Type inference for conversation types

Trabalho apresentado no âmbito do Mestrado em Engenharia Informática, como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia InformáticaThis dissertation tackles the problem of type inference for conversation types by devising and implementing a type inference algorithm. This is an interesting issue to address if we take into account that service-oriented applications can have very rich and complex protocols of services’usage, thus requiring the programmer to annotate every service invocation with a type corresponding to his role in a protocol, which would make the development of such applications quite unpractical. Therefore, freeing the programmer from that task, by having inference of types that describe such protocols, is quite desirable not only because it is cumbersome and tedious to do such annotations but also because it reduces the occurrences of errors when developing real complex systems. While there is several work done related to session types and type inference in the context of binary sessions, work regarding multiparty conversations is still lacking even though there are some proposals related to multi-session conversations(i.e. interactions happen through shared channels that are distributed at service invocation time to all participants). Our approach is based on Conversation Calculus, a process calculus that models services’primitives based on conversations access point where all the interactions of a conversation take place. In order to test our type inference algorithm we designed and implemented a prototype of a proof of-concept distributed programming language based on Conversation Calculus. Finally, we show that our type inference algorithm is sound, complete, decidable and that it always returns a principal typing

A type system for value-dependent information flow analysis

Information systems are widespread and used by anyone with computing devices as well as corporations and governments. It is often the case that security leaks are introduced during the development of an application. Reasons for these security bugs are multiple but among them one can easily identify that it is very hard to define and enforce relevant security policies in modern software. This is because modern applications often rely on container sharing and multi-tenancy where, for instance, data can be stored in the same physical space but is logically mapped into different security compartments or data structures. In turn, these security compartments, to which data is classified into in security policies, can also be dynamic and depend on runtime data. In this thesis we introduce and develop the novel notion of dependent information flow types, and focus on the problem of ensuring data confidentiality in data-centric software. Dependent information flow types fit within the standard framework of dependent type theory, but, unlike usual dependent types, crucially allow the security level of a type, rather than just the structural data type itself, to depend on runtime values. Our dependent function and dependent sum information flow types provide a direct, natural and elegant way to express and enforce fine grained security policies on programs. Namely programs that manipulate structured data types in which the security level of a structure field may depend on values dynamically stored in other fields The main contribution of this work is an efficient analysis that allows programmers to verify, during the development phase, whether programs have information leaks, that is, it verifies whether programs protect the confidentiality of the information they manipulate. As such, we also implemented a prototype typechecker that can be found at http://ctp.di.fct.unl.pt/DIFTprototype/

Dissecting the function of the SpoIIIJ and YqjG membrane protein insertases during bacterial spore development

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biology, Microbial BiologySpoIIIJ and YqjG are the two members of the evolutionarily conserved YidC/Oxa1/Alb3 family of membrane protein insertases present in the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Whilst either is capable of supporting viability, only SpoIIIJ is functional during sporulation, a carefully regulated developmental process that culminates in the formation of a dormant and highly resistant structure, the endospore. This partial functional overlap contrasts with the general picture of the family, for which trans-domain complementation is well documented.(...

Management of Urban Air Mobility for Sustainable and Smart Cities: The Case of a Vertiport Network in Lisbon, Portugal, Using a User-Centred Approach

This Dissertation focuses on urban mobility three-dimensional (3D). Whilst prioritizing the development of sustainable mobility and smart cities, this study aims to provide conditions and practical tools to promote change in people's lives for the better and reverse global climate change. Currently, the transportation sector accounts for roughly 16 per cent of all annual greenhouse gases emissions in the world. In particular, the increase in urban road traffic has intensified pollution and noise in cities, deteriorating the quality of life of the citizens who inhabit them. Obviously, it is necessary to promote an innovative and rapid change in urban mobility. In this sense, airspace could ease this increase in urban movements by complementing traditional and emerging land transport systems. Innovation in urban mobility could occur by integrating urban air mobility (UAM) in every city in the world. Yet, UAM reveals a gap regarding the involvement of this technology with people, which interestingly represents the key to long-term success. In this way, by developing a consistent, people-centred UAM, we would spur world progress by changing the way we all travel in cities. At the same time, we would be one step closer to driving a third global mobility revolution and a new world of accessibility. However, the best opportunities for innovation are not only in creating new technologies that enable UAM but also in the ecosystem they together produce: vertiport networks. So, this study proposes to embed vertiport networks in cities using a user-centric design. As there is a lack of this type of research in Portugal, this Dissertation uses a conceptual approach to analyze the logistics and feasibility of integrating vertiport networks in cities by implementing a living lab in the capital of this country, Lisbon. This approach incorporates a user-centric design based on the ongoing engagement of Portuguese citizens in the decision-making process alongside a parallel interaction with five different stakeholders (specifically, ANA Airports of Portugal, NAV Portugal, ANAC Portugal, the Lisbon City Council, and the Government of Portugal). As a result, a three-step roadmap is proposed to implement a vertiport network in the Portuguese capital. This proposal has the virtue of supporting future advanced discussions to bring UAM to Portugal and humanizing UAM's technology in order to narrow the existent gap between the scientific community, public authorities, professional actors (i.e., the industry) and consumers (i.e., people). Lastly, to drive positive and meaningful global change in urban mobility through UAM, we must inspire people by considering their needs and concerns and then call them to act now. Because, in the end, both sustainable urban mobility and smart cities start foremost with the daily habits of each of us.Esta Dissertação foca-se na mobilidade urbana tridimensional (3D). Enquanto prioriza o desenvolvimento da mobilidade sustentável e cidades inteligentes, este estudo pretende fornecer condições e ferramentas práticas de modo a promover a mudança na vida das pessoas para melhor e reverter as alterações climáticas mundiais. Atualmente, o sector do transporte é responsável por cerca de 16 por cento de todas as emissões anuais de gases de efeito estufa no mundo. Particularmente, o aumento do tráfego rodoviário urbano tem intensificado a poluição e o ruído nas cidades, deteriorando a qualidade de vida dos cidadãos que as habitam. Obviamente, é necessário promover uma mudança inovadora e rápida na mobilidade urbana. Neste sentido, o espaço aéreo poderia aliviar este aumento de movimentos urbanísticos ao complementar os sistemas tradicionais e emergentes de transporte terrestres. Inovação na mobilidade urbana poderia ocorrer ao integrar-se a mobilidade aérea urbana (UAM) em todas as cidades do mundo. Contudo, a UAM revela uma lacuna relativamente ao envolvimento desta tecnologia com as pessoas, o que curiosamente representa a chave para o sucesso a longo prazo. Deste modo, ao desenvolver uma UAM consistente e centrada nas pessoas, estimularíamos o progresso mundial ao mudar a forma como todos nós viajamos nas cidades. Ao mesmo tempo, estaríamos um passo mais perto de impulsionar uma terceira revolução da mobilidade global e um novo mundo de acessibilidade. No entanto, as melhores oportunidades de inovação não estão só na criação de novas tecnologias que possibilitem a UAM, mas também no ecossistema que estas produzem juntas: as redes de vertiports. Assim, este estudo propõe incorporar redes de vertiports nas cidades usando um design centrado no utilizador. Sendo que existe falta deste tipo de investigação em Portugal, nesta Dissertação recorre-se a uma abordagem conceptual para analisar a logística e viabilidade da integração de redes de vertiports em cidades através da implementação de um living lab na capital deste país, Lisboa. Esta abordagem incorpora um design centrado no utilizador baseado no envolvimento contínuo dos cidadãos portugueses no processo de tomada de decisão a par de uma interacção paralela com cinco diferentes stakeholders (especificamente, a ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, a NAV Portugal, a ANAC Portugal, a Câmara Municipal de Lisboa e o Governo de Portugal). Como resultado, são propostas diretrizes de três etapas para a implementação de uma rede de vertiports na capital portuguesa. Esta proposta tem a virtude de apoiar futuras discussões avançadas para trazer a UAM para Portugal e de humanizar a tecnologia da UAM com o objetivo de reduzir a lacuna existente entre a comunidade científica, autoridades públicas, atores profissionais (ou seja, a indústria) e consumidores (ou seja, as pessoas). Por último, para impulsionar uma mudança global positiva e significativa na mobilidade urbana através da UAM, devemo-nos inspirar nas pessoas ao considerar as suas necessidades e preocupações e, de seguida, chamá-las para agir. Porque, no final das contas, tanto a mobilidade urbana sustentável como as cidades inteligentes começam principalmente com os hábitos diários de cada um de nós

