Influence of different fibers on the change of pore pressure of self-consolidating concrete exposed to fire

The focus of this paper is given to investigate the effect of different fibers on the pore pressure of fiber reinforced self-consolidating concrete under fire. The investigation on the pore pressure-time and temperature relationships at different depths of fiber reinforced self-consolidating concrete beams was carried out. The results indicated that micro PP fiber is more effective in mitigating the pore pressure than macro PP fiber and steel fiber. The composed use of steel fiber, micro PP fiber and macro PP fiber showed clear positive hybrid effect on the pore pressure reduction near the beam bottom subjected to fire. Compared to the effect of macro PP fiber with high dosages, the effect of micro PP fiber with low fiber contents on the pore pressure reduction is much stronger. The significant factor for reduction of pore pressure depends mainly on the number of PP fibers and not only on the fiber content. An empirical formula was proposed to predict the relative maximum pore pressure of fiber reinforced self-consolidating concrete exposed to fire by considering the moisture content, compressive strength and various fibers. The suggested model corresponds well with the experimental results of other research and tends to prove that the micro PP fiber can be the vital component for reduction in pore pressure, temperature as well spalling of concrete.

Contributos dos ambientes digitais online para a aprendizagem em contexto de atividades de apoio extraescolar

Dissertação de mestrado em Ciências da Educação (área de especialização em Tecnologia Educativa)

Lazer e autorregulação emocional: contributos para o bem-estar e felicidade dos adolescentes

Dissertação de mestrado em Psicologia Aplicada

Self-esteem, assertiveness and resilience in adolescents institutionalized

The institutionalization of children and adolescents has been an increasingly visible problem in modern society. Unfavourable socio-economic conditions have been joining the behavior problems and school absenteeism. When the family fails in its competence for education, social security or the Court withdraws the child or adolescent to a host institution. The aim of this research was to characterize self-esteem, assertiveness and resilience of institutionalized adolescents in the northern region of Portugal and to establish associations with these dependent variables and gender, scholar level and duration of the institutionalization. For the purpose of this study a wider questionnaire was carried out, and validated with a smaller group. It was a transversal study following a predominantly quantitative methodology, with a convenience sample. The sample included 101 adolescents (55 female and 46 males) from eight institutions, aged between 11 to 21 years old (average 15.45). For self-esteem the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), already validate for Portuguese adolescents, was used. For assertiveness and resilience it was applied the Global Evaluation Scale of Assertiveness and the Global Evaluation Scale of Resilience (Jardim & Pereira, 2006) we previously adapted and validated for adolescents. Collected data was introduced in a SPSS database. A descriptive analysis was done to characterize the sample concerning all the variables. To establish associations between individual factors and dependent variables t test, correlations and non-parametric test were applied. Results indicated a relatively low self-esteem (28.03), with girls having a lower value than boys, without significant differences. No correlations were found between self-esteem and the time in the institution. Assertiveness of the sample is average (23.97) and higher for girls than boys, with a positive significant correlation with the scholar grade. Also the resilience is average (25.97), having girls a little lower mean than boys and no significant differences or correlations were found.

Responsabilidade social empresarial: sucesso e motivação dos colaboradores

Dissertação de mestrado em Ciências da Comunicação (área de especialização em Publicidade e Relações Públicas)

Sensitive label-free electron chemical capacitive transducer signal for D-dimer electroanalyses

Supplementary data associated with this article can be found, in the online version, at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2015.09.169.

Escrever para aprender através dos textos literários e não literários

Relatório de estágio de mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar e Ensino do 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico

Dentro e fora da sala de aula: espaços articulados de promoção da oralidade

Relatório de estágio de mestrado em Ensino de Inglês e de Espanhol no 3º Ciclo do Ensino Básico e no Ensino Secundário

Self-reported psychosocial factors among In Vitro Fertilization patients interviewed alone or with the partner

"Published online: 07 Nov 2015"

Self-perception and dissatisfaction with weight does not depend on the frequency of physical activity

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the level of satisfaction with body weight and the self-perception of the weight/height ratio and to verify the influence of the frequency of present and past physical activity on these variables. METHODS: Using questionnaires or interviews, we obtained height data, reported and desired weight, self-perception of the weight/height ratio, and the frequency of current physical activity in 844 adults (489 women). Of these, evaluated the frequency of physical activity during high school of 193 individuals,and we measured their height and weight. RESULTS: Less than 2/3 of the individuals had body mass index between 20 and 24.9 kg/m2. A tendency existed to overestimate height by less than 1 cm and to underestimate weight by less than 1kg. Desired weight was less than that reported (p<0.001), and only 20% were satisfied with their current weight. Only 42% of men and 25% of women exercised regularly. No association was found between the frequency of physical activity and the variables height, weight, and body mass index, and the level of satisfaction with current weight. CONCLUSION: Height and weight reported seem to be valid for epidemological studies, and great dissatisfaction with body weight and a distorted self-perception of height/weight ratio exists, especially in women, regardless of the frequency of physical activity.

Motivação na administração pública: um estudo de caso nos serviços municipalizados de água e saneamento de Almada

Dissertação de Mestrado em Administração Pública (MPA)

Desenvolvimento de talentos no desporto : aspectos psicológicos

A presente investigação tem como principal objetivo compreender a relevância de diversos fatores sociodemográficos e psicossociais inerentes ao desenvolvimento do talento em contexto desportivo, numa perspectiva multidimensional. Procedeu-se a uma avaliação quantitativa de jogadores de futebol, integrados num clube de elite, com idades compreendidas entre os 13 e os 19 anos. No sentido de avaliar os construtos psicológicos considerados no presente estudo (motivação, perfecionismo, suporte parental, resiliencia, coping e compromisso) foram utilizados os seguintes questionários: Sport Motivation Scale - SMS (Pelletier et al., 1995); Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale – MPS (Frost, Marten, Lahart, & Rosenblate, 1990); Own Memories of Parental Rearing – EMBU (Perris, Jacobson, Lindstörm, Von Knorring, & Perris, 1980); Resilience Scale – RS (Wagnild & Young, 1993); Athletic Coping Skills – ACSI 28 (Smith, Schutz, Smoll, & Ptacek, 1995); e Elite Athlete Commitment Scale – EACS (Ramadas, Serpa, Rosado, Gouveia & Maroco, 2013). A significância da variável nível de prestação (elite/sub-elite; dispensados/retidos) sobre os diversos constructos psicológicos foi avaliada através da análise da covariância multivariada (MANCOVA), da análise de equações estruturais (CBSEM) e da técnica de míninos quadrados parciais (PLS). Os jogadores mais bem sucedidos (jogadores de elite e jogadores retidos) percecionaram maior suporte parental, demonstraram níveis mais elevados de compromisso, resiliência, autodeterminação, capacidade de adaptação e confronto, assim como um perfeccionismo ajustado. No que concerne às variáveis sociodemográficas, constatou-se que os jogadores retidos jogam predominantemente no segundo ano do respetivo grupo de idade e têm uma idade inferior aos jogadores dispensados. Os resultados obtidos poderão constituir um relevante suporte para futuros programas educacionais que incidam sobre temáticas relacionadas com os compromissos necessários à prossecução e manutenção de níveis de elite, estratégias de coping, gestão da rotina diária, e o papel dos pais no processo de formação do jovem desportista.

Prácticas festivas y formas de sociabilidad de y entre varones homosexuales (ciudad de córdoba, 1976-1986) Parties and Forms of Sociability between and among Male Homossexuals (City of Córdoba AR, 1976-1986)

