Aesthetic design using multi-objective evolutionary algorithms

The use of computational methodologies for the optimization of aesthetic parameters is not frequent mainly due to the fact that these parameters are not quantifiable and are subjective. In this work an interactive methodology based on the use of multi-objective optimization algorithms is proposed. This strategy associates the results of different optimization runs considering the existent quantifiable objectives and different sets of boundary conditions concerning the decision variables, as defined by an expert decision maker. The associated results will serve as initial population of solutions for a final optimization run. The idea is that a more global picture of potential ”good” solutions can be found. At the end this will facilitate the work of the expert decision maker since more solutions are available. The method was applied to a case study and the preliminary results obtained showed the potentially of the strategy adopted.One of the authors acknowledges the financial support received by the Portuguese Science Foundation under grant SFRH/BD/44600/ 2008

The effects of strength-based versus deficit-based self-regulated learning strategies on students' effort intentions

In two randomized experiments, one conducted online (n = 174) and one in the classroom (n = 267), we tested the effects of two types of self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies on students’ intentions to put effort into professional development activities: strength-based SRL strategies (i.e., identifying perceived relative strengths and, subsequently, selecting professional development activities to further improve those strengths) versus deficit-based SRL strategies (i.e., identifying perceived relative short- comings and, subsequently, selecting professional develop- ment activities to improve those shortcomings). Across both studies, analysis of variance revealed that, relative to students who used deficit-based SRL strategies, students who used strength-based SRL strategies were higher in perceived competence, intrinsic motivation, and effort in- tentions. Moreover, the results of multi-mediator analysis and structural equation modeling supported the hypothesis that the effect of strength-based versus deficit-based SRL strategies on students’ effort intentions was sequentially mediated by perceived competence and intrinsic motiva- tion. Implications for the application of self-regulated learning strategies in the context of professional self-de- velopment are discussed

Digital design, optimisation and manufacturing of architectural components

Design projects of building components frequently embody a trade-off between multiple and interdependent requirements such as performance related aspects, form freedom and complexity of the desired architectural expressions. Conflicting boundary conditions, conventional materials and technologies most often compromise the realisation of optimised design and its underlying concepts. A model of a unifying software construct will be presented that can iteratively optimise a design towards its initial functional requirements using readily available design, simulation and user-interfacing tools. This approach will allow complex quantitative and qualitative requirement integration right in the fuzzy front end of conceptual development, functioning as a design explorer essential to support design intent. This will be achieved through the combination of processes including form finding, form generation, performance analysis, emergence, optimization, evaluation, and rapid prototyping. Applying this approach, architects and designers can conceive interactively, test the consequences of actions almost immediately, and explore different ways of solution refinements that are crucial in design processes of architectural components with a high degree of form freedom and system complexity.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Assessment of Ageing in the Insulation of HVDC Model Cables under Thermo-electric Stress

International audienc

Discretion from a psychological perspective

Street-level bureaucrats – such as teachers, social workers and police officers – have to implement public policies. However, they are not simple machines implementing rules, but have opportunities to make their own decisions. In other words, they have autonomy, or discretion in their work. This chapter shows how a psychological perspective can be beneficial when investigating discretion. This is firstly illustrated using the concept of policy alienation. Many street-level bureaucrats feel alienated from public policies. When they perceive they do not have enough discretion to implement the policy or feel that a policy is meaningless for society and clients, they experience policy alienation. This attitude can furthermore lead to different types of behaviours. These behaviours can be classified using the notion of coping during public service delivery. Coping can be grouped in three types, namely: moving towards clients (for instance breaking rules for a client), moving away from clients (for instance by not answering emails for clients) and moving against clients (for instance by becoming aggressive to clients). We introduce the concepts of policy alienation and coping during public service delivery and end with future research directions for scholars interested in studying discretion from a psychological perspective