Chestnut blight in the Minho region. Population structure and genetic variability of Cryphonectria parasitica

O cancro do castanheiro (Cryphonectria parasitica) é considerado um dos principais fatores de mortalidade de Castanea sativa. Introduzido em Portugal e com desenvolvimento epidémico conhecido a partir da década de 90, manifestou elevada agressividade e uma dispersão muito rápida, tendo, atualmente, distribuição generalizada nas regiões de produção de castanheiro. Os meios de luta químicos, culturais e físicos não são eficazes no combate do cancro do castanheiro e apenas a luta biológica por Hipovirulência tem mostrado ser eficaz na Europa. A disseminação dos hipovírus está diretamente relacionada com os grupos de compatibilidade vegetativa (VCType), pelo que existe a necessidade de estudar a estrutura populacional de C. parasitica e identificar os VCType presentes em cada souto. Avaliou-se a incidência e severidade do cancro do castanheiro em três soutos da região do Minho, tendo-se obtido isolados de C. parasitica que foram posteriormente caracterizados quanto ao VCtype e avaliada a variabilidade genética das diferentes subpopulações através de box-PCR. Os isolados obtidos nos três soutos pertencem a cinco VCtype diferentes sendo o mais representativo o EU-11 (62% dos isolados), seguindo-se o EU-2 (20%), EU-1 e EU- 66 (5,5%) e EU-12 (7%). Os padrões de bandas obtidos por box-PCR não parecem refletir a virulência, origem geográfica ou VCtype dos isolados.Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight, was considered one of the main factors of mortality of Castanea sativa. Introduced in Portugal in the 1990s, and with epidemic development, the disease has manifested high aggressiveness and a rapid dispersion. Currently it has a widespread distribution in the chestnut production regions. Chemical, physical and cultural control means are not effective to control Chestnut Blight and only biological control by hypovirulence has shown to be effective in Europe. The spread of the hypovirus is directly linked to the vegetative compatibility types (VCType) of the fungal populations, so there is a need to study the population structure of C. parasitica and identify the VCTypes present in each subpopulation. The incidence of Chestnut Blight was assessed in three chestnut groves in the Minho region, and the C. parasitica isolates obtained were further characterized. Each isolate was allocated to a VCType by matching with reference isolates, and the genetic variability of selected isolates was evaluated by BOX-PCR. The isolates obtained were functionally diverse comprising over five VCType, with EU-11 (62%), followed by EU-2 (20%), EU-1 e EU- 66 (5, 5%) and EU-12 (7%). Banding patterns obtained by box-PCR fingerprinting did not reflect geographical origin or the VCType of the isolate

Management of urban air mobility for sustainable and smart cities: Vertiport networks using a user-centred design

Purpose: Urban mobility is all about people as well as the climate change issue is a human issue. Thus, this research envisions to provide conditions and practical tools through the innovation in urban mobility by bringing urban air mobility (UAM) to cities worldwide, contributing to change lives for the better and reversing the global issue of climate change. Design/methodology: This study goes through two phases: social feasibility and technical feasibility. Moreover, it incorporates a user-centred design based on the systematic engagement of people in the decision-making process alongside a parallel interaction with several stakeholders. An innovative roadmap based on real data and feedback Findings: By tackling people and stakeholders’ concerns related to vertiport networks implementation (e.g., safety, security, environmental, travel costs, and noise pollution concerns), the people’s needs (e.g., time savings, contribution to less air pollution, enjoyment, and sending and purchasing merchandise) and stakeholders' needs (e.g., adaptation related to airspace and ground integration and capacity, enabling technology, and real-time update and share of data) might be addressed, as by-products. Plus, we could minimize concerns by maximizing opportunities, like optimizing the airspace architecture and enhancing current airspace operations, a chance for businesses to develop on-demand, innovative, and green technologies, and higher employment opportunities. Finally, we have discovered that driving positive global change requires inspiring others by addressing people’s needs and concerns and, by then, calling them to action. Originality/value: UAM’s market reveals a gap in engaging this technology with the people, which is the key enabler to success in the long run. Empathic communication is, therefore, an integral tool to bring urban air mobility to our lives and our world. So, this investigation thrives on humanizing technology to narrow the gap between the science community, public authorities, the industry, and consumers.Peer Reviewe

