Charge crossover at the U(1) Higgs phase transition

The type-I region of phase transitions at finite temperature of theU(1)-Higgs theory in 3+1 dimensions is investigated in detail using a Wilsonianrenormalisation group. We consider in particular the quantitative effectsinduced through the cross-over of the scale-dependent Abelian charge from theGaussian to a non-trivial Abelian fixed point. As a result, the strength of thefirst-order phase transition is weakened. Analytical solutions to approximateflow equations are obtained, and all characteristics of the phase transitionare discussed and compared to the results obtained from perturbation theory. Inaddition, we present a detailed quantitative study regarding the dependence ofthe physical observables on the coarse-graining scheme. This results inerror-bars for the regularisation scheme (RS) dependence. We find quantitativeevidence for an intimate link between the RS dependence and truncations of flowequations

SCARA Self Posture Recognition Using a Monocular Camera

Robotic manipulators rely on feedback obtained from rotary encoders for control purposes. This article introduces a vision-based feedback system that can be used in an agricultural context, where the shapes and sizes of fruits are uncertain. We aim to mimic a human, using vision and touch as manipulator control feedback. This work explores the use of a fish-eye lens camera to track a SCARA manipulator with coloured markers on its joints for the position estimation with the goal to reduce costs and increase reliability. The Kalman Filter and the Particle Filter are compared and evaluated in terms of accuracy and tracking abilities of the marker’s positions. The estimated image coordinates of the markers are converted to world coordinates using planar homography, as the SCARA manipulator has co-planar joints and the coloured markers share the same plane. Three laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the system’s performance in joint angle estimation of a manipulator. The obtained results are promising, for future cost effective agricultural robotic arms developments. Besides, this work presents solutions and future directions to increase the joint position estimation accuracy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Lag-user method: Using laggards to leverage user innovation

Laggards are the last users to adopt a product. Prior literature on user-led innovation ignores laggards’ impact on innovation. In this paper, we develop the Lag-User Method, through which laggards can generate new ideas. Through six studies with 62 teams in three countries, we apply the method to different technologies and services and present our findings to executives to get managerial insights. Findings reveal that laggards who generate new ideas (lag-users) have different perceptions of user-friendly products and different unfulfilled needs. They prefer simple products. We propose that by involving lag-users in NPD, firms can improve the effectiveness of NPD.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portugal), Nova Forum

The late adopter scale: A measure of late adopters of technological innovations

Diffusion of Innovation is a topic of interest for researchers and practitioners. Although substantial research is conducted on user categories, researchers often focus on the first half of the curve, ignoring the late adopters. We conduct two studies to measure the attributes of late adopters. In our first study of mobile phone users, we develop the Late-Adopter Scale. We then test it on a sample of laptop users. This scale is multi-dimensional, presents nomological and discriminant validity and has three dimensions: 1) rate of adoption, 2) resistance to innovation, and 3) skepticism. Findings reveal that all three Late Adopter Scale dimensions are significantly associated with low price preference. Moreover, in both samples skepticism is associated with high preference for simple products, lower leading edge status, and lower product involvement. Discussion focuses on implications of this new scale to theory and practice of new product development and diffusion of innovation.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Nova Forum

Plataforma de monitorização e suporte à decisão de doentes críticos

A situação complexa dos doentes críticos e a quantidade de dados disponíveis dificultam a obtenção de conhecimento profícuo para a decisão. Acrescendo o facto de nas Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) ainda existir um elevado número de dados em papel, o decisor não consegue interpretar corretamente e em tempo útil toda a informação adquirida. Neste contexto, o fator humano pode provocar erros no processo de tomada de decisão (PTD), uma vez que, normalmente, não há tempo suficiente para analisar corretamente a situação clínica do doente. Para facilitar a aquisição de conhecimento e suportar o PTD por parte dos profissionais da UCI, foi desenvolvida uma plataforma global que, de entre as várias funcionalidades, permite um acompanhamento do doente e a previsão de eventos futuros de uma forma contínua e em tempo real, apresentando novos conhecimentos que podem contribuir de forma significativa para a melhoria da situação clínica de um doente.The complex situation of critical patients and the amount of data available in Intensive Care Units (ICU) makes difficult to obtain useful knowledge to the decision. Adding the fact that in ICU there is a large number of data on paper the decision maker cannot interpret correctly and in short time all the information acquired. In this context the human factor can cause errors in decision-making process (DMP), because normally the intensivist does not have enough time to properly analyse the clinical condition of the patient. To facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and support the ICU decision process by their professionals, a global platform was developed. Among the various features, this platform allows patient monitoring and forecasting future events continuously and in real time, presenting whenever is possible new knowledge which can contribute significantly to the improvement of the clinical status of a patient

Non-native freshwater fauna in Portugal: a review

We present the most updated list of non-native freshwater fauna established in Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira archipelagos. This list includes 67 species at national level but corresponds to 84 species records, of which 53 are in the mainland, 23 in the Azores and 8 in Madeira archipelagos. We also discuss the progression of the cumulative number of introductions since 1800 and identify the most probable vectors of introduction, main taxonomic groups and their regions of origin. Furthermore, we review the existing knowledge about ecological and economic impacts, invasion risk and potential distribution of invaders, under present and future climatic conditions, and the applied management actions, including the production of legislation. Along the 20th century the number of successful introductions increased at an approximate rate of two new species per decade until the beginning of 1970s. Since then, this rate increased to about 14 new species per decade. These introductions were mainly a result of fisheries, as contaminants or for ornamental purposes. Fish and mollusks are the taxonomic groups with more established species, representing more than half of the total. Most species (>70%) are native from other regions of Europe and North America. Studies about ecological or socioeconomic impacts are more common for fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Impacts for most amphibians, reptiles and mammals are not thoroughly studied. A few studies on the impacts and management actions of health-threatening mosquitoes are also available. The potential distribution in the Portuguese territory was modelled for 26 species. Only a minority of these models provides projections of distributions under scenarios of future climate change. A comparison of the Portuguese and EU legislation shows large discrepancies in the invasive species lists. Using the EU list and a ranking procedure for the national context, we identify freshwater species of high national concern for which actions are urgently needed.This work was supported by the FRISK Project (Ref. PTDC/AAG-MAA/0350/2014) to F. Ribeiro and by the strategic plan of MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (UID/MAR/04292/2013) to F. Banha with a short term post-doc grant on the University of Evora and a small project. A. F. Filipe was supported by the FRESHING project funded by FCT and COMPETE (PTDC/AAG-MAA/2261/2014 - POCI-01-0145-FEDER-356 016824). R. Sousa was supported by FRESHCO project (contract: PTDC/AGRFOR/1627/2014) funded by FCT

Four dimensional R^4 superinvariants through gauge completion

We fully compute the N=1 supersymmetrization of the fourth power of the Weyl tensor in d=4 x-space with the auxiliary fields. In a previous paper, we showed that their elimination requires an infinite number of terms; we explicitely compute those terms to order \kappa^4 (three loop). We also write, in superspace notation, all the possible N=1 actions, in four dimensions, that contain pure R^4 terms (with coupling constants). We explicitely write these actions in terms of the \theta components of the chiral density \epsilon and the supergravity superfields R, G_m, W_{ABC}. Using the method of gauge completion, we compute the necessary \theta components which allow us to write these actions in x-space. We discuss under which circumstances can these extra R^4 correction terms be reabsorbed in the pure supergravity action, and their relevance to the quantum supergravity/string theory effective actions.Comment: 20 pages, no figures. Sec. 3 clarified; typos correcte