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Presentation

Telecommunications and Multimedia

The Centre for Telecommunications and Multimedia (CTM) welcomes close to 200 members, including at least 100 integrated researchers who carry out scientific work in the fields of communications, Artificial Intelligence, and computer science and engineering.


The Centre’s activities cover several Research and Development (R&D) domains:

  • Communications and Electronics
    • Radio Frequency Technologies
    • Optoelectronics
    • Microelectronics
    • Wireless Communication Networks
  • Computer Perception
    • Computer Vision applied to Medical Imaging
    • Computer Vision applied to Digital Media
    • Computer Audio applied to Music

With multidisciplinary teams that include dozens of PhDs, CTM is strongly committed to both European and national research projects, as well as consultancy projects with industry.

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212

Featured Projects

WindFarmRadarImpact3

Evaluating Wind Farm Impact in Weather Radar Systems - 3

2026-2026

EMC

Medidas EMC IMD, AC controller e DC controller

2026-2026

Nb-IoT_Adapt

Adaptação de antena NB-IoT/LTE-M de largo espectro

2026-2026

WindFarmRadarImpact2

Evaluating Wind Farm Impact in Weather Radar Systems - 2

2025-2026

AGROBOOST

Agricultural Ground-bReaking sOlutions based on roBtics and augmented reality for boOsting sOcial sustainability and competitivenesS while increasing the safeTy of workers

2025-2030

WindFarmRadarImpact1

Evaluating Wind Farm Impact in Weather Radar Systems

2025-2026

InovTEES

Inovação e Transformação Digital para a PREI TEES

2025-2028

OGS

Portuguese Optical Ground Station

2025-2026

MechEye

Industrial Machine Sentinel

2025-2025

PFAI4_6eD

Programa de Formação Avançada Industria 4 - 6a edição

2025-2025

POEMS

PORTUGUESE COMPETENCE CENTRE IN SEMICONDUCTORS

2025-2029

AIMaCoV

AI Mapping and Compilation for CGRAs on RISC-V Hosts

2025-2026

INESCTEC.OCEAN

Centre of Excellence in Ocean Research and Engineering

2025-2030

HURRICANE

Holistic UGV-based Resilient and Real-time Intelligence for Crisis And Natural Emergency

2025-2028

FALCON

Zero-Touch Flying Networks Using Multimodal Large Language Model Based Agents

2025-2026

STREAM

Smart Tracking and Real-time Enhanced Asset Management

2025-2027

BolsasFCT_Gestao

Funding FCT PhD Grants - Management

2025-9999

GEOSENSE

Polarization Harnessing in Submarine Optical Cables for Global Geophysical Sensing

2025-2026

REPLICA

Replicable Cellular Networking Experiments using ns-3

2024-2025

RFIDCORK

Definição de uma Arquitetura de Referência para Implementação de RFID

2024-2024

PFAI4_5eD

Programa de Formação Avançada Industria 4 - 5a edição

2024-2024

TestBed5G_1

Primeiros Pilotos TestBed 5G

2024-2026

EPICURE

High-level specialised application support service in High-Performance Computing (HPC)

2024-2028

OBJECT

OBJECT: Where do our object mental symbols come from? Learning with a neurosymbolic model

2024-2025

AI4LUNGS

AI-BASED PERSONALISED CARE FOR RESPIRATORY DISEASE USING MULTI-MODAL DATA IN PATIENT STRATIFICATION

2024-2027

OPITDEV

O-PITDEV – redesign of product electronics

2024-2026

AICare4U

AI-based Robotic Solution Addressing Compensatory Patterns for Upper Limb Rehabilitation

2024-2026

ACOUSTNET

Acoustic Network for Enhanced Underwater Communication and Positioning

2024-2025

PHASE IV AI

Privacy compliant health data as a service for AI development

2023-2026

PFAI4_4eD

Programa de Formação Avançada Industria 4 - 4a edição

2023-2023

UNIFY

Compilation Abstraction and Hardware Adaptation for Specialized and General-Purpose Computing Unification

2023-2026

CELLO

The sound of cells: An acoustic platform aiming towards biophysical cell fingerprints for label-free precision medicine

2023-2026

WATSON

A holistic framework with Anticounterfeit and Intelligence-based technologies that will assist food chain stakeholders in rapidly identifying and preventing the spread of fraudulent practices

2023-2026

TORIS

Towards fully printed reconfigurable intelligent surfaces

2023-2025

LUCCA

AI-based Models for Lung Cancer Characterization: a Multimodal and Causal Approach

2023-2025

Shielding

Medidas de shielding de materiais

2023-2023

CAGING

Causality-driven Generative Models for Privacy-preserving Case-based Explanations

2023-2024

CONVERGE

Telecommunications and computer vision convergence tools for research infrastructures

2023-2026

EADIGIFOLK

An European and Ibero-American approach for the digital collection, analysis and dissemination of folk music

2023-2026

A-IQ Ready

Artificial Intelligence using Quantum measured Information for realtime distributed systems at the edge

2023-2026

SuperIoT

Truly sustainable printed electronics-based IoT combining optical and radio wireless technologies

2023-2025

TERRAMETA

Terahertz reconfigurable metasurfaces for ultra-high rate wireless communications

2023-2026

AEROGANP

Creación de un eje transfronterizo de investigación y transferencia de conocimiento en el sector aeronáutico y espacial en la Eurorregión Galicia-Norte de Portugal

2023-2026

A-MoVeR

Mobilizing Agenda for the Development of Products & Systems towards an Intelligent and Green Mobility

2022-2026

OVERWATCH

Integrated holographic management map for safety and crisis events

2022-2026

AURORA

Deteção de atividade no interior do veículo

2022-2023

NEXUS

Innovation Pact - Digital and Green Transition

2022-2026

Vision2Control

Controlo Qualidade Rolamentos por Visão

2022-2023

NewSpacePortugal

Agenda New Space Portugal

2022-2026

SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS

Agenda Mobilizadora para os Plásticos Sustentáveis

2022-2026

Produtech_R3

Agenda Mobilizadora da Fileira das Tecnologias de Produção para a Reindustrialização

2022-2026

IWOW2022

IWOW2022 - NEWFOCUS COST action meeting and workshop

2022-2022

CINDERELLA

Clinical Validation of an AI-based approach to improve the shared decision-making process and outcomes in Breast Cancer Patients proposed for Locoregional treatment

2022-2026

PFAI4_3ed

Programa de Formação Avançada Industria 4 - 3a edição

2022-2022

DivaX

Services for company Europeanisation

2022-2022

ABIS

Automated Biometric Identification System

2022-2022

FORM_I40

Formação Indústria 4.0

2022-2022

THEIA

Automated Perception Driving

2022-2023

CIRCUMSTANCE

Circulating Microbial Signatures for Early Diagnosis of Cancer

2022-2025

OpenMinds

Synchronising creative minds for social cohesion and radical inclusion

2021-2023

HfPT

Health from Portugal

2021-2026

vCardID4

Digital fingerprint enhanced model - 4

2021-2022

WaveCorkCal

Calibração do higrómetro de microondas

2021-2023

CholdaDigital

Consultoria Avançada em Sistemas de Informação e Redes de Comunicações para a Quinta da Cholda

2021-2022

CadPath

Computer-Aided Diagnosis in Pathology

2021-2022

MATinMOL

Matter Waves in Moiré Lattices

2021-2025

5GforUtilities

Tecnologia Celular 5G

2021-2022

DECARBONIZE

DEvelopment of strategies and policies based on energy and non-energy applications towards CARBON neutral cities via digitalization for citIZEns and society

2021-2023

Training4DS

Formação Avançada em Data Science - Altice Labs

2020-2020

PFAI4.0

Programa de Formação Avançada Industria 4.0

2020-2021

iiLab

Ampliação da Infraestrutura Tecnológica do INESC TEC para a Transformação Digital da Indústria

2020-2023

Continental FoF

Fábrica do Futuro da Continental Advanced Antenna

2020-2023

FLY_PT

Mobilizar a indústria aeronáutica nacional para a disrupção no transporte aéreo urbano do futuro

2020-2023

TAMI

Transparent Artificial Medical Intelligence

2020-2023

WiFi4DSO

Tecnologia Wi-Fi aplicada a cenários de um DSO

2019-2019

LeGeM

Learning Representations and Generative Models for 3D Breast Data

2019-2021

CorkNetmon

Network Infrastructure Monitoring for Remote Cork Manufacturing

2019-2020

Inphinit

Bolsa de Doutoramento ”LA CAIXA” Inphinit

2019-2022

SLID

Invitation to collaborate

2019-2022

ProLab

Consultoria profissional com recurso ao laboratório de electrónica

2019-2019

TenisApp2

Aplicação móvel para análise de jogos de ténis - 2

2019-2021

InterConnect

Interoperable Solutions Connecting Smart Homes, Buildings and Grids

2019-2024

NFCAD

Near Field Contact Antenna Development

2019-2020

EuConNeCts4

European Conferences on Networks and Communications

2019-2022

SCA

Serviço de caracterização antenas

2019-2019

STRx

Sistema de transmissão e receção de sinal de orientação eletrónica para a próxima geração de constelações de satélites (LEO e MEO).

2019-2022

RESPONDRONE

NOVEL INTEGRATED SOLUTION OF OPERATING A FLEET OF DRONES WITH MULTIPLE SYNCHRONIZED MISSIONS FOR DISASTER RESPONSES

2019-2022

InterCork

Remote Cork Manufacturing

2019-2019

CLOUD4CANDY

Cloud for CANDY

2019-2019

Evo3DModel

Consultoria para melhoria do sistema INSIGHT

2019-2020

OpenInnoTrain

Research Translation and Applied Knowledge Exchange in Practice through University-Industry-Cooperation

2019-2024

FollicleCounter

Prestação de serviços de investigação e desenvolvimento em matéria de processamento de imagem para maior fiabilidade de aferição dos folículos implantados

2018-2021

NB-IoT

Consultoria no âmbito da tecnolofia Narrowband-internet of Things

2018-2019

XPERIMUS

Experimentação em música na cultura portuguesa: História, contextos e práticas nos séculos XX e XXI

2018-2022

Blueenergy

Blue energy generation using hybrid triboelectric/photovoltaic systems for the long term deployment of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

2018-2020

PEPCC

Power efficiency and performance for embedded and HPC systems with custom CGRAs

2018-2021

GROW

Long-range broadband underwater wireless communications

2018-2021

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOmatic multiMOdal drowsiness detecTIon for smart Vehicles

2018-2021

HELP-MD

O poder emocional e curativo da música e da dança

2018-2022

NeurOxide

Integration of oxide thin film transistors and memristors in neuromorphic networks

2018-2022

LUCAS

Lung cancer screening - A non-invasive methodology for early diagnosis

2018-2022

HEMOSwimmers

Hemodynamic optimization around 3D swimming microbots

2018-2022

CLARE

Computer-aided cervical cancer screening

2018-2021

ENDURANCE

Underwater wireless energy and communications enabling long-term deep-sea presence

2018-2020

S-MODE

Screening of antibiotic contamination by mobile devices

2018-2021

UnWSNet

Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks

2018-2018

SIMBED

Fed4fire testbed for experimentation

2018-2019

5G

Componentes e Serviços para Redes 5G

2018-2021

FotoInMotion

Repurposing and enriching images for immersive storytelling through smart digital tools

2018-2020

ConnectedRefinery

Rede de comunicações sem fios para as instalações da Galp Energia em Leixões

2018-2019

Arquitetura_IoT

Consultoria sobre a arquitetura de referência para implementação serviços de informação baseados em IoT

2017-2018

CHIC

Cooperative Holistic view on Internet and Content

2017-2020

CompMash

Music compatibility models for interactive mashup applications

2017-2019

UGREEN

Otimização do Consumo Energético de Redes LTE-U e Wi-Fi em Cenários de Coexistência

2017-2019

TERAPOD

Terahertz based Ultra High Bandwidth Wireless Access Networks

2017-2021

SURGEONMATE

Video processing for surgery analysis

2017-2017

TEC4Sea

Modular Platform for Research, Test and Validation of Technologies supporting a Sustainable Blue Economy

2017-2022

ROMOVI

ROMOVI: Robô Modular e cooperativo para Vinhas de encosta

2017-2019

BCCT.Plan

BCCT.plan: Ferramenta 3D para o planeamento do tratamento conservador do cancro da mama

2016-2020

WI-GREEN

WI-GREEN .: Otimização do consumo energético de redes Wi-Fi sensível aos padrões de tráfego

2016-2018

RAWFIE

Road-, Air- and Water-based Future Internet Experimentation

2016-2019

Cloud-Setup

PLATAFORMA DE PREPARAÇÃO DE CONTEÚDOS AUDIOVISUAIS PARA INGEST NA CLOUD

2016-2019

EVOXANT

Bacterial evolution beyond the cultured isolates - Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis as a paradigm

2016-2020

WISE

TrafficAware Flying Backhaul Mesh Networks

2016-2019

MareCom

Redes e serviços marítimos comunitários

2016-2018

STRONGMAR-CRAS

STRengthening MARritime Technology Research Center

2016-2018

CORAL-TOOLS

CORAL – Sustainable Ocean Exploitation: Tools and Sensors

2016-2018

BLUECOM

Connecting Humans and Systems at Remote Ocean Areas using Cost-effective Broadband Communications

2015-2017

ENDURE

Enabling Long-Term Deployments of Underwater Robotic Platforms in Remote Oceanic Locations

2015-2017

FOUREYES

TEC4Growth - RL FourEyes - Intelligence, Interaction, Immersion and Innovation for media industries

2015-2019

NanoStima-RL5

NanoSTIMA - Advanced Methodologies for Computer-Aided Detection and Diagnosis

2015-2019

NanoStima-RL1

NanoSTIMA - Macro-to-Nano Human Sensing Technologies

2015-2019

SMILES

SMILES - Smart, Mobile, Intelligent and Large scale Sensing and analytics

2015-2019

VAMOS

Viable Alternative Mine Operating System

2015-2019

iBROW

Innovative ultra-BROadband ubiquitous Wireless communications through terahertz transceivers

2015-2018

SCREEN

Space Cognitive Radio for Electromagnetic Environment maNagement

2015-2016

AnyPLACE

Adaptable Platform for Active Services Exchange

2015-2018

SmarterEMC2

Smarter Grid: Empowering SG Market Actors through Information and Communication Technologies

2015-2017

SEAD

Statistically Enhanced Mixed-Signaland Analog Design

2014-2016

MDX

Simulation Models

2014-2016

Unisat

Serviços de banda-larga em simultâneo com receção de televisão por satélite

2014-2014

TWAVE

Phase conjugated twin waves to unlock the potential of future spatial division multiplexed systems (TWave)

2014-2015

HiperWireless

Microwave Point-to-Multipoint Communications in Free Hiperlan Band (17GHZ)

2014-2015

PGLobal

Desenvolvimento de software para ser integrado numa plataforma de recolha automática e selecção de conteúdos de jornais participantes de vários países

2014-2015

SUNNY

Smart UNmanned aerial vehicle sensor Network for detection of border crossing and illegal entrY

2014-2018

PCSA

Place characterisation from sensing and acting

2013-2014

SIVIC

Wearable Integrated Cardiovascular Surveillance System

2013-2015

Creation

Cognitive Radio Transceiver Design for energy Efficient Daa Transmission

2013-2016

TDT

Digital terrestrial television (DTT) signal monitoring

2013-2014

PICTURE

Patient Information Combined for the Assessment of specific surgical outcomes in breast cancer

2013-2016

Confine

Community Networks Testbed for the Future Internet

2013-2015

MAT

Media Arts and Technology

2013-2015

Sensing

Network Sensing for Critical Systems Monitoring

2013-2015

SmartGrids

Smart Grids

2013-2015

Cooperation

Cooperation and Perception for Augmented Autonomy

2013-2015

ASSIST

Retail futsal statistics

2012-2013

MOGTIDT

Station to obtain 3D images

2012-2012

MTGrid

Multi Technology Communication Infrastructure for the Smart Grid

2012-2015

RETAIL_PRO

Integrated Platform to Strategically Manage Retail Environments

2012-2015

WiSAT

Waveguide passive devices in S and Ka band

2012-2012

SARA

Asset Management System for Road Networks

2012-2015

CPT

Cartesian Polar Transmitter

2012-2014

MC-WMNs

Multiple Context-based Wireless Mesh Networks (MC-WMNs)

2012-2015

SENSEIVER

Low-cost and energy-efficient LTCC sensor/IR-UWB transceiver solutions for a sustainable healthy environment

2011-2015

MIRes

Roadmap for Music Information Research

2011-2013

AdChrono

Automatic optimisation of online advertising

2011-2013

3dBCT

3D Models for Aesthetic Evaluations and Result Predictions in Breast Cancer Procedures

2011-2014

CASA

Computational Auditory Scene Analysis Framework for Sound Segregation in Music Signals

2011-2014

SHAKEIT

Mechanisms of Musical Groove and applications

2011-2013

MultiRadioAccess

Multi-radio (HSPA and WiFi) aggregation to provide a higher rate than those of the individual networks

2011-2011

Steering

Steering of light in nonlinear waveguides with resonant interactions

2011-2014

CNG

New Generation Contents for Education and Vocational Training

2011-2014

AAL4ALL

Ambient Assisted Living for All

2011-2015

SUM

Sensing and Understanding human Motion dynamics

2011-2013

User-Tracking2.0

User-Tracking for Web traffic

2010-2011

SELF-PVP

Self-organizing power management for photovoltaic power plants

2010-2014

ImTV

On demand Immersive-TV for communities of Media Producers and Consumers

2010-2014

NeTS

Next Generation Network Operations and Management

2010-2013

EscolinhasCriativas

Creative Spaces for Creative Kids

2010-2013

Convergence

Content-centric, publish-subscribe service model for the Internet

2010-2013

SafeHomeHealthCare

Interference-free Home Health-Care Smart Spaces using Search Algorithms and Meta-Reality Reflection

2010-2013

OSP

Optical Signal Processing Using Highly Nonlinear Fibers

2010-2013

ProLimb

Electronic sensing for the prophylaxis of lower limb pathologies

2010-2013

ContextAware

Context-aware and personalized multimedia services

2010-2011

REIVE

Intelligent electric networks with plug-in electric vehicles

2010-2012

Alicante

MediA Ecosystem Deployment through Ubiquitous Content-Aware Network Environments

2010-2013

P3.net

On-line daily news platform for young people

2010-2012

LUL

Living Usability Lab for Next Generation Networks

2010-2012

Hotel3.0

Web3.0 Platform for the hospitality market

2010-2012

WOWI

Wireless-optical-wireless interfaces for picocellular access networks

2010-2013

RobVigil

Collaborative and intelligent surveillance robot for the security area

2010-2012

Daphne

Developing aircraft photonic networks

2009-2013

SWIOP

Intelligent and secure Webmail System to Support Personal Organization

2009-2011

SITMe

Metropolitan multi-technology wireless network for public transportation systems

2009-2012

Mobiles

Sustainable electric mobility - Solutions for the logistics associated with electric vehicle battery charging

2009-2012

V-SAT

Passive devices for VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) applications

2009-2009

PortalDouro

Tourism portal for the Douro region

2009-2011

KINETIC

Controller driven adaptive and dynamic music composition systems

2009-2011

ASP-RedesDomesticas

Authentication, Security and Privacy (ASP) Solutions for home networks

2009-2010

MuMoMgt

Multicast and mobility management in heterogeneous access networks

2009-2012

ReCoop

Cooperative Wireless Networks

2009-2012

SemanticPACS

Picture Archiving and Communication System with Semantic Search Engine

2009-2011

Palco3.0

Intelligent Web system to support the management of a social network on music

2008-2011

AHRS

Attitude-Heading Reference System based on MEMS technology

2008-2010

GeCLIFmcast

Management of multicast sessions for IP based services created by users

2008-2009

DR-Vids

Dynamic reconfiguration of logical resources for real time foreground/background video segmentation

2007-2010

Vector

Compilation and Synthesis of Image Processing Algorithms in MATLAB for FPGA-based Custom Vector Units

2007-2011

OMR

Optical recognition system for handwritten music scores

2007-2010

BCCT

Advanced objective method for the evaluation of the aesthetic result of Breast Cancer Conservative Treatment

2007-2010

ROFWDM

Design and Optimisation of WDM Millimetre-Wave Fibre-Radio Systems

2007-2010

EDCine

Enhanced Digital Cinema

2007-2009

VISNETII

Networked Audiovisual Media Technologies

2006-2009

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Publications

CTM Publications

View all Publications

2026

RIoT Digital Twin: Modeling, Deployment, and Optimization of Reconfigurable IoT System With OpticalRadio Wireless Integration

Authors
Abdellatif, AA; Silva, S; Baltazar, E; Oliveira, B; Qiu, SH; Bocus, MJ; Eder, K; Piechocki, RJ; Almeida, NT; Fontes, H;

Publication
IEEE OPEN JOURNAL OF THE COMMUNICATIONS SOCIETY

Abstract
This paper proposes an optimized Reconfigurable Internet of Things (RIoT) framework that integrates optical and radio wireless technologies with a focus on energy efficiency, scalability, and adaptability. To address the inherent complexity of hybrid optical-radio environments, a high-fidelity Digital Twin (DT) is developed within the Network Simulator 3 (NS-3) platform. The DT models deploy subsystems of the RIoT architecture, including Radio Frequency (RF) communication, Optical Wireless Communication (OWC), and energy harvesting and consumption mechanisms that enable autonomous operation. Real-time energy and power measurements from target hardware platforms are also incorporated to ensure accurate representation of physical behavior and enable runtime analysis and optimization. Building on this foundation, a proactive cross-layer optimization strategy is devised to balance energy efficiency and quality of service (QoS). The strategy dynamically reconfigures RIoT nodes by adapting transmission rates, wake/sleep scheduling, and access technology selection. Results demonstrate that the proposed framework, combining digital twin technology, hybrid optical-radio integration, and data-driven energy modeling, substantially enhances the performance, resilience, and sustainability of 6G IoT networks.

2026

The 15-Minute City in Porto, Portugal: Accessibility for the elderly

Authors
Guerreiro, MS; Dinis, MAP; Sucena, S; Silva, I; Pereira, M; Ferreira, D; Moreira, RS;

Publication
CITIES

Abstract
The concept of the 15-Minute City aims to enhance urban accessibility by ensuring that essential services are within a short walking distance. This study evaluates the accessibility of Porto, Portugal, particularly for the elderly, by assessing urban density, permeability, and walkability, with a specific focus on crossings and ramps. A five-step methodology was employed, including spatial analysis using QGIS and Place Syntax Tool, proximity assessments, and an in-situ survey of crossings and ramps in the CHP. The results indicate that while the city of Porto offers a dense and walkable urban environment, significant accessibility challenges remain due to inadequate ramp distribution. The data collection identified 80 crossings, of which only 60 were listed in OpenStreetMap, highlighting data inconsistencies. Additionally, 18 crossings lacked curb ramps, posing mobility barriers for elderly residents. These findings highlight the need of infrastructure improvements to support inclusive urban mobility. The study also proposes an automated method to enhance ramp data collection for broader applications. Addressing these gaps is crucial for achieving the equity and sustainability goals of the 15-Minute City model, ensuring that aging populations can navigate urban spaces safely and efficiently.

