PDMS encasing system for integrated lab-on-chip Ag/AgCl reference electrodes

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is an organosilicon polymer widely used in the fabrication of microfluidic systems to integrate biochips. In this study, we propose the use of an adapted PDMS mould for the creation of a miniaturized, reusable, reference electrode for in-chip electrochemical measurements. Through its integrated microfluidic system it is possible to replenish internal buffer solutions, unclog critical junctions and treat the electrode���s surface, assuring a long term reuse of the same device. Planar Ag/AgCl reference electrodes were microfabricated over a passivated p-type Silicon Wafer. The PDMS mould, containing an integrated microfluidic system, was fabricated based on patterned SU-8 mould, which includes a lateral horizontal inlet access point. Surface oxidation was used for irreversible permanent bondage between flat surfaces. The final result was planar Ag/AgCl reference electrode with integrated microfluidic that allows for electrochemical analysis in biochips

A utiliza����o de materiais did��ticos diversificados como estrat��gia de motiva����o

Relat��rio de est��gio de mestrado em Ensino da Filosofia no Ensino Secund��rio

Constru����o de uma cultura de projeto numa comunidade de aprendizagem atrav��s do projeto curricular integrado

Disserta����o de mestrado em Estudos da Crian��a (��rea de especializa����o em Integra����o Curricular e Inova����o Educativa)

Educating for sociability and learning for citizenship: developing communicational skills and mediation in educational contexts

This text concerns a program about the Promotion of Social and Communicational Skills and Mediation (PSCSM) developed with children aged between 10 and 13 years in a non-formal educational institution. The program of intervention had, as its purpose, the promotion of social and communicational competencies and mediation, thus enabling the children involved to have a healthy and responsible sociability in the different contexts in which they find themselves: family, school, peer group, amongst others. It was developed over 13 sessions with objectives and activities intentionally planned with the view of promoting competencies of communication, co-operation, responsibility, a critical spirit, solidarity, autonomy, respect, integration, inclusion and the recognition of rights and duties. This work was carried out with an action-research methodology that resorted to various techniques and instruments to gather and record information. The results obtained showed the impact and benefits of the program and they also revealed the necessity of educational institutions investing in the promotion of an ethical literacy and the empowerment of the children and young people for healthy sociability and active citizenship.

Aprendizaje durante la ontogenia temprana: Estudio de la participaci��n del sistema opioide en la modulaci��n de aprendizajes mediados por el etanol. LEARNING AND EARLY ONTOGENY: ANALYSIS OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF OPIOID SYSTEM IN FETAL AND INFANTILE ETHANOL-MEDIATED EXPERIENCIES.

