Definição de Arquitectura de Informação em organismo da Administração Pública Local

Trabalho apresentado no IV Congreso Internacional de Computación y Telecomunicaciones (Comtel 2012), Carmen, México,2012.Uma arquitectura de informação é a base para as organizações disporem de um sistema de informação abrangente e integrado, capaz de proporcionar uma resposta alinhada com as exigências do ambiente competitivo actual. Neste artigo são analisadas metodologias para a definição de arquitecturas de informação e apresentado um estudo de planeamento da arquitectura de informação para um organismo da administração pública local, com recurso à metodologia BSP Adaptada, a qual mostrou ser suficientemente flexível e adequada à concretização dos objectivos perseguidos

IoT single board computer to replace a home server

Home servers are popular among computer enthusiasts for hosting various applications, including Linux OS with web servers, database solutions, and private cloud services, as well as for VPN, torrent, file-sharing, and streaming. Single Board Computers (SBCs), once used for small projects, have now evolved and can be used to control multiple devices in the IoT space. SBCs have become more powerful and can run many of the same applications as traditional home servers. In light of the energy crisis, this study will examine the feasibility of replacing a conventional home server with an SBC while maintaining service quality and evaluating performance and availability. The power consumption of both solutions will be compared.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Non-invasive assessment of Benign Tracheal Stenosis.

Research Article Non-invasive assessment of Benign Tracheal Stenosis Bruno Chambel1, Josué Pinto2, Cláudia Freitas1,2, Mariana Coinceição3, Hélder Novais Bastos1,2,4* 1Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal 2Department of Pulmonology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário São João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal 3Department of Pulmonology, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Avenida Rei Dom Duarte, 3504-509 Viseu, Portugal 4Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-136 Porto, Portugal Resumo Introdução: A gestão da Estenose Traqueal Benigna (ETB) é desafiante. Apesar da broncoscopia ser o procedimento de eleição para diagnóstico, os riscos inerentes tornam-na pouco ideal para seguimento. Este estudo pretende avaliar o impacto dos sintomas da ETB na qualidade de vida e correlacionar a sua severidade com medidas não invasivas, otimizando o seu seguimento e tratamento. Métodos: Recrutaram-se pacientes com ETB. Colheram-se dados através de registos clínicos e entrevistas presenciais. Realizaram-se testes funcionais respiratórios e de imagiologia cervicotorácica num período de 6 meses relativamente à avaliação clínica. Mediu-se objetivamente o Índice de Estenose (IE) recorrendo a um software de análise de imagem (ImageJ), aplicado a imagens radiológicas. Analisou-se a correlação entre valores de função pulmonar e características da estenose. Resultados: De 28 pacientes incluídos (idade média 55.1±15.9 anos; 53.6% género feminino), 89.3% apresentavam estenose complexa. A etiologia e localização mais comuns foram, respetivamente, pós-intubação (67.8%) e subglótica (71.4%). A maioria (81%) apresentava estreitamento da via aérea <50%. Um IE ≥50% associou-se a um rácio FEV1/PEF mais elevado (p=0.042) e a um valor de PEF mais baixo (p=0.045). O rácio FEV1/PEF classificou com precisão os casos com um IE ≥50% (AUC=0.80; 95%CI 0.53-1.00). Geralmente, os pacientes apresentavam sintomatologia, condicionando a qualidade de vida. A totalidade de procedimentos endoscópicos durante o seguimento correlacionou-se inversamente com a qualidade de vida (r=-0.427, p=0.023). Conclusão: A espirometria é um método potencial para prever a severidade da ETB e perspetiva-se útil na sua monitorização, reduzindo a necessidade de broncoscopias diagnósticas no seguimento.Research Article Non-invasive assessment of Benign Tracheal Stenosis Bruno Chambel1, Josué Pinto2, Cláudia Freitas1,2, Mariana Coinceição3, Hélder Novais Bastos1,2,4* 1Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal 2Department of Pulmonology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário São João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal 3Department of Pulmonology, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Avenida Rei Dom Duarte, 3504-509 Viseu, Portugal 4Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-136 Porto, Portugal Abstract Background: Benign tracheal stenosis (BTS) management is challenging. Although bronchoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis, its inherent risks makes it a less than ideal follow-up method. This study aims to assess the impact of BTS-related symptoms on quality of life and to correlate BTS severity with non-invasive measures, in order to optimize the follow-up and management. Methods: Patients with BTS were recruited. Data was collected from clinical files and by patient interview. Respiratory function tests and cervicothoracic imaging were performed within 6 months of clinical assessment. Stenosis Index (SI) was objectively measured using image analysis software (ImageJ) applied to radiological images. We analysed the correlation between lung function values and stenosis features. Results: Of 28 patients enrolled (mean age 55.1±15.9 years, 53.6% female), 89.3% had complex stenosis. The most common etiology was post-intubation (67.8%) and the most common location was subglottic (71.4%). The majority (81%) presented <50% of airway narrowing. A SI ≥50% was associated with higher FEV1/PEF ratio and lower PEF value (p=0.042 and p=0.045, respectively). FEV1/PEF ratio accurately classified those cases with SI ≥50% (AUC=0.80; 95%CI 0.53-1.00). Overall, patients were symptomatic, which had impact in quality of life (QoL). Remarkably, the number of total endoscopic procedures during follow-up was inversely correlated with QoL (r=-0.427, p=0.023). Conclusions: Spirometry is a potential method to predict BTS severity, and with potential utility at monitoring these patients, thus reducing the need of diagnostic bronchoscopies during follow-up

Alimentação artificial de praias na presença de estruturas costeiras: classificação de adequabilidade

Coastal defence structures such as groins and detached breakwaters have been built over the years without a complete understanding of all the impacts they cause in the beach hydro-morphodynamic development. Beach nourishment implies a need to re-nourish over the time, because it is not a permanent intervention, representing a continuous cost, while the presence of coastal structures such as groins and detached breakwaters may prove the reduction of the need to re-nourish, representing a general decrease in costs. This work was defined with the intention to contribute to the understanding of the cost-benefit relationship of combining of artificial nourishment with groins or detached breakwaters by quantifying their impacts on the shoreline position evolution over time, cross-shore profile geometry evolution, and long-shore sediment transport processes evolution. To reach the initially defined goal the first task was to identify, characterize and analyse the design methods of artificial nourishments, and artificial nourishments associated to groins and detached breakwaters. To assess and analyse the effectiveness of artificial nourishments coupled with groins or detached breakwaters, several physical and numerical models were defined and studied. Several laboratory tests were conducted to survey different scenarios of beach nourishments with and without the presence of coastal structures, trying to identify shoreline and cross-shore profiles behaviours as a function of the longitudinal sediment transport volumes and wave climate conditions. In order to study a greater number of scenarios and combinations, numerical modelling was one of the main defined tasks. The first step was to improve the LTC numerical model performance, by incorporating the ability to model detached breakwaters. LTC and Genesis numerical models were used to test different intervention scenarios, to evaluate the shoreline evolution impact of the artificial nourishment, with groins or detached breakwaters. Additionally, the morphodynamic behaviour of a nourishment performed in the Poço da Cruz – Praia de Mira Coastal stretch was surveyed. Throughout the maritime winter of 2017/2018 several campaigns were carried out. The data was analysed using ArcGIS to obtain shoreline evolution and the beach volume over time, allowing to assess the lifespan of the nourishment. To compile and interpret the obtained data, an (non-dimensional) index was created that allows the comparison of different coastal interventions or the variation of different properties. This allows for the assessment of the viability of each possible solution, so that the most efficient solution can be selected. This index was named DGECI and it was based on an economical parameter “comparative advantages”.Estruturas de defesa costeira, como esporões e quebra-mares destacados, foram construídas ao longo dos anos sem um total conhecimento de todos os impactos no desenvolvimento hidro-morfodinâmico da praia. A alimentação artificial de praias implica a necessidade de eventuais re-alimentações ao longo do tempo, pois o seu impacto positivo é de carácter temporário, o que representa um custo contínuo, enquanto a construção de estruturas costeiras como os esporões e quebra-mares destacados reduz a necessidade de realimentação, representando uma diminuição geral dos custos. Este trabalho foi definido com a intenção de contribuir para o desenvolvimento do conhecimento da relação custo-benefício da combinação de alimentações artificiais de praia com esporões ou quebra-mares destacados, quantificando os impactos das intervenções na evolução da posição da linha de costa ao longo do tempo, na evolução da geometria do perfil transversal e na evolução dos processos de transporte de sedimentos costeiros. Para atingir o objetivo inicialmente definido, a primeira tarefa foi identificar, caracterizar e analisar as metodologias de dimensionamento das alimentações artificiais, e alimentações artificiais na presença de esporões e quebra-mares destacados. Para avaliar e analisar a eficiência de alimentações artificiais na presença de esporões ou quebra-mares destacados, foram definidos e estudados vários modelos físicos e numéricos. Foram realizados vários testes laboratoriais para levantamento de diferentes cenários de alimentação de praias com e sem a presença de estruturas costeiras, procurando identificar o comportamento morfológico da praia em função do transporte longitudinal de sedimentos e das condições de agitação. Para estudar um maior número de cenários e combinações, a modelação numérica foi uma das principais tarefas. O primeiro passo foi melhorar o desempenho do modelo numérico LTC, incorporando a capacidade de modelar quebra-mares destacados. Os modelos numéricos LTC e Genesis foram usados para testar diferentes cenários de intervenção de forma a avaliar o impacto da evolução da linha de costa. Adicionalmente, foi feito o levantamento topográfico e análise morfodinâmica de uma alimentação realizada no trecho costeiro Poço da Cruz – Praia de Mira. Ao longo do inverno marítimo de 2017/2018 foram realizadas várias campanhas. Os dados foram analisados usando ArcGIS para obter a evolução da linha de costa e o volume da praia ao longo do tempo, permitindo avaliar a vida útil da intervenção de alimentação. Para compilar e interpretar os dados obtidos, foi criado um índice (adimensional) que permite a comparação de diferentes intervenções costeiras ou a variação de diferentes propriedades. Desta forma, é possível avaliar a viabilidade de cada possível solução, para que seja selecionada a solução mais eficiente. Este índice foi denominado DGECI e foi desenvolvido tendo como base o conceito económico das “vantagens comparativas”.Programa Doutoral em Engenharia Civi

