Actas do 12º Encontro Português de Computação Gráfica

Actas do 12º Encontro Portugês de Computação Gráfica, Porto, 8-10 de Outubro de 2003O Encontro Português de Computação Gráfica teve lugar nesse ano 2003, naquela que foi a sua 12ª edição, no ISEP – Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, entre os 8 a 10 de Outubro. O 12º Encontro Português de Computação Gráfica (12EPCG) veio no seguimento de encontros anteriores realizados anualmente e reuniu investigadores, docentes e profissionais nacionais e estrangeiros, que realizam trabalho ou utilizam a Computação Gráfica, Realidade Virtual e Multimédia, assim como todas as suas áreas afins, no sentido de permitir a divulgação de projectos realizados ou em curso e fomentar a troca de experiências e a discussão de questões relacionadas com a Computação Gráfica em Portugal, entre as comunidades académica,industrial e a de utilizadores finais. Este é o livro de actas do 12EPCG.Fundação Ilídio PinhoFC

Impact of Ear Occlusion on In-Ear Sounds Generated by Intra-oral Behaviors

We conducted a case study with one volunteer and a recording setup to detect sounds induced by the actions: jaw clenching, tooth grinding, reading, eating, and drinking. The setup consisted of two in-ear microphones, where the left ear was semi-occluded with a commercially available earpiece and the right ear was occluded with a mouldable silicon ear piece. Investigations in the time and frequency domains demonstrated that for behaviors such as eating, tooth grinding, and reading, sounds could be recorded with both sensors. For jaw clenching, however, occluding the ear with a mouldable piece was necessary to enable its detection. This can be attributed to the fact that the mouldable ear piece sealed the ear canal and isolated it from the environment, resulting in a detectable change in pressure. In conclusion, our work suggests that detecting behaviors such as eating, grinding, reading with a semi-occluded ear is possible, whereas, behaviors such as clenching require the complete occlusion of the ear if the activity should be easily detectable. Nevertheless, the latter approach may limit real-world applicability because it hinders the hearing capabilities.</p

ARCHITECTURAL MODELS AS LEARNING TOOLS

This book shows a variety of educational experiments that explore the use and meaning of ‘Architectural models as learning tools in education’both practically and theoretically

Selected papers on Hands-on Science II

This second volume of the "Selected Papers on Hands-on Science" the Hands-on Science Network is publishing, reunites some of the most relevant works presented at the 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 editions of the annual International Conference on Hands-on Science. From pre-school science education to lifelong science learning and teacher training, in formal non-formal and informal contexts, the large diversified range of works that conforms this book surely renders it an important tool to schools and educators and all involved in science education and on the promotion of scientific literacy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Interactores de DJ-1 mutadas: elucidações sobre a Doença de Parkinson

Mestrado em Biotecnologia - Biotecnologia MolecularParkinson´s disease (PD), the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is a multifactorial disease caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Among the genes associated with PD, DJ-1 is a multifunctional protein involved in oxidative stress response and neuroprotection. DJ-1 mutations, such as L166P, M26I and E163K lead to loss of protein function causing early onset autosomal recessive PD. Moreover, the residue C106 is considered crucial in DJ-1 function as a sensor of oxidative stress. In this study, one missense mutations (E163K) and two engineered mutations in the residue C106 (C106A and C106DD) were produced and characterized in order to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of each mutation and also characterize their dynamic interactome. Structural analysis confirmed the production of all the mutants in the dimeric form, with a molecular weight of approximately 43kDa. Moreover, protein´s thermal stability was assessed by thermal shift and the results showed that the mutant E163K was the less stable and the C106A the most stable. Secondary structure analysis was performed by circular dichroism and revealed similar secondary structures between DJ-1 WT and mutants. In addition, a LC-MS/MS was performed to determine proteins´ contaminants and the majority of the protein contaminants were coming from the expression system and culture medium used in proteins´ production. Moreover, neuroprotection assays revealed that DJ-1 WT did not protect SH-SY5Y cells under oxidative stress conditions. The dynamic interactome of DJ-1 WT and mutants C106DD, E163K and C106A was characterized under oxidative stress conditions. A wide number of binding partners were identified and for some of them quantification in the different conditions was also determined. These interactors have a broad range of functions but the majority are associated with cellular response to oxidative stress. The study of DJ-1 mutations is very important, since it gives elucidations into DJ-1 WT functions and related disease mechanisms. In this way, the putative DJ-1 WT interactors identified still lack validation, but from these characterized dynamic interactomes further elucidations can be obtained into Parkinson’s Disease pathology and potential new targets for PD prevention and therapy, like ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX3X herein identified as new dynamic interactor of DJ-1.A Doença de Parkinson, a segunda doença neurodegenerativa progressiva mais comum, é uma doença multifatorial causada conjuntamente por fatores genéticos e fatores ambientais. De entre os inúmeros genes associados à Doença de Parkinson, a DJ-1 é uma proteína multifuncional envolvida na resposta ao stress oxidativo e neuroproteção. Mutações na DJ-1, tais como L166P, M26I e E136K levam à perda de função da proteína causando a forma de Parkinson autossomal recessiva com desenvolvimento precoce. De salientar que o resíduo C106 é considerado crucial na função de sensor de stress oxidativo que a DJ-1 desempenha. Neste estudo, foram produzidas e caracterizadas duas mutações sintéticas no resíduo C106 (C106A e C106DD) e uma mutação natural (E163K) de modo a avaliar o efeito neuroprotetor de cada mutação bem como caracterizar o seu interactoma dinâmico. Análises estruturais confirmaram a produção de todos os mutantes na forma dimérica, apresentando um peso molecular de aproximadamente 43kDa. A estabilidade térmica das proteínas foi ainda avaliada por thermal shift e os resultados revelaram que o mutante E163K foi o menos estável enquanto que o mutante C106A foi o mais estável. Análise da estrutura secundária foi realizada por dicroísmo circular revelando elevada semelhança entre as estruturas secundárias da DJ-1 nativa e mutantes. Por fim, foi realizada uma análise de LC-MS/MS de modo a determinar os contaminantes das proteínas produzidas e verificou-se que a maioria dos contaminantes era proveniente do sistema de expressão e meio de cultura utilizados na produção das proteínas. Seguidamente, ensaios de neuroproteção revelaram que a DJ-1 nativa não exercia um efeito neuroprotetor nas células SH-SY5Y em condições de stress oxidativo. O interactoma dinâmico da DJ-1 nativa e mutantes C106DD, E163K e C106A foi caracterizado sob condições de stress oxidativo. Um elevado número de interactores foram identificados e para alguns deles foi possível obter uma quantificação nas diferentes condições. Os referidos interactores apresentam uma enorme variedade de funções, contudo a grande maioria está associada à resposta celular ao stress oxidativo. O estudo das mutações na DJ-1 é considerado muito relevante visto que fornece importantes elucidações relativamente às funções e mecanismos da DJ-1 nativa associados à doença. Neste sentido, os supostos interactores da DJ-1 nativa identificados ainda carecem de validação, mas da caracterização dos interactomas dinâmicos, elucidações podem ser obtidas sobre a patologia da Doença de Parkinson e identificação de novos potenciais alvos para prevenção e terapia desta doença, tal como a RNA helicase DDX3X dependente de ATP aqui identificada como novo interactor dinâmico da DJ-1

Extended Skin: Designing Interactive Content for Ubiquitous Computing Materials

Current research is inspired by the impact of digital media on disciplinary division. Sim- ultaneously, recognizes the difficulty of engineering (applied science) to consider the humani- ties as fundamental contributors in the process of making. Steaming from a design perspective, the intersection between art (design) and science, questions if these relations can open per- spectives on the matter of designing within a U.C. context, and fundamentally, introduces the question on how this can be done Furthermore, the motivation for this research arises from considering that innovation in technology is happening in the fields typically identified as engineering. And, despite this, the in-corporation of these inventions in life, considering some discussed exceptions, has not typ- ically been present in the concerns of design action and methods. Therefore, the challenge of current research is to contribute to the realm of ubiquitous computing, routed by design, to some degree aiming to contribute to the field. A deeper analysis into the subject of U.C., there is the realization that there is minority presence of the humanities in the discussion of U.C. (Dourish and Bell, 2011). Technological disruption offers continuous inspiration for design innovation within U.C. Furthermore, the inquiry labeled as “material turn” contextualizes a dialogue between nano- technology and traditional materials. Nanotechnology is applied to project development, while considering a human centred design approach. This focus is present throughout this disserta- tion. The research proposal describes SuberSkin, as a responsive surface that works as a screen. The exploration of aesthetical effects is focused on visual properties – using high con- trast between natural cork colors, dark and light brown. The proposal is highly experimental, and ultimately, aims to explore potential routes on cork research, linked to that of U.C. Thus, recreating and transforming this material into an intelligent surface. In sum, this thesis discusses displacement of disciplines suggested as having a positive impact in interdisciplinary thought and for future design. Therefore a methodology, "research through techne" is presented that illustrates this intention.A presente pesquisa é inspirada pelo impacto exercido pelos media digitais na divisão disciplinar. Simultaneamente, reconhece a dificuldade da engenharia (ciência aplicada) em considerar as humanidades como contribuintes fundamentais no processo de fazer. Partindo de uma perspectiva de design e da interseção entre arte (design) e ciência, questiona-se se essas relações poderão abrir perspectivas na criação no âmbito da Computação Ubíqua. Fun- damentalmente, introduz a questão de como poderá ser feito. A motivação para esta pesquisa decorre de considerar que a inovação tecnológica acontece nas áreas normalmente identificadas como engenharia. E, apesar disso, a incor- poração dessas invenções na vida, considerando as exceções discutidas, normalmente não está presente nas preocupações, ação e métodos de design. Portanto, o desafio da pesquisa é con- tribuir para o domínio da Computação Ubíqua, orientada pelo design. Uma análise mais pro- funda sobre o tema da Computação Ubiqua, constata que há na sua discussão uma presença minoritária das humanidades (Dourish e Bell, 2011). A disrupção tecnológica oferece inspiração contínua para inovação de design, e o mesmo se aplica no âmbito da Computação Ubíqua. Além disso, a pesquisa intitulada como “material turn” contextualiza um diálogo entre a nanotecnologia e os materiais tradicionais. A nanotecnologia é aplicada ao desenvolvimento de projetos, considerando uma abordagem de design centrada no ser humano. Este foco está presente ao longo desta dissertação. O projecto de pesquisa descreve SuberSkin, uma superfície responsiva. A exploração centra-se nos efeitos estéticos da cortiça, recorrendo a um contraste entre as suas cores natu- rais: castanho escuro e claro. A proposta é experimental e, em última análise, visa explorar potenciais linhas de investigação ligando a cortiça à Computação Ubíqua. E assim, recriar e transformar este material numa superfície inteligente. Em suma, esta tese discute o deslocamento disciplinar como tendo um impacto posi- tivo no pensamento interdisciplinar e no futuro da prática do design. Consequentemente, apresenta uma metodologia, "investigação através da techne" que a exemplifica

Biomechanical evaluation of prosthetic feet

An evaluation method was developed which can be used generally for the assessment of any prosthetic feet. The two most common prosthetic feet prescribed to below-knee and above-knee amputees are the Uniaxial and SACH feet. A review of prescription practices shows that in the United Kingdom about 80% of the below-knee and above-knee amputees are fitted with a Uniaxial foot, whereas in the United States about 80% are fitted with the SACH foot. These contradictory prescription practices between the two countries, prompted the project to be concentrated on the evaluation of the SACH and Uniaxial feet. The method developed includes a subjective assessment procedure and a biomechanical evaluation on the function of the two prosthetic feet and their effects on whole body gait kinematics and lower limb kinetics. A review of the methods used in gait analysis is presented in the thesis. This forms a basis for the selection of a suitable gait recording system for the project. A background study of lower limb prosthetics in general and a review of prosthetic ankle/foot assemblies in particular are also presented. The methodology and instrumentation used in the project are given. Altogether, six below-knee and five above-knee amputees were tested. Due to insufficient supply of heel bumper stiffness by the manufacturer for the Uniaxial foot, heel bumpers of varying stiffnesses had to be made in the Bioengineering Unit. The development of the analytical procedure for the three-dimensional analysis is presented. A suite of computer programs was written to facilitate the handling of the large amount of data, details of which are included in the Appendix. Results from the analysis of the tests performed are discussed. Although some apparent differences were observed between the SACH and Uniaxial feet, no conclusion can be drawn as to which is better for the function of the amputee.An evaluation method was developed which can be used generally for the assessment of any prosthetic feet. The two most common prosthetic feet prescribed to below-knee and above-knee amputees are the Uniaxial and SACH feet. A review of prescription practices shows that in the United Kingdom about 80% of the below-knee and above-knee amputees are fitted with a Uniaxial foot, whereas in the United States about 80% are fitted with the SACH foot. These contradictory prescription practices between the two countries, prompted the project to be concentrated on the evaluation of the SACH and Uniaxial feet. The method developed includes a subjective assessment procedure and a biomechanical evaluation on the function of the two prosthetic feet and their effects on whole body gait kinematics and lower limb kinetics. A review of the methods used in gait analysis is presented in the thesis. This forms a basis for the selection of a suitable gait recording system for the project. A background study of lower limb prosthetics in general and a review of prosthetic ankle/foot assemblies in particular are also presented. The methodology and instrumentation used in the project are given. Altogether, six below-knee and five above-knee amputees were tested. Due to insufficient supply of heel bumper stiffness by the manufacturer for the Uniaxial foot, heel bumpers of varying stiffnesses had to be made in the Bioengineering Unit. The development of the analytical procedure for the three-dimensional analysis is presented. A suite of computer programs was written to facilitate the handling of the large amount of data, details of which are included in the Appendix. Results from the analysis of the tests performed are discussed. Although some apparent differences were observed between the SACH and Uniaxial feet, no conclusion can be drawn as to which is better for the function of the amputee