Science (Universidade Europeia)
Not a member yet
755 research outputs found
Sort by
Toward an IoT framework for the new generation of XR Applications
No full textIn recent years, industry and academia have grown interested in Extended Reality (XR) and the development of creative and immersive applications that take advantage of it. This interest has led to new forms of interaction and immersion being considered for this type of application. However, many of these applications are still tied to traditional input devices, such as a mouse, touchscreen, or game controller, and output to mundane output devices, such as screens or projectors. With the democratization of affordable Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, there is an opportunity to integrate these devices into the next generation of creative applications. However, such integrations may be costly or involve much custom work to develop. This work aims to bridge this gap and create a framework that can be used by developers of such applications to leverage IoT devices for the creation of digital twins or as input and output devices for their applications, opening up software development to a whole new world of possibilities. Throughout this research work, a framework to enable the integration of any IoT device into the next generation of XR applications was proposed, as well as a detailed proposal of a pairing scheme for IoT devices that allows them to be matched with confidence to clients automatically. Performance studies conducted using the industry standard IoT communication protocol MQTT proved the viability of the proposed framework in providing reliable means of low-latency communication for wireless input devices
Design and democracy: Essays towards democratic imagination
No full textDesign is never neutral. Neither is democracy.
This book brings together voices from many places, disciplines, and generations. Some essays look to the street, others to the studio, the school, or the state. Some look back, others look forward. Each speaks of design not as a style or product, but as a way of shaping everyday life together.
Fifty years ago, Portugal became a democracy. This is the context. But the questions raised transcend national borders. Can design serve democracy? Can it resist serving power? Can it include more people, more ways of being? What does it mean to design with care, with conflict, with the planet in mind?
There are no final answers here. There are arguments, stories, and images. Some essays are hopeful. Others are angry. All ask us to think again about the role of design in a world that is more fragile, more connected, and more contested than ever.
Design, like democracy, is a practice. It is built over time. It depends on participation. And it is always at risk.
This book is a contribution to keeping both alive.
[From the back cover]
AI-driven personalization in beauty retail: Exploring how AI-based applications influence customer satisfaction and brand loyalty
No full textThis study explores the evolving beauty industry transformed by technology, focusing on how personalized artificial intelligence (AI) shapes customer experience, satisfaction, and loyalty in online beauty shopping. Through semi-structured interviews with 10 Portuguese female online buyers aged 18-30, it reveals the importance of understanding and meeting customer preferences in a fast-paced digital environment. The research highlights the crucial role of personal experiences and trust in influencing customer satisfaction and loyalty. It examines the impact of AI-based recommendations and interactions at every stage of the online shopping experience. The findings offer valuable insights for beauty brands, emphasizing the necessity to adapt to technological advances, thrive in the digital landscape, and meet consumers' evolving digital aspirations
The impact of bariatric surgery and exercise on systemic immune inflammation index in patients with sarcopenia obesity
No full textThe role of obesity in contributing to inflammation is an influential factor in the progression of obesity-associated medical issues. Metabolic and bariatric surgery has been proven as effective in obtaining weight loss and associated conditions remission. The Systemic Immune Inflammation Index (SII) was developed to offer more comprehensive data on inflammation and is presented as a prognostic indicator regarding many adverse conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the association between SII and bariatric surgery in patients with sarcopenic obesity and evaluate the eventual impact of exercise on SII. All participants were sarcopenic patients with obesity, underwent bariatric surgery - RYGP - and were randomized to participate in a structured physical exercise or to control group. The assessments were performed following standardized procedures, with the data evaluated during routine clinic follow-up at preoperative and 20-weeks postoperative after the exercise program. At baseline, before surgery, patients in both groups had similar anthropometrics, body composition, muscle strength variables and percentage of comorbidities. SII was also similar in both groups. To better understand the association of SII with the different variables, a Pearson correlation test was performed at baseline using SII. There was an inverse association of SII with BMC, handgrip strength and ASMM at baseline, which was maintained 5 months after surgery. At the end of the study, the combined results of the two groups showed that weight, BMI, % of body fat, muscle mass and muscle strength, the 30s sit-to-stand test and bone mineral density all decreased significantly as expected, along with the SII that also decreased significantly. The intervention group showed higher ASMM, handgrip strength, 30s Sit-to-stand test and 400-m walk test and bone mineral density when compared with the control group. However, SII showed no difference between both groups (p > 0.05). The results of the current research show a positive impact of bariatric surgery on weight and associated conditions control and a negative impact on muscle mass and function. SII responded very favorably to surgery with or without exercise, with a clear decrease in its score. Higher SII is associated with lower muscle mass and function, and this may be a reflex of the compromise that obesity causes on health, in this case, increasing systemic inflammation and decreasing muscle mass and function. The role of physical exercise in the management of surgical bariatric patients is still not clear. After surgery, the patients in the physical exercise program group had better results in muscle mass and function when compared to the patients in the control group (without exercise). However, there were no differences in SII score between the two groups, which may be interpreted as a lack of positive effect of physical exercise per se in the short-term on the systemic inflammatory condition present in obesity
Relatório de contributos participativos: Inteligência Artificial no Jornalismo em Portugal
No full textImmersive experiences for cognitive stimulation of patients in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease
No full textTherapeutic interventions aimed at cognitive stimulation and delaying the progression of Alzheimer's disease are possible in the early stages. Virtual reality (VR) has become a promising tool in this field, offering immersive and safe environments that can be adapted to patients' needs. This article presents a solution consisting of three games that take advantage of VR to stimulate cognitive functions in individuals in the early stages of the disease, such as memory, attention, and visual recognition. The proposed solution eliminates the need for physical controllers by employing hand-Tracking capabilities of the headset itself, thus promoting greater accessibility and usability for seniors. Although still in a preliminary phase, this approach demonstrates potential as a cognitive rehabilitation tool, with prospects for evaluation in clinical settings and the development of personalized functionalities
Changes in the Protein Profile of Saliva from People with Obesity Treated with Bariatric Surgery and Physical Exercise
No full textSaliva was used as non-invasive alternative to blood for diagnosing pathophysiological conditions. This study aimed to assess changes in protein profile in people with obesity after bariatric surgery and to assess the impact of exercise on these changes. The saliva proteome was determined from two-dimensional gels of twenty adults (ten people with normal weight and ten people with obesity). The effects of bariatric surgery and exercise were assessed. A decrease in body weight, body mass index, and waist-to-height ratio was observed after bariatric surgery. Low levels of carbonic anhydrase VI (CA-VI), short palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone 2 (SPLUNC2), and haptoglobin were observed. One month after bariatric surgery, spots of haptoglobin and SPLUNC2 increased, although one CA-VI spot decreased. Zn-alpha-2 glycoprotein, immunoglobulin chains, and actin-related protein-3, which are high in people with obesity, decreased 1 month after bariatric surgery. Five months after bariatric surgery, the most significant change was the amylase decrease. The exercise-induced changes in salivary proteins increased SPLUNC, CA-VI, type S cystatins, actin cytoplasmic 1, and zinc alpha-2 glycoprotein levels and decrease Ig kappa chain C region and Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor beta. It can be concluded that the salivary proteins change between people with normal weight vs. patients with obesity, as well as after bariatric surgery and exercise programmes. Salivary proteins may be useful biomarkers in non-invasive samples for monitoring and assessing the impact of interventions on people with obesity
Adoption drivers of intelligent virtual assistants in banking: Rethinking the Artificial Intelligence banker
No full textThe adoption of Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVAs) in the banking sector presents new opportunities to enhance customer service efficiency, reduce operational costs, and modernize service delivery channels. However, the factors driving IVA adoption and usage, particularly in specific regional contexts such as Portugal, remain underexplored. This study examined the determinants of IVA adoption intention and actual usage in the Portuguese banking sector, drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as its theoretical foundation. Data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed to 154 banking customers after they interacted with a commercial bank’s IVA. The analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that perceived usefulness significantly influences the intention to adopt, which in turn significantly impacts actual usage. In contrast, other variables—including trust, ease of use, anthropomorphism, awareness, service quality, and gendered voice—did not show a significant effect. These results suggest that Portuguese users adopt IVAs based primarily on functional utility, highlighting the importance of outcome-oriented design and communication strategies. This study contributes to the understanding of technology adoption in mature digital markets and offers practical guidance for banks seeking to enhance the perceived value of their virtual assistant
Adaptation of the eco-anxiety scale to adult Portuguese native speakers: a validity and reliability study
No full textEco-anxiety is a multidimensional construct that includes emotional, behavioral and cognitive manifestations related to potential environmental calamities. There is a need to adapt and validate measures that evaluate eco-anxiety into Portuguese using a multi-trait approach. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (HEAS) in adult Portuguese speakers (18–83 years old). Data were collected on the Portuguese adaptation of the HEAS, environmental identity and psychological symptoms, and sociodemographic data. The construct validity of the HEAS was subsequently examined through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The factorial structure of the original scale was the best explanation of the sample data. The scale showed good internal consistency and presented measurement invariance for both sex and age groups. The global score of the HEAS and the dimensions of emotional and behavioral symptoms were moderately associated with clinical symptoms. Females and younger participants presented higher levels of eco-anxiety apart from rumination symptoms. The results suggest the suitability of the HEAS as a valid measure to evaluate the different signs of eco-anxiety among adult Portuguese native speakers
The Impact of an Exercise Program on Health-related Quality of Life (SarQoL) in Patients with Preoperative Sarcopenic Obesity After Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
No full textBackground: Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by a decrease in muscle mass and strength, is very common in patients with obesity and can be aggravated by bariatric surgery. This can potentially compromise the clinical results of surgery. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a structured exercise program on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of individuals with sarcopenia after bariatric surgery, as evaluated by the Sarcopenia Quality of Life (SarQoL) questionnaire. By determining the effectiveness of exercise interventions, this research aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for improving the quality of life in this population. Methods: Patients who were candidates for surgery were recruited for the EXPOBAR program and were randomized into experimental and control groups. All participants underwent gastric bypass surgery (RYGB). After surgery, the patients in the intervention group were included in a structured physical exercise program that lasted 16 weeks. This included combined aerobic and resistance exercise. Outcomes, including body composition and physical fitness parameters, were measured before and after the intervention. Results: The baseline characteristics of the participants were not significantly different between the two groups. All patients met the criteria for moderate/severe obesity and the ESPEN/EASO criteria for sarcopenia, namely, reduced muscle strength assessed by grip strength and reduced muscle mass assessed by the ASMM score/weight. After completing the study protocol, patients in both groups had increased HRQoL, but the increase was significantly greater in the intervention group than in the control group. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that exercise is crucial in improving both physical and psychological well-being in post-bariatric patients, highlighting the need to integrate structured exercise programs in post-surgery care. This study is part of a prospective randomized study registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05289219)