Growth performance, biochemical composition and sedimentation velocity of Tetraselmis sp. CTP4 under different salinities using low-cost lab- and pilot-scale systems

Biomass harvesting is one of the most expensive steps of the whole microalgal production pipeline. Therefore, the present work aimed to understand the effect of salinity on the growth performance, biochemical composition and sedimentation velocity of Tetraselmis sp. CTP4, in order to establish an effective low-cost pilot-scale harvesting system for this strain. At lab scale, similar growth performance was obtained in cultures grown at salinities of 5, 10 and 20 g L-1 NaCl. In addition, identical settling velocities (2.4-3.6 cm h-1) were observed on all salinities under study, regardless of the growth stage. However, higher salinities (20 g L-1) promoted a significant increase in lipid contents in this strain compared to when this microalga was cultivated at 5 or 10 g L-1 NaCl. At pilot-scale, cultures were cultivated semi-continuously in 2.5-m3 tubular photobioreactors, fed every four days, and stored in a 1-m3 harvesting tank. Upon a 24-hour settling step, natural sedimentation of the microalgal cells resulted in the removal of 93% of the culture medium in the form of a clear liquid containing only vestigial amounts of biomass (0.07 ± 0.02 g L-1 dry weight; DW). The remaining culture was recovered as a highly concentrated culture (19.53 ± 4.83 g L-1 DW) and wet microalgal paste (272.7 ± 18.5 g L-1 DW). Overall, this method provided an effective recovery of 97% of the total biomass, decreasing significantly the harvesting costs.Agência financiadora Portuguese national budget P2020 Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) CMAR/Multi/04326/2013 ALGARED+ 1398 EP - INTERREG V-A Espana Portugal project ALGACO2 project 023310 COST Action 1408 - European Network for Bio-products FCT SFRH/BD/105541/2014info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Actividade física em geriatria : elementos funcionais no idoso

Trabalho final do 6º ano médico com vista à atribuição do grau de mestre no âmbito do ciclo de estudos de mestrado em Medicina apres. à Faculdade de Medicina de Coimbra.Introduction: Functional assessment is central to the geriatric assessment. With aging there is an increased vulnerability to diseases and disabilities, depriving the elderly from a healthy and independent life, conditioning their quality of life. It is essential to reduce and delay the disability caused by aging. Therefore, exercise can play an important role. Objective: This review article aims to clarify the functional elements that will provide the functional capacity of the elderly, to gather conditions for the individual to perform the daily life tasks satisfactorily. The main functional fitness components will be: the cardio-respiratory condition, mobility (muscular strength, motion range, flexibility, coordination and balance), and sensory and cognitive condition. It is also the aim of this study, to review the benefits that physical activity can bring, to counteract the effects of aging. Moreover, it is known that assessment of the functional dependence level is also important to develop physical activity programs for the elderly, so that they can be more targeted to their real needs, increasing the effectiveness of the program and reducing risks. It will also be the aim of this study, the systemizing of the various instruments of risk detection for physical activity in the elderly. Methodology: Some research was carried out in three databases (Pubmed, Cochrane and LILACS), in order to identify the functional elements that predict functional capacity of the elderly, and the various risk detection instruments to the practicing of physical activity. Some articles between the period of 1980 and 2009 were included, both in Portuguese and English. 5 Discussion / Conclusions: With aging, all functional capacity components decline. The aerobic capacities (VO2max), mobility, sensory and cognitive status have a strong connection with the elderly’s daily tasks, quality of life and well-being. On the other hand there are some associations with the increased risk of falling, injury, morbidity, mortality and dependence. Regular and adequate exercise will fight back the aging effects, both on physical or psychological levels, by minimizing the loss of functional capacity and contributing to the prevention of autonomy and independence loss, which is the major cause of quality life degradation in old people.Introdução: A dimensão do estado funcional é central para a avaliação geriátrica. Com o envelhecimento há maior vulnerabilidade a doenças e incapacidades ficando o idoso privado de uma vida saudável e autónoma, o que condiciona a sua qualidade de vida. Reduzir e adiar a incapacidade causada pelo envelhecimento é uma medida essencial e o exercício físico poderá desempenhar um importante papel nesse sentido. Objectivo: Este estudo de revisão tem como objectivo esclarecer os elementos funcionais que vão prever a capacidade funcional do idoso, por reunirem condições para que o indivíduo consiga realizar as tarefas do dia-a-dia de modo satisfatório. Os componentes de aptidão funcional destacados serão a condição cardio-respiratória, a mobilidade (força muscular, amplitude articular, flexibilidade; coordenação e equilíbrio), a condição sensorial e a condição cognitiva. Será também objectivo do presente estudo rever os benefícios que a actividade física poderá trazer para contrariar os efeitos do envelhecimento. Por outro lado, sabe-se que avaliação do nível de dependência funcional é também importante para elaborar programas de actividade física para o idoso, para que seja mais direccionada às suas reais necessidades, aumentando a efectividade do programa e reduzindo os riscos. Assim também se pretende sistematizar os vários instrumentos métricos de detecção de risco da actividade física no idoso. Metodologia: Foi realizada uma pesquisa em três bases de dados (Pubmed, Cochrane e Lilacs) de forma a identificar os elementos funcionais que predizem a capacidade funcional do idoso, e os vários instrumentos métricos de detecção de risco 7 de actividade física. Foram incluídos artigos do período entre 1980 a 2009, em Português e Inglês. Discussão/Conclusões: Com o envelhecimento há um declínio de todos os componentes de capacidade funcional. A capacidade aeróbia (VO2máx), a mobilidade, a condição sensorial e cognitiva têm uma forte relação com a realização de tarefas diárias, com a qualidade de vida e com o bem-estar do idoso. Estão por outro lado associados a maior risco de queda, lesão, morbilidades, dependência e mortalidade. A actividade física regular e adequada à capacidade do idoso contraria o efeito do envelhecimento, quer a nível físico quer a nível psíquico, minorando a perda de capacidade funcional e contribuindo para a prevenção da perda de autonomia e independência, uma das principais causas de degradação da qualidade de vida do idoso

As levadas da Ilha da Madeira. Património sociocultural e linguístico (contributo para o processo de candidatura a Património Mundial da UNESCO)

O presente relatório de estágio do Mestrado em Linguística: Sociedades e Culturas é o resultado do trabalho realizado durante mais de 640 horas, na Secretaria Regional de Ambiente, Recursos Naturais e Alterações Climáticas (SRAAC), tendo como objetivo contribuir para o processo de candidatura das Levadas da Madeira à classificação de Património Cultural da Humanidade pela UNESCO. Deste modo, o trabalho consistiu numa extensa revisão da literatura sobre o estado da arte ou conhecimento sobre as levadas, na pesquisa e consulta de documentação sobre os critérios a satisfazer para a classificação de um bem cultural como património mundial, seguindo-se a pesquisa e consulta de documentação dispersa e variada sobre canais de irrigação similares existentes nos outros arquipélagos da Macaronésia (Açores, Canárias e Cabo Verde), no norte de Portugal, na Suíça (les bisses du Valais) e em Omã (os sistemas de irrigação aflaj, já classificados pela UNESCO). Este estudo resultou na sistematização da informação, de forma sintética e estruturada, sobre os seus aspetos fundamentais, como contributo para o desenvolvimento do estudo comparativo a apresentar na candidatura das levadas da Madeira a Património da Humanidade, com vista a determinar a sua especificidade e autenticidade enquanto património cultural, em relação às estruturas hidráulicas dos outros territórios. Compreende também o trabalho de investigação efetuado para o levantamento de vocabulário, termos e expressões, em documentação escrita, digital e audiovisual, resultando na construção do glossário temático associado às levadas da ilha da Madeira. A partir deste, foi elaborado um questionário onomasiológico (partindo dos conceitos para recolher os termos), aplicado a levadeiros, de modo a obter a documentação oral incluída no glossário, complementando os outros tipos de documentação e enriquecendo o com novos conceitos, termos e expressões, assim como com variantes sinonímicas e de significado (polissemia). No glossário, destaca-se ainda a documentação lexicográfica consultada e sistematizada, que permitiu conhecer a origem etimológica das palavras, através da consulta do Dicionário Houaiss da Língua Portuguesa, e confirmar alguns significados dos termos atestados (quando se encontram dicionarizados) no Dicionário da Língua Portuguesa Contemporânea da Academia das Ciências de Lisboa, mas principalmente em vocabulários madeirenses. Os resultados obtidos na parte do estudo comparativo das levadas, nos diferentes territórios pesquisados, revelam a existência de similaridades entre alguns desses sistemas de irrigação, porém as levadas da ilha da Madeira destacam-se pela sua multifuncionalidade atual, densidade e complexidade, que constitui um património cultural material único da região. Este é indissociável do património cultural imaterial, sociocultural e linguístico madeirense, ou seja, dos termos e expressões associados às levadas da Madeira, registados no glossário, incluindo variantes fonéticas, morfossintáticas e geográficas das palavras, assim como a indicação da ocorrência de sinonímia e de polissemia. A grande quantidade e diversidade dos vocábulos sistematizados, sobretudo palavras compostas e derivadas, mas também palavras simples e expressões, mostram bem as especificidades das múltiplas funções das levadas da Madeira e o seu valor único excecional.This internship report of the Master in Linguistics: Societies and Cultures is the result of the work carried out for more than 640 hours, at the Regional Secretariat for the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change (SRAAC), with the objective of contributing to the application process from levadas of Madeira to the classification of Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. In this way, the work consisted of an extensive review of the literature on the state of the art or knowledge about the levadas, in the search and consultation of documentation on the criteria to be met for the classification of a cultural asset as a world heritage, followed by research and consultation of dispersed and varied documentation on similar irrigation channels existing in Macaronesia (Azores, Canaries and Cape Verde), in the north of Portugal, in Switzerland (“les bisses du Valais”) and in Oman (the “aflaj” irrigation systems, already classified by UNESCO). This study resulted in the systematization of information, in a synthetic and structured way, about its fundamental aspects, as a contribution to the development of the comparative study to be presented in the candidacy of the levadas of Madeira as a World Heritage Site, to determine its specificity and authenticity as heritage and cultural landscape, in relation to the hydraulic structures of other territories. It also includes the research work carried out to survey vocabulary, terms and expressions, in written, digital and audiovisual documentation, resulting in the construction of the thematic glossary associated with the levadas on the island of Madeira. From this, an onomasiological questionnaire (starting from the concepts to collect the terms) was elaborated, applied to levadeiros, to obtain the oral documentation included in the glossary, complementing the other types of documentation, and enriching it with new ones: concepts, terms, and expressions, as well as synonymic and meaningful variants (polysemy). In the glossary, the consulted and systematized lexicographic documentation also stands out, allowing to know the etymological origin of the words, through the consultation of the Houaiss Dictionary of the Portuguese Language, and to confirm some meanings of the attested terms (when they are dictionaried) in the Contemporary Portuguese Language Dictionary of the Lisbon Science Academy but mainly in Madeiran vocabularies. The results obtained in the part of the comparative study of the levadas, in the different territories surveyed, reveal the existence of similarities between some of these irrigation systems, but the levadas of Madeira stand out for their current multifunctionality, density and complexity, which constitutes a unique cultural heritage of the region. This is inseparable from the intangible cultural and linguistic heritage of Madeira, that is, the terms and expressions associated with the levadas on the island of Madeira, recorded in the glossary, including phonetic, morphosyntactic and geographic variants of the words, as well as the indication of the occurrence of synonymy and polysemy. The large quantity and diversity of the systematized words in the glossary, especially compound terms and derivatives but also simple terms and expressions, show the specificities of the multiple functions of the levadas of Madeira and their unique exceptional value