Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2020-06"
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- Data Anonymization: K-anonymity Sensitivity AnalysisPublication . Santos, Wilson; Sousa, Gonçalo; Prata, Paula; Ferrão, Maria EugéniaThese days the digitization process is everywhere, spreading also across central governments and local authorities. It is hoped that, using open government data for scientific research purposes, the public good and social justice might be enhanced. Taking into account the European General Data Protection Regulation recently adopted, the big challenge in Portugal and other European countries, is how to provide the right balance between personal data privacy and data value for research. This work presents a sensitivity study of data anonymization procedure applied to a real open government data available from the Brazilian higher education evaluation system. The ARX k-anonymization algorithm, with and without generalization of some research value variables, was performed. The analysis of the amount of data / information lost and the risk of re-identification suggest that the anonymization process may lead to the under-representation of minorities and sociodemographic disadvantaged groups. It will enable scientists to improve the balance among risk, data usability, and contributions for the public good policies and practices.
- University-industry communication for economic growth and innovationPublication . Kopczynska, Ewa Agnieszka; Ferreira, João José de MatosUniversity and industry (U-I) are the main sources of knowledge and innovation which are increasingly becoming the main pillar of competitiveness at micro and macro level. Despite potential synergies and benefits for the involved agentes, economies and society, communication between university and industry in the scope of innovation remains limited for decades. While a number of tools exists to stimulate U-I communication for innovation and the recognition for the need to ensure crossfertilising academic and industrial resources is increasing, currently implemented strategies rarely translate into long-term U-I engagement into co-innovation. Literature recognises i/organisational barriers, ii/ lack of adjustments of the strategies to stakeholders needs and local socio-economic conditions, and iii/ lack of tolls and strategic measures modernisation among the main reasons for poor results of the support strategies (Al-Agtash & Al-Fahoum, 2008, Vries et al., 2019). Therefore, better understanding how to address those challenges is needed. As a reaction to the current state, our study is centred on the main research question – How to build effective strategies for U-I communication for innovation? To contribute to the solution, we are looking at specific tools and measures with potential to enable effective U-I communication for innovation across the barriers and the tools applicability. We approach the issue by means of systematic literature review, multiple regression and structural equation modelling. Within initial systematic review we map the existing knowledge to define which tools could be applied to bridge the main identified U-I communication barriers, such as differences in pourpose, standards and procedures or culture or language gaps. That process allowed us to from one side define which tools can be used to bridge each of the identified gaps and from the other side reviled a broad number of gaps in the current body of knowledge that do not allow decision makers design effective knowledge based strategies. In our empirical studies we address a limited number of the identified gaps, specifically: i/ lack of clear empirical evidence regarding different impact of policy measures within different economic contexts; ii/ lack of modern studies on information and communication technology (ICT) influence on U-I communication, iii/highly limited amount of quantitative and comparative studies in the scope of U-I communication, iv/ lack of studies regarding international scope of U-I communication for innovation. In the first place, in chapter 3 we analyse how applicability of macro-level tools may differ in countries at different development levels and whether the impact of U-I communication on economic development differs. Furtherly, in chapters 4 and 5 we analyse applicability of computer mediated communication (CMC) in the scope of cross-organisational communication with engagement of university and industry. We specifically look at the potential of a groupware system to build social capital (that was previously shown to have the ability to bridge U-I communication barriers) and how specific functions can support usefulness of such a tool to enable effective U-I communication for innovation. Our main findings show empirically that the level of U-I communication is insufficient to significantly stimulate economic development. Countries at all development levels struggle to reach a critical mass of effective U-I communication for innovation and need to adjust their strategies to support U-I communication. Supporting increase in quality of research institutions and private R&D invetments is relevant at all development levels, while staff training related with absorptive capacity is relevant at lower development levels. However, our results suggest that, creating effective strategy for fostering U-I communication requires its adjustment to economic environment as the governmental mechanism can result in both, positive and negative influence on U-I communication. Meanwhile, on cross-organisational level, such a communication and its sustainability may be supported by providing effective means for computer mediated communication at the interface between organisations. To generate such a result, information and communication technology needs to provide social usefulness and mechanisms for building social capital. Functionalities enhancing participatory character and transparency of cross-organisational communication and providing interactivity within computer mediated communication shown enabling character for overcoming cross-organisational barriers.
- Innovació educativa per a la internacionalització i la convergència de l’ensenyament universitari del ciberperiodisme a IberoamèricaPublication . Ureta, Ainara Larrondo; Canavilhas, João; Teixeira, Juliana; Martins, Gerson Luiz; Meso Ayerdi, Koldobika; Perez Garcia, Jesus Maria; Peña-Fernández, Simón; Zamith, FernandoEste artículo examina un caso práctico de adaptación de las estrategias de enseñanzaaprendizaje universitarias en ciberperiodismo, desarrollado en el marco de un Proyecto de Innovación Educativa (PIE) financiado por la Universidad del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU) (2018-2019). Este ha contado con la colaboración de siete docentes y un total de veinticinco estudiantes de las universidades Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (Brasil), Federal de Piauí (Brasil), Beira Interior (Portugal) y Oporto (Portugal), junto con la Universidad del País Vasco (España), impulsora de la iniciativa. Según el estudio, las asignaturas universitarias de ciberperiodismo representan un vivero de innovación didáctica con grandes opciones de análisis y desarrollo, a partir de la aplicación en el aula de estrategias como el trabajo cooperativo virtual, en función de metodologías y enfoques como el Aprendizaje Basado en Proyectos (APB) y la «internacionalización en casa» —Internalisation at Home (IaH)—. El caso examinado evidencia así que la enseñanza de esta especialidad converge hoy en el ámbito iberoamericano en las actividades propias del aula, aportando conclusiones relevantes sobre las ventajas e inconvenientes de estas aproximaciones docentes desde el punto de vista del proceso formativo del alumnado nativo digital
- A Escolha da Especialidade Médica: Podem os Professores Universitários Influenciar na Decisão?Publication . Prazeres, José Filipe Chaves Pereira; Passos, Lígia; Loureiro, Manuel; Simões, José Augusto RodriguesA carreira profssional médica inicia-se com a importante decisão pela especialidade a ser seguida. Usualmente a escolha dos futuros especialistas é influenciada por factores pessoais (personalidade, estilo de vida, valores e interesses), pelas características da própria especialidade, além de experiências prévias. O contacto com a especialidade durante a formação pré-graduada pode ainda ser considerado um fator influenciador na escolha, visto que a sensibilização para a Medicina Geral e Familiar (MGF) teve alguma relevância para 23,4% dos médicos, num estudo anterior.
- Auto Perceção do Desempenho da Medicina Centrada na Pessoa em Medicina Geral e Familiar: Criação de Um Instrumento de MediçãoPublication . Santiago, Luiz Miguel de Mendonça Soares; Simões, José Augusto Rodrigues; Vale, Martinha; Faria, Elleni de; Ferreira, Pedro Lopes; Rosendo, InêsIntrodução: A Medicina Centrada na Pessoa é um método e modelo de prática permitindo ganhos para o médico e o paciente, devendo a sua prática ser avaliada para fns de desenvolvimento profssional contínuo e educação médica continuada. O objectivo deste estudo foi construir, determinar a fabilidade e a validade de um instrumento capaz de aferir a auto perceção genérica da prática médica segundo a medicina centrada na pessoa no ambiente de medicina geral e familiar. Material e Métodos: Uma primeira versão de um questionário segundo as quatro dimensões do método clínico centrado na pessoa foi revista por um grupo focal garantindo a validade de conteúdo. O questionário fnal engloba 22 itens, utilizando para resposta uma escala de Likert com quatro opções. A análise fatorial permitiu confrmar as dimensões defnidas por Moira Stewart, tendo também sido determinada a consistência interna, a reprodutibilidade por teste-reteste e a correlação item-total. A aplicação online a uma amostra de 905 médicos de medicina geral e familiar permitiu testar as validades de constructo e de critério. Resultados: O instrumento de medição inclui quatro dimensões: (i) explorar a saúde, a doença e a experiência de doença, (ii) investir na relação médico-doente; (iii) procurar entendimento; e (iv) compreender a pessoa como um todo. A consistência interna foi demonstrada com um alfa de Cronbach global de 0,892, variando entre 0,783 a 0,844 para todas as dimensões. A reprodutibilidade teste-reteste obteve um valor de correlação intraclasse entre 0,678 e 1,000. As correlações item-total variaram entre 0,457 e 0,870. As mulheres médicas estão mais sensibilizadas do que os seus colegas no que respeita à procura de entendimento com o doente e os médicos mais novos são os mais sensíveis à abordagem da doença através da anamnese e à procura de entendimento com o doente. Os especialistas demonstraram ter mais cuidado com a anamnese e com o facto de encarar o doente como um todo, e os profssionais que trabalham numa unidade de Saúde Familiar são os que procuram um melhor entendimento com a pessoa. Por fm, a formação específca sobre medicina centrada na pessoa e sobre consulta em medicina centrada na pessoa demonstraram ter um impacto positivo em todas as dimensões da medicina centrada na pessoa e isso é reconhecido pelos próprios profssionais. Discussão: A avaliação da auto perceção de desempenhar medicina centrada na pessoa é agora possível. Conclusão: O presente questionário apresenta boa fabilidade e validade permitindo ao médico verifcar quais as principais insufciências bem como desenvolver formação específca.
- Role of p53 in different colorectal carcinogenesis pathways Is it relevant for clinical practice?Publication . Sacramento, Maria Luísa Noites; Pascoal, Maria Paula Guerreiro Chaves; Rosa, Isadora Alexandra Luzp53 is a protein that regulates cell cycle, apoptosis and genomic stability. It is thought to be responsible for the progression from dysplasia to colorectal cancer (CRC), in sporadic cancers. In Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients, CRC can occur as a result of the chronic inflammatory state or it may simply be sporadic, evolving from adenomas (precursor lesions). In these two distinct pathways, p53 mutations occur in different stages. In patients with colitis-associated cancer (CAC), p53 mutation is usually an early event. In contrast, in sporadic carcinogenesis, p53 mutation will only occur later in the process. A project will be proposed regarding the analysis of lesions from a cohort of patients with IBD and any form of dysplasia/CRC diagnosis followed at Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil (IPOLFG). Immunohistochemistry will be used to assess p53 protein expression – lesions endoscopically classified as adenomalike (controls) will be compared to non-adenoma-like lesions (cases). By using p53 immunoexpression analysis, it may be possible to distinguish between sporadic CRC and CAC in the context of IBD. These have different implications regarding therapeutic decisions and patient prognosis.
- Parametric Study of a Plunging NACA0012 AirfoilPublication . Camacho, E. A. R.; Neves, Fernando M. S. P.; Silva, André; Barata, Jorge M MNatural flight has always been the source of imagination for the Human being, but reproducing the propulsive systems used by animals is indeed complex. New challenges in today’s society have made biomimetics gain a lot of momentum because of the high performance and versatility these systems possess when subjected to the low Reynolds numbers effects. The main objective of the present work is the computational study of the influence of the Reynolds number, frequency and amplitude of the oscillatory movement of a NACA0012 airfoil in the aerodynamic performance for a constant angle of attack over time. The thrust and power coefficients are obtained which together are used to calculate the propulsive efficiency. The simulations were performed using ANSYS Fluent with a RANS approach for Reynolds numbers between 8,500 and 34,000, reduced frequencies between 1 and 5, and Strouhal numbers from 0.1 to 0.4. The aerodynamic parameters were widely explored as well as their interaction, obtaining optimal operational condition zones for the different Reynolds numbers studied.
- Airflow and Thermal Behavior within Peaches Packaging Box Using Computational Fluid Dynamics - A Preliminary StudyPublication . Ilangovan, Adhiyaman; Silva, Pedro D.; Gaspar, Pedro DinisPost-harvest cold storage of peaches is an essential element to maintain the quality of the fruits without any loss. This work aims to present a CFD model, to predict airflow patterns and temperature profiles in ventilated packaging systems, during the forced-air cooling of Peaches stored in a cold chamber. Transient CFD simulations are performed for the chamber containing four ventilated boxes and the evaluation of the results show that the temperature removal near the vent holes and the hand holes is relatively high when compared to other regions of the packaging box. This preliminary study reveals the airflow behavior develop an uneven temperature distribution within the box. To overcome the flaws, future work is focused on modifying the vent hole design to improve the airflow phenomenon to maintain the temperature homogeneity throughout the box.
- Turbulence Quantification in Supercritical Nitrogen Injection: An Analysis of Turbulence ModelsPublication . Magalhães, Leandro; Carvalho, Francisco; Silva, André; Barata, Jorge M MIn Liquid Rocket Engines, higher combustion efficiencies come at the cost of the propellants exceeding their critical point conditions and entering the supercritical domain. The term fluid is used because, under these conditions, there is no longer a clear distinction between a liquid and a gas phase. The non-conventional behavior of thermophysical properties makes the modeling of supercritical fluid flows a most challenging task. In the present work, a RANS computational method following an incompressible but variable density approach is devised on which the performance of several turbulence models is compared in conjunction with a high accuracy multi-parameter equation of state. Also, a suitable methodology to describe transport properties accounting for dense fluid corrections is applied. The results are validated against experimental data, becoming clear that there is no trend between turbulence model complexity and the quality of the produced results. For several instances, one- and two- equation turbulence models produce similar and better results than those of Large Eddy Simulation (LES). Finally, considerations about the applicability of the tested turbulence models in supercritical simulations are given based on the results and the structural nature of each model.
- Automated Weed Detection Systems: A ReviewPublication . Shanmugam, Saraswathi; Assunção, Eduardo Timóteo; Mesquita, Ricardo; Veiros, André; Gaspar, Pedro DinisA weed plant can be described as a plant that is unwanted at a specific location at a given time. Farmers have fought against the weed populations for as long as land has been used for food production. In conventional agriculture this weed control contributes a considerable amount to the overall cost of the produce. Automatic weed detection is one of the viable solutions for efficient reduction or exclusion of chemicals in crop production. Research studies have been focusing and combining modern approaches and proposed techniques which automatically analyze and evaluate segmented weed images. This study discusses and compares the weed control methods and gives special attention in describing the current research in automating the weed detection and control.