Browsing by Author "Lima, L."
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- B-learning quality: dimensions, criteria and pedagogical approachPublication . Peres, Paula; Lima, V.; Lima, L.Measuring the quality of a b-learning environment is critical to determine the success of a b-learning course. Several initiatives have been recently conducted on benchmarking and quality in e-learning. Despite these efforts in defining and examining quality issues concerning online courses, a defining instrument to evaluate quality is one of the key challenges for blended learning, since it incorporates both traditional and online instruction methods. For this paper, six frameworks for quality assessment of technological enhanced learning were examined and compared regarding similarities and differences. These frameworks aim at the same global objective: the quality of e-learning environment/products. They present different perspectives but also many common issues. Some of them are more specific and related to the course and other are more global and related to institutional aspects. In this work we collected and arrange all the quality criteria identified in order to get a more complete framework and determine if it fits our b-learning environment. We also included elements related to our own b-learning research and experience, acquired during more than 10 years of experience. As a result we have create a new quality reference with a set of dimensions and criteria that should be taken into account when you are analyzing, designing, developing, implementing and evaluating a b-learning environment. Besides these perspectives on what to do when you are developing a b-learning environment we have also included pedagogical issues in order to give directions on how to do it to reach the success of the learning. The information, concepts and procedures here presented give support to teachers and instructors, which intend to validate the quality of their blended learning courses.
- Influence of Il-18 genetic polymorphisms in antidepressant treatment phenotypesPublication . Santos, Marlene; Carvalho, S.; Lima, L.; Mota-Pereira, J.; Pimentel, P.; Maia, D.; Correia, D.; Gomes, S.; Cruz, Agostinho; Medeiros, R.Recent studies suggested that immune activation and cytokines might be involved in depression. The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) is less reported in depression but is still relevant since it is expressed in the brain and serum levels of IL-18 have been found to be increased in patients with moderate to severe depression. Therefore, it seems reasonable that IL-18 promoter SNPs may have an effect in antidepressant response phenotypes.
- A Real Time Vision System for Autonomous Systems: Characterization during a Middle Size MatchPublication . Silva, H.; Almeida, J. M.; Lima, L.; Martins, A.; Silva, E. P.This paper propose a real-time vision framework for mobile robotics and describes the current implementation. The pipeline structure further reduces latency and allows a paralleled hardware implementation. A dedicated hardware vision sensor was developed in order to take advantage of the proposed architecture. The real-time characteristics and hardware partial implementation, coupled with low energy consumption address typical autonomous systems applications. A characterization of the implemented system in the Robocup scenario, during competition matches, is presented.
- Role of genetic polymorphisms on neuroplasticity pathways in a cohort of Portuguese patients with Major Depressive DisorderPublication . Santos, M.; Carvalho, S.; Lima, L.; Mota-Pereira, J.; Pimentel, P.; Correia, D.; Maia, D.; Gomes, S.; Cruz, A.; Medeiros, R.Growing evidence suggests the implication of brain plasticity in antidepressant drug (AD) efficacy. Several authors have been pointing out the role of the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway, including the downstream kinases Akt and ERK, and the mTOR pathway in neuroplasticity [1-3]. Furthermore, the prediction of AD response phenotypes of depressed patients treated with AD drugs remains a challenge for clinicians. Although previous studies have suggested that genetic variants may play a key role in the mechanism of Treatment Resistance Depression and Relapse, attempts to identify risk polymorphisms within genes with putative interest in AD response, had a limited success.