strategy that allows a significant improvement in grinding operations. The reduction of the internal stresses in the workpiece and the temperature during the grinding operation generates an increase in the dimensional accuracy of the workpiece and a longer tool life. Textured abrasive wheels can be produced in many different ways. Depending on the processing method, the dimensional accuracy of the tool and its applicability is changed. Some methods can produce tools with three-dimensional grooves; there are also methods that are employed for the re-texturing of grooves after the grooved zone wears out. In the literature, the benefits of textured grinding wheels over traditional wheels have been extensively discussed. However, information on the particularities of texturing methods is still lacking. To clarify the advantages, limitations, and main advances regarding each of the groove production methods, the authors of this article carried out a systematic review. The objective of this work is to establish the factors that are affected by groove production methods and the technological advances in this area. The benefits and drawbacks of various grooving techniques are then reviewed, and potential study areas are indicated.This research was funded by FCT national funds, under the national support to R&D units grant, through the reference projects UIDB/04436/2020, UIDP/04436/2020, UIDB/00690/2020, UIDP/00690/2020, and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020). This work is within the scope of the Sharlane Costa Ph.D. degree in progress, financially supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the PhD grant reference 2021.07352.BDinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Changes in classical kinematics and non‐linear parameters after a maximal 100‐m front‐crawl bout

In a linear system there is proportionality between input and output. Under this framework it is expected that the amount of change in sports performance must be proportional to variations in the inputs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio