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Publicações

Publicações por CRAS

2021

Responsible processing of crowdsourced tourism data

Autores
Leal, F; Malheiro, B; Veloso, B; Burguillo, JC;

Publicação
JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Abstract
Online tourism crowdsourcing platforms, such as AirBnB, Expedia or TripAdvisor, rely on the continuous data sharing by tourists and businesses to provide free or paid value-added services. When adequately processed, these data streams can be used to explain and support businesses in the early identification of trends as well as prospective tourists in obtaining tailored recommendations, increasing the confidence in the platform and empowering further end-users. However, existing platforms still do not embrace the desired accountability, responsibility and transparency (ART) design principles, underlying to the concept of sustainable tourism. The objective of this work is to study this problem, identify the most promising techniques which follow these principles and design a novel ART-compliant processing pipeline. To this end, this work surveys: (i) real-time data stream mining techniques for recommendation and trend identification; (ii) trust and reputation (T&R) modelling of data contributors; (iii) chained-based storage of trust models as smart contracts for traceability and authenticity; and (iv) trust- and reputation-based explanations for a transparent and satisfying user experience. The proposed pipeline redesign has implications both to digital and to sustainable tourism since it advances the current processing of tourism crowdsourcing platforms and impacts on the three pillars of sustainable tourism.

2021

New metrology for radon at the environmental level

Autores
Rottger, A; Rottger, S; Grossi, C; Vargas, A; Curcoll, R; Otahal, P; Hernandez Ceballos, MA; Cinelli, G; Chambers, S; Barbosa, SA; Ioan, MR; Radulescu, I; Kikaj, D; Chung, ED; Arnold, T; Yver Kwok, C; Fuente, M; Mertes, F; Morosh, V;

Publicação
MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Abstract
Radon gas is the largest source of public exposure to naturally occurring radioactivity. However, radon is also a useful tracer for understanding atmospheric processes, assessing the accuracy of chemical transport models, and enabling integrated emissions estimates of greenhouse gases. A sound metrological system for low level atmospheric radon observations is therefore needed for the benefit of the atmospheric, climate and radiation protection research communities. To this end, here we present a new calibration method for activity concentrations below 20 Bq m(-3) and a prototype of the first portable radon monitor capable of achieving uncertainties of 5% (at k = 2) at these concentrations. Compliance checking of policy-driven regulations regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is an essential component of climate change mitigation efforts. Independent, reliable 'top down' methods that can be applied consistently for estimating local- to regional-scale GHG emissions (such as the radon tracer method (RTM)) are an essential part of this process. The RTM relies upon observed radon and GHG concentrations and measured or modeled radon fluxes. Reliable radon flux maps could also significantly aid EU member states comply with European COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2013/59/EURATOM. This article also introduces the traceRadon project, key aims of which include outlining a standardized approach for application of the RTM, creating infrastructure with a traceability chain for radon concentration and radon flux measurements, and developing tools for the validation of radon flux models. Since radon progeny dominate the terrestrial gamma dose rate, the planned traceRadon activities are also expected to improve the sensitivity of radiation protection early warning networks because of the correlation known to exist between radon flux and ambient equivalent dose rates.

2021

Glossary on atmospheric electricity and its effects on biology

Autores
Fdez Arroyabe, P; Kourtidis, K; Haldoupis, C; Savoska, S; Matthews, J; Mir, LM; Kassomenos, P; Cifra, M; Barbosa, S; Chen, XM; Dragovic, S; Consoulas, C; Hunting, ER; Robert, D; van der Velde, OA; Apollonio, F; Odzimek, A; Chilingarian, A; Roye, D; Mkrtchyan, H; Price, C; Bor, J; Oikonomou, C; Birsan, MV; Crespo Facorro, B; Djordjevic, M; Salcines, C; Lopez Jimenez, A; Donner, RV; Vana, M; Pedersen, JOP; Vorenhout, M; Rycroft, M;

Publicação
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY

Abstract
There is an increasing interest to study the interactions between atmospheric electrical parameters and living organisms at multiple scales. So far, relatively few studies have been published that focus on possible biological effects of atmospheric electric and magnetic fields. To foster future work in this area of multidisciplinary research, here we present a glossary of relevant terms. Its main purpose is to facilitate the process of learning and communication among the different scientific disciplines working on this topic. While some definitions come from existing sources, other concepts have been re-defined to better reflect the existing and emerging scientific needs of this multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary area of research.

2021

Rotação da Terra e duração do dia

Autores
Mendes, V; Barbosa, S;

Publicação
Revista de Ciência Elementar

Abstract

2021

Prediction of Dansgaard-Oeschger events using machine learning

Autores
Moniz, N; Barbosa, S;

Publicação

Abstract
<p>The Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) events are one of the most striking examples of abrupt climate change in the Earth's history, representing temperature oscillations of about 8 to 16 degrees Celsius within a few decades. DO events have been studied extensively in paleoclimatic records, particularly in ice core proxies. Examples include the Greenland NGRIP record of oxygen isotopic composition.<br>This work addresses the anticipation of DO events using machine learning algorithms. We consider the NGRIP time series from 20 to 60 kyr b2k with the GICC05 timescale and 20-year temporal resolution. Forecasting horizons range from 0 (nowcasting) to 400 years. We adopt three different machine learning algorithms (random forests, support vector machines, and logistic regression) in training windows of 5 kyr. We perform validation on subsequent test windows of 5 kyr, based on timestamps of previous DO events' classification in Greenland by Rasmussen et al. (2014). We perform experiments with both sliding and growing windows.<br>Results show that predictions on sliding windows are better overall, indicating that modelling is affected by non-stationary characteristics of the time series. The three algorithms' predictive performance is similar, with a slightly better performance of random forest models for shorter forecast horizons. The prediction models' predictive capability decreases as the forecasting horizon grows more extensive but remains reasonable up to 120 years. Model performance deprecation is mostly related to imprecision in accurately determining the start and end time of events and identifying some periods as DO events when such is not valid.</p>

2021

Investigation on the role of elevated gamma radiation in ion production during precipitation

Autores
Chen, X; Barbosa, S; Paatero, J; Kulmala, M; Junninen, H;

Publicação

Abstract
<p>Air ions are ubiquitous in the atmosphere. These charge carriers can be found in various forms as charged molecules, nanoclusters as well as aerosol particles. The population of air ions normally concentrates in the cluster size range (0.8 – 1.7 nm in mobility equivalent diameters) in the absence of particle formation processes. A concentration burst in the intermediate size range (1.7 – 7 nm) can be typically observed during atmospheric new particle formation (NPF) and in precipitation episodes <sup>1</sup>. Contrary to the intermediate ions formed during NPF that favour growth to larger sizes, intermediate ion bursts resulting from precipitation tend to shrink <sup>2,3</sup>. The production of intermediate ions during precipitation has been attributed to the Lenard effect and they are usually referred to as the balloelectric ions <sup>3</sup>.</p><p>During precipitation the rain-out and wash-out of radon progeny increase the gamma dose at ground level <sup>4</sup>. Being a type of ionising radiation, gamma creates positive and negative charges in the air. These charges are either lost in recombination or transformed into air ions. It is therefore interesting to understand whether the precipitation-associated elevation in gamma radiation plays any role in forming or neutralising the balloelectric ions. At SMEAR II station in Hyytiälä, Finland <sup>5</sup>, we have conducted measurements of air ions, gamma radiation, precipitation together with other meteorological parameters. A similar establishment of the measurement set stands also at SMEAR Estonia station in Jarvseljä, Estonia <sup>6</sup>. The data collected at Hyytiälä from 2017.7 to 2018.8 show that the intermediate ion concentration correlates with rainfall only when the precipitation intensity is greater than 1 mm/h. For milder rainfall with the precipitation intensity being 0.1-1 mm/h, the intermediate ion concentration increases with an increase in the gamma counts. The work is under progress and we intend to extend the analysis to Jarvseljä data for a comprehensive understanding of the observations.</p><p>Acknowledgements: This work received financial supports from European Regional Development Fund (project MOBTT42) under the Mobilitas Pluss programme and from Estonian Research Council project PRG714.</p><p>References:</p><p>1. Tammet, H., Komsaare, K. & Hõrrak, U. Intermediate ions in the atmosphere. Atmospheric Research <strong>135-136</strong>, 263-273, doi:10.1016/j.atmosres.2012.09.009 (2014).</p><p>2. Hõrrak, U. et al. Formation of Charged Nanometer Aerosol Particles Associated with Rainfall: Atmospheric Measurements and Lab Experiment. Report Series in Aerosol Science <strong>80</strong>, 180-185 (2006).</p><p>3. Tammet, H., Hõrrak, U. & Kulmala, M. Negatively charged nanoparticles produced by splashing of water. Atmos. Chem. Phys. <strong>9</strong>, 357–367 (2009).</p><p>4. Paatero, J. & Hatakka, J. Wet deposition efficiency of short-lived radon-222 progeny in central Finland. Boreal Env. Res. <strong>4</strong>, 285-293 (1999).</p><p>5. Hari, P. & Kulmala, M. Station for measuring ecosystem-atmosphere relations (SMEAR II). Boreal Environ. Res. <strong>10</strong>, 315-322 (2005).</p><p>6. Noe, S. M. et al. SMEAR Estonia: Perspectives of a large-scale forest ecosystem – atmosphere research infrastructure. Forestry Studies <strong>63</strong>, doi:10.1515/fsmu-2015-0009 (2015).</p>

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