Actors and Continuous Functionals

This paper presents precise versions of some "laws" that must be satisfied by computations involving communicating parallel processes. The laws take the form of stating plausible restrictions on the histories of computations that are physically realizable. The laws are very general in that they are obeyed by parallel processes executing on a time varying number of distributed physical processors.

Program Improvement by Automatic Redistribution of Intermediate Results

Introducing function sharing into designs allows eliminating costly structure by adapting existing structure to perform its function. This can eliminate many inefficiencies of reusing general componentssin specific contexts. "Redistribution of intermediate results'' focuses on instances where adaptation requires only addition/deletion of data flow and unused code removal. I show that this approach unifies and extends several well-known optimization classes. The system performs search and screening by deriving, using a novel explanation-based generalization technique, operational filtering predicates from input teleological information. The key advantage is to focus the system's effort on optimizations that are easier to prove safe.

Switching Between Discrete and Continuous Process Models to Predict Molecular Genetic Activity

Two kinds of process models have been used in programs that reason about change: Discrete and continuous models. We describe the design and implementation of a qualitative simulator, PEPTIDE, which uses both kinds of process models to predict the behavior of molecular energetic systems. The program uses a discrete process model to simulate both situations involving abrupt changes in quantities and the actions of small numbers of molecules. It uses a continuous process model to predict gradual changes in quantities. A novel technique, called aggregation, allows the simulator to switch between theses models through the recognition and summary of cycles. The flexibility of PEPTIDE's aggregator allows the program to detect cycles within cycles and predict the behavior of complex situations.

Improvement of direct methanol fuel cell performance by modifying catalyst coated membrane structure

A five-layer catalyst coated membrane (CCM) based upon Nation 115 membrane for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) was designed and fabricated by introducing a modified Nafion layer between the membrane and the catalyst layer. The properties of the CCM were determined by SEM, cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, ruinous test and I-V curves. The characterizations show that the modified Nation layers provide increased interface contact area and enhanced interaction between the membrane and the catalyst layer. As a result, higher Pt utilization, lower contact resistance and superior durability of membrane electrode assembly was achieved. A 75% Pt utilization efficiency was obtained by using the novel CCM structure, whereas the conventional structure gave 60% efficiency. All these features greatly contribute to the increase in DMFC performance. The DMFC with new CCM structure presented a maximum power density of 260 MW cm(-2), but the DMFC with conventional structure gave only 200 mW cm(-2) under the same operation condition. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Continuous configuration time-dependent self-consistent field method for polyatomic quantum dynamical problems

A new continuous configuration time-dependent self-consistent field method has been developed to study polyatomic dynamical problems by using the discrete variable representation for the reaction system, and applied to a reaction system coupled to a bath. The method is very efficient because the equations involved are as simple as those in the traditional single configuration approach, and can account for the correlations between the reaction system and bath modes rather well. (C) American Institute of Physics.

Girolando breed genetic improvement program - Sire summary - Progeny test results - July/2015.

The Girolando breed progeny test was established in 1997, as a result of the partnership between Girolando and Embrapa Dairy Cattle. In 2007, the Programa de Melhoramento Genético da Raça Girolando? PMGG (Genetic Improvement Program of the Girolando Breed) was implemented. Besides interacting with previously existing initiatives of the Girolando Breeders Association, such as the genealogical register service, the progeny test and the dairy control service, the PMGG launched the Linear Evaluation System (SLAG). The main objectives of the PMGG comprises identification of genetically superior individuals, the technically-oriented multiplication of genetics, the evaluation of economic traits and the promotion of sustainable dairy activities. The program have yielded impressive results. The Girolando breed semen sales increases faster than any other breed in Brazil.

The Development of a Holistic and Quantitative Tool for the Assessment and Improvement of Survey Quality.

There are a variety of guidelines and methods available to measure and assess survey quality. Most of these are based on qualitative descriptions. In practice, they are not easy to implement and it is very difficult to make comparisons between surveys. Hence there is a theoretical and pragmatic demand to develop a mainly quantitative based survey assessment tool. This research aimed to meet this need and make contributions to the evaluation and improvement of survey quality. Acknowledging the critical importance of measurement issues in survey research, this thesis starts with a comprehensive introduction to measurement theory and identifies the types of measurement errors associated with measurement procedures through three experiments. Then it moves on to describe concepts, guidelines and methods available for measuring and assessing survey quality. Combining these with measurement principles leads to the development of a quantitative based statistical holistic tool to measure and assess survey quality. The criteria, weights and subweights for the assessment tool are determined using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) and a survey questionnaire based on the Delphi method. Finally the model is applied to a database of surveys which was constructed to develop methods of classification, assessment and improvement of survey quality. The model developed in this thesis enables survey researchers and/or commissioners to make a holistic assessment of the value of the particular survey(s). This model is an Excel based audit which takes a holistic approach, following all stages of the survey from inception, to design, construction, execution, analysis and dissemination. At each stage a set of criteria are applied to assess quality. Scores attained against these assessments are weighted by the importance of the criteria and summed to give an overall assessment of the stage. The total score for a survey can be obtained by a combination of the scores for every stage weighted again by the importance of each stage. The advantage of this is to construct a means of survey assessment which can be used in a diagnostic manner to assess and improve survey quality.

La trayectoria deportiva hacia el rendimiento en los deportes colectivos

¿Cómo es la trayectoria seguida por un jugador de fútbol desde que empieza a dar sus primeros pasos con el balón hasta que alcanza el rendimiento que le permita competir en la liga profesional de fútbol?, ¿cómo ocurre en el baloncesto o en el balonmano? Son muchos los factores que influirán sin duda alguna en dicho proceso. Entre dichos factores, en los últimos años, se ha considerado de forma detenida la influencia de la “practica deliberada” en el desarrollo del deportista. Sin embargo, son varios los autores y estudios que explican que no solo influye dicha practica, sino que también es muy importante la influencia del “juego deliberado”, bien en el mismo deporte, bien en otras especialidades deportivas, y que ambos tipos de practica son compatibles formando un continuum en el tiempo. Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar el estado de la arte en torno a este debate, en el ámbito de los deportes colectivos, analizando si en los deportes colectivos los deportistas se especializan al principio en un solo deporte o bien si practican varias disciplinas deportivas para finalmente dedicarse exclusivamente a un deporte. Los resultados apuntan a que no existe un único camino en el desarrollo del deportista, y que razones de carácter social y cultural son las que realmente condicionan dicho proceso

An artificial immune system for continuous analysis of time-varying data

M. Neal, An Artificial Immune System for Continuous Analysis of Time-Varying Data, in Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Artificial Immune Systems (ICARIS), 2002, eds J Timmis and P J Bentley, volume 1, pages 76-85,

Blood and urinary abnormalities induced during and after 24-hour continuous running: A case report

In this reported clinical case, a healthy and well-trained male subject [aged 37 years, maximal oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2max) 64 mL·kg·min] ran for 23 hours and 35 minutes covering 160 km (6.7 km/h average running speed). The analysis of hematological and biochemical parameters 3 days before the event, just after termination of exercise, and after 24 and 48 hours of recovery revealed important changes on muscle and liver function, and hemolysis. The analysis of urine sediments showed an increment of red and white blood cells filtrations, compatible with transient nephritis. After 48 hours, most of these alterations were recovered. Physicians and health professionals who monitor such athletic events should be aware that these athletes could exhibit transient symptoms compatible with severe pathologies and diseases, although the genesis of these blood and urinary abnormalities are attributable to transient physiological adaptations rather to pathological status.

Holevo-Ordering and the Continuous-Time Limit for Open Floquet Dynamics

Gough, John, (2004) 'Holevo-Ordering and the Continuous-Time Limit for Open Floquet Dynamics', Letters in Mathematical Physcis 67(3) pp.207-221 RAE2008

Diurnal variation in uptake and xylem contents of inorganic and assimilated N under continuous and interrupted N supply to Phleum pratense and Festuca pratensis

J. H. Macduff and A. K. Bakken. (2003). Diurnal variation in uptake and xylem contents of inorganic and assimilated N under continuous and interrupted N supply to Phleum pratense and Festuca pratensis. Journal of Experimental Botany, 54 (381) pp.431-444 Sponsorship: BBSRC / Norwegian Crop Research Institute RAE2008

A contribuição da implementação dos 5s para a melhoria contínua da qualidade num serviço de imagiologia

Este artigo pretende apresentar um estudo de caso realizado no serviço de imagiologia do hospital fernando da fonseca (HFF). Com o objectivo de elaborar-se e implementar-se um modelo de aplicação dos cinco sensos (5s) no hff, pretendendo-se contribuir para a melhoria contínua da qualidade. Concluiu-se que a implementação dos 5s no serviço de imagiologia do hff contribuiu para a melhoria contínua da qualidade. This article aims to present a case study conducted in the imagiology service at fernando fonseca hospital (ffh). In order to prepare and to implement an application model of the five senses (5s) in ffh, aiming to contribute for a continuous quality improvement. It was concluded that the implementation of the 5s in the imagiology service of ffh contributed to a continuous quality improvement.

Avaliação da Qualidade de Serviço Percebida e da Satisfação dos Clientes

Tese apresentada à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Doutor em Ciências Empresariais, especialidade em Gestão