Optimization of surgery scheduling problems based on prescriptive analytics

Surgery scheduling plays a crucial role in modern healthcare systems, ensuring efficient use of resources, minimising patient waiting times and improving organisations’ operational performance. Additionally, healthcare faces enormous challenges, with a general modernisation of all clinical and administrative processes expected, requiring organisations to keep up with the latest advances in Information Technology. The scheduling of surgeries is a crucial sector for the good functioning of hospitals, and the management of waiting lists is directly related to this process, which has seen the COVID-19 pandemic cause a significant increase in waiting times in some specialities. Surgery scheduling is considered a highly complex problem, influenced by numerous factors such as resource availability, operating shifts, patient priorities and scheduling restrictions, putting significant challenges to healthcare providers. In this research, in collaboration with one of the leading hospitals in P ortugal, the Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António (CHUdSA), we propose an approach based on Prescriptive Analytics, using optimisation algorithms to evaluate their performance in the management of the operating room. The results allow identifying the feasibility of this approach, taking into account the number of surgeries to be scheduled and surgical spaces in a time perspective, prevailing the priority of each surgery in the waiting list

Outdoor solutions for the seasonal concentration of tourism demand in northern portugal: an integrated approach based on the gini index

Measures that address the seasonality, one of the identified overtourism direct causes, allow making a critical reflection on the application of control policies and monitoring regional measures crucial on a sector with such importance at the regional development analysis. The measures should stimulate or reduce tourism demand during low or peak seasons, respectively, generating a better distribution of tourism flows and eliminating potential overtourism situations. Therefore, this chapter focuses on the development of a Gini Index to analyse the distribution of the seasonality in northern Portugal and through it control current public measures in practice and suggest the implementation of different and more effective policy measures. For instance, the ones that make a clear bet on outdoor tourism activities. It will be used in the Gini Index, by the tourists? market of origin measured by the overnight stays in hotel establishments. The results showed the high seasonal concentration of tourist flows.691D-6753-BE59 | Manuel Jos? Serra da Fonsecainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Using simulation to model the logistic operations of a company of the cement industry

This paper presents a discrete-event simulation model to study the logistics operations involved in a plant of the cement industry, aligned with a real project developed in partnership between Cachapuz (a company that provides international weighing solutions) and the University of Minho. The purpose of this work consists in using simulation to model several activities, involving weighing, loading and unloading of raw materials, regardless of the type of industry, e.g. cement, tomato, cereals. Thus, this paper documents the work conducted to apply the developed simulation model in a case study of the cement industry. After validating the model, a set of simulation experiments were conducted, which allowed to estimate the maximum capacity of the plant and the impact in the performance of the plant, of the arrival of a cargo vessel. In this regard, it was found that in the case study in question, it is not possible to unload all the cargo from the vessel in a working day - around 3 working days would be required. Further conclusions and future work are discussed in the last section.- (undefined

Basis for a national strategy for integrated coastal zone management in Portugal

This paper includes the proposals made in the report “Basis for a National Strategy for Coastal Zone Management” prepared for the Portuguese Ministry of Environment, Territorial Planning and Regional Development. The final version of that report was presented in June 2006. This paper describes a theme framework followed by a discussion of concepts. Nine Primary Principles, eight Principal Objectives, and 37 Strategic Options for an Integrated Coastal Zone Management are then presented. These Strategic Options are set hierarchically according to their sequential priority, identifying the dominant types of Associated Measures. The analysis of these arrives at a set of Structural Measures, which interlink and aggregate various actions and propose a new method of integrated management for the coastal zone, which includes the “Legal Basis of Coastal Zone”; the Organization System; the Action Plan and Monitoring.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Following the trail: factors underlying the sudden expansion of the Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) in Portugal

Species range-limits are influenced by a combination of several factors. In our study we aimed to unveil the drivers underlying the expansion of the Egyptian mongoose in Portugal, a carnivore that was confined to southern Portugal and largely increased its range during the last three decades. We evaluated the expansion of the species in three periods (1980- 1990, 1990-2000 and 2000-2010), by projecting the presence/absence data of the species in each temporal range and proposed four hypotheses to explain this sudden expansion associated to changes in the barrier effects of human infrastructure and topographic features, and in the availability of suitable areas due to climate change or land use. An exploratory analysis was made using Spearman rank correlation, followed by a hierarchical partitioning analysis to select uncorrelated potential explanatory variables associated with the different hypotheses. We then ran Generalized Linear Models (GLM) for every period for each hypothesis and for every combination of hypotheses. Our main findings suggest that dynamic transitions of land-use coupled with temperature and rainfall variations over the decades are the main drivers promoting the mongoose expansion. The geographic barriers and the human infrastructures functioned as barriers for mongoose expansion and have shaped its distribution. The expansion of the Egyptian mongoose across the Portuguese territory was due to a variety of factors. Our results suggest a rapid shift in species range in response to land-use and climate changes, underlining the close link between species ranges and a changing environment

Productivity measurement: the case of nature tourism firms in Portugal

Productivity measurement in the tourism sector has been raising increasing interest among researchers and is recognised as an important indicator for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the sector and for enhancing its spillover effects on the economy. However, studies for Portugal and the particular activities included in the set of nature tourism activities are scarce. To overcome this research gap, this paper calculates the labour productivity and total factor productivity (TFP) measures of nature tourism firms to compare firms’ productivity performance across NUTS II regions in mainland Portugal during 2014–2017. Using data from SABI, Quadros do Pessoal, INE and the National Tourism Registry, the sample consists of 369 firms, representing 55% of firms operating in nature tourism in the mainland. Results show that the levels of TFP, unlike to labour productivity, are uneven over time and space. In 2015, a year of change in the business cycle, all regions experienced a negative increase in TFP except the Metropolitan Region of Lisbon, which seems to indicate that nature tourism in most of the country is less resilient to external economic shocks, performing better in periods of prosperity. Labour productivity growth does not present, in general, consistently positive results.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Productivity measurement: the case of nature tourism firms in Portugal

Productivity measurement in the tourism sector has been raising increasing interest among researchers and is recognised as an important indicator for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the sector and for enhancing its spillover effects on the economy. However, studies for Portugal and the particular activities included in the set of nature tourism activities are scarce. To overcome this research gap, this paper calculates the labour productivity and total factor productivity (TFP) measures of nature tourism firms to compare firms? productivity performance across NUTS II regions in mainland Portugal during 2014?2017. Using data from SABI, Quadros do Pessoal, INE and the National Tourism Registry, the sample consists of 369 firms, representing 55% of firms operating in nature tourism in the mainland. Results show that the levels of TFP, unlike to labour productivity, are uneven over time and space. In 2015, a year of change in the business cycle, all regions experienced a negative increase in TFP except the Metropolitan Region of Lisbon, which seems to indicate that nature tourism in most of the country is less resilient to external economic shocks, performing better in periods of prosperity. Labour productivity growth does not present, in general, consistently positive results.B913-0565-0908 | Elvira Vieirainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Indicadores de avaliação da estrutura verde da cidade de Bragança

No âmbito do Projecto de Plano Verde da Cidade de Bragança e do Projecto POCI/AMB/59174/2004, a Escola Superior Agrária desenvolve um estudo que tem como elemento central de análise os espaços verdes urbanos. A relevância destes espaços reside na grande diversidade de funções de carácter ambiental, social/psicológico, urbanístico e económico que desempenham. O presente estudo teve por objectivo o desenvolvimento de um conjunto de indicadores que servem de base à análise de estrutura verde urbana da cidade de Bragança, considerando as componentes: vegetação, superfície, capitação, forma e distância. No seu conjunto, os indicadores desenvolvidos fornecem informações quantitativas sobre o estado dos espaços integrantes da estrutura verde urbana, podendo ser usados em apoio ao seu planeamento e gestão, e integrados na definição de cenários, que poderão ser desenvolvidos tendo em conta valores de referência e a comparação com os valores registados em outras realidades urbanas.Câmara Municipal de Braganç

Culture and identity: perspectives in the human sciences

It is with great enthusiasm that Editora Contemporânea presents "Culture and Identity: Perspectives on the Human Sciences -1st Edition". This book is a profound and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between culture and identity in contemporary society, offering an innovative look at themes that shape our understanding of the world. Culture and identity play fundamental roles in the complex web of society. More than mere concepts, they are living forces that shape our interactions, perceptions, and the very fabric of society. This book highlights the intrinsic importance of these elements in constructing meanings, and connections and shaping the rich tapestry of human diversity. In an era marked by globalization and interconnectedness, understanding cultural dynamics and the nuances of identity becomes essential. "Culture and Identity: Perspectives in the Humanities" offers crucial insights into meeting contemporary challenges, promoting intercultural dialogues, addressing issues of inclusion, and recognizing the complexities of individual and collective identities. This volume not only critically analyzes cultural and identity issues, but also sheds light on the prospects of humanities research. From investigations into changing identities to analyses of cultural influences on community formation, the contributions in this book pave the way for new approaches and reflections in academia. We express our sincere gratitude to the dedicated contributors who made this first edition possible. Each author has brought a unique and valuable insight, enriching the dialog on culture and identity in the human sciences. Their collective efforts have resulted in a work that inspires and challenges, contributing to a profound understanding of human complexity. We invite readers to delve into the pages of this unique work. Discover the multifaceted perspectives on culture and identity that this book offers. May it inspire reflections, dialogues, and actions that promote a deeper and more inclusive understanding of human diversity. Editora Contemporânea thanks you for joining us on this journey of intellectual exploration and discovery