2013
Authors
Morgado, L;
Publication
2013 5TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GAMES AND VIRTUAL WORLDS FOR SERIOUS APPLICATIONS (VS-GAMES)
Abstract
Research on virtual world use in education and training has focused on the current state of these technologies. In this paper, an overview of the current technological challenges that are faced in this context is provided, along with research directions towards the development of more advanced systems which can render virtual world use more widespread in education and training contexts.
2013
Authors
Sequeira, L; Morgado, L;
Publication
Journal of Gaming & Virtual Worlds
Abstract
2013
Authors
Sequeira, LM; Morgado, LC;
Publication
Journal For Virtual Worlds Research
Abstract
2013
Authors
Costa, LM; Pereira, JE; Filipe, VM; Magalhaes, LG; Couto, PA; Gonzalo Orden, JM; Raimondo, S; Geuna, S; Mauricio, AC; Nikulina, E; Filbin, MT; Varejao, ASP;
Publication
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
Abstract
Numerous animal model studies in the past decade have demonstrated that pharmacological elevation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) alone, or in combination with other treatments, can promote axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury. Elevation of cAMP via the phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, rolipram, decreases neuronal sensitivity to myelin inhibitors, increases growth potential and is neuroprotective. Rolipram's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier makes it a practical and promising treatment for CNS regeneration. However, several studies have questioned the efficacy of rolipram when given alone. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of continuous administration of rolipram, given alone for 2 weeks, following a moderate T10 contusion injury in rat. Functional recovery was evaluated using the 21-point Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor recovery scale and the beam walk. We used threedimensional (3D) instrumented gait analysis to allow detailed assessment and quantification of hindlimb motion. The amount of the damaged tissue and spared white matter was estimated stereologically. Our results show that administration of rolipram following acute spinal cord contusion results in improved motor performance at each time-point. Dynamic assessment of foot motion during treadmill walking revealed a significantly decreased external rotation during the entire step cycle after 8 weeks in rolipram-treated animals. Stereological analysis revealed no significant differences in lesion volume and length. By contrast, spared white matter was significantly higher in the group treated with rolipram. Our results suggest a therapeutic role for rolipram delivered alone following acute SCI.
2013
Authors
Duque, J; Varajao, J; Vitor, F; Dominguez, C;
Publication
LOCAL GOVERNMENT STUDIES
Abstract
Customer relationship management is a business strategy which dynamically integrates a set of services with the purpose of creating value for the organisation and for their customers. In Portugal, the 2009/2010 edition of Simplex for Municipalities', the action plan carried by the Portuguese government through the Secretary's Office of State for Administrative Modernisation, makes a commitment to promote a set of initiatives in order to help citizens using the public services. This process intends to reduce costs of context which burden the economic activities, making way for the modernisation of administration. Customer relationship management assumes a central role in this context. This paper presents the main results of a survey that was carried out with Portuguese municipalities, aiming a general characterisation of the adoption of customer relationship management systems, covering several aspects, from the motivations for CRM adoption to the obtained results. The improvement of the relationship with citizens and a higher information quality are some of the most important results obtained by municipalities.
2013
Authors
da Costa, MIT; Soares, S; Cardeal, S; Barroso, J;
Publication
2013 IEEE GLOBAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION CONFERENCE (EDUCON)
Abstract
This paper presents an educational tool to be used in signal processing interpolation-related subjects. Besides the consolidation of acquired theoretical knowledge, the tool allows its users to apply three error patterns geometry to the signals and test minimum dimension and maximum dimension signal reconstruction algorithms. In the specific case of minimum dimension problems it can be solved using different solvers, iterative and direct linear equations methods. The developed tool allows the problem conditioning analysis through the spectral radius of the system matrix, the condition number and others parameters available in some specific methods. This feature gives the possibility to alter the problem definitions to the desired goal before the reconstruction begins and to choose the optimal method, depending on each problem constraints The time unit that measures the algorithms performance is expressed in terms of one Fourier Transform (FFT) calculation time. In this way the data is presented not in an absolute way but in a relative measure independent from the machine's architecture.
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