VCube-PS: A Causal Broadcast Topic-based Publish/Subscribe System

In this work we present VCube-PS, a topic-based Publish/Subscribe system built on the top of a virtual hypercube-like topology. Membership information and published messages are broadcast to subscribers (members) of a topic group over dynamically built spanning trees rooted at the publisher. For a given topic, the delivery of published messages respects the causal order. VCube-PS was implemented on the PeerSim simulator, and experiments are reported including a comparison with the traditional Publish/Subscribe approach that employs a single rooted static spanning-tree for message distribution. Results confirm the efficiency of VCube-PS in terms of scalability, latency, number and size of messages.Comment: Improved text and performance evaluation. Added proof for the algorithms (Section 3.4

A Multiple Criteria Framework to Evaluate Bank Branch Potential Attractiveness

Remarkable progress has occurred over the years in the performance evaluation of bank branches. Even though financial measures are usually considered the most important in assessing branch viability, we posit that insufficient attention has been given to other factors that affect the branches’ potential profitability and attractiveness. Based on the integrated used of cognitive maps and MCDA techniques, we propose a framework that adds value to the way that potential attractiveness criteria to assess bank branches are selected and to the way that the trade-offs between those criteria are obtained. This framework is the result of a process involving several directors from the five largest banks operating in Portugal, and follows a constructivist approach. Our findings suggest that the use of cognitive maps systematically identifies previously omitted criteria that may assess potential attractiveness. The use of MCDA techniques may clarify and add transparency to the way trade-offs are dealt with. Advantages and disadvantages of the proposed framework are also discussed.

Associação dos níveis de actividade física habitual com a coordenação motora, as habilidades motoras e a aptidão física em crianças

O nível de actividade física habitual (AF) é um factor importante na prevenção de uma série de doenças crónicas. Supõe-se que os hábitos de AF que se instalam durante a infância poderão perdurar até à idade adulta, contudo não estão esclarecidos quais os factores associados à adesão à prática de AF. O objectivo foi estudar os efeitos da coordenação motora (CM), das habilidades motoras (HM) e da aptidão física (ApF) no nível de AF habitual em crianças. A amostra foi constituída por 143 crianças (meninas n = 69, meninos n = 74) com idades compreendidas entre os 4 e os 9 anos. Foi utilizada a bateria Fitnessgram para avaliar a ApF. A coordenação motora foi avaliada através da bateria KTK. As HM foram avaliadas com a bateria TGMD2. A AF foi avaliada através de pedometria, tendo sido registado o número de passos ao longo de uma semana completa. Para análise foi considerada a média diária de passos. Foi realizada uma regressão múltipla passo-a-passo, tendo a AF como variável dependente. De todas as variáveis apenas a avaliação locomotora da bateria de habilidades motoras TGMD2 foi retida como preditor dos níveis de AF. A variância explicada é baixa (1%)

Physical fitness predicts adiposity longitudinal changes over childhood and adolescence

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of physical fitness (PF) on the development of subcutaneous adipose tissue in children followed longitudinally over a 9 year period ranging from childhood to adolescence. Design: This longitudinal study followed 518 healthy participants (262 boys, 256 girls) over a 9-year period ranging from childhood (age 6) to adolescence (age 15). Adiposity (triceps and subscapular skinfolds), and fitness (60 s sit-ups, flexed arm hang, standing long jump, 50mdash, 10mshuttle run, sit-and-reach, and 20mpacer run) were assessed at four annual time points during primary school, and on a follow up, 6 years later, during secondary school. Methods: Growth in subcutaneous fat was modeled within a HLM statistical framework, using fitness components as time changing predictors. Results: Flexed arm hang (ˇ =−0.059; p = 0.000), standing long jump (ˇ =−0.072; p = 0.000), 60 s sit-ups (ˇ =−0.041; p = 0.040), 50mdash (ˇ = 0.956; p = 0.000), and 20mPACER (ˇ =−0.077; p = 0.000) tests, were found to predict changes on body fat growth over the years, independently of sex. Conclusions: Improving PF individual levels can positively influence adiposity deposition over the time period covering childhood and adolescence. That occurs independently of the typical sex differentiated adiposity growth

Effects of psychosocial variables in the similarity and interdependence of physical activity levels among adolescent best friend dyads

Given that physical activity (PA) tends to decrease with age during adolescence, addressing factors that affect change are important. The present study examined the similarity and interdependence of PA as influenced by psychosocial factors among adolescent best friend dyads. Six hundred and sixty (660) adolescents, representing 330 best friend dyads, completed questionnaires with regard to PA, sitting time, perceived exercise benefits and barriers, physical self-perception and social support for PA. Dyads were also identified as reciprocal and non-reciprocal best friends; reciprocal means that both considered each other best friends and non-reciprocal were those in which only one considered the other a best friend. Data were analysed using a hierarchical linear model framework. Results indicated significant similarities between reciprocal best friend dyads for PA and sitting time, and for sitting time in non-reciprocal best friends (ps <.01). Psychosocial variables were associated with PA in reciprocal best friend dyads and with sitting time in reciprocal and non-reciprocal best friend dyads. Best friend gender, regular sports practice of the person, perceived exercise barriers of the best friend and best friend social support, were the best predictors for PA

A coordenação motora, as habilidades motoras e a aptidão física como preditores dos níveis de actividade física habitual das crianças

Os níveis de actividade fisica (AF) são um factor importante na prevenção de uma série de doenças crónicas. Não estão identificados quais os factores associados à adesão à prática de AF. O objectivo foi estudar como preditores dos níveis de AF das crianças a coordenação motora (eM), as habilidades motoras (HM) e a aptidão fisica (ApF) no intervalo de um ano. Oitenta e nove crianças (meninas n = 43, meninos n = 46) foram avaliadas em dois anos consecutivos, tendo no primeiro ano idades compreendidas entre os 4 e os 9 anos. Foi utilizada bateria Fitnessgram para avaliar a ApF nos seguintes itens: extensões de braços, abdominais, extensão do tronco e corrida/marcha da milha. A eM foi avaliação através da bateria KTK. As habilidades motoras foram avaliadas com a bateria TGMD2. A AF habitual foi avaliada através de pedometria, tendo sido colocado em cada criança um pedómetro que recolheu os passos ao longo de uma semana completa. Para análise foi considerada a média diária de passos. Foi realizada uma regressão múltipla passo-a-passo, tendo a como variável dependente a AF no segundo ano de avaliações. De todas as variáveis avaliadas apenas a avaliação locomotora da bateria de habilidades motoras TGMD2 foi retida como preditor dos níveis de AF. A variância explicada é baixa (6,3 %)

Reliability and construct validity of the test of gross motor development-2 in portuguese children

The use of several different assessment motor tools make difficult to make comparisons of childhood motor competence across countries. Although the Test Gross Motor Development 2 (TGMD-2) is one of the most used instruments for assessing motor competence, its validation for Portuguese population is needed. The aim of the article is to examine the psychometric proprieties of the TGMD-2, using a Portuguese sample. Totally 330 children aged 5–10 years were assessed with TGMD-2. Cronbach’s alpha assessed internal consistency. Test–retest reliability was estimated with the Bland–Altman method. Construct validity was assessed by a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The hypothesised model used 12 items and 2 factors: object control and locomotor skills. The test–retest reliability analysis was good, with an agreement ratio of .96 (.09) for 12 skills. Cronbach’s alpha values showed acceptable internal consistency (.69 for 12 items, .46 for locomotor skills, and .64 for object control skills). The results of the CFA [CFI = .956, NFI = .868, NNFI = .937, SRMR = .048, and RMSEA = .036 (90% CI: .010–.054)] support the two factor structure of the original version. Portuguese TGMD-2 version is a reliable and valid tool to assess the gross motor skills of Portuguese children aged 5–10 years.4811-99FE-2ECD | Luis Paulo RodriguesN/

Developmental pathways of cardiorespiratory fitness from 6 to 15 years of age

Most of the information gathered about physical fitness of paediatric populations are cross-sectional, resulting in normative perspectives that account for average values relative to age, but not to a comprehensive understanding of developmental individual trajectories. The aim of this study was to model the longitudinal development of cardiorespiratory fitness of boys and girls from 6 to 15 years of age, using an individual centred approach. Two hundred twenty-nine school children (128 boys; 101 girls) were followed on their 20 metres shuttle run test (20mSRT) results from 6 to 15 years of age. Annual measurements were made during the four years of primary school, and again at grade 9th or 10th. Individual trajectories of 20mSRT development were modelled and grouped according to their similarities of change in three different developmental pathways that were included in subsequent hierarchical nested models for testing each sex developmental model of cardiorespiratory fitness. Final models including the developmental pathways showed better deviance statistics (p .50), meaning these models capture well the existing variability, in respect to the rate of change. Individual pathways of change in the performance of 20mSRT test can be detected in childhood and adolescence. Additionally, all individual?s developmental trajectories in 20mSRT can be described using three significantly different slopes. These pathways are indicative of a high, average, or low rate of change in performance over the years and differ from the normative approach.4811-99FE-2ECD | Luis Paulo RodriguesN/

Effectiveness of physical education to promote motor competence in primary school children

Motor skill (MS) competence is an important contributing factor for healthy development. The goal was to test the effectiveness of primary school physical education (PE) on MS and physical fitness (PF) development. Three classes (n = 60, aged 9.0 ± 0.9) were randomly assigned to three diverse conditions during a school year: two PE lessons/week (PE-2), three PE lessons/week (PE-3), and no PE lessons control group (CG). BMI, skinfolds, PF (9-min run/walk, sit-up, modified pull-ups), gymnastics, soccer, handball, basketball and track-and-field skills were evaluated. Effect sizes (d) were reported as magnitude of change. Skinfolds significantly increased only in CG (d = 1.21). PF composite z-scores improved in PE-3 (d = 0.61), but decreased in PE-2 (d = 0.57), and had no changes in CG. Statistically significant improvement was verified in gymnastics and handball skills in both experimental groups (gymnastic: d = 2.95 and d = 2.61 for PE-3 and PE-2, respectively; handball: d = 1.87 and d = 0.57 for PE-3 and PE-2, respectively), and no changes were seen in CG. In soccer, there were improvements only in the PE-3 (d = 0.55), and in basketball only in PE-2 (d = 0.46). There were no changes in any group for track-and-field skills. PE programs can effectively promote PF and MS development.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio