2008
Authors
Ramirez Rosado, IJ; Garcia Garridoa, E; Fernandez Jimenez, LA; Zorzano Santamaria, PJ; Monteiro, C; Miranda, V;
Publication
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Abstract
The integration in electric power networks of new renewable energy facilities is the final result of a complex planning process. One of the important objectives of this process is the selection of suitable geographical locations where such facilities can be built. This selection procedure can be a difficult task because of the initially opposing positions of the different agents involved in this procedure, such as, for example, investors, utilities, governmental agencies or social groups. The conflicting interest of the agents can delay or block the construction of new facilities. This paper presents a new decision support system, based on Geographic Information Systems, designed to overcome the problems posed by the agents and thus achieve a consensual selection of locations and overcome the problems deriving from their preliminary differing preferences. This paper presents the description of the decision support system, as well as the results obtained for two groups of agents useful for the selection of locations for the construction of new wind farms in La Rioja (Spain).
2008
Authors
Pires, EJS; Machado, JAT; Mendes, L; Ferreira, NMF; De Moura Oliveira, PB; Vaz, J; Rosario, M;
Publication
Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference, GECCO 2008, Proceedings, Atlanta, GA, USA, July 12-16, 2008
Abstract
This paper proposes a new algorithm which promotes well distributed non-dominated fronts in the parameters space when a single-objective function is optimized. This algorithm is based on e-dominance concept and maxmin sorting scheme. Besides that, the paper also presents the results of the algorithm when it is used in the automated synthesis of optimum performance CMOS radio-frequency and microwave binary-weighted differential switched capacitor arrays (RFDSCAs). The genetic synthesis tool optimizes a fitness function which is based on the performance parameter of the RFDSCAs. To validate the proposed design methodology, a CMOS RFDSCA is synthesized, using a 0.25 µm BiCMOS technology.
2008
Authors
Alves, CF; Dos Santos, FT;
Publication
EUROPEAN ACCOUNTING REVIEW
Abstract
In this paper we investigate the incremental information content of a sample of 1,751 quarterly financial reports, issued in Portugal between 1994 and 2004. Specifically, we examine price and volume reactions to financial reports issued in: (1) the first and third quarters, which are unaudited; (2) the second quarter, which is subject to limited audit; and (3) the fourth quarter (the annual report) which is subject to a full audit. We conclude that unaudited first and third quarter financial reports that include condensed income statements and balance sheets convey enough new information to the market to spur significant price and trading reactions. This conclusion holds before and after the first and third quarter reports were made mandatory in 1999. We also found that the incremental information content of the second quarter report dropped after 1999, presumably because part of its information content was usurped by the newly required first quarter reports. Finally, we found evidence that mandatory audited reports announcements spur more significant price reactions than mandatory unaudited financial reports. In contrast to evidence from other countries, we found that smaller firms' disclosures do not generate a larger reaction than large firms' disclosures.
2008
Authors
Madeira, A;
Publication
Electr. Notes Theor. Comput. Sci.
Abstract
In the algebraic specification of software systems, it is desirable to have freedom in the implementation process, namely for the software reuse. In this paper we will discuss two issues in order to achieve this freedom: we study the observational stepwise refinement process and we propose an alternative formalization of the refinement concept based on the logical translation from the abstract algebraic logic. In the first topic, we go beyond the traditional assumption of maintaining the set of observable sorts during the refinement process by the possibility of changing it between the process steps, i.e., we analise the stepwise refinement with encapsulation and desencapsulation of sorts during the process. In the second topic, we suggest a formalization of the refinement concept where an equation may be mapped into a set of equations, against the refinements based on signature morphisms, where an equation is mapped into another one.
2008
Authors
Braga, RAM; Petry, M; Reis, LP; Moreira, AP;
Publication
ICINCO 2008: PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INFORMATICS IN CONTROL, AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS, VOL RA-1: ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION, VOL 1
Abstract
Many people with disabilities find it difficult or even impossible to use traditional powered wheelchairs independently by manually controlling the devices. Intelligent wheelchairs are a very good solution to assist severely handicapped people who are unable to operate classical electrical wheelchair by themselves in their daily activities. This paper describes a development platform for intelligent wheelchairs called IntellWheels. The intelligent system developed may be added to commercial powered wheelchairs with minimal modifications in a very straightforward manner. The paper describes the concept and design of the platform and also the intelligent wheelchair prototype developed to validate the approach. Preliminary results concerning automatic movement of the IntellWheels prototype are also presented.
2008
Authors
Teixeira, J; Vinhas, V; Oliveira, E; Reis, LP;
Publication
ICINCO 2008: PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INFORMATICS IN CONTROL, AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS, VOL SPSMC: SIGNAL PROCESSING, SYSTEMS MODELING AND CONTROL
Abstract
While affective computing and the entertainment industry still maintain a substantial gap between themselves, biosignals are subject of digital acquisition through low budget technologic solutions at neglectable invasive levels preventing users from focusing their awareness in the equipment. The integration of electroencephalography, galvanic skin response and oximeter in a multichannel framework constitutes an effort in the path to identify emotional states via biosignals expression. In order to induce and detect specific emotions, gender specific sessions were defined based on the International Affective Picture System and performed in a controlled environment. Results granted by distinct analysis techniques showed that high frequency EEG waves are strongly related to emotions and are a solid ground to perform accurate emotion classification. They have also given strong indications that females are more sensitive to emotion induction. On the other hand, one might conclude that the attained success levels concerning relating emotions to biosignals are extremely encouraging not only to the continuation of this research topic but also to the application of these results in domains such as multimedia entertainment, advertising and medical treatments.
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