Cookies Policy
The website need some cookies and similar means to function. If you permit us, we will use those means to collect data on your visits for aggregated statistics to improve our service. Find out More
Accept Reject
  • Menu
Publications

Publications by SYSTEM

2025

An optimisation approach for the agricultural and industrial tactical planning in the fresh fruit processing industry

Authors
Rocco, CD; Guimaraes, L; Almada Lobo, B; Morabito, R;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH

Abstract
This paper presents an optimisation approach based on mixed-integer programming for tactical planning decisions within fresh fruit processing industries. It applies to fruits such as oranges, tomatoes, guavas and others, where diluted fruit juice needs to be concentrated in evaporators to produce semi-finished or finished products. It considers agricultural and industrial activities, integrating them to address complex and interconnected decisions. Agricultural tasks include planting, harvesting, and transporting fruits from fields to processing plants, while industrial activities involve the production, inventory, and transportation of semi-finished and final products. This approach accommodates multiple agricultural regions, fruit varieties, processing plants, and products, operating on a weekly basis within a one-year planning horizon. It offers a detailed solution for harvesting, the fruit juice concentration process, inventory management for the products produced, and transportation of raw materials and products among processing plants. Production of semi-finished products is modelled using the Proportional Lot-Sizing and Scheduling Problem and the production of finished products is modelled adopting a blending lot-sizing problem. The results were validated through computational experiments using a dataset from a company that processes tomatoes and guavas. Scenario analyses were conducted to evaluate the solution's consistency and real-world applicability. The findings indicate that the approach can support decision making in practice, highlighting its potential as a valuable managerial, analytical, and optimisation tool for some agri-food industries.

2025

From policy to practice: Rolling out the clinical nurse specialist role in Portugal

Authors
Amorim-Lopes, M; Cruz-Gomes, S; Doldi, E; Almada-Lobo, B;

Publication
HEALTH POLICY

Abstract
The specialization of Health Human Resources (HHR) is increasingly recognized as essential for addressing evolving healthcare demands. This paper presents a comprehensive policy framework for assisting with the implementation of Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) roles at the national or regional level, integrating key dimensions including barriers and enablers, regulation and governance, education and training requirements, career development, workforce planning, and economic analysis. The framework was applied to the implementation of CNS roles in Portugal, resulting in the issuance of a decree-law by the government. Our findings demonstrate that the economic analysis step was critical in addressing concerns from government authorities and health system funders regarding the potential budgetary impact of CNS implementation. By providing evidence-based projections of costs and benefits, the economic analysis facilitated smoother negotiations and consensus-building among stakeholders, including nursing unions. Furthermore, the integration of workforce planning ensured the alignment of educational capacity with workforce needs, thus avoiding potential implementation bottlenecks. The application of the framework also revealed important feedback relationships between its dimensions, highlighting the interdependent nature of the implementation process. This dynamic approach, which adapts to real-time feedback and stakeholder input, underscores the necessity of a holistic and iterative strategy for successful CNS role integration. The insights gained from the Portuguese case underscore the utility of this policy framework in guiding the implementation of advanced nursing roles in diverse healthcare contexts.

2025

A production quality monitoring approach based on a condition index: an application on the glass container industry

Authors
Oliveira, MA; Guimaraes, L; Borges, JL; Almada Lobo, B;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH

Abstract
Ensuring process quality in modern manufacturing is increasingly challenging due to the complexity of production processes and reliance on skilled operators, which can lead to suboptimal solutions and poor quality. To address these challenges, we introduce a novel, unsupervised, robust, nonparametric control chart for Phase II monitoring. This chart tracks the degradation of a quality characteristic using a condition index that captures mean and scale shifts without relying on assumptions, offering high flexibility and adaptability. Comparative studies with state-of-the-art nonparametric schemes demonstrate faster detection capabilities and competitive accuracy across various scenarios. We validate our approach through its application in the glass container production process, showcasing its effectiveness in monitoring multiple defective rates. Although tested on defective rates, the methodology is adaptable to any quantifiable quality characteristic.

2025

Exploring the impacts of Industry 4.0 technologies on the triple bottom line of sustainability in industrial companies

Authors
Almeida, D; Simoes, AC; Fernandes, A;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Abstract
Industrial companies operate in a context of dynamic technological innovation, in which new technologies are adopted with a high impact internally and externally, leveraging their competitive advantages. Usually, managers decide to adopt technologies, often without realising the impacts on the company, but mainly supported by a strategic vision and the pursuit of differentiation. This study aims to describe the impacts of adopting Industry 4.0 technologies in industrial companies, focusing on sustainability's economic, social, and environmental dimensions and explaining which Industry 4.0 technologies contribute to each impact. This study used qualitative methodology, collecting data through interviews, internal documents, and observation. The results of this study identified new impacts in the three dimensions of sustainability, as well as the relationships between impacts and respective technologies. This study contributes to the literature by enriching and validating the impacts of adopting Industry 4.0 technologies on sustainability dimensions and linking these impacts with the technologies. In practice, it provides important insights to managers and decision-makers of manufacturing companies in making more informed decisions on adopting i4.0 technologies.

2025

User Acceptance in Human-Robot Interaction: Exploring the Role of Anthropomorphic Mechanisms in Manufacturing Environments-A Systematic Literature Review

Authors
Pinto, A; Solovov, A; Simoes, AC; Menezes, P;

Publication
JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT & ROBOTIC SYSTEMS

Abstract
In pursuing Industry 5.0's vision, which emphasises human well-being and the seamless integration of robots into manufacturing processes, understanding the role of anthropomorphic design is crucial. Anthropomorphic design, where robots exhibit human-like, animal-like, or even entirely novel traits (e.g. a display scrolling text), aims to improve human-robot interaction (HRI) and enhance human acceptance within manufacturing contexts. Understanding the optimal degree of human-readable characteristics in robots is essential for further advancements in this domain. This systematic literature review aims to identify anthropomorphic mechanisms in HRI and their effect on human acceptance in manufacturing. Using the PRISMA methodology, a systematic literature review was conducted across the WOS, EBSCO, and SCOPUS databases, resulting in the selection of four articles for final analysis. A quality assessment of the articles was conducted. On a scale of 0 to 16, article scores ranged from 10 to 15, with an average score of 13. The findings indicate that while current research provides valuable insights, it has predominantly focused on conventional anthropomorphic mechanisms from social robotics, such as basic human-like features (e.g., facial expressions, gestures), without exploring more advanced or novel traits. This highlights significant room for further exploration and innovation in industrial settings to enhance user acceptance and interaction. The study underscores the necessity for continued research and development to leverage advanced anthropomorphic designs that can better fulfil the goals of Industry 5.0.

2025

Discovering user groups of active modes of transport in urban centers using clustering methods

Authors
Felicio, S; Hora, J; Ferreira, MC; Sobral, T; Camacho, R; Galvao, T;

Publication
JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT & HEALTH

Abstract
Introduction: Urban centers face increasing congestion and pollution due to population growth driven by jobs, education, and entertainment. Promoting active modes like walking and cycling offers healthier and less polluting alternatives. Understanding perceptions of comfort (green areas, commercial areas, crowd density, noise, thermal sensation, air quality, allergenics), safety and security (street illumination, traffic volume, surveillance, visual appearance, and speed limits) are crucial for encouraging active modes adoption. This study categorizes user groups based on these indicators, supporting policymakers in the development of targeted strategies. Methods: We developed a questionnaire to support our empirical study and collected 653 responses. We have analyzed the data using clustering methods such as Affinity Propagation, BIRCH, Bisecting K-means, HAC, K-means, Mini-Batch K-means, and Spectral clustering. The best performing method (K-means) was used to identify the user groups while a random forest model evaluated the relative importance of indicators for each group. Results: The study identified five user groups based on urban mobility indicators for safety and security, comfort, and distance and time. Conclusions: These groups, distinguished by sociodemographic features, include: Street Aesthetes (young men valuing visual appeal), Safety Seekers (employed men prioritizing speed limits), Working Guardians (employed men focused on surveillance and green spaces), Urban Explorers (young women valuing air quality and low traffic), and Comfort Connoisseurs (employed women prioritizing noise reduction and aesthetics).

  • 12
  • 388