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The development of innovative sensing technologies is essential for implementing smart road pavement monitoring systems. The design of asphalt-based materials with intrinsic self-sensing capabilities represents a promising solution in that regard. Despite this, this technology is still not mature and further efforts should be made for its development. With this aim, the present paper evaluates the self-sensing response of asphalt mixtures incorporating graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), and proposes the use of a digital signal processing technique, based on wavelet transform, for the analysis of the electrical signals generated by the mixture. The results showed that the mixtures exhibited both stress and damage sensing functions, albeit some issues related to the dispersion of GNPs should be further investigated. In addition, wavelet transform analysis seems to be able to capture insightful information about the electrical response of the mixture, as well as its structural condition, useful for traffic and pavement health monitoring purposes.

One of the noteworthy developments for the next generation of Eurocode 8 is the inclusion of a complete displacement-based design approach using nonlinear static or dynamic analyses and a set of verifications at the global or local levels, depending on the structural typology. This work investigates the consistency between such approach and classical force-based design applying behaviour factors, for reinforced concrete moment resisting frames. A set of structures designed according to the rules of the three novel ductility classes are used as case studies. Nonlinear static analyses are performed according to a new bilinearisation procedure, and target displacements are computed for the limit states of damage limitation, significant damage, and near collapse. The resulting structural demand, determined globally and in terms of the maximum local deformations among the members, is compared with the recommended values for global and local displacement capacities. Two alternative methods are then used to compute the components of the behaviour factor, which are critically confronted with the currently suggested upper-bound values for design. Finally, a procedure to harmonise displacement-based and force-based approaches is outlined, aiming at deriving values for the design behaviour factor that depend not just on the ductility class but also on additional design parameters which this investigation shows to influence the response.

This work compares the force-based (FB) design of moment resisting frames, as proposed in the next generation of Eurocode 8, with a complete displacement-based (DB)design approach, also introduced in the future code. After describing some of the evolutions in the FB approach, namely regarding the use of behaviour factor components, the main concepts of the DB approach are addressed, including the associated global and local verifications. The FB design of a set of reinforced concrete frames is described, followed by their nonlinear static analyses and DB-like verifications. These results are used to estimate the components of the behaviour factor, which are then compared with those adopted initially for the FB design. The level of conservativeness of the FB approach is estimated by comparing the ratios between the plastic deformation demand and capacity with the target values.

[Abstract] Virtual Reality (VR) has been identified as one of the most promising resources for developing empathy towards stigmatized groups as it allows individuals to experience a situation close to reality from another person's perspective. This quasi-experimental study aimed to examine the impact on empathy, knowledge, and attitudes towards people with schizophrenia of a VR simulation that reproduces the experience of psychotic symptoms while performing a cognitive task compared with watching a 2D video and, thus, how these experiences could reduce stigma towards people diagnosed with schizophrenia. The sample comprised of 102 higher education health students, distributed by the experimental and control groups. The impact of the program was measured by completing multiple questionnaires on levels of empathy, attitudes, and mental health knowledge. Both methods (VR and 2D video) were, to a certain extent, effective. However, VR was more effective at eliciting attitudes and knowledge change compared to the control group. These findings suggest that not only VR but also 2D videos could be interesting strategies to enhance empathy and improve attitudes towards people with schizophrenia in higher education health students.

This work aimed to characterize the gut and faeces bacterial communities (BC) of Porcellionides pruinosus using high-throughput sequencing. Isopods were collected from the field and kept in laboratory conditions similar to those normally applied in ecotoxicology tests. Faeces and purged guts of isopods (n = 3 × 30) were analysed by pyrosequencing the V3-V4 region of 16 S rRNA encoding gene. Results showed that gut and faecal BCs were dominated by Proteobacteria, particularly by an OTU (Operational Taxonomic Unit) affiliated to genus Coxiella. Diversity and richness values were statistically higher for faecal BC, mainly due to the occurrence of several low-abundance phylotypes. These results may reflect faecal carriage of bacterial groups that cannot settle in the gut. BCs of P. pruinosus comprised: (1) common members of the soil microbiota, (2) bacterial symbionts, (3) bacteria related to host metabolic/ecological features, and (4) bacterial etiological agents. Comparison of BC of this isopod species with the BC from other invertebrates revealed common bacterial groups across taxa. The baseline information provided by this work will assist the design and data interpretation of future ecotoxicological or biomonitoring assays where the analysis of P. pruinosus BC should be included as an additional indicator.

