Proposal for a LCA improvement roadmap in the Agri-food sector based on information exchange requirements and the enclosed data in recent LCAs works

Innovation is essential to promote human progress and to improve the humans' quality of life, but it should be done in a social and environmental context and in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. To achieve this challenge the environmental innovation guidelines should be taken into account. In this line, it is necessary to analyze the life cycle assessment (LCA) of any product, process or service and compute its environmental impacts. Despite the rapid evolution of environmental methods and tools and the increase of sustainability studies in recent years, LCA remains an area that still has to face major development challenges. This thesis provides an analysis from a new perspective with the intention to serve as a support in the conceptual and empirical application of the LCA in the Agri-food sector. It consists of a qualitative analysis designed to know the type of relationship between the different actors involved and their information exchange needs. The case study made it possible to compare the differences between the academic and the industrial fields, as well as the differences between Spanish and Brazilian LCA experts. Through expert panels, 40 specialists were interviewed and were asked to made a survey to evaluate experts' relationships using the Social Network Analysis method (SNA). Moreover, the network flow of environmental information in Brazil and Spain was mapped. A second quantitative study was carried out reviewing 70 scientific publications of LCA in the Agri-food sector according to a checklist based on the definition of 20 control variables. The objective was to evaluate the quantity and quality of the information enclosed in the different works. To do this, the entropy and diversity of information were calculated using the Shannon and the equitability indexes, using the number of inputs considered in each impact category. A threshold of minimum information is proposed, using percentiles 25 and 75 (Tukey values) of the calculated Shannon indexes from the papers sample. Moreover, a cluster analysis was done using 10 out the 20 control variable to classify LCAs into clusters with similar levels of performance for the LCAs of the same group and different from the LCA belonging to the other groups. Based on the analysis of the centers of resulting group, the strengths and weaknesses of each group were identified. Then, a roadmap or improvement plan was succinctly defined, pointing out the actions to be taken to improve the performance levels in each group in the short, medium and long term. Finally, a set of actions to improve and facilitate the implementation of LCA in the Agri-food sector was defined as a kind of good practice manual. In sum, it could be concluded that this present thesis could serve to improve the LCA studies performance levels for industry, and, at the same time, it could serve as a baseline with which to compare academic standards of a more academic works.La innovación es esencial para promover el progreso de la humanidad y la mejora de la calidad de vida, pero debe realizarse respetando un suelo social y un techo ambiental de acuerdo con los principios del desarrollo sostenible. Para intentar conseguirlo surge la innovación ambiental. En esa línea, resulta necesario analizar el ciclo de vida (ACV) de cualquier producto, proceso o servicio y computar sus impactos ambientales. A pesar de la rápida evolución de los métodos y herramientas y del incremento de estudios en los últimos años, el ACV sigue siendo un área que se enfrenta a retos de desarrollo importantes. Esta tesis proporciona un análisis desde una perspectiva nueva con la intención de servir de apoyo en la aplicación conceptual y empírica del ACV en el sector agroalimentario. Consta de un análisis cualitativo destinado a conocer el tipo de relación entre los distintos actores involucrados y sus necesidades de intercambio de información. El caso de aplicación permite comparar las diferencias entre el mundo académico y el industrial, así como las diferencias entre expertos en ACV de España y Brasil. A través de paneles de expertos se entrevistó a 40 especialistas y con un cuestionario se evaluó la red de contactos usando el método de Análisis de Redes Sociales (SNA). Con todo se mapeó el flujo de información ambiental en Brasil y España. En un segundo estudio cuantitativo se realizó una revisión crítica de 70 publicaciones científicas de ACV pertenecientes al sector agroalimentario, evaluando las mejores revistas y congresos de todo el mundo entre 2010 y 2016 a partir de la definición de 20 variables de control. El objetivo era evaluar la cantidad y calidad de la información contenida en los distintos trabajos. Para ello se calculó la entropía y diversidad de la información a través del Índice de Shannon y del cálculo de la heterogeneidad en lo refiere al número de inputs considerados en cada categoría de impacto. Tras los valores obtenidos se proponen unos umbrales de información mínima aconsejable usando como límites el valor de las bisagras de Tukey de la distribución de los 70 índices de Shannon calculados. Por otra parte, a partir de 10 de las 20 variables de control se agruparon los distintos ACV analizados con objeto de clasificarlos en grupos con parecido nivel de desempeño para los ACV de un mismo grupo y distinto al de los ACV pertenecientes al resto de grupos. A partir del análisis del análisis de los centros de cada grupo, se identificó las fortalezas y debilidades de cada grupo, para más tarde definir de forma sucinta un mapa de ruta o plan de mejora apuntando las acciones a realizar para mejorar los niveles de desempeño en el corto, medio y largo plazo de cada grupo. Finalmente, se definió a modo de un manual de buenas prácticas un conjunto de acciones a realizar para mejorar y facilitar la realización de ACV en el sector agroalimentario. Con todo. Se podría concluir que la tesis puede servir para mejorar los niveles de desempeño de la realización futura de estudios de ACV en el sector industrial, al tiempo que podría servir como línea de base con la que comparar los estándares de estudios de carácter más académico.La innovació és essencial per a promoure el progrés de la humanitat i la millora de la qualitat de vida, però ha de realitzar-se respectant un sòl social i un sostre ambiental d'acord amb els principis del desenrotllament sostenible. Per a intentar aconseguir-ho sorgix la innovació ambiental. En eixa línia, resulta necessari analitzar el cicle de vida (ACV) de qualsevol producte, procés o servici i computar els seus impactes ambientals. A pesar de la ràpida evolució dels mètodes i ferramentes i de l'increment d'estudis en els últims anys, l'ACV continua sent una àrea que s'enfronta a reptes de desenrotllament importants. Esta tesi proporciona una anàlisi des d'una perspectiva nova amb la intenció de servir de suport en l'aplicació conceptual i empírica de l'ACV en el sector agroalimentari. Consta d'una anàlisi qualitativa destinada a conèixer el tipus de relació entre els distints actors involucrats i les seues necessitats d'intercanvi d'informació. El cas d'aplicació permet comparar les diferències entre el món acadèmic i l'industrial, així com les diferències entre experts en ACV d'Espanya i Brasil. A través de panells d'experts es va entrevistar a 40 especialistes i amb un qüestionari es va avaluar la xarxa de contactes usant el mètode d'Anàlisi de Xarxes Socials (SNA). Amb tot es dissenyà el flux d'informació ambiental a Brasil i Espanya. En un segon estudi quantitatiu es va realitzar una revisió crítica de 70 publicacions científiques d'ACV pertanyents al sector agroalimentari, avaluant les millors revistes i congressos de tot el món entre 2010 i 2016 a partir de la definició de 20 variables de control. L'objectiu era avaluar la quantitat i qualitat de la informació continguda en els distints treballs. Per a això es va calcular l'entropia i diversitat de la informació a través de l'Índex de Shannon i del càlcul de l'heterogeneïtat en el que es refereix al nombre d'inputs considerats en cada categoria d'impacte. Després dels valors obtinguts es proposen uns llindars d'informació mínima aconsellable usant com a límits el valor de les frontisses de Tukey de la distribució dels 70 índexs de Shannon calculats. D'altra banda, a partir de 10 de les 20 variables de control es van agrupar els distints ACV analitzats a fi de classificar-los en grups amb paregut nivell d'excel·lència per als ACV d'un mateix grup i diferent del dels ACV pertanyents a la resta de grups. A partir de l'anàlisi de l'anàlisi dels centres de cada grup, es va identificar les fortaleses i debilitats de cada grup, per a més tard definir de forma succinta un mapa de ruta o pla de millora apuntant les accions a realitzar per a millorar els nivells d'exercici en el curt, mitjà i llarg termini de cada grup. Finalment, es va definir a manera d'un manual de bones pràctiques un conjunt d'accions a realitzar per a millorar i facilitar la realització d'ACV en el sector agroalimentari. Amb tot, es podria concloure que la tesi pot servir per a millorar els nivells d'exercici de la realització futura d'estudis d'ACV en el sector industrial, alhora que podria servir com a línia de base amb què comparar els estàndards d'estudis de caràcter més acadèmic.Oliveira Barros, FM. (2017). Proposal for a LCA improvement roadmap in the Agri-food sector based on information exchange requirements and the enclosed data in recent LCAs works [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/89082TESI

Initial Coin Offering (ICOs) : determinants of successful Initial Coin Offering (ICOs)

O objetivo desta dissertação é identificar as determinantes que influenciam o sucesso de uma Initial Coin Offering (ICO). Especificamente, este trabalho investiga diferentes abordagens usadas para lançar com sucesso uma Initial Coin Offering (ICO) e identifica os seus determinantes. Uma amostra de 206 white papers de Initial Coin Offering foi examinada para detetar se as divulgações de algumas características específicas aumentam a probabilidade das ICOs serem bem-sucedidas. O conteúdo do white paper, a classificação do site icobench e a plataforma Ethereum aumentaram a qualidade da informação e a probabilidade de sucesso das ICOs. Resultados semelhantes foram encontrados quando os ICOs são Smart contracts. Além disso, descobriu-se que o local onde as ICOs são lançadas determina o montante de dinheiro arrecadado, bem como o lançamento de um projeto ICOs em um país paraíso fiscal afeta positivamente o sucesso da ICO.The aim of this dissertation is to identify the determinants that lead Initial Coin Offering (ICO) to success. Specifically, this work investigates different approaches used to launch successful Initial Coin Offering (ICO) and identify its determinants. A sample of 206 Initial Coin Offerings white papers has been examined to detect if the disclosure of some specific characteristics increases the probability of successful ICOs. Both length of the white papers, rating of Icobench website and Ethereum platform have been found to increase the quality of information and probability of successful ICOs. Similar results have been found when ICOs are smart contracts. Moreover, the location where ICOs are launched has been found to determine the amount of money raised, and the launch of ICOs project in a tax haven country positively affects ICO success

Design of interactive user interfaces for advanced web applications

Tese de Mestrado Integrado. Engenharia Informática e Computação. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 201

Accessing the determinants of behavioral intention to adopt fintech services among the millennial generation

The purpose of this study is to assess the determinants of behavioral intention to adopt financial technology services among the millennial generation using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, one of the most recognized and developed theories of behavioral intention and technology acceptance. An online survey collected the data (N=165) to test the practicality of the model which was analyzed with structured equation modeling practices using the Partially Least Squares estimation. Additionally, multi-group analysis studied the impact of different education levels, the moderator variable in the model. Results show that, from all three variables applied, performance expectancy has the highest impact on behavioral intention to use Fintech followed by one’s perception of own financial literacy. In contrast, effort expectancy presented a poor direct effect and differences between bachelor and master students revealed to be not significant

The Impact of Globalization and Economic Freedom on Economic Growth: The Case of Latin American and Caribbean Countries

In this study, we examined the impacts of globalization and economic freedom on the economic growth of a group of 21 developing countries from Latin America and the Caribbean over a time span that ranges from 1996 to 2013. Since heteroscedasticity, contemporaneous correlation, first order autocorrelation and cross-sectional dependence were present in the panel, the dynamic Driscoll-Kraay was used. We have constructed two models, one with the globalization overall and another with the political, social, and economic dimensions of globalization. In a second stage, we also corrected the most worrying shocks that we noticed in these economies. In general, our results point that globalization has a positive impact on growth as also economic globalization, but not all of its dimensions have the same positive effects. Social globalization showed to have a negative impact on growth, and political globalization did not show any statistically significant effect. On the other hand, considering the results from our estimations we can also conclude that economic freedom has a negative impact on the economic growth of our sample. The effects of globalization and economic freedom seem only to be noticed in the long-run, only economic globalization, when we do not correct for shocks, and electric power consumption, in all estimations, shows to have short and long-run effects on growth. Finally, the negative and significant coefficient of the error correction mechanism in all estimations point to the presence of cointegration/long-memory relationships between the variables.Neste estudo, examinámos os impactos da globalização e da liberdade económica no crescimento económico de um grupo de 21 países em desenvolvimento da América Latina e das Caraíbas num intervalo de tempo que vai de 1996 até 2013. Devido à presença de heterocedasticidade, correlação contemporânea, autocorrelação de primeira ordem e dependência seccional no painel, foi usado o estimador dinâmico Driscoll-Kraay. Construímos dois modelos, um com o valor total da globalização e outro com as suas dimensões politicas, sociais e económicas. Numa segunda fase, também corrigimos os choques de maior magnitude que se verificaram nestas economias. No geral, os nossos resultados apontam que a globalização tem um impacto positivo no crescimento assim como a globalização económica, mas nem todas as suas dimensões mostram ter os mesmos efeitos positivos. A globalização social mostrou ter um impacto negativo no crescimento, já a globalização politica não mostrou qualquer efeito significante. Por outro lado, considerando os resultados das nossas estimações, também podemos concluir que a liberdade económica demonstra um impacto negativo no crescimento económico da nossa amostra. Os efeitos da globalização e da liberdade económica parecem ser apenas notados no longo prazo, só a globalização económica, quando os choques não são corrigidos, e o consumo de energia elétrica, em todas as estimações, demonstram efeitos de curto e longo prazo no crescimento. Finalmente, o valor negativo e significante do coeficiente do mecanismo de correção de erros em todas as estimações aponta para a presença de uma relação de cointegração/memória longa entre as variáveis

PROJECT ÉVORA 3D: RESEARCH, METHODOLOGY, RECONSTRUCTION AND VISUALIZATION

The Évora 3D project was born from the collaboration between the Municipality and the University of Évora, through the two research centres of CIDEHUS1 and CHAIA2, with the objective of completing a virtual reconstruction of the city in a longtime frame. In the national and international context, the use of new technologies has led to the diversification of this type of proposal, both at the urban level and in the reconstruction of concrete spaces. The application of this same model to Évora, contemplating several chronological layers, seems to impose itself in a city that, in the medieval and modern periods, was one of the most important of the kingdom, as Court city, and that today is classified as World Heritage Site

Time and consciousness representation in Virginia Woolf's To the lighthouse

To the Lighthouse, Virginia Woolf’s fifth novel, is often regarded as one of her more complex and ambitious narratives. Erich Auerbach (2005) made one of the first attempts to shed some light on the narrative techniques employed in the novel in his essay “The Brown Stocking”, the last chapter of his seminal work Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature. However, some recent criticism on this essay, notably from Michael Levenson (2015), has emphasized the limited scope of Auerbach’s terms of approach regarding the narrative of To the Lighthouse. Therefore, this article aims to update Auerbach’s ideas with the terminology provided by structuralist narratology, especially the categories regarding time and consciousness representation, according to the theoretical propositions of Bart Vervaeck and Luc Herman (2005). In this respect, Woolf’s use of multipersonal consciousness representation, differently from her contemporaries James Joyce and Marcel Proust, for instance, enables her to portray time in very peculiar ways in each of the sections of the novel. Consequently, by rendering the perception of the events not only from a single perspective, but from as many as possible, Virginia Woolf creates a mosaic of points of view that aims at a synthesis of reality.Ao Farol, o quinto romance de Virginia Woolf, é geralmente tido como um de seus textos mais complexos e ambiciosos. Erich Auerbach (2005) fez uma das primeiras tentativas de evidenciar as técnicas narrativas empregadas no romance em seu ensaio “A Meia Marrom”, o último capítulo de sua obra seminal Mimesis. No entanto, a crítica recente a esse ensaio, notavelmente por parte de Michael Levenson (2015), tem enfatizado o escopo limitado dos termos utilizados por Auerbach para abordar a narrativa de Ao Farol. Assim, este artigo tem por objetivo renovar as ideas de Auerbach a partir da terminologia fornecida pela narratologia estruturalista, com ênfase nas categorias referentes ao tempo e à representação da consciência, de acordo com as proposições teóricas de Bart Vervaeck e Luc Herman (2005). Nesse sentido, o emprego que Virginia Woolf faz da representação pluripessoal da consciência, diferentemente de seus contemporâneos James Joyce e Marcel Proust, por exemplo, permite que ela retrate o tempo de modos muito peculiares em cada uma das seções do romance. Consequentemente, ao apresentar a percepção dos eventos narrados não apenas por meio de uma única perspectiva, mas de tantas quanto possível, Virginia Woolf cria um mosaico de pontos de vista que visa a uma síntese da realidade