The importance of Intermediaries organizations in international R&D cooperation: an empirical multivariate study across Europe

Despite the large number of publications related to business cooperation in R&D and the wide perception of the importance of intermediary institutions in the R&D cooperation process, empirical studies on its role are scarce, scattered and fragmented. Moreover, the academic work developed in this area is basically of a theoretical nature, whereas the international perspective of R&D cooperation is seldom approached. Departing from a unique database that includes 473 R&D cooperation projects developed within the 6th Framework Programme, involving firms and intermediaries from all European Union countries, this paper gauges the determinants of the importance attached to Intermediaries, through a direct survey to the organizations involved. Based on an estimation of the multivariate model, this study demonstrates that the importance given to Intermediaries depends more on project features than on the characteristics of the participating organizations. In particular, the nationality of participating organizations and the promoter emerged with a strong explanatory power: ceteris paribus, projects with at least one participant from the United Kingdom tend to assign greater importance to intermediaries in international R&D cooperation. Unambiguously, results evidence that the innovating capacity of an organization emerges (both positively and significantly) associated with a greater importance attached to Intermediaries.R&D Cooperation; Intermediaries; International projects; Europe

Present and potential uses of Moringa oleifera as a multipurpose plant in Guinea-Bissau

A field survey in Guinea-Bissau revealed the present uses of Moringa and the knowledge of rural populations about its properties in thisWest African country. Also, a market survey in Bissau assessed the moringa products traded there. The species is planted all over the country,mainly as a living fence in homegardens. The leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant, primarily as food and in traditional medicine. The seeds are used to treat a few ailments. Only in recent years began the seeds and ground dried leaves to be traded in the markets and the local knowledge on the medicinal and dietary properties of moringa to increase. However, many of the uses reported in other parts of Africa remain unknown or undocumented in Guinea-Bissau.Much further potential use and dissemination of the qualities of this plant seem possible in the country.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of the construction of an educational mathematics game on students' attitudes and learning: Case study

Este trabalho descreve o processo de conceção e desenvolvimento de um jogo educativo de matemática denominado “Trivial matemático”, por alunos do 8.ºano de escolaridade, numa escola pública de Portugal, O jogo possibilita exercitar os mais variados conteúdos de matemática, através de pequenas adaptações, em qualquer ano de escolaridade do ensino básico. Neste trabalho investigou-se se a conceção de um jogo educativo promove a aprendizagem de conceitos matemáticos e identificaram-se implicações nas atitudes dos alunos face à matemática. A metodologia utilizada foi um design de estudo de caso. Trata-se de um estudo de caso misto pelo facto de existir uma combinação de instrumentos e técnicas, associadas aos estudos qualitativos e quantitativos. A recolha de dados, foi feita através da observação naturalista, da aplicação de tarefas e da aplicação de um inquérito por questionário. Na análise estatística dos dados foi utilizado o software SPSS. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a utilização do jogo educativo, como recurso de apoio às aulas, produz uma melhoria significativa das atitudes dos alunos face à matemática, bem como, contribui para desenvolver a motivação dos alunos. Além disso, o processo de construção do jogo educativo aponta para uma melhoria na aprendizagem de conceitos geométricos inerentes ao jogoThis work describes the process of conception and development of an educational game of mathematics called "Mathematical Trivial", by students of the eighth grade of schooling, in a public school in Portugal. The game allows to practice the most varied mathematical contents through small adaptations, in any year of elementary education. In this work, we investigated whether the design of an educational game promotes the learning of mathematical concepts and identified the implications of students' attitudes towards mathematics. The methodology used was a case study design. This is a mixed case study because there is a combination of tools and techniques associated with qualitative and quantitative studies. The data collection was done through naturalistic observation, the application of tasks and the application of a questionnaire survey. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS software. The results suggest that the use of the educational game, as a resource to support the classes, produces a significant improvement of the students 'attitudes towards mathematics, as well as, it contributes to develop students' motivation. In addition, the process of constructing the educational game points to an improvement in the learning of geometrical concepts inherent to the game, in a playful and dynamic wa

Co‐existing monophasic teratoma and uterine adenocarcinoma in a female dog

Ovarian teratomas are occasionally reported in dogs; the rarest type is the monophasic teratoma,composed of tissues originating from only one germ layer. Canine endometrial adenocarcinomas are also rare in dogs and mainly affect geriatric females. This report describes case of co-existing ovarian teratoma and uterine adenocarcinoma in a 10-year old nulliparous female Boxer presented with lethargy, anorexia and purulent vaginal discharge. Abdominal ultrasonography evidenced pyometra and a mass in the left ovary. This was composed of a uniform whitish tissue with multiple cystic structures. The histology revealed an atrophy of the ovarian parenchyma, compressed by a proliferation of well-differentiated nervous tissue staining positively to vimentin, S100 and neuronal specific enolase (NSE), and negatively to keratin and inhibin. The left uterine horn, whose diameter was markedly increased, showed foci of endometrial cellular atypia, evident nucleoli and mitoses, at light microscopy. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of a coexisting ovarian monophasic teratoma and endometrial adenocarcinoma, two rare reproductive neoplasia in dogs

Power generation by unhealthy photovoltaic modules

Hotspots are one of many defects that can occur on degraded photovoltaic system, yielding a detrimental effect on the PV module production. Infrared thermography was used to detect and quantify the severity of hotspots. Temperature difference between overheated and healthy areas was assessed. Four PV modules were analysed, one of them presenting a hotspot. A model for both healthy and unhealthy PV modules was developed, based on the single diode solar cell model and considering, exclusively, data-sheet parameters. To validate the model, the outputs for these working conditions were compared with the real outputs of the studied PV modules, which were previously measured and stored. The relationship between the severity of a hotspot and its respective impact on the power generation of the PV module was studied and the consequent monetary loss can be assessed. Thermographic analysis was enhanced as an optimizing decision-aid tool for the operation of photovoltaic installations.publishersversionpublishe

Tecnologia seamless: perspetivas futuras

Cada vez mais, a velocidade e a flexibilidade se tornam fatores essenciais para a satisfação dos desejos e das necessidades dos consumidores. Para vencer a corrida contra o tempo e a necessidade de diferenciação, o design de moda busca cada vez mais alicerces nas tecnologias, sendo a Seamless uma das disponíveis e ainda com vasto potencial de expansão. A partir da compreensão do fenômeno da tecnologia seamless, este trabalho contempla a investigação com foco em vestuário exterior, através da apresentação e análise de dados primários.Every time more, the speed and flexibility become key factors for the desires satisfaction and needs of consumers. To win the race against time and the need for differentiation, fashion design aims more foundations in technology, being the Seamless one of the available technologies, yet with a vast potential of expansion. From the understanding of the seamless technology phenomenon, this communication includes the results o a research work with a focus on outwear, through the presentation and analysis of primary data

Determinação de cobalto em vinho e mosto por espectrofotometria de absorção atómica com atomização electrotérmica. Desenvolvimento e validação do método de análise

An electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry method was optimized to quantify cobalt in musts and wines, especially within quality control scope. As far as wine samples are concerned, the method involves reduced risk of contamination by eliminating prior treatment other than dilution (1:2). For must samples a pre-treatment is needed, in order to destroy the organic matter that could interfere with the analytical determination. A conventional thermal program (with pyrolysis step), with and without matrix modifier [Mg(NO3)2], was developed and optimized. Pyrolysis and atomization curves were studied using a Co standard solution, must and wine samples. The analytical figures of merit of the method such as linearity of the calibration curve, specificity (standard additions test), accuracy, analytical limits and precision were studied using wine samples. The linear dynamic range under optimized conditions was 0.4-10.0 μg/L. The recoveries were between 87% and 98% for all of the wines and addition levels used in the test. The method presents a very satisfactory specificity for red wines, while matrix effect was observed for white wines. The limit of detection in undiluted wines was 0.8 μg/L. Repeatability was lower than 0.7 μg/L (RSD < 5%). For accuracy evaluation, Co content in six wine samples and one Co standard solution, from an international collaborative trial, was determined by ETAAS and ICP-MS with comparable results (in general the differences were lower than 5%). Bearing in mind that must samples are previously digested, it is expected that the method performance parameters are at least as favourable as those observed with wines.-----------------------------------------Apresenta-se a optimização de um método de análise para a determinação de cobalto, em mostos e vinhos, por espectrofotometria de absorção atómica com atomização electrotérmica. A preparação das amostras de vinho consiste na sua diluição (1:2), pelo que o risco de contaminação é reduzido. No caso das amostras de mosto, é necessário eliminar previamente a matéria orgânica, susceptível de causar interferências na determinação analítica. Foi optimizado um programa térmico convencional (com etapa de pirólise), com e sem adição de modificador de matriz [Mg(NO3)2]. As curvas de pirólise e de atomização foram estabelecidas com recurso a uma solução padrão de Co, mosto e vinho tintos. Foram avaliadas as seguintes características do método: linearidade da curva de calibração, especificidade (teste das adições de padrão), exactidão, limites analíticos e precisão. A gama de trabalho do método é de 0.4 a 10.0 μg/L. As taxas de recuperação variaram entre 87% e 98%, para todos os vinhos e níveis de adição utilizados no teste. A especificidade do método é bastante satisfatória para vinhos tintos, tendo sido verificada a existência de efeito de matriz nos vinhos brancos. A quantidade mínima de analito doseável em vinhos é de 0,8 μg/L e o valor da repetibilidade inferior a 0,7 μg/L (CV < 5%). A exactidão do método foi avaliada por comparação de resultados analíticos obtidos por aplicação do método proposto (ETAAS) e de um método ICP-MS, a amostras originárias de um ensaio colaborativo internacional. As diferenças observadas foram, em geral, inferiores a 5%. É de admitir que as características do método (com excepção da praticabilidade), quando aplicado a mosto, sejam no mínimo tão favoráveis quanto aquelas observadas na sua aplicação a vinhos, uma vez que as amostras de mosto são previamente mineralizadas