Abstract

Abstract

Abstract
Wireless sensor networks are an emerging technology that can provide valuable information for a large series of monitoring and control applications. Comprising many monitoring scenarios with different particularities, as industrial management, weather forecasting, home automation, traffic management and rescue operations, just to cite a few, wireless sensor networks bring many possibilities for innovative applications that cannot be addressed by conventional wireless network technologies. When sensors are equipped with cameras or microphones, multimedia data can be retrieved from the monitored field, enriching the perception of the target area. However, the constrained nature of wireless sensor networks imposes many challenges to multimedia transmission, fostering development of optimized protocols. In this chapter, we present the state of the art of multimedia transmission in wireless sensor networks, covering topics as routing, error control, congestion avoidance, real-time delivery, compression and QoS, potentially supporting in the development of wireless multimedia sensor networks.

Abstract

Abstract
The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) is an alternative tool for the evaluation of nutritional status and fertilizer recommendation of several crops. However, as this methodology implies the establishment of norms or standards, without which one cannot infer about the nutritional status of a crop, in Portugal this tool has little application. The aim of this study was to establish preliminary DRIS norms for vineyards in Portugal. From 2007 to 2009, petiole samples were collected on a set of 199 selected plots. The DRIS norms were established according to the proposed by Beaufils (1973), based on the results of the laboratory procedures. The results suggest the need for further studies in order to validate the DRIS norms presented. In the future it will be important to increase the number of observations for the establishment of DRIS norms, as well as to determine the relevance of establishing specific nutritional standard according the edaphic, climatic and varietal variability of Portuguese wine regions.

Abstract
The main purpose of this chapter is to develop an exploratory proposal for identifying innovative suppliers, creating knowledge in an area not very deeply explored. Based on a literature revision based on the innovative supplier identification and management, the study suggests that innovative suppliers are highly specialized and technically competent companies, located nearby their customers and take part on their client's improvement program. Based on the literature revision, a framework analyzing Client-Supplier relationships throughout the supply chain is proposed. The framework uses the strategic alignment concept between clients and suppliers. Finally, 61 questions were developed to identify the innovative suppliers.