System Level Simulation and Radio Resource Management for Distributed Antenna Systems with Cognitive Radio and Multi-Cell Cooperation

4th International Conference on Future Generation Communication Technologies (FGCT 2015), Luton, United Kingdom.

Dynamical Analysis of Non-Repetitive Trajectories in Robotic Manipulation

A new method for the study and optimization of manu«ipulator trajectories is developed. The novel feature resides on the modeling formulation. Standard system desciptions are based on a set of differential equations which, in general, require laborious computations and may be difficult to analyze. Moreover, the derived algorithms are suited to "deterministic" tasks, such as those appearing in a repetitivework, and are not well adapted to a "random" operation that occurs in intelligent systems interacting with a non-structured and changing environment. These facts motivate the development of alternative models based on distinct concepts. The proposed embedding of statistics and Fourier trasnform gives a new perspective towards the calculation and optimization of the robot trajectories in manipulating tasks.

System Modeling and Control Through Fractional-Order Algorithms

The theory of fractional calculus goes back to the beginning of thr throry of differential calculus but its inherent complexity postponed the applications of the associated concepts. In the last decade the progress in the areas of chaos and fractals revealed subtle relationships with the fractional calculus leading to an increasing interest in the development of the new paradigm. In the area of automaticcontrol preliminary work has already been carried out but the proposed algorithms are restricted to the frequency domain. The paper discusses the design of fractional-order discrete-time controllers. The algorithms studied adopt the time domein, which makes them suited for z-transform analusis and discrete-time implementation. The performance of discrete-time fractional-order controllers with linear and non-linear systems is also investigated.

The International Multilateral System: Imperatives of Change, Potential Scenarios and Suggestions for the Future

Thesis presented to satisfy the necessary requirements for obtaining a PhD degree in International Relation with specialization in Globalization and the Environment,

Municipal solid waste management system: decision support through systems analysis

Thesis submitted to the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering

On the analysis of data emerging in non-linear and complex systemscomparison of two X-Ray prony spectra

New arguments proving that successive (repeated) measurements have a memory and actually remember each other are presented. The recognition of this peculiarity can change essentially the existing paradigm associated with conventional observation in behavior of different complex systems and lead towards the application of an intermediate model (IM). This IM can provide a very accurate fit of the measured data in terms of the Prony's decomposition. This decomposition, in turn, contains a small set of the fitting parameters relatively to the number of initial data points and allows comparing the measured data in cases where the “best fit” model based on some specific physical principles is absent. As an example, we consider two X-ray diffractometers (defined in paper as A- (“cheap”) and B- (“expensive”) that are used after their proper calibration for the measuring of the same substance (corundum a-Al2O3). The amplitude-frequency response (AFR) obtained in the frame of the Prony's decomposition can be used for comparison of the spectra recorded from (A) and (B) - X-ray diffractometers (XRDs) for calibration and other practical purposes. We prove also that the Fourier decomposition can be adapted to “ideal” experiment without memory while the Prony's decomposition corresponds to real measurement and can be fitted in the frame of the IM in this case. New statistical parameters describing the properties of experimental equipment (irrespective to their internal “filling”) are found. The suggested approach is rather general and can be used for calibration and comparison of different complex dynamical systems in practical purposes.

Which “place and non-place” do women occupy in social economy organisations?

Scientific literature has strengthened the perpetuation of inequality factors in the labour market based on gender, despite the on-going endeavour of various political bodies and legal norms against the vertical and horizontal segregation of women. National and European statistical data shows the relevance and timeless features of theories of market segmentation associated with the labour market dating back to the 70’s of the 20th century. Hence, the European Community considers as a priority in the Europe 2020 strategy, the definition of “policies to promote gender equality […] to increase labour force participation thus adding to growth and social cohesion”. If we consider that on the one hand, social economy is fairly recognised to be equated with market actors and the State for its economic and social role in tackling the current crisis, and on the other hand, that the ideals of the sector, systematised in the “Framework Law of Social Economy” (Law no. 30/2013 8th of May), particularly in article 5 proposing “the respect for the values […] of equality and non-discrimination […], justice and equity […]”, we aim to reflect on indicators that uncover a vertical and horizontal segregation in the labour market. Departing from a mixed methodological approach (extensive and intensive), subject to the topic of "Social Entrepreneurship in Portugal" in social economy organisations, we detect very high rates of employment feminisation, with a ratio of 1 man (23%) for every 3 women (77%). Women are mainly earmarked for technical and operational activities, arising from the privileged intervention areas, namely education, training, health, elderly, families, poverty, ultimately being underrepresented in statutory boards and, as such, far removed from deliberations and strategic resolutions. This is particularly visible in the existing hierarchy of functions and management practices of the responsibility of male members. Thus, it seems easily verified that the sector is travelling away from the ideals of justice and social equity, which can crystallise the "non-place" of women in the definition of a strategic direction of social economy and in the most invisible/private “place” of the organisational setting.

User friendly knowledge acquisition system for medical devices actuation

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Biomédica

Providing Adaptation for an Adaptive Hypermedia System

O ensino à distância cresceu consideravelmente nos últimos anos e a tendência é para que continue a crescer em anos vindouros. No entanto, enquanto que a maioria das plataformas de ensino à distância utilizam a mesma abordagem de ensino para todos os utilizadores, os estudantes que as usam são na realidade pessoas de diferentes culturas, locais, idades e géneros, e que possuem diferentes níveis de educação. Ao contrário do ensino à distância tradicional, os sistemas de hipermédia adaptativa educacional adaptam interface, apresentação de conteúdos e navegação, entre outros, às características, necessidades e interesses específicos de diferentes utilizadores. Apesar da investigação na área de sistemas de hipermédia adaptativa já estar bastante desenvolvida, é necessário efetuar mais desenvolvimento e experimentação de modo a determinar quais são os aspetos mais eficazes destes sistemas e avaliar o seu sucesso. A Plataforma de Aprendizagem Colaborativa da Matemática (PCMAT) é um sistema de hipermédia adaptativa educacional com uma abordagem construtivista, que foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de contribuir para a investigação na área de sistemas de hipermédia adaptativa. A plataforma avalia o conhecimento do utilizador e apresenta conteúdos e atividades adaptadas às características e estilo de aprendizagem dominante de estudantes de matemática do segundo ciclo. O desenvolvimento do PCMAT tem também o propósito de auxiliar os alunos Portugueses com a aprendizagem da matemática. De acordo com o estudo PISA 2012 da OCDE [OECD, 2014], o desempenho dos alunos Portugueses na área da matemática melhorou em relação à edição anterior do estudo, mas os resultados obtidos permanecem abaixo da média da OCDE. Por este motivo, uma das finalidades deste projeto é desenvolver um sistema de hipermédia adaptativa que, ao adequar o ensino da matemática às necessidades específicas de cada aluno, os assista com a aquisição de conhecimento. A adaptação é efetuada pelo sistema usando a informação constante no modelo do utilizador para definir um grafo de conceitos do domínio específico. Este grafo é adaptado do modelo do domínio e utilizado para dar resposta às necessidades particulares de cada aluno. Embora a trajetória inicial seja definida pelo professor, o percurso percorrido no grafo por cada aluno é determinado pela sua interação com o sistema, usando para o efeito a representação do conhecimento do aluno e outras características disponíveis no modelo do utilizador, assim como avaliação progressiva. A adaptação é conseguida através de alterações na apresentação de conteúdos e na estrutura e anotações das hiperligações. A apresentação de conteúdos é alterada mostrando ou ocultando cada um dos vários fragmentos que compõe as páginas dum curso. Estes fragmentos são compostos por diferentes objetos de aprendizagem, tais como exercícios, figuras, diagramas, etc. As mudanças efetuadas na estrutura e anotações das hiperligações têm o objetivo de guiar o estudante, apontando-o na direção do conhecimento mais relevante e mantendo-o afastado de informação inadequada. A escolha de objectos de aprendizagem adequados às características particulares de cada aluno é um aspecto essencial do modelo de adaptação do PCMAT. A plataforma inclui para esse propósito um módulo responsável pela recomendação de objectos de aprendizagem, e um módulo para a pesquisa e recuperação dos mesmos. O módulo de recomendação utiliza lógica Fuzzy para converter determinados atributos do aluno num conjunto de parâmetros que caracterizam o objecto de aprendizagem que idealmente deveria ser apresentado ao aluno. Uma vez que o objecto “ideal” poderá não existir no repositório de objectos de aprendizagem do sistema, esses parâmetros são utilizados pelo módulo de pesquisa e recuperação para procurar e devolver ao módulo de recomendação uma lista com os objectos que mais se assemelham ao objecto “ideal”. A pesquisa é feita numa árvore k-d usando o algoritmo k-vizinhos mais próximos. O modelo de recomendação utiliza a lista devolvida pelo módulo de pesquisa e recuperação para seleccionar o objecto de aprendizagem mais apropriado para o aluno e processa-o para inclusão numa das páginas Web do curso. O presente documento descreve o trabalho desenvolvido no âmbito do projeto PCMAT (PTDS/CED/108339/2008), dando relevância à adaptação de conteúdos.

