Projecto Rodentia : etologia aplicada na sala de aula do 1º Ciclo

p. 275-279O Projecto Rodentia, implementado no ano 2006/2007, visa promover a cultura científica em alunos do 1º ciclo do Ensino Básico, familiarizando-os com o Método Científico e desenvolvendo competências conceptuais, processuais e atitudinais, com base na Etologia Aplicada e na reflexão ética sobre o bem-estar animal. Foram instalados em três salas de aula habitats especialmente desenhados, contendo cada um dois ratos de laboratório. Inicialmente orientadas, as crianças começaram de modo progressivamente autónomo a propor actividades experimentais, registar e interpretar resultados e tirara conclusões, tacitamente aprendendo o Método Científico. Recorreu-se à observação comportamental e análise de trabalhos dos alunos para avaliar o desenvolvimento da lógica condicional nestes alunos

Project management practices for collaborative university-industry R&D: a hybrid approach

This paper aims to help stakeholders involved in collaborative university-industry R&D initiatives by presenting a hybrid project management (PM) approach, with a set of key distinct PM practices for this particular context. Collaborative university-industry R&D initiatives are usually organized as programs with a set of related projects associated. Therefore, a hybrid PM approach was developed based on a case study research strategy. During the large case study analysis two research methods were applied: participant observation and document analysis. The hybrid management approach was developed based on the contingency theory, which identifies a set of 24 Must Have PM practices, and that are transversal to all projects in the program as the program governance must have to be assured. Additionally, it identifies three different sets of Nice to Have PM practices, which are optional and are dependent on the particular project context and PM approach adopted by each project team: waterfall or agile. Overall 32 Nice to Have PM practices were identified, being 15 of them agile, 3 waterfall and the 14 remaining transversal to both agile and waterfall approaches.This research is sponsored by the Portugal Incentive System for Research and Technological Development. Project in co-promotion nº 002814/2015 (iFACTORY 2015-2018) and by the FCT (SFRH/BPD/111033/2015)

An extension of the improving and embedding project management practice framework: Case study analysis

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop and test an extension of a previously conceived framework for improving and embedding project management (PM) practice in organisations. The framework identifies the most useful project management improvement initiatives (PMIIs) and the key factors for embedding PM practice. However, professionals need guidance on how to operationalise such framework in their organisations, therefore a method for applying the framework is developed. Design/methodology/approach: The method being proposed for applying the framework is demonstrated and tested with a large University–Industry consortium case study. During the case study analysis three research methods were applied: participant observation, document analysis and focus groups. Findings: In what concerns both the PMIIs and key embedding factors in the framework, the proposed method comprises their acknowledgement, scoring, relevance analysis, selection and planning. The detailed report on how the framework was applied in the particular case study also sheds light on how University–Industry consortiums can make use of PM to become more successful. Research limitations/implications: The research was performed using only one case study which limits the generalisability of its findings. Practical implications: Detailed guidance is provided for applying the framework’s both constructs, “improving” and “embedding”, through a set of clear steps. Originality/value: The paper shows the explanatory power of the framework for improving and embedding PM practice in a case study, demonstrating that the method for its application is practical and suitable.FCT - Fundació Catalana de Trasplantament(SFRH/BPD/111033/2015

Planning benefits realization in a collaborative university-industry R&D funded program

This paper presents a benefits management (BM) approach adopted during the planning of a collaborative university-industry R&D funded program, named IC-HMI Program, in order to pursue benefits realization. The BM approach embraced four main phases: 'Identify expected benefits' 'Plan benefits realization' 'Pursue benefits realization' and 'Transfer and ensure benefits realization' each one comprising key activities that should be performed with a clear set of outputs to be generated. Particular focus is given to the benefits identification, and to the development of a Benefit Breakdown Structure (BBS), assuming the key role of such a formatting technique to target project benefits. It is the first and critical step in the BM process. Based on a review of literature, and the three research methods adopted during the IC-HMI case study analysis: a set of 33 benefits were identified, which can be used by professionals and academics as a checklist for benefits identification of their own initiatives. Additionally, the BBS implemented in IC-HMI program to qualify and better understand each benefit and its intrinsic properties, can be used to facilitate planning and benefits realization.FCT - Fundació Catalana de Trasplantament(SFRH/BPD/111033/2015

Applying a method for measuring the performance of university-industry R&D collaborations: case study analysis

Collaborations between university and industry are possibly the most important strategic instrument used to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of industrial investments in Research and Development (R&D), and have been increasing, which assigns even more importance to the need for measuring their performance. Therefore, a method to measure university-industry R&D collaborations, named MPUIC, developed based on Design Science Research methodology (DSRM), was applied and validated through a case study. This paper firstly describes some improvements made to the previously developed MPUIC method before its application to a large program between the University of Minho and Bosch Car Multimedia (Portugal). The MPUIC method adopted a weighted scoring approach, and is composed by 31 performance indicators, distributed through the program management life cycle. Secondly, the performance measurement of the case study program is conducted, resulting in a score of 4.4 in a scale of 1 to 5, where 5 indicates "very high" performance. Finally, a questionnaire was administered to evaluate the developed method and, from the 31 performance indicators that compose the method, 29 were evaluated as having a level of relevance above 3 in a scale of 1 to 5 and, from these, 19 were evaluated as having a level of relevance equal to or above 4.This research is sponsored by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia FCT (SFRH/BPD/111033/2015), and by the Portugal Incentive System for Research and Technological Development. Project in co-promotion nº 039479/2018 (FoF 2018-2021

Value of project management in university–industry R&D collaborations

Purpose: University–industry projects provide special challenges in understanding and expressing the values required of project management (PM) in delivering stakeholder benefits. This paper presents a framework for understanding, identifying and managing the values of PM in major university–industry R&D projects. Design/methodology/approach: The value framework identifies for each of the key stakeholders, the key PM values that may require to be managed and are largely derived from research literature. Empirical research then explores, prioritises and selects key PM values that need to be managed for a specific project. A large case study is used involving one university and one industry collaborating on a multi-million Euro initiative over six years. Empirical research was conducted by researchers who observed at close quarters, the challenges and successes of managing the competing values of key stakeholders. Findings: The value framework takes a stakeholders' perspective by identifying the respective PM values for each of six stakeholders: university–industry consortium, university, industry, R&D external entities, funding entity and society. Research limitations/implications: The research was performed using only one case study which limits the generalisability of its findings; however, the findings are presented as a decision support aid for project consortia in developing values for their own collaboration. Practical implications: Guidance and decision support are provided to multi-stakeholder research consortia when selecting values that need to be managed for achieving tangible and intangible project benefits. Originality/value: The paper demonstrates a proposed framework for designing and managing the value of PM in large multi-stakeholder university–industry R&D projects.INCT-EN - Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia para Excitotoxicidade e Neuroproteção(SFRH/BPD/111033/2015

REQUIRED COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION ANALYSES IN RUNNING

The purpose of this study was to analyze the possible alterations in the required coefficient of friction (RCOF) in running under the following conditions: a) barefoot against shod; b) self-selected velocity and cadence versus imposed cadence and c) along three running phases (initial contact, mid-stance and propulsion). Two Kistler force plates were used to measure the horizontal and vertical components of ground reaction forces in order to calculate the RCOF. Statistical differences were found for cadence and phase factors. Barefoot-Shod conditions did not present statistical differences. An interaction between velocity and phase of cycle was found. At propulsion phase, an increased RCOF were revealed, especially with the interaction of an imposed cadence. In conclusion, the present study supports the relevance of RCOF as a variable affecting and being affected during running to be taken into consideration at many experimental conditions

BiLaWO6: Er3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ phosphor: study of multiple fluorescence intensity ratiometric thermometry at cryogenic temperatures

publishe

Antibacterial Activity of Nanocomposites of Copper and Cellulose

The design of cheap and safe antibacterial materials for widespread use has been a challenge in materials science. The use of copper nanostructures combined with abundant biopolymers such as cellulose offers a potential approach to achieve such materials though this has been less investigated as compared to other composites. Here, nanocomposites comprising copper nanofillers in cellulose matrices have been prepared by in situ and ex situ methods. Two cellulose matrices (vegetable and bacterial) were investigated together with morphological distinct copper particulates (nanoparticles and nanowires). A study on the antibacterial activity of these nanocomposites was carried out for Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae, as pathogen microorganisms. The results showed that the chemical nature and morphology of the nanofillers have great effect on the antibacterial activity, with an increase in the antibacterial activity with increasing copper content in the composites. The cellulosic matrices also show an effect on the antibacterial efficiency of the nanocomposites, with vegetal cellulose fibers acting as the most effective substrate. Regarding the results obtained, we anticipate the development of new approaches to prepare cellulose/copper based nanocomposites thereby producing a wide range of interesting antibacterial materials with potential use in diverse applications such as packaging or paper coatings