The point of view of firms in Minas Gerais about the contribution of universities and research institutes to R&D activities

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the interactions between firms, universities and research institutes based in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The theoretical standpoint is the innovation system of developing countries. Multivariate cluster analysis is used, more specifically, the Grade of Membership method, to group firms with similar characteristics and evaluate their pattern of interaction with universities and research institutes. The main results show that the highest rates of interaction are found among firms that manufacture chemical products, cellulose, paper and paper products, followed by those engaged in the extraction of metallic and non-metallic minerals.     

Child sex tourism in the context of the 2014 FIFA Football World Cup: the case of the host city of Recife,Brazil

This study aims to analyse the issue of child sex tourism (CST) and its correlation with sporting mega-events, taking into consideration the implementation of preventive public policy in the host city of Recife (located in the north-east of Brazil), during the 2014 FIFA Football World Cup. Through a qualitative approach based on a three-year longitudinal study – using interviews, observation and photographs – the theme will be analysed by considering the involved social issues, and the implications for excluded sectors of society in the organization of so-called mega-events. A total of 36 interviews were conducted with 22 individuals, who were divided into three groups: project managers, local population and children abused. CST does not occur in a vacuum and cannot be disconnected from more general social, economic and cultural concerns, which are often overlooked in analyses. Although this study is based upon a short-term timescale, the results obtained in the analysed projects have been satisfactory, but over the long term, effective social and educational measures must be prioritized in order to improve the situation for the actors involved. As part of a sporting mega-event, the topic of child sex tourism remains marginal, particularly in countries where social inequality persists.     

Long- and Short-Term Portfolio Choices of Paintings

In their paper on price comovements of paintings, Ginsburgh and Jeanfils show that in three important markets (London, Paris and New York), prices of well-known and lesser known painters 'move together' (are cointegrated). They conclude that therefore, an investor may be indifferent between the two groups of painters. We show that this is not the case, since well-known painters are less risky, and that though returns may be comparable, the share of well-known painters in a portfolio of paintings might be as high as 90%. We also construct long-run and short-run portfolios and show that these may be very different. These short-term portfolios give interesting insights which help in characterizing each of the three markets.     

Blood lactate response and critical speed in swimmers aged 10-12 years of different standards

It has previously been shown that measurement of the critical speed is a non-invasive method of estimating the blood lactate response during exercise. However, its validity in children has yet to be demonstrated. The aims of this study were: (1) to verify if the critical speed determined in accordance with the protocol of Wakayoshi et al. is a non-invasive means of estimating the swimming speed equivalent to a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x l(-1) in children aged 10-12 years; and (2) to establish whether standard of performance has an effect on its determination. Sixteen swimmers were divided into two groups: beginners and trained. They initially completed a protocol for determination of speed equivalent to a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x l(-1). Later, during training sessions, maximum efforts were swum over distances of 50, 100 and 200 m for the calculation of the critical speed. The speeds equivalent to a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x l(-1) (beginners = 0.82 +/- 0.09 m x s(-1), trained = 1.19 +/- 0.11 m x s(-1); mean +/- s) were significantly faster than the critical speeds (beginners = 0.78 +/- 0.25 m x s(-1), trained = 1.08 +/- 0.04 m x s(-1)) in both groups. There was a high correlation between speed at a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x l(-1) and the critical speed for the beginners (r= 0.96, P < 0.001), but not for the trained group (r= 0.60, P> 0.05). The blood lactate concentration corresponding to the critical speed was 2.7 +/- 1.1 and 3.1 +/- 0.4 mmol x l(-1) for the beginners and trained group respectively. The percent difference between speed at a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x l(-1) and the critical speed was not significantly different between the two groups. At all distances studied, swimming performance was significantly faster in the trained group. Our results suggest that the critical speed underestimates swimming intensity corresponding to a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x l(-1) in children aged 10-12 years and that standard of performance does not affect the determination of the critical speed.     

Positive Aging Beyond “Success”: Towards a More Inclusive Perspective of High Level Functioning in Old Age

Successful aging is the ability to maintain low probability of disease and disability, high cognitive and physical functioning, and active engagement with life (Rowe &; Kahn, 1999 Rowe, J. W. &; Kahn, R. L. (1999). Successful aging. New York, NY: Dell Pub. [Google Scholar]). These criteria allow for a minority of people to be classified as being “successful” and overlook the importance of psychological variables in balancing the weight of disease. A total of 1322 seniors (55 + years) were classified on their overall functioning according to core domains (health, psychological, cognitive, biobehavioural, social, personality). Findings support the idea that a broader perspective of aging outcomes, rather than success criteria, may better reflect reality.     

