This paper presents a search architecture that combines classical search techniques with spread activation techniques applied to a semantic model of a given domain. Given an ontology, weights are assigned to links based on certain properties of the ontology, so that they measure the strength of the relation. Spread activation techniques are used to find related concepts in the ontology given an initial set of concepts and corresponding initial activation values. These initial values are obtained from the results of classical search applied to the data associated with the concepts in the ontology. Two test cases were implemented, with very positive results. It was also observed that the proposed hybrid spread activation, combining the symbolic and the sub-symbolic approaches, achieved better results when compared to each of the approaches alone.

Mobile devices use traditional authentication processes, which are vulnerable and unsuitable for highly dynamic environments, such as ubiquitous and pervasive environments. Therefore, new approaches are necessary in such environments. These approaches must be (i) context-aware by considering environmental and operational characteristics, restrictions of devices and information provided by sensors within the pervasive space; and (ii) customizable for balancing the systems proactivity with the control that the user wants to have over his systems. In this paper, it is presented an approach that provides a recommendation system based on the user behavior and the pervasive space where he belongs. The user behavior is defined by the actions and events that compose the activity that is being performed. The experimental results indicate (a) a dynamic and autonomic mechanism, which is more suitable for authenticating users in mobile and pervasive environments, and (b) significant efficiency to detect authentication anomalies by using a similarity model and a spatio-temporal permutation model.

Objective: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of a specific scoring instrument for the comprehensive control of asthma, the Asthma Control Scoring System (ACSS), for use in Brazil. Methods: The protocol included ten steps: acquisition of written permission from the author of the ACSS; translation of the instrument to Brazilian Portuguese, carried out by three separate translators; analysis and comparison of the three versions by a review committee; literal back-translation to English; review and harmonization of the back-translation; acquisition of the approval of the original author; review of the translation by specialists; cognitive debriefing: test of clarity to, understanding by, and acceptance of the target population (evaluation of the translation by 10 health care workers); second cognitive debriefing: review of the revised version by a second group of health care workers; and reconciliation and preparation of the final version by the review committee. Results: The Brazilian Portugueselanguage version of the ACSS showed clarity, understandability, and acceptability. The instrument was considered to be comprehensive because it includes the clinical manifestations of asthma, as well as the functional and inflammatory aspects of the disease. Conclusions: With the use of this careful methodology in the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the ACSS, we have ensured its cultural adequacy for Brazil. The use of this instrument could facilitate future studies on asthma control.Keywords: Asthma/classification; Asthma/prevention & control; Questionnaires. ResumoObjetivo: Traduzir e adaptar culturalmente, para uso no Brasil, um instrumento específico de escore para o controle abrangente da asma, denominado Asthma Control Scoring System (ACSS). Métodos: O protocolo incluiu dez etapas: autorização escrita do autor do ACSS; tradução do instrumento para a língua portuguesa do Brasil por três tradutores; análise e comparação das três versões por um comitê revisor; retradução literal para o inglês; revisão e harmonização da retradução; aprovação do autor do ACSS; revisão da tradução por especialistas; desdobramento cognitivo: teste da clareza, compreensão e aceitabilidade junto à população alvo (avaliação da tradução por 10 profissionais da área da saúde); segundo desdobramento cognitivo: revisão da nova versão por um segundo grupo de profissionais da área de saúde; e reconciliação e elaboração da versão final pelo comitê revisor. Resultados: A versão do ACSS em português do Brasil apresentou clareza, compreensão e aceitabilidade. O instrumento foi considerado abrangente por englobar as manifestações clínicas, funcionais e inflamatórias da asma. Conclusões: Com o uso desta metodologia criteriosa empregada para a adaptação transcultural do ACSS, asseguramos sua adequação cultural para uso no Brasil. O uso desse instrumento poderá facilitar futuros estudos sobre o controle da asma. others by including airway inflammation as an additional determinant of asthma control. The ACSS includes three doma...

Smoking duration alone provides stronger risk estimates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than pack-years.

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