Science (Universidade Europeia)
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Teaching e-learning for students with visual impairments
No full textThe paper presents an IT network program developed specifically for visually impaired students. Innovative in its conception, this program contains all the learning required equipment, such as classroom (virtual), accessible learning materials, laboratory and teachers trained to teach visually impaired students [1]. Additional teaching aids, like iNetSim, a universally accessible network simulator, created to allow vision-impaired and sighted students to complete Cisco Certified Network, and Microsoft HoloLens 2 (a new vision for computing, is used to transform abstract concepts into 3D experiences in the virtual classroom, which enables students to research and explore more deeply, see more clearly, and learn by doing [2]. The project explains the innovation of an available system for delivering learning materials to students via the web. This article aims to allow visually impaired students, as well as sighted students, to perform with similar results, since the visual impaired ones can dispose of more time to analyse and test using the laboratory, as well as reviewing the lessons in the virtual classroom
Design education. Human factors at the core of a coworking self-determined new design learning approach
No full textDesigners, we have a problem! The ever-expanding field of design is causing turmoil in its practice and education. There is a growing concern originating from the profession now dealing with complex global problems requiring new skills, obscuring the once well-defined boundaries of design practice. Collaborating with other fields of knowledge is now an absolute necessity. Consequently, design education has become a ubiquitous track in design conferences and other academic events, with the most prominent design figures claiming for rapid changes in the way we teach our future designers. Our research is focused on how work, learn and leisure is melting into one single dimension, evidencing new self-determined learning modes. Accordingly, three case studies of new design learning models are presented using a four axes matrix – Coworking, Openness, Operation, Learning. This paper investigates how Coworking spaces can help shape new design learning strategies
Network management and monitoring solutions for vehicular networks: A survey
No full textVehicular networks are emerging as a promising technology that enables reliable and low-cost solutions for intelligent transport systems (ITSs), mainly due to their enormous potential to be considered for multiple purposes and scenarios. These networks are characterized by unique and challenging features such as packet fragmentation, low node density, short contact duration, and network disruption. These features may result in the absence of a path between the source and destination nodes, which is one of the most challenging issues faced by this type of network. To overcome some of these problems, it is necessary to provide vehicular networks with sophisticated tools or methodologies to implement monitoring and management operations. However, designing efficient solutions for this type of network is not an easy task due to its particular characteristics. This paper elaborates on a comprehensive survey focusing on promising proposals to deal with monitoring and management functionalities in vehicular networks. This work aims not only to present the state of the art on monitoring and management solutions but also to analyze their benefits and drawbacks, identify open issues, and provide guidelines for further contributions
Trust on service robots: A pilot study on the influence of eyes in humanoid robots during a VR emergency egress
No full textRobots are found to be good, capable and trustworthy companions in various areas, including high-risk situations or emergencies, but some limitations regarding their acceptance have been reported. Amongst other aspects of the Human-Robot Interaction, trust in the robot has been considered as a main indicator of acceptance. Thus, to investigate the dynamics of human-robot acceptance, this study used a virtual reality simulation of an emergency egress to assess the influence of the robot’s appearance on trust. In particular, we were interested in examining the influence of the eyes in the robot on the participants’ decision to follow it to the exit. Since the type of interaction scenario is also a factor with an impact on trust, two environmental affordance conditions (favourable vs. unfavourable) were tested because of their well-established impact on wayfinding decisions. The results show the participants trusted the robot and followed it to the exit but, although the results favour the robot with eyes, no statistically significant differences were found in either environmental affordance. Moreover, despite perceiving the robot as machinelike and artificial, the majority of the participants felt compelled to follow it, also considering it friendly, kind, pleasant, nice, competent, knowledgeable, responsible, intelligent and sensible. Regardless of the existence of eyes, the service robot tested seems to be a promising solution for emergency egress situations in complex buildings
Volunteer brand equity? Exploring the adoption of employee brand equity (EBE) dimensions to understand volunteers’ contributions to build nonprofit organizations’ brands
No full textGiven the importance of volunteers as key assets of formal
volunteering organizations, this paper explores the adoption
and adequacy of Employee Brand Equity (EBE) models to
understand volunteers’ contributions to Nonprofit
Organization (NPO) brand equity. Methodologically this
research embraces a mixed-methods approach by combining
data from exploratory interviews with experts from the NPO
context and from a survey to 227 Portuguese volunteers from
28 formal volunteering organizations. This paper adds to the
literature by applying for the first time EBE dimensions to the
context of formal volunteering institutions. Hence, it provides
a first step to the development of a Volunteer Brand Equity
Model, by characterizing each dimension and validating its
importance in the context of NPOs. From a practitioners’ viewpoint,
this paper calls attention to the importance of embracing
internal marketing strategies to attract and retain
volunteers in a sustainable way and provides a practical tool
for Volunteer Brand Equity analysis in NPOs
The effect of muscular strength on depression symptoms in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textThe aim was to systematically review the relationship between muscular strength (MS) and depression symptoms (DS) among adults, and conduct a meta-analysis to determine the pooled odds ratio (OR) for the relationship between MS and DS. The strategies employed in this systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies published up to December 2019 were systematically identified by searching in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases. Inclusion criteria were: (1) cross-sectional, longitudinal and intervention studies; (2) outcomes included depression or DS; (3) participants were adults and older adults; and (4) the articles were published in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish. A total of 21 studies were included in the review, totalling 87,508 adults aged ≥18 years, from 26 countries. The systematic review findings suggest that MS has a positive effect on reducing DS. Meta-analysis findings indicate that MS is inversely and significantly related to DS 0.85 (95% CI: 0.80, 0.89). Interventions aiming to improve MS have the potential to promote mental health and prevent depression. Thus, public health professionals could use MS assessment and improvement as a strategy to promote mental health and prevent depression
The effect of web advertising visual design on online purchase intention: Insights on generations Y and Z
No full textWeb advertising is a fast-growing industry in which brands fight for the attention of the most attractive consumers: Millennials and Centennials. This study aims to test the impact of Web Advertising Visual Design (WAVD) on the consumers’ Online Purchase Intention (OPI) and, simultaneously, analyze if such influence differs across those generations. Participants (N = 318) filled in an online questionnaire. Data revealed a direct impact of visual design on consumers’ OPI as well as an indirect impact via Attitude Toward the Brand (ATB). Moreover, results showed that generations Y and Z do not differ significantly in their intentions, although Centennials exhibit a higher coefficient for the influence of WAVD on OPI. Regarding the theoretical implications, the results tend to confirm the Theory of Visual Rhetoric and partially confirm the Theory of Reasoned Action. Managerial implications and research limitations are also discussed
UX criteria risk in digital product investment: Literature review
No full textThe adoption of digital technology in the industry and its significant commercial outcomes underline the innovative potential of digital products and services and draw investments in search of technological breakthroughs. Usually, independent developers place their bets on the wishes and dreams of its creators. This behaviour results in unilateral decisions and a team of developers that is not prone to analysis or confrontation of its concepts and visions – in contrast with a business endeavour that should seek the product’s success and return for investors. This kind of behaviour can bring about huge losses and failure for investors. This article correlates the following subjects: (1) investment and digital entrepreneurship, (2) investment risk criteria; (3) principles of user experience in game design. The work focuses on the risk factors associated with investment in videogames – one of the most relevant digital products nowadays due to market dimension, the growing complexity of its projects and the rise in the number and value of investments. This process favours the use of corporate improvements techniques, such as digital evolution scanning, user experience, skills, value proposition and improvisation. At the same time, it brings about risks associated to factors such radical and incremental innovation, digital technology generativity and maladaptation. This article presents a literature review shining a light on the dramatic absence of key elements in the investment models for digital products. One of these elements is the lack of command in modern techniques that test the concepts and ensure the satisfaction of future users, for instance UX methodologies or the mere consultation and interaction with potential users
Evaluation of the effect of fluorinated tooth bleaching products using polarized Raman microscopy and particle induced gamma-ray emission
No full textIn this in vitro study, the effect of the application of tooth bleaching products in human enamel was evaluated using polarized Raman microscopy, particle induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) and Vickers Hardness test. Due to their acidic nature, teeth whitening products are associated with changes in enamel mineralization. Consequently, products have appeared in the market that promote the incorporation of fluorine in order to decrease the solubility of the hydroxyapatite in enamel and prevent demineralization. This way, four commercial products with different active principle concentrations: 16% carbamide peroxide (Opalescence PF® and VivaStyle®) or 6% hydrogen peroxide (Opalescence Go PF® and VivaStyle Paint On®) and presence or not of fluorine were compared. The information on the crystalline state of the enamel was provided by the determination of the depolarization ratio of the symmetric stretching band of phosphate (at 959 cm−1). Furthermore, the content and uptake of F was evaluated using PIGE in the two fluorinated products as well as in one negative control group. In order to evaluate the microhardness of enamel by means of Vickers test, another group of polished samples was prepared (using Opalescence PF®) and evaluated. Conversely to what could be expected, the obtained results determined a statistically significant decrease of depolarization ratio, leading to an increase of mineralization after the application of the bleaching products, except for VivaStyle®. For this group, no significant variation was obtained before-after treatment, most likely due to the acidity of the product (pH = 5.8). Additionally, an increase of concentration of F in the dental tissues was determined for the fluorinated products. On the other hand, enamel polishing, required for the application of the Vickers test, led to increased susceptibility to erosion, resulting in decreased hardness and an increased enamel depolarization ratio
Artificial intelligence applied to digital marketing
No full textBased on the theory that both manual and cognitive tasks can be replaced by Artificial Intelligence, this study explores, using a qualitative research method, the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Digital Marketing. An analysis of interviews with 15 experts from different industries related to Marketing and AI shows that AI have impact in Marketing processes and the impact will be bigger in the future. The study reinforces that many of the manual and repetitive tasks of a marketer’s life can already be replaced by AI, and the use of machines working together with humans are the key to better marketing results. The challenges and ethical aspects that lead to a slow or non-adoption of AI have been addressed, and one of the major obstacles is that humans aren’t yet confident in technology and, they are not yet ready for this cultural change. Based on these findings, business decision-makers and managers need to prepare their companies and employees for the implementation of AI in Marketing