Bi-objective modeling approach for repairing multiple feature infrastructure systems

A bi-objective decision aid model for planning long-term maintenance of infrastructure systems is presented, oriented to interventions on their constituent elements, with two upgrade levels possible for each element (partial/full repairs). The model aims at maximizing benefits and minimizing costs, and its novelty is taking into consideration, and combining, the system/element structure, volume discounts, and socioeconomic factors. The model is tested with field data from 229 sidewalks (systems) and compared to two simpler repair policies, of allowing only partial or full repairs. Results show that the efficiency gains are greater in the lower mid-range budget region. The proposed modeling approach is an innovative tool to optimize cost/benefits for the various repair options and analyze the respective trade-offs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Design of evacuation plans for densely urbanised city centres

The high population density and tightly packed nature of some city centres make emergency planning for these urban spaces especially important, given the potential for human loss in case of disaster. Historic and recent events have made emergency service planners particularly conscious of the need for preparing evacuation plans in advance. This paper discusses a methodological approach for assisting decision-makers in designing urban evacuation plans. The approach aims at quickly and safely moving the population away from the danger zone into shelters. The plans include determining the number and location of rescue facilities, as well as the paths that people should take from their building to their assigned shelter in case of an occurrence requiring evacuation. The approach is thus of the location–allocation–routing type, through the existing streets network, and takes into account the trade-offs among different aspects of evacuation actions that inevitably come up during the planning stage. All the steps of the procedure are discussed and systematised, along with computational and practical implementation issues, in the context of a case study – the design of evacuation plans for the historical centre of an old European city

Large scale railway renewal planning with a multiobjective modeling approach

Conferência realizada na Filândia, Helsinquia, de 20-24 de agosto de 2018A multiobjective modeling approach for managing large scale railway infrastructure asset renewal is presented. An optimized intervention project schedule is obtained considering operational constraints in a three objectives model: evenly spreading investment throughout multiple years, minimizing total cost, minimizing work start postponements on higher priority railway sections. The MILP model was based on a real world case study; the objectives and constraints specified by an infrastructure management company. Results show that investment spreading greatly influences the other objectives and that total cost fluctuations depend on the overall condition of the railway infrastructure. The model can produce exact efficient solutions in reasonable time, even for very large-sized instances (a test network of similar size to the USA railway network, the largest in the world). The modeling approach is therefore a very useful, practical methodology, for generating optimized solutions and analyzing trade-offs among objectives, easing the task of ultimately selecting a solution and produce the works schedule for field implementation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Multi-objective model for optimizing railway infrastructure asset renewal

Trabalho inspirado num problema real da empresa Infraestruturas de Portugal, EP.A multi-objective model for managing railway infrastructure asset renewal is presented. The model aims to optimize three objectives, while respecting operational constraints: levelling investment throughout multiple years, minimizing total cost and minimizing work start postponements. Its output is an optimized intervention schedule. The model is based on a case study from a Portuguese infrastructure management company, which specified the objectives and constraints, and reflects management practice on railway infrastructure. The results show that investment levelling greatly influences the other objectives and that total cost fluctuations may range from insignificant to important, depending on the condition of the infrastructure. The results structure is argued to be general and suggests a practical methodology for analysing trade-offs and selecting a solution for implementation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Aquaporin-9 as a molecular partner of CFTR in the Blood-Testis Barrier

The lack of knowledge regarding the etiology of male infertility boosted several investigations focused on male reproductive structures, particularly on male gonads - the testes. These paired organs are pivotal not only for the correct maintenance of steroidogenesis, but also to allow the occurrence of spermatogenesis, the process through which immature germ cells grow and differentiate into spermatozoa. Within testes, Sertoli cells perform an essential role in the control of spermatogenesis by: (1) developing a structural and nutritional support; (2) establishing a protective barrier to germ cells, the blood-testis barrier; and (3) controlling the balance of the seminiferous tubular fluid composition. To achieve this balanced environment, which is critical to the maintenance of membrane potential, osmotic balance and to allow the fluid movement, Sertoli cells are supported by several membrane proteins, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) and Aquaporin-9. CFTR is a glycoprotein responsible for transepithelial salt and water transport, regulating Cl-/HCO3- exchange. Malfunctions in this protein have been associated with severe clinical outcomes, such as Congenital Bilateral Absence of Vas Deferens in male reproductive tract. In addition to its role, CFTR often interacts with several other plasma-membrane proteins, including Aquaporin-9. Aquaporin-9 is an Aquaglyceroporin permeable to water and to a variety of other solutes, including lactate, glycerol, urea, adenine and uracil. Several studies identified the close interaction between CFTR and Aquaporin-9 in the male reproductive tract, including in rat Sertoli cells. This specific interaction was further proved to be pivotal in water permeability and ionic balance, without which male infertility may be a reality. With that said, the full enlightenment of the molecular mechanisms behind these channels function in the human reproductive system is crucial. Herein, we evaluated the physiological significance of Aquaporin-9 and CFTR mRNA and protein expression in human Sertoli cells primary cultures. We also investigated the repercussions of inhibiting each one of the proteins with specific inhibitors for Aquaporin-9 (Phloretin) and CFTR (CFTR(inh)-172) in human Sertoli cells viability and function. Our results showed, for the first time, that Aquaporin-9 is highly expressed in human Sertoli cells. We were also able to demonstrate that Phloretin, at a concentration of 0.05 mM, significantly reduces GATA4 and SOX9 mRNA expression which, in accordance with a reduction on glutamine consumption, suggest that this inhibitor triggers an undifferentiation process of human Sertoli cells, highlighting the vital role of Aquaporin-9 in human male reproductive tract. Further investigation unveiled that CFTR is present in human Sertoli cells and that it may exist in a different isoform from the ones previously described. Protein inhibition by CFTR(inh)-172 (3 µM) also decreased significantly GATA4 and SOX9, similarly to what happened with the Phloretin-treated cells, which uncovers the possibility of a crucial interaction between Aquaporin-9 and CFTR, as it has been described in rat Sertoli cells. We can conclude that this innovative investigation allowed the discovery of pivotal information regarding Aquaporin-9 and CFTR implications in human Sertoli cells. A lot of questions were raised with this study and the respective answers should be unveiled with future investigation.A falta de conhecimento face à etiologia da infertilidade masculina tem impulsionado diversas investigações focadas nas estruturas constituintes do sistema reprodutor masculino, em especial, nos testículos. Este par de órgãos é imprescindível não só para a adequada manutenção da esteroidogénese, mas também para permitir o progresso da espermatogénese, o processo através do qual as células germinativas imaturas se multiplicam e diferenciam em espermatozoides. É nos testículos que podemos encontrar as células de Sertoli, que desempenham um papel fundamental no controlo da espermatogénese através: (1) do suporte estrutural e nutricional das células germinativas; (2) da formação da barreira hemato-testicular; e (3) do controlo da composição do fluido luminal dos túbulos seminíferos. De facto, a obtenção de um ambiente homeodinâmico nos túbulos seminíferos é imprescindível para a manutenção do potencial de membrana, do balanço osmótico e do movimento de fluidos. As células de Sertoli são contribuidoras-chave para esta regulação, pois possuem inúmeras proteínas de membrana, entre as quais se podem destacar o Regulador da Condutância Transmembranar da Fibrose Cística (CFTR) e a Aquaporina-9. O CFTR é uma glicoproteína responsável pelo transporte transepitelial de água e sais, mediando a troca de Cl- e HCO3- entre as células e o meio. Alterações na função desta proteína têm sido associadas a prognósticos clínicos severos, levando muitas vezes à morte do indivíduo. É frequentemente observada uma ausência bilateral congénita dos vas deferens no sistema reprodutor masculino. Para além da sua função principal, o CFTR frequentemente interage com várias proteínas de membrana, incluindo a Aquaporina-9. A Aquaporina-9 é uma aquagliceroporina que, para além do seu papel como canal transportador de água, é também permeável a uma variedade de outros solutos, incluindo lactato, glicerol, ureia, adenina e uracilo. Estudos anteriores identificaram uma interação direta entre o CFTR e a Aquaporina-9 em células de Sertoli de rato. Esta interação foi comprovada como sendo importante na permeabilidade de água e no balanço iónico, sem o qual a infertilidade masculina seria uma realidade. Com esta informação-base, torna-se imprescindível a descoberta dos mecanismos moleculares que estarão por detrás da função destes canais (e sua possível interação) nas células de Sertoli do sistema reprodutor masculino humano. Com o desenvolvimento deste trabalho pretendemos avaliar a significância fisiológica da expressão da Aquaporina-9 e do CFTR em culturas primárias de células de Sertoli humanas. Adicionalmente, também foram investigadas as repercussões da inibição de cada uma destas proteínas, recorrendo à Floretina (inibidor da Aquaporina-9) e ao CFTR(inh)-172 (inibidor do CFTR), na viabilidade e função das células de Sertoli humanas. Os resultados por nós obtidos identificaram, pela primeira vez, que a Aquaporina-9 é altamente expressa nas células de Sertoli humanas. Provámos também que a Floretina reduz significativamente a expressão do mRNA do GATA4 e do SOX9 o que, associado à redução observada no consumo de glutamina, sugere que este inibidor da Aquaporina-9 despoleta um processo de desdiferenciação nas células de Sertoli humanas. Este resultado implicaria o desenvolvimento de um perfil infértil num modelo in vivo, destacando-se assim o papel vital da Aquaporina-9 na reprodução masculina humana. A nossa investigação também permitiu descobrir que o mRNA do CFTR se encontra expresso nas células de Sertoli humanas, revelando, ainda assim, um peso molecular diferente do presente em outros órgão/organismos previamente estudados. Este resultado permitiu-nos concluir que, muito possivelmente, estaremos na presença de uma nova isoforma deste transportador, específica das células de Sertoli humanas. A inibição da proteína pelo CFTR(inh)-172 diminuiu significativamente a expressão do mRNA do GATA4 e do SOX9, em semelhança com o grupo tratado com Floretina, o que reforça a possibilidade de uma interação entre a Aquaporina-9 e o CFTR no sistema reprodutor masculino. Podemos assim concluir que esta inovadora investigação permitiu a descoberta de informação imprescindível relativamente à implicação da Aquaporina-9 e do CFTR na manutenção homeostática das células de Sertoli humanas. Deve ainda acrescentar-se que várias questões foram levantadas com este estudo e que as respetivas respostas deverão ser reveladas em estudos futuros

Design of pedestrian network friendliness maps

This article introduces the concept of pedestrian, or walking friendliness, and presents a methodology for obtaining maps thereof. Walking friendliness is a quality of walking indicator, defined for any given origin in a city, which combines accessibility measures, based on impedance between that origin and destinations, with performance scores for the pedestrian infrastructure linking those origins and destinations. The methodology uses geographic information systems to obtain walking friendliness values and represent them in a map. The approach is demonstrated through a case study for the city of Coimbra, Portugal, for which friendliness maps were derived. The procedure and maps that were produced can be scaled to any size of city.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dawn of autonomous vehicles: review and challenges ahead

This paper reviews the state of the art on autonomous vehicles as of 2017, including their impact at socio-economic, energy, safety, congestion and land-use levels. This impact study focuses on the issues that are common denominators and are bound to arise independently of regional factors, such as (but not restricted to) change to vehicle ownership patterns and driver behaviour, opportunities for energy and emissions savings, potential for accident reduction and lower insurance costs, and requalification of urban areas previously assigned to parking. The challenges that lie ahead for carmakers, law and policy makers are also explored, with an emphasis on how these challenges affect the urban infrastructure and issues they create for municipal planners and decision makers. The paper concludes with strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis that integrates and relates all these aspects.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bandida do pomar: breaking the status quo through communication strategy

Recently, we have been witnessing a global attractiveness enhancement for cider. People have discovered its enjoyable natural and uplifting taste, creating tailwinds in this market. Cider itself, is a refreshing alcoholic drink made essentially from fermented apple juice, designed specifically to be an alternative for those who don’t find satisfaction in drinking beer and prefer a sweetener option for their drinking enjoyments. Despite being a tasty and natural drink, cider brands have a privation when it comes to establishing long-term relationships of loyalty along with consumers, which is a fact that contributes to a path towards becoming forgotten in the future. With this relationship absence, brands end up losing their strength in their market’s sector, losing their relevance among possible clients. The present case-study aims to analyze the impact that communications has when it comes to reaching the success of brands in general and, in a more specific investigation, analyzing the example of the cider brand Bandida do Pomar. Despite being a new born brand inside the Portuguese market, Bandida aspires to break the traditional communication rules regarding this type of products. In order to understand the situation point of the theme, it will be initially explored the overall market position of ciders, leading to the specific Portuguese market and, in a more concrete form, it will be analyzed the brand itself, which is already present in several countries with several names, being part of the Global Heineken Group. Furthermore, it will be presented the strategy adapted by the brand in Portugal, referring to its communication and impact regarding the position that the brand wants to establish in the market. In order to successfully understand that, it will be added a more detailed approach to the 4 P’s of the brand, giving a special focus on Promotion, and it will also be explored the Brands’ Awareness and Equity. This case-study will be mainly focusing on the performance and potential growth of the brand within the Portuguese market.Recentemente, temos vindo a assistir a uma atração a nível global pela categoria sidra. As pessoas têm descoberto o seu sabor natural e revigorante, mexendo com este mercado. A Sidra é uma bebida refrescante, com álcool, produzida essencialmente com sumo de maça fermentado, desenhada especificamente como alternativa para aqueles que não encontram qualquer satisfação no consumo da cerveja, preferindo um sabor mais doce para a sua bebida de eleição. Apesar de ser uma bebida natural e saborosa, as marcas de sidra têm um handicap no que respeita ao relacionamento de longo prazo com os consumidores, facto que contribui para um percurso que se quer esquecer no futuro. Com esta dificuldade de relacionamento, as marcas acabam por perder força no seu sector de mercado, perdendo também relevo entre os possíveis clientes. O presente Case-Study visa analisar o impacto que as comunicações têm quando se trata de alcançar sucesso das marcas em geral e, de uma forma mais específica, analisar a marca de sidra “Bandida do Pomar”. Apesar de ser uma marca criada recentemente no mercado português, Bandida aspira a quebrar as regras tradicionais de comunicações em relação a este tipo de produtos. Esta marca está a lançar-se no mercado de uma forma mais disruptiva, superando a ideia de apenas vender uma bebida e se tornar numa moda a ser seguida. Em ordem a compreender o ponto de situação, inicialmente, será analisada a posição geral no mercado das sidras, no que diz respeito ao mercado específico de Portugal e, de uma forma mais concreta, será analisada a própria marca, que já se encontra presente em diversos países, com os seus respetivos nomes, fazendo parte do Grupo Global Heineken. Além disso, será apresentada a estratégia adaptada pela marca em Portugal, referindo-se à sua comunicação e impacto em relação à posição que a marca quer estabelecer no mercado. Este Case-Study centrar-se-á principalmente no desempenho e potencial de crescimento da marca no mercado português

Efeito do fraccionamento da fertilização azotada na cultura da batata

Durante os anos de 1996 a 1998 estudou-se o efeito do fraccionamento da aplicação de azoto na cultura da batata (cv. Desirée). Os ensaios decorreram em Bragança num Cambissolo êutrico. Foram usadas 7 modalidades de fertilização com as seguintes doses de N (fundo + cobertura). 0+0; 200+0; 0÷200; 100÷100; 100+o; 0+100; e 50+50 kg N ha na forma de ureia. Todas as modalidades fertilizadas apresentaram produções unitárias significativamente superiores à modalidade testemunha. Nas modalidades mais produtivas ultrapassaram-se Os 50 Mg ha de tubérculos de calibre comercial

Efficacy and limitations of Triticale as a nitrogen catch crop in a mediterranean environment

During 3 consecutive years (1996/97–1998/99) the efficacy was studied of Triticale as a nitrogen (N) catch crop sown after the harvest of the potato crop cultivated in the preceding summer season under several N fertilizer treatments. In October, shortly after the harvest of the potatoes, there were registered significative differences in the soil N–NO3− levels among N fertilizer treatments of the potato crop. The higher values were recorded on the plots corresponding to higher N doses. At the end of winter, the N status of plants and at the end of experiments (late in April), the N–NO3− in soil, the biomass yield and the N uptake by the catch crop did not reflect the differences registered before in the soil inorganic N. This comparison may suggest that Triticale is little effective in recovering the residual inorganic N of the preceding crop due either to the rainfall occurring in the autumn or to the poor vegetative development of the catch crop during the autumn/winter period. However, at the date of cut, the catch crop removed up to 80 kg N ha−1. At this time, the soil N–NO3− levels were significantly higher on the fallowed plots. This result shows that the crop was very effective in uptaking the N that is mineralized after the end of winter