This work aimed to characterize the gut and faeces bacterial communities (BC) of Porcellionides pruinosus using high-throughput sequencing. Isopods were collected from the field and kept in laboratory conditions similar to those normally applied in ecotoxicology tests. Faeces and purged guts of isopods (n = 3 × 30) were analysed by pyrosequencing the V3-V4 region of 16 S rRNA encoding gene. Results showed that gut and faecal BCs were dominated by Proteobacteria, particularly by an OTU (Operational Taxonomic Unit) affiliated to genus Coxiella. Diversity and richness values were statistically higher for faecal BC, mainly due to the occurrence of several low-abundance phylotypes. These results may reflect faecal carriage of bacterial groups that cannot settle in the gut. BCs of P. pruinosus comprised: (1) common members of the soil microbiota, (2) bacterial symbionts, (3) bacteria related to host metabolic/ecological features, and (4) bacterial etiological agents. Comparison of BC of this isopod species with the BC from other invertebrates revealed common bacterial groups across taxa. The baseline information provided by this work will assist the design and data interpretation of future ecotoxicological or biomonitoring assays where the analysis of P. pruinosus BC should be included as an additional indicator.

[Abstract] This work focuses on the development of a software link interface tool between the Looxid Link Device coupled to the HTC Vive Pro VR HeadSets and the Unity platform, to generate real-time interactivity in virtual reality applications. The software incorporates a dynamic and parameterizable algorithm to be used as a core-engine in the real-time Biofeedback process, recognizing the values of the biological signals registered in each of the EEG channels of the Looxid Link device. The values of EEG frequencies detected in real time can be used to generate elements of interactivity, with different frequencies and intensities.

[Abstract] The interactivity of an immersive environment comes up from the relationship that is established between the user and the system. This relationship results in a set of data exchanges between human and technological actors. The real-time biofeedback devices allow to collect in real time the biodata generated by the user during the exhibition. The analysis, processing and conversion of these biodata into multimodal data allows to relate the stimuli with the emotions they trigger. This work describes an adaptive model for biofeedback data flows management used in the design of interactive immersive systems. The use of an affective algorithm allows to identify the types of emotions felt by the user and the respective intensities. The mapping between stimuli and emotions creates a set of biodata that can be used as elements of interaction that will readjust the stimuli generated by the system. The real-time interaction generated by the evolution of the user’s emotional state and the stimuli generated by the system allows him to adapt attitudes and behaviors to the situations he faces.

The outset of realistic rendering is a desire to reproduce the appearance of the real world. Rendering techniques therefore operate at a scale corresponding to the size of objects that we observe with our naked eyes. At the same time, rendering techniques must be able to deal with objects of nearly arbitrary shapes and materials. These requirements lead to techniques that oftentimes leave the task of setting the optical properties of the materials to the user. Matching the appearance of real objects by manual adjustment of optical properties is however nearly impossible. We can render objects with a plausible appearance in this way but cannot compare the appearance of a manufactured item to that of its digital twin. This is especially true in the case of translucent objects, where we need more than a goniometric measurement of the optical properties. In this survey, we provide an overview of forward and inverse models for acquiring the optical properties of translucent materials. We map out the efforts in graphics research in this area and describe techniques available in related fields. Our objective is to provide a better understanding of the tools currently available for appearance specification when it comes to digital representations of real translucent objects.

The outset of realistic rendering is a desire to reproduce the appearance of the real world. Rendering techniques therefore operate at a scale corresponding to the size of objects that we observe with our naked eyes. At the same time, rendering techniques must be able to deal with objects of nearly arbitrary shapes and materials. These requirements lead to techniques that oftentimes leave the task of setting the optical properties of the materials to the user. Matching the appearance of real objects by manual adjustment of optical properties is however nearly impossible. We can render objects with a plausible appearance in this way but cannot compare the appearance of a manufactured item to that of its digital twin. This is especially true in the case of translucent objects, where we need more than a goniometric measurement of the optical properties. In this survey, we provide an overview of forward and inverse models for acquiring the optical properties of translucent materials. We map out the efforts in graphics research in this area and describe techniques available in related fields. Our objective is to provide a better understanding of the tools currently available for appearance specification when it comes to digital representations of real translucent objects.

[Abstract] The research intends to gather on a IoT Platform, a set of data existing in the ecosystem - in the universe of things, from sources and types of diverse origin coming from messages, devices, sensors, etc. These structured and related data allow us to generate indicators of anxiety about which we intend to act, either preventively or proactively, through information for an individual's awareness and self-regulation.

Producción Científica, To anticipate European climate scenarios for the end of the century, we explored the climate gradient within the REINFFORCE (RÉseau INFrastructure de recherche pour le suivi et l’adaptation des FORêts au Changement climatiquE) arboreta network, established in 38 sites between latitudes 37 and 57 , where 33 tree species are represented. We aim to determine which climatic variables best explain their survival and growth, and identify those species that are more tolerant of climate variation and those of which the growth and survival future climate might constrain. We used empirical models to determine the best climatic predictor variables that explain tree survival and growth. Precipitation-transfer distance was most important for the survival of broadleaved species, whereas growing-season-degree days best explained conifer-tree survival. Growth (annual height increment) was mainly explained by a derived annual dryness index (ADI) for both conifers and broadleaved trees. Species that showed the greatest variation in survival and growth in response to climatic variation included Betula pendula Roth, Pinus elliottii Engelm., and Thuja plicata Donn ex D.Don, and those that were least affected included Quercus shumardii Buckland and Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold. We also demonstrated that provenance differences were significant for Pinus pinea L., Quercus robur L., and Ceratonia siliqua L. Here, we demonstrate the usefulness of infrastructures along a climatic gradient like REINFFORCE to determine major tendencies of tree species responding to climate changes., Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - PD/BD/52405/2013

Producción Científica, To anticipate European climate scenarios for the end of the century, we explored the climate gradient within the REINFFORCE (RÉseau INFrastructure de recherche pour le suivi et l’adaptation des FORêts au Changement climatiquE) arboreta network, established in 38 sites between latitudes 37 and 57 , where 33 tree species are represented. We aim to determine which climatic variables best explain their survival and growth, and identify those species that are more tolerant of climate variation and those of which the growth and survival future climate might constrain. We used empirical models to determine the best climatic predictor variables that explain tree survival and growth. Precipitation-transfer distance was most important for the survival of broadleaved species, whereas growing-season-degree days best explained conifer-tree survival. Growth (annual height increment) was mainly explained by a derived annual dryness index (ADI) for both conifers and broadleaved trees. Species that showed the greatest variation in survival and growth in response to climatic variation included Betula pendula Roth, Pinus elliottii Engelm., and Thuja plicata Donn ex D.Don, and those that were least affected included Quercus shumardii Buckland and Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold. We also demonstrated that provenance differences were significant for Pinus pinea L., Quercus robur L., and Ceratonia siliqua L. Here, we demonstrate the usefulness of infrastructures along a climatic gradient like REINFFORCE to determine major tendencies of tree species responding to climate changes., Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - PD/BD/52405/2013

Producción Científica, To anticipate European climate scenarios for the end of the century, we explored the climate gradient within the REINFFORCE (RÉseau INFrastructure de recherche pour le suivi et l’adaptation des FORêts au Changement climatiquE) arboreta network, established in 38 sites between latitudes 37 and 57 , where 33 tree species are represented. We aim to determine which climatic variables best explain their survival and growth, and identify those species that are more tolerant of climate variation and those of which the growth and survival future climate might constrain. We used empirical models to determine the best climatic predictor variables that explain tree survival and growth. Precipitation-transfer distance was most important for the survival of broadleaved species, whereas growing-season-degree days best explained conifer-tree survival. Growth (annual height increment) was mainly explained by a derived annual dryness index (ADI) for both conifers and broadleaved trees. Species that showed the greatest variation in survival and growth in response to climatic variation included Betula pendula Roth, Pinus elliottii Engelm., and Thuja plicata Donn ex D.Don, and those that were least affected included Quercus shumardii Buckland and Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold. We also demonstrated that provenance differences were significant for Pinus pinea L., Quercus robur L., and Ceratonia siliqua L. Here, we demonstrate the usefulness of infrastructures along a climatic gradient like REINFFORCE to determine major tendencies of tree species responding to climate changes., Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - PD/BD/52405/2013

Producción Científica, To anticipate European climate scenarios for the end of the century, we explored the climate gradient within the REINFFORCE (RÉseau INFrastructure de recherche pour le suivi et l’adaptation des FORêts au Changement climatiquE) arboreta network, established in 38 sites between latitudes 37 and 57 , where 33 tree species are represented. We aim to determine which climatic variables best explain their survival and growth, and identify those species that are more tolerant of climate variation and those of which the growth and survival future climate might constrain. We used empirical models to determine the best climatic predictor variables that explain tree survival and growth. Precipitation-transfer distance was most important for the survival of broadleaved species, whereas growing-season-degree days best explained conifer-tree survival. Growth (annual height increment) was mainly explained by a derived annual dryness index (ADI) for both conifers and broadleaved trees. Species that showed the greatest variation in survival and growth in response to climatic variation included Betula pendula Roth, Pinus elliottii Engelm., and Thuja plicata Donn ex D.Don, and those that were least affected included Quercus shumardii Buckland and Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold. We also demonstrated that provenance differences were significant for Pinus pinea L., Quercus robur L., and Ceratonia siliqua L. Here, we demonstrate the usefulness of infrastructures along a climatic gradient like REINFFORCE to determine major tendencies of tree species responding to climate changes., Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - PD/BD/52405/2013

This article aims to address the issues of racism, xenophobia, experiences, strategies of African students in the State of Ceará, and the daily struggles arising from these issues, which are reflected in undergraduate, postgraduate public and private institutions. The African Pastoral Movement and the African Students Movement in the State of Ceará emerged in 2010, first with the Guinean students, then with the incorporation of students from other African countries. The first struggles and resistance of the students were against the institutions that affirmed agreement with students. These difficulties were triggered, among other factors, to the noncompliance with an agreement signed between these and the respective institutions of private education chosen for the accomplishment of their academic formations. This fact led to the creation of the first African Pastoral Movement and African Students in the State. These movements aim at facilitating the integration of Africans, their cultural and religious values, ensuring that each student can carry out his academic and professional dreams with greater protection and firmness, as well as the importance of his return to the homeland after the end of the course., Este artigo visa abordar sobre as questões de racismo, xenofobia, as vivências, estratégias dos estudantes africanos no Estado do Ceará, e nas lutas cotidianas decorrentes dessas questões, que refletem-se nas instituições de ensino de graduação , pós-graduação pública e privadas. O Movimento Pastoral Africano e dos Estudantes Africana no Estado do Ceará surgiram em 2010, primeiro, com os estudantes Guineenses, depois com incorporação dos estudantes de outros países africanos. As primeiras lutas e resistências dos estudantes foram contra as instituições que afirmaram acordo com alunos. Tais dificuldades se desencadearam, dentre outros fatores, ao descumprimento de acordo firmado entre estes e as respectivas instituições de ensino privado escolhido para a efetivação das suas formações acadêmicas. Na tentativa de minimizar os problemas, os alunos se articularam em busca dos seus direitos, para poderem continuar com os estudos. Esse fato gerou a criação do primeiro Movimento dos Estudantes Africanos e da Pastoral Africano no Estado. Esses movimentos têm como finalidades, facilitar a integração dos africanos, seus valores culturais e religiosos, garantindo que cada estudante possa realizar com maior amparo e firmeza seus sonhos acadêmicos e profissionais, bem como, a importância do seu retorno à terra natal após o término do curso., Este artículo pretende abordar sobre las cuestiones de racismo, xenofobia, las experiencias, estrategias de los estudiantes africanos en el estado de Ceará, y las luchas diarias que surgen de estas cuestiones, que se reflejan en las instituciones de enseñanza de graduación, posgrado público y privado. El Movimiento Pastoral Africanos y de los Estudiantes Africana en el Estado de Ceará surgieron en 2010, primero, con los estudiantes guineanos, después con la incorporación de los estudiantes de otros países africanos. Las primeras luchas y resistencias de los estudiantes fueron contra las instituciones que afirmaron acuerdo con alumnos. Estas dificultades han sido provocadas, entre otros factores, con la falta de acuerdo entre ellos y sus respectivas instituciones educativas privadas elegido para la realización de sus formaciones académicas. En el intento de minimizar los problemas, los estudiantes fueron se articularan en busca de sus derechos, con el fin de continuar con los estudios. Estos hechos generó la creación del primero Movimiento de los Estudiantes Africanos y de la Pastoral Africano en Estado. Esos movimientos tienen como objetivos, facilitar la integración de los africanos, sus valores culturales y religiosos, asegurando que cada estudiante pueda lograr un mayor apoyo y firmeza de sus sueños académicos y profesionales, así como, la importancia de su regreso a la tierra natal después del curso.

This article aims to address the issues of racism, xenophobia, experiences, strategies of African students in the State of Ceará, and the daily struggles arising from these issues, which are reflected in undergraduate, postgraduate public and private institutions. The African Pastoral Movement and the African Students Movement in the State of Ceará emerged in 2010, first with the Guinean students, then with the incorporation of students from other African countries. The first struggles and resistance of the students were against the institutions that affirmed agreement with students. These difficulties were triggered, among other factors, to the noncompliance with an agreement signed between these and the respective institutions of private education chosen for the accomplishment of their academic formations. This fact led to the creation of the first African Pastoral Movement and African Students in the State. These movements aim at facilitating the integration of Africans, their cultural and religious values, ensuring that each student can carry out his academic and professional dreams with greater protection and firmness, as well as the importance of his return to the homeland after the end of the course., Este artigo visa abordar sobre as questões de racismo, xenofobia, as vivências, estratégias dos estudantes africanos no Estado do Ceará, e nas lutas cotidianas decorrentes dessas questões, que refletem-se nas instituições de ensino de graduação , pós-graduação pública e privadas. O Movimento Pastoral Africano e dos Estudantes Africana no Estado do Ceará surgiram em 2010, primeiro, com os estudantes Guineenses, depois com incorporação dos estudantes de outros países africanos. As primeiras lutas e resistências dos estudantes foram contra as instituições que afirmaram acordo com alunos. Tais dificuldades se desencadearam, dentre outros fatores, ao descumprimento de acordo firmado entre estes e as respectivas instituições de ensino privado escolhido para a efetivação das suas formações acadêmicas. Na tentativa de minimizar os problemas, os alunos se articularam em busca dos seus direitos, para poderem continuar com os estudos. Esse fato gerou a criação do primeiro Movimento dos Estudantes Africanos e da Pastoral Africano no Estado. Esses movimentos têm como finalidades, facilitar a integração dos africanos, seus valores culturais e religiosos, garantindo que cada estudante possa realizar com maior amparo e firmeza seus sonhos acadêmicos e profissionais, bem como, a importância do seu retorno à terra natal após o término do curso., Este artículo pretende abordar sobre las cuestiones de racismo, xenofobia, las experiencias, estrategias de los estudiantes africanos en el estado de Ceará, y las luchas diarias que surgen de estas cuestiones, que se reflejan en las instituciones de enseñanza de graduación, posgrado público y privado. El Movimiento Pastoral Africanos y de los Estudiantes Africana en el Estado de Ceará surgieron en 2010, primero, con los estudiantes guineanos, después con la incorporación de los estudiantes de otros países africanos. Las primeras luchas y resistencias de los estudiantes fueron contra las instituciones que afirmaron acuerdo con alumnos. Estas dificultades han sido provocadas, entre otros factores, con la falta de acuerdo entre ellos y sus respectivas instituciones educativas privadas elegido para la realización de sus formaciones académicas. En el intento de minimizar los problemas, los estudiantes fueron se articularan en busca de sus derechos, con el fin de continuar con los estudios. Estos hechos generó la creación del primero Movimiento de los Estudiantes Africanos y de la Pastoral Africano en Estado. Esos movimientos tienen como objetivos, facilitar la integración de los africanos, sus valores culturales y religiosos, asegurando que cada estudiante pueda lograr un mayor apoyo y firmeza de sus sueños académicos y profesionales, así como, la importancia de su regreso a la tierra natal después del curso.

El presente informe trata sobre las prácticas realizadas en la empresa "Culmar, Cultivos Marinos de Guardamar". Con enfoque en la descripción de la empresa y en los procedimientos realizados.

El presente informe trata sobre las prácticas realizadas en la empresa "Culmar, Cultivos Marinos de Guardamar". Con enfoque en la descripción de la empresa y en los procedimientos realizados.

El presente informe trata sobre las prácticas realizadas en la empresa "Culmar, Cultivos Marinos de Guardamar". Con enfoque en la descripción de la empresa y en los procedimientos realizados.

Sign.: A-G\p4\s, Port. con grab. xil

[Resumo] O presente artigo inscreve-se nas agendas que trazem à discussão a problemática da reinvenção dos lazeres na actual modernidade globalizada e o modo como a centralidade e penetrabilidade das tecnologias de informação e comunicação e a sua articulação com as questões ambiental e do desenvolvimento sustentável têm revolucionado as práticas de lazer, conduzindo à emergência e expansão de novas actividades. O objectivo é situar o geocaching no contexto destes processos de recomposição e mudança que se expressam em novas demandas de lazer na contemporaneidade. Inscrito no acréscimo da literacia digital e do uso das geotecnologias móveis, o geocaching consubstancia uma prática dualizada que implica travessias entre os espaços virtual e real, um jogo de aventura que à procura do tesouro traz de novo o homem para natureza. Enquanto um produto associado ao aumento da actividade física no quadro de uma nova cultura corporal e de estilos de vida saudável, à busca de actividades ao ar livre e ao mito do retorno à natureza, à crescente atracção pela aventura e risco e sob o domínio da ética da sustentabilidade, o geocaching afirma-se como uma ferramenta na educação para o desenvolvimento sustentável., [Abstract] This article fits into the agendas that discuss the reinvention of leisure in the globalized modernity and the way the centrality and penetrability of electronic-based information and communication technologies (ICT) and their articulation with environmental issues and sustainable development have revolutionized leisure practices, driving to the emergence and expansion of new activities. The aim is to place geocaching within these processes of change which are expressed into new leisure demands. Enrolled in the increase of digital literacy and the use of mobile geotechnologies, geocaching is a dualized practice that involves crossings between the virtual and real spaces; geocaching is an adventure game that in search of a treasure brings back the man to the nature. As a leisure activity associated with increased physical activity in the context of a new physical culture and healthier lifestyles, the pursuit of outdoor activities, the growing attraction for risk and adventure and under the ethics of sustainability, geocaching is conceptualized as a tool in education for sustainable development.

A modelling technique of the cross-sections of underground structures based on the combination of modal shapes by response spectra is developed and calibrated according to the vertically propagating shear-wave model. Using the developed technique, the influence of several parameters in the flexibility index (ground-structure relative stiffness) were studied. To point out a few practical implications and simplifications introduced in the model, essentially related to the material behaviour adopted, four cases were studied in detail. To cover the lack of compatibility between the damping of the response spectrum, the ground stiffness and the strain level, more analyses with compatible properties were conducted.