Effect of hand paddles and parachute on butterfly coordination

This study investigated the effects of hand paddles, parachute and hand paddles plus parachute on the inter-limb coordination of butterfly swimming. Thirteen male swimmers were evaluated in four random maximal intensity conditions: without equipment, with hand paddles, with parachute and with hand paddles + parachute. Arm and leg stroke phases were identified by 2D video analysis to calculate the total time gap (T1: time between hands’ entry in the water and high break-even point of the first undulation; T2: time between the beginning of the hand’s backward movement and low break-even point of the first undulation; T3: time between the hand’s arrival in a vertical plane to the shoulders and high break-even point of the second undulation; T4: time between the hand’s release from the water and low break-even point of the second undulation). The swimming velocity was reduced and T1, T2 and T3 increased in parachute and hand paddles + parachute. No changes were observed in T4. Total time gap decreased in parachute and hand paddles + parachute. It is concluded that hand paddles do not influence the arm-to-leg coordination in butterfly, while parachute and hand paddles + parachute do change it, providing a greater propulsive continuity.     

Supporting collaborative dissection through the development of an online wiki positively impacts the learning of veterinary anatomy

An innovative series of dissections of the canine abdomen was created to facilitate social distancing in the dissection room following COVID-19 restrictions imposed in the UK. In groups of six, first-year veterinary students took turns dissecting selected parts of the canine abdomen while maintaining social distancing and documenting their work with video and photographs. Here, students learned about the canine abdominal anatomy by dissecting, recording the dissections of others in their group, and compiling the recorded material into a collaborative electronic media portfolio (Wiki). An online formative multiple-choice test was created to test students' knowledge of the canine abdominal anatomy. The result analysis showed that although students achieved the learning outcomes only by studying the Wiki, they had better performance in the anatomical areas where they learned through the dissection (p < 0.05). Student performance was very similar in the areas in which they were present in the dissection room and participated in recording the dissection compared with the areas that they effectively dissected (p > 0.05). A qualitative thematic analysis was developed to understand students' opinions via their feedback on this dissection approach. Our results showed that student collaboration and the development of practical skills were the most valued aspects of this dissection teaching initiative. Moreover, these results show that developing a group Wiki has a positive impact on student achievement of learning objectives, with a practical hands-on dissection being fundamental for the optimal learning of the canine abdominal anatomy.     

Accuracy of Actigraph inclinometer to classify free-living postures and motion in adults with overweight and obesity

Sedentary behaviour (SB) is an independent health risk-factor and interrupting SB seems to be beneficial. SB is both defined by posture and intensity, thus objective measurement of postures remains a priority. The ActivPAL inclinometer (AP) has been used as a reference for postural estimation, but information on the validity of the Actigraph inclinometer (AG_incl) is scarce. We compared postural estimation from waist-worn AG_incl against thigh-worn AP, under free-living. Data from 10 participants (50.4 ± 11.4 years) were used and each 15s-block from 60-valid days was matched for the devices’ comparison. At group level, no differences were found for SB and standing-time between inclinometers (p ≥ 0.05). AG_incl underestimated stepping-time by 26.3 min and overestimated SB-to-upright transitions by 200.7 occasions (p < 0.05). Inter-individual variability was higher for SB and standing-time, and AG_incl was in better agreement with AP for the stepping-time (area under the ROC curve = 0.98, with 100% sensitivity and 94% specificity; CCC = 0.44). These results highlight potential error in estimating individual postures using AG_incl in overweight/obese adults and provide insights on the differences of using specific criteria on data-analysis. Our findings suggest that at the group level, AG_incl provides similar estimates compared to AP for SB and standing-time, but not for SB-to-upright transitions or stepping-time. (ClinicalTrials.govID:NCT02007681)     

Development and evaluation of a Portuguese early literacy programme / Desarrollo y evaluación de un programa portugués de alfabetización temprana

Abstract

Over the last three decades, research in this field has addressed different early literacy skills and studied the pedagogical practices that promote the initial learning of reading and writing skills. This study develops a programme that promotes early literacy skills, called Ouvir as Letras (Listen to the Letters). The efficacy of the programme was evaluated in comparison with two implementations of the Portuguese preschool education curriculum: one structured and the other semi-structured, in a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up. The study was carried out with the participation of 124 five- and six-year-old children who attended preschool in four schools in the north of Portugal. The results suggest that the Ouvir as Letras programme was more effective in facilitating the acquisition of basic skills to initiate children in the learning of written language.