Lattice-corrected strain-induced vector potentials in graphene

The electronic implications of strain in graphene can be captured at low energies by means of pseudovector potentials which can give rise to pseudomagnetic fields. These strain-induced vector potentials arise from the local perturbation to the electronic hopping amplitudes in a tight-binding framework. Here we complete the standard description of the strain-induced vector potential, which accounts only for the hopping perturbation, with the explicit inclusion of the lattice deformations or, equivalently, the deformation of the Brillouin zone. These corrections are linear in strain and are different at each of the strained, inequivalent Dirac points, and hence are equally necessary to identify the precise magnitude of the vector potential. This effect can be relevant in scenarios of inhomogeneous strain profiles, where electronic motion depends on the amount of overlap among the local Fermi surfaces. In particular, it affects the pseudomagnetic field distribution induced by inhomogeneous strain configurations, and can lead to new opportunities in tailoring the optimal strain fields for certain desired functionalities.Comment: Errata for version

Attitude dynamics and stability of a simple solar photon thruster

This paper is dedicated to the development of a model of the attitude dynamics for a nonideal Simple Solar Photon Thruster (SSPT) and to the analysis of sailcraft motions with respect to their centre of mass. Derivation of the expressions for force and torque due to solar radiation that is valid for the case, when there is a misalignment of the SSPT axis with the sun direction, is followed by study of sailcraft dynamics and stability properties. Analysis of stability shows that an ideally reflecting sail is unstable, while for a sailcraft with nonideal collector, the symmetry axis is stable with respect to the Sun direction for large variety of system parameters. The motion around symmetry axis is always unstable and requires an active stabilizer.FCT, COMPETE, QREN, FEDE

FocalSpace: Multimodal Activity Tracking, Synthetic Blur and Adapative Presentation for Video Conferencing

We introduce FocalSpace, a video conferencing system that dynamically recognizes relevant activities and objects through depth sensing and hybrid tracking of multimodal cues, such as voice, gesture, and proximity to surfaces. FocalSpace uses this information to enhance users' focus by diminishing the background through synthetic blur effects. We present scenarios that support the suppression of visual distraction, provide contextual augmentation, and enable privacy in dynamic mobile environments. Our user evaluation indicates increased memory accuracy and user preference for FocalSpace techniques compared to traditional video conferencing

“It Makes You Feel Alive and Younger…but It’s Stressful …My Back and Legs Ache”: A Focus Group Study Encouraging Resistance Training Around Retirement

Muscle weakness is a key component of age-related conditions such as sarcopenia and frailty. Resistance training is highly effective at preventing and treating muscle weakness; however, few adults meet recommended levels. Retirement may be a key life-stage to promote resistance training. We carried out a virtual focus group study to explore motivators and barriers to resistance training around the time of retirement, with the aim of determining strategies and messages to increase its uptake. The five focus groups (n = 30) were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. We found that resistance training was positively viewed when associated with immediate and long-term health and wellbeing benefits and had a social dimension; but there was a lack of understanding as to what constitutes resistance training, the required intensity level for effects; the role of pain; and the consequences of muscle weakness

Plant and Bacterial Cellulose: Production, Chemical Structure, Derivatives and Applications

Cellulose is one of the most abundant biopolymers in nature. It is used in the industry in various ways, in both its original and modified forms and the latter are called cellulose derivatives. These derivatives are used in several industrial such as the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics and can be used in solid or semi-solid form. An important application that has been currently clarified is the use of some types of cellulose derivatives as adsorbents for both metal ions and other molecules. An example is the decontamination of wastewater, as with the industrial development, some water sources are compromised and decontamination by conventional means is often not enough, hence the need for new techniques. The main advantage of using natural polymers is that they are biodegradable, because it is extremely important that a product disappear after fulfilling its purpose. An example of a natural polymer is cellulose synthesized by bacteria, also known as bacterial cellulose (BC). It has been the subject of several studies in the last decade, mainly due to the fact that it is a highly pure polymer, which makes their physical and chemical properties very different from those of plant cellulose, and also because it is easy to produce, with yields varying from one bacterium to another. The aim of this paper was to gather general information about the structures, production mode, synthesis and industrial applications of bacterial, vegetable and cellulose derivatives. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v11i5.134

Making Forest Values Work: Enhancing Multi-Dimensional Perspectives towards Sustainable Forest Management

Background and Purpose: Sustainability, sustainable development and sustainable forest management are terms that are commonly, and interchangeably used in the forest industry, however their meaning take on different connotations, relative to varying subject matter. The aim of this paper is to look at these terms in a more comprehensive way, relative to the current ideology of sustainability in forestry.Materials and Methods: This paper applies a literature review of the concepts of: i) sustainable development; ii) sustainable forest management; and iii) economic and non-economic valuation. The concepts are viewed through a historical dimension of shifting paradigms, originating from production- to service-based forestry. Values are discussed through a review of general value theory and spatial, cultural and temporal differences in valuation. Along the evolution of these concepts, we discuss their applicability as frameworks to develop operational guidelines for forest management, relative to the multi-functionality of forests.results and conclusions: Potential discrepancies between the conceptual origins of sustainable development and sustainable forest management are highlighted, relative to how they have been interpreted and diffused as new perceptions on forest value for the human society. We infer the current paradigm may not reflect the various dimensions adequately as its implementation is likely to be more related to the distribution of power between stakeholders, rather than the value stakeholders’ place on the various forest attributes

Modelo Teórico de Resolução de Conflitos em Empresas de Navegação Brasileiras através da Constelação Organizacional Sistêmica – Uma Proposta

This article is a first effort to seek to create a customized theoretical model to be applied in the Maritime Industry for a solution of organizational conflicts of a service company of maritime support vessels through a systemic tool. This model is derived from the self-composed conflict resolution technique called Systemic Organizational Constellation developed, initiated by Bert Hellinger. Its writing was supported by a theoretical bibliography on the use of applications of this technique, collected, between the years 2014 to 2020, from the electronic bank of scientific literature existing in Google Scholar using specific syntaxes. Use the content analysis method, under a Family Constellation matrix, for crossing theoretical academic papers on types of Constellations and on Maritime Support Companies to identify functional resources related to an industry company and suitability for performance. of the participants directly or indirectly involved in the process of an Organizational Constellation. As a result, create a model of the model still totally empirical; make a discussion about its validity and its employability in the company in this area. As a conclusion, understand that it is a pioneering model, personalized, personalized and ready to be tested in some maritime support company for proper validation and verification of the adjustments that are used.Este artículo es un primer esfuerzo para tratar de construir un modelo teórico personalizado que se aplique en la industria marítima para la solución de conflictos organizativos de una empresa de servicios de buques de apoyo marítimo a través de una herramienta sistémica. Este modelo se deriva de la técnica de resolución de conflictos autocompuesta llamada Constelación Organizacional Sistémica desarrollada, inicialmente, por Bert Hellinger. Su redacción fue apoyada por una bibliografía teórica sobre el uso de aplicaciones de esta técnica, recopilada, entre los años 2014 a 2020, del banco electrónico de literatura científica existente en Google Scholar con el uso de sintaxis específicas. El método de análisis de contenido se utilizó, bajo una matriz de Constelaciones Familiares, para la intersección de trabajos académicos teóricos sobre tipos de Constelaciones y sobre Empresas de Apoyo Marítimo para identificar las características funcionales necesarias en una empresa del sector y su idoneidad para los roles existentes. de los participantes involucrados directa o indirectamente en el proceso de una Constelación Organizacional. Como resultado, la construcción del modelo sigue siendo totalmente empírica, se discute sobre su validez y su empleabilidad en la empresa en esta área. En conclusión, se entiende que es un modelo pionero, robusto y personalizado y está listo para ser probado en alguna compañía de soporte marítimo para la validación y verificación adecuadas de los ajustes necesarios.Este artigo é um primeiro esforço para se buscar construir um modelo teórico customizado a ser aplicado na Indústria Marítima para a solução de conflitos organizacionais de uma empresa de serviços de embarcações de apoio marítimo através de uma ferramenta sistêmica. Este modelo é derivado da técnica de resolução de conflitos auto-compositiva denominada Constelação Organizacional Sistêmica desenvolvida, inicialmente, por Bert Hellinger. A sua redação apoiou-se em Bibliografia teórica sobre o uso de aplicações desta técnica levantadas, entre os anos de 2014 a 2020, do banco eletrônico de literatura científica existente no Google Acadêmico com o uso de sintaxes específicas.  Utilizou-se o método de análise de conteúdo, sob uma matriz de Constelação Familiar, para o cruzamento de trabalhos acadêmicos teóricos sobre tipos de Constelações e sobre Empresas de Apoio Marítimo para identificação de características funcionais necessárias em uma empresa do setor e respectiva adequação para os papéis existentes dos participantes envolvidos diretamente ou indiretamente no processo de uma Constelação Organizacional. Como resultado, tem-se a construção do modelo ainda totalmente empírico, faz-se uma discussão sobre a sua validade e a sua empregabilidade em empresas desta área. Como conclusão, entende-se que é um modelo pioneiro, robusto, customizado e está pronto para ser testado em alguma empresa de apoio marítimo para a devida validação e verificação dos ajustes que sejam necessários

Oral health self-perception among adults at a primary healthcare unit

Oral health self-perception is the individual assessment of the oral conditions. Objective: To evaluate the oral health self-perception of adults and the factorsthat influence this perception. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a primary healthcare unit in São Luís, Maranhão. Data were collected through the administration of a not validated questionnaire and a clinical examination at the dental office. The outcome was oral health self-perception and the independent variables were age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, schooling, monthly household income, dental treatment, the conclusion of treatment, last type of service used, toothache in the previous six months, untreated dental caries, missing teeth, the DMFT index, root caries and removable partial denture. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square tests were performed with a 5% level of significance. Results: The sample was composed by 129 adults aged 25 to 55 years. The female gender (80.6%), brown skincolor (62.8%) and low income (55.8%) were the most prevalent independent variables. Ninety-three percent of the sample had undergone some type of dental treatment, but only 36.4% concluded treatment. Seventy-nine percent perceived their oral health as negative. No significant associations were found between a negative self-perception and the independent variables analyzed. Conclusion: Most of surveyed individuals had a negative self-perception of their oral health, however, the perception was not associated with any of the exploratory variables

How is Commercial Gender Categorization of Perfumes Related to Consumers Preference of Fragrances?

AbstractOn the commercial market, most perfumes are categorized as either feminine or masculine, although the odour quality of feminine and masculine odours are overlapping and constitute a dimension rather than two separate clusters of odours. Earlier research has shown that typical perfume consumers tend to prefer perfumes positioned in the middle of this gender-dimension. The current study investigates the preference of perfumes from the middle of the gender-dimension while these are applied on human skin. The blindfolded participants indicated if they wanted to use the fragrance and if they wanted their partner to use the perfume, and tried to guess the gender of the person each perfume was applied. Results show that the gender of the human did not affect the preference. Moreover, the preference did not differ between female and male participants, indicating that the commercial gender categorization is less important to the perfume consumers. Consequently, the commercial gender categories do not seem to be sufficient for all perfumes. Instead, the categorization of perfumes could be according to other aspects, e.g. according to odour quality