Abstract
AbstractParkin and PINK1 function in a common pathway to clear damaged mitochondria. Parkin exists in an auto-inhibited conformation stabilized by multiple interdomain interactions. The binding of PINK1-generated phospho-ubiquitin and the phosphorylation of the ubiquitin-like (Ubl) domain of Parkin at Ser65 release its auto-inhibition, but how and when these events take place in cells remain to be defined. Here we show that mutations that we designed to activate Parkin by releasing the Repressor Element of Parkin (REP) domain, or by disrupting the interface between the RING0:RING2 domains, can completely rescue mutations in the Parkin Ubl that are defective in mitochondrial autophagy. Using a FRET reporter assay we show that Parkin undergoes a conformational change upon phosphorylation that can be mimicked by mutating Trp403 in the REP. We propose a hierarchical model whereby pUb binding on mitochondria enables Parkin phosphorylation, which, in turn, leads to REP removal, E3 ligase activation and mitophagy.

Abstract
This paper is an extension of work originally presented at the 2nd International Conference of the Portuguese Society for Engineering Education and aims to describe an interdisciplinarity teaching experiment involving three subjects of the scientific area of Mathematics and a fourth one in the area of Management. Using only one project, the students developed skills, in an integrated way, in the fields of the subjects involved. The structure of the project is described in detail. It is shown how the knowledge obtained in the different subjects is needed and how it connects together to answer the proposed challenges. We report the progress of the students' work, the main difficulties and the skills developed during this process. We conclude with a reflection on the main problems and gains that may arise in similar projects.

Abstract
Long period fiber gratings (LPFGs) were used to monitor the characteristics of copper (Cu) thin films when annealed in air atmosphere up to similar to 680 degrees C. The wavelength and the optical power shift of the resonant bands of the LPFGs when coated with the Cu thin films, were measured as a function of the annealing temperature, and were found to exhibit a different evolution comparing to a bare LPFGs. Thin films of Cu deposited on quartz (SiO2) substrates were annealed and analyzed by XRD, SEM/EDS and Raman spectroscopy, allowing to identify the formation of two distinct oxide phases at different temperatures, cuprous (Cu2O-cuprite) and cupric (CuO-tenorite) oxides, respectively. The observed features of the resonant bands of the LPFGs were found to be associated with the Cu oxide phase transitions, indicating the possibility of using LPFGs to monitor, in real time, the oxidation states of Cu thin films by following specific characteristics of the attenuation bands. In addition, LPFGs over coated with the two distinct oxidation phases of Cu were characterized for refractive index sensing in the range between 1.300 to 1.600, leading to the conclusion that the sensitivity to the refractive index of the surrounding medium of Cu coated LPFGs sensing systems can be temperature tuned.

Abstract

Abstract
Road condition has an important role in our daily live. Anomalies in road surface can cause accidents, mechanical failure, stress and discomfort in drivers and passengers. Governments spend millions each year in roads maintenance for maintaining roads in good condition. But extensive maintenance work can lead to traffic jams, causing frustration in road users. In way to avoid problems caused by road anomalies, we propose a system that can detect road anomalies using smartphone sensors. The approach is based in data-mining algorithms to mitigate the problem of hardware diversity. In this work we used scikit-learn, a python module, and Weka, as tools for data-mining. All cleaning data process was made using python language. The fmal results show that it is possible detect road anomalies using only a smartphone. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Abstract
This chapter aims to provide an overview of renewable energy systems (RESs) and the underlying issues related to the RES theme such as climate change and its mitigation. The types of RESs are also briefly discussed focusing on their characteristics and technological aspects. This is followed by the most important economic aspects as well as the challenges and opportunities of integrating RESs in power systems. This chapter also discusses the need for optimization tools adequately equipped to effectively capture the intrinsic characteristics of RESs and facilitate their optimal integration in power systems. All this leads to an efficient exploitation of their wide-range benefits while sufficiently minimizing their negative impacts. Finally, the chapter is summarized with some concluding remarks.