R&D Drivers in Young Innovative Companies

This paper examines the determinants of young innovative companies' (YICs) R&D activities taking into account the autoregressive nature of innovation. Using a large longitudinal dataset comprising Spanish manufacturing firms over the period 1990-2008, we find that previous R&D experience is a fundamental determinant for mature and young firms, albeit to a smaller extent in the case of the YICs, suggesting that their innovation behaviour is less persistent and more erratic. Moreover, our results suggest that firm and market characteristics play a distinct role in boosting the innovation activity of firms of different age. In particular, while market concentration and the degree of product diversification are found to be important in fostering R&D activities in the sub-sample of mature firms only, YICs' spending on R&D appears to be more sensitive to demand-pull variables, suggesting the presence of credit constraints. These results have been obtained using a recently proposed dynamic type-2 tobit estimator, which accounts for individual effects and efficiently handles the initial conditions problem.R&D, innovation, Young Innovative Companies (YICs), dynamic type-2 tobit estimator

Bounded and unbounded polynomials and multilinear forms: Characterizing continuity

In this paper we prove a characterization of continuity for polynomials on a normed space. Namely, we prove that a polynomial is continuous if and only if it maps compact sets into compact sets. We also provide a partial answer to the question as to whether a polynomial is continuous if and only if it transforms connected sets into connected sets. These results motivate the natural question as to how many non-continuous polynomials there are on an infinite dimensional normed space. A problem on the \emph{lineability} of the sets of non-continuous polynomials and multilinear mappings on infinite dimensional normed spaces is answered.Comment: 8 page

R&D drivers in young innovative companies

This paper examines the determinants of young innovative companies' (YICs) R&D activities taking into account the autoregressive nature of innovation. Using a large longitudinal dataset comprising Spanish manufacturing firms over the period 1990-2008, we find that previous R&D experience is a fundamental determinant for mature and young firms, albeit to a smaller extent in the case of the YICs, suggesting that their innovation behaviour is less persistent and more erratic. Moreover, our results suggest that firm and market characteristics play a distinct role in boosting the innovation activity of firms of different age. In particular, while market concentration and the degree of product diversification are found to be important in fostering R&D activities in the sub-sample of mature firms only, YICs' spending on R&D appears to be more sensitive to demand-pull variables, suggesting the presence of credit constraints. These results have been obtained using a recently proposed dynamic type-2 tobit estimator, which accounts for individual effects and efficiently handles the initial conditions problem

The determinants of YIc's R&D activity

This paper examines the determinants of young innovative companies’ (YICs) R&D activities taking into account the autoregressive nature of innovation. Using a large longitudinal dataset comprising Spanish manufacturing firms over the period 1990-2008, we find that previous R&D experience is a fundamental determinant for mature and young firms, albeit to a smaller extent in the case of the YICs, suggesting that their innovation behaviour is less persistent and more erratic. Moreover, our results suggest that firm and market characteristics play a distinct role in boosting the innovation activity of firms of different age. In particular, while market concentration and the degree of product diversification are found to be important in boosting R&D activities in the sub-sample of mature firms only, YICs’ spending on R&D appears to be more sensitive to demand-pull variables, suggesting the presence of credit constraints. These results have been obtained using a recently proposed dynamic type-2 tobit estimator, which accounts for individual effects and efficiently handles the initial conditions problem.R&D, innovation, Young Innovative Companies (YICs), dynamic type-2 tobit estimator.

