Browsing by Author "Guarda, Teresa"
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- An effective decision-making trilogy: data-driven, artificial intelligence, and blockchainPublication . Guarda, Teresa; Pinto, Filipe; Lopes, Isabel MariaThis paper presents an insightful analysis of the trilogy of data-driven tech niques, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain technology as a power structure that contributes to an efficient, agile, and secure decision-making process based on the analysis of large datasets is further enhanced by the integration of more receptive AI techniques, enabling pattern recognition, prediction, and automation. Meanwhile, blockchain technology provides a decentralized, transparent, and immutable platform of secure data, facilitates trust, and streamlines data sharing. This paper explores the synergistic potential of combining data-driven approaches, AI, and blockchain to transform decision-making across industries.
- An exploratory study on the simulation of stochastic epidemic modelsPublication . Balsa, Carlos; Lopes, Isabel Maria; Rufino, José; Guarda, TeresaA small number of people infected with a contagious disease in a large community can lead to the rapid spread of the disease by many of the people in that community, leading to an epidemic. Mathematical models of epidemics allow estimating several impacts on the population, such as the total and maximum number of people infected, as well as the duration and the moment of greatest impact of the epidemic. This information is of great use for the definition of public health policies. This work is concerned with the simulation of the spread of infectious diseases in small to medium communities by applying the Monte Carlo method to a Susceptibles-Infectives-Recovered (SIR) stochastic epidemic model. To minimize the computational effort involved, a simple parallelization approach was adopted and deployed in a small HPC cluster. The simulations conducted show that an epidemic outbreak can occur even if the initial number of infected people is small, and that this probability decreases significantly with the vaccination of a population subset.
- Augmented analytics an innovative paradigmPublication . Guarda, Teresa; Lopes, Isabel MariaBusiness intelligence (BI) and analytics are a set of techniques, methodologies, and tools used in the analysis of business data, which allow users (decision makers) to have a clearer view of the market, leveraging the decision-making process, allowing timely business decisions. Usually BI refers to Extract Transform and Load processes (ETL), Data Warehouse (DW), Data mining (DM), online analytical processing (OLAP), visualization tools, and reports. In turn, the analytics generally uses advanced techniques, providing BI users with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques. In this context, Gartner introduced the term “augmented analytics” in 2017, making the line between BI and advanced analytics clear. The main objective of this work is to explore the area of Augmented Analytics in the context of BI, through the use of ML and Natural Language Processing (NLP) resources and capabilities, as an innovative paradigm of augmented analytics in the decision-making process.
- Augmented computing and smart cities sustainabilityPublication . Guarda, Teresa; Lopes, Isabel Maria; Bustos Gaibor, Samuel Baldomero; Ribeiro, Maria Isabel; Fernandes, AntónioSmart Cities promote a great improvement in urban environments in terms of sustainability, leveraged by the use of technologies that allow the opti mization and monitoring of different systems, from waste management systems to public safety. There are several technologies that can play a key role in this process, highlighting augmented computing, augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. In this context, smart cities collects and analyses, optimizing the various systems processes. There are many chal lenges that arise in order to have sustainable smart cities, challenges in terms of privacy and data security, but also in promoting inclusion and equity. It is impor tant to adopt an inclusive and holistic approach that involves all stakeholders and takes into account the specific needs and objectives of a city. With this in mind, the adoption of augmented computing technologies facilitates the creation of more livable and also more sustainable urban environments. The main objective of this work is to explore the area of augmented computing in the context of smart cities sustainability.
- Business to consumer (B2C): barreiras à compra online identificadas por estudantes do ensino superior em PortugalPublication . Ribeiro, Maria Isabel; Fernandes, António; Lopes, Isabel Maria; Guarda, TeresaAs tecnologias de informação e comunicação revolucionaram a forma de fazer negócios. O desenvolvimento do comércio eletrónico e o uso massivo da Internet aumentaram a popularidade das compras online em todo o mundo. Por isso, esta investigação teve como objetivos avaliar os fatores que afetam o uso futuro do comércio eletrónico por estudantes do ensino superior em Portugal e, verificar se existem diferenças tendo em conta a nacionalidade, género e idade dos inquiridos. Para isso, foi desenvolvido um estudo quantitativo, transversal e analítico baseado numa amostra por conveniência constituída por 304 não entusiastas da compra online. Apesar de não ser entusiasta da compra online, a maioria dos inquiridos, já é utilizador assíduo da internet há 5 ou mais anos. Contudo, entende que o seu nível conhecimento na realização de compras online é, ainda, muito limitado. As barreiras à compra online mais valorizadas pelos estudantes foram gostar de ver e experimentar os produtos antes de os comprar, falta de confiança nos sistemas de pagamento e nos sites de comércio eletrónico, preocupação com a segurança e privacidade e preferência pelo atendimento presencial. Existem barreiras à compra online nas quais foram identificadas diferenças tendo em conta a nacionalidade, o género e a idade dos estudantes.Information and communication technologies have transformed the way of doing business. The development of e-commerce and the massive use of the Internet have increased the popularity of online shopping around the world. This research aimed to evaluate the factors that affect the future use of electronic commerce by students of higher education in Portugal and to identify differences taking into account the nationality, gender and age of the respondents. A quantitative, cross-sectional and analytical study was developed based on a convenience sample consisting of 304 non fans of online shopping. Despite not being enthusiastic about online shopping, most of the respondents have already been a regular user of the internet for 5 or more years, however, they understand that their level of knowledge in making online purchases is still very limited. The most valued barriers to online shopping by students were enjoying seeing and trying products before buying them, lack of confidence in payment systems and e-commerce sites, concern about security and privacy and preference for face-to-face service. There are barriers to online shopping in which differences have been identified taking into account the nationality, gender and age of students.
- Cognitive computing in the travel and tourism industryPublication . Guarda, Teresa; Lopes, Isabel Maria; Fernandes, Paula OdeteCognitive computingemergedfromamixtureofcognitivescience and computer science. Although cognitive computing is seen as a challenge for com panies, it is an opportunity that raises the bar for the services provided, allowing companies that are committed to investing in innovation, and in this particular case in the travel and tourism sector, being able to stand out from the compe tition by adopting new technologies that make it possible to offer revolutionary and value-added experiences. Whether optimizing processes or developing new services, this technology is the key to innovation and competitiveness in the travel and tourism sector. With the user’s history and previous search data, cognitive systems, even before the user realizes it, present specific options according to their profile\preferences. In this sense, the system has the ability to automatically restrict the entire travel package. The main objective of this work is to explore the area of Cognitive computing in the context of Travel and Tourism Industry.
- Computational simulation of the COVID-19 epidemic with the SEIR stochastic modelPublication . Balsa, Carlos; Lopes, Isabel Maria; Guarda, Teresa; Rufino, JoséA small number of individuals infected within a community can lead to the rapid spread of the disease throughout that community, leading to an epidemic outbreak. This is even more true for highly contagious diseases such as COVID-19, known to be caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Mathematical models of epidemics allow estimating several impacts on the population and, therefore, are of great use for the definition of public health policies. Some of these measures include the isolation of the infected (also known as quarantine), and the vaccination of the susceptible. In a possible scenario in which a vaccine is available, but with limited access, it is necessary to quantify the levels of vaccination to be applied, taking into account the continued application of preventive measures. This work concerns the simulation of the spread of the COVID-19 disease in a community by applying the Monte Carlo method to a Susceptible-Exposed-Infective-Recovered (SEIR) stochastic epidemic model. To handle the computational effort involved, a simple parallelization approach was adopted and deployed in a small HPC cluster. The developed computational method allows to realistically simulate the spread of COVID-19 in a medium-sized community and to study the effect of preventive measures such as quarantine and vaccination. The results show that an effective combination of vaccination with quarantine can prevent the appearance of major epidemic outbreaks, even if the critical vaccination coverage is not reached.
- Deterministic and stochastic simulation of the COVID-19 epidemic with the SEIR modelPublication . Balsa, Carlos; Guarda, Teresa; Lopes, Isabel Maria; Rufino, JoséThis work regards the simulation of the spread of the COVID-19 disease in a community by applying the deterministic and stochastic Susceptible-Exposed-Infective-Recovered (SEIR) epidemic models. The developed computational method for the stochastic variant allows to realistically simulate the spread of COVID-19 in a medium-sized community and to study the effect of preventive measures such as quarantine and vaccination. The results of the simulations are compared with the deterministic version of the SEIR model. The comparison makes it possible to conclude that the epidemic outbreak can be prevented even though the basic reproduction number is greater than one.
- Digital influencers and follower behavior: an exploratory studyPublication . Lopes, Isabel Maria; Ribeiro, Maria Isabel; Fernandes, António; Guarda, TeresaThe advent of new technologies, the massification of internet access, the availability of personal computers in the market, and the entrance of smartphones into citizens’ daily lives all have constituted a revolution that has led to a change in consumer behavior. There is no need for an empirical study, since it is enough to enter some social networks to observe that companies are using these networks as a marketing vehicle. Digital marketing constitutes a great tool to attract new clients and customers, be it by means of content or paid advertisements in browsers, blogs, videos, Instagram, etc. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand the role and importance of digital influencers in consumers’ daily lives. For this, the authors developed an exploratory, quantitative, observational, and transversal study based on a non-probabilistic sample, composed of 161 individuals who integrated or interacted with someone who integrated the academic community of a higher education institution.
- EU general data protection regulation Implementation: an institutional theory viewPublication . Lopes, Isabel Maria; Guarda, Teresa; Oliveira, PedroThe General Data Protection Regulation entered into force on 25 May 2018, but was approved on 27 April 2016. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) aims to ensure the coherence of natural persons’ protection within the European Union (EU), comprising very important innovative rules that will be applied across the EU and will directly affect every Member State. The organizations/Institutions had two years to implement it. Despite this, it has been observed that, in several sectors of activity, the number of organi-zations having adopted that control is low. This study aimed to identify the factors which condition the implementation the GDPR by organizations. Methodologically, the study involved interviewing the officials in charge of information systems in 18 health clinics in Portugal. The factors facilitating and inhibiting the implementation of GDPR are presented and discussed. Based on these factors, a set of recommendations to enhance the implemen-tation of the measures proposed by the regulation is made. The study used Institutional Theory as a theoretical framework. The results are discussed in light of the data collected in the survey and possible future works are identi-fied.