An X-Windows Toolkit for knowledge acquisition and representation based on conceptual structures

This paper describes GET (Graph Editor and Tools), a tool based on Sowa's conceptual structures, which can be used for generic knowledge acquisition and representation. The system enabled the acquisition of semantic information (restrictions) for a lexicon used by a semantic interpreter for Portuguese sentences featuring some deduction capabilities. GET also enables the graphical representation of conceptual relations by incorporating an X-Windows based editor

Ontologies for the interoperability of multiagent electricity markets simulation platforms

Electricity markets worldwide are complex and dynamic environments with very particular characteristics. These are the result of electricity markets’ restructuring and evolution into regional and continental scales, along with the constant changes brought by the increasing necessity for an adequate integration of renewable energy sources. The rising complexity and unpredictability in electricity markets has increased the need for the intervenient entities in foreseeing market behaviour. Market players and regulators are very interested in predicting the market’s behaviour. Market players need to understand the market behaviour and operation in order to maximize their profits, while market regulators need to test new rules and detect market inefficiencies before they are implemented. The growth of usage of simulation tools was driven by the need for understanding those mechanisms and how the involved players' interactions affect the markets' outcomes. Multi-agent based software is particularly well fitted to analyse dynamic and adaptive systems with complex interactions among its constituents, such as electricity markets. Several modelling tools directed to the study of restructured wholesale electricity markets have emerged. Still, they have a common limitation: the lack of interoperability between the various systems to allow the exchange of information and knowledge, to test different market models and to allow market players from different systems to interact in common market environments. This dissertation proposes the development and implementation of ontologies for semantic interoperability between multi-agent simulation platforms in the scope of electricity markets. The added value provided to these platforms is given by enabling them sharing their knowledge and market models with other agent societies, which provides the means for an actual improvement in current electricity markets studies and development. The proposed ontologies are implemented in MASCEM (Multi-Agent Simulator of Competitive Electricity Markets) and tested through the interaction between MASCEM agents and agents from other multi-agent based simulators. The implementation of the proposed ontologies has also required a complete restructuring of MASCEM’s architecture and multi-agent model, which is also presented in this dissertation. The results achieved in the case studies allow identifying the advantages of the novel architecture of MASCEM, and most importantly, the added value of using the proposed ontologies. They facilitate the integration of independent multi-agent simulators, by providing a way for communications to be understood by heterogeneous agents from the various systems.Os mercados de energia elétrica são ambientes complexos e dinâmicos que possuem características particulares. Tais características são resultado da sua reestruturação e evolução a escalas regionais e, por vezes, até continentais. A crescente necessidade de adaptação dos mecanismos existentes para que possam fazer face à integração adequada de fontes de energia renováveis também contribui para a peculiaridade destes mercados. A constante complexidade e imprevisibilidade nos mercados de eletricidade aumentou a necessidade das entidades neles intervenientes preverem o seu comportamento. Os reguladores precisam testar e detetar ineficiências nos algoritmos do mercado antes de serem implementados. Por outro lado, os agentes compradores e vendedores têm a necessidade de compreender o comportamento do mercado e o seu modo de operação, de modo a maximizarem os seus lucros ou minimizarem os seus custos. O crescimento do uso de ferramentas de simulação foi motivado pela necessidade de compreensão destes mecanismos e de como as interações entre as entidades intervenientes afetam os resultados dos mercados. Software baseado em tecnologia multiagente é particularmente adequado para estudar e analisar sistemas dinâmicos e adaptativos com interações complexas entre os seus constituintes, tais como os mercados de energia elétrica. Diversas ferramentas de modelação direcionadas ao estudo dos mercados reestruturados da eletricidade foram surgindo, como por exemplo o MASCEM (Multi-Agent Simulator of Competitive Electricity Markets). No entanto, estas ferramentas de simulação partilham uma limitação comum: a falta de interoperabilidade entre os vários sistemas, que permita o intercâmbio de modelos e conhecimento, e ainda o teste e estudo de diferentes modelos de mercado. O MASCEM é um simulador multiagente de mercados competitivos de energia elétrica, que tem vindo a ser desenvolvido desde 2003. Inclui os principais modelos de mercado e as principais entidades que nele participam, permitindo o estudo dos modelos e comportamento do mercado e de cada um dos respetivos participantes. No entanto, com as constantes atualizações que o MASCEM tem acomodado, o seu ambiente tornou-se excessivamente complexo, revelando a fragilidade da sua arquitetura e da plataforma de comunicação dos agentes. Deste modo, tornou-se essencial reestruturar o sistema por completo, definindo uma nova arquitetura, um novo modelo multiagente, o uso de mecanismos adequados para lidar com os requisitos de tempos de execução, e, para facilitar a interoperabilidade com sistemas externos, o uso de semântica nas mensagens trocadas entre os principais intervenientes do mercado. Esta dissertação propõe, além da reestruturação completa da arquitetura e modelo multiagente do simulador MASCEM, o desenvolvimento e implementação de ontologias para a interoperabilidade semântica entre plataformas multiagente no âmbito dos mercados de energia elétrica. O valor acrescentado a estas ferramentas é dado através da partilha do seu conhecimento e modelos de mercado com outras sociedades de agentes, dispondo assim dos meios para uma efetiva melhoria nos estudos e desenvolvimento dos atuais mercados de eletricidade. Os resultados obtidos nos casos de estudo permitem identificar a adequação da nova arquitetura do simulador MASCEM, bem como as vantagens do uso das ontologias propostas. O uso destas ontologias facilita a integração de simuladores multiagente independentes, disponibilizando um modo para a compreensão das mensagens trocadas entre os agentes de sistemas heterogéneos

