Abstract

Abstract
Acquired brain injury (ABI) is one of the main causes of death and disability in Portugal and other Western countries. ABI typically results in physical, cognitive and psychosocial deficits, leading to life-long dramatic changes in the quality of life (QOL) of patients and their families, with well-documented negative implications for their community integration. Independent mobility using means of transportation is considered a nuclear area of community integration for people with disabilities [3]. However, direct contact with reality is limited for this population. Virtual reality (VR) constitutes a promising alternative of approximation to real life that may help increase the level of generalization of skills developed in programs that use this kind of technology. However, research on VR effects is necessary. The main goal of our project is to study the use of VR technology in the rehabilitation of executive dysfunction and memory. A VR program, CARP-VR, is in development, consisting of environments that simulate reality, with which patients will interact, performing various tasks. It is expected that CARP-VR intervention will lead to cognitive gains and generalization of acquired capacities to real-life activities, reflecting an amelioration of patients' functional independence and QOL that will contribute for the integration of these patients.

Abstract
Personal Navigation Assistants (PNA) depend on updated digital maps for correctly positioning and route guiding users. As updating digital maps by the usual means is a highly expensive and time consuming task, GPS points gathered by existing navigation devices can be used to compare the existing real road network with the digital one. This paper describes an approach to update digital maps through the use of GPS points obtained during users' journeys as a means to identify map incongruence. Detection of new roads and roundabouts are presented with an explanation of the problem and a sample of the results.

Abstract
In this paper we discuss the development and clinical evaluation of a wireless platform for health signs sensing. The sensors measure physical activity, ECG, blood oxygen saturation, temperature and respiratory rate. An important aspect of the approach is that the sensors are integrated into one waist-worn device. A mobile phone collects data from this device and uses data fusion in the scope of a decision support system to trigger additional measurements, classify health conditions or schedule future observations. In these decisions, the user's current physical activity plays an important role as the validity of many health signs measurements is strongly related to physical activity. Due to the integration of the sensors and the use of data fusion it is possible to accurately identify health risks and to react promptly. During clinical trials, for which proper ethical approval was obtained, the system was used by healthy elderly volunteers in Limerick (Ireland) and Ancona (Italy). Results of these trials are also discussed in this paper.

Abstract

Abstract
Recent advances in wireless networks and mobile devices have brought about new scenes for the provision of services to end-users. Besides traditional services, new ones may be provided that transparently adjust and adapt to the user context. The user would have more choice and flexibility if, besides using the services, he could also compose his own services in an ad-hoe way. This paper presents iCas, an architecture to create context-aware services on the fly and discusses its main components. Also an application scenario is briefly described.