Critical behavior of a contact process with aperiodic transition rates

We performed Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the steady-state critical behavior of a one-dimensional contact process with an aperiodic distribution of rates of transition. As in the presence of randomness, spatial fluctuations can lead to changes of critical behavior. For sufficiently weak fluctuations, we give numerical evidence to show that there is no departure from the universal critical behavior of the underlying uniform model. For strong spatial fluctuations, the analysis of the data indicates a change of critical universality class.

Minimal surfaces in S(3) with constant contact angle

We provide a characterization of the Clifford Torus in S(3) via moving frames and contact structure equations. More precisely, we prove that minimal surfaces in S(3) with constant contact angle must be the Clifford Torus. Some applications of this result are then given, and some examples are discussed.

Reflection of matter waves in potential structures

In this paper the behavior of matter waves in suddenly terminated potential structures is investigated numerically. It is shown that there is no difference between a fully quantum mechanical treatment and a semiclassical one with regards to energy redistribution. For the quantum case it is demonstrated that there can be substantial reflection at the termination. The neglect of backscattering by the semiclassical method brings about major differences in the case of low kinetic energies. A simple phenomenological model is shown to partially explain the observed backscattering using dynamics of reduced dimensionality.

Narration, Visualization and Mind : Movies in everyday life as a resource for utopian self-reflection

The paper is analyzing how people in late modern society characterized by de-traditionalization, use moving images as a cultural resource for the construction of meaningful subjective world views. As a theoretical concept with several dimensions, “sacralization of the self” (Woodhead & Heelas 2000: 344), is related to media theory. With a critical focus on ‘the self’, as a core aspect in contemporary media society Eric W. Rothenbuhler labels the individual self as one of “the sacred objects of modern culture” (Rothenbuhler 2006: 31).I want to emphasize the need for case studies in order to undertake a critical investigation about ‘the self’ and how consumption of fiction film is interconnected to spectator´s creation of self images, but also to understand how film engagement elicits self-reflection (Giddens 1991, Axelson 2008, Vaage 2009a). The paper make use of empirical data to illustrate and theoretically develop perspectives on how the audience uses fiction film in every-day life for the construction of the self, as well for the construction of more profound and long-lasting ideas of being part of a moral community (Brereton 2005, Jerslev 2006, Klinger 2008, Mikkola et al. 2007, Vaage 2009b). Some empirical findings support a conclusion that moving images creates a transitional space for the human mind, with the capacity of transporting the spectator from real life to fiction and back to real life again, helping the individual with an ongoing process of transforming the self, dealing with who you actually are, and who you want to become (Axelson 2008, Vaage 2009b).

The "reflection protocol" - a way to develop learning and independent thinking?

It is now-a-days more and more common in the academic world to use new forms of “learning-tools”. One of those is the “reflection protocol”, which usually consist of a few pages of freely written text, related to something the students have read. There seems to be a lot of different opinions about the value to use this method. Some teachers and students are enthusiastic and others are rather critical. To write a “reflection protocol” is not in the first place to do a summery, a review, not even to analyze a text. Instead it is about to write down thoughts and questions that comes up as a result of the reading. It is also about doing associations, reflections and to interpret a text and relate this to a theme of some kind. The purpose to use “reflection protocols” is, as we see it, mainly for the student to practice independent thinking from a scientific point of view, but it also gives a possibility to a better understanding of another person’s thinking. This seems to open up for a fruitful dialogue and a way to learn. We will in this paper discuss if that could be the case.

Art of Goya as a significant reflection of his time

This thesis examines the story of how Goya came to be the artist he was and of the times which made him what he was, and which he so well mirrored. Francisco Goya y Lucientes is a remarkable figure in the history of art. Rarely has an artist arisen from such a cultural vacuum; rarely has an artist done so much to establish a cultural reputation for his country; rarely has an artist reflected so accurately the spirit of his time; and rare is the artist who has such an important influence on all the significant art of the future.

Teletrabalho como fator de Inclusão social e digital em empresas de call center/contact center

O teletrabalho é uma realidade cada vez mais presente nos países desenvolvidos, tendo sido experimentado por diferentes tipos de empresas. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo compreender como e por que as empresas de call center e contact center utilizam o teletrabalho na prestação de serviços. As quatro empresas abordadas representam 92% do universo de empresas prestadoras desse serviço no Brasil, por meio de teletrabalhadores residenciais. Utilizou-se o método de pesquisa quali-quanti, com a combinação do método de estudo de caso e o método survey. As conclusões da pesquisa revelaram que o teletrabalho residencial tem sido utilizado com muito equilíbrio. As razões do uso desta modalidade foram: redução de custos; aumento da produtividade; melhoria da qualidade de atendimento aos clientes; possibilidade de oferecer melhor qualidade de vida aos teletrabalhadores residenciais e portadores de deficiência, proporcionando-lhes oportunidades de empregos com inclusão social e digital.

Linha ocupada, cliente livre!: um estudo sobre contact centers e fidelidade dos clientes de operadoras de telefonia celular

O presente estudo trata da influência do Contact Center na interação de clientes e empresas de telefonia celular e a resultante fidelização desses clientes. A interação entre os clientes e as empresas, quando bem gerenciada, pode ser um diferencial competitivo relevante, num mundo em que as inovações e sua disseminação ocorrem muito rapidamente. Ao contrário, um relacionamento mal gerenciado pode levar à infidelidade dos clientes e à conseqüente troca de fornecedor. Para avaliar a satisfação dos clientes sobre a sua interação com as empresas foi realizado um survey, enviando-se e-mails para usuários residentes no Estado de São Paulo e recebendo-se suas respostas por meio de um endereço na Web. Para a análise do tema, foram utilizadas as teorias de Marketing de Serviços, Marketing de Relacionamento e de Orientação ao Mercado, bem como estudos relacionados aos Contact Centers (ou call centers) e fidelidade. Esta pesquisa contempla três áreas principais: Orientação ao Mercado da empresa; qualidade dos serviços do Contact Center; e fidelidade do cliente. Para a análise dos dados que compõem o escopo desta pesquisa, foram aplicadas técnicas estatísticas de Análise Fatorial e de Análise de Conglomerados (ou Clusters). Além disso, foi realizada uma análise comparativa de fidelidade às principais operadoras e uma simulação para se estimarem as potenciais perdas de clientes. Os resultados apontam para uma grande insatisfação dos clientes com empresas de telefonia celular e com o atendimento em aspectos que lhe são mais urgentes, como o atendimento às suas necessidades e a eficiência do Contact Center. E também assinalam uma forte tendência à infidelidade. Com a vinda da portabilidade do número do celular a partir de 2009, que permite que o usuário mantenha seu número mesmo trocando de operadora, o risco é ainda maior. Neste caso, os resultados mostram que 64% dos clientes declaram sua infidelidade à operadora atual. A relevância deste estudo para as organizações é que o mesmo apresenta uma perspectiva sobre o Contact Center, como ponto de relacionamento e incremento da satisfação do cliente, bem como de um diferencial competitivo que, aparentemente, vem sendo pouco prestigiado pelos profissionais de marketing.

Involving users to successfully meet the challenges of the digital library: a 30 year personal reflection

Trabalho apresentado na conferência Os Desafios das Bibliotecas Digitais realizado na Fundação Getulio Vargas em agosto 2014

Tratamento termoquímico do titânio auxiliado por plasma de ar - N2 - O2

Discs were grade II cp Ti oxynitride by plasma of Ar - N2 - O2 using different proportions of individual gases. These ratios were established from analysis of optical emission spectroscopy (OES) of plasma species. The proportions that resulted in species whose spectra showed an abrupt change of light intensity were chosen for this study. Nanohardness tests revealed that there was a correlation between the intensity of N2 + species with the hardness, because the treatments where they had a higher intensity, obtained a higher value nanohardness, although the crystalline phases have remained unchanged. With respect to topography, it was observed that in general, the surface roughness is related to the intensities of plasma species, because they may have different values depending on the behavior of the species. Images obtained by optical microscopy revealed a surface with grains of different colors to optical reflectance showed a peak of reflection in the red area. Measures the contact angle and surface tension showed hydrophilic properties and hydrophilic with little variation of polar and dispersive components of surface tension