Socioeconomic inequalities and school readiness in low and middle-income countries : Does access to early years education make a difference?

Studies from high, low and middle-income countries suggest significant associations between poverty and children’s school readiness outcomes (Bornstein et al., 2012). While consistent evidence, mostly from high income countries, indicate that parental income influences school readiness through ability to afford educational resources as well as parenting behaviours (Sosu & Schmidt, 2017), our understanding of these mechanisms in low and middle income countries is poor (Wolf, & McCoy, 2019). Additionally, we know little about the extent to which current educational policies such as the introduction of universal early years education moderate the poverty and school readiness gap. In this ongoing study, we draw on family investment models to shed light on the relationship between poverty and school readiness outcomes. Further, we investigate the extent to which access to early childhood education moderate the relationship between poverty and school readiness

The Mediating Effect of Parental Involvement on School Climate and Behavior Problems: School Personnel Perceptions

As a reflection of the culture and norms of the school community, the school climate (SC) is a potential factor connected to students’ major behavior problems (BP). Parental involvement (PI) is considered as an essential factor for SC, contributing to promote good students’ educational results, as well as better social functioning. The present study aimed to analyze the mediating effect of PI on the relationship between SC and BP, taking into consideration the school personnel perceptions. A total of 329 school personnel (teachers versus no teachers) aged between 29 and 66 (M = 50.78, SD = 7.56), mainly female (79%), were integrated in the sample. Based on the perception of the school personnel, the results indicate moderate level of PI and SC, as well as the existence of different BP in the school context. The mediating effect of PI in the relationship between the SC and BP has been demonstrated. These results suggest that, if the SC and PI are improved, it could be an effective strategy to enhance the social functioning of students in the school context. This study thus contributes to a comprehensive empirical analysis of how PI can improve the relationship between the SC and the BP of Portuguese students.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A integração Google Earth-SIG-Servidor de mapas e o monitoramento ambiental.

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Rammed Earth Construction Nowadays - Comparing Methodologies and Design Between Portugal and USA

The future of earthen construction depends on the way it is adapted to our comfort needs, to the new standards and building codes. Based on site visits and interviews, this study is a comparative overview of several rammed earth recent works, in Portugal and in the USA. The main goal is to compare different strategies of rammed earth construction, regarding distinct cultures, climate and resources, technical background and methodologies, taking into consideration all the agents involved within the process. A detailed analysis of contemporary rammed earth masterworks was performed in both countries and a very distinct approach was found regarding design and constructive solutions. New strategies have been developed for innovation, combining traditional techniques with modern construction systems and new materials, changing the earthen construction paradigm. Nevertheless, earthen materials are still seen as an alternative and experimental resource, fulfilling some clients expectations and builders ambition to make different architecture

Experimental observation of fractional topological phases with photonic qudits

Geometrical and topological phases play a fundamental role in quantum theory. Geometric phases have been proposed as a tool for implementing unitary gates for quantum computation. A fractional topological phase has been recently discovered for bipartite systems. The dimension of the Hilbert space determines the topological phase of entangled qudits under local unitary operations. Here we investigate fractional topological phases acquired by photonic entangled qudits. Photon pairs prepared as spatial qudits are operated inside a Sagnac interferometer and the two-photon interference pattern reveals the topological phase as fringes shifts when local operations are performed. Dimensions $d = 2, 3$ and $4$ were tested, showing the expected theoretical values.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Programação de servidor de mapas para disponibilização de dados geográficos multidisciplinares utilizando tecnologias livres.

A crescente utilização de geotecnologias, e consequente elaboração de bases cartográficas, vem demandando a implementação de ferramentas para acesso dinâmico e interativo às informações organizadas. Servidores de mapas possibilitam a integração de informações geográficas representadas por mapas temáticos, imagens de satélite, fotografias aéreas ortorretificadas, e modelos 3D ou de realidade virtual georreferenciados. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho apresenta procedimentos adotados para a programação do servidor de mapas desenvolvido para facilitar o acesso a informações georreferenciadas disponibilizadas no GeoPortal da Embrapa Milho e Sorgo. O servidor de mapas permite o acesso a bases cartográficas digitais na internet de forma interativa e dinâmica, utilizando software livres, considerando as plataformas Windows e Linux e possibilitando a integração espacial de informações geográficas multidisciplinares provenientes de diferentes fontes e formatos.bitstream/item/95877/1/doc-158.pd

Cyber and offline dating abuse in a portuguese sample: prevalence and context of abuse

The increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and networking has promoted the occurrence of different forms of victimization, specifically in terms of interpersonal interaction (e.g., cyberbullying or online risk-taking behaviour), which also includes cyber dating abuse (CDA). Some studies report that CDA is an extension of offline dating abuse (ODA). Because Portuguese studies in this area are scarce, this study aims to bridge this knowledge gap, seeking to investigate the extent and the context of CDA occurrence, and the relationship between CDA and all forms of ODA, i.e., physical, verbal-emotional and control. A convenience sample of 173 Portuguese adolescents and young adults was studied. This sample is mostly female (86.7%), has a mean (M) age of 25.36 years old and a standard deviation (SD) of 6.88 years of age. The results show that CDA and ODA among the Portuguese are very prevalent and related. Control (31.8 vs. 20.8%) and verbal-emotional ODA (26.7 vs. 20.2%) as well as control CDA (38.2 vs. 43.4%) were the most prevalent forms of abuse, either in terms of victimization or in terms of perpetration. The results also showed that CDA usually appears in a context of jealousy, also explaining control CDA and CDA direct aggression. A significant relationship between control CDA and CDA direct aggression and physical, verbal-emotional and control ODA was found. Experiencing control and verbal-emotional ODA are the main risk factors of control CDA victimization. This study allows to lay the groundwork for further research on dating victimization and perpetration through ICT, and has important practical implications at the level of Portuguese prevention strategies and intervention policies, thus emphasizing the role of the official authorities and the law itself.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Edge phonons in black phosphorus

Exfoliated black phosphorus has recently emerged as a new two-dimensional crystal that, due to its peculiar and anisotropic crystalline and electronic band structures, may have potentially important applications in electronics, optoelectronics and photonics. Despite the fact that the edges of layered crystals host a range of singular properties whose characterization and exploitation are of utmost importance for device development, the edges of black phosphorus remain poorly characterized. In this work, the atomic structure and the behavior of phonons near different black phosphorus edges are experimentally and theoretically studied using Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. Polarized Raman results show the appearance of new modes at the edges of the sample, and their spectra depend on the atomic structure of the edges (zigzag or armchair). Theoretical simulations confirm that the new modes are due to edge phonon states that are forbidden in the bulk, and originated from the lattice termination rearrangements.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figure