2022
Authors
Barbosa, S; Scotto, MG;
Publication
WEATHER AND CLIMATE EXTREMES
Abstract
Extreme summer temperatures in the Iberia Peninsula are analyzed from ERA5-Land reanalysis data based on an extreme value mixture model combining a Normal distribution for the bulk distribution (i.e. for the non-extreme values) and a Generalized Pareto Distribution for the extremes in the upper tail. This approach allows to treat the threshold of temperature exceedances as being one of model parameters rather than fixed a priori, enabling to take into account its corresponding uncertainty. Extreme value mixture models are estimated individually for each location, and the analysis is performed separately for two distinct periods, namely from 1981 to 2000 and from 2000 to 2019, respectively. The results show significant differences in the extreme value mixture models for the two periods, and in their corresponding 20-year return levels. The mean of the bulk distribution of summer maximum temperature increases significantly, particularly in Eastern Iberia. The largest differences in the tails of the data distribution between the two periods occur in the eastern Mediterranean area, and are characterized by a significant increase in the threshold for temperature exceedances and in their corresponding return levels.
2022
Authors
Sousa, RB; Petry, MR; Costa, PG; Moreira, AP;
Publication
JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT & ROBOTIC SYSTEMS
Abstract
Odometry calibration adjusts the kinematic parameters or directly the robot's model to improve the wheeled odometry accuracy. The existent literature considers in the calibration procedure only one steering geometry (differential drive, Ackerman/tricycle, or omnidirectional). Our method, the OptiOdom calibration algorithm, generalizes the odometry calibration problem. It is developed an optimization-based approach that uses the improved Resilient Propagation without weight-backtracking (iRprop-) for estimating the kinematic parameters using only the position data of the robot. Even though a calibration path is suggested to be used in the calibration procedure, the OptiOdom method is not path-specific. In the experiments performed, the OptiOdom was tested using four different robots on a square, arbitrary, and suggested calibration paths. The OptiTrack motion capture system was used as a ground-truth. Overall, the use of OptiOdom led to improvements in the odometry accuracy (in terms of maximum distance and absolute orientation errors over the path) over the existent literature while being a generalized approach to the odometry calibration problem. The OptiOdom and the methods from the literature implemented in the article are available in GitHub as an open-source repository.
2022
Authors
Meirinhos, G; Gonçalves, G; Melo, M; Bessa, M;
Publication
IEEE ACCESS
Abstract
Virtual Reality (VR) and its capability to replace real stimuli for synthesized ones as if they were real opened several research lines over the years. Many of those consist of trying to validate whether or not VR replicates the same user behaviours seen in reality. In this study, we investigated whether or not product contextualization and gender could influence users' intention to purchase as well as their satisfaction with the application and how presence levels correlate with purchase intention and user satisfaction. The product tested was a double door refrigerator with a touchscreen. We considered two independent variables: Contextualization (Context - The refrigerator was displayed in a kitchen and filled with food products and Neutral - The refrigerator was empty and displayed in an empty room) and gender (male and female). The results indicated that contextualization and gender had no effective impact on purchase intention, user satisfaction with the VR experience nor the sense of presence. A positive correlation was found between presence and user satisfaction. Evidence indicates that it is not necessary to represent products in their context, saving computational power and human resources.
2022
Authors
Figueiredo, E; Rodrigues, A; Fonte, J; Meunier, E; Dias, F; Lima, A; Goncalves, JA; Goncalves Seco, L; Goncalves, F; Pereira, MFC; Silva, RJC; Veiga, JP;
Publication
MINERALS
Abstract
Findings of Iron Age metallurgical activities related to tin metal and mining are very rare. In the present work, we present a detailed study of the Outeiro de Baltar hillfort, dated to the Late Iron Age/Early Roman period, located in a place where 20th century tin mining work took place. Elemental and microstructural analysis by portable, micro and wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF, micro-XRF and WDXRF) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion spectrometer (SEM-EDS) showed that metallurgical debris found at the archaeological site is related to tin smelting and binary and ternary bronze productions. Analysis of the artefacts of diverse typologies found at the site showed that a variety of metals and alloys were in circulation and use. Samples of tin ores (cassiterite) from the region were analyzed for comparison with an archaeological tin slag from the site. The analytical results point to the production of tin metal using local cassiterite and the production of bronze by directly adding cassiterite into a smelting process. Furthermore, data of remote sensing (airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and historical aerial imagery) and Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping were combined with archival mining documentation and maps to retrieve a landscape context for the site. The study showed that the place of the Outeiro de Baltar hillfort (NW Iberia) was mined periodically over time.
2022
Authors
Teixeira, S; Barbosa, B; Ferreira, C; Reis, JL;
Publication
MARKETING AND SMART TECHNOLOGIES, VOL 1
Abstract
This article aims to identify the success factors for Website strategies of independent luxury fashion designers to communicate their brands and to foster lasting relationships with customers. The article includes an empirical study with 14 Portuguese luxury fashion brands designers that combine Website analysis and interviews with its managers. This study evidences the difficulties that Portuguese luxury fashion designers face in communicating the differentiating elements of a luxury fashion brand in digital channels, particularly product characteristics, luxury atmosphere, service personalisation, and the intimacy enabled by brick-and-mortar stores. The findings highlight the difficulties in strengthening online customer relationships, and those omnichannel strategies are essential to preserving luxury products' differentiating features and elements.
2022
Authors
Allahham, MS; Abdellatif, AA; Mhaisen, N; Mohamed, A; Erbad, A; Guizani, M;
Publication
IEEE Transactions on Cognitive Communications and Networking
Abstract
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