SHAPES project was presented during the “IEEE International Workshop on Computer Aided Modeling and Design of Communication Links and Networks” (CAMAD), 14-16 September 2020 // Virtual Conference due to the presentation of the paper entitled “Modified Machine Learning Techique for Curve Fitting on Regression Models for COVID-19 projections“, with the following abstract:

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and was first diagnosed in China in December, 2019. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization (WHO) director-general on March 11th declared the COVID-19 pandemic. The cumulative cases of infected individuals and deaths due to COVID-19 develop a graph that could be interpreted by an exponential function. Mathematical models are therefore fundamental to understanding the evolution of the pandemic. Applying machine learning prediction methods in conjunction with cloud computing to such models will be beneficial in designing effective control strategies for the current or future spread of infectious diseases. Initially, we compare the trendlines of the following three models: linear, exponential and polynomial using R-squared, to determine which model best interprets the prevailing data sets of cumulative infectious cases and cumulative deaths due to COVID-19 disease. We propose the development of an improved mathematical forecasting framework based on machine learning and the cloud computing system with data from a real-time cloud data repository. Our goal is to predict the progress of the curve as accurately as possible in order to understand the spread of the virus from an early stage so that strategies and policies can be implemented.

Read the full paper at: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9209264

Paper citation:

A. Andreas, C. X. Mavromoustakis, G. Mastorakis, S. Mumtaz, J. M. Batalla and E. Pallis, “Modified Machine Learning Techique for Curve Fitting on Regression Models for COVID-19 projections,” 2020 IEEE 25th International Workshop on Computer Aided Modeling and Design of Communication Links and Networks (CAMAD), Pisa, Italy, 2020, pp. 1-6, doi: 10.1109/CAMAD50429.2020.9209264.

The “International Psychogeriatric Association” (IPA) congress took place on the 2nd and 3rd October 2020, and researchers from SHAPES, Porto4Ageing and CINTESIS lectured on digital health solutions for physical and mental healthy ageing.

The symposium, moderated by Professor Elísio Costa, was composed of three researchers: Soraia Teles, Luís Midão, and Pedro Rocha, and each of them presented digital health tools or methodologies focused on healthier ageing, both for older persons and caregivers.

Soraia Tele’s presentation was about an innovative tool – iSupport for dementia – designed to prevent or minimize the negative psychological effects of informal care provision. Luis Midão talked about electronic and mobile Hhalth, which are becoming prominent components of healthcare, and can be crucial to tackle frailty issues. Lastly, Pedro Rocha presented the role of evaluation on large scale health pilots, and its importance for funders, credibility and to improve conclusions and scale-ups.

The theme of the congress, which was held completely online, was “Mental health for people of Old Age in a rapidly changing world”. The entities that compose the symposium are all focused on tackling challenges related to healthier ageing so, their contribution to the event was very relevant since they enabled attendees insight knowledge on technology and methods that can improve digital solutions for different stakeholders on the process of ageing.

The NHSCT team have been busy promoting SHAPES through invited presentations locally, nationally and internationally. One such key event was the “EU Regions Driving Medicines Safety” event in October 2020. This event was a first for Northern Ireland and showcased examples from a range of EU partners of how Northern Ireland is co-operating and working cohesively throughout Europe to deliver safer and more effective medicines use. SHAPES was highlighted as one of our key collaborative pieces of work.

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Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical Physics Lab (AUTH) presented the SHAPES project during the European Geriatric Medicine Society “Fostering geriatric medicine across Europe” 7-9 October 2020 // Virtual Conference with the presentation of the paper entitled ‘’Older adult engagement in user-centered, innovative digital solutions for active and healthy ageing’’. ) Virtual Conference – 7-9 October 2020, with the paper entitled ‘’Older adult engagement in user-centered, innovative digital solutions for active and healthy ageing’’.

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On 20 October 2020, the EIPonAHA Reference Site HealthRegion CologneBonn – represented in SHAPES by the affiliated gewi-Institute for healthcare studies – held an “EIPonAHA Thematic Workshop” on “Integrated care and platform solutions for better provision of health and care services”.

Almost 90 participants from all over the European Union joined the online event. It was an opportunity to discuss ICT-supported integrated care interventions for older persons living at home. The workshop’s focus was set onto the implementation challenges and the lessons learned from projects throughout EIP on AHA Reference Sites such as the Oberbergischer Kreis or the Portuguese Amadora, as well as by the multi-stakeholder open platform concept rolled out in the EU-H2020 SHAPES project.

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