Sensor Networks for Maritime Deployment: Modeling and Simulation

Simulation is widely used in Wireless Sensor Networks to assess the feasibility and performance of design decisions before the deployment, assisting the development of optimal solutions or trade-offs. In this paper, we address the particular case of a sensor network deployed at sea, where hundreds or thousands of sensing nodes drift with the stream and organise into a network capable of transmitting results to a remote station. A new simulator was built to address the particularities of the wireless models required to correctly understand the application scenario. The models provide realistic channel simulation, along with additive interference from other sources, where all transmissions are considered independently. The receiver decides which transmission was first and what is the level of noise from the environment and contending nodes. Network algorithms were implemented and compared using different network sizes and parameters. Results show that algorithms are sensitive to deployment conditions and respond differently to each set of environmental parameters

A Self-Guided Docking Architecture for Autonomous Surface Vehicles

Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) provide the ideal platform to further explore the many opportunities in the cargo shipping industry, by making it more profitable and safer. Information retrieved from a 3D LIDAR, IMU, GPS, and Camera is combined to extract the geometric features of the floating platform and to estimate the relative position and orientation of the moor to the ASV. Then, a trajectory is planned to a specific target position, guaranteeing that the ASV will not collide with the mooring facility. To ensure that the sensors are within range of operation, a module has been developed to generate a trajectory that will deliver the ASV to a catch zone where it is able to function properly.A High-Level controler is also implemented, resorting to an heuristic to evaluate if the ASV is within this operating range and also its current orientation relative to the docking platform

The impact of fitness instructor quality on customer satisfaction in fitness centres

XIII Ibero-American Congress on Sport Economics held in the city of Valencia on June 7, 8 and 9, 202

Análise de eficiência nos processos operacionais e melhoria no desempenho

Estágio realizado na IBeroGestão, Ld.ª e orientado pelo Eng.º Alfredo AzevedoTese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Industrial e gestão. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 200

A perspective on architectural re-engineering

Continuous evolution towards very large, heterogeneous, highly dynamic computing systems entails the need for sound and flexible approaches to deal with system modification and re-engineering. The approach proposed in this paper combines an analysis stage, to identify concrete patterns of interaction in legacy code, with an iterative re-engineering process at a higher level of abstraction. Both stages are supported by the tools CoordPat and Archery, respectively. Bi-directional model transformations connecting code level and design level architectural models are defined. The approach is demonstrated in a (fragment of a) case study.This work is funded by the ERDF through the Programme COMPETE and by FCT, the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under contract FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-028923

O papel do recreation manager no contexto hoteleiro

Trabalho de projetoAtualmente, o turismo é encarado como um setor indispensável para o desenvolvimento económico e social do país, região ou local. Dentro do setor do turismo, encontra-se a hotelaria que desempenha um papel fundamental na escolha de um destino, o qual carece de animação turística, nomeadamente de um Recreation Manager, para se tornar competitivo, atrativo e diferenciador. Deste modo, o objetivo do presente trabalho de projeto passa por analisar a atividade do Recreation Manager numa unidade hoteleira de luxo, nomeadamente ao nível dos procedimentos e operações relacionados com a respetiva função. A unidade hoteleira alvo de estudo é o resort Zaya Nurai Island, localizada nos Emirados Árabes Unidos, em Abu Dhabi. Para o efeito, a metodologia implementada engloba um estudo de caso sobre a função do Recreation Manager e respetiva unidade hoteleira. Depois de uma análise aprofundada do papel do Recreation Manager, pode-se apurar que a unidade hoteleira Zaya Nurai Island tem uma diversidade de atividades, o que leva a ser uma escolha, tanto para casais como para famílias com crianças. Os resultados do estudo de caso mostram que o papel do Recreation Manager contribui para o sucesso e continuidade da unidade hoteleira. Também se verificou que este disponibiliza serviços de excelência e que cativam os hóspedes, ao mesmo tempo que reinventa a unidade hoteleira e o conceito de hospitalidade, posicionando-se como uma marca única no mercado, cujo objetivo passa por oferecer momentos agradáveis num ambiente seguro e proporcionar experiências únicas aos seus hóspedes, num ambiente seguro e calmo.Today, tourism is seen as an indispensable sector for the economic and social development of the country, region or place. Within the tourism sector, the hotel industry plays a key role in the choice of a destination, which requires tourism, in particular a Recreation Manager, to become competitive, attractive and differentiating. Thus, the objective of this project work is to analyze the activity of the Recreation Manager in a luxury hotel unit, namely at the level of procedures and operations related to its function. The hotel unit targeted for study is the Zaya Nurai Island resort, located in the United Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi. For this purpose, the methodology implemented includes a case study on the function of Recreation Manager and its hotel unit. After an in-depth analysis of the role of Recreation Manager, it can be seen that the Zaya Nurai Island Hotel has a diversity of activities, which makes it a choice for both couples and families with children. The results of the case study show that the role of Recreation Manager contributes to the success and continuity of the hotel unit. It has also been found that it offers excellent services and captivates guests, while reinventing the hotel and hospitality concept, positioning itself as a unique brand in the market, whose aim is to offer pleasant moments in a safe and secure environment. provide unique experiences to its guests, in a safe and calm environment.N/

