Abstract

Abstract
The advances in information and communication technologies and economic factors impelled organizations to engage in new forms of collaboration, such as collaborative networks. They require adequate frameworks, architectures, tools and platforms to support interoperability among heterogeneous and geographically distributed organizations. Despite the high number of research projects in this area, existing tools and infrastructures, this objective has not been totally achieved. The aim of this research work is to advance the research in the area of interoperability in collaborative networks. A conceptual framework towards seamless interoperability in a collaborative-competitive economic networked environment is described, which comprises six elements: (1) a messaging service: (2) a collaboration profile/agreement definition and management service; (3) five clusters of collaborative activities: (4) a centralized repository; (5) a set of business documents and a set of contracting documents; (6) a performance assessment service. The functionality of the conceptual framework proposed is illustrated with a real implementation case targeting the footwear industry. The proposed conceptual framework is then compared with relevant e-business frameworks.

Abstract
Game theory and Decision Theory have been applied to many different areas such as Physics, Economics, Biology, etc. In its application to Psychology, we introduce, in the literature, a Game Theoretical Model of Planned Behavior or Reasoned Action by establishing an analogy between two specific theories. In this study we take in account that individual decision-making is an outcome of a process where group decisions can determine individual probabilistic behavior. Using Game Theory concepts, we describe how intentions can be transformed in behavior and according to the Nash Equilibrium, this process will correspond to the best individual decision/response taking in account the collective response. This analysis can be extended to several examples based in the Game Theoretical Model of Planned Behavior or Reasoned Action.

Abstract
The aim of this work was the study and understanding of the behavior and linearity of an optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor embedded in bone cement. Test its ability to monitor strains inside bone cement during different mechanical tests, at real-time. Bone cement is a biomaterials based on polymethacrylate used as fixation method in artificial joints. Work as a bonding, load transfer and optimal Stress/strain distribution inside the complex human body environment, Bone cement is the weakest element in a joint implant, being considered the main reason of prosthesis loosening. Inside the bone cement, its temperature, longitudinal strain and load were measured using fiber Bragg gratings. All the measurements report a linear response showing a good adaptation and optimization of the load transfer between the biomaterial and the embedded optical sensor.

Abstract
In this paper the behaviour of a Portuguese typical Low Voltage (LV) grid and the changes in the Portuguese global generation profile were analyzed, in a daily period, regarding different levels of Electric Vehicles (EVs) integration. The impacts provoked by EVs deployment on the network voltage profiles, branches' congestion levels, grid losses and imbalances between phases were evaluated using a three phase power flow. The first part of this work focused on the determination of the maximum share of electric vehicles, defined as the percentage of conventional vehicles replaced by EVs, which can be integrated into the selected grid, without violating the system's technical restrictions and complying with drivers' requests concerning the foreseen use of vehicles. The maximization of the EVs connected to the grid was performed using two distinct charging strategies: dumb charging and smart charging. The second task was to analyse the impacts of both charging approaches (dumb charging and smart charging) on the prevention of wasting renewable energy surplus. For the purpose of this analysis, a 2011 wet and windy day was considered, where large hydro and wind generation exists. For that specific case, in some periods of the day (mainly valley hours), the hydro and wind generation, added to the must run thermal generation units, will surpass the consumption and renewable energy can be wasted. The results obtained for the LV grid were extended to a National level and the changes in the Portuguese load/generation profiles were computed.

Abstract
This paper proposes perceptual segmentation of natural color images using a fuzzy-based hierarchical algorithm and its application to the segmentation of dermoscopy images. A fuzzy-based homogeneity measure makes a fusion of the color features and the texture features. The proposed hierarchical segmentation method is performed in four stages: simple splitting, local merging, global merging and boundary refinement. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed through computer simulations that demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method to the segmentation of natural color images and dermoscopy images.