2024
Authors
Costa, L; Barbosa, S; Cunha, J;
Publication
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2ND ACM CONFERENCE ON REPRODUCIBILITY AND REPLICABILITY, ACM REP 2024
Abstract
Ensuring the reproducibility of computational scientific experiments is crucial for advancing research and fostering scientific integrity. However, achieving reproducibility poses significant challenges, particularly in the absence of appropriate software tools to help. This paper addresses this issue by comparing existing tools designed to assist researchers across various fields in achieving reproducibility in their work. We were able to successfully run eight tools and execute them to reproduce three existing experiments from different domains. Our findings show the critical role of technical choices in shaping the capabilities of these tools for reproducibility efforts. By evaluating these tools for replicating experiments, we contribute insights into the current landscape of reproducibility support in scientific research. Our analysis offers guidance for researchers seeking appropriate tools to enhance the reproducibility of their experiments, highlighting the importance of informed technical decisions in facilitating reproducibility across diverse domains.
2024
Authors
Barbosa, S; Silva, ME; Rousseau, DD;
Publication
NONLINEAR PROCESSES IN GEOPHYSICS
Abstract
Palaeoclimate time series, reflecting the state of Earth's climate in the distant past, occasionally display very large and rapid shifts showing abrupt climate variability. The identification and characterisation of these abrupt transitions in palaeoclimate records is of particular interest as this allows for understanding of millennial climate variability and the identification of potential tipping points in the context of current climate change. Methods that are able to characterise these events in an objective and automatic way, in a single time series, or across two proxy records are therefore of particular interest. In our study the matrix profile approach is used to describe Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) events, abrupt warmings detected in the Greenland ice core, and Northern Hemisphere marine and continental records. The results indicate that canonical events DO-19 and DO-20, occurring at around 72 and 76 ka, are the most similar events over the past 110 000 years. These transitions are characterised by matching transitions corresponding to events DO-1, DO-8, and DO-12. They are abrupt, resulting in a rapid shift to warmer conditions, followed by a gradual return to cold conditions. The joint analysis of the delta 18O and Ca2+ time series indicates that the transition corresponding to the DO-19 event is the most similar event across the two time series.
2024
Authors
Sequeira, R; Reis, A; Alves, P; Branco, F;
Publication
INFORMATION
Abstract
Higher education institutions (HEIs) make decisions in several domains, namely strategic and internal management, without using systematized data that support these decisions, which may jeopardize the success of their actions or even their efficiency. Thus, HEIs must define and monitor strategies and policies essential for decision making in their various areas and levels, in which business intelligence (BI) plays a leading role. This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) aimed at identifying and analyzing primary studies that propose a roadmap for the implementation of a BI system in HEIs. The objectives of the SLR are to identify and characterize (i) the strategic objectives that underlie decision making, activities, processes, and information in HEIs; (ii) the BI systems used in HEIs; (iii) the methods and techniques applied in the design of a BI architecture in HEIs. The results showed that there is space for developing research in this area since it was possible to identify several studies on the use of BI in HEIs, although a roadmap for its implementation was not identified, making it necessary to define a roadmap for the implementation of BI systems that can serve as a reference for HEIs.
2024
Authors
Borges, DS; Oliveira, M; Teixeira, MM; Branco, F;
Publication
ENVIRONMENTS
Abstract
The growing demand for sustainable and environment-friendly energy sources resulted in extensive research in the field of renewable energy. Biomass, derived from organic materials such as agricultural waste, forestry products, and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sludge, holds great potential as a renewable energy resource that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offer sustainable solutions for energy production. This study focused on diverse biomass materials, including sludge from WWTPs, forest biomass, swine waste, cork powder, and biochar. Chemical and physicochemical characterizations were performed to understand their energy potential, highlighting their elemental composition, proximate analysis, and calorific values. Results showed that different biomasses have varying energy content, with biochar and cork powder emerging as high-energy materials with net heating values of 32.56 MJ/kg and 25.73 MJ/kg, respectively. WWTP sludge also demonstrated considerable potential with net heating values of around 14.87 MJ/kg to 17.44 MJ/kg. The relationships between biomass compositions and their heating values were explored, indicating the significance of low nitrogen and sulphur content and favourable carbon, hydrogen, and moisture balances for energy production. Additionally, this study looked into the possibility of mixing different biomasses to optimize their use and overcome limitations like high ash and moisture contents. Mixtures, such as 75% Santo Emiliao WWTP Sludge + 25% Biochar, showed impressive net heating values of approximately 21.032 MJ/kg and demonstrated reduced emissions during combustion. The study's findings contribute to renewable energy research, offering insights into efficient and sustainable energy production processes and emphasizing the environmental benefits of biomass energy sources with low nitrogen and sulphur content.
2024
Authors
Serôdio, C; Mestre, P; Cabral, J; Gomes, M; Branco, F;
Publication
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
Abstract
In the context of Industry 4.0, this paper explores the vital role of advanced technologies, including Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), in enhancing data valorization and management within industries. These technologies are integral to addressing the challenges of producing highly customized products in mass, necessitating the complete digitization and integration of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) for flexible and automated manufacturing processes. The paper emphasizes the importance of interoperability through Service-Oriented Architectures (SOA), Manufacturing-as-a-Service (MaaS), and Resource-as-a-Service (RaaS) to achieve seamless integration across systems, which is critical for the Industry 4.0 vision of a fully interconnected, autonomous industry. Furthermore, it discusses the evolution towards Supply Chain 4.0, highlighting the need for Transportation Management Systems (TMS) enhanced by GPS and real-time data for efficient logistics. A guideline for implementing CPS within Industry 4.0 environments is provided, focusing on a case study of real-time data acquisition from logistics vehicles using CPS devices. The study proposes a CPS architecture and a generic platform for asset tracking to address integration challenges efficiently and facilitate the easy incorporation of new components and applications. Preliminary tests indicate the platform's real-time performance is satisfactory, with negligible delay under test conditions, showcasing its potential for logistics applications and beyond.
2024
Authors
Miranda, C; Costa, M; Pereira, M; Almeida, S; Branco, F; Au Yong Oliveira, M;
Publication
INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES, VOL 1, WORLDCIST 2023
Abstract
Many companies have been trying to take advantage of the entertainment boom on the internet and are searching for the bestways to make money from content creators. Among these are Virtual YouTubers, who have been growing in English-speaking spaces. This paper compares their popularity and influence in Portugal and the USA, while reflecting on their impact on viewers. To accomplish this, we created a survey, which obtained 102 answers, 46 being from Portuguese people and 44 being from U.S. citizens. We noted that only 37% of Portuguese people had heard of VTubers before and only 13% watch them on a weekly basis. On the other hand, every respondent from the USA was familiar with VTubers, with 86.4% watching them regularly. When asked about how VTubers affected the respondents' personal lives, some stated that it was merely a form of entertainment, however, many U.S. citizens reported that they watch VTubers to fulfill their need for social interaction or cope with loneliness. Thus, it is evident that these creators are much more popular in the USA. Lastly, we conclude that VTubers can have a positive impact on people's lives, but they also serve as an unhealthy escape from reality at times.
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