Effect of Acetic Acid and Lactic Acid at Low pH in Growth and Azole Resistance of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata

Successful colonization of the acidic vaginal niche by C. glabrata and C. albicans depends on their ability to cope with the presence of lactic and acetic acids produced by commensal microbiota. As such, the inhibitory effect of these acids at a low pH in growth of C. glabrata and C. albicans was investigated. The effect of the presence of these organic acids in tolerance of the two Candida species to azoles used in treatment of vaginal infections was also investigated including eventual synergistic effects. Under the different experimental conditions tested lactic acid exerted no significant inhibitory effect against C. albicans or C. glabrata, contrasting with the generalized impression that the production of this acid is on the basis of the protective effect exerted by vaginal lactobacilii. Differently, C. glabrata and C. albicans exhibited susceptibility to acetic acid, more prominent at lower pHs and stronger for the latter species. Synergism between acetic acid and azoles was observed both for C. albicans and C. glabrata, while lactic acid-azole synergism was only efficient against C. albicans. Altogether our in vitro results indicate that tolerance to acetic acid at a low pH may play a more relevant role than tolerance to lactic acid in determining competitiveness in the vaginal tract of C. albicans and C. glabrata including under azole stress. Treatment of vaginal candidiasis with azoles may depend on the level of acetic and lactic acids present and improvements could be achieved synergizing the azole with these acids

A Comparison of Experimental and Analytical Procedures to Measure Passive Drag in Human Swimming

The aim of this study was to compare the swimming hydrodynamics assessed with experimental and analytical procedures, as well as, to learn about the relative contributions of the friction drag and pressure drag to total passive drag. Sixty young talented swimmers (30 boys and 30 girls with 13.59±0.77 and 12.61±0.07 years-old, respectively) were assessed. Passive drag was assessed with inverse dynamics of the gliding decay speed. The theoretical modeling included a set of analytical procedures based on naval architecture adapted to human swimming. Linear regression models between experimental and analytical procedures showed a high correlation for both passive drag (Dp = 0.777*Df+pr; R2 = 0.90; R2a = 0.90; SEE = 8.528; P<0.001) and passive drag coefficient (CDp = 1.918*CDf+pr; R2 = 0.96; R2a = 0.96; SEE = 0.029; P<0.001). On average the difference between methods was -7.002N (95%CI: -40.480; 26.475) for the passive drag and 0.127 (95%CI: 0.007; 0.247) for the passive drag coefficient. The partial contribution of friction drag and pressure drag to total passive drag was 14.12±9.33% and 85.88±9.33%, respectively. As a conclusion, there is a strong relationship between the passive drag and passive drag coefficient assessed with experimental and analytical procedures. The analytical method is a novel, feasible and valid way to gather insight about one's passive drag during training and competition. Analytical methods can be selected not only to perform race analysis during official competitions but also to monitor the swimmer's status on regular basis during training sessions without disrupting or time-consuming procedures.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio