Fiscal discipline and exchange rates : does politics matter?

We look at the effect of exchange rate regimes on fiscal discipline, taking into account the effect of underlying political conditions. We present a model where strong politics (defined as policymakers facing longer political horizon and higher cohesion) are associated with better fiscal performance, but fixed exchange rates may revert this result and lead to less fiscal discipline. We confirm these hypotheses through regression analysis performed on a panel sample covering 79 countries from 1975 to 2012. Our empirical results also show that the positive effect of strong politics on fiscal discipline is not enough to counter the negative impact of being at/moving to fixed exchange rates. Our results are robust to a number of important sensitivity checks, including different estimators, alternative proxies for fiscal discipline, and sub-sample analysis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estimation of WCET using a little language to describe microcontrollers and DSPs architectures

A method for analysing and predicting the timing properties of a program fragment will be described. First a little language implemented to describe a processor’s architecture is presented followed by the presentation of a new static WCET estimation method. The timing analysis starts by compiling a processor’s architecture program followed by the disassembling of the program fragment. After sectioning the assembler program into basic blocks call graphs are generated and these data are later used to evaluate the pipeline hazards and cache miss that penalize the real-time performance. Some experimental results of using the developed tool to predict the WCET of code segments using some Intel microcontroller are presented. Finally, some conclusions and future work are presented

An automatic programming tool for heterogeneous

Recent advances in network technology and the higher levels of circuit integration due to VLSI have led to widespread interest in the use of multiprocessor systems in solving many practical problems. As the hardware continues to diminish in size and cost, new possibilities are being created for systems that are heterogeneous by design. Parallel multiprocessor architectures are now feasible and provide a valid solution to the throughput rates demands of the increasing sophistication of control and/or instrumentation systems. Increasing the number of processors and the complexity of the problems to be solved makes programming multiprocessor systems more difficult and error-prone. This paper describes some parts already implemented (mainly the scheduler) of a software development tool for heterogeneous multiprocessor system that will perform automatically: code generation, execution time estimation, scheduling and handles the communication primitive insertion

Aspectos genéricos associados à caracterização, patologia e reabilitação de edifícios pré-pombalinos correntes na cidade de Lisboa

Esta tese teve como finalidade fazer um estudo sobre os edifícios Pré-pombalinos dando especial relevo às patologias que os afectam bem como as técnicas mais adequadas à sua resolução. Fez-se um breve enquadramento deste tipo de edifícios na evolução dos edifícios construídos no país e na cidade de Lisboa, localizando alguns exemplares nos bairros históricos desta cidade. Fez-se também a caracterização da sua arquitectura tentando explicar a sua evolução ao longo de todo o período Pré-pombalino. Ainda dentro da caracterização arquitectónica fez a descrição dos edifícios no que respeita à geometria da sua fachada, do número de pisos, da ocupação dos lotes onde estão implantados e da distribuição e ocupação do seu espaço interior. No que respeita à construção propriamente dita dos referidos edifícios fez-se um levantamento dos materiais e técnicas usados na sua construção bem como a descrição dos diferentes tipos de paredes usadas. Enumeraram-se as principais patologias neste tipo de edifícios, fazendo a sua descrição e referindo a forma como afectam os seus elementos constituintes. Por fim reuniu-se um conjunto de técnicas e procedimentos para a reparação das anomalias mais comuns, fazendo também a indicação dos materiais mais adequados a usar em cada intervenção

A scheduling framework for heterogenous multiprocessor architectures based on industrial processors (DSP and microcontrollers)

Current VLSI and networking technology, the increase in computational power, and the rapid decrease in computational cost, enable the interconnection of VLSI processors, which can be arranged on a functional decomposition of the computational task to exploit the potential of multiprocessing. The use of multiprocessor systems in such way, provides a novel and cost effective solution in solving many practical problems in signal processing, control systems, instrumentation systems and robotics. In this article we present a framework that addresses the specificities of industrial processors, such as DSPs and microcontrollers and can easily be used to implement a huge range of scheduling algorithms

A machine independente wCET predictor for microcontrollers and DSPs

This paper describes a method for analyzing and predicting the timing properties of a program fragment. The paper first presents a little language implemented to describe a processor’s architecture and a static WCET estimation method is then presented. The timing analysis starts by compiling a processor’s architecture program followed by the disassembling of the program fragment. The assembler program is then decomposed into basic blocks and a call graph is generated. These data are later used to evaluate the pipeline hazards and cache miss that penalize the real-time performance. Finally, some experimental results of using the developed tool to predict the WCET of code segments with some Intel microcontroller are presented. execution, the desired time will be found by averaging. Even with this approach, if you want an accurate measurement, a number of complications such as, compiler optimizations, operating system distortions, must be solved. Nevertheless, these approaches are unrealistic since they ignore the system interferences and the effects of cache and pipeline, two very important features of some processors that can be used in our hardware architecture. Shaw [1], Puschner [2], and Mok [3], developed some very elaborated methodology for WCET estimation, but none of them takes into account the effects of cache an

How to create value with the integration of technologies in omnichannel strategies in the luxury market

A rápida evolução de tecnologia e o recente surgimento de tecnologias emergentes tem impactado a forma como os consumidores fazem compras e interagem com as marcas. E os desafios são intensificados no mercado de luxo devido não só pela natureza exclusiva e aspiracional deste segmento, mas também devido às elevadas expectativas dos consumidores de luxo. Para além disso, neste mercado altamente competitivo, os clientes têm uma extensa variedade de marcas, empresas e negócios dos quais podem escolher o que desejam comprar. Por isso, as experiências de luxo devem ser cada vez mais cativantes, diferentes e únicas. Neste contexto, o objetivo desta dissertação é analisar como é que a integração de tecnologia em estratégias omnicanal pode contribuir para a criação de valor em tais experiências. Esta dissertação examina a crescente importância das estratégias omnicanal e o poder das tecnologias na criação de experiências perfeitas para os consumidores de luxo. Explora, assim, a integração de tecnologia nas estratégias omnicanal de luxo, com o objetivo de compreender como o poder da tecnologia pode ser aproveitado para criar valor nesta indústria de luxo. Além disso, este estudo analisa os desafios e as oportunidades associados à integração da tecnologia na jornada do consumidor de luxo, como a necessidade de equilibrar o acesso e a exclusividade, satisfazer as expectativas dos clientes e utilizar os dados dos consumidores de forma eficiente. A recolha de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, seguindo uma metodologia qualitativa. Foram entrevistados 13 especialistas das indústrias de luxo e da tecnologia que trouxeram relevantes e valiosos contributos para esta dissertação. O guião das entrevistas e a análise das mesmas foram desenvolvidas com base na questão de investigação e nos objetivos específicos deste estudo. Esses elementos foram cuidadosamente elaborados e estruturados nos seguintes pilares: * entender como os especialistas vêm o poder da tecnologia quando integrada em estratégias omnicanal de luxo * as oportunidades e os desafios relacionados com a integração de tecnologia nestas estratégias e como os ultrapassar * casos bem-sucedidos de integração de tecnologia em experiências de compra de luxo Os resultados do estudo revelam que a tecnologia tem um impacto significativo na criação de valor dentro de uma experiência omnicanal de luxo. Ela possui o potencial de transformar a forma como os clientes interagem com as marcas, criando experiências memoráveis e superando as expectativas dos consumidores de luxo. Além disso, indica que a tecnologia pode aprimorar as etapas de compra por meio de dados e da essência da marca, elementos que são alavancados por tecnologias emergentes. Por fim, esta pesquisa demonstra a importância dos recursos das marcas e do conceito de evolução tecnológica para fornecer mais valor aos clientes.The rapid evolution of technology and the rise of emerging technologies have impacted how consumers shop and interact with brands. Challenges are intensified in the luxury market, not only due to this segment's exclusive and aspirational nature but also because of the high expectations of luxury consumers. In this highly competitive market, customers have a wide range of brands, companies, and businesses from which they can choose to buy whatever they want. Therefore, luxury experiences must be increasingly captivating, different, and unique. In this context, this dissertation aims to examine how integrating technology in omnichannel strategies can contribute to value creation in such experiences. This dissertation explores the growing importance of omnichannel strategies and the power of technology in creating seamless experiences for luxury consumers. It investigates the integration of technology into luxury omnichannel strategies to understand how technology can be harnessed to create value in the luxury industry. Additionally, this study examines the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating technology into the luxury customer journey, such as the need to balance accessibility and exclusivity, meet customer expectations, and leverage consumer data effectively. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews, following a qualitative research approach. Thirteen experts from the luxury and technology industries were interviewed, providing valuable insights for this dissertation. The interview guide and analysis were developed based on this study's research question and specific objectives. These elements were carefully crafted and structured around the following pillars: * understanding how experts perceive the power of technology when integrated into luxury omnichannel strategies * exploring the opportunities and challenges related to technology integration * showcasing successful cases of technology integration in luxury shopping experiences The study findings reveal that technology significantly impacts value creation within a luxury omnichannel experience. It can transform how customers interact with brands, create memorable experiences, and exceed high-end consumers' expectations. Further, it indicates that technology can enhance the shopping journey via data and the brand's essence, leveraged by emerging technologies. Finally, this research demonstrates how vital the brands' resources and the technological evolution concepts are to deliver more value to the customers

Radiative capture on 242Pu for MOX fuel reactors

Proposal: Radiative capture on 242Pu for MOX fuel reactorsThe use of MOX fuel (mixed-oxide fuel made of UO2 and PuO2) in nuclear reactors allows substituting a large fraction of the enriched Uranium by Plutonium reprocessed from spent fuel. Indeed around 66% of the plutonium from spent fuel is made of 239Pu and 241Pu, which are fissile in thermal reactors. A typical reactor of this type uses a fuel with 7% reprocessed Pu and 93% depleted U, thus profiting from both the spent fuel and the remaining 238U following the 235U enrichment. With the use of such new fuel compositions rich in Pu the better knowledge of the capture and fission cross sections of the Pu isotopes becomes very important. This is clearly stated in the recent OECD NEA’s “High Priority Request List” and in the WPEC-26 “Uncertainty and target accuracy assessment for innovative systems using recent covariance data evaluations” report. In particular, a new series of cross section evaluations have been recently carried out jointly by the European (JEFF) and United States (ENDF) nuclear data agencies. As the new evaluations on 240Pu and 241Am have been already completed, 242Pu is the next to be reevaluated, and the scarceness of capture data (only two TOF measurements from 1973 and 1976 are available and disagree with each other) calls for a new time-of flight capture cross section measurement. This will be the first measurement in 40 years and, with the use of more advanced techniques, shall provide a more reliable and accurate result. We propose to measure the capture cross section of 242Pu in the region from thermal up to at least 60 keV, aiming for a high energy limit of 500 keV. The experiment would make use of an array of 4 low neutron sensitivity C6D6 detectors and be carried out at the n_TOF EAR-1 (185 m flight path) measuring station. Compared to the current uncertainty of 35%, this measurement aims at an improved accuracy between 7% and 12% depending on the energy region.Preprin

Metástases Cutâneas de Carcinoma de Células de Hürthle da Tiróide

Overall, skin metastases from internal malignancies are a rare event, ranging from 0.9% to 4.4% in large autopsy studies and reaching 9% in large series of patients. Skin metastases from thyroid carcinoma are even rarer and, among them, follicular carcinomas have seldom been reported in this context, far less so than papillary and medullary carcinomas. A 57-year-old Caucasian male presented with an angioma-like papule on the parietal area of the scalp with a 4-month history. The patient had endured 2 years previously total thyroidectomy, radiotherapy and several chemotherapeutical regimens for a metastatic Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland. Excisional biopsy of the nodules established the diagnosis of metastatic (lung and liver) follicular cell carcinoma on plain histological and immunohistochemical grounds. Lymph nodes, lungs and bones are the most common sites of distant metastases of thyroid carcinomas. Although accounting for about 12% of all thyroid carcinomas, skin metastases from follicular carcinomas have however only rarely been reported. These tumours are usually well-differentiated carcinomas, bearing a fair long-term prognosis and characterized pathologically by the presence of follicular structures and colloid material in the midst of diverse amounts of anaplasia and architectural disorganization. In our case, it is noteworthy the angioma-like morphology of the metastatic nodule, classically associated with renal cell carcinoma scalp metastases, as well as its aggressive nature which led eventually to a fatal outcome. This case is ichnographically depicted and a review of the relevant literature is done.Metástases cutâneas de neoplasias internas constituem um evento raro, ocorrendo em 0,9% a 4,4% em grandes estudos necrópsicos e atingindo 9% em grandes séries de doentes neoplásicos. Metástases cutâneas de carcinomas da tiróide são ainda mais raros e, entre eles, os de carcinomas foliculares foram mais raramente reportados, mais escassamente do que os de carcinomas papilares ou medulares. Um Eurocaucasiano de 57 A de idade recorreu à consulta por pápula angiomatoide na área parietal do couro cabeludo, com cerca de 4 meses de evolução. O doente tinha sido submetido, 2 anos antes, a tiroidectomia total, complementada com radioterapia e diversos esquemas quimioterapêuticos por um carcinoma metastático de células de Hürthle da tiróide. A biópsia excisional da pápula permitiu estabelecer, com recurso a estudos imuno-histoquímicos, o diagnóstico de metástase cutânea de carcinoma folicular da tiróide. Os gânglios linfáticos, pulmões e os ossos constituem as mais prevalentes localizações à distância das metástases do carcinoma folicular da tiróide. Embora estas neoplasias representem até 12% das neoplasias malignas da tiróide, metástases cutâneas destes tumores têm sido muito raramente reportadas. Estes tumores são habitualmente carcinomas bem diferenciados, com prognóstico favorável a longo termo e caracterizados histologicamente por estruturas foliculares com material colóide e variáveis anaplasia e distorção arquitectural. No caso apresentado merecem destaque a morfologia angiomatoide da lesão metastática, classicamente associada a metástases de tumores de células renais e a alguns casos já relatados de tumores de células de Hürthle, bem como o comportamento agressivo e a evolução fatal verificados. O caso é ilustrado iconograficamente e uma breve revisão da literatura é efectuada

Facilitação de Gamificação em Contextos de Seguros

A Gamificação é um método amplamente utilizado para aumentar o investimento de utilizadores, que tem evoluído constantemente na última década. As suas áreas de aplicação são diversas e, no caso específico dos produtos de seguro, a Gamificação começou a ser adotada para resolver vários problemas, sendo os mais relevantes a necessidade de aumentar as interações entre a empresa e o segurado e a redução da quantidade de dados não relatados à Companhia de Seguros, que causam cálculos de prémio menos exatos. A aplicação da Gamificação na área de seguros em geral foi analisada para fornecer uma solução de software que permita a sua implementação numa ampla variedade de áreas e produtos, para isso, analisaram-se Frameworks para Gamificação, assim como as possíveis áreas de aplicação no setor de seguros. Um design para um conjunto de aplicações é então apresentado, seguido por uma descrição detalhada da sua implementação. O trabalho foi desenvolvido na i2S de meados de janeiro a setembro de 2018 e tentou fornecer uma solução, com uma abordagem ampla, que fosse adaptável a vários tipos de apólices, utilizando seguro automóvel de tipo telemático, para fornecer um exemplo de uso. Este projeto foi utilizado para avaliar a viabilidade do desenvolvimento de um módulo independente para permitir a Gamificação de produtos de seguro, para comercialização pela i2S. Este módulo diferenciaria a empresa no mercado, já que as seguradoras estão a considerar começar a utilizar a Gamificação a médio prazo, para enriquecer os seus produtos.Gamification is a widely utilised method to increase of user engagement that has been steadily evolving over the last decade. It’s areas of application are diverse and in the specific case of insurance products Gamification has started to be adopted to solve various problems, the most prominent of which is the need to increase interactions between company and policy holder, reducing the amount of data unreported to the insurance company causing less exact premium calculations. The application of Gamification and the insurance area in general were analysed in order to provide a software solution to enable its implementation in a wide variety of areas and products. Frameworks for Gamification were analysed as are the possible areas of application in the insurance sector. A design for a set of applications is then presented followed by a detailed description of their implementation. The work was developed in i2S from mid-January to September 2018 and it attempted to provide a solution with a broad approach, being adaptable to many types of policy, utilizing auto insurance of a telematic kind to provide an example of usage. This project was utilized to assess the viability of developing an independent module to enable Gamification of insurance products to be commercialized by i2S. this would differentiate the company in the market as insurance companies are looking to utilize Gamification in the medium term to enhance their products