Data fusion with computational intelligence techniques: a case study of fuzzy inference for terrain assessment

Dissertação apresentada para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores, pela Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia

AGNI: an API for the control of automomous service robots

With the continuum growth of Internet connected devices, the scalability of the protocols used for communication between them is facing a new set of challenges. In robotics these communications protocols are an essential element, and must be able to accomplish with the desired communication. In a context of a multi-­‐‑agent platform, the main types of Internet communication protocols used in robotics, mission planning and task allocation problems will be revised. It will be defined how to represent a message and how to cope with their transport between devices in a distributed environment, reviewing all the layers of the messaging process. A review of the ROS platform is also presented with the intent of integrating the already existing communication protocols with the ServRobot, a mobile autonomous robot, and the DVA, a distributed autonomous surveillance system. This is done with the objective of assigning missions to ServRobot in a security context.

O emprego de uma força de segurança de natureza militar nas missões de paz

The conflicts currently taking place around the world demand that the international intervention fits the intensity and extent of the threat. This is particularly important in post-conflict scenarios, leading to a greater participation of the Security Forces in those scenarios, in order to foster lasting peace, enforce the order and improve law enforcement services in those regions. The transition from armed conflict to peacekeeping may entail high risk situations and greater instability periods, so-called “intermediate situations”. Accordingly, in the face of persisting high volatility, a robust response is still required post-conflict. Therefore, it is appropriate to deploy Security Forces with military nature and status, the gendarmeries, which have training and response capabilities similar to Armed Forces in peacekeeping operations. Their double facet as police and military forces enables them to perform police duties in high risk and unsafe environments. In light of these features, the Portuguese gendarmerie, Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR), is able to carry out tasks in these scenarios, which it has been doing through individual operatives or larger units. This dissertation focuses on the use of Security Forces of military nature in peacekeeping missions, in particular the Portuguese GNR, relying mostly on the inductive approach and using literature research, document analysis, interviews and statistics. After a brief description of international peacekeeping missions, we describe the contribution of Security Forces of a military nature in such operations. Then we introduce and analyse the GNR, focusing on its deployment in different kinds of peacekeeping operations, from its first participation in 1995 until today. We also report some reactions to the performance of GNR. Finally, we discuss whether there is indeed a unique role for this type of forces in international peacekeeping missions.

Developing a gamification system to increase customer lifetime value at MyGon

There have never been so many touch points between companies and consumers as there are today, which paradoxically makes it very challenging for companies to be able to retain and engage customers. Gamification is a strategy used by a large number of companies to increase customer engagement and customer lifetime value. This work aims at developing a gamification system for MyGon, a Portuguese startup working in the market of discounts and experiences. In addition to examining the literature concerning gamification, its elements and characteristics, recommendations were developed for addressing MyGon’s business goals of increasing conversion and customer engagement. The gamification mechanisms suggested include badges, missions, points, leaderboards and levels.

A fotografia em contexto colonial: tratamento arquivístico da documentação fotográfica da Missão Antropológica e Etnológica da Guiné entre 1946-1947

O presente Relatório de Estágio é o resultado de um conjunto de actividades realizadas no Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino (AHU), que incidiram na documentação fotográfica produzida no âmbito da Missão Antropológica e Etnológica da Guiné, chefiada pelo Professor Amílcar de Magalhães Mateus, entre 1946 e 1947. O tratamento arquivístico da referida documentação consistiu na identificação, organização, higienização, acondicionamento, descrição e digitalização, com vista a preservação e posterior disponibilização, bem como identificar o contexto de produção em que a mesma foi produzida e verificar o respeito pelos princípios da proveniência e da ordem original. O presente trabalho pretende contribuir para o aprofundamento do conhecimento sobre o papel da fotografia como ferramenta para o conhecimento e trabalho científico, bem como a sua importância e estatuto no campo da arquivística

As forças de tipo gendarmerie e as operações/missões de gestão de crises da União Europeia

The European Union has taken in recent years an increasingly important role in ensuring peace and stability in the international community, and the security and defence policy of the Union has become synonymous with crisis management. The Union has addressed the issue of crisis management through two sources: the military side and the civilian side, which consists in carrying out numerous crisis management operations and missions. This study discusses the role of the European Union in conducting crisis management operations and missions and how the gendarmerie forces contribute to the success of the same. It will discuss the evolution of the European Union's security policy and the concept of crisis management, and seek to demonstrate the added value of the commitment of gendarmerie forces in operations and missions of crisis management, particularly with regard to employment of the European Gendarmerie Force. On the other hand, it will study the planning process for crisis management of the European Union, featuring the entities and agencies involved in it, and presenting the products that result from this same process. The use of Gendarmerie forces in crisis management operations and missions has significant advantages. Its use is recommended to post - conflict scenarios, in complementarity with the armed forces, in order to overcome the "security gap" that mediates the transition from the state of conflict for the period of peace and reconstruction. Gendarmerie forces can also be engaged both in military crisis management operations and civilian crisis management missions.

Electoral observation: Evidence from Mozambique

Electoral fraud is a common problem in young democracies. Election observers constitute one possible remedy. Yet, quantitative evidence of the exact effects of observers is scarce. Data on the random assignment of observers during Mozambique’s 2009 general elections is used to estimate the impact that observers have on ballot fraud. It is shown that the presence of national observers reduces high levels of turnout and manipulation of ballots. The findings contribute to the understanding of the behavior of politicians and have implications for the implementation of observer missions.

O serviço fiscal aduaneiro criminal e contraordenacional da GNR

At a time of global economic instability, to which Portugal is not oblivious, and aware that the main source of Portuguese State revenue relies on the collection of tribute, the National Republican Guard holds within its mission relevant assignments to the protection of the financial interests of the country, in particular, fiscal and customs. These assignments were inherited from the century - old institution Guarda Fiscal - with evidence given in this domain, which was integrated into the National Republican Guard in 1993, to adopt, a 1St model, that held a specialized unit – Brigada Fiscal, with surveillance and patrolling missions of costa and fiscal and customs supervision, throughout the national territory and maritime zone of respect. In 2009, the result of political decisions, reorganization the State's central administration, appears de 2Nd model, because the Brigada Fiscal assignments were divided by two specialized units - UAF with investigation skills, and UCC for patrolling and surveillance of the coast. Analyzed the legal spectrum of special legislation leading the criminal and transgression sector punitive (RGIT), in essence, is in the UAF that resides the role assignments from the scope of the investigation and supervision of goods in the national territory on a par with the tax authority. Tax inspection assignments, fiscal and customs of the National Republican Guard, are unmatched in the National Tribute System, constituting itself as a potentiality of this special body, in similarity of their counterparts - Spain and Italy; however, have some constraints, that urge to clarify and repair. Foreseeing the future, face the announced news of a new restructuring, on behalf of the interests of the country, and in order to raise the quality of performance of the tax inspection, fiscal and customs, the National Republican Guard shall maintain a model based on the experience already accumulated, obviously adapted to the new demands of a changing society. Despite the current model gain in efficiency, loses in effectiveness. However, the efficiency of a model, without the necessary resources, can never bring “the letter to Garcia” against any kind of infringements, criminal or transgressions. Unless better opinion, both tax structures of the National Republican Guard are valid as an instrument for the prevention and combat of these illegal types. Because they are strategic in pursuing the public interest, given the scarce resources of the country and be the National Republican Guard, the force with the means and know-how of this nature. The political power has the final word.

Developing a gamification system to increase customer lifetime value at MyGon

There have never been so many touch points between companies and consumers as there are today, which paradoxically makes it very challenging for companies to be able to retain and engage customers. Gamification is a strategy used by a large number of companies to increase customer engagement and customer lifetime value. This work aims at developing a gamification system for MyGon, a Portuguese startup working in the market of discounts and experiences. In addition to examining the literature concerning gamification, its elements and characteristics, recommendations were developed for addressing MyGon’s business goals of increasing conversion and customer engagement. The gamification mechanisms suggested include badges, missions, points, leaderboards and levels.

Interdisciplinary knowledge transfer and technological applications for assessment, strengthening and monitoring of timber structures in Europe

COST (European Co-operation in the field of scientific and technical research) is the longest running framework for research co-operation iri Europe, having been established in 1971 by a Ministerial Conference attended by Ministers for Science and Technology from 19 countries. Today COST is used by the scientific communities of 35 European countries to cooperate in exchanging knowledge and technology developed within research projects supported by national or European funds. The main objective of COST is to contribute to the realization of the European Research Área (ERA) anticipating and complementing the activities of the' Framework Programmes, constituting a "bridge" towards the scientific communities of emerging countries, increasing the mobility of researchers across Europe and fostering the establishment of "Networks of Excelience". Another essential objective is the knowledge transfer between the scientific soc'iety and industry. It is widely acknowledged that European scientific performance in relation to investment in science is excellent but technological and commercial performance has steadily worsened. The present paper discusses how the COST Action's instruments, from training schools to short scientific missions and workshops have been used within The COST ACTION FP11O1 Assessment, Reinforcement and Monitoring of Timber Structures to achieve such objectives.

Monitoring energy consumption in android applications

Dissertação de Mestrado em Engenharia Informática

Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) coletados à luz a 45 metros de altura, no dossel da floresta amazônica, e a descrição de quatro espécies novas

É apresentada uma relação das 69 espécies de Cerambycidae coletados a 45 m numa torre metálica de 50 m que ultrapassa a maioria das copas das árvores, num platô de terra firme, na bacia do Rio Cueiras, Estação Experimental de Silvicultura Tropical, km 14 do núcleo ZF-2 em Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas de janeiro a dezembro de 2004, durante três noites de transição lunar minguante/nova de cada mês, das 18 às 6 horas. Os insetos foram capturados em um lençol iluminado com lâmpada de 250 watts, luz mista de vapor de mecúrio e lâmpada de 20 watts BLB. Foram coletados Prioninae (12 espécies), Disteniinae (uma espécie), Cerambycinae (27 espécies) e Lamiinae (29 espécies). Novas espécies descritas: Physopleurus rafaeli, sp. nov. (Prioninae, Macrotomini); Oncideres tuberosa sp. nov. (Lamiinae, Onciderini), Plistonax rafaeli sp. nov. (Lamiinae, Acanthoderini) e Hemiloapis mena sp. nov. (Lamiinae, Hemilophini). São apresentadas notas em Oncideres phaetusa Dillon & Dillon, 1946, chave que modifica aquela para as espécies de Physopleurus Lacordaire, 1869 e chave para as espécies de Hemiloapis Galileo & Martins, 2004.

As agências europeias no Direito Administrativo Europeu

Dissertação de mestrado em Direito Administrativo

Generating timed trajectories foran autonomous robot

Tese de Doutoramento Programa Doutoral em Engenharia Electrónica e Computadores

Registros de Mantodea (Insecta) coletados à luz no dossel da floresta, na torre do km 14 do núcleo ZF-2, Manaus, Brasil

Foram realizadas coletas mensais de insetos de janeiro a dezembro de 2004, durante três noites de transição lunar minguante/nova, das 18:00 às 06:00 horas. Os espécimes foram capturados em um lençol iluminado com lâmpada de 250 watts, luz mista de vapor de mercúrio e lâmpada de 20 watts black light (BL) e black light bulb (BLB). A armadilha foi montada a 45 metros de altura numa torre metálica de 50 metros, que ultrapassa a maioria das copas das árvores, num platô de terra firme, na bacia do rio Cuieiras, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil. Foram coletados 23 espécies de Mantodea, sendo Chaeteessidae (1 espécie); Mantoididae (2); Mantidae (15); Thespidae (2) e Acanthopidae (3). Seis espécies são novas e serão descritas oportunamente nos seguintes gêneros: Cardioptera Burmeister, 1838, Phyllovates Kirby, 1904, Pseudovates Saussure, 1869, Stagmomantis Saussure, 1869, Stagmatoptera Burmeister, 1838 e Metilia Stal, 1877. Três espécies registradas para o Brasil sem uma região determinada estão sendo registradas para a Amazônia brasileira: Heterovates pardalina Saussure, 1872, Macromantis ovalifolia (Stoll, 1813) e Photina reticulata (Burmeister, 1838). Quatro registros são novos para o estado do Amazonas: Angela guianensis Rehn, 1906, Photina gracillis Giglio-Tos, 1915, Raptrix perspicua (Fabricius, 1787) e Vates festae Gigio-Tos, 1914. Os números de indivíduos, em cada coleta mensal, são apresentados para cada espécie.