Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2023-01"
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- An investigation upon Industry 4.0 implementation: the case of small and medium enterprises and Lean organizationsPublication . Santos, Beatrice Paiva; Santos, Fernando Manuel Bigares Charrua; Orzes, GuidoIn recent years, industries have undergone several shifts in their operating and management systems. Alongside to the technological innovation, rapid market changes and high competitiveness; growing customer needs are driving industries to focus on producing highly customized products with even less time to market. In this context, Industry 4.0 is a manufacturing paradigm that promises to have a great impact not only on improving productivity but also on developing new products, services and business models. However, the literature review has shown that research on Industry 4.0 implementation is still characterized by some weaknesses and gaps (e.g., topics such as the implementation of Industry 4.0 in SMEs and its integration with Lean Management approach). Motivated by so, this thesis sought to answer four key questions: (RQ1) What are the challenges and opportunities for SMEs in the Industry 4.0 field? (RQ2) What are the resources and capabilities for Industry 4.0 implementation in SMEs? (RQ3) How can these resources and capabilities be acquired and/or developed and (RQ4) How to integrate Industry 4.0 and Lean Management? To deal with the first research question, a semi-systematic literature review in the Industry 4.0 field was conducted. The main goal is to explore the implementation of Industry 4.0 in SMEs in order to identify common challenges and opportunities for SMEs in the Industry 4.0 era. To face with the second and third research questions, a multiple case study research was conducted to pursue two main aims: (1) to identify the resources and capabilities required to implement Industry 4.0 in Portuguese SMEs. Furthermore, based on mainstream theories such as resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capability theory, it sought empirical evidence on how SMEs use resources and capabilities to gain sustainable competitive advantage; (2) to shed light on how those SMEs acquire and/or develop the Industry 4.0 resources and capabilities. Finally, this thesis employed a semi-systematic literature review methodology to deal with the fourth research question. As such, it explored the synergistic relationship between Industry 4.0 and Lean Management to identify the main trends in this field of research and, ultimately, the best practices. The analysis and discussion of the best practices revealed a set of potential relationships which provided a more clear understanding of the outcomes of an Industry 4.0-LM integration.
- Evaluating the thermal performance and environmental impact of agricultural greenhouses using earth-to-air heat exchanger: An experimental studyPublication . Hamdane, Samia; Pires, Luís Carlos Carvalho; Silva, Pedro Dinho da; Gaspar, Pedro DinisThe thermal performance and environmental impact of agricultural greenhouses (GH) connected to earth-to-air heat exchanger (EAHE) systems depend on the ambient temperature, soil temperature, EAHE system, and greenhouse specifications. The impact of an EAHE system on the temperature and humidity of a GH microclimate, as well as its effects on CO2 emissions and heating energy consumption, are determined experimentally. Two scaled-down models of agricultural GHs (2 × 1.4 × 1.4 m3) were developed. Each GH was equipped with a heater. A spiral EAHE system was integrated into only one of the GHs. The temperature differences in the microclimate range from 3.5 °C to 7.5 °C, with the microclimates of GH + EAHE and GH being quite similar. In summary, the EAHE system helped to reduce the hourly energy consumption of the heating system by more than 40%. It also reduced emissions to the environment by more than 100 g (CO2)/hour. The EAHE coefficient of performance (COP) for the cooling mode has a higher average value than that for the heating mode. The closed-loop performed better in cooling mode, while the open-loop performed better in heating mode. When the difference between the set temperature in the heater and the air outlet temperature of the EAHE system is smaller, the heater performs better in reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions of the heater. The COPheating range is between 0 and 3.4 and the COPcooling range is between 0.5 and 7.3. The energy consumption ranges between 0 and 1.41 kWh and the CO2 emissions are between 0 and 359.55 g. Thus, using EAHE in agricultural greenhouses improves thermal performance and reduces environmental impact, providing an overall benefit in terms of energy consumption and environmental sustainability.
- Diz-me que deuses adoras e dir-te-ei quem és: Do sentido da crença trinitáriaPublication . Rosa, José Maria Silva(...) A amplitude da questão é tremenda: "Porquê Deus e os deuses?" Porquê este desejo de sentido último? Porque este desassossego e esta inquietude? Será ainda um eco de Deus em nós, 'par manque', como confessava Santo Agostinho, em alta voz, nas suas «Confissões» (I, 1), "Criaste-nos para Vos, Senhor, e o nosso coração anda inquieto enquanto não repousar em Vos"? ("Fecisti nos ad te, et inquietum est cor nostrum donec requiescat in te."). Por isso, o que nesta circunstância podemos dizer é muito pouco.
- Evaluation of comparative scenarios from different sites of chestnut production using life cycle assessment (LCA): Case study in the Beira Interior region of PortugalPublication . Pakpahan, Okta Pringga; Moreira, Liliana; Camelo, Alexandra; Karya, Detri; Martins, Ana Catarina; Gaspar, Pedro Dinis; Espirito Santo, ChristopheThe evaluation of the environmental impacts of chestnut production in the Beira Interior region (Portugal) is accessed. The comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed with the use of openLCA software with 16 Environmental Footprint (EF) impact categories retrieved from the AGRIBALYSE database. The system boundary was from “cradle-to-farm gate” and the functional unit was 1 ton of chestnut delivered to consumers (only wholesale buyers). The processes model for the production of agricultural machinery, pesticides, fertilizers, and materials was modeled based on surveys and existing literature. The data was gathered from four different production areas: Serra da Estrela, Malcata, Gardunha, and Plateau area. Each site has two selected repre- sentative producers inner 250 km2 square radius environment. The results showed that the average GHG emissions in the low-input group (Estrela and Gardunha) were 1.83 kg CO2-eq/ton with the energy burden (80–89%) as main contribution emissions and in the intensive-input group (Malcata and Plateau) were 2.61 kg CO2-eq/ton with the main contribution source of emissions are fertilizer (76–83%). Sensitivity analysis results indicate shift input material and cultivation activities in chestnut production systems can be possible for all study areas without reducing yield production. The suggestions in this article can be used by farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to adopt new alternative production scenarios.
- MOOC as a Way of Dissemination, Training and Learning of Telecommunication EngineeringPublication . Gil Jiménez, Víctor P.; Urquiza Villalonga, David Alejandro; López Morales, Manuel José; Medda, Daniele; Seitianitis, Ilias-Nektarios; Al-Sakkaf, Ahmed Gaafar; Khan, Bahram; García, M. Julia Fernández-Getino; García Armada, Ana; Chatzimisios, Periklis; Iossifides, Athanasios; Morales Céspedes, Máximo; Velez, FernandoIn this chapter, the use of massive open online courses (MOOCs) for the dissemination, training capabilities and learning of telecommunication engineering is described taking as example the successful MOOC ‘Ultra- Dense Networks for 5G and its Evolution’ developed under the European innovative training network (ITN) TeamUp5G. MOOCs are usually understood as a way of teaching or learning for massive potential students. Indeed, this is the main goal of any MOOC. However, we also propose its use for training and dissemination. The ITN TeamUp5G is a training network for 15 PhD students of seven different institutions (universities and companies) where the students make research on different interconnected topics for the common goal of Ultra dense networks for 5G. At the same time they researched, they prepared a MOOC to disseminate their most recent advances and their challenges. For the MOOC, they needed to collect their thoughts, organizse their knowledge and establish a common vision of the whole system. The cooperative work, the cross-related meetings and, the preparation of all the materials for the MOOC were very interesting and useful in their training process. The whole experience of designing and creating the MOOC is described in detail along with the challenges and lessons learned.
- Transparency mechanisms in the media: analysis of Spain and PortugalPublication . Renedo Farpón, Cristina; Canavilhas, João; Díez-Garrido, MaríaTransparency in the media has become a fundamental pillar within all democratic societies, as a mechanism for reinforcing government regulation (Anderson, 2009) and citizen trust in institutions (Vos and Craft, 2016). Journalism, which has traditionally acted as a watchdog and a check on power, is now in the midst of a credibility crisis, compounded by polarization and the rise of disinformation. For this reason, various studies advocate that media outlets, just like institutions and governments, should use transparency mechanisms that allow them to respond directly or indirectly to society regarding the content they publish, as an exercise of responsibility. This research aims to evaluate media transparency in the Spanish–Portuguese landscape by means of an index that includes variables studied in the theoretical framework and that come from legislative, academic, and professional sources. These variables have been used to measure corporate and financial transparency, transparency in content production, openness to public participation, and the self-regulation mechanisms of ten media outlets in Spain and Portugal. This study concluded that, with only 43% adherence to the transparency variables analyzed, promoting accountability is still a work in progress for media outlets, and it must be stepped up at both the academic and professional levels.
- Inteligência Artificial no Design de Comunicação em Portugal: Panorama e PerspetivasPublication . Ferreira, Ângela Daniela Serrano; Ferreira, Joana Casteleiro Alves PitrezA tecnologia sempre foi sinónimo de inovação na área do design originando inclusivamente mudanças na sua prática projetual. Atualmente, a Inteligência Artificial (IA) está a alterar profundamente a forma como trabalhamos e comunicamos, tendo impacto em inúmeros setores de atividade. No entanto, não há uma investigação considerável sobre a integração da IA no campo do design. Assim sendo, o principal objetivo desta dissertação é compreender como é que a IA é percecionada e tem vindo a ser aplicada no design de comunicação em Portugal. De modo a atingir este objetivo analisámos a perspetiva de um grupo de designers sobre a IA, tentámos perceber como algumas empresas portuguesas de design utilizam a IA, e se os futuros designers, hoje estudantes, têm conhecimento e estão prontos para trabalhar com IA na sua prática profissional. O método qualitativo de investigação utilizado foi o estudo de caso. A recolha de dados foi feita a partir de entrevistas e questionários conduzidos a designers de 10 empresas portuguesas de design de comunicação. Os websites das empresas também foram analisados com o intuito de perceber se existiria algum envolvimento com a IA. Para tentar compreender a perceção dos estudantes foi feito inclusivamente um questionário a 26 alunos de design de comunicação e multimédia da Universidade da Beira Interior, Universidade do Algarve e Universidade de Coimbra. A investigação concluiu que os designers possuem fundamentos básicos de IA, conhecendo as principais vantagens e algumas desvantagens da mesma. No geral, expressam sentimentos positivos quanto à sua utilização no trabalho quotidiano, considerando que será importante para o futuro do design. Aqueles que a utilizam fazem-no durante as verificações de qualidade e na análise de insights dos utilizadores, nas últimas fases do processo de design. Contudo, a maioria dos profissionais opta por não a utilizar devido a diversos fatores, nomeadamente o preço alto dos softwares e hardware, o foco internacional e grande dispersão das ferramentas, ou porque acreditam não fornece a componente empática e humana própria do design. Os entrevistados relataram ainda que sabiam muito pouco sobre uma série de outros tópicos, incluindo o estado dos recursos de IA em Portugal e as competências necessárias para operar com a IA no trabalho quotidiano. Por seu lado, os estudantes de design mostraram ter consideravelmente menos noções de IA do que os profissionais. Uma percentagem considerável dos estudantes afirma nunca ter aprendido conteúdos de IA durante os seus estudos de licenciatura. Dos que aprenderam, nem todos consideram que os conhecimentos adquiridos sobre IA podem ser úteis para o seu futuro trabalho como designers. Esta investigação sugere que os designers experientes valorizam mais a IA do que os estudantes, para além de terem mais conhecimentos sobre o tema. Esta investigação representa um passo em frente no estudo da dicotomia IA e design de comunicação em Portugal.
- Development of a Background-Oriented Schlieren (BOS) System for Thermal Characterization of Flow Induced by Plasma ActuatorsPublication . Moreira, Miguel; Rodrigues, Frederico; Cândido, Sílvio; Santos, Guilherme; Pascoa, JoséCold climate regions have great potential for wind power generation. The available wind energy in these regions is about 10% higher than in other regions due to higher wind speeds and increased air density. However, these regions usually have favorable icing conditions that lead to ice accumulation on the wind turbine blades, which in turn increases the weight of the blades and disrupts local airflow, resulting in a reduction in wind turbine performance. Considering this problem, plasma actuators have been proposed as devices for simultaneous flow control and deicing. These devices transfer momentum to the local airflow, improving the aerodynamic performances of the turbine blades while producing significant thermal effects that can be used to prevent ice formation. Considering the potential application of plasma actuators for simultaneous flow control and deicing, it is very important to investigate the thermal effects induced by these devices. However, due to the significant electromagnetic interference generated by the operation of these devices, there is a lack of experimental techniques that can be used to analyze them. In the current work, a background-oriented Schlieren system was developed and is presented as a new experimental technique for the thermal characterization of the plasma-induced flow. For the first time, the induced flow temperatures are characterized for plasma actuators with different dielectric materials and different dielectric thicknesses. The results demonstrate that, due to the plasma discharge, the temperature of the plasma-induced flow increases with the increase of the applied voltage and may achieve temperatures five times higher than the room temperature, which proves the potential of plasma actuators for deicing applications. The results are presented and discussed with respect to the potential application of plasma actuators for simultaneous flow control and deicing of wind turbine blades.
- Reinterpretación cultural y rediseño del tarot: el proceso de ilustración del Tarot PorrasPublication . Porras, Cynthia Ruiz; Nogueira, Luis Carlos da Costa; Almeida, FlávioMi proyecto consiste en la investigación, y posteriormente reinterpretación, del tarot y sus significados intrínsecos. El objetivo es hacer un rediseño de las cartas relacionando esta nueva versión con figuras y obras icónicas del arte y de la cultura mundiales. Partiendo de estas ilustraciones crearía una página web en la que aparecería una carta animada y debajo de esta se mostraría información sobre su significado. El acceso a esta página web sería posible mediante la utilización de un código qr, visible en la carta. Logrando como resultado final de este proyecto el rediseño de los veintidós arcanos mayores, seis arcanos menores de cada palo y una página web junto con su respectiva animación de la carta. El trabajo contiene también la creación de una baraja física rediseñada, fiel a la que puede ser visualizada de forma online, combinando de esta manera el arte en un medio físico y el arte en un medio multimedia.
- Coleção Amália: Descrição de um processoPublication . Salgueiro, Ana Margarida Loureiro dos Reis; Borges, Afonso Nuno Ramalho de PinhoFruto da consciencialização do tempo como algo efémero e de uma sociedade que se sente cada vez mais apressada, é clara a tendência do design de produtos que procura privilegiar um lado mais humanizado dos objetos. Por um lado, a indústria oferece uma maior capacidade técnica, ao materializar produtos acessíveis e prontos a dar resposta. Por outro, observamos uma crescente tendência da recuperação de um lado mais emocional que pretende reaver tempos passados numa tentativa, talvez inocente, de reviver memórias que reflitam a nostalgia de uma sociedade cada vez mais industrial e, simultaneamente, mais esquecida. Este documento, assumidamente autoral, procura descrever todas as etapas no desenvolvimento de uma coleção de loiça de café para um cenário familiar. Mas mais que um conjunto de peças, representa um conjunto de experiências que enfatiza a valorização do tempo como momento de partilha e apreciação, através de um ritual que se perpetua desde a antiguidade até aos dias de hoje pelo seu forte cariz social e cultural, carregado de simbolismo. Sobre relações, refletindo a diversidade de pessoas e histórias em volta da mesa, este trabalho descreve projeto e discute projeto através da utilização de uma base bibliográfica que promove a reflexão crítica ao expor diferentes conceitos que, numa perspetiva evolutiva, resultam inevitavelmente em escolhas necessárias para a conclusão do produto, detalhando o processo criativo do mesmo e a forma como foi influenciado de fase para fase. O produto resultante, matriz de todo o conhecimento exposto ao longo do documento, procura transmitir uma ideia de partilha num contexto convidativo e emocional, trazendo consigo alguma “alma” para os produtos e refletindo um espaço comum e o principal interveniente da cultura portuguesa – a mesa.