A new path integral approximation to photon propagation in turbid media

The path integral approach is applied to describe the propagation of photons in bounded homogeneous turbid media. Introducing a new controlled perturbative expansion centred on the diffusion limit, new analytic solutions for continuous wave reflectance and transmittance are determined, as relevant for non-invasive measurements of tissue optical properties based on continuous wave photon migration instruments. A comparative analysis with the diffusion approximation of radiative transfer theory is made to show that non-diffusive effects are enhanced in turbid regions with increasing absorption coefficients and decreasing reduced scattering coefficients as well as when the distance between interface boundaries increases. The relation between the transport equation (which is the starting point for the path integral approach) and multiple scattering theory is also discussed

Desafios da intervenção sociológica em prol da inclusão social

Neste artigo, iremos apresentar algumas reflexões em torno do papel da sociologia enquanto disciplina facilitadora de dinâmicas de desenvolvimento locais integradas e de trabalho em rede, tomando como palco de reflexão a realidade local de Santo Tirso, nomeadamente através dos contributos da implementação do Programa Rede Social no concelho. Assim, iremos demonstrar iniciativas, procedimentos e incursões metodológicas que demonstrem a intervenção em prol da coesão social e da inclusão levadas a cabo por uma matriz disciplinar comum, resultante de uma partilha de experiências em constante reestruturação. A abordagem que pretendemos fazer centra-se na mediação dos sociólogos na eliminação dos mecanismos de pobreza e de exclusão social, quer através da cooperação entre o sectores público e privado, quer através da acção multisectorial no quadro de uma perspectiva integrada, quer, ainda, através da participação e co-responsabilização dos grupos e comunidades locais, no sentido de activarem os seus recursos e potencialidades, autonomizando-se dos processos de desqualificação de que são alvo. Para além de alguns contributos teóricos, pretendemos demonstrar alguns indicadores do trabalho em rede e a consequente intervenção da Sociologia enquanto disciplina facilitadora desse mesmo trabalho, tendo como pano de fundo a realidade do concelho de Santo Tirso, designadamente a implementação do Programa Rede Social.In this paper, we present some reflections on the role of sociology as a discipline facilitator of integrated local development dynamics and networking, taking as a stage of reflection of the local reality of Santo Tirso, particularly through contributions from the implementation of the Programa Rede Social. Thus, we will show initiatives, procedures and methodological inroads showing the intervention to promote social cohesion and inclusion carried out by a common disciplinary matrix, resulting from a sharing of experiences in constant restructuring. The approach we intend to do focuses on the mediation of sociologists in the elimination of the mechanisms of poverty and social exclusion, either through cooperation between public and private sectors, either through multisectoral action within an integrated perspective, either, although, through participation and co-responsibility of local groups and communities in order to activate their resources and capabilities, empowering themselves from the processes they face disqualification. Apart from some theoretical aim to demonstrate some indicators of networking and the consequent intervention of sociology as a discipline facilitator of that work, with the backdrop of the reality of the municipality of Santo Tirso, including the implementation of the Programa Rede Social

Integration using Oracle SOA suite

Estágio realizado na Wipro RetailTese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Informática e Computação. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 200

An ultra-low-cost RCL-meter

An ultra-low-cost RCL meter, aimed at IoT applications, was developed, and was used to measure electrical components based on standard techniques without the need of additional electronics beyond the AVR® micro-controller hardware itself and high-level routines. The models and pseudo-routines required to measure admittance parameters are described, and a benchmark between the ATmega328P and ATmega32U4 AVR® micro-controllers was performed to validate the resistance and capacitance measurements. Both ATmega328P and ATmega32U4 micro-controllers could measure isolated resistances from 0.5 Ω to 80 MΩ and capacitances from 100 fF to 4.7 mF. Inductance measurements are estimated at between 0.2 mH to 1.5 H. The accuracy and range of the measurements of series and parallel RC networks are demonstrated. The relative accuracy (ar) and relative precision (pr) of the measurements were quantified. For the resistance measurements, typically ar, pr ar pr ar pr ar falls below 5% in some sub-ranges. The combination of the two capacitance modes allows for measurements in the range 100 fF–10 mF (11 orders of magnitude) with ar < 20%. Possible applications include the sensing of impedimetric sensor arrays targeted for wearable and in-body bioelectronics, smart agriculture, and smart cities, while complying with small form factor and low cost.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Desenvolvimento de um esquema referencial de formação de professores de ciências para o uso de tecnologias

Procura-se fazer a apresentação de um esquema referencial para o desenvolvimento de programas de formação (PF) de professores de Ciências (inicial, contínua e pós-graduada), com vista ao desenvolvimento do seu Conhecimento Pedagógico Tecnológico de Conteúdo (CPTC). O CPTC representa o conhecimento de professores de ciências para integrar as tecnologias no processo de ensino e aprendizagem das Ciências. O esquema foi desenvolvido em duas fases: na primeira, assente num paradigma interpretativo, descreveram-se as estratégias para a promoção do desenvolvimento do CPTC de estudantes/professores; e na segunda, baseada num paradigma sócio-critico, desenvolveu-se um PF com esta orientação. Neste esquema descrevem-se alguns dos componentes curriculares a privilegiar na formação de professores, como por exemplo a avaliação formativa de portefólios digitais

