Architecture and documentation integrated method for the design and reuse of frameworks

Tese de Doutoramento em Electrónica Industrial - Ramo de Conhecimento Informática IndustrialFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Advantages and shortcomings of the utilization of recycled wastes as aggregates in structural concretes

Global material resources are quickly being drained by the demands of global economic development. Simultaneously, the environmental impacts of the massive amounts of waste generated globally every year are also growing exponentially. As such, the implementation of waste recycling through its utilization as a component of a construction material, particularly one with a global demand as high as concrete, is a strategy which acts in both planes: material efficiency and waste generation. This paper details the results of a systematic review performed on the scientific literature that concerns the possibility of incorporating recycled wastes as aggregates in structural ordinary Portland cement concretes. The available literature suggests that a reduced number of wastes of recycled origin may, albeit in low quantities, be used in structural OPC concretes. Furthermore, the presence of substances such as glass wastes or alkali-rich cement fragments in recycled aggregates elevates the potential for expansions originated by the occurrence, in these concretes, of the well known phenomenon known as alkali-silica reaction. Moreover, the variety, quantity and the limits to the utilization of these wastes as aggregates in structural concretes all suggest that a massification of the utilization of recycled aggregates in OPC concretes will not take place. The investigation also found that, in light of the evidence showing that the performance of alkali-activated binder concretes is less impacted by the shortcomings of recycled aggregates, recycled wastes may be better suited for reutilization as aggregates in these concrete compositions.FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, under the project SFRH/BD/111813/201

A mind-mapping front-end for text writing

Writing is a challenging task especially for graduate students, who are often required to produce scientific writing. Mind maps help to organize ideas and are an essential tool in the planning phase of writing. Software tools have been developed to support mind-mapping, but in our research we have not found tools offering specific support for writing activities. In this paper we introduce planTEXT, a mind-mapping tool for text writing and describe its front-end architecture. This tool has been assessed by students, and the results are presented.This work has been supported by COMPETE: POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-007043 and FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2013

Wireless networks and IoT applications

[Excerpt] Wireless networks play a key role in IoT applications, often with wireless sensor networks as ad hoc local area networks with self-healing routing, recent low-power wide-area network technologies enabling new application felds and/or more efcient architectures, and mobile networks ofering the possibility of extending applications to remote areas. Wireless networks also enable innovative and interesting applications ranging from smart-homes and smart-cities to precision agriculture and advanced healthcare.- The guest editors are thankful to the reviewers for their effort in reviewing the manuscripts. We also thank the EAI and Springer staff for their support during the process. This special issue was supported by FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020, of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education of the Portuguese Government

Library for Simplified Timer Implementation using Standard C++

Temporization is a crucial aspects of control, automation and robotics systems. C++ is used in the development of such systems, especially if they are more complex and powerful. Because, the language and standard library do not support non-blocking timers with callbacks for event-driven programming, developers resort to libraries and frameworks that offer such functionality. However, their timer implementations are dependent on platform specificities and thus have more limited portability. C++11 has introduced features that enable standard implementations of timers. We propose a library that implements timers with simplified usage relatively to well-known libraries. The proposed library is contrasted with timers of two well know libraries, through a series of usage scenarios. We describe the design and provide performance measurements. The results show that it is faster and offers more accurate temporization.(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An efficient adaptive data-link-layer architecture for LoRa networks

LoRa is one of the most popular low-power wireless network technologies for implementation of the Internet of Things, with the advantage of providing long-range communication, but lower data rates, when compared with technologies such as Zigbee or Bluetooth. LoRa is a single-channel physical layer technology on top of which LoRaWAN implements a more complex multi-channel network with enhanced functionalities, such as adaptive data rate. However, LoRaWAN relies on expensive hardware to support these functionalities. This paper proposes a LoRa data-link-layer architecture based on a multi-layer star network topology that adapts relevant LoRa parameters for each end node dynamically taking into account its link distance and quality in order to balance communication range and energy consumption. The developed solution is comprised of multiple components, including a LoRa parameter calculator to help the user to configure the network parameters, a contention-free MAC protocol to avoid collisions, and an adaptive spreading factor and transmission power mechanism. These components work together to ensure a more efficient use of the chosen ISM band and end node resources, but with low-cost implementation and operation requirements.This research was funded by FEDER through COMPETE2020—Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) grant number POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028247 and by FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/202

Effects of myenteric denervation on extracellular matrix fibers and mast cell distribution in normal stomach and gastric lesions

Abstract\ud \ud \ud \ud Background\ud \ud In this study the effect of myenteric denervation induced by benzalconium chloride (BAC) on distribution of fibrillar components of extracellular matrix (ECM) and inflammatory cells was investigated in gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Rats were divided in four experimental groups: non-denervated (I) and denervated stomach (II) without MNNG treatment; non-denervated (III) and denervated stomachs (IV) treated with MNNG. For histopathological, histochemical and stereological analysis, sections of gastric fragments were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin, Picrosirius-Hematoxylin, Gomori reticulin, Weigert's Resorcin-Fuchsin, Toluidine Blue and Alcian-Blue/Safranin (AB-SAF).\ud \ud \ud \ud Results\ud \ud BAC denervation causes an increase in the frequency of reticular and elastic fibers in the denervated (group II) compared to the non-denervated stomachs (group I). The treatment of the animals with MNNG induced the development of adenocarcinomas in non-denervated and denervated stomachs (groups III and IV, respectively) with a notable increase in the relative volume of the stroma, the frequency of reticular fibers and the inflammatory infiltrate that was more intense in group IV. An increase in the frequency of elastic fibers was observed in adenocarcinomas of denervated (group IV) compared to the non-denervated stomachs (group III) that showed degradation of these fibers. The development of lesions (groups III and IV) was also associated with an increase in the mast cell population, especially AB and AB-SAF positives, the latter mainly in the denervated group IV.\ud \ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud \ud The results show a strong association in the morphological alteration of the ECM fibrillar components, the increased density of mast cells and the development of tumors induced by MNNG in the non-denervated rat stomach or denervated by BAC. This suggests that the study of extracellular and intracellular components of tumor microenvironment contributes to understanding of tumor biology by action of myenteric denervation.We are grateful to Domingos Zanchetta Netto and Luiz Roberto Falleiros-Jr for technical assistance. CFE and CBM were supported by Fundação de Amparo á Pesquisa - FAPESP (grants 08/05722-6 and 03/10634-5, respectively) and SRT by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnológico - CNPq (grants 301111/05-7 and 300163/2008-8).We are grateful to Domingos Zanchetta Netto and Luiz Roberto FalleirosJr for technical assistance. CFE and CBM were supported by Fundação de Amparo á Pesquisa FAPESP (grants 08/057226 and 03/106345, respectively) and SRT by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnológico CNPq (grants 301111/057 and 300163/20088)

Antimicrobial activity and flow rate of newer and established root canal sealers

Endodontic sealers that possess both optimum flow ability and antimicrobial properties may theoretically assist in the elimination of microorganisms located in confined areas of the root canal system. The antimicrobial effects and the flow rate of the following sealers were investigated and compared: Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer EWT, Grossman's Sealer, ThermaSeal, Sealer 26, AH Plus, and Sealer Plus. The agar diffusion test was used to assess the antimicrobial activity of the sealers. In the flow assay, the sealers were placed between two glass slabs and a weight of 500 g was placed on the top of the glass. The diameters of the formed discs were recorded. All root canal sealers tested showed some antimicrobial activity against most of the microorganisms. There were no significant differences between the materials tested (p > 0.05). All root canal sealers also flowed under the conditions of this study. Statistical analysis of the results revealed that AH Plus and Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer EWT had flow values significantly superior to the other sealers tested (p > 0.05). Taken together, these findings suggest that these sealers have the potential to help in the microbial control in the root canal system

The future of power systems: Challenges, trends, and upcoming paradigms

The decarbonization of the economy, for which the contribution of power systems is significant, is a growing trend in Europe and in the world. In order to achieve the Paris Agreement's ambitious environmental goals, a substantial increase in the contribution of renewable sources to the energy generation mix is required. This trend brings about relevant challenges as the integration of this type of sources increases, namely in terms of the distribution system operation. In this paper, the challenges foreseen for future power systems are identified and the most effective approaches to deal with them are reviewed. The strategies include the development of Smart Grid technologies (meters, sensors, and actuators) coupled with computational intelligence that act as new sources of data, as well as the connection of distributed energy resources to distribution grids, encompassing the deployment of distributed generation and storage systems and the dissemination of electric vehicles. The impact of these changes in the distribution system as a whole is evaluated from a technical and environmental perspective. In addition, a review of management and control architectures designed for distribution systems is conducted. This article is categorized under: Energy Infrastructure > Systems and Infrastructure Energy Infrastructure > Economics and Policy.ERDF - European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation - COMPETE 2020 Programme, and by National Funds through the Portuguese funding agency, FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, Grant/Award Number: SAICTPAC/0004/2015-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-01643