Portuguese footwear

This case study deals with the reasons why the Portuguese Footwear Cluster evolved from a small industry focused on the Portuguese internal market into a high-tech industry capable of designing and producing some of the best and most expensive shoes in the world. It went from using the low labor costs of an under-developed economy to produce long series of shoes for pre-designated brands in Northern Europe to having the ability to produce some of the highest quality shoes in the world, in small orders, designed and delivered in record timing, while offering a service of excellence. In 1960, when Portugal became a founding member of EFTA, the footwear industry in Portugal was globally irrelevant, producing low quality shoes directed to the puny internal market and its African colonies. The new free trade zone with economies much more developed that itself, led to the transfer of the labor-intensive, low skilled manufacture from the UK and Scandinavian countries to Portugal. Mostly through joint ventures, the industry was able to mechanize itself so it could produce shoes in long series at low prices. It grew based on that model up until the 1990s, when the emergence of the Asian countries meant either a different strategy or extinction. Taking advantage of a clarified leadership of its trade association, it used the European funds made available to it during the 1990s, to modernize its factory floors, so it could become more nimble and flexible, expand its design capabilities and dramatically change its image abroad. The role of the trade association, APICCAPS, was instrumental throughout the process going well beyond what came to be expected of trade associations. It used its privileged position to provide understanding regarding the current situation and competitive landscape, alerting for changes ahead and at the same time providing a strategic vision on how to deal with the challenges. Moreover, it helped companies get the resources they needed by creating a research center in collaboration with a University, by creating a process that allowed companies to learn from each other via the show casing of projects sponsored by the association or by helping industrials traveling to locations where new customers could be found. The case study provides insight on how the trade association leadership, which has no formal authority over its members, was able to guide and motivate an industry through a consistent positive approach. That approach focused on the solutions, on the opportunities and on the success stories of companies in the cluster rather than on what was wrong or needed to be addressed. Based on this case, one could use the leadership role of the trade association to discuss and change leaders’ roles and styles in other sectors or even companies.

Towards reusability and tailorability in collaborative learning systems using IMS-LD and grid services

CSCL applications are complex distributed systems that posespecial requirements towards achieving success in educationalsettings. Flexible and efficient design of collaborative activitiesby educators is a key precondition in order to provide CSCL tailorable systems, capable of adapting to the needs of eachparticular learning environment. Furthermore, some parts ofthose CSCL systems should be reused as often as possible inorder to reduce development costs. In addition, it may be necessary to employ special hardware devices, computational resources that reside in other organizations, or even exceed thepossibilities of one specific organization. Therefore, theproposal of this paper is twofold: collecting collaborativelearning designs (scripting) provided by educators, based onwell-known best practices (collaborative learning flow patterns) in a standard way (IMS-LD) in order to guide the tailoring of CSCL systems by selecting and integrating reusable CSCL software units; and, implementing those units in the form of grid services offered by third party providers. More specifically, this paper outlines a grid-based CSCL system having these features and illustrates its potential scope and applicability by means of a sample collaborative learning scenario.

Rehabilitation of Concrete Pavements Utilizing Rebblization and Crack and Seat Methods, June 2005

Deterioration in portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements can occur due to distresses caused by a combination of traffic loads and weather conditions. Hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay is the most commonly used rehabilitation technique for such deteriorated PCC pavements. However, the performance of these HMA overlaid pavements is hindered due to the occurrence of reflective cracking, resulting in significant reduction of pavement serviceability. Various fractured slab techniques, including rubblization, crack and seat, and break and seat are used to minimize reflective cracking by reducing the slab action. However, the design of structural overlay thickness for cracked and seated and rubblized pavements is difficult as the resulting structure is neither a “true” rigid pavement nor a “true” flexible pavement. Existing design methodologies use the empirical procedures based on the AASHO Road Test conducted in 1961. But, the AASHO Road Test did not employ any fractured slab technique, and there are numerous limitations associated with extrapolating its results to HMA overlay thickness design for fractured PCC pavements. The main objective of this project is to develop a mechanistic-empirical (ME) design approach for the HMA overlay thickness design for fractured PCC pavements. In this design procedure, failure criteria such as the tensile strain at the bottom of HMA layer and the vertical compressive strain on the surface of subgrade are used to consider HMA fatigue and subgrade rutting, respectively. The developed ME design system is also implemented in a Visual Basic computer program. A partial validation of the design method with reference to an instrumented trial project (IA-141, Polk County) in Iowa is provided in this report. Tensile strain values at the bottom of the HMA layer collected from the FWD testing at this project site are in agreement with the results obtained from the developed computer program.

Lentoaseman terminaalirakennuksen energiankäyttö ja sisäilmasto

Diplomityössä tarkasteltiin lentoaseman terminaalirakennuksen energia- ja ainevirtoja sekä sisäilman ominaisuuksia. Esimerkkikohteena oli Helsinki-Vantaan lentoaseman keskiterminaalirakennus, jonka 1. ja 2. rakennusvaiheen ulkovaippa muodosti taserajan. Taseen ulkopuolisista tekijöistä tarkasteltiin jäähdytysenergian tuotantoa ja ulkoilman laatua. Työn yhtenä tavoitteena oli muodostaa rakennukselle energiatase. Taseen avulla saatiin tietoa energian jakautumisesta eri toimintoihin ja löydettiin tekijät, joita suunnittelussa tulee painottaa. Terminaalin lähiympäristössä tutkittiin ulkoilman laatua mittausten avulla. Mittaustietoja käytetään apuna tulevaisuuden ilmanottosuunnittelussa. Työssä tarkasteltiin energia- ja ainevirtoina lämpö-, jäähdytys- ja sähköenergian sekä veden ostoa, tuotantoa ja kulutusta sekä prosessointia. Terminaalin lämpötarpeesta hieman yli puolet katettiin kaukolämmöllä. Loput noin 45 % lämpöenergiasta saatiin ns. ilmaisenergioista. Näistä merkittävimmäksi havaittiin sähkölaitteiden luovuttama lämpömäärä. Lämpöhäviöiden kannalta merkittäviä energiavirtoja olivat ilmanvaihdon ja vuotoilmojen kautta siirtyvät energiavirrat, joiden osuuden todettiin olevan noin 80 % terminaalin kokonaislämpöhäviöistä. Vaipan lämmöneristyskyky ja kyky absorboida auringon säteilyä todettiin hyviksi. Tulevaisuudessa tärkeitä suunnittelunäkökohtia tulevat olemaan ilmanvaihdon ja vuotoilman kautta siirtyvien energiavirtojen hallinta sekä sähköenergian ominaiskulutuksen pienentäminen. Ulkoilma todettiin mittauksin hyvätasoiseksi. Lento- ja maaliikenteen päästöarvot olivat lähellä toisiaan ja selvästi ohjearvoja alemmalla tasolla. Päästöjen sijaintiin vaikuttivat liikennemääriä enemmän tuuliolosuhteet. Tulevaisuudessa tuloilma voidaan johtaa terminaaliin yhtä hyvin joko lento- tai maaliikenteen puolelta.

Opérateur-réseau et approche relationnelle : l'industrie du fret aérien au Canada

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Use of essential and molecular dynamics to study gamma B-crystallin unfolding after non-enzymic post-translational modifications

Essential and Molecular Dynamics (ED/MD) have been used to model the conformational changes of a protein implicated in a conformational disease-cataract, the largest cause of blindness in the world-after non-enzymic post-translational modification. Cyanate modification did not significantly alter flexibility, while the Schiff's base adduct produced a more flexible N-terminal domain, and intra-secondary structure regions, than either the cyanate adduct or the native structure. Glycation also increased linker flexibility and disrupted the charge network. A number of post-translational adducts showed structural disruption around Cys15 and increased linker flexibility; this may be important in subsequent protein aggregation. Our modelling results are in accord with experimental evidence, and show that ED/MD is a useful tool in modelling conformational changes in proteins implicated in disease processes. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Configurando a cidade contemporânea em Natal : os processos espaciais em Ponta Negra

This dissertation is about the spatial configuration in Natal and processes in the Ponta Negra neighborhood today. Ponta Negra has undergone a number of critical social and spatial changes due to tourism development after the 1990s. It is of special interest to consider the intensification of real estate investment after 2000, when the new airport terminal, located in the neighboring municipality of Parnamirim, was in use. Ponta Negra is the place where most tourists go to, so attracting considerable public investments. New agents of transformation have produced change in the neighborhood as well. The present study aims at analysing the spatial processes in this part of the city. Here, the spatial configuration that resulted from extended real estate investments, both public and private, in recent years, is analysed in detail. The study identifies the multually differentiated, however internally homogenous areas. The concepts of production of space, contemporanean urban development and spatial dynamics are discussed. The research is based on document analysis and field work. Results were plotted to maps and tables. A detailed analysis of the spatial processes in the Ponta Negra neighborhood is undertaken as a conclusion, considering the contemporanean global scenario

Alta velocidad ferroviaria en California(USA): quinta parte (V) LAV San Francisco–Sacramento (Bay Crossing Alternative) = High speed railway in California (USA): fith part (V) HSRL San Francisco–Sacramento (Bay Crossing Alternative)

Implantación de la Red de Alta velocidad Ferroviaria en California. Tramo San Francisco-Sacramento. Este artículo de la serie “Alta velocidad Ferroviaria en California (CHSRS), se ocupa de la línea San Francisco– Sacramento “Bay Crossing Alternative”, que cierra la red de alta velocidad ferroviaria del Estado de California, permitiendo en la terminal HSR de Sacramento, conectar con la línea Fresno–Sacramento, en coincidencia de trazados para en el futuro prolongar la red californiana de alta velocidad ferroviaria hasta su entronque con la del Estado de Nevada, vía Tahoe Lake–Reno. La línea San Francisco–Sacramento “Bay Crossing Alternative”, consta de tres trayectos: El primero de ellos “San Francisco urbano” va desde la terminal HSR “San Francisco Airport”, donde termina la alternativa “Golden Gate” de la línea Fresno–San Francisco, hasta el viaducto de acceso al Paso de la Bahía, que constituye el segundo trayecto “San Francisco–Richmond”, trayecto estrella de la red, de 15,48 Km de longitud sobre la Bahía de San Francisco, con desarrollo a través de 11,28 Km en puente colgante múltiple, con vanos de 800 m de luz y 67 m de altura libre bajo el tablero que permite la navegación en la Bahía. El tercer trayecto “Richmond–Sacramento” cruza la Bahía de San Pablo con un puente colgante de 1,6 Km de longitud y tipología similar a los múltiples de la Bahía de San Francisco, pasa por Vallejo (la por plazo breve de tiempo, antigua capital del Estado de California) y por la universitaria Davis, antes de finalmente llegar a la HSR Terminal Station de Sacramento Roseville. This article of the series “California High Speed Railway System”(CHSRS) treats on Line San Francisco–Sacramento “Bay Crossing Alternative” (BCA). This line closes the system of California high speed state railway, and connects with the line Fresno–Sacramento “Stockton Arch Alternative”, joining its alignments in the HSR Terminal of Sacramento Roseville. From this station it will be possible, in the future, to extend the Californian railway system till the Nevada railway system, vía Tahoe Lake and Reno. The BCA consists of three sections: The first one passing through San Francisco city, goes from HSR San Francisco Airport Terminal Station (where the line Fresno–San Francisco “Golden Gate Alternative” ends), up to the Viaduct access at the Bay Crossing. The second section San Francisco–Richmond, constitutes the star section of the system, with 15,48 Km length on the San Francisco Bay, where 11,28 Km in multi suspension bridge, 800 m span and 67 m gauge under panel, to allow navigation through the Bay. The third section Richmond–Sacramento crosses the San Pablo Bay through another suspension bridge of similar typology to that of San Francisco Bay crossing; pass through Vallejo (the ancient and for a short time Head of the State of California) and through Davis, university city, to arrive to the HSR Terminal Station of Sacramento Roseville.

Identification and properties of the crenarchaeal single-stranded DNA binding protein from Sulfolobus solfataricus

Single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBs) play central roles in cellular and viral processes involving the generation of single-stranded DNA. These include DNA replication, homologous recombination and DNA repair pathways. SSBs bind DNA using four ‘OB-fold’ (oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding fold) domains that can be organised in a variety of overall quaternary structures. Thus eubacterial SSBs are homotetrameric whilst the eucaryal RPA protein is a heterotrimer and euryarchaeal proteins vary significantly in their subunit compositions. We demonstrate that the crenarchaeal SSB protein is an abundant protein with a unique structural organisation, existing as a monomer in solution and multimerising on DNA binding. The protein binds single-stranded DNA distributively with a binding site size of ~5 nt per monomer. Sulfolobus SSB lacks the zinc finger motif found in the eucaryal and euryarchaeal proteins, possessing instead a flexible C-terminal tail, sensitive to trypsin digestion, that is not required for DNA binding. In comparison with Escherichia coli SSB, the tail may play a role in protein–protein interactions during DNA replication and repair.

Configurando a cidade contemporânea em Natal : os processos espaciais em Ponta Negra

This dissertation is about the spatial configuration in Natal and processes in the Ponta Negra neighborhood today. Ponta Negra has undergone a number of critical social and spatial changes due to tourism development after the 1990s. It is of special interest to consider the intensification of real estate investment after 2000, when the new airport terminal, located in the neighboring municipality of Parnamirim, was in use. Ponta Negra is the place where most tourists go to, so attracting considerable public investments. New agents of transformation have produced change in the neighborhood as well. The present study aims at analysing the spatial processes in this part of the city. Here, the spatial configuration that resulted from extended real estate investments, both public and private, in recent years, is analysed in detail. The study identifies the multually differentiated, however internally homogenous areas. The concepts of production of space, contemporanean urban development and spatial dynamics are discussed. The research is based on document analysis and field work. Results were plotted to maps and tables. A detailed analysis of the spatial processes in the Ponta Negra neighborhood is undertaken as a conclusion, considering the contemporanean global scenario

Configurando a cidade contemporânea em Natal : os processos espaciais em Ponta Negra

This dissertation is about the spatial configuration in Natal and processes in the Ponta Negra neighborhood today. Ponta Negra has undergone a number of critical social and spatial changes due to tourism development after the 1990s. It is of special interest to consider the intensification of real estate investment after 2000, when the new airport terminal, located in the neighboring municipality of Parnamirim, was in use. Ponta Negra is the place where most tourists go to, so attracting considerable public investments. New agents of transformation have produced change in the neighborhood as well. The present study aims at analysing the spatial processes in this part of the city. Here, the spatial configuration that resulted from extended real estate investments, both public and private, in recent years, is analysed in detail. The study identifies the multually differentiated, however internally homogenous areas. The concepts of production of space, contemporanean urban development and spatial dynamics are discussed. The research is based on document analysis and field work. Results were plotted to maps and tables. A detailed analysis of the spatial processes in the Ponta Negra neighborhood is undertaken as a conclusion, considering the contemporanean global scenario

The Planned and the Emergent: An Alternative Model of Learning and Literacy

Within academic institutions, writing centers are uniquely situated, socially rich sites for exploring learning and literacy. I examine the work of the Michigan Tech Writing Center's UN 1002 World Cultures study teams primarily because student participants and Writing Center coaches are actively engaged in structuring their own learning and meaning-making processes. My research reveals that learning is closely linked to identity formation and leading the teams is an important component of the coaches' educational experiences. I argue that supporting this type of learning requires an expanded understanding of literacy and significant changes to how learning environments are conceptualized and developed. This ethnographic study draws on data collected from recordings and observations of one semester of team sessions, my own experiences as a team coach and UN 1002 teaching assistant, and interviews with Center coaches prior to their graduation. I argue that traditional forms of assessment and analysis emerging from individualized instruction models of learning cannot fully account for the dense configurations of social interactions identified in the Center's program. Instead, I view the Center as an open system and employ social theories of learning and literacy to uncover how the negotiation of meaning in one context influences and is influenced by structures and interactions within as well as beyond its boundaries. I focus on the program design, its enaction in practice, and how engagement in this type of writing center work influences coaches' learning trajectories. I conclude that, viewed as participation in a community of practice, the learning theory informing the program design supports identity formation —a key aspect of learning as argued by Etienne Wenger (1998). The findings of this study challenge misconceptions of peer learning both in writing centers and higher education that relegate peer tutoring to the role of support for individualized models of learning. Instead, this dissertation calls for consideration of new designs that incorporate peer learning as an integral component. Designing learning contexts that cultivate and support the formation of new identities is complex, involves a flexible and opportunistic design structure, and requires the availability of multiple forms of participation and connections across contexts.

Automatic tuning method for the design of supplementary damping controllers for flexible alternating current transmission system devices

The design of supplementary damping controllers to mitigate the effects of electromechanical oscillations in power systems is a highly complex and time-consuming process, which requires a significant amount of knowledge from the part of the designer. In this study, the authors propose an automatic technique that takes the burden of tuning the controller parameters away from the power engineer and places it on the computer. Unlike other approaches that do the same based on robust control theories or evolutionary computing techniques, our proposed procedure uses an optimisation algorithm that works over a formulation of the classical tuning problem in terms of bilinear matrix inequalities. Using this formulation, it is possible to apply linear matrix inequality solvers to find a solution to the tuning problem via an iterative process, with the advantage that these solvers are widely available and have well-known convergence properties. The proposed algorithm is applied to tune the parameters of supplementary controllers for thyristor controlled series capacitors placed in the New England/New York benchmark test system, aiming at the improvement of the damping factor of inter-area modes, under several different operating conditions. The results of the linear analysis are validated by non-linear simulation and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedure.

Integrating structural and input design of a 2-DOF high-speed parallel manipulator: A flexible model-based approach

This paper discusses the integrated design of parallel manipulators, which exhibit varying dynamics. This characteristic affects the machine stability and performance. The design methodology consists of four main steps: (i) the system modeling using flexible multibody technique, (ii) the synthesis of reduced-order models suitable for control design, (iii) the systematic flexible model-based input signal design, and (iv) the evaluation of some possible machine designs. The novelty in this methodology is to take structural flexibilities into consideration during the input signal design; therefore, enhancing the standard design process which mainly considers rigid bodies dynamics. The potential of the proposed strategy is exploited for the design evaluation of a two degree-of-freedom high-speed parallel manipulator. The results are experimentally validated. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Control system design for flexible rotors supported by actively lubricated bearings

This article presents a methodology for calculating the gains of an output feedback controller for active vibration control of flexible rotors. The methodology is based on modal reduction. The proportional and derivative gains are obtained by adjusting the first two damping factors of the system and keeping the lengths of the two eigenvalues constant in the real-imaginary plane. The methodology is applied to an industrial gas compressor supported by active tilting-pad journal bearings. The unbalance response functions and mode shapes of the flexible rotor with and without active control are presented, showing significative improvement in damping reserve with the control. The importance of sensor location is emphasized, on the basis of the energy necessary to operate the active system over the entire frequency range studied. The best results are obtained by a decentralized controller, observing displacement and velocity of the shaft at the bearing positions.