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Publications

2024

A field-based evaluation of portable XRF to screen for toxic metals in seafood products

Authors
Roberts, AA; Guimaraes, D; Tehrani, MW; Lin, S; Parsons, PJ;

Publication
X-RAY SPECTROMETRY

Abstract
Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) has become increasingly popular where traditional laboratory methods are either impractical, time consuming, and/or too costly. While the Limit of Detection (LOD) is generally poorer for XRF compared to laboratory-based methods, recent advances have improved XRF LODs and increased its potential for field-based studies. Portable XRF can be used to screen food products for toxic elements such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), manganese, (Mn), zinc (Zn), and strontium (Sr). In this study, 23 seafood samples were analyzed using portable XRF in a home setting. After XRF measurements were completed in each home, the same samples were transferred to the laboratory for re-analysis using microwave-assisted digestion and Inductively Coupled Plasma Tandem Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). Four elements (Mn, Sr, As, and Zn) were quantifiable by XRF in most samples, and those results were compared to those obtained by ICP-MS/MS. Agreement was judged reasonable for Mn, Sr, and As, but not for Zn. Discrepancies could be due to (1) the limited time available to prepare field samples for XRF, (2) the heterogeneous nature of real samples analyzed by XRF, and (3) the small beam spot size (similar to 1 mm) of the XRF analyzer. Portable XRF is a cost-effective screening tool for public health investigations involving exposure to toxic metals. It is important for practitioners untrained in XRF spectrometry to (1) recognize the limitations of portable instrumentation, (2) include validation data for each specific analyte(s) measured, and (3) ensure personnel have some training in sample preparation techniques for field-based XRF analyses.

2024

The GreenAuto autonomous solutions for intralogistics operations

Authors
Sousa, Ricardo B.; Matos, Diogo; Sobreira, Heber; Rebelo, Paulo; Caldana, Daniele; Cordeiro, Artur; De Souza, João Pedro Carvalho; Silva, Manuel F.; Costa, Pedro; Mendes, Abel; Martins, Nuno;

Publication

Abstract

2024

Determinants of churn in telecommunication services: a systematic literature review

Authors
Ribeiro, H; Barbosa, B; Moreira, AC; Rodrigues, RG;

Publication
MANAGEMENT REVIEW QUARTERLY

Abstract
The telecommunications industry is particularly competitive and characterized by very high churn rates. The literature on the topic is vast, but studies on the determinants of churn behavior are dispersed, failing to provide a comprehensive view of the state of the art. Based on this research gap, this article aims to contribute to developing the literature on customer churn in the telecommunications sector by summarizing the current state of research, and identifying the main determinants of churn and switching intentions. It provides a systematic literature review (SLR) of 37 articles on the topic published between 1999 and 2022. The results reveal the existence of two research streams. The first, in which the studies are based on surveys examining the alleged intentions of subscribers to change operators, with criteria such as satisfaction and attitudes as predictors, and the second, dealing with subscribers' actual switching behavior and relating this to behaviors and characteristics extracted from internal customer management systems. All independent variables used to explain switching intention or real churn were mapped. It was found that age, gender, satisfaction, switching costs and barriers, and service quality are the most important determinants highlighted by the literature. Our study also outlines some insightful practical implications, which could be extended to other service sectors. The paper ends with a research agenda for future studies according to the gaps detected by the study's results. Among its limitations, this research excludes papers related to predictive models and studies not in English.

2024

Versatile method for grapevine row detection in challenging vineyard terrains using aerial imagery

Authors
Padua, L; Chojka, A; Morais, R; Peres, E; Sousa, JJ;

Publication
COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS IN AGRICULTURE

Abstract
Accurate detection and differentiation of grapevine canopies from other vegetation, along with individual grapevine row identification, pose significant challenges in precision viticulture (PV), especially within irregularly structured vineyards shaped by natural terrain slopes. This study employs aerial imagery captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and introduces an image processing methodology that relies on the orthorectified raster data obtained through UAVs. The proposed method adopts a data-driven approach that combines visible indices and elevation data to achieve precise grapevine row detection. Thoroughly tested across various vineyard configurations, including irregular and terraced landscapes, the findings underscore the method's effectiveness in identifying grapevine rows of diverse shapes and configurations. This capability is crucial for accurate vineyard monitoring and management. Furthermore, the method enables clear differentiation between inter-row spaces and grapevine vegetation, representing a fundamental advancement for comprehensive vineyard analysis and PV planning. This study contributes to the field of PV by providing a reliable tool for grapevine row detection and vineyard feature classification. The proposed methodology is applicable to vineyards with varying layouts, offering a versatile solution for enhancing precision viticulture practices.

2024

A genetic algorithm for the Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem with Alternative Subgraphs using a boolean satisfiability solver

Authors
Servranckx, T; Coelho, J; Vanhoucke, M;

Publication
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPERATIONAL RESEARCH

Abstract
This study evaluates a new solution approach for the Resource -Constrained Project Scheduling with Alternative Subgraphs (RCPSP-AS) in case that complex relations (i.e. nested and linked alternatives) are considered. In the RCPSP-AS, the project activity structure is extended with alternative activity sequences. This implies that only a subset of all activities should be scheduled, which corresponds with a set of activities in the project network that model an alternative execution mode for a work package. Since only the selected activities should be scheduled, the RCPSP-AS comes down to a traditional RCPSP problem when the selection subproblem is solved. It is known that the RCPSP and, hence, its extension to the RCPSP-AS is NP -hard. Since similar scheduling and selection subproblems have already been successfully solved by satisfiability (SAT) solvers in the existing literature, we aim to test the performance of a GA -SAT approach that is derived from the literature and adjusted to be able to deal with the problem -specific constraints of the RCPSP-AS. Computational results on smalland large-scale instances (both artificial and empirical) show that the algorithm can compete with existing metaheuristic algorithms from the literature. Also, the performance is compared with an exact mathematical solver and learning behaviour is observed and analysed. This research again validates the broad applicability of SAT solvers as well as the need to search for better and more suited algorithms for the RCPSP-AS and its extensions.

2024

Shaped operating envelopes: Distribution network capacity allocation for market services

Authors
Attarha, A; Noori R.A., SM; Mahmoodi, M; Iria, J; Scott, P;

Publication
Electric Power Systems Research

Abstract

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