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- The use of technology in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy: Trends and open issuesPublication . Fernandes, J.; Gaspar, Pedro Dinis; Menino, Eva; Caldeira, J.M.L.P.; Soares, V.N.G.J.Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases in the world, affecting millions of people. The impact of this disease goes beyond seizures. It has repercussions on the individual’s health and quality of life (i.e., neurological, psychological, and physical consequences) and social inclusion. This article presents a review of the literature and discusses the technological and scientific advances in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. It begins by introducing the related concepts, then analyzes the different technological approaches, exposing their strengths and limitations, and concludes by identifying challenges and open problems for future research.
- Protótipo de solução de deteção e dispersão de aves para proteção de colheitasPublication . Lourenço, Leonardo G.P.S.; Micaelo, Eduardo B.; Gaspar, Pedro Dinis; Caldeira, J.M.L.P.; Soares, Vasco N.G.J.Os animais são uma das pragas que constituem uma ameaça para a produtividade das culturas destinadas ao consumo humano. As perdas de colheitas causadas por aves representam um desafio sério e dispendioso para os agricultores. O trabalho apresentado neste artigo parte de um estudo prévio dos mesmos autores que concluiu sobre a ineficiência das técnicas dissuasoras comumente utilizadas para dispersão de aves nas colheitas. Assim, num contexto de agricultura inteligente, propõe o uso de drones, inteligência artificial, sensores e IoT, para tentar resolver este problema. Apresenta uma proposta de arquitetura e descreve o processo de implementação de um protótipo, incluindo os seus componentes de hardware e software. Descreve um conjunto de testes realizados para validação do conceito e identifica pontos de trabalho em aberto.
- Peaches detection using a deep learning technique — A contribution to yield estimation resources management, and circular economy.Publication . Assunção, Eduardo; Gaspar, Pedro Dinis; Mesquita, Ricardo; Simões, M.P.; Ramos, António Santos; Proença, Hugo; Inácio, Pedro R.M.Fruit detection is crucial for yield estimation and fruit picking system performance. Many state-of-the-art methods for fruit detection use convolutional neural networks (CNNs). This paper presents the results for peach detection by applying a faster R-CNN framework in images captured from an outdoor orchard. Although this method has been used in other studies to detect fruits, there is no research on peaches. Since the fruit colors, sizes, shapes, tree branches, fruit bunches, and distributions in trees are particular, the development of a fruit detection procedure is specific. The results show great potential in using this method to detect this type of fruit. A detection accuracy of 0.90 using the metric average precision (AP) was achieved for fruit detection. Precision agriculture applications, such as deep neural networks (DNNs), as proposed in this paper, can help to mitigate climate change, due to horticultural activities by accurate product prediction, leading to improved resource management (e.g., irrigation water, nutrients, herbicides, pesticides), and helping to reduce food loss and waste via improved agricultural activity scheduling.
- The development of a prototype solution for detecting wear and tear in pedestrian crossingsPublication . Rosa, Gonçalo J.M.; Afonso, João M.S.; Gaspar, Pedro Dinis; Soares, Vasco N.G.J.; Caldeira, J.M.L.P.Crosswalks play a fundamental role in road safety. However, over time, many suffer wear and tear that makes them difficult to see. This project presents a solution based on the use of computer vision techniques for identifying and classifying the level of wear on crosswalks. The proposed system uses a convolutional neural network (CNN) to analyze images of crosswalks, determining their wear status. The design includes a prototype system mounted on a vehicle, equipped with cameras and processing units to collect and analyze data in real time as the vehicle traverses traffic routes. The collected data are then transmitted to a web application for further analysis and reporting. The prototype was validated through extensive tests in a real urban environment, comparing its assessments with manual inspections conducted by experts. Results from these tests showed that the system could accurately classify crosswalk wear with a high degree of accuracy, demonstrating its potential for aiding maintenance authorities in efficiently prioritizing interventions.
- GPS-based autonomous navigation system for multitask robotic rover for agricultural activities with augmented reality web application for supervision support on peach orchardsPublication . Menezes, G.; Gaspar, Pedro Dinis; Mesquita, Ricardo; Assunção, Eduardo; Simões, M.P.As a result of the increasing world population and the growing demand for food, there is a great need to increase agricultural productivity. However, the problem is aggravated by the population migration from rural areas to cities, which causes a decrease in the workforce in the agricultural sector. In this regard, within the concept of agriculture 4.0, the introduction of autonomous robots in agricultural activities may face these problems, supporting the growing lack of labor and promoting increased agricultural productivity. This work exposes the algorithm used to perform autonomous navigation, based on global positioning systems (GPS), of the robotic rover for agricultural applications (R2A2) multitasking aimed at performing herbicide spraying. An augmented reality (AR) web application has also been developed to assist in the supervision of autonomous vehicles. A code in C/C++ was developed for the autonomous movement of the robotic platform using an Arduino Mega2560 as the main microprocessor and the AR web application based on the positioning which was developed using the AR.JS libraries and the A-FRAME framework compiled in a code HTML. The application was tested in a peach orchard and presented an average of approximately 94% of correct answers, which reveals the accuracy of the technological solution developed. Also exposed are the results and conclusions of the autonomous movement algorithm and the web application.
- The effect of controlled atmosphere storage on fruit quality and postharvest performance of ‘Sweet Henry’ peach cultivarPublication . Veloso, Abel; Gaspar, Pedro Dinis; Andrade, L.P.; Espírito Santo, Christophe; Resende, Mafalda; Silva, Pedro Dinho da; Teixeira, M.C.C.; Simões, M.P.Peach is a highly perishable climacteric fruit. Cold storage is the most widely used method for peach storage, delaying fruit deterioration. This study describes the experimental tests developed to evaluate the evolution of peach characteristics under different storage conditions of controlled (CA) and normal atmosphere (NA) of ‘Sweet Henry’ cultivar. Tests were performed in refrigeration chambers in industrial and laboratory facilities, throughout 2years. In the controlled atmosphere chamber, the tests were performed with 3different concentrations of O2 and CO2, namely 3 treatments of controlled atmosphere (2% O2-5% CO2, 2% O2-10%CO2and 2% O2-15% CO2), 2treatments of normal atmosphere (at Research Centre and at FarmersOrganization facilities). From each treatment, peach samples were extracted and analyzed at 14, 21, 28, 35 (for all treatments) and at 42, 49, and 56 days(for controlled atmosphere). The analysis of the biometric parameters NDASHsize, weight, color, firmness, total soluble solids, acidity – were performed inorder to evaluate peach quality. In FO treatment, a weight loss of -13% in 2020 and -11% in 2021 was observed after 35 days. In NA treatment the maximum weight loss was -5% after 35 days of storage. A decrease of fruit firmness and acidity content was observed in all the treatments throughout time, but firmness remain globally similar between CA treatments. The CA treatments maintained the fruit quality in terms of weight, and firmness, thus increasing fruit market life. First chilling injury (CI) symptoms were observed at 35 + 2days of storage. The treatment 2% O2-15% CO2 allowed fruit firmness maintenance, the minimal decrease of acidity content and low CI incidence of Sweet Henry cultivar for a storage period of 56 days.
- Road pavement damage detection using computer vision techniques: Approaches, challenges and opportunitiesPublication . Gonçalves, Miguel; Marques, Tomás; Gaspar, Pedro Dinis; Soares, V.N.G.J.; Caldeira, J.M.L.P.Este artigo apresenta uma visão geral e os resultados de uma investigação preliminar que visa a utilização de técnicas de visão computacional para deteção de defeitos em pavimentos rodoviários, no contexto de uma cidade inteligente. Primeiro introduz os conceitos relacionados. Em seguida, faz um levantamento do estado da arte e das soluções existentes, apresentando as suas principais características, pontos fortes e limitações. São identificadas as soluções mais promissoras. Para finalizar discute desafios em aberto e direções de investigação nesta área.
- Review on techniques and treatments toward the mitigation of the chilling injury of peachesPublication . Rodrigues, Cristina; Gaspar, Pedro Dinis; Simões, M.P.; Silva, Pedro Dinho da; Andrade, L.P.The peach is a stone fruit with a very juicy flesh, smooth skin, and a taste that satisfies the most demanding palate. The quality of this fruit is usually determined by texture, appearance, scent, flavor, and nutritional value. Peaches are very sensitive fruits, which deteriorate and ripen very quickly at environment temperature. Cold conservation is the usual method for delaying the product deterioration, but this process may cause chilling injury (CI). This damage is a physiological low temperaturedriven disturbance, which affects the fruit quality, reducing its storage and shelf life and impairing its organoleptic characteristics. The characteristics of the main techniques and treatments to mitigate the CI such as: temperature-dependent, controlled and/or modified atmosphere, intermittent warming (IW), ethylene inhibitors, Glycine Betaine (GB), Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA) treatments, exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) and genetic determination are reviewed. Its consequences are evaluated and the ideal conservation air temperature and humidity are set to enhance organoleptic characteristics.
- Efeito de diferentes condições de conservação (atmosfera normal e atmosfera controlada) na qualidade dos pêssegos da cv. Sweet HenryPublication . Simões, M.P.; Veloso, Abel; Teixeira, M.C.C.; Beato, Helena; Paulo, Luísa; Resende, Mafalda; Pintado, Cristina Miguel; Espírito Santo, Christophe; Andrade, L.P.; Morais, Diogo; Gaspar, Pedro DinisEfeito de diferentes condições de conservação (atmosfera normal e atmosfera controlada) na qualidade dos pêssegos da cv. Sweet Henry, apresenta os resultados de um ensaio de conservação, que decorreu durante 4 anos, que compreende a utilização de Atmosfera Normal e Atmosfera Controlada, com vista ao prolongamento da vida útil dos pêssegos.
- A novel mHealth approach for the monitoring and assisted therapeutics of obstructive sleep apneaPublication . Rebelo, José; Gaspar, Pedro Dinis; Soares, V.N.G.J.; Caldeira, J.M.L.P.Obstructive sleep apnea is a respiratory problem that has serious consequences for physical and mental health, but also in monetary terms, since traffic accidents and poor work performance, among other direct consequences, are attributed to it. It is estimated that between 9% and 38% of the world’s population has this disease. This is a multifactorial disease, therefore, there are several methods of detection and treatment; however, all of them cause discomfort to the patient, or to those around them. In this article we propose a system for the detection and control of obstructive sleep apnea that promises to overcome the drawbacks of the existing therapies, therefore, potentially making it a practical and effective solution for this disease. The proof of concept presented in this paper makes use of an electromyography sensor to collect the myoelectric signal produced by the genioglossus muscle. Surface electrodes provide the electromyography signals to an ESP32 microcontroller, which has the function of analyzing and comparing the data obtained with a predefined value of the apnea threshold. After the detection of an apnea, the circuit is able to create a stimulus signal that is applied directly to the muscle, so that airway occlusion does not occur, and the user does not wake up. The data from each use are automatically sent to a database to be viewed and analyzed at a later point.