Questionnaire Results (QEP) and the socio-economic problems of students in Higher Education in the time COVID-19

The gender and economic conditions of students from Higher Education Institutions attending the 1st year, after the COVID-19 pandemic, acquires great importance, especially in terms of study conditions and their emotions. The study, with an international scope and on two continents, aims to use the pandemic questionnaire for students (QEP), with five dimensions under study: conditions for study, emotions, academic performance, teaching strategies and sociability. The QEP was answered by 101 students from a private higher education institution in northern Portugal. The QEP questionnaire is part of a research project that aims to guide specific institutional policies to support students' permanence and completion of courses in Higher Education Institutions, allowing the early identification of intentions to drop out or students at risk. As well as to understand how e-learning teaching influenced teaching, learning and the permanence of students in higher education institutions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ground motion simulation for dynamic structural analysis: pros and cons

In many seismic codes the use of simulated ground motions for dynamic structural analysis is already considered. However, from the structural engineer point of view, the use of such simulated accelerograms is not very attractive, mainly because more seismological knowledge background is needed. For this reason, a user friendly freeware computer program named SIMULSIS was developed to help structural engineers to generate simulated accelerograms. A new finite-fault stochastic method was developed for ground motion simulation and implemented in the program together with an equivalent linear model that accounts for superficial soil dynamic amplification. The capabilities of the program and the precision of results produced are illustrated by the simulations carried out for two recorded earthquakes. Moreover, some suggestions related to the use of the developed computer program not only for seismic structural analysis purposes but also in the future generation of hazard maps are presented

Contribuição para a avaliação do risco sísmico: aplicação à cidade de Faro

O programa SRAPOR permite a realização de rápidas avaliações de risco sísmico de aglomerados habitacionais. A presente versão é constituída por uma base de dados de sismos, por um sistema simplificado de informação geográfica e por um módulo de avaliação da casualidade sísmica. A aplicação do programa é ilustrada com a análise da casualidade sísmica da cidade de Faro

Comparative analysis of Algarve`s seismic hazard

In this paper we compared the seismic hazard of Algarve obtained with two different models: a point-source model (proposed by McGuire) and a fault-rupture model (proposed by Der Kiureghian and Ang)

Parâmetros que condicionam os valores da casualidade sísmica

As dispersões nos resultados das análises da casualidade sísmica têm originado alguma prudência na sua utilização em aplicações práticas de minimização de risco sísmico. Este trabalho visa a verificação, de forma sistemática e crítica, da influência de alguns parâmetros da análise, na credibilidade dos resultados, nomeadamente, o tipo de modelo probabilista adoptado, a delimitação das zonas geradoras de eventos sísmicos, a definição das leis de atenuação e a respectiva adequação à sismicidade verificada e às evidências sismotectónicas, no contexto da cidade de Lisboa

Ontological conversion: The place of self-knowledge, the contemplative tradition and contemporary mindfulness in education

In this paper, we will try to show how philosophy, psychology and education can still dwell on common issues, namely ontological transformation while using similar insights approaches. This is the case, for instance when we compare Epictetus’ spiritual exercises and the current contemplative knowledge stream to which Mindfulness is inserted. By essaying to look for the connection between the stated approaches perhaps we can bring forth some mutual enriching ideas in the mentioned fields

Mammalia, Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae, Vampyrum spectrum (Linnaeus, 1758): first record for the Cerrado biome in the state of Mato Grosso, west central Brazil

In Brazil, Vampyrum spectrum has been recorded in the Amazon forest, Caatinga, Pantanal, and in the Cerrado of Tocantins. The only previously known record for the Mato Grosso state is more than 50 years old, in a Pantanal area. This paper provides the first record of the species in a Cerrado area of this state, in the municipality of Nova Xavantina, west central Brazil

The Influence of Lateral Faults in the Nonlinear Analysis in an Alluvionar Valley

The nonlinear dynamic behavior of an alluvionar valley situated in São Sebastão region in Terceira island (Azores archipel) is performed. The Mohr-Coulomb model is used in this paper. A bidimensional cross-section with 1240 m long and 250 m depth is considered. The cross-section of the model is composed by layers having different type of ground, each one having their own geotechnical characteristics. The Distinct Element method is employed in this case. UDE Code is used. The size of Finite Elements has been tailored to the wavelength of the propagating waves through the layers. The objectives of this paper are: 1) The analysis of seismic response in terms of maximum values of shear strain at different spots along the depth; 2) The study of the influence of the lateral faults in the seismic response in terms of maximum values of shear strain and shear strain-stress relationship; 3) The analysis of the seismic response of the soils at different locations in terms of shear strain-stress relationship for “no fault” case. This is the first attempt to study the nonlinear behavior of this valley using a 2-D refined model. The UDEC code is used for studying, not only the nonlinear behavior of the soils, but also the influence of the faults to the seismic response of the soils

Seismic Response Assessment of Underground Structure Cross-Sections Using Response Spectra

A modelling technique of the cross-sections of underground structures based on the combination of modal shapes by response spectra is developed and calibrated according to the vertically propagating shear-wave model. Using the developed technique, the influence of several parameters in the flexibility index (ground-structure relative stiffness) were studied. To point out a few practical implications and simplifications introduced in the model, essentially related to the material behaviour adopted, four cases were studied in detail. To cover the lack of compatibility between the damping of the response spectrum, the ground stiffness and the strain level, more analyses with compatible properties were conducted

International Meeting 40 years of the 1980 Azores Earthquake, 6th - 7th October 2020 - Conference Report

The main goal of the International Meeting “40 Years of the 1980 Azores Earthquake” was promoting a reflection of the earthquake of January 1st, 1980, and the advances since them on topics like seismology, seismic hazard, and risk, building rehabilitation and public policies. Nevertheless, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the organizing committee decided that the meeting should be online and re- arrange the strategy, reduce the scientific program, and canceled the social one. The scientific program had five sessions, with six keynotes, 16 presentations, round table beyond the opening ceremony. All the sessions were live-streamed and available at https://azores4080meeting.wordpress.com as well as the proceedings and program. Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade dos Açores and Universidade de Évora handled the organization of the conference