Cognitive robotics: a new approach to simultaneous localisation and mapping

Most simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) solutions were developed for navigation of non-cognitive robots. By using a variety of sensors, the distances to walls and other objects are determined, which are then used to generate a map of the environment and to update the robot’s position. When developing a cognitive robot, such a solution is not appropriate since it requires accurate sensors and precise odometry, also lacking fundamental features of cognition such as time and memory. In this paper we present a SLAM solution in which such features are taken into account and integrated. Moreover, this method does not require precise odometry nor accurate ranging sensors.

Estudo do efeito de contaminantes na espécie sentinela, a amêijoa Ruditapes decussatus, por intermédio da análise da expressão proteica: aplicação à monitorização do meio marinho

Tese dout., Ciências e Tecnologias do Ambiente, 2009, Universidade do Algarve

Genomic structure and expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein gene (PTHrP) in a teleost, Fugu rubripes

In this study we describe the isolation and characterisation of the parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) gene from the teleost Fugu rubripes. The gene has a relatively simple structure, compared with tetrapod PTHrP genes, composed of three exons and two introns, encompassing 2.25 kb of genomic DNA. The gene encodes a protein of 163 amino acids, with a putative signal peptide of 37 amino acids and a mature peptide of 126 amino acids. The overall homology with known tetrapod PTHrP proteins is low (36%), with a novel sequence inserted between positions 38 and 65, the absence of the conserved pentapeptide (TRSAW) and shortened C-terminal domain. The N-terminus shows greater conservation (62%), suggesting that it may have a hypercalcaemic function similar to that of tetrapod PTHrP. In situ localisation and RT–PCR have demonstrated the presence of PTHrP in a wide range of tissues with varying levels of expression. Sequence scanning of overlapping cosmids has identified three additional genes, TMPO, LDHB and KCNA1, which map to human chromosome 12, with the latter two mapping to 12p12-11.2. PTHrP in human also maps to this chromosome 12 sub-region, thus demonstrating conservation of synteny between human and Fugu.

Purification, biochemical characterization and localization at single cell resolution of Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) and Bone Gla Protein (BGP) in the teleost fish Argyrosomus regius

Tese de dout. em Química, Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, Univ. do Algarve, 2002

Molecular biology of prolactin and prolactin receptor in a marine teleost: the sea bream(Sparus aurata)

Tese de dout. em Biologia, especialidade de Biologia Molecular, Unidade de Ciências e Tecnologias dos Recursos Aquáticos, Univ. do Algarve