Math without stress – an open online learning project

MOOC (as an acronym for Massive Open Online Courses) are a quite new model for the delivery of online learning to students. As “Massive” and “Online”, these courses are proposed to be accessible to many more learners than would be possible through conventional teaching. As “Open” they are (frequently) free of charge and participation is not limited by the geographical situation of the learners, creating new learning opportunities in Higher Education Institutions (HEI). In this paper we describe a recently started project “Matemática 100 STRESS” (Math Without STRESS) integrated in the e-IPP project | e-Learning Unit of Porto’s Polytechnic Institute (IPP) which has created its own MOOC platform and launched its first course – Probabilities and Combinatorics – in early June/2014. In this MOOC development were involved several lecturers from four of the seven IPP schools.

Assessing Reading Abilities of Mechanical Engineering College Students: A Prospecting Study*

Reading is a basic competence that students have to master to be successful. Despite this fact, recent studies show that there may be a significant decline in the reading abilities of college students, one of the most educated segments of any population. This work is a prospecting study regarding the assessment of reading abilities of college students, namely in the context of Engineering education. Based on an existing screening test for assessing reading difficulties of children and teenagers, this work presents the results obtained by administrating that test to students at a top engineering institution in Portugal. An outcome of this study is the determination of a time range suitable for a massive, time limited, use of the previously mentioned test to assess college students, thus enabling a basic tool that will permit, in future works, to screen reading abilities in wider college populations. This work also shows evidence that ca. 20% of college students present a poor reading performance, revealing a strong need for monitoring college students’ reading abilities along different generations.

Welcome to the golden land: sexual and gender-based violence against women refugees from Burma

European Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation Academic Year 2005/2006

Text classification using compression-based dissimilarity measures

Arguably, the most difficult task in text classification is to choose an appropriate set of features that allows machine learning algorithms to provide accurate classification. Most state-of-the-art techniques for this task involve careful feature engineering and a pre-processing stage, which may be too expensive in the emerging context of massive collections of electronic texts. In this paper, we propose efficient methods for text classification based on information-theoretic dissimilarity measures, which are used to define dissimilarity-based representations. These methods dispense with any feature design or engineering, by mapping texts into a feature space using universal dissimilarity measures; in this space, classical classifiers (e.g. nearest neighbor or support vector machines) can then be used. The reported experimental evaluation of the proposed methods, on sentiment polarity analysis and authorship attribution problems, reveals that it approximates, sometimes even outperforms previous state-of-the-art techniques, despite being much simpler, in the sense that they do not require any text pre-processing or feature engineering.

How to feel “in love” with math – a MOOC experience

In the past few years we have witnessed the fast development of distance learning tools such as Open Educational Resources (OER) and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). This paper presents the “Mathematics without STRESS” MOOC Project, which is a cooperation between four schools from the Polytechnic Institute of Oporto (IPP). The concepts of MOOC and their quickly growing popularity are presented and complemented by a discussion of some MOOC definitions. The process of the project development is demonstrated by focusing on used MOOC structure, as well as the several types of course materials produced. At last, is presented a short discussion about problems and challenges met throughout the project. It is also our goal to contribute for a change in the way as teaching and learning Mathematics is seen and practiced nowadays.

Interferon gamma increases survival in urine experimental cryptococcosis

Systemic disease by Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) is a common opportunistic infection in immunodeficient patients. Cellular immunity seems to be the most important determinant of resistance. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of recombinant rat interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in murine cryptococcosis (Balb/c mice infected by IP route with the Rivas strain of C. neoformans), evaluating survival time, macroscopic and microscopic examination of the organs, and massive seeding of brain homogenate. IFN-gamma treatment, at a daily dose of 10,000 IU, did not modify significantly these variables when mice were challenged with a high inoculum (10(7) yeasts) and treatment was delayed to 5 days after infection (median survival 21 days in control mice vs. 23 days in IFN-treated). Another set of experiments suggested that IFN-gamma treatment, at a dose of 10,000 IU/day, begun at the moment of infection could be useful (it prolonged survival from 20 to 28 days, although the difference did not achieve statistical signification). When used simultaneously with infection by 3.5 x 10(5) yeasts, IFN-gamma at 10,000 IU/day for 15 days significantly prolonged survival of mice (p = 0.004). These results suggest that, depending on the experimental conditions, IFN-gamma can improve survival of mice infected with a lethal dose of C. neoformans.

