Contrasts in the basins of attraction of structurally identical iterative root finding methods

A numerical comparison is performed between three methods of third order with the same structure, namely BSC, Halley’s and Euler–Chebyshev’s methods. As the behavior of an iterative method applied to a nonlinear equation can be highly sensitive to the starting points, the numerical comparison is carried out, allowing for complex starting points and for complex roots, on the basins of attraction in the complex plane. Several examples of algebraic and transcendental equations are presented.

Thoracic wall reconstruction using ultrasound images to model/bend the thoracic prosthesis for correction of pectus excavatum

Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital deformity of the anterior thoracic wall. The surgical correction of such deformity, using Nuss procedure, consists in the placement of a personalized convex prosthesis into sub-sternal position to correct the deformity. The aim of this work is the CT-scan substitution by ultrasound imaging for the pre-operative diagnosis and pre-modeling of the prosthesis, in order to avoid patient radiation exposure. To accomplish this, ultrasound images are acquired along an axial plane, followed by a rigid registration method to obtain the spatial transformation between subsequent images. These images are overlapped to reconstruct an axial plane equivalent to a CT-slice. A phantom was used to conduct preliminary experiments and the achieved results were compared with the corresponding CT-data, showing that the proposed methodology can be capable to create a valid approximation of the anterior thoracic wall, which can be used to model/bend the prosthesis

Carta aberta aos presidentes Obama e Putin pelo avião abatido

A negligência é punível e não pode deixar de ser punível. É urgente a investigação, é urgente a acusação e o julgamento escorreito desse conjunto de energúmenos que, por puro dolo, ou puro atrofiamento mental, foram capazes de tais acções ou omissões. Caso não haja qualquer outra hipótese em termos legais internacionais, deverá ser criado – se for necessário, adequado e proporcional - um Tribunal had hoc internacional que julgue com especificidade este caso concreto. Basta de impunidade perante situações injustas como esta, onde tudo acaba por terminar no esquecimento. Abstract: Negligence is punishable and can only be punishable. There is an urgent investigation, it is urgent to prosecution and the trial this group of lunatics who, by pure malice, or pure mental atrophy, were capable of such acts or omissions. If there is no other choice in international law, should be created - if necessary, appropriate and proportionate - a Court had international hoc judges with this specific case. No more impunity unjust situations like this, where everything turns out to finish the wayside.