The 'nurdle to leg' and other ways of winning cricket matches

The emergence of Twenty20 cricket at the elite level has been marketed on the excitement of the big hitter, where it seems that winning is a result of the muscular batter hitting boundaries at will. This version of the game has captured the imagination of many young players who all want to score runs with “big hits”. However, in junior cricket, boundary hitting is often more difficult due to size limitations of children and games played on outfields where the ball does not travel quickly. As a result, winning is often achieved via a less spectacular route – by scoring more singles than your opponents. However, most standard coaching texts only describe how to play boundary scoring shots (e.g. the drives, pulls, cuts and sweeps) and defensive shots to protect the wicket. Learning to bat appears to have been reduced to extremes of force production, i.e. maximal force production to hit boundaries or minimal force production to stop the ball from hitting the wicket. Initially, this is not a problem because the typical innings of a young player (<12 years) would be based on the concept of “block” or “bash” – they “block” the good balls and “bash” the short balls. This approach works because there are many opportunities to hit boundaries off the numerous inaccurate deliveries of novice bowlers. Most runs are scored behind the wicket by using the pace of the bowler’s delivery to re-direct the ball, because the intrinsic dynamics (i.e. lack of strength) of most children means that they can only create sufficient power by playing shots where the whole body can contribute to force production. This method works well until the novice player comes up against more accurate bowling when they find they have no way of scoring runs. Once batters begin to face “good” bowlers, batters have to learn to score runs via singles. In cricket coaching manuals (e.g. ECB, n.d), running between the wickets is treated as a separate task to batting, and the “basics” of running, such as how to “back- up”, carry the bat, calling and turning and sliding the bat into the crease are “drilled” into players. This task decomposition strategy focussing on techniques is a common approach to skill acquisition in many highly traditional sports, typified in cricket by activities where players hit balls off tees and receive “throw-downs” from coaches. However, the relative usefulness of these approaches in the acquisition of sporting skills is increasingly being questioned (Pinder, Renshaw & Davids, 2009). We will discuss why this is the case in the next section.

Critical reflections on the use of participatory methodologies to build evaluation capacities in international development organisations

There has been a greater focus on strengthening evaluation capacity building (ECB) within development organisations in recent years. This can be attributed in part to the growing appreciation of the value of participatory and collaborative forms of evaluation. Evaluation is increasingly seen as an ongoing learning process and an important means of strengthening capacity and improving organisational performance (Horton et al., 2003:7). While there are many benefits of using participatory methodologies in ECB projects, our experiences and a review of the literature in this area highlight the many challenges, issues and contradictions that can affect the success of such ECB efforts. We discuss these issues, drawing on our learnings from the ongoing participatory action research (PAR) project 'Assessing Communication for Social Change’ (AC4SC). This four year project, which began in 2007, is a collaboration between communication and development academics and evaluation specialists from two Australian universities and communication for development practitioners and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) staff in the NGO Equal Access Nepal (EAN). The aim is to develop, implement, and evaluate a participatory methodology for assessing the social change impacts of community radio programs produced by EAN. It builds on previous projects that used ethnographic action research (EAR) methodology (Tacchi et al., 2007).

Monetary policy rules and estimated reaction functions for the European Central Bank

This thesis studies the interest-rate policy of the ECB by estimating monetary policy rules using real-time data and central bank forecasts. The aim of the estimations is to try to characterize a decade of common monetary policy and to look at how different models perform at this task.The estimated rules include: contemporary Taylor rules, forward-looking Taylor rules, nonlinearrules and forecast-based rules. The nonlinear models allow for the possibility of zone-like preferences and an asymmetric response to key variables. The models therefore encompass the most popular sub-group of simple models used for policy analysis as well as the more unusual non-linear approach. In addition to the empirical work, this thesis also contains a more general discussion of monetary policy rules mostly from a New Keynesian perspective. This discussion includes an overview of some notable related studies, optimal policy, policy gradualism and several other related subjects. The regression estimations are performed with either least squares or the generalized method of moments depending on the requirements of the estimations. The estimations use data from both the Euro Area Real-Time Database and the central bank forecasts published in ECB Monthly Bulletins. These data sources represent some of the best data that is available for this kind of analysis. The main results of this thesis are that forward-looking behavior appears highly prevalent, but that standard forward-looking Taylor rules offer only ambivalent results with regard to inflation. Nonlinear models are shown to work, but on the other hand do not have a strong rationale over a simpler linear formulation. However, the forecasts appear to be highly useful in characterizing policy and may offer the most accurate depiction of a predominantly forward-looking central bank. In particular the inflation response appears much stronger while the output response becomes highly forward-looking as well.

Arquitectura subcelular del sistema endocannabinoide en el núcleo ventromedial del hipotálamo de ratón

356 p. : il., graf. Nota: Contiene versión resumida en inglés p.237-256 con el título “Subcellular architecture of the endocannabinoid system in the mouse ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus”

Cointegration analysis of money demand in the Euro Area

The analysis of the evolution of the M3 money aggregate is an important element in the definition and implementation of monetary policy for the ECB. A well-defined and stable long run demand function is an essential requisite for M3 to be a valid monetary tool. Therefore, this paper analyzes based in cointegration techniques the existence of a long run money demand, estimating it and testing its stability for the Euro Area and for ten of its member countries. Specifically, bearing in mind the high degree of monetary instability that the current economic crisis has created in the Euro Area, we also test whether this has had a noticeable impact in the cointegration among real money demand and its determinants. The analysis gives evidence of the existence of a long run relationship when the aggregated Euro Area and six of the ten countries are considered. However, these relationships are highly instable since the outbreak of the financial crisis, leading in some cases to even rejecting cointegration. All this suggests that the ECB’s strategy of focusing in the M3 monetary aggregates could not be a convenient approach under the current circumstances

A síndrome de burnout e suas representações entre profissionais de saúde de um hospital geral

A tese tem como objetivo geral analisar a ocorrência da síndrome de burnout e suas representações sociais entre profissionais de saúde de um hospital público universitário do Rio de Janeiro. Caracteriza-se como um estudo quanti-qualitativo, descritivo, transversal, a partir de uma amostra intencional, totalizando 101 participantes. Os instrumentos de coleta de dados foram um questionário contendo a técnica de evocações livres, a escala de caracterização do burnout (ECB) e um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada. A análise de dados se deu por meio do uso do software EVOC 2005 e da construção do quadro de quatro casas para as evocações livres; o software SPSS 20 e análises estatísticas descritivas e inferenciais para a ECB; e a análise de conteúdo temático categorial para as entrevistas semidiretivas. Os resultados apontam que os profissionais de saúde possuem uma representação social da síndrome de burnout alicerçada em duas dimensões, uma física e outra psicológica; observa-se a prevalência de conteúdos predominantemente negativos nessa representação, sobretudo, em relação ao contexto de trabalho no hospital. Também mostram a existência da representação social da síndrome de burnout estruturada a partir dos termos estresse e cansaço que fazem parte do provável núcleo central dessa representação. Observou-se que há ocorrência da síndrome de burnout entre enfermeiros e médicos do campo cirúrgico do hospital e que tal ocorrência apresenta relação com as variáveis psicossociais e sóciodemográficas. Releva-se a importância dessas variáveis, assinalando o seu papel regulador na ocorrência e desenvolvimento da síndrome. Conclui-se destacando as condições de trabalho para a construção das representações nas profissões de saúde e para a determinação da síndrome de burnout, sobretudo no campo cirúrgico. Os resultados poderão contribuir para a compreensão do campo teórico da síndrome de burnout, especialmente, no que se refere à sua determinação e ao seu desenvolvimento, lançando luz para o seu diagnóstico e sua prevenção

分组密码工作模式的研究现状

分组密码工作模式是利用分组密码解决实际问题的密码方案．好的工作模式可以弥补分组密码的某些缺憾；相反，不好的工作模式可能带来安全隐患．工作模式的研究始终伴随着分组密码的研究历史，新的分组密码标准的推出，都会伴随着相应工作模式的研究．从针对DES的ECB、CBC、CFB和OFB，到针对AES的CTR、CCM、CMAC、GCM和AESKW，作者以各种模式标准为主线，介绍分组密码工作模式的设计理念、安全模型、二十多年的研究成果以及发展现状．

经典过垒模型在Xe~(q+) +He碰撞中的应用

采用位置灵敏探测和飞行时间技术研究了高电荷态Xe离子 (q =15 ,17,19,2 1,2 3)与He原子碰撞中双电子转移截面与单俘获截面比随入射离子电荷态的变化规律。提出一步过程假定 ,对扩展的经典过垒(ECB)模型进行了修正 ,利用修正模型计算得到的单、双电子转移绝对截面与Andersson等人和Selberg等人的实验结果符合得很好 ,所得截面比与本实验得到的双电子转移截面与单电子俘获截面符合得比较好。

