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Showing papers by "Instituto Superior Técnico published in 2016"


Journal ArticleDOI
John Allison1, K. Amako2, John Apostolakis3, Pedro Arce4, Makoto Asai5, Tsukasa Aso6, Enrico Bagli, Alexander Bagulya7, Sw. Banerjee8, G. Barrand9, B. R. Beck10, Alexey Bogdanov11, D. Brandt, Jeremy M. C. Brown12, Helmut Burkhardt3, Ph Canal8, D. Cano-Ott4, Stephane Chauvie, Kyung-Suk Cho13, G.A.P. Cirrone14, Gene Cooperman15, M. A. Cortés-Giraldo16, G. Cosmo3, Giacomo Cuttone14, G.O. Depaola17, Laurent Desorgher, X. Dong15, Andrea Dotti5, Victor Daniel Elvira8, Gunter Folger3, Ziad Francis18, A. Galoyan19, L. Garnier9, M. Gayer3, K. Genser8, Vladimir Grichine7, Vladimir Grichine3, Susanna Guatelli20, Susanna Guatelli21, Paul Gueye22, P. Gumplinger23, Alexander Howard24, Ivana Hřivnáčová9, S. Hwang13, Sebastien Incerti25, Sebastien Incerti26, A. Ivanchenko3, Vladimir Ivanchenko3, F.W. Jones23, S. Y. Jun8, Pekka Kaitaniemi27, Nicolas A. Karakatsanis28, Nicolas A. Karakatsanis29, M. Karamitrosi30, M.H. Kelsey5, Akinori Kimura31, Tatsumi Koi5, Hisaya Kurashige32, A. Lechner3, S. B. Lee33, Francesco Longo34, M. Maire, Davide Mancusi, A. Mantero, E. Mendoza4, B. Morgan35, K. Murakami2, T. Nikitina3, Luciano Pandola14, P. Paprocki3, J Perl5, Ivan Petrović36, Maria Grazia Pia, W. Pokorski3, J. M. Quesada16, M. Raine, Maria A.M. Reis37, Alberto Ribon3, A. Ristic Fira36, Francesco Romano14, Giorgio Ivan Russo14, Giovanni Santin38, Takashi Sasaki2, D. Sawkey39, J. I. Shin33, Igor Strakovsky40, A. Taborda37, Satoshi Tanaka41, B. Tome, Toshiyuki Toshito, H.N. Tran42, Pete Truscott, L. Urbán, V. V. Uzhinsky19, Jerome Verbeke10, M. Verderi43, B. Wendt44, H. Wenzel8, D. H. Wright5, Douglas Wright10, T. Yamashita, J. Yarba8, H. Yoshida45 
TL;DR: Geant4 as discussed by the authors is a software toolkit for the simulation of the passage of particles through matter, which is used by a large number of experiments and projects in a variety of application domains, including high energy physics, astrophysics and space science, medical physics and radiation protection.
Abstract: Geant4 is a software toolkit for the simulation of the passage of particles through matter. It is used by a large number of experiments and projects in a variety of application domains, including high energy physics, astrophysics and space science, medical physics and radiation protection. Over the past several years, major changes have been made to the toolkit in order to accommodate the needs of these user communities, and to efficiently exploit the growth of computing power made available by advances in technology. The adaptation of Geant4 to multithreading, advances in physics, detector modeling and visualization, extensions to the toolkit, including biasing and reverse Monte Carlo, and tools for physics and release validation are discussed here.

2,260 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is pointed out that this assumption that very compact objects with a light ring will display a similar ringdown stage, even when their quasinormal-mode spectrum is completely different from that of a black hole, is wrong.
Abstract: It is commonly believed that the ringdown signal from a binary coalescence provides a conclusive proof for the formation of an event horizon after the merger. This expectation is based on the assumption that the ringdown waveform at intermediate times is dominated by the quasinormal modes of the final object. We point out that this assumption should be taken with great care, and that very compact objects with a light ring will display a similar ringdown stage, even when their quasinormal-mode spectrum is completely different from that of a black hole. In other words, universal ringdown waveforms indicate the presence of light rings, rather than of horizons. Only precision observations of the late-time ringdown signal, where the differences in the quasinormal-mode spectrum eventually show up, can be used to rule out exotic alternatives to black holes and to test quantum effects at the horizon scale.

