Modality, presupposition and discourse

This paper provides a semantic analysis of the particles afinal (European Portuguese) and alla fine (Italian) in terms of the notion of truth unpersistence, which can be situated at the intersection of epistemic modality and discourse structure. In the analysis proposed, the particles are propositional operators and require that the truth of a proposition p* fail to persist through a temporal succession of epistemic states, this proposition being incompatible with the prejacent, and that the interlocutors share knowledge of a previous epistemic attitude toward p*. We analyze two main cases (plan-related and non plan-related propositions) and also show that these particles are indexical to one (or more) epistemic agent(s) and allow for shifts in perspective

Development of thin surface virtual sensors for predictive maintenance

Mestrado de dupla diplomação com a UTFPR, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do ParanáIn the field of manufacturing, metal stamping and plastic injection are some essential procedures, such that companies in this sector need to optimize these processes to gain a competitive advantage. In this sense, this work is part of the On-Surf project, which aims to develop surface modification processes, which promote advanced solutions within the transformation industry through surface engineering techniques. This work proposes the study of techniques based on virtual sensors, to monitor the temperature of a plastic injection mold in real time. The method makes use of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) software to model the injection system, mathematical software to adjust the process equations, and an algorithm developed in Python that calculates the value of the soft sensors from the input of one or multiple physical sensors. The work makes use of case studies of simple metallic surfaces to define the thermal behavior and associate it with a correlation factor. Then apply the techniques developed in the geometry of an injection mold. Through the use of soft sensors, it is possible to obtain more temperature points about the mold. Such information is extremely important for the predictive maintenance (PdM) of the machine, since it aims to facilitate the operational parameters decision making, reducing the probability of failures, both in the manufactured parts and in the physical sensors themselves, because the technique guarantees the monitoring of the values in real time.Na área de manufatura, estampagem e injeção de plástico são alguns procedimentos essenciais, de forma que as empresas do setor precisam otimizar esses processos para ganhar vantagem competitiva. Neste sentido, este trabalho é parte do projeto On-Surf, que visa desenvolver soluções avançadas dentro da indústria de transformação através de técnicas de engenharia de superfícies. Este trabalho propõe o desenvolvimento de sensores virtuais, para monitorar a tem- peratura de um molde de injeção de plástico em tempo real. O método utiliza um software de Engenharia Assistida por Computador (CAE) para modelar o sistema de injeção, um software matemático para ajustar as equações do processo e um algoritmo desenvolvido em Python que infere o valor dos sensores virtuais a partir da entrada de um ou vários sensores físicos. O trabalho faz uso de estudos de caso de superfícies metálicas simples para definir o comportamento termico e associar a um fator de correlação. A seguir aplicam-se essas técnicas desenvolvidas na geometria de um molde de injeção. Com o uso de sensores virtuais, será possível obter mais pontos de temperatura sobre o molde. Tais informações são extremamente importantes para a manutenção preditiva (PdM) da máquina, pois facilita a tomada de decisão dos parâmetros operacionais, re- duzindo a probabilidade de falhas, tanto nas peças fabricadas quanto nos próprios sensores físicos, devido o monitoramento dos valores em tempo real

The Puzzle of quasi prima 'almost before' and quasi dopo 'almost after'

International audienceThis paper focuses on a puzzling asymmetry which arises when the Italian approximative adverb quasi 'almost' modifies the temporal connectives prima 'before' and dopo 'after'. By looking at naturally occurring data, we observe that A quasi prima che B 'A almost before B' can be used to convey that an A-eventuality occurs early, only a little bit after a B-eventuality occurs. A sentence of the form A quasi dopo che B 'A almost after B', however, cannot be used to convey that an A-eventuality occurs late, only a little bit before a B-eventuality. We propose a solution for this puzzle that relies on an analysis of quasi as a scale-sensitive adverb and on an asymmetric semantic account of prima and dopo: prima has the meaning of the temporal comparative 'earlier', while dopo denotes a binary relation of temporal succession between events. We show that our account of quasi prima reveals a more general pattern of interpretation found when quasi modifies a comparative

Warehouse robotization with Wheel.me genius: A puzzle-based movable racks system

In this paper, we first introduce a new type of warehouse which combines the properties and operations of puzzle-based storage systems and robotic mobile fulfillment. Thanks to a long-term collaboration between the Logistics 4.0 Lab at NTNU and wheel.me, we have introduced and explored a new configuration called Puzzle-Based Movable Rack (PBMR) system where racks can be moved with autonomous wheels. One additional advantage of such system is that movable racks can move diagonally. We model and analyze the system studying different configurations and showing the impact on density and average cycle time/throughput. We finally introduce potential future research for such system

Vacantes en línea y su papel en el desempeño del mercado laboral

Este documento presenta evidencia de que el aumento de vacantes publicadas a través de internet en Colombia ha incrementado la eficiencia del mercado laboral, esto al facilitar que las empresas encuentren trabajadores para cubrir sus posiciones laborales abiertas. En este estudio estimamos curvas de Beveridge, la relación entre desempleo y vacantes; a través de este desarrollo teórico establecido desde los modelos de búsqueda, se concluye que las políticas que aumentan la publicación de vacantes en línea mejoran la eficiencia del mercado. Implementamos un diseño de diferencias en diferencias para aprovechar una regulación, que exige que todos los proveedores de vacantes en línea autorizados reporten cualquier vacante en línea al Servicio Público de Empleo en Colombia. Encontramos que los sub-segmentos del mercado laboral con una fracción significativa de sus vacantes publicadas a través de internet presentaban en promedio una tasa de vacantes casi un 15% menor, para una tasa de desempleo determinada. En el contexto de los modelos de búsqueda, lo anterior implica que en los sub-segmentos afectados por la política, la curva de Beveridge se desplazó hacia adentro. Lo anterior implica una mejora en la eficiencia, dado que para una tasa de desempleo fija, las vacantes se llenaron con más facilidad. Nuestros hallazgos respaldan las políticas de búsqueda activa para reducir las barreras de información, las cuales reducen las probabilidades de que las empresas y los trabajadores se encuentren en el mercado laboral.This paper assesses whether the expansion of online job vacancies leads to a more efficient labor market. We provide compelling evidence that the increase in online job vacancy penetration in Colombia has had an enhancing effect on the labor market's efficiency by making it easier for firms to find workers to fill their job openings. An estimation of the Beveridge Curve (unemployment to vacancies relationship), a well-established theoretical development from search models, concludes that policies that increase online vacancy posting enhance efficiency. We implement a differences in differences design to take advantage of a regulation, which mandates that all authorized online vacancy providers report any online vacancy to the Public Employment Service in Colombia. We find that sub-segments of the labor market with a relevant fraction of their vacancies posted online, presented on average nearly 15% lower vacancy rate for a given unemployment rate. Therefore, for these sub-segments, the Beveridge curve shifted inwards due to efficiency enhancements. These findings support active search policies to reduce information barriers, which reduce the odds of firms and workers finding one other in the labor market. Policies as those implemented by the Public Employment Service in Colombia seem to be beneficial.Vacantes en línea y su papel en el desempeño del mercado laboral Enfoque En la última década, se han implementado en Colombia un conjunto variado de políticas para combatir el desempleo que van desde reducir los impuestos a la nómina hasta crear una agencia pública de intermediación laboral. En lo que concierne a esta última política, Colombia es un caso de estudio único en el mundo, porque es uno de los pocos países en los que por ley las firmas están obligadas a reportar sus vacantes de forma centralizada. El Gobierno, a través de la ley 1636 de 2013, reglamentó el proceso de intermediación laboral y decretó la obligación de reportar puestos de trabajo abiertos a través de una red de operadores públicos y privados. Toda la información es centralizada, administrada y reportada a través de la Unidad Especial del Servicio Público de Empleo. Esta política es un paso importante en el camino de la implementación de tecnologías digitales en la intermediación laboral. En este trabajo se muestra que, aunque la penetración de los canales digitales en la promoción de vacantes es todavía baja, ha aumentado y tomado fuerza en el último quinquenio. En general, estas políticas de búsqueda activa pretenden reducir fricciones de información que se generan en los mercados laborales, dado que se puede reducir el desempleo al aumentar la eficiencia en la búsqueda por empleos y por empleados. En este trabajo se evalúa si la mayor prevalencia de las vacantes promocionadas por medios digitales, en relación con el total de vacantes de la economía, ejerce un efecto favorable sobre la eficiencia del mercado laboral. Contribución Aunque la intermediación digital en mercados de bienes y servicios ha aumentado exponencialmente en la última década, son muy pocos los estudios sobre el impacto de ésta en el funcionamiento de los mercados. En el caso particular del efecto de la intermediación laboral, solo encontramos un estudio a nivel mundial. En este trabajo, se provee evidencia robusta de que el mayor avance que tuvieron las bolsas de empleo online en Colombia en el último quinquenio incrementó la eficiencia del mercado. La mayor penetración de las tecnologías digitales en la promoción de vacantes facilitó a las firmas la búsqueda de trabajadores y el llenado de las posiciones de trabajo abiertas. En el trabajo se realiza una estimación de la relación desempleados a vacantes, a nivel de segmentos del mercado laboral. La estimación de esta relación permite saber si para una tasa de desempleo fija, dicha política de intermediación laboral es exitosa en reducir la tasa de vacantes. Lo anterior se interpreta como un incremento en la eficiencia del proceso de emparejamiento de empleados y empleos. Resultados Encontramos que los subsegmentos del mercado laboral con una fracción relevante de sus vacantes publicadas a través de internet, presentaban en promedio una tasa de vacantes casi un 15% menor, después de la implementación y puesta en funcionamiento de la Unidad Especial del Servicio Público de Empleo. En los segmentos más afectados por la política, la relación vacantes-a-desempleados es menor para cada nivel de desempleo. Lo anterior implica una mejora en la eficiencia, dado que para una tasa de desempleo fija, las vacantes se llenaron con mayor rapidez. Nuestros hallazgos soportan la eficacia de políticas de búsqueda activa en el mercado de trabajo, políticas que tengan por objetivo reducir las barreras de información que incrementan las fricciones en el proceso de emparejamiento de trabajadores y trabajos. Frase destacada La mayor penetración de las tecnologías digitales en la promoción de vacantes facilitó a las firmas la búsqueda de trabajadores y el llenado de las posiciones de trabajo abiertas

Multi-agent system for monitoring temperature in sensing surfaces including hard and soft sensors

In the digital transformation era, the collection of data assumes a crucial relevance. In some applications, the use of real sensors to measure the target parameters is constrained by technical or economical limitations. In such situations, it is required to use alternative techniques based on soft sensors that acquire data by estimating the measurement of a variable through the correlation of the data acquired by the neighbouring sensors. However, the co-existence of real and soft sensors requires a computational infra-structure that integrates these heterogeneous data sources and supports the synchronisation of the monitoring system based on the inputs of different measurement nodes. Multi-agent systems provide this distributed infra-structure for the data collection, ensuring modularity, scalability and reconfigurability capabilities. This paper introduces a multi-agent system approach to create a modular and scalable sensing system, based on a diversity of real and soft sensors, to support the monitoring of temperature in thin-film sensing surfaces. The proposed approach was experimentally tested in a plastic injection process, presenting promising results in terms of accuracy and response time, and allowing to obtain more sampling points through the use of computational techniques to complement the real data.The work reported in this paper was supported by ONSURF - Mobilizar Competências Tecnológicas em Engenharia de Superfícies, Projeto nº POCI-01-0247-FEDER-024521.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

"What exactly is a lockdown?":Towards an Ontology-based modeling of lockdown interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic posed several research opportunities raised by the huge amount of data collected and made available at an unprecedented rate. However, this also raised important challenges for manipulating all this data and extracting knowledge from it, due to the lack of semantically precise definitions. In particular, several locations imposed lockdown measures for some periods, with different meanings among them. These semantic differences might help to explain why different countries - which at first sight enforced similar sets of interventions - evolved in a completely distinct way with respect to the propagation rate of COVID-19. In this work, we report an ontological analysis of some lockdown interventions. These interventions are classified in the same category in a taxonomy provided by a worldwide initiative that tracks information on interventions from governments of several countries taken to tackle COVID-19. However, as our analysis shows, there are important ontological distinctions among them. Based on these results, we propose an initial version of a domain ontology that represents lockdown as a complex non-pharmaceutical intervention type, which is composed of interventions of several natures, and that provides a legal perspective of some of its composing interventions using patterns from the UFO-L legal core ontology.</p