Este plan de trabajos es continuidad de una l��nea de investigaci��n centrada en evaluar los mecanismos responsables de la adquisici��n, expresi��n y persistencia de experiencias con el etanol. A partir de ello, indagar acerca de los efectos de esta experiencia sobre comportamientos de b��squeda y autoadministraci��n de etanol en neonatos e infantes de rata. Se pretende analizar la participaci��n del sistema opi��ceo en los mecanismos implicados en una memoria fetal y/o infantil, generada como consecuencia de la exposici��n et��lica. En una primera etapa, nos proponemos establecer de qu�� manera experiencias prenatales con la droga modulan el patr��n de auto-administraci��n de alcohol y otros reforzadores, como sacarosa. En este primer bloque de experimentos realizaremos manipulaciones fetales para determinar con mayor grado de especificidad la posible acci��n del sistema opi��ceo en los mecanismos de adquisici��n de una memoria et��lica prenatal. Se realizar��n administraciones de etanol y el antagonista opi��ceo, directamente a nivel fetal, y se evaluar�� esta experiencia en un paradigma de condicionamiento neonatal positivo, mediado por la droga. De acuerdo a la evidencia previa, esperamos que la exposici��n prenatal con la droga facilite la expresi��n de conductas de consumo y b��squeda del etanol o hacia las claves que se��alizan al psicotr��pico, tanto durante la infancia como en el neonato. A su vez, cuando la droga es presentada bajo los efectos de un antagonista opi��ceo esperamos que estas conductas muestren un perfil similar a las desplegadas por sujetos controles. El segundo bloque de experimentos ha sido ideado con el objeto de indagar acerca de la posible participaci��n del sistema opi��ceo en la modulaci��n de los aspectos reforzantes de la droga, a trav��s de un esquema de auto-administraci��n et��lica infantil. Se utilizar�� un paradigma de condicionamiento instrumental adaptado para ratas infantes que consta de dos instancias, una de adquisici��n de la conducta instrumental (DPs 14-17) en la cual los animales reciben un pulso de refuerzo, como consecuencia de la ejecuci��n de la conducta operante. En una segunda fase se analiza el patr��n de b��squeda del reforzador ya que se registra la respuesta instrumental, sin que ocurra el refuerzo por la misma. Para analizar la participaci��n del sistema opi��ceo, durante la fase de adquisici��n de la conducta operante (DPs 16 y 17) los animales ser��n re-expuestos a m��nimas cantidades del reforzador, bajo los efectos de un antagonista opi��ceo, momentos previos al ensayo instrumental correspondiente para cada uno de estos d��as (Exp. 3). Esperamos que el bloqueo del sistema opi��ceo, durante esta re-exposici��n al etanol, sea suficiente para disminuir el patr��n de respuesta instrumental hacia el refuerzo et��lico. Un ��ltimo experimento incorporar�� un tercer evento de re-exposici��n al etanol -bajo los efectos del antagonista- previo al ensayo de extinci��n de la conducta instrumental (DP 18). Este nuevo evento tiene por objeto analizar la participaci��n de este sistema neurobiol��gico en los mecanismos de b��squeda de etanol. Si el sistema opi��ceo participa en la modulaci��n de patrones tanto de b��squeda como consumatorios del reforzamiento por etanol, se espera que la re-exposici��n a la droga bajo los efectos del antagonista, inhiba estas respuestas tanto durante la sesi��n de adquisici��n, como de extinci��n de la conducta operante. Este proyecto intenta profundizar en el conocimiento de los mecanismos que regulan reconocimiento, aceptaci��n, b��squeda y consumo de etanol, como consecuencia de experiencias tempranas con la droga. A su vez, es importante identificar y estudiar los sistemas neurobiol��gicos involucrados en estos mecanismos. Es por ello que se intenta determinar el rol que ejerce el sistema opi��ceo en la adquisici��n de estas experiencias et��licas a nivel fetal e infantil, que se conoce promueven la b��squeda y el consumo de la droga. Our work is directed to analyze the involvement of the opioid system in the generation of pre- and early postnatal ethanol-related memories. As a first step, maternal manipulations with ethanol will be done. Infants will be evaluated in a paradigm of infantile self-administration of different reinforcers (ethanol, sucrose or water), employing a model of operant conditioning adapted to infant rats. A second experiment will be conducted in order to analyze if a central administration of ethanol, directly to the fetus, modifies subsequent patterns of neonatal conditioned responses to an artificial nipple, mediated by ethanol reinforcing effects. Fetal presentation of ethanol will be accompanied with the injection of an opioid antagonist in order to analyze the involvement of this system in acquisition processes of a fetal ethanol-mediated memory. A second set of studies will be conducted to analyze appetitive and consummatory behaviors in an infant model of ethanol self-administration. Involvement of opioid system in the acquisition or expression of this experience will be also inquired. Infant rats (PDs14-17) have to display a target behavior (nose-poke) to gain access to 5% sucrose or 3.75% ethanol. On PD18 an extinction session will be included. At PDs16-17, 6-hr before training, pups will be re-exposed to ethanol under opioid antagonism effects (naloxone). In a follow up experiment, a re-exposure trial will be included at PD18. Prior extinction, pups will receive naloxone and will be re-exposed to ethanol. We aim to observe if opioid system is modulating etha��nol reinforcing effects, in terms of both appetitive and consummatory behaviors.

Development of a semi-automatic self learning pattern recognition system for the control of electronic boards

This project was funded under the Applied Research Grants Scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland. The project was a partnership between Galway - Mayo Institute of Technology and an industrial company, Tyco/Mallinckrodt Galway. The project aimed to develop a semi - automatic, self - learning pattern recognition system capable of detecting defects on the printed circuits boards such as component vacancy, component misalignment, component orientation, component error, and component weld. The research was conducted in three directions: image acquisition, image filtering/recognition and software development. Image acquisition studied the process of forming and digitizing images and some fundamental aspects regarding the human visual perception. The importance of choosing the right camera and illumination system for a certain type of problem has been highlighted. Probably the most important step towards image recognition is image filtering, The filters are used to correct and enhance images in order to prepare them for recognition. Convolution, histogram equalisation, filters based on Boolean mathematics, noise reduction, edge detection, geometrical filters, cross-correlation filters and image compression are some examples of the filters that have been studied and successfully implemented in the software application. The software application developed during the research is customized in order to meet the requirements of the industrial partner. The application is able to analyze pictures, perform the filtering, build libraries, process images and generate log files. It incorporates most of the filters studied and together with the illumination system and the camera it provides a fully integrated framework able to analyze defects on printed circuit boards.

Classical horizontal inequity and reranking: an integrated approach

The last 20 years have seen a significant evolution in the literature on horizontal inequity (HI) and have generated two major and "rival" methodological strands, namely, classical HI and reranking. We propose in this paper a class of ethically flexible tools that integrate these two strands. This is achieved using a measure of inequality that merges the well-known Gini coefficient and Atkinson indices, and that allows a decomposition of the total redistributive effect of taxes and transfers in a vertical equity effect and a loss of redistribution due to either classical HI or reranking. An inequality-change approach and a money-metric cost-of-inequality approach are developed. The latter approach makes aggregate classical HI decomposable across groups. As in recent work, equals are identified through a nonparametric estimation of the joint density of gross and net incomes. An illustration using Canadian data from 1981 to 1994 shows a substantial, and increasing, robust erosion of redistribution attributable both to classical HI and to reranking, but does not reveal which of reranking or classical HI is more important since this requires a judgement that is fundamentally normative in nature.

Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MUSIASEM): an outline of rationale and theory

This paper presents an outline of rationale and theory of the MuSIASEM scheme (Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism). First, three points of the rationale behind our MuSIASEM scheme are discussed: (i) endosomatic and exosomatic metabolism in relation to Georgescu-Roegen���s flow-fund scheme; (2) the bioeconomic analogy of hypercycle and dissipative parts in ecosystems; (3) the dramatic reallocation of human time and land use patterns in various sectors of modern economy. Next, a flow-fund representation of the MUSIASEM scheme on three levels (the whole national level, the paid work sectors level, and the agricultural sector level) is illustrated to look at the structure of the human economy in relation to two primary factors: (i) human time - a fund; and (ii) exosomatic energy - a flow. The three levels representation uses extensive and intensive variables simultaneously. Key conceptual tools of the MuSIASEM scheme - mosaic effects and impredicative loop analysis - are explained using the three level flow-fund representation. Finally, we claim that the MuSIASEM scheme can be seen as a multi-purpose grammar useful to deal with sustainability issues.

Family relationships and learning experiences in anxious vs. non-anxious families: Are there differences ?

