97 results on '"Cardoso, Elsa"'
Search Results
2. Ontology-based BIM-AMS integration in European Highways
- Author
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Lorvão Antunes, António, Barateiro, José, Marecos, Vânia, Petrović, Jelena, and Cardoso, Elsa
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Unlocking the power of Twitter communities for startups
- Author
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Peixoto, Ana Rita, de Almeida, Ana, António, Nuno, Batista, Fernando, Ribeiro, Ricardo, and Cardoso, Elsa
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Algorithmic Evaluations in Breast Cancer: the Case of Champalimaud Foundation
- Author
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Trocin, Cristina, Cardoso, Elsa, and Mikalef, Patrick
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Generating personalized business card designs from images
- Author
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Antunes, Nuno, Ferreira, João Carlos, and Cardoso, Elsa
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Incorporation of Ontologies in Data Warehouse/Business Intelligence Systems - A Systematic Literature Review
- Author
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Antunes, António Lorvão, Cardoso, Elsa, and Barateiro, José
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Development of Plan S monitoring and compliance tool in the context of PTCRIS for Portuguese National Science Foundation
- Author
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Moreira, João Mendes, Pardelha, Filipa, Laranjeira, Cátia, Pereira, Filipa, Novais, Joana, Lopes, Paulo, Antunes, António, and Cardoso, Elsa
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. In vitro IL-15-activated human naïve CD8+ T cells down-modulate the CD8β chain and become CD8αα T cells.
- Author
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Esgalhado, André J., Reste-Ferreira, Débora, Weinhold, Sandra, Uhrberg, Markus, Cardoso, Elsa M., and Arosa, Fernando A.
- Subjects
T cells ,CD8 antigen ,PROTEIN-tyrosine kinases - Abstract
Antigen-driven human effector-memory CD8+ T cells expressing low levels of the CD8β chain have been previously described. However, little is known on a possible antigen-independent trigger. We have examined the impact that IL-15 has on the expression of CD8β on purified human naïve CD8+ T cells after CFSE labeling and culture with IL-15. As expected, IL-15 induced naïve CD8+ T cells to proliferate and differentiate. Remarkably, the process was associated with a cell-cycle dependent down-modulation of CD8β from the cell surface, leading to the generation of CD8αβ
low and CD8αβ- (i.e., CD8αα) T cells. In contrast, expression of the CD8α chain remained steady or even increased. Neither IL-2 nor IL-7 reproduced the effect of IL-15. Determination of mRNA levels for CD8α and CD8β isoforms by qPCR revealed that IL-15 promoted a significant decrease in mRNA levels of the CD8β M-4 isoform, while levels of the M-1/M-2 isoforms and of CD8α increased. Noteworthy, CD8+ T cell blasts obtained after culture of CD8+ T cells with IL-15 showed a cell-cycle dependent increase in the level of the tyrosine kinase Lck, when compared to CD8+ T cells at day 0. This study has shown for the first time that IL-15 generates CD8αα+ αβlow and CD8αα+ αβ- T cells containing high levels of Lck, suggesting that they may be endowed with unique functional features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. A Novel Bionebulizer Approach to Study the Effects of Natural Mineral Water on a 3D In Vitro Nasal Model from Allergic Rhinitis Patients.
- Author
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Viegas, Joana, Cardoso, Elsa M., Bonneau, Lucile, Esteves, Ana Filipa, Ferreira, Catarina L., Alves, Gilberto, Santos-Silva, António Jorge, Vitale, Marco, Arosa, Fernando A., and Taborda-Barata, Luís
- Subjects
ALLERGIC rhinitis ,MINERALS in water ,MINERAL waters ,NASAL mucosa ,GEOTHERMAL resources - Abstract
Sulfurous thermal waters (STWs) are used as a complementary treatment for allergic rhinitis. However, there is scant data on the effects of STW on nasal epithelial cells, and in vitro models are warranted. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the dose and time effects of exposure to 3D nasal inserts (MucilAir
TM -HF allergic rhinitis model) with STW or isotonic sodium chloride solution (ISCS) aerosols. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and histology were assessed before and after nebulizations. Chemokine/cytokine levels in the basal supernatants were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that more than four daily nebulizations of four or more minutes compromised the normal epithelial integrity. In contrast, 1 or 2 min of STW or ISCS nebulizations had no toxic effect up to 3 days. No statistically significant changes in release of inflammatory chemokines MCP-1/CCL2 > IL-8/CXCL8 > MIP-1α/CCL3, no meaningful release of "alarmins" (IL-1α, IL-33), nor of anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine were observed. We have characterized safe time and dose conditions for aerosol nebulizations using a novel in vitro 3D nasal epithelium model of allergic rhinitis patients. This may be a suitable in vitro setup to mimic in vivo treatments of chronic rhinitis with STW upon triggering an inflammatory stimulus in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. HLA‐A23/HLA‐A24 serotypes and dementia interaction in the elderly: Association with increased soluble HLA class I molecules in plasma.
- Author
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Cardoso, Elsa M., Lourenço‐Gomes, Vânia, Esgalhado, André J., Reste‐Ferreira, Débora, Oliveira, Nádia, Amaral, Ana Saraiva, Martinho, António, Gama, Jorge M. R., Verde, Ignácio, Lourenço, Olga, Fonseca, Ana M., Buchli, Rico, and Arosa, Fernando A.
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DEMENTIA , *ALZHEIMER'S disease , *OLDER people , *SEROTYPES , *NEURAL development - Abstract
MHC class I molecules regulate brain development and plasticity in mice and HLA class I molecules are associated with brain disorders in humans. We investigated the relationship between plasma‐derived soluble human HLA class I molecules (sHLA class I), HLA class I serotypes and dementia. A cohort of HLA class I serotyped elderly subjects with no dementia/pre‐dementia (NpD, n = 28), or with dementia (D, n = 28) was studied. Multivariate analysis was used to examine the influence of dementia and HLA class I serotype on sHLA class I levels, and to compare sHLA class I within four groups according to the presence or absence of HLA‐A23/A24 and dementia. HLA‐A23/A24 and dementia, but not age, significantly influenced the level of sHLA class I. Importantly, the concurrent presence of HLA‐A23/A24 and dementia was associated with higher levels of sHLA class I (p < 0.001). This study has shown that the simultaneous presence of HLA‐A23/HLA‐A24 and dementia is associated with high levels of serum sHLA class I molecules. Thus, sHLA class I could be considered a biomarker of neurodegeneration in certain HLA class I carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Distinctive CD8+ T cell and MHC class I signatures in polycythemia vera patients
- Author
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Cardoso, Elsa M., Esgalhado, André J., Patrão, Luís, Santos, Mónica, Neves, Vasco Pinto, Martinez, Jorge, Patto, Maria Assunção Vaz, Silva, Helena, and Arosa, Fernando A.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Evaluating the Impact of Gamification on the Online Shop of a Game Server: A Comparison between the Portuguese and North American Contexts.
- Author
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Santos, Diogo, Cardoso, Elsa, and Alexandre, Isabel Machado
- Subjects
VIDEO games ,ONLINE shopping ,GAMIFICATION ,ELECTRONIC commerce ,DIGITAL technology - Abstract
Online commerce has been growing rapidly in an increasingly digital world, and gamification, the practice of designing games in a context outside the industry itself, can be an effective strategy to stimulate consumer engagement and conversion rate. This paper describes the design process involved in introducing gamification into an online shop that is supported by two game servers of the same kind, namely one in the United States of America (US) and another in Portugal (PT). Through the various phases of the design thinking process, a gamified system was implemented to meet the needs of various types of users frequently found in the shops. The gamification elements used were intended to increase user engagement with the shops so that they would become more aware of existing products and the introduction of new products, promoting purchase through intangible challenges and rewards. The impacts on server revenues and user satisfaction (N = 138) were evaluated one month after introducing the gamification techniques. The results show that gamification has a positive effect on users, with a significant increase in consumer interaction in both shops. However, from a business point of view, the results show only an increase in revenue for the US shop, while the Portuguese shop shows no significant differences compared to previous months. Of the two user groups analyzed, only those who frequent the US shop show receptivity toward intangible rewards, with tangible rewards (discounts) being a greater motivating factor for both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. IL-15 induces CD8+ T cells to acquire functional NK receptors capable of modulating cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion
- Author
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Correia, Margareta P., Costa, Alexandra V., Uhrberg, Markus, Cardoso, Elsa M., and Arosa, Fernando A.
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- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. The door of the caliph in the Umayyad al-Andalus
- Author
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Cardoso, Elsa
- Abstract
The main purpose of the dissertation is the conceptualization of the court, palace and ruler of the Umayyad Caliphate of al-Andalus (929-1031). The Western terminology still plays a normative role in the representation of foreign courts, determining concepts that fit poorly into chronologies and traditions with their own dynamics, hierarchies and specificities, which is the case of the Muslim courts. Far from being the paradigm of court society, the Western court model consists of a case amon...
- Published
- 2021
15. Designing a Business Intelligence and Analytics Maturity Model for Higher Education: A Design Science Approach.
- Author
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Cardoso, Elsa and Su, Xiaomeng
- Subjects
DESIGN science ,BUSINESS intelligence ,BUSINESS analytics ,HIGHER education ,DESIGN education - Abstract
Business Intelligence and Analytics (BIA) systems play an essential role in organizations, providing actionable insights that enable business users to make more informed, data-driven decisions. However, many Higher Education (HE) institutions do not have accessible and usable models to guide them through the incremental development of BIA solutions to realize the full potential value of BIA. The situation is becoming ever more acute as HE operates today in a complex and dynamic environment brought forward by globalization and the rapid development of information technologies. This paper proposes a domain-specific BIA maturity model (MM) for HE–the HE-BIA Maturity Model. Following a design science approach, this paper details the design, development, and evaluation of two artifacts: the MM and the maturity assessment method. The evaluation phase comprised three case studies with universities from different countries and two workshops with practitioners from more than ten countries. HE institutions reported that the assessment with the HE-BIA model was (i) useful and adequate for their needs; (ii) and contributed to a better understanding of the current status of their BIA landscape, making it explicit that a BIA program is a technology endeavor as well as an organizational development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. The door of the caliph in the Umayyad al-Andalus : from the conceptualization to the articulation of ceremonial (10th – 11th centuries)
- Author
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Cardoso, Elsa Raquel Fernandes, Fernandes, Hermenegildo Nuno Goinhas, and Kennedy, Hugh Nigel
- Subjects
Al-Andalus - Reis e soberanos ,Al-Andalus - Historia - 929-1031 (Califado de Córdova) ,Teses de doutoramento - 2020 ,Espanha - História - 711-1516 ,Al-Andalus - Civilização ,Omíadas (Dinastia) ,Al-Andalus - Corte e cortesãos ,Humanidades::História e Arqueologia [Domínio/Área Científica] - Abstract
Submitted by Manuel Moreno (manuelmoreno@campus.ul.pt) on 2020-08-25T09:42:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ulfl_td.pdf: 15078394 bytes, checksum: 3f4f60c951d4607bb8a281af71748a65 (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Manuel Moreno (manuelmoreno@campus.ul.pt) on 2020-08-25T09:43:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 ulfl_td.pdf: 15078394 bytes, checksum: 3f4f60c951d4607bb8a281af71748a65 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2020-08-25T09:43:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ulfl_td.pdf: 15078394 bytes, checksum: 3f4f60c951d4607bb8a281af71748a65 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2020-07-15
- Published
- 2020
17. Altered expression of CD1d molecules and lipid accumulation in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 after iron loading
- Author
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Cabrita, Marisa, Pereira, Carlos F., Rodrigues, Pedro, Cardoso, Elsa M., and Arosa, Fernando A.
- Published
- 2005
18. Molecular analysis of iron overload in β2-microglobulin-deficient mice
- Author
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Muckenthaler, Martina U, Rodrigues, Pedro, Macedo, Maria G, Minana, Belen, Brennan, Karen, Cardoso, Elsa M, Hentze, Matthias W, and de Sousa, Maria
- Published
- 2004
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. A study of some hepatic immunological markers, iron load and virus genotype in chronic hepatitis C
- Author
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Cardoso, Elsa Maria, Duarte, Miguel Angelo, Ribeiro, Eduarda, Rodrigues, Pedro, Hultcrantz, Rolf, Sampaio, Paula, Ehrlich, Rachel, Carvalho, João, Fraga, José, and de Sousa, Maria
- Published
- 2004
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. CD45RA, CD8β, and IFNγ Are Potential Immune Biomarkers of Human Cognitive Function.
- Author
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Esgalhado, André J., Reste-Ferreira, Débora, Albino, Stephanie E., Sousa, Adriana, Amaral, Ana Paula, Martinho, António, Oliveira, Isabel T., Verde, Ignacio, Lourenço, Olga, Fonseca, Ana M., Cardoso, Elsa M., and Arosa, Fernando A.
- Subjects
COGNITIVE ability ,T cells ,OLDER people ,IMMUNE system ,CELL membranes ,PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY - Abstract
There is increasing evidence that in humans the adaptive immunological system can influence cognitive functions of the brain. We have undertaken a comprehensive immunological analysis of lymphocyte and monocyte populations as well as of HLA molecules expression in a cohort of elderly volunteers (age range, 64–101) differing in their cognitive status. Hereby, we report on the identification of a novel signature in cognitively impaired elderly characterized by: (1) elevated percentages of CD8+ T effector-memory cells expressing high levels of the CD45RA phosphate receptor (Temra
hi ); (2) high percentages of CD8+ T cells expressing high levels of the CD8β chain (CD8βhi ); (3) augmented production of IFNγ by in vitro activated CD4+ T cells. Noteworthy, CD3+CD8+ Temrahi and CD3+CD8βhi cells were associated with impaired cognition. Cytomegalovirus seroprevalence showed that all volunteers studied but one were CMV positive. Finally, we show that some of these phenotypic and functional features are associated with an increased frequency of the HLA-B8 serotype, which belongs to the ancestral haplotype HLA-A1, Cw7, B8, DR3, DQ2, among cognitively impaired volunteers. To our knowledge, this is the first proof in humans linking the amount of cell surface CD45RA and CD8β chain expressed by CD8+ Temra cells, and the amount of IFNγ produced by in vitro activated CD4+ T cells, with impaired cognitive function in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. Divide, Conquer, and Sense: CD8+CD28− T Cells in Perspective
- Author
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Arosa, Fernando A., Esgalhado, André J., Padrão, Carolina A., and Cardoso, Elsa M.
- Subjects
natural killer receptors ,IL-15 ,Immunology ,effector memory CD8+ T cells ,innate receptors ,tissue repair ,open MHC-I conformers ,IFN-γ ,NK-like T cells - Abstract
Understanding the rationale for the generation of a pool of highly differentiated effector memory CD8+ T cells displaying a weakened capacity to scrutinize for peptides complexed with major histocompatibility class I molecules via their T cell receptor, lacking the “signal 2” CD28 receptor, and yet expressing a highly diverse array of innate receptors, from natural killer receptors, interleukin receptors, and damage-associated molecular pattern receptors, among others, is one of the most challenging issues in contemporary human immunology. The prevalence of these differentiated CD8+ T cells, also known as CD8+CD28−, CD8+KIR+, NK-like CD8+ T cells, or innate CD8+ T cells, in non-lymphoid organs and tissues, in peripheral blood of healthy elderly, namely centenarians, but also in stressful and chronic inflammatory conditions suggests that they are not merely end-of-the-line dysfunctional cells. These experienced CD8+ T cells are highly diverse and capable of sensing a variety of TCR-independent signals, which enables them to respond and fine-tune tissue homeostasis.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
22. The JAK2V617F mutation is associated with anomalies in the frequency of monocytes, B cells, CD8+ T cells and NK cells
- Author
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Costa-Brito, Ana R., Cardoso, Elsa M., Martinez, Jorge, and Arosa, Fernando A.
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Full-mouth periodontal examination prior to and after nonsurgical treatment in chronic periodontitis patients
- Author
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Reis, Cátia, Manzanares-Céspedes, Maria Cristina, Pacheco, José Júlio, filomena salazar, and Cardoso, Elsa M.
