A Framework for the Application of Eco-efficiency to the Technology Development Process

The use of technology development process (TDP) models by the enterprises can contribute to the usage control of natural resources of technologies before or after its integration on products, services or processes. Although the choice of a technology can consider the use of some performance metrics to identify their eco-efficiency, the literature about technology development models neglects this element. Based on a qualitative analysis of existing models, this paper proposes a conceptual model for the adoption of eco-efficiency indicators in the TDP by the innovation managers, distributed in three different stages: the initial stage, during the planning of a technology, the intermediate stage, at the technology development, and the final stage, at the technology transfer. Future research, such as prioritizing the indicators and the extent of the present analysis to other sustainability dimensions are suggested for structuring a sustainable model of TDP

Uma arquitetura de telerreabilitação baseada em realidade aumentada para apoiar o treinamento de usuários de cadeiras de rodas motorizadas

Many people worldwide have been experimenting a decrease in their mobility as a result of aging, accidents and degenerative diseases. In many cases, a Powered Wheelchair (PW) is an alternative help. Currently, in Brazil, patients can receive a PW from the Unified Health System, following prescription criteria. However, they do not have an appropriate previous training for driving the PW. Consequently, users might suffer accidents since a customized training protocol is not available. Nevertheless, due to financial and/or health limitations, many users are unable to attend a rehabilitation center. To overcome these limitations, we developed an Augmented Reality (AR) Telerehabilitation System Architecture based on the Power Mobility Road Test (PMRT), for supporting PW user’s training. In this system, the therapists can remotely customize and evaluate training tasks and the user can perform the training in safer conditions. Video stream and data transfer between each environment were made possible through UDP (User Datagram Protocol). To evaluate and present the system architecture potential, a preliminary test was conducted with 3 spinal cord injury participants. They performed 3 basic training protocols defined by a therapist. The following metrics were adopted for evaluation: number of control commands; elapsed time; number of collisions; biosignals and a questionary was used to evaluate system features by participants. Results demonstrate the specific needs of individuals using a PW, thanks to adopted (qualitative and emotional) metrics. Also, the results have shown the potential of the training system with customizable protocols to fulfill these needs. User’s evaluation demonstrates that the combination of AR techniques with PMRT adaptations, increases user’s well-being after training sessions. Furthermore, a training experience helps users to overcome their displacement problems, as well as for appointing challenges before large scale use. The proposed system architecture allows further studies on telerehabilitation of PW users.CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorTese (Doutorado)Muitas pessoas em todo o mundo estão vivenciando uma diminuição de sua mobili- dade como resultado de envelhecimento, acidentes e doenças degenerativas. Em muitos casos, uma cadeira de rodas motorizada (CRM) é uma ajuda alternativa. Atualmente, no Brasil, os pacientes podem receber uma CRM do Sistema Único de Saúde, seguindo os critérios de prescrição. No entanto, eles não têm um treinamento prévio apropriado para dirigir a CRM. Conseqüentemente, os usuários podem sofrer acidentes, pois um protocolo de treinamento personalizado não está disponível. Além disto, devido a limi- tações financeiras e / ou de saúde, muitos usuários não podem comparecer a um centro de reabilitação. Para superar essas limitações, desenvolvemos uma arquitetura de sistema de telereabilitação com Realidade Aumentada (RA) baseado no PMRT (Power Mobility Road Test), para apoiar o treinamento de usuários de CRM. Nesse sistema, os terapeutas podem personalizar e avaliar remotamente as tarefas de treinamento e o usuário pode realizar o treinamento em condições mais seguras. O fluxo de vídeo e a transferência de dados entre cada ambiente foram possíveis através do UDP (User Datagram Protocol). Para avaliar e apresentar o potencial da arquitetura do sistema, foi realizado um teste preliminar de três participantes com lesão medular. Eles realizaram três protocolos básicos de treinamento definidos por um terapeuta. As seguintes métricas adotadas para avaliação foram: número de comandos de controle; tempo decorrido; número de colisões e biossinais. Além disso, um questionário foi usado para avaliar os recursos do sistema. Os resultados demonstram as necessidades específicas dos indivíduos que usam uma CRM, graças às métricas adotadas (qualitativas e emocionais). Além disso, os resultados mostraram o potencial do sistema de treinamento com protocolos personalizáveis para atender a essas necessidades. A avaliação do usuário demonstra que a combinação de técnicas de RA com adaptações PMRT aumenta o bem-estar do usuário após as sessões de treinamento. Além disso, esta experiência de treinamento ajuda os usuários a superar seus problemas de deslocamento, bem como a apontar desafios antes do uso em larga escala. A arquitetura de sistema proposta, permite estudos adicionais sobre a telerreabilitação de usuários de CRM

Hipoteca reversa

This paper describes the main characteristics of reverse mortgage and it also assesses the main aspects related to its implementation in Brazil. A reverse mortgage is an equity release product that allows old people to convert their housing asset into an income flow, without the requirement of selling their house, making regular payments or losing the housing tenure. In other words, reverse mortgages aim to generate income to old people without losing the right to live in their houses. Reverse mortgage is a loan category against the house without requirement of regular payments. Mortgage proceeds can be paid as a lump sum, as regular monthly payments, as a credit line, or as a combination of the former alternatives. This paper describes reverse mortgage and its categories; it also states the usual aims and risks of a reverse mortgage. Furthermore, this article measures the potentialities for reverse mortgage in Brazil and it also presents an international comparison for this product

Framework for continuous agile technology roadmap updating

Purpose – Roadmapping has been used as an approach to support market, product and technologyintegrated planning, resulting in a document commonly known as a roadmap. Despite the gains made in relation to the technique, recent studies indicate that most users leave or have difficulties in sustaining the process (i.e. maintaining the updated roadmaps). This paper aims to present a framework for continuous roadmap updating that incorporates principles from agile management fields. Design/methodology/approach – The framework was developed through action research in a manufacturing firm in the construction industry. Findings – The results demonstrate a positive impact on the degree of continuous information monitoring, roadmap credibility and use of the roadmap during innovation strategy decisions. Originality/value – The key contribution of this framework is the demonstration of a new strategy for carrying out the maps in which information is internalized by the organization itself, using agile teams, without commissioned specialists and as part of the work standards

a review

Moraes, D., Campagnolo, M. L., & Caetano, M. (2024). Training data in satellite image classification for land cover mapping: a review. European Journal of Remote Sensing, 57(1), 1-16. Article 2341414. https://doi.org/10.1080/22797254.2024.2341414 --- This research was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia [FCT] grant number [PRT/BD/153517/2021], the Forest Research Centre and Associated Laboratory TERRA [UIDB/00239/2020]. Mário Caetano acknowledges the financial support provided by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal [FCT] under the project [UIDB/ 04152/2020] - Centro de Investigação em Gestão de Informação [MagIC].The current land cover (LC) mapping paradigm relies on automatic satellite imagery classification, predominantly through supervised methods, which depend on training data to calibrate classification algorithms. Hence, training data have a critical influence on classification accuracy. Although research on specific aspects of training data in the LC classification context exists, a study that organizes and synthetizes the multiplicity of aspects and findings of these researches is needed. In this article, we review the training data used for LC classification of satellite imagery. A protocol of identification and selection of relevant documents was followed, resulting in 114 peer-reviewed studies included. Main research topics were identified and documents were characterized according to their contribution to each topic, which allowed uncovering subtopics and categories and synthetizing the main findings regarding different aspects of the training dataset. The analysis found four research topics, namely construction of the training dataset, sample quality, sampling design and advanced learning techniques. Subtopics included sample collection method, sample cleaning procedures, sample size, sampling method, class balance and distribution, among others. A summary of the main findings and approaches provided an overview of the research in this area, which may serve as a starting point for new LC mapping initiatives.publishersversionepub_ahead_of_prin

Representações sociais do envelhecimento ativo num olhar genderizado

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar as representações sociais do envelhecimento ativo, procurando detetar os impactos das conceções diferenciadas de homens e mulheres idosos. Foi desenvolvido um estudo de coorte transversal. Foram inquiridas 123 pessoas idosas (M=76,84; DP=8,46). Utilizámos para aceder às evocações sobre o envelhecimento ativo a Técnica de Associação Livre de Palavras. As representações que emergiram com maior frequência foram a “família”, “passeio”, “convívio” e “saúde”. Foi possível destacar diferenças na representação social do envelhecimento ativo a partir de um olhar genderizado. Das evocações exclusivas do sexo masculino a evocação proeminente ancora no “desporto”, enquanto no sexo feminino a “atividade doméstica” predomina. Ambos os sexos elegeram a “família” como evocação proeminente na representação social do envelhecimento ativo. As mulheres, refletindo os papéis que desempenharam ao longo da sua vida parecem assumir que um envelhecimento ativo representa a execução das tarefas que sempre fizeram, centrando-se muitas das suas evocações em conteúdos de cariz familista, onde o papel de cuidadoras se destaca. As atividades de carácter instrumental e associadas à esfera privada, como as tarefas domésticas emergem com maior proeminência. No caso dos homens, a componente familista é também evocada, emergindo concomitantemente atividades de lazer.The aim of this study is to analyse the social representations of active ageing, in order to detect the impacts of the diferente conceptions by older women and men. We developed a cross-sectional cohort study and 123 older people were surveyed (M=76,84; SD=8.46). We accessed the evocations on active ageing through the Technique of Free Association of words. The representations that most frequently emerged were the “family”, “walk”, “living” and “health”. It was also possible to highlight differences in the social representation of active ageing from a gendered perspective. As exclusive evocations, the male prominente evocation anchors in "sport", while among females the “domestic activity” predominated. Interpersonal relationships, in particular those established with the family network, are central to various phases of life cycle. The model of social protection dominant during the dictatorship period (Estado Novo), pointing out the family as the central pillar of protection, seems crystallized throughout time. Both genders chose the “family” as prominent evocation as a social representation of active ageing. Although in Western society the social status of women has changed, women in our sample seem to assume that active ageing is associated with the execution of tasks they have always done, focusing many of its evocations in a family oriented content, where the role of caregivers stands out. This reflects the gender roles. Instrumental activities and those that are associated to private sphere, such as domestic tasks, are emerging more prominently. In the case of men, the family components also emerged, but at the same time as pleasurable leisure activities.(undefined

A influência dos media na opinião pública relativamente aos motoristas de Táxi

Este trabalho de projeto procura aferir a opinião pública dos portugueses relativamente aos motoristas de Táxi e qual o impacto das aplicações de partilha, nomeadamente da Uber, sobre o setor dos Táxis. Esta plataformização de serviços, cada vez mais em voga nos dias de hoje, provocou um enorme furor com a entrada no mercado português, principalmente por ser considerada, por diversos taxistas como concorrência desleal. Primeiro, contextualizou-se o tema mediante uma caracterização dos dois modelos de negócio, Táxis por um lado e Uber por outro, e ainda uma explicação do mediatismo público dado ao diferendo entre os dois serviços. Recorreu-se ainda a uma análise dos preços praticados por ambos os serviços, através da qual se pôde concluir que os preços praticados pelos taxistas dentro da cidade são inferiores aos praticados pela Uber. Para uma análise aprofundada do tema core deste trabalho realizou-se um inquérito online, que procurou entender a opinião geral dos portugueses relativa aos serviços de Táxi por oposição ao da Uber. Com recurso ao inquérito acima mencionado, bem como a toda a informação recolhida no desenrolar deste trabalho, realizou-se uma análise SWOT, através da qual se procurou apontar os pontos fortes e fracos do setor dos Táxis, bem como as oportunidades e ameaças no mercado. Através desta análise, foi possível desenvolver um plano de comunicação que tem por objetivo melhorar a opinião pública dos portugueses sobre os motoristas de Táxi.This project aims to assess Portuguese public opinion regarding Taxi drivers and the impact of the sharing economy, namely Uber, on the Taxi sector. This service platform, increasingly in vogue these days, caused a huge furore upon entry into the Portuguese market, mainly due to being considered by many taxi drivers as unfair competition. First, the topic was contextualized through a characterization of the two business models, Taxis on the one hand and Uber on the other, as well as an explanation of the mediatization given to the dispute between the two services. An analysis of the prices charged by both services was also carried out, leading to the conclusion that the prices charged by taxi drivers within the city are lower than those charged by Uber. For an in-depth analysis of the core theme of this work, an online survey was conducted, which sought to understand the general opinion of the Portuguese regarding Taxi services as opposed to Uber. Based on the survey mentioned above, as well as all the information collected during the course of this work, a SWOT analysis was carried out, through which we sought to point out the strengths and weaknesses of the Taxi sector, as well as the opportunities and threats in the market. Through this analysis, it was possible to develop a communication plan that aims to improve Portuguese public opinion on Taxi drivers

Solução de habitação evolutiva-adaptável: proposta de sistema modular flexível

Cada vez mais é comum as famílias contemporâneas quererem um espaço habitacional que, além de atender às suas condições sócio culturais e económicas, seja capaz de responder às suas necessidades habitacionais, sujeito a novas mudanças ao longo do tempo, sem grandes custos e adaptando-se a novas funcionalidades. Este é um dos grandes desafios para os arquitectos, a habitação evolutiva e adaptável, que permite alterar os usos dentro dela, ocupá-la de maneira variada ao longo do tempo, “transformá-la” em função das necessidades actuais ou futuras dos utilizadores. Uma habitação onde a evolução e a adaptabilidade habitacional definem uma área com o propósito de recriar um abrigo humano que seja e faça parte da nossa identidade e, também da envolvente do meio que nos rodeia. Neste sentido é necessário pensar a arquitectura ligada à habitação como um “organismo” aberto à mudança, consequentemente adaptável a uma maior diversidade sócio-cultural e mais duradoura. Neste sentido a dissertação aborda o tema da evolução e adaptabilidade habitacional no contexto da habitação unifamiliar, através da flexibilidade e estratégias que possibilitam “repensar conceptualmente a habitação, incorporando a ideia de habitação como processo, como sistema aberto e vivo, que deve poder evoluir e adaptar-se a grupos familiares, também vivos e diversos, em oposição à ideia construída da habitação como produto acabado e cristalizado”1. Isto quer dizer que uma habitação não se desenvolve numa planta, nem num alçado terminado, mas de acordo com um conjunto de regras que, a partir de uma semelhança comum, um núcleo inicial, oferece múltiplas direcções de crescimento para um número indeterminado de variantes possíveis, completada com as principais exigências normativas actuais, assim como também seguindo critérios de flexibilidade. Desta maneira, não só a planta pode ser flexível, mas o volume da habitação em si, entendido desde o momento da sua concepção até à sua fase final de construção, passando por um conjunto de possíveis etapas interditas. Propõe-se desenvolver um sistema modular flexível para habitação unifamiliar através de um conjunto de hipóteses habitacionais evolutivas, que se podem adaptar durante a sua vida útil às necessidades dos seus utilizadores. Desta forma cada pessoa pode ampliar ou mesmo propor novas funções à sua habitação em função das suas necessidades e de acordo com as várias possibilidades que o projecto oferece.It is gradually common for contemporary families want living spaces that not only meet their social, cultural and economic conditions, but be able to meet their housing needs, subject to further changes over time without major costs and adapting the new functions. This is a major challenge for architects, the housing scalable and adaptable, allowing you to change the uses within it, occupying it variously over time, "change it" in the light of current or future needs of users. A dwelling where evolution and adaptability housing defining an area in order to recreate a human shelter and that is part of our identity and also from the surrounding and environment around us. In this sense it is necessary to think about the architecture linked to housing as an "organism" open to change, adaptable to a bigger social cultural diversity and longer lasting. In this sense, the thesis talks the topic of evolution and adaptability housing in the context of family housing, through flexibility and strategies that enable "rethink conceptually housing, incorporating the idea of housing as a process, as a system open and alive, which should be able to evolve and adapt family groups, and also different living, as opposed to the idea of housing constructed as a finished product and crystallized"2 . This means that a house does not develop in a plant, or an elevation over, but according to a set of rules that from a common similarity an initial core offers multiple directions of growth for an indefinite number of possible variants, together with the main current regulatory requirements, as well as according to flexibility criteria. Thus, not only the plant can be flexible, but the volume of housing itself, understood from the moment of conception to its final construction phase, through a set of possible steps prohibited. It is proposed to develop a flexible modular system for single-family dwelling through a set of hypotheses evolutionary housing, which can be adapted during its lifetime needs of their users. This way each person can enlarge or propose new functions to its housing depending on their needs and according to the various possibilities that the project offers. The resulting housing is an “open" object to which influences their own morphology in each stage, but in each offering an aspect of the finished object. In this context also the flexibility of housing typology is very important, based on the modern concept of the family, family structure and its evolution in the society in which it operates, its economic and cultural level. In the end, the flexible modular system is also validated on actual terrain with its own characteristics and specific program in two case studies of practical experience with project proposal for single family flexible housing according to the system in order to obtain the solution more scalable and adaptable for each case, using the tools and strategies of architectural design, based conceptually and formally in the theoretical background and the knowledge gained

Marble Quarry Waste Rock Piles and Evaluation of Their Reprocessing Potential for Lime and Cement Production (Marble Zone, Alentejo, Portugal)

Approximately 80% to 90% of the total stone extracted by the ornamental stone industry in the Marble Zone (Alentejo, South Portugal) is wasted and discarded in the numerous quarry waste rock piles across the region. This enormous amount of marble waste, representing millions of tons of stone each year, mostly with an expected high chemical composition of calcium carbonate, has significant potential with regards to reprocessing and use in other industries. This study evaluates the potential viability of these marble waste piles for reprocessing. The methodological approach, designed in two phases, firstly selected potential sites and, secondly implemented a sampling plan to allow for the laboratory analyses. In the first phase, a total of 178 waste rock piles were identified, corresponding to an estimated 70mn tons of marble raw material. In the second phase, 30 selected piles were sampled and chemically analysed by calcimetry, XRF and flame emission spectrometry. The results show that 7 of the sampled piles present CaCO3 content above 97%, and another 14 show contents between 95% - 97%. This indicates that the waste could be reprocessed to produce lime and/or cement (clay materials are found in the surrounding schist outcrops in the region). There is also the potential for aggregate production for civil engineering works. Keywords: marble, waste reprocessing, lime productio