Browsing by Author "Santos, Cristina"
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- A data mining approach to predict falls in humanoid robot locomotionPublication . André, João; Faria, Brigida Monica; Santos, Cristina; Reis, Luís PauloThe inclusion of perceptual information in the operation of a dynamic robot (interacting with its environment) can provide valuable insight about its environment and increase robustness of its behaviour. In this regard, the concept of Associative Skill Memories (ASMs) has provided a great contributions regarding an effective and practical use of sensor data, under a simple and intuitive framework [2, 13]. Inspired by [2], this paper presents a data mining solution to the fall prediction problem in humanoid biped robotic locomotion. Sensor data from a large number of simulations was recorded and four data mining algorithms were applied with the aim of creating a classifier that properly identifies failure conditions. Using Support Vector Machines, on top of sensor data from a large number of simulation trials, it was possible to build an accurate and reliable offline fall predictor, achieving accuracy, sensitivity and specificity values up to 95.6%, 96.3% and 94.5%, respectively.
- Inflammatory and Cardiometabolic Risk on Obesity: Role of Environmental XenoestrogensPublication . Teixeira, Diana; Pestana, Diogo; Santos, Cristina; Correia-Sá, Luísa; Marques, Cláudia; Norberto, Sónia; Meireles, Manuela; Faria, Ana; Silva, Ricardo; Faria, Gil; Sá, Carla; Freitas, Paula; Taveira-Gomes, António; Domingues, Valentina; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Calhau, Conceição; Monteiro, RosárioContext: Some chemicals used in consumer products or manufacturing (eg, plastics, pesticides) have estrogenic activities; these xenoestrogens (XEs) may affect immune responses and have recently emerged as a new risk factors for obesity and cardiovascular disease. However, the extent and impact on health of chronic exposure of the general population to XEs are still unknown. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the levels of XEs in plasma and adipose tissue (AT) depots in a sample of pre- and postmenopausal obese women undergoing bariatric surgery and their cardiometabolic impact in an obese state. Design and Participants: We evaluated XE levels in plasma and visceral and subcutaneous AT samples of Portuguese obese (body mass index ≥ 35 kg/m2) women undergoing bariatric surgery. Association with metabolic parameters and 10-year cardiovascular disease risk was assessed, according to menopausal status (73 pre- and 48 postmenopausal). Levels of XEs were determined by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. Anthropometric and biochemical data were collected prior to surgery. Adipocyte size was determined on tissue sections obtained during surgery. Results: Our data show that XEs are pervasive in this obese population. Distribution of individual and concentration of total XEs differed between plasma, visceral AT, and subcutaneous AT, and the pattern of accumulation was different between pre- and postmenopausal women. Significant associations between XE levels and metabolic and inflammatory parameters were found. In premenopausal women, XEs in plasma seem to be a predictor of 10-year cardiovascular disease risk. Conclusions: Our findings point toward a different distribution of XE between plasma and AT in pre- and postmenopausal women, and reveal the association between XEs on the development of metabolic abnormalities in obese premenopausal women
- Trace elements in portuguese children: urinary levels and exposure predictorsPublication . Correia-Sá, Luísa; Fernandes, Virgínia C.; Maia, Maria Luz; Pinto, Edgar; Norberto, Sónia; Almeida, Agostinho; Santos, Cristina; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Calhau, Conceição; Domingues, Valentina F.Exposure to environmental chemicals during developmental stages can result in several adverse outcomes. In this study, the exposure of Portuguese children to Cu, Co, I, Mo, Mn, Ni, As, Sb, Cd, Pb, Sn and Tl was evaluated through the analysis of first morning urine through ICP-MS. Furthermore, we attempted to determine possible exposure predictors. The study sample consisted of 54% girls and 46% boys, with a median age of 10 years; 61% were overweight/obese and were put on a nutritionally oriented diet. For I, half of the population was probably in deficiency status. The median urinary concentrations (μg/L) were Cu 21.9, Mo 54.6, Co 0.76, Mn 2.1, Ni 4.74, As 37.9, Sb 0.09, Cd 0.29, Pb 0.94, Sn 0.45, Tl 0.39 and I 125.5. The region was a significant predictor for Cu, Co, Ni, As and Tl. Children living in an urban area had higher urinary levels, except for Co and Ni. Age was a significant predictor for Cu, I, Mo, Mn, Ni, Sb, Cd and Sn with urinary levels of these elements decreasing with age. No sex-related differences were observed. Diet and weight group were predictors for urinary Cu, Mn, Ni, Sb and As. Significant differences were observed between the diet/weight groups for Cu, Ni, Sb and As, with the healthy diet group presenting higher values.
- What young people know about human trafficking?Publication . Rodrigues, Bárbara; Nunes, Rui; Santos, Cristina; Serrão, Carla; Duarte, IvoneO Tráfico de Seres Humanos (TSH) afeta grande parte da população mundial, incluindo crianças. A necessidade de (in)formar jovens sobre este crime acentua a emergência do papel das escolas e das famílias como maior fonte de transmissão de conhecimentos. O estudo visa avaliar o conhecimento em TSH e identificar as fontes de informação deste fenómeno de uma amostra de jovens de 14 escolas públicas do município do Porto, 7 das quais estão abrangidas pelo programa TEIP (Territórios Educativos de Intervenção Prioritária). Foi aplicado um questionário de autorrelato na sala de aula. Tornou-se evidente que a (in)formação neste tema é escassa. A este respeito, sugerimos que seja dada mais visibilidade a este fenómeno, através da integração da temática em projetos de educação para a saúde/ sexual nas escolas. Ações que abranjam intervenções preventivas de carácter universal, mas também intervenções mais específicas, em grupos identificados como prioritários e mais vulneráveis.