高电荷态Xe离子与He原子碰撞中的电子转移过程研究

采用位置灵敏探测和飞行时间技术研究了高电荷态Xe离子 (q =1 5 ,1 7,1 9,2 1 ,2 3)与He原子碰撞中双电子转移截面与单电子转移截面比随入射离子电荷态的变化规律 .提出一步过程假定 ,对扩展的经典过垒 (ECB)模型进行了修正 ,利用修正模型计算得到的单、双电子转移绝对截面与Andersson等人和Selberg等人的实验结果很好符合 ,所得截面比与本实验得到的双电子转移截面与单电子俘获截面比较好符合

Single- and double-electron processes in collisions of Xe23+ ions with helium

We report the measurements of relative cross sections for single capture (SC), double capture (DC), single ionization (SI), double ionization (DI), and transfer ionization (TI) in collisions of Xe23+ ions with helium atoms in the velocity range of 0.65-1.32 a.u. The relative cross sections show a weak velocity dependence. The cross-section ratio of double-(DE) to single-electron (SE) removal from He, sigma(DE)/sigma(SE), is about 0.45. Single capture is the dominant reaction channel which is followed by transfer ionization, while only very small probabilities are found for pure ionization and double capture. The present experimental data are in satisfactory agreement with the estimations by the extended classical over-barrier (ECB) model..

低能高电荷态离子与氦原子碰撞中的双电子过程研究

本工作采用散射离子位置灵敏探测和反冲离子飞摘．时问符合技术，在小于一300keV的能量范围内，研究了高电荷态Xe离子（q=15，17，19，21，23）与He原子碰撞中双电子转移截面与单电子转移截而比与入射离子电荷态的关系；研究了入射离子电荷态q＝4，5，6，7的等电荷态序列Cq＋、Nq＋、Oq＋、Neq＋与He原子碰撞中，电子转移截面比与入射离子原子序数的关系。对Xeq＋＋ He碰撞体系，主要研究了靶原子完全转移两个电子（σ2）与完全转移一个电子（σl）的截面比σ2／σl与入射离子电荷态的依赖关系。对靶原子双电子过程提出一步过程假定，修正了ECB模型。通过与已有绝对截面的比较，得到了很好的符合结果。使用修正模型计算的截面比解释了本实验的截面比测量结果。对等电荷态序列Cq＋、Nq＋、Oq＋、Neq＋与He原子的碰撞，主要研究了转移电离与单俘获截面比与入射离子原子序数的依赖关系。在统计模型的理论框架下，引入势能参数。Ω研究发现，等电荷序列的转移电离与单俘获截面比与碰撞系统的。有很强的依赖关系，说明单电子俘获形成的能量沉积是引起转移电离的主要因素。本工作还研究了势能参数几对碰撞系统的转移电离与双俘获之间的相互关系的影响。结果表明，。对转移电离和双俘获在靶原子双电子过程中的比率权重起着决定性作用。

A gestão do risco de liquidez e a concessão de crédito durante os períodos de crise

Dissertação de Mestrado Apresentada ao Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Contabilidade e Finanças, sob orientação do Doutor Mário Joel Matos Veiga de Oliveira Queirós.

CTT, the mail going public

The main purpose of this case-study is to analyse CTT’s privatisation process, a previously Government-owned firm, which went public in 2013, under the terms of the adjustment program agreed between Portugal, the European institutions (ECB and European Commission) and the IMF. The emphasis will be placed on the IPO process, but also on the company itself (its history, current situation and prospects for its new phase, as a publicly listed company). This piece of work aims to evaluate the different alternatives for the privatisation of the company along with the respective implications, as well as the outcome of the actual decision taken by the Portuguese Government. One key aspect of the case is also to understand the importance that the privatisation of the Royal Mail, which can be seen as a peer of the Portuguese company, in the unfolding of the process and in the choice of the privatisation model. The case intends to show how the British process influenced the subsequent option of the Portuguese entities to sell CTT through an IPO, instead of a trade sale. All in all, the overall objective of this case-study is to analyse CTT’s successful sale process, which created the first Portuguese company with 100% free-float. 3 On the last days of November 2013, Steven Bernstein was staring at the window of his office overlooking downtown Manhattan, not even noticing the intense rain that was pouring down. As senior manager at ABC Fund, a pension fund responsible for managing more than 800 million dollars, his thoughts were focused on a very important decision that ABC Fund would have to make in just a matter of days. The American pension fund was considering whether or not to invest in the upcoming Initial Public Offering of CTT- Correios de Portugal, the Government-owned Portuguese mail company. Is this investment opportunity in accordance with the risk profile of a pension fund? Is it a wise decision to acquire shares in a Portuguese company when the country is at the centre of the European Sovereign debt crisis, going through a very demanding economic adjustment program imposed by its bail-out creditors? Would the creation of Portugal's Postal Bank make CTT a sure bet today when its price does not fully reflect the future benefits from entering financial services? Those were some of the questions that were constantly in Mr. Bernstein’s mind over the last couple of days and he was struggling to find the answers…

Le rôle des récepteurs aux cannabinoïdes CB1 et CB2 dans le guidage axonal

Au cours du développement, les axones des cellules ganglionnaires de la rétine (CGRs) voyagent sur de longues distances pour établir des connexions avec leurs cellules cibles. La navigation des cônes de croissance est guidée par différentes molécules chimiotropiques présentes dans leur environnement. Les endocannabinoïdes (eCB) sont d’importants neuromodulateurs qui régulent de manière rétrograde la fonction de nombreuses synapses du cerveau. Ils agissent principalement par le biais de leurs récepteurs liés à une protéine Gi/o CB1 (CB1R) et CB2 (CB2R). La présence des eCBs durant le stade fœtal et la période postnatale suggère leur implication dans des événements régulant le développement du système nerveux. Cette thèse confirme l’expression des récepteurs aux cannabinoïdes CB1 et CB2 ainsi que l’enzyme dégradant les eCBs lors du développement embryonnaire et perinatal des CGRs et de la voie rétinothalamique in vivo. La manipulation pharmacologique de l’activité de CB1R et CB2R réorganise la morphologie du cône de croissance des CGRs et des neurones corticaux in vitro. De plus, la stimulation locale avec un agoniste de CB1R ou de CB2R modifie le comportement du cône de croissance entraînant sa répulsion. CB1R et CB2R modulent par le biais de la voie de signalisation AMPc/PKA, la mobilisation de DCC à la membrane plasmique. Par ailleurs, les résultats de cette recherche démontrent également l’implication de CB1R et CB2R dans la ségrégation des projections ipsi- et controlatérales et le développement de la voie rétinothalamique.

Expression et localisation du système endocannabinoïde dans la rétine du singe

Les effets de la marijuana, un médicament utilisé par l’homme depuis des millénaires, sur le système visuel sont peu connus. Une meilleure connaissance de la distribution du système endocannabinoïde (eCB) de la rétine pourrait expliquer comment cette drogue affecte la vision. Cette étude vise à caractériser la distribution du récepteur cannabinoïde CB1 (CB1R) et de l’enzyme de dégradation FAAH (“fatty acid amide hydrolase”) des ligands du CB1R dans la rétine du singe Vert (Chlorocebus sabaeus). De plus, elle vise à déterminer quelles sous-populations cellulaires de la rétine expriment ces composantes. La plupart des études à ce jour ont été conduites surtout sur les rongeurs et peu de travaux ont été réalisés chez le singe. Notre étude vient donc combler cette carence. Par le biais de méthodes immunohistochimiques, nous avons investigué la localisation du CB1R et de l’enzyme FAAH à différentes excentricités rétiniennes, de la fovéa centralis vers la périphérie. Nos résultats, en accord avec notre hypothèse de travail, démontrent que CB1R et FAAH sont exprimés à travers toute la rétine mais avec, cependant, des différences notoires. Au niveau de la couche des photorécepteurs, CB1R est exprimé préférentiellement dans les cônes et ce patron d’expression suit la distribution des photorécepteurs centre-périphérie. De plus, CB1R se retrouve surtout dans les pédicules des cônes de la couche plexiforme externe. CB1R et FAAH sont abondants dans les cellules bipolaires tant au centre qu’en périphérie. Le soma et l’axone des cellules ganglionnaires expriment aussi CB1R et FAAH. Ces données suggèrent que le système eCB est présent à travers toute la rétine du primate et pourrait expliquer les perturbations visuelles entrainées par la marijuana, telles la photosensibilité et la vision des couleurs.