Decentralization And Education Performance: A First View To The Brazilian Process

This paper analyses the impact of the decentralization in educational system that is taking place in Brazil inthe last decade, as a result of several laws that encourage municipalities to invest in fundamental education.The proficiency tests undertaken by the government allows to follow some public schools in two points intime. Therefore we were able to create an experimental group with the schools that were under state system inthe SAEB exam and have migrated to the municipality system by the time of Prova Brasil and a control groupwith the schools that were under the state system between the two exams and compare the difference in theirresults using a fixed effect panel data analysis. The difference in difference estimator indicates that there is nosignificant change in the performance of the students.

The Effect of Adverse Oil Price Shocks on Monetary Policy and Output Using a Dynamic Small Open Economy General Equilibrium Model With Staggered Price for Brazil

The aim of the present research is to use a model economy built for Brazil, based on an optimizing dynamic general equilibrium model, in order to perform numerical simulations to derive the ability of the artificial economy to explain the impact of monetary policy interventions on Brazilian short run economic performance in terms of the inflation rate, output gap, interest rate and level of economic activity in the face of an adverse oil shock. It is an extension of Bugarin et al. (2005) concentrating on the consequence of energy price increases, facing different monetary policy rules. Following Hall (1988 e 1990) and Finn (2000) it is considered that an increase in energy prices acts like a negative productivity shock. The model provides an accessible description of an artificial economy with a tractable micro-founded dynamic setting with forward looking rational agents in a small open economy with a staggered pricing mechanism that generates inflation inertia and recessionary disinflations. Alternative specification of monetary reaction functions are introduced into the model economy in order to perform a sensitivity analysis of derived impulse responses to those interventions facing the negative productivity shock. The preliminary results suggest that the introduction of habit persistence into the consumption hypothesis does not make much difference. However the introduction of different monetary reaction functions does alter the impulse response of output, inflation rate, and nominal interest rate. A common result is the decline in potential output for all models. Additionally, the only case where a reduction in the output gap is observed is when using the Taylor rule that takes into consideration the output gap and past interest rates with high persistence.

Effect of wood aging on wine mineral composition and 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratio

The evolution of mineral composition and wine strontium isotopic ratio 87Sr/86Sr (Sr IR) during wood aging were investigated. A red wine was aged in stainless steel tanks with French oak staves (Quercus sessiliflora Salisb.), with three industrial scale replicates. Sampling was carried out after 30, 60, and 90 days of aging, and the wines were evaluated in terms of general analysis, phenolic composition, total polysaccharides, multielement composition, and Sr IR. Li, Be, Mg, Al, Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Sb, Cs, Ba, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu, Tl, and Pb elements and 87Sr/86Sr were determined by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS) and Na, K, Ca, and Fe by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Two-way ANOVA was applied to assess wood aging and time effect on Sr IR and mineral composition. Wood aging resulted in significantly higher concentrations of Mg, V, Co, Ni, and Sr. At the end of the aging period, wine exhibited statistically identical Sr IR compared to control. Study suggests that wood aging does not affect 87Sr/86Sr, not precluding the use of this parameter for wine traceability purposesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Validation and Comparison of Formol and FT-IR Methods for Assimilable Nitrogen in Vine Grapes

In this study, two methods used to evaluate assimilable nitrogen in grape juice were compared, namely:the formol method and the Fοurier-transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy. At the outset theformol method was validated in the laboratory by determining parameters such as precision, accuracyand trueness. Parallel recovery studies were conducted with a model solution and natural grape juice forammonium and arginine. Average recoveries of ammonium for the formol titration ranged from 77%to 88% and for arginine from 90% to 97%. The repeatability and the intra laboratory reproducibilitywere ±6.4 and ±31.7 (mg/L of nitrogen) respectively. Formol titration was used as the reference methodfor the calibration of FT-MIR spectroscopy to determine the assimilable nitrogen in grape juice. Grapejuice samples (n=71) for 7 red and 7 white varieties from the Lisbon region in Portugal were analyzedsimultaneously by using the formol method and Fοurier-transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy.The results of this study demonstrated that it is possible to explore the applicability of FT-ÎœIR technologyto detect the assimilable nitrogen in grape juice for quantification purposes. The correlation coefficient(R2=0. 993), standard prediction error (SEP; 6.4 mg/L) and the RPD or standard deviation of the data/standard error of prediction value (Sd/Se; 7.8) proved satisfactory for the calibration of the instrument.In addition, the results obtained by FT-MIR spectroscopy were comparable to those obtained when usingthe reference method

Brand marks examination. Empirical study of graphic parts in their relation to contrast, recognition, and memorization

Brand Visual Identity is an identification system that, with flexibility, ensures the unity and coherence of visual communication (in multiple media: physical as products, objects, or graphics; architectural and ambiance; audio-visual; digital and virtual). Brand Marks occupy a top place in the good performance of most Brand Visual Identity systems, even when these rely more on imagery and use Brand Marks with less expressiveness. In dynamic Visual Identity systems, the Brand Marks may constitute themselves as systems within the Brand Visual Identity supersystem. This study aims to dissect existing brand marks, focusing on how the graphic components (symbol, logotype) are designed, prioritised, and correlated to achieve differentiation, contrast, recognition, and memorisation. This include an empirical examination based on direct observation and exploration and in survey by questionnaire with a sample of 400 participants, aiming at the definition of design principles to aid the design of Brand Marks and to be considered in the definition of the “map of competitors” tool, which intends to aid in the analysis of multiple visual identities competing in the same market or segment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The concept and simulations

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The AuthorsA novel design of an ionisation vacuum gauge is presented, aiming to achieve predictable sensitivity and high accuracy in high and the ultra-high vacuum range. The proposed design features a belt-like electron beam emitted from a linear filament, following a circular trajectory between two cylindrical electrodes, resembling a cylindrical analyser. The proposed design offers several key upsides: a precisely defined electron beam trajectory with reduced susceptibility to path variations, effective electron collection in a Faraday cup able to contain secondary emissions and backscattered electrons, and the inclusion of a suppressor grid in front of the ion collector to eliminate ion-induced secondary electron emission. These features are expected to secure high stability of the gauge and the low pressure limit. An in-depth description of the design is presented, along with the discussions on simulations of the key components that provide the improved performance.publishersversionpublishe

Conformity assessment of multicomponent materials or objects: Risk of false decisions due to measurement uncertainty - A case study of denatured alcohols

partially_open4sìPosition paper of the IUPAC/CITAC Project "Risks of conformity assessment of a multicomponent material or object in relation to measurement uncertainty of its test results" Project No.: 2016-007-1-500; Start Date: 01 June 2016; Division Name: Analytical Chemistry Division; Division No.: 500. Accepted for publication in 2016 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2016.11.035).Risk of a false decision on conformity of a multicomponent material or object due to measurement uncertainty is discussed. Even if conformity assessment for each component of a material sample is successful, the total probability of a false decision (total consumer's risk or producer's risk) concerning the sample as a whole might still be significant. A model of the total probability of such false decisions is formulated based on the law (theorem) of total probability. It is shown that the total risk can be evaluated as a combination of the particular risks of conformity assessment of sample components. For a more complicated task, i.e. for a larger number of components of a sample under control, the total risk is greater. As a case study, the total probability of false conforming (total consumer's risk) is evaluated for customs control of completely denatured alcohols, where conformity assessment is performed by comparison of chemical analytical test results with the regulatory limits.openKuselman, Ilya; Pennecchi, Francesca; da Silva, Ricardo J N B; Brynn Hibbert, DKuselman, Ilya; Pennecchi, FRANCESCA ROMANA; da Silva, Ricardo J. N. B; Brynn Hibbert, D

Effect of the magnetic field on the operation of ionisation gauges

Funding Information: The support of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology via the grants UIDB/00068/2020 and UIDP/00068/2020 is gratefully acknowledged. One of the authors (R. Silva) would like also to express his gratitude to the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology for his scholarship UI/BD/150626/2020. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Elsevier LtdHot cathode ionisation gauges are the only reliable pressure measurement devices suitable for both high and ultra-high vacuum measurement. These devices are characterized by low accuracy that is hardly better than 20%. The sources of loss of accuracy are documented in the literature although their quantification and details are not fully understood. In the present work, simulations of Bayard-Alpert and extractor gauges were performed under the influence of uniform magnetic fields up to 30 Gs. Results are in qualitative agreement with measurements taken previously with the Bayard-Alpert gauge. Both gauges are sensitive to low intensity magnetic fields which may be present in vacuum chambers. However, the extractor gauge proved to be more stable in the presence of a magnetic field due to its ring-shaped cathode.publishersversionpublishe

Overcoming inertia : drivers of the outsourcing process

Almost all managers have directly or indirectly been involved in the practice of outsourcing in recent years. But as they know, outsourcing is not straightforward. Outsourcing inertia, when companies are slow to adapt to changing circumstances that accommodate higher outsourcing levels, may undermine a firm’s performance. This article investigates the presence of outsourcing inertia and the factors that help managers overcome it. Using statistical evidence, we show that positive performance effects related to outsourcing can accumulate when circumstances change. This is then followed by rapid increases in outsourcing levels (i.e. outsourcing processes). We investigate what gives rise to these outsourcing processes through follow-up interviews with sourcing executives, which suggest five drivers behind outsourcing processes: managerial initiative (using outside experience); hierarchy (foreign headquarters); imitation (of competitors and of similar firms); outsider advice (from external institutions); knowledge sources (using external information). These five drivers all offer scope for managerial action. We tie them to academic literatures and suggest ways of investigating their presence and impact on the outsourcing process. Overall, we conclude that while economizing factors play a key role in explaining how much firms outsource, it is socializing factors that tend to drive outsourcing processes

Prevalence and pattern of cognitive impairment in rural and urban populations from Northern Portugal

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite worldwide recognition of the burden of dementia, no epidemiological data is yet available in Portugal. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence and describe the pattern of cognitive impairment with dementia or no dementia (CIND) in rural and urban populations from Northern Portugal.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two random samples of residents aged 55 to 79 years in rural and urban communities were drawn from the health centres registries to be screened for cognitive impairment. The screening criteria for dementia were an abnormal Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score or a Blessed Dementia Scale score. After excluding those who tested positive for dementia, cut-off points for CIND were set at 1 standard deviation below the mean of the MMSE according to educational level. All those who screened positive either for dementia or CIND were examined by a neurologist for establishing a definitive diagnosis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of cognitive impairment was higher in rural than in urban populations, 16.8% (95% CI: 14.3-19.8%) vs. 12.0% (95%CI: 9.3-15.4%), with a rural/urban prevalence ratio (PR) of 2.16 (95% CI: 1.04-4.50) in the eldest and 2.19 (95% CI: 1.01-4.76) in persons with vascular risk factors. The prevalence of dementia was 2.7% (95% CI: 1.9-3.8%) with a rural/urban PR = 2.1 and the prevalence of CIND was 12.3% (95% CI: 10.4-14.4%) and PR = 1.3. The prevalence of dementia increases exponentially with age and in those with cerebrovascular disease or other comorbid conditions while the prevalence of CIND, besides these factors, is also higher in persons with low levels of education or vascular risk factors. Alzheimer's and vascular disease were equally likely aetiologies of dementia (38.7%), the later more common in men PR(F:M = 0.3) as opposed to the former PR(F:M = 2.0). Vascular CIND, associated either with cerebrovascular disease or vascular risk factors was more frequent (39.7%) then depression (18.4%) or any other aetiology.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The prevalence of cognitive impairment is higher in rural compared with urban populations. This is shown in the synergy between age and rurality, with the rural/urban prevalence ratio increasing with age. In this relatively young population from Northern Portugal, cerebrovascular disease as well as vascular risk factors account for 48% of overall cognitive impairment.</p