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The field of quantum machine learning is a promising way to lead to a revolution in intelligent data processing methods. In this way, a hybrid learning method based on classic kernel methods is proposed. This proposal also requires the development of a quantum algorithm for the calculation of internal products between vectors of continuous values. In order for this to be possible, it was necessary to make adaptations to the classic kernel method, since it is necessary to consider the limitations imposed by the Hilbert space of the quantum processor. As a test case, we applied this new algorithm to learn to classify whether new points generated randomly, in a finite square located under a plane, were found inside or outside a circle located inside this square. It was found that the algorithm was able to correctly detect new points in 99% of the samples tested, with a small difference due to considering the radius slightly larger than the ideal. However, the kernel method was able to perform classifications correctly, as well as the internal product algorithm successfully performed the internal product calculations using quantum resources. Thus, the present work represents a contribution to the area, proposing a new model of machine learning accessible to both physicists and computer scientists., Comment: 14 pages, in Portuguese language, 1 figure

Traditionally, to be a realist about something means believing in the independent existence of that something. In this line of thought, a scientific realist is someone who believes in the objective existence of the entities postulated by our best scientific theories. In metaphysical terms, what does that mean? In ontological terms, i.e., in terms about what exists, scientific realism can be understood as involving the adoption of an ontology that is scientifically informed. But according to some philosophers, the realistic attitude must go beyond ontology. The way in which this requirement has been understood involves providing a metaphysics for the entities postulated by science, that is, answering questions about the nature of what ontology admits to exist. We discuss how two fashionable approaches face the challenge of providing a metaphysics for science: a form of naturalism and the Viking/Toolbox approach. Finally, we present a third way, which adopts the best of both approaches: the meta-Popperian method, which focuses on discarding the wrong alternatives, or better saying, the metaphysical profiles incompatible with certain theories. We present the meta-Popperian method, a metametaphysical method capable of objectively assessing which metaphysical profiles are incompatible with certain scientific theories. For this, we will use quantum mechanics as a case study, presenting some previously obtained results. As our focus is on methodological questions about the relationship between metaphysics and science; with this method, we can see how science can be used to avoid error in metaphysical issues. In our opinion, this would be a way to develop a productive relationship between science and metaphysics., Comment: In Portuguese. Article accepted for publication in Kriterion, v.63 n.151, 2022. See the final version at

In this paper, the expression of the relativistic Maxwell-J\"uttner velocity distribution was deduced in a detailed and didactic way. This distribution was compared with the well-known Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, which does not take into account relativistic effects. Applications and comparisons between the two distributions were carried out in three situations: i) protons at solar surface temperature, ii) electrons at Lawson's criterion temperature, and iii) protons at quasar temperatures. It was found that the value of the ratio between the rest mass of the particle considered and the temperature of the system determines the need to consider or not a relativistic treatment for the velocity distribution function of the system., Comment: in Portuguese

Despite its importance, in the introductory disciplines of exact science courses, the demonstration of the Maxwell-Boltzmann velocity distribution law is not explained, only its final equation is shown. In order to fill this deficiency, in this work we try to show in detail, in a very didactic way, the demonstration of such a law. For this, the kinetic theory of gases is initially introduced. The good agreement of the Maxwell-Boltzmann velocity distribution law with experimental results and its applicability limit is also presented., Comment: in Portuguese

According to scientific realism, science gives us an approximately true description of what the world is like. But what does it mean? In this chapter, we focus on the ontological and metaphysical aspects of this discussion. That is, we are concerned with the following questions: what there is, according to our best scientific theories? And how are these things that theories say exist? We start from the assumption that a genuine scientific realism must deal with these issues. Taking non-relativistic quantum mechanics as a case study, we discuss some of the challenges currently faced by a genuinely realistic stance. We argue, first, that in the ontological aspect, realists are in the same boat as science, that is, without sufficient epistemic justification to adopt the belief in the entities postulated by a single quantum theory, given that experience (currently) is not able to decide between rival theories; in the metaphysical aspect, realists also encounter problems with theory choice, given the possibility of associating more than one metaphysical theory with the description of the entities postulated by each quantum theory. The same goes for structuralist alternatives, since, even if we accept that scientific theories are committed to the existence of structures, but not objects, we still do not know what structures are, metaphysically. Finally, we move forward in the discussion with the meta-Popperian method, which serves to reduce the metaphysical alternatives associated with the ontological postulates of scientific theories. We may not know what the correct alternative is, but we have been able to progressively check which metaphysical alternatives are incompatible with each scientific theory., Comment: 24 pages, in Portuguese. url: https://wp.ufpel.edu.br/nepfil/files/2020/12/pma_v2_sdf.pdf

The necessity and utility of considering the interaction of a quantum system with its environment when describing its time evolution have been recognized in several branches of physics and of other sciences. The Kraus' representation is a general and succinct approach to describe such open system dynamics in a wide range of relevant physical scenarios. In this article, by abdicating from the generality of the formalism of quantum operations and with this avoiding its associated complications, we show in a simple manner how we can obtain the Kraus' representation using basically the closed system (system plus environment) unitary dynamics and the partial trace function. The example of a two-level atom interacting with the vacuum of the electromagnetic field is regarded for the sake of instantiating this formalism, which is then applied to study the time evolution of the atom's quantum coherence., Comment: Didactic text, in Portuguese

We review the postulates of quantum mechanics that are needed to discuss the von Neumann's entropy. We introduce it as a generalization of Shannon's entropy and propose a simple game that makes easier understanding its physical meaning., Comment: Didactic text, in Portuguese