2026
Authors
Ramalho, FR; Soares, AL; Simoes, AC; Almeida, AH; Oliveira, M;
Publication
ADVANCES IN PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. CYBER-PHYSICAL-HUMAN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: HUMAN-AI COLLABORATION AND BEYOND, APMS 2025, PT I
Abstract
This paper evaluates an Augmented Reality (AR) solution designed to support quality control in a assembly line inspection station before body marriage at a European automotive manufacturer. A threephase methodology was applied: an AS-IS assessment, a formative evaluation of an intermediate prototype, and a summative evaluation under real production conditions. The AR solution aimed to improve task standardization, non-value-added time (NVAT), and enhance operator accuracy. The results showed that operators successfully developed inspections using the AR tool, identifying and correcting non-conformities (NOKs) while maintaining task duration. Participants valued having contextual information directly in their field of vision and reported increased rigor and consistency. However, usability and ergonomic improvements were noted, such as headset weight, gesture interaction, and visibility over dark components. The findings highlight AR's potential to support operator autonomy and accuracy in industrial environments while emphasizing the need for human-centered design and integration to ensure long-term adoption.
2026
Authors
Baltazar, P; Barros, JD; Gomes, L;
Publication
ELECTRONICS
Abstract
This study presents a photovoltaic (PV)-based electric vehicle (EV) charging system designed to optimize energy use and support isolated microgrid operations. The system integrates PV panels, DC/AC, AC/DC, and DC/DC converters, voltage and frequency droop control, and two energy management algorithms: Power Sharing and SEWP (Spread Energy with Priority). The DC/AC converter demonstrated high efficiency, with stable AC output and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) limited to 1%. The MPPT algorithm ensured optimal energy extraction under both gradual and abrupt irradiance variations. The DC/DC converter operated in constant current mode followed by constant voltage regulation, enabling stable power delivery and preserving battery integrity. The Power Sharing algorithm, which distributes PV energy equally, favored vehicles with a higher initial state of charge (SOC), while leaving low-SOC vehicles at modest levels, reducing satisfaction under limited irradiance. In contrast, SEWP prioritized low-SOC EVs, enabling them to achieve higher SOC values compared to the Power Sharing algorithm, reducing SOC dispersion and enhancing fairness. The integration of voltage and frequency droop controls allowed the station to support microgrid stability by limiting reactive power injection to 30% of apparent power and adjusting charging current in response to frequency deviation.
2026
Authors
Pimentel, L; Bernardo, MD; Rocha, T;
Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION
Abstract
Recent technological advancements have increased computer crime, requiring public authorities to implement structured mitigation strategies. While initiatives exist to improve digital literacy on device security, they must also address the complexities of computer crime. Using Design Science Research, this study investigated the applicability of chatbots to raise awareness of computer crime in a public administration setting. A systematic literature review highlighted the issue's relevance and identified knowledge gaps. A scoping review gathered concepts, methodologies, technologies, architectures, and tools for developing and evaluating an effective chatbot. The design and development phase included a detailed proposal for a sophisticated chatbot architecture. During the demonstration and evaluation phases, the utility of the chatbot was tested in the domain of conversational flow efficiency and usability. The study's primary results and contributions are to assess the chatbot's effectiveness in raising awareness of computer crime on public websites. Future work should focus on implementing the chatbot in the actual context of public administration, proposing a network of specialized conversational assistants, and improving public service interoperability to enhance computer crime awareness.
2026
Authors
Guerra, AR; Oliveira, LR; Rodrigues, GO; Pinheiro, MR; Carvalho, MI; Tuchín, VV; Oliveira, LM;
Publication
IEEE JOURNAL OF SELECTED TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS
Abstract
Evaluating diffusion properties of novel optical clearing (OC) agents is critical for advancing medical imaging. Tartrazine (TTZ), a strong absorbing dye, has shown promise in enhancing tissue transparency, yet its diffusion properties remain uncharacterized. In this work, OC treatments with TTZ-water solutions with varying osmolarities were performed, and the diffusion times (tau) that characterize the tissue dehydration and the RI matching mechanisms were estimated. From kinetic T-c measurements during treatment, tau values of water and TTZ were estimated in muscles as 60.0 s and 416.0 s, respectively. Corresponding diffusion coefficients (D) were derived from sample thickness data measured during treatments where the unique fluxes of TTZ and water occur. The respective D values were then calculated as 1.9 x 10(-6) cm(2)/s for water and 3.6 x 10(-7) cm(2)/s for TTZ. These findings provide key insights into TTZ diffusion in skeletal muscle and support its potential as an effective OC agent.
2026
Authors
Lucas, C; Morais, J; Pereira, A; Paulo, J; Almeida, F; Santos, J;
Publication
Administrative Sciences
Abstract
2026
Authors
Campos, R; Krofel, M; Rio Maior, H; Renna, F;
Publication
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
Abstract
Automated sound-event detection is crucial for large-scale passive acoustic monitoring of wildlife, but the availability of ready-to-use tools is narrow across taxa. Machine learning is currently the state-of-the-art framework for developing sound-event detection tools tailored to specific wildlife calls. Gray wolves (Canis lupus), a species with intricate management necessities, howl spontaneously for long-distance intra- and inter-pack communication, which makes them a prime target for passive acoustic monitoring. Yet, there is currently no pre-trained, open-access tool that allows reliable automated detection of wolf howls in recorded soundscapes. We collected 50 137 h of soundscape data, where we manually labeled 841 unique howling events. We used this dataset to fine-tune VGGish-a convolutional neural network trained for audio classification-effectively retraining it for wolf howl detection. HOWLish correctly classified 77% of the wolf howling examples present on our test set, with a false positive rate of 1.74%; still, precision was low (0.006) granted extreme class imbalance (7124:1). During field tests, HOWLish retrieved 81.3% of the observed howling events while offering a 15-fold reduction in operator time when compared to fully manual detection. This work establishes the baseline for open-access automated wolf howl detection. HOWLish facilitates remote sensing of wild wolf populations, offering new opportunities in non-invasive large-scale monitoring and communication research of wolves. The knowledge gap we addressed here spans across many soniferous taxa, to which our approach also tallies.
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