Avaliação do comportamento mecânico de blindagens balísticas

Desde os primórdios da história, o ser humano tem procurado criar e aperfeiçoar mecanismos que o protejam das agressões do inimigo. Neste sentido, o desenvolvimento técnico e científico em torno das blindagens tem procurado contrariar o constante aperfeiçoamento dos projécteis e do seu poder de penetração. De facto, as blindagens são muitas vezes desenvolvidas para fins específicos de forma a aumentar o seu desempenho na protecção de pessoas e equipamentos. Para cumprir este objectivo, é muitas vezes necessário recorrer a soluções inovadoras, tanto em termos dos materiais e da respectiva qualidade/quantidade utilizada no fabrico, como ao nível do formato da própria blindagem. A avaliação do desempenho das blindagens é extremamente importante para garantir a segurança do utilizador nas mais diversas actividades, tanto militares, como civis. No entanto, esta informação é considerada muitas vezes sigilosa pelo risco que representa para a sociedade militar e civil, e/ou por fortes interesses económicos por parte das empresas que comercializam estes equipamentos de protecção. Quando realizada, esta avaliação restringe-se geralmente a aspectos meramente qualitativos, tais como a verificação do dano produzido pelo projéctil. No entanto, não é usual avaliar o valor da energia remanescente de impacto que, não sendo absorvida pela blindagem, é transmitida ao utilizador ou equipamento. Por outras palavras, será a não penetrabilidade da blindagem uma condição suficiente para garantir a segurança? A presente investigação incidiu no desenvolvimento de uma metodologia experimental inovadora que permita quantificar a energia remanescente de impacto, transmitida através da blindagem ao utilizador, a quando da interacção com o projéctil. Para permitir realizar os ensaios balísticos em condições laboratoriais controladas foi desenvolvido um sistema de impulsão electromagnética que possibilita a ausência de ruído, de fumos ou clarões, consentindo o disparo de diferentes tipos de projécteis com ajuste contínuo da energia de impacto. Para testar a metodologia desenvolvida foram utilizadas blindagens representativas das actividades do Exército Português. De facto, o contributo do presente trabalho permite preencher uma lacuna na avaliação de blindagens, apresentando-se como uma mais-valia, na medida que poderá ser utilizado futuramente pelo Exército Português para uma avaliação independente de blindagens.

The development of hard real-time systems using a formal approach

Hard real-time systems are a class of computer control systems that must react to demands of their environment by providing `correct' and timely responses. Since these systems are increasingly being used in systems with safety implications, it is crucial that they are designed and developed to operate in a correct manner. This thesis is concerned with developing formal techniques that allow the specification, verification and design of hard real-time systems. Formal techniques for hard real-time systems must be capable of capturing the system's functional and performance requirements, and previous work has proposed a number of techniques which range from the mathematically intensive to those with some mathematical content. This thesis develops formal techniques that contain both an informal and a formal component because it is considered that the informality provides ease of understanding and the formality allows precise specification and verification. Specifically, the combination of Petri nets and temporal logic is considered for the specification and verification of hard real-time systems. Approaches that combine Petri nets and temporal logic by allowing a consistent translation between each formalism are examined. Previously, such techniques have been applied to the formal analysis of concurrent systems. This thesis adapts these techniques for use in the modelling, design and formal analysis of hard real-time systems. The techniques are applied to the problem of specifying a controller for a high-speed manufacturing system. It is shown that they can be used to prove liveness and safety properties, including qualitative aspects of system performance. The problem of verifying quantitative real-time properties is addressed by developing a further technique which combines the formalisms of timed Petri nets and real-time temporal logic. A unifying feature of these techniques is the common temporal description of the Petri net. A common problem with Petri net based techniques is the complexity problems associated with generating the reachability graph. This thesis addresses this problem by using concurrency sets to generate a partial reachability graph pertaining to a particular state. These sets also allows each state to be checked for the presence of inconsistencies and hazards. The problem of designing a controller for the high-speed manufacturing system is also considered. The approach adopted mvolves the use of a model-based controller: This type of controller uses the Petri net models developed, thus preservIng the properties already proven of the controller. It. also contains a model of the physical system which is synchronised to the real application to provide timely responses. The various way of forming the synchronization between these processes is considered and the resulting nets are analysed using concurrency sets.

A Didactic Model of Computer Supported Education in Higher Mathematics

Report published in the Proceedings of the National Conference on "Education and Research in the Information Society", Plovdiv, May, 2016

A motivação de licenciandos em música sob a perspectiva da teoria da autodeterminação

This research had as main aim to verify the motivational quality of music students at four public universities in the Northeast of Brazil, based on the Self-Determination Theory (SDT). This perspective was proposed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan (1985, 2000, 2008a, 2008b), and considers the qualitative aspects of motivation. It defends that the individuals have a natural tendency to self-regulation; it adopts the concept of internalizations through a continuum of self-determination conceived in the mini-theory of organismic integration. The research presents a descriptive, exploratory and correlational approach. To collect data, it was submitted a self-report questionnaire, based on the Academic Motivational Scale, translated and validated by Guimarães and Bzuneck (2008), which allow us to verify the motivation types according to a selfdeterminational continuum. According to this application, the instrument has shown evidence of satisfactory validity, with a good internal consistence and correlations from weak to moderate scale. The obtained data were collected from 380 music students, analyzed through a descriptive and inferential statistics, considering a few procedures: frequencies, averages, standard deviation, factorial analysis, internal consistence analysis through Cronbach Alpha, Pearson’s correlational analysis and variance analysis. The analyzed data show that high averages in the evaluation of self-determined motivation and low evaluation in demotivation and less autonomy motivation. Many students revealed strong intention to conclude the course. It was identified less autonomous motivation and more motivation among the students with intention to work in other areas, some of them concluded the final training process in Music Course, and say that they are in this course because they had no other option. We conclude that those graduated in Music Course, represented in this sample, show a good motivational quality. But after a few time there is a tendency in decreasing autonomous motivation because of some requirements of an academic course. In this sense, the courses must create strategies to maintain a self-determined behavior so that students can realize their autonomous motivation, identifying its importance, value and meaning along the Course.

Avaliação das características de carcaça e perfil dos ácidos graxos em suínos na fase de terminação, alimentados com dietas contendo farelo de bagaço de caju

Provide healthier meat to consumers of pig farmers has required an adjustment of nutrition and feed management. Nutrition is a primary factor in defining the qualitative aspects of pork, because through it we can modify the fatty acid profile. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of adding bran bagasse cashew (FBC) in diets for finishing pigs, on carcass traits and meat quality. 20 crossbred barrows with an average initial weight of 57.93 ± 3.67 kg / BW were used Diets were formulated based on corn and soybean meal containing vegetable oil, commercial core and different levels of inclusion of the bran bagasse cashew ( 0.0, 7.5 % , 15.0 % , 22.5 % and 30.0 % ) . The experimental design was a randomized block with 5 treatments and 4 replications. Quantitative, qualitative, fatty acid profile of the longissimus muscle and fat area parameters were evaluated. It was observed that with the inclusion of FBC, the parameters of carcass yield, backfat thickness, fat area had a negative linear effect relationship and meat / fat positive effect. Regarding the profile of fatty acids in fat area, the content of linoleic fatty acid level of 30 % of FBC was 18.2 % higher ( P < 0.05 ) at the level of 0.0 % and the arachidonic level of 22.5 % was higher than 33.3 % and 37.5 % at levels of 0.0 % and 15.0 % ( FBC ) respectively. It is concluded that finishing pigs may be food diets containing up to 30 % of FBC, improving the quality of housing for lower fat deposition and modification in the fatty acid profile.

MNEMOSYNE: NARRATING A PAKHTUN STUDENT’S FOREIGN CURRICULAR EXPERIENCE

Studying abroad is generally viewed as an opportunity for personal and educational transformation for students. In recent years, various studies have been conducted in the area of study abroad. Most of these studies primarily involve quantitative analyses, and do not fully explore the lived experience of this opportunity. Recently, researchers have started exploring the qualitative aspects and impact of studying abroad, but from an external perspective. This study attends to the phenomenon of a foreign curricular experience from an insider’s perspective and explicates the experience through a personal narrative. Countries usually have educational curricula that serve their particular needs. The rise of the number of students studying abroad has made study abroad a lucrative industry but it has also increasingly exposed foreign students to curricula that are different than those of their countries of origin. Subjecting students to dissimilar, and sometimes competing, curricula interrupts their habitual ways of knowing and being. My study is a qualitative study that explores the foreign curricular experience of one Pakhtun student. Specifically, through an autobiography, this study aims to explore how a foreign curricular experience acts as a ‘transitional space’ for a student and how it deeply affects her learning self and identity. This study contributes to the body of literature on the effects of a foreign curriculum on study abroad students by adding narrative to explain the lived experience of studying abroad.

Conceitos de Física por meio do lançamento de foguetes de garrafa PET : uma proposta de transposição didática no ensino médio

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Física, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, Mestrado Nacional Profissional em Ensino de Física, 2015.

Conceitos de Física por meio do lançamento de foguetes de garrafa PET : uma proposta de transposição didática no ensino médio

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Física, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, Mestrado Nacional Profissional em Ensino de Física, 2015.

Conceitos de Física por meio do lançamento de foguetes de garrafa PET : uma proposta de transposição didática no ensino médio

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Física, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, Mestrado Nacional Profissional em Ensino de Física, 2015.

Sensibilização e adaptação às alterações climáticas

As alterações climáticas impuseram modificações significativas na estrutura e dinâmica natural dos ecossistemas costeiros comprometendo as suas capacidades de resiliência cujos limites têm sido ultrapassados. A falta de políticas integradas de gestão territorial e adaptação às alterações climáticas intensificaram os riscos e vulnerabilidades sócio- ambientais em muitos espaços costeiros. Este trabalho foi realizado no município de Luanda onde a erosão, as inundações e os movimentos de massa são uma realidade cada vez mais preocupante. A metodologia de investigação para este trabalho contou com as consultas aos decisores políticos, população e ONGs presididas por inquéritos por questionário e entrevistas semi-estruturadas com primado para os aspectos qualitativos. As principais fontes de consulta foram as institucionais e os repositórios científicos de diversas universidades assim como a recolha bibliográfica. Os resultados obtidos apontam claramente para a falta de participação activa dos munícipes em processos de formação e tomada de iniciativas em sede de políticas ambientais, a gestão insustentável da zona costeira, o baixo grau de percepção ambiental e a falta de articulação integrada das instituições quanto ao ambiente.

Características de qualidade da carne de ovinos de diferentes genótipos e idades ao abate

Cordeiros criados em regime de pasto, provenientes de ovelhas Romney acasaladas com três raças paternas (Romney, East Friesian x (Finn x Texel) e Finn x Poll Dorset), foram avaliados quanto às características de qualidade da carne. Os cordeiros foram abatidos aos 150 e 300 dias de idade, cada lote com 15 animais de cada raça paterna, totalizando 90 animais. A carne dos cordeiros Romney foi mais macia que a dos demais genótipos. O pH final do músculo Semimembranosus dos cordeiros abatidos mais precocemente foi superior (5,61) ao dos abatidos mais tardiamente (5,58), entretanto estes últimos apresentaram carne com menor maciez (11,16 kg) que os abatidos aos 150 dias de idade (7,45 kg). Com relação à cor, a luminosidade da carne de cordeiros abatidos aos 150 dias foi maior (38,20) que a dos abatidos mais tardiamente (36,80), mas não foi afetada pelo genótipo. Concluiu-se que o genótipo e a idade de abate influíram na produção e qualidade da carne ovina.

Clinical characteristics and selection of treatment modality for patients with vitreomacular traction:real-world implementation of NICE guidance (TA297)

Aim: To investigate the qualitative aspects in patient selection and the quantitative impact of disease burden in real world treatment of vitreomacular traction (VMT) and implementation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance (TA297). Methods: A monocentric, retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging over a 3 month period. Patients with VMT in at least one eye were identified for further data collection on laterality, visual acuity, symptoms, presence of epiretinal membrane, macular hole and treatment selection. Results: A total of 3472 patients underwent OCT imaging with a total of 6878 eyes scanned. Out of 87 patients, 74 patients had unilateral VMT (38 right, 36 left) and 13 patients had bilateral VMT. Eighteen patients with unilateral VMT satisfied NICE criteria of severe sight problems in the affected eye. Eight were managed for a coexisting pathology, one refused treatment, one patient did not attend, two closed spontaneously, and one received ocriplasmin prior to the study start date. Only two patients with unilateral VMT received ocriplasmin and three underwent vitrectomy. Those failing to meet NICE criteria for unilateral VMT were predominantly asymptomatic (n=49) or had coexisting ERM (n=5) or both (n=2). Conclusion: Ocriplasmin provides an alternative treatment for patients with symptomatic VMT. Our data shows that the majority of patients with VMT do not meet NICE TA297 primarily due to lack of symptoms. Those meeting NICE criteria, but not treated, tended to have coexisting macular pathology. Variation in patient selection due to subjective factors not outlined in NICE guidance suggests that real world outcomes of ocriplasmin therapy should be interpreted with caution.

Niveles de actividad física, contenidos-contextos de la clase e intervención docente durante la clase de educación física y su asociación con el tipo de profesor

Resumen: Objetivo: determinar la asociación entre el tipo de profesor (especialista y no especialista en educación física), con el nivel de actividad física, el contenido-contexto de la clase y el comportamiento del profesor. Método: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en un colegio distrital de Bogotá. Fueron evaluadas 57 clases de educación física, y dos docentes (uno con formación académica en Educación física), por medio del Sistema para la observación del tiempo de instrucción de la condición física (SOFIT). Las variables observadas fueron analizadas con estadística descriptiva en cantidades relativas a los minutos y proporción de la clase. Para establecer la asociación entre el género de los estudiantes y el tipo de profesor se usaron test t para muestras independientes y U de Mann-Witney. Resultados: La duración promedio de la clase fue 82,7 minutos, 69% del tiempo programado; los estudiantes pasaron la mayor parte del tiempo de pie 29% (25 minutos), el contenido predominante de la clase fue el de tipo general 21% (25 minutos) y los maestros ocuparon en promedio el 36% (29 minutos) de la clase observando. Los estudiantes pasaron 53% (44 minutos) en actividades físicas moderadas a vigorosas (AFMV). Los niños fueron más activos que las niñas (53.94% vs 50,83%). Se observó una asociación positiva entre el género y casi todos los niveles de actividad física de los estudiantes (p<0,05). Se identificó que existe una diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p<0,05), para las categorías sentado y estar de pie de la variable Niveles de Actividad física tanto en los resultados expresados en minutos, como en la proporción del tiempo de la clase y para la categoría caminando expresada en tiempo de la clase. Para la variable contenido-contexto se determinó una asociación para la categoría conocimiento, tanto en la proporción como en el número de minutos, y para la categoría contenido general en los resultados expresados en proporción de la clase. Finalmente, para la variable comportamiento del profesor expresada tanto en minutos como en proporción de la clase tuvo significancia estadística en todas sus categorías a excepción de la categoría promover Conclusiones: hay una diferencia importante en la forma como los dos tipos de maestros desarrollan la clase y los niveles de actividad física en que involucran a los estudiantes. La educación física en la escuela debe ser impartida por profesionales formados en el área, que tengan las destrezas y habilidades necesarias para desarrollar una educación física de calidad.

Qualitative and quantitative aspects of the food of Ethmalosa fimbriata (Bowdich) in the Ebrié lagoon (Côte d'Ivoire)

The food of Ethmalosa fimbriata in the central part of the Ebrié lagoon, where the salinity is low, consists on limnic phytoplankton. In the region near Abidjan, which is more strongly influenced by coastal water, it consists of marine phyto- and zooplankton. The daily ration of a 12.5 cm fork-length fish is estimated to be between 2 and 3 % of its body weight.

Effects of irrigation and nitrogen levels on qualitative and nutritional aspects of fig-trees (Ficus carica L.)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)