2026
Authors
Simoes, E; Simoes, AC; Rodrigues, JC; Lourenço, P;
Publication
ADVANCES IN PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. CYBER-PHYSICAL-HUMAN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: HUMAN-AI COLLABORATION AND BEYOND, APMS 2025, PT I
Abstract
Companies are increasingly adopting technologies such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to reduce costs and improve productivity. RPA is deployed in areas like accounting, payroll, and finance to automate business processes. While RPA does not necessarily result in unemployment, it has notable effects on employees and company governance. This study explores the impact of RPA implementation on employees and company governance, using a qualitative methodology based on thirteen semi-structured interviews with RPA experts from four multinational companies. The results indicate that the impacts of RPA vary depending on the automation strategy adopted (task-oriented or process-oriented). In task-oriented strategies, citizen developers often play a central role, contributing to rapid implementation. In contrast, process-oriented strategies tend to rely on professional developers and require more structured governance. The findings also point out that RPA influences not only task execution but also employee upskilling, job role redefinition, and the evolution of governance models. The study proposes an integrated framework linking automation strategy, governance, upskilling, and employee adaptation, offering both practical insights and theoretical contributions to digital transformation research and for managing risks and enhancing workforce capabilities. It also advances academic understanding by linking real-world RPA implementations to organisational and technological impacts.
2026
Authors
Cordeiro, A; Rocha, LF; Boaventura-Cunha, J; Figueiredo, D; Souza, JP;
Publication
ROBOTICS AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
Abstract
Robotic bin-picking is a critical operation in modern industry, which is characterised by the detection, selection, and placement of items from a disordered and cluttered environment, which can be boundary limited or not, e.g. bins, boxes or containers. In this context, perception systems are employed to localise, detect and estimate grasping points. Despite the considerable progress made, from analytical approaches to recent deep learning methods, challenges still remain. This is evidenced by the growing innovation proposing distinct solutions. This paper aims to review perception methodologies developed since 2009, providing detailed descriptions and discussions of their implementation. Additionally, it presents an extensive study, detailing each work, along with a comprehensive overview of the advancements in bin-picking perception.
2026
Authors
, R; Reis, A; Branco, FA; Alves, P;
Publication
Communications in Computer and Information Science
Abstract
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) face significant challenges in managing and integrating diverse Information System (ISs) that support academic, administrative, and strategic operations. As digital transformation advances, the need for seamless interoperability and data-driven governance becomes increasingly crucial. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the ISs Ecosystem (ISE) in HEIs, emphasizing the importance of system integration, Business Intelligence (BI) solutions, and Decision Support Systems (DSS) in fostering efficient, data-driven decision-making. By examining a real-world case study of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), this research validates the role of BI in transforming fragmented information landscapes into cohesive digital environments. The findings demonstrate that successful BI adoption requires well-defined governance structures, seamless data flow, and alignment with institutional objectives. Additionally, the study underscores the strategic impact of interoperability, highlighting how institutions can enhance institutional intelligence, streamline decision-making processes, and improve operational efficiency through an integrated BI ecosystem. The insights contribute to ongoing discussions on digital transformation in higher education, offering a scalable framework for HEIs seeking to transition from isolated systems to an interoperable and intelligent data ecosystem. The paper also explores emerging trends such as AI-driven analytics and predictive modelling, outlining potential pathways for HEIs to further optimize their decision-support infrastructures. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
2026
Authors
Silva, R; Camelo, R; Pinto, C; Campos, MJ; Ferreira, MC; Fernandes, CS;
Publication
Journal of Research in Nursing
Abstract
2026
Authors
Hajihashemi, V; Campos Ferreira, M; Machado, JJM; Tavares, JMRSRS;
Publication
Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems
Abstract
Acoustic Event Detection and Classification (AEDC) aims to identify and classify specific audio events within audio signals. AEDC has applications in various fields, including security systems, scene monitoring, smart hospitals, environmental monitoring, and more. The process of AEDC typically involves steps that include audio signal processing to extract relevant features from the input, a machine learning model to recognise patterns in the extracted features and a classifier to detect events. Recent research on AEDC has increasingly focused on features based on the frequency distribution of the Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs). In this study, the feature extraction is performed based on Cochleogram, which involves the analysis of audio signals using Gammatone filters. Cochleogram features are inspired by the human cochlea, part of the inner ear responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals sent to the brain. A two-dimensional (2D) feature is extracted from the Cochleogram using Welch’s spectral density estimation and then converted into a frequency spectrum. The frequency distribution of different cochleogram filter banks is then used as a one-dimensional (1D) feature. The proposed classification method uses a 1D Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), which is less complex than traditional 2D CNNs. The proposed method was evaluated using the URBAN-SED dataset, and its performance was compared against the related state-of-the-art methods. The results showed the competitiveness of the cochleogram over Mel-based features such as MFCC in AEDC if the deep learning algorithm is properly designed and trained. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
2026
Authors
Rangel Teixeira A.; Teixeira Lopes C.;
Publication
Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems
Abstract
This study examines the role of online health communities in Brazil dedicated to cannabis treatments for chronic diseases as platforms for evidence-based activism. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines qualitative analysis with computational techniques, including Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling, to analyze six online groups from WhatsApp and Facebook. Key themes emerging from the analysis include treatment per pathology, treatment effects, access barriers, peer support, and advocacy efforts. The findings reveal how these communities act as epistemic networks, where patients and caregivers co-produce knowledge by sharing personal experiences and engaging in dialogue with healthcare professionals. This study highlights how online health communities transform experience sharing into structured evidence, enabling collective action to address barriers such as limited access to cannabis-based treatments. It underscores the potential of digital platforms to empower patients, foster collaboration with healthcare professionals, and influence health governance.
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