Innovation and productivity: impact assessment of copromotion projects

Dissertação de mestrado em EconomiaEsta dissertação descreve, analisa e avalia os impactos dos projetos em copromoção, subsidiados por Fundos Europeus em Portugal, entre 2006 e 2019, relativos aos Quadros Financeiros Plurianuais QREN e PT2020. O objetivo é, com recurso a dados em painel, avaliar econometricamente, através de um modelo de efeitos fixos, os impactos dos projetos em copromoção no desempenho das empresas, comparando-os com projetos individuais de I&D e avaliar de que forma as características dos consórcios afetam os resultados esperados. O investimento em I&D é fundamental para o crescimento económico. No entanto, a existência de falhas de mercado pode conduzir a uma situação de subinvestimento e, consequentemente, a taxas de crescimento económico subóptimas. Dado que o desenvolvimento de projetos em copromoção pode ajudar as empresas a superar falhas de mercado, as políticas públicas têm vindo a apostar na formação destas parcerias. Todavia, não há consenso sobre os efeitos destas iniciativas no desempenho das empresas, com os impactos a variar dependendo das características dos consórcios. Os resultados desta dissertação sugerem que os projetos de I&D em copromoção têm efeitos positivos na produtividade das empresas, principalmente nas micro e pequenas empresas, e que superam os benefícios dos projetos individuais. No entanto, para o nível de vendas e das exportações, os projetos individuais parecem ter vantagem, sendo os efeitos ao nível do emprego semelhantes. Os impactos nas pequenas empresas parecem ser sensíveis às características do consórcio em que desenvolvem o projeto de I&D. Em suma, um número mais elevado de parceiros diminui os benefícios do projeto para todos os tipos de empresas, com mais intensidade para as menores, e os ganhos de produtividade das empresas mais pequenas são reduzidos nas parcerias com entidades mais produtivas. Contrariamente, as grandes empresas, ao nível das exportações, beneficiam mais ao fazerem parcerias com empresas maiores e mais exportadoras.This dissertation describes, analyses, and evaluates the impacts of projects in copromotion, subsidised by European Funds in Portugal, from 2006 to 2019, related to the Multiannual Financial Frameworks QREN and PT2020. The objective is, using panel data, to econometrically evaluate, through a fixed-effects model, the impacts of copromotion projects on firms’ performance, comparing them with individual R&D projects, and assess how the characteristics of the consortiums affect the expected results. Investment in R&D is essential for economic growth. However, market failures can lead to underinvestment and, consequently, to suboptimal economic growth rates. Given that copromotion projects can help firms overcome market failures, public policies have focused on forming these partnerships. However, there is no consensus on the effects of these initiatives on the performance of firms, with the impacts varying with the characteristics of the consortiums. The results of this dissertation suggest that R&D copromotion projects have positive effects on the productivity of firms, especially in micro and small firms, and that they outweigh the benefits of individual projects. However, for the level of sales and exports, individual projects seem to have an advantage, with similar employment effects. The impacts on small firms seem to be sensitive to the characteristics of the consortium in which they develop the R&D project. In short, a higher number of partners reduces the project's benefits for all types of firms, more intensely for the smaller ones, and the productivity gains of smaller firms are reduced in partnerships with more productive entities. In contrast, in terms of exports, large firms benefit more from partnering with larger and more exporting firms

The elusive impact of R&D grants on firm productivity

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of R&D subsidies, provided by the European Regional Development Funds, on firms’ productivity. Using detailed longitudinal firm-level data covering the period 2007-2019, we employ state of the art differences-in-differences estimators to evaluate the impacts of R&D grants. Positive causal effects on gross value added and labour productivity are discernible for micro- and small-sized firms participating in co-promotion but not in individual projects. However, these effects seem to be elusive. No evidence of a positive effect of these grants on firm performance for medium- and large-sized firms or for individual R&D projects is found. This investigation contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the relative effectiveness of productivity enhancement programs.The authors acknowledge the funding by National Funds of the FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, project UIDB/03182/2020

Chronic effects of aerobic exercise on panic disorder: a systematic review of randomized and non-randomized trials

In general, most studies have supported an association between the acute effects of exercise and a reduced state anxiety, but failed to completely explain the relationship between the chronic effect of exercise and anxiety traits. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature regarding the chronic effect of exercise on symptoms associated with panic disorder. The studies were retrieved from a MEDLINE/PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge and SciELO. We adopted PICOS’s strategy recommended to determine the eligibility criteria. The survey was conducted using an advanced search in the ISI Web of Science and MEDLINE / PubMed with MeSH terms and Entry Terms for the keywords “Panic Disorder” basis and “Exercise”. Boolean operators “AND” and “OR” were used separately or in combination. Two independent researchers performed the selection of studies; in case of disagreement they sought a consensus on the selection. A total of 265 articles were identified: 199 articles from PubMed/Medline, 63 articles from ISI Web of Science and 3 articles by manual searches. Thus, 31 articles were analyzed by the eligibility criteria and the exclusion criteria, a total of five studies included in the systematic review. The regular practice of aerobic exercise seems to be an appropriate intervention to promote improvements in the severity of anxiety symptoms in PD patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

O papel das infraestruturas e sistema de transportes (aéreo, marítimo e rodoviário) no desenvolvimento de Cabo Verde

Mestrado em Desenvolvimento e Cooperação InternacionalO presente trabalho pretende ser uma reflexão sobre o papel das infraestruturas e dos sistemas de transportes (marítimo, rodoviário e aéreo) e a sua importância num contexto de desenvolvimento económico em Cabo Verde. Neste estudo procurou-se diagnosticar o estado das infraestruturas de transporte em Cabo Verde e o estado dos transportes, perspectivar os seus papéis e enquadrá-los nos Planos de Desenvolvimento Nacionais definidos pelo governo. Em termos metodológicos, tentou-se, inicialmente, definir o que se entende pelo conceito de infraestrutura, através da análise de diversos autores e, posteriormente, enquadrar e reflectir sobre o seu planeamento, gestão e contribuição para o bem estar e qualidade de vida do povo cabo-verdiano, especialmente no que toca à sua integração nos planos governamentais. Paralelamente, procurou-se enquadrar e analisar a importância que as infraestruturas detêm enquanto suporte dos diversos sistemas de transporte existentes naquele país.This work intends to be a reflection on the role of infrastructures and transport systems (by sea, land and air) and its importance in the context of the economic development of Cape Vert. In this study, we looked forward to characterising the transportation infrastructures in Cape Vert and the state of transports, understand their roles and fit them in the National Development Plans defined by the Government. In methodological terms, we initially tried to define the concept of infrastructure, through the analysis of various authors, and afterwards we have reflected about its planning, gestion and quality of life of Cape Vert people, especially in terms of govemmental plans. Simultaneously, we tried to analyse the importance of infrastructures as a support of the various systems of transportation in that country.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A high performance wireless fieldbus in industrial multimedia-related environment

This paper summarises the most important solutions that have emerged from the work carried out by our team within the framework of the EU (IST-1999-11316) project RFieldbus - High Performance Wireless Fieldbus in Industrial Multimedia-Related Environment. Within this project, Profibus was chosen as the fieldbus platform. Essentially, extensions to the current Profibus standard are being developed in order to provide Profibus with wireless, mobility and industrialmultimedia capabilities. In fact, providing these extensions means fulfilling strong requirements, namely to encompass the communication between wired (currently available) and wireless/mobile devices and to support real-time control traffic and multimedia traffic in the same network.Comissão Europei

Treatment of chronic periodontitis decreases serum prohepcidin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of periodontal treatment on serum levels of prohepcidin (the prohormone of hepcidin) and systemic inflammation markers, as well as correlations among these markers, in patients with chronic periodontitis and chronic kidney disease who were not undergoing dialysis. METHODS: We included 56 chronic periodontitis patients, 36 with chronic kidney disease and 20 without systemic diseases and with normal renal function (control group). Chronic kidney disease was defined as suggested by the clinical practice guidelines in the National Kidney Foundation. Chronic periodontitis was defined through clinical attachment level and by probing pocket depth, according to the American Association of Periodontology. The inflammatory markers ultrasensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and prohepcidin were evaluated before and 3 months after periodontal treatment. RESULTS: The efficacy of periodontal treatment was confirmed by the improvement in clinical parameters of chronic periodontitis in the control and chronic kidney disease groups. Periodontal treatment resulted in significant reductions in ultrasensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and serum prohepcidin levels in both groups. Moreover, in multivariate linear regression, the reduction in prohepcidin after periodontal treatment was significantly and independently associated with interleukin-6 levels in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: By inducing a decline in the systemic inflammatory response and a decrease in serum prohepcidin, successful periodontal treatment may represent an important means of ameliorating the inflammatory burden seen in patients with chronic kidney disease

Treatment of chronic periodontitis decreases serum prohepcidin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of periodontal treatment on serum levels of prohepcidin (the prohormone of hepcidin) and systemic inflammation markers, as well as correlations among these markers, in patients with chronic periodontitis and chronic kidney disease who were not undergoing dialysis. METHODS: We included 56 chronic periodontitis patients, 36 with chronic kidney disease and 20 without systemic diseases and with normal renal function (control group). Chronic kidney disease was defined as suggested by the clinical practice guidelines in the National Kidney Foundation. Chronic periodontitis was defined through clinical attachment level and by probing pocket depth, according to the American Association of Periodontology. The inflammatory markers ultrasensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and prohepcidin were evaluated before and 3 months after periodontal treatment. RESULTS: The efficacy of periodontal treatment was confirmed by the improvement in clinical parameters of chronic periodontitis in the control and chronic kidney disease groups. Periodontal treatment resulted in significant reductions in ultrasensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and serum prohepcidin levels in both groups. Moreover, in multivariate linear regression, the reduction in prohepcidin after periodontal treatment was significantly and independently associated with interleukin-6 levels in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: By inducing a decline in the systemic inflammatory response and a decrease in serum prohepcidin, successful periodontal treatment may represent an important means of ameliorating the inflammatory burden seen in patients with chronic kidney disease. Trial registration: ISRCTN59866656

Um “retrato” das características limnológicas das lagoas de uma planície de inundação tropical : influência relativa do clima e do uso da terra

Aim This study aimed to investigate the relative influence of climate (temperature and precipitation) and land use on limnological features of 30 floodplain lakes in the Araguaia River, in Central Brazil, an important river that drains in the Brazilian Cerrado. Methods The lakes were sampled in one same period, at a large spatial scale (900 km along the river) covering climate and landscape variability. For decomposing the relative importance of land use and climate, we used the RDA and partitioning variance techniques. Results The lakes presented limnological gradient along the floodplain; in general, the lakes presented low transparency, nutrients concentrations ​​(total nitrogen and total phosphorus) and oxygen saturation. The water pH was considered weakly acidic. Considering land use in Araguaia river basin, lakes in downstream presented more remnant vegetation and lakes in upstream presented more livestock and agriculture soil use. The climate conditions were the most important in explaining the variation in limnological characteristics of the lakes, while the individual analysis of limnological variables showed that land use was important to explain to the pH and transparency of the water. Conclusions Finally, this study showed the importance of investigating regional climatic attributes and land use information to explain the limnological characterization of floodplain lakes. Thus, it highlights the importance of the possible impacts of global climate change on limnological conditions.Objetivo O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a influência relativa do clima (temperatura e precipitação) e do uso da terra nas características limnológicas de 30 lagoas da planície de inundação do Rio Araguaia, no Brasil Central, um importante rio que drena no Cerrado brasileiro. Métodos As lagoas foram amostradas em um mesmo período, em uma grande extensão espacial (900 km ao longo do rio) cobrindo uma variabilidade climática e de paisagem. Para decompor o efeito relativo do clima e do uso do solo foi utilizada uma RDA seguida da partição da variância. Resultados As lagoas apresentaram um gradiente limnológico ao longo da planície de inundação. Em geral, as lagoas possuem baixa transparência, concentração de nutrientes (nitrogênio total e fósforo total) e saturação de oxigênio. O pH da água pode ser considerado fracamente ácido. Considerando o uso do solo na bacia do Rio Araguaia, as lagoas a jusante da planície apresentaram maior percentual de vegetação remanescente, ao passo que lagoas a montante da planície apresentaram maior uso do solo em pastagem em agricultura. As características climáticas foram o principal fator para explicar a variação das características limnológicas das lagoas estudadas, enquanto que análises individuais das variáveis limnológicas evidenciaram que o uso do solo foi importante para explicar a variação no pH e transparência da água. Conclusões O presente estudo evidenciou a importância de investigar os atributos climáticos regionais e o uso do solo para explicar as características limnológicas de lagoas na planície de inundação. Portanto, destacamos a importância de possíveis impactos das mudanças climáticas globais sobre as características limnológicas

Presente, Memória e Autoritarismo: Agir Politicamente?

O artigo tem como ponto inicial a questão das possibilidades de ação política na contemporaneidade, sobretudo no segmento da juventude. Identifi - camos, em nossa realidade presente, um entrecruzamento temporal no qual a memória produzida acerca dos anos de estado autoritário determina a ação política atual, ou seja, dos anos de “abertura”. Levantamos, assim, três questões centrais: O que é este tempo presente?; Como é possível elaborar a memória de um evento traumático?; Quais as relações entre o estado autoritário e o estado de direito? Realizamos, então, um primeiro estudo interdisciplinar, tentando mobilizar os campos da fi losofi a, da sociologia e da crítica literária para dar conta de problematizar uma história que é entendida como zona de intersecção entre passado e presente