Location of foreign firms in Portugal: A network approach

The importance of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the foreign firm in the portuguese economy has been rising quite significantly for the last years. Nevertheless, we might say that there has been little work which brings into focus the factors that provide us with a consistent explanation about the location of the foreign manufacturing firm. The paper try to clear up the above mentioned issue, considering an analytical framework that integrates the network approach. In this framework the social, intra-entrepreneurial, inter-entrepreneurial (both national and local) and the local institutional networks are supposed to exert a relevant influence on the location decision making process of the foreign manufacturing firm.

Regional Products, Regions' Reputation and Commercial Strategies: A Tale of Two Cheese Suppliers

Networks of firms producing and selling regional products to domestic and foreign markets are influencing the direction and options of local development. Regional products are embedded in historical tradition and geographic, cultural and social specificity. Most of the local activities are performed by clustered SME's in well defined geographical areas. To study the mechanisms and factors which favour spontaneous development in specific areas and make SME's competitive through cluster development we used case study methodology. An evolutionary perspective of "Casa Matias" and "Casa dos Queijos", two portuguese SME's, is expected to illustrate which key factors triggered the firm's cheese business and, simultaneously, examine organisational practices with particular emphasis on cluster formation and internationalisation process. From this analysis we expected to conceptualise a specific policy scheme to help developing spontaneous entrepreneurship, cooperation between clustered SME's and local collective development.

Life-threatening retroperitoneal hematoma after percutaneous vertebroplasty for lumbar fracture

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure with specific potential complications. Among these, vascular injuries have seldomly been reported. We present a rare case of retroperitoneal hematoma, presumably from injury to one of the lumbar arteries following percutaneous vertebroplasty in a patient treated for lumbar fracture. Even though the situation was life-threatening, conservative treatment and support measures sufficed in controlling the bleeding and the patient recovered fully. Spine surgeons should be especially aware of this specific and often late-presenting complication, as early recognition and prompt treatment are fundamental to decrease its morbidity and mortality

Tacrolimus eye drops as monotherapy for vernal keratoconjunctivitis: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of monotherapy using tacrolimus eye drops versus sodium cromoglycate for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). Methods: Randomized double-masked controlled trial comparing the efficacy of tacrolimus 0.03% eye drops t.i.d. (Group 1) with sodium cromoglycate 4% eye drops t.i.d. (Group 2) for the symptomatic control of VKC at days 0, 15, 30, 45, and 90 of follow-up. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and other complications were evaluated to assess safety and side effects. Results: In total, 16 patients were included, with 8 enrolled in each group. Two patients from Group 2 were excluded from the analysis at days 45 and 90 because of corticosteroid use. Most patients were male (81.8%) and presented with limbal VKC (56.3%). There were statistically significant differences in favor of tacrolimus in the following severity scores: itching at day 90 (p = 0.001)foreign body sensation at day 15 (p = 0.042)photophobia at day 30 (p = 0.041)keratitis at day 30 (p = 0.048)and limbal activity at days 15 (p = 0.011), 30 (p = 0.007), and 45 (p = 0.015). No relevant adverse effects were reported, except for a burning sensation with tacrolimus, though this did not compromise treatment compliance. Conclusion: Treatment with tacrolimus was superior to sodium cromoglycate when comparing severity scores for symptoms of itching, foreign body sensation, and photophobia, as well as for signs of limbal inflammatory activity and keratitis.Instituto da Visao (IPEPO), Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ophthalmol & Visual Sci, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ophthalmol & Visual Sci, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

GAMIFICAR: A GAMIFICAÇÃO APLICADA EM AMBIENTES DE ENSINO E APRENDIZAGEM

Digital resources are increasingly seen as tools for work and personal and professional growth. It is necessary that the school and the teacher are prepared to face these new challenges. Teaching is no longer just about teaching how to read and write, just in pencil, board and chalk, to the classroom space. It is important to understand that education needs to adapt to the new reality and it is up to the teacher to prepare for this new reality, becoming the great protagonist of this new Technological Age. The new technological resources, used pedagogically by teachers, will contribute effectively to innovative learning. However, it is necessary to evaluate the context in which the teacher is inserted, his difficulties and his pedagogical practice and his ability to adapt to the role of mediator of contents allied to the use of technology. Another point that needs to be taken into consideration is the community in which the school is inserted, because the impact of a digital education needs to go beyond learning to handle digital devices. It is essential to configure a problematizing education, which goes beyond the walls of the school. The teacher needs, through the use of new technologies, to prepare the student to read the world and provide him with tools to be the author of the story of his life and to be a citizen capable of acting ethically to transform the world into a better place to live.Los recursos digitales se ven cada vez más como herramientas para el trabajo y el crecimiento personal y profesional. Es necesario que la escuela y el profesor estén preparados para afrontar estos nuevos retos. La enseñanza ya no se trata solo de enseñar a leer y escribir, solo a lápiz, pizarra y tiza, al espacio del aula. Es importante entender que la educación necesita adaptarse a la nueva realidad y depende del profesor prepararse para esta nueva realidad, convirtiéndose en el gran protagonista de esta nueva Era Tecnológica. Los nuevos recursos tecnológicos, utilizados pedagógicamente por los profesores, contribuirán eficazmente al aprendizaje innovador. Sin embargo, es necesario evaluar el contexto en el que se inserta el profesor, sus dificultades y su práctica pedagógica y su capacidad para adaptarse al papel de mediador de contenidos aliados al uso de la tecnología. Otro punto que debe tenerse en cuenta es la comunidad en la que se inserta la escuela, porque el impacto de una educación digital debe ir más allá de aprender a manejar dispositivos digitales. Es fundamental configurar una educación problematizante, que vaya más allá de las paredes de la escuela. El profesor necesita, a través del uso de las nuevas tecnologías, preparar al alumno para leer el mundo y proporcionarle herramientas para ser el autor de la historia de su vida y ser un ciudadano capaz de actuar éticamente para transformar el mundo en un lugar mejor para vivir.Cada vez mais os recursos digitais são encarados como ferramentas de trabalho e de crescimento pessoal e profissional. Faz-se necessário que a escola e o professor estejam preparados para enfrentar esses novos desafios. Ensinar já não diz respeito apenas a ensinar a ler e escrever, apenas ao lápis, quadro e giz, ao espaço da sala de aula. É importante compreender que a educação precisa se adaptar à nova realidade e cabe ao professor preparar para esta nova realidade, se tornando o grande protagonista desta nova Era Tecnológica. Os novos recursos tecnológicos, usados pedagogicamente pelos docentes, irão contribuir eficazmente para uma aprendizagem inovadora. No entanto, se faz necessário avaliar sobre o contexto no qual o professor está inserido, suas dificuldades e sobre sua prática pedagógica e sua capacidade de se adaptar ao papel de mediador de conteúdos aliados ao uso da tecnologia. Outro ponto que precisa ser levado em consideração é a comunidade em que a escola está inserida, pois o impacto de uma educação digital precisa ir além de aprender a manusear aparelhos digitais. É essencial que se configure uma educação problematizadora, que vá além dos muros da escola. O professor precisa, através do uso das novas tecnologias, preparar o aluno para ler o mundo e lhe fornecer ferramentas para ser o autor da história de sua vida e de ser um cidadão capaz de agir eticamente para transformar o mundo num lugar melhor para se viver.Cada vez mais os recursos digitais são encarados como ferramentas de trabalho e de crescimento pessoal e profissional. Faz-se necessário que a escola e o professor estejam preparados para enfrentar esses novos desafios. Ensinar já não diz respeito apenas a ensinar a ler e escrever, apenas ao lápis, quadro e giz, ao espaço da sala de aula. É importante compreender que a educação precisa se adaptar à nova realidade e cabe ao professor preparar para esta nova realidade, se tornando o grande protagonista desta nova Era Tecnológica. Os novos recursos tecnológicos, usados pedagogicamente pelos docentes, irão contribuir eficazmente para uma aprendizagem inovadora. No entanto, se faz necessário avaliar sobre o contexto no qual o professor está inserido, suas dificuldades e sobre sua prática pedagógica e sua capacidade de se adaptar ao papel de mediador de conteúdos aliados ao uso da tecnologia. Outro ponto que precisa ser levado em consideração é a comunidade em que a escola está inserida, pois o impacto de uma educação digital precisa ir além de aprender a manusear aparelhos digitais. É essencial que se configure uma educação problematizadora, que vá além dos muros da escola. O professor precisa, através do uso das novas tecnologias, preparar o aluno para ler o mundo e lhe fornecer ferramentas para ser o autor da história de sua vida e de ser um cidadão capaz de agir eticamente para transformar o mundo num lugar melhor para se viver

Globular cluster systems of relic galaxies

We analyse the globular cluster (GC) systems of a sample of 15 massive, compact early-type galaxies (ETGs), 13 of which have already been identified as good relic galaxy candidates on the basis of their compact morphologies, old stellar populations and stellar kinematics. These relic galaxy candidates are likely the nearby counterparts of high-redshift red nugget galaxies. Using F814W (≈I) and F160W (≈H) data from the WFC3 camara onboard the Hubble Space Telescope, we determine the total number, luminosity function, specific frequency, colour, and spatial distribution of the GC systems (GCSs). We find lower specific frequencies (SN < 2.5 with a median of SN = 1) than ETGs of comparable mass. This is consistent with a scenario of rapid, early dissipative formation, with relatively low levels of accretion of low-mass, high-SN satellites. The GC half-number radii are compact, but follow the relations found in normal ETGs. We identify an anticorrelation between the specific angular momentum (λR) of the host galaxy and the (I − H) colour distribution width of their GCSs. Assuming that λR provides a measure of the degree of dissipation in massive ETGs, we suggest that the (I − H) colour distribution width can be used as a proxy for the degree of complexity of the accretion histories in these systems

