The DEAR-COTS hard real-time subsystem

In this report, the Hard Real-Time Subsystem of DEAR-COTS is described, and the services it must provide are identified. This report is an input of ISEP/IPP and FEUP for the specification of the DEAR-COTS architecture (deliverable to the FCT)

To Ada or not To Ada: Adaing vs. Javaing in real-time systems

Ada is really an unfortunate Lady. After years fighting against C/C++ villains, her major lift-up (Ada 95) had brought up a promise of fortune. However, a new strong villain (Java) has appeared trying to end her struggle for survival. Ada has now to fight with her own weapons. She will only prosper by her own merits. But two questions emerge. Do they exist? Are they better than Java’s? Our opinion is that they do exist, and are not matched by any other programming languageFLAD; DEMEGI/FEU

ISEE.U: Distributed online active target localization with unpredictable targets

This paper addresses target localization with an online active learning algorithm defined by distributed, simple and fast computations at each node, with no parameters to tune and where the estimate of the target position at each agent is asymptotically equal in expectation to the centralized maximum-likelihood estimator. ISEE.U takes noisy distances at each agent and finds a control that maximizes localization accuracy. We do not assume specific target dynamics and, thus, our method is robust when facing unpredictable targets. Each agent computes the control that maximizes overall target position accuracy via a local estimate of the Fisher Information Matrix. We compared the proposed method with a state of the art algorithm outperforming it when the target movements do not follow a prescribed trajectory, with x100 less computation time, even when our method is running in one central CPU

Fuzzy logic for structural system control

This paper provides some information and numerical tests that aims to investigate the use of a Fuzzy Controller applied to control systems. Some advantages are reported regarding the use of this controller, such as the characteristic ease of implementation due to its semantic feature in the statement of the control rules. On the other hand, it is also hypothesized that these systems have a lower performance loss when the system to be controlled is nonlinear or has time varying parameters. Numerical tests are performed using modal LQR optimal control and Fuzzy control of non-collocated systems with full state feedback in a twodimensional structure. The paper proposes a way of designing a controller that may be a supervisory Fuzzy controller for a traditional controller or even a fuzzy controller independent from the traditional control, consisting on individual mode controllers. Some comments are drawn regarding the performance of these proposals in a number of arrangement

Tipologia circadiana nas organizações: Casamento ou divórcio?

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no ISPA – Instituto Universitário para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Social e das OrganizaçõesEste estudo pretende analisar a relação entre o Cronótipo Individual e o Desempenho Individual, assim como o efeito moderador da Personalidade e do Work Engagement. Na amostra constam 130 participantes, com idade entre os 19 e os 65 anos. Para avaliar as variáveis foram utilizados o Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire de 5 itens (Adan & Almirall, 1991), Task-based Job Performance de 13 itens (Smith, Organ & Near, 1983; Fernandes, 2011), Big Five Inventory de 10 itens (Rammstedt & John, 2007) e ainda Utrecht Work Engagement Scale de 17 itens (Schaufeli, Bakker & Salanova, 2006). Na análise do efeito principal, os resultados obtidos revelaram que o Cronótipo Individual não exerce um impacto significativo no Desempenho Individual, o que levou à infirmação das hipóteses de investigação. Posteriormente foi executada uma análise a nível exploratório, que contou com diferentes dimensões relacionadas significativamente na análise correlacional. Foram propostos dois modelos alternativos de mediação. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram um efeito mediador parcial do Cronótipo Individual na relação entre a Conscienciosidade e o Vigor. A análise da mediação suscitou evidências de um efeito de mediação do Vigor na relação entre a Conscienciosidade e o Desempenho Individual. Os testes post hoc confirmam as evidências do primeiro efeito mediador encontrado, mas infirmam o segundoThis study aims to analyze the relation between Chronotype and Job Performance and the moderating effect of Personality and Work Engagement in this relationship. The sample has 130 subjects, aged 19 to 65 years. In order to measure each variable, were used Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire 5 item version (Adan & Almirall, 1991), Task-based Job Performance 13 item version (Smith, Organ & Near, 1983; Fernandes, 2011), Big Five Inventory 10 item version (Rammstedt & John, 2007) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale 17 item version (Schaufeli, Bakker & Salanova, 2006). In the analysis of the main effect, our results show that Chronotype has not a significant impact on Job Performance, which led us to reject our hypotheses. Later a second analysis was conducted on an exploratory level, where were evaluated each dimensions significantly related in correlation analysis. We proposed two alternative mediating models to analyse. The results show that Chronotype exercises a mediating effect on the relation between Conscientiousness and Vigour. Our analysis shows the possibility of a mediating effect of Vigour in the relation between Conscientiousness and Job Performance also. Post hoc tests support the first partial mediating effect, but not the last

Agricultura na região do Luinga em Angola: aptidão cultural e adaptações tecnológicas

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de AgronomiaEste trabalho teve como principal objectivo analisar as potencialidades produtivas e económicas de um conjunto de culturas, na região do Luinga em Angola. Foi feita uma análise que teve por base os resultados verificados na agricultura de tecnologia familiar, praticada actualmente na região, e a estimativa da evolução deste tipo de agricultura, a caminho do máximo produtivo, através da introdução sucessiva de um conjunto de tecnologias. O estudo realizado surgiu devido ao interesse demonstrado à empresa AGRO.GES, Sociedade de Estudos e Projectos, Lda., por parte de um empresário Angolano, em desenvolver um projecto em parceria com o Ministério da Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural de Angola (MINADER). O projecto tinha como objectivo o desenvolvimento da região do Luinga, englobando uma área de cerca 10 000 ha, na qual 1 600 ha são de potencial regadio e 8 400 ha de sequeiro. Para a selecção do conjunto de culturas a avaliar, a região foi caracterizada pormenorizadamente no que diz respeito ao clima, solos e actividade agrícola e pecuária existente. Esta caracterização foi baseada num conjunto de fontes bibliográficas e numa visita a Angola durante 40 dias. Com base nestes factores as culturas que utilizadas neste estudo foram o milho, o feijão, a soja, a batata rena, a batata-doce, a mandioca, o tomate, o ananás e o amendoimN/

A PSP e a gestão de adeptos: fatores chave para o sucesso no caso paradigmático do futebol

O futebol assume, indiscutivelmente, um lugar de destaque no panorama internacional. A sua crescente importância social, económica e cultural aliada a uma extraordinária capacidade mobilizadora, tornam-no no espetáculo desportivo de eleição das sociedades ocidentais contemporâneas. Intimamente ligados a esta modalidade estão os seus consumidores diretos, os adeptos, que encontram no futebol uma fonte de identificação social e um refúgio viável para a explosão de tensões e emoções acumuladas no seu quotidiano. O facto de, por vezes, ocorrerem atos de violência, obriga a que a Polícia assuma um papel decisivo na função crítica que é a gestão de massas adeptas, sobretudo devido à sua capacidade de criar um grupo coeso e hostil a partir de um aglomerado fragmentado de indivíduos. Com a realização do Euro 2004, os modelos de atuação da Polícia de Segurança Pública ao nível da gestão das massas e do policiamento desportivo alteraram-se substancialmente, tendo sido amplamente elogiados pela comunidade internacional. Por conseguinte, dez anos após a realização deste grande evento, procuramos através de um estudo qualitativo identificar os fatores chave que estão na base de uma eficiente gestão de adeptos, com especial enfoque no caso paradigmático do futebol. Os resultados da análise sugerem uma aproximação entre o que a literatura considera como “boas práticas” e aquilo que são as práticas e os mecanismos desenvolvidos pela Polícia de Segurança Pública. Foram também identificados aspetos passíveis de serem melhorados, sobretudo a nível da corresponsabilização de todos os intervenientes no espetáculo desportivo e da aplicação de interdições de acesso a recintos desportivos.Football holds, undoubtedly, a prominent place on the international scene. Its growing social, economic and cultural significance, combined with a great mobilizing capacity, makes it the election sport in contemporary society. Closely connected to this sport are its direct consumers, the supporters, who find in football a source of social identification and a viable haven for the explosion of accumulated tensions and emotions in their daily lives. The occasional violence acts require that the police play a key role managing those supporters, mainly due to its ability to create a cohesive and hostile group that brings together fragmented individuals. In Euro 2004, Polícia de Segurança Pública operational models for crowd management and policing changed significantly, and they were widely praised by the international community. Therefore, ten years after that sports event, a qualitative research was developed in which we try to identify the key factors that underpin an effective fan management, with special focus on football paradigmatic case. The results of this study suggest a link between what some authors consider "good practices" and the practices and mechanisms that were developed by Polícia de Segurança Pública. We also identified some aspects that can be improved, especially regarding the co-responsibility of all stakeholders in a sports event and the application of banning orders

Quality of life in obese patients from a multidisciplinary bariatric consultation: a cross-sectional study comparing to a non-bariatric population and to the general population

Obesity is a chronic disease defined by a body mass index of ≥30 kg/m2, which can result in a decrease in quality of life (QoL). Our study aim was to assess the QoL of an obese population of bariatric surgery (BS) candidates and to compare it to both that of a non-bariatric obese population (C) and that of the general population. This was a cross-sectional study using: (1) the EQ-5D-3L instrument: comparing BS with the C population and with the Portuguese general population; and (2) the Bariatric Quality of Life (BQL) Index: comparing the two groups of obese patients. We included 228 BS and 68 C obese patients. BS patients had higher BMI (44 ± 6 kg/m2 vs. 41 ± 6.5 kg/m2; p < 0.001), higher waist circumference (130 ± 13 cm vs. 123 ± 17 cm; p = 0.03), and higher total body fat mass (49.9 ± 6.7% vs. 45 ± 6.7%; p < 0.001). QoL as evaluated by EQ-5D-3L was similar, but the BQL index showed lower QoL in BS patients (40.9 ± 8.9 vs. 44.2 ± 11.2; p = 0.01). Compared to the Portuguese general population, BS patients had lower QoL (VAS: 55 ± 19 vs. 74.9; p < 0.001; index: 0.33 ± 0.2 vs. 0.76; p < 0.001). Despite higher adiposity in the BS group, QoL was similar between the groups by EQ-5D-3L. Nevertheless, there was a decrease in the QoL for the BS patients as determined using the BQL, a tool with higher sensitivity to bariatric patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Small RNA profiling in Pinus pinaster reveals the transcriptome of developing seeds and highlights differences between zygotic and somatic embryos

Regulation of seed development by small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) is an important mechanism controlling a crucial phase of the life cycle of seed plants. In this work, sRNAs from seed tissues (zygotic embryos and megagametophytes) and from somatic embryos of Pinus pinaster were analysed to identify putative regulators of seed/embryo development in conifers. In total, sixteen sRNA libraries covering several developmental stages were sequenced. We show that embryos and megagametophytes express a large population of 21-nt sRNAs and that substantial amounts of 24-nt sRNAs were also detected, especially in somatic embryos. A total of 215 conserved miRNAs, one third of which are conifer-specific, and 212 high-confidence novel miRNAs were annotated. MIR159, MIR171 and MIR394 families were found in embryos, but were greatly reduced in megagametophytes. Other families, like MIR397 and MIR408, predominated in somatic embryos and megagametophytes, suggesting their expression in somatic embryos is associated with in vitro conditions. Analysis of the predicted miRNA targets suggests that miRNA functions are relevant in several processes including transporter activity at the cotyledon-forming stage, and sulfur metabolism across several developmental stages. An important resource for studying conifer embryogenesis is made available here, which may also provide insightful clues for improving clonal propagation via somatic embryogenesis.publishersversionpublishe