Abstract Several analyses of diversity through geological time use global, synoptic databases, and this practice often makes it difficult to distinguish true signals in changing diversity from regional-scale sampling and/or geological artefacts. Here we investigate how echinoid diversity changed through the Mesozoic of the Lusitanian basin in Portugal based on a comprehensive, revised database, and seek to distinguish biological signal from geological or environmental constraints. The observed diversity pattern is far from having a defined trend, showing many fluctuations that appear to be linked with gaps in the geological record. This study revealed that, independently of the method used, whether correlation tests or model fitting, the diversity signal is not completely explained by the studied sampling proxies. Among the different proxies, marine facies variation in combination with outcrop area best explains the palaeodiversity curve.

Supply Chain Design problems often result into multiperiod stochastic mixed integer problems that are hard to solve. In this paper we propose a metaheuristic algorithm as a specialization for two- stage problems of the so-named Fix-and-Relax Algorithm presented previously for solving large- scale multiperiod stochastic mixed 0-1 optimization problems under a time stochastic dominance risk averse strategy, so-named TSD. Some computational experience is presented.

http://docentes.fct.unl.pt/lblm/files/jbic-2015-20-181.pdf

If the question is whether there is a parliamentary technology assessment (PTA) unit in Portugal or Spain, the clear answer is that there is still no such unit at the central state level at the present time, neither in Portugal nor in Spain. The question then has to be modified addressing previous and current efforts to establish PTA and the current framework conditions and opportunities. Practices of PTA are framed here as a democratic innovation in the context of changes in representative democracies. Against this backdrop, the efforts and opportunities to establish PTA in Spain and Portugal are studied. By sketching these developments and outlining the opportunities in these countries, our aim is to contribute to the debate about the likelihood of a new wave of PTA in Europe (Hennen/Nierling 2014).

There are many issues concerning the performance behaviour of FRP-to-concrete interfaces at elevated service temperatures (EST). At EST, i.e. slightly above the glass transition temperature (Tg), some properties associated with the FRP composites, such as the stiffness, strength or the bond characteristics, degrade. This is a crucial issue and there are only a few studies that take into account such effects on FRP-to-concrete interfaces at EST. This paper examines, through a numerical analysis, the performance of FRP-to-concrete bonded joints at EST using a new discrete model based on truss elements and shear springs. The External Bonded Reinforcement (EBR) systems subjected to EST are analyzed. The numerical discrete model was implemented in a MATLAB routine and the bond-slip curves of the interfaces at EST were obtained from a model found in literature. The numerical results revealed that the interface at EST behaves similarly to one with two equal mechanical loads applied at both ends of the FRP plate. The load-slip curves or bond stresses, strains or slippages along the bonded length obtained from several bond-slip curves at different temperatures were obtained. Two different single-lap shear tests were simulated at steady-state (steady temperature followed by load increase) and transient state (steady load followed by temperature increase). Regarding the influence of the temperature on the adhesion between the FRP and concrete, the results showed that an increase in the temperature at an earlier situation, i.e. during a period where temperature had no influence in the concrete deformations, leads to an increase in the effective bond length of the interface affecting the initial strength of the interface.

The solution of the Conic Quadratic Eigenvalue Complementarity Problem (CQEiCP) is first investigated without assuming symmetry on the matrices defining the problem. A new sufficient condition for existence of solutions of CQEiCP is presented, extending to arbitrary pointed, closed and convex cones a condition known to hold when the cone is the nonnegative orthant. We also address the symmetric CQEiCP where all its defining matrices are symmetric. We show that, assuming that two of its defining matrices are positive definite, this symmetric CQEiCP reduces to the computation of a stationary point of an appropriate merit function on a convex set. Furthermore, we discuss the use of the so called Spectral Projected Gradient (SPG) algorithm for solving CQEiCP when the cone of interest is the second-order cone (SOCQEiCP). A new algorithm is designed for the computation of the projections required by the SPG method to deal with SOCQEiCP. Numerical results are included to illustrate the efficiency of the SPG method and the new projection technique in practice.

This paper investigates the dynamic behaviour of cable-supported glazing façades
subjected to medium-level air blast loads. Preliminary numerical studies are carried-out in
SAP2000 by means of a geometrically refined and simplified lumped-mass finite-element
numerical model, in order to assess the major effects of the design blast load in the main
façade components. As shown, both the glass panels and the cable system are able to
properly accommodate the incoming impulsive loads, typically involving extreme ...

In this work, a multi-objective mixed integer linear programming (moMILP) model is presented for the design and planning of sustainable closed loop supply chains. It includes strategic decisions such as facility location, definition of transportation modes, technology selection and allocation, as well as tactical decisions. The model includes four objectives: 1) The economic pillar, measured through the net present value (NPV); 2) the environmental pillar, which includes Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), through the application of the ReCiPe methodology; 3 and 4) The social pillar measured using two socio-economic indicators applied by the European Union in its Sustainable Development Strategy. The applicability of the model is demonstrated through a representative supply chain case study. Results show that the different objectives influence the supply chain structure and translate in significantly different and conflicting decisions, showing the importance of such type of models to better understand the decisions implications on the different dimensions of sustainability.

Technology assessment (TA) and TA-like activities in countries like Japan have a unique history and continue to play a role in contemporary science, technology, and innovation (STI) processes. The aim of the discussion of TA’s experience in East Asia is how STI governance is locally enacted in Asian knowledge-driven economies, as TA activities develop in conjunction with STI policies and programs. To render these processes, policies, and programs visible and to understand their implications for STI governance, a panel at the Berlin conference on TA discussed contributions that described and conceptualized, for example, how TA activities have emerged in Asian knowledge-based economies (KBE), in which particular forms (e.g., academic and parliamentary TA programs), to which technologies and/or actors they are linked, and which methods are used and why. The panel also sought to compare and contrast how TA is (or is not) institutionalized in Asian countries and regions, and to point to prospects for expansion of TA capacity. In doing so, the panellists placed the development of TA in a historical, sociological, and comparative perspective, and opened space for critical reflection on the potential, problems, and limitations associated with initiating TA in Asia and with KBEs overall

{The reactions of TCNE- and TCNQ-functionalized (TCNE: tetracyanoethylene and TCNQ: 7,7', 8,8'-tetra-cyanoquinodimethane) zwitterionic benzoquinonemonoimines with a Cu(I)-BIAN complex (BIAN = bis-(o, o'-bisisopropylphenyl)acenaphthenequinonediimine) have been investigated and found to follow a diversity of interesting patterns. The complexes {[}Cu(BIAN)(NCMe)(L2)]BF4 (2) and {[}Cu(BIAN)(L2)(2)]BF4 (4) were obtained by reacting {[}Cu(BIAN)(NCMe) 2] BF4 (1) with one and two equivalents of L2, respectively. Following similar procedures, the complexes {[}Cu(BIAN)(NCMe)(L3)] BF4 (6) and {[}Cu(BIAN)(L3)(2)]BF4 (7) were obtained by reaction of 1 with L3. The reaction of 2 with 0.5 equiv. of 4,4'-bipyridine afforded {[}\{Cu(BIAN)-(L2)\}(2)(mu-4,4'-bipyridine)](BF4)(2) (3). The complexes were characterized by multinuclear NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of complexes 3 center dot 4CH(2)Cl(2) and 4 center dot CH2Cl2 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. An unexpected coordination polymer {[}Cu(L2(-))(2)](infinity) (5) was also structurally characterized, which contains Cu(II) centres chelated by two N, O-bound ligands resulting from the monodeprotonation of L2.}

Development time and accuracy are measures that need to be taken into account when devising device models for a new technology. If complex circuits need to be designed immediately, then it is very important to reduce the time taken to realize the model. Solely based on data measurements, artificial neural networks (ANNs) modeling methodologies are capable of capturing small and large signal behavior of the transistor, with good accuracy, thus becoming excellent alternatives to more strenuous modeling approaches, such as physical and semi-empirical. This paper then addresses a static modeling methodology for amorphous Gallium-Indium-Zinc-Oxide - Thin Film Transistor (a-GIZO TFT), with different ANNs, namely: multilayer perceptron (MLP), radial basis functions (RBF) and least squares-support vector machine (LS-SVM). The modeling performance is validated by comparing the model outcome with measured data extracted from a real device. In case of a single transistor modeling and under the same training conditions, all the ANN approaches revealed a very good level of accuracy for large- and small-signal parameters (gm and gd), both in linear and saturation regions. However, in comparison to RBF and LS-SVM, the MLP achieves a very acceptable degree of accuracy with lesser complexity. The impact on simulation time is strongly related with model complexity, revealing that MLP is the most suitable approach for circuit simulations among the three ANNs. Accordingly, MLP is then extended for multiple TFTs with different aspect ratios and the network implemented in Verilog-A to be used with electric simulators. Further, a simple circuit (inverter) is simulated from the developed model and then the simulation outcome is validated with the fabricated circuit response. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd . All rights reserved.

This paper presents analog building blocks that find potential applications in display panels. A buffer (source-follower), subtractor, adder, and high-gain amplifier, employing only n-type enhancement amorphous gallium-indium-zinc-oxide thin-film transistors (a-GIZO TFTs), were designed, simulated, fabricated, and characterized. Circuit simulations were carried out using a neural model developed in-house from the measured characteristics of the transistors. The adder-subtractor circuit presents a power consumption of 0.26 mW, and the amplifier presents a gain of 34 dB and a power consumption of 0.576 mW, with a load of 10 MΩ16 pF. To the authors' knowledge, this is the highest gain reported so far for a single-stage amplifier with a-GIZO TFT technology. © 2015 IEEE.