Implementação de gabinete gráfico na empresa Marques Soares, SA, com o objetivo de produção do produto gráfico “Catálogo de Vendas”

Introdução Tendo desenvolvido a minha atividade profissional no apoio a empresas e profissionais que desenvolvem atividade na área gráfica são vários os trabalhos realizados na consultoria informática, formação e apoio à produção de conteúdos gráficos. Desses escolhi um trabalho que considero demonstrativo dessas várias vertentes e das minhas capacidades e competências na área das Artes Gráficas permitindo contextualizar essas capacidades com a docência de várias unidades curriculares que leciono no Departamento de Artes da Imagem, Escola Superior de Música, Artes e Espetáculo do Instituto Politécnico do Porto. O trabalho em questão consistiu no apoio à criação do departamento gráfico na empresa Marques Soares com vista à produção de um catálogo de vendas e outros materiais como sejam cartazes, folhetos, decoração de lojas,... Esta empresa comercializa diversas gamas de produtos em loja e através de um catálogo de vendas com distribuição nacional, com especial implantação no Norte e Centro de Portugal. Foi uma das primeiras empresas a apostar no segmento de vendas por catálogo, desde 1980. Ao longo dos anos, o catálogo foi produzido por diversas empresas da área gráfica, no entanto, por questões de custo e controlo de qualidade, entendeu a administração passar a executar o catálogo internamente, tendo para isso contratado a empresa LOJApple. Foi proposto que se criasse um gabinete gráfico adstrito ao departamento de marketing e dada formação ao funcionário responsável pela gestão da produção catálogo e que embora sendo um profissional com conhecimentos de artes gráficas não tinha conhecimentos na utilização de informática. Foi ainda decidido que como condição de compra dos equipamentos e serviços deveria o primeiro catálogo ser realizado com acompanhamento da empresa LOJApple. Na qualidade de responsável técnico pela área gráfica fui designado para gerir este projeto. Tratando-se de um projeto com uma forte componente na área informática considerei se deveria propor-me a especialista na área informática, no entanto a Portaria n.º 316/2001, de 2 de abril, que aprovou a Classificação Nacional de Áreas de Formação (CNAF), a área de Audiovisuais e Produção dos Media, integrada na área de estudo Artes do grupo Artes e Humanidades indica que: “213 Audiovisuais e produção dos media Os programas de formação em audiovisuais e produção dos media dizem respeito às técnicas necessárias à produção de livros, jornais, programas de rádio e televisão, filmes, vídeos, música gravada e à reprodução gráfica. Esta área também se refere aos métodos de reprodução a cores, à fotografia e à computação gráfica, assim como à associação de imagens, texto e ilustrações para a produção de livros, revistas, anúncios, documentos publicitários, etc. Esta área inclui os programas cujo conteúdo principal incida sobre as seguintes formações: 2 Composição de texto; Composição de texto informatizada; Composição tipográfica; Concepção gráfica/design gráfico; Encadernação; Fotografia; Ilustração; Impressão; Produção assistida por computador; Produção cinematográfica; Produção de rádio e televisão; Produção multimédia; Produção musical; Realização gráfica/maquetização; Reprodução gráfica; Técnicas de som e imagem; Técnicas dos media” Nesse sentido, e dado que leciono no Departamento de Artes da Imagem, com uma forte incidência nos cursos tecnológico/artísticos das áreas audiovisual e multimédia considerei mais adequado submeter a minha candidatura nesta área

Magneto-caloric effect in the pseudo-binary intermetallic YPrFe17 compound

We have synthesized the intermetallic YPrFe17 compound by arc-melting. X-ray and neutron powder diffraction show that the crystal structure is rhombohedral with View the MathML source space group (Th2Zn17-type). The investigated compound exhibits a broad isothermal magnetic entropy change {\Delta}SM(T) associated with the ferro-to-paramagnetic phase transition (TC \approx 290 K). The |{\Delta}SM| (\approx 2.3 J kg-1 K-1) and the relative cooling power (\approx 100 J kg-1) have been calculated for applied magnetic field changes up to 1.5 T. A single master curve for {\Delta}SM under different values of the magnetic field change can be obtained by a rescaling of the temperature axis. The results are compared and discussed in terms of the magneto-caloric effect in the isostructural R2Fe17 (R = Y, Pr and Nd) binary intermetallic alloys.Comment: Preprint, 5 pages (postprint), 4 figures, regular pape

Battery storage analysis with improved capacity and performance for electric vehicles

Increasing oil prices, demand for urban vehicles and focus on sustainable transportation have caused a substantial new development effort towards automotive electrification such as hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs). EVs typically achieve better fuel economy and have lower fuel costs than similar conventional vehicles. The demands for electric battery storage are increasing for greater energy storage needs for alternative energy sources and electric grid systems as well. Lithium Ion batteries are considered as one of the leading types of battery storage systems to be employed in Electric Vehicles (EVs) or Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs). This work is a continuation of previous experimental and simulation studies conducted at NIU in an effort to develop high performance electric battery storage for transportations applications. The objective of this research is to develop a three dimensional computer simulation model for coupled electrochemical and thermal analysis and characterization of a lithium ion battery performance subject to a range of high charge and discharge rates associated with the typical vehicle load cycles. The simulation model is used to analyze the limitation of state-of-the art-battery chemistry and capacity in terms electrochemical polarization performance and thermal heat management requirement

THE INFLUENCE OF MARKETING-RELATED MOBILE ACTIVITIES ON THE ADOPTION OF MOBILE MARKETING TRANSACTIONS: A USES AND GRATIFICATION PERSPECTIVE

There is an increasing attention being accorded to the adoption of mobile marketing transactions in recent years, as both practitioners and researchers recognise that mobile commerce (m-commerce) is poised to burst into the mainstream. This study identifies a literature gap in which there seems to be an insufficient critical mass of studies on the adoption of innovative marketing technologies within the South African context. More specifically, very few studies have been conducted regarding the contribution of mobile marketing-related activities on consumer behaviour towards m-commerce. In view of this development, guided by the uses and gratification theory, the purpose of this study is to ascertain the influence of marketing-related mobile activities on the adoption of mobile marketing transactions, specifically focusing on the South African youth consumers. To fulfil the purpose of the study, the objectives of the study are centered on examining the degree to which the following marketing-related mobile activities: (1) provide information online, (2) access content online, and (3) share content online, influence consumers’ adoption of mobile marketing transactions. Following a quantitative research technique and a descriptive single cross-sectional design, data was gathered through a self-administered questionnaire, using a sample of 810 students from three selected South African universities. Three research hypotheses were advanced in line with the study objectives, and they were tested using linear regression analysis.  The study findings confirm the positive significant effects of marketing-related mobile activities in driving adoption of mobile marketing transactions. Managerial implications of the findings are discussed, and limitations and future research directions are also indicated

UNCERTAINTY AND DECISION-MAKING IN THE HUMAN BRAIN

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biology, NeuroscienceUncertainty pervades most of the events and decisions that we face every day. Uncertainty exists in previously acquired knowledge (prior) and on what our senses currently tell us (likelihood). Moreover, uncertainty exists in both non-social and social settings (social uncertainty). Understanding how the brain responds to and uses information about uncertainty thus seems crucial if we want to understand decision-making.(...

Rural Women Entrepreneurship in South Africa: Issues and Challenges

Despite its importance in rural development, women’s entrepreneurship has faced a series of problems in South Africa. For a holistic assessment of such problems, through a literature review approach, this study aims to review prior research on women entrepreneurship, with a focus on the issues and challenges surrounding rural women entrepreneurship in South Africa. Secondary information sources, such as journal articles, theses, books, abstracts, and credible business-affiliated websites, were used to conduct the review. Among the results emerging from the study, some of the key challenges facing South African rural women entrepreneurs include a lack of adequate financing, education and training, gender bias, inadequate business skills, and difficulties in balancing between family and business. In view of these challenges, this study recommends capacity-building programmes, a robust government policy framework, and opening wider channels of funding and awareness to foster entrepreneurial activities among rural women entrepreneurs in South Africa

EXPLORING ALGORITHMIC EXPERIENCES IN OTT: WITH A MIXED-METHODS APPROACH

This paper addresses the challenge of 'poverty in the midst of abundance' in OTT services, where a vast array of content makes it difficult for users to find what suits their tastes, often leading to subscription cancellations. U.S. market studies show users spend an average of 10.5 minutes searching for content, while in South Korea, they experience psychological fatigue during this process. This indicates a need for improved recommendation algorithms to enhance user experience and reduce service churn The research focuses on identifying attributes in OTT recommendation algorithms that users prefer, aiming to understand which specific features of recommendations are most valued by users. Findings reveal that effective recommendation systems, tailored to user preferences and feedback, can significantly enhance the user experience. Improved search interfaces and content curation are crucial for increasing user trust and satisfaction. The paper provides an academic foundation for understanding algorithmic interplay in OTT services and practical guidance for companies to develop more effective recommendation strategies. This research underscores the importance of user-centric approaches in OTT platforms to address the content overload problem and enhance overall service qualit

An Efficient and Low Density Crossbar Switch Design for NoC

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is a sort of multiplexing that facilitates various signals to occupy a single transmission channel. In this medium, sharing is enabled in the code space by assigning a limited number of N-chip length orthogonal spreading codes to the processing elements sharing interconnect. Serial and parallel overloaded CDMA interconnect (OCI) architecture variants are presented to adhere to different area, delay, and power requirements. Compared with the conventional CDMA crossbar, on a  Xilinx  Artix-7  AC701  FPGA  kit,  the  serial  OCI crossbar achieves 100% higher bandwidth, 31% less resource utilization, and 45% power saving, while the parallel OCI crossbar achieves N times higher  bandwidth  compared with the serial OCI crossbar at the expense of increased area  and power consumption. A 65-node OCI-based star NoC is implemented, evaluated, and compared with an equivalent space division multiple access based torus NoC for various synthetic traffic patterns. The evaluation results in terms of the resource utilization and throughput highlight the OCI as a promising technology to implement the physical layer of NoC routers

EFFECTS OF AVURVEDIC SHODHANA (PROCESSING) ON DRIED TUBEROUS ACONITE (Aconitum napellus Linn.) ROOT

Aconite (Aconitum napellus Linn.) commonly known as atis is a poisonous plant used extensively as antihypertensive, antipyretic, analgesic and antirheumatic. Ayurveda recommended the administration of aconite roots only after purification, i.e., boiling roots in cow’s urine (Gomutra). In the present study an attempt was made to compare the pro-arrhythmic and antihypertensive effects of powdered aconite root purified by shodhana process with that of unpurified form of aconite roots in order to provide scientific support of the claim in ayurvedic texts that purification of aconite root by shodhana process retains its antihypertensive activity and is devoid of pro-arrhythmic activity. Aconite root treatment in both forms purified and unpurified) caused significant reduction in BP when compared with diseased control group (P<0.05). The unpurified aconite root group showed significant increase in heart rate, increase in QRS complex time and increase in QT interval, however these parameters were statistically insignificant in purified aconite root treated group. The PRA, SC and BUN levels was significantly decreased in aconite root treatment groups. The probable mechanism of antihypertensive activity of aconite root can be attributed to decrease in plasma renin activity, decrease in oxidative stress and increase in NO levels. Key words: Aconite, shodhana process, antihypertensive, proarrhythmi

Ayurveda provides complete package for healthy progeny !!

The woman is an axle around whom not only the family or the society but the whole Universe revolves. A good progeny probably is the only prime thing on the earth that any couple would expect child is one who protects his race from grief, miseries etc. Today due to changing lifestyle Medical world is concerned about increasing rate of congenital imperfections in the new born which is posing confront to the aim of healthy humanity. Science reveals the fact that the anatomical, physiological, psychological built up of offspring is dependent on parents who provide ‘genes’ for specific characters to the child. Best of male and female gamete (sperm and ovum – through Shodhana and following regimes before conception) Atma, Suddha Garbhashaya, proper Kala (Ritukala), and observing Garbhini Paricharya properly will ensure timely and normal delivery of a healthy offspring. The contented, positive, enthusiastic but controlled state of mind of parents during conjugation results in static equilibrium of Manogunas, increment of Satvaguna leading to high ranked Satva of Garbha grating noble qualities like piousness, dexterity, intelligence, memory, quickness for work, gratitude & positive thoughts etc. Thus, Ayurveda- A complete and holistic health science, not only deal with preventive and curative aspects of health but also has a strong footings in the field of healthy progeny from choosing of life-partner to care during pregnancy