THREE-DIMENSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION OF THE HUMAN MOTION BASED ON IMAGES FROM A SINGLE CAMERA

It is widely accepted that the photograms of two or more cameras are required for the spatial reconstruction of the human motion. Each projection of the spatial coordinates of a given anatomical point of the human body is described by two equations. Consequently, two or more cameras are necessary for at least three independent linear equations required to obtain the original three coordinates of the point from its projected positions. If n cameras are used in the reconstruction process 2n equations are available for that purpose. In this case more equations than unknowns are available, and the solution for the reconstruction must minimize the error in those equations. Regardless of the number of cameras available, no information of the biomechanical model is generally used during the reconstruction process. In this work, a biomechanical model of 16 segments is used to support the motion reconstruction. The kinematic equations that characterize the dependency between the Cartesian coordinates of the points describing each component of the biomechanical model are used together with the two equations describing their projection in each frame. The single triangle describing the lower torso is defined by three points corresponding to nine spatial coordinates. For a given frame of a single camera six independent linear equations are defined. The remaining three equations needed to the spatial reconstruction of the triangle are the kinematic constraint equations ensuring that the distance between each two points remains constant throughout the motion. The system of nonlinear equations defined in this form has multiple solutions. For each subsequent camera frame the same process is followed to obtain the multiple solutions of the triangle reconstruction. The motion of the triangle representing the lower torso is selected as the combination of the solutions of the independent frames that minimizes a given function, defined as a measure of the smoothness of the triangle motion, variation of its angular orientation or increment of its distance between frames. Only the two solutions for the motion corresponding to the lower values of the functional, evaluated during four frames, are kept. Assuming that the motion for both solutions is feasible for the remaining frames, the method proceeds with the reconstruction of the segments adjacent to the lower torso, followed by the segments adjacent to the first set and so forth. A branch of solutions is eliminated if it cannot proceed from one frame to the next, either because no solution is possible or because the reconstructed motion develops behind the camera. Finally the reconstruction of the full motion is obtained in an automatic form. The methodology is applied to a case of complex human body motion demonstrating that it is feasible to reconstruct the three dimensional human motion using the photograms of a single stationary camera and a consistent biomechanical model

Welcome message

Welcome to the 2023 IEEE International Conference on Autonomous Robot Systems and Competitions (ICARSC). ICARSC is an international scientific meeting in the field of Mobile Robotics financially co-sponsored by the Portuguese Robotics Society, IEEE Portugal Section and IEEE Portugal RAS Chapter and technically co-sponsored by the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS). ICARSC is currently a recognized international scientific conference in the field of autonomous robotics and competitions. This conference is promoted by Instituto Politécnico de Tomar and the Portuguese Society of Robotics, with the support from Tomar Municipality. Thank you all for participating in this conference. We hope you feel it as a highly productive and sociable event and that you will enjoy your staying in Tomar.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Numerical tests of the large charge expansion

We perform Monte-Carlo measurements of two and three point functions of charged operators in the critical O(2) model in 3 dimensions. Our results are compatible with the predictions of the large charge superfluid effective field theory. To obtain reliable measurements for large values of the charge, we improved the Worm algorithm and devised a measurement scheme which mitigates the uncertainties due to lattice and finite size effects.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figures. v2: Improved finite size scaling. v3: Added comparison between Monte Carlo update

A novel SDS-stable dimer of a heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein at presynaptic terminals of squid neurons

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2015. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Elsevier for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Neuroscience 300 (2015): 381-392, doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.05.040.The presence of mRNAs in synaptic terminals and their regulated translation are important factors in neuronal communication and plasticity. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) complexes are involved in the translocation, stability, and subcellular localization of mRNA and the regulation of its translation. Defects in these processes and mutations in components of the hnRNP complexes have been related to the formation of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite much data on mRNA localization and evidence for protein synthesis, as well as the presence of translation machinery, in axons and presynaptic terminals, the identity of RNA-binding proteins involved in RNA transport and function in presynaptic regions is lacking. We previously characterized a strongly basic RNA-binding protein (p65), member of the hnRNP A/B subfamily, in squid presynaptic terminals. Intriguingly, in SDS-PAGE, p65 migrated as a 65 kDa protein, whereas members of the hnRNP A/B family typically have molecular masses ranging from 35 to 42 kDa. In this report we present further biochemical and molecular characterization that shows endogenous p65 to be an SDS-stable dimer composed of ~37 kDa hnRNPA/B-like subunits. We cloned and expressed a recombinant protein corresponding to squid hnRNPA/B-like protein and showed its propensity to aggregate and form SDS-stable dimers in vitro. Our data suggest that this unique hnRNPA/B-like protein co-localizes with synaptic vesicle protein 2 and RNA-binding protein ELAV and thus may serve as a link between local mRNA processing and presynaptic function and regulation.Research was supported by grants to REL from the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP), the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and the Fundação de Apoio ao Ensino, Pesquisa e Assistência do Hospital das Clínicas da FMRP-USP (FAEPA). JAD received financial support from the RI-INBRE Program Grant #8 P20 GM103430-12 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH, Bethesda, MD. DTPL and GSL received research fellowships from FAPESP and CNPq. REL and JCR received the Productivity-in-Research fellowship from CNPq

RASPBODY:: Um protótipo de sistema para análise cinemática do movimento humano utilizando Raspberry PI câmeras de infravermelho

O objetivo do projeto foi desenvolver um protótipo de sistema de análise domovimento humano em 3D utilizando dois Raspberry Pi (com de câmerasinfravermelho acopladas). A interface do sistema foi desenvolvida em Django (comBootstrap). A partir da captura de marcadores reflexivos, fixados no corpo humano, osistema deve reconstruir o movimento humano em modelo virtual mecânico 3D. Osalgoritmos de rastreamento dos marcadores reflexivos foram desenvolvidos com usoda biblioteca OpenCV. O desenvolvimento do sistema de calibração e reconstrução3D ainda não foi finalizado por completo. Nas pŕoximas etapas do projeto o protótipodeve ser finalizado e testado

Dissecação e a percepção de estudantes de medicina sobre a importância da anatomia comparada na integração básico-clínica e do ensino e extensão

A anatomia é considerada um dos conteúdos mais importantes na formação médica, imprescindível para compreender a fisiologia do corpo e a fisiopatologia das doenças. Sendo assim, a anatomia comparada, por meio de dissecação de órgãos de animais é essencial para desenvolvimento do raciocínio clínico. Esse trabalho relata um evento de dissecação, realizado por de uma liga acadêmica do curso de medicina, para o estudo comparativo anatômico. Os estudantes foram divididos em grupos que tiveram e não tiveram anatomia topográfica do tórax e após a dissecação foram submetidos a um questionário e 100% dos alunos relataram que a dissecação do coração contribui para um maior entendimento e que a prática de dissecação, mesmo por meio da anatomia comparada, auxilia na compreensão das estruturas e da fisiologia cardíaca. Essa forma de ensino diminui as lacunas de aprendizado que ocorrem devido a desassociação teórico-prática da disciplina e falta de peças humanas no acervo das universidades

Bioanalytical approach-ageing, exercise and oxidative stress

Abstract: Exercise interferes with the ageing, causing changes in markers of the antioxidant system, such as nitric oxide (NO) and uric acid. Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate if regular exercise affects the ageing process by causing changes in the antioxidant markers, nitric oxide and uric acid, in individuals aged ≥ 65 years, subjected to an exercise plan. Methods: The study involved 12 participants distributed in an experimental and control group. The experimental group performed exercises guided by a physiotherapist during 12 weeks. Three blood samples were collected from participants: T0, at the start of the study; T1, after 12 weeks of exercise and T2, 12 weeks after finishing the exercise. NO and uric acid were quantified with commercial kits. The statistics were performed using SPSS and the ANOVA and Student t-tests were applied. Result: In the experimental group, the mean values of NO showed an increase between T0 and T1, with a slight decrease between T1 and T2. Similar effects were observed for the uric acid concentration in the experimental group, with statistical significance from T0 to T1. Conclusion: After exercise, there was an increase in blood uric acid and NO levels, highlighting the importance of moderate and controlled exercise practice. Therefore, exercise seems relevant and beneficial in activating antioxidant mechanisms.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dreno pleural subxifoide confere melhor função pulmonar e resultados clínicos na doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica após cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica sem circulação extracorpórea: ensaio clínico controlado e randomizado

Objective: To evaluate the lung function and clinical outcome in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with left internal thoracic artery graft, comparing the pleural drain insertion in the intercostal versus subxyphoid region. Methods: A randomized controlled trial. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were randomized into two groups according pleural drain site: II group (n=27) - pleural drain in intercostal space; SI group (n=29) - pleural drain in the subxyphoid region. Spirometry values (Forced Vital Capacity - and Forced expiratory volume in 1 second) were obtained on preoperative and 1, 3 and 5 postoperative days. Chest x-ray from preoperative until postoperative day 5 (POD5) was performed for monitoring respiratory events, such as atelectasis and pleural effusion. Pulmonary shunt fraction and pain score was evaluate preoperatively and on postoperative day 1. Results: In both groups there was a significant decrease of the spirometry values (Forced Vital Capacity and Forced expiratory volume in 1 second) until POD5 (P<0.05). However, when compared, SI group presented less decrease in these parameters (P<0.05). Pulmonary shunt fraction was significantly lower in SI group (P<0.05). Respiratory events, pain score, orotracheal intubation time and postoperative length of hospital stay were lower in the SI group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Subxyphoid pleural drainage in severe Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients determined better preservation and recovery of pulmonary capacity and volumes with lower pulmonary shunt fraction and better clinical outcomes on early postoperative off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.Objetivo: Avaliar a função pulmonar e os resultados clínicos em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica grave submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio sem circulação extracorpórea, com enxerto da artéria torácica interna esquerda, comparando a inserção do dreno pleural intercostal versus subxifoide. Métodos: Estudo clínico, controlado e randomizado. Pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica foram randomizados em dois grupos de acordo com a posição do dreno pleural: grupo II (n=27) - dreno pleural intercostal; grupo IS (n=29) - dreno pleural na região subxifóide. Os valores espirométricos (Capacidade Vital Forçada e Volume expiratório forçado no 1 segundo) foram obtidos no pré-operatório, e no 1º, 3º e 5º dias de pós-operatório. Foi realizada radiografia de tórax no préoperatório até o 5º dia pós-operatório (5PO) para monitoração de eventos respiratórios, como atelectasia e derrame pleural. A fração de shunt pulmonar e a escala de dor foram avaliadas no 1º dia pós-operatório. Resultados: Em ambos os grupos houve queda significativa dos valores espirométricos (Capacidade Vital Forçada e Volume expiratório forçado no 1 segundo) até o 5PO (P<0.05), porém, quando comparados, o grupo IS apresentou menor queda destes parâmetros (P<0.05). A fração de shunt pulmonar foi significativamente menor no grupo IS (P<0.05). Os eventos respiratórios, escala da dor, tempo de intubação orotraqueal e dias internação hospitalar no pós-operatório foram menores no grupo IS (P<0.05). Conclusão: Drenagem pleural subxifoide em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica grave determinou melhor preservação e recuperação dos volumes e capacidades pulmonares, com menor fração de shunt pulmonar e melhores resultados clínicos no pós-operatório precoce de cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio sem circulação extracorpórea.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina São Paulo HospitalUNIFESP, EPM, São Paulo HospitalSciEL