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Publications

Publications by HumanISE

2013

Technology Challenges of Virtual Worlds in Education & Training - Research directions

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

Mechanisms of three-dimensional content transfer between the OpenSimulator and the Second Life Grid® platforms

Authors
Sequeira, L; Morgado, L;

Publication
Journal of Gaming & Virtual Worlds

Abstract

2013

Virtual Archaeology in Second Life and OpenSimulator

Authors
Sequeira, LM; Morgado, LC;

Publication
Journal For Virtual Worlds Research

Abstract
Traditional approaches to virtual archaeology include dealing with research methods to capture information from heritage sites, creating models out of that information and how to present them to the public; these are intense technical procedures which might be too costly for some types of history or heritage-based projects. Virtual worlds allowed new types of models of/for heritage sites to be produced and disseminated at a fraction of the cost.Second Life®, and its open source counterpart, OpenSimulator, are virtual world platforms with user-generated content. 3D models are created in real time and instantly rendered for all visitors. This allows amateurs and researchers create their own virtual archaeology projects easily and with few costs, and to have the resulting models immediately available to a vast community of users. This article presents an overview of four different approaches to virtual archaeology projects that are present in these platforms and that have been publicly discussed and analyzed; in particular, the last type shows a novel approach to virtual archaeology which is not found in other platforms, and explains how researchers have managed to extend the concept to new areas and develop methodologies to incorporate the validation of historical accuracy to encompass these areas.

2013

Rolipram promotes functional recovery after contusive thoracic spinal cord injury in rats

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

Implementation of CRM systems in Portuguese Municipalities

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

Problem Conditioning Interpolation Educational Tool

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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