619 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of wave energy converters and air turbines can be found in this paper, together with a survey of theoretical, numerical and experimental modelling techniques of OWC converters.

594 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that the postmerger ringdown waveform of exotic ultracompact objects is initially identical to that of a black hole, and putative corrections at the horizon scale will appear as secondary pulses after the main burst of radiation.
Abstract: Gravitational waves from binary coalescences provide one of the cleanest signatures of the nature of compact objects. It has been recently argued that the postmerger ringdown waveform of exotic ultracompact objects is initially identical to that of a black hole, and that putative corrections at the horizon scale will appear as secondary pulses after the main burst of radiation. Here we extend this analysis in three important directions: (i) we show that this result applies to a large class of exotic compact objects with a photon sphere for generic orbits in the test-particle limit; (ii) we investigate the late-time ringdown in more detail, showing that it is universally characterized by a modulated and distorted train of ``echoes''of the modes of vibration associated with the photon sphere; (iii) we study for the first time equal-mass, head-on collisions of two ultracompact boson stars and compare their gravitational-wave signal to that produced by a pair of black holes. If the initial objects are compact enough as to mimic a binary black-hole collision up to the merger, the final object exceeds the maximum mass for boson stars and collapses to a black hole. This suggests that---in some configurations---the coalescence of compact boson stars might be almost indistinguishable from that of black holes. On the other hand, generic configurations display peculiar signatures that can be searched for in gravitational-wave data as smoking guns of exotic compact objects.

438 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compare the science capabilities of different eLISA mission designs, including four-link (two-arm) and six-link configurations with different arm lengths, low-frequency noise sensitivities and mission durations.
Abstract: We compare the science capabilities of different eLISA mission designs, including four-link (two-arm) and six-link (three-arm) configurations with different arm lengths, low-frequency noise sensitivities and mission durations. For each of these configurations we consider a few representative massive black hole formation scenarios. These scenarios are chosen to explore two physical mechanisms that greatly affect eLISA rates, namely (i) black hole seeding, and (ii) the delays between the merger of two galaxies and the merger of the black holes hosted by those galaxies. We assess the eLISA parameter estimation accuracy using a Fisher matrix analysis with spin-precessing, inspiral-only waveforms. We quantify the information present in the merger and ringdown by rescaling the inspiral-only Fisher matrix estimates using the signal-to-noise ratio from nonprecessing inspiral-merger-ringdown phenomenological waveforms, and from a reduced set of precessing numerical relativity/post-Newtonian hybrid waveforms. We find that all of the eLISA configurations considered in our study should detect some massive black hole binaries. However, configurations with six links and better low-frequency noise will provide much more information on the origin of black holes at high redshifts and on their accretion history, and they may allow the identification of electromagnetic counterparts to massive black hole mergers.

403 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Modifications of LPS structure and biosynthetic pathways that occur upon adaptation of model opportunistic pathogens to chronic infection in respiratory and gastrointestinal sites are reviewed.
Abstract: The Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major component of the outer membrane that plays a key role in host-pathogen interactions with the innate immune system. During infection, bacteria are exposed to a host environment that is typically dominated by inflammatory cells and soluble factors, including antibiotics, which provide cues about regulation of gene expression. Bacterial adaptive changes including modulation of LPS synthesis and structure are a conserved theme in infections, irrespective of the type or bacteria or the site of infection. In general, these changes result in immune system evasion, persisting inflammation and increased antimicrobial resistance. Here, we review the modifications of LPS structure and biosynthetic pathways that occur upon adaptation of model opportunistic pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria, Helicobacter pylori and Salmonella enterica) to chronic infection in respiratory and gastrointestinal sites. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms of these variations and their role in the host-pathogen interaction.

374 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A comprehensive photophysical investigation of a the emitter molecule DPTZ‐DBTO2, showing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), with near‐orthogonal electron donor (D) and acceptor (A) units is reported, showing critical elements that dictate reverse intersystem crossing processes and thus high efficiency in TADF.
Abstract: Here, a comprehensive photophysical investigation of a the emitter molecule DPTZ-DBTO2, showing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), with near-orthogonal electron donor (D) and acceptor (A) units is reported. It is shown that DPTZ-DBTO2 has minimal singlet–triplet energy splitting due to its near-rigid molecular geometry. However, the electronic coupling between the local triplet (3LE) and the charge transfer states, singlet and triplet, (1CT, 3CT), and the effect of dynamic rocking of the D–A units about the orthogonal geometry are crucial for efficient TADF to be achieved. In solvents with low polarity, the guest emissive singlet 1CT state couples directly to the near-degenerate 3LE, efficiently harvesting the triplet states by a spin orbit coupling charge transfer mechanism (SOCT). However, in solvents with higher polarity the emissive CT state in DPTZ-DBTO2 shifts below (the static) 3LE, leading to decreased TADF efficiencies. The relatively large energy difference between the 1CT and 3LE states and the extremely low efficiency of the 1CT to 3CT hyperfine coupling is responsible for the reduction in TADF efficiency. Both the electronic coupling between 1CT and 3LE, and the (dynamic) orientation of the D–A units are thus critical elements that dictate reverse intersystem crossing processes and thus high efficiency in TADF.

361 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of pair-instability pulsation supernovae on merger rate and mass using populations of double black-hole binaries formed through the isolated binary classical evolution channel were investigated.
Abstract: Context. Mergers of two stellar-origin black holes are a prime source of gravitational waves and are under intensive investigation. One crucial ingredient in their modeling has been neglected: pair-instability pulsation supernovae with associated severe mass loss may suppress the formation of massive black holes, decreasing black-hole-merger rates for the highest black-hole masses. Aims. We demonstrate the effects of pair-instability pulsation supernovae on merger rate and mass using populations of double black-hole binaries formed through the isolated binary classical evolution channel. Methods. The mass loss from pair-instability pulsation supernova is estimated based on existing hydrodynamical calculations. This mass loss is incorporated into the StarTrack population synthesis code. StarTrack is used to generate double black-hole populations with and without pair-instability pulsation supernova mass loss. Results. The mass loss associated with pair-instability pulsation supernovae limits the Population I/II stellar-origin black-hole mass to 50 M ⊙ , in tension with earlier predictions that the maximum black-hole mass could be as high as 100 M ⊙ . In our model, neutron stars form with mass 1−2 M ⊙ . We then encounter the first mass gap at 2−5 M ⊙ with the compact object absence due to rapid supernova explosions, followed by the formation of black holes with mass 5−50 M ⊙ , with a second mass gap at 50−135 M ⊙ created by pair-instability pulsation supernovae and by pair-instability supernovae. Finally, black holes with masses above 135 M ⊙ may potentially form to arbitrarily high mass limited only by the extent of the initial mass function and the strength of stellar winds. Suppression of double black-hole-merger rates by pair-instability pulsation supernovae is negligible for our evolutionary channel. Our standard evolutionary model, with the inclusion of pair-instability pulsation supernovae and pair-instability supernovae, is fully consistent with the Laser Interferometric Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) observations of black-hole mergers: GW150914, GW151226, and LVT151012. The LIGO results are inconsistent with high (≳ 400 km s-1 ) black hole (BH) natal kicks. We predict the detection of several, and up to as many as ~60, BH-BH mergers with a total mass of 10−150 M ⊙ (most likely range: 20−80 M ⊙ ) in the forthcoming ~60 effective days of the LIGO O2 observations, assuming the detectors reach the optimistic target O2 sensitivity.

349 citations


Proceedings Article
19 Jun 2016
TL;DR: Sparsemax, a new activation function similar to the traditional softmax, but able to output sparse probabilities, is proposed, and an unexpected connection between this new loss and the Huber classification loss is revealed.
Abstract: We propose sparsemax, a new activation function similar to the traditional softmax, but able to output sparse probabilities. After deriving its properties, we show how its Jacobian can be efficiently computed, enabling its use in a network trained with backpropagation. Then, we propose a new smooth and convex loss function which is the sparsemax analogue of the logistic loss. We reveal an unexpected connection between this new loss and the Huber classification loss. We obtain promising empirical results in multi-label classification problems and in attention-based neural networks for natural language inference. For the latter, we achieve a similar performance as the traditional softmax, but with a selective, more compact, attention focus.

313 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a crack propagation algorithm which is independent of particular constitutive laws and specific element technology is proposed, which consists of a localization limiter in the form of the screened Poisson equation with local mesh refinement.

268 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of incorporating recycled aggregates, sourced from processed construction and demolition waste, on the modulus of elasticity of concrete is identified, based on the identification, appraisal, selection and synthesis of the evidence of 121 publications published over a period of 43 years from 1973 to 2015.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Soundscape research represents a paradigm shift from noise control policies towards a new multidisciplinary approach as it involves not only physical measurements but also the cooperation of humanity and social sciences to account for the diversity of soundscapes across countries and cultures, with more focus on how people actually experience the acoustic environments; and it considers environmental sounds as a "resource" rather than a "waste" as mentioned in this paper.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that incorporation of nanoscale electro-conductive GNPs into CS hydrogels enhances the properties of myocardial constructs and could find utilization for regeneration of other electroactive tissues.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a phase-field model of crack regularization was proposed for elastic and elasto-plastic materials, where two independent phase fields correspond to the lower and upper faces of the shell.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that massive complex Abelian vector fields (mass μ) can form gravitating solitons, when minimally coupled to Einstein's gravity, with a stationary, everywhere regular and asymptotically flat geometry.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the properties of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) have been investigated at the molecular level, including their properties such as density, thermal behavior, conductivity and polarity.

Journal ArticleDOI
A. Aab1, P. Abreu2, Marco Aglietta3, Eun-Joo Ahn4  +433 moreInstitutions (57)
TL;DR: A new method to test hadronic interaction models without relying on the absolute energy calibration is introduced, and it is applied to events with primary energy 6-16 EeV (E_{CM}=110-170 TeV), whose longitudinal development and lateral distribution were simultaneously measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory.
Abstract: Ultrahigh energy cosmic ray air showers probe particle physics at energies beyond the reach of accelerators Here we introduce a new method to test hadronic interaction models without relying on the absolute energy calibration, and apply it to events with primary energy 6-16 EeV (E_CM = 110-170 TeV), whose longitudinal development and lateral distribution were simultaneously measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory The average hadronic shower is 133 +- 016 (161 +- 021) times larger than predicted using the leading LHC-tuned models EPOS-LHC (QGSJetII-04), with a corresponding excess of muons

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results collected from the literature indicate that the performance of most RA is comparable to that of NA and can be used in unbound pavement layers or in other applications requiring compaction.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive review of applications of demand response (DR) in the industrial sector is presented, where the authors present the contribution of ancillary services and their potential in industries and introduce different types of industries with higher potential for DR programs.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A number of recent methodological advances to ease the analysis of large and intricate networks are reviewed, including approaches to determine model attractors and their reachability properties, to assess the dynamical impact of variations of external signals, and to consistently reduce large models.
Abstract: The logical (or logic) formalism is increasingly used to model regulatory and signaling networks. Complementing these applications, several groups contributed various methods and tools to support the definition and analysis of logical models. After an introduction to the logical modeling framework and to several of its variants, we review here a number of recent methodological advances to ease the analysis of large and intricate networks. In particular, we survey approaches to determine model attractors and their reachability properties, to assess the dynamical impact of variations of external signals, and to consistently reduce large models. To illustrate these developments, we further consider several published logical models for two important biological processes, namely the differentiation of T helper cells and the control of mammalian cell cycle.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compare evolutionary predictions of double compact object merger rate densities with initial and forthcoming LIGO/Virgo upper limits for BH-BH systems, indicating that a modest increase in observational sensitivity may bring the first detections or first gravitational wave constraints on binary evolution.
Abstract: Here, we compare evolutionary predictions of double compact object merger rate densities with initial and forthcoming LIGO/Virgo upper limits. We find that: (i) Due to the cosmological reach of advanced detectors, current conversion methods of population synthesis predictions into merger rate densities are insufficient. (ii) Our optimistic models are a factor of 18 below the initial LIGO/Virgo upper limits for BH–BH systems, indicating that a modest increase in observational sensitivity (by a factor of ~2.5) may bring the first detections or first gravitational wave constraints on binary evolution. (iii) Stellar-origin massive BH–BH mergers should dominate event rates in advanced LIGO/Virgo and can be detected out to redshift z sime 2 with templates including inspiral, merger, and ringdown. Normal stars ($$\lt 150\;{M}_{\odot }$$) can produce such mergers with total redshifted mass up to $${M}_{ {\rm{tot,z}}}\simeq 400\;{M}_{\odot }$$. (iv) High black hole (BH) natal kicks can severely limit the formation of massive BH–BH systems (both in isolated binary and in dynamical dense cluster evolution), and thus would eliminate detection of these systems even at full advanced LIGO/Virgo sensitivity. We find that low and high BH natal kicks are allowed by current observational electromagnetic constraints. (v) The majority of our models yield detections of all types of mergers (NS–NS, BH–NS, BH–BH) with advanced detectors. Numerous massive BH–BH merger detections will indicate small (if any) natal kicks for massive BHs.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a novel effective one-body waveform model was developed that includes dynamic tides of the neutron star as well as the merger signal for neutron-star-black-hole binaries.
Abstract: Extracting the unique information on ultradense nuclear matter from the gravitational waves emitted by merging neutron-star binaries requires robust theoretical models of the signal. We develop a novel effective-one-body waveform model that includes, for the first time, dynamic (instead of only adiabatic) tides of the neutron star as well as the merger signal for neutron-star–black-hole binaries. We demonstrate the importance of the dynamic tides by comparing our model against new numerical-relativity simulations of nonspinning neutron-star–black-hole binaries spanning more than 24 gravitational-wave cycles, and to other existing numerical simulations for double neutron-star systems. Furthermore, we derive an effective description that makes explicit the dependence of matter effects on two key parameters: tidal deformability and fundamental oscillation frequency.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a vertical tubular photobioreactor (PBR) prototype was scaled up and integrated in a waste water treatment plant (WWTP), which achieved volumetric productivities of 0.1, 0.4, and 0.9% for Cv, Sc, and ConsC, respectively.
Abstract: This work is part of a LIFE project to treat urban wastewater from Aguas da Figueira (AdF, Figueira da Foz, PT) using a vertical tubular photobioreactor (PBR) prototype (150 L), to be scaled up and integrated in a waste water treatment plant (WWTP). The PBR was inoculated with three different microalgae: Chlorella vulgaris ( Cv ), Scenedesmus obliquus ( Sc ) and Consortium C ( ConsC ), isolated from the effluent. The study intends to find the best microalga in terms of wastewater remediation, biomass productivity and quality, for further uses, such as biofuel, biofertilizer and bioplastic production. The experiments achieved volumetric productivities of 0.1 g/L·d ( Cv ), 0.4 g/L·d ( Sc ) and 0.9 g/L·d ( ConsC ). The maximum removals attained by Cv , Sc and ConsC were: 84, 95 and 98% for total nitrogen; 95, 92 and 100% for phosphorus; and 36, 63 and 64% for COD, respectively. The treated water had values that are in accordance with environmental legislation (Directive 98/15/CE). Electrocoagulation was tested and resulted in an energy saving of 89%, compared with centrifugation alone. For drying the biomass, a solar dryer was used. Costs of overall processes versus conventional technologies are discussed and compared with other facilities and target values.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the main effects of several important factors for partitioning, such as molecular weight of the polymer, effect of added salts, pH, electrical charges, and temperature on phase diagrams, tie-line lengths, interfacial tension and settling time of the two aqueous phases are extensively reviewed.
Abstract: Over the last years, aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) regained an increasing interest due to their potential in the downstream processing of biomolecules. After many years with only a few articles published, a lot of effort and work has been put into studying these systems for the partitioning of a range of compounds including proteins, organic low-molecular weight molecules or metal ions. Although several research and review articles appeared, a background review on ATPS partitioning fundamentals is needed. In this article, partitioning theories and main effects of several important factors for partitioning, such as molecular weight of the polymer, effect of added salts, pH, electrical charges, and temperature on phase diagrams, tie-line lengths, interfacial tension and settling time of the two aqueous phases are extensively reviewed. The trend in ATPS research is given compiling the recent 2008–2013 research articles published in the field.

Journal ArticleDOI
Georges Aad1, Brad Abbott2, Jalal Abdallah3, Ovsat Abdinov4  +2814 moreInstitutions (212)
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe a model-agnostic search for pairs of jets (dijets) produced by resonant and non-resonant phenomena beyond the Standard Model.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An efficient coupling of alcohols and amines catalyzed by well-defined isoelectronic hydride Mn(I) and Fe(II) complexes, which are stabilized by a PNP ligand based on the 2,6-diaminopyridine scaffold, which is an environmentally benign process implementing inexpensive, earth-abundant non-precious metal catalysts.
Abstract: Herein, we describe an efficient coupling of alcohols and amines catalyzed by well-defined isoelectronic hydride Mn(I) and Fe(II) complexes, which are stabilized by a PNP ligand based on the 2,6-diaminopyridine scaffold. This reaction is an environmentally benign process implementing inexpensive, earth-abundant non-precious metal catalysts, and is based on the acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation concept. A range of alcohols and amines including both aromatic and aliphatic substrates were efficiently converted in good to excellent isolated yields. Although in the case of Mn selectively imines were obtained, with Fe-exclusively monoalkylated amines were formed. These reactions proceed under base-free conditions and required the addition of molecular sieves.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors characterize the freeze-thaw resistance of normal strength and high-strength concrete with partial or total replacement of fine natural aggregate (FNA) by fine recycled concrete aggregate(FRCA), and the surface scaling, mass loss, length change, residual ultrasound pulse velocity and residual compressive strength were monitored for different FRCA replacement ratios.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the topological Gauss-Bonnet invariant coupled to a dilaton was shown to be stable against both axial and polar perturbations, and the quasinormal modes of black holes can be excited during collisions involving black holes.
Abstract: Gravitational waves emitted by distorted black holes---such as those arising from the coalescence of two neutron stars or black holes---carry not only information about the corresponding spacetime but also about the underlying theory of gravity. Although general relativity remains the simplest, most elegant, and viable theory of gravitation, there are generic and robust arguments indicating that it is not the ultimate description of the gravitational universe. Here, we focus on a particularly appealing extension of general relativity, which corrects Einstein's theory through the addition of terms which are second order in curvature: the topological Gauss-Bonnet invariant coupled to a dilaton. We study gravitational-wave emission from black holes in this theory and (i) find strong evidence that black holes are linearly (mode) stable against both axial and polar perturbations, (ii) discuss how the quasinormal modes of black holes can be excited during collisions involving black holes, and finally (iii) show that future ringdown detections with a large signal-to-noise ratio would improve current constraints on the coupling parameter of the theory.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a municipal transparency index based on information available on local government official websites is proposed, and a methodological approach borrows insights from the decision analysis literature to structure the index through a participatory process.
Abstract: Despite the importance of government transparency to promote accountability and prevent maladministration, empirical research has failed to produce proper tools to assess and compare government transparency practices. Most contributions to the topic do not address it from a stakeholder’s perspective, particularly in selecting the indicators to include in transparency indexes. This paper contributes to the debate by developing a municipal transparency index based on information available on local government official websites. The methodological approach borrows insights from the decision analysis literature to structure the index through a participatory process. An application to the Portuguese local government setting is briefly discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the possibility of using femtosecond laser surface texturing as a method to reduce the colonization of Titanium alloy surfaces by Staphylococcus aureus and the subsequent formation of biofilm.