Sapientia
Repositório Científico da UAlg
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Establishing the ELIXIR microbiome community
Publication . Finn, Robert D.; Balech, Bachir; Burgin, Josephine; Chua, Physilia; Corre, Erwan; Cox, Cymon; Donati, Claudio; Santos, Vitor Martins dos; Fosso, Bruno; Hancock, John; Heil, Katharina F.; Ishaque, Naveed; Kale, Varsha; Kunath, Benoit J.; Médigue, Claudine; Nogueira, Teresa; Pafilis, Evangelos; Pesole, Graziano; Richardson, Lorna; Santamaria, Monica; Strepis, Nikolaos; Bossche, Tim Van Den; Vizcaíno, Juan Antonio; Zafeiropoulos, Haris; Willassen, Nils P.; Pelletier, Eric; Batut, Bérénice
Microbiome research has grown substantially over the past decade in terms of the range of biomes sampled, identified taxa, and the volume of data derived from the samples. In particular, experimental approaches such as metagenomics, metabarcoding, metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics have provided profound insights into the vast, hitherto unknown, microbial biodiversity. The ELIXIR Marine Metagenomics Community, initiated amongst researchers focusing on marine microbiomes, has concentrated on promoting standards around microbiome-derived sequence analysis, as well as understanding the gaps in methods and reference databases, and identifying solutions to the computational overheads of performing such analyses. Nevertheless, the methods used and the challenges faced are not confined to marine microbiome studies, but are broadly applicable to other biomes. Thus, expanding this Marine Metagenomics Community to a more inclusive ELIXIR Microbiome Community will enable it to encompass a broader range of biomes and link expertise across ‘omics technologies. Furthermore, engaging with a large number of researchers will improve the efficiency and sustainability of bioinformatics infrastructure and resources for microbiome research (standards, data, tools, workflows, training), which will enable a deeper understanding of the function and taxonomic composition of the different microbial communities.
Enhancing MILAGE LEARN+ with Machine Learning to improve students’ performance
Publication . Figueiredo, Mauro; rodrigues, jose; Martins, Paula Ventura; Zacarias, Marielba; Milharó, Daniela
Students currently attending school were born after the year 2000 and have grown up surrounded by technology, including smartphones, tablets, the Internet, video games, and social media. Typically, conventional educational activities in schools fail to engage these students, leading many of them to struggle academically. This paper presents the strategy adopted by the free MILAGE LEARN+ platform to address these challenges. Artificial Intelligence supports learning personalization by recommending suitable activities tailored to each student’s individual needs, enabling both lower-performing and higherperforming learners to enhance their academic progress. This paper investigates how Artificial Intelligence, specifically through various machine learning methods, can enrich the learning experience offered by the MILAGE LEARN+ platform. Several machine learning approaches are evaluated and analysed based on data from the platform and student outcomes collected during a Mathematics course.
Analyzing the suitability of the strategic economic leverage developed in non‐nega‐sport tourism events to the spectator profile
Publication . Mascarenhas, Margarida; Carvalho, Henrique; Pereira, Elsa; Martins, Rute
To maximize the economic benefits, a priori, the destination’s strategic objectives must be defined, and the design of actions to achieve them through the event must be planned, implemented, and analyzed. Therefore, this investigation aimed to analyze the strategic economic leverage developed for two international open water events considering the profile of their nonresident spectators (NRS). This study adopted a mixed research methodology, performing a qualitative and quantitative analysis. Data collection combined documental research, direct observation, semistructured interviews, and questionnaires. The actions implemented in the events covered the short- and long-term economic strategic objectives. Yet, none of the events’ attributes was associated with NRS’ city recommendation. Additionally, accommodation and food/beverage categories concentrated most of NRS’ expenditures. To activate NRS’ spending in entertainment and local commerce, more creativity is needed than the simple distribution of tourist services information. Also, strategic economic leverage should design actions to increase local companies networking, and develop programs to extend the spectators’ stay through a bundling approach, amplifying the activation of the local resources. This study combined the organizational perspective of strategic economic leverage and the profile of NRS, allowing a more comprehensive knowledge to create strategies consistent with the specificities of NRS’ consumption.
Robust non-computability of dynamical systems and computability of robust dynamical systems
Publication . Graça, Daniel; Zhong, Ning
In this paper, we examine the relationship between the stability of the dynamical system x ′ = f(x) and the computability of its basins of attraction. We present a computable C ∞ system x ′ = f(x) that possesses a computable and stable equilibrium point, yet whose basin of attraction is robustly non-computable in a neighborhood of f in the sense that both the equilibrium point and the non-computability of its associated basin of attraction persist when f is slightly perturbed. This indicates that local stability near a stable equilibrium point alone is insufficient to guarantee the computability of its basin of attraction. However, we also demonstrate that the basins of attraction associated with a structurally stable - globally stable (robust) - planar system defined on a compact set are computable. Our findings suggest that the global stability of a system and the compactness of the domain play a pivotal role in determining the computability of its basins of attraction.
Integrated reporting: a literature review
Publication . Cruz, Sandra P.; Dias, Rui; Varela, Miguel; Galvão, Rosa
Background: Integrated Reporting (IR) is an innovative and effective reporting model combining financial and non-financial information into a single report. Purpose: This paper reviews the literature concerning Integrated Reporting related to voluntary disclosure. The study analyses the theoretical foundations of Integrated reporting. It discusses the main dimensions of the concept from the perspective of the company and other stakeholders, highlighting the importance of Integrated Reporting and integrated thinking in how the companies communicate. It aims to summon these points of view and achieve, through a systematic literature review, a clear depiction of voluntary disclosure using Integrated Reporting. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. Prisma is a framework of evidence-based elements designed to help authors conduct systematic literature reviews. Results: The results confirm the benefits a company can have when adopting quality integrated reporting. It promotes a long-term vision of corporate management, improves the diffusion of a culture of sustainability within the company, and promotes integrated thinking, an innovative strategic and cultural approach to corporate management. The limitations involved in adopting integrated reporting were also highlighted. Conclusion: This systematic literature review sought to consolidate knowledge on the subject. Opportunities for further empirical research in this area are suggested.