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Publications

2017

Could I do it again? One time experiences of Erasmus mobility teachers

Authors
Santos, CA; Barbosa, B; Filipe, S; Pinheiro, MM; Simoes, D; Dias, GP;

Publication
3RD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LIFELONG LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP FOR ALL (ICLEL 2017)

Abstract
This study aims to contribute to the growing literature on teachers' mobility by exploring perceptions and motivations to join these activities, in particular through the collection of evidence on the impact a first and only exchange experience has had on the participants. The research adopts a qualitative methodology in the form of phenomenological interviews with 6 teachers that engaged on only one mobility initiative. The interviewees shared their personal impressions on mobility, including reasons, facilitators, and outcomes of the experience. Bureaucratic, financial and residual professional impact, are among the most cited inhibitors for repeating the initiative. However, most of the participants expect to be become involved again on mobility assignments someday, especially teachers that identified greater impact from this first experience. The analysis provides interesting clues for international offices, Erasmus coordinators and university top managers, who devote considerable effort to the promotion and support of mobility practices.

2017

Towards Interoperability in the European Poetry Community: The Standardization of Philological Concepts

Authors
Bermúdez-Sabel, H; Malta, MC; Gonzalez-Blanco, E;

Publication
LANGUAGE, DATA, AND KNOWLEDGE, LDK 2017

Abstract
This paper stems from the Poetry Standardization and Linked Open Data project (POSTDATA). As its name reveals, one of the main aims of POSTDATA is to provide a means to publish European poetry (EP) data as Linked Open Data (LOD). Thus, developing a metadata application profile (MAP) as a common semantic model to be used by the EP community is a crucial step of this project. This MAP will enhance interoperability among the community members in particular, and among the EP community and other contexts in general (e.g. bibliographic records). This paper presents the methodology followed in the process of defining the concepts of the domain model of this MAP, as well as some issues that arise when labeling philological terms.

2017

Performance improvement of a buck converter using Kalman filtering

Authors
Pereira, A; Duarte, C; Costa, P; Gora, W;

Publication
International Journal of Power Electronics

Abstract
This paper presents a predictive current control algorithm for a synchronous buck converter using an extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm. The predictive approach avoids the need of current-sensing circuitry and provides insensitivity to Gaussian noise sources at the output of the buck converter, which is the same as the control loop input. The method requires a model for the buck converter, the EKF design, and current loop tuning. All these prerequisites are described in this work along with the implementation of the algorithm in a state of the art microcontroller. Simulation and experimental results show that while maintaining a good step response, the proposed method provides better results than standard methods when Gaussian noise is present at the output voltage. © 2017 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

2017

Experience with entrepreneurship learning using serious games

Authors
Almeida, FL;

Publication
Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences

Abstract
Abstract   The teaching of entrepreneurship is currently a fundamental pillar in the construction of social responsibility with strong impact on the future economic development of society. The use of serious games in the entrepreneurship field is a way of encouraging students' motivation to become entrepreneurs and develop their skills in the field. In this paper, we describe the experience of using a serious game in the entrepreneurship field in the context of the classroom. For that, we adopt a quantitative research technique based on a survey research to measure the different characteristics experienced by higher education students when using serious games in the classroom to learn entrepreneurship. The students have multidisciplinary competences, coming from courses with strong emphasis in the area of management and technology. The use of the serious game allowed students to develop skills mainly in terms of innovation, leadership, strategic thinking, problem solving, business launch and risk management. On the other side, there were no significant benefits in terms of accounting skills, compliance with regulations, interpersonal, communication, and self-control and discipline. Keywords: entrepreneurship, serious games, higher education, game based learning, gamification.

2017

Diagnostic and laboratory test ordering in Northern Portuguese Primary Health Care: a cross-sectional study

Authors
Sa, L; Costa Teixeira, ASC; Tavares, F; Costa Santos, C; Couto, L; Costa Pereira, A; Hespanhol, AP; Santos, P; Martins, C;

Publication
BMJ OPEN

Abstract
Objectives To characterise the test ordering pattern in Northern Portugal and to investigate the influence of context-related factors, analysing the test ordered at the level of geographical groups of family physicians and at the level of different healthcare organisations. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Northern Primary Health Care, Portugal. Participants Records about diagnostic and laboratory tests ordered from 2035 family physicians working at the Northern Regional Health Administration, who served approximately 3.5 million Portuguese patients, in 2014. Outcomes To determine the 20 most ordered diagnostic and laboratory tests in the Northern Regional Health Administration; to identify the presence and extent of variations in the 20 most ordered diagnostic and laboratory tests between the Groups of Primary Care Centres and between health units; and to study factors that may explain these variations. Results The 20 most ordered diagnostic and laboratory tests almost entirely comprise laboratory tests and account for 70.9% of the total tests requested. We can trace a major pattern of test ordering for haemogram, glucose, lipid profile, creatinine and urinalysis. There was a significant difference (P<0.001) in test orders for all tests between Groups of Primary Care Centres and for all tests, except glycated haemoglobin (P=0.06), between health units. Generally, the Personalised Healthcare Units ordered more than Family Health Units. Conclusions The results from this study show that the most commonly ordered tests in Portugal are laboratory tests, that there is a tendency for overtesting and that there is a large variability in diagnostic and laboratory test ordering in different geographical and organisational Portuguese primary care practices, suggesting that there may be considerable potential for the rationalisation of test ordering. The existence of Family Health Units seems to be a strong determinant in decreasing test ordering by Portuguese family physicians. Approaches to ensuring more rational testing are needed.

2017

Embedded Computing for High Performance: Efficient Mapping of Computations Using Customization, Code Transformations and Compilation

Authors
Cardoso, JMP; Coutinho, JGF; Diniz, PC;

Publication
Embedded Computing for High Performance: Efficient Mapping of Computations Using Customization, Code Transformations and Compilation

Abstract
Embedded Computing for High Performance: Design Exploration and Customization Using High-level Compilation and Synthesis Tools provides a set of real-life example implementations that migrate traditional desktop systems to embedded systems. Working with popular hardware, including Xilinx and ARM, the book offers a comprehensive description of techniques for mapping computations expressed in programming languages such as C or MATLAB to high-performance embedded architectures consisting of multiple CPUs, GPUs, and reconfigurable hardware (FPGAs). The authors demonstrate a domain-specific language (LARA) that facilitates retargeting to multiple computing systems using the same source code. In this way, users can decouple original application code from transformed code and enhance productivity and program portability. After reading this book, engineers will understand the processes, methodologies, and best practices needed for the development of applications for high-performance embedded computing systems. Focuses on maximizing performance while managing energy consumption in embedded systems Explains how to retarget code for heterogeneous systems with GPUs and FPGAs Demonstrates a domain-specific language that facilitates migrating and retargeting existing applications to modern systems Includes downloadable slides, tools, and tutorials.

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