Clonal structure of Trypanosoma cruzi Colombian strain (biodeme Type III): biological, isoenzymic and histopathological analysis of seven isolated clones

The clonal structure of the Colombian strain of Trypanosoma cruzi, biodeme Type III and zymodeme 1, was analyzed in order to characterize its populations and to establish its homogeneity or heterogeneity. Seven isolated clones presented the basic characteristics of Biodeme Type III, with the same patterns of parasitemic curves, tissue tropism to skeletal muscle and myocardium, high pathogenicity with extensive necrotic-inflammatory lesions from the 20th to 30th day of infection. The parental strain and its clones C1, C3, C4 and C6, determined the higher levels of parasitemia, 20 to 30 days of infection, with high mortality rate up to 30 days (79 to 100%); clones C2, C5 and C7 presented lower levels of parasitemia, with low mortality rates (7.6 to 23%). Isoenzymic patterns, characteristic of zymodeme 1, (Z1) were similar for the parental strain and its seven clones. Results point to a phenotypic homogeneity of the clones isolated from the Colombian strain and suggest the predominance of a principal clone, responsible for the biological behavior of the parental strain and clones.

The impact of changing the transportation cost structure of a food retail company

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Italian interlocking directorates: structure, evolution and cross-country comparisons

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

STRUCTURE-FUNCTION ANALYSIS OF MULTI-COPPER OXIDASES

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biochemistry, Structural Biochemistry

Eco-wall modular solutions for buildings

This paper discusses the development of modular solutions for eco low-cost houses based on a pre-fabricated modular wall system environmentally sustainable, socioeconomically competitive and geared towards developing African nations with a housing deficit. The key point to the research of a modular wall solution is a structural layer complemented with local and materials made by non-specialized workforce. This wall also meets also hydrothermal acoustic and mechanical properties. Thus,the solution also offers good safety and interior comfort conditions to its users while maintaining the flexibility to expand the size of the house. Parameters as dimensions, materials and constructive processes of the existing housing stock were studied. Features such as the family size, typology, different uses, common materials, existing regulations, minimal living conditions, safety and comfort have also been considered to achieve the most efficient solution.

Estudo do comportamento acústico de protótipo inovador para compartimentação modular interior

A presente dissertação consiste no estudo acústico de um módulo amovível para compartimentação interior, considerando um primeiro protótipo, ainda em desenvolvimento. É um elemento vertical de divisão de espaços interiores, pré-fabricado que não requer a utilização de calhas ou apoio técnico, de rápido e fácil posicionamento, ajustável ao pé direito do local onde é instalado, mantendo, ainda assim, as características chave de uma divisória convencional. Um conjunto de módulos deste tipo, dispostos linearmente, formarão um divisor que permitirá a personalização de qualquer área interior, nomeadamente habitações, escritórios, galerias, entre outros. A principal característica que diferencia este elemento das soluções existentes actualmente no mercado é a sua mobilidade depender exclusivamente de um conjunto de rolamentos integrados na base de cada módulo. Através de um sistema de elevação incorporado, o utilizador pode baixar o módulo, movê-lo para a posição desejada e voltar a elevá-lo até que este fique comprimido contra a laje do tecto, ficando assim estável. O trabalho realizado pretendeu aprofundar conhecimentos na área de acústica para que possam ser introduzidas modificações num segundo protótipo a ser desenvolvido futuramente. Dessa forma, realizaram-se diversos ensaios que decorreram no laboratório de acústica do LNEC. Inicialmente procedeu-se à materialização de um ensaio de absorção sonora, realizado para uma única tipologia do módulo, e efectuou-se um mapeamento de medições do nível de pressão sonora. A execução de adaptações no sistema e a abertura na parede, que separa as câmaras reverberantes, possibilitou a concretização de diversos ensaios de isolamento sonoro a sons aéreos para diferentes tipologias do mesmo. Os resultados destes ensaios permitiram não só concluir quais os materiais que deverão ser preferencialmente contemplados neste tipo de solução, com vista a um melhor desempenho acústico, como também adiantar dados adicionais que poderão ser relevantes na fase de projecto deste tipo de estruturas aligeiradas.

Preliminary study of the acoustic behavior concerning an innovative prototype for indoor modular partitioning

This paper presents a preliminary acoustic study concerning the development of the first prototype of a patented removable module for interior partitioning. It is a prefabricated, vertical element for division of interior spaces that does not require the use of gutters or technical support. A set of such modules, linearly disposed, will create a division, allowing the personalization of any indoor area, including open office spaces, rooms, among others. The main characteristic that distinguishes this element from the existing solutions available on the market is that its mobility relies exclusively on a set of integrated bearings at the base of each module. Through an incorporated elevation system, the user can lower the module, move it to the desired position and re-elevate it until pressed against the ledge of the ceiling, making it stable. In this sense, and taking into account its acoustic behavior, several tests were made in the LNEC acoustics lab. Airborne sound insulation tests for different typologies of the prototype were conducted, according to the applicable standards EN ISO 354:2003, EN ISO 717-1:2013 and EN ISO 10140-2:2010. Some important conclusions and analysis of the prototype viability were extracted.

Ageing on commercial automotive catalysts, a structure reactivity study

Increasingly stringed regulations for diesel engine emissions have a significant impact on the required efficiency of DOC. Lowered DOC oxidation efficiency due to thermal aging effects influences the efficiency of the exhaust aftertreatment systems downstream of the DOC. In this work carried out in the Jean Le Rond d’Alembert Institute the effect of hydrothermal aging on the reactivity and structure of a commercial DOC was investigated. The characterization of the catalytic performance was carried out on a synthetic gas bench using carrots catalyst under conditions close to the realistic conditions i.e. using a synthetic gas mixture, representative of the exhaust gases from diesel engines. Different structural characterization techniques were performed: textural and morphological proprieties were analyzed by BET and TEM, the characterization of the presented crystallographic phases was performed by DRX and the determination of the number of reducible species was possible by TPR. TEM results shown, an increase of the metal particle size with the aging caused by the agglomeration of metal particles, revealing the presence of metal sintering. DRX results also suggest the presence of support sintering. Furthermore, DRX and BET results unexpectedly reveal that the most drastic aging conditions used actually activated the catalyst surface. As expected, the aging affected negatively the catalyst performance on the oxidation of methane and CO, however an improvement of the NO oxidation performance with the aging was observed. Nevertheless, for the aging conditions used, catalytic activity results show that the influence of aging in DOC performance was not significant, and therefore, more drastic aging conditions must be used.

Família de DSLs para integrated modular avionics

Na atualidade existe a necessidade de produzir novos aviões de forma rápida, eficiente e económica com o objetivo de abrir novas rotas de voo, expansão das já existentes e substituição de aviões em fim de vida útil. Neste contexto, e sem nunca deixar de cumprir os apertados requisitos do domínio que incluem a exigência de elevada qualidade, a indústria adotou a arquitetura IMA que permite executar várias aplicações aviónicas num único sistema de computação partilhado. Com esta arquitetura, o desenvolvimento do software para as aeronaves ganhou uma elevada relevância, sendo necessário gerar código automaticamente, reutilizar código já testado proveniente de outras aplicações anteriormente desenvolvidas e garantir o mais cedo possível que o software desenvolvido se encontra de acordo com os standards. Apesar da complexidade do domínio, desenvolveu-se uma ferramenta que permite produzir a estrutura do código de novas aplicações para a aviónica. Aferramenta lida com a variabilidade das diversas linhas de produto e reduz o tempo de desenvolvimento. Uma DSL poderia ser uma solução apropriada, pois permite cobrir diversos requisitos exigidos, no entanto, esta solução não é exequível porque seria necessário produzir uma linguagem para cada configuração de software aviónico diferente se pretendêssemos tirar partido da especificidade. Com esta dissertação, solucionou-se esta dificuldade com recurso à noção de família de DSLs. Trata-se de um conjunto de linguagens para um domínio específico, que apresentam um conjunto comum de conceitos chave, mas que adaptam alguns desses conceitos para cumprir a variabilidade dos requisitos. Utilizou-se a abordagem MDD para desenvolver um gerador automático de DSLs que é capaz de produzir a linguagem desejada de acordo com a configuração de software pretendida para a partição pertencente a um módulo aviónico. As linguagens geradas apresentam um nível de usabilidade adequada para o domínio, bem como têm a capacidade de validar as construções efetuadas usando a DSL e produzir os artefactos pretendidos.

UAV - based imagery processing using structure from motion and remote sensing technology

With the recent advances in technology and miniaturization of devices such as GPS or IMU, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles became a feasible platform for a Remote Sensing applications. The use of UAVs compared to the conventional aerial platforms provides a set of advantages such as higher spatial resolution of the derived products. UAV - based imagery obtained by a user grade cameras introduces a set of problems which have to be solved, e. g. rotational or angular differences or unknown or insufficiently precise IO and EO camera parameters. In this work, UAV - based imagery of RGB and CIR type was processed using two different workflows based on PhotoScan and VisualSfM software solutions resulting in the DSM and orthophoto products. Feature detection and matching parameters influence on the result quality as well as a processing time was examined and the optimal parameter setup was presented. Products of the both workflows were compared in terms of a quality and a spatial accuracy. Both workflows were compared by presenting the processing times and quality of the results. Finally, the obtained products were used in order to demonstrate vegetation classification. Contribution of the IHS transformations was examined with respect to the classification accuracy.

How do current term structure model behave beyond the last liquid point?: A comparison of the DNS and Smith-Wilson methods

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Master’s Double Degree in Finance from Maastricht University and NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Design and characterization of novel biopolymeric structure using biocompatible ionic liquids

The main objective of this thesis was the development of polymeric structures from the dissolution of FucoPol, a bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS), in a biocompatible ionic liquid, choline acetate. The FucoPol was produced by the bacteria Enterobacter A47 using glycerol as carbon source at controlled temperature and pH (30ºC and 7, respectively). At the end of 3 days it was produced 7 g/L of FucoPol. The net yield of Fucopol in glycerol (YP/S) was 0.22 g/g and the maximum productivity 2.37 g/L.d This polymer was characterized about its composition in sugars and acyl groups (by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography - HPLC), containing fucose (35 % mol), galactose (21 % mol), glucose (29 % mol), rhamnose (3% mol) and glucuronic acid (12% mol) as well as acetate (14.28 % mol), pyruvate (2.15 % mol) and succinate (1.80 % mol). Its content of water and ash was 15% p/p and 2% p/p, respectively, and the chemical bonds (determined by Infrared Spectroscopy - FT-IR) are consistent to the literature reports. However, due to limitations in Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) equipment it was not possible to determine the glass transition temperature. In turn, the ionic liquid showed the typical behavior of a Newtonian fluid, glass transition temperature (determined by DSC) -98.03ºC and density 1.1031 g/cm3. The study of chemical bonds by FT-IR showed that amount of water (8.80%) influenced the visualization of the bands predicted to in view of their chemical structure. After the dissolution of the FucoPol in the ionic liquid at different temperatures (50, 60, 80 and 100 ° C) it was promoted the removal of this by the phase inversion method using deionized water as a solvent, followed by drying in an oven at 70 ° C. The mixtures before and after the phase inversion method were characterized through the studies mentioned above. In order to explore possible application field’s biocompatibility assays and collage on balsa wood tests were performed. It was found that the process of washing with water by the phase inversion method was not totally effective in removing the biocompatible ionic liquid, since all FucoPol – IL mixtures still contained ionic liquid in their composition as can be seen by the DSC results and FT-IR. In addition, washing the mixtures with water significantly altered the composition of FucoPol. However, these mixtures, that developed a viscous behavior typical of a non-Newtonian fluid (shear-thinning), have the potential to be applied in the biomedical field as well as biological glues.

Does ownership structure matter? Three essays in finance

Management

The Multidimensional and Centred Structure of Our Interested Perception in Hierocles

O objectivo desta dissertação é identificar a estrutura da percepção tal como ela é desenhada por Hiérocles nos <,(#= >1!(?$%&'(). Para alcançar este objectivo focar-me-ei na análise que o filósofo estóico leva a cabo em torno da percepção. O foco começa por incindir sobre a distinção entre percepção de si e percepção do exterior, com todas as suas subtilezas. Tal análise implicará então a consideração da importância da não-indiferença nessa estrutura de percepção. O objectivo é compreender como a percepção é sempre relacional e interessada. . Centrar-me-ei então na noção de !"#$%&'(), tentanto explorar a complexidade e multiplicidade do fenómeno em causa. Será também estabalecida a relação com o fragmento de Estobeu (6.671), que é, a par da obra, a fonte mais importante do pensamento de Hiérocles. Através desta relação introduzir-se-á a estrutura circular e concêntrica de uma percepção relacional e interessada. Toda esta dissertação será levada a cabo focando-se principalmente nos textos do próprio Hiérocles.

Inovcity- Structure of trials evaluation

In 2007, the UK government commissioned the Energy Demand Research Project to conduct a large scale experiment of smart metering technologies to test the impacts from many different forms of feedback to residential consumers. A full evaluation of the results was completed in 2011. In Portugal, EDP is also conducting smart meter trials in a project called InovCity in the city of Évora whose results will be evaluated during 2012. In this work, the case of Great Britain is studied as a reference on how an evaluation of trial results should be conducted. I also discuss potential limitations of the experiments, implications for national roll-out decisions, and finally draw some lessons that can be applied to the Portuguese case.