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Publications

2026

Enhancing Medical Image Analysis: A Pipeline Combining Synthetic Image Generation and Super-Resolution

Authors
Sousa, P; Campai, D; Andrade, J; Pereira, P; Goncalves, T; Teixeira, LF; Pereira, T; Oliveira, HP;

Publication
PATTERN RECOGNITION AND IMAGE ANALYSIS, IBPRIA 2025, PT II

Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with breast and lung cancer being the most prevalent globally. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment, and medical imaging techniques play a pivotal role in achieving this. This paper proposes a novel pipeline that leverages generative artificial intelligence to enhance medical images by combining synthetic image generation and super-resolution techniques. The framework is validated in two medical use cases (breast and lung cancers), demonstrating its potential to improve the quality and quantity of medical imaging data, ultimately contributing to more precise and effective cancer diagnosis and treatment. Overall, although some limitations do exist, this paper achieved satisfactory results for an image size which is conductive to specialist analysis, and further expands upon this field's capabilities.

2026

Abnormal Human Behaviour Detection Using Normalising Flows and Attention Mechanisms

Authors
Nogueira, AFR; Oliveira, HP; Teixeira, LF;

Publication
PATTERN RECOGNITION AND IMAGE ANALYSIS, IBPRIA 2025, PT I

Abstract
The aim of this work is to explore normalising flows to detect anomalous behaviours which is an essential task mainly for surveillance systems-related applications. To accomplish that, a series of ablation studies were performed by varying the parameters of the Spatio-Temporal Graph Normalising Flows (STG-NF) model [3] and combining it with attention mechanisms. Out of all these experiments, it was only possible to improve the state-of-the-art result for the UBnormal dataset by 3.4 percentual points (pp), for the Avenue by 4.7 pp and for the Avenue-HR by 3.2 pp. However, further research remains urgent to find a model that can give the best performance across different scenarios. The inaccuracies of the pose tracking and estimation algorithm seems to be the main factor limiting the models' performance. The code is available at https://github.com/AnaFilipaNogueira/Abnormal-Human-Behaviour-Detection- using-Normalising-Flows-and- Attention-Mechanisms.

2026

Robotic Process Automation: A Qualitative Journey Through RPA's Impacts on Company Employees

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

A review of visual perception for robotic bin-picking

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

The Ecosystem of Information Systems in Higher Education: A Strategic Perspective on Business Intelligence and Decision Support

Authors
Sequeira, R; Reis, A; Branco, F; Alves, P;

Publication
SMART BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, ICSBT 2024

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 Tras-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.

2026

Content validation and testing of a gamified web tool for nursing supervision

Authors
Silva, R; Camelo, R; Pinto, C; Campos, MJ; Ferreira, MC; Fernandes, CS;

Publication
JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN NURSING

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to validate the content of a game focused on clinical supervision in nursing, with the collaboration of experts, and to assess its usability alongside a group of nurses. The development of SUPERVISE (R) was grounded in theories of Experiential Learning, Self-Determination, Constructivist, and Social Cognitive.Methods: A mixed study design was used. In the first phase, the content of the game was validated with the participation of experts using a modified e-Delphi method. In the second phase, the usability of SUPERVISE (R) was tested with nurses.Results: In the first phase, the content of the game was validated by 36 experts, reaching a consensus = 95.4% on the 128 questions on which the game was based. In the second phase, the SUPERVISE (R) game was tested and evaluated by 39 nurses. It showed good usability and with a System Usability Scale score = 79.4 (above the cut-off of 68) and was recognised as an effective teaching strategy.Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of combining rigorous content validation with practical evaluation to develop effective gamified educational tools for nursing practice.

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