Pay as You Go: A Generic Crypto Tolling Architecture

The imminent pervasive adoption of vehicular communication, based on dedicated short-range technology (ETSI ITS G5 or IEEE WAVE), 5G, or both, will foster a richer service ecosystem for vehicular applications. The appearance of new cryptography based solutions envisaging digital identity and currency exchange are set to stem new approaches for existing and future challenges. This paper presents a novel tolling architecture that harnesses the availability of 5G C-V2X connectivity for open road tolling using smartphones, IOTA as the digital currency and Hyperledger Indy for identity validation. An experimental feasibility analysis is used to validate the proposed architecture for secure, private and convenient electronic toll payment

Impact of social capital on flexible work organisation models: comparative study of european countries

The present economic context is heavily marked by a global crisis without precedents. Facing this constraint, companies feel pressured to undertake even greater efforts in order to optimize available resources. Work organisation is one of the mechanisms that managers use to align human resources with that kind of constraints and, thus, develop a better response to the market. Organisational literature shows that flexible and decentralized work organisation models are better suited to this need. These models stress the importance of human resources in promoting a flexible organization capable of change and adapt to market contingencies. This perspective can be seen on the adoption of participation, decentralization of the decision process and information, cooperation among workers through the implementation of working teams. The characteristics of human resources, namely their social and technical skills, knowledge and their ability to learn new things, are frequently pointed out as a key factor for the success of these models. The main goal of this paper is to understand the role of human and social capital for the success of flexible organisation practices. In order to accomplish this goal, it is developed an analysis of European countries from 1990 to 2005, using data from World Values Survey (WVS) and European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS).Work Organisation; HPWS; Social Capital; Europe

A diffuse reflectance comparative study of benzil inclusion within microcrystalline cellulose and beta-cyclodextrin

Diffuse reflectance and laser-induced techniques were used to study photochemical and photophysical processes of benzil adsorbed on two solid powdered supports, microcrystalline cellulose and beta-cyclodextrin. In both substrates, a distribution of ground-state benzil conformers exists, largely dominated by skew conformations where the carbonyl groups are twisted one to the other. Room temperature phosphorescence was observed in air-equilibrated samples in both cases. The decay times vary greatly and the largest lifetime was obtained for benzil/beta-cyclodextrin, showing that this host's cavity accommodates benzil well, enhancing its room temperature phosphorescence. Triplet - triplet absorption of benzil entrapped in cellulose was detected and benzil ketyl radical formation also occurred. With benzil included into beta-cyclodextrin, and following laser excitation, benzoyl radicals were detected on the millisecond timescale. Product analysis and identification of laser-irradiated benzil samples in the two hosts clearly showed that the main degradation photoproducts were benzoic acid and benzaldehyde. The main differences were a larger benzoic acid/benzaldehyde ratio in the case of cellulose and the formation of benzyl alcohol in this support

Surface Photochemistry: 3,3′-Dialkylthia and Selenocarbocyanine Dyes Adsorbed onto Microcrystalline Cellulose

In this work, thia and selenocarbocyanines with n-alkyl chains of different length, namely with methyl, ethyl, propyl, hexyl and decyl substituents, were studied in homogeneous and heterogeneous media for comparison purposes. For both carbocyanine dyes adsorbed onto microcrystalline cellulose, a remarkable increase in the fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes were detected, when compared with solution. Contrary to the solution behaviour, where the increase in the n-alkyl chains length increases to a certain extent the fluorescence emission ΦF and τF, on powdered solid samples a decrease of ΦF and τF was observed. The use of an integrating sphere enabled us to obtain absolute ΦF’s for all the powdered samples. The main difference for liquid homogeneous samples is that the increase of the alkyl chain strongly decreases the ΦF values, both for thiacarbocyanines and selenocarbocyanines. A lifetime distribution analysis for the fluorescence of these dyes adsorbed onto microcrystalline cellulose, evidenced location on the ordered and crystalline part of the substrate, as well as on the more disordered region where the lifetime is smaller. The increase of the n-alkyl chains length decreases the photoisomer emission for the dyes adsorbed onto microcrystalline cellulose, as detected for high fluences of the laser excitation, for most samples

Respiratory muscles: myths and secrets

Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM, Serv Funcao Pulmonar & Fisiol Clin Excercicio, Grp Circulacao Pulmonar,Disciplina Pneumol, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM, Serv Funcao Pulmonar & Fisiol Clin Excercicio, Grp Circulacao Pulmonar,Disciplina Pneumol, São Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Nanotecnologia na formulação de cosméticos

Monografia realizada no âmbito da unidade de Estágio Curricular do Mestrado Integrado em Ciências Farmacêuticas, apresentada à Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de CoimbraA nanotecnologia tem conduzido a um elevado crescimento da indústria, e em particular, da indústria cosmética, sendo uma das tecnologias mais revolucionárias do século XXI. A sua aplicação e inovação cresce exponencialmente em inúmeras áreas, mas ainda existem algumas preocupações em relação à sua utilização e potenciais riscos de saúde pública, o que levou a que as autoridades competentes colocassem certas condições para harmonizar e controlar a introdução de nanocosméticos no mercado. Algumas destas preocupações prendem-se ao tipo de nanomaterial utilizado, a sua estabilidade, absorção cutânea, via de exposição, e à sua formulação nos produtos cosméticos. Tendo em conta estes aspectos, é vital que a produção de nanocosméticos contenha uma série de avaliações que assegurem a sua qualidade, segurança e eficácia, à semelhança dos medicamentos.Nanotechnology has led to a large growth of the industry, in particular, the cosmetic industry, being one of the most revolutionary technologies of the 21st century. Its application and innovation has grown exponentially in many areas, but still some concerns exist about its use and potencials risks to public health, which led the competent authorities to put certain conditions to harmonize and control the introduction of nanocosmetics in the market. Some concerns hold to the type of nanomaterials used, their stability, cutaneous absorption, route of exposure, and how they are formulated in cosmetics products. Taking into account these aspects, it is fundamental that production of nanocosmetics contains several analysis that ensure their quality, safety and efficacy, similarly to drugs

Desenvolvimento de materiais poliméricos com vista à sua incorporação em membranas betuminosas

O principal objectivo deste trabalho foi o estudo da incorporação de novos materiais poliméricos em membranas betuminosas. Assim, foram sintetizados novos poliésteres polióis, com pesos moleculares semelhantes, analisados através das titulações dos grupos hidroxilo e ácido carboxílico terminais, e estruturas diferentes. Os polímeros foram sintetizados com base em ácidos diméricos, Unidyme 18 e glicóis, monopropilenoglicol e neopentilglicol no caso do polímero linear, já para o polímero tri-funcional utilizou-se trimetilolpropano e monopropilenolglicol. Estas matérias-primas servem de suporte à produção dos prepolímeros e quasi-prepolímeros reactivos de isocianato terminal para a modificação dos betumes, sendo as suas caracterizações realizadas através de espectroscopia de infravermelhos e ensaios de viscosidade. Foram preparadas as misturas com o betume de grade 160/220, provenientes da refinaria de Sines e do Porto com adição de teores de 5%, 10& e 15% de um prepolímero PRP1 e de um quasi-prepolímero. Ensaios de engenharia e qualidade, foram realizados a diversos betumes convencionais e modificados, nos laboratórios industriais das empresas Lusasfal e Probigalp como parte integrante no conhecimento dos procedimentos normativos para este tipo de ensaios, nomeadamente o ensaio de penetração, ponto de amolecimento, viscosidade dinâmica, apoiando igualmente um estudo de reprodutibilidade inter-laboratorial. Os betumes 160/220 previamente modificados com aPP e SBS, foram caracterizados reologicamente à temperatura ambiente na zona da viscoelasticidade linear

The Governance of the Angolan Industrial and Semi-industrial Fisheries. A Governability Assessment of the Commercial Fishery

ABSTRACT Angola has a very long coastline, and shares the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) with Namibia and South Africa in the SADC region, one of the most productive LME in the world. The fauna is rich in small pelagic species, crustaceans and demersal fish community, explored by the commercial fishery. Understanding governability as a process of finding balance between the needs and capacities of the governing system, enables to devise ways of managing the challenges fisheries are confronted with. The aim of this study is therefore to look at the elements of fisheries management systems focusing at the governance systems of the Industrial and Semi-industrial fisheries of Angola, using the governability assessment framework rooted in the perspectives of interactive governance. The claims are that a better knowledge of the governing system, the system-to-be-governed and the interactions among them are determinant factors for an improved and qualitative governance of the Angolan commercial fishery. For more clarity on the characteristics of the systems under analysis and their interactions, semi-structured interviews with important stakeholders were conducted. After the analysis, the study reveals variations in some features of the systems (e.g. environmental variabilities, fishing pressure, scientific information and participation) that are key elements for the governability process. The study provides inspirational ideas on governance interactions that can enhance governability and the attainment of the goals set. Keywords: Governability, Governability Assessment, Interactive Governance, Angolan Industrial and Semi-industrial Fisheries, System analysis

Chilltime’s online game expansion into targeted countries in the MENA and East-Asia region

Being the most innovator Portuguese company in the online gaming industry, Chilltime aims to expand its leading game, World War Online, into targeted countries in the MENA and East- Asia countries. Already present in more than 100 countries and with more than 10 000 active players, the company expects to have his game released worldwide for the mobile platform, with players from every country fighting to be the ultimate winner. The motivation for this dissertation was to write a case study about a company in its early years and analyse the strategic and marketing approaches that better suits its final objective of having an effective and efficient market development. The main challenge of the company is to understand the feasibility of investing in the marketing development in countries with cultures and behaviours much different from the Europeans. With a study of the market potential in each country, it is concluded that countries in the Middle East and East-Asia have a higher probability of becoming profitable for the company. Such is due to the higher number of online people and smartphone users, the easiness to adapt the game to the local culture and the monetization potential that these regions offer to the company. It is given some recommendation on the best online and offline marketing strategies that can lead to an efficient market development.Sendo a empresa portuguesa mais inovadora na indústria de jogos online, Chilltime tem como objetivo expandir o seu jogo, World War Online, para mercados selecionados do Médio Oriente, Norte de África e Este Asiático. Disponível em mais de 100 países e com mais de 10 000 jogadores ativos, a empresa pretende ter o seu jogo distribuído por todo o mundo, com jogadores de todos os países a lutar com o objetivo de serem o vencedor final. Este projeto tem a intenção de escrever um caso de estudo sobre uma empresa nos seus anos iniciais, analisando as estratégias de marketing que combinam com o seu objetivo de ter um desenvolvimento de mercado eficiente. O desafio principal é entender a viabilidade de investimento no desenvolvimento de mercado em países com culturas e comportamentos diferentes dos europeus. Ao analisar o potencial de mercado de cada país, conclui-se que os países do Médio Oriente e Este Asiático têm um maior potencial de serem mais lucrativos para a empresa, devido ao elevado número de pessoas online e de usuários de smartphones, à facilidade de adaptação do jogo à cultural local e ao potencial de monetização destas regiões. Por fim, são dadas recomendações das formas online e offline mais eficazes para um desenvolvimento de mercado eficiente

Aplicação de conceitos BIM à instrumentação de estruturas

Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Civil. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 201