Convergence of the Crank-Nicolson-Galerkin finite element method for a class of nonlocal parabolic systems with moving boundaries

The aim of this paper is to establish the convergence and error bounds to the fully discrete solution for a class of nonlinear systems of reaction-diffusion nonlocal type with moving boundaries, using a linearized Crank-Nicolson-Galerkin finite element method with polynomial approximations of any degree. A coordinate transformation which fixes the boundaries is used. Some numerical tests to compare our Matlab code with some existing moving finite elements methods are investigated

From Concept to Policy: Building Regional Innovation Systems in Follower Regions

In the spirit of “The Lisbon strategy”, public policies are redirecting support from investment-driven policies to knowledge building as the main driver for competitiveness and innovation. This re-orientation poses different challenges to regions and RIS concept may be the central element, simultaneously goal and toolbox, for devising innovation promotion policies. The RIS framework stresses the need to combine a systemic and inclusive view of innovation along with territorially embedded specificities. In this paper we explore how to operationalize the concept of RIS in terms of innovation policy, arguing against a “one size fits all” approach. Concentrating our analysis on follower regions, we bridge the concept of RIS with the structural deficiencies and challenges posing to this kind of regions, for which innovation policy should seek an adequate combination between science push and demand pull perspectives. We also address the importance of taking advantage of the catching-up status, building upon R&D cost-advantages and clustering around external initiatives as well as the correction of important constraints to the construction of a RIS.Innovation, Regional Innovation Systems, Innovation Policy, Follower Regions

NMR studies of transiente protein complexes

Dissertação apresentada para obtenção do Grau de Doutor em Bioquímica,especialidade Bioquímica Física,pela Universidade Nova de Lisboa,Faculdade de Ciências e TecnologiaFundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - Bolsa de Doutoramento (SFRH/BD/25342/2005)no âmbito do Programa Operacional Potencial Humano, da União Europeia (Fundo Social Europeu

Influence of different polishing materials in the material removal of steel samples

The quality of injection moulded polymer optic parts depends on the surface finish of the respective mould. In order to improve and control the surface finish of the mould it is important to be able to keep the material removal constant during the polishing process of these moulds. This will provide a tactical material removal therefore allowing a controlled correction of the mould’s surface geometry. The aim of this work is to study the influence of different polishing materials in the material removal rate and its reproducibility during the polishing process of hardened steel. Different polyurethane polishing materials with different fillers were tested. It was observed that the filler material of the polyurethane is crucial in order to obtain constant and reproducible results. Experiments were carried out with an industrial robot and the material removal’s depth value was compared

Praćenje više gibajućih objekata u stvarnome vremenu primjenom čestičnih filtara i vjerojatnosnog pridruživanja podataka

Abstract-Mobile robots and vehicles are increasingly used in dynamic environments populated by humans and other moving objects and vehicles. In this context, tracking of surrounding moving objects is important for obstacle avoidance and motion planning. In this paper we present a method for detection and tracking of multiple moving objects using particle filters to estimate the object states, and sample based joint probabilistic data association filters to perform the assignment between the features detected in the input sensor data and filters. Filters management operations are required for appropriate integration of the currently perceived features. A real-time architecture, developed to implement the tracking system, is briefly described. Experimental results obtained with a laser range scanner will be presented demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of the presented methods.1) 1) This work was partially supported by FCT, Project POSI/SRI/42043/2001.Mobilni roboti i mobilna vozila sve se više koriste u dinamičkim okruženjima popunjenim ljudima i drugim gibajućim objektima. U tom je smislu važno praćenje gibajućih objekata u neposrednom okruženju kako bi se izbjegavale prepreke i planiralo gibanje. U ovome je radu predložena metoda detekcije i praćenja više gibajućih objekata primjenom čestičnih filtara za estimaciju stanja objekata i filtara za združeno vjerojatnosno pridruživanje uzorkovanih podataka kojima se povezuju značajke detektirane u mjernim podacima s odgovarajućim filtrima. Izvedena je nadzorna ljuska filtara za odgovarajuću integraciju očitanih značajki. Ukratko je opisana arhitektura implementiranog sustava praćenja objekata u stvarnom vremenu. Prikazani eksperimentalni rezultati dobiveni primjenom laserskog senzora udaljenosti potvrđuju izvedivost i učinkovitost predloženog sustava

On a nonlocal degenerate parabolic problem

Conditions for the existence and uniqueness of weak solutions for a class of nonlinear nonlocal degenerate parabolic equations are established. The asymptotic behaviour of the solutions as time tends to infinity are also studied. In particular, the finite time extinction and polynomial decay properties are proved