2021
Authors
Oliveira, F; Cunha, LF; Leal, A; Silvano, P; Silva, F; Ferreira, I;
Publication
Linguística: Revista de Estudos Linguísticos da Universidade do Porto
Abstract
2021
Authors
Barros, D; Teixeira, AAC;
Publication
REVIEW OF REGIONAL RESEARCH-JAHRBUCH FUR REGIONALWISSENSCHAFT
Abstract
Regional income inequality is a topic of increasing relevance worldwide that has received considerable scientific attention. However, a clear-cut, comprehensive view has yet to be put forward of the main determinants of regional income inequality. Indeed, the extant empirical literature on the topic has reported differing results. Thus, this study develops a comprehensive meta-analysis using 33 comparable empirical studies spanning 29 years of research, involving 28 main determinants of which the most frequently mentioned were regional development, human capital, manufacturing/industry share, unemployment, financial development, and trade openness. After adjusting for publication bias and heterogeneity in the results reported by the primary studies, we conclude that the not very frequently addressed institutional related determinants (financial development, fiscal policies and public sector size), substantially contribute to reduce within-region income inequality, particularly in lower-income settings. In a smaller extent, human capital and trade openness also mitigate within-region income inequality. Region level of development, urbanization and, in a lesser extent, technological intensity aggravate within-region income inequality. © 2021, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
2021
Authors
Morais, R; Mendes, J; Silva, R; Silva, N; Sousa, JJ; Peres, E;
Publication
AGRICULTURE-BASEL
Abstract
Spatial and temporal variability characterization in Precision Agriculture (PA) practices is often accomplished by proximity data gathering devices, which acquire data from a wide variety of sensors installed within the vicinity of crops. Proximity data acquisition usually depends on a hardware solution to which some sensors can be coupled, managed by a software that may (or may not) store, process and send acquired data to a back-end using some communication protocol. The sheer number of both proprietary and open hardware solutions, together with the diversity and characteristics of available sensors, is enough to deem the task of designing a data acquisition device complex. Factoring in the harsh operational context, the multiple DIY solutions presented by an active online community, available in-field power approaches and the different communication protocols, each proximity monitoring solution can be regarded as singular. Data acquisition devices should be increasingly flexible, not only by supporting a large number of heterogeneous sensors, but also by being able to resort to different communication protocols, depending on both the operational and functional contexts in which they are deployed. Furthermore, these small and unattended devices need to be sufficiently robust and cost-effective to allow greater in-field measurement granularity 365 days/year. This paper presents a low-cost, flexible and robust data acquisition device that can be deployed in different operational contexts, as it also supports three different communication technologies: IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee, LoRa/LoRaWAN and GRPS. Software and hardware features, suitable for using heat pulse methods to measure sap flow, leaf wetness sensors and others are embedded. Its power consumption is of only 83 mu A during sleep mode and the cost of the basic unit was kept below the EUR 100 limit. In-field continuous evaluation over the past three years prove that the proposed solution-SPWAS'21-is not only reliable but also represents a robust and low-cost data acquisition device capable of gathering different parameters of interest in PA practices.
2021
Authors
Giddens, S; Gomes, MAC; Vilela, JP; Santos, JL; Harrison, WK;
Publication
IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMMUNICATIONS (ICC 2021)
Abstract
Current methods for optimization of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes analyze the degree distribution pair asymptotically as block length approaches infinity. This effectively ignores the discrete nature of the space of valid degree distribution pairs for LDPC codes of finite block length. While large codes are likely to conform reasonably well to the infinite block length analysis, shorter codes have no such guarantee. We present and analyze an algorithm for completely enumerating the space of all valid degree distribution pairs for a given block length, code rate, maximum variable node degree, and maximum check node degree. We then demonstrate this algorithm on an example LDPC code of finite block length. Finally, we discuss how the result of this algorithm can be utilized by discrete optimization routines to form novel methods for the optimization of small block length LDPC codes.
2021
Authors
Cunha, CR; Mendonca, V; Fernandes, J;
Publication
PROCEEDINGS OF 2021 16TH IBERIAN CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES (CISTI'2021)
Abstract
The need for organizations to cooperate, especially SMEs, is currently considered an appropriate way to gain competitive capacity, and ICT are an enabler to support the creation of interorganizational cooperation networks. However, in rural regions, investment in technology is scarce and often seen as an unbearable cost. In order to respond to this reality, this work presents a conceptual technological model capable of leveraging and supporting the creation of cooperation networks, with the contextualization of the business in rural regions being previously done, exploring the fundamentals of cloud computing and cooperation networks.
2021
Authors
Ribeiro, E; Sampaio, A; Goncalves, MM; Taveira, MD; Cunha, J; Maia, A; Matos, M; Goncalves, S; Figueiredo, B; Freire, T; Soares, T;
Publication
COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY QUARTERLY
Abstract
Portugal is one of the European countries that implemented early protective measures in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Portugal declared a state of emergency on 18 March, and a set of regional and national preventive public health measures was progressively implemented. Studies on the psychological impact of pandemics show evidence of the negative impact on mental health. Of particular concern are individuals with previous fragility (e.g. personal, family or occupational) and those undergoing life transitions. In this paper, we present a telephone-based psychological crisis intervention that was implemented to provide brief, appropriate, and timely psychological help. This intervention follows standard models of crisis intervention and is structured in five phases and five different intervention modules to take into account the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of specific risk groups. With these support services, we hope to help our community better cope with the immediate impact of the pandemic and to contribute to preventing serious mental health problems in the medium and long term.
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