- Subjects
stomatognathic diseases ,stomatognathic system ,Periodontal pocket ,Periodontal diseases ,Chronic periodontitis ,Periodontal debridement - Abstract
Chronic periodontitis is a pathological condition characterized by loss of the supporting tissues of the teeth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of disease sites in different areas of mouth, prior to and following short-term nonsurgical treatment, as well as the successful of treatment. Periodontal parameters, including Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) and Bleeding on Probing (BOP) were recorded in each six surfaces per tooth (mesiobuccal, buccal, distobuccal, mesiolingual, lingual and distolingual), in all mouth teeth of patients with chronic periodontitis, prior to and following nonsurgical periodontal therapy. In total, 374 disease sites (PPD ≥ 4 mm) were found and constituted the sample population of this study. The prevalence of disease sites was higher at mandibular arch, in molars, and at interproximal tooth surfaces, both prior to and after treatment. There was a trend to be more prevalent on the right side of the mouth. Nonsurgical periodontal therapy resulted in a statistically significant decrease in PPD, CAL and in the percentage of BOP sites, even though with a similar pattern of disease distribution after treatment. Following treatment, molars had significantly higher PPD and CAL than other teeth. We conclude that it is important to take particular attention to specific sites in the mouth during management of patients with chronic periodontitis and that short-term nonsurgical treatment is effective in mild/moderate periodontal pockets., This study was supported by a grant (06-GCD-CICS-09) from Co-operativa de Ensino Superior, Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Portugal.
- Published
- 2016
24. The four faces of Information Visualization: A conceptual framework for a postgraduate program.
- Author
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do Carmo Botelho, Maria, Távora Vilar, Emílio, Cardoso, Elsa, da Silva, Ana Alexandrino, de Almeida, Pedro Duarte, Manuel Rodrigues, Luís, Pinto Martinho, Ana, and Rodrigues, Sara
- Subjects
DATA visualization ,INFORMATION design ,VISUALIZATION ,DATA analysis ,INTERDISCIPLINARY research - Abstract
The multidisciplinary nature of information visualization is today fairly consensual in both professional and academic communities: data analysis, information design, storytelling, among other subjects, are common drivers in this field. The systematic study of this cross-fertilization, patent in the way the concept's definition varies according to the perspective being adopted, represents an important and needed addition to the critical mass of a relatively recent area of knowledge. The proposal of a single unified definition of information visualisation being beyond the scope of this paper, it instead summons and discusses its multiple viewpoints to help designing a postgraduate program on the topic, aiming to simultaneously start an open debate as its implementation phase goes on and new questions are subsequently raised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
25. The Scenography of Power in Al-Andalus and the ʿAbbasid and Byzantine Ceremonials: Christian Ambassadorial Receptions in the Court of Cordoba in a Comparative Perspective.
- Author
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Cardoso, Elsa
- Subjects
- *
THEATRICAL scenery , *ABBASIDS , *CHRISTIANS , *COMPARATIVE studies , *DIPLOMATICS - Abstract
This essay considers ceremonial features represented during Christian diplomatic receptions held at the court of Cordoba, under the rule of Caliphs ʿAbd al-Raḥmān III (912‒961) and al-Ḥakam II (961‒976), in a comparative perspective. The declaration of the Umayyad Caliphate of the West by ʿAbd al-Raḥmān III marked the institutionalization of a carefully elaborated court ceremonial, reaching its greatest development under the rule of al-Ḥakam II. Detailed official ambassadorial ceremonies will be addressed, such as receptions of ambassadors from Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos, and King Otto I, or the reception and submission of Ordoño IV, deposed king of Leon, accounted by both Muslim and Christian sources. Such ceremonies will be compared with ʿAbbasid and Byzantine similar receptions, analyzing furthermore the origin and symbology of those rituals within the framework of diplomatic and cultural exchanges and encounters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. Distinctive CD8+ T cell and MHC class I signatures in polycythemia vera patients.
- Author
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Cardoso, Elsa M., Esgalhado, André J., Patrão, Luís, Santos, Mónica, Neves, Vasco Pinto, Martinez, Jorge, Patto, Maria Assunção Vaz, Silva, Helena, and Arosa, Fernando A.
- Subjects
- *
POLYCYTHEMIA vera , *MYELOPROLIFERATIVE neoplasms , *ERYTHROCYTES , *T cells , *CELL populations , *MONOCYTES , *PATIENTS , *BONE marrow diseases , *HLA-B27 antigen , *CASE-control method - Abstract
Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by overproduction of red blood cells. We have performed a comprehensive characterization of blood immune cells for expression of naïve and memory receptors as well as β2m-associated and β2m-free MHC class I heavy chains, also known as closed and open conformers, respectively, in PV patients and age-matched controls (CTR). We show that the peripheral CD3+CD8+ T cell pool in PV patients is clearly divided into two discrete populations, a more granular CD3+CD8high T cell population enriched in effector-memory CD45RA+ T cells (CD8+ TEMRA) when compared to CTR (P < 0.001), and a less granular CD3+CD8int T cell population that is completely absent in the CTR group (78 vs. 0%, P < 0.001) and is a mixture of naïve (CD8+ TN) and CD8+ TEMRA cells expressing intermediate levels of CD28, i.e., CD3+CD8intCD28int. While the percentage of CD3+CD8int TN cells correlated positively with the number of erythrocytes, the percentage of CD3+CD8int TEMRA correlated negatively with the number of platelets. Finally, we report that PV patients' lymphocytes and monocytes display lower levels of closed (W6/32+) MHC-I conformers at the cell surface while exhibiting increased amounts of open (HC-10+) MHC-I conformers. The implications of this distinctive immune signature are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Chronic periodontitis, inflammatory cytokines, and interrelationship with other chronic diseases.
- Author
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Cardoso, Elsa Maria, Reis, Cátia, and Manzanares-Céspedes, Maria Cristina
- Subjects
PERIODONTITIS ,PREVENTION of chronic diseases ,INFLAMMATION ,CYTOKINES ,ORAL hygiene ,TUMOR necrosis factors ,IMMUNOREGULATION ,CHRONIC diseases ,DISEASE complications - Abstract
Periodontal diseases, such as chronic periodontitis, share common inflammatory risk factors with other systemic and chronic inflammatory disorders. Mucosal tissues, such as oral epithelia, are exposed to environmental stressors, such as tobacco and oral bacteria, that might be involved in promoting a systemic inflammatory state. Conversely, chronic disorders can also affect oral health. This review will summarize recent evidence for the interrelationship between chronic periodontitis and other prevalent chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. The association with pregnancy is also included due to possible obstetric complications. We will focus on inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6, because they have been shown to be increased in patients with chronic periodontitis, in patients with chronic systemic diseases, and in patients with both chronic periodontitis and other chronic diseases. Therefore, an imbalance towards a proinflammatory immune response could underline a bidirectional link between chronic periodontitis and other chronic diseases. Finally, we highlight that a close coordination between dental and other health professionals could promote oral health and prevent or ameliorate other chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Achievements of the Bologna process reforms: an integrated management and IT approach
- Author
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Velada, Raquel, Cardoso, Elsa, Antunes, Ana, Caetano, António, Bento, Rui, Aguiar, Francisco, Silva, Sílvia, and Sequeira, Manuel Menezes de
- Subjects
Decision support systems ,Bologna process ,Programme performance evaluation - Abstract
In this paper we will describe a national perspective on the achievements of the Bologna Process in Portugal regarding the academic years of 2006/2007 and 2007/2008, and detail the approach followed at the Lisbon University Institute (ISCTE-IUL). The main objective of the paper is to describe the joint initiative that has been developed at ISCTE-IUL to implement a Decision Support System (DSS) that will enable the collection, analysis and dissemination (through reporting) of the required performance indicators to render possible an automatic elaboration of these reports. The paper will focus on the requirements gathering phase of the decision support system designed to enable the automatic generation of Bologna reports. This DSS constitutes a research project and is being developed with the sponsorship of the Computer Center (DSI) and Quality Assurance and Evaluation Office (GAQE), integrated with the University’s information system Fénix (based on FénixEDU®).
- Published
- 2009
29. Handling confidentiality and privacy on cloud-based health information systems.
- Author
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Serrão, Carlos and Cardoso, Elsa
- Subjects
CONFIDENTIAL communications ,MEDICAL care - Abstract
Health-related data include not only the patient’s personal information, but also specific information about the patient health problems, supplementary diagnostic examination results, and much more. All this information is extremely sensitive and should only be accessed by the proper entities and actors, for special specific purposes. Described herein is an approach to address security and privacy of health-related data based on rights management technologies, with an architecture to minimize security risks and privacy conerns. This approach consists of the reutilisation of an open-source and open-specifications rights management system, and designing and adapting the necessary components to address the specific security and privacy requirements that must be faced when managing health and patient data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. CD8+ T Cells in Chronic Periodontitis: Roles and Rules.
- Author
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Cardoso, Elsa M. and Arosa, Fernando A.
- Subjects
T cells ,PERIODONTITIS - Abstract
The article presents a study conducted on the role played by CD8+ T Cells in chronic periodontitis which is multifactorial disease characterized by the presence of dysbiotic microbial communities.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Divide, conquer, and sense: CD8+CD28- T cells in Perspective.
- Author
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Arosa, Fernando A., Esgalhado, André J., Padrão, Carolina A., Cardoso, Elsa M., Awasthi, Amit, and August, Avery
- Subjects
CD8 antigen ,CD28 antigen ,CELLULAR signal transduction - Abstract
Understanding the rationale for the generation of a pool of highly differentiated effector memory CD8
+ T cells displaying a weakened capacity to scrutinize for peptides complexed with major histocompatibility class I molecules via their T cell receptor, lacking the "signal 2" CD28 receptor, and yet expressing a highly diverse array of innate receptors, from natural killer receptors, interleukin receptors, and damage-associated molecular pattern receptors, among others, is one of the most challenging issues in contemporary human immunology. The prevalence of these differentiated CD8+ T cells, also known as CD8+ CD28- , CD8+ KIR+ , NK-like CD8+ T cells, or innate CD8+ T cells, in non-lymphoid organs and tissues, in peripheral blood of healthy elderly, namely centenarians, but also in stressful and chronic inflammatory conditions suggests that they are not merely end-of-the-line dysfunctional cells. These experienced CD8+ T cells are highly diverse and capable of sensing a variety of TCR-independent signals, which enables them to respond and fine-tune tissue homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. Altered expression of CD1d molecules and lipid accumulation in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 after iron loading
- Author
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Cabrita, Marisa, Pereira, Carlos F., Rodrigues, Pedro, Cardoso, Elsa M., and Arosa, Fernando A.
- Subjects
lipids ,iron ,MHC ,liver ,CD1d - Abstract
Iron overload in the liver may occur in clinical conditions such as hemochromatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and may lead to the deterioration of the normal liver architecture by mechanisms not well understood. Although a relationship between the expression of ICAM-1, and classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, and iron overload has been reported, no relationship has been identified between iron overload and the expression of unconventional MHC class I molecules. Herein, we report that parameters of iron metabolism were regulated in a coordinated-fashion in a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2 cells) after iron loading, leading to increased cellular oxidative stress and growth retardation. Iron loading of HepG2 cells resulted in increased expression of Nor3.2-reactive CD1d molecules at the plasma membrane. Expression of classical MHC class I and II molecules, ICAM-1 and the epithelial CD8 ligand, gp180 was not significantly affected by iron. Considering that intracellular lipids regulate expression of CD1d at the cell surface, we examined parameters of lipid metabolism in iron-loaded HepG2 cells. Interestingly, increased expression of CD1d molecules by iron-loaded HepG2 cells was associated with increased phosphatidylserine expression in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane and the presence of many intracellular lipid droplets. These data describe a new relationship between iron loading, lipid accumulation and altered expression of CD1d, an unconventional MHC class I molecule reported to monitor intracellular and plasma membrane lipid metabolism, in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2., This work was funded by the Inova Foundation for Medical Research/The American Portuguese Biomedical Research Fund (APBRF, USA). The authors would like to thank L. Mayer and K. Uchida for providing antibodies, A. do Vale, F. Pisarra and M.T. Silva for help and comments on TEM, and M. Santos and R. Hultcrantz for critical reading of the manuscript. We also thank M. de Sousa for mentoring this work. M.C. and C.F.P. were supported by a fellowship from Inova/APBRF. E.M.C. was partially supported by EU grant (QLG1-CT-1999–00665).
- Published
- 2004
33. Hepatic damage in C282Y homozygotes relates to low numbers of CD8+ cells in the liver lobuli
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Cardoso, Elsa M., Hagen, Karin, de Sousa, Maria, and Hultcrantz, Rolf
- Subjects
Haemochromatosis gene (HFE) ,CD8+ T Lymphocytes ,iron ,liver cirrhosis - Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although most Caucasian patients with hereditary haemochromatosis (HH) show the same mutation in the HFE gene, the phenotypic expression of the disease varies greatly. We have previously shown that patients with HH who have high iron stores have low numbers of circulating CD8+ T lymphocytes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Liver and peripheral blood were studied in 37 C282Y homozygous HH patients; nine normal livers and 11 livers from patients with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus or alcoholic liver disease were also investigated. Eleven jejunal biopsies from HH patients and 17 normal biopsies were studied. The numbers of CD8+ cells were determined in peripheral blood by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, and in the liver or small intestine by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In HH patients the number of CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood correlated significantly with the number of CD8+ cells in the liver lobuli but not with that in the small intestine. Body iron stores correlated negatively with the number of CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood and in the liver, but not with the number in the small intestine. HH patients with cirrhosis had the lowest CD8+ cell count in liver sections, in contrast with other forms of cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that HH patients with the HFE C282Y mutation and low numbers of CD8+ cells in the liver lobuli have higher iron stores and are more prone to develop liver cirrhosis., This study was supported by the Swedish Medical Research Council (n. 9127), the Bengt Ihres Foundation, Ruth and Richard Julins Foundation and the Karolinska Institute. Elsa Cardoso is a recipient of a PRAXIS XXI Grant BD/5095/95.
- Published
- 2001
34. Lymphocytes in the liver and hepatic iron toxicity : human and animal models of iron overload
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Cardoso, Elsa Maria Pereira
- Subjects
Células ,Fígado ,Sangue ,Linfócitos ,Dissertações académicas ,Hemocromatose - Published
- 2000
35. Iron and the paradox of disease
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de Sousa, Maria and Cardoso, Elsa M.
- Published
- 2000
36. HFE mutations in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis in Sweden
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Cardoso, Elsa M., Stal, Per, Hagen, Karin, and Cabeda, José M.
- Subjects
congenital, hereditary, and neonatal diseases and abnormalities ,iron ,haemochromatosis ,genotype ,nutritional and metabolic diseases ,HFE ,inherited disorders - Abstract
To determine the frequency of mutations (C282Y and H63D) in a newly identified gene HFE in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis (HH) in Sweden. DESIGN: Molecular genetic analyses of the HFE gene (polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by enzyme restriction) were performed in genomic DNA from unrelated patients with a clinical diagnosis of HH and in healthy subjects. SETTINGS: Patients with HH treated with phlebotomies at Karolinska Hospital and Huddinge Hospital were analyzed. SUBJECTS: Eighty-seven unrelated patients with HH and 117 healthy controls. RESULTS: It was found that the HFE C282Y mutation occurs in 94.2% of chromosomes from patients with HH. Eighty patients (92.0%) were homozygous for the C282Y mutation and one was heterozygous. Three patients were heterozygous for both C282Y and H63D mutations. One patient was homozygous and one was heterozygous for the H63D mutation. One patient carried normal alleles. In healthy controls, the C282Y mutation occurred in nine subjects (7.7%), all of which were heterozygous. The H63D mutation was found in 28 control subjects, one of which was homozygous. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the majority of patients with HH have the C282Y mutation in the HFE gene. The frequency of the H63D mutation was higher in controls than in patients with HH, although in chromosomes at risk the frequency of the H63D mutation was higher in patients., This study was supported by the Swedish Medical Research Council (n. 9127), the Swedish Society of Medicine, Ruth and Richard Julins Foundation and the Karolinska Institute. Miss Elsa Cardoso is a recipient of a PRAXIS XXI Grant BD/5095/95.
- Published
- 1998
37. A Traceable Maturity Assessment Method Based on Enterprise Architecture Modelling.
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Vieira, Ricardo, Cardoso, Elsa, and Becker, Christoph
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Clinical improvement following therapy for periodontitis: Association with a decrease in IL-1 and IL-6.
- Author
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REIS, CÁTIA, DA COSTA, ALEXANDRA VIANA, GUIMARÃES, JOÃO TIAGO, TUNA, DIANA, BRAGA, ANA CRISTINA, PACHECO, JOSÉ JULIO, AROSA, FERNANDO A., SALAZAR, FILOMENA, and CARDOSO, ELSA MARIA
- Subjects
PERIODONTITIS ,INTERLEUKIN-1 ,INTERLEUKIN-6 ,BIOMARKERS ,TUMOR necrosis factors - Abstract
Although a number of inflammatory cytokines have been shown to be associated with periodontal pathogenesis, it is important to investigate further whether these biomarkers are associated with the degree of success in nonsurgical treatment of chronic periodontitis. The aim of the present study was to quantify the total levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, -1β, -6, -10 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of chronic periodontitis patients prior to and following nonsurgical periodontal therapy. In total, 52 GCF samples from disease sites of patients with chronic periodontitis, prior to and following periodontal therapy, and ten non-disease sites from non-periodontitis subjects, were collected and cytokine concentrations were determined using a multiplex method. Periodontal parameters, including bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and the clinical attachment level, in all the sites were recorded. Untreated disease sites exhibited higher cytokine levels in the GCF when compared with the non-disease sites. Nonsurgical periodontal therapy resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the total levels of IL-1α, -1β and -6 in the GCF, but not in IL-10 or TNF-α. The results support the hypothesis that proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6, are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and are good markers to evaluate the success of nonsurgical therapy in disease sites of patients with periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Open MHC Class I Conformers: A Look through the Looking Glass.
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Arosa, Fernando A., Esgalhado, André J., Reste-Ferreira, Débora, and Cardoso, Elsa M.
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CELL membranes ,ANTIGEN presentation ,HORMONE receptors ,CELL communication ,GROWTH factors - Abstract
Studies carried out during the last few decades have consistently shown that cell surface MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules are endowed with functions unrelated with antigen presentation. These include cis–trans-interactions with inhibitory and activating KIR and LILR, and cis-interactions with receptors for hormones, growth factors, cytokines, and neurotransmitters. The mounting body of evidence indicates that these non-immunological MHC-I functions impact clinical and biomedical settings, including autoimmune responses, tumor escape, transplantation, and neuronal development. Notably, most of these functions appear to rely on the presence in hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells of heavy chains not associated with β2m and the peptide at the plasma membrane; these are known as open MHC-I conformers. Nowadays, open conformers are viewed as functional cis-trans structures capable of establishing physical associations with themselves, with other surface receptors, and being shed into the extracellular milieu. We review past and recent developments, strengthening the view that open conformers are multifunctional structures capable of fine-tuning cell signaling, growth, differentiation, and cell communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Increased hepatic iron in mice lacking classical MHC class I molecules
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Cardoso, Elsa M., Macedo, Maria G., Rohrlich, Pierre, Ribeiro, Eduarda, Silva, Manuel T., Lemonnier, François A., and de Sousa, Maria
- Published
- 2002
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. CAN WE TEST SWIMMING LESSONS SKILLS IN DROWNING PREVENTION?
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Oliveira, Liliana, Aranha, Agata, Resende, Rui, Cardoso, Elsa, Pimenta, Nuno, and Garrido, Nuno
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SWIMMING instruction ,DROWNPROOFING ,MOTOR ability in children - Abstract
Background Drowning is the third leading cause of death worldwide (WHO, 2010). According to Brenner et al (2009) participating in swimming lessons (SL) can reduce by 88% the risk of drowning in children 1-4 years old, despite some controversy regarding the most appropriate swimming programs (Ward, 2009). On the other hand no studies tested the skills acquired in SL in drowning prevention. So we proposed a test to evaluate the survivability of a child that accidentally falls into the water. Methods Twenty two children (4.68±0.82yrs) who practice SL (2.01±0.91yrs/practice) were subjected to two tests: aquatic readiness (AR) (Stallman et al, 2008); and survival test (ST), which consisted of an inflatable boat ride (unknown pool; presence of the usual swim teacher; wearing t-shirt) which 'accidentally' turns. Recorded images were later observed by 6 field experts whose observations obtained an overall index of concordance (IC) of 89%. Results In ST 15 children had positive responses (n=10, 100% IC; n=1, 66% IC; n=1, 83% IC; n=3, 50% IC) and 7 (n=6, 100% IC; n=1, 66% IC) would be in danger. Conclusions Through this test, we found that not all children whose result was positive in AR had a positive performance in the ST. This brings us to observe according to Langendörfer (2011) that the positive or negative response of the subject depends on the interaction of various constraints such as individual characteristics, the environment conditions, and the state in which the swimmer is. The application of ST suggests that the inclusion of safety and prevention activities in swimming lessons, aiming to develop attitudes and motor skills as a defense to drowning, must be taken into account. More studies are necessary to provide valid information to assist pediatricians in advising parents regarding what type of SL are more appropriate to reduce drowning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. The operation strategies with Chinese characteristics on the intelligent process management of home-based health care service
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Jiang Yichen, Cardoso, Elsa, and Mu Yinping
- Subjects
I Health, education, and welfare ,Cuidados domiciliários inteligentes ,Home-based health care services ,Intelligent process management ,Smart home care ,M Business administration and business economics - Marketing - Accounting - Personnel economics ,Chinese elderly service industry ,Indústria chinesa de serviços para idosos ,M10 ,Serviços de saúde ao domicílio ,I19 ,Gestão inteligente de processos - Abstract
China is rapidly entering a deeply aging society. More elderly people will choose to receive health care services at home. The problem of receiving services at home is that the service providers come to the home alone. Therefore, it is difficult to get objective feedback and effective evaluation on service length, service content as well as risk prevention and control. Guaranteeing the service quality is also challenging, thus affecting the business model. In order to fill this gap, this study clarifies the four-in-one "ISAC" intervention strategy model of home-based health care service process management to effectively improve customer satisfaction from the strategic level; establishes a common indicator evaluation system to improve the service process supervision from the tactical level; innovates and develops a smart home care (SHC) system from the operational level. The study takes Shanghai, the highest aging city in China, as a sample, and analyzes the current situation of home-based health care services and customer service expectations, designs an operational intervention system and adopts targeted interventions for practical application in the operation system. It evaluates the effectiveness of the actual operation in two groups, which are customers and employees, and discusses continuous improvement strategies and methods. This study attempts to establish an operation management system suitable for Chinese community-and-home-based health care services through scientific methods and approaches. It also provides a feasible methodology to enhance the quality and operation management capabilities. The SHC solution has been promoted and implemented in Shanghai, China, since December 2020. A China está a entrar rapidamente numa sociedade profundamente envelhecida. Mais pessoas idosas optarão por receber serviços de saúde em casa. O problema de receber serviços ao domicílio é que os prestadores de serviços vêm para o domicílio sozinhos. Por conseguinte, é difícil obter um feedback objetivo e uma avaliação eficaz sobre a duração dos serviços, o seu conteúdo, bem como a prevenção e o controlo dos riscos. Garantir a qualidade do serviço é também um desafio, que afeta o modelo de negócio. A fim de preencher esta lacuna, este estudo clarifica o modelo de estratégia de intervenção quatro em um "ISAC" de gestão do processo de serviços de saúde ao domicílio para melhorar efetivamente a satisfação do cliente a partir do nível estratégico; estabelece um sistema comum de avaliação de indicadores para melhorar a supervisão do processo de serviços a partir do nível tático; e inova e desenvolve um sistema inteligente de cuidados domiciliários (SHC) a partir do nível operacional. O estudo toma Xangai, a cidade mais envelhecida da China, como amostra, e analisa a situação atual dos serviços de cuidados de saúde domiciliários e as expectativas de serviço ao cliente, concebe um sistema de intervenção operacional e adota intervenções para aplicação prática no sistema operacional. Avalia a eficácia da operação real em dois grupos - clientes e empregados - discutindo estratégias e métodos de melhoria contínua. Este estudo tenta estabelecer um sistema de gestão operacional adequado aos serviços de saúde baseados na comunidade Chinesa e no domicílio, através de métodos e abordagens científicas. Fornece também uma metodologia viável para melhorar a qualidade e as capacidades de gestão das operações. A solução SHC tem sido promovida e implementada em Xangai, China, desde Dezembro 2020.
- Published
- 2022
43. Analytical enrichment: A target to source approach for missing requirements in decision support systems
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Neto, João Maria Sousa Gomes, Barateiro, José Eduardo de Mendonça Tomás, and Cardoso, Elsa Alexandra Cabral da Rocha
- Subjects
Requisitos em falta ,Data warehouse ,Operational system ,Sistemas de apoio à decisão -- Decision support systems ,Engenharia e Tecnologia::Engenharia Eletrotécnica, Eletrónica e Informática [Domínio/Área Científica] ,Missing requirements ,Sistemas operacionais ,Business intelligence - Abstract
Operational Systems collect transactional data and support the execution of business processes in an organization. These systems are often the data source for Decision Support Systems (DSS), i.e. analytical systems designed to aid business users in the decision-making process. For this reason, several problems in Operational Systems, such as missing data requirements or data quality issues, can lead to unfulfilled analytical needs of the DSS and, consequently, have a negative effect on the Decision Making Process since relevant business queries may not be answered. The objective of this study is to understand the impact of the integration of DSS requirements in the design of operational systems. To achieve this objective, this dissertation uses a real use case DSS to identify the missing requirements and develop a DSS prototype to demonstrate the positive impact on the Decision-Making process when these requirements are fulfilled. Throughout this development, ways of dealing with the various types of missing requirements are going to be addressed. Additionally, a methodology to evaluate the missing requirements is suggested, along with a proposal to classify and understand the missing requirements and how they can be dealt with. Also, the evaluation method is applied, and the developed prototype is compared to the baseline system in order to measure the impact. Finally, the benefits of this integration are shown, as well as other factors that can also constrain the DSS requirements. Os sistemas operacionais recolhem dados transacionais e apoiam a execução de processos de negócio numa organização. Estes sistemas são frequentemente a fonte de dados para os Sistemas de Apoio à Decisão (SAD), ou seja, sistemas analíticos concebidos para auxiliar os utilizadores empresariais no processo de tomada de decisão. Por esta razão, vários problemas nos Sistemas Operacionais, tais como requisitos de dados em falta ou questões de qualidade de dados, podem levar a necessidades analíticas não satisfeitas do SAD e, consequentemente, ter um efeito negativo no Processo de Tomada de Decisão, uma vez que as questões de negócio relevantes podem não ser respondidas. O objetivo do presente estudo é compreender o impacto da integração dos requisitos do SAD na conceção dos sistemas operacionais. Para atingir este objetivo, esta dissertação utiliza um caso de estudo real de um SAD para identificar os requisitos em falta e desenvolver um SAD protótipo para demonstrar o impacto positivo no processo de Tomada de Decisão quando estes requisitos são cumpridos. Ao longo deste desenvolvimento, as formas de lidar com os vários tipos de requisitos em falta serão abordadas. É também proposto um método de avaliação para compreender e categorizar os requisitos em falta e a forma como podem ser tratados. Além disso, o método de avaliação é aplicado, e o protótipo desenvolvido é comparado com o sistema de base, no sentido de medir o impacto. Finalmente, são mostrados os benefícios desta integração, bem como outros fatores que também podem limitar os requisitos do SAD.
- Published
- 2022
44. ETL for data science?: A case study
- Author
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Oliveira, Nicole Furtado, Nunes, Luís Miguel Martins, and Cardoso, Elsa Alexandra Cabral da Rocha
- Subjects
Artificial intelligence ,Modelos de processo ,Data normalization ,Data extraction ,KDD ,Case study ,Process models ,Limpeza de dados ,Grant funds for the private sector ,Engenharia e Tecnologia::Engenharia Eletrotécnica, Eletrónica e Informática [Domínio/Área Científica] ,Data transformation ,Normalização de dados ,Data science ,Data cleaning ,Data warehouse ,Pipeline ,Machine learning ,Compreensão do negócio ,Caso de estudo ,Ciência de dados ,Data understanding ,Data preparation ,Grant funds management ,Business understanding ,Metodologia ,Compreensão de dados ,Fundos de investimento para o setor privado ,Inteligência artificial ,Fundos estruturais e de investimento europeus ,Data mining ,CRISP-DM ,ETL ,European structural and investment funds ,Gestão de fundos de investimento ,Methodologies ,Transformação de dados ,Preparação de dados ,Extração de dados ,Python - Abstract
Big data has driven data science development and research over the last years. However, there is a problem - most of the data science projects don't make it to production. This can happen because many data scientists don’t use a reference data science methodology. Another aggravating element is data itself, its quality and processing. The problem can be mitigated through research, progress and case studies documentation about the topic, fostering knowledge dissemination and reuse. Namely, data mining can benefit from other mature fields’ knowledge that explores similar matters, like data warehousing. To address the problem, this dissertation performs a case study about the project “IA-SI - Artificial Intelligence in Incentives Management”, which aims to improve the management of European grant funds through data mining. The key contributions of this study, to the academia and to the project’s development and success are: (1) A combined process model of the most used data mining process models and their tasks, extended with the ETL’s subsystems and other selected data warehousing best practices. (2) Application of this combined process model to the project and all its documentation. (3) Contribution to the project’s prototype implementation, regarding the data understanding and data preparation tasks. This study concludes that CRISP-DM is still a reference, as it includes all the other data mining process models’ tasks and detailed descriptions, and that its combination with the data warehousing best practices is useful to the project IA-SI and potentially to other data mining projects. A big data tem impulsionado o desenvolvimento e a pesquisa da ciência de dados nos últimos anos. No entanto, há um problema - a maioria dos projetos de ciência de dados não chega à produção. Isto pode acontecer porque muitos deles não usam uma metodologia de ciência de dados de referência. Outro elemento agravador são os próprios dados, a sua qualidade e o seu processamento. O problema pode ser mitigado através da documentação de estudos de caso, pesquisas e desenvolvimento da área, nomeadamente o reaproveitamento de conhecimento de outros campos maduros que exploram questões semelhantes, como data warehousing. Para resolver o problema, esta dissertação realiza um estudo de caso sobre o projeto “IA-SI - Inteligência Artificial na Gestão de Incentivos”, que visa melhorar a gestão dos fundos europeus de investimento através de data mining. As principais contribuições deste estudo, para a academia e para o desenvolvimento e sucesso do projeto são: (1) Um modelo de processo combinado dos modelos de processo de data mining mais usados e as suas tarefas, ampliado com os subsistemas de ETL e outras recomendadas práticas de data warehousing selecionadas. (2) Aplicação deste modelo de processo combinado ao projeto e toda a sua documentação. (3) Contribuição para a implementação do protótipo do projeto, relativamente a tarefas de compreensão e preparação de dados. Este estudo conclui que CRISP-DM ainda é uma referência, pois inclui todas as tarefas dos outros modelos de processos de data mining e descrições detalhadas e que a sua combinação com as melhores práticas de data warehousing é útil para o projeto IA-SI e potencialmente para outros projetos de data mining.
- Published
- 2021
45. Research on user experience for children
- Author
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Vieira, Sandrina Cristele Pereira, Cardoso, Elsa Alexandra Cabral da Rocha, and Alexandre, Isabel da Piedade Xavier Machado
- Subjects
Child-computer interaction ,Interação computador-criança ,User experience ,Usability ,Design thinking ,Experiência de utilizador ,Usabilidade ,Engenharia e Tecnologia::Engenharia Eletrotécnica, Eletrónica e Informática [Domínio/Área Científica] ,Design participativo ,Participatory design - Abstract
In a technology-advanced world, it is understandable that children are growing up surrounded by electronic devices such as computers, mobile phones and tablets, and eventually use them in their daily lives. Whereas the accessibility of these powerful tools is a long-standing issue, the majority of existing research and learning resources are focused on adult users. In this dissertation we explored a child-centred approach through a serious game about sustainability with several levels of gradual difficulty. Participatory design, prototyping and evaluation are part of the process where we explore behaviour and feedback regarding the requested tasks. Our results indicate that the children actively engaged with our prototypes, giving feedback and new ideas to make the serious game better and easier for other children. Num mundo tecnologicamente avançado, é compreensível que as crianças estejam a crescer rodeadas de dispositivos eletrónicos como computadores, telemóveis e tablets, e eventualmente os utilizem no seu dia a dia. Enquanto que a acessibilidade destas poderosas ferramentas é uma questão antiga, a maioria dos recursos de investigação e aprendizagem existentes está centrada nos adultos. Nesta dissertação exploramos uma abordagem centrada na criança, através de um jogo sério sobre sustentabilidade com vários níveis de dificuldade gradual. A conceção participativa, protótipos e avaliações fazem parte do processo onde exploramos o comportamento e feedback relativos às tarefas solicitadas. Os nossos resultados indicam que as crianças se empenharam ativamente nos nossos protótipos, dando feedback e novas ideias para que o jogo sério seja melhor e mais fácil para as outras crianças.
- Published
- 2021
46. Student data prediction
- Author
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Carvalho, Nuno Miguel Soares Fialho de, Cardoso, Elsa Alexandra Cabral da Rocha, and Batista, Fernando Manuel Marques
- Subjects
Automatic learning ,Aprendizagem automática ,Ensino à distância ,Dropout forecasting ,Distance learning ,Fatores de desistência ,Engenharia e Tecnologia::Engenharia Eletrotécnica, Eletrónica e Informática [Domínio/Área Científica] ,Dropout factors ,Previsão de desistências - Abstract
One of the great challenges for education is to be able to offer distance learning programs where students feel that these programs are an added value to their academic training. Although technological development makes it possible to overcome the physical barriers of a classroom and thus reach many more students with this distance learning offer, there are at the same time a greater number of difficulties in reaching them with the proper quality. The lack of selection of candidates, the suitability of the programs for distance learning or the lack of interaction between students and between students and teachers are factors that contribute to high dropout rates of students in these distance learning courses. The purpose of this dissertation is to figure out which factors contribute the most to dropout rates, how we can identify in advance students who are at risk of dropping out, and how we can act to decrease this risk. To do this, we will use data from distance programs of soft skills where an exploratory analysis of the data will be done to understand which factors contribute most to this dropout rate and where machine learning algorithms will be applied to classify the students at risk of dropping out, thus being possible to identify these students in advance and promote actions to avoid these dropouts. Um dos grandes desafios para a educação é de ser capaz de oferecer programas de ensino à distância onde os estudantes possam sentir que são uma mais-valia para a sua formação académica. Embora o desenvolvimento tecnológico torne possível ultrapassar as barreiras físicas de uma sala de aula e desta forma alcançar muito mais estudantes, há, ao mesmo tempo, uma maior dificuldade em fazer com que a oferta tenha a qualidade espectável. A falta de seleção de candidatos, a adequação dos programas ao ensino à distância ou a falta de interação entre estudantes e entre estudantes e docentes são fatores que contribuem para taxas de abandono escolar nestes cursos de ensino à distância. O objetivo deste documento é tentar compreender quais os fatores que mais contribuem para as taxas de abandono escolar, como identificar antecipadamente os alunos em risco de abandono escolar, e como agir de forma a diminuir este risco. Para tal, utilizaremos dados de programas à distância de soft skills. É feita uma análise exploratória dos dados para compreender quais os fatores que mais contribuem para esta taxa de abandono escolar, são aplicados algoritmos de aprendizagem automática para classificar os estudantes em risco de abandono escolar, sendo assim possível identificar estes estudantes com antecedência e promover ações para evitar estas desistências.
- Published
- 2021
47. DATUS: Dashboard Assessment Usability Model: A case study with student dashboards
- Author
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Antunes, Rita Sofia da Silva, Cardoso, Elsa Alexandra Cabral da Rocha, and Barateiro, José Eduardo de Mendonça Tomás
- Subjects
Questionnaire ,Learning experience ,Usability ,Usabilidade ,Engenharia e Tecnologia::Outras Engenharias e Tecnologias [Domínio/Área Científica] ,Experiência de aprendizagem ,Dashboard ,Questionário ,Ciências Sociais::Economia e Gestão [Domínio/Área Científica] ,Business intelligence - Abstract
The software market sees the appearance of new companies and products every day. This growth translates into the competition, and the survival of companies is reduced to investment in their products. Universities are also interested in improving their product, education. This improvement can be achieved by investing in the learning experience of students. Usability and user experience play an important role and have been a competitive advantage worth investing. Consequently, new methods have emerged to improve the process of evaluating the usability of products. Despite this growth, there is no direct model for assessing the usability of a dashboard. This gap led to the investigation of this dissertation, a proposal for a new model, Dashboard Assessment Usability Model (DATUS), accompanied by an evaluation method, which can be applied to the evaluation of the usability of dashboards. Eight usability dimensions are included in DATUS, each corresponding to a specific usability facet that has been identified in an existing standard or model and decomposed into a total of 20 metrics. In this sense, to verify if the model created is feasible, and as a contribution to Iscte - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, a prototype dashboard was designed for the Fénix platform, to which the DATUS model was applied. To test the usability of the dashboards, a behavioural study was conducted with 30 Iscte students. After analysing the results, not only was the feasibility of the proposed model and method confirmed, but positive conclusions were also reached regarding the usability of the prototype. O mercado de software observa o aparecimento de novas empresas e produtos todos os dias. Este crescimento traduz-se em competição e a sobrevivência das empresas resume-se ao investimento nos seus produtos. Também as universidades têm interesse em melhorar o seu produto, o ensino. Esta melhoria pode ser alcançada através de investimento na experiência de aprendizagem dos estudantes. A usabilidade e a experiência do utilizador desempenham um papel importante e demonstram ser uma vantagem competitiva em que vale a pena investir. Consequentemente, têm surgido novos métodos para melhorar o processo de avaliação de usabilidade. Apesar deste crescimento, não existe um modelo claro para avaliar a usabilidade de um dashboard. Esta lacuna levou à investigação desta dissertação, uma proposta de um novo modelo, Dashboard Assessment Usability Model (DATUS), acompanhado por um método de avaliação, que pode ser aplicado à avaliação da usabilidade de dashboards. Estão incluídas no DATUS oito dimensões de usabilidade, cada uma corresponde a uma faceta específica de usabilidade que foi identificada numa normalização ou modelo existente, e decompõem-se num total de 20 métricas. Para verificar se o modelo é viável, e como contribuição para o Iscte - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, foi desenhado um protótipo de dashboard para a plataforma Fénix, à qual o modelo DATUS foi aplicado. Para testar a usabilidade dos dashboards, foi realizado um estudo comportamental com 30 alunos do Iscte. Após a análise dos resultados, foi confirmada a viabilidade do modelo e do método propostos e retiraram-se conclusões positivas em relação à usabilidade do protótipo.
- Published
- 2020
48. OMECO: Generating personalized business card designs from images
- Author
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Antunes, Nuno Francisco Castro da Gama, Ferreira, João Carlos Amaro, and Cardoso, Elsa Alexandra Cabral da Rocha
- Subjects
Marketing ,Artificial intelligence ,Natural language processing ,Visão computacional ,Geração de design ,Computer vision ,Processamento de língua natural ,Inteligência artificial ,Ciências Sociais::Economia e Gestão [Domínio/Área Científica] ,Design generation - Abstract
Rising competition in the retail and hospitality sectors, especially in densely populated and touristic destinations is a growing concern for many business owners, who wish to deliver their brand communication strategy to the target audience. Many of these businesses rely on word-of-mouth marketing, delivering business cards to customers. Furthermore, the lack of a dedicated marketing team and budget for brand image consolidation and design creation often limits the brand expansion capability. The purpose of this study is to propose a novel system prototype that can suggest personalized designs for business cards, based on an existing business card picture. Using perspective transformation, text extraction and colour reduction techniques, we were able to obtain features from the original business card image and generate an alternative design, personalized for the end user. We have successfully been able to generate customized business cards for different business types, with textual information and a custom colour palette matching the original submitted image. All of the system modules were demonstrated to have positive results for the test cases and the proposal answered the main research question. Further research and development is required to adapt the current system to other marketing printouts, such as flyers or posters. O aumento da concorrência nos setores retalhista e hoteleiro, especialmente em destinos e densamente povoados e turísticos, é uma preocupação crescente para muitos empresários, que desejam apresentar a sua estratégia de comunicação de marca ao público-alvo. Muitos destes negócios dependem do marketing boca-a-boca, entregando cartões de visita aos clientes. Além disso, a falta de uma equipa de marketing dedicada e de orçamento para a consolidação da imagem e criação de design limita muitas vezes a capacidade de expansão da marca. O objectivo deste estudo é propor um novo protótipo de sistema que possa sugerir desenhos personalizados para cartões de visita, com base numa imagem de cartão de visita já existente. Utilizando técnicas de transformação de perspectiva, extracção de texto e redução de cor, conseguímos obter características da imagem original do cartão de visita e gerar um desenho alternativo, personalizado para o utilizador final. Conseguímos gerar cartões de visita personalizados para diferentes tipos de negócio, com informação textual e uma palete de cores personalizada que corresponde à imagem original apresentada. Todos os módulos do sistema demonstraram ter resultados positivos para os casos de teste e a proposta respondeu à principal questão de pesquisa. É necessária mais investigação e desenvolvimento para adaptar o sistema atual a outros imprimíveis de marketing, tais como folhetos ou cartazes.
- Published
- 2020
49. Business-IT alignment from operational level: empirical evidence from the Bank of Qingdao, China
- Author
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Yang Bin, Cardoso, Elsa, and He Zheng
- Subjects
M11 ,Bancos comerciais das cidades da China ,Business-IT alignment ,Maturity model ,M Business administration and business economics - Marketing - Accounting - Personnel economics ,Bank of Qingdao ,Modelo de maturidade ,M10 ,Alinhamento business-IT ,City commercial banks of China ,Nível operacional ,Operational level ,Ciências Sociais::Economia e Gestão [Domínio/Área Científica] ,Banco de Qingdao - Abstract
Business-IT Alignment (BITA) has long been a significant topic for scholars as well as enterprise managers especially in the Internet era. Although numerous studies have identified the factors influencing the aligning process and relationships between them and organization successes from strategic perspective, few consider the impact of these elements on employees’s performances from an operational level. To fill this gap, this thesis first discusses the state-of-art and the challenges of BITA in China’s city commercial banks (CCBs) and further develops a theoretical framework to empirically evaluate the BITA in China banking industry. Finally, some recommendations for improving the level of BITA in China’s CCBs are provided. Taking the Bank of Qingdao (BQD) as a sample, this thesis empirically examines BITA maturity model with the results that five factors including communication, IT competency/value measurement, IT governance, partnership, and IT skills are positively related to the BITA while IT scope and architecture are not significant. In addition, the moderating effect of service quality between BITA and employee’s working performance is also supported by the survey. This study also develops a new theoretical model namely, business-IT punctuated equilibrium alignment model (BIPEAM), based on life cycle theory and punctuated equilibrium theory to describe the alternately leading roles between business and IT strategies. This model may contribute towards the better understanding of the mechanism of business-IT strategic alignment process from a longitudinal perspective within an enterprise. O alinhamento entre o negócio e as Tecnologias de Informação (TI) ou alinhamento business-IT (BITA) tem sido desde há muito um tópico significativo para académicos bem como para gestores de empresas, especialmente na era da Internet. Embora numerosas investigações tenham identificado os fatores que influenciam o processo de alinhamento e as relações entre eles e os sucessos da organização do ponto de vista estratégico, poucas consideram o impacto destes elementos no desempenho dos empregados a partir de um nível operacional. Para preencher esta lacuna, esta tese começa por discutir o estado da arte e os desafios do BITA nos bancos comerciais das cidades da China (CCBs) e desenvolve um quadro teórico para avaliar empiricamente o BITA na indústria bancária Chinesa. Por último, são fornecidas algumas recomendações para melhorar o nível de BITA nos CCBs da China. Tomando o Banco de Qingdao (BQD) como amostra, esta tese examina empiricamente o modelo de maturidade do BITA com os resultados de que cinco fatores, incluindo comunicação, competência/avaliação de TI, governação de TI, parceria, e competências de TI estão positivamente relacionados com o BITA enquanto que o âmbito e a arquitetura de TI não são significativos. Além disso, o efeito moderador da qualidade do serviço entre a BITA e o desempenho de trabalho do empregado é também apoiado pelo inquérito realizado. Este estudo também desenvolve um novo modelo teórico, nomeadamente o modelo de alinhamento de equilíbrio pontuado de business-IT (BIPEAM) baseado na teoria do ciclo de vida e na teoria do equilíbrio pontuado para descrever os papéis alternadamente de liderança entre as estratégias empresariais e de TI. Este modelo pode contribuir para uma melhor compreensão do mecanismo do processo de alinhamento estratégico entre empresas e as TI, a partir de uma perspetiva longitudinal dentro de uma empresa.
- Published
- 2020
50. Searching for associations between social media trending topics and organizations
- Author
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Henriques, João Pedro Sousa, Ferreira, João Carlos Amaro, and Cardoso, Elsa Alexandra Cabral da Rocha
- Subjects
Similaridade de texto ,Classificação de texto ,Text classification ,Text similarity ,Associations ,Ciências Sociais::Economia e Gestão [Domínio/Área Científica] ,Trending topics ,Associações - Abstract
This work focuses on how micro and small companies can take advantage of trending topics for marketing campaigns. Trending topics are the most discussed topics at the moment on social media platforms, particularly on Twitter and Facebook. While the access to trending topics is free and available to everyone, marketing specialists and specific software are more expensive, therefore small companies do not have the budget to support those costs. The main goal is to search for associations between trending topics and companies on social media platforms and HotRivers prototype is designed to accomplish this. A solution that aims to be inexpensive, fast, and automated. Detailed analyses were conducted to reduced the time and maximize the resources available at the lowest price. The final user receives a list of the trending topics related to the target company. For HotRivers were tested different pre-processing text techniques, a method to select tweets called Centroid Strategy and three models, an embedding vectors approach with Doc2Vec model, a probabilistic model with Latent Dirichlet Allocation, and a classification task approach with a Convolutional Neural Network used on the final architecture. The Centroid Strategy is used on trending topics to avoid unwanted tweets. In the results stand out that trending topic Nike has an association with the company Nike and #World- PatientSafetyDay has an association with Portsmouth Hospitals University. HotRivers cannot produce a full marketing campaign but can point out to the direction to the next campaign. Este trabalho foca-se na forma como as micro e pequenas empresas podem tirar partido dos trending topics para as suas campanhas de marketing. Os trending topics são os tópicos mais discutidos em cada momento nas redes sociais, particularmente no Twitter e no Facebook. Enquanto o acesso aos trending topics é gratuito e generalizado, os especialistas em marketing e o software especifico são dispendiosos, pelo que as pequenas empresas não têm o orçamento para suportar esses custos. O principal objetivo é procurar associações entre trending topics e empresas nas redes sociais e para isso foi criado um protótipo chamado HotRivers. Uma solução que pretende ser acessível, rápida e automatizada. Foram realizadas análises detalhadas para reduzir o tempo e maximizar os recursos disponíveis a preço baixo. O utilizador final recebe uma lista dos trending topics relacionados com a empresa alvo. O HotRivers foi testado com diferentes técnicas de pré-processamento de texto, um método para selecionar tweets chamado Estratégia Centroid e três modelos, uma abordagem de vectores embedding com o modelo Doc2Vec, um modelo probabilístico com Alocação de Dirichlet Latente, e uma abordagem de classificação com uma Rede Neural Convolucional, selecionada para a arquitetura final. A Estratégia Centroid é utilizada nos trending topics para evitar tweets indesejados. Nos resultados destacam-se o trending topic "Nike" que tem uma associação com a empresa Nike e #WorldPatientSafetyDay que tem uma associação com a Universidade dos Hospitais de Portsmouth. Embora o HotRivers não possa produzir uma campanha de marketing completa, pode apontar a direção para a campanha seguinte.
- Published
- 2020
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