Desenvolvimento de um esquema referencial de formação de professores de ciências para o uso de tecnologias

Procura-se fazer a apresentação de um esquema referencial para o desenvolvimento de programas de formação (PF) de professores de Ciências (inicial, contínua e pós-graduada), com vista ao desenvolvimento do seu Conhecimento Pedagógico Tecnológico de Conteúdo (CPTC). O CPTC representa o conhecimento de professores de ciências para integrar as tecnologias no processo de ensino e aprendizagem das Ciências. O esquema foi desenvolvido em duas fases: na primeira, assente num paradigma interpretativo, descreveram-se as estratégias para a promoção do desenvolvimento do CPTC de estudantes/professores; e na segunda, baseada num paradigma sócio-critico, desenvolveu-se um PF com esta orientação. Neste esquema descrevem-se alguns dos componentes curriculares a privilegiar na formação de professores, como por exemplo a avaliação formativa de portefólios digitais

Technological pedagogical content knowledge development: integrating technology with a Research Teaching Perspective

Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK) represents the teachers’ professional knowledge needed to integrate technology in education. Following a design-based approach this study describes the strategies for designing and assessing an in-service science teacher education course. Data was obtained through interviews, questionnaires, using participant observation and analysis of in-service science teachers’ professional portfolios. A detailed description of the research methodology and findings is given, including an overview of the implications of the study. Results show that integrating technology with a Research Teaching Perspective (RTP) could be a way to develop innovative science lessons for students. Suggestions for the creation of a design framework for the development of initial and in-service science teachers’ TPCK are put forward

Non-destructive soluble solids content determination for ‘Rocha’ Pear Based on VIS-SWNIR spectroscopy under ‘Real World’ sorting facility conditions

In this paper we report a method to determine the soluble solids content (SSC) of 'Rocha' pear (Pyrus communis L. cv. Rocha) based on their short-wave NIR reflectance spectra (500-1100 nm) measured in conditions similar to those found in packinghouse fruit sorting facilities. We obtained 3300 reflectance spectra from pears acquired from different lots, producers and with diverse storage times and ripening stages. The macroscopic properties of the pears, such as size, temperature and SSC were measured under controlled laboratory conditions. For the spectral analysis, we implemented a computational pipeline that incorporates multiple pre-processing techniques including a feature selection procedure, various multivariate regression models and three different validation strategies. This benchmark allowed us to find the best model/preproccesing procedure for SSC prediction from our data. From the several calibration models tested, we have found that Support Vector Machines provides the best predictions metrics with an RMSEP of around 0.82 ∘ Brix and 1.09 ∘ Brix for internal and external validation strategies respectively. The latter validation was implemented to assess the prediction accuracy of this calibration method under more 'real world-like' conditions. We also show that incorporating information about the fruit temperature and size to the calibration models improves SSC predictability. Our results indicate that the methodology presented here could be implemented in existing packinghouse facilities for single fruit SSC characterization.Funding Agency CEOT strategic project UID/Multi/00631/2019 project OtiCalFrut ALG-01-0247-FEDER-033652 Ideias em Caixa 2010, CAIXA GERAL DE DEPOSITOS Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (Ciencia)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Developing a community of practice on education for sustainable development: first steps towards the design of a storyboard

This study is part of a research project that aims to develop an online Community of Practice (CoP) to promote Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the Portuguese context. Its potential members (teachers, pupils, parents, researchers and others) will collaborate in order to develop educational resources, to develop and share innovative teaching and learning strategies underlying an ESD approach, and help national school projects to implement an ESD approach. The aim of this paper is to present the first phase of the project: to collect the perceptions of a multidisciplinary team of researchers, who have different competences, about the principles that help to develop and sustain a CoP in the scope of ESD. Through a design-based research approach, the main technical and educational guidelines that emerged from a focus group survey will be presented. Some of the main key ideas discussed were (i) the need to be supported with the provision of teacher training and consultancy services, (ii) the identification of teachers that are already leaders in their own schools, and that could assume the leadership of this CoP, and (iii) the importance of opening the community up to other type of users, with different possibilities of access and interaction

Anti-inflammatory effect of topiramate in a chronic model of TNBS-induced colitis

FCT_UIDB/05608/2020. FCT_UIDP/05608/2020.Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by a chronic and relapsing inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in severe symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, and weight loss. Currently, there is no cure, and the pharmacological treatment includes drugs that induce and keep the patient in remission, not reversing the underlying pathogenic mechanism. In the long term, these therapies may cause various side effects and complications, which has increased the need to investigate new, more effective, and safer pharmacological approaches. In preclinical studies, topiramate has demonstrated a potential anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study aimed to investigate the effect of topiramate in a chronic TNBS-induced colitis model in rodents. Experimental colitis was induced by four intrarectal administrations of 1% TNBS in female CD-1 mice. Topiramate 10 and 20 mg were administered intraperitoneally for 14 days. Several parameters were evaluated, such as body weight, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), fecal hemoglobin, fecal calprotectin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-10. Topiramate reduces TNBS-induced colonic damage in a model of chronic experimental colitis and normalizes stool consistency and anus appearance. Additionally, topiramate significantly reduced the concentration of ALP, fecal hemoglobin, fecal calprotectin, TNF-α, and IL-10, demonstrating it to be a promising pharmacological approach for treating IBD in the future.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio