Unsharp Values, Domains and Topoi

The so-called topos approach provides a radical reformulation of quantum theory. Structurally, quantum theory in the topos formulation is very similar to classical physics. There is a state object, analogous to the state space of a classical system, and a quantity-value object, generalising the real numbers. Physical quantities are maps from the state object to the quantity-value object -- hence the `values' of physical quantities are not just real numbers in this formalism. Rather, they are families of real intervals, interpreted as `unsharp values'. We will motivate and explain these aspects of the topos approach and show that the structure of the quantity-value object can be analysed using tools from domain theory, a branch of order theory that originated in theoretical computer science. Moreover, the base category of the topos associated with a quantum system turns out to be a domain if the underlying von Neumann algebra is a matrix algebra. For general algebras, the base category still is a highly structured poset. This gives a connection between the topos approach, noncommutative operator algebras and domain theory. In an outlook, we present some early ideas on how domains may become useful in the search for new models of (quantum) space and space-time.Comment: 32 pages, no figures; to appear in Proceedings of Quantum Field Theory and Gravity, Regensburg (2010

Divergent competitiveness in the eurozone and the optimum currency area theory

As the euro is on its second decade, the European sovereign debt crisis and the ever more evident disparities in competitiveness among member states are prompting many to question whether monetary union is bringing more benefits than costs. The optimum currency area (OCA) theory provides a framework with several criteria for such analysis. Most literature focuses either or on OCA individual criteria or on an aggregate analysis of these criteria, using meta-properties. Differently, we start by a descriptive analysis of the first twelve euro countries under six criteria between 1999 and 2009. We detect signs of labour geographic mobility. However, nominal wages growth largely outpaced productivity growth in some periphery countries, resulting in losses of competitiveness. Financial markets seem to be deeply integrated. Total intra-EMU trade increased, though core countries seem to have benefited more, as their relative competitiveness improved. We detect no increased homogeneity of exports structures of EMU countries. Inflation rates alternated between periods of convergence and of divergence, though prices levels consistently converged between EMU countries. Finally, budgetary indiscipline was frequent preventing several countries from having fiscal room to face asymmetrical shocks.We conclude by estimating the impact of five OCA criteria on countries’ relative competitiveness, using real effective exchange rates as a proxy. Differences in the growth of unit labour costs, the dissimilarity of trade and the differences in output growth were found to be significant. With a higher confidence level, bilateral trade is significant and points towards the specialization paradigm. Thus, we identify some causes of the divergent competitiveness between some EMU countries that contributed to weaker economic growth in parts of the euro area.Optimum currency area, Euro Area; Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), Competitiveness

Materialidade e transdimensionalidade nas novas textualidades electrónicas: uma transição de paradigma?

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Percepção das crianças em idade escolar sobre o profissional de enfermagem

Projeto de Graduação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Licenciado em EnfermagemO presente projecto de graduação e integração profissional, desenvolvido no âmbito da Licenciatura em Enfermagem, tenta aprofundar a questão da percepção das crianças em idade escolar, nomeadamente a frequentar o terceiro e quarto ano do primeiro ciclo, relativamente ao profissional de Enfermagem. No presente trabalho serão abordadas definições como a de Enfermagem e consequentemente o papel do profissional da área, a de percepção, a de criança, entre outras que serão pertinentes para o desenvolvimento deste projecto. Dentro dos objectivos do investigador este tenta perceber se as crianças reconhecem os diferentes papéis desenvolvidos pelo Enfermeiro de cuidados gerais, se mencionam a sua importância social e se identificam as suas funções para além da sua componente prática e especificamente se indicam o papel de educador do profissional.The present research project and professional integration, developed under the Nursing Degree, try to understand the perception of school-age children, specifically the third and fourth year of the first cycle, about the Nursing professional. In this work will be discussed topics such as nursing and consequently the role of the professional in the field, will be discussed the perception of the child, among others that will be relevant for the development of this project. Within the objectives of the researcher, he tries to understand if children recognize the different roles undertaken by the nurse responsible for general care, if they mention its social importance and identify other functions than their practical activities, specifically if they indicate the educator role of the professional

