Model comparison for temperature estimation inside buildings

This paper presents a comparison between a physical model and an artificial neural network model (NN) for temperature estimation inside a building room. Despite the obvious advantages of the physical model for structure optimisation purposes, this paper will test the performance of neural models for inside temperature estimation. The great advantage of the NN model is a big reduction of human effort time, because it is not needed to develop the structural geometry and structural thermal capacities and to simulate, which consumes a great human effort and great computation time. The NN model deals with this problem as a “black box” problem. We describe the use of the Radial Basis Function (RBF), the training method and a multi-objective genetic algorithm for optimisation/selection of the RBF neural network inputs and number of neurons.

Salamandra salamandra (Amphibia: Caudata: Salamandridae) in Portugal: not all black and yellow

The fire salamander complex is quite diverse in the Iberian Peninsula where nine subspecies of Salamandra salamandra are currently recognized. Here, we analysed the geographical distribution of the subspecies S. s. gallaica and S. s. crespoi using partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of 168 individuals from 12 locations in Portugal. Our results support the existence of a deep lineage divergence between the two subspecies, with non-overlapping geographical distributions except in two contact zones: one in Sesimbra on the western coast, and another in Alcoutim on the southeastern border with Spain. Moreover, S. s. crespoi displays signs of gene flow among the sampled locations whereas S. s. gallaica shows evidence of some restriction to gene flow. Present-day genetic make-up of S. s. gallaica and S. s. crespoi is a result of past historical events, fine-tuned by contemporary Iberian geoclimate. Humid mountain areas were found to harbour increased genetic diversity possibly acting as past refugia during drier interglacial periods. To analyse wider geographical patterns and lineage splitting events within S. salamandra we performed a Bayesian dating analysis completing our data set with previously published sequences. The observed divergences were associated to successive biogeographic scenarios, and to other Iberian species showing similar trends.

Connectivity patterns and early life history of the black-faced blenny Tripterygion delaisi (Cadenat and Blache, 1970)

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências do Mar, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2015