Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2015-01"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 14
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Seismic vulnerability of vernacular buildings in urban centres-the case of vila real de santo antónioPublication . Vasconcelos, G.; Lourenço, P.B.; Rodrigues, H.; Varum, H.Following detailed studies of Portuguese vernacular building typologies, this paper deals with buildings located in historical urban centres. An analysis of the history of the urban centre and, in particular, of some vernacular buildings is enhanced. Additionally, a discussion on the influence of changes of the geometry, and on added built volumes to original buildings in the seismic vulnerability of the buildings is also provided.
- eServices - Service Platform for Pervasive Elderly CarePublication . Marcelino, Isabel; Laza, Rosalía; Domingues, Patrício; Gómez-Meire, Silvana; Pereira, AntónioIn this paper, we present a solution to improve elderly’s quality of life. eServices – Service platform for pervasive elderly care was designed to aggregate several services developed to meet senior population’s needs. It monitors basic life signs, environment variables and uses personal location technology. Besides sensor services, eServices solution contains digital services align with emotional and social care needs. Due to target population specifications, eServices was designed to be as simple and accessible as possible in order to remove technological barriers. One of eServices major features is to detect imminent danger situations, act accordingly. It also collects the data from the sensors, location routines and from the interactions between the elderlies and the provided services to detect behavior deviations in order to act preventively. The platform was tested by seniors in real scenario. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed platform was well accepted and easy to use by seniors, which demonstrated enthusiasm and interest in daily bases use.
- eCrash: a Genetic Programming-Based Testing Tool for Object-Oriented SoftwarePublication . Ribeiro, José Carlos Bregieiro; Nogueira, Ana Filipa; Vega, Francisco Fernández de; Zenha-Rela, Mário AlbertoThis paper describes the methodology, architecture and features of the eCrash framework, a Java-based tool which employs Strongly-Typed Genetic Programming to automate the generation of test data for the structural unit testing of Object-Oriented programs. The application of Evolutionary Algorithms to Test Data generation is often referred to as Evolutionary Testing. eCrash implements an Evolutionary Testing strategy developed with three major purposes: improving the level of performance and automation of the Software Testing process; minimising the interference of the tool’s users on the Test Object analysis to a minimum; and mitigating the impact of users decisions in the Test Data generation process.
- A Maximum Likelihood Estimator for the Prevalence Rate Using Pooled Sample TestsPublication . Martins, João Paulo; Santos, Rui; Felgueiras, MiguelSince Dorfman’s seminal work, research on methodologies involving pooled sample tests has increased significantly.Moreover, the use of pooled samples refers not only to the classification problem (identifying all the infected individuals in a population), but also refers to the problem of estimating the prevalence rate p, as Sobel and Elashoff stated. The use of compound tests is not restricted to hierarchical algorithms where the most common example is Dorfman’s two-stage procedure. Matrix schemes such as the square array algorithm or multidimensional matrices schemes in certain cases outperform Dorfman’s procedure. Maximum likelihood estimates are quite difficult to compute when a procedure does not classify all individuals. This paper presents two innovative methods to compute maximum likelihood estimates in both type of procedures.
- Using ICT for Tacit Knowledge Preservation in Old AgePublication . Marcelino, Isabel; Góis, José; Laza, Rosalía; Pereira, AntónioAs the world population is aging, numerous challenges were raised. How to maintain a sustainable aging? How to increase the active role of older adults in society? How to promote healthy aging along with the improvement of social and technological inclusion and enhance emotional well-being? How to preserve the vast tacit knowledge existent in seniors? Pervasive computing can giving an enormous contribution to overcome this issues. In the present paper we introduce eService platform as a novel service ecosystem mainly developed for senior population, including life experiences and knowledge record service. We have researched and selected the most relevant accessibility guidelines concerning senior population and made a low fidelity prototype, followed by both fidelity prototypes, one with and one without guideline application. Finally we conducted usability tests and semi structured interviews with 6 individuals to validate our work. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed guideline checklist was validated, well accepted and easy to use by seniors. They also validate the extreme importance of knowledge preservation.
- Human-Computer Interaction in BedPublication . Desouzart, Gustavo; Filgueiras, ErnestoSleep disorders are increasingly common view and it is a growing problem in modern societies. There are several problems that can cause this type of disturbance, being the demanding obligations of work and study, a current problem, which leads individuals to allocate more time their rest period in at home. Currently, we are seeing the replacement of handwork by mental, automated and computerized work, which translates into an increasing percentage of time spent performing repetitive static character tasks (physical effort), being able to compare yourself to your work done in industry, traditional production lines (Caetano & Vala 2002). It is no less demanding contexts of labor among which are those activities that involve the long hours spent at the computer. This paper presents a study whose objective was to research the human-computer interaction with the time spent by young adults in carrying out activities with computing devices (computer, tablet or mobile phone) in residences’ bedrooms of air force military and university students in rest time periods and with ecological validation with observation method to video analysis and using a Software iSEE. A sample of 32956 observations, which corresponds to 1824 sleep-hours of 24 young adults, was classified into two (2) Interaction Categories (IC), body position while participants were awake in bed (2873 observations) and doing activities (3001 observations). The image registration was performed during the period of six months, divided into two periods with each participant, to enable the analysis of different times of the year and not just a single period can mean a higher specific activity. The results show that 38.7% (N = 1113 observations) of the participants presented the sitting as the most common postural behavior during awake in bed when the participants doing activities. In reference of activities in bed, 49.2% (N = 1475) used the computer, followed by Using mobile devices, with 16.7% (N = 501) of observations. When we analyze the group of participants, the students showed 49.2% of the period of activity in bed, using the computer, and 13.8% used mobile equipment. In the same reference, the military also used the computer (49%) as the main activity in bed during the night rest, but they used more mobile devices (19.4%) than students. Regarding the postures, students used the sitting (57.1%) as the main active posture when in bed, however, the military was the only sitting 3rd indication posture in bed, being the 1st observation of posture in bed,was the supine position with 30.7%. This data set the type of use of computer devices in bed (studying, playing games, watching movie or playing). Findings of this study allow suggesting what graphical interface designers must seek as newstrategies and solutions for posture in bed, exploring other peripheral equipment for using informatics equipment in bed position.
- Characterization of the Dagorda Claystone in Leiria, Portugal, Based on Laboratory TestsPublication . Veiga, A.; Quinta-Ferreira, M.The Hetangian Dagorda claystone Formation occupies the core of a diapir outcropping in part of the city of Leiria, exhibiting a complex geological structure. The geological and geotechnical characterization is presented based in field observation and laboratory tests allowing to conclude that the Dagorda clay soils exhibit an unfavourable behaviour for urban occupation, due to the presence of expansive clay minerals. When partially saturated these soils can lead to cracking of walls and floors, or even to endanger the stability of buildings, if they have not been strengthened to resist to expansive soil. The presence of soluble minerals, mainly gypsum and seldom halite, can allow the formation of voids and eventually the deformation or collapse of the ground. Suitable safety procedures, in order to prevent hazards should be used.
- Desenvolvimento do pensamento algébrico em alunos do 1.º Ciclo do Ensino BásicoPublication . Alexandre, Mónica Raquel Silva Ramos; Menino, Hugo Alexandre LopesEste estudo teve como objetivo principal investigar o desenvolvimento do pensamento algébrico em alunos do 1.º ciclo do ensino básico, procurando compreender o impacto da implementação de uma sequência de tarefas de cunho exploratório, envolvendo o estudo de padrões e sequências. As tarefas foram implementadas, no letivo 2013/2014, em quatro turmas do 1.º ciclo do ensino básico, uma de cada ano de escolaridade. A sequência de tarefas foi organizada em seis tarefas envolvendo padrões e sequências de repetição e de crescimento, privilegiando os contextos visuais/figurativos. Os alunos realizaram as tarefas, interagindo socialmente através do trabalho em pequeno grupo, e em grupo-turma durante os momentos da discussão coletiva. Procurou-se clarificar as estratégias e representações utilizadas, as generalizações formuladas e as dificuldades sentidas. A metodologia adotada foi qualitativa de natureza interpretativa, com uma organização de estudo de caso (casos múltiplos ou comparativos), dando ênfase à investigação sobre a prática. A recolha de dados teve como principais instrumentos o diário de bordo, as produções escritas dos alunos, a observação participante e as gravações de áudio e vídeo.Os resultados mostraram, que nos diferentes anos de escolaridade, os alunos usaram uma diversidade de representações e de estratégias, que se revelou essencial na capacidade de generalização e de aprendizagens algébricas. A linguagem natural foi uma representação privilegiada em todos os anos de escolaridade, permitiu a expressão, explicação e justificação de ideias, raciocínios, dificuldades e generalização de sequências. No estudo de caso do 1.º ano, dado a faixa etária dos alunos, foram realizadas generalizações próximas com concretização. Nos estudos de caso dos 3.º e 4.º anos, atendendo à idade, maturidade, capacidade de abstração e conhecimentos, observaram-se estratégias mais complexas e formais, proporcionando uma maior diversidade no estabelecimento de conexões e de generalizações desconstrutivas. As generalizações construtivas próximas foram observadas nos estudos de caso do 1.º e do 2.º anos. As generalizações desconstrutivas e distantes foram observadas no caso do 2.º ano e não foram visíveis no do 1.º ano. Os alunos revelaram compreensão algébrica, desenvolveram o estabelecimento de conexões, tendo-se aferido uma maior profundidade nos dois últimos anos de ciclo. A exploração de tarefas envolvendo padrões e sequências permitem a transversalidade dentro da própria Matemática. Desta forma, é fundamental continuar a explorar este tipo de tarefas, desde os primeiros anos de escolaridade, de modo a desenvolver o pensamento algébrico.
- Asparagopsis armata and Sphaerococcus coronopifolius as a natural source of antimicrobial compoundsPublication . Pinteus, Susete; Alves, Celso; Monteiro, Hugo; Ernesto Araújo; Horta, André; Pedrosa, RuiMethanol, n-hexane and dichloromethane extracts of twelve marine macro-algae (Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta and Heterokontophyta divisions) from Peniche coast (Portugal) were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activity. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion method against Bacillus subtilis (gram positive bacteria) and Escherichia coli (gram negative bacteria). Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as a model for the antifungal activity by evaluating the growth inhibitory activity of the extracts. The high antibacterial activity was obtained by the Asparagopsis armata methanolic extract (10 mm–0.1 mg/disc), followed by the Sphaerococcus coronopifoliusn-hexane extract (8 mm–0.1 mg/disc), and the Asparagopsis armata dichloromethane extract (12 mm–0.3 mg/disc) against Bacillus subtilis. There were no positive results against Escherichia coli. Sphaerococcus coronopifolius revealed high antifungal potential for n-hexane (IC50 = 40.2 µg/ml), dichloromethane (IC50 = 78.9 µg/ml) and methanolic (IC50 = 55.18 µg/ml) extracts against Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth. The antifungal potency of the Sphaerococcus coronopifolius extracts was similar with the standard amphotericin B. Asparagopsis armata and Sphaerococcus coronopifolius reveal to be interesting sources of natural compounds with antimicrobial properties. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.
- A terapia ocupacional e a intervenção precoce na infância : de mãos dadas com as famíliasPublication . Bargão, PedroAs crianças que se desenvolvem de uma forma harmoniosa e saudável são o melhor garante de futuro para qualquer sociedade.Os números relativos a crianças vítimas ou em risco de negligência, maus tratos, atrasos de desenvolvimento psicomotor ou dificuldade de integração social continuam, ainda hoje, a ser muito impressionantes e reveladores da nossa incapacidade enquanto sociedade para cuidar dos mais novos.Para ajudar estas crianças e suas famílias a superarem ou diminuírem as limitações que resultam dos atrasos de desenvolvimento é recomendado um Programa de Intervenção Precoce na Infância, uma intervenção transdisciplinar que inclua a prestação de serviços educativos, sociais e terapêuticos a estas crianças e às suas famílias, onde se inclui a Terapia Ocupacional. Com este trabalho pretende-se demonstrar a experiência especializada e a contribuição do Terapeuta Ocupacional na implementação do Projecto de Intervenção Precoce (PIP) de Torres Novas e a importância deste modelo de intervenção junto das crianças e suas famílias.