Intrinsic chess rating

This paper develops and tests formulas for representing playing strength at chess by the quality of moves played, rather than by the results of games. Intrinsic quality is estimated via evaluations given by computer chess programs run to high depth, ideally so that their playing strength is sufficiently far ahead of the best human players as to be a `relatively omniscient' guide. Several formulas, each having intrinsic skill parameters s for `sensitivity' and c for `consistency', are argued theoretically and tested by regression on large sets of tournament games played by humans of varying strength as measured by the internationally standard Elo rating system. This establishes a correspondence between Elo rating and the parameters. A smooth correspondence is shown between statistical results and the century points on the Elo scale, and ratings are shown to have stayed quite constant over time. That is, there has been little or no `rating inflation'. The theory and empirical results are transferable to other rational-choice settings in which the alternatives have well-defined utilities, but in which complexity and bounded information constrain the perception of the utility values.

Magnetotelluric deep soundings, gravity and geoid in the south Sao Francisco craton: Geophysical indicators of cratonic lithosphere rejuvenation and crustal underplating

In the south Sao Francisco craton a circular and 8-m amplitude geoid anomaly coincides with the outcropping terrain of an Archean-Paleoproterozoic basement. Broadband magnetotelluric (MT) data inversions of two radial profiles within the positive geoid and Bouguer gravity anomaly yield geo-electrical crustal sections, whereby the lower crust is locally more conductive (10 to 100 Omega m) in spatial coincidence with a denser lower crust modeled by the gravity data. This anomalous lower crust may have resulted from magmatic underplating, associated with Mesoarchean and Proterozoic episodes of tholeiitic dike intrusion. Long-period MT soundings reveal a low electrical resistivity mantle (20 to 200 Omega m) from depths beyond 120 km. Forward geoid modeling, using the scope of the low electrical resistivity region within the mantle as a constraint, entails a density increase (40 to 50 kg/m(3)) possibly due to Fe enrichment of mantle minerals. However, this factor alone does not explain the observed resistivity. A supplemented presence of small amounts of percolated carbonatite melting (similar to 0.005 vol.%), dissolved water and enhanced oxygen fugacity within the peridotitic mantle are viable agents that could explain the less resistive upper mantle. We propose that metasomatic processes confined in the sub-continental lithospheric mantle foster the conditions for a low degree melting with variable CO(2), H(2)O and Fe content. Even though the precise age of this metasomatism is unknown it might be older than the Early Cretaceous based on the evidence that a high-degree of melting in a lithospheric mantle impregnated with carbonatites originated the tholeiitic dike intrusions dispersed from the southeastern border of the Sao Francisco craton, during the onset of the lithosphere extension and break-up of the western Gondwana. The proxies are the NE Parana and Espinhaco (130 Ma, Ar/Ar ages) tholeiitic dikes, which contain (similar to 3%) carbonatites in their composition. The occurrence of a positive geoid anomaly (+ 10 m) and pre-tholeiites (age > 138 Ma), carbonatites and kimberlites along the west African continental margin (Angola and Namibia) reinforces the presumed age of the Sao Francisco-Congo craton rejuvenation to be prior to its fragmentation in the Lower Cretaceous. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Generic relationships and dating of lineages in Winteraceae based on nuclear (ITS) and plastid (rpS16 and psbA-trnH) sequence data

Phylogenetic analyses of representative species from the five genera of Winteraceae (Drimys, Pseudowintera, Takhtajania, Tasmannia, and Zygogynum s.l.) were performed using ITS nuclear sequences and a combined data-set of ITS + psbA-trnH + rpS16 sequences (sampling of 30 and 15 species, respectively). Indel informativity using simple gap coding or gaps as a fifth character was examined in both data-sets. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses support the monophyly of Drimys, Tasmannia, and Zygogynum s.l., but do not support the monophyly of Belliolum, Zygogynum s.s., and Bubbia. Within Drimys, the combined data-set recovers two subclades. Divergence time estimates suggest that the splitting between Drimys and its sister clade (Pseudowintera + Zygogynum s.l.) occurred around the end of the Cretaceous; in contrast, the divergence between the two subclades within Drimys is more recent (15.5-18.5 MY) and coincides in time with the Andean uplift. Estimates suggest that the earliest divergences within Winteraceae could have predated the first events of Gondwana fragmentation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of trace element levels in muscles, liver and gonad of fish species from Sao Francisco River of the Parana Brazilian state by using SR-TXRF technique

This study is focused on the analysis of an accumulation of inorganic elements in muscles, liver and gonad of seven fish species from Sao Francisco River located in the Parana state of Brazil. Concentrations of the elements were determined using the SR-TXRF technique. In the muscles of fish species, negative length dependent relationships were observed for chromium and zinc ion absorption. The obtained results showed that accumulated Cr ions values are above the limits defined in the Brazilian legislative norm on food. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.

Tectonic fabric revealed by AARM of the proterozoic mafic dike swarm in the Salvador city (Bahia state): Sao Francisco Craton, NE Brazil

Magnetic fabric and rock magnetism studies were performed on 25 unmetamorphosed mafic dikes of the Meso-Late Proterozoic (similar to 1.02 Ga) dike swarm from Salvador (Bahia State, NE Brazil). This area lies in the north-eastern part of the Sao Francisco Craton, which was dominantly formed/reworked during the Transamazonian orogeny (2.14-1.94 Ga). The dikes crop out along the beaches and in quarries around Salvador city, and cut across both amphibolite dikes and granulites. Their widths range from a few centimeters up to 30 m with an average of similar to 4 m, and show two main trends N 140-190 and N 100-120 with vertical dips. Magnetic fabrics were determined using both anisotropy of low-field magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and anisotropy of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (AARM). The magnetic mineralogy was investigated by many experiments including remanent magnetization measurements at variable low temperatures (10-300 K), Mossbauer spectroscopy, high temperature magnetization curves (25-700 degrees C) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The rock magnetism study suggests pseudo-single-domain magnetite grains carrying the bulk magnetic susceptibility and AARM fabrics. The magnetite grains found in these dikes are large and we discard the presence of single-domain grains. Its composition is close to stoichiometric with low Ti substitution, and its Verwey transition occurs around 120 K. The main AMS fabric recognized in the swarm is so-called normal, in which the K(max)-K(int) plane is parallel to the dike plane and the magnetic foliation pole K(min)) is perpendicular to it. This fabric is interpreted as due to magma flow, and analysis of the K m inclination permitted to infer that approximately 80% of the dikes were fed by horizontal or sub-horizontal flows (K(max) < 30 degrees). This interpretation is supported by structural field evidence found in five dikes. In addition, based on the plunge of K(max), two mantle sources could be inferred; one of them which fed about 80% of the swarm would be located in the southern part of the region, and the other underlied the Valeria quarry. However, for all dikes the AARM tensors are not coaxial with AMS fabrics and show a magnetic lineation (AARM(max)) oriented to N30-60E, suggesting that magnetite grains were rotated clockwise from dike plane. The orientation of AARM lineation is similar to the orientation of a system of faults in which the Salvador normal fault is the most important. These faults were formed during Cretaceous rifting in the Reconcavo-Tucano-jatoba assemblage that corresponds to an aborted intra-continental rift formed during the opening of the South Atlantic. Therefore, the AARM fabric found for the Salvador dikes is probably tectonic in origin and suggests that the dike swarm was affected by the important tectonic event responsible for the break-up of the Gondwanaland. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Neoproterozoic glacial dynamics revealed by provenance of diamictites of the Bebedouro Formation, Sao Francisco Craton, Central Eastern Brazil

One of the main questions on Neoproterozoic geology regards the extent and dynamics of the glacial systems that are recorded in all continents. We present evidence for short transport distances and localized sediment sources for the Bebedouro Formation, which records Neoproterozoic glaciomarine sedimentation in the central-eastern Sao Francisco Craton (SFC), Brazil. New data are presented on clast composition, based on point counting in thin section and SHRIMP dating of pebbles and detrital zircon. Cluster analysis of clast compositional data revealed a pronounced spatial variability of clast composition on diamictite indicating the presence of individual glaciers or ice streams feeding the basin. Detrital zircon ages reveal distinct populations of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic age. The youngest detrital zircon dated at 874 +/- 9 Ma constrains the maximum depositional age of these diamictites. We interpret the provenance of the glacial diamictites to be restricted to sources inside the SFC, suggesting deposition in an environment similar to ice streams from modern, high latitude glaciers.

Mineralogy and trace-element geochemistry of the high-grade iron ores of the Aguas Claras Mine and comparison with the Capao Xavier and Tamandua iron ore deposits, Quadrilahero Ferrifero, Brazil

Several major iron deposits occur in the Quadrilatero Ferrifero (QF), southeastern region of Brazil, where metamorphosed and heterogeneously deformed banded iron formation (BIF) of the Caue Formation, regionally called itabirite, was transformed into high- (Fe >64%) and lowgrade (30%

Rhyacian (2.23-2.20 Ga) juvenile accretion in the southern Sao Francisco craton, Brazil: Geochemical and isotopic evidence from the Serrinha magmatic suite, Mineiro belt

The Serrinha magmatic suite (Mineiro belt) crops out in the southern edge of the Sao Francisco craton, comprising the Brito quartz-diorite, Brumado de Cima and Brumado de Baixo granodiorites, granophyres and felsic sub-volcanic and volcanic rocks, part of which intruded into the Nazareno greenstone belt. The suite rocks have petrographic features that are consistent with magma supercooling due to the low water content combined with volatile loss, leading to crystallization of quartz and alkaline feldspar at the rims of plagioclase phenocrysts (granophyric intergrowth). The investigated rocks are sub-alkaline, calc-alkaline and show low content in rare earth elements. The U-Pb zircon crystallization ages for the Brumado de Cima granodiorite [2227 +/- 22 (23) Ma] and a coeval granophyre [2211 +/- 22 (23) Ma], coupled with available single-zircon Pb evaporation ages for the Brito and Brumado de Baixo plutons, are significantly older than the ""Minas orogeny"" (ca. 2100-2050 Ga) of Quadrilatero Ferrifero area, eastward from the Serrinha suite. Our data establish an early Rhyacian event tectonically linked with the evolution of the Mineiro belt. The bulk Nd isotopic signature [low negative to positive epsilon(Nd(t)) values] of the Serrinha samples are consistent with the important role of Paleoproterozoic mantle components in the magma genesis. The integrated geologic, geochemical and isotopic information suggests that Paleoproterozoic evolution of the Mineiro belt initiated in a passive continental margin basin with deposition of the Minas Supergroup at ca. 2500 Ma. This stage was succeeded by outboard rupture of the oceanic lithosphere with development and coalescence of progressively younger magmatic arcs during Rhyacian time. One of the earliest arcs formed the Serrinha suite. The tectonic collage of the Serrinha and Ritapolis (2190-2120 Ma) arcs produced the NE-SW Lenheiro shear zone, resulting in mylonitization and recrystallization of both the granitoid intrusions and host rocks. As a matter of fact juxtaposition of distinct magmatic units in age and origin took place along the Lenheiros structure in this sector of the Mineiro belt. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Crise de imagem ou oportunidade de mídia? os bastidores do caso Eloá/Nayara

Artigo apresentado em congresso nacional de comunicação

Nível de satisfação dos pais do ensino fundamental da sociedade caritativa e literária de São Francisco de Assis-ZN (SCALIFRA-ZN), no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul

A satisfação do cliente tem se colocado como prioridade de investigação para acadêmicos e praticantes de marketing nas últimas décadas. Isto se deve à difusão do conceito de marketing, e o consequente aumento do interesse pela retenção dos clientes. As escolas de ensino fundamental no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul passam pelo mesmo fenômeno, devido ao crescimento do número de concorrentes e da intensidade competitiva. Este trabalho, realizado no início de 2001, objetiva mensurar e analisar a satisfação dos clientes de quatro escolas de ensino fundamental da SCALIFRA-ZN no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, indicando, como conclusão, pontos de melhoria a serem seguidos pelas mesmas.

Identificação dos elementos determinantes das decisões de produção do elo primário da cadeia produtiva do milho na região extremo-oeste do Paraná

O presente trabalho objetivou a identificação dos elementos determinantes nas decisões de produção do elo primário da cadeia produtiva do milho na região extremo-oeste do Paraná. Para a elaboração deste estudo, foram utilizados elementos de cunho quantitativo e qualitativo. Os dados das fonte primárias foram coletados através de um questionário de perguntas fechadas, direcionado a agricultores (50), caracterizando a pesquisa quantitativa, na qual, posteriormente, os dados foram descritos e analisados; e de uma entrevista estruturada, direcionada aos engenheiros agrônomos e aos técnicos agrícolas que atendiam àqueles agricultores. Já os dados de fontes secundárias foram coletados a partir de documentos que se referiam ao objeto de estudo, tais quais: livros, artigos, pesquisas, etc. Os resultados apresentados demonstraram a fragilidade das decisões de produção. No que se refere à capacidade de produção, conclui-se que os agricultores se utilizam de um planejamento prévio, considerando o preço da soja no mercado e o clima, além das projeções de comercialização do grão. Quanto às instalações e ao nível tecnológico, a totalidade dos referidos agricultores possue algum tipo de equipamento, principalmente trator, pulverizador e plantadeira de plantio convencional e utiliza-se da rotação de cultura e da safrinha; quanto às instalações físicas, apenas 18% possuem silo para armazenagem do grão e 10% possuem secadores. No que se refere à integração vertical e à relação com fornecedores, 94% dos agricultores comercializam o grão optando principalmente por cerealistas e cooperativas. Quanto aos recursos humanos empregados, estes caracterizam-se pelos proprietários, cuja escolaridade divide-se entre 1º e 2º graus, além de um número limitado de funcionários (de 1 a 3). A disponibilização das informações ocorre via jornais, revistas e programas de rádio e de televisão especializados. Quanto a qualidade do grão utilizado para o plantio, observou-se a busca por sementes híbridas precoces e superprecoces. Em vista da pesquisa, é possível considerar que, apesar da existência de um certo padrão de produção junto às propriedades, as decisões de produção dos agricultores baseiam-se mais na experiência do que em quaisquer argumentos científicos.