Fermentative hydrogen production from microalgal biomass and agricultural wastes

Renewable, sustainable and carbon-neutral energy production is needed to deal with the challenges of the currently growing energy demand and deleterious climate changes. Hydrogen (H2) is presently seen as an ideal future energy carrier with technical, socio-economic and environmental benefits. H2 can be produced through biological conversion by photosynthesis, photo-heterotrophic and dark fermentation. The interest in biological hydrogen (bioH2) production has recently increased, as the traditional ways of H2 production are still costly and display a negative environmental impact. The research work on bioH2 production conducted at UB-LNEG targets the use of the most diverse feedstock biomass, process optimization and, whenever possible, integration under an energy-oriented biorefinery pathway. Microalgal biomass and agricultural wastes, such as carob pulp and chestnut shells, are excellent examples of non-food renewable biomass that we have already tested as potential feedstock for bioH2 production

Drivers of customer satisfaction and loyalty in swimming pools

Purpose It is widely accepted that doing exercise regularly is essential to promote physical, psychological and social well-being. Yet, often dropout rates tend to be high. The purpose of this paper is to propose a model to understand the potential drivers of satisfaction and loyalty in the sports and fitness context looking in particular at four main dimensions of service quality: infrastructures/physical environment, relationship with instructors/staff, outcomes achieved and customer-to-customer interaction. Design/methodology/approach An extensive literature review was conducted to identify potential drivers of customer satisfaction and loyalty in sports. The proposed model was estimated using data collected from a sample of 384 users of four Portuguese swimming pools facilities by means of a survey questionnaire. Findings The majority of the hypotheses tested found support in the data. In particular, the quality of the interaction with instructors and the results obtained from exercising have a strong impact on satisfaction, which, in turn, is highly correlated with psychological commitment and positive word-of-mouth communication. Research limitations/implications Based on the findings some managerial implications can be derived. Such recommendations can enhance users’ perceptions of service quality and indirectly contribute to a more regular and effective sports practice. Originality/value The importance of enhancing loyalty has been emphasised in sports management literature. Yet, few studies have empirically investigated the simultaneous relationships among service quality dimensions, customer satisfaction and loyalty. This research partially addresses this gap.Patrícia Moura e Sá acknowledges support for this research by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia through national funds to the Research Centre in Political Science (UID/CPO/00758/2019), University of Minho

Mulheres nas ciências e tecnologias : escolhas e constrangimentos

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Psicologia (área de especialização em Psicologia Escolar e da Educação)O Género destaca-se como uma das barreiras que mais limita a liberdade de escolha dos e das jovens, em termos escolares e profissionais, influenciando a forma como concretizam as suas decisões ao longo do ciclo de vida. É devido a esta influência que as raparigas e mulheres continuam a evitar áreas associadas às Ciências ditas exactas (como a Física e a Matemática), à Informática e às Engenharias e optam por áreas associadas às Humanidades e Ciências da Vida (Medicina e Enfermagem). Segundo dados da investigação, o número de rapazes e raparigas que se interessam pelas Ciências, Engenharias e Tecnologias (CET) é idêntico até aos doze/treze anos de idade, estádio a partir do qual se começa a registar uma diminuição no número de raparigas que escolhem estes domínios, em todos os níveis de ensino ulteriores. A literatura especializada designa esta realidade por “The leaky pipeline effect” (efeito do oleoduto que pinga), analogia que pretende mostrar a ideia de que à medida que se avança na escolaridade e posteriormente na carreira profissional o número de mulheres fica cada vez mais reduzido. Tendo por base um conjunto de investigações realizadas em Portugal sobre as Mulheres nas CET, o presente trabalho pretende aquilatar os constrangimentos e barreiras que limitam as aspirações e realizações profissionais. No estudo empírico utilizaram-se entrevistas semi-estruturadas dirigidas a estudantes universitárias, a profissionais com menos de 30 anos e a profissionais com mais de 40 anos. A amostra é constituída por 12 mulheres. O estudo revela que as estudantes universitárias se mostram apreensivas face à entrada no mercado de trabalho, ao mesmo tempo que receiam ter dificuldades no mundo laboral, no entanto não sentem qualquer tipo de descriminação pelo facto de serem mulheres, num curso fortemente frequentado por homens. Quanto às profissionais mais novas, mostram-se defensivas quanto à relação família-trabalho, enquanto as profissionais mais velhas enumeram a discriminação nos salários, a dificuldade em ocupar posições de liderança, como factores de constrangimento no mundo laboral.Gender equality is highlighted as one of the barriers that most limits the freedom of choice of young boys and girls in academic and vocational terms, influencing the way they finalize their decisions throughout their life cycle. It is due to this influence that girls and women continue to avoid areas associated with the so-called exact sciences (like physics and mathematics) and the Computer Engineering and opt for areas related to Humanities and Life Sciences (Medicine and Nursing). According to research data, the number of boys and girls who are interested in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) is identical until twelve / thirteen years of age, stage at which it begins to show a decline in the number of girls choosing these areas at all further education levels. The literature refers to this reality by "The leaky pipeline effect" (effect of the pipeline that drips), analogy that intends to show the idea that as they advance in school and later in their career, the number of women is increasingly reduced. Based on a series of investigations carried out in Portugal on Women in SET, this study aims to assess the constraints and barriers that limit the aspirations and professional accomplishments. In the empirical study we used semi-structured interviews aimed at college students, professionals with less than 30 years and professionals with over 40 years. The sample consists of 12 women. The study reveals that college students have expressed fear about the entry into the labor market and that they are afraid of having difficulties in the working world; however they do not feel any kind of discrimination because of being women in an area highly attended by men. As for younger professionals, they appear defensive about the work-family relationship, while the older ones list discrimination in wages and the difficulty in leading positions, as constraining factors in the workplace.Integrado no projecto PIHM/GC/0035/2008 Mulheres nas Ciências, Engenharias e Tecnologias: o efeito do "oleoduto que pinga

Opportunities and challenges raised by Customer-to-Customer Interaction to service operations management: a quality management perspective

It is widely recognized that the presence of other customers is an important social component of the servicescape with an impact on the quality of services provided and, in particularly, on customer experiences Therefore, increasing attention has been paid to customer-to-customer interaction (CCI) by management literature, both by marketing and by operations management scholars. As stressed in previous literature, there are several types of CCI, each of them posing different opportunities and challenges to service providers. Digital transformation has also been contributing to the emergence of new forms of CCI through online platforms and other social media channels. The diversity of CCI forms has recently led to the development of CCI typologies (and taxonomies. Yet, the implications of CCI on the systems and tools typically used to manage quality in service operations, highly focused on the reduction of variability and unpredictability, are still under-researched. Based on a review of the literature on CCI and on a critical analysis of some scenarios, this paper identifies the main strategies and tools that have been used to either foster value creation through CCI or to mitigate their negative consequences, giving a particular attention to transport services. From a services operations perspective, and more specifically from a quality management point of view, some recommendations are derived on how to better deal with this additional source of variability, inconsistency and complexity.Patrícia Moura e Sá would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Research Center in Political Science (UIDB/CPO/00758/2020), University of Minho, supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science through national funds, to the current research

A Systematic Review of Syngas Bioconversion to Value-Added Products from 2012 to 2022

ABSTRACT: Synthesis gas (syngas) fermentation is a biological carbon fixation process through which carboxydotrophic acetogenic bacteria convert CO, CO2, and H-2 into platform chemicals. To obtain an accurate overview of the syngas fermentation research and innovation from 2012 to 2022, a systematic search was performed on Web of Science and The Lens, focusing on academic publications and patents that were published or granted during this period. Overall, the research focus was centered on process optimization, the genetic manipulation of microorganisms, and bioreactor design, in order to increase the plethora of fermentation products and expand their possible applications. Most of the published research was initially funded and developed in the United States of America. However, over the years, European countries have become the major contributors to syngas fermentation research, followed by China. Syngas fermentation seems to be developing at "two-speeds", with a small number of companies controlling the technology that is needed for large-scale applications, while academia still focuses on low technology readiness level (TRL) research. This systematic review also showed that the fermentation of raw syngas, the effects of syngas impurities on acetogen viability and product distribution, and the process integration of gasification and fermentation are currently underdeveloped research topics, in which an investment is needed to achieve technological breakthroughs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Data quality requirements for water bills

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to uncover the customers’ concerns with the information disclosed in water services invoices and to analyse them with reference to the data quality dimensions usually proposed in the literature. In the context of services of general interest invoices are particularly relevant as a vehicle to convey information to all consumers. Design/methodology/approach Based on the principles of quality planning, the research uses a qualitative approach to identify the data quality requirements of water invoices. Customer voices were collected by means of focus groups and their meanings analysed using an affinity diagram. Findings Findings show that plain language efforts and strategies to enhance trust on the service provided need to be further reinforced. Consumers’ requirements together with the regulator recommendations also confirm the data quality dimensions identified in the literature. Practical implications This research highlights that avoiding technical language and making visible the consequences of different consumption levels on the amounts to be paid is essential when designing water invoices. Moreover, it emphasises that there is still room for improvement in the way the economic regulator performs its role in ensuring the provision of sound information. Originality/value This research addresses a literature gap by conducting a study on data quality requirements outside the context of information systems for organisations. The study is original because it looks at water invoices as a “product” that can be designed to meet the needs of their users

Translating the EFQM model into the courts

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop an assessment guide based on the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model criteria. Courts have been under pressure to become more accountable and responsive organisations. In this context, self-assessment models that drive attention to the way resources are being used and to the results that are being achieved, incorporating the views of different stakeholders, are of particular interest. Design/methodology/approach A case study approach was used. The meaning of the quality principles that underline the EFQM model was discussed with the court administrator, judges, prosecutors and justice officers. Those perspectives were taken into account when translating the criteria and criterion parts of the EFQM model. The assessment guide was validated by an experts’ panel. Findings The EFQM model captures the essential features of a court even if the courts terminology and governance models challenge the translation of some criteria. The resulting guide includes a description of the various criteria and criterion parts and the identification of key focus areas, while giving some illustrative examples of initiatives and indicators that could be looked at under each model dimension. Practical implications The assessment guide can be used to undertake self-assessment exercises in different courts. Originality/value There is a lack of studies on the measurement of courts’ performance apart from the publication of simple lists of process indicators. The assessment guide developed in this study is perhaps one of the most comprehensive resources for assessing the quality of a court