Abstract
In the current global market organizations face uncertainties and shorter response time. In order to remain competitive many organizations adopted flexible resources capable of performing several operations with different performance capabilities. The unrelated parallel-machines makespan minimization problem (RmIiCmax) is known to be NP-hard or too complex to be solved exactly. Among the several heuristics used for solving this problem, it is possible to identify MCT (Minimum Completion Time) that allocates tasks in a random order to the minimum completion time machine. This paper proposes an ordered approach to the MCT heuristic. MOMCT (Modified Ordered Minimum Completion Time), which will order tasks in accordance to the mean difference of the completion time on each machine and the minimum completion time machine. The computational study demonstrated the improved performance of the proposed ordered approach to the MCT heuristic.

Abstract
Este artigo apresenta resultados de dois projetos enquadrados no Plano de Inovação 2013-2014: Move4Health, com o Instituto de Telecomunicações e Online-Gym, com o INESC TEC. Ainda que em cenários e abordagens distintas, ambos exploram o recurso a deteção de movimento (motion capture) em tempo real e sem recurso a marcadores (realtime markerless mocap), para explorar a oportunidade de introdução de novas aplicações e serviços de eHealth e well being particularmente vocacionados para o segmento senior e para o envelhecimento ativo.

Abstract
Purpose: The paper aims to analyse the engagement in sustainability reporting assurance (SRA) by a sample of Portuguese firms between 2008 and 2011. Design/methodology/approach: Bivariate and multivariate non-parametric statistics is used to analyse some factors that influence the decision to have sustainability reports assured. Findings: Results indicate that size, leverage, profitability, listing status and industrial affiliation are determinants of SRA, whereas type of ownership is not. A downward trend in sustainability reporting and its assurance was also detected. Research limitations/implications: The sample is small. Originality/value: It adds to the scarce research on SRA by providing new empirical data in a context of crisis and extends prior research by analysing the effects of listing status and type of ownership. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Abstract
Scheduling problems occurring in parallel machines manufacturing environments are quite usual and many different methods have been applied for solving it. These methods vary from the application of more or less simple heuristics and rules up to more complex methods, including distinct kind of metaheuristics. In this paper we discuss a fuzzy optimization method using simulated annealing (Fuzzy-SA) for solving an unrelated parallel machines manufacturing scheduling problem. To demonstrate the potential of our method we use an illustrative example of a parallel machines scheduling (PMS) problem and then we analyse it and perform statistical tests with 20 instances.

Abstract

Abstract
In the Smart Grid environment, it is expected that Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) should be capable of managing appliances inside the house, in order to provide reserve services. This paper aims at estimating the flexibility of a Portuguese typical residential load diagram. For this purpose, a bottom-up approach is used, i.e., the aggregated flexible load demand is determined taking into account the availability of each appliance to be controlled by the HEMS. The comfort requirements of the consumers are also incorporated in the flexibility calculations by integrating realistic load models into HEMS.