Comercialização de energia em mercados em bolsa: simulador multi-agente e análise do impacto da geração variável nos preços diários

O processo de reestruturação do setor elétrico deu origem à criação de diferentes estruturas de mercado, tendo como objetivo o aumento da competitividade e eficiência. Atualmente, a comercialização de energia elétrica pode ser realizada com recurso a mercados em bolsa ou através da celebração de contratos bilaterais. Sendo o mercado em bolsa caraterizado por uma forte volatilidade de preços, e considerando a atribuição de incentivos para o crescimento da geração renovável não controlada, revela-se importante analisar o impacto de níveis elevados de energia eólica sobre os preços do mercado diário. Neste contexto, a presente dissertação tem como principais objetivos estudar e implementar os algoritmos de preço marginal único e preço marginal local, normalmente utilizados no mercado em bolsa, bem como dotar o simuladormultiagente MANREM com um módulo para simular os mercados diário e intradiário, e analisar o impacto de níveis elevados de energia eólica sobre os preços do mercado diário. O estudo detalhado de um caso prático e os resultados obtidos com recurso ao simuladormulti-agente permitiram replicar, em computador, o impacto esperado, sendo possível observar uma redução de preços e uma alteração dos compromissos de produção dos produtores convencionais. O estudo contemplou a simulação do mercado diário com recurso aos algoritmos de preço marginal único e preço marginal local, podendo constatar-se que a ferramenta multi-agente constitui um auxiliar importante à tomada de decisão nos mercados de eletricidade.

The World Health Organization Multi-Professional Patient Safety Curriculum : implementation of key modules and its impact on patient safety knowledge, skills, and attitudes of medical students at the University of Algarve

ABSTRACT - Objectives: We attempted to show how the implementation of the key elements of the World Health Organization Patient Safety Curriculum Guide Multi-professional Edition in an undergraduate curriculum affected the knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards patient safety in a graduate entry Portuguese Medical School. Methods: After receiving formal recognition by the WHO as a Complementary Test Site and approval of the organizational ethics committee , the validated pre-course questionnaires measuring the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to patient safety were administered to the 2nd and3rd year students pursuing a four-year course (N = 46). The key modules of the curriculum were implemented over the academic year by employing a variety of learning strategies including expert lecturers, small group problem-based teaching sessions, and Simulation Laboratory sessions. The identical questionnaires were then administered and the impact was measured. The Curriculum Guide was evaluated as a health education tool in this context. Results: A significant number of the respondents, 47 % (n = 22), reported having received some form of prior patient safety training. The effect on Patient Safety Knowledge was assessed by using the percentage of correct pre- and post-course answers to construct 2 × 2 contingency tables and by applying Fishers’ test (two-tailed). No significant differences were detected (p < 0.05). To assess the effect of the intervention on Patient Safety skills and attitudes, the mean and standard deviation were calculated for the pre and post-course responses, and independent samples were subjected to Mann-Whitney’s test. The attitudinal survey indicated a very high baseline incidence of desirable attitudes and skills toward patient safety. Significant changes were detected (p < 0.05) regarding what should happen if an error is made (p = 0.016), the role of healthcare organizations in error reporting (p = 0.006), and the extent of medical error (p = 0.005). Conclusions: The implementation of selected modules of the WHO Patient Safety Curriculum was associated with a number of positive changes regarding patient safety skills and attitudes, with a baseline incidence of highly desirable patient safety attitudes, but no measureable change on the patient safety knowledge, at the University of Algarve Medical School. The significance of these results is discussed along with implications and suggestions for future research.

Segurança no nível físico em sistemas multi-antena com diretividade na informação

Os sistemas de comunicação sem fios são sistemas de difusão por natureza. Devido a essa sua natureza, um dos problemas inerentes à mesma deve-se à segurança e ao secretismo, pois se o canal é partilhado a informação facilmente é obtida por um utilizador não autorizado, ao contrário dos sistemas de comunicação com fios. Tradicionalmente, a introdução de segurança em sistemas de comunicação, resulta na encriptação da informação, resultante de protocolos de encriptação. No entanto, a segurança através da criptografia baseia-se na premissa de que o utilizador não autorizado tem uma capacidade de processamento limitada, pois senão poderia simplesmente tentar todas as combinações possíveis e obter a chave de encriptação. Como a capacidade de processamento tem crescido exponencialmente, este tipo de sistemas tem se tornado cada vez mais complexos para não se tornarem obsoletos. A introdução de segurança na camada física torna-se então uma opção apelativa pois pode servir como um complemento, visto que os sistemas de criptografia funcionam em camadas superiores independentes da camada fisica, apresentando assim uma abordagem multi-camada em termos de segurança. Tipicamente as técnicas de segurança no nível físico podem se agrupar em 2 tipos: técnicas que se baseiam em códigos, ou técnicas que exploram variações temporais e espaciais do canal. As primeiras diminuem a eficiência espectral do sistema, e as segundas apresentam bons resultados em ambientes dinâmicos, mas em ambientes estáticos não são muito promissores. Há também a necessidade de aumentar as taxas de transmissão nos próximos sistemas de comunicação. Devido a estes requisitos, uma das tecnologias propostas para a nova geração de comunicações, é uma tecnologia baseada numa arquitectura Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output(MIMO). Esta tecnologia é promissora e consegue atingir taxas de transferências que correspondem aos requisitos propostos. Apresenta-se assim uma nova técnica de segurança no nível físico, que explora as caracteristicas físicas do sistema, como um complemento a outras medidas de segurança em camadas mais altas. Esta técnica não provoca diminuição da eficiência espectral e é independente do canal, o que tenta solucionar os problemas das restantes técnicas já existentes.

Understanding multi-asset factor models: Factor exposure interpretation

Field lab: Business project

Quadratic programming versus second order con programming in portfolio optimization

Despite the extensive literature in finding new models to replace the Markowitz model or trying to increase the accuracy of its input estimations, there is less studies about the impact on the results of using different optimization algorithms. This paper aims to add some research to this field by comparing the performance of two optimization algorithms in drawing the Markowitz Efficient Frontier and in real world investment strategies. Second order cone programming is a faster algorithm, appears to be more efficient, but is impossible to assert which algorithm is better. Quadratic Programming often shows superior performance in real investment strategies.

Fatigue life assessment of endodontic instruments subjected to multi planar curvature

This present study aimed to investigate the fatigue life of unused (new) endodontic instruments made of NiTi with control memory by Coltene™ and subjected to the multi curvature of a mandibular first molar root canal. Additionally, the instrument‟s structural behaviour was analysed through non-linear finite element analysis (FEA). The fatigue life of twelve Hyflex™ CM files was assessed while were forced to adopt a stance with multiple radius of curvature, similar to the ones usually found in a mandibular first molar root canal; nine of them were subjected to Pecking motion, a relative movement of axial type. To achieve this, it was designed an experimental setup with the aim of timing the instruments until fracture while worked inside a stainless steel mandibular first molar model with relative axial motion to simulate the pecking motion. Additionally, the model‟s root canal multi-curvature was confirmed by radiography. The non-linear finite element analysis was conducted using the computer aided design software package SolidWorks™ Simulation, in order to define the imposed displacement required by the FEA, it was necessary to model an endodontic instrument with simplified geometry using SolidWorks™ and subsequently analyse the geometry of the root canal CAD model. The experimental results shown that the instruments subjected to pecking motion displayed higher fatigue life values and higher lengths of fractured tips than those with only rotational relative movement. The finite element non-linear analyses shown, for identical conditions, maximum values for the first principal stress lower than the yield strength of the material and those were located in similar positions to the instrument‟s fracture location determined by the experimental testing results.

A minimal version of a Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase

Phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) protein belongs to the family of protein tyrosine phos-phatase. Mutations on the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) protein are highly observed in diverse types of human tumors, being mostly identified on the phosphatase domain of the protein. Although PTEN is a modular protein composed by a phosphatase domain and a C2 domain for mem-brane anchoring, this work aimed at developing a minimal version of PTEN´s phosphatase domain. The minimal version (Small Domain) comprises a 28 residue peptide, with the PTEN 8-mer catalytic peptide accommodated between a α-helix and β-turn as observed in PTEN native structure. Firstly, a de novo prediction of the Small Domain´s secondary structure was carried out by molecular modeling tools. The stability of the predicted structures were then evaluated by Molecular Dynamics. Automated molecular docking of PTEN natural substrate PIP3, its analogue (Inositol) and a PTEN inhibitor (L-tar-tare) were performed with the modeled structure, and PTEN used as a positive control. The gene en-coding for Small Domain was designed and cloned into an expression vector at N-terminal of Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) encoding gene. The fusion protein was then expressed in Escherichia coli cells. Different expression conditions have been explored for the production of the fusion protein to minimize the formation of inclusion bodies.

Implementação de um modelo de geometric semantic genetic programming para aplicação naval

Recaí sob a responsabilidade da Marinha Portuguesa a gestão da Zona Económica Exclusiva de Portugal, assegurando a sua segurança da mesma face a atividades criminosas. Para auxiliar a tarefa, é utilizado o sistema Oversee, utilizado para monitorizar a posição de todas as embarcações presentes na área afeta, permitindo a rápida intervenção da Marinha Portuguesa quando e onde necessário. No entanto, o sistema necessita de transmissões periódicas constantes originadas nas embarcações para operar corretamente – casos as transmissões sejam interrompidas, deliberada ou acidentalmente, o sistema deixa de conseguir localizar embarcações, dificultando a intervenção da Marinha. A fim de colmatar esta falha, é proposto adicionar ao sistema Oversee a capacidade de prever as posições futuras de uma embarcação com base no seu trajeto até à cessação das transmissões. Tendo em conta os grandes volumes de dados gerados pelo sistema (históricos de posições), a área de Inteligência Artificial apresenta uma possível solução para este problema. Atendendo às necessidades de resposta rápida do problema abordado, o algoritmo de Geometric Semantic Genetic Programming baseado em referências de Vanneschi et al. apresenta-se como uma possível solução, tendo já produzido bons resultados em problemas semelhantes. O presente trabalho de tese pretende integrar o algoritmo de Geometric Semantic Genetic Programming desenvolvido com o sistema Oversee, a fim de lhe conceder capacidades preditivas. Adicionalmente, será realizado um processo de análise de desempenho a fim de determinar qual a ideal parametrização do algoritmo. Pretende-se com esta tese fornecer à Marinha Portuguesa uma ferramenta capaz de auxiliar o controlo da Zona Económica Exclusiva Portuguesa, permitindo a correta intervenção da Marinha em casos onde o atual sistema não conseguiria determinar a correta posição da embarcação em questão.

A multi-criteria decision support system for a routing problem in waste collection

Autor proof

Non emergency patients transport - a mixed integer linear programming

This work presents a model and a heuristic to solve the non-emergency patients transport (NEPT) service issues given the new rules recently established in Portugal. The model follows the same principle of the Team Orienteering Problem by selecting the patients to be included in the routes attending the maximum reduction in costs when compared with individual transportation. This model establishes the best sets of patients to be transported together. The model was implemented in AMPL and a compact formulation was solved using NEOS Server. A heuristic procedure based on iteratively solving problems with one vehicle was presented, and this heuristic provides good results in terms of accuracy and computation time.

Assessment of the effectiveness of steel fibre reinforcement for the punching resistance of flat slabs by experimental research and design approach

The present paper deals with the experimental assessment of the effectiveness of steel fibre reinforcement in terms of punching resistance of centrically loaded flat slabs, and to the development of an analytical model capable of predicting the punching behaviour of this type of structures. For this purpose, eight slabs of 2550 x 2550 x 150 mm3 dimensions were tested up to failure, by investigating the influence of the content of steel fibres (0, 60, 75 and 90 kg/m3) and concrete strength class (50 and 70 MPa). Two reference slabs without fibre reinforcement, one for each concrete strength class, and one slab for each fibre content and each strength class compose the experimental program. All slabs were flexurally reinforced with a grid of ribbed steel bars in a percentage to assure punching failure mode for the reference slabs. Hooked ends steel fibres provided the unique shear reinforcement. The results have revealed that steel fibres are very effective in converting brittle punching failure into ductile flexural failure, by increasing both the ultimate load and deflection, as long as adequate fibre reinforcement is assured. An analytical model was developed based on the most recent concepts proposed by the fib Mode Code 2010 for predicting the punching resistance of flat slabs and for the characterization of the behaviour of fibre reinforced concrete. The most refined version of this model was capable of predicting the punching resistance of the tested slabs with excellent accuracy and coefficient of variation of about 5%.

Comparison of single and multi-objective evolutionary algorithms for robust link-state routing

Traffic Engineering (TE) approaches are increasingly impor- tant in network management to allow an optimized configuration and resource allocation. In link-state routing, the task of setting appropriate weights to the links is both an important and a challenging optimization task. A number of different approaches has been put forward towards this aim, including the successful use of Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs). In this context, this work addresses the evaluation of three distinct EAs, a single and two multi-objective EAs, in two tasks related to weight setting optimization towards optimal intra-domain routing, knowing the network topology and aggregated traffic demands and seeking to mini- mize network congestion. In both tasks, the optimization considers sce- narios where there is a dynamic alteration in the state of the system, in the first considering changes in the traffic demand matrices and in the latter considering the possibility of link failures. The methods will, thus, need to simultaneously optimize for both conditions, the normal and the altered one, following a preventive TE approach towards robust configurations. Since this can be formulated as a bi-objective function, the use of multi-objective EAs, such as SPEA2 and NSGA-II, came nat- urally, being those compared to a single-objective EA. The results show a remarkable behavior of NSGA-II in all proposed tasks scaling well for harder instances, and thus presenting itself as the most promising option for TE in these scenarios.

Combining data mining and evolutionary computation for multi-criteria optimization of earthworks

Earthworks tasks aim at levelling the ground surface at a target construction area and precede any kind of structural construction (e.g., road and railway construction). It is comprised of sequential tasks, such as excavation, transportation, spreading and compaction, and it is strongly based on heavy mechanical equipment and repetitive processes. Under this context, it is essential to optimize the usage of all available resources under two key criteria: the costs and duration of earthwork projects. In this paper, we present an integrated system that uses two artificial intelligence based techniques: data mining and evolutionary multi-objective optimization. The former is used to build data-driven models capable of providing realistic estimates of resource productivity, while the latter is used to optimize resource allocation considering the two main earthwork objectives (duration and cost). Experiments held using real-world data, from a construction site, have shown that the proposed system is competitive when compared with current manual earthwork design.

Soil mineral N dynamics beneath mixtures of leaves from legume and fruit trees in Central Amazonian multi-strata agroforests

Long term applications of leguminous green mulch could increase mineralizable nitrogen (N) beneath cupuaçu trees produced on the infertile acidic Ultisols and Oxisols of the Amazon Basin. However, low quality standing cupuaçu litter could interfere with green mulch N release and soil N mineralization. This study compared mineral N, total N, and microbial biomass N beneath cupuaçu trees grown in two different agroforestry systems, north of Manaus, Brazil, following seven years of different green mulch application rates. To test for net interactions between green mulch and cupuaçu litter, dried gliricidia and inga leaves were mixed with senescent cupuaçu leaves, surface applied to an Oxisol soil, and incubated in a greenhouse for 162 days. Leaf decomposition, N release and soil N mineralization were periodically measured in the mixed species litter treatments and compared to single species applications. The effect of legume biomass and cupuaçu litter on soil mineral N was additive implying that recommendations for green mulch applications to cupuaçu trees can be based on N dynamics of individual green mulch species. Results demonstrated that residue quality, not quantity, was the dominant factor affecting the rate of N release from leaves and soil N mineralization in a controlled environment. In the field, complex N cycling and other factors, including soil fauna, roots, and microclimatic effects, had a stronger influence on available soil N than residue quality.