Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2019-08"
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- Relatório final de projetoPublication . Lima, Natércia; Fidalgo, André; Alves, GustavoRelatório final do projeto PILAR
- Demonstration of an Energy Consumption Forecasting System for Energy Management in BuildingsPublication . Jozi, Aria; Ramos, Daniel; Gomes, Luis; Faria, Pedro; Pinto, Tiago; Vale, ZitaDue to the increment of the energy consumption and dependency of the nowadays lifestyle to the electrical appliances, the essential role of an energy management system in the buildings is realized more than ever. With this motivation, predicting energy consumption is very relevant to support the energy management in buildings. In this paper, the use of an energy management system supported by forecasting models applied to energy consumption prediction is demonstrated. The real-time automatic forecasting system is running separately but integrated with the existing SCADA system. Nine different forecasting approaches to obtain the most reliable estimated energy consumption of the building during the following hours are implemented.
- Distributed Constrained Optimization Towards Effective Agent-Based Microgrid Energy Resource ManagementPublication . Lezama, Fernando; Munoz de Cote, Enrique; Farinelli, Alessandro; Soares, João; Pinto, Tiago; Vale, ZitaThe current energy scenario requires actions towards the reduction of energy consumption and the use of renewable resources. In this context, a microgrid is a self-sustained network that can operate connected to the smart grid or in isolation. The long-term scheduling of on/off cycles of devices is a critical problem that has been commonly addressed by centralized approaches. In this work, we propose a novel agent-based method to solve the long-term scheduling problem as a distributed constraint optimization problem (DCOP) by modelling future system configurations rather than reacting to changes. Moreover, with respect to approaches based on decentralised reinforcement learning, we can directly encode system-wide hard constraints (such as for example the Kirchhoff law) which are not easy to represent in a factored representation of the problem. We compare different multi-agent DCOP algorithms showing that the proposed method can find optimal/near-optimal solutions for a specific case study.
- Integração de Plataformas VISIR para Maximizar o Número de Experimentos Remotos DisponíveisPublication . Mafra, Paulo Manoel; Pereira, Josiel; Alves, João Bosco da Mota; Bilessimo, Simone Meister Sommer; Alves, Gustavo R.O uso de laboratórios para a prática de eletrônica nem sempre é uma realidade nas instituições de ensino, seja por falta de componentes eletrônicos, técnicos de laboratório ou laboratórios apropriados. Com o intuito de resolver esse problema, foi desenvolvido no instituto BTH na Suécia, em 1999, o laboratório remoto para eletrônica chamado VISIR (Virtual Instrument Systems in Reality). Esse laboratório é semelhante a um laboratório presencial, onde os alunos acessam e desenvolvem sistemas eletrônicos através de um computador, tablet ou smartphone. A plataforma VISIR disponibiliza um osciloscópio, gerador de funções, fonte digital e multímetros além de componentes eletrônicos para o desenvolvimento das práticas. Embora muito poderosa, a plataforma possui algumas limitações como o número reduzido de componentes eletrônicos que podem ficar disponíveis em uma plataforma VISIR. Entretanto, quando contornadas, permitem que diversos usuários possam acessar um grande número de práticas eletrônicas. Neste artigo, descrevemos uma maneira de reduzir tais limitações, integrando os experimentos remotos disponibilizados nas várias plataformas VISIR instaladas pelo mundo. A partir dessa integração, é possível que um usuário escolha os componentes desejados ou a prática desejada e seja redirecionado para acessar a plataforma VISIR que possui os componentes eletrônicos necessários e ainda evitar que experimentos semelhantes sejam configurados em mais de uma plataforma VISIR.
- Advanced Calculation Model Calibrated with Experimental Test of Wooden Slabs Exposed to FirePublication . Fonseca, Elza M M; Piloto, Paulo A GThe wooden slabs are structural elements with wide application, in particular, in building rehabilitation, interior spaces and in new building structures. The mechanical, thermal and acoustic properties make this material as an ideal solution for floor and roof slabs applications. However, when exposed to an accidental fire condition it is necessary to assess their vulnerable behaviour accurately. In this work, an advanced calculation model is presented, based on the use of finite elements, calibrated with experimental results. The experimental tests were performed on wooden slabs exposed to a fire from below the element. The slabs were instrumented with thermocouples to measure the temperature at different control points along the fire duration in a fire resistance furnace, following the standard fire curve ISO 834. The advanced calculation model also allows the obtained the transient effect and incorporates the non-linear wood properties. The physical behaviour of the wooden slab is conditioned by the char layer formation, and this phenomenon is also considered in the advanced calculation model.
- Copper nanoparticles stabilized with cashew gum: Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity against 4T1 mouse mammary tumor cell linePublication . Amorim, Adriany; Mafud, Ana Carolina; Nogueira, Silvania; Ramos-Jesus, Joilson; Araújo, Alyne Rodrigues de; Plácido, Alexandra; Neta, Maria Brito; Alves, Michel Muálem Moraes; Carvalho, Fernando Aécio Amorim; Rufino Arcanjo, Daniel Dias; Braun, Sacha; López, Marta Sánchez-Paniagua; López-Ruiz, Beatriz; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Mascarenhas, Yvonne; Silva, Durcilene; Eaton, Peter; Leite, José Roberto Souza AlmeidaCopper nanoparticles stabilized with cashew (CG-CuNPs) were synthesized by reduction reaction using ascorbic acid and sodium borohydride, using the cashew gum (CG) as a natural polymer stabilizer. Dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and x-ray diffraction were used to characterize the nanoparticles (CG-CuNPs), and copper was quantified by electrochemical measurement. The UV-vis spectra of the CG-CuNPs confirmed the formation of nanoparticles by appearance of a surface plasmon band at 580 nm after 24 h of reaction. The Fourier-transform infrared spectrum of CG-CuNPs showed the peak at 1704 cm−1 from cashew gum, confirming the presence of the gum in the nanoparticles. The average size of CG-CuNPs by dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy was around 10 nm, indicating small, approximately spherical particles. Antimicrobial assays showed that CG-CuNPs had activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 0.64 mM. The cytotoxicity assay on BALB/c murine macrophages showed lower cytotoxic effects for CG-CuNPs than CuSO4·5H2O. Viability cell assays for CG-CuNPs at (0.250 mM) inhibited by 70% the growth of 4T1 LUC (4T1 mouse mammary tumor cell line) and NIH 3T3 cells (murine fibroblast cells) over a 24-h period. Therefore, CG-CuNPs can be used as an antimicrobial agent with lower cytotoxic effects than the CuSO4·5H2O precursor.
- Internationalization of the ClepiTO web platformPublication . Carro, Eloy Naveira; Miranda-Duro, María del Carmen; Concheiro-Moscoso, Patricia; Castro, Alejandro Puente; Portugal, Paula Cristina Costa; Coelho, Tiago Filipe MotaThis adaptation consists of the translation from Spanish into Portuguese of the different contents offered by the ClepiTO web platform to be able to carry out a pilot test with a larger population in Portugal and thus be able to compare the results obtained among the Spanish and Portuguese population.
- Infusions and decoctions of dehydrated fruits of Actinidia arguta and Actinidia deliciosa: Bioactivity, radical scavenging activity and effects on cells viabilityPublication . Silva, Ana Margarida; Pinto, Diana; Fernandes, Iva; Albuquerque, Tânia Gonçalves; Costa, Helena S.; Freitas, Vitor; Rodrigues, Francisca; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.Actinidia deliciosa and A. arguta fruits (kiwifruit and kiwiberry, respectively) are an excellent source of bioactive compounds. The aim of this paper is to valorize the fruits that are not commercialized (e.g. due to inadequate size or physical damage) in infusions and decoctions. The antioxidant activity, the scavenging activity against reactive species, the phenolic profile and the intestinal effects of infusions and decoctions of dehydrated fruits were evaluated and compared. Decoctions presented the highest antioxidant activity and a good ability to capture HOCl and NO. The phenolic composition of A. arguta present quinic acid, cis-caftaric acid and its derivatives, caffeoyl hexoside, luteolin glucuronide, quercetin derivatives and myristin, while A. deliciosa extracts were characterized by the presence of quinic acid, caffeic acid and its derivatives and caffeoyl hexoside. No adverse effects were observed on Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cells. Kiwiberry decoctions showed to be the best option to keep the fruits benefits.
- Disposable electrochemical immunosensor for analysis of cystatin C, a CKD biomarkerPublication . LOPES, Paula; Costa Rama, Estefanía; Beirão, Idalina; Nouws, Henri; Santos-Silva, Alice; Delerue-Matos, CristinaSpecific monitoring of cystatin C (CysC) levels in biological fluids is critical for diagnosis, treatment and mechanistic understanding of a spectrum of diseases, particularly chronic kidney disease (CKD). Despite evidences that CysC correlates with the high risk and/or progression of CKD, its use in clinical practice is still scarce. In this context, we report the development of a simple and sensitive immunosensor for the detection of CysC. The biosensor combines the technology of cost-effective screen-printed electrodes with the high specificity of a sandwich immunoassay. Optimized conditions showed that the sensor operates in a linear range between 10 and 100 ng mL-1, with a detection limit and a sensitivity of 6.0 ng mL-1 and 6.4 ± 0.3 μA ng mL-1 cm-2, respectively. Moreover, the sensor provided precise results (RSD ≤ 6.2%) and the quantification of CysC in CKD serum samples revealed to be in agreement with the values obtained by a particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay. In this light, the proposed immunosensor qualifies for clinical application, constituting a step forward in the development of fast, sensitive and cost-effective diagnostic tools that can improve the current medical care settings of CKD patients.
- RELEASE: a protocol for a systematic review based, individual participant data, meta- and network meta-analysis, of complex speech-language therapy interventions for stroke-related aphasiaPublication . Brady, Marian C.; Patrício, BrígidaSpeech and language therapy (SLT) benefits people with aphasia following stroke. Group level summary statistics from randomised controlled trials hinder exploration of highly complex SLT interventions and a clinically relevant heterogeneous population. Creating a database of individual participant data (IPD) for people with aphasia aims to allow exploration of individual and therapy-related predictors of recovery and prognosis. To explore the contribution that individual participant char acteristics (including stroke and aphasia profiles) and SLT intervention components make to language recovery following stroke. Methods and procedures: We will identify eligible IPD datasets (including randomised controlled trials, non-randomised comparison studies, observational studies and registries) and invite their contribution to the database. Where possible, we will use meta and network meta-analysis to explore language performance after stroke and predictors of recovery as it relates to participants who had no SLT, historical SLT or SLT in the primary research study. We will also examine the components of effective SLT interventions. Outcomes include changes in measures of functional communication, overall severity of language impairment, auditory comprehension, spoken language (including naming), read ing and writing from baseline. Data captured on assessment tools will be collated and transformed to a standardised measure for each of the outcome domains. Our planned systematic-review-based IPD meta- and network meta-analysis is a large scale, international, multidisciplin ary and methodologically complex endeavour. It will enable hypotheses to be generated and tested to optimise and inform development of interventions for people with aphasia after stroke. The protocol has been registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; registration number: CRD42018110947).