A revised framework of information security principles

Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability are referred to as the basic principles of Information Security. These principles have remained virtually un-changed over time, but several authors argue they are clearly insufficient to pro-tect information. Others go a step further and propose new security principles, to update and complement the traditional ones. Prompt by this context, the aim of this work is to revise the framework of Information Security principles, making it more current, complete, and comprehensive. Based on a systematic literature re-view, a set of Information Security principles is identified, defined and character-ized, which, subsequently, leads to a proposal of a Revised Framework of Infor-mation Security Principles. This framework was evaluated in terms of completeness and wholeness by intersecting it with a catalog of threats, which re-sulted from the merger of four existing catalogs. An initial set of security metrics, applied directly to the principles that constitute the framework, is also suggested, allowing, in case of adverse events, to assess the extent to which each principle was compromised and to evaluate the global effectiveness of the information pro-tection efforts.Programa Operacional Fatores de Competitividade – COMPETE and National funds by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia under Project FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-022674

A catalog of information systems outsourcing risks

Information systems outsourcing risks are a vital component in the decision and management process associated to the provision of information systems and technology services by a provider to a customer. Although there is a rich literature on information systems outsourcing risks, the accumulated knowledge on this area is fragmented. In view of this situation, an argument is put forward on the usefulness of having a theory that integrates the various constructs related to information systems outsourcing risks. This study aims to contribute towards the synthesis of that theory, by proposing a conceptual framework for interpreting the literature and presenting a catalog of information systems outsourcing risks. The conceptual framework articulates together six key risk elements, namely dangers, negative outcomes, undesirable consequences, factors and mitigation actions. The catalog condenses and categorizes the information systems outsourcing risk elements found on the literature reviewed, both from the perspective of the outsourcing customer and from the perspective of the outsourcing provider. Proposals for subsequent work towards the generation of the theory of information systems outsourcing risk are suggested

An overview on software testing and auditing

More and more people are dependent on technology. They increasingly use electronic services for day-to-day routines, and user loyalty to the software is essential, being defined by the excellence of the SW. The fewer flaws it has, the greater the likelihood of being able to retain the user’s loyalty. For this situation to be possible, tests are crucial in the development stage since they have the main purpose of identifying errors. To be possible to have a good quality of software, it is important to realize the importance of carrying out tests, as well as to understand what types of tests exist and realize which ones fit in each situation. In addition, the article addresses the life cycle and levels as sociated with software testing. In terms of test automation, there are some tools for developing this type of test, referencing the Katalon stu- diom robot framework, Protractoe and Watir; each is framed in different practical situations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Torrent Poisoning Protection with a Reverse Proxy Server

A Distributed Denial-of-Service attack uses multiple sources operating in concert to attack a network or site. A typical DDoS flood attack on a website targets a web server with multiple valid requests, exhausting the server’s resources. The participants in this attack are usually compromised/infected computers controlled by the attackers. There are several variations of this kind of attack, and torrent index poisoning is one. A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack using torrent poisoning, more specifically using index poisoning, is one of the most effective and disruptive types of attacks. These web flooding attacks originate from BitTorrent-based file-sharing communities, where the participants using the BitTorrent applications cannot detect their involvement. The antivirus and other tools cannot detect the altered torrent file, making the BitTorrent client target the webserver. The use of reverse proxy servers can block this type of request from reaching the web server, preventing the severity and impact on the service of the DDoS. In this paper, we analyze a torrent index poisoning DDoS to a higher education institution, the impact on the network systems and servers, and the mitigation measures implemented.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Machine learning approaches for dietary assessment

When considering individuals with dietary limitations, automatic food recognition, and assessment are paramount. Smartphone-oriented applications are convenient and handy when dish recognition and the elements inside are required. Machine learning (deep learning) applied to image recognition, alongside other classification techniques (for example, bag-of-words), are possible approaches to tackle this problem. The current most promising approach to the classification problem is deep leaning, which requires high computation for training, but it is an extremely fast and computationally light classifier. Since the requirement for the classifiers to be as accurate as possible, the humans must also be considered as the classifier. This work tests and compares deep-learning methods bag-of-words applied to computer vision, and the human visual system. Results show that deep learning is better when considering a low number of food categories. However, with more food categories, the human overcomes the machine algorithms

Mavacamten, uma nova terapia revolucionária na HOCM: uma revisão de literatura

A miocardiopatia hipertrófica (MCH) é uma das doenças cardíacas genéticas mais frequentes, sendo definida por um espessamento da parede ventricular esquerda ≥15 mm, na ausência de outras causas de sobrecarga ventricular. Um dos principais problemas associados a esta doença é a obstrução do trato de saída do ventrículo esquerdo, presente em até ¾ dos doentes, designando-se nesta circunstância por miocardiopatia hipertrófica obstrutiva. Atualmente, os principais objetivos da terapêutica destes doentes são a redução sintomática e a redução da progressão da doença. Este objetivo é atingido através de terapia farmacológica empírica, intervenção cirúrgica, ablação septal por álcool e/ou introdução de dispositivos cardíacos. O Mavacamten é o primeiro inibidor alostérico da miosina cardíaca, que vem permitir uma terapia mais dirigida para estes doentes. O objetivo desta revisão é fornecer uma visão geral da atual abordagem diagnóstica e de tratamento da MCH, bem como integrar todo o conhecimento atual sobre o Mavacamten, antecipando uma futura mudança no algoritmo de tratamento de doentes com MCH.Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is one of the most common inherited cardiac diseases, defined as a left ventricular wall thickness of ≥15 mm, in the absence of other causes of abnormal ventricular loading. A major hallmark of this disease is the presence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, which develops in up to ¾ of the patients, referred to as obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Current treatment is offered to symptomatic patients, based on the presence of documented left ventricular obstruction, aimed at reducing symptoms and disease progression. This is achieved through pharmacological empirical therapy, surgery, alcohol ablation and/or pacing. Mavacamten is a first-in-class allosteric inhibitor of cardiac myosin that promises to provide clinicians with targeted therapy for these patients. The aim of this review is to provide a general overview of the modern approach in diagnosis and management of HCM, as well as to integrate all the current knowledge on Mavacamten, anticipating a future change in the treatment algorithm of patients with HCM