El presente proyecto de investigación está interesado en explorar y describir determinadas formas de sociabilidad de varones de clase media auto definidos como homosexuales entre el inicio de la última dictadura (1976) y la formación de un circuito de discos y pubs gays en la ciudad de Córdoba durante el llamado “destape alfonsinista” (1986). La investigación contempla la descripción densa de dos series de prácticas de sociabilidad. Por una parte, se analizará la sociabilidad de varones homosexuales, especialmente de un conjunto de sujetos que desempeñaban determinadas profesiones como “decoradores”, “modistos”, “cocineros”, “anticuarios” y organizadores de fiestas, contratados por las elites locales y clases medias acomodadas para diseñar sus formas de diversión durante el período. ¿Cómo estos sujetos se relacionaban con quienes no forman parte del “ambiente” homosexual y cómo gestionaban el “secreto público” de su identidad erótico-sexual en sus relaciones con las elites cordobesas? El estudio de estas formas de sociabilidad homosexual escasamente trabajadas por la literatura internacional se relacionará con un análisis de las formas de sociabilidad entre varones homosexuales y la formación de un “ambiente”. Para ello se estudiarán espacios colectivos de socialización como baños públicos, plazas, calles, fiestas privadas, bares, boliches y saunas. Los códigos de comunicación verbal y gestual utilizados en esos espacios, y la caracterización de las redes de personas que componían el “ambiente” también serán objeto de análisis. Dado el carácter inicial de esta investigación, ya que no se cuenta con estudios previos para Córdoba, proponemos la siguiente hipótesis de tipo exploratorio en relación a las formas de sociabilidad de determinados varones homosexuales: Estos sujetos habrían asegurado su reproducción social tanto como la posesión de ciertos salvoconductos para el ejercicio de su identidad sociosexual produciendo fiestas de las elites locales. A partir de erigirse en árbitros del “buen gusto” dichos sujetos habrían asegurado ciertos privilegios, entre ellos “feminizar” sus gustos y producirse como “locas”. Dada las nuevas condiciones impuestas por la recuperación democrática, los salvoconductos se hicieron cada vez menos valiosos al mismo tiempo que se formaba una identidad “gay” que, aunque buscó distanciarse del modelo negativo de “la loca”, continuó reclamando su dominio sobre el “buen gusto”. De esta manera, el cultivo experto del “buen gusto” sería parte de las prácticas que organizaban las formas de sociabilidad de varones homosexuales con sujetos heterosexuales de las elites. En relación a las formas de sociabilidad entre homosexuales proponemos que durante la dictadura, “el ambiente” se habría organizado en torno a un circuito callejero y una territorialidad de eventos privados (fiestas negras). Las diferentes performances sociales desarrolladas en tales espacios formaron parte de prácticas que desafiaron el estado de sitio impuesto. Reprimidas por la dictadura, estas prácticas no podían formar parte de un consumo cultural mercantilizado. La recuperación democrática y los cambios en las políticas del Estado con relación a los derechos y los reclamos de las minorías articulados con la expansión de un mercado gay global, habrían producido un cambio en las formas de sociabilidad homosexual. El ejercicio de esta sociabilidad supuso cada vez más el consumo de ciertas mercancías culturales asociadas con “la noche”. Así, la formación de una identidad “gay”, como opuesta al modelo “loca/chongo” dominante hasta los años ´80, aparecería fuertemente relacionada con la formación y segmentarización de un mercado del entretenimiento nocturno. Para la recolección de datos se recurrirá a entrevistas focalizadas e historias de vida de sujetos que trabajaron dando forma a las prácticas de divertimento nocturno de las elites locales y participaron en las redes de personas que componían el “ambiente”. This research project aims at exploring and describing determined forms of sociability among middle class self-identified as homossexual males betwwen the beginning of the last dictatorial period (1976) and the establishment of a network of disco and gay pubs in Cordoba, AR, during the so called “destape alfonsinista” (1986). This research will deal with the thick description of two series of sociability practices. On the one hand, it will analyze male homossexuals sociability practices themselves, barely studied in international literature, mainly those of a set of subjects whose professional careers were those of interior decorators, dressmakers, kitchen chefs, antiquarians and party promoters hired by the local elites and upper middle classes to design their forms of leisure durign that period. On the other, we will deal with the forms of sociability between male homossexuals and the the set of a social environment. This rearch will study collective spaces of socialization such as restrooms, squares, streets, private parties, pubs, discos and saunas. The communication codes in those spaces, both verbal and gestural, as well as the description of the social networks componing that enviroment will also be considered. Focused interviews with and life histories of those who worked structuring night leisure local elite practices and were part of that environment social networks will be the main techniques used in data collection.

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.

Investigation into the potential for establishing a self-sustainable wetland ecosystem over pyritic mine tailings

Research was conducted to investigate the potential for ecologically engineering a sustainable wetland ecosystem over pyritic mine tailings to prevent the generation of acid mine drainage. Ecological engineering is technology with the primary goal being the creation of self-sustainable ecological systems. Work involved the design and construction of a pilot-scale wetland system comprising three wetland cells, each covering 100 m2. Approximately forty tonnes of pyritic mine tailings were deposited on the base of the first cell above a synthetic liner, covered with peat, flooded and planted with emergent wetland macrophytes Typha latifolia, Phragmites australis, and Juncus effusus. The second cell was constructed as a conventional free water surface wetland, planted identically, and used as a reference wetland/experimental control. Wetland monitoring to determine long-term sustainability focused on indicators of ecosystem health including ecological, hydrological, physico-chemical, geochemical, and biotic metrics. An integrated assessment was conducted that involved field ecology in addition to ecological risk assessment. The objective of the field ecology study was to use vegetative parameters as ecological indicators for documenting wetlands success or degradation. The goal of the risk assessment was to determine if heavy-metal contamination of the wetland sediments occurred through metal mobilisation from the underlying tailings, and to evaluate if subsequent water column chemistry and biotic metal concentrations were significantly correlated with adverse wetland ecosystem impacts. Data were used to assess heavy metal bioavailability within the system as a function of metal speciation in the wetland sediments. Results indicate hydrology is the most important variable in the design and establishment of the tailings wetland and suggest a wetland cover is an ecologically viable alternative for pyritic tailings which are feasible to flood. Ecological data indicate that in terms of species richness and diversity, the tailings-wetland was exhibiting the ecological characteristics of natural wetlands within two years. Ata indicate that pH and conductivity in the tailings-wetland were not adversely impacted by the acid-generating potential or sulphate concentration of the tailings substrate and its porewater. Similarly, no enhanced seasonal impacts from sulphate or metals in the water column, nor adverse impacts on the final water quality of the outflows, were detected. Mean total metal concentrations in the sediments of the tailings-wetland indicate no significant adverse mobilisation of metals into the peat substrate from the tailings. Correlation analyses indicate a general increase in sediment metal concentration in this wetland with increasing water depth and pH, and a corresponding decrease in the metal concentrations of the water column. Sediment extractions also showed enrichment of Cd, Fe, Pb and Zn in the oxidisable fraction (including sulphides and organic matter) of the tailings-wetland sediments. These data suggest that adsorption and coprecipitation of metals is occurring from the water column of the tailings wetland with organic material at increasing depths under reducing conditions. The long-term control of metal bioavailability in the tailings wetland will likely be related to the presence and continual build-up of organic carbon binding sites in the developing wetland above the tailings. Metal speciation including free-metal ion concentration and the impact of physico-chemical parameters particularly pH and organic matter, were investigated to assess ecotoxicological risk. Results indicate that potentially bioavailable metals (the sum of the exchangeable and reducible fractions) within the tailings wetland are similar to values cited for natural wetlands. Estimated free-metal ion concentrations calculated from geochemical regression models indicate lower free-metal ion concentrations of Cd in the tailings wetland than natural wetlands and slightly higher free-metal ion concentrations of Pb and Zn. Increased concentrations of metals in roots, rhizomes and stems of emergent macrophytes did not occur in the tailings wetland. Even though a substantial number of Typha latifolia plants were found rooting directly into tailings, elevated metals were not found in these plant tissues. Phragmites also did not exhibit elevated metal concentrations in any plant tissues. Typha and Phragmites populations appear to be exhibiting metal-tolerant behaviour. The chemistry of the water column and sediments in Silvermines wetland were also investigated and were much more indicative of a wetland system impacted by heavy metal contamination than the tailings-wetland. Mean Dc, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn concentrations in the water column and sediments of Silvermines wetlands were substantially higher than in the pilot wetlands and closely approximate concentrations in these matrices contaminated with metals from mining. In addition, mean sulphate concentration in Silvermines wetland was substantially higher and is closer to sulphate concentrations in waters associated with mining. Potentially bioavailable metals were substantially elevated in Silvermines wetland in comparison to the pilot wetlands and higher than those calculated for natural rive sediments. However, Fe oxy-hydroxide concentrations in Silvermines sediments are also much higher than in the pilot wetlands and this significantly impacts the concentration of free-metal ions in the sediment porewater. The free-metal ion concentrations for Pb and Zn indicate that Silvermines wetland is retaining metals and acting as a treatment wetland for drainage emanating from Silvermines tailings dam.