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Publications

2022

Automated Evaluation Tools for Web and Mobile Accessibility: Proposal of a new adaptive interface tool

Authors
Dias, J; Carvalho, D; Rocha, T; Barroso, J;

Publication
Procedia Computer Science

Abstract
This work focuses on the issues encountered when using current evaluation tools to assess the accessibility and usability of web and mobile applications. Therefore, we present a case study, where we tested three accessibility assessment tools against the official website of Portuguese Institute for Employment and Vocational (IEFP), used by millions of users nationwide. Indeed, we found that individual tools still provide limited coverage of success criteria and, thus, user verification is consistently needed. In this regard, we also aim at proposing a new tool called IncWeb, that can automatically alter any web or mobile application into a usable and fully accessible one, in a way that is transparent to the user and adapted to his type of disability. As such, this work emphasizes the importance of having appropriate tools to facilitate the lives of people with disabilities and/or special needs, presenting not only the problems of other assessment tools, but also proposing a new paradigm-changing solution to overcome those known challenges. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

2022

A Pilot Study Testing the Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Program for Portuguese School Children

Authors
Magalhaes, S; Nunes, T; Soeiro, I; Rodrigues, R; Coelho, A; Pinheiro, M; Castro, SL; Leal, T; Limpo, T;

Publication
MINDFULNESS

Abstract
Objectives Research into the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) in school settings has grown substantially. However, studies in the field are still scarce, present methodological limitations, and fail to examine how children's characteristics influence MBPs' effects. The twofold aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of an MBP on children's attention and emotional regulation, writing performance, and school grades, and to evaluate the moderating role of baseline scores, age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Methods Fifty-seven third graders received the MBP (n = 28) or a health-based program (n = 29), which is the active control group, for 8 weeks. In each week, both programs were composed of two 30-min sessions delivered by psychologists and three 5-min sessions delivered by teachers. Before and after the implementation of the programs, we assessed teacher-rated children's attention and emotional regulation, performance-based attention networks (alerting, orienting, and conflict monitoring), writing performance (handwriting fluency, spelling, and text quality), and school grades in Portuguese, Mathematics, and Social Studies. Results Compared to the control group, after the program, the mindfulness group displayed higher teacher-rated attention and emotional regulation, as well as better Portuguese, Mathematics, and Social Studies grades. Emotional regulation and alerting baseline scores as well as age were found to moderate the MBP's effects. Conclusions These findings provide preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of a MBP on children's behavior and school grades. This means that students may benefit from the integration of mindfulness practices into the educational setting as a complement to the school curriculum.

2022

Nota editorial: O regresso e o futuro

Authors
Vasconcelos-Raposo, J;

Publication
Revista Portuguesa de Ciências do Desporto

Abstract

2022

Data-Driven Anomaly Detection and Event Log Profiling of SCADA Alarms

Authors
Andrade, JR; Rocha, C; Silva, R; Viana, JP; Bessa, RJ; Gouveia, C; Almeida, B; Santos, RJ; Louro, M; Santos, PM; Ribeiro, AF;

Publication
IEEE ACCESS

Abstract
Network human operators' decision-making during grid outages requires significant attention and the ability to perceive real-time feedback from multiple information sources to minimize the number of control actions required to restore service, while maintaining the system and people safety. Data-driven event and alarm management have the potential to reduce human operator cognitive burden. However, the high complexity of events, the data semantics, and the large variety of equipment and technologies are key barriers for the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to raw SCADA data. In this context, this paper proposes a methodology to convert a large volume of alarm events into data mining terminology, creating the conditions for the application of modern AI techniques to alarm data. Moreover, this work also proposes two novel data-driven applications based on SCADA data: (i) identification of anomalous behaviors regarding the performance of the protection relays of primary substations, during circuit breaker tripping alarms in High Voltage (HV) and Medium Voltage (MV) lines; (ii) unsupervised learning to cluster similar events in HV line panels, classify new event logs based on the obtained clusters and membership grade with a control parameter that helps to identify rare events. Important aspects associated with data handling and pre-processing are also covered. The results for real data from a Distribution System Operator (DSO) showed: (i) that the proposed method can detect unexpected relay pickup events, e.g., one substation with nearly 41% of the circuit breaker alarms had an 'atypical' event in their context (revealed an overlooked problem on the electrification of a protection relay); (ii) capability to automatically detect and group issues into specific clusters, e.g., SF6 low-pressure alarms and blocks with abnormal profiles caused by event time-delay problems.

2022

A Gaussian Window for Interference Mitigation in Ka-band Digital Beamforming Systems

Authors
Tavares, JS; Avelar, HH; Salgado, HM; Pessoa, LM;

Publication
2022 13th International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing, CSNDSP 2022

Abstract
This paper proposes the use of a Gaussian window on the array factor as an interference mitigation method, aiming to avoid the computational complexity of the MVDR algorithm at the cost of a slight performance reduction. We show that by optimizing the parameters of the Gaussian window, it is possible to effectively mitigate the interfering signal if it is received within a certain angular range from the desired signal, while being still effective beyond that range. Finally, we show that the effectiveness of this approach is maintained across the full frequency reception range of the Ka-band, and confirm its validity using 8 × 8 and 16 × 16 array sizes. © 2022 IEEE.

2022

The viability of Telesurgery Service in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, supported by the 5G Network

Authors
Medeiros Sousa, Gd; Pinto Santos, AM;

Publication
CENTERIS/ProjMAN/HCist

Abstract
5G network technology is considered one of the driving forces behind various societal changes. Among multiple uses, it offers Telesurgery. In situations where the patient needs specialized surgery, but there are no conditions to be transported to where the surgical intervention can be performed, Telesurgery allows access to the procedure with all the security that 5G network technology offers. The Autonomous Region of the Azores (ARA) is considered an outermost region which is an integral part of the EU (despite the thousands of kilometres that separate it from the European continent). Therefore, the EU law applies to these regions with all rights and duties associated. The Support Service to the Displaced Patient (SADD) accompanies annually and under normal conditions an average of more than 1500 patients from the Azores. They travel to the mainland for health reasons. This scenario is applied across islands, where an average of 550 patients moved annually from islands without a hospital to islands with a hospital. As a result, health costs rise in this Region. This paper will use the survey research methodology since it is the most appropriate method when we want to obtain answers/data that express opinions, customs or characteristics of a certain target audience. Therefore, a mixed mode will be used, namely interviews and questionnaires, having as scientific target areas medicine and engineering, in the specialities of gastroenterology and telecommunications, to support the research questions. This paper aims to present research on the viability of Telesurgery in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, supported by the 5G network, as an alternative for travelling patients.

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