This guide in intended to help those who wish to better know the sea slug species which can be fo... more This guide in intended to help those who wish to better know the sea slug species which can be found in the Algarve providing a means for their identification. It’s restricted to species which can be observed in the intertidal zone or in recreational diving leaving out those which are only known through collection by more intrusive means such as dredging. The authors have tried to use simple and accessible language as possible but retaining scientific accuracy in an effort to gain the interest and curiosity of all those who love nature and the sea. Although all the species shown here have been reported from the Algarve, many of the photos used were taken in other places either due to unavailability of local photos or to better illustrate the identifying characteristics of each species.
The aeolid nudibranch species Algarvia alba García-Gómez and Cervera 1989 was first described fro... more The aeolid nudibranch species Algarvia alba García-Gómez and Cervera 1989 was first described from two specimens collected in Sagres, Portugal (37°00’49”N, 008°55’31”W) in May 1988 (García-Gómez and Cervera 1989). It has not been observed since and because the collected individuals were not photographed alive there was a particular interest on obtaining in situ images (Fig. 1). The increasing number of recreational divers sharing underwater photographs online and better communication and access to information has brought the casual observer closer to biologists with significant advantages for both. This change made possible the positive identification of an individual pictured in a photograph taken in the Cantabrian coast of Spain, thus providing the scientific community with an image of a live animal and also a better understanding of the possible distribution range.
Proceedings of the Workshop on Behaviour Monitoring and Interpretation (BMI-2007), Sep 10, 2007
The paper explores the potential of using available WiFi networks as an input for a space-use ana... more The paper explores the potential of using available WiFi networks as an input for a space-use analysis model capable of describing - observing, recording and quantifying - and visualizing spatial usage and users' spatial behaviours in knowledge-sharing scenarios and correlating this information to spatial structure. Knowledge-sharing scenarios are defined as physical locations where people go for acquiring, transmitting and producing knowledge carrying mobile devices functioning as location probes. The proposed model is based on a crossover of Space Syntax and Spatial Information Visualization. Emerging spatial patterns of knowledge-sharing are identified by combining spatial description with spatial information visualization. The paper considers the representation of inputs acquired by WiFi network of Instituto Superior Técnico campus using FLUX* visualization platform; the comparison between patterns of spatial configuration and user mobility and the discussion of the proposed space-use analysis model potential.
Proceedings of the Fourtheenth International Conference on Technology and Education - ICTE97, Aug 1997
During the last years we have started to see diverse views in relation to the use of Virtual Real... more During the last years we have started to see diverse views in relation to the use of Virtual Reality to enhance learning and cognition. Authors disagree in their opinions about the real value of VR interfaces. VR has rapidly emerged as a very promising technology that will probably match the innovation of technologies such as multimedia/hypermedia. This study stems from our research work and intends to discuss about the VR technology available today and the impact it may have on education. We analyze the major trends in the use of Virtual Reality for learning purposes. We intend to match what the theory says about the possible effects of virtual reality with the actual preliminary results communicated in the specialized literature. In addition, as a result of the trend analysis we shed some light about the major issues highlighted in some experiences of using VR to assist learning and cognition.
AVI '96 Proceedings of the workshop on Advanced visual interfaces, May 27, 1996
Browsing In Time & Space (BITS) is an interface designed to explore virtual ecosystems. A virtual... more Browsing In Time & Space (BITS) is an interface designed to explore virtual ecosystems. A virtual ecosystem includes a three dimensional terrain model background, collections of man-made and natural objects, and behavior and interaction rules between the objects and the background. BITS is based on a virtual notepad and pen metaphor and is inspired in the concept of logging. Physical props are used to represent the notepad and the pen. The notepad includes a Time & Space Slider to facilitate time and space traveling, a set of buttons and a list of commands to control the interaction and enable the manipulation of objects, and a Notes Area. The handwritten notes can be referenced in time and space with the use of logging marks. BITS is being implemented on a PC-based architecture using sensors to track the pen's movement and the notepad's position. BITS maior problem is related to the poor representation of the notes written in the notepad using the sensor based tracking system.
"Spatial information analysis and handling requires the use of three cognitive spaces: haptic, pi... more "Spatial information analysis and handling requires the use of three cognitive spaces: haptic, pictorial and transperceptual. Geographical information systems interfaces do not yet
integrate these three spaces in the same working environment. We present an interface designed to integrate the three cognitive spaces: The Virtual GIS Room—an interface solution for geographical information systems users, using popular tools such as digitizing tablets and mice (or pens) along with position and orientation sensors and head mounted displaysmore popular in typical virtual environments. The use of immersive virtual environments as an add-on to traditional geographical information systems enhances the user ability to explore and visualize data, providing the transperceptual space missing in the usual desktop metaphor."
CHI '95 Conference Companion on Human Factors in Computing Systems, May 7, 1995
Virtual ecosystems are virtual worlds representing real ecosystems. Humans have a limited percept... more Virtual ecosystems are virtual worlds representing real ecosystems. Humans have a limited perception of time and space , and are poorly equipped to handle the flow of information generated in such ecological simulation virtual environments. This paper focuses on the creation of an interface, BITS (Browsing in Time and Space), that allows users to browse through such a
complex virtual world, interact with its objects, and take time and space referenced notes. The pen and note-pad metaphor is used in an intuitive way, replicating a real pen and note-pad. A new concept of the use of this metaphor arises with the use of the time
and space sliders.
Os nudibrânquios são dos animais mais coloridos e de formas mais extravagantes que podemos encont... more Os nudibrânquios são dos animais mais coloridos e de formas mais extravagantes que podemos encontrar nas nossas águas. No entanto, poucos conhecem a sua existência. Em geral, são animais pequenos e a maioria não ultrapassa os 2 ou 3 cm de comprimento, o que, aliado ao ambiente marinho e a hábitos crípticos, torna a sua documentação particularmente difícil. Das cerca de 3000 espécies conhecidas, mais de uma centena pode ser observada na costa Portuguesa. Nos últimos anos, a contribuição de muitos fotógrafos subaquáticos no nosso país, tem tornado estes animais mais conhecidos do público em geral. E da Ciência também: esta capacidade para documentar e observar tem adicionado informação preciosa acerca de distribuições, hábitos, variações e até de novas espécies.
This guide in intended to help those who wish to better know the sea slug species which can be fo... more This guide in intended to help those who wish to better know the sea slug species which can be found in the Algarve providing a means for their identification. It’s restricted to species which can be observed in the intertidal zone or in recreational diving leaving out those which are only known through collection by more intrusive means such as dredging. The authors have tried to use simple and accessible language as possible but retaining scientific accuracy in an effort to gain the interest and curiosity of all those who love nature and the sea. Although all the species shown here have been reported from the Algarve, many of the photos used were taken in other places either due to unavailability of local photos or to better illustrate the identifying characteristics of each species.
The aeolid nudibranch species Algarvia alba García-Gómez and Cervera 1989 was first described fro... more The aeolid nudibranch species Algarvia alba García-Gómez and Cervera 1989 was first described from two specimens collected in Sagres, Portugal (37°00’49”N, 008°55’31”W) in May 1988 (García-Gómez and Cervera 1989). It has not been observed since and because the collected individuals were not photographed alive there was a particular interest on obtaining in situ images (Fig. 1). The increasing number of recreational divers sharing underwater photographs online and better communication and access to information has brought the casual observer closer to biologists with significant advantages for both. This change made possible the positive identification of an individual pictured in a photograph taken in the Cantabrian coast of Spain, thus providing the scientific community with an image of a live animal and also a better understanding of the possible distribution range.
Proceedings of the Workshop on Behaviour Monitoring and Interpretation (BMI-2007), Sep 10, 2007
The paper explores the potential of using available WiFi networks as an input for a space-use ana... more The paper explores the potential of using available WiFi networks as an input for a space-use analysis model capable of describing - observing, recording and quantifying - and visualizing spatial usage and users' spatial behaviours in knowledge-sharing scenarios and correlating this information to spatial structure. Knowledge-sharing scenarios are defined as physical locations where people go for acquiring, transmitting and producing knowledge carrying mobile devices functioning as location probes. The proposed model is based on a crossover of Space Syntax and Spatial Information Visualization. Emerging spatial patterns of knowledge-sharing are identified by combining spatial description with spatial information visualization. The paper considers the representation of inputs acquired by WiFi network of Instituto Superior Técnico campus using FLUX* visualization platform; the comparison between patterns of spatial configuration and user mobility and the discussion of the proposed space-use analysis model potential.
Proceedings of the Fourtheenth International Conference on Technology and Education - ICTE97, Aug 1997
During the last years we have started to see diverse views in relation to the use of Virtual Real... more During the last years we have started to see diverse views in relation to the use of Virtual Reality to enhance learning and cognition. Authors disagree in their opinions about the real value of VR interfaces. VR has rapidly emerged as a very promising technology that will probably match the innovation of technologies such as multimedia/hypermedia. This study stems from our research work and intends to discuss about the VR technology available today and the impact it may have on education. We analyze the major trends in the use of Virtual Reality for learning purposes. We intend to match what the theory says about the possible effects of virtual reality with the actual preliminary results communicated in the specialized literature. In addition, as a result of the trend analysis we shed some light about the major issues highlighted in some experiences of using VR to assist learning and cognition.
AVI '96 Proceedings of the workshop on Advanced visual interfaces, May 27, 1996
Browsing In Time & Space (BITS) is an interface designed to explore virtual ecosystems. A virtual... more Browsing In Time & Space (BITS) is an interface designed to explore virtual ecosystems. A virtual ecosystem includes a three dimensional terrain model background, collections of man-made and natural objects, and behavior and interaction rules between the objects and the background. BITS is based on a virtual notepad and pen metaphor and is inspired in the concept of logging. Physical props are used to represent the notepad and the pen. The notepad includes a Time & Space Slider to facilitate time and space traveling, a set of buttons and a list of commands to control the interaction and enable the manipulation of objects, and a Notes Area. The handwritten notes can be referenced in time and space with the use of logging marks. BITS is being implemented on a PC-based architecture using sensors to track the pen's movement and the notepad's position. BITS maior problem is related to the poor representation of the notes written in the notepad using the sensor based tracking system.
"Spatial information analysis and handling requires the use of three cognitive spaces: haptic, pi... more "Spatial information analysis and handling requires the use of three cognitive spaces: haptic, pictorial and transperceptual. Geographical information systems interfaces do not yet
integrate these three spaces in the same working environment. We present an interface designed to integrate the three cognitive spaces: The Virtual GIS Room—an interface solution for geographical information systems users, using popular tools such as digitizing tablets and mice (or pens) along with position and orientation sensors and head mounted displaysmore popular in typical virtual environments. The use of immersive virtual environments as an add-on to traditional geographical information systems enhances the user ability to explore and visualize data, providing the transperceptual space missing in the usual desktop metaphor."
CHI '95 Conference Companion on Human Factors in Computing Systems, May 7, 1995
Virtual ecosystems are virtual worlds representing real ecosystems. Humans have a limited percept... more Virtual ecosystems are virtual worlds representing real ecosystems. Humans have a limited perception of time and space , and are poorly equipped to handle the flow of information generated in such ecological simulation virtual environments. This paper focuses on the creation of an interface, BITS (Browsing in Time and Space), that allows users to browse through such a
complex virtual world, interact with its objects, and take time and space referenced notes. The pen and note-pad metaphor is used in an intuitive way, replicating a real pen and note-pad. A new concept of the use of this metaphor arises with the use of the time
and space sliders.
Os nudibrânquios são dos animais mais coloridos e de formas mais extravagantes que podemos encont... more Os nudibrânquios são dos animais mais coloridos e de formas mais extravagantes que podemos encontrar nas nossas águas. No entanto, poucos conhecem a sua existência. Em geral, são animais pequenos e a maioria não ultrapassa os 2 ou 3 cm de comprimento, o que, aliado ao ambiente marinho e a hábitos crípticos, torna a sua documentação particularmente difícil. Das cerca de 3000 espécies conhecidas, mais de uma centena pode ser observada na costa Portuguesa. Nos últimos anos, a contribuição de muitos fotógrafos subaquáticos no nosso país, tem tornado estes animais mais conhecidos do público em geral. E da Ciência também: esta capacidade para documentar e observar tem adicionado informação preciosa acerca de distribuições, hábitos, variações e até de novas espécies.
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Books by João Silva
Papers by João Silva
integrate these three spaces in the same working environment. We present an interface designed to integrate the three cognitive spaces: The Virtual GIS Room—an interface solution for geographical information systems users, using popular tools such as digitizing tablets and mice (or pens) along with position and orientation sensors and head mounted displaysmore popular in typical virtual environments. The use of immersive virtual environments as an add-on to traditional geographical information systems enhances the user ability to explore and visualize data, providing the transperceptual space missing in the usual desktop metaphor."
complex virtual world, interact with its objects, and take time and space referenced notes. The pen and note-pad metaphor is used in an intuitive way, replicating a real pen and note-pad. A new concept of the use of this metaphor arises with the use of the time
and space sliders.
Talks by João Silva
integrate these three spaces in the same working environment. We present an interface designed to integrate the three cognitive spaces: The Virtual GIS Room—an interface solution for geographical information systems users, using popular tools such as digitizing tablets and mice (or pens) along with position and orientation sensors and head mounted displaysmore popular in typical virtual environments. The use of immersive virtual environments as an add-on to traditional geographical information systems enhances the user ability to explore and visualize data, providing the transperceptual space missing in the usual desktop metaphor."
complex virtual world, interact with its objects, and take time and space referenced notes. The pen and note-pad metaphor is used in an intuitive way, replicating a real pen and note-pad. A new concept of the use of this metaphor arises with the use of the time
and space sliders.