Neural Electrode Array Based on Aluminum: Fabrication and Characterization

A unique neural electrode design is proposed with 3 mm long shafts made from an aluminum-based substrate. The electrode is composed by 100 individualized shafts in a 10 × 10 matrix, in which each aluminum shafts are precisely machined via dicing-saw cutting programs. The result is a bulk structure of aluminum with 65 ° angle sharp tips. Each electrode tip is covered by an iridium oxide thin film layer (ionic transducer) via pulsed sputtering, that provides a stable and a reversible behavior for recording/stimulation purposes, a 40 mC/cm2 charge capacity and a 145 Ω impedance in a wide frequency range of interest (10 Hz-100 kHz). Because of the non-biocompatibility issue that characterizes aluminum, an anodization process is performed that forms an aluminum oxide layer around the aluminum substrate. The result is a passivation layer fully biocompatible that furthermore, enhances the mechanical properties by increasing the robustness of the electrode. For a successful electrode insertion, a 1.1 N load is required. The resultant electrode is a feasible alternative to silicon-based electrode solutions, avoiding the complexity of its fabrication methods and limitations, and increasing the electrode performance.

Agencification in Latin countries: Portugal

This chapter provides a broad look at the Portuguese process of agencification in the last two decades. As with most of the remaining chapters in this book, we cover the basics by describing the administrative landscape, its changes in organizational make-up, the delicate balance between control and autonomy in the ministry-agency relationship, perceptual changes in efficiency and performance measurement in public management, based on a comprehensive survey (COBRA survey of the CRIPO research group) sent to all public-sector organizations under public law with some degree of autonomy (see Chapter 1, Table 1.1). Portugal is undergoing the most pervasive politico-economic crisis in its short democratic history. The administrative mapping conducted in 2007 which served as the basis for the administration of the COBRA survey is already undergoing change.

Competências de Gestão e Assimetrias de Género: um estudo com mulheres e homens

Estudos recentes apontam que são claras as diferenças na participação de mulheres e homens em cargos de gestão, com os homens a terem uma participação muito superior ás mulheres nestes cargos. Contudo, parece consensual que o homens e mulheres são mais parecidos do que diferentes no que se refere aos estilos de liderança. Nesse sentido, a presente dissertação tem como objectivo principal analisar as possíveis diferenças em termos de competências de gestão entre as mulheres e homens,bem como analisar as assimetrias de género no acesso a cargos de gestão. Participam no estudo 97 indivíduos, de ambos os sexos(48 mulheres e 49 homens), com idades compreendidas entre os 24 e 67 anos, com cargos de gesto em diversas empresas e/ou instituições de diversos sectores(e.g., educação, têxtil e comercio) em diversas localidades em Portugal. Para avaliação das competências de gestão utilizou-se o Questionário de Competências de Gestão(Felício, Lopes, Salgueiro,& Parreira, 2007). Os resultados do nosso estudo demonstram que homens e mulheres tendem a possuir as mesmas competências de gestão, com exeção das competências tomar iniciativa e ser decidido, sendo estas mais evidentes/ presentes no género masculino. É assim possível concluir que as competências de gestão não explicam as assimetrias de género no acesso a cargos de gestão, podendo estar sobretudo associadas á perpetuação dos estereótipos profissionais de género e a preconceitos sexuais.

Automation & control remote laboratory: evaluating a cooperative methodology

This paper presents a study carried out in order to evaluate the students' perception in the development and use of remote Control and Automation education kits developed by two Universities. Three projects, based on real world environments, were implemented, being local and remotely operated. Students implemented the kits using the theoretical and practical knowledge, being the teachers a catalyst in the learning process. When kits were operational, end-user students got acquainted to the kits in the course curricula units. It is the author's believe that successful results were achieved not only in the learning progress on the Automation and Control fields (hard skills) but also on the development of the students soft skills, leading to encouraging and rewarding goals, motivating their future decisions and promoting synergies in their work. The design of learning experimental kits by students, under teacher supervision, for future use in course curricula by enduser students is an advantageous and rewarding experience.