The description of gravitational waves in geometric scalar gravity

It is investigated the gravitational waves phenomena in the geometric scalar theory of gravity (GSG), a class of theories such that gravity is described by a single scalar field. The associated physical metric describing the spacetime is constructed from a disformal transformation of Minkowski geometry. In this theory, a weak field approximation gives rise to a description similar to that one obtained in general relativity, with the gravitational waves propagating at the same speed as the light, although they have a characteristic longitudinal polarization mode, besides others modes that are observer dependent. We also analyze the energy carried by the gravitational waves as well as how their emission affects the orbital period of a binary system. Observational data coming from Hulse and Taylor binary pulsar is then used to constraint the theory parameter.Comment: Revised version accepted for publication in EPJC; confrontation with pulsar observational data added; abstract slightly changed. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1607.0103

PRODUCTIVE SPECIALIZATION AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN PORTUGAL AT THE NUTS III LEVEL

The purpose of this paper is to analyse how the specialization of Portuguese productive structures has evolved between 1995 and 2004, using specialization indicators, namely localization quotient estimation, to assess both the relative degree of concentration of a given activity in a certain area and the specialization coefficient, that helps characterize a region’s economy according to its degree of specialization. The Theil Index, together with the diversification/specialization degree of each region was also taken into consideration in this analysis. Reference variables for specialization analysis purposes were Gross Value Added and Employment in an attempt to compare differences observed with productivities, which, in turn, are related to purchasing power evolution within each territorial unit. The main aim of this study was, then, a thorough research into the time-spatial relationship between specialization, productivity and development.Productive specialisation index and regional development, multiple regression, Theil Index

CONTRUCTING A BROADER MEASURE OF WELFARE INCORPORATING THE ACCESS TO PUBLIC GOODS

This paper attempts to construct a broader measure of welfare that takes in account the access people have to some public goods. If the data on household access to public goods and private assets is assumed to be the result of a maximization problem, a latent indirect utility level may be estimated by some factor model. In this paper the individual measure of welfare is constructed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in the ownership of private assets and the existence of public goods in the neighborhood the agent lives in. The resulting welfare distributions are used in different analysis: Calculate the treatment effect of having access to certain public goods; investigate the effects of public goods in poverty and inequality alleviation; development of an algorithm to locate public goods in order to maximize some social welfare function.

Non-farm businesses local economic integration level: the case of six Portuguese small and medium-sized Markettowns• - a sector approach

Small and medium-sized towns in rural areas are of particular interest at this stage in the evolution of the European CAP. Serious consideration is being given to mechanisms that could transfer resources from the agricultural sector into a more diversified rural economy in order to safeguard the well-being of both the farming community and the wider rural population while still preserving the environmental assets which are such a valued feature of Europe¡¯s rural areas. Small and medium-sized towns are potentially attractive as a focus for future rural development initiatives because: ¡ñ The concentration of initiatives within such settlements takes advantage of the economies of agglomeration while allowing the benefits of such initiatives to spread out from these sub-poles into the surrounding countryside; ¡ñ Small and Medium-sized towns contain the concentration of both human and institutional capacity required for ¡°bottom-up¡± initiatives of which the LEADER approach to integrated rural development is a good example; ¡ñ Small and medium-sized towns often contain the administrative infrastructure required to manage rural development initiatives on behalf of regional, national or European authorities in a properly accountable and auditable manner; ¡ñ In regions where land is scarce and the population density high, small and medium-sized towns provide the right locations to foster beneficial rural development while preserving the environmental assets of the open countryside. The ESDP ¨C European Spatial Development Perspective, a document published in May 1999 by the European Commission regarding the ballanced and sustainable development of the European Union territory stresses the role of small and medium-sized towns in the spatial orientation policies. It points to the ¡°development of a polycentric and balanced urban system¡± as one of the main development guidelines. It also refers the strengthening of partnerships between urban and rural areas¡± as a means of overcoming the outdated dualism between city and countryside. One of the policy options of this polycentric spatial development towards a new urban-rural relashionship mentioned in point 3.2.3 (Indigenous Development, diverse and Productive Rural Areas) make it clear the important role small and medium-sized towns are expected to play as focal points for regional development and promotion of their networking. With this paper we wish to analyze the results provided by around 150 questionnaires addressed to non-farm businesses in each of the three small and three medium-sized Portuguese towns chosen to be studied in order to draw some conclusions about the purchases and sales local economic integration of these firms regarding: - the relative importance of some of the firms¡¯ characteristics; - the question whether the size of the town matters; ¨C the economic sector where the firm developed its activity; and, finally, - the role of the main economic activity of the town in terms of employment and proximity of a metropolitan area.

Perceived motor ability and selection, optimization, and compensation: Effects of age and institutionalization

The authors examined the mediation effect of the perceived motor ability (PMA) on the direct “effects” of age (third vs. fourth age) and residential status (institutionalized vs. communitarians) on selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) strategies. With a non-probabilistic sample of 107 elders (Mdn = 80 years) from urban areas, and controlled for cognitive impairment and depression, the authors analysed the structural component of the path model with latent constructs that represents those relationships. This was made only after the structural validity of the constructs had been assured. Constructs were operationalized through the PMA questionnaire and a 16-item version of the SOC questionnaire. Only age had direct effects on the constructs: lower PMA and lower SOC of the elders in the fourth age. Authors also verified that the PMA mediation effect was partial