Abstract
The development of applications for high-performance Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based embedded systems is a long and error-prone process. Typically, developers need to be deeply involved in all the stages of the translation and optimization of an application described in a high-level programming language to a lower-level design description to ensure the solution meets the required functionality and performance. This paper describes the use of a novel aspect-oriented hardware/software design approach for FPGA-based embedded platforms. The design-flow uses LARA, a domain-specific aspect-oriented programming language designed to capture high-level specifications of compilation and mapping strategies, including sequences of data/computation transformations and optimizations. With LARA, developers are able to guide a design-flow to partition and map an application between hardware and software components. We illustrate the use of LARA on two complex real-life applications using high-level compilation and synthesis strategies for achieving complete hardware/software implementations with speedups of 2.5x and 6.8x over software-only implementations. By allowing developers to maintain a single application source code, this approach promotes developer productivity as well as code and performance portability.

Abstract

Abstract
Intelligence is increasingly emerging in our ambients. Evidences of this emergence are the existence of smart homes, smart vehicles, intelligent manufacturing systems and most importantly, the appearance of the concept of intelligent cities. Humans are presently surrounded by technology that is intended to increase their quality of life and simplify their daily activities. Multi-Agent Systems are an example of technology that can be used in these activities. The concept of ubiquitous computing is implicit in these technologies and can generate an invisible ambient of interactivity. This paper presents a survey and a comparative analysis of some of the research projects concerning Ambient Intelligence (AmI). The main objective of this work was to understand the current necessities, devices and the main results in the development of these projects. By analysing these projects using several evaluation criteria one of the main conclusions is that most projects do not explore the potential of human profiles in the context of ambient adaptation. Thus, this may be a very intersting research area for future work.

Abstract

Abstract
Virtual communities and their benefits have been widely exploited to support patients, caregivers, families, and healthcare providers. The complexity of the social organization evolved the concept of virtual community to social networks, exploring the establishment of ties and relations between people. These technological platforms provide a way to keep up with one's connections network, through a set of communication and interaction tools. Games, as social interactive technologies, have great potential, ensuring a supportive community and thereby reducing social isolation. Serious social health games bring forward several research challenges. This article examines the potential benefits of the triad "health-serious games-social networks'' and discusses some research challenges and opportunities of the liaison of serious health games and social networks.

Abstract
People with vision disabilities deal with serious limitations while moving around. Common navigation systems do not fully address the needs of blind people, which can only be attended with an adapted product. Blavigator is a navigation system for the blind, currently being developed at the University of Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro. Blavigator proposes a solution to enhance mobility, finding routes and providing contextual information about points of interest in user's surroundings, guiding him to a desired destination. In this paper is presented the navigation module of Blavigator that ensures a continuous feed of information with sufficient detail allowing the blind user to reach the desired destination successfully. A pilot test with 5 blindfolded persons was conducted to test the navigation module feasibility and do some performance analysis. The results are promising and provide evidence that the navigation module helps blind people to successfully reach the desired destination.