Evaluation of functional gain of the elbow following Steindler surgery for brachial plexus injury

OBJETIVO: Avaliar ganho de força e amplitude de movimento do cotovelo após cirurgia de Steindler Modificada em pacientes com lesão do tronco superior do plexo braquial. MÉTODO: Foram acompanhados de 1998 a 2007 onze pacientes com lesão traumática fechada do tronco superior do plexo braquial. Todos apresentavam evolução de pelo menos 1 ano da lesão e grau de força de flexão do cotovelo que variou de M1 a M3. Os pacientes foram submetidos à cirurgia de Steindler modificada e seguidos por período mínimo de 6 meses. Realizadas avaliações pré e pós-operatórias do ganho de força muscular, amplitude de movimento do cotovelo e pontuação conforme escala DASH. RESULTADOS: Dos onze pacientes analisados, nove (82%) atingiram nível de força igual ou maior a M3 (MRC). Dois (18%) chegaram ao nível de força M2(MRC). Observamos que os pacientes apresentaram ganho médio de amplitude de movimento do cotovelo pós-operatória de 43,45 graus. A média de flexão do cotovelo pós-operatória foi de 88 graus. Houve melhora da função do cotovelo demonstrada na Escala DASH em 81% dos pacientes do estudo. CONCLUSÃO: A cirurgia de Steindler Modificada mostrou-se eficaz no tratamento dos pacientes com lesão de tronco superior de plexo braquial, com ganho estatisticamente significativo de amplitude de movimento. Em todos os casos algum grau de ganho de força e amplitude de flexão do cotovelo, sendo tanto maior quanto maior a força muscular inicial. Nível de Evidência: Nível II, ensaio clínico prospective.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the gain in strength and range of motion after modified Steindler surgery of the elbow in patients with lesions of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. METHOD: From 1998 to 2007, eleven patients with traumatic closed upper trunk lesion of the brachial plexus were studied. All the patients had development of at least 1 year of injury and degree of strength of elbow flexion ranging from M1 to M3. The patients underwent Steindler surgery with at least 6 months of follow-up. Pre- and post-operative assessments were carried out to determine gain in muscle strength, range of motion of the elbow, and DASH scale score. RESULTS: Of the eleven patients studied, nine (82%) achieved a level of strength equal to or greater than M3 (MRC) with good functional recovery. Two (18%) reached strength level M2 (MRC). We observed that the patients had an average postoperative gain in range of motion of the elbow of 43.45 degrees. The average elbow flexion after surgery was 88 degrees. There was an improvement in elbow function, as demonstrated in the DASH Scale, in 81% of the patients studied. CONCLUSION: Modified Steindler surgery was effective in the treatment of patients with injuries of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus, with statistically significant gains in range of motion. In all the cases studied, there was some degree of gain in strength and range of elbow flexion, the gain being correlated with the initial muscle strength. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective clinical trial

Fatores associados com a qualidade de vida de homens idosos

Inquérito domiciliário, transversal e analítico que objetivou descrever as características sociodemográficas, de saúde e a qualidade de vida de homens idosos e verificar os fatores socioeconômicos e de saúde associados à qualidade de vida. Participaram 804 homens idosos. Os dados foram coletados pelos instrumentos: Older Americans Resources and Services(OARS), World Health Organization Quality of Life - Bref (WHOQOL-BREF) e Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults(WHOQOL-OLD). Foram realizados análise descritiva, teste t-Student, correlação de Pearson e regressão linear múltipla (pEncuesta domiciliaria, transversal, analítica, objetivando describir las características sociodemográficas, de salud y calidad de vida de hombres ancianos, y verificar los factores socioeconómicos y de salud asociados a calidad de vida. Participaron 804 hombre ancianos. Datos recolectados mediante instrumentos: Older Americans Resources and Services(OARS), World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQOL-Bref) y Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults (WHOQOL-Old). Se efectuó análisis descriptivo, test t-Student, correlación de Pearson y regresión lineal múltiple (pThis was an analytical, cross-sectional household survey study aimed at describing the sociodemographic characteristics, health and quality of life of elderly men, and to verify the socioeconomic and health factors related to quality of life. Participants in this study included 804 elderly men. Data were collected using the following instruments: Older Americans Resources and Services scale (OARS), the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults (WHOQOL-OLD). Descriptive analysis, student's t-test, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression (