Descobrindo novas ofertas: recursos histórico-culturais e oportunidades de inovação em turismo para a região do Marco/RN

Having as reference the fundamentals of regional innovation systems (RIS) and the policy guidelines defined in the regionalization program implemented by the federal government, this study focus on the analysis of the so-called "Landmark Region", northern coast of Polo Costa das Dunas-RN, in order to indicate how the historical and cultural resources can support innovation in the tourism of the region, represented here by the cities of Pedra Grande and São Miguel do Gostoso. This is a descriptive research, using qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, configuring, still, as a case study. Data were gathered from literature, documents, semi-structured interviews and mainly by participant observation methods. The results show a great diversity of cultural resources in the region, both material and immaterial, which however are disarticulated, and need to be worked in order to be included in the tourism productive chain. The main opportunity for innovation regards the return of the Landmark to the region, an invaluable monument, with the construction of a memorial. Taking in account the relevance of the monument and the growth of the region, we conclude that the return of the Landmark to its place of origin, in conjunction with other cultural resources, could attract a flow of cultural tourists. This fact could be, as the theory suggests, characterized as market or niche innovation, as the region is dominated by the sun and sea and wind sports tourism

“Who Gets Public Support to Innovation? Evidence from the Portuguese Alentejo Region”

The aim of the study is to assess which factors influence the policymaking decisions to financially support an innovative investment project. Based on the case study of the Portuguese Innovation Incentive System in the Alentejo region, we estimated an econometric model based on firms’ and application’ characteristics, controlling for macroeconomic environment. The results indicate that the selection process is more focused on the expected project impact than on firms’ past performance. Furthermore, we found that government preference for promoting employment and exportation are shown to be higher than the impact on firm productivity.

Knowledge that matters : identifying regional knowledge assets of tampere region

The extant literature considers knowledge as one of the key drivers of regional development. The idiosyncratic nature of regional knowledge is also acknowledged: each region possesses its unique knowledge assets which act as the basis of value creation. However, what is currently not well-known is how the region-specific knowledge assets can be identified, for example, for the purposes of managing and developing them. Thus, this paper aims, first, to explore how the relevant knowledge assets can be identified for a given region and, second, to describe what the context-specific knowledge assets are. These objectives are pursued using a qualitative case approach. As a case region, this study focuses on Tampere Region in Finland. This study makes a contribution by providing new insight regarding the contextual identification of regional knowledge assets and by illustrating the key knowledge assets of the case region. These insights are considered valuable for regional actors who are responsible for carrying out similar initiatives in their regions.

KAIRON PROJECT : assessing the role of expressive arts in community-based breast cancer support systems in the Niagara Region

Research Report Written for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Soil fertility and nutrient status of traditional Gayo coffee agroforestry systems in the Takengon region, Aceh Province, Indonesia

Little is known about the traditional coffee cultivation systems in Central Aceh, Indonesia, where coffee production is a major source of income for local Gayo people. Based on field observations and farmer interviews, 14 representative agroforestry coffee plantations of different age classes (60-70 years, 30-40 years, and 20 years) as well as seven adjacent grassland and native forest sites were selected for this study, and soil and coffee leaf samples collected for nutrient analysis. Significant differences in soil and coffee leaf parameters were found between former native forest and Sumatran pine (Pinus merkusii) forest as previous land cover indicating the importance of the land use history for today’s coffee cultivation. Soil pH as well as exchangeable Na and Ca concentrations were significantly lower on coffee plantations compared to grassland and forest sites. Soil C, N, plant available P, exchangeable K, and Mg concentrations showed no consistent differences between land use groups. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) concentrations of coffee leaves were in the sufficiency range, whereas zinc (Zn) contents were found to be consistently below the sufficiency threshold and significantly lower in coffee plantations of previous pine forest cover compared to those of previous native forest cover. While the results of this study provided insights into the nutrient status of coffee plantations in Central Aceh, the heterogeneity of site conditions, limited sampling size, and scarcity of reliable data about the land use history and initial soil conditions of sampled sites preclude more definitive conclusions about the sustainability of the studied systems.

Yield of upland rice cultivars in rainfed and sprinkler-irrigated systems in the Cerrado region of Brazil

In upland rice, the reduced grain yield that originates from the moisture stress period is related to the plant's tolerance of water deficiency and may vary between cultivars. The purpose of the work presented here was to evaluate the performance of upland rice cultivars in both rainfed and sprinkler-irrigated systems. A split-plot scheme with 8 replicates in a randomised block design was used. The plots were composed of 2 cropping systems (rainfed and sprinkler-irrigated) and the split-plot consisted of 2 cultivars (IAC 201 and Carajas) which are suggested for cultivation in upland ecosystems. Carajas had a greater number of panicles per square metre, higher spikelet fertility and grain mass, and, consequently, a higher grain yield than IAC 201 regardless of cropping system. IAC 201 was more sensitive to water deficiency than Carajas. Sprinkler irrigation improved spikelet fertility, grain mass and upland rice grain yield. Even when cultivars with a higher tolerance of water deficiency are used, a sprinkler-irrigated system may be a viable method to increase upland rice yield throughout most of the Brazilian Cerrado.

Growth parameters and nutrient content in four multipurpose tree species with potential characteristics for agroforestry systems in a Cerrado region in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil

In order to evaluate growth characteristics, adaptability, biomass production, nutrient recycling, nutrient distribution and the ability to regenerate degraded land, a trial using four multipurpose tree species (Leucaena leucocephala, Leucaena diversifolia, Acacia melanoxylon and Mimosa scabrella) was undertaken over two years in a distrophic red yellow latosol (oxisol) following a randomized block experimental design with four replications. At the age of two years, A. melanoxylon and L. diversifolia were the tallest species (5.25 and 4.97 m, respectively) and A. melanoxylon and M. scabrella had the largest diameters at 20 cm from tree base. Mimosa scabrella and A. melanoxylon had the highest dry matter production and quantity of nutrients in the above ground biomass. In all species, the highest nutrient contents were found in the leaves, followed by branches and stems. From all species, the highest Nutrient Utilization Efficiency Indexes were obtained for sulphur, phosphorous, and magnesium; L. diversifolia was the most efficient for nitrogen, potassium, calcium, sulphur, and manganese, while A. melanoxylon was the most efficient for phosphorus, magnesium, boron, iron, and zinc. Litter production levels over a three month period were as follows: M. scabrella > A. melanoxylon > L. diversifolia > L. leucocephala. Litter nutrient content was higher in M. scabrella than in the other species.

Select bibliography on coastal area development and environmental, physical and regional planning in the Caribbean region

Bibliografía sobre desarrollo de las áreas costeras, planificación del medio ambiente, recursos marinos, planificación regional y física, y puertos del Caribe.

Transport in the Americas: linking regional systems

On 15 and 16 December 1998, in New Orleans, United States, the third Western Hemisphere Transportation Ministerial Meeting will take place. This is part of a work programme which has been incorporated into the Plan of Action of the Americas. The Summit of the Americas held in Santiago, Chile, in April 1998, and the adoption of negotiations mechanisms for the Free Trade Area of the Americas constitute two major landmarks of the continental integration processes this year. The current issue of the FAL Bulletin focuses on the relationship between trade and transport in the Americas, and includes a discussion of transport systems and the supporting integration progress in the continent.

Integración regional, identidad cultural y canon literario : Una aproximación teórica

En el presente trabajo nos proponemos realizar una aproximación teórica acerca de la constitución de un canon latinoamericano en relación a la identidad cultural latinoamericana en el marco del proceso de integración regional actual. Revisamos la noción de identidad cultural y proponemos una que incorpore las diferentes reivindicaciones pero que lo haga en una tensión constante que imposibilite la cooptación de una de ellas por sobre las otras. Respecto del canon, analizamos dos posturas, una esteticista y otra politizada y proponemos la hipótesis de una articulación de ambas. Así, llegamos a la conclusión de la necesidad de formular una identidad cultural que suponga un reconocimiento y una tensión de las diferentes culturas. Esta noción de identidad debería motivar la formulación de un canon que incorpore los conflictos en el campo cultural y político, pero que no desestime las problemáticas estéticas propias de la literatura

Integración regional, identidad cultural y canon literario : Una aproximación teórica

En el presente trabajo nos proponemos realizar una aproximación teórica acerca de la constitución de un canon latinoamericano en relación a la identidad cultural latinoamericana en el marco del proceso de integración regional actual. Revisamos la noción de identidad cultural y proponemos una que incorpore las diferentes reivindicaciones pero que lo haga en una tensión constante que imposibilite la cooptación de una de ellas por sobre las otras. Respecto del canon, analizamos dos posturas, una esteticista y otra politizada y proponemos la hipótesis de una articulación de ambas. Así, llegamos a la conclusión de la necesidad de formular una identidad cultural que suponga un reconocimiento y una tensión de las diferentes culturas. Esta noción de identidad debería motivar la formulación de un canon que incorpore los conflictos en el campo cultural y político, pero que no desestime las problemáticas estéticas propias de la literatura