University Research Groups Research Articles

Looking at both sides: how specific characteristics of academic research groups and firms affect the geographical distance of university–industry linkages

This paper examines factors that affect the geographical distance of university–industry linkages by analysing specific characteristics of both sides of the collaboration – firms and universities. Previous studies have provided important evidence related to this issue; however, they have used data from either firms or universities. Therefore, this paper contributes to existing research on this issue by using information on both collaboration partners. For this purpose, data from the Directory of Research Groups in Brazil are used to estimate an empirical model. The main results indicate that firms with higher absorptive capacity and larger firms tend to collaborate with research groups that are more geographically distant. Further, on the university side, high-performance and larger research groups tend to attract firms that are more geographically distant as collaboration partners. Long-distance collaborations therefore usually occur when firms require high absorptive capacity and when they cannot find high-quality local universities.

Shock Waves and Other Solutions to the Benjamin-Bona-Mahoney-Burgers Equation with Dual Power-Law Nonlinearity

with Dual Power-Law Nonlinearity G.-W. Wang, T.-Z. Xu, R. Abazari, Z. Jovanoski and A. Biswas School of Mathematics and Statistics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing-100081, People's Republic of China Young Researchers and Elite Club, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran Applied and Industrial Mathematics Research Group, School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, UNSW Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia Department of Mathematical Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE 19901-2277, USA Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah-21589, Saudi Arabia

A Story Legitimating the Voices of Latino/Hispanic Students and their Parents: Creating a Restorative Justice Response to Wrongdoing and Conflict in Schools

This article chronicles how a group of university researchers initiated a research and professional development project called Culture of Care at a large high school in the Denver Metropolitan area. After implementation, Latino/Hispanic students and their parents maintained the project. It was the charge of Latino/Hispanic parents to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline by introducing restorative justice practices into the classroom as a way of responding to wrongdoing and conflict. The purpose of the project was to change teachers’ practices, as well as involving these students and their parents as primary informers in the process. Conceptually, the project was based on an ethic of care, the theory of culturally responsive pedagogy, and the principles of restorative justice practices in schools. Data were collected in the form of focus group interviews to create “testimonios” to legitimate the voices of the participants. Data were analyzed based on the typologies of authentic caring and aesthetic caring. Findings indicate that the high school needed to change, particularly in classrooms, and that tension in the school was based on deficit theorizing by teachers. Based on these findings, a recommendation is made to build the capacity of teachers and their students to build caring relationships by using restorative justice practices to respond to wrongdoing and conflict. With the support of the Latino/Hispanic parents, this recommendation was turned into action.

A multidimensional approach to information security risk management using FMEA and fuzzy theory

Because of the evolution and widespread use of the Internet, organisations are becoming more susceptible to attacks on Information Technology Systems. These attacks result in data losses and alterations, and impact services and business operations. Therefore, to minimise these potential failures, this paper presents an approach to information security risk management, encompassing Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and fuzzy theory. This approach analyses five dimensions of information security: access to information and systems, communication security, infrastructure, security management and secure information systems development. To illustrate the proposed model, it was applied to a University Research Group project. The results show that the most important aspects of information security risk are communication security, followed by infrastructure.

Agents Software with Ontologies in Expert Systems to Support Dental Prosthesis Design Decisions

This paper presents a research that is developed inside “Products and Systems Design and Development” research group of Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUC-PR). This research shows a study that are made to know the viability of develop an agents expert system with ontologies, to support dental prosthesis design decisions in dental prosthesis processes. Will be shown an overview of agent systems, approaching a framework used to provide agents software environment, the JADE. The planned expert system aims to analyses DICOM files with software agents and ontologies, specifically, when professionals need to choose a dental prosthesis by it characteristics. The methods used to guide this research were, the bibliographical survey to list de concepts, and, state of art for the expert system layout project and ontologies map and tests procedures. As a result, this paper shows that using agents and ontologies in expert systems development, allows better software scalability and modularization for complex and specialized software solutions.

<i>Nomenclatura Unesco</i>: evolución, alcance y reutilización en clave ontológica para la descripción de perfiles científicos

In 1974, Unesco published the Nomenclature for Fields of Science and Technology. Since then, it has been used in Spain to classify the scientific activity. In order to better determine its characteristics, development and scope, we studied the literature and analysed its use by university research groups in Spain and in other national and international settings. From the data obtained, we designed an ontology based on the combination of the Nomenclature and keywords identified in the literature. The result is an ontological model adapted to the semantic web technologies that provides a higher degree of expressiveness than the original Nomenclature. It also helps to solve problems such as obsolescence and the absence of certain emerging subject areas, facilitating the classification of scientific activities and increasing its usefulness

Science and Technology Observatory for ''NOCMAT'' in Brazil: Role and Proposed Framework

The indicators for Science and Technology Innovation (S&T) used for decision-making within the national system of research and innovation related to Non-Conventional Materials and Technologies (NOCMAT), do not concern only the federal political sphere, but also research groups of universities, research institutes and scientific and technical associations. These agents influence is frequently insignificant for decision making when compared to the dominant and centralizing industries which have created their proper indicators for justifying the application of conventional industrialized products. A culture of NOCMAT indicators should be disseminated into the scientific and social communities so that decisions at all levels should be based on relevant, reliable and transparent information, notably at the regional level. The main objective of this paper is to establish the terms of reference of the "NOCMAT Observatory" for Novel Construction Materials & Technologies for Sustainability not yet existing in Brazil, notably defining its role, dynamic organizational framework, "products" and services to be provided.

Model for knowledge management in software project planning in university research groups

Currently, organizations have assigned much importance to the knowledge generated inside and outside the organization, considering it a valuable asset to obtain sustainable competitive advantages and because of its influence in improving their processes, which makes it necessary to create strategies aimed at adequate knowledge management. Knowledge management plays an important role in software development organizations, given that it permits discovering new knowledge, capture it, store it, retrieve it, share it among the members of the organization, and understand it in favor of improvement in terms of costs reduction, greater precision in the definition of the scope and times planned and improvement in the quality of the project. This article presents the results of a qualitative research, which proposes a model that guides the incorporation of knowledge management onto software project planning in university research groups. Among the main results, we find as relevant the areas of scope and time management, as well as follow up and control of projects, which can be improved through the implementation of practices and tools of knowledge management like: collaborative systems, systems for documentary management, training, systems for management of lessons learnt, among others.

A review of halotherapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, progressive disease and is treated with inhaled medication to optimize the patient’s lung health through decreasing their symptoms, especially breathlessness. Halotherapy is the inhalation of micronized dry salt within a chamber that mimics a salt cave environment. Recent media reports suggest that this therapy may help with the symptoms of COPD.ObjectiveTo critically evaluate and summarize the evidence for the use of halotherapy as a treatment for COPD.DesignA review using systematic approach and narrative synthesis.Data sourcesCochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Google Scholar were searched. Two reviewers independently reviewed abstracts and selected eligible studies based on predetermined selection criteria.ResultsOf the 151 articles retrieved from databases and relevant reference lists, only one randomized controlled trial met the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis was unable to be conducted due to the limited number of published studies. Inclusion criteria were subsequently expanded to allow three case-control studies to be included, ensuring that a narrative synthesis could be completed. From the pooled data of the four studies, there were 1,041 participants (661 in the intervention group and 380 in the control group). The assessment of methodological quality raised issues associated with randomization and patient selection. Three themes were identified from the narrative synthesis: respiratory function, quality of life, and medication use.ConclusionThemes generated from the narrative synthesis data reflect outcome measures regularly used for interventional research associated with COPD. From this review, recommendations for inclusion of halotherapy as a therapy for COPD cannot be made at this point and there is a need for high quality studies to determine the effectiveness of this therapy.

Spatio-temporal processes of knowledge creation

This article presents a novel spatio-temporal framework for studying knowledge creation. To achieve this, we analyzed the recent literature on space, time and knowledge and conducted an empirical study. The intensive case was about four international distinguished university research groups in Finland in the fields of technology and science. Object, communicative and cognitive spaces with linear and relational times were used as tools for empirical analysis. Combinations of space and time bring out different aspects of knowledge. Knowledge processes of progressing knowledge (time-space), creating distinguished knowledge (space-time), and path-taking and bundling knowledge (spacetime) bind spaces and times closely together. Besides academy, the spatio-temporal framework can be applied to study the knowledge creation processes in art, business and local communities, for example.

3Dデザイナブルゲルが加速する和風メイカーズ革命

3D gel printer for manufacturing high-strength gel materials was developed. For innovation of gel-like materials,the development of manufacturing method for gels will be quite important. It is why the 3D gel printer was developed,which makes gel materials 3D-designable. Once the method will be digitalized, the application variety of gel materials will be expanded and accelerated enormously. The 3D-printed foods were proposed by local companies and citizens in Yonezawa City with the collaboration of research groups in other universities under the Center of Innovation (COI) projects of the MEXT. A local fabrication space is being made in the Yonezawa Station, named EkiFab. It will be a kind of Japanese-style makers revolution, started in a local city in Japan.

Co‐researching with People who Have Intellectual Disabilities: Insights From a National Survey

Inclusive research with people with intellectual disabilities is growing internationally but with few studies examining its feasibility. In undertaking a national study exploring what life was like in Ireland for people with intellectual disabilities, a community of practice was developed involving a core group of co-researchers: five people with intellectual disabilities, four university researchers and three service support staff. An additional cadre of 15 co-researchers with intellectual disabilities was recruited to undertake data gathering and analysis with 23 focus groups involving 168 participants. The research experience was documented through oral feedback, progress reports, minutes and a project review. The key learning is documented arising from the setting up of an inclusive advisory group and implementation of each of six research steps. The study demonstrates feasibility and the added value of university co-researchers recruiting and developing skills together with co-researchers with intellectual disabilities. Topics for further research and development are identified. This paper tells you about how people with intellectual disabilities worked with a group of university researchers. Both groups were called co-researchers and together they ran 23 focus groups across Ireland. People with intellectual disabilities talked about their lives and what could make them better. They said they needed to have a good place to live; a job; enough money; relationships; and acceptance as respected citizens. The university co-researchers wrote about what it was like doing research together and how people with intellectual disabilities joined the advisory group; decided on the questions; ran focus groups; and presented findings. Together they grew into a community of researchers where the university co-researchers shared their research skills and people with intellectual disabilities shared what it was like living with a disability. They both saw great value in working together and plan to work more to make this type of research happen.

A natureza do financiamento influencia na interação universidade-empresa no Brasil?

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar se a natureza da fonte de financiamento influencia na interação universidade-empresa no Brasil em termos dos modos de interação e da motivação para a colaboração. Para tanto, utilizou-se uma base de dados que envolve 319 questionários respondidos pelos responsáveis pelas atividades de pesquisa e desenvolvimento e/ou pelas interações com universidades e institutos públicos de pesquisa (IPPs) em empresas localizadas no Brasil, que apresentaram interação com grupos de pesquisa de universidades/IPPs. São analisadas as empresas que financiaram com recursos próprios os projetos em colaboração com universidades/IPPs, num total de 135, e aquelas que financiaram a interação com uma composição de fontes privadas e públicas, totalizando 94. As análises apontam que a natureza do financiamento parece não influenciar nos modos de interação, mas sim nos objetivos (ou motivação) da cooperação entre empresas e universidades/IPPs.

Commentary on “The influence of lung airways branching structure and diffusion time on measurements and models of short-range 3He gas MR diffusion”

In a recently published paper by Parra-Robles and Wild [1], the authors challenge the in vivo lung morphometry technique (based on hyperpolarized gas diffusion MRI) developed by our Washington University research group. In this Commentary we demonstrate that the main conclusion of Parra-Robles and Wild, that our MRI-based lung morphometry technique “produces inaccurate estimates of the airway dimensions”, does not have any scientific basis and is not in agreement with the considerable body of peer-reviewed scientific reports as well as with Parra-Robles and Wild’s own data. On the contrary, our technique has a strong theoretical background, is validated, and provides accurate 3D tomographic information on lung microstructural parameters previously available only from invasive biopsy specimens. This technique has already produced a number of results related to lung morphology and function that were not previously available. In our Commentary we also discuss a number of other incorrect statements in and shortcomings of Parra-Robles and Wild’s paper.

Promoting teacher autonomy through university–school collaborative action research

Over the past few decades, the pursuit of teachers-as-researchers has become an ideal for developing teacher autonomy to which many in the world of curriculum development and language teacher education try to promote (Benson, 2001). Nevertheless, research into how teachers learn to do research has been scarce, and there are pressing needs for research-based accounts of how teachers gain their professional autonomy through research (Borg, 2009). This article reports on a collaborative action research project carried out by a group of university researchers with a group of senior secondary school English teachers in an attempt to promote teacher autonomy in the Chinese context. It first introduces the background and rationale for the project. Then it describes the project along with the research questions and data collection methods. Based on the analysis of the data obtained, the article looks into the processes that teachers go through in learning to do research and examines the impact the project has on the participating teachers. Then it further discusses issues related to such collaboration and concludes with the conditions that are essential for effective university–school collaborations.

Memorias, identidades y culturas políticas. El movimiento de Memoria y los Derechos Humanos desde la investigación participativa

Following the case of the Memory and Human Rights Movement (MHRM) in Spain, in this text I discuss the relationships between memories and political identities, and the mediations of the social sciences in the political cultures fostered by social movements. As member of a group of university researchers and voluntary activists, I reflect on our contribution to the movement from the perspective of participative research. I focus on two main issues: changes in the interpretive frameworks of our recent past and influence of the agenda of the MMHR in the relations between social sciences and political processes.

A Produção Científica Brasileira sobre o Câncer Masculino: Estado da Arte

Introdução: Embora apresente taxas de incidência semelhantes entre homens e mulheres, estudos apontam para maior letalidade dos diferentes tipos de câncer entre a população masculina. Entretanto, ainda observa-se uma maior produção científica voltada para a compreensão do processo de adoecimento das mulheres e crianças com câncer, em detrimento dos homens com essa enfermidade. Objetivo: Identificar e analisar a produção científica brasileira sobre o câncer masculino, buscando evidenciar lacunas e dimensões abordadas ou privilegiadas quanto ao tema. Método: Na perspectiva dos estudos de Estado da Arte, foram consultadas as bases de dados SciELO, PePSIC e CAPES, sem recorte temporal, utilizando os descritores câncer, neoplasias e tumores. Para inclusão dos artigos, foram considerados aqueles que tratassem da doença “câncer” e que possuíam amostra/população composta exclusivamente por homens. Para análise dos dados, foi realizada uma caracterização dos trabalhos e autores de cada estudo selecionado. Resultados: Das 16.972 publicações encontradas, apenas 543 atenderam aos critérios de seleção. Constatou-se a maior produção realizada por homens, graduados em medicina pertencentes a grupos de pesquisa de universidades públicas localizadas na região Sudeste do Brasil. Observou-se uma maior ênfase desses estudos nas neoplasias da próstata, pênis e testículo, e a necessidade de maior investimento em trabalhos que considerem os aspectos psicossociais que perpassam o adoecimento e tratamento oncológico. Conclusão: Os resultados apontam para a incipiente produção científica brasileira acerca do câncer masculino. Faz-se necessário investir na produção de conhecimento científico sobre o tema, contribuindo assim para a efetividade da Política Nacional de Atenção Integral à Saúde do Homem.

Method for Aureole Estimation Refinement Through Comparisons Between Observed Aureole and Estimated Aureole Based on Monte Carlo Ray Tracing

Method for aureole estimation refinement through comparisons between observed aureole and estimated aureole based on Monte Carlo Ray Tracing: MCRT is proposed. Through some experiments, it is found that the proposed method does work for refinement of aureole estimation. The experimental results also show the proposed method is validated through comparison with empirical aureole estimation equation which is proposed by Shebrooke University research group.

A Pipeline Software Architecture for NMR Spectrum Data Translation

The problem of formatting data so that it conforms to the required input for scientific data processing tools pervades scientific computing. The CONNecticut Joint University Research Group (CONNJUR) has developed a data translation tool based on a pipeline architecture that partially solves this problem. The CONNJUR Spectrum Translator supports data format translation for experiments that use Nuclear Magnetic Resonance to determine the structure of large protein molecules.

Territorios de las metodologías artísticas de investigación con un fotoensayo a partir de Buñuel

Arts based Research (Investigación basada en Artes, in Spanish) uses Artistic Research Methodologies (ARM), which are founded in the forms of inquiry used by professional in literature, visual arts, music, theatre, dance, etc. The main distinctive feature of the ARM is that the final investigation report may consist, essentially, in a poem, a fictional story, a group of drawings or paintings, a song, a dance or a movie. The ARM main objective is to improve the knowledge of phenomena and human events through processes of inquiry, forms of communication and representation systems that put the emphasis on artistic and aesthetic qualities of both, the process and the final results of the research. A descriptive table show the recent and most relevant university textbooks, professional journals, research groups and professional associations about Research in Art Education, in the general context of Research in Humanities and Research in Visual Arts. A Photo essay explains the artistic processes of teaching and learning, after the film Los olvidados [The Young and the Damned in U.S.A.] by Buñuel, with our primary teacher’s training students on how film represents violence and school.