Non-clinical isolates bring new findings on enterococcal virulence

Dissertation presented to obtain the PhD degree in Biology

Non-Progressive Leukoencephalopathy with Bilateral Temporal Cysts

We report two cases of a peculiar leukoencephalopathy with temporal cysts. Both patients have a non-progressive neurological disorder with mental retardation, microcephaly and sensorineural deafness although clinical differences between them may reflect a different aetiology. The metabolic disorders with white matter involvement and the recently described leukoencephalopathies (Van Der Knaap disease, 'vanishing white matter disease') were excluded based on clinical, biologic and imaging findings. Cytomegalovirus infection is a likely possibility in the first case although the magnetic resonance imaging picture is only partially similar to previously reported cases. Our patients are strikingly similar to the patients reported by Deonna et al. and Olivier et al. We discuss the clinical and imaging findings in our patients and the differential diagnosis considering the known disorders of the white matter in childhood.

Cost-Effectiveness of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation in Portugal

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:Recently, three novel non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants received approval for reimbursement in Portugal for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). It is therefore important to evaluate the relative cost-effectiveness of these new oral anticoagulants in Portuguese AF patients. METHODS: A Markov model was used to analyze disease progression over a lifetime horizon. Relative efficacy data for stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic), bleeding (intracranial, other major bleeding and clinically relevant non-major bleeding), myocardial infarction and treatment discontinuation were obtained by pairwise indirect comparisons between apixaban, dabigatran and rivaroxaban using warfarin as a common comparator. Data on resource use were obtained from the database of diagnosis-related groups and an expert panel. Model outputs included life years gained, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), direct healthcare costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). RESULTS:Apixaban provided the most life years gained and QALYs. The ICERs of apixaban compared to warfarin and dabigatran were €5529/QALY and €9163/QALY, respectively. Apixaban was dominant over rivaroxaban (greater health gains and lower costs). The results were robust over a wide range of inputs in sensitivity analyses. Apixaban had a 70% probability of being cost-effective (at a threshold of €20 000/QALY) compared to all the other therapeutic options. CONCLUSIONS:Apixaban is a cost-effective alternative to warfarin and dabigatran and is dominant over rivaroxaban in AF patients from the perspective of the Portuguese national healthcare system. These conclusions are based on indirect comparisons, but despite this limitation, the information is useful for healthcare decision-makers.

Involvement of the autonomic nervous system in Chagas heart disease

The autonomic nervous system and especially the intracardiac autonomic nervous system is involved in Chagas' disease. Ganglionitis and periganglionitis were noted in three groups ofpatients dying with Chagas'disease: 1) Those in heart failure; 2) Those dying a sudden, non violent death and; 3) Those dying as a consequence ofaccidents or homicide. Hearts in the threegroups also revealed myocarditis and scattered involvement of intramyocardial ganglion cells as well as lesions of myelinic and unmyelinic fibers ascribable to Chagas'disease. In mice with experimentally induced Chagas' disease weobserved more intensive neuronal lesions of the cardiac ganglia in the acute phase of infection. Perhaps neuronal loss has a role in the pathogenesis of Chagas cardiomyopathy. However based on our own experience and on other data from the literature we conclude that the loss of neurones is not the main factor responsible for the manifestations exhibited by chronic chagasic patients. On the other hand the neuronal lesions may have played a role in the sudden death ofone group of patients with Chagas'disease but is difficult to explain the group of patients who did not die sudderly but instead progressed to cardiac failure.

The impact of banks dimension on profitability, sustainability and efficiency: An analysis for the Iberian financial system

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

Overexpressing BDNF in Neural Stem Cells using non-viral gene delivery strategies

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Biotecnologia