Introduction of non-topological costs in syntactic analyses: the case of Gulbenkian estate

Space syntax is a set of theories and techniques for analysing urban settlements and buildings. Focused on the study of the configuration of convex spaces, space syntax is based on the concept of topological depth, that is, in the number of steps to go from some space (or axial line) to every other space in a spatial complex. Typically, non-topological costs like stairs, ramps, accentuated slopes or walls are not considered in space syntax analyses, or are incorporated in an insufficient fashion, namely, with the arbitrary introduction of axial lines in order to increase depth. This article proposes an innovative method to deal with these costs that uses logic programming with Prolog language. In this way, it is possible to better understand the relative segregation of the Gulbenkian estate within its urban environment, the city of Odivelas near Lisbon (Portugal), noting that it was the largest public housing estate built within the scope of the resettlement plan for those displaced by the great floods of November 25-26, 1967, established by the Ministry of Public Works and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in the late 1960s.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A syntactic analysis of the Portela Urbanization using prolog

Portela is a paradigmatic modern housing complex located at the vicinity of Lisbon. Developed since the late 1960s, it combines several syntactic schemes, namely, concentric towers, asymmetric blocks and primary open-closed cells typically distributed along a ring-shaped road. It is also structured by a central space with a mall and other facilities. In this paper we introduce Prolog, a Logic Programming language used in Artificial Intelligence, to describe the internal logic of Portela Urbanization. Firstly, we explain how the syntactic schemes present in Portela can be generated in a recursive way using Prolog and following an approach like the ideographic language introduced by Bill Hillier and Julienne Hanson in their seminal book The Social Logic of Space (1984). Secondly, we performed a settlement (alpha) analysis of Portela by computing connectivity, control, depth, integration and other syntactic measures using Prolog predicates. These two complementary approaches proved to be useful to understand the ideal of the Modern city as far as the Portela complex is concerned. And show how Logic Programming is a useful tool to describe the patterns of discrete systems as social knowables due to its declarative nature. In fact, a Prolog program represents a certain amount of knowledge, namely, of an urban settlement (or building), which is used to answer queries about the social and economic consequences of some spatial design.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Graph coloring techniques for planning dynamic optical networks

Dynamic optical networks will be crucial in global optical communications in the next 5-10 years.On-demand services, fuelled by applications such as cloud computing and grid computing, are the main drivers for the availability of an increasingly dynamic network infrastructure. Efficient network planning tools that deal with Routing and Wavelength Assignment problems are of paramount relevance in this dynamics cenario. In this work, a simulator for planning dynamic optical networks was developed, and several real networks were tested, such as National Science Foundation Network, British Telecom, US Backbone Network, and also bidirectional ring networks. In this simulator, we have implemented a graph coloring wavelength assignment algorithm named Small-Bucket algorithm that allows recoloring to occur. A comparison performance with the First-fit algorithm is performed in terms of the blocking probability, number of recolorings, number of colors used and simulation time. It is concluded that the Small-Bucket algorithm originate slower blocking probabilities than the ones obtained with the First-fit algorithm. However, to reach these low blocking probabilities, the Small-Bucket algorithm makes use of a larger number of wavelengths and recolorings.As redes ópticas dinâmicas serão cruciais nas comunicações ópticas globais nos proximos 5-10 anos. Os principais impulsionadores deste dinamismo são os serviços on-demand, suportados por aplicações como computação em nuvem e computação em grelha, conduzindo à necessidade de uma infraestrutura de rede cada vez mais dinâmica. Ferramentas de planeamento de rede eficientes, que lidam com os problemas de encaminhamento e atribuição de comprimentos de onda serão de extrema relevância neste cenário dinâmico. Neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um simulador para o planeamento de redes ópticas dinâmicas, e várias redes reais foram testadas, como a National Science Foundation Network, a British Telecom, a US Backbone Network e também redes bidirecionais em anel. Neste simulador, implementa-se um algoritmo de coloração de grafos denominado algoritmo Small-Bucket, que permite a ocorrência de recolorações de nós. Este algoritmo é comparado como algoritmo First-fit, em termos de probabilidade de bloqueio, número de recolorações, número de cores usadas e tempo de simulação. Conclui-se que o algoritmo Small-Bucket produz menores probabilidades de bloqueio do que as obtidas com o algoritmo First-fit. No entanto, para atingir essas baixas probabilidades de bloqueio, o algoritmo Small-Bucket faz uso de um maior número de comprimentos de onda e recolorações

Transplante de células olfativas (olfactory ensheating cells). Mudança de paradigma no tratamento de lesões medulares?

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2018As lesões traumáticas da medula espinhal são atualmente um problema de saúde importante, nomeadamente por afetar muitos indivíduos durante a sua vida ativa, condicionando uma redução drástica da sua qualidade de vida. Quando ocorre uma lesão medular, há uma diminuição da transmissão do sinal elétrico através das vias medulares ascendentes e descentes, devido a uma interrupção física dos feixes neuronais, mas também devido ao microambiente que se forma no local de lesão, altamente inibitório da regeneração neuronal. Esta diminuição parcial ou total da transmissão do sinal eléctrico manifesta-se clinicamente por uma redução ou abolição das capacidades sensitiva e motora abaixo do nível de lesão. As terapêuticas para as lesões medulares traumáticas oferecidas pela medicina atual são muito limitadas quer em diversidade, quer em eficácia. Assim, urge a necessidade de novas terapêuticas capazes de mudar o paradigma da abordagem a esta situação clínica. O sistema nervoso olfativo (SNO) possui uma capacidade regenerativa inata, visto estar em contacto com o meio externo, onde existem partículas nocivas como gases e poeiras, que danificam o SNO. Para que o indivíduo mantenha o seu olfato intacto, é necessário que este sistema regenere, razão pela qual o SNO adquiriu essa capacidade ao longo de milhões de anos de evolução. As células embainhantes olfativas (Olfactory Ensheating Cells – OECs) são células da glia que existem apenas no SNO, onde desempenham funções essenciais ao desenvolvimento e regeneração neuronais, existindo evidência de que poderão contribuir para a regeneração da medula espinhal. Foram realizados diversos estudos, quer em modelos animais, quer em humanos para investigar a eficácia do transplante de OECs em contexto de lesão da medula espinhal, com resultados promissores.Traumatic spinal cord injury is currently an important health problem, particularly as it affects many individuals during their active lives, resulting in a drastic reduction in their quality of life. When a spinal cord injury occurs, there is a decrease in electrical signal transmission through ascending and descending spinal cord pathways, due to a physical interruption of the neural bundles, but also due to the microenvironment that forms at the site of injury, highly inhibitory to neuronal regeneration. This partial or total decrease in electrical signal transmission is clinically manifested by a reduction or abolition of sensory and motor capacities below the level of injury. The therapies for traumatic spinal cord injuries offered by current medicine are very limited in both diversity and efficacy. Thus, there is an urgent the need for new therapies capable of changing the paradigm of the approach to this clinical situation. The olfactory nervous system (ONS) has an innate regenerative capacity, since it is in contact with the external environment, where there are noxious particles such as gases and dust, which persistently damage the ONS. In order for the individual to keep his sense of smell intact, this system needs to regenerate, which is why the ONS has acquired this ability over millions of years of evolution. Olfactory Ensheating Cells (OECs) are glial cells that exist only in the ONS, where they play essential roles in the neural development and regeneration, and are believed to contribute to regeneration of the spinal cord. Several studies have been conducted, both in animal models and in humans to investigate the efficacy of transplantation of OECs in the context of spinal cord injury, with promising results

O desenvolvimento de audição relativa em alunos com audição absoluta nas aulas de formação musical

Relatório Final do Estágio do Ensino Especializado, apresentado à Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa, do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, para cumprimento dos requisitos à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ensino de Música, conforme Decreto-Lei n.º 79/2014, de 14 de maio.Resumo I (Prática Pedagógica) - O estágio descrito neste relatório foi realizado na modalidade de observação estruturada na Escola Profissional da Metropolitana (EPM), em Lisboa, durante o ano letivo 2020/2021. Durante a realização do estágio, foram observadas aulas de três turmas: 7º ano do Curso Básico de Instrumento, 9º ano do Curso Básico de Instrumento e 10º ano do Curso Profissional de Instrumentista de Sopro e de Percussão. Foram também leccionadas uma aula por período em cada uma destas turmas. Foram elaborados planos anuais e trimestrais e fichas de observação para os três níveis. Para cada aula leccionada foram preparados planos de aula, tendo sido escolhidas actividades sensoriais e de leitura, rítmicas e melódicas. Através da observação das aulas e do feedback que me foi dado pela Professora de Didática do Ensino Especializado, foi possível tomar consciência dos diversos fatores que se devem ter em conta no processo de preparação das aulas, assim como reflectir sobre a minha prática enquanto docente. Ao longo do estágio, destacaram-se os seguintes aspectos positivos na minha prática: domínio do piano, domínio da técnica vocal e facilidade na detecção de erros. Contudo, outros aspectos, tais como a falta de contacto visual, falta de estratégias para ajudar os alunos e ritmo de aula lento poderão ainda ser melhorados. Este estágio teve, assim, um impacto positivo na minha prática docente, já que me concedeu as bases reflexivas e as ferramentas práticas necessárias para conseguir vir a implementar estes aspectos eficazmente no futuro.Resumo II (Investigação) - Com o tema “O desenvolvimento de audição relativa em alunos com audição absoluta nas aulas de Formação Musical”, este projecto de investigação procurou responder à pergunta “Que estratégias podem ser utilizadas nas aulas de Formação Musical para desenvolver a audição relativa nos alunos com audição absoluta?”. Foram estabelecidos como objectivos: averiguar as particularidades dos alunos com audição absoluta, quais as suas facilidades e dificuldades nas aulas de Formação Musical, apurar se os professores de Formação Musical em Portugal utilizam estratégias específicas para desenvolver a audição relativa neste tipo de alunos e, se esse for o caso, quais as estratégias utilizadas. Para recolher os dados, foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas a 8 alunos do ensino superior com audição absoluta e a 10 professores de Formação Musical de vários níveis de ensino que já tiveram experiência com alunos com audição absoluta. Após a transcrição e análise das entrevistas, concluiu-se que, em geral, tanto os alunos como os professores consideram a audição absoluta vantajosa nas actividades de reconhecimento melódico e de leitura melódica e desvantajosa no reconhecimento de acordes isolados e na entoação de transposições. Constatou-se que a maioria dos professores não diferencia as estratégias utilizadas para desenvolver a audição relativa consoante o tipo de audição dos seus alunos. Das estratégias mencionadas para o desenvolvimento de audição relativa especificamente em alunos com audição absoluta, salientam-se a entoação a partir de partituras de instrumentos transpositores no som real, a escrita de ditados tocados por instrumentos transpositores e o reconhecimento de progressões harmónicas tocadas rapidamente ao piano.Abstract I (Teaching) - The Professional Teaching Internship presented in this report was held in structured observation modality at Escola Profissional da Metropolitana (EPM), in Lisbon, during the 2020/2021 school year. During the internship, lessons from three classes were observed: 7º ano do Curso Básico de Instrumento class, 9º ano do Curso Básico de Instrumento class and 10º ano do Curso Profissional de Instrumentista de Sopro e de Percussão class. One lesson per period was also taught to each class. Annual and trimestral plans were designed for each class. Lesson plans were also prepared, featuring aural and reading activities, both rhythmic and melodic. Teaching observation and feedback received from the teacher of Didactics for Professional Music Training Teachers has made it possible to be mindful of the distinct factors that come into play when preparing lessons, having also allowed me to reflect upon my teaching skills. Through the internship, some positive aspects were ivhighlighted: keyboard dexterity, vocal technique dexterity and skilled error detection. However, some other aspects still need to be improved, such as lack of eye contact, lack of strategies to help students and slow pacing in classroom. Therefore, this internship has had a positive impact in my teaching skills, since it provided both the reflexive foundations and the necessary practical tools to enable me to implement the aforementioned aspects in the future.Abstract II (Research) - On the subject of “The development of relative pitch in students with absolute pitch in ear training classes”, this research aimed to answer the question “Which strategies can be utilized in ear training classes to develop relative pitch in students with absolute pitch?”. The following goals were set: ascertain the particularities of students with absolute pitch, their strenghts and weaknesses in ear training1 classes, determine whether ear training teachers in Portugal use specific strategies to develop relative pitch in these students and, if that is the case, which strategies are utilized. In order to collect the data, 8 music college students with absolute pitch and 10 ear training teachers (from various levels of education with experience in regards to teaching students with absolute pitch) were interviewed. The interviews were semistructured. After interviews were transcribed and data analyzed, it was concluded that, in general, both students and teachers consider absolute pitch to be advantageous in melodic recognition and melodic reading, as well as unhelpful in chord recognition and transposition. It was also verified that the majority of teachers uses the same strategies with all students, whether they possess absolute pitch or not. The most mentioned strategies to develop relative pitch in students with absolute pitch were the following: singing with note names which are different from pitch, writing melodic dictations played by transposing instruments and playing fast chord progressions.N/

Development of a monitoring system for electrical energy consumption and power quality analysis

This paper presents the development of a monitoring system for electrical energy consumption and power quality analysis, also known as power quality analyser (PQA). The internal architecture of the developed monitoring system is described in detail along the paper, highlighting the signal conditioning circuit and analogue to digital conversion (ADC) stage, the advanced RISC machine (ARM) processor, and the digital signal processor (DSP), which are used, respectively, for data acquisition, data communication and power quality calculations. This paper also describes the software developed for a Raspberry Pi, which receives the processed information from the ARM processor and presents it in real-time using a touch screen user-friendly interface. Among all the available features of the developed system, the paper presents the most relevant experimental results obtained with linear and nonlinear loads, showing the main functionalities of the different menus available in the developed user interface, mainly the menus “Scope”, “Harmonics” and “Data”.This work is supported by FCT with the reference project UID/EEA/04436/2013, by FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) with the reference project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006941.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Surface properties and osteoblastic cytocompatibility of two blasted and acid-etched titanium implant systems with distinct microtopography

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to compare two commercially available screw-type sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) Ti implant systems from Eckermann Laboratorium S.L., with similar geometry and distinct microtopography, regarding surface properties and osteoblastic cytocompatibility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Implant I (referred as a conventional SLA system) and Implant II (a system patented as Eckcyte(®)) were characterized for macro and microtopograpphy, surface roughness and chemical composition. For the cytocompatibility studies, human bone marrow osteoblastic cells were seeded over the implants' surface, and the cell response was assessed for cell adhesion and proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and matrix mineralization. RESULTS: Implant I presented a rough surface with irregularly shaped and sized cavities among flatter-appearing areas, whereas Implant II exhibited a homogeneous rough microporous surface. Compared to Implant I, Implant II presented higher Ra values (0.8 [SD 0.008] μm and 1.21 [SD 0.15] μm, respectively, P < 0.05) and also increased values of Rz, Rt and Rsm, a more negative value of Rsk, and similar RKu values. XPS showed the expected presence of Ti, O, C and N; Al, Si, F, P and Ca were detected in low concentrations. Implant II exhibited significantly lower Al levels. Both implants supported the adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cells. Implant II showed a thicker fibrilar cell layer and an earlier onset and more abundant matrix mineralization. CONCLUSIONS: The homogeneous rough and microporous surface of Implant II is most probably a main contributor for its improved cell response

An off-board multi-functional electric vehicle charging station for smart homes: analysis and experimental validation

This paper presents the analysis and experimental validation of a single-phase off-board multi-functional electric vehicle (EV) charging station (MF-EVCS), which has a single ac interface and two dc interfaces. As innovative aspects, the proposed MF-EVCS handles the interface of the ac power grid, the dc interface of a renewable energy source (RES), as well as the dc interface of an EV to perform dc charging or discharging of the batteries (in off-board grid-to-vehicle (G2V) or vehicle-to-grid (V2G) modes). Considering the power grid, the individual operation modes of the RES and the EV interfaces can be considered. Moreover, a combination of these modes is also possible. Besides, the MF-EVCS has as key innovative aspect the possibility of operating as an active power filter (APF), supporting the operation with reactive power and/or selected current harmonics. This possibility can be associated with any of the previous mentioned modes. These new features are framed in two distinct scenarios: in a smart home, where the ac-side current can be determined as a function of the other electrical appliances; in a smart grid, where the ac-side current can be determined as a requisite of the power grid. The proposed power theory, as well as the current control strategies for both ac-side and dc-side of the MF-EVCS, are presented in the paper for all the possible operation scenarios. A laboratory prototype was developed to validate the proposed MF-EVCS and the experimental results confirm its suitability for smart homes.INCT-EN -Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia para Excitotoxicidade e Neuroproteção(DAIPESEV PTDC/EEI-EEE/30382/2017