Gamification Design with a Domain-Driven Engineering Approach

Companies use a variety of methods and processes to improve the quality of their services, which, in turn, would increase the satisfaction of their users and hence their popularity. One of the enhancements that have been used in recent years is known as gamification. With the benefit of being virtually independent of business types, one of the goals of gamification is to solve user engagement issues. Even so, companies fail to achieve their goals after instantiating gamification into their services, and one cause is related to poor gamification design. The main objective of the developed project was to acquire and develop a possible solution to this problem through the use of a specific set of methods, technologies and the Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) approach. In this sense, in-depth research was done into previous gamification applications and other previous attempts to solve the problem at hand. Several gamification concepts were analyzed, gathering as much data as possible about the subject before the conceptualization of the solution’s domain through an MDE approach.As empresas usam uma variedade de métodos e processos para melhorar a qualidade dos seus serviços, o que por sua vez aumentaria a satisfação de seus utilizadores e, consequentemente, sua popularidade. Um exemplo do mesmo que tem sido utilizado nos últimos anos é conhecido como gamification. Com o benefício de ser praticamente independente dos tipos de negócios, um dos objetivos de gamification é resolver problemas relacionados com a interação entre o serviço e o utilizador. Mesmo assim, as empresas não conseguem atingir os seus objetivos após a adição de gamification nos seus serviços, e uma das causas está relacionada a mau design de gamification. O principal objetivo do projeto é desenvolver uma possível solução para o problema através do uso de um conjunto específico de métodos, tecnologias e da abordagem Model-Driven Engineering (MDE). Nesse sentido, uma pesquisa rigorosa foi realizada sobre aplicações existentes de gamification, como também sobre outras tentativas de resolver o problema em questão. Vários conceitos de gamification foram analisados, de forma a reunir o máximo de informação possível sobre o assunto antes da conceituação do domínio para a solução através da abordagem MDE

Plant protection in a crossroad

Agronomy was born as a science integrating several scientific disciplines, growing technological needs and from the interaction resulting born in agricultural schools created along the whole XIX century. Although very successful, it finds herself in a crossroad as a result of the method used – the limiting factor principle: the sciences that are in its origin seem to be following a centrifugal road. It is necessary to go back to integration and systems tems analysis seems to be the most adequate method, strengthening at the same time, skills or reality observation and judgment capacity to allow that the scientific knowledge might support the operative decision

Utilização de fibras metálicas com funções estruturais em estruturas de betão

Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Civil. Área de Especialização de Materiais e Processos de Construção. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 201

Social network analysis applied to knowledge creation and transfer in the portuguese agricultural R&D field: an exploratory study

Paper presented at the 9th European Conference on Knowledge Management, Southampton Solent University, Southampton, UK, 4-5 Sep. 2008. URL: http://academic-conferences.org/eckm/eckm2008/eckm08-home.htmThere is growing interest in the nature and scale of scientific collaboration regarding the processes involved with knowledge creation and sharing. One of the possible approaches to developing metrics for this area of research is based on the idea that co-authorship creates a social network of researchers. We present an exploratory study using a social network approach to examine the structure and pattern of knowledge creation and sharing within a Portuguese research community, working in the agricultural field, over the last seven years. The members of this community are with the Instituto Nacional da Investigação Agrária (INIA) which recently became part of a newly created R&D State Laboratory, Instituto Nacional dos Recursos Biológicos (INRB), under the umbrella of the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development and Fisheries. The social network analysis used data from an information system containing the results from all the scientific activities developed in the last seven years by the research community working in INIA. The information system was the major result of AGRO 444 - Development of an Information System for Knowledge and Innovation Discovery and Diffusion in the Agro-Rural Sector, a project funded by Measure 8.1 of Programa AGRO, one of the policy instruments of “3º Quadro Comunitário de Apoio” (Third European Framework Aid to Portugal, 2000-2006). From this data, a knowledge network was developed based on co-authorship patterns extracted from the information system, covering the period 2000-2006. This knowledge network supported the analysis of specific paths through which knowledge sharing occurred and by which knowledge capital was nurtured within the agricultural R&D activities of this institution. The present exploratory study is concerned with the creation and evolution of the network at the biggest research unit within INIA, the Estação Agronómica Nacional (EAN). Here, there are over 140 actors developing research activities in the following sub-domains: natural resources and environment; crops protection; eco-physiology, genetic resources and breeding; production technology; post-harvest technology; and agricultural economics, sociology and development. The study seeks to understand the evolutionary process and to analyse the network structure, showing how knowledge creation and transfer takes place within this unit. The identification of such networked co-authorship relationships may suggest ways to more effectively utilize knowledge capital and other resources. It is also expected that this approach could be used to analyse the remaining six INIA units

Vineyard yeld estimation by VINBOT robot - preliminary results with the white variety Viosinho

Nowadays it is recognized that vineyard yield estimation can bring several benefits to all the vine and wine industry and, consequently, there is a strong demand for fast and reliable yield estimation methods. Recently a strong effort has been made on developing machine vision tools to automatically estimate vineyard yields evolving several research teams worldwide. In this paper we aim to present preliminary results obtained in the frame of an European research project (VINBOT: “Autonomous cloud-computing vineyard robot to optimise yield management and wine quality”) focus on yield estimation. A ground truth evaluation trial was set up in an experimental vineyard with the white variety Viosinho, trained on a vertical shoot positioning system and spur pruned. A sample of contiguous vines was labeled and submitted to a detailed assessment of vegetative and reproductive data to feed a viticulture data library. The vines were scanned during the ripening period of the 2015 season by the VINBOT sensor head composed with a set of sensors capable of capturing vineyard images and 3D data. Ground truth data was used to relate with images taken by the sensors and to test algorithms of image analysis. In this paper we present and discuss the relationships between actual and estimated yield computed using the surface occupied by the grape clusters in the images. Our preliminary results showed that, despite of a slight underestimation of the ground truth, caused mainly by cluster occlusion, when the canopy density allows visualization of most part of the clusters, the yield can be estimated by machine vision with a high fidelity. Further research is ongoing to test those devices and methodologies in other varieties and to improve the estimation accuracyinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Children as carers: an integrative review

OBJECTIVE: to undertake an integrative literature review on the issue of "Children as carers". This is an emerging topic in the provision of health care, but nevertheless has a low profile in the literature. METHODOLOGY: this study was based in a survey of nine databases of scientific articles, using as descriptor: child, young, caregivers, lay carer and nursing role, as well as the corresponding terms in Portuguese. 21 articles were analyzed. RESULTS: these were organized into six categories - factors which motivate the child to take on the role of caregiver; these children's characteristics; tasks performed; time spent in caring; consequences of providing care and the role of the nurse in partnership with these children and their families. CONCLUSION: the children as carers are a focus of attention relevant to nursing practice, this issue representing an opportunity for investigation in Portuguese-speaking countries, as no article was found on the subject in Portuguese. In addition, with this first study in Portuguese, a work of the creation of a bibliography is begun, allowing an awareness of the issue and the identification of ways to respond to the families involved, in line with their needs.OBJETIVO: realizar una revisión bibliográfica integrativa del tema "Niños como Cuidadores". Se Trata de un tema emergente en la prestación de atenciones de salud, que sin embargo se mantiene poco visible en la literatura. METODOLOGÍA: se basó en una investigación sobre nueve bases de datos de artículos científicos, utilizándose como descriptores: child, young, caregivers, lay carer y nursing role, así como los correspondientes en portugués. Fueron analizados 21 artículos. RESULTADOS: fueron organizados en seis categorías - factores que motivan el niño a asumir el papel de cuidador; características de esos niños; tareas desempeñadas; tiempo pasado a cuidar; consecuencias de la prestación de atenciones y papel del enfermero junto de esos niños y sus familias. CONCLUSIÓN: los niños como cuidadores son un foco de atención relevante para la práctica de enfermería, representando ese tema una oportunidad de averiguación en los países de idioma portugués, ya que no fue encontrado cualquier artículo en portugués sobre el mismo. Además, con éste primer estudio en idioma portugués, se inicia un trabajo de creación bibliográfica que permita la sensibilización para el tema y la identificación de las respuestas a dar a las familias envueltas, de acuerdo con sus necesidades.OBJETIVO: realizar uma revisão bibliográfica integrativa do tema "Crianças como Cuidadoras". Trata-se de tema emergente na prestação de cuidados de saúde que, contudo, se mantém pouco visível na literatura. METODOLOGIA: baseou-se numa pesquisa sobre nove bases de dados de artigos científicos, utilizando-se como descritores: child, young, caregivers, lay carer and nursing role, bem como os correspondentes em português. Foram analisados 21 artigos. RESULTADOS: foram organizados em seis categorias: fatores que motivam a criança a assumir o papel de cuidadora; caraterísticas dessas crianças; tarefas desempenhadas; tempo passado a cuidar; consequências da prestação de cuidados e papel do enfermeiro em relação a essas crianças e suas famílias. CONCLUSÃO: as crianças como cuidadoras são um foco de atenção relevante para a prática de enfermagem, representando esse tema uma oportunidade de investigação nos países de língua portuguesa, já que não foi encontrado qualquer artigo em português sobre o mesmo. Além disso, com este primeiro estudo em língua portuguesa, inicia-se um trabalho de criação bibliográfica que permita a sensibilização para o tema e a identificação das respostas a dar às famílias envolvidas, de acordo com as suas necessidades

Yin & yang project

Field lab: Consulting la

Score CTo-aBCDE : um novo score preditor de sucesso nas CTOs

© 2020 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Introduction: Patient selection for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in chronic total occlusions (CTOs) is crucial to procedural success. Our aim was to identify independent predictors of success in CTO PCI in order to create an accurate score. Methods: In a single-center observational registry of CTO PCI, demographic and clinical data and anatomical characteristics of coronary lesions were recorded. Linear and logistic regression analysis were used to identify predictors of success. A score to predict success was created and its accuracy was measured by receiver operating curve analysis. Results: A total of 377 interventions were performed (334 patients, age 68±11 years, 75% male). The success rate was 65% per patient and 60% per procedure. Predictors of success in univariate analysis were absence of active smoking (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.243-3.29; p=0.005), presence of tapered stump (OR 5.2, 95% CI 2.7-10.2; p8 with high probability (95%). Conclusion: In our sample only anatomical characteristics were predictors of success. The creation of a score to predict success, with good accuracy, may enable selection of cases that can be treated by any operator, those in which a dedicated operator will be desirable, and those with an extremely low probability of success, which should be considered individually for conservative management, surgical revascularization or PCI by a team experienced in CTO.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Non‐invasive telemonitoring improves outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction : a study in high‐risk patients

© 2020 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.Aims: Non-invasive telemonitoring (TM) in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) may be useful in the early diagnosis of HF decompensation, allowing therapeutic optimization and avoiding re-hospitalization. We describe a TM programme in this population and evaluate its effectiveness during a 12 month period. Methods and results: We conducted a single-centre study of patients discharged from hospital after decompensated HF, allocated into three groups: prospective TM programme, prospective HF protocol follow-up programme (PFP) with no TM facilities, and retrospective propensity-matched usual care (UC). TM effectiveness was assessed by all-cause hospitalizations and mortality; HF-related hospitalization (HFH), days lost to unplanned hospital admissions/death, functional capacity and quality of life (New York Heart Association, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, 6 min walk test, and plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) were also evaluated. A total of 125 patients were included [65.9 ± 11.9 years, 32% female, left ventricular ejection fraction 27% (21-32)]. TM was similar to PFP regarding effectiveness; TM reduced all-cause hospitalization and mortality (HR 0.27; 95% CI 0.11-0.71; P < 0.01) and HFH (HR 0.29; 95% CI 0.10-0.89; P < 0.05) as compared with UC. TM reduced the average number of days lost due to unplanned hospital admissions or all-cause death as compared with PFP (5.6 vs. 12.4 days, P < 0.05) and UC (5.6 vs. 48.8 days, P < 0.01). Impact on quality of life was similar between TM and PFP (P = 0.36). Conclusions: In patients with HFrEF and recent HF hospitalization, non-invasive TM reduced 12 month all-cause hospitalization/mortality and HFH as compared with usual care. TM also reduced the number of days lost due to unplanned hospital admission/death as compared with either an optimized protocol-based follow-up programme or usual care.This work was supported by National Health System programme with specific budget attributed to non-invasive TM of HF patients. TM was performed in cooperation with Linde Healthcare®, which had no role in the data interpretation or writing of the report. The corresponding author had full access to all the data in the study and had the final responsibility for the decision to submit for publication.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biocompatibility of the bacterial cellulose hydrogel in subcutaneous tissue of rabbits

PURPOSE: To evaluate the biocompatibility and local sensibility reaction to bacterial cellulose hydrogel (0.8%) implanted in subcutaneous tissue of rabbits.METHODS: Fifteen New Zeland rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups: T-1, 7 days, T-2, 21 days, and T-3, 84 days. the new material was implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of the ear; on the scalp over the periosteum; and on the outer and inner surfaces of the thighs, in the aponeurosis of the muscle. At 7, 21 and 84 postoperative days, the material was collected for histological study. the clinical signs, inflammatory response, angiogenesis and fibrogenesis were variables used for analysis of the biocompatibility and biological reactivity to BCH. Analyses were performed with an AXIO (R) Imager. the statistical tests were performed using the GraphPad Prism 5.0 program (R)RESULTS: the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate, considering the different cell types (PMN, LMN and GC), was statistically significant, with group T1 different from groups T2 and T3 (p = 0.0124 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and T2 different from the T3 group (p = 0.0007). Fibrogenesis grade 1 was the most prevalent in groups T1 (55.4%) and T2 (44.6%). the formation of neovascularization in the group was identified in 84.4% of samples.CONCLUSION: Bacterial cellulose hydrogel (0.8%) is biocompatible, integrating with the subcutaneous tissue of rabbits and inducing tissue remodeling.Federal Government (Ministry of Science and Technology, MCT): FINEP (Studies and Projects Financing Agency)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Fed Pernambuco, Postgrad Program Surg, BR-50670901 Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Pernambuco, Ctr Hlth Sci, Dept Surg, Expt Surg, BR-50670901 Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Pernambuco, Ctr Hlth Sci, Dept Pathol, BR-50670901 Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Rural Pernambuco, Dept Chem, Expt Stn Sugarcane Carpina, Recife, PE, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Surg, Div Plast Surg, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Pernambuco, Ctr Ciencias Saude, Dept Cirurgia, BR-50670901 Recife, PE, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Surg, Div Plast Surg, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc