Browsing by Author "Silva, Fernando"
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- An approach to (virtually) recreate historical findingsPublication . Gonçalves, Alexandrino José Marques; Silva, Fernando; Mendes, António JoséThe use of technologies in the preservation and dissemination of the Humanity historical and cultural heritage has become an increasing reality. However, access to some of these projects, namely those involving the use of Virtual Reality techniques, is often rather restricted and limited due to technical specificities used in its development and/or visualization. Availability to the general public, for instance through the Internet, becomes, then, impracticable. VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) emerged from the desire to project World Wide Web to a new level, the three-dimensional level. However, even though there are not many alternatives, VRML is not used often. In fact, the number of projects available that use this language is lower than expected. Why? Generally the development of realistic VRML environments results in a set of big files that difficult its download. The complex calculations often necessary to display the virtual environment also create difficulties, since they demand too much for low end computers. This paper intends to present some VRML optimization techniques that allow the creation of a very low file size and a realistic historical environment that can be accessed from any current personal computer. As a result, you can make your own historical tour at: the Flavian Forum of Conimbriga: http://www.forumflaviano.web.pt; House of Skeletons (Conimbriga): http://www.casadosesqueletos.web.pt.
- Characteristics of patients with COPD using mobile apps in daily lifePublication . Araújo Oliveira, Ana Luisa; Flora, Sofia; Santos, Liliana; Morais, Nuno; Ribeiro, Jose; Silva, Fernando; Silva, Candida; Carreira, Bruno; Caceiro, Ruben; Kumar, Dinesh; Marques, Alda; Brooks, Dina; Burtin, Chris; Cruz, Joana
- A Conversational Agent for Promoting Physical Activity Among COPD PatientsPublication . Rodrigues, Ricardo; Caceiro, Ruben; Brites, Marcelo; Flora, Sofia; Cruz, Joana; Silva, Fernando; Ribeiro, JoséChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world, affecting respiratory performance of many people, limiting the airflow and is not fully reversible. It is a clinical syndrome characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms, structural pulmonary abnormalities or impairment of lung function. In order to help people with this disease, we propose an innovative personalized mHealth coaching platform that will address patient preferences and contextual factors – the OnTRACK platform. This platform is composed of a mobile application for patients, a web platform for healthcare professionals – and a conversational agent (or chatbot), named “Hígia”, which acts as an alternative interface between patients and the platform. This conversational agent includes several of the main functionalities already available in OnTRACK’s smartphone app, complementing and extending it. It allows consulting prescription information in a multitude of ways, getting and setting all personal data, inserting physical activity measurements, and obtaining historical data on physical activity and prescriptions, among others. The evaluation of the conversational agent yielded encouraging results, with users reporting being happier, more motivated, dedicated and confident when interacting with the systems using their voice, while allowing the development team to identify topics for improvement.
- Motivation and physical activity in COPD: An exploratory studyPublication . Pimenta, Sara; Flora, Sofia; Silva, Cândida G.; Oliveira, Ana; Morais, Nuno; Ribeiro, José; Silva, Fernando; Caceiro, Rúben; Carreira, Bruno P.; Januário, Filipa; Andrade, Lília; Rodrigues, Fátima; Brooks, Dina; Burtin, Chris; Marques, Alda; Cruz, JoanaA key factor for the adoption of an active lifestyle is self-determined motivation; however, it is often overlooked in COPD. Understanding the motives underlying patients’ decision to be (or not) physically active will provide insight into future interventions. This study assessed the motives for patients with COPD to engage in physical activity (PA) and their association with PA behaviour. A cross-sectional study was conducted in stable patients with COPD. Motivation was assessed with the Exercise Motivation Inventory-2 (EMI-2; score 0[Not at all true for me]–5[Very true for me]; 5 dimensions) and PA with accelerometry [ActiGraph-GT3X+, 7 days; moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), steps/day]. Spearman’s correlations (ρ) were used to assess their relationship. 60 participants were enrolled (67.2±7.7 years; 76.7% men; FEV1 49.5±19.7pp). Patients’ motives to be physically active were mostly Health, Fitness and Psychological. Correlations with PA were weak and non-significant (p>0.05) (Table 1). Patients with COPD value Health, Fitness and Psychological motives to be physically active, although these are not related to their PA behaviour. Findings highlight the complex nature of PA and the need to further explore factors influencing PA and motivation in this population.
- Optimizing Multiple Sequence Alignment by Improving Mutation Operators of a Genetic AlgorithmPublication . Silva, Fernando José Mateus da; Pérez, Juan Manuel Sánchez; Pulido, Juan Antonio Gómez; Rodríguez, Miguel A. Vega; Silva, Fernando;Searching for the best possible alignment for a set of sequences is not an easy task, mainly because of the size and complexity of the search space involved. Genetic algorithms are predisposed for optimizing general combinatorial problems in large and complex search spaces. We have designed a Genetic Algorithm for this purpose, AlineaGA, which introduced new mutation operators with local search optimization. Now we present the contribution that these new operators bring to this field, comparing them with similar versions present in the literature that do not use local search mechanisms. For this purpose, we have tested different configurations of mutation operators in eight BAliBASE alignments, taking conclusions regarding population evolution and quality of the final results. We conclude that the new operators represent an improvement in this area, and that their combined use with mutation operators that do not use optimization strategies, can help the algorithm to reach quality solutions.
- Perfil de atividade física de pessoas com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crónica (DPOC) em PortugalPublication . Raposo, João; Pimenta, Sara; Alves-Guerreiro, José; Flora, Sofia; Caceiro, Rúben; Morais, Nuno; Oliveira, Ana; Silva, Cândida G.; Ribeiro, José; Silva, Fernando; Januário, Filipa; Carreira, Bruno P.; Rodrigues, Fátima; Marques, Alda; Cruz, JoanaIntrodução e objetivos: A participação em atividade física (AF) regular está associada a um menor risco de mortalidade e melhor qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde. Apesar de se saber que as pessoas com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crónica (DPOC) apresentam níveis baixos de AF quando comparadas com indivíduos saudáveis da mesma idade e sexo, desconhece-se ainda a caracterização diária dos níveis de AF destas pessoas em Portugal. Este estudo teve como objetivos caracterizar o perfil de AF de pessoas com DPOC portuguesas e explorar a sua relação com características clínicas. Material e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo observacional transversal em pessoas com DPOC clinicamente estáveis, nas regiões Centro e Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. Foram recolhidos dados sociodemográficos, antropométricos, função pulmonar [Volume Expiratório Forçado no 1º segundo (FEV1)], sintomas e exacerbações (GOLD ABCD), dispneia (modified Medical Research Council), tolerância ao exercício (teste de marcha dos 6-min) e estado de saúde (COPD Assessment Test). A AF foi avaliada através de acelerometria (ActiGraph GT3X+) durante 7 dias e consistiu em: tempo despendido em AF Moderada a Vigorosa (AFMV) e em AF Total (min/dia), e número de passos/dia. Realizou-se estatística descritiva e correlações de Spearman (ρ) entre as variáveis de AF e as medidas clínicas. Resultados: Os participantes (n=102, 82 do sexo masculino, FEV1=48±19%previsto) apresentaram uma mediana [Q1–Q3] de 20 [9–41] min/dia em AFMV, 144 [100–208] min em AF Total e realizaram 4438 [2821–6944] passos/dia. Apenas 24% dos participantes atingiram ≥7000 passos/dia e 41% os ≥30 min/dia de AFMV recomendados na literatura. O tempo despendido em AFMV e o n.º de passos/dia apresentaram correlações moderadas com a dispneia (ρ=-0.401 e ρ=0.537, respetivamente; p<0.001) e com a tolerância ao exercício (ρ=0.560 e ρ=0.525, respetivamente; p<0.001). O tempo em AFMV apresentou ainda correlação com os graus ABCD (ρ=-0.430, p<0.001). Conclusões: A maioria das pessoas com DPOC é fisicamente inativa. Os sintomas, exacerbações e tolerância ao esforço estão associados à AF nesta população e devem ser considerados em intervenções de promoção de AF.
- Phenotyping Adopters of Mobile Applications Among Patients With COPD: A Cross-Sectional StudyPublication . Flora, Sofia; Hipólito, Nádia; Brooks, Dina; Marques, Alda; Morais, Nuno; Silva, Cândida; Silva, Fernando; Ribeiro, José; Caceiro, Rúben; Carreira, Bruno; Burtin, Chris; Pimenta, Sara; Cruz, Joana; Oliveira, AnaEffectiveness of technology-based interventions to improve physical activity (PA) in people with COPD is controversial. Mixed results may be due to participants' characteristics influencing their use of and engagement with mobile health apps. This study compared demographic, clinical, physical and PA characteristics of patients with COPD using and not using mobile apps in daily life. Patients with COPD who used smartphones were asked about their sociodemographic and clinic characteristics, PA habits and use of mobile apps (general and PA-related). Participants performed a six-minute walk test (6MWT), gait speed test and wore an accelerometer for 7 days. Data were compared between participants using (App Users) and not using (Non-App Users) mobile apps. A sub-analysis was conducted comparing characteristics of PA–App Users and Non-Users. 59 participants were enrolled (73% Male; 66.3 ± 8.3 yrs; FEV1 48.7 ± 18.4% predicted): 59% were App Users and 25% were PA-App Users. Significant differences between App Users and Non-App Users were found for age (64.2 ± 8.9 vs. 69.2 ± 6.3yrs), 6MWT (462.9 ± 91.7 vs. 414.9 ± 82.3 m), Gait Speed (Median 1.5 [Q1–Q3: 1.4–1.8] vs. 2.0 [1.0–1.5]m/s), Time in Vigorous PA (0.6 [0.2–2.8] vs. 0.14 [0.1–0.7]min) and Self-Reported PA (4.0 [1.0–4.0] vs. 1.0 [0.0–4.0] Points). Differences between PA–App Users and Non-Users were found in time in sedentary behavior (764.1 [641.8–819.8] vs. 672.2 [581.2–749.4] min) and self-reported PA (4.0 [2.0–6.0] vs. 2.0 [0.0–4.0] points). People with COPD using mobile apps were younger and had higher physical capacity than their peers not using mobile apps. PA-App Users spent more time in sedentary behaviors than Non-Users although self-reporting more time in PA.
- Reconstructions of the past: how virtual can they be?Publication . Gonçalves, Alexandrino José Marques; Silva, Fernando; Mendes, António JoséSince the Middle Ages, perhaps even before, the questions related to the historical and cultural past, mainly to the level of archaeological findings, have exerted an enormous and mysterious allure on Man. Ever since then, Man has come up with methods and forms to recreate such places, in order to satisfy this recognized natural and ancestral curiosity associated to the human being. In these last few years, the number of projects involving historical reconstruction has increased significantly, due to two main factors: the technological developments that allow such designs to be accomplished more easily, with a larger impact, affecting a greater number of people; and the continuous and increasing interest of humanity about these questions related to cultural and architectural patrimony. This paper intends to present two virtual models developed using some optimization techniques that allowed the creation of realistic historical environments, but keeping low file sizes, so that they can be accessed anywhere by anyone. As a result, you can make your own historical tour at: The Flavian Forum of Conimbriga: http://www.forumflaviano.web.pt; House of Skeletons (Conimbriga): http://www.casadosesqueletos.web.pt
- Relationship between fatigue, physical activity and health-related factors in COPDPublication . Vieira, Ana; Dias, Diana; Miguel, Eunice; Matos, Telma; Flora, Sofia; Silva, Cândida G.; Morais, Nuno; Oliveira, Ana; Caceiro, Rúben; Silva, Fernando; Ribeiro, José; Silva, Sónia; Martins, Vitória; Valente, Carla; Burtin, Chris; Brooks, Dina; Marques, Alda; Cruz, JoanaFatigue is highly prevalent in COPD and may be associated with reduced physical activity (PA) and poor outcomes. This study explored the relationship between fatigue, objectively measured PA and health-related factors in people with COPD. Fatigue was assessed with the Checklist of Individual Strength (CIS20) and CIS20-Subjective Fatigue (CIS20-SF) and PA with Actigraph GT3X monitors (moderate-to-vigorous PA, MVPA; total PA; steps/day). Dyspnoea (modified Medical Research Council, mMRC), exercise tolerance (6-min walk distance, 6MWD), lung function (spirometry) and GOLD A-D were collected. Spearman (ρ) and Pearson (r) correlations and multiple regressions were performed. Variables entered the model if correlation≥0.2. 54 patients participated (68±7 years; 82% men) and 69% reported fatigue (CIS20-SF≥27). Fatigue was significantly correlated with MVPA, steps/day, mMRC, 6MWD, GOLD A-D and FEV1pp (Table 1). In regression models for CIS20 (p=.001; r2=.61) and CIS20-SF (p=.003; r2=.56), dyspnoea was the only significant variable. People with higher scores of fatigue present lower PA levels, although the relationship is weak. Dyspnoea appears to have the largest influence on fatigue.
- Traffic Management in Rural NetworksPublication . Emiliano, Rodrigo; Silva, Fernando; Frazão, Luis Alexandre Lopes; Barroso, João; Pereira, AntónioThe internet is increasingly present in people's lives, being used in diverse tasks, such as checking e-mail up to online gaming and streaming. The so-called "killer applications" are applications that, when not properly identified and prevented, have more impact on the network, making it slow. When these applications are used on networks with limited resources, as happens in rural networks, they cause a large load on the network, making it difficult its use for work purposes. It is important then to recognize and characterize this traffic to take action so that it does not cause network problems. With that in mind, the work presented in this paper describes the research and identification of cost free traffic analysis solutions that can help to overcome such problems. For that, we perform preliminary testing and a performance comparison of those tools, focusing on testing particular types of network traffic. After that, we describe the analysis and subsequent modification of the source code for storing important traffic data for the tests, as well as the test scenarios in laboratory and real-life environments. These tasks are aimed on collecting information that assists in taking action to improve the allocation of network resources to priority traffic.