How to feel “in love" with math: a MOOC experience

In the past few years we have witnessed astonishing developments on distance learning tools, in particular on Open Educational Resources (OER) such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). In this paper we present the “Mathematics without STRESS”, a MOOC Project, which has been a collaborative volunteer effort that brought together professors, from four schools of the Polytechnic Institute of Oporto (IPP), in Portugal. Some concepts directly associated with MOOC and their quickly growing popularity are complemented with a discussion of some particular MOOC characterizations. The design process of this project is revealed by focusing on the MOOC structure we used, as well as on the several types of course materials that were produced. At last, we undertake a short discussion about some of the problems, achievements and challenges met throughout this project development, giving a special attention to the motivational aim of this work - hoping to contribute to a change in the way of teaching and learning Mathematics is seen and practiced nowadays.

Matemática 100 stress: um projeto aberto no IPP

A Era Tecnológica em que nos vemos inseridos, cujos avanços acontecem a uma velocidade vertiginosa exige, por parte das Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) uma atitude proactiva no sentido de utilização dos muitos recursos disponíveis. Por outro lado, os elementos próprios da sociedade da informação – flexibilidade, formação ao longo da vida, acessibilidade à informação, mobilidade, entre muito outros – atuam como fortes impulsionadores externos para que as IES procurem e analisem novas modalidades formativas. Perante a mobilidade crescente, que se tem revelado massiva, a aprendizagem tende a ser cada vez mais individualizada, visual e prática. A conjugação de várias formas/tipologias de transmissão de conhecimento, de métodos didáticos e mesmo de ambientes e situações de aprendizagem induzem uma melhor adaptação do estudante, que poderá procurar aqueles que melhor vão ao encontro das suas expetativas, isto é, favorecem um processo de ensino-aprendizagem eficiente na perspetiva da forma de aprender de cada um. A definição de políticas estratégicas relacionadas com novas modalidades de ensino/formação tem sido uma preocupação constante na nossa instituição, nomeadamente no domínio do ensino à distância, seja ele e-Learning, b-Learning ou, mais recentemente, “open-Learning”, onde se inserem os MOOC – Massive Open Online Courses (não esquecendo a vertente m-Learning), de acordo com as várias tendências europeias (OECD, 2007) (Comissão Europeia, 2014) e com os objetivos da “Europa 2020”. Neste sentido surge o Projeto Matemática 100 STRESS, integrado no projeto e-IPP | Unidade de e-Learning do Politécnico do Porto que criou a sua plataforma MOOC, abrindo em junho de 2014 o seu primeiro curso – Probabilidades e Combinatória. Pretendemos dar a conhecer este Projeto, e em particular este curso, que envolveu vários docentes de diferentes unidades orgânicas do IPP.

Math without stress: an open online learning project

MOOC (as an acronym for Massive Open Online Courses) are a quite new model for the delivery of online learning to students. As “Massive” and “Online”, these courses are proposed to be accessible to many more learners than would be possible through conventional teaching. As “Open” they are (frequently) free of charge and participation is not limited by the geographical situation of the learners, creating new learning opportunities in Higher Education Institutions (HEI). In this paper we describe a recently started project “Matemática 100 STRESS” (Math Without STRESS) integrated in the e-IPP project | e-Learning Unit of Porto’s Polytechnic Institute (IPP) which has created its own MOOC platform and launched its first course – Probabilities and Combinatorics – in early June/2014. In this MOOC development were involved several lecturers from four of the seven IPP schools.

Controlo e optimização da perfuração em desmonte de maciços rochosos fracturados: avaliação preliminar

O presente trabalho tem por objectivo contribuir para aprofundar o conhecimento da temática que envolve a qualidade de execução da perfuração em maciços rochosos fracturados. A necessidade de conhecimento prévio sobre os resultados que podem ocorrer no desmonte de maciços rochosos após a realização da perfuração, leva a uma procura de indicadores que possibilitem obter mais conhecimento nessa matéria. No encadeamento do processo de análise de projecto, está o conhecimento adquirido, a caracterização do maciço rochoso, a implementação de correcções na componente da perfuração ajustadas ao maciço estudado e uma potencial previsão de granulometria final por emergência de um índice de qualidade, “Índice de Dispersão Volumétrica” que correlacione os elementos constituintes da geometria do diagrama de fogo e da envolvente intrínseca da matriz rochosa e aponte uma expectável granulometria final. Para atingir um nível de qualidade na operação global do processo de desmonte, a perfuração que está no topo da pirâmide assume papel de guia para as seguintes etapas, pelo que a qualidade dos equipamentos e acessórios e a sua correcta operação são fundamentais para obter o rigor da perfuração projectada, com vista a atingir uma determinada granulometria.

Energy Resource Management under the Influence of the Weekend Transition Considering an Intensive use of Electric Vehicles

Energy resource scheduling is becoming increasingly important, as the use of distributed resources is intensified and of massive electric vehicle is envisaged. The present paper proposes a methodology for day-ahead energy resource scheduling for smart grids considering the intensive use of distributed generation and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G). This method considers that the energy resources are managed by a Virtual Power Player (VPP) which established contracts with their owners. It takes into account these contracts, the users' requirements subjected to the VPP, and several discharge price steps. The full AC power flow calculation included in the model takes into account network constraints. The influence of the successive day requirements on the day-ahead optimal solution is discussed and considered in the proposed model. A case study with a 33-bus distribution network and V2G is used to illustrate the good performance of the proposed method.

Ferramentas para optimização da solução NGIN da PT Inovação

Mestrado em Engenharia Informática

Estudo e Acompanhamento de Projeto de Estabilidade

O trabalho foi desenvolvido na empresa Masterprojetos – soluções integradas, através da elaboração e desenvolvimento do projeto de estabilidade de um edifício de cinco pisos, em que um deles se encontra enterrado. Este edifício incorpora um bloco de habitação multifamiliar e um bloco de habitação unifamiliar e comércio. Tanto o edifício como a empresa estão localizados no Peso da Régua. O trabalho pode-se dividir em duas partes: Numa primeira parte estão descritas as funções desempenhadas e contextualizada a metodologia de trabalho. Nesta parte está ainda descrita a ferramenta de trabalho Cypecad, a qual não houve oportunidade de aprender a usar durante o meu percurso académico e desenvolveu-se capacidades de maneira autodidata. São ainda referidos alguns softwares disponíveis no mercado, para o mesmo ramo de atividade. Numa segunda parte encontram-se descritos os pressupostos considerados no pré-dimensionamento do edifício assim como os elementos utilizados para a formulação do modelo de cálculo. Estão ainda feitas algumas verificações analíticas para a validação do modelo tido em conta para o dimensionamento. Estabeleceu-se também uma comparação entre as soluções obtidas através do software Cypecad e através do cálculo analítico para uma laje maciça. No final estão descritas as conclusões que foram obtidas, das quais se salientam a atenção que é necessário ter, quando se utiliza softwares de cálculo automático, quanto à introdução de dados e soluções que se obtêm , assim como a poupança de tempo que este tipo de ferramenta proporciona. É de referir também neste ponto as oportunidades que o estágio me proporcionou, como a visita de alguns locais de obras, as atividades de medição e orçamento de obra e acompanhamento de projetos de outras especialidades como redes prediais, térmica, acústica e ITED (infra-estruturas de Telecomunicações em Edifícios).

Crystallographic and biochemical studies on dissimilatory sulfite reductases

Thesis dissertation presented to obtain a PhD degree in Biochemistry at Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Influence of Immunopreventable Diseases and AIDS on the Demand of an Infectious Diseases Department in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, in the Course of Thirty Years (1965-1994)

Brazil's nosologic profile has been sustaining profound modifications. Some occurred because of massive immunization campaigns and socioeconomic and demographic trends. Some yet were pure nosologic transitions, such as the emergence of AIDS. In this demand study it is described how these changes reflected on the 8,630 admissions of an Infectious Diseases Department in Niterói, along a thirty year period. Brazilian rural endemic diseases were infrequent (3.45%). Men predominated (62%) all the time, in all age strata and in nearly all diseases. Children under fifteen predominated until 1983. There was, in the case of tetanus, a striking rise in age strata. Institutional mortality dropped from 31% in 1965 to 10% in 1984, but rose since then to 15% in 1994. However, if AIDS patients had not been computed, mortality would have kept descending till 8% at the end of the study period. The crescent unimportance of immunopreventable diseases paralleled with the growing prominence of AIDS. In less than a decade, AIDS ranked fifth among the most frequent diseases in the whole period of thirty years. As opposed to the immunopreventable diseases, neither meningitides nor pneumonia appear to be in decline. AIDS, by its exponential incidence, by its chronic character, and by the uncountable opportunistic infections it determines, imposes itself as a challenge for the coming years.