Sensibility and taste alterations after impacted lower third molar extractions. A prospective cohort study

Objectives: To determine the incidence, severity and duration of lingual tactile and gustatory function impairments after lower third molar removal. Study Design: Prospective cohort study with intra-subject measures of 16 patients undergoing lower third molar extractions. Sensibility and gustatory functions were evaluated in each subject preoperatively, one week and one month after the extraction, using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and 5 different concentrations of NaCl, respectively. Additionally, all patients filled a questionnaire to assess subjective perceptions. Results: Although patients did not perceive any sensibility impairments, a statistically significant decrease was detected when Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. This alteration was present at one week after the surgical procedure and fully recovered one month after the extraction. There were no variations regarding the gustatory function. Conclusions: Lower third molar removal under local anesthesia may cause light lingual sensibility impairment. Most of these alterations remain undetected to patients. These lingual nerve injuries are present one week after the extraction and recover one month after surgery. The taste seems to remain unaffected after these procedures

Exercício profissional do treinador desportivo: do conhecimento a uma competência eficaz

O treinador necessita de amplos conhecimentos para ser competente. Este artigo tem como objetivo evidenciar a pedagogia como agregadora de conhecimentos das diferentes subdisciplinas do desporto e fomentadora de uma maior eficácia do processo de treino. Elege uma filosofia de atuação profissional assente numa educação para a autonomia e corresponsabilização do atleta no processo de treino. Evidencia-se a necessidade do planeamento do treino assente na organização de exercícios, numa estratégia de comunicação e na implementação de uma estratégia de avaliação. Reforça-se estas ideias através da boa relação que deve existir entre o plano das ideias (filosofia de liderança) os comportamentos para efetivar essas ideias (prática de liderança) e os indicadores utilizados para aferir o sucesso das ideias defendidas (critérios de liderança). Apresentam-se exemplos de ensino de competências desportivas nas modalidades de voleibol, futebol e andebol.The coach needs extensive knowledge to be competent. This article aims to highlight pedagogy as a knowledge aggregator of the different sport sub disciplines and foster greater effectiveness in the training process. It elects a philosophy of professional performance based on an education to the athlete autonomy and co-responsibility in the training process. There is evidence of the need for training planning based on the organization of exercises, a communication strategy and the implementation of an evaluation strategy. These ideas are reinforced by the good relationship between the ideas (leadership philosophy), the behaviors to implement these ideas (leadership practice) and the indicators used to measure the success of the ideas defended (leadership criteria). Examples of teaching sports skills in volleyball, soccer and handball are presented.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Significado regional dos depósitos neogénicos continentais da área de Vila de Rei (Portugal Central)

In the Vi la de Rei arca (Central Portugal) the continental deposits ofthe Lower Tagus Tertiary 8asin lay upon the pediment of me Portuguese Central Chain. Three ronglomerate units are recorded from me base upwards. separated by regional or basinal unconfonnities: Conglomerados de Rio de Moinhos (RM); Conglomerados de Serra de Almeirim (SA) and Conglomerados de Vila de Rei (VR). The first two units (KM and SAl have been si les of gold exploitation in huge optn pit mines probably dunng Roman colonisation times. The contact ofthis units, on thc Paleozoie basement or on the Paleogene unil Grés de Monsanto, is unconfonn, defining in both limits a large nondepositional andlor erosional hiatus. Those conglomerates seal the scdimcntation ofthe Lower Tagus Tertiary Basin along irs northem border. Taking lnto account lhe significance /lssigned to their basinal unconfonnity limits, lhe uplift ofthe Portuguese Centra! Chain. and thc facl ofthis continental units yielded no fossils with chranostratigraphic significanee, they have been eonsidered ranging fram Uppcr Miocene to lhe beginning ofthe Qualemary. Finally, a lithostratigraphic equivalence with lhe Neogenic units ofthc Bierzo and Duema basins (NW ofthe Iberian Peninsula), where exploitalions from Roman limes are also evident, is presented