Abstract

Abstract
The FAO-56 Penman-Monteith (PM) equation is regarded as the most accurate equation to estimate reference evapotranspiration (ETo). However, it requires a broad range of data that may not be available or of reasonable quality. In this study, nine temperature-based methods were assessed for ETo estimation during the irrigation at fourteen locations distributed through a hot-summer Mediterranean climate region of Alentejo, Southern Portugal. Additionally, for each location, the Hargreaves-Samani radiation adjustment coefficient (k(Rs)) was calibrated and validated to evaluate the appropriateness of using the standard value, creating a locally adjusted Hargreaves-Samani (HS) equation. The accuracy of each method was evaluated by statistically comparing their results with those obtained by PM. Results show that the calibration of the k(Rs), a locally adjusted HS method can be used to estimate daily ETo acceptably well, with RMSE lower than 0.88 mm day(-1), an estimation error lower than 4% and a R-2 higher than 0.69, proving to be the most accurate model for 8 (out of 14) locations. A modified Hargreaves-Samani method also performed acceptably for 4 locations, with a RMSE of 0.72-0.84 mm day(-1), a slope varying from 0.95 to 1.01 and a R-2 higher than 0.78. One can conclude that, when weather data is missing, a calibrated HS equation is adequate to estimate ETo during the irrigation season.

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract
This article presents an innovative legged-wheeled system, designed to be applied in a hybrid robotic vehicle's locomotion system, as its driving member. The proposed system will be capable to combine the advantages of legged and wheeled locomotion systems, having 3DOF connected through a combination of both rigid and non-rigid joints. This configuration provides the vehicle the ability to absorb impacts and selected external disturbances. A state space approach was adopted to control the joints, increasing the system's stability and adaptability. Throughout this article, the entire design process of this robotic system will be presented, as well as its modeling and control. The proposed system's design is biologically inspired, having as reference the human leg, resulting in the development of a prototype. The results of the testing process with the proposed prototype are also presented. This system was designed to be modular, low-cost, and to increase the autonomy of typical autonomous legged-wheeled locomotion systems.

Abstract
Developed within the scope of a SciTech research project, this chapter records in a procedural way the design centred on senior users for a set of three serious games for the eHealth field, designated by the authors as “Carnival.” The chapter, having as its leitmotif the project aforementioned, looking at its motivation, breaks down the systems augmented feedback interfaces—BodyGrip and SHaRe—to evaluate, rehabilitate, and monitor dexterity and manual strength. Topics related to empathy and well-being in the user experience design process, namely guidelines for empathy in different project phases, participatory design, inclusiveness, and amusement are identified. Withal listed the development phases of three games dynamics inherent to the “Carnival” set —“High Striker,” “Claw Machine,” “HotDog Sauce”—punctuating with the discussion and contributions to the e-health area describing its potential for Evaluate, rehabilitate, and monitor dexterity and manual strength.