Semantically Consistent Regularization for Zero-Shot Recognition

The role of semantics in zero-shot learning is considered. The effectiveness of previous approaches is analyzed according to the form of supervision provided. While some learn semantics independently, others only supervise the semantic subspace explained by training classes. Thus, the former is able to constrain the whole space but lacks the ability to model semantic correlations. The latter addresses this issue but leaves part of the semantic space unsupervised. This complementarity is exploited in a new convolutional neural network (CNN) framework, which proposes the use of semantics as constraints for recognition.Although a CNN trained for classification has no transfer ability, this can be encouraged by learning an hidden semantic layer together with a semantic code for classification. Two forms of semantic constraints are then introduced. The first is a loss-based regularizer that introduces a generalization constraint on each semantic predictor. The second is a codeword regularizer that favors semantic-to-class mappings consistent with prior semantic knowledge while allowing these to be learned from data. Significant improvements over the state-of-the-art are achieved on several datasets.Comment: Accepted to CVPR 201

Haskelite: A Step-By-Step Interpreter for Teaching Functional Programming

This paper describes Haskelite, a step-by-step interpreter for a small subset of Haskell. Haskelite is designed to help teach fundamental concepts of functional programming, namely: evaluation by rewriting; definition of functions using pattern-matching; recursion; higher-order functions; and on-demand evaluation. The interpreter is implemented in Elm and compiled to JavaScript, so it runs on the browser and requires no installation. This is on-going work and has yet to be fully evaluated; we present some initial experience in the classroom and highlight some points for improvement

Integration of a model for volatile release in the CFD simulation of an industrial biomass boiler

