How to play the “Names Game”: Patent retrieval comparing different heuristics

Patent statistics represent a critical tool for scholars, statisticians and policy makers interested in innovation and intellectual property rights. Many analyses are based on heterogeneous methods delineating the inventors’ or firms’ patent portfolios without questioning the quality of the method employed. We assess different heuristics in order to provide a robust solution to automatically retrieve inventors in large patent datasets (PATSTAT). The solution we propose reduces the usual errors by 50% and casts doubts on the reliability of statistical indicators and micro-econometric results based on common matching procedures. Guidelines for researchers, TTOs, firms, venture capitalists and policy makers likely to implement a names game or to comment on results based on a names game are also provided.     

Analysis of the distances covered and technical actions performed by professional tennis players during official matches

The purpose of this study was to analyse the physical and technical performances of professional tennis players during official matches. The trajectories of eight players were obtained during matches, using an automatic tracking method. The distances covered and technical performances were analysed for the first and second sets. The athletes covered (mean ± standard deviation) a total of 1702.4 ± 448.2 m in the first set, 1457.6 ± 678.1 m in the second set and 3160.0 ± 880.1 in the entire match. No differences were found between the sets for the physical variables (lateral and forward displacements, distance covered per rally, per game and per set, and the percentage of time spent in each range of velocity). However, the distances covered by the athletes during the rallies in which they were serving (median = 5.2; interquartile range (IQR) = 6.7 m) were statistically smaller than when they were returning (median = 6.2; IQR = 7.7 m). Forehand ground stroke proficiency decreased from the first (mean ± standard deviation: 75.2 ± 4.11%) to the second set (mean ± standard deviation = 65.5 ± 14.3%). In conclusion, tennis players did not present reduced physical performance from the first to the second set.     

Bar velocities capable of optimising the muscle power in strength-power exercises

This study aimed at testing whether there are mean propulsive velocities (MPVs) capable of maximising the mean propulsive power (MPP) during the execution of bench press (BP), bench throw (BT), half squat (HS) and jump squat (JS). Additionally, we assessed the differences in MPP/MPV between ballistic and traditional exercises. Seventeen male rugby sevens players performed MPP tests in BP, BT, HS and JS and maximum isometric force (MIF) tests in HS and BP. The JS presented higher MPP (977.4 ± 156.2 W) than the HS (897.9 ± 157.7 W) (P < 0.05); the BP (743.4 ± 100.1 W) presented higher MPP than the BT (697.8 ± 70.4 W) (P < 0.05). Ballistic exercises presented higher optimum MPV (JS = 1.02 ± 0.07 m·s^?1; BT = 1.67 ± 0.15 m·s^?1) than traditional exercises (HS = 0.93 ± 0.08 m·s^?1; BP = 1.40 ± 0.13 m·s^?1) (P < 0.05). The optimum MPP in the JS, BT, HS and BP occurred at 28.2 ± 5.79, 23.3 ± 4.24, 32.4 ± 9.46 and 27.7 ± 5.33% of the MIF, respectively. The coefficient of variation (CV) of MPV at optimum MPP ranged from 7.4% to 9.7%, while the CV of %MIF ranged from 18.2% to 29.2%. The MPV is a more precise indicator of the optimum loads than the percentages of MIF due to its low inter-subject variability as expressed by CV. Therefore, MPV can be used to determine the optimum power load in the four investigated exercises.     

Ethnicity,social class,and perception of hyperactivity

This paper examines the relationship between ethnicity and hyperactivity, an area largely neglected in research on hyperactivity. The assumption that hyperactivity is uniformly distributed across ethnic groups is challenged, based on a large (N = 1719) sample of white, black, and Mexican-American elementary school children. The Abbreviated Conners Teacher Rating Scale was used to identify the hyperactive group. Two important findings emerged. First, the 15% overall incidence rate is substantially higher than previously reported in the literature for large samples. Second, in those schools with nonwhite majorities, teachers rated black children as significantly more often hyperactive and Mexican-American children as significantly less often hyperactive than would be expected, based on their representation in the general student body. These findings are interpreted from a sociological perspective.     

Ethnic group,hyperkinesis, and modes of behavior

This paper examines modes of behavior across different ethnic groups of children rated as hyperactive on a behavior rating scale. The experimenters questioned the similarity in behavior patterns or modes displayed by 132 black, white, and Mexican-American children who had been rated as hyperactive. Using the Abbreviated Conners Teacher Rating Scale, score patterns of these children were examined through analysis of variance. The results revealed differences across ethnic groups: black children scored significantly higher than the white and Mexican-American children on three scale items and also scored significantly higher than the other two groups in terms of mean total scale score. These findings are interpreted from a sociological perspective.     

Overall indexes of coordination in front crawl swimming

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to propose a group of parameters able to quantify not only arm coordination but also inter limb coordination. These include the well know index of coordination with the relative duration of the stroke phases and two new parameters: the Index of synchronization (Ids) between arms and legs actions; and the Index of inter limb coordination (IdIC) calculated as the relative foot position during successive arm stroke phases. These parameters were compared between experts and amateur swimmers in a maximal front crawl sprint. The influence of arm stroke in leg kick parameters was also assessed, comparing the full stroke condition with a condition without arms actions. Sixty-five per cent of expert swimmers used synchronized limb actions while 95% of amateur swimmers used non-synchronized limb motions. These synchronized expert swimmers also converged towards a specific coordination pattern between foot position and arm stroke phases. In the condition without arms, both groups changed kick rate and amplitude. The present study reveals the interdependency of arms and legs actions and the importance of coordination and synchronization between limbs. Therefore, the proposed group of overall indexes of coordination provides a more complete marker for the analysis of swimming technique.     

Is there still a need for gifted education? An examination of current research

What recent research has been conducted about gifted and talented students and their learning experiences in school? As we complete the first decade of the new century we are entering a time when much attention is focused on remediation and test preparation; it only seems appropriate to reflect upon what has been learned about gifted education during the last few decades and consider the compelling evidence that may or may not support special services for gifted and talented. Consensus on which research themes and studies should be included in this type of examination would difficult to reach, but we have identified six important themes that are discussed in the article. This review of research strongly suggests that the need for gifted education programs remains critical during the current time period in American education when our nation's creative productivity is being challenged by European and Asian nations.     

A simple classroom teaching technique to help students understand Michaelis-Menten kinetics

A new, simple classroom technique helps cell biology students understand principles of Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics. A student mimics the enzyme and the student's hand represents the enzyme's active site. The catalytic event is the transfer of marbles (substrate molecules) by hand from one plastic container to another. As predicted, increases in marble concentration increase the number of marbles transferred per unit time (initial rate, V(0)) until the turnover number becomes rate limiting and V(0) approaches the maximum velocity (V(max)), as described by the Michaelis-Menten equation. With this demonstration, students visualize an important concept: the turnover number is constant and independent of marble concentration. A student assessment of this exercise showed that it helped students visualize the turnover number and V(max) but not K(m), the marble concentration at which V(0) is one-half V(max). To address the concept of K(m), we use supplemental laboratory and lecture exercises. This exercise with plastic containers and marbles is equally suited to demonstrate the kinetics of carrier-mediated membrane transport. We conclude that this exercise helps students visualize the turnover number and V(max) and gives students important insights into the kinetic parameters used to characterize the catalytic activity of enzymes and membrane transporters.