L'objectif principal de ce travail ��tait d'explorer les relations parent-enfant et les processus d'apprentissage familiaux associ��s aux troubles anxieux. A cet effet, des familles ayant un membre anxieux (la m��re ou l'enfant) ont ��t�� compar��es avec des familles n'ayant aucun membre anxieux. Dans une premi��re ��tude, l'observation de l'interaction m��re-enfant, pendant une situation standardis��e de jeu, a r��v��l�� que les m��res pr��sentant un trouble panique ��taient plus susceptibles de se montrer verbalement contr��lantes, critiques et moins sensibles aux besoins de l'enfant, que les m��res qui ne pr��sentaient pas de trouble panique. Une deuxi��me ��tude a examin�� les perceptions des diff��rents membres de la famille quant aux relations au sein de la famille et a indiqu�� que, par comparaison aux adolescents non-anxieux, les adolescents anxieux ��taient plus enclins �� ��prouver un sentiment d'autonomie individuelle diminu�� par rapport �� leurs parents. Finalement, une troisi��me ��tude s'est int��ress��e �� d��terminer l'impact d'exp��riences d'apprentissage moins directes dans l'��tiologie de l'anxi��t��. Les r��sultats ont indiqu�� que les m��res pr��sentant un trouble panique ��taient plus enclines �� s'engager dans des comportements qui maintiennent la panique et �� impliquer leurs enfants dans ces comportements, que les m��res ne pr��sentant pas de trouble panique. En se basant sur des recherches ant��rieures qui ont ��tabli une relation entre le contr��le parental, la perception de contr��le chez l'enfant et les troubles anxieux, le pr��sent travail non seulement confirme ce lien mais propose ��galement un mod��le pour r��sumer l'��tat actuel des connaissances concernant les processus familiaux et le d��veloppement des troubles anxieux. Deux routes ont ��t�� sugg��r��es par lesquelles l'anxi��t�� pourrait ��tre transmise de mani��re interg��n��rationnelle. Chacune de ces routes attribue un r��le important �� la perception de contr��le chez l'enfant. L'id��e est que lorsque les enfants pr��sentent une pr��disposition �� interpr��ter le comportement de leurs parents comme hors de leur contr��le, ils seraient plus enclins �� d��velopper de l'anxi��t��. A ce titre, la perception du contr��le repr��senterait un tampon entre le comportement de contr��le/surprotection des parents et le trouble anxieux chez l'enfant. - The principal objective of the present work was to explore parent-child relationships and family learning processes associated with anxiety disorders. To this purpose, families with and without an anxious family member (mother or child) were compared. In a first study, observation of mother-child interaction, during a standard play situation, revealed that mothers with panic disorder were more likely to display verbal control and criticism, and less likely to display sensitivity toward their children than mothers without panic disorder. A second study examined family members' perceptions of family relationships and indicated that compared to non-anxious adolescents, anxious adolescents were more prone to experience a diminished sense of individual autonomy in relation to their parents. Finally a third study was interested in determining the effect of less direct learning experiences in the aetiology of anxiety. Results indicated that mothers with panic disorder were more likely to engage in panic-maintaining behaviour and to involve their children in this behaviour than mothers without panic disorder. Based on previous research showing a relationship between parental control, children's perception of control, and anxiety disorders, the present work not only further adds evidence to support this link but also proposes a model summarizing the current knowledge concerning family processes and the development of anxiety disorders. Two pathways have been suggested through which anxiety may be intergenerationally transmitted. Both pathways assign an important role to children's perception of control. The idea is that whenever children have a predisposition towards interpreting their parents' behaviour as beyond of their control, they may be more prone to develop anxiety. As such, perceived control may represent a buffer between parental overcontrolling/overprotective behaviours and childhood anxiety disorder.

A first attempt of geographically-distributed Multi-scale integrated analysis of societal and ecosystem metabolism (MuSIASEM): mapping human time and energy throughput in metropolitan Barcelona

This study presents a first attempt to extend the ���Multi-scale integrated analysis of societal and ecosystem metabolism (MuSIASEM)��� approach to a spatial dimension using GIS techniques in the Metropolitan area of Barcelona. We use a combination of census and commercial databases along with a detailed land cover map to create a layer of Common Geographic Units that we populate with the local values of human time spent in different activities according to MuSIASEM hierarchical typology. In this way, we mapped the hours of available human time, in regards to the working hours spent in different locations, putting in evidence the gradients in spatial density between the residential location of workers (generating the work supply) and the places where the working hours are actually taking place. We found a strong three-modal pattern of clumps of areas with different combinations of values of time spent on household activities and on paid work. We also measured and mapped spatial segregation between these two activities and put forward the conjecture that this segregation increases with higher energy throughput, as the size of the functional units must be able to cope with the flow of exosomatic energy. Finally, we discuss the effectiveness of the approach by comparing our geographic representation of exosomatic throughput to the one issued from conventional methods.

Complementary function and integrated wiring of the evolutionarily distinct Drosophila olfactory subsystems.

To sense myriad environmental odors, animals have evolved multiple, large families of divergent olfactory receptors. How and why distinct receptor repertoires and their associated circuits are functionally and anatomically integrated is essentially unknown. We have addressed these questions through comprehensive comparative analysis of the Drosophila olfactory subsystems that express the ionotropic receptors (IRs) and odorant receptors (ORs). We identify ligands for most IR neuron classes, revealing their specificity for select amines and acids, which complements the broader tuning of ORs for esters and alcohols. IR and OR sensory neurons exhibit glomerular convergence in segregated, although interconnected, zones of the primary olfactory center, but these circuits are extensively interdigitated in higher brain regions. Consistently, behavioral responses to odors arise from an interplay between IR- and OR-dependent pathways. We integrate knowledge on the different phylogenetic and developmental properties of these receptors and circuits to propose models for the functional contributions and evolution of these distinct olfactory subsystems.

The Role of model uncertainty and learning in the U.S. postwar policy response to oil prices

This paper studies optimal monetary policy in a framework that explicitly accounts for policymakers' uncertainty about the channels of transmission of oil prices into the economy. More specfically, I examine the robust response to the real price of oil that US monetary authorities would have been recommended to implement in the period 1970 2009; had they used the approach proposed by Cogley and Sargent (2005b) to incorporate model uncertainty and learning into policy decisions. In this context, I investigate the extent to which regulator' changing beliefs over different models of the economy play a role in the policy selection process. The main conclusion of this work is that, in the specific environment under analysis, one of the underlying models dominates the optimal interest rate response to oil prices. This result persists even when alternative assumptions on the model's priors change the pattern of the relative posterior probabilities, and can thus be attributed to the presence of model uncertainty itself.

Cooperative learning: learning to cooperate, cooperating to learn

This research project is an attempt to give arguments in favour of using cooperative learning activities in FL classrooms as an effective approach to learning. The arguments offered are presented from two different perspectives: the first one is based on the empirical study of three students working together to achieve a common goal. The second one is a compilation of the trainee teacher's experiences during her practicum periods in a high school regarding group work. This part is illustrated by some examples that emphasize that cooperative learning can facilitate learning, promote socialisation and increase students' self-esteem

La implementaci�� dels ECTS a la titulaci�� de Formaci�� del Professorat : fomentant l'aprenentatge significatiu mitjan��ant b-learning, metodologies did��ctiques innovadores i l'avaluaci�� cont��nua

Aquest projecte ha servit per (1) establir un treball col��laboratiu entre el professorat que habitualment impartim les assignatures de Did��ctica general i atenci�� a la diversitat i Organitzaci�� del Centre Escolar; (2) dissenyar conjuntament espais del campus virtual en la plataforma moodle; (3) compartir material i experi��ncies docents fent formaci�� entre iguals; (4) dissenyar i desenvolupar accions did��ctiques innovadores per afavorir l'aprenentatge significatiu; (5) prendre posici�� respecte a l'elaboraci�� dels nous graus de Formaci�� del Professorat i reelaborar els plans docents nous. Les noves titulacions, el disseny per compet��ncies, l���EEES ens ha obligat a fer una reflexi�� sobre la nostra doc��ncia, l���educaci�� superior i la formaci�� dels futurs mestres. Aquest projecte ha recolzat la tasca habitual, donant-li una orientaci�� concreta, en ell hem estat implicat un grup important de professors i professores aix�� com d���alumnes perqu�� s���ha implementat en els 13 grups d���alumnes de Formaci�� del Professorat i en dues assignatures troncals i obligat��ries. Per fer seguiment del treball hem analitzat els productes d���aprenentatges, els espais moodle, aix�� mateix hem anat recollint les valoracions dels estudiants fent q��estionaris i grups de discussi��. Tot i que el treball desenvolupat es considera positiu, hi ha aspectes per millorar que tamb�� es destaquen en l���informe: dificultats per manca de temps, poc reconeixement, necessitat de cohesionar i estabilitzar equips docents, necessitat d���incorporar t��cniques especialistes en el disseny d���entorns virtuals d���aprenentatge en els equips docents, entre d���altres. D���altra banda amb l���elaboraci�� dels nous plans d���estudis les assignatures amb les que hem treballat han perdut l���entitat i el pes que tenien per tenir-ne una altra i en des de 2007 fins a ara hem anat perdent professorat estable i incorporant associats. Fets que fan necessari seguir avan��ant d���altres maneres, per tant finalitzem un projecte, per�� es necessari replantejar-se un altre.