31097 research outputs found
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MANCAPT: Identificação de autores e transcrição de manuscritos
Get PDFEste trabalho explora os desafios da digitalização de documentos manuscritos, com foco na
variabilidade da caligrafia e nas limitações dos sistemas de Reconhecimento Ótico de
Caracteres (OCR) genéricos. Este trabalho consiste na criação de um protótipo designado por
MANCAPT, que apresenta uma solução baseada em tecnologias avançadas, incluindo o
Microsoft AI Document Intelligence, utilizado para a criação de modelos personalizados de
diferentes autorias e transcrição dos manuscritos, e a arquitetura neural InceptionV3, utilizada
para a identificação dos autores dos manuscritos com elevada precisão.
O MANCAPT integra técnicas de pré-processamento como a binarização, remoção de
ruído e normalização da escala, complementadas por data augmentation para criar um conjunto
de treino consistente. Foram utilizadas imagens manuscritas e impressas numa proporção
equilibrada (70% impressas 30% manuscritas), permitindo ao modelo capturar tanto padrões
claros como nuances estilísticas da escrita manual.
Os resultados experimentais demonstraram que a integração do InceptionV3 e do Azure AI
Document Intelligence no sistema aumentou a precisão da identificação de autores para 98% e
reduziu a Taxa de Erro de Caracteres (CER) para 6%, em comparação com o modelo genérico
do Azure AI Document Intelligence, que obteve um CER de 11,3% na transcrição de
manuscritos. A abordagem personalizada do MANCAPT revelou-se crucial para lidar com as
idiossincrasias da escrita, promovendo a eficiência em soluções de OCR.This work explores the challenges of digitizing handwritten documents, focusing on
handwriting variability and the limitations of generic Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
systems. This study involves the creation of a prototype named MANCAPT, which provides a
solution based on advanced technologies, including Microsoft AI Document Intelligence for
the development of customized models for different authors and the transcription of
manuscripts, as well as the neural architecture InceptionV3 for high-precision author
identification.
MANCAPT integrates preprocessing techniques such as binarization, noise removal, and
scale normalization, complemented by data augmentation to create a robust and resilient
training dataset. Handwritten and printed images were used in a balanced proportion (70%
printed, 30% handwritten), allowing the model to capture both clear patterns and stylistic
nuances of manual writing.
Experimental results demonstrated that integrating InceptionV3 with Azure AI Document
Intelligence improved author identification accuracy to 98% and reduced the Character Error
Rate (CER) to 6%, compared to the generic Azure AI Document Intelligence model, which
achieved a CER of 11.3% in manuscript transcription. The personalized approach of
MANCAPT proved crucial in addressing the idiosyncrasies of handwriting, enhancing the
efficiency of OCR solutions
Exploring street visual audits to make sense of unequal urban landscapes
Get PDFWith the growing availability of panoramic street-level imagery, on platforms such as Google Street View, researchers can investigate urban landscapes in innovative ways. Virtual neighbourhood audits enable the use of this information to describe urban landscapes and their implications for people. However, most publications exploring these possibilities rely on highly specialized programming skills not yet generalized among social researchers. In this study, we make use of panoramic street-level imagery to assess five municipalities and the territorial and spatial inequalities that shape them. It adds to the literature by proposing a mixed method approach that accounts for urban landscape multi-thematic dimensionality, combining a non-computational data extraction procedure with a multivariate analysis that researchers with low programming expertise can replicate. Observational data not only captured the differences between territories as previously known but also provided new insights into territorial inequalities, offering considerations for potential urban management priorities. Illustrating alternative ways to use open visual data enhances the possibility of insight and understanding of urban landscapes, identifying promising areas for multidisciplinary partnerships.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Shifting narratives: The role of science slams in climate mobility communication
Get PDFEffective science communication is essential to bridge the gap between science and the public, especially regarding complex, highly politicized topics such as climate mobility. This study examines the effectiveness of a Science Slam as a tool for communicating scientific evidence, a format often overlooked in the academic literature. A short survey was conducted before and after the Science Slams on climate mobility narratives, and a discussion was facilitated at the event’s conclusion. The findings reveal a significant impact of the Science Slams on the audience support for narratives addressed during the event, while the support for not-discussed narratives remained unchanged.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
“Aprendo aqui o que não aprendo em mais lado nenhum”: Análise de uma comunidade online na área da saúde
Get PDFThis article aims to analyse the dynamics underlying communication within an online health community focused on carers, titled “Vencer Autismo” (Overcoming Autism). The community’s central platform was a Facebook page, supported by a weekly live programme moderated by moderators. A qualitative research approach was adopted, employing digital ethnography and interviews. The empirical study spanned over nine months, from September 2022 to May 2023, with the primary phase consisting of ten weeks of digital ethnography, followed by 10 interviews. The analysis of the relationships between identified elements revealed that the knowledge shared within the community is viewed as rare by its members. This knowledge is based on lived experiences, with an emphasis on practical learning, testing, and irreverent discourse. Regular interactions were found to strengthen relationships, while the sense of inclusion served as a unifying force. Trust, another key theme, was found to be volatile—and in constant development — reliant on minimal factors such as moderators refraining from commenting on topics outside their expertise. Transparency emerged as a shared value within the community. The role of moderators was also recognised, with their participation justified in ensuring that interactions remain respectful.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Institutionally endorsed reputation for CSR leadership and the textual characteristics of CEO letters in CSR reports
Get PDFPurpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the readability and length of CEO letters in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports of the US firms included in the North America DJSI Eligible Universe.
Design/methodology/approach
Data analysis is based on regression models.
Findings
Firms with a reputation for CSR leadership (those in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index [DJSI firms]) present larger CEO letters, but within these firms, those with lower financial performance stand out for presenting even lengthier narratives. Only firms with reputation for leadership in CSR enjoying high financial performance present more readable CEO letters when compared to firms lacking such reputation.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to the literature by proposing a multi-signal approach to the study of CSR reporting and emphasizing the importance of looking at institutional endorsements of CSR performance and financial performance interconnectedly.
Practical implications
This study can help managers and organizations become aware of the various forces that could drive the need for CSR communication and help them to be responsive to stakeholder audiences by communicating information about the organization’s socially responsible strategies and activities.
Social implications
This study’s theoretical argument and findings suggest the corporate stakeholders and policymakers should examine differently CSR reports from firms with and without institutionally endorsed CSR performance while also considering their levels of financial performance.
Originality/value
This study uniquely takes a multi-signal lens of analysis to examine the associations between textual characteristics of CSR narratives and CSR performance and financial performance.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Practices of listening to music. Classical concerts in Lisbon: A public dimension
Get PDFThis thesis investigates the listening practices of classical concert audiences in Lisbon,
examining them within the social, spatial, and aesthetic dimensions. It challenges the traditional
view of classical concerts as an isolated cultural domain by exploring the diverse ways
individuals engage with classical music and proposing new approaches to understand classical
concert experience through the audience perspective.
The research adopts an interdisciplinary approach, combining anthropology, sociology,
musicology, philosophy, and cultural and sound studies. It is based on ethnographic data
collected through participant observation and interviews at key Lisbon concert venues, notably
Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian and Centro Cultural de Belém. The methodology includes
qualitative analysis of listening habits, audience engagement, and concert rituals.
The findings reveal a complex interplay between classical music listeners and the concert
environment, shaped by embodied listening techniques that are represented socially and
physically. The dissertation shows how audience segmentation is influenced by adherence to
concert rituals. It highlights distinct listening practices of different audience groups, comparing
their taste preferences and motives for attendance. It explores aspects such as dress code
acceptance and familiarity with the concert space, listening preparation strategies, interpretation
and evaluation modifies.
This thesis underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of classical concert culture in
Lisbon. It argues for a reevaluation of the classical music concert experience as a cultural
phenomenon that extends beyond elitist features, emphasizing the need for inclusive, socially
aware approaches to understanding audience interaction and music perception in contemporary
settings.Esta tese investiga as práticas de escuta do público de concertos de música clássica em Lisboa
e examina-as nas dimensões social, espacial e estética. Desafia a visão tradicional dos concertos
clássicos como um domínio cultural isolado, ao explorar as diversas formas como os indivíduos
se envolvem com a música clássica e ao propor novas abordagens para compreender a
experiência dos concertos clássicos através da perspectiva do público.
A investigação adopta uma abordagem interdisciplinar, combinando antropologia,
sociologia, musicologia, filosofia e estudos da cultura e do som. Baseia-se em dados
etnográficos recolhidos através de observação participante e entrevistas nas principais salas de
concerto de Lisboa, nomeadamente a Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian e o Centro Cultural de
Belém. A metodologia inclui uma análise qualitativa dos hábitos de escuta, do envolvimento
do público e os rituais de concerto.
Os resultados revelam uma interação complexa entre os ouvintes de música clássica e o
ambiente de concerto, moldada por técnicas de escuta corporizadas que são representadas social
e fisicamente. A dissertação mostra como a segmentação do público é influenciada pela adesão
aos rituais de concerto. Destaca as práticas de escuta distintas de diferentes grupos de público,
comparando as suas preferências de gosto e motivos para assistir a concertos. Explora aspectos
como a aceitação do código de vestuário e a familiaridade com o espaço de concerto, as
estratégias de preparação da escuta e os modos de interpretação e avaliação.
Esta tese sublinha a natureza dinâmica e evolutiva da cultura de concertos clássicos em
Lisboa. Defende uma reavaliação da experiência do concerto de música clássica como um
fenómeno cultural que se estende para além dos traços elitistas, enfatizando a necessidade de
abordagens inclusivas e socialmente conscientes para compreender a interação do público e a
percepção da música em ambientes contemporâneos
Essays on taxation in Africa and tax reforms in Angola
Get PDFThe thesis addresses the following research questions: What was the impact of the tax-reforms on the non-oil tax revenues in Angola? How is taxation affecting democracy indices in Africa? Is there evidence of a Laffer curve for taxes in Africa?
First, we estimated the impact of tax-reforms on non-oil tax revenues in Angola 2008-2021. We found that reforms had a positive impact on the non-oil fiscal revenues. The ARDL model showed, in comparison to the years before the reforms, that the 2011 reform contributed to 46% more non-oil tax revenues, the 2015 reform to 140.5%, and the 2019 reform to a 115.6%.
Then we applied econometric methods for-panel-data to study the impact of taxes, measured by tax revenues/GDP ratio on democracy indices in 50 African countries in the period 1980-2021. The findings reveal that the relationship is concave, demonstrating that the impact of taxation is positive up to a certain threshold, after which democracy-indices start to decrease. The threshold was found to be around 26%-27%, greater than the observed average tax-revenue/ GDP ratio in the continent, which was of 14%.
Finally, we estimated the Laffer curve for three tax revenues categories (corporate, labour, and in-direct) using a panel of 25 African countries in the period of 2011-2021 using parametric and non-parametric regressions. We found evidence of Laffer curve for the three tax categories. The Reve-nues-Maximizing-tax-rates for the corporate tax revenues were found to be between 26%-27%; for the indirect taxes, between 13%-15.2%; and for the labour taxes, between 40.8%-45%.A tese responde às seguintes questões de investigação: Qual foi o impacto da reforma tributária nas receitas fiscais não petrolíferas em Angola? Como é que a tributação afeta os índices de democracia em África? Há evidência de existência da curva de Laffer nos impostos em África?
Primeiro, avaliamos o impacto da reforma tributária nas receitas fiscais não petrolíferas entre 2008-2021, utilizando modelos de regressão econométricas. Os resultados mostraram que as reformas tiveram impacto positivo. O modelo ARDL mostrou que, em comparação com os anos anteriores à reforma, a de 2011 contribuiu para um aumento de 46% das receitas fiscais, a de 2015 para um aumento de 140,5%, e a de 2019 para um aumento de 115,6%.
Depois, aplicamos métodos econométricos para dados-em-painel para estudar o impacto da tributação, medida pelo rácio receitas fiscais/PIB, nos índices de democracia em 50 países Africanos entre 1980-2021. Os resultados revelaram que a relação é côncava, demonstrando que o impacto da tributação é positivo até um determinado limiar, após o qual os índices de democracia começam a diminuir. O limiar está entre 26%-27%, claramente superior ao rácio médio das receitas fiscais/PIB observado no Continente, que foi de 14%.
Finalmente estimamos a curva de Laffer para três categorias de impostos (empresas, trabalho, e impostos indiretos), utilizando 25 países Africanos entre 2011-2021, recorrendo a métodos de regressão paramétricos e não paramétricos. Descobrimos evidências de curva de Laffer nos três impostos. As taxas-de-impostos maximizadoras das receitas fiscais dos impostos sobre as empresas estão entre 26%-27%; dos impostos indiretos, entre 13%-15,2%; e sobre o trabalho, entre 40.8%-45%
Accounting for Oslo Manual: Reflecting on the past and setting the stage for future research
Get PDFThe Oslo Manual is the internationally recognized reference for guiding the collection and interpretation of evidence on innovation. This research explores its three-decade-long implementation and influence, emphasizing its role within the research community. We assess the content’s quantity and quality through an advanced bibliometric and textmetric analysis of over 1300 research papers published in internationally indexed journals. Our study offers an evidence-based understanding of the Oslo Manual’s adoption and impact, elucidating disciplinary integration, geographical interest, and reception phases. Notably, the findings unveil the increasing significance of innovation-related topics since its inaugural edition in 1992, with a pronounced surge gaining momentum after 2008. Furthermore, the consistently cited references underscore the researchers’ focus, highlighting the rising importance of innovation and interconnected domains like entrepreneurship, performance, knowledge, and management. This study enhances our understanding of the Oslo Manual’s use and influence, revealing its enduring relevance and its broader impact on shaping innovation research.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
How T-cruiscape shapes the flow experience of passenger's well-being
Get PDFUnderstanding the new T-cruiscape (a servicescape integrated with technological services in the cruise industry) onboard cruise ships is key for managers. Therefore, this research integrated the T-cruiscape, flow experience, and subjective well-being within the Stimuli–Organism–Response framework to examine how the T-cruiscape shapes the passenger flow experience and enhances their well-being and how discomfort acts as a moderator in this relationship. A mixed-method approach was adopted, including 35 interviews with crew members who were experienced in working with these technologies and passengers, followed by a survey of 358 passengers who had used these technologies. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using MaxQda2020, while quantitative data was analyzed using SmartPLS4. The findings from interviews corroborated the seven facets of T-cruiscape, which were then considered in the main study. T-cruiscape acting as stimuli can generate flow experience and, subsequently, passengers' subjective well-being through desirable feelings. The discomfort passengers feel when using technology can strengthen the relationship between the T-cruiscape and the flow experience. The theoretical and practical implications of the research provide valuable insights into potential marketing practices and suggest avenues for future research.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Consumer motivations for participation in the sharing economy: A goal-framing perspective
Get PDFThe SE (SE) is reshaping industries and consumer behaviours, yet existing research lacks a unified theoretical explanation of the psychological drivers behind participation in Sharing-Based Programs (SBPs). To address this gap, this study explores why consumers choose to engage with SBPs, focusing on hedonic, gain, and normative motives using goal-framing theory as a lens and integrating the sharing–exchange continuum. The purpose of this research is to empirically test how these motives influence participation and how these patterns vary across different platform types. Based on a between-subject experimental design with 320 participants, results reveal that consumers perceive SBPs as aligned with collective societal norms, thus activating normative goals that foster collaboration, fairness, and pro-social behaviour. This alignment significantly supports social and environmental sustainability outcomes. By extending goal-framing theory into the SE context, this study contributes theoretically and offers actionable insights for businesses to design inclusive, purpose-driven, and sustainability-oriented platforms that resonate with users’ underlying motivations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio