General Insights into Word Choice in Business Communication

Words are the smallest units of messages. Attention should be given to each word used to be sure it is the most effective one. An effective word is one that the receiver will understand and that will elicit the wanted response. The ability to choose words by (a) using a dictionary and a thesaurus and (b) following some of the principles of business communication described in this text can be improved.

A strategy to extend reactive distillation column performance under catalyst deactivation

This work addresses the effects of catalyst deactivation and investigates methods to reduce their impact on the reactive distillation columns performance. The use of variable feed quality and reboil ratio are investigated using a rigorous dynamic model developed in gPROMS and applied to an illustrative example, i.e., the olefin metathesis system, wherein 2-pentene reacts to form 2-butene and 3-hexene. Three designs and different strategies on column energy supply to tackle catalyst deactivation are investigated and the results compared.

Intelligent Bio-Inspired system for manufacturing scheduling under uncertainties

A novel approach to scheduling resolution by combining Autonomic Computing (AC), Multi-Agent Systems (MAS), Case-based Reasoning (CBR), and Bio-Inspired Optimization Techniques (BIT) will be described. AC has emerged as a paradigm aiming at incorporating applications with a management structure similar to the central nervous system. The main intentions are to improve resource utilization and service quality. In this paper we envisage the use of MAS paradigm for supporting dynamic and distributed scheduling in Manufacturing Systems with AC properties, in order to reduce the complexity of managing manufacturing systems and human interference. The proposed CBR based Intelligent Scheduling System was evaluated under different dynamic manufacturing scenarios.

Synthesis and structural characterization of iron complexes with 2,2,2-tris(1-pyrazolyl)ethanol ligands: Application in the peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane under mild conditions

The reactions of FeCl2 center dot 2H(2)O and 2,2,2-tris(1-pyrazolyl) ethanol HOCH2C(pz)(3) (1) (pz = pyrazolyl) afford [Fe{HOCH2C(pz)(3)}(2)][FeCl4]Cl (2), [Fe{HOCH2C(pz)(3)}(2)](2)[Fe2OCl6](Cl)(2)center dot 4H(2)O (3 center dot 4H(2)O), [Fe{HOCH2C(pz)(3)}(2)] [FeCl{HOCH2C(pz)(3)}(H2O)(2)](2)(Cl)(4) (4) or [Fe{HOCH2C(pz)(3)}(2)]Cl-2 (5), depending on the experimental conditions. Compounds 1-5 were isolated as air-stable crystalline solids and fully characterized, including (1-4) by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The latter technique revealed strong intermolecular H-bonds involving the OH group of the scorpionate 2 and 3 giving rise to 1D chains which, in 3, are further expanded to a 2D network with intercalated infinite and almost plane chains of H-interacting water molecules. In 4, intermolecular pi center dot center dot center dot pi interactions involving the pyrazolyl rings are relevant. Complexes 2-5 display a high solubility in water (S-25 degrees C ca. 10-12 mg mL(-1)), a favourable feature towards their application as catalysts (or catalyst precursors) for the peroxidative oxidation of cyclo-hexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, with aqueous H2O2/MeCN, at room temperature (TON values up to ca. 385). (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Inclusão e práticas de diferenciação curricular nos cursos de educação e formação

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa para obtenção de grau de mestre em Ciências da Educação, especialidade em Educação Especial, ramo de Problemas de Cognição e Multideficiência

Dgenco market balancing - cost repartition under light regulation markets

In this paper we present a new methodology, based in game theory, to obtain the market balancing between Distribution Generation Companies (DGENCO), in liberalized electricity markets. The new contribution of this methodology is the verification of the participation rate of each agent based in Nucléolo Balancing and in Shapley Value. To validate the results we use the Zaragoza Distribution Network with 42 Bus and 5 DGENCO.

Mundos dentro de um mundo: representações interculturais na Polónia sob a influência nazi

Europa, 1939 A Alemanha, sob a influência do partido Alemão Nazi, deu início a um confronto que mudou a face do mundo. Inicialmente os seus países vizinhos Europeus, depois alguns mais distantes e até o continente Africano sentiram o seu poder e tremeram de medo. Medo, um sentimento tão poderoso que em pequenas quantidades, pode aguçar os sentidos mas que, em quantidades grandes, pode gerar pânico, suprimir o intelecto e até levar a negar aquilo que temos presente como verdades absolutas. A Europa era uma mistura de culturas; até os próprios países eram uma mistura de culturas. A Polónia era um desses países. Neste país, Polacos, Judeus, Ucranianos e Romanis viviam numa paz frágil mas duradora. Quando a II Guerra Mundial começou, as cidades polacas foram conquistadas uma após a outra e, uns após os outros, os seus cidadãos foram confinados à sua cidade para manter a ordem pública. Nesta época de incerteza e insegurança poderíamos pensar que todas estas culturas, diferentes nas suas fundações mas todas elas constituídas por seres humanos que respondem da mesma forma em situações desta natureza, sentir-se- iam na necessidade de se juntar, deixar de parte as suas diferenças e tentariam fazer tudo o que estivesse ao seu alcance para assegurar aquilo que é a necessidade básica de qualquer ser humano: sobreviver. A sobrevivência é o instinto mais básico atribuído ao ser humano. O medo de não ser capaz de sobreviver gerou algo que vai contra este tipo de certezas. Gerou ódio. Não ódio contra o inimigo comum mas sim uma cultura contra a outra. O exército Alemão Nazi foi implacável na sua marcha em busca do domínio total mas, em alguns casos, não foi ele apenas a face do terror. O exército Alemão Nazi conquistava e seguia em frente, a caminho da próxima conquista, deixando governos de fachada para manter a ordem. O medo e o terror eram gerados por outrém. Um verdadeiro choque de culturas cujo resultado foi um dos maiores derramamentos de sangue na história do mundo civilizado.