2026

Predicting Aesthetic Outcomes of Breast Cancer Surgery: A Robust and Explainable Image Retrieval Approach

Authors
Ferreira, P; Zolfagharnasab, MH; Gonçalves, T; Bonci, E; Mavioso, C; Cardoso, MJ; Cardoso, JS;

Publication
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND IMAGING FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT CHALLENGES IN BREAST CARE, DEEP-BREATH 2025

Abstract
Accurate retrieval of post-surgical images plays a critical role in surgical planning for breast cancer patients. However, current content-based image retrieval methods face challenges related to limited interpretability, poor robustness to image noise, and reduced generalization across clinical settings. To address these limitations, we propose a multistage retrieval pipeline integrating saliency-based explainability, noise-reducing image pre-processing, and ensemble learning. Evaluated on a dataset of post-operative breast cancer patient images, our approach achieves contrastive accuracy of 77.67% for Excellent/Good and 84.98% for Fair/Poor outcomes, surpassing prior studies by 8.37% and 11.80%, respectively. Explainability analysis provided essential insight by showing that feature extractors often attend to irrelevant regions, thereby motivating targeted input refinement. Ablations show that expanded bounding box inputs improve performance over original images, with gains of 0.78% and 0.65% contrastive accuracy for Excellent/Good and Fair/Poor, respectively. In contrast, the use of segmented images leads to a performance drop (1.33% and 1.65%) due to the loss of contextual cues. Furthermore, ensemble learning yielded additional gains of 0.89% and 3.60% over the best-performing single-model baselines. These findings underscore the importance of targeted input refinement and ensemble integration for robust and generalizable image retrieval systems.

2026

Towards Robust Breast Segmentation: Leveraging Depth Awareness and Convexity Optimization For Tackling Data Scarcity

Authors
Zolfagharnasab, MH; Gonçalves, T; Ferreirale, P; Cardoso, MJ; Cardoso, JS;

Publication
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND IMAGING FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT CHALLENGES IN BREAST CARE, DEEP-BREATH 2025

Abstract
Breast segmentation has a critical role for objective pre and postoperative aesthetic evaluation but challenged by limited data (privacy concerns), class imbalance, and anatomical variability. As a response to the noted obstacles, we introduce an encoderdecoder framework with a Segment Anything Model (SAM) backbone, enhanced with synthetic depth maps and a multiterm loss combining weighted crossentropy, convexity, and depth alignment constraints. Evaluated on a 120patient dataset split into 70% training, 10% validation, and 20% testing, our approach achieves a balanced test dice score of 98.75% a 4.5% improvement over prior methods with dice of 95.5% (breast) and 89.2% (nipple). Ablations show depth injection reduces noise and focuses on anatomical regions, yielding dice gains of 0.47% (body) and 1.04% (breast). Geometric alignment increases convexity by almost 3% up to 99.86%, enhancing geometric plausibility of the nipple masks. Lastly, crossdataset evaluation on CINDERELLA samples demonstrates robust generalization, with small performance gain primarily attributable to differences in annotation styles.

2026

Anatomically and Clinically Informed Deep Generative Model for Breast Surgery Outcome Prediction

Authors
Santos, J; Montenegro, H; Bonci, E; Cardoso, MJ; Cardoso, JS;

Publication
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND IMAGING FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT CHALLENGES IN BREAST CARE, DEEP-BREATH 2025

Abstract
Breast cancer patients often face difficulties when choosing among diverse surgeries. To aid patients, this paper proposes ACID-GAN (Anatomically and Clinically Informed Deep Generative Adversarial Network), a conditional generative model for predicting post-operative breast cancer outcomes using deep learning. Built on Pix2Pix, the model incorporates clinical metadata, such as surgery type and cancer laterality, by introducing a dedicated encoder for semantic supervision. Further improvements include colour preservation and anatomically informed losses, as well as clinical supervision via segmentation and classification modules. Experiments on a private dataset demonstrate that the model produces realistic, context-aware predictions. The results demonstrate that the model presents a meaningful trade-off between generating precise, anatomically defined results and maintaining patient-specific appearance, such as skin tone and shape.