Pode Deus determinar o valor de pi? (Ou, pensar na objetividade depois de Hegel e Wittgenstein)

O trabalho discute alguns elementos comuns nas argumentações de Hegel e Wittgenstein contra a idéia de que objetividade deriva de uma pura receptividade. Discuto o impacto das observações de Wittgenstein sobre o que torna uma maneira de seguir regras correta para a maneira como pensamos em correção, contato com o mundo e verdade. Considero essas observações à luz do modo como Hegel faz uso de algumas idéias de Kant e como este uso ilumina o modo como podemos pensar no contato do nosso pensamento com o mundo. Entram na discussão algumas posições recomendadas contemporaneamente por filósofos como McDowell, Hornsby e Brandom. Termino sugerindo uma maneira de pensar na verdade que não invoca a imagem da adequatio intellectus ad rem e na objetividade que procura levar em conta os argumentos de Hegel e Wittgenstein contra a possibilidade de acesso ao mundo sem a interferência de práticas conceituais.

Comparison of Local Feature Detectors and Descriptors for Visual Object Categorization

Local features are used in many computer vision tasks including visual object categorization, content-based image retrieval and object recognition to mention a few. Local features are points, blobs or regions in images that are extracted using a local feature detector. To make use of extracted local features the localized interest points are described using a local feature descriptor. A descriptor histogram vector is a compact representation of an image and can be used for searching and matching images in databases. In this thesis the performance of local feature detectors and descriptors is evaluated for object class detection task. Features are extracted from image samples belonging to several object classes. Matching features are then searched using random image pairs of a same class. The goal of this thesis is to find out what are the best detector and descriptor methods for such task in terms of detector repeatability and descriptor matching rate.

Pencil grip : a descriptive model and four empirical studies

Previous studies on pencil grip have typically dealt with the developmental aspects in young children while handwriting research is mainly concerned with speed and legibility. Studies linking these areas are few. Evaluation of the existing pencil grip studies is hampered by methodological inconsistencies. The operational definitions of pencil grip arerational but tend to be oversimplified while detailed descriptors tend to be impractical due to their multiplicity. The present study introduces a descriptive two-dimensional model for the categorisation of pencil grip suitable for research applications in a classroom setting. The model is used in four empirical studies of children during the first six years of writing instruction. Study 1 describes the pencil grips observed in a large group of pupils in Finland (n = 504). The results indicate that in Finland the majority of grips resemble the traditional dynamic tripod grip. Significant genderrelated differences in pencil grip were observed. Study 2 is a longitudinal exploration of grip stability vs. change (n = 117). Both expected and unexpected changes were observed in about 25 per cent of the children's grips over four years. A new finding emerged using the present model for categorisation: whereas pencil grips would change, either in terms of ease of grip manipulation or grip configuration, no instances were found where a grip would have changed concurrently on both dimensions. Study 3 is a cross-cultural comparison of grips observed in Finland and the USA (n = 793). The distribution of the pencil grips observed in the American pupils was significantly different from those found in Finland. The cross-cultural disparity is most likely related to the differences in the onset of writing instruction. The differences between the boys' and girls' grips in the American group were non-significant.An implication of Studies 2 and 3 is that the initial pencil grip is of foremost importance since pencil grips are largely stable over time. Study 4 connects the pencil grips to assessment of the mechanics of writing (n = 61). It seems that certain previously not recommended pencil grips might nevertheless be includedamong those accepted since they did not appear to hamper either fluency or legibility.

A comparative study of four tree species used in riparian forest restoration along Uruguay River, Brazil

Silvicultural and ecological knowledge about tree species is basic to restoration planning, particularly in high diversity regions. Here we present a comparison of four native tree species from the middle Uruguay River basin, Brazil-Argentine frontier: Heliocarpus americanus L. (Malvaceae), Maclura tinctoria (L.) D. Don ex Steud. (Moraceae), Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) and Cordia trichotoma (Vell.) Arrab. ex Steud. (Boraginaceae). We obtained data on initial growth, light interception, litterfall and litter mineral contents. H. americanus presented the greatest height and the lowest value of height/crown width ratio. H. americanus and M. tinctoria presented the highest light interception rate (>94 %) and highest litterfall (879 ± 151 and 792 ± 164 g·m-2·year-1, respectively). For the set of species, the lowest litterfall occurred between July and September. H. americanus presented the highest K concentration (1.13%) in the litter, while C. trichotoma had the highest values of Ca and Mg (6.35 and 2.02 %, respectively). S. terebinthifolius had the lowest light interception rate and litter mineral content.

Operational characteristics of four metering systems for agricultural fertilizers and amendments

The use of fertilizers and solid amendments in agriculture generates special interest for their effect on crop productivity, as well as for their environmental impact. The efficient use of these products demands knowing their physical and mechanical properties, the storing conditions effect and the operational characteristics of the metering systems used in the fertilizing equipment. In this context, the present study was developed with the purpose of evaluating the operational characteristics of different fertilizing metering systems and to determine the adequate metering system-product operational parameters, using powder lime, powder gypsum, granular 10-30-10 (N-P-K), and granular urea. Operational differences were established among four types of commercial fertilizer metering systems, including wire auger, star-shaped feed wheel, feed screw and ridged traction wheel. The study found that the unloading rate depends directly on the fertilizer metering system's rotating speed and is affected by particle size, repose angle, bulk density and moisture content of the applied product. The wire auger and star-shaped feed wheel metering systems were adequate for the distribution of powder products and the feed screw for granulated fertilizers. Furthermore, theoretical and experimental characteristic equations were established, defining curves for calibration and handling of the products plus the rotating speed range in which a better distributing behavior was achieved.

Evaluation of tractive performance of four agricultural tractors in laterally inclined terrain

The present work aimed to evaluate the tractive performance of four agricultural tractors with auxiliary front traction in function of six lateral inclinations in a lateral track of trials, which belongs to the Agronomic Sciences Faculty from the São Paulo State University, Campus of Botucatu. The lateral inclinations were 0; 5; 10; 15; 20 and 25 degrees. In all of these situations, the tractors operated with predetermined load of an imposed traction to the pulled tractor of 40 kN in the inclination of 0 degrees. Hence a delineation in random blocks was used, considering six inclinations and four tractors, and with three repetitions for each treatment. The analyzed variables were slippage, tractive force, hourly fuel consumption, and speed. It was concluded that the pneumatic tire configurations influenced in the tractive performance of the tractors, as they increased the lateral inclinations of the terrain.

Erosion factors and magnetic susceptibility in differet compartments of a slope in Gilbués-PI, Brazil

The erosion is the degradation of soil with effects on crop productivity and pollution of the environment. To understand the spatial variability of this phenomenon, geostatistical techniques and concepts of soil-landscape can be used to identify landscape compartments with different potential of erosion. The aim of this study was to understand the factors of erosion in landscape compartments and the relations with the magnetic susceptibility (MS) of the soils in a slope in Gilbués, state of Piauí (PI), Brazil. Sampling meshes were set in compartments I and II with 121 points and in compartment III with 99 points spaced every 10 meters. There was significant difference to erodibility (K) and risk of erosion (RE); the spatial variability of MS was lower than the factors of soil erosion. The soil losses (A), the natural erosion potential (NEP), the RE and the MS had spatial relation with the topographic factor, indicating dependence of the erosion with the relief. We concluded that losses of soil, natural erosion potential and risk of erosion have spatial relation with the topographic factor, showing the dependence of the erosion factors with the relief. The soil magnetic susceptibility can be used as an auxiliary variable in the indirect quantification of the erodibility factor and the risk of soil erosion.

Physical-chemical characterization and wet milling yield of four maize hybrids

The influence of physical-chemical characteristics of maize grains and lactic acid concentrations on byproduct yields, generated by conventional wet milling, was studied during steeping, for four maize hybrids and two lactic acid concentrations (0.55 and 1.00%). For physical-chemical characterization, grain dimensions (length, thickness, and width) were determined, as well as mass of 100 grains, percentage of floating grains, volumetric mass, and centesimal composition. Statistical differences were found for percentage of floating grains (2.33 to 24.67%), volumetric mass (0.814 to 0.850 kg.L-1), mass of 100 grains (0.033 to 0.037 kg), water content (11.86 to 12.20%), proteins (8.21 to 9.06%), lipids (3.00 to 4.77%), and ashes (1.07 to 1.26%). There were no relationships of wet milling yields with maize appearance and physical-chemical characteristics. The addition of 1.00% lactic acid did not statistically improve byproduct yields; however, it favored separation of the grain components.

Esplenectomia subtotal, em cães, com preservação do pólo inferior(PI) suprido por vasos do ligamento gastroesplênico

O objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar a viabilidade do pólo inferior (PI) do baço de cães, após a ligadura e secção da artéria e veia esplênicas. Foram operados 24 cães, mestiços, machos, com peso variando entre 12kg e 14kg. Os animais anestesiados foram submetidos a laparotomia mediana supra e infra-umbilical, com 12cm de comprimento. Nos do grupo 1 fez-se a ligadura e secção da porção superior do ligamento gastroesplênico, ligadura e secção da artéria e veia esplênicas. Após a ligadura do ramo descendente dos vasos esplênicos, o baço foi seccionado transversalmente, a superfície de corte do PI foi suturada e a peça enviada para estudo microscópico. A parede abdominal foi suturada por planos. Os cães foram mantidos vivos e sacrificados no sétimo (subgrupo I A - quatro cães), 15° (subgrupo 18 - cinco cães), trigésimo (subgrupo I C - quatro cães) e septuagésimo dia (subgrupo I D - três cães). Nessa ocasião, o Pl foi retirado para estudo. No grupo 2, três cães foram submetidos a laparotomia e manipulação do baço (controle 2 - simulação), para controle morfológico. Esse procedimento foi feito no 15° dia (subgrupo 2A - dois cães) e no sexagésimo dia (subgrupo 28 - um cão). Dos 24 cães operados, cinco foram a óbito. A causa foi evisceração (dois cães), hemorragia intraperitoneal (um cão), hemorragia digestiva baixa de causa não esclarecida (um cão) e indeterminada (um caso). O exame macroscópico do PI comparado àquele dos controles I e 2 mostrou aspecto duvidoso em apenas dois casos, onde o PI apresentava-se aderido firmemente à parede abdominal e alças intestinais. Não houve, no entanto, diferença estatisticamente significante (p>O.O5 - teste exato de Fisher) no número de casos viáveis entre os grupos controles e grupo I. O exame microscópico do PI, comparado àqueles do restante do baço (controle I) e ao controle 2 (simulação), mostrou que a referida porção apresentou alterações morfológicas discretas, na maioria dos casos, e sinais de regressão em dois casos. Esse número não induziu, também, resultados estatisticamente significante (p>O.O5). A análise dos nossos resultados nos permitiu concluir que o PI do baço de cães manteve-se viável em 86,6% dos casos, mesmo com a ligadura da artéria e veia esplênicas.

Cultural Diversity, Social Cohesion, Religion: Core Values and Educational Policies in Four European Nations

In my doctoral thesis I evaluate strategies designed to cope with the multicultural nature of four European nations: Great Britain, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark. I also analyse and clarify the question of the place of religion in present-day Europe. The empirical material analysed in the study consists of politicians’ statements and policy documents dealing with immigration policy and religious and values education in the four countries. In addition, I analyse statements issued by the Council of Europe regarding religious education, along with all cases relevant to religious education brought before the United Nations Human Rights Committee or the European Court of Human Rights. The theoretical framework is formed by the scholarly debate – among philosophers, sociologists and scholars of religion in education – concerning the question of a just society. Special emphasis is given to philosophical theories that are in favour of granting special group rights to religious minorities in the name of equal treatment. With regard to the question of the appropriate place of religion, I apply Kim Knott’s methodological model for locating religion in secular contexts, and Émile Durkheim’s theory as to the significance of religion and collective sentiments in uniting adherents or members of a group into a single moral community. The study shows that even when the positive side of immigration, as a potential force for the enrichment of the public culture, is acknowledged, there is anxiety as to the successful integration of immigrants. The premises and goals of immigration policies have also been questioned. One central problem is the incommensurability between the values upheld by Western liberal democracies and certain religious traditions, above all those of Islam. Great Britain, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark have tightened control over their citizens’ ethical attitudes and want to regulate these as well. In coping with cultural diversity, the significance of education, especially religious education, plays a significant role; as future citizens, pupils are expected to internalise the society’s core values as well as gaining an understanding of different cultures and ways of life. It is also worth noting that both the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights have recently expressed the view that one important goal of religious education is to enable pupils to be critical and autonomous with regard to different religions and moral positions. The study shows that religion is not seen as purely a personal matter. Religion is closely linked to individual and national identity, and religious traditions thus have a place in the public domain. It should be noted, however, that a religious tradition – more precisely, an interpretation of religious tradition – qualifies as a legitimate partner in the democratic decision-making process only if it shares similar values with Western European nations.

Four-arm single docking full robotic surgery for low rectal cancer: technique standardization

The authors present the four-arm single docking full robotic surgery to treat low rectal cancer. The eight main operative steps are: 1- patient positioning; 2- trocars set-up and robot docking; 3- sigmoid colon, left colon and splenic flexure mobilization (lateral-to-medial approach); 4-Inferior mesenteric artery and vein ligation (medial-to-lateral approach); 5- total mesorectum excision and preservation of hypogastric and pelvic autonomic nerves (sacral dissection, lateral dissection, pelvic dissection); 6- division of the rectum using an endo roticulator stapler for the laparoscopic performance of a double-stapled coloanal anastomosis (type I tumor); 7- intersphincteric resection, extraction of the specimen through the anus and lateral-to-end hand sewn coloanal anastomosis (type II tumor); 8- cylindric abdominoperineal resection, with transabdominal section of the levator muscles (type IV tumor). The techniques employed were safe and have presented low rates of complication and no mortality.

Design and characterization of large area position sensitive radiation detectors

Planar, large area, position sensitive silicon detectors are widely utilized in high energy physics research and in medical, computed tomography (CT). This thesis describes author's research work relating to development of such detector components. The key motivation and objective for the research work has been the development of novel, position sensitive detectors improving the performance of the instruments they are intended for. Silicon strip detectors are the key components of barrel-shaped tracking instruments which are typically the innermost structures of high energy physics experimental stations. Particle colliders such as the former LEP collider or present LHC produce particle collisions and the silicon strip detector based trackers locate the trajectories of particles emanating from such collisions. Medical CT has become a regular part of everyday medical care in all developed countries. CT scanning enables x-ray imaging of all parts of the human body with an outstanding structural resolution and contrast. Brain, chest and abdomen slice images with a resolution of 0.5 mm are possible and latest CT machines are able to image whole human heart between heart beats. The two application areas are presented shortly and the radiation detection properties of planar silicon detectors are discussed. Fabrication methods and preamplifier electronics of the planar detectors are presented. Designs of the developed, large area silicon detectors are presented and measurement results of the key operating parameters are discussed. Static and dynamic performance of the developed silicon strip detectors are shown to be very satisfactory for experimental physics applications. Results relating to the developed, novel CT detector chips are found to be very promising for further development and all key performance goals are met.

Caracterização da violência sexual em mulheres atendidas no projeto Maria-Maria em Teresina-PI

OBJETIVO: avaliar as características da violência sexual contra mulheres, os tipos de crimes sexuais e as lesões corporais resultantes. METODOS: estudo descritivo baseado nas informações de 102 prontuários de vítimas de violência sexual atendidas no Projeto Maria-Maria, de março de 2002 a março de 2003, que atendiam aos critérios de elegibilidade. Foram descritos as características da violência, os tipos de crime e as lesões corporais sofridas. Para tabulação e análise dos dados utilizou-se o programa Epi-Info, versão 6.04, para percentual simples e distribuição de freqüência. RESULTADOS: a idade das vítimas variou de 1 a 68 anos; 65,7% eram menores de 20 anos e uma em cada quatro tinham até nove anos de idade. A maioria era solteira (78,3%) e com baixa escolaridade (74,2%). O crime predominou no período noturno (64,7%), em local ermo com maior freqüência (39,2%), seguido da residência da vítima (34,3%), e no local da abordagem (67,6%). Entre as vítimas adolescentes predominou perpetrador desconhecido, ao passo que as crianças foram vítimas exclusivamente de homens conhecidos. No caso de crianças menores de dez anos o atentado ao pudor foi o crime mais freqüente (73,8%) e para as adolescentes, o estupro (66,4%). Os traumas corporais ocorreram em 76,7% dos casos, destacando-se os hematomas, edema vulvar e escoriações. CONCLUSÕES: a violência sexual predominou em crianças e adolescentes, solteiras e com baixa escolaridade. A agressão ocorreu mais à noite, por desconhecidos, em local ermo nas adolescentes e por conhecidos (vizinhos principalmente), nos domicílios, nas crianças. O estupro prevaleceu em maiores de dez anos e o atentado violento ao pudor nas crianças de um a nove anos, habitualmente associados a traumas genitais e corporais.