Cuento con imágenes: una experiencia de producción audiovisual

The purpose of this paper is to present the activities realized in the course Tale with images, developed under the project Our School Continuing Education Program of the Ministry of Education of the nation in 2015. Activities included an audiovisual production workshop with a total duration of three months (36 hours). During the course, we train in audiovisual production projects for teachers of high school, and then they made short films where they worked with their students. The premise of this work was to take the audiovisual as a tool or vehicle for learning any discipline and not as mere illustration of a topic or reading text. During the workshop, teachers took a theme of his subject and made it short, incorporating it in the teaching -learning process. El objetivo de este trabajo es dar a conocer las actividades realizadas en el curso Cuento con imágenes, desarrollado en el marco del proyecto Nuestra Escuela del Programa de Formación Permanente del Ministerio de Educación de la Nación en el año 2015. Las actividades consistieron en un taller de producción audiovisual con una duración total de tres meses (36 Horas) donde se capacitó a docentes de nivel medio en la creación de productos audiovisuales y posteriormente se realizaron cortometrajes de ficción en los que se involucraron los estudiantes secundarios. La premisa del trabajo fue tomar el audiovisual como herramienta o vehículo para el aprendizaje de cualquier disciplina y no como mera ilustración de un tema o texto de lectura. Durante el taller, los docentes realizaron un cortometraje en base a un tema de su asignatura para incorporarlo en su proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje.

Flexural strengthening of RC slabs with prestressed CFRP strips using different anchorage systems

Externally Bonded Reinforcement (EBR) technique has been widely used for flexural strengthening of concrete structures by using carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP). EBR technique offers several structural advantages when the CFRP material is prestressed. This paper presents an experimental and numerical study on reinforced (RC) slabs strengthened in flexure with prestressed CFRP strips as a structural strengthening system. The strips are applied as an externally bonded reinforcement (EBR) and anchored with either a mechanical or a gradient anchorage. The former foresees metallic anchorage plates fixed to the concrete substrate, while the latter is based on an accelerated epoxy resin curing followed by a segment-wise prestress force decrease at the strip ends. Both anchorage systems, in combination with different CFRP strip geometries, were subjected to static loading tests. It could be demonstrated that the composite strip’s performance is better exploited when prestressing is used, with slightly higher overall load carrying capacities for mechanical anchorages than for the gradient anchorage. The performed investigations by means of a cross-section analysis supported the experimental observation that in case a mechanical anchorage is used, progressive strip debonding changes the fully bonded configuration to an unbonded end-anchored system. The inclusion of defined debonding criteria for both the anchorage zones and free length between the anchorage regions allowed to precisely capture the ultimate loading forces.This work is supported by FEDER funds through the Operational Program for Competitiveness Factors-COMPETE and National Funds through FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the project FRPreDur-PTDC/ECM-EST/2424/2012. Additionally, the authors would like to thank all the companies that have been involved supporting and contributing for the development of this study, mainly: S&P Clever Reinforcement Iberica Lda, S&P Clever Reinforcement Company (Switzerland), Tecnipor-Gomes & Taveira Lda., Vialam-Industrias Metalurgicas e Metalomecanicas, Lda., Hilti Portugal-Produtos e Servicos, Lda. The fourth author wishes also to acknowledge the grant SFRH/BD/98309/2013 provided by FCT. This paper is dedicated to Tiago Teixeira (1988-2015), former doctoral student at the ISISE R&D Research Centre at the University of Minho

A psicoterapia na clínica psicossomática

The book starts with a citation of Winnicott: "the word psychosomatics is needed because there is no other simple word that is appropriated in the description of certain clinical states". The trust in a mother with holding and handling management of her baby will create a sense of unity and facilitate this way an integration of mind and body: this permit the healthy development of emotional expression, in which way that the sentiments can be experienced in a secure and significant way. The book illustrates the ways in which such situation can be disturbed and later interrupted, causing challenges of the mind and body unity. It describes the mental psycho-physiologic mechanisms that lead then to the emergency of psychosomatic symptoms.Inicia el libro con la aceveración de Winnicott: la palabra psicosomática es necesaria porque no existe ninguna palabra simple apropiada para la descripción de ciertos estados clínicos. La confianza en una madre con capacidad de holding y de manejo del bebé, proporcionará el sentido de unidad del ser y facilita de esta manera la integración de la mente con el cuerpo: lo cual permite un desarrollo saludable de la expresión emocional, de modo que el bebé pueda experimentar los sentimientos de forma segura y significativa. Este libro ilustra las maneras en las que esa situación se puede perturbar y posteriormente puede interrumpirse, causando los desafíos de la unidad mente y cuerpo. Describe los mecanismos mentales y psicofisiológicos que llevan a la emergencia de síntomas psicosomáticos.Les débuts du livre sont avec une citation de Winnicott : "le mot psychosomatique est nécessaire parce qu’il n’y a aucun autre mot simple qui est approprié dans la description de certains états cliniques". La confiance dans une mère capable de maintien («holding») et bien s’occuper du bébé lui donnera la signification de l’unité de l’être et facilitera de cette façon une intégration de l’esprit et du corps : ceci permet le développement sain de l’expression émotive, de façon que les sentiments puissent être éprouvés d’une manière assurée et significative. Le livre illustre les manières dans lesquelles une telle situation peut être dérangeante et plus tard s’interrompre, entraînant les défis entre l’unité de l’esprit et du corps. Il décrit les mécanismes psychophysiologiques et mentaux qui mènent alors à l’émergence des symptômes psychosomatiques.O autor introduz o livro com a afirmação de Winnicott: "a palavra psicossomática é necessária, porque não existe nenhuma palavra simples que seja apropriada na descrição de certos estados clínicos". A confiança em uma mãe com capacidade de holding e de manejo do bebê fornecerá o sentido de unidade do ser e facilita, assim, uma integração da mente com corpo: isto permite um desenvolvimento saudável da expressão emocional, de modo que os sentimentos possam ser por ele experimentados de forma segura e significativa. Este livro ilustra as maneiras em que tal situação pode ser perturbada e, mais tarde, interrompido, causando os desafios da unidade mente e corpo. Descreve os mecanismos mentais e psicofisiológicos que conduzem, então, à emergência de sintomas psicossomáticos

La fascinación por la cinematografía. Entrevista al maestro Eduardo Abel Sahar

Interview Eduardo Abel Sahar is like a trip back into time where history Argentina is present in each of its stages of professional photography and its role as a teacher of different national universities in the country. It was part of the first batch of graduates from the degree in cinematography from National University of Cordoba and was one of the first teachers of this. He was involved from the place called Taller Total, System of University educational organization based on teaching method the democratic, in the Scientific Knowledge and Bonding line with the National Reality. He is director, screenwriter and cinematographer. He is director, director of photography screenwriter. He retired as a teacher, but continues to teach in each audiovisual project into that he take part, always surrounded by his former students. La entrevista a Eduardo Abel Sahar es como un viaje en el tiempo donde la historia argentina está presente en cada una de sus etapas de profesional de la fotografía y de su rol como docente de diferentes Universidades Nacionales del país. Formó parte de la primera camada de egresados de la carrera de Licenciatura en Cinematografía de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba y también fue uno de los primeros profesores de ésta. Fue partícipe de lo que se llamó Taller Total, sistema de organización universitaria cuyo método pedagógico de enseñanza se basaba en lo democrático, en el conocimiento científico y en la vinculación con la realidad nacional. Es director, director de fotografía y guionista. Está jubilado como docente, pero sigue enseñando en cada proyecto audiovisual en el que trabaja, siempre rodeado de sus ex alumnos.

Special issue on recent advances in quality control of bridges and structures

[Excerpt] Many European bridge structures are decades old and need to be refurbished, or even to be replaced. However, the high fnancial investment hinders this, making the extension of their service life the only available choice in the short term. Recognizing and assessing current risk, reducing vulnerabilities through appropriate actions and monitoring the behavior of these structures are thus possible immediate routes to solve this problem.- (undefined

Novel prefabricated panels for the repair of damaged interior RC beam-column joints

A novel prefabricated panel is introduced for the repair and strengthening of damaged interior RC beam-column joints. This prefabricated hybrid composite plate (HCP) is made of a Strain Hardening Cementitious Composite (SHCC) reinforced with CFRP materials. Besides the higher durability of this system when compared to EB-FRP, thanks to the high ductility of the SHCC, anchors can be used in combination with adhesive to attach the HCP to the concrete substrate. The first section of this paper reports the methodologies to apply HCP for the repair of two severely damaged interior RC beam-column systems. To evaluate the performance of this rehabilitation technique, the repaired specimens were subjected to the same loading pattern as it was imposed to their virgin states. Since both repaired specimens showed a higher lateral load and energy dissipation capacities than the corresponding values in their undamaged state, the effectiveness of the HCP for the repair of damaged interior beam-column joints is proved.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT