Domótica. Versatilidade de implementação e as suas vantagens

Esse artigo foi elaborado com a intenção de expor a possibilidade e a versatilidade de implementação de um sistema de domótica numa dada instalação já existente. Inicialmente realizou-se um pequeno estudo teórico das tecnologias domóticas mais relevantes, de uma forma transversal e resumida (Capítulo 2). Em função do estudo teórico do capítulo anterior, no Capítulo 3 realizou-se uma análise mais prática, em que abordou dois casos práticos existentes, em que aborda o seu processo de implementação, eficiência energética e outras funcionalidades revelantes inovadoras oferecidas à instalação depois de terminadas, ao apontar as principais conclusões. Por fim, são tecidas as conclusões e considerações finais do artigo (capitulo 4). Esse artigo foi elaborado sob o ponto de vista exposição de depois casos práticos sobre o ponto de vista de integrador e de utilizador final. Por outras palavras, procurou-se realizar uma aproximação da realidade prática a nível de implementação da domótica e a nível dos seus proveitos oferecidos, acabando por dar uma linha de conhecimento abrangente e ao mesmo acessível aos leitores

Thermal performance of cool facades: evaluation by Infrared Thermography

High reflective paints (cool paints) are used on flat roofs to reduce heat gains from the incidence of solar radiation and thus improve the thermal comfort and energy efficiency of buildings, especially in summer periods. Given the application potential of these paints on vertical surfaces, a research study has been developed to evaluate the thermal performance of reflective paints on walls under real exposure conditions. Accordingly, different reflective paints have been applied as the final coating of an ETICS type solution, on the facades of a full scale experimental cell built at LNEC campus. For being applied in an ETICS system a paint has to fulfill several requirements, whether aesthetic or functional (such as the adhesion between the coating layers or the durability of the insulation), essential for its efficient performance. Since this construction coating system is subject to a prolonged sun exposure, various problems may arise, such as paint degradation or deterioration of the thermal insulation properties, particularly when dark colors are applied. To evaluate the thermal performance of the chosen paints, the method of non-destructive analysis by Infrared Thermography was used. Thermography allows knowing the temperature distribution of facades by measuring the radiation emitted by their surfaces. To complement the thermographic diagnosis, thermocouples were placed between the insulation and the paint system of the experimental cell. Additional laboratory tests allowed the characterization of the optical properties (reflectance and emittance) of the different reflective paints used in this study. The comparative analysis of the thermal performance of reflective and conventional paints revealed that the reflective paint allows a reduction of the facade surface temperature, reducing the risk of loss of insulating properties of the ETICS system and thus ensuring its longevity and functionality. The color of the paint used affects, naturally, the reflective ability of the surface and may have an important role in energy balance of the building. This paper also showed the potential of infrared thermography in the evaluation of the thermal performance of reflective paints

Curation cost exchange platform

This demonstration proposal describes the Curation Cost Exchange platform (CCEx), a web application that allows organizations to introduce, analyse, share and compare the cost of their digital curation activities. It is also a central hub for digital curation costing related information; and is a social platform that brings together organizations with the same problems and allows sharing of experiences, good practices and know-how. The CCEx is an output of the 4C Project (a Collaboration Clarify the Costs of Curation) and the relationship of the CCEx to other 4C Project outputs will also be briefly described.This work was co-funded by KEEP SOLUTION

Plataforma de colaboração para custear a curadoria digital

Na última década o estado da arte no domínio dos modelos de previsão de custo para curadoria digital evoluiu bastante, sendo agora possível fazer uma análise destes métodos e desenhar uma nova forma de resolver este problema. É neste contexto que se forma o projeto 4C – Collaboration to Clarify the Cost of Curation – um projeto europeu de 2 anos que findou em fevereiro de 2015 e que reuniu várias instituições de renome europeu na área da curadoria digital. Deste projeto resultou o curationexchange.org, uma plataforma de colaboração em-linha que permite às instituições custear os seus investimentos em curadoria digital. Esta aplicação possibilita às organizações descrever, analisar e comparar o custo das suas atividades de curadoria digital com os custos de outras instituições semelhantes. A ferramenta é também um centro de informação no domínio da modelação de custos de curadoria digital, sendo simultaneamente uma plataforma social que junta instituições com problemáticas afins permitindo a partilha de experiências, boas práticas e conhecimento.Comunicação patronicinada pela KEEP SOLUTIONShttp://www.bad.pt/publicacoes/index.php/congressosbad

The EU's (leading) role in opposing China's threat to the Liberal International Order

At a time when China increasingly seems eager to become a hegemonic power throughauthoritarian means, this paper assesses whether EU’s unity and economic strength could be effective inlimiting the corrosive effects of China’s sharp power in the preservation of a liberal world order. For thispurpose, we first make a comparison between EU and China’s economies, namely through a comparativeassessment of quantitative data regarding the components of trade and investment. Then, we explore howthese economic links may also include a projection of sharp power by China, mostly visible through humanrights violations, breaches of rule of law, unfair competition, the theft of technology secrets, as well as therisk of undermining the very own integrity of the European project. Having this in mind, we then reflect onthe limits of doing business with China, trying to understand as to what extent the two distinct political andeconomic models are compatible with the preservation of a liberal order open to free and fair economicexchanges. In the end, while concluding that the Chinese model is increasingly threatening a stableinternational order, we also argue that the EU has a considerable economic deterrence power to push Chinainto respecting global defined rules and arrangements. While considering that the US’s leadership hasreached to a crisis, we argue that the EU (if united) has the opportunity, the economic capacity and even theduty to establish itself as the main promoter of what must remain a rules-based liberal international order.Num contexto em que a China se afirma cada vez mais como uma potência hegemónica, este artigopretende avaliar em que medida a UE pode limitar os efeitos corrosivos do sharp power chinês nasalvaguarda de uma ordem mundial liberal. Para este efeito, é feita uma análise comparativa das economiasda UE e da China, nomeadamente nas componentes de comércio e investimento. De seguida, é exploradoem que medida esses laços económicos incorporam uma projeção sharp power por parte da China,maioritariamente visível através de continuas violações dos direitos humanos e do Estado de direito, por umaconcorrência internacional desleal, pelo roubo de segredos tecnológicos, bem como pelo risco defragmentação da própria UE. Neste enquadramento, este artigo procura compreender em que medida os doismodelos políticos distintos podem ser compatíveis com a manutenção de uma ordem liberal aberta a trocaseconómicas livres e justas. No final, embora seja concluído que a China ameaça a subsistência de uma ordeminternacional estável, sugere-se que a UE preserva um papel relevante na manutenção dessa mesma ordem.Nesse sentido, assistindo a uma crise de liderança por parte dos EUA, a UE (se unida) tem a oportunidade,a capacidade económica, e até o dever, de se estabelecer como o principal promotor do que deve permaneceruma ordem internacional aberta e sustentada em regras.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Technocrats or politicians? Measuring ECB’s politicisation and its effects on Central Bank independence

The increasing willingness to take decisions that, like politicians, go outside the technocratic sphere, associated with the visible demand for popularity, supports the idea that ECB decision-makers may act like politicians. This conduct could be partially explained by the circumstances that led the ECB to take unprecedented measures to save the Euro in the aftermath of a global financial crisis and a pandemic. However, we also argue that central bankers’ profile could partially justify this behaviour. In this regard, the question that naturally arises is whether ECB’s main decision-makers are indeed technocrats. To measure the level of politicisation at the ECB, we have developed a methodology to measure the “Political Profile Score – PPS” of the ECB’s Governing Council members. The main goal of this exercise is to assess, over time and across different authorities, the level of political exposure of former and current decision-makers at the time they took office. To conduct this analysis, we studied the academic and professional background of all Governing Council members from 1998 to 2022. Data on personal information and CVs of Governing Council members are very dispersed and not harmonised, being especially difficult to find information about members who have long since left the board. As such, the first step was to collect the necessary information consistently. Subsequently, based on the data collected, we developed a methodology to assign a score to each member depending on their political background. Then, we also compare the ECB scores with the US Fed and consider the existent literature on the selection of government officials, especially in Europe, to understand whether the selection of central bankers (the “technocrats”) and ministers (the “politicians”) differ much. At last, we aim to discuss the implications of our findings on central banking independence. In this reflection, we make a clear distinction between politicisation and independence. We cannot directly state that a central banker that was a minister or member of parliament is less independent than others with no political experience. Nonetheless, we aim to explore the mechanisms through which the eventual politicisation of the ECB may compromise its independence.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

PNAEQ - 13 years of post-analytical EQAS in Portugal

In the last 13 years, PNAEQ provided a specific program on post-analytical phase. In order to raise the offer of schemes in areas like Thrombosis/ Haemostasis, PNAEQ has established a consortium with ECAT Foundation distributing two more schemes: Post- Analytical Platelet Function and Pre- and Post-Analytical in Haemostasis. Furthermore, five of the analytical schemes organized by PNAEQ include a post-analytical interpretation, such as Blood Morphology, Hemoglobinopathies, Hydatidose, Rubella and Toxoplasmosis. The main objective of implementing specific and integrated programs on post-analytical phase is to evaluate the performance of laboratories on these matters in order to improve their quality service. The specific program on post-analytical phase provided by PNAEQ comprises 6 types of surveys: audits (vertical and presential), case simulation, case-study, document evaluation, quality indicators and questionnaires. Each survey represents a different tool to evaluate several items of the post-analytical process (Table 1), as well as the laboratory collaborators involved in each task (Figure 1). The items in evaluation are annually selected in the PNAEQ Working Group on Pre- and Post-Analytical Phase (created in 2015) and in compliance with the Portuguese Legislation and the ISO 15189:2012(E). Since 2007 PNAEQ has distributed 6 types of tools in the Post-Analytical Phase EQA, stabilizing in 3 of them in the last five years: Audits, Case Simulation and Quality Indicators. The participation rate has been increasing since 2015, which can be due to the multiple actions performed by PNAEQ Working Group on Pre- and Post-Analytical Phase. In addition, the Case Simulation surveys are the most participated (74% average) since the participation depends on PNAEQ. For the future, PNAEQ and the Working Group will work on the continuous update of the tools content distributed in each survey according to international references and the experience of other EQA organizers.N/