E-Government as a Tool in Controlling Corruption

Combating corruption is crucial to achieve sustainable development. With the digital revolution, the use of Information and Communications Technology by the government can promote more efficient services, diminishing the discretionary power of officials, and thus reducing corruption and promoting sustainable development. This study empirically investigates the impact of e-Government in reducing corruption on a large panel data of 175 countries, from 2003 to 2019, by estimating regression models. The results suggest that e-Government, accountability, political stability, economic wealth, and internet are significant determinants of corruption. E-Government can be a significant tool to curb corruption, although e-Government Development Index needs to exceed a threshold of 0.39 to reduce corruption. Although e-Government is a recent phenomenon, it can be regarded as an important tool for combating corruption and improving governance, enhancing transparency in public administration, since it reduces discretional power and increases the chance of exposure, eliminating some opportunities for corruption.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The impact of e-government on sustainable development: a logit model

The impact of e-government on sustainable development is analysed using a logit model with a sample of 103 countries in the period 2003–2018. Sustainable development is proxied by adjusted net savings, a variable that embraces a country's economic, social and environmental development. The results show that countries with higher e-government development are more likely to attain sustainable development, particularly in developing and transition economies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Perceptions of the skills of graduates in the library and information science and technology degree of P. Porto, Portugal: A Statistical Data Analysis of the Alignment Between Students, Teachers, and Employers

Objective – The objective of this research was to identify the four professional competences of graduates in Library and Information Sciences and Technologies (LIST) considered most pertinent, from the points of view of students, teachers, and employers. We also sought to compare the perceptions of the different groups. The study was based on the premise that alignment of these perceptions may enhance the employability of LIST graduates. Methods – A questionnaire, used and validated by Arias-Coello et al. (2014), was further translated by Martins and Carvalho (2018). The questionnaire consisted of a set of questions regarding four dimensions: Information Management; Communication and Interpersonal Relationships; Domain and Application of Information Technologies; Organization Management. We sent the survey by email to the target audience; it was available to complete in April and May 2018. Data analysis included calculating mean and standard deviation, as well as Shapiro Wilk normality tests, statistical tests for multiple comparisons, ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis test, Friedman test, Wilcoxon test, and Pearson's correlation. Results – In relation to certain dimensions, one could think that age would be a determining factor, but this has not been proved. In fact, results showed that age is not a factor that influenced the importance attributed to different competences in the several dimensions. The respondents' academic degrees and areas of knowledge were linked to significant differences transversally. The Kruskal Wallis test indicated that students, teachers, and employers perceived the importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) skills equally. As for the other competences, overall there were significant differences between students and employers, and there were significant differences between students and teachers regarding the perceived importance of organization management skills. There were also significant differences between teachers, students, and employers regarding the perceived importance of communication skills. We also found that responses within the teacher group had less dispersion of answers, therefore there was greater internal agreement. The opposite occurred in the employer group. Conclusion – The differences detected in the perception of the different groups were minor. However, it is necessary to create initiatives for the alignment of the perceptions of students and employers, because if all groups have the same perception, they will develop and value the same skills, responding to the needs of the labor market, thus promoting the employability of LIST graduates. The inclusion of a curricular internship, even one of short duration, in the first year of the degree could also be a way of endeavoring to bring together the expectations of both groups. These suggestions are part of a proposal to change and update the study plan and enhance the performance of course management.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Late Quaternary paleoceanography of the Northeast Pacific and Atlantic Oceans based on Diatom Transfer Functions

A dissertation submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosoph

An experiment with online practice for assessment

When teaching is a passion we do whatever we can to pass it over to our students, and it is even more relevant when we teach a subject to students from a different area. As professors in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) we have the responsibility to prepare the students for the future. We have to gain their attention so that they become engaged in the subject taught and have success at the end. The aim of this paper is to describe and analyse an experiment that took place in the Spring term of 2019, with first year students of a Mathematics course from the undergraduate degree in Marketing. We have developed several questions, related to the course syllabus, on an online platform, and created a Question Pool. Outside the classroom, students at their own pace could solve these exercises. All questions have the solution step by step, thus the students can realize what is expected gaining insights in the subject. We discuss how the students accepted the initiative and how they used it. The results will be presented, analysed and used to improve the methodology.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Relationship of the Human Capital Index with the Level of Education and the Adult Survival Rate

The relationship between the level of education and the adult survival rate with the human capital index and its components is studied using cluster analysis, applied to a sample of 174 countries covering all continents. The results allow the grouping of countries into three clusters that are consistent with three different levels of development. It was also observed that the lower the values of survival rate and level of education, the lower the human capital index of a country is.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Minimization of open orders using interval graphs

In this paper we address an order processing optimization problem known as the Minimization of Open Stacks Problem (MOSP). This problem consists in finding the best sequence for manufacturing the different products required by costumers, in a setting where only one product can be made at a time. The objective is to minimize the maximum number of incomplete orders from costumers that are being processed simultaneously. We present an integer programming model, based on the existence of a perfect elimination order in interval graphs, which finds an optimal sequence for the costumers orders. Among other economic advantages, manufacturing the products in this optimal sequence reduces the amount of space needed to store incomplete orders.Supported by FCT grant SFRH/BD/32151/2006 and IPP grant SFRH/BD/49914/200

Using interval graphs in an order processing optimization problem

In this paper we address an order processing optimization problem known as minimization of open stacks (MOSP). We present an integer pro gramming model, based on the existence of a perfect elimination scheme in interval graphs, which finds an optimal sequence for the costumers orders

The reverse logistics of unsold medications in pharmacies in Campania, Italy

This paper is a study in Reverse Logistics (RL) that aims to analyse the reverse flow of medications with expired dates, in the pharmacies of the Campania region in Italy. The main objective is to analyse the final destination of medications that are not sold and are collected in pharmacies. The analysis of howthe company responsible for the collection of the medicines works was made using semistructured interviews, and a subsequent factor analysis of the collected data. The pharmacies of the main cities of this region were investigated, in order to understand their importance in this process, as well as to understand their main difficulties and challenges. A statistical analysis of the data allowed us to verify how pharmacies are accustomed to the current legislation and are aware of the importance of their role in the RL of the medications that are not sold with the expiration date. It was observed that pharmacies are very satisfied with the company responsible for the collection and referral of medicines and their materials to an adequate final destination. Both of them work in tune, respond well to current legislation and respect the environment.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Avaliação do ciclo de vida do frango

Mestrado em Engenharia do AmbienteNo presente estudo é realizada a Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida do frango, analisando as possíveis emissões de poluentes para o ar e água, em todos os processos envolvidos na criação do frango, desde o aviário até ao matadouro, considerando também o transporte de frangos, a produção de rações e o transporte de rações. Deste modo, este estudo pretende analisar e quantificar possíveis impactes que os processos em estudo causam no ambiente, identificandotambém os processose actividades que mais contribuem para esses impactes. Neste estudo foram analisados os resultados ao nível do inventário e da avaliação de impactes. Na análise do inventário foi possível observar que, de um modo geral, é o aviário que mais contribui para as emissões para a atmosfera, nomeadamente de NH3, CH4, N2O, CO e NOx. Por outro lado, a produção de rações é o processo que apresenta a maior contribuição para as emissões atmosféricas de NH4 +, SO2, CO2, P e NO3 -. Nas emissões para a água é o matadouro que apresenta maior contribuição para emissões como Pe CQO e a produção de rações para NO2 - e NO3 -. Relativamente à avaliação de impactes ambientais, de um modo geral, é o aviário que mais contribui em todos as categorias consideradas no estudo: alterações climáticas, formação de oxidantes fotoquímicos, potencial de acidificação e potencial de eutrofização. Assim, em relação às alterações climáticas, o N2O proveniente da gestão de estrume no aviário apresenta a maior contribuição. Na formação de oxidantes fotoquímicos, as emissões de CO resultantes da queima de biomassa no processo do aviário são as que apresentam maior contribuição. O NH3 é o que apresenta maior contribuição para a acidificação, sendo proveniente da actividade de gestão de estrume no aviário. Quanto à eutrofização, o NH3 é também o que mais contribui.In the present study, a Life Cycle Assessment is performed for chicken. Possible emissions of pollutants to the air and water are analysed, in all processes involved in creating the chicken, since the aviary to the slaughterhouse, also considering the transport of chickens, feed production and transport of feed. Thus, this study intends to analyze and quantify possible impacts that the processes under study cause to the environment, also identifying the processes and activities that contribute most to those impacts. In this study the results are analysed at the levels of inventory analysis and impact assessment. In the inventory analysis it was observed that, in general, is the aviary that contributes the most to air emissions, including emissions of NH3, CH4, N2O, CO and NOx. Production of feed is the process that shows the largest contribution to the following air emissions NH4 +, SO2, CO2, P and NO3 -. Regarding emissions to water, the slaughterhouse has the highest contribution to P and CQO emissions and the production of feed to NO2 - and NO3 -. The impact assessment results show that, in general, is the aviary that most contributes for all the categories considered in the study: climate change, formation of photochemical oxidants, acidification and eutrophication. Thus, in relation to climate change, N2O from manure management in aviary has the major contribution. In the formation of photochemical oxidants,CO emissions from biomass burning in the aviary have the major contribution. NH3presents the greatest contribution to acidification due to the manure management activity in aviary. NH3 is also the major contributor to eutrophication