O projeto de literacia da informação numa biblioteca da saúde: o caso da Biblioteca da ESTeSL

Introdução – Ao aumento exponencial de informação, sobretudo a científica, não corresponde obrigatoriamente a melhoria de qualidade na pesquisa e no uso da mesma. O conceito de literacia da informação ganha pertinência e destaque, na medida em que abarca competências que permitem reconhecer quando é necessária a informação e de atuar de forma eficiente e efetiva na sua obtenção e utilização. A biblioteca académica assume, neste contexto, o papel de parceiro privilegiado, preparando o momento em que o estudante se sente capaz de produzir e registar novo conhecimento através da escrita. Objectivo – A Biblioteca da ESTeSL reestruturou as sessões desenvolvidas desde o ano lectivo 2002/2003 e deu início a um projecto mais formal denominado «Saber usar a informação de forma eficiente e eficaz». Objectivos: a) promover a melhoria da qualidade dos trabalhos académicos e científicos; b) contribuir para a diminuição do risco de plágio; c) aumentar a confiança dos estudantes nas suas capacidades de utilização dos recursos de informação; d) incentivar uma participação mais ativa em sala de aulas; e) colaborar para a integração dos conteúdos pedagógicos e das várias fontes de informação. Método – Dinamizaram-se várias sessões de formação de curta duração, versando diferentes temas associados à literacia de informação, designadamente: 1) Pesquisa de informação com sessões dedicadas à MEDLINE, RCAAP, SciELO, B-ON e Scopus; 2) Factor de impacto das revistas científicas: Journal Citation Reports e SciMAGO; 3) Como fazer um resumo científico?; 4) Como estruturar o trabalho científico?; 5) Como fazer uma apresentação oral?; 6) Como evitar o plágio?; 7) Referenciação bibliográfica usando a norma de Vancouver; 8) Utilização de gestores de referências bibliográficas: ZOTERO (primeira abordagem para os estudantes de 1º ano de licenciatura) e a gestão de referências e rede académica de informação com o MENDELEY (direcionado para estudantes finalistas, mestrandos, docentes e investigadores). O projecto foi apresentado à comunidade académica no site da ESTeSL; cada sessão foi divulgada individualmente no site e por email. Em 2015, a divulgação investiu na nova página da Biblioteca (https://estesl.biblio.ipl.pt/), que alojava informações e recursos abordados nas formações. As inscrições eram feitas por email, sem custos associados ou limite mínimo ou máximo de sessões para participar. Resultados – Em 2014 registaram-se 87 inscrições. Constatou-se a presença de, pelo menos, um participante em cada sessão de formação. Em 2015, o total de inscrições foi de 190. Foram reagendadas novas sessões a pedido dos estudantes cujos horários não eram compatíveis com os inicialmente agendados. Foram então organizados dois dias de formação seguida (cerca de 4h em cada dia) com conteúdos selecionados pelos estudantes. Registou-se, nestas sessões, a presença contante de cerca de 30 estudantes em sala. No total, as sessões da literacia da informação contaram com estudantes de licenciatura de todos os anos, estudantes de mestrado, docentes e investigadores (internos e externos à ESTeSL). Conclusões – Constata-se a necessidade de introdução de novos conteúdos no projeto de literacia da informação. O tempo, os conteúdos e o interesse demonstrado por aqueles que dele usufruíram evidenciam que este é um projeto que está a ganhar o seu espaço na comunidade da ESTeSL e que a literacia da informação contribui de forma efetiva para a construção e para a produção de conhecimento no meio académico.

Mass- Radius Relation for Magnetized Strange Quarks Stars

We review the stability of magnetized strange quark matter (MSQM) within the phenomenological MIT bag model, taking into account the variation of the relevant input parameters, namely, the strange quark mass, baryon density, magnetic field and bag parameter. A comparison with magnetized asymmetric quark matter in beta-equilibrium as well as with strange quark matter (SQM) is presented. We obtain that the energy per baryon for MSQM decreases as the magnetic field increases, and its minimum value at vanishing pressure is lower than the value found for SQM, which implies that MSQM is more stable than non-magnetized SQM. The mass-radius relation for magnetized strange quark stars is also obtained in this framework.

Measuring and Controlling the Chaotic Motion of Profits

The study of economic systems has generated deep interest in exploring the complexity of chaotic motions in economy. Due to important developments in nonlinear dynamics, the last two decades have witnessed strong revival of interest in nonlinear endogenous business chaotic models. The inability to predict the behavior of dynamical systems in the presence of chaos suggests the application of chaos control methods, when we are more interested in obtaining regular behavior. In the present article, we study a specific economic model from the literature. More precisely, a system of three ordinary differential equations gather the variables of profits, reinvestments and financial flow of borrowings in the structure of a firm. Firstly, using results of symbolic dynamics, we characterize the topological entropy and the parameter space ordering of kneading sequences, associated with one-dimensional maps that reproduce significant aspects of the model dynamics. The analysis of the variation of this numerical invariant, in some realistic system parameter region, allows us to quantify and to distinguish different chaotic regimes. Finally, we show that complicated behavior arising from the chaotic firm model can be controlled without changing its original properties and the dynamics can be turned into the desired attracting time periodic motion (a stable steady state or into a regular cycle). The orbit stabilization is illustrated by the application of a feedback control technique initially developed by Romeiras et al. [1992]. This work provides another illustration of how our understanding of economic models can be enhanced by the theoretical and numerical investigation of nonlinear dynamical systems modeled by ordinary differential equations.

Toplological Entropy in the Syncronization of Piecewise Linear and Monotone Maps. Coupled Duffing Oscillators

In this paper is presented a relationship between the synchronization and the topological entropy. We obtain the values for the coupling parameter, in terms of the topological entropy, to achieve synchronization of two unidirectional and bidirectional coupled piecewise linear maps. In addition, we prove a result that relates the synchronizability of two m-modal maps with the synchronizability of two conjugated piecewise linear maps. An application to the unidirectional and bidirectional coupled identical chaotic Duffing equations is given. We discuss the complete synchronization of two identical double-well Duffing oscillators, from the point of view of symbolic dynamics. Working with Poincare cross-sections and the return maps associated, the synchronization of the two oscillators, in terms of the coupling strength, is characterized.

Ferromagnetic order in aged Co-doped TiO2 anatase nanopowders

Oxide based diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) materials have been a subject of increasing interest due to reports of room temperature ferromagnetism in several systems and their potential use in the development of spintronic devices. However, concerns on the stability of the magnetic properties of different DMS systems have been raised. Their magnetic moment is often unstable, vanishing with a characteristic decay time of weeks or months, which precludes the development of real applications. This paper reports on the ferromagnetic properties of two-year-aged Ti1-xCoxO2-δ reduced anatase nanopowders with different Co contents (0.03≤x≤0.10). Aged samples retain rather high values of magnetization, remanence and coercivity which provide strong evidence for a quite preserved long-range ferromagnetic order. In what concern Co segregation, some degree of metastability of the diluted Co doped anatase structure could be inferred in the case of the sample with the higher Co content.

Magnetic Field and Temperature Effects on Strangelets

The main properties of magnetized strangelets, namely, their energy per baryon, radius and electric charge, are studied in the unpaired strange quark matter phase. Temperature effects are taken into account in order to study their stability compared to the (56)Fe isotope and non-magnetized strangelets within the framework of the MIT bag model. It is concluded that the presence of a magnetic field tends to stabilize more the strangelets, even when temperature is considered. We find that the electric charge is modified in the presence of the magnetic field, leading to higher charge values for magnetized strangelets, when compared to the non-magnetized case.

Neutrinos and the Matter-Antimatters Asymmetry in the Universe

The discovery of neutrino oscillations provides a solid evidence for nonzero neutrino masses and leptonic mixing. The fact that neutrino masses are so tiny constitutes a puzzling problem in particle physics. From the theoretical viewpoint, the smallness of neutrino masses can be elegantly explained through the seesaw mechanism. Another challenging issue for particle physics and cosmology is the explanation of the matter-antimatter asymmetry observed in Nature. Among the viable mechanisms, leptogenesis is a simple and well-motivated framework. In this paper we briefly review these aspects, making emphasis on the possibility of linking neutrino physics to the cosmological bary asymmetry originated from leptogenesis.

Detection of Change in Fluorescence Between Reactive Cyan and the Yellow Fluorophores Usinga-SiC:H Multilayer Transducers

Optical colour sensors based on multilayered a-SiC:H heterostructures can act as voltage controlled optical filters in the visible range. In this article we investigate the application of these structures for Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) detection, The characteristics of a-SiC:H multilayered structure are studied both theoretically and experimentally in several wavelengths corresponding to different fluorophores. The tunable optical p-i'(a-SiC:H)-n/p-i(a-Si:H)-n heterostructures were produced by PECVD and tested for a proper fine tuning in the violet, cyan and yellow wavelengths. The devices were characterized through transmittance and spectral response measurements, under different electrical bias and frequencies. Violet, cyan and yellow signals were applied in simultaneous and results have shown that they can be recovered under suitable applied bias. A theoretical analysis supported by numerical simulation is presented.

Membrane selectivity versus sensor response in hydrogenated amorphous silicon CHEMFETs using a semi-empirical model

Toxic amides, such as acrylamide, are potentially harmful to Human health, so there is great interest in the fabrication of compact and economical devices to measure their concentration in food products and effluents. The CHEmically Modified Field Effect Transistor (CHEMFET) based onamorphous silicon technology is a candidate for this type of application due to its low fabrication cost. In this article we have used a semi-empirical modelof the device to predict its performance in a solution of interfering ions. The actual semiconductor unit of the sensor was fabricated by the PECVD technique in the top gate configuration. The CHEMFET simulation was performed based on the experimental current voltage curves of the semiconductor unit and on an empirical model of the polymeric membrane. Results presented here are useful for selection and design of CHEMFET membranes and provide an idea of the limitations of the amorphous CHEMFET device. In addition to the economical advantage, the small size of this prototype means it is appropriate for in situ operation and integration in a sensor array.

Multilayer Architectures Based on a-SiC:H Material: Tunable Wavelength Filters in Optical Processing Devices

The characteristics of tunable wavelength filters based on a-SiC:H multilayered stacked pin cells are studied both theoretically and experimentally. The optical transducers were produced by PECVD and tested for a proper fine tuning of the cyan and yellow fluorescent proteins emission. The active device consists of a p-i'(a-SiC:H)-n/p-i(a-Si:H)-n heterostructures sandwiched between two transparent contacts. Experimental data on spectral response analysis, current-voltage characteristics and color and transmission rate discrimination are reported. Cyan and yellow fluorescent input channels were transmitted together, each one with a specific transmission rate and different intensities. The multiplexed optical signal was analyzed by reading out, under positive and negative applied voltages, the generated photocurrents. Results show that the optimized optical transducer has the capability of combining the transient fluorescent signals onto a single output signal without losing any specificity (color and intensity). It acts as a voltage controlled optical filter: when the applied voltages are chosen appropriately the transducer can select separately the cyan and yellow channel emissions (wavelength and frequency) and also to quantify their relative intensities. A theoretical analysis supported by a numerical simulation is presented.

Semiconductor Device as Optical Demultiplexer for Short Range Optical Communications

In this paper we present results on the use of a multilayered a-SiC:H heterostructure as a wavelength-division demultiplexing device for the visible light spectrum. The proposed device is composed of two stacked p-i-n photodiodes with intrinsic absorber regions adjusted to short and long wavelength absorption and carrier collection. An optoelectronic characterisation of the device was performed in the visible spectrum. Demonstration of the device functionality for WDM applications was done with three different input channels covering the long, the medium and the short wavelengths in the visible range. The recovery of the input channels is explained using the photocurrent spectral dependence on the applied voltage. An electrical model of the WDM device is proposed and supported by the solution of the respective circuit equations. Short range optical communications constitute the major application field, however other applications are also foreseen.

Geometric picture of generalized-CP and Higgs-family transformations in the two-Higgs-doublet model

In the two-Higgs-doublet model (THDM), generalized-CP transformations (phi(i) -> X-ij phi(*)(j) where X is unitary) and unitary Higgs-family transformations (phi(i) -> U-ij phi(j)) have recently been examined in a series of papers. In terms of gauge-invariant bilinear functions of the Higgs fields phi(i), the Higgs-family transformations and the generalized-CP transformations possess a simple geometric description. Namely, these transformations correspond in the space of scalar-field bilinears to proper and improper rotations, respectively. In this formalism, recent results relating generalized CP transformations with Higgs-family transformations have a clear geometric interpretation. We will review what is known regarding THDM symmetries, as well as derive new results concerning those symmetries, namely how they can be interpreted geometrically as applications of several CP transformations.

Topological Complexity and Predictability in the Dynamics of a Tumor Growth Model with Shilnikov's Chaos

Dynamical systems modeling tumor growth have been investigated to determine the dynamics between tumor and healthy cells. Recent theoretical investigations indicate that these interactions may lead to different dynamical outcomes, in particular to homoclinic chaos. In the present study, we analyze both topological and dynamical properties of a recently characterized chaotic attractor governing the dynamics of tumor cells interacting with healthy tissue cells and effector cells of the immune system. By using the theory of symbolic dynamics, we first characterize the topological entropy and the parameter space ordering of kneading sequences from one-dimensional iterated maps identified in the dynamics, focusing on the effects of inactivation interactions between both effector and tumor cells. The previous analyses are complemented with the computation of the spectrum of Lyapunov exponents, the fractal dimension and the predictability of the chaotic attractors. Our results show that the inactivation rate of effector cells by the tumor cells has an important effect on the dynamics of the system. The increase of effector cells inactivation involves an inverse Feigenbaum (i.e. period-halving bifurcation) scenario, which results in the stabilization of the dynamics and in an increase of dynamics predictability. Our analyses also reveal that, at low inactivation rates of effector cells, tumor cells undergo strong, chaotic fluctuations, with the dynamics being highly unpredictable. Our findings are discussed in the context of tumor cells potential viability.

Flavored asymmetries for type II seesaw leptogenesis

A novel contribution to the leptonic CP asymmetries in type II seesaw leptogenesis scenarios is obtained for the cases in which flavor effects are relevant for the dynamics of leptogenesis. In the so-called flavored leptogenesis regime, the interference between the tree-level amplitude of the scalar triplet decaying into two leptons and the one-loop wave function correction with leptons in the loop, leads to a new nonvanishing CP asymmetry contribution. The latter conserves total lepton number but violates lepton flavor. Cases in which this novel contribution may be dominant in the generation of the baryon asymmetry are briefly discussed.

Synchronization and Basins of Synchronized in Two-Dimensional Piecewise Maps Via Coupling Three Pieces of One-Dimensional Maps

This paper is devoted to the synchronization of a dynamical system defined by two different coupling versions of two identical piecewise linear bimodal maps. We consider both local and global studies, using different tools as natural transversal Lyapunov exponent, Lyapunov functions, eigenvalues and eigenvectors and numerical simulations. We obtain theoretical results for the existence of synchronization on coupling parameter range. We characterize the synchronization manifold as an attractor and measure the synchronization speed. In one coupling version, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for the synchronization. We study the basins of synchronization and show that, depending upon the type of coupling, they can have very different shapes and are not necessarily constituted by the whole phase space; in some cases, they can be riddled.