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Publications

2026

A Conceptual Framework to Design Patterns of Horizontal Collaboration in Co-opetitive Logistics Partnerships

Authors
Carvalho, L; de Sousa, JF; de Sousa, JP;

Publication
HYBRID HUMAN-AI COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS, PRO-VE 2025, PT I

Abstract
Despite the recognised potential of horizontal collaboration in logistics to reduce inefficiencies, and the increasing academic interest in this topic, in practice many initiatives fail. One of the main reasons for this failure is the poor strategy planning and governance organisation. This paper addresses this gap proposing a comprehensive conceptual framework to support the design and implementation of a common strategy for the stakeholders of such partnerships. The research employs qualitative methods, drawing on interviews and the case analysis of existent initiatives. The proposed framework involves the main phases of the strategic formulation, deciding the stakeholder engagement, strategic formulation, operational implementation, and business model elaboration. It serves as a road map for stakeholders to avoid common mistakes and accelerate the deployment of cooperative partnerships.

2026

A Data Quality-Centric Approach for Predicting Radiology Report Delays

Authors
Silva, DM; Fernandes, P; Madureira, D; Freire, AM; Oliveira, HP; Araújo, J;

Publication
BIOSTEC (2)

Abstract

2026

Can Large Language Models Help Students Prove Software Correctness? An Experimental Study with Dafny

Authors
Carreira, C; Silva, A; Abreu, A; Mendes, A;

Publication
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AND FORMAL METHODS, SEFM 2025

Abstract
Students in computing education increasingly use large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT. Yet, the role of LLMs in supporting cognitively demanding tasks, like deductive program verification, remains poorly understood. This paper investigates how students interact with an LLM when solving formal verification exercises in Dafny, a language that supports functional correctness by allowing programmers to write formal specifications and automatically verifying that the implementation satisfies the specification. We conducted a mixed-methods study with master's students enrolled in a formal methods course. Each participant completed two verification problems, one with access to a custom ChatGPT interface that logged all interactions and the other without. We identified strategies used by successful students and assessed the level of trust students place in LLMs. Our findings show that students perform significantly better when using ChatGPT; however, performance gains are tied to prompt quality. We conclude with practical recommendations for integrating LLMs into formal methods courses more effectively, including designing LLM-aware challenges that promote learning.

2026

Learning object representations through amortized inference over probabilistic programs

Authors
Silva, F; Oliveira, HP; Pereira, T;

Publication
Trans. Mach. Learn. Res.

Abstract
The recent developments of modern probabilistic programming languages have enabled the combination of pattern recognition engines implemented by neural networks to guide inference over explanatory factors written as symbols in probabilistic programs. We argue that learning to invert fixed generative programs, instead of learned ones, places stronger restrictions on the representations learned by feature extraction networks, which reduces the space of latent hypotheses and enhances training efficiency. To empirically demonstrate this, we investigate a neurosymbolic object-centric representation learning approach that combines a slot-based neural module optimized via inference compilation to invert a prior generative program of scene generation. By amortizing the search over posterior hypotheses, we demonstrate that approximate inference using data-driven sequential Monte Carlo methods achieves competitive results when compared to state-of-the-art fully neural baselines while requiring several times fewer training steps. © 2026, Transactions on Machine Learning Research. All rights reserved.

2026

Robust Cell Segmentation in Urine Cytology Images for Bladder Cancer Diagnosis

Authors
Teixeira, ML; Oliveira, HS; Monteiro, RL; Santos, DF; Pereira, T; Canadas, RF; Oliveira, HP;

Publication
VISAPP (2)

Abstract

2026

A Software Platform for an Intelligent Mobility Ecosystem

Authors
Reis, A; Paulino, A; Pinto, T; Barroso, J;

Publication
EMERGING TRENDS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES, WORLDCIST 2025, VOL 4

Abstract
Software ecosystems have emerged as a paradigm to structure software products, communities and business models, in a form inspired by the natural ecosystems. Mobility solutions are also evolving from individual vehicles to soft mobility services based on electric vehicles. This paper aims to address the creation of a software platform to support an ecosystem of mobility solutions-the Intelligent Mobility Ecosystem, based on connected electric vehicles. It follows the paradigm of software ecosystems, in which a technological platform provides the functionalities needed to create solutions within the ecosystem. The work being carried out is part of the A-Mover project, which aims to develop a connected electric motorcycle and electronic services to support driving and use of the vehicle in individual and business contexts. The aim is to develop a set of functionalities around the vehicle to create specific mobility solutions. The concept of a software ecosystem is reviewed below and the proposed architecture for the software platform that will support the ecosystem is described.

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