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PurposeThe empirical research of e-government at the local level has been the subject of many studies in the last two decades. The evidence collected by those studies constitutes a relevant opportunity toward the development of a theory of local e-government implementation. However, several synthesis efforts are needed before such a theory can be developed. The purpose of this article is to contribute to that endeavor by proposing an empirical model of the determinants of e-government implementation by local governments.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical model results from the systematic revision of 59 primary studies published in scientific journals, between 2002 and 2018. As a starting point, a conceptual map relating concepts such as readiness, diffusion, adoption, implementation and institutionalization is presented.FindingsThere is a common set of determinants that explains local e-government implementation in general, and three other sets of determinants that contribute to differentiate each one of three e-government dimensions: e-participation, e-transparency and e-services.Research limitations/implicationsBecause it was found that different determinants are associated with different e-government dimensions, future empirical studies should differentiate between those dimensions when studying local government.Originality/valueThis is the first study to attempt a synthesis effort on the determinants of e-government implementation by local governments.

Purpose This study aims to investigate whether, discounting the effect of the relative wealth of countries, it is possible to observe the relevance of policies for e-government development. Design/methodology/approach The deviations of countries' results from what could be expected, considering their relative wealth is calculated by using the residuals of a linear regression using the Gross Domestic Product per capita as the independent variable and the UN E-Government Development Index as the dependent variable. The countries that achieve better and worse results than expected are then identified and their cases are analyzed by resorting to secondary sources, namely, published research referring to their cases. Those research documents were identified by successively searching the Scopus database, the Google Scholar database and the Web of Science. Findings The existence of formal e-government strategies and plans and the capacity to implement them can make a difference, allowing countries to achieve better results than expected or, in their absence, to perform worse than expected. Research limitations/implications The proposed methodology can be useful to e-government researchers, particularly as a basis for deeper and more detailed studies. Practical implications Countries should invest in well-developed and focused strategies and continuity of public policies and their capacity to deliver results. For that purpose, political commitment and high-level coordination are key factors. For low-income countries, long-lasting cooperation with external experienced partners is crucial. For high-income countries, innovative thinking is a key enabler. Originality/value This study uses an innovative method to look beyond the effect of the relative wealth of countries and investigate the relevance of public policies for e-government development.

In this study, we study the trapping of linear water waves by infinite arrays of three-dimensional fixed periodic structures in a three-layer fluid. Each layer has an independent uniform velocity field with respect to the fixed ground in addition to the internal modes along the interfaces between layers. Dynamical stability between velocity shear and gravitational pull constrains the layer velocities to a neighbourhood of the diagonal U1=U2=U3 in velocity space. A non-linear spectral problem results from the variational formulation. This problem can be linearized, resulting in a geometric condition (from energy minimization) that ensures the existence of trapped modes within the limits set by stability. These modes are solutions living the discrete spectrum that do not radiate energy to infinity. Symmetries reduce the global problem to solutions in the first octant of the three-dimensional velocity space. Examples are shown of configurations of obstacles which satisfy the stability and geometric conditions, depending on the values of the layer velocities. The robustness of the result of the vertical column from previous studies is confirmed in the new configurations. This allows for comparison principles (Cavalieri’s principle, etc.) to be used in determining whether trapped modes are generated.

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact of elections on social media adoption by local governments.Design/methodology/approachLocal elections between 2007 and 2018, all 308 Portuguese municipalities and all 43 districts of the Lima metropolitan area (the capital city of Peru) were considered in the study. The impact of elections on each country was assessed by fitting a theoretical model to the social media adoption data (collected for Facebook, YouTube and Twitter). This theoretical model includes a normal curve (as predicted by the Diffusion of Innovation Theory) and negative exponential curves centered on the inauguration dates of the newly elected governments.FindingsResults are impressive and consistent for both countries: following an initial period characterized by a normal adoption curve, there are notable surges in adoption associated with the inauguration dates of newly elected administrations. In a metaphorical sense, ballots make new waves of adoption.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings suggest that researchers should take into account the influence of elections when examining how local governments adopt innovations.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate that practitioners may find an opportunity to expedite the adoption of innovative communication technologies right after newly elected governments assume office. Additionally, election campaigns present a favorable occasion to demonstrate these innovations.Originality/valueThis is the first study to use non-linear optimizing techniques to explain the impact of elections on social media adoption by local governments.

Enhancing the sustainability of growing media is an important objective in soilless vegetable cultivation. Here, we evaluated the potential of pine bark to replace perlite in coir-based substrates for lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. ‘Godzilla’) cultivation. The experiment followed a factorial design with two coir-based substrate blends—one amended with perlite and the other with pine bark—and two nutrient solution EC levels (1.5 ± 0.2 and 2.5 ± 0.2 dS m−1). The plants were cultivated in Styrofoam containers containing a substrate mix of 80% coir, 12% compost, and 8% perlite or pine bark (v/v). Replacing perlite with pine bark did not affect leaf macronutrient concentrations but increased leaf Fe and B levels. Increasing the EC of the nutrient solution increased leaf N, P, and K, with a significant rise in nitrogen. The substitution of perlite with pine bark in coir-based substrates did not affect leaf dry weight, head fresh weight, or chlorophyll content, total phenols, ascorbic acid, or proline, even under different salinity levels. The findings indicate the pine bark is an alternative to perlite, supporting comparable agronomic and quality outcomes in lettuce. Further research is recommended to confirm these results in crops with longer growing cycles.

Curricular internships are increasingly seen as an effective strategy capable of contributing to the objectives and targets of the sustainable development paradigm, both in its social, economic and institutional dimensions. This positive outlook is ingrained within the large bulk of existing research, which has been focused on the discussion of positive outputs, such as the enhancement of graduates′ competences (employability) and their work integration (employment). An important, albeit relatively unexplored, feature of the sustainable institutional politics of curricular internship management pertains to the assessment of its associated liabilities and tensions. This article seeks to address this challenge, by analyzing two interrelated dimensions. First, it seeks to understand the internship processes ranging from the planning to the implementation stages. Second, it elicits the associated negative aspects (the ‘lunar side’) of internships, allowing for an assessment of the features where there is room for improvement. Empirically, this article draws on in-depth qualitative research. It presents the results of four focus groups, voicing the perceptions of top management structures and students involving first cycle degrees in the areas of Marketing, Management, and Accounting from four public Portuguese Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)-three polytechnics and one university. Findings confirm the general positive outlook of internships. Perceived negative perspectives report to both internal problems (such as the lack of institutional support and curricular design) and external problems (e.g., the shortage of suitable internship placements), constituting barriers towards sustainable institutional policies and strategies. Adaptive strategies to overcome specific difficulties are highlighted (e.g., establishment of advisory committees with local businessmen). Finally, recommendations regarding curricular internship management at HEIs are delineated (e.g., investment in monitoring and evaluation strategies of internships).

This article aims to shed light on the current debate regarding the role of internships in higher education in graduates' employability. In specific, it analyses empirical data on a large-scale study of Portuguese first-cycle study programmes, in order to explore indicators of the professional value of internships in the employability of higher education graduates. Results demonstrate that study programmes that include internships tend to significantly enhance graduates' employability, particularly within the universe of polytechnic and public higher education institutions. Besides the instrumental value of internships, the impact of the nature and structure of the internship on the percentage of unemployed graduates are also discussed. Mandatory internships and the inclusion of multiple, shorter internships throughout the degree are negatively associated with unemployment levels. Results indicate work-based learning can be used as a successful strategy to bridge theoretical knowledge and practice and enhance graduate employability. These findings provide important insights for the evaluation and/or the design of internship programmes in higher education. (HRK / Abstract übernommen).

The role of physical health in enhancing mental well-being is well known. This pilot study examines how different aspects of physical activity and motor skills correlate with mental health outcomes in this demographic. Using a combination of self-reported questionnaires and objective fitness tests, data were collected from a sample of 206 students at the Coimbra School of Education in Portugal. Key metrics included accelerometry-based physical activity levels, aerobic and muscular fitness, agility and balance, motor competence, and mental health indicators such as general wellbeing, stress perception, sleep quality and quality of life. Despite low levels of motor competence, physical activity and fitness, preliminary findings suggest a significant positive relationship between regular physical activity and improved mental health, with higher fitness levels and better motor competence also associated with reduced stress perception. These results underline the importance of integrating physical health initiatives into university settings to promote overall student well-being. The study highlights potential areas for further research, including longitudinal analyses and targeted interventions to enhance physical and mental health.

This study examines the trapping of linear water waves by an endless structure of stationary, three-dimensional periodic obstacles within a two-layer fluid system. The setup features a lower layer of either limited or unlimited depth, overlaid by an upper layer of finite thickness bounded by a free surface, with each layer exhibiting its own constant background speed relative to the fixed reference frame. For real roots to emerge in the dispersion relation, an additional stability condition on the layer velocities is necessary. By selecting adequate choices for the background flow, a non-linear eigenvalue problem is derived from the variational formulation; its reasonable approximation yields a geometric criterion that guarantees the presence of trapped modes (subject to the aforementioned stability bounds). The selection of the eigenvalue is influenced by velocity owing to the presence of an interface and free surface. Due to inherent symmetries, the overall analysis can be confined to the positive quadrant of the velocity domain. Illustrations are provided for various obstacle setups that produce trapped modes in diverse ways.

(1) Background: Teachers’ visual behaviour in classes has an important role in learning and instruction. Hence, understanding the dynamics of classroom interactions is fundamental in educational research. As mapping evidence on this topic would highlight concepts and knowledge gaps in this area, this systematic review aimed to collect and systematise the analysis of teachers’ visual behaviour in classroom settings through the use of eye-tracking apparatus; (2) Methods: The methodological procedures were registered in the INPLASY database and this systematic review used the PRISMA criteria for the selection and analysis of studies in this area. We searched on six literature databases (B-on, ERIC, ScienceDirect, Scopus, TRC and WoS) between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2024. Eligible articles used eye tracking apparatus and analysed teachers’ visual behaviour as a dependent variable in the experiment; (3) Results: The main results of the articles selected (n = 41) points to the differences in teachers’ visual behaviour in terms of professional experience and the relationship between gaze patterns and several classroom variables; (4) Conclusions: A deeper understanding of teachers’ visual behaviour can lead to more effective teacher training and better classroom environments. The scientific research in this area would benefit from more standardized and robust methodologies that allow more reliable analyses of the added value of eye tracking technology.