Cell-specific regulation of acetylcholinesterase expression under inflammatory conditions

Acetylcholine (ACh) has been shown to exert an anti-inflammatory function by down-modulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Its availability can be regulated at different levels, namely at its synthesis and degradation steps. Accordingly, the expression of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the enzyme responsible for ACh hydrolysis, has been observed to be modulated in inflammation. To further address the mechanisms underlying this effect, we aimed here at characterizing AChE expression in distinct cellular types pivotal to the inflammatory response. This study was performed in the human acute leukaemia monocytyc cell line, THP-1, in human monocyte-derived primary macrophages and in human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In order to subject these cells to inflammatory conditions, THP-1 and macrophage were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E.coli and HUVEC were stimulated with the tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Our results showed that although AChE expression was generally up-regulated at the mRNA level under inflammatory conditions, distinct AChE protein expression profiles were aurprisingly observed among the distinct cellular types studied. Altogether, these results argue for the existence of cell specific mechanisms that regulate the expression of acetylcholinesterase in inflammation.

Adequação da acústica e controlo do ruído em unidades de ressonância magnética: projeto de investigação

Mestrado em Segurança e Higiene do Trabalho.

Pyrazole or tris(pyrazolyl)ethanol oxo-vanadium(IV) complexes as homogeneous or supported catalysts for oxidation of cyclohexane under mild conditions

The oxovanadium(IV) complexes [VO(acac)(2)(Hpz)].HC(pz)(3) 1.HC(pz)(3) (acac= acetylacetonate, Hpz = pyrazole, pz = pyrazoly1) and [VOCl2{HOCH2C(pz)(3)}] 2 were obtained from reaction of [VO(acac)(2)] with hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)methane or of VCl(3)with 2,2,2-tris(1-pyrazolyl)ethanol. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, Far-IR and EPR spectroscopies, FAB or ESI mass-spectrometry and, for 1, by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. 1 and 2 exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of cyclohexane to the cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone mixture in homogeneous system (TONS up to 1100) under mild conditions (NCMe, 24h, room temperature) using benzoyl peroxide (BPO), tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA), hydrogen peroxide or the urea-hydrogen peroxide adduct (UHP) as oxidants. 1 and 2 were also immobilized on a polydimethylsiloxane membrane (1-PDMS or 2-PDMS) and the systems acted as supported catalysts for the cyclohexane oxidation using the above oxidants (TONs up to 620). The best results were obtained with mCPBA or BP0 as oxidant. The effects of various parameters, such as the amount of catalyst, nitric acid, reaction time, type of oxidant and oxidant-to-catalyst molar ratio, were investigated, for both homogeneous and supported systems. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Acompanhamento da construção de um edifício multifuncional e de duas moradias unifamiliares

Relatório de estágio para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civil na Área de Especialização em Edificações

Stresse, burnout e estratégias de coping nos guardas prisionais da Região Autónoma dos Açores

Mestrado, Psicologia da Educação (Contextos Educativos), 18 de Junho de 2014, Universidade dos Açores.

Expression of YAP4 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under osmotic stress

YAP4, a member of the yeast activator protein (YAP) gene family, is induced in response to osmotic shock in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The null mutant displays mild and moderate growth sensitivity at 0.4 M and 0.8 M NaCl respectively, a fact that led us to analyse YAP4 mRNA levels in the hog1 (high osmolarity glycerol) mutant. The data obtained show a complete abolition of YAP4 gene expression in this mutant, placing YAP4 under the HOG response pathway. YAP4 overexpression not only suppresses the osmosensitivity phenotype of the yap4 mutant but also relieves that of the hog1 mutant. Induction, under the conditions tested so far, requires the presence of the transcription factor Msn2p, but not of Msn4p, as YAP4 mRNA levels are depleted by at least 75% in the msn2 mutant. This result was further substantiated by the fact that full YAP4 induction requires the two more proximal stress response elements. Furthermore we find that GCY1, encoding a putative glycerol dehydrogenase, GPP2, encoding a NAD-dependent glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatase, and DCS2, a homologue to a decapping enzyme, have decreased mRNA levels in the yap4 -deleted strain. Our data point to a possible, as yet not entirely understood, role of the YAP4 in osmotic stress response.

Characterization of a polyubiquitin gene in T. thermophila and of ubiquitin gene expression during sexual reproduction and under stress conditions

A 5-unit polyubiquitin gene, TTU3, was isolated from a T. thermophila genomic library and sequenced. This gene presents an extra triplet coding for Phe, a AGAGA motif and a putative HSE element in its 5'-non-coding region. The ubiquitin gene expression in this ciliate was investigated by Northern blot hybridization in conjugating cells or cells under stress conditions. Exponentially growing cells express two ubiquitin mRNAs of 0.75 and 1.8 kb and a new species of 1.4 kb is induced under hyperthermic stress. During sexual reproduction of the cells (conjugation) the 1.8-kb mRNA is still transcribed whereas the steady-state population of the 0.75 mRNA transcripts is strongly diminished. Southern blot analysis suggests that ubiquitin in T. thermophila constitutes a large family of about ten members.

Riscos e incerteza das fontes renováveis na produção de energia elétrica

Dissertação para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrotécnica Ramo de Energia