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Publications

2025

Developing Strategies for Sustainable and Resilient Supply Chains

Authors
Zimmermann, R; Senna, P; Pereira, P; Fornasiero, R; Zangiacomi, A; Betto, F;

Publication
HUMAN-CENTRED TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, VOL 3, IAMOT 2024

Abstract
Although recent studies have recognised that sustainability and resilience should be considered part of the same efforts in the context of a transformative perspective, research combining both constructs is still scarce. This study adopts a comprehensive perspective that acknowledges that maintaining business continuity (through persisting, adapting or transforming), to reduce long-term risks is a common aspect of sustainability and resilience. It aims to identify strategies to be applied by companies and SCs in order to increase their social, environmental and economic sustainability, as well as their ability to be ready, respond and recover from unexpected events. Considering that the actions and strategies to deal with sustainability and resilience can be different and eventually paradoxical, this work applies the organizational ambidexterity approach as a theoretical background.

2025

A Deep Learning Framework for Medium-Term Covariance Forecasting in Multi-Asset Portfolios

Authors
Reis, P; Serra, AP; Gama, J;

Publication
CoRR

Abstract

2025

Virtual reality solution to promote adapted physical activity in older adults: outcomes from VR2Care project exploratory study

Authors
De Luca, V; Qbilat, M; Cuomo, A; Bianco, A; Cesaroni, F; Lanari, C; van Berlo, A; Mota, T; Pannese, L; Brandstötter, M; Arendse, M; Mota, V; van Staalduinen, W; Paredes, H; Iaccarino, G; Illario, M;

Publication
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract
Background Insufficient physical activity is one of the leading risk factors for death worldwide. Regular exercise can improve physical performance and quality of life, reduce the risks of falls and depressive symptoms, and reduce the likelihood of cognitive decline in older adults. Virtual reality (VR) and serious games (SG) are promising tools to improve physical and cognitive functioning. As part of the VR2Care project activities, four pilot sites explored the capabilities of the VR environment in a remote psychomotor training with SG and a hybrid approach with local groups of older adults performing physical activity.Objective The present study aimed to explore and measure the impact on older adults' quality of life and physical activity of using VR2Care solution and the level of usability, satisfaction and acceptance.Methods The study is a mixed method study, using qualitative and quantitative surveys to evaluate quality of life and physical activity of older users, and usability, satisfaction and acceptance of the solution. The data collection is a mix of investigator site data entry and users' self-reported data through the solutions or through online and paper-based means. Data were collected at baseline and after a follow-up of 6 weeks. Data are expressed as mean +/- standard deviation (SD) unless otherwise stated. Within the group, baseline to end of observation differences were assessed by paired sample t-test. A p = 0.05 was considered significant.Results No significant improvements in quality of life and physical activity were found. Little improvement, although not significant, in physical activity was found, comparing the Total MET average value of users who participated in phase I and II, therefore using SmartAL and Rehability. Little improvement, although not significant, in physical activity applies in >= 76 population. Users' feedback on usability, satisfaction and acceptance of VR2Care is generally positive. VR2Care was appreciated mostly for its usefulness in managing physical activity and the capacity to influence the consistency of attending physical activity sessions as prescribed by doctors.Conclusion Our results suggest that randomized controlled trial will be needed to assess correlations between specific features of the solution and health outcomes.

2025

Redesign of Circular Products: An Analysis of the Fashion Industry

Authors
Dalmarco, G; Stacchetti, F; Ines, A; Zimmermann, R;

Publication
HUMAN-CENTRED TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, VOL 3, IAMOT 2024

Abstract
The concept of circular economy aims to extend the end-of-life of products by reducing or reusing products and materials, being Design a central part of a successful circular product. In line with the 6Rs strategy for circularity, Redesign (applied by eco-design practices) allows the creation of products that can be easily repaired, upgraded, or disassembled, extending their life, and fomenting a circular economy. For that reason, the aim of this research is to analyse the role of Redesign in the circularity of footwear products. Exploratory qualitative research was conducted, with five in-depth interviews with founders and R&D managers of prominent footwear organizations. Results demonstrate that most interviewed companies, which were born circular, considered Redesign practices from the definition of the product concept. In conclusion, looking at Redesign strategies holistically and through its specific sub-relationships have a major impact on the company's circularity practises.

2025

On-device edge learning for IoT data streams: a survey

Authors
Lourenço, A; Rodrigo, J; Gama, J; Marreiros, G;

Publication
CoRR

Abstract

2025

Static stability versus packing efficiency in online three-dimensional packing problems: A new approach and a computational study

Authors
Ali, S; Ramos, AG; Oliveira, JF;

Publication
COMPUTERS & OPERATIONS RESEARCH

Abstract
In online three-dimensional packing problems where items are received one by one and require immediate packing decisions without prior knowledge of upcoming items, considering the static stability constraint is crucial for safely packing each arriving item in real time. Unstable loading patterns can result in risks of potential damage to items, containers, and operators during loading/unloading operations. Nevertheless, static stability constraints have often been neglected or oversimplified in existing online heuristic methods in the literature, undermining the practical implementation of these methods in real-world scenarios. In this study, we analyze how different static stability constraints affect solutions' efficiency and cargo stability, aiming to provide valuable insights and develop heuristic algorithms for real-world online problems, thus increasing the applicability of this research field. To this end, we embedded four distinct static stability constraints in online heuristics, including full-base support, partial-base support, center-of-gravity polygon support, and novel partial-base polygon support. Evaluating the impact of these constraints on the efficiency of a wide range of heuristic methods on real instances showed that regarding the number of used bins, heuristics with polygon- based stabilities have superior performance against those under full-base and partial-base support stabilities. The static mechanical equilibriumapproach offers a necessary and sufficient condition for the cargo static stability, and we employed it as a benchmark in our study to assess the quality of the four studied stability constraints. Knowing the number of stable items under each of these constraints provides valuable managerial insight for decision-making in real-world online packing scenarios.

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