Doctoral Thesis for PhD degree in Leaders for Technical IndustriesMotivada por sua disponibilidade, abundância generalizada e preocupações ambientais, a biomassa sólida tornou-se uma opção competitiva para diversificar a produção de eletricidade entre os recursos de energia renovável. Este trabalho tem como objetivo caraterizar o comportamento da combustão de espécies de biomassa frequentemente utilizadas em centrais termoelétricas para suportar o desenvolvimento de um modelo numérico para modelação eficiente e precisa da conversão de biomassa numa caldeira industrial a grelha. A eficiência da caldeira numa central de 35 MWth foi calculada como sendo aproximadamente 80%. Amostras selecionadas de biomassa de eucalipto, pinheiro, acácia e oliveira foram testadas com o analisador térmico Hot Disk TPS 2500S. A condutividade térmica ficou compreendida entre 0,239 e 0,404 W/mK. Além disso, a capacidade calorífica apresentou uma variação entre 0,855 e 2,442 MJ/m3K, e a difusividade térmica entre 0,187 e 0,258 mm2/s. Para a análise final e aproximada foram utilizados os equipamentos LECO TruSpec CHN Macro e LECO CS-200 e uma mufla, respetivamente. Os dados revelaram uma maior reatividade do eucalipto, cerca de 2 vezes superior aos outros combustíveis, e a propensão da acácia a produzir emissões poluentes (principalmente à base de azoto) e problemas de deposição de cinzas devido à sua composição química. Amostras de pequenas dimensões (cerca de 10 mg) foram usadas para medir a perda de massa e a sua reatividade num analisador termogravimétrico (TGA) da TA Instruments, modelo SDT 2960. Os testes foram realizados em atmosfera oxidante, a uma taxa de aquecimento entre 5 e 100 ºC/min, até 900 ºC. Observou-se que numa ampla faixa de temperaturas, a conversão do combustível segue uma sequência de secagem, desvolatilização e combustão do resíduo carbonoso. Amostras de maiores dimensões foram testadas num reator construído para esse fim, e que simula o processo de desvolatilização de forma controlável. Neste, a perda de massa foi medida continuamente ao longo do tempo enquanto os compostos da fase gasosa foram recolhidos em sacos para posterior análise num cromatógrafo gasoso da Bruker Scion 456-GC equipado com um detetor de condutividade térmica. Ao contrário dos dados do TGA, concluiu-se que na oxidação de biomassas, utilizando partículas maiores, não é possível distinguir as sucessivas etapas de conversão, devido à maior resistência interna de difusão. Avaliando a influência da esbelteza da amostra (rácio comprimento/espessura), concluiu-se que a taxa de desvolatilização depende apenas da sua espessura e não do volume. Além disso, para temperaturas mais altas do reator, a taxa de perda de massa é independente do tipo de biomassa. Os compostos gasosos libertados durante a conversão térmica do eucalipto apresentaram forte correlação com a temperatura do reator, sendo CO2 e CO sempre os principais produtos de desvolatilização. A dependência da temperatura de ambos os compostos apresentam, para o CO, um aumento de 8 a 13% entre 600 e 800°C, enquanto o de CO2 aumenta apenas ligeiramente de 11 a 12%. O modelo eXtended Discrete Element Method foi usado para descrever a desvolatilização no reator. Os resultados foram comparados com os dados experimentais e, embora tenha sido observada uma boa concordância, concluiu-se que a oxidação do resíduo carbonoso necessita de um modelo de difusão. A simulação do escoamento no interior da caldeira foi feita utilizando o software ANSYS Fluent. Neste, um modelo empírico externo para prever a conversão de biomassa ao longo da grelha é acoplado a um modelo CFD para prever o escoamento reativo dentro da caldeira. Os resultados destacaram a contribuição da contração na seção intermédia da fornalha, e a necessidade de um maior caudal de ar secundário para reduzir as emissões de CO. Os resultados mostram que modificando a razão entre o ar primário e secundário de 79/21 para 40/60, obteve-se uma redução da fração mássica de CO de 0.009 para 0.0003.Motivated by their availability, widespread abundance, and environmental concerns, solid biomass has become a competitive option to diversify electricity production amongst the renewable energy resources. This work aims to characterize the combustion behavior of solid biomass species frequently used in power plants as a route to support the development of a numerical model for efficient and accurate modeling of biomass conversion in an industrial grate-fired boiler. The boiler efficiency of a power plant rated at 35 MWth was calculated as approximately 80%. Selected samples of biomass (eucalyptus, pine, acacia, and olive) were tested with a Hot Disk Thermal Constants Analyzer TPS 2500S. The thermal conductivity, varied in the range of 0.239 to 0.404 W/mK. In addition, the heat capacity is within 0.855 to 2.442 MJ/m3K, and the thermal diffusivity is between 0.187 and 0.258 mm2/s. The ultimate and proximity analysis was carried out on the fuel samples using LECO TruSpec CHN Macro and LECO CS-200 equipment and a muffle furnace, respectively. The data revealed a higher reactivity of eucalyptus, which is around 2 times higher than that of other fuels, and the propensity of the acacia to produce pollutant emissions (mostly Nitrogen based) and ash deposition problems due to their chemical composition. Small size samples (around 10 mg each) were used to measure the mass loss and their reactivity in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) from TA Instruments, model SDT 2960. The tests were carried out on an oxidizing atmosphere at a heating rate between 5 and 100 ºC/min up to 900 ºC. It was observed that over a wide range of temperatures, fuel conversion follows a sequence of drying, devolatilization, and char combustion. Larger samples of heartwood were tested in a purpose built reactor that simulates the devolatilization process under a controllable manner. In this, the mass loss was continuously measured along the time while the gas phase compounds were collected in bags for subsequent analysis in a gas chromatograph Bruker Scion 456-GC equipped with a thermal conductivity detector. As opposed to the TGA data, it was concluded that all fuels show that the combustion of large particles does not exhibit separate consecutive conversion stages, due to internal diffusion resistance. This was further highlighted by varying the sample aspect ratio. It was concluded that the devolatilization rate depends on the smallest dimension and not on the bulk size. Furthermore, at higher reactor temperatures, the mass loss profile is independent of the biomass. The gas compounds released with eucalyptus presented a strong correlation with the reactor temperature, being CO2 and CO always the main devolatilization products. The temperature dependence of both compounds shows, for CO, an increase from 8 to 13% between 600 and 800 °C, while the CO2 yield is only slightly increasing from 11 to 12%. The eXtended Discrete Element Method model was implemented to describe the devolatilization inside the reactor. The results were compared with the experimental data and, while a good agreement was observed, it was concluded that the char oxidation needs to be also represented by a diffusion model. The numerical model was developed using the ANSYS Fluent software. In this, a user defined empirical model to predict the biomass conversion along the grate was coupled with a freeboard model to predict reactive flow inside the boiler. The results highlighted the contribution of the converging sections in the middle section of the furnace and the need for a higher secondary air flow rate to reduce CO emissions. The results show that a reduction of the CO mass fraction from 0.009 to 0.0003 was possible with a modification of the primary to secondary air split ratio from 79/21 to 40/60.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia for sponsoring my research, through the grant SFRH/BD/130588/2017

Reassessing (de)standardization: Life course trajectories across three generations

A central problem of life course analysis concerns the changes brought about by the pluralization and differentiation of biographies in western societies. Lives would be increasingly dissimilar from each other and marked by a broader range of transitions and stages. Under the lens of life course theorization, the heterogenization of biographies is typically understood as destandardization. However, if the destandardization hypothesis gained momentum, there is still little information about its explanatory power outside the wealthiest centres of Europe and North America. Following recent trends in research, the article critically examines the applicability of the destandardization hypothesis to the Portuguese case. Through an analysis of the lives of three generations of Portuguese men and women, we reconstruct the life trajectories of each generation starting from the 1930s until the early 2000s. Through the reconstitution of both family and work trajectories, we see if there is a standard biography from which to derive subsequent patterns of heterogenization. From this perspective, we reassess the extent to which the destandardization model is suitable for explaining life course transformations in the Portuguese society.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Neuromodulation of the prefrontal cortex by iTBS: effects on the entrepreneurial attitude as evaluated by TAI test

Introduction: Neuroentrepreneurship research suggests the importance in potential entrepreneurs of traits such as impulsiveness and novelty-seeking behaviour, along with an ambidextrous and flexible decision-making capacity that allows successful entrepreneurs to efficiently switch between exploitation behaviour (associated with regions involved in value-representation such as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex) and exploration behaviour (associated with attention- and cognitive-control frontoparietal regions). Simultaneously, the importance of creativity and ability for divergent thinking has also been underscored. The neurobiological basis for such functions is still being elucidated, but has pointed to the importance of several network-integrated prefrontal cortex regions involved in higher cognitive and attention-control mechanisms (such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and frontopolar cortex) allowing the switching between exploitative and explorative behaviour, decision-making and relaxing of previous rules and constraints for innovative problem solving. Neuromodulation studies have shown changes in determinants of entrepreneurial attitude such as strategic decision-making, risk and novelty-seeking behaviour. In this exploratory study, we analysed the effects of stimulation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on a test for entrepreneurial aptitude (TAI) in a group of 13 healthy volunteers randomly selected for either sham or active stimulation with intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS). Materials and methods: A total of 13 healthy volunteers were randomly allocated for either active (n=7) or sham (n=6) one-session iTBS stimulation of the right DLPFC. They were subsequently asked to answer the Entrepreneurial Attitude Test (TAI), which evaluates the determinants of entrepreneurial attitude in 8 factors and gives a global score, classified in three groups. Results: Mean TAI factor 3 scores (“adaptability”) were significantly higher in the active than in the sham group (6,64% ± 2,84%, p=0,039). Otherwise, there were no statistically significant differences in most TAI scores. Mean global TAI scores put the active group in the high-entrepreneurial attitude range (75,71%), and the sham group on the mid-entrepreneurial attitude range (71,66%), although such difference was not statistically significant (4,05% ± 2,67%, p=0,157). Discussion: Higher attention-control mechanisms (mediated by DLPFC via connections with the frontopolar and parietal cortices) which allow an efficient switching between exploration and exploitation behaviour may be a possible physiological basis for an ambidextrous entrepreneurial mindset, and thus the probable cause for the stimulated group having TAI factor 3 (“adaptability”) scores significantly higher than non-stimulated group. Despite stimulation of a major top-down cognitive control region of the prefrontal cortex, creativity’s neurobiology is increasingly understood in terms of the insertion of the relevant regions into major brain networks (such as default mode network or cognitive control network), such that modulation of other regions (such as the anterior temporal cortex) may be important for achieving improvements in creativity, innovativeness and insight problem solving, determinants for entrepreneurial behaviour. This, along our reduced sample size, possibly prevented us from finding other significant results in other entrepreneurship factors. Nevertheless, the fact that the active group had mean higher (although not significant) global TAI score, possibly suggests stimulation of the right DLPFC, if increasing activity of the higher-attention control mechanisms and stimulating some components of creativity (possibly divergent thinking and insight problem-solving), probably had indeed some overall effect in the determinants of entrepreneurial attitude, possibly worthy of future research. Conclusion: Stimulation of the higher cognitive and attention-control mechanisms (possibly the physiological basis for an ambidextrous entrepreneurial mindset) by stimulation of the right DLPFC is reflected in increased TAI factor 3 (“adaptability”) scores. The integration in future entrepreneurship neuromodulation protocols of open answer questionnaires or gambling tasks eventually allowing pre- and post-analysis is a suggestion to more directly evaluate creativity/innovativeness in future neuroentrepreneurship research.Introdução: A investigação na área do neuroempreendedorismo tem sugerido a importância em potenciais empreendedores da existência de características como a impulsividade e um comportamento de procura de novidades, assim como uma capacidade cognitiva ambidextra e flexível para a tomada de decisões, a qual permite que empreendedores bem-sucedidos transitem eficientemente entre comportamentos exploratórios do tipo exploitation (associado com regiões cerebrais envolvidas na representação do valor de opções, como o córtex pré-frontal ventromedial) e do tipo exploration (associado com regiões frontoparietais envolvidas no controlo cognitivo e da atenção). Simultaneamente, a importância da criatividade e da capacidade para pensamento divergente têm também sido sublinhadas. A base neurobiológica para estas funções ainda está a ser esclarecida, no entanto tem apontado para a importância de várias regiões pré-frontais integradas em redes, as quais estão envolvidas em mecanismos superiores de controlo cognitivo e de controlo da atenção (tal como o córtex pré-frontal dorso-lateral e o córtex fronto-polar) , as quais permitem a mudança eficiente entre comportamentos exploratórios do tipo exploitation e exploration, a tomada de decisões, e o relaxamento de regras e constrangimentos previamente aprendidos de modo a conseguir a resolução de problemas de forma inovadora. Vários estudos de neuromodulação têm mostrado alterações em determinantes da atitude empreendedora tais como a tomada estratégia de decisões, valoração do risco e comportamento de procura de novidades. Neste estudo exploratório, analisámos os efeitos da estimulação do córtex pré-frontal dorso-lateral (DLPFC) direito num teste que avalia a atitude empreendedora (TAI) num grupo de 13 voluntários saudáveis seleccionados de forma randomizada para estimulação real ou placebo com estimulação theta burst intermitente (intermitent theta burst stimulation, iTBS). Materiais e métodos: Um total de 13 voluntários saudáveis foram alocados de forma aleatória para ser submetidos a 1 sessão de estimulação real/activa (n=7) ou placebo (n=6) de iTBS sobre o DLPFC direito. Os voluntários responderam subsequentemente ao Teste de Atitude Empreendedora (TAI), o qual avalia e decompõe em 8 factores os determinantes para a atitude empreendedora e fornece também uma pontuação global, a qual permite uma classificação em 3 grupos. Resultados: A pontuação média obtida pelo grupo activo no factor 3 do TAI (“adaptabilidade”) foi significativamente superior à obtida pelo grupo placebo (6,64% ± 2,84%, p=0,039). De resto, não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas nos restantes factores TAI. Os valores médios da pontuação global no teste TAI põem o grupo activo no intervalo de alta atitude empreendedora (75,71%), e o grupo placebo no intervalo de média atitude empreendedora (71,66%), embora essa diferença não seja estatisticamente significativa (4,05% ± 2,67%, p=0,157). Discussão: Os mecanismos superiores de controlo da atenção (mediados pelo DLPFC via conexões com os córtices fronto-polar e parietal), os quais permitem uma transição eficiente entre comportamentos exploratórios do tipo exploitation ou exploration, podem ser uma possível base fisiológica para a mentalidade empreendedora ambidextra, e assim a causa provável para o facto de o grupo com estimulação activa /real ter tido pontuações significativamente superiores às do grupo placebo no factor 3 do TAI (“adaptabilidade”). Apesar da estimulação de uma importante região do córtex pré-frontal envolvida no controlo cognitivo top-down, a neurobiologia da criatividade é cada vez mais entendida no contexto da inserção das regiões relevantes em grandes redes cerebrais (como a default mode network e a cognitive control network), de tal modo que a modulação de outras regiões (como o córtex temporal anterior) pode ser importante para alcançar melhorias na criatividade, inventividade e solução de problemas por insight, os quais são determinantes do comportamento e atitude empreendedora. Isto, em conjunto com a nossa amostra de tamanho reduzido, possivelmente foi a causa que nos impediu de encontrar outros resultados significativos nos factores de atitude empreendedora. Contudo, o facto de que o grupo de estimulação real/activa teve, em média, uma pontuação global no teste TAI superior à do grupo placebo (embora esta diferença não seja estatisticamente significativa), possivelmente sugere que a estimulação do DLPFC direito — se aumentando a actividade dos mecanismos superiores de controlo de atenção e estimulando alguns componentes da criatividade (possivelmente o pensamento divergente e a solução de problemas por insight) — provavelmente teve efectivamente algum efeito líquido global nos determinantes de atitude empreendedora, certamente digna de investigação futura. Conclusão: A estimulação dos mecanismos superiores de controlo cognitivo e da atenção (possivelmente a base fisiológica para uma mentalidade empreendedora ambidextra) via estimulação do DLPFC direito é reflectida num aumento da pontuação do factor 3 (“adaptabilidade”) do TAI. A integração em futuros protocolos de neuromodulação no contexto da investigação no neuroempreendedorismo de questionários de resposta aberta e de jogos de azar (eventualmente permitindo análises pre- e post-facto) é uma sugestão para mais directamente avaliar a criatividade e inovação em futuras investigações sobre neuroempreendedorismo

The contribution of the new technologies to the 21st - Century Design

In the past the market economy was dominated by the local and regional design,characterized for strong links to the customs, traditions and natural resources from eachregion.As the consequence of the technological advances and the growing needs of consumption,at present, products are manufactured based on economical, functional and marketingcriterions, which means that their design is very offset from the regional and local signs.Between the challenges that characterize the actual economy, one highlights the existenceof more market niches, product variations and shorter life cycles. To survive in this economy,marked by the competition and the globalisation, one search to imply in product developingprocess, the design, engineering, marketing and production department, that composes aknown industrial methodology called concurrent or simultaneous engineering.In this article, one intends to exhibit the applications and advantages of the newtechnologies, like Rapid Prototyping (RP), that are valuable tools of the concurrentengineering and to analyse the specific implications in the design history and teaching.RP is a family of modern technologies that generate three-dimensional solid objects undercomputer control. Besides its designation be reported to the first major application that isindustrial prototyping, the RP equipments also allow the rapid tooling and the directmanufacture of small series or single products.Nowadays, the commercialisation of RP equipments, termed concept modellers or 3Dprintersis in great expansion. Although these machines use a very reduced class of cheapmaterials with poor mechanical characteristics, they allow the designers to verify and quicklytest the ideas that they are developing during the creative process. The designer can realize inplenitude the iterative process of creation without the traditional economical and materialslimitations, being enough to send the CAD file directly to the RP equipment placed in aoffice, like an usual inkjet printer. So it is possible to test new ideas with better accuracybefore its concretisation, avoiding misunderstandings and delays and inciting the positivecriticism through the involvement of the technical staff from all the related departments.Particularity, faced to the challenges due to the globalisation, the traditional and regionalindustries will find in these technologies the means that they need to ensure its own futuresurviving.This presentation is divided in the following sections:- Innovation loop in the past and in the present. The iterative process.- New technologies available to the design and the designers: Rapid Prototyping andInternet.- Design Pedagogy: new challenges in the formation of future generations of designers.- Conclusions and future trends