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Publicações

2026

A Power-Conditioned Pricing Electricity Tariff to Restore Consumption Incentives under Revenue Neutrality

Autores
Fidalgo, JNM; Saraiva, J;

Publicação

Abstract
Current residential electricity tariffs often combine a flat energy price with a fixed charge linked to contracted power, resulting in electricity bills that are weakly responsive to changes in consumption. This lack of proportionality reduces incentives for energy savings and may undermine demand-side efficiency.This paper proposes a novel Power-Conditioned Pricing (PCP) tariff, in which unit energy prices depend on the power level at which electricity is consumed. By associating higher prices with higher consumption intensity, the proposed tariff introduces progressivity while preserving transparency and regulatory feasibility. The tariff is calibrated to ensure revenue neutrality with respect to the current tariff for each contracted power level.Two complementary calibration strategies are analysed: a profile-based approach using representative regulatory load profiles, and an empirical approach based on statistical distributions derived from real consumer data. To assess consumer responsiveness, electricity bills are evaluated under both vertical and horizontal consumption adjustment models.Results show that bill elasticity increases from values between 0.43–0.73 under the current tariff to values close to unity under PCP, while maintaining revenue neutrality across contracted power levels. These findings suggest that power-conditioned pricing constitutes a promising alternative to current residential tariff structures, better aligned with energy-efficiency and conservation objectives.

2026

A Robotic Coordination Framework for Human–Robot Teams in Matrix Manufacturing

Autores
Costa, GdM; Figueira, G; Moreira, AP; Petry, MR;

Publicação
Applied Sciences

Abstract
Matrix manufacturing requires close coordination between collaborative workcells, mobile robots, and battery management resources to support the execution of heterogeneous human-robot operations in reconfigurable production environments. This paper presents a cyber-physical robotic coordination framework for human-robot teams deployed in an industrial matrix manufacturing system, integrating a collaborative workstation, a fleet of mobile programmable cobots, and an automatic battery changer through ROS/OPC UA communication. The framework coordinates task execution, intra-logistics, and energy management through a decision layer that assigns operations to human and robotic agents, relocates idle mobile robots, and triggers battery swaps. Three coordination modules—a Battery Management Module, a Task Allocation Module, and a Robot Relocation Module—implement this pipeline by computing feasible execution plans at each scheduling cycle, accounting for human and robot capabilities, workstation availability, transport times, and battery state. The approach is validated on a deployed industrial matrix manufacturing platform through a disassembly task comprising human-only, robot-only, and human–robot collaborative operations, demonstrating the feasibility of coordinating heterogeneous robotic and human resources in a physical reconfigurable manufacturing environment.

2026

Reconfiguring Staggered Quantum Walks with ZX

Autores
Jardim, B; Santos, J; Barbosa, LS;

Publicação
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AND FORMAL METHODS. SEFM 2024 COLLOCATED WORKSHOPS

Abstract
The staggered model is a recent, very general variant of discrete-time quantum walks which, avoiding the use of a coin to direct the walker evolution, explores the underlying graph structure to build an evolution operator based on local unitaries induced by adjacent vertices. Optimising their implementation to increase resilience to decoherence phenomena motivates their analysis with the ZX-calculus. The whole optimisation can be seen as a graph reconfiguration process along which the original circuit is rewrote, significantly reducing the number of (expensive) gates used. The exercise identified an underlying pattern leading to an alternative, potentially more efficient evolution operator.

2026

Paraconsistent Reactive Graphs

Autores
Cunha, J; Madeira, A; Barbosa, LS;

Publicação
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AND FORMAL METHODS. SEFM 2024 COLLOCATED WORKSHOPS

Abstract
This paper introduces Paraconsistent Reactive Graphs, as an extension of Reactive graphs that incorporates paraconsistency into the ground edges to address vagueness and inconsistency within dynamic systems. By assigning pairs of truth values to ground edges, this framework captures the uncertainty and contradictions stemming from incomplete or conflicting information. We explore the semantics of these graphs and provide a practical example to illustrate the proposed approach.

2026

Technological solutions for multiple sclerosis: a scoping review

Autores
Lima, B; Guimaraes, J; Fernandes, CS; Ferreira, MC;

Publicação
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INFORMATICS

Abstract
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects nearly 3 million people worldwide. It can lead to cognitive impairment, physical disability, and a reduced quality of life. Technological innovations have demonstrated significant potential in supporting individuals living with chronic conditions, including MS. Purpose: This study aims to synthesize existing evidence on technological solutions designed to support people with MS across various aspects of disease management and daily living. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Forty-nine studies were included. These studies investigated a wide range of technologies, such as mobile applications, websites, video games, wearables, and virtual reality, used to support individuals with MS in several domains, including fatigue, cognition, mental health, motor function, physical activity, medication and treatment adherence, and communication and decision-making. Conclusion: This study highlights the growing role of technological solutions in supporting assessment, self-management, health literacy, and telerehabilitation for people with MS. Continued research is essential to enhance the development, adoption, and long-term effectiveness of these technologies in promoting sustainable self-management of the condition.

2026

Editorial

Autores
Ferreira, MC;

Publicação
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Transport

Abstract
[No abstract available]

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