Abstract
A smart material using fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) embedded into carbon fibre-reinforced polymer for simultaneous measurement of physical parameters was designed, tested, and validated. Two FBGs were embedded in different sections of the composite sample, one fully unidirectional and the other bidirectional, which produced different sensitivities for each FBG sensor. The composite structure was characterized for strain/temperature and curvature/temperature measurements. The experimental results were compared with and agreed with finite element simulations.

Abstract
X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) is a rapid, non-destructive multi-elemental analytical technique used for determining elemental contents ranging from percent down to the µg/g level. Although detection limits are much higher for XRF compared to other laboratory-based methods, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ICP-optical emission spectrometry (OES) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), its portability and ease of use make it a valuable tool, especially for field-based studies. A growing necessity to monitor human exposure to toxic metals and metalloids in consumer goods, cultural products, foods and other sample types while performing the analysis in situ has led to several important developments in portable XRF technology. In this study, a new portable XRF analyzer based on the use of doubly curved crystal optics (HD Mobile®) was evaluated for detecting toxic elements in foods, medicines, cosmetics and spices used in many Asian communities. Two models of the HD Mobile® (a pre-production and a final production unit) were investigated. Performance parameters including accuracy, precision and detection limits were characterized in a laboratory setting using certified reference materials (CRMs) and standard solutions. Bias estimates for key elements of public health significance such as As, Cd, Hg and Pb ranged from - 10% to 11% for the pre-production, and - 14% to 16% for the final production model. Five archived public health samples including herbal medicine products, ethnic spices and cosmetic products were analyzed using both XRF instruments. There was good agreement between the pre-production and final production models for the four key elements, such that the data were judged to be fit-for-purpose for the majority of samples analyzed. Detection of the four key elements of interest using the HD Mobile® was confirmed using archived samples for which ICP-OES data were available based on digested sample materials. The HD Mobile® XRF units were shown to be suitable for rapid screening of samples likely to be encountered in field based studies. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.

Abstract
We study the conditions for the formation of multiple regions of high activity or "bumps" in a one-dimensional, homogeneous neural field with localized inputs. Stable multi-bump solutions of the integro-differential equation have been proposed as a model of a neural population representation of remembered external stimuli. We apply a class of oscillatory coupling functions and first derive criteria to the input width and distance, which relate to the synaptic couplings that guarantee the existence and stability of one and two regions of high activity. These input-induced patterns are attracted by the corresponding stable one-bump and two-bump solutions when the input is removed. We then extend our analytical and numerical investigation to N-bump solutions showing that the constraints on the input shape derived for the two-bump case can be exploited to generate a memory of N > 2 localized inputs. We discuss the pattern formation process when either the conditions on the input shape are violated or when the spatial ranges of the excitatory and inhibitory connections are changed. An important aspect for applications is that the theoretical findings allow us to determine for a given coupling function the maximum number of localized inputs that can be stored in a given finite interval.

Abstract
This paper deals with dynamic price competition in markets in which the perception of consumers regarding the value of goods depends on the choices of other consumers in the market. In particular, we consider the case in which consumers exhibit conformist preferences, which leads them to imitate their peers. In the context of a finite horizon model, we show that conformity based behavior creates new channels of dynamic interaction between firms, changing the nature of price competition. We focus on the case of high network effects for which we obtain V-shaped equilibrium price paths and oscillating trajectories of market shares. We provide also a new rationale for the inversion of fashion trends.

Abstract
Os casos de estudo sobre organizações e empresas são um veículo de comunicação de excelência na área da gestão. Este livro reúne uma série de casos de estudo que abordam a inovação e a diferenciação, a internacionalização, o marketing, a evolução estratégica, os modelos de negócio (e como são afetados pela tecnologia), as aquisições de empresas, e tem ainda um caso de estudo sobre a responsabilidade social (área de crescente importância para todo o tipo de organizações). A estratégia e o marketing são áreas de saber muito próximas, sendo dadas em conjunto em várias escolas de negócio no mundo inteiro. (...)

Abstract
This work describes a preliminary methodological framework for the assessment of coastal volcanic rocky platforms in Pico Island (Azores). This study also deals with the importance of GIS-based mapping and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) whichwere tested in two studied areas (Lajes and Madalena sites). This research gives an overview about the UAVs work flow and its application for photogrammetric assessment of coastal volcanic rocky platforms. The main purpose of this study is to explore the influence of basaltic lava coastal platforms and associated boulder strewn, which are well differentiated in Lajes and Madalena sites. In general, this research describes the image acquisition process and the UAV LiDAR technology and the aerial surveys to acquire the geodatabase which will enable the design of geoscience and geotechnical maps on coastal volcanic rock platforms. The images analysis will allow: (i) boulder geotechnical description and evaluation; (ii) shore and coastal platform assessment; (iii) propose monitoring coastal plans (short to long-term); (iv) rock boulders (basaltic blocks) mobility, movement trend, imbrication, indicating flow and source direction; (v) obtain DTM and contour lines to generate 3D models of the coastal area. All these data is crucial to understand the coastal dynamics of the sites and develop an applied mapping which couples GIS technologies and UAV based spatial platform. It was also developed a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) datasheet which incorporates the entire database of ground control points, using high resolution GPS system for the georeferencing and differential correction process. This research presents the preliminary results of the coastal geotechnics mapping for volcanic environments. Furthermore, high resolution image acquisition, georeferencing and differential correction of the ground control points using high accuracy GPS, were also thorough analysed to improve the general methodology presented herein. Finally, it was proposed a preliminary integrated coastal engineering study for the rocky platform zoning and short to long-term monitoring in selected sites on Pico Island. The study was partially financed by FEDEREU COMPETE Funds and FCT (GeoBioTec|UA: UID/GEO/04035/2013) and LABCARGA|ISEP reequipment program: IPP